Earth
Guardian Prince Endymion
By Senshi
of Ruin and Mizu no Senshi
Act Thirty Two Recap:
(Mamoru’s POV)
“Make Sailor Moon give up the Ginzuishou and I will be
content to let her be. If not…”
“I’ve chosen to be with Hina” Mamoru snapped, “What Usagi and I had in the past is so longer important.”
When I found out that I was the true Prince I wasn’t
exactly happy about it, though it did explain my dreams about the Princess and
my feelings for Sailor Moon.
I decided to stay with Hina. I may not love her as I do
Usagi, but she is still very special to me and she needs me. I know it sounds
cruel and unfair on both of them, but what else am I supposed to do?
“It was the Princess who destroyed the planet before, not
the Dark Kingdom.”
If Usagi and I are together then this world will be
destroyed. The Shitennou would never forgive me and, as it stands, Kisho has
already made his feelings pretty clear.
“I see” Mamoru said evenly, “Then you’ll understand what I
have said before. There can be no secrets; you can’t even attempt to take on
any aspect of the mission alone. We are a team, Seiichi-kun. If we are to
defeat the Dark Kingdom then we have to be able to work together.”
We are a team. I do not wish for them to serve the Master
that they knew in the past life. In order to save this world we must embrace it
as it is now. I think Seiichi understands that now, or at least I hope he does.
As for Kisho…
“That is why we must take away the source of her power”
Kisho grit out, standing as he did so, “I will not compromise the planet’s
future to protect one girl.”
“So I cannot count on your support then?”
I don’t want to fight him, but if he tries to harm Usagi
then I will have no choice…
******
“Seiichi-kun?” Tetsuya knocked loudly on the door of his
charge’s front room, struggling to make himself heard over the music that was
coming from instead. He had been shut away in the room with his piano since
last night; ever since he had got in to be exact. Tetsuya wasn’t quite sure
what to make of this. He supposed it was good that Seiichi felt inspired to
play the piano again, but there was more to it than that, Tetsuya was sure of
it.
“Seiichi?” he called again and the music ceased. Seconds
later the door opened. Seiichi looked a little annoyed at being disturbed, but
Tetsuya shrugged this off and said:
“I was just about to go out and get something to eat. I
was wondering if you would like to come, too?”
“I’m fine, thank you.”
Tetsuya frowned, “You haven’t eaten since yesterday. I
know I told you to practice, but this was not what I had in mind.”
“I’m not practicing” Seiichi replied quietly, and held out
a piece of sheet music, “I’ve been writing a new piece. Would you like to hear
it?”
Tetsuya sighed, “Later” there had been a time when he
would have loved to hear Seiichi’s latest work, but not now… not when he was so
worried about him…
“Later” Seiichi repeated and went to shut the door, but
Tetsuya held it open, a difficult thing to do when one of his hands was still
encased in plaster.
“Why don’t you take a break?”
Seiichi smiled slightly, “I’ve been a little behind in my
work lately. This is my chance to catch up.”
“By running yourself into the ground? Seiichi-kun, don’t
think I don’t know what next week is.”
This stopped him cold even as Tetsuya continued, “Why
don’t you come to Kamakura with me? I know Shina would--”
“No. I have things to do.”
“More important than this?”
“Perhaps.”
Tetsuya sighed and turned away, “Etsu called.”
“What?”
“She misses you.”
“I should finish this” Seiichi indicated the music sheet,
clearly avoiding the topic of conversation and Tetsuya had respected his
feelings on the matter for almost a whole year now, but he was the one who had
to field the phone calls, make excuses for Seiichi and Tetsuya was sick of it.
“I said you would call her back” he called after the young
star.
Seiichi ignored him and Tetsuya slammed the door behind
him in frustration. He could hear Seiichi playing the piano again.
He just has his own way of dealing with things, Tetsuya
reminded himself, though he was sure that blocking everything out like this
could not be a good thing.
*****
Usagi walked slowly back from school, trying not to listen
to the jeers and taunts of her fellow classmates… her friends… School used to
be a welcome escape for her, but since Kuroki Mio had enrolled and Naru-chan
had her accident… school had been nothing but an added cause of her pain. Usagi
didn’t understand why her classmates had suddenly turned against her. Why did
Kuroki Mio seem to hate her? What had Usagi ever done to her?
Lost in her own thoughts, Usagi yelped in surprise when
she knocked into someone.
“Hey! Why don’t you watch were you’re--” she started to
complain when her schoolbag fell onto the pavement, but the complaint died on
her lips when she saw whom exactly she had knocked into.
“Usagi-chan, konnichiwa” Hina smiled brightly as she knelt
down to help Usagi pick up her books, but all the latter could focus on was the
fact that Mamoru had, had his arm around Hina seconds before and this hurt her…
it hurt her more than she could ever imagine.
Then… he’s made his choice in this world… I know we have
our own lives and I have to respect that but what have I got? I’m all alone…
“I…” Usagi trailed off, standing up and not meeting
Mamoru’s gaze as she felt tears prickle the backs of her eyelids. She was
alone… and had been since the beginning…
“I’ve got to go,” she mumbled, hurriedly pushing between
them as she spoke.
“Usagi!” she heard Mamoru calling her, but this simply
added to her pain and Usagi continued to run, not knowing where she was going
but wanting to get away from the ‘happy couple’ as quickly as possible.
In her desperation to escape the scene, Usagi didn’t
realise that someone else was calling her until she felt that someone grab a
hold of her wrist and pull her round a corner and into an alleyway.
Usagi winced slightly as, propelled by her flight, she
fell to her knees in the dirt, scraping them on the gravel.
“Itai” she cried, rubbing at her bruised kneecaps as she
stood.
“Princess, forgive me, but you didn’t hear me calling you”
Dark Venus knelt before her, full of remorse at her Princess’s pain.
“Venus” Usagi did not bother to hide her joy that the
Senshi had appeared before her again and, better still, she appeared to have
recovered from her battle against the Youma, “I’m glad.”
“Princess, you must forget about him.”
“Who? Mamoru?”
Venus nodded, “He will only bring you pain.”
It was true, Usagi knew, but he also brought her much
needed happiness… she used to long to see him, to talk to him even if he was
rude to her. Usagi hated to admit it, but she felt secretly disappointed when
he wasn’t around… when she wasn’t close to him…
“I’m so lonely” Usagi admitted sadly, “Ever since
Naru-chan… Luna doesn’t understand. She tries too but I can’t help my feelings
for Mamoru… we destroyed the world. I just can’t believe that. I love this
world.”
“I just have to keep smiling. If I lose myself to the past
life then the planet really will be destroyed.”
“You don’t have to be lonely, Princess” Venus said softly,
“I’ll help you get the other Senshi back.”
“It is not just the Senshi” Usagi’s gaze travelled down to
her locket, “The Ginzuishou… It has never truly been under my control, has it?”
“The Ginzuishou effects Metallia” Venus admitted, “But
only if you let it control you.”
“But what am I supposed to do?”
Venus lowered her gaze, “If you will permit me this one
idea, Princess. I remember the Ginzuishou as it was in the past. I know how you
controlled its power before. With my help you could learn to do so again. The
Ginzuishou is a terrible weapon, yes, but in the hands of the Princess… Beryl
and the Dark Kingdom wouldn’t have a chance.”
“What are you saying?”
“I can help you master the Ginzuishou’s power and together
we can take on Beryl and free the other Senshi.”
It was so tempting… to save her friends, to finally defeat
Queen Beryl and have her normal life back… but a part of Usagi was afraid… the
Ginzuishou’s power was wild… she had felt it that day it appeared and again
that day in the park. Once it had awakened its true power, Usagi knew that it
would consume her.
“No” he surprised them both by racing to her side,
knocking the locket from her hand. Usagi winced as it fell to the ground, clattering
loudly on the icy floor.
“I don’t understand… the Ginzuishou could defeat her…”
“This” Seiichi shouted, picking up her locket and dangling
it in front of the Princess’s face, “This destroyed our planet. Are you so
foolish to think that you could control its power? You are only a child!”
“Zoisite said I was not to use its power because I have a
weak heart,” Usagi said, thinking of that day, “He is right. My love for Mamoru
will overwhelm me and I’m afraid of what I might do.”
Venus wrinkled her nose at this, “Of course the Shitennou
would say that. They are the guardians of Earth as well as Endymion. You have
the power to end this fight and they all know it, but don’t want you to use it
because that would mean that they failed.”
“Failed?”
“They want to protect the Earth, too, but if you destroyed
the Dark Kingdom it would mean that they lose face. Princess, you have come
this far alone. You do not have a weak heart and I know that you can do this,
you just have to believe it.”
Venus believed in her? Of course, Luna had always given
Usagi support when she needed it, but to hear it from her friend… a friend
whom, until just recently, had been a slave in the Dark Kingdom… it filled
Usagi with hope, but she knew, deep down, that she couldn’t ever learn to use
the Ginzuishou. If she did then she would truly become lost in the past and
this was something that Usagi was terrified of.
Venus sensed her doubt and smiled slightly, “You must
think about it. I can understand that.”
“You do?”
“You are the Princess. Decisions concerning the Ginzuishou
must not be made lightly.”
Usagi smiled happily, “I’m so glad you understand.”
Venus nodded as she stood, “Forgive me, Princess, but I
must return to the Dark Kingdom.”
“Why? Surely it is dangerous for you there?”
“As I said before. I cannot leave without the others.”
Usagi nodded to indicate that she understood, but, as
Venus turned to leave she called out, “Before. You told me I mustn’t fight. Why
have you changed your mind?”
“Because… you are stronger in this world.”
Usagi felt a lump forming in her throat as she, again,
thought of Mamoru and Hina. Am I? Am I truly?
******
“I saw this in a jewellers and thought of you.”
Mercury’s cheeks burned red as she walked the darkened
tunnels of the kingdom, the pendent that Taro had given her clutched tightly in
one hand. Such a simple gift, Mercury mused, but its simplicity made it
special… as special as was the man who had given it to her.
Mercury had secretly still feared that their relationship
couldn’t work. They were different… from different worlds and yet when they
were together all of that seemed to melt away. Coming back to the Dark Kingdom
after spending even a minute with him was torture, but Mercury was afraid. She
was afraid of what Beryl would do to them if she found out and now that her
shadow walked among the humans on Earth, Mercury knew that they would have to
be extra careful in the future.
As she stared down at the pendant, Mercury’s thoughts
started to wander to less troubling issues. She had observed human couples
before, even though she had only been interested in stealing their energy, and
knew that when one half gave the other a present then the favour was to be
returned, thus her present quandary. Mercury had nothing in the Dark Kingdom.
It was not her true home… it was not where she belonged. There was nothing here
that she could give to Taro in exchange for the pendant. She had nothing to
give and Mercury knew that she couldn’t see him again until she found
something.
Of course, Taro would not expect her to give him anything,
which heightened Mercury’s desire to do so. She had been wandering the tunnels
for hours, thinking and debating her choice of present. There were a few rocks
and even some flowers growing in the Dark Kingdom, but none of them would mean
anything to him and nor did they to her. It had to be something that Mercury
treasured… but she had, had nothing until she met him… she had thought she did,
but it was, as was everything in the Dark Kingdom, not real. Reality was not
what it had seemed and Mercury knew this now.
“Mercury?” she jumped slightly as Jupiter stepped out of
the shadows, the brawny Senshi, too, appeared troubled and Mercury, being the
most compassionate of the Senshi, enquired to know what was wrong.
“Venus” Jupiter surprised her by saying, “She is acting
strange, and I don’t like it.”
“Strange?”
Jupiter shrugged, “She has changed. I can tell by her tone
of voice. I think Beryl…”
“Beryl?”
“I don’t know. You might want to watch your back around
her.”
Mercury nodded, not understanding Jupiter’s cryptic words.
The other Senshi smiled slightly, as though guessing Mercury’s confusion and
walked back the way she had come.
“Jupiter” Mercury repeated softly, all thoughts to Taro
suddenly forgotten. Just what exactly was her fellow Senshi trying to tell her?
*****
Jupiter was secretly stunned as she left Mercury’s side.
True, Venus had been acting strangely, but why should she care? The Senshi had
been her friends and allies once before, but that was in the past life. Jupiter
did not believe that the past should rule over the present. She served Metallia
now… but why was she..?
“Princess? What are you doing?” Jupiter demanded as the
younger girl whirled around, a guilty blush etched upon her face. “You weren’t
going to the Earth Kingdom, were you?” Jupiter continued, frowning
disapprovingly when Serenity nodded.
“I think I’m in love,” the Princess said, somewhat
dreamily as her blush was replaced by a happy smile, “I’ve never felt this way
about anyone before, Jupiter. I think he could be the one.”
“The one?” Jupiter repeated sceptically, “And what would
your mother say about that?”
Serenity frowned, her good cheer fading, “You’re not going
to tell her, are you?”
Jupiter sighed. “No” she decided at length, “But I do not
approve of this. The Earth Kingdom’s ways are different to ours. Do you know
that they actually rely on the men to protect the women? A very strange concept
indeed.”
Serenity nodded in agreement to this. It was well known
that the men fought battles on the Earth.
“And” Jupiter lectured, “You know by the laws of our world
that we are not supposed to mix with the Earth. It was created by our ancestors
so that we might observe it at a distance, which is why it is a different
world.”
Again a nod of the head indicated that Serenity
understood, “But I love him. How is that so wrong?”
Jupiter didn’t know how to answer this. She had never been
in love. Indeed, there were no men on the Moon worthy enough to court one of
the Senshi protecting the Princess and men on the Moon were weak. Jupiter,
despite herself, did wonder about the Earth and marvelled that the men there were
as strong as she was.
“It isn’t wrong” Mercury said quietly. The blue haired
Senshi had been quiet up until now and Jupiter knew that Serenity often coaxed
Mercury into accompanying her to the Earth Kingdom to meet with Endymion.
“Love can be blind, but never wrong.”
Jupiter frowned, “Don’t let Venus or Mars hear you say
that.”
Mercury shrugged, “I think we should be happy that the
Princess has found someone worthy of her.”
“And you think that an Earthling is worthy of the Lunarian
Princess?”
“Jupiter, Mercury. Please don’t fight” Serenity pleaded
softly, “Endymion has already alienated his Shitennou because of our love. I
don’t want to be the cause of your arguing, too.”
“Of course not” Jupiter said, already regretting saying
anything on the matter, “You are our Princess and it is our duty to follow you.
Whatever decision you may make concerning the Earth.”
Serenity smiled, “I know you will. Thank you.”
Jupiter cursed slightly at the intensity
of the flashback and the feelings it stirred within her. This was not who she
was anymore! Why should she start caring about any of the Senshi?
Jupiter didn’t know… she didn’t know
anything anymore… Holding out a hand, she summoned a Youma.
“Kill the Princess,” she ordered softly
and it bowed to her decision before teleporting away in a flash of red light.
“The past life is dead” Jupiter
whispered to herself, “It is what we do in this world that shapes our own
destinies… the past life must be eliminated.”
****
“So” Beryl whispered to herself as she stared down at the
Earth through her shadow’s eyes. “Jupiter is going to kill the Princess.”
She glowered hatefully as the image of
Serenity kissing her Endymion flashed before Beryl’s eyes. The Princess must
die and so must all who tried to get between Beryl and her Prince. The
Shitennou were a problem, especially as they seemed to remember more of the
past life and they also knew something of Kuroki Mio’s true form.
It was no matter, Beryl told herself as
she closed her eyes, seeing all that Mio did once more. The Shitennou would
die, just as they did in the past life. They would die and Endymion would
belong to her once more.
Beryl smiled as she saw Endymion leaving
his apartment. Now that she knew where he lived she could strike at any time.
It was just a matter of waiting for the right opportunity. Kuroki Mio would
watch him for now.
*****
Mamoru hurried towards Crown, well aware
that because of the mission he had completely forgotten what day it was today,
hence the reason that the karaoke parlour was closed and that Taro had to let
him inside.
The taller man noted the book and card
in Mamoru’s hand and frowned slightly, “I got him a similar thing,” he said as
they walked into the reception area. “All he cares about are those stupid
turtles.”
Mamoru sighed, “Please don’t start a
fight today of all days, Taro-kun.”
“Only if he doesn’t call me by that
silly nick-name” Taro retorted, a little angrily as Motoki raced up to them, a
happy smile etched upon his face and declared:
“Kimi-kun! I see you found Mamoru.”
Mamoru shot Taro a warning look and
handed him the card and book, “Happy Birthday.”
“Arigato!” Motoki cried happily, when he
saw yet another book on turtles.
Mamoru smiled slightly and noted that
Masaki was standing by the door, seemingly bored with the situation and Mamoru
couldn’t really blame him. Masaki didn’t know Motoki very well and when he had
been invited to join the others in celebrating Motoki’s twentieth birthday he
had wanted to decline until Mamoru persuaded him otherwise.
Motoki wanted to go to the local
aquarium and, whereas none of them were that interested in marine life, Mamoru,
as Motoki’s best friend, was required to go. Taro had been ‘ordered’ to go too
and Mamoru was told that he could bring some friends. Motoki was meeting Taiki
(a friend of his family who was just as mad on turtles as he was) and some
other friends, whom Mamoru didn’t know, there.
Motoki was, at present, showing
Kamekichi the book and pointing excitedly to each picture. Mamoru hoped he
wasn’t going to bring his pet to the aquarium with him.
“I know its his birthday” Taro
complained, “But if he calls me Kimi-kun one more time I’m going to…”
“Please don’t” Mamoru replied to this,
“We’ve had enough fighting lately” he added referring to their argument with
Kisho over the Princess.
“That is why we must take away the source of her power”
Kisho grit out, standing as he did so, “I will not compromise the planet’s
future to protect one girl.”
“So I cannot count on your support then?” Mamoru said
softly, making the regret obvious in his voice.
Kisho silently shook his head and left.
“He’s made his decision” Masaki said, and then adding,
“Don’t worry, though. We’ll stand by you. You are the leader.”
Mamoru smiled appreciatively at this, surprised at Masaki.
He didn’t usually say things like that and it meant more to Mamoru that he
would voice his support so openly.
“I asked Kisho to meet us at the aquarium” Mamoru admitted
quietly, “I thought we could try and sort things out in a mutual location. You
know as well as I do that Crown is not a good place for discussions.”
Taro nodded in agreement, “Do you think he’ll even bother
turning up?”
Mamoru shrugged, “I have to try. We have to be united if
we are going to win this war, no matter what our differences may be and Kisho
has got to see this.”
“He’s not the only one” Taro pointed out quietly.
Mamoru nodded, “I know.”
With that he picked up his mobile phone and hurried into
the other room, not wanting Motoki to overhear the conversation.
Seiichi had given Mamoru his mobile number the other day
for ‘emergencies only’, but Mamoru decided to ignore him. Short of going round
to the rented apartment, this was the only way they had to contacting the forth
Tennou and Mamoru was firmly resolved that they had to solve any differences
between them. He was getting sick of the constant tension every time they all
met to discuss things. He sighed to himself as the phone rang and rang. This
kind of awkwardness was worse than when Taro and Kisho were fighting.
“Hello?”
“Seiichi-kun?”
“Master. What is it? A Youma?”
“No” Mamoru assured him, “There’s no battle.”
“Oh” Seiichi seemed a little taken aback by this. He’s
probably a little annoyed that I called him on this number, Mamoru thought to
himself and then explained that it was Motoki’s birthday and that he was
dragging them all down to the aquarium for the afternoon.
“I thought you might want to suffer with us” he joked.
Seiichi still seemed a little hesitant, “And this has
nothing to do with the mission?”
“No” Mamoru frowned, “Aren’t I allowed to call you unless
there’s trouble?”
“Of course not, Master.”
“But?”
“I do have a lot of work to catch up on. I’m writing this
new piece and Tetsuya wants it finished as soon as possible so that it can be
included as a bonus track on my new single.”
He was making excuses, Mamoru realised. From what Masaki
had told him about Seiichi’s manager, Mamoru knew that Tetsuya saw Seiichi as
his son and wouldn’t pressurise him to do anything.
“Surely he won’t mind you taking a few hours off” Mamoru
persisted anyway, somewhat annoyed at his friend for this. “I would like us all
to be there” he added as an after thought.
“Is that an order, Master?”
“Of course not! I’m not going to order you to do anything!
Would you like to come?”
Silence followed for a few minutes before Seiichi
answered, “I have a lot of work to do.”
“Okay” Mamoru sighed, realising that he was on to a losing
battle, “Perhaps we could call round sometime instead?”
“If you would like too” Seiichi replied, still unwilling
to commit to anything.
Mamoru hurriedly said goodbye and walked back into the
reception area, feeling more than a little disappointed in Seiichi.
“Well?” Taro prompted.
“He’s too busy” Mamoru said softly.
Taro smirked and held out a hand. Frowning, Masaki handed
his friend a 100 Yen note.
“You might have known him for longer, Masaki-kun” Taro
grinned, “But you don’t know him that well.”
“You took bets on it?” Mamoru asked, feeling a little
angry at this.
Taro nodded, “Masaki seemed to think that Seiichi would
want to waste his afternoon with us. I, on the other hand, know that the only
way you’ll get him within ten yards of us is if there is a Youma attack.”
“You’re wrong” Mamoru snapped, “He’s working on a new
piece of music.”
“Did he say he would have liked to go?”
“Well, no” Mamoru admitted, “He’s just shy, that’s all.”
“He didn’t seem too shy the other day” Taro pointed out and
Mamoru did not reply, preferring to let the matter drop.
“Okay. Perhaps we could call round sometime instead?”
“If you would like too”
Seiichi had sounded a little stressed out, too. Perhaps
there was nothing more to this than him being behind in his work? Mamoru had
missed college more often than not since becoming Tuxedo Kamen and he knew that
Masaki was on the verge of being kicked out altogether. Taro seemed to be the
least effected by their other lives and Motoki, since Taro was attacked, had been
a little more understanding when his cleaner was late, even if he didn’t always
show it.
“He has got more responsibilities than the rest of us,”
Masaki said quietly, referring to Seiichi.
No one said any more on this subject as Motoki announced
that he was ready to go.
Mamoru sighed, suddenly not blaming his friend for not
wanting to go. It wasn’t exactly his idea of a fun afternoon, either.
*****
Kuroki Mio scowled angrily as she watched Endymion and the
others leave Crown. She almost took a step towards them, when she recalled what
had happened the other day. The Shitennou did not trust her. She would have to
wait until she could get Endymion alone.
Another human was with them, one Mio did not recognise.
She was glad when they ignored the funny human’s green car and continued to
walk down the street talking among themselves. Mio walked a little way behind
them, careful to keep at a safe distance so that the two Tennou did not sense her.
She smiled slightly at this. They seemed too absorbed in their own
conversations to realise that she was there.
Finally they arrived at their destination; the aquarium?
Mio frowned. What was this? She half recalled the funny human having a pet
turtle and Endymion had mentioned something about a birthday… these thoughts
were snapped off when Mio saw them greeting another party outside the
aforementioned building.
“Usagi-chan, what are you doing here?” Mio hissed angrily
when she saw the pigtailed girl. Still, she couldn’t help but smirk at the
horrified look on Endymion’s face when he saw her.
“Still smiling” Mio whispered to herself as she glared at
her rival. “Even now… well soon I will do something to change all of that.”
*****
Mamoru’s heart sank when they arrived at the aquarium and
found that Motoki had invited Tsukino Usagi, too. She handed him a neatly
wrapped present and then her gaze met Mamoru’s and the smile on her lips faded.
“Usagi-chan’s been having a bad time at school lately”
Motoki said as an explanation as she was the only girl there, “I thought seeing
all the turtles might cheer her up.”
Taro made some inaudible comment to this effect and Motoki
grinned at him before saying, “Perhaps you should have invited your girlfriend,
too, Kimi-kun.”
“Girlfriend?” Masaki enquired when Motoki raced off inside
to avoid Taro’s wrath at this. “Is there something you want to tell us, Kimi-kun?”
“No!” Taro snapped, seeming almost embarrassed, as he ran
off inside the aquarium centre after Motoki.
His departure left just Mamoru, Masaki and Usagi. Both
parties stared at each other in silence for a few minutes until Usagi murmured
something about wanting to catch up with Motoki and raced inside.
Mamoru took a step after her when he felt Masaki grab his
arm, “Don’t,” he warned quietly.
Mamoru turned around, wondering why his friend had said
this and then he saw Kisho standing a little way away, watching them. Mamoru
was shocked that his friend would actually bother turning up, especially after
he couldn’t even get Seiichi to and he was supposed to be on their side!
“I’ll go and find Taro” Masaki said and hurried inside
after the others. Mamoru knew what he was really doing. He was giving them space
to have a talk without anyone else interfering and Mamoru was not so sure that
he was going to thank Masaki for it.
Wordlessly Mamoru started towards his friend. He hadn’t
expected Kisho to bother turning up and now that he had he found that he didn’t
know what to say to him. He supposed that he’d better just speak what was on
his mind. They had, had enough secrets; Mamoru knew and had so often said.
“I didn’t think you’d come,” he said, silently cursing
this awkward start to the conversation.
Kisho smiled slightly, “Because we are enemies now?”
“Don’t talk like that. We’re not enemies.”
He shrugged, “How can we be anything else?”
Mamoru frowned slightly, “This isn’t just about Usagi is
it?”
Kisho was silent for a minute before replying, “What do
you mean?”
“When we thought that Zoisite was the Prince you hated
him, but not just because of the past life. You hated the idea of having to
answer to someone. You hated the idea of having a Master.”
“As I said once before, respect has to be earned” Kisho
replied coolly, “Seiichi has already earned my respect.”
“I see” Mamoru said, becoming convinced that he had found
the true depths to Kisho’s departure. “But you don’t have to do this. We both
want to save this world, don’t we?”
“I don’t know. Do you?”
“Of course!”
Kisho smiled sadly, “I wish I could believe that. You’re
feelings for Usagi will cloud your judgement. How can I serve a Prince like
that?”
“I’m not asking you to serve me. I don’t want that. Not in
this world.”
“Then what do you want?”
“For us to fight together for the present and not to dwell
upon something that is meaningless.”
Kisho paused for a moment and in that short space of time
Mamoru dared to hope that it meant that his friend was considering his words.
“If you truly mean that then prove it”
“Prove it?” Mamoru asked. Kisho did not answer, but he did
not need to. Mamoru heard a scream from inside the aquarium. The typical
screams that he had become accustomed too. It only meant one thing, a Youma.
He took a step in the direction of the building, but Kisho
caught his arm, “Prove it,” he repeated coldly.
Mamoru was torn. He knew what Kisho was asking of him. If
the past truly meant nothing to him then he would stay here and not go to help
Sailor Moon. If he went then it would mean that everything that he had spoken
was a lie.
He didn’t know… and Mamoru knew that he had to force
himself not to think of such things. Slowly he turned away from the scene of
panic, feeling as though he was betraying more than just the pigtailed girl as
he did so. Kisho nodded, satisfied and also turned to leave.
Mamoru watched his friend, yes Kisho was still his friend
even now, leaving and the thought to run back crossed his mind.
No… Kisho is right. I have to prove that I mean what I
said to him… even if it means that Usagi has to fight alone this time…
*****
When Motoki had called and invited Usagi to go to the
local aquarium with him and some friends to celebrate his birthday she had
thought that it would be a welcome distraction from her problems with Mamoru
and the Ginzuishou. Thus her heart sank when she saw that Motoki had invited
Mamoru and his friends, too.
She had made a hasty entrance into the aquarium in a bid
to avoid him. Unfortunately, Motoki and his other friends were nowhere to be
found and Usagi wandered alone along the seemingly endless corridors, staring
at fish swimming from behind glass tanks on both sides of her. Or rather she
was almost alone. Kimura Taro and Ueda Masaki had followed her inside and were
keeping an eye on her from a distance. Usagi frowned at this and almost turned
around to confront them. Did they really distrust her that much?
“I can help you master the Ginzuishou’s power and together
we can take on Beryl and free the other Senshi.”
All afternoon she had pondered Venus’s proposition. It
made sense, Usagi thought. After all the Ginzuishou was a powerful weapon and
to use it against Beryl would be the wisest move. But not for her… Usagi had
sensed its power. She knew that it would destroy her. She did not want that…
even if it meant that she could have her friends at her side once more. She
could not use the Ginzuishou… not ever…
A scream from further on down the corridor snapped Usagi
out of such thoughts. She ran, an instinctive reaction now she noted bitterly,
and the tunnel opened out into a small room with various types of other marine
life swimming around in tanks set into the walls of the room.
There were people in this room and they were all
unconscious. A Youma stood in the centre of the room, as though it had been
expecting her. It stood on two legs and was covered in silver scales like a
fish, though its head reminded Usagi of a hammerhead shark in its size and
likeness. Two coal black eyes narrowed as it stared at her and Usagi shivered
despite the Youma’s comical appearance.
It let go of the person it had in its left hand and
started towards her, moving too fast for Usagi to do anything, let alone
transform. She gagged as it wrapped a hand around her throat and lifted her
from the ground. Usagi kicked out helplessly, gagging as the hand squeezed her
throat tightly, causing little red and white stars to dance before her eyes.
Dimly she was aware of Ueda-san and Kimura-san entering
the room as their normal selves. The Youma spun around when it saw them,
dropping Usagi to the ground, but before the two Tennou could transform, the
Youma thrust out its left hand, sending an attack of silver magics directly at
them.
Usagi cried out as the attack struck them, knocking them
both to ground. As it hit the magics entwined itself around the stunned Tennou,
pinning them helplessly to the floor, unable to even transform.
Still, this distraction was all Usagi needed. Jumping to
her feet she called out, “Moon Prism Power… make up!”
After her transformation was complete, Usagi jumped
between the Youma and the kings, determined, despite them being enemies, that
the Youma wouldn’t harm them.
Yet the Youma didn’t seem at all interested in the Tennou
and, Usagi realised with a sinking heart, that it was her that it wanted.
Its next attack confirmed this and forced Sailor Moon to
do a back flip, landing behind Kimura-san and Ueda-san, before throwing her
tiara at the Youma:
“Moon tiara… boomerang!”
The Youma blocked this and sent it flying back at the
Senshi of love and justice, forcing her to retreat further until her back hit
the glass tank behind her.
Her tiara lay, still spinning, a few metres away and
Sailor Moon clutched the Moon Wand tightly in one hand, knowing full well that
this would be her last chance. If she didn’t defeat the Youma then Kimura-san
and Ueda-san would die, too.
Summoning her strength, Sailor Moon cartwheeled out of the
way of the Youma and the Tennou and held the Wand out in front of her as she
prepared to attack.
It realised this, too and struck again, this time aiming
at the floor beneath her feet. Sailor Moon fell as an array of silver magics
showered down around her, pinning her arms to the ground as it had done to the
kings. The Moon Wand lay to her left, so painfully close and Sailor Moon felt
tears sting her eyes as, slowly, the Youma walked towards her, a hand reaching
for her locket and the Ginzuishou.
“Rolling heart… vibration!”
The Youma screamed as the attack struck it, knocking it
away from Sailor Moon. As it fell the magical ropes binding her and the Tennou
faded and Sailor Moon jumped to her feet, snatching up the Moon Wand as Dark
Venus stepped out of the shadows.
“I am the Senshi of love and beauty, Sailor Venus, and on
behalf of Venus I’ll punish you!”
Those words were so painfully familiar to Sailor Moon and
fresh tears, these ones of joy, filled her eyes at the sight of her old friend
fighting for her once more.
“Now, Sailor Moon!” Venus cried as the Youma gathered
itself together for another attack.
“Right! Moon twilight… flash!”
The Youma exploded in a shower of crescent moonbeams and,
as it did so, Sailor Moon took a step towards Venus, her decision now made.
“Thank you” she started, even as Venus dropped to her
knees before her. “I have made my decision. I will not use the Ginzuishou. I
cannot. If I do then I shall become enthralled to the past life. I want to stay
as Tsukino Usagi. You can understand that, can’t you?”
Venus nodded, standing as she did so, “Princess… I respect
your decision,” she said simply before teleporting away.
“Venus” Usagi whispered as she de-transformed and then
turned to the two Tennou. “Daijobu?” she said cheerfully when she saw that they
were unharmed.
“We’re fine” Kimura-san answered coldly.
“I’m glad” Usagi said, knowing that this was as near to a
thank you as she was going to get and she hadn’t really expected one anyway.
Still, she was surprised when she felt Kimura-san’s hand
on her shoulder when she turned to help some of the semi-conscious civilians.
“Did you mean what you said about the Ginzuishou?”
Usagi nodded unsure of what to say.
Kimura-san held her gaze for a moment longer and then they
both turned to leave. Usagi let them go, content to help the people who needed
this help and trying not to think of the one question that was burning in the
back of her mind.
******
Mamoru had spent an unhappy night questioning his actions
at the aquarium. Motoki had rung and wanted to know where he had been so Mamoru
was forced to make up a lie about feeling unwell. Motoki was sympathetic and
asked him if he would see him tomorrow at Crown.
Afterwards, Mamoru had given into the temptation to ring
Taro and enquire how the rest of the afternoon went.
“There was a Youma,” his friend had confirmed and when
Mamoru asked him if he was okay, Taro had answered, “It wasn’t anything that we
couldn’t handle.”
Mamoru hadn’t dared ask about Usagi and Taro hadn’t
volunteered this information so he was forced to let that matter be. He had,
though, explained his reason for not coming to help them and Taro was angry
about this.
“What the hell is he playing at?” he had demanded,
referring to Kisho. “It wasn’t just Usagi in there!”
Mamoru had smiled slightly as he replied, “I thought it
‘wasn’t anything that we couldn’t handle’?”
“I meant the civilians inside” Taro declared haughtily and
Mamoru had suspected that there was more to it than this, but decided that
something’s were better left alone.
Instead he had made arrangements to meet them at Crown on
Saturday and Taro agreed to pass the message on to Masaki. Mamoru, rather
reluctantly, left a message on Seiichi’s mobile which, unsurprisingly, was
turned off, asking him to meet them there.
He deemed it better that they left Kisho alone for a few
days to calm down and think about what happened at the aquarium. Mamoru hoped
that he had now proven to Kisho that he meant what he said. He didn’t think he
could go through what he had done yesterday again and Mamoru still regretted
his actions, even if it meant that the Shitennou were all fighting on his side
again.
Hina didn’t want him to go to Crown that morning, as she
had wanted them to stay in and watch a film together on television. Mamoru let
her down as best he could, feeling terrible as he had paid even less attention
to his fiancée since he found out that he was the Prince. The truth was that
he… he just didn’t have the will to even try to make their relationship work
anymore, despite his words to contradict this a few days ago. He knew it was only
a matter of time before he broke her heart and this pained him much more than
he would ever admit too.
Kissing her goodbye, Mamoru hurriedly left the apartment
block, still struggling to assuage the conflicting feelings that had been
forever clouding his mind.
*****
Kuroki Mio’s heart burned with lambent fury as Endymion
leaned over and kissed the girl on the lips before hurrying down the corridor,
away from her. After he had spurned Usagi’s affections, Mio had dared to hope
that he was no longer drawn to the Princess of the past life and he wasn’t…
because he had someone in the present and Mio hated her.
Her nails dug into the palms of her hands as she recalled
the past life when Endymion had held Serenity in his arms, placing gentle
kisses to her lips and now this scene in the present where, again, he belonged
to another.
After all this time waiting… Mio couldn’t take it anymore.
The Princess was a formidable foe and when dealing with her Mio knew to tread
cautiously. This tramp on the other hand…
Suddenly Mio didn’t feel quite so angry. In fact she felt
calm as she waited until she was sure that Endymion was not coming back before
walking towards his apartment and knocking on his door.
She gripped her little surprise in one hand, concealing it
behind her back as the door opened.
“Did you forget something?” his girlfriend asked as she
opened the door, and her half smile turned into one of amazement when she saw
who stood on the threshold.
“Kuroki Mio?”
A fan? She was a fan? Mio smirked at this. It was terribly
ironic and the fact that she hated her fans made it all the more justified. She
hated the constant screaming when she got out of her limousine. She hated the
seemingly endless tide of emails, guest book posts on her website and mail that
flooded her record agency. She loved fame, but she loathed the fans. They were
pathetic to idolise one person so above all others.
This Jezebel being a fan of hers made what she was about
to do all the more sweeter.
She didn’t scream… she didn’t even uttered a sound save for perhaps a small strangled gasp as Mio plunged the knife she was