Chapter 9 is here!
This is still a flashback Chapter. I'm honestly not sure how many chapters will be flashbacks, but there will be a few 'cause I have to tell Amber's life on the moon.
Disclaimer: I don't own Sailor Moon.
One Day Later After the Competition- Friday, September 24, With Amber
School. Amber loved school. She always had and always will. She loved school because she loved to learn.
School. Amber also hated school. She hadn't always hated school, but she probably will for the rest of her life. She hated school because she was socially awkward and was bad at making friends.
They were currently doing Physical Education, which was the last subject for her today. 'I can go home soon,' Amber thought happily.
They were doing dodge ball. Amber was good at dodging the balls, not throwing them, so she stayed near the back. She leaned against the wall and zoned out into her own world, just like she did when she was reading. Instead of thinking what she usually thought of, she had this scene pass through her head.
...
There was a girl with blue hair and eyes, maybe around the age of 11, crying in front of a woman, probably her mother. The woman was holding a pair of glasses in her hand, and was waving them around.
"Why didn't you tell me about this, young lady?" The woman questioned, angrily.
The young girl looked down as tears started running down her face. "I didn't want to embarrass and dishonour our family."
The woman looked down at her daughter with disgust. "You already have." She threw the glasses to the ground and stormed off.
The girl looked at the broken glasses on the ground. She collapsed and started sobbing.
...
Amber was pulled back to reality by something hitting her leg. Her eyes opened and she heard some boy shout,
"I got her out! I got Amber out!" Amber looked around, trying to find out who hit her. Then she found him. It was the same boy who got Ven-Mina out. Long silver hair, which was tied back in a ponytail and piercing green eyes: Yaten Kou, the younger cousin of Seiya Kou, the one who got second place in then singing competition. They also had an older cousin, but Amber hadn't met or seen him.
Amber rolled her eyes at Yaten's cheering. She got off the wall and walked to the out zone.
If Amber had looked back to where she had stood, or if someone else had looked, they would have noticed that where Amber's hand had been touching the wall, was now covered in ice.
Sunday Afternoon- September 26th, With Princess Amara
Amara smiled as she stretched her legs. She was getting ready for the big race that would start in a few minutes. Call her arrogant, but Amara wasn't worried about her chances at winning. Amara liked it when she ran, it was like she was a part of the wind.
Amara looked around. Two things immediately stood out to her: Michelle stood, looking at her. When she caught Michelle's eye, Michelle blushed and looked away. Haruka smiled. The second thing that stood out to her was the blonde and blue-haired girl that stood, also stretching her legs. Amber, if Amara was guessing.
She had talked to the four of the inner princesses and apparently, one day Amber showed up. Everyone knew who she was, except the princesses. Amara supposed they were right. She didn't remember any girl named Amber, but then again she hardly ever interacted with people younger than her.
Amara suddenly heard a voice snap her out of her thoughts. "Participants, please line up!"
Amara took a deep breath and went and stood in the line, getting into her starting position.
"On your mark. Get set... Go!" And with that, Amara started running.
During the Race, With Princess Michelle
'Go Amara!' Michelle inwardly cheered. She wasn't going to lose her cool in front of all these people.
"Did you hear?" A voice asked her from behind. Michelle nearly jumped, but since she had been trained to not show her surprise, she hid it well. She turned around to see Princess Serenity. Michelle quickly bowed before answering the question.
"Hear what, Princess?"
"About what happened to the planet Mercury," was the answer she got.
She was immediately alert. Mercury was where her best friend lived. "What happened?"
Princess Serenity took a deep breath before explaining. "A few days ago, mother had noticed that Queen Caldwell hadn't done the check-in thing, you know to make sure everything is alright?" Michelle nodded. "So, she went to make sure everything was okay, and you'll never guess what mother found." Princess Serenity paused.
Michelle feared the answer. She sincerely hoped it had nothing to do with Amy.
Princess Serenity continued. "The entire planet was frozen."
Michelle froze. 'Frozen?' She thought. 'Amy couldn't have done that? Could she?'
Serenity saw her reaction. "She took a look at every froze person on the planet. She found Queen Caldwell in the palace."
"Did she find Princess Mercury?" Michelle asked.
Serenity looked at her sadly. "Sorry Michelle, but no."
On the Race Track, Almost Done, With Amber
She was panting heavily. She knew that if she didn't hurry and get to the finish, she would pass out. She was also sweating very much. It was gross.
But, her hard work had paid off really well. Amber was in the lead, and she didn't intend to lose this position. However, Amber didn't expect it to last long, especially with Princess Amara in this race. She wondered where she was.
All the sudden, she was broken out of her thoughts by deep breathing behind her. Amber didn't have to look back to know who it was: Princess Amara. Then, the breathing wasn't behind her, it was beside her. Amber still didn't look.
Amber was so focused on the race that she didn't even notice that she was lost in her memories.
…
She was running the 400 metres in the Track and Field meet. She was in first place. She was getting tired. She was running out of breath. She was three-quarters through the race. She was doing so well. Then she felt a wave of exhaustion go through her. And in her moment of weakness, Amber looked back.
Almost immediately, a girl passed her. It was Hope McNeely. Hope was always beating her in everything. Hope looked at Amber with sympathy and said, "Don't look back Amber."
Amber took a deep breath. "I know, it's just hard not to."
And with that, Hope smiled kindly at her. Then she sprinted to the finish line. Amber finished second. Second. That was all she would ever be good for, second.
…
"And now for Year 6 Girls!" Mrs. Barr announced.
All of the girls looked at each other in anticipation. "In 5th place we have… Princess Raye of Mars!"
Mars smiled as she walked to the front of the room. She shook hands with the teacher and took her 5th place ribbon. She went off the side, waiting for the other places to be announced, because they all had to bow or curtsy at the end.
"In 4th place we have… Codi Wilson!" Mrs. Barr continued. Codi smiled happily. She never usually place in Track and Field. She went up, shook Mrs. Barr's hand, grabbed her ribbon, and then went to join Mars.
"In 3rd place we have... Princess Lita of Jupiter!" Jupiter shook her head. She usually did better than this. However, she smiled and repeated the other girl's actions.
"In 2nd place we have… Amber Smith!" Amber's heart sank as she fought off the urge to cry. She was used to this. She should have known she never would beat Hope. Amber hid her feelings with a fake smile. She shook hands with Mrs. Barr, taking the ribbon with her as she joined Codi and the princesses, all the while thinking, 'Another second place ribbon for my collection.'
"And finally, in first place we have... Hope McNeely!" Clapping and cheering. Hope smiled at followed the other girls actions. Amber had expected nothing less.
Hope stood in the middle. We all curtsied. 'Second, second, second. That's all I'll ever be.'
...
Amber could feel herself slowing down. She was breathing so could almost see that Uranus was about to pass her. She could see non-contestants. That meant one thing: the finish line.
Amber didn't even try to hold back the tears threatening to fall. She was going to be right back where she started, second place.
Amber quickly looked behind her, unable to resist the temptation. She and Uranus were the only ones here.
'I don't want to be second best again,' Amber thought desperately. 'I refuse to be demoted to that horrid place. In the name of Water and Strength, help me to win.'
Suddenly, Amber felt the back of her body go cold. She felt as if she was going through water. It made her feel stronger. The next thing she knew. she was ahead of Uranus, running so fast, that it was reminding her of swimming.
And then she crossed the finish line. She heard cheering. Amber look back to see what happened to Uranus. She had stopped dead, and was staring at Amber in shock. Then she seemed to snap to her senses and ran until she crossed the finish line. She was still staring at Amber in shock.
'That wasn't actual water, was it?' Amber thought. She reached a hand back to touch her back. It was soaking wet.
'Okay, so maybe there was actually water,' Amber thought. 'But why does Uranus act like she saw it even though no else did?'
One Hour After the Race, With Michelle
Michelle was wearing her bathing suit as she walked to the public pool. She loved to swim. It might have something to do with her being the Princess and Soldier of the sea. She'd love to control all water, but that is what Mercurian Royalty is for.
Michelle arrived at the pool and noticed that she wouldn't be alone. There was another girl swimming. Michiru immediately recognised her as Amber, the girl that beat Amara. The girl that had, apparently, been pushed forward by water.
Michelle had been surprised to hear this. Water didn't help just anyone. You had to be Mercurian royalty, and in some cases, Neptunian royalty.
Amber noticed her. "Hello Princess Neptune. I would bow to you, but I'm in the water."
Michelle smiled. "You needn't bow down to me, Amber." Michelle walked to the stairs that lead into the pool and walked down them.
She broke the silence, "So you're the one that beat Amara?"
Amber nodded. "Yes, I am."
"How did you do it?" Michelle blurted out. The question had been bugging her. "Amara said that she the water push you forward, but I wasn't sure if I should believe her."
Amber sighed, running a hand through her wet hair. "Something pushed me forward, but I don't know what. I do know one thing though, Princess Neptune," Amber paused. "Determination can get you a long way."
Michelle stared at Amber before smiling. "I like you, Amber."
Amber smiled back at her. "I like you too, Princess Neptune."
"It's Michelle," she replied.
Still smiling, Amber said, "I like you too, Michelle."
Friday, October 1st, Almost the end of the School Day, With Amara
Amara watched as Amber ran laps in Gym, the last subject of the day. Amber didn't get tired, and never started panting anymore. Haruka wondered what happened.
It had been almost a week since the race, and Amara couldn't get Amber out of her mind. She had been trying to work up the nerve to talk to her. And finally, Amara had it.
"Hey!" Amara called to Amber finished her laps. Amber looked to her and bowed.
"How may I help you, Princess Uranus?"
Amara looked at her. "Get up," she ordered. "And it's Amara."
Amber looked at her in shock before quickly composing herself. "Of course Amara. How may I help?"
"I just want to know something," Amara said. "How did you beat me?"
Amber smiled. "Michelle asked me the same question."
Amara stared at her in shock. "Michelle doesn't let many people call her by her name."
Amara got a smile. "Guess I'm lucky. I told her that, 'Determination can get you a long way.'"
Amara thought about it then nodded her head. "That makes sense." Suddenly, Amara remembered that she never did her laps. "Sorry Amber! I have to go do my laps!"
As Amara went to start her laps, she heard Amber laugh behind her.
In the School After Gym, With Amber
Amber was walking down the hall towards the doors. She couldn't wait to go home. As she passed a group of girls, she heard Mallory Ford whisper, "You'll never believe the test results."
Amber got excited. The test results had been posted.
...
Academics had always been something Amber was good at. Nobody had ever beaten her in them, not even Hope.
Amber got even more excited as she neared the board. As she got close enough to see the top of the board, Amber's heart stopped dead, then sank.
Her name was still at the top, in second. Second. She looked to see who was first. Some guy named Taiki Kou.
"Who the heck is Taiki Kou?" she wondered aloud. Then she heard a deep voice behind her answer,
"Me." Amber turned around and was almost intimidated. This guy was much taller than her. "Why do you look so surprised?"
Amber stuttered before composing herself. "No one has... no one is this much taller than me."
Taiki smiled, making his beautiful face even more beautiful. "Yes, most do consider me intimidating."
Amber stuttered again, making Taiki laugh. She blushed at hearing his laugh. Amber didn't get it. How could he do this to her? She barely knew him! Well, she knew him well enough to know that if you looked into his beautiful, purple eyes you could get lost forever, or that his long, brown hair, tied back in a ponytail, must be silky smooth. He must also be pretty smart because he...beat her.
Amber looked into Taiki's eyes and felt tears threaten to fall. "Well, congratulations on f-f-first place." And with that, Amber turned, just as a tear left her eye, and walked to the door. As soon as she left the building, she started to run back home, thanking luck that both her parents were at work.
Just After the Talk, With Taiki
Taiki frowned as he watched the mysterious girl run away. Something was wrong with her, he just didn't know what. He was about to leave himself when a voice stopped him,
"You're Taiki Kou, correct?"
Taiki turned to see a girl around his age with blue eyes and with long, blonde hair with a red ribbon in it. "Yes, I am. Who's asking?"
The girl smiled. "Princess Mina of Venus."
Taiki bowed his head. "My apologies, Princess Venus."
"It's quite alright. You didn't know," Princess Venus said.
There was a pause. "You wanted to talk to me, Princess Venus?"
"Oh yes! Anyway, I just wanted to warn you about Amber."
"Amber?" Taiki questioned, confused.
"The girl you were just talking to."
"Why should I need to be warned about her? She seems nice." This really confused Taiki. Amber had acted like she liked him.
Princess Venus smiled sadly at him. "Look at the test results again."
Taiki looked at the test results. 5th place: Madalyn Matthews, 4th place: Maggie Brown, 3rd place: Kayla Milne, 2nd place: Amber Smith... Oh. She was the girl he had beaten. That was why something had seemed wrong with her. Princess Venus had noticed the realization come to him.
"She can be nice, but when someone challenges her, she will destroy them."
"But I never challenged her!" Taiki protested.
"You beat her," Princess Venus stated. "To her, that's a challenge."
"I think I can handle her," Taiki said, confidently.
"Just thought that I should warn you." With that, Princess Venus walked away.
Amber's Home, With Amber
As Amber slammed her bedroom door shut, she started sobbing loudly. She was pacing around, all the degrading thoughts coming back to her.
She opened the top drawer on her dresser, and took out all the ribbons she had gotten over the years.
The first nine were all participation ribbons. The other nine, were all second place. Six second place ribbons for Track and Field, one for Cross Country, one for Popsicle Stick Bridge Building, and one for Public Speaking.
"Second! That's the only thing I'll ever be good for!" Amber screamed. "Why can't there ever be one thing I'm good at? What is wrong with me!?"
During this, a mark had appeared on Amber's forehead: the Mercury sign. It had started glowing and created a huge circle of energy (A/N: If you don't get what I mean, just think of Chibi-Usa's/Rini's energy things in season 2, just with different shades of blue.). Amber screamed, picking up all the ribbons and throwing them in every direction. She picked up anything she could get her hands on and threw them.
When it was over, Amber just stood in the center of her room, looking at the mess. Eventually she calmed down.
She sat her her lower bunk and talked to herself, with newfound determination, "I won't let Taiki Kou," she spat out the name in hatred. "put me through this setback. Not after everything I did to get here."
Amber stared at nothing for a moment before whispering, "He will regret ever crossing paths with me."
Oh. My. God. I have not been able to stop writing this. Which is really bad, 'cause I need to focus in class.
Anyway, please review and I hope you liked it.