Earth
Guardian Prince Endymion
By Senshi
of Ruin and Mizu no Senshi
Act Sixty Eight Recap:
(Kisho’s POV)
“Who’s there?”
“Masaki?”
That… that voice… but it couldn’t be. He was still held
captive in the Dark Kingdom… wasn’t he?
Masaki flipped on the light and relief flooded him when
his hopes were confirmed. “Mamoru?”
Mamoru started to take a step towards him, but then
stumbled, one hand coming up to press shakily to his forehead before he fell
further forward. Masaki ran to him as he hit the floor. “Mamoru? Mamoru?”
For reasons not yet known to us, Mio has freed Mamoru from
the Dark Kingdom. However, he is gravely ill and we are all at a loss as to
what to do to help him.
“We don’t know” Taro answered quietly, “Masaki said that
when he got home Mamoru was here. Then he collapsed.”
“Have you called an ambulance?”
Taro shook his head, “We can’t risk it.”
“But if he’s in pain.”
“Ami will care for him” Taro assured his friend, “If he
isn’t conscious soon then we’ll call for someone.”
Mamoru woke briefly and I was able to get him to take back
the order that he had issued to us; the order to leave Mio be. My fellow Tennou
thought that my actions were questionable but I only did what I had to do in
order for us to protect the planet.
“You should have asked him what had happened first” Masaki
said quietly, “How are we supposed to help him if we don’t know?”
“We will find Mio” Kisho defended his actions, “And then
we will know. I do not understand why you are being like this. We can fight
again.”
“I don’t
care about being able to fight” Taro snapped, “I care about helping Mamoru.”
“I cannot
believe that is true” Kisho sniped back, “Fool. You want to protect Ami-san
don’t you?”
“How dare
you?”
“Matte” Seiichi broke in before Kisho could retort, “This
isn’t helping anyone. Kisho has a different way of doing things that is all. I
am sure we would have all handled the situation differently.”
Now, together, the Shitennou and the Senshi will face her.
We are fighting for more than just the planet this time; we are fighting for
our Prince’s life.
******
Act Sixty-Nine:
“I don’t want forgiveness. I want Mamoru” Mio took in a
deep breath, “But I never could bear to see him suffer. Can I truly watch him
breathe his last?”
“You are only saying that because he will go to you.”
“Then. So be it” a tear fell free as she invoked a
teleport to take hold of Mamoru, casting him from the Dark Kingdom forever.
“They will be your friends, too, if you want them to be.”
“No. I can never have any friends. And now that I have
lost Mamoru I am all alone. Usagi-chan, enjoy your precious time with him, for
I swear it will not last. I would rather lay this planet to ruin than see him
with you.”
“So, the Sailor Senshi and Shitennou think that they can
defeat me… fools. But, before I lay this planet to ruin, I will indulge in the
imprudence of your actions.”
They lay before her; all had been knocked unconscious due
to the force behind her attack. They were weak, really, Mio mused. Weak
compared to her powers. She could kill them now. She could kill them in a blink
of an eye whilst they lay so helpless, but her pain and bitterness was such
that it stayed her hand.
Killing them now would not serve to end the hatred in her
heart. In fact Mio had no wish for this hatred to cease, but this was not the
way. She wanted to make them suffer; she wanted to laugh at their pain and at
their attempts to fight her and her Dark Kingdom. Then she would crush them.
They would experience her full wrath and anger. She wanted them to know the
pain of loss that had stalked her throughout her life.
Another smile curled her lips as Mio closed her eyes,
concentrating on a teleport, which would take hold of them again.
Mio would destroy the planet, starting with Tokyo; the
City that had been the source of so much agony for her, but first she would
deal with the Senshi and the Shitennou. They would not die, not yet at least
for she had found a more amusing use for them…
******
Kisho opened his eyes slowly, keeping himself completely
still as the vertigo that he was feeling starting to diminish. Only when he was
confident that he could stand without stumbling did he do so, his eyes widening
as he took in the landscape around them. The marble palace… the vast and lush
gardens with the spring fountains and cherry blossom trees that were all etched
so painfully into his mind. He was home… This was the Earth Kingdom.
But how could this be? Kisho recalled it being destroyed.
Indeed it had been. It had died and he had died with it. Now he was here again?
Had he also died and now… was this merely the afterlife. Would he just continue
this endless cycle of death and rebirth for all eternity? Kisho did not know.
He did not understand anything anymore. Time had become distorted and, when he
looked down at himself, he saw that he was transformed.
“Kunzite?”
He looked up when he heard his name being called and his
heart skipped a beat when he saw the young Prince making his way hurriedly down
the steps of the palace towards them.
Pausing at his guardian’s side, Endymion smiled and
brushed some stray pieces of hair from his eyes. He could only have been ten
winters and the boyish admiration in which he looked up at Kunzite was enough
to force him to drop his guard and say softly, “Master. What are you doing here?”
“I sneaked out of my lesson when Nephrite’s back was
turned” the young Prince admitted, his eyes now downcast, “Are you angry at
me?”
Kunzite chuckled and tussled the Prince’s hair
affectionately, “No, but you should take your studies more seriously, Master.”
Endymion sighed, “I know but I…” a hint of a frown marred
Kunzite’s face when the boy’s eyes looked upwards and to the Moon that glowed
in the evening sky.
“Master” Kunzite said warningly as he had done so many
times before.
“I’m just looking” Endymion pouted, “It is very beautiful
or so papa once said.”
Kunzite shook his head and turned away with a sweep of his
cape, “Then such beauty should be observed from afar, don’t you think?”
Endymion ran to catch up with him as Kunzite started to
make his way through the gardens, still feeling a little uneasy with this
situation. He did not like the way the boy yearned for the Moon and its beauty.
There was much beauty to be found on their own planet, a planet that Endymion
would one day rule and yet his heart was filled with wonder for the people who
had created them. Kunzite was also annoyed at his King for fuelling this
fascination with such talk. Surely Tithonus should know better than this? After
all, it was he who forbid Earth-Moon relationships to start with.
“May I walk with you a while?” Endymion requested softly
as he struggled to keep up with the older boy’s gait.
“What about your lessons?”
Endymion sighed and ran a hand through his hair before
grinning boyishly, “Well I won’t tell if you don’t.”
Kunzite smiled and nodded, not wanting to deny the Prince
this. Indeed, he had to admit, he enjoyed the younger boy’s company. He had
watched over Endymion since he was a baby and now the boy was just starting to
hit the age where he wanted to know everything… wanted to see and touch
everything and some of these things would only cause him hurt, Kunzite knew.
Directing them out into the gardens, Kunzite decided to
show him the beauty that he had been referring to and then, maybe just maybe,
Endymion would forget this fanciful talk of the Moon.
Kunzite frowned again as this word sent a chill down his
spine. He had the feeling that Endymion was not the only one who should forget.
Kunzite had, too, long ago. What had brought him to the palace gardens at such
a late hour? What was this confusion that marred his heart? Kunzite did not
know but, as Endymion ran ahead to gaze in wonder at the beauty that surrounded
them, he suddenly did not care.
Not when he had the feeling that, after a very long time,
he was finally home.
******
“Mamoru…” Usagi shuddered as she gently lay yet another
blanket over his still form. Mamoru was getting cold. His condition had started
to worsen in the last half an hour and, no matter how many blankets Usagi gave
him, he would not get any warmer.
Tears stung at her eyes and Usagi held onto his hand
tighter still.
Mamoru… after all they had been through was it to end this
way? Would she simply stay at his side whilst he slowly faded away before her
eyes? Was she to stay safely in this apartment whilst her friends and the
Shitennou risked their lives to save the planet? Of course, this was how it was
meant to be; it had been decided long before her birth in this world and the
last. The Senshi and the Shitennou protected the Prince and Princess. There was
no arguing with destiny for it, like fate, could never be changed.
“Usagi” Luna whispered, nuzzling her hand in encouragement,
“You are doing all you can for him.”
“But it’s not enough, is it?” she replied tearfully,
“Luna, he is dying and I don’t know what to do.”
“His body was weak” Artemis said gently, “And the Dark
Kingdom was strong. There is nothing we can do for him now except hope for the
best that we can.”
“Mamoru…” Usagi couldn’t accept this. How could she accept
that, after all they had fought for, that they would lose it in this way.
She wouldn’t accept it! Not after everything. Trembling,
Usagi held onto Mamoru’s hand tighter as a tear slipped free and ran down her
cheek.
“Mamoru… onegai…” Usagi pressed his cold hand to her cheek
and closed her eyes, not noticing the light that was starting to shine from the
locket around her neck.
******
Masaki sat nervously at the table, listening to the sound
of the liquor cabinet opening again. Tori was in the kitchen, busying herself
with chopping up some vegetables for dinner. Although he was only ten, Masaki
could understand her want for a distraction, even if he didn’t understand the
reasons behind his parents’ actions as of late.
Haru had been coming home later and later and was more
often than not in a terrible mood. It was then that they argued. Masaki hid
upstairs and listened to the raised voices all the while trembling and
wondering just what exactly he had done wrong. His mother would berate Haru for
shouting and warned him that he would wake Masaki and then Haru would declare
that he didn’t care for his son’s sleep or the unborn child that was growing inside
Tori.
Masaki knew that his mother was pregnant and that Haru had
been thrilled, to start with at least. It didn’t stop the arguing, however,
and, as of late, it had been getting worse.
He flinched as Haru staggered into the dining room, a
bottle of some description hanging loosely in his left hand. Masaki set down
the book he was reading and smiled nervously up at him:
“Konbanwa, Papa.”
Haru scowled and slammed the bottle down on the table.
“What are you smiling about?”
“N-nothing, Papa, I’m just pleased to see you, that is
all.”
Haru took another swig from the bottle and then leaned
down so that he was at eye level with his son, “Well I’m not pleased to see
you, you ungrateful boy. Each day I work all the hours that God sends to put a
meal on the table for you and not once do I hear a word of thanks. You just sit
at the table reading your books whilst your mother slaves away in the kitchen
making you dinner. Do you have no gratitude?”
“Papa… I’m sorry” Masaki started to tremble much worse
than before and got up, “I’ll go and help Mama.”
“No” Haru clamped a hand down on his shoulder, “Finish
your book” with this he roughly shoved his son and Masaki lost his balance and
fell onto the floor. Being only ten years old and the shock that his father
would actually hurt him gave cause for his pent up tears to give way.
“Stop crying” Haru snapped, but the look of hatred in his
father’s eyes only made Masaki cry harder. He didn’t understand what he had
done wrong. He only wanted a kind word from Haru. Some encouragement and all
his father did was turn on him.
“Haru?” Tori came in from the kitchen, “What have you said
now?”
“Nothing” Haru growled, “He just started crying” with
these words, he pulled Masaki to his feet, “He’ll be fine now.”
“Masaki?” Tori prompted, “What happened?”
“Papa pushed me.”
Tori’s eyes widened and then narrowed as she glared at her
husband, “I warned you, Haru. I told you what would happen if you ever raised a
hand to our son.”
“He’s an ungrateful little brat” Haru snapped, “He
deserved it.”
“No” Tori shook her head, “He didn’t” and with those words
she turned and hurried upstairs. Haru took after her and Masaki retreated
further into the dining room when he heard more shouting. Then silence and then
Tori screamed. She screamed and there was a thud and silence again. Shaking,
Masaki left the dining room, calling softly for Tori as he did so. His mother
lay at the bottom of the stairs, unconscious.
“Mama!”
Masaki gasped and opened his eyes, his senses coming back
to him all in a rush at the vividness of this dream/nightmare. He was in his
room. He was nineteen years old and his family had just moved from Kyoto to
Tokyo as Haru had got a promotion.
Wincing as he flicked on the lamp beside his bed, Masaki’s
frown gave way to a smile when he saw the nine-year old girl standing in the
doorway. Kohana. His sister. Kohana was the apple of his father’s eye. When she
was born, Haru had gone to counselling and had not touched the drink in years.
At last they had become a proper family, which was all Masaki ever wanted. He
looked up at Kohana and smiled, the horrible dream already banished to the back
of his mind.
******
The park was always busy in the summer, Taro mused to
himself. It was a hot day and he had managed to get a day off work. For once,
Ami was at his side. Juggling her career with her home life had never been easy
and she was often working the day shifts at the hospital but she had gained
this afternoon off and, seeing as the weather was so nice, they had decided to
go for a walk.
Ueno Park always seemed so surreal when compared to the
rest of the City. Its beauty was almost unreal and, for Taro, it would always
be a special place for him as it was the place where he and Ami first met.
Now, many young couples sat together enjoying each other’s
company and the many attractions that the park had to offer. Taro smiled and
his gaze fell upon a small cluster of Cherry Trees, the same trees under which
they had shared their first kiss.
Ami saw this and smiled as she squeezed his hand and Taro
turned to face her before leaning down to kiss her.
“Papa!” before their lips could meet, Taro heard his
daughter’s voice calling him and he laughed and stepped away from Ami to meet
Aiko’s gaze. “Papa, you said we could go and feed the ducks” she pouted and
stamped her foot down on the ground.
“Aiko!” Ami scowled her, a little embarrassed by this
display of temper. Taro only laughed, knowing full well where she got it from.
“Well, can we?” she asked. Aiko was a demanding child to
say the least and, with endless bounds of energy, Taro wasn’t surprised that
Ami was tired lately.
Taking over, he reached down and scooped Aiko up into his
arms. Instantly she started to struggle, as she was a very independent child.
Taro sighed and gave up trying to carry her and set her down again whilst Ami
tried not to laugh.
“Feeding the ducks then” he said with a little gruffness
in his voice, which did not go unnoticed by his daughter.
“Papa, arigato” she smiled brightly and took hold of his
hand and started to pull him in the direction of the duck pond.
Taro allowed her to do this, and resisted slightly when
Aiko finally let go of his hand and ran the rest of the way on her own.
Ami came up to his side and laughed when Aiko started
chasing the ducks around and clapping her hands together in delight.
“She really is a handful,” Taro said, but he was not
complaining; he loved his daughter very much.
Ami nodded and Taro slipped an arm around her waist,
gently touching her swollen stomach with one hand, “Just wait until this one’s
born.”
“I think he’ll be more like me” she replied.
“I hope so” Taro sighed and Ami leaned her head against
his shoulder as they watched their daughter playing with the ducks.
This is… this is perfect… Taro
mused to himself but he couldn’t help but feel uneasy as he watched his
daughter running about. A shadow appeared to follow wherever Aiko went and Taro
knew that this couldn’t be a good thing.
******
“How long before I have to go on stage?”
Zinan sighed and looked at his watch, “About ten minutes.
Why?”
“I need some air” Seiichi stood, setting the sheet music
back down as he did so, and hurried towards the back door. This was all moving
so fast. He shut the aforementioned door behind him, glad to leave the roar of
the fans behind. Zinan was right, Seiichi did underestimate himself, but he
couldn’t shake off this feeling that… he sighed and started to walk along the
deserted streets, pondering his actions.
Ever since he was a child he could remember watching his
father play the piano with an awe that, at first, Seiichi put down to
admiration and respect for the man. But as he grew up, Seiichi found himself
almost drawn to the instrument and he had never before been interested in even
learning the piano, despite his father’s obvious love for it.
Playing the piano brought about feelings of familiarity
and calm upon him and Seiichi could quite easily lose himself for hours in his
room composing new pieces. They had to be right, if not he would tear the paper
up and start again. Seiichi was easily a perfectionist when it came to his work
and, as strange as it sounded, he felt as though the piano was the key to
unlocking a part of himself that he had always suspected existed but he had
never truly believed in.
Now, as he walked along the streets, seemingly lost in his
own thoughts, Seiichi found that these feelings were returning.
“It is just nerves” he whispered to the night air and, if
the truth be known, he felt a little guilty that he was so concerned about one
performance. Zinan and Tetsuya had worked so hard to help him achieve this and,
though Seiichi had never asked for it, he owed them both a lot. Zinan had
always been supportive of his music and Seiichi knew that he wouldn’t have been
able to get up on the stage for the first time when he was thirteen without
this support.
Seiichi sighed and stopped walking, knowing that he should
get back. His ten minutes were almost up and it wouldn’t be good to delay the
start of his first performance.
He shivered slightly at this and half turned away,
although something held him in that same spot as he glanced around the alley as
though expecting something to happen.
Seiichi frowned, a curious sense of déjà vu beginning to
overtake him.
I have had these thoughts and feelings before… something
is supposed to happen here tonight, something that will change me…
Yet, no matter how long he stood there, nothing happened.
Seiichi waited and waited but he was unsure of just what he was supposed to be
waiting for.
“Remember?” Seiichi said out loud. His unease was
heightening now and, very hesitantly, he took a step away from the concert
hall, but then he sensed a presence behind him and seconds later Zinan placed a
hand on his shoulder and said:
“Seiichi, you are due to be on stage in two minutes. What
are you doing out here?”
“Waiting” he replied without meaning to.
“Waiting?” Zinan repeated, “For what?”
“Nothing” Seiichi forced a smile and allowed Zinan to
guide him back in the direction of the concert hall.
What was he thinking? He had a family, a career… what more
could there be for him? It was nothing, Seiichi decided. There was nothing more
he wanted. He was happy and that happiness meant more to him than anything.
******
So, the Sailor Senshi and Shitennou think that they can
defeat me… fools. But, before I lay this planet to ruin, I will indulge in the
imprudence of your actions.
Minako gasped, her eyes snapping open as Mio’s words
echoed in her mind. Panic flooded through her as her vision became adjusted to
the darkness around her. She knew this place. She knew its corridors and vast
halls well. The essence of evil on her damp skin made her shiver and she pushed
herself up onto her knees, brushing her hair back from her eyes. She was back.
She was in the Dark Kingdom.
Trembling at this realisation, Minako quickly spotted the
others. Makoto and Ami were already awake and Rei was, like her, just coming
to. Crawling over to her friend, Minako smiled reassuringly when she saw the
look of horror on Rei’s face when she realised the same as Minako did.
Helping each other to stand, Minako looked around for some
sign of the Shitennou but there was none.
“Taro?” Ami called, her voice sounding louder in the
silence and it echoed around them in a forlorn kind of way. She received no
reply.
“Where are they?” Ami demanded, turning to Minako for
guidance, “Did Mio…” she drew a sharp breath. “Why aren’t they here?”
“I don’t know” Minako forced her own concern from her
mind. They had to focus. If they allowed themselves to become lost in their emotions
then there would be no hope.
Ami nodded and Makoto placed an arm around her shoulders
in an attempt to comfort her. Rei gave Minako an encouraging smile, but the
idol ignored this. Her duty was to the other girls first and foremost. The
Shitennou could look after themselves, or so she hoped.
“Minna” she said, “We need to transform.”
Still no one moved. The last time that they had been in
the Dark Kingdom it had been when they were working for the enemy. What if
their henshins weren’t strong enough to withstand corruption in this world?
I have to believe… The Queen believed in me… Mamoru and
Usagi-chan are counting on us.
Minako took a deep breath as she called out, “Venus power…
make up!”
As before, she felt her henshin take hold, light and
colours twirling around her, transforming her into her past self. Minako closed
her eyes, but felt none of the evil that she had feared. She had accepted her
treachery before and was stronger because of it. Nothing could touch her… not
now…
Opening her eyes, Venus saw that the others had followed
suit, trusting their leader as they had done before. Hesitantly Mercury looked
down at her fuku and sighed softly when she was sure that it was the same as
the one she had worn in the past life. It was, and it was the same for all of
them.
“This is…” Mars smiled in relief, “Our past selves.”
“Of course” Venus answered her a little smugly, “What did
you expect?”
Mars frowned, “You were as apprehensive as I!”
“Really?” Venus raised an eyebrow in amusement and looked
away, scanning her surroundings. There were two pathways. One forking off to
the left and one forking off to the right. Two pathways and each one would lead
them towards different destinies.
Venus trembled slightly despite herself. Again, as in the
past life, she had the fate of the Senshi in her hands.
“Daijobu” Jupiter said softly, placing a hand on her
shoulder. “We’ll decide together this time.”
“Together” Mercury echoed, “As a team.”
Venus nodded, secretly glad that, for once, she did not
have to make the decision alone.
“So” a voice rung out of the darkness before the choice
could be made. “You are the guardian Senshi once more, even in my Dark Kingdom.
How interesting this turn of events is.”
Venus turned around, her eyes narrowing as she locked onto
Mio’s gaze.
The girl smirked coldly, “In a previous life we were
enemies, despite being on the same side. Now we fight for the same things yet
again; for the life of the Princess and this planet.”
Venus shuddered, recalling how Mio had killed her before
but they were but distant memories now. She was stronger than that. She had the
other girls at her side once more.
“You’re right,” she said, reaching for the chain around
her waist, “We do fight for the same things but our goals couldn’t be more
different.”
Out of the corner of her eye, Venus also saw Mars, Jupiter
and Mercury getting ready to attack. If they struck her together then perhaps…
“Matte” Mio held up a hand, as if guessing their plan,
“Don’t you want to know what became of Mamoru’s precious Shitennou?”
Venus paused, her gaze darting to Mercury as the blue
haired Senshi spoke:
“What have you done to them?”
“Nothing” Mio answered playfully, “See for yourself.”
With these words, the darkened room that they were in lit
up with artificial lighting. Venus, momentarily blinded, closed her eyes for a
few seconds and, when she opened them, a gasp of dismay escaped her lips.
There were four different portals opened; two to her left
and two to her right. The first one to her left showed the past life; Kunzite
and a young Endymion walking through the Earth palace gardens. The second
showed the future; Taro and Ami and their family. The first on her right showed
what could have been; Masaki and his family together and happy, Haru having
gotten help with his drinking and they now had a big family as his parents had
always wanted. The second showed Seiichi, with his career and his family. It
showed what might have been had Artemis not found him and awakened his powers.
“Taro” Venus heard Mercury whimper and then she made a
dash for the portal showing her boyfriend. Mars grabbed a hold of her arm,
pulling her back and Venus resisted her own urge to run to Seiichi.
“What is this?” Jupiter demanded and Venus felt her heart
starting to beat ten times as fast as they awaited Mio’s reply.
“It is what their hearts secretly long for. It is what
they lost and what cannot be regained. My spells can find every little desire
and turn it into the perfect trap. They are happy there. They have everything
they could ever want. They need nothing else. Why don’t we just leave them be?
They will never die. The spell protects them from harm.”
“So you trapped them with their own hearts” Mercury pulled
away from Mars, her gaze burning in anger, “That is unforgivable. Mercury aqua…
mist!”
As she launched her attack, Venus heard Jupiter and Mars
also call out theirs. It was unforgivable; Venus knew and called out her
own, “Venus love me… chain!”
The attacks combined as they flew towards their target but
Mio easily batted them away. “Childs play” she scoffed.
Venus frowned, but was not deterred, “Release them now”
she demanded, trying to sound more confident that she actually felt. Mio had
stopped their attacks with ease… how could they win against her now?
“Such imprudence” Mio smiled, “You cannot harm me, not
whilst my energy is connected directly to theirs.”
“What do you mean?” Jupiter snapped.
“All the while they are trapped in my spell, their energy
is transferred to me. Using this energy I shall destroy Tokyo and then lay ruin
to this planet. It is ironic, is it not, that the ones who should be defending
it are the very people who will help destroy it?”
So this is her plan… she cannot have Mamoru so she will
destroy the planet. Has she really no heart at all? She is a demon… her pain
and hatred is what the Dark Kingdom has fed off of for so long. We cannot
defeat her… we do not have that power. The Shitennou are the Earth’s true
guardians. The Shitennou and Endymion were always assigned to protect it. Our
duty was to the Princess but we cannot protect her from this… all we can do now
is…
“You will not destroy the planet” Venus whispered, raising
her head to meet Mio’s defiant gaze, “We will not let you.”
She gave Venus a bored look, “What can you do? Nothing,
that is what. You cannot do anything and now” she grinned and held up a
crackling ball of energy in a hand, “Now you will die.”
“Minna, get ready!” Venus cried and others nodded,
realising her plan quickly enough.
Forcing herself to stand still, Venus closed her eyes, her
senses mingling with that of the atmosphere around them. She felt Mio release
the attack and it was then that she retaliated:
“Rolling heart… vibration!”
She heard her friends cast out similar attacks and, as
they struck Mio’s, Venus cartwheeled to one side as the momentum from the
stronger energy hurled her along. Opening her eyes, she knew that she had timed
her attack perfectly. Whereas she could not stop her flight, she could direct
it and she did this, agony piercing every inch of her body as it made contact
with the illusion. Then her world shattered; fragments of glass and memories
showered around her. Venus gave a sharp cry of pain as she hit the stone
ground, rolling over onto her back she saw the sky and the stars; the illusion
had been broken. They were free…
A smile formed across her lips as she heard Mio’s scream
of rage but she no longer saw her. Minako smiled at the figure that filled her
vision. Venus returned her gaze with a similar and yet knowing smile. It was
done. Venus… Aino Minako… they, for so long, shared the same soul and now it
was done. Minako closed her eyes, she was happy to let go of her life in this
world knowing that, this time, she had died with honour and to protect her
Princess and this planet.
******
Aiko ran back to her parents, a giddy smile on her face.
“Did you have fun?” Taro asked, whilst pulling her onto
his lap. His daughter did not resist this and smiled happily up at him.
“I did,” she confirmed.
“I’m glad” he leaned forward and pressed a kiss to her
forehead.
“Papa!” Aiko made a face and started squirming about in
his arms once more.
Taro gladly let her go and she sat down on the bench at
his side. He smiled again and looked up at the darkening clouds in the
distance.
“Looks like rain” he commented.
As he said this, Taro felt Ami tense beside him, “Then we
should go” she stood, very abruptly and picked up Aiko in her arms. The girl
did not struggle and held onto her mother with one hand, whilst she offered the
other to Taro. He was about to take it when he happened to glance back in the
direction of the pond. The sky had gotten dark much quicker than he had thought
and… Taro frowned. Stars? But it had been broad daylight a few moments ago!
“Papa!” Aiko called, “I’m scared, lets go.”
“Taro” Ami added, “Come on. Lets go home.”
“You go on” Taro took a step away from them as he could
now make out a figure standing in front of the pond. He could only see her
shadow but he got the distinct impression that he knew her. In a previous
existence and she had been…
“Taro” Ami snapped, “Come on. Your daughter is
frightened.”
“Papa” Aiko called again but their voices were far away
and Taro found himself taking a step towards the shadow by the pond.
“No, daddy, not that way” Aiko called shrilly.
“Taro, there’s something wrong with the baby.”
“Ami…” Taro started to tremble as he recalled such words.
“You were attacked.”
“No” she shook her head, “What are you talking about?”
“You were attacked and Aiko was… you lost the baby.”
“Don’t be a fool” Ami replied, fear edging in her voice,
“Aiko is right here.”
“Aiko is not my child.”
At this the girl started to cry and Taro’s heart clenched
at the sound but he forced himself to remain strong as his gaze was still
locked upon the figure in the distance, the figure that was now slowly making
her way towards them.
“Taro, we need to go… now” Ami pleaded softly, “Onegai.”
“You go.”
“What are you saying?”
The figure was clearer now. Much sadness marred her gentle
features, but Taro knew her name:
“Mercury” he whispered as she held out a hand.
“Papa!” Aiko was screaming now and reaching out for him
with her own hand. Taro brushed her away. They were not his family… Aiko no
longer lived… in fact she had never been born…
Mercury smiled and nodded encouragingly and Taro reached
for her hand. As they connected he heard another scream, this one of rage and
fury. Glancing back he saw Mio standing behind him, a dead child in her arms.
The babe wasn’t even properly developed and was covered in blood. That was
his child, Taro knew. Mio had killed her long ago.
Holding onto Mercury’s hand tighter he felt vertigo
crashing into him as Mio’s screams began to deafen him.
“Taro!” Mercury held on tighter still and Taro wrapped his
arms around her, drawing her to him as the world around them began to crumble.
He felt her henshin disperse and they fell, landing hard on the stone flooring
of the Dark Kingdom.
Gasping, Taro choked back a sob as he looked down at the
woman in his arms. She was smiling, even in death.
******
“There you are” Kunzite sighed, a little in relief, when
he caught sight of the young Prince once again, “You shouldn’t wander off” he
berated the boy a little, but there was a smile on his lips as he said this.
“Why?” Endymion frowned, “Nothing can hurt us here.”
“There are lots of dangers facing a young Prince, even in
his own palace” Kunzite answered to this. It was happening, he knew with some
horror, because Endymion had his Shitennou he was beginning to think of himself
as invincible.
Endymion replied as he had expected him to:
“That is why I have you, remember, Kisho?”
Kunzite started to nod but this slip of the name stopped
him cold.
“What did you call me?”
“Nothing” Endymion gave him a hesitant smile, “Lets go
back inside now. Nephrite will be getting worried,” he added as an
afterthought.
Kunzite nodded, but the name had disturbed him somewhat
and, as he took a tentative step after his Prince, his mind touched on
something and held onto it, giving his cause to stop again.
“Tamura Kisho?” he said breaking the silence between them.
“Yes” his eyes were now narrowed in suspicion, “Who wants
to know?”
“I’m Chiba Mamoru. We met yesterday.”
“Yesterday?”
“At the park.”
“Mamoru?” Kunzite tested the name and the boy Prince
stopped dead and started to tremble.
Spurred on, Kunzite reached him and took him by the
shoulders, “Mamoru?” he said again and Endymion pulled away.
“Stop it” he pleaded, “You are scaring me.”
“Forgive me” Kisho whispered as he drew his sword, “You
are not my Prince.”
“Kunzite!” he closed his eyes, trying to block out
Endymion’s scream of terror as Kisho plunged his sword into the boy’s chest.
Kisho trembled as he felt blood trickling down his hand
from the hilt of the weapon but, when he opened his eyes and forced himself to
gaze upon the scene of his creation, the boy was no longer there. In his place
was a Youma, its clawed hands clutching the hilt of the weapon. Kisho let go of
the hilt and stumbled backwards as it screamed. He fell to his knees, covering
his ears as the sky fell in around him, the palace and gardens disappearing
before his eyes and, when the screaming finally ceased, he gazed warily up and
saw that he was alone in the darkness… No… he amended that thought, not quite
alone.
Slowly, he made his way over to the shape a few metres
from him. Gently, he reached out with a hand and rolled her over onto her back,
brushing some strands of brown hair from her eyes. She was dead, but still warm
indicating that she hadn’t been this way long.
“Jupiter? Why? What is this sacrifice?” Kisho murmured as
one hand moved over her face to close her eyes. She deserved this grace at
least. Again the Senshi had suffered he thought with much regret as he laid her
back down once more and turned away. Always suffering… such was their fate in
this world.
******
“See” Zinan smiled as Seiichi made his way back to the
dressing room after his performance. He could still hear the applause echoing
from the concert hall and he couldn’t help but smile. He had never felt like
this after a concert before. Seiichi didn’t even know how best to describe his
feelings. This was what he was born to do and…
“So a part of you does still remember,”
“Remember what?”
“Your past life. Your true self.”
Seiichi shook his head and opened the dressing room door
and stepped inside, taking off the jacket he was wearing and placing it over
the back of a chair. As he did this, he caught sight of Zinan’s face in the
mirror. He looked so proud. That was what Seiichi wanted most of all; to make
his father proud.
Again that voice. Seiichi frowned and turned around, but
only met Zinan’s smiling gaze.
“Alright?” he prompted and Seiichi nodded.
“Are you sure?” Zinan took a step towards him, “You look
tired.”
“I feel it” Seiichi admitted, “I might just sit quietly
for a bit.”
“You have been working hard” Zinan said to this, “Why
don’t we go home?”
Seiichi nodded but paused when he saw a figure appear
behind his father. Zinan turned around, a look of annoyance on his face.
“Minako?” Seiichi frowned, when he saw the young woman
standing there, the look on her face was solemn. “What are you doing here?”
She stepped passed his father and moved towards him,
“Seiichi, this isn’t your father.”
“What?”
“Zinan’s dead.”
That hurt him, for reasons he couldn’t fathom and Seiichi
took a step back from both of them, “What are you talking about?”
“He died five years ago. You must remember. The Youma… your
powers… your awakening.”
“Father” Seiichi whispered, tears blurring his vision and
he was unable to stop them from falling.
Zinan smiled weakly and nodded towards his transformation,
unable to speak, but Seiichi understood what he meant.
“This is… this is my true self…”
To this Zinan violently shook his head, letting go of his
son’s arm to reach for where his wallet lay at his side. He slipped out a
photograph from the inside flap, but as he did so another spasm overtook his
body. Seiichi cried out as Zinan’s hand fell lifelessly to his side, his eyes
drifting closed.
He was dead? That couldn’t be possible. He was right here.
Seiichi could reach out and almost touch him but that was…
“It’s not real” Minako said gently, “It is an illusion created
by Mio.”
Seiichi raised his head, looking up at Zinan and seeing,
for the first time, what he should have done from the beginning. Zinan was dead.
The man standing before him was not his father. He never had been. Zinan had
been dead for a long time now.
At this realisation, Seiichi felt a little dizzy as the
dressing room began to fade away before his eyes. Reaching out to Minako, he
caught her hand as his eyes slid closed when the vertigo became too much.
He felt himself falling forward and Seiichi struck the
ground, his eyes opening again as he did so and he felt the cold hand in his
own.
She lay on her back, her eyes were closed, but still she
looked beautiful, even in death.
Seiichi took a shuddering breath and stood, trying not to
let his gaze rest upon Minako’s lifeless form for too long. It hurt too much to
do so and he was also with the knowledge that she had saved him; given her life
for his and this was what hurt the most.
******
“Good morning” Kohana greeting Masaki brightly as he came
down the stairs and into the kitchen. She was wearing her Juuban school uniform
and was helping Tori make her up some lunch. Masaki also greeted his mother
before going to sit at the table, opposite his father, and pour himself a cup
of coffee.
Haru was reading the paper, but set it down when he saw
his son and gave Masaki a polite smile.
“Have you got college today?” he enquired softly.
Masaki nodded and took a sip from his coffee before
replying, “I have one lecture in the morning.”
“I see. How are you finding the change from Kyoto? It is
not too difficult for you, I hope?”
Masaki shook his head, “No, thank you. The workload is
pretty similar.”
“That’s good. I don’t want you falling behind”
“He won’t do that” Kohana piped up, “Will you?”
Masaki replied that he wouldn’t and proceeded to light a
cigarette, earning another disapproving glare from his father. “Masaki, not in
the house.”
“Sorry. I’ll go outside” he offered but, when he stood,
Haru also did and grabbed hold of his arm.
“Why don’t you give them up?”
Masaki shrugged, “Maybe I will one day.”
“Maybe today” Haru suggested softly and let go of his
son’s arm.
Feeling a little uneasy, Masaki put out the cigarette and
looked back at Tori. She looked away very quickly and even Kohana appeared
uneasy. As he looked away, Masaki caught sight of the stairs and a shadow
standing atop of it.
“What is it?” Haru asked.
“There’s someone up there” Masaki replied, as he started
to make his way towards the figure.
“No there isn’t” Kohana joined their father, “Come back
and finish your coffee, Nii-san.”
Masaki felt a chill go through him as he looked at the
stairs and this touched on a fleeting memory, which now stirred within him.
“Masaki?” Tori prompted, “What happened?”
“Papa pushed me.”
Tori’s eyes widened and then narrowed as she glared at her
husband, “I warned you, Haru. I told you what would happen if you ever raised a
hand to our son.”
“He’s an ungrateful little brat” Haru snapped, “He
deserved it.”