Sailor Moon: The Metal Age
PART TW0: REVELATIONS
Part A
Dream sequence
"Mom!" Mason laughed as she ran toward her mother, "You came back!"
As she neared her mother the ground exploded around her. Mason fell back, crying.
"Mommy!" She sat on her knees, weeping has her mother vanished. She could only cry. She was powerless in this terrible world.
"Stop crying!" A voice shouted from the darkness.
Mason looked up; searching for the voice. It wasn't familiar to her. "Who are you?"
"I am the Soldier for Fire." It told her, "And it's time for you to join us."
"Join who?"
"The Elemental Protectorate."
Mason gained her feet and looked around, "Show yourself."
"You can already see me, Mason."
"How
do you know my name?"
There came laughter in the dream. "I
know many things. Just as you do."
"What are you talking about?"
"Did you think it normal that you could master so many languages? Or perhaps you assumed your unmatched strength was normal? Tell me, Mason, do all girls control metal the way you do?"
Mason was frightened now. How could this person know so much about her? No one knew these things. Not even her parents knew these things.
"Fear is a dangerous emotion, Mason." The voice was fading slightly, "When you are ready; you will know how to find me. I can show you the world, Mason. I can make all that pain go away."
End dream
Mason jolted away and sat up; she was shaking and covered in sweat. Looking at her hands she stared at the bracelet on her left wrist. There was no way to remove it. Once the bracelet was put on; it never came off.
A constant reminder of who and what she was.
Mason pressed her face into her hands. The dream was one she'd had for years. It had haunted her all through her early years and into her teenage years. She never spoke of it to anyone; not even her cousin. Mason hadn't known that Raiden was suffering the same dream. There had been so much unspoken between them.
Put it was the dream that Mason focused on. Fire had promised to take the pain away. But instead she had added to it.
On instinct, Mason hugged herself. She felt the familiar aches in her battle-beaten body. Even with her Soldier powers she'd suffered great injuries. Most of them healed, but not all of them. Her left shoulder still burned where it had been hit with a fire blast. Her right arm still ached from the break it had suffered during battle. Her head ached constantly; she wasn't sure if it was bad cooking or head injury.
The pain wasn't the only thing Fire had lied about. Aiden had lied about a lot of things. And most of the time it was Mason who found out the truth and had to tell the others. None of them liked her for it. And it made Aiden hostile towards her.
But there wasn't much Aiden could do about it. Fire and Titanium couldn't destroy the other. But that hadn't stopped Aiden from trying.
Mason pulled in a deep breath and stared out her window. The city was painted in warm sunshine. It was a beautiful afternoon. Perhaps she should go for a run? The idea appealed and she got out of bed.
Jogging in Tokyo proved to be a unique challenge. It was busy and crowded and there were only so many places to go. But she liked the crowded streets; the feel of being surrounded yet alone. None of these people knew or cared about her. The sense of autonomy was what she needed.
As she came to Juben Square she debated her direction. She went straight; that would take her passed all the video arcades and sweet-shops. She liked seeing the fun other people had in their lives.
Dodging people became a hassle as she joined the crowd. Deciding to take a break; she stepped into the first place she came to. The Silent Princess tea shop was definitely quiet.
Mason made her way to an empty table and sat down. The waitress appeared a moment later; handing her a menu. There was no need to look at it; she came here often enough to know the contents. She ordered the usual and sat back in the plush bench.
"Hello, sensei."
Mason opened her eeys and looked to her left. It was the couple from her English class. She noticed instantly that there was no pull to them. It struck her as odd; but she let it go as she smiled.
"Good afternoon."
"Would you care to join us?" The blonde asked. He motioned to the empty chair beside him.
She debated; then nodded. "Thank you."
She took the chair beside the blonde; the scent of roses filled her nose as she breathed in. "Having a good day so far?"
"Yes." The green haired woman said gently. "You?"
"I just woke up, so yes." Mason said gently.
"You sound like Haruka." The woman muttered and glanced at her partner. "She could sleep forever."
Haruka shrugged, "Sleep is good."
Mason didn't let her surprise show; they were both women. Well, that was interesting. "I agree with Haruka."
Haruka….Mason glanced at the blonde…the name was familiar. It suddenly hit her. She looked away and ran a hand through her hair to keep from showing her surprise.
Haruka Tenoh; the famous F-1 driver was sitting beside her.
Mason resisted the urge to giggle like a little girl. She'd had the biggest crush on the famous driver all her life.
"Here's your order." The waitress appeared with Mason's order.
Haruka casually watched as Mason sipped her water. "You enjoy running?"
"Hmm, it's calming."
"We should go running together sometime." Haruka muttered lightly, "Are you busy tomorrow afternoon?"
Mason coughed to keep from choking. Had she heard that right? Had Haruka Tenoh just asked to go running with her? She looked to the blonde and they stared at one another.
"I'm not busy." Mason replied.
"Tomorrow it is then."
Mason glanced at Haruka's partner; the woman didn't seem to even notice. It was odd to say the least.
"How long have you been a teacher here?" The woman asked lightly. She smiled at Mason in a warm manner.
"Two years." Mason sat back in her chair; her shoulder was aching. Absently she rubbed it.
"You speak excellent Japanese; I thought perhaps you had been raised here."
Mason shook her head, "Canadian, born and raised. I've just never had a problem with languages."
Haruka smiled softly, "You're skilled with tongues then?"
Mason gave her a sharp glance. Had she just said that?
Michiru chuckled, "Don't mind, Haruka's teasing. She's always like that."
Mason didn't look away from the blonde; they stared at one another again. This time though there was a sense of something. A stirring of air; a brush of energy; something subtle and power.
Haruka ached a golden brow; Mason looked away.
"So do you plan to stay long in Tokyo?" Michiru asked.
"As long as I can teach, I'll stay." Mason absently tugged at her bracelet. She was rubbing the metal over her skin. It's a conscious motion.
Haruka noticed the bracelet, "That's a nice piece. Did someone give it to you?"
Mason glanced at her left wrist, "Something like that."
"You're boyfriend?" Michiru asked.
Mason shook her head, "I've never had one." She was suddenly uncomfortable; but she refused to leave. This was the first real conversation she'd had with anyone in a long time.
"Your special partner then?" Haruka asked.
Mason smiled slightly; they had an odd way of putting the obvious around here. "Not even close. She's more of a hated ally."
"Hated?" Michiru asked, glancing at Mason for the first time. "Why hated?"
"She tricked me into a lot of things I would have preferred to avoid. She's like that."
"But you're still allies with this person?" Haruka asked; her tone was edged with something close to anger.
Mason shrugged; her shoulder ached. "Sometimes we can't choose our allies."
"Did you work together for a job?" Michiru asked, "Perhaps at teaching?"
"No, never teaching. That's my own thing." Mason sighed and sat forward in her chair. "We shared a duty to help each other. It's not really something we could choose. More like it chose us."
Haruka and Michiru looked at one another. That sounded like being a senshi.
"Well then," Haurka said plainly, "It's good you left."
Mason glanced at the blonde and nodded, "Yeah. It is." Had she imagined the regret in her voice? She must have.
Mason stood up, "Thanks for inviting me to sit with you."
"Would you like a ride home?" Haruka offered.
"Thank you, but no." Mason put money on the table.
Haruka handed it back to her, "For talking with us."
Mason hesitated before accepting the money; she nodded slightly.
"Tomorrow we'll meet at the kissing fountain?"
For some reason Mason was amused at the suggestion. "Sure thing. I'll be there for noon."
Haruka nodded, "As will I."
Leaving the establishment; Mason headed toward home, but she didn't run. Instead she walked as she tried to understand what had just happened.
Michiru set down her teacup and stared at her partner. "What made you suggest running with her?"
"I have no idea." Haruka mused; looking out the window, "It was automatic."
"Haruka…"Michiru knew her partner's flirtatious nature, but something was different this time. "Just be careful. She could be the enemy."
"I know." Haruka nodded, "There was a moment where I felt something powerful from her. Perhaps tomorrow I'll find out more."
"What if she attacks you tomorrow?" Michiru asked.
"I'll be fine." Haruka looked at her partner, "I'm the wind."
Michiru stared at her for a long time. For some reason she doubted that Haruka would be able to out run Mason.
"Just be careful."
The following afternoon; Mason was at the Kissing Fountain for noon, as promised. She stood rather then sat; she didn't want to seem lazy. As she waited for Haruka to show; she studied the fall of water.
Water had always been fascinating to her. It could hold light; reflect it back, take on the shape of whatever held it. Water flowed, moved, constantly in motion. It was malleable and gentle; quiet or loud, soft or harsh. It was an amazing Element. Often times; once her destiny had been revealed to her, she had longed to be like Dylan. The Ocean Soldier had so much more to her powers then Mason did.
Mason felt a change in the wind; it made her look up. Her gaze found Haruka approaching. The blonde noticed her and waved. Mason returned it. Haruka was dressed in a gold out fit; her shorts accented her long, slim legs. Her gold jacket was open to reveal a dark blue shirt under it.
"You're early," Haruka muttered; her gaze swept over Mason. The girl was dressed in solid black. Black pants, t-shirt and shoes. "Did I keep you waiting?" She looked into those silver depths.
Mason shook her head, breaking eye contact. "No."
"We should start." Haruka scanned the park, "It looks less crowded that way, come on."
Mason hadn't jogged with anyone in a long time. She found herself enjoying it. The height difference between them made keeping Haruka's pace a challenge; but she managed.
They jogged quietly. Conversation had always been a distraction to Mason when she exercised. Haruka led the run through the park. They moved swiftly around and through the crowds.
Mason realized they were heading back, "Let's head toward Juben Square. I've still got lots left."
Haruka threw her a playful look, "Do you?"
"Yes, don't you?"
Haruka grinned, "Always."
Mason chuckled, "Come on then."
They cut across the road and along the neighborhood streets; coming out at the Square.
Haruka increased the pace; Mason matched it. "You're fast."
"Same."
They ran smoothly along the sidewalk. They passed Crown Arcade and didn't see the girls staring from inside.
"Was that Haruka?" Mina rushed to the window, "It is! What's she doing with that girl?"
"Who? What girl?" Makoto joined her friend, "They seem to be racing each other."
"Where?" Usagi joined them, "I don't see anything.
"They're gone, Usagi." Mina gave her friends a conspirator's smile, "I wonder if Michiru knows."
"Don't be an idiot, Mina." Makoto crossed her arms as she scolded her friends. "It's not like that."
"Says you, but I am going to tell Michiru." Mina grabbed her bag and rushed out of the arcade.
Usagi and Makoto sighed as they followed.
