WAR GAMES
CHAPTER 10
Perils Of Trust
Written by Darkpower
Rating: 14 (Dialogue, Violence, Language)
"Mister Gurio? I need to speak to you about Melvin. My name is Mister Harold Koa."
That was one voice Melvin did not need to hear right now. It had grown into the evening hours, and it was a few hours since he had gotten back home and into his small bedroom after his abduction. Even though he had other things on his mind—such as his suspicions that his friend Casto was Sailor Vulture—his entire focus suddenly shifted to a loud, booming man whose hair he could recognize at any time. What was the substitute teacher doing here, especially when he was to be relieved of his duties in a few days? He could only look out of a single-pane window that was to the left of the desk he was sitting at. On the opposite wall was the door, at an angle from the window. Should he use that door to look out and see what was going on?
"Mister Koa," his father, in a low, smooth voice, answered. "I've heard some things about you."
'Hopefully the things you need to hear, dad,' Melvin told himself. He rose to his feet, leaving his glasses on the table, and just barely creaked the door open. The staircase was in between two solid walls to the left of his bedroom door with no way of seeing beyond them, so he knew he could eavesdrop without any fear of being discovered.
"Yeah," Melvin could hear Mister Koa answer. "There are a lot of stories that have been told, but you know kids these days. Those who don't want to learn find ways to get out of it."
Mister Gurio hummed softly. "Have to be careful, though, sir. It's not like it's only the children who have been suspicious of what tactics you employ."
"Trust me, sir, I've heard all of the stories. I was fearful that you may have heard something about them from your son, which is why I decided to come here and tell you the truth about why he may be telling you some stories in the near future."
'If he doesn't think there's something up about that line, then something's wrong with him. Dad, please tell me you're as smart as I know you are.'
"Okay," his dad said, "why don't you have a seat here? I don't think you want to talk standing outside like that.
"Don't mind if I do." Footsteps could be heard, followed by a shut of the door. "Wow, Mister Gurio. This couch is more comfortable that it looked like it would be, and I always thought black leather couches won over white wool ones. Why do you have it on the same wall as your window, though? Your television will be hard as all hell to see if the sun glares on it if you have it there."
"I don't watch much television anymore. Nothing interests me. Melvin does sometimes, but he's more on his computer talking to his friends online. You want some coffee? I can brew a pot if you want."
"No thanks. I can't stay long, anyway."
'Neither would I want you to.'
"About these friends of his," Melvin heard Mister Koa continue, "I think they're beginning to be a detriment to his studies. I think you need to start looking more closely at his grades and who he hangs out with."
Melvin did whatever he could to stifle his gasp. 'What?"
"What do you mean?"
"You know who Molly Baker is, right?"
"Of course I do. She and Melvin have been together for a while. She was feeling depressed and he was sympathetic of her, and they just grew into an item. I'm proud of him for his kindness towards her."
"He might be getting too kind, though. Seems as though his grades are slipping, and I think it started with this year. I don't know if I should ask this or not, but do you think they might be a case of teenage couples going to the next level in their relationship before they know what that means?"
'You sick little...ugh,' Melvin thought as he considered punching a wall.
"I get what you're asking. I don't think Melvin ever talked about the relationship being that serious, actually. He shares everything with me, and I know he cares a lot about Molly. I don't think he would ever want to take advantage of her."
Melvin put his back against the wall next to the door opening. He looked towards his white sheeted twin bed and muffled a few choice words, if they were even words, before listening in again.
"I shouldn't even be asking about that," Mister Koa continued.
'You're darn right you shouldn't, you slime.'
"Strange reason for his grades slipping, though."
"Well, sometimes romantic involvement can lead to a lack of attention to their academic studies. I just wish that was the only distraction on his plate right now. You obviously know who Serena Sommers is, right?"
"Good friend to Melvin. She's been getting better last I heard."
"Don't know who it was you heard it from. She's been flunking out, too. Though she isn't the only one who's been a bad influence on your child. Her brother is my biggest concern. I don't know if you know who Casto Sommers is, do you?"
'You say one bad thing about him or his sister, then I swear on my soul, you will see a side of me you would wish you never unleashed.'
"I only know he started this year. Came in from L.A. as a foreign exchange student."
Melvin heard a loud sigh coming from Mister Koa. "He's been a problem student from the day I met him. He's been acting out in class, trying to challenge me to fist fights. The typical child who would get expelled from school after a few months or so; that's Casto Sommers. Those are the nicest things I can say about him, too."
'You liar!' Melvin clenched his fists tightly and dug his toes into the blue carpet, the latter to keep himself from barging downstairs.
"I didn't know he was like that. Not sure why Serena would put up with that."
"I don't think he's even Serena's real brother. He's got this bogus story, or at least I think it's bogus, about his mother having to put him up for adoption because she couldn't afford to raise two kids or something. I think he's trying to swindle Serena's family. He's real bad news, and Melvin has been growing closer to him since he first became a student at my school."
"At yourschool?" Melvin whispered to himself.
"Dear lord," his father gasped. "Some plan to get a quick buck."
'Oh, please tell me he doesn't believe that pack of lies. Anyone with a brain could see past it.'
"I just hope you do the right thing about this, because if Melvin gets anymore F's, he's going to flunk out this year." Melvin heard a bunch of ruffling of clothes before Koa continued, "Here's a list of things I recommend you do immediately. I can even help you in doing these things for you and making sure they are carried out. I also recommend that you go over these with your son. He really needs you to set the rules. You're his parent, not his friend."
"This list is pretty extreme," Mister Gurio said. "You sure this is the right way? I mean, I can talk to him to see what's going on. He might be depressed. He hasn't been able to talk to Molly for some time, and I'm not sure what is going on there. Maybe they are having some relationship issues that his mind is focused on more."
"I wish I could say the same, but the thing of it is, this started around the time he began to become friends with Casto."
'Which is also when Miss Haruna was attacked and you showed up. Some way to validate a cover story.'
Mister Koa could be heard standing up off of whatever he was sitting on, and footsteps could be heard again. "I don't think there's any room to second guess yourself. My personal number is on that paper, too. I recommend you save that somehow and make sure you keep in touch with me at all times. I'll help you enforce these new rules."
"I'll see what I can do about this," Mister Gurio replied.
The front door gave a loud squeak as it was opened. Mister Koa, Melvin heard, was nearly gone. However, his voice began again, "By the way, Mister Gurio, I have a suspicion that there is some adult now who is trying to undermine my authority. I was told her first name was Melissa, but I can't get a last name. I've been trying all day to retrieve it, though I've had no luck."
'Melissa,' Melvin thought. 'That was the name of the woman who fought that Rubeus guy earlier. If it's the same person, then I know what her last name is.' He recalled what he had heard earlier from Rubeus' lips: "Level six would make Queen Beryl disintegrate into nothing. I wonder what it would do to someone like you!"
'Melissa Beryl,' Melvin continued to ponder, 'so that's your name. Thank you, and please tell me you're the one giving Koa a tough time, too.'
"I have to get going. I'll talk to you tomorrow. I was guaranteed that school would be open, so you should have no trouble putting this into motion ASAP." After Melvin heard Mister Koa finish talking the door was shut.
"Melvin," his father called out. "I need to speak to you, please."
Melvin expected the worst as he made his way towards the stairs. He walked as though he was walking the green mile.
-xXXXXx-
It was eleven at night, and Melissa Beryl was trying to get some sleep in her apartment. She couldn't get any, however. The memories of what had transpired earlier at the temple continued to ring out in her head. It was so much so that she could feel a few tear drops coming out of her eyes as she stared at the ceiling. When all else failed, it was studying the texture and pattern of the ceiling tiles and the ribbons that held them there. Some small holes that were only for design were within the tiles. At least that's what they looked like to her. The thoughts of how she could get someone to trust her when they did whatever they could to push her away got replaced with asking how one could possibly make holes in ceiling tile while still making it stay in one piece. Even if for only a second, it gave her mind some time to relax.
Eleven-o-one. Melissa began to shut her eyes-'Why am I going to bed this damn early?'-when she heard a knock at her door. She thanked whoever would listen for Avery's intervention earlier, and maybe this was her again. She hoped so, for she wanted to thank her in person, since she couldn't earlier. She got up out of her bed and headed for her front door.
Though it wasn't Avery, she smiled at who it was instead: Serena. "Hey, woman! What are you doing up this late?"
"I could say the same about you!"
"Is it all right if I come in?"
"Of course. You're always invited here."
Serena removed her shoes at the door as it shut behind her by Melissa's hand. She took the time to study her friend's abode. "You got this for a thousand yen?"
"Yeah," Melissa answered as she sat on her brown wool love seat. "It isn't much, but it will do for now. Far from the queen-like life I used to live."
"I think you have this place all decked out. You made out pretty good for how expensive some of these places can run."
"Maybe someday, I'll show you a place that I used to go to all the time when I needed to get away from the Dark Kingdom. You'd never believe it."
"Try me."
"Okay. A small log cabin, just on the outskirts of what you guys called D-Point. It was comfortable, and when I was a queen of a much better place, I used that spot as a getaway for my advisors and me. I loved just being there. It was like a camping trip. I even had a bed there. In fact, if I can ever get the furniture from it here, I'll be made here for a while."
"Sounds like a perfect place if it wasn't so close to that...," Serena stopped talking as she gasped loudly. "Wait! Cabin? Close to D-Point! You mean that cabin we discovered that Rubeus was hiding my mother was..."
"So that wasyour mother's blood I saw on that pipe in the basement," Melissa growled. "I knew he was there. He was the only one who would've wanted the Hizrounswa."
"On a pipe?"
"It sickened me to death to see it, but I have a feeling he was abusing her while she was apparently tied to the thing or however he kept her there. I would need to find it again, hold on." Melissa rose to her feet and went over to a small desk and pulled open one of its drawers. She shuffled around though a sea of papers before continuing, "Here it is! This is what I found on a table in the basement when I went there a week or so ago. I apologize if I've woken some bad thoughts."
Serena shook her head as she took the paper that Melissa gave her. She read the note, that was written in all capital letters: "IKUKO WILL NEVER SEE HER DAUGHTER AGAIN! PITIFUL EXCUSE TO NOT GROUND HER DAUGHTER TO KEEP SAILOR MOON A SECRET! I WILL HAVE THE HIZROUNSWA!"
"Oh, my God!" Serena tried to fight her tears, even as a few began to fall. "That sick monster!"
"I'm sorry, Serena. I don't mean to..."
"No, don't be. I'm glad you showed me this. Now I know what he was doing to her."
"I know what you've been doing to him. He was bitching about that scar you gave him in some pyramid. Serena, in all my time of knowing who you were and are, I've never seen you act like that. Did you really swipe at him?"
Serena let out a loud sigh as she collapsed on the love seat. "Yes, I did. With my tiara. I sliced that piece of shit's face wide open for what he did to my mother. He continued to be a coward, and I swear to God, Melissa, I would've killed him if Casto didn't stop me. Thank God he did."
"Malachite told me that it scared him seeing you like that. He was watching you battle Rubeus the first time once we got resurrected. He doesn't get scared easily, so I know there was something different about you."
"It scares me, too, Melissa."
Melissa sat next to Serena on the love seat. It was a move that she thought Serena would object to, but her friend never did. "How so? Not saying that I don't understand why, but I know it's different with everyone."
"Earlier, in the school, I was just pounding Drillbit with my Moon Scepter. Not using its magic or its power. Just physically beating him to within an inch of his life, and part of me...my God, Melissa, I liked it. I liked being able to finally show those monsters how pissed off I've become because of their actions towards me and my family."
"You told me about Sammy being put in intensive care because of Rubeus."
"My entire family was in my mind as I held something I never thought I would want in my hand. I held that man up on a tree as I screamed in his face, demanding to know where my mother was. Every time he refused, I shot a bullet, just a bit closer than the last, to the side of his head. He got the message, though only for a moment. He tried to turn my mother against me afterwards, but we were able to free her from his control."
"My lord," Melissa cried. "I didn't know he did that. As for you, Serena, I don't want to ever hear about you handling a gun again. I could never picture you even holding one for anything."
"I'm changing, Melissa. Into what? I don't know, but the more I let this side go, the harder it is to keep it in."
"It only takes once to get used to it. Once you know what you're capable of, you start to know how to control it and push it even further."
"How could you control yourself around Rubeus?"
"I had to. My master gave him all sorts of power, and condemned me and my friends to just serve him. She made him into a king, and just casually handed him the Hizrounswa. That was the final straw for me. I was nearly ready to leave before, but looking in on something like that made my decision final. To tell you the truth, Serena, I don't know how I did it." Melissa leaned down a bit. Her elbows touched her knees, with her hands clasped in front of her. "He just continued to defy me. He continued to harm my generals, go behind my back when he was to be supervised at all times, and didn't care. I keep getting told that I was reveled by this Doom Phantom guy as some legend for what I did to the Moon Kingdom." She put one hand to the top of her head as she began to weep. "God, Serena, if you only knew...if they only knew of how much grief and guilt I held in because of that day, that word would've never crossed his mind. I'm no damn legend. I failed my people, and I failed everyone who trusted me."
Serena put a hand onto Melissa's free one. "You didn't fail me, and I trust you."
Melissa turned to Serena's worried eyes. "Yes, I did. If it wasn't for me, you would've still been on the Moon. If it wasn't for me, you..."
"...would've never found my brother again, would've never made the new friendships I've made, would've never been able to realize how much I love Darien, and would've been able to see you for who you really are."
"A pitiful, ugly queen?"
"Hell no! You're not ugly, Melissa. You have a chance so few have when they do the types of things you've done. You have the chance to make things right again. Which is why we need you. It's why Ineed you."
"Doesn't sound like it coming from Raye."
"You should've seen the argument she and I had once you left. Let's just say I let her know how I felt about her stubbornness. Her grandfather was never like that. He's actually an expert in letting go of grudges. I should see him, actually. It may help me see what is causing me to be the way I've been lately."
"Is he the other person who runs the Shrine?"
"Yeah. Him and Raye both take care of it, and let us gather there. He's a nice person, but somewhat eccentric sometimes. He does these private meditation classes that make you have to face your fears from within your own mind. I should do them sometime."
Melissa wrapped an arm around Serena's shoulders. "And if you ever need any help in controlling it, you know you'll have me. I know you trust me, but I also know now that I can trust you. I want to be there to help you."
"Thank you. Just please, keep trying to win over their trust. I actually think you're winning them over, and Raye has a weird way of showing her trust."
"I promise you, Serena. As long as you are there, I'll keep trying."
Serena's smile came back, only wider this time as she jumped to her feet. "There we go! And I'll be holding you to that, Melissa."
Melissa stood up herself and faced her friend. "I wouldn't want it any other way. Though I would rather you have that smile on your face rather than you crying. If I ever hear that you've held a gun in your hands, though..."
"I don't want to, ever!"
"I'll hold you to that one, then."
Serena nodded. "Anyway, I have to go before my parents get worried of where I am."
"It's eleven-thirty, though! They would already be worried."
"I told them it was an emergency my friend had, which was true." Serena rose to her feet and made her way to the door.
Melissa's eyes sparkled as she followed her. "Thank you. It helped me a lot, and I hope I helped you in some way."
"Yes, Melissa, you have, in more ways than anyone could think you have. I have to get going before they really start worrying." Serena put her shoes back on and began to head out the door. However, halfway through the door, she stopped and turned back around. "By the way, Melissa, my brother wanted to talk to you about something whenever you get the chance."
"Casto," Melissa began with a soft gasp, "wants to talk to me?"
"Yeah. He wants to know if you'll help him with something."
"Does he trust me now?"
"He trusts that you won't rejoin the Dark Kingdom on your own power. He's worried about what Rubeus has been trying to do to get you back, though."
Melissa looked away slightly. "That worries me, too. I don't know why Rubeus would want me back with the way he hated me."
"My brother's free tomorrow after school if you have the time."
"I'll see what I can do. I won't forget, though."
"Thanks. See you around, Melissa, and remember that no matter what, we need you." Serena turned back and walked into the hall and down the steps.
Melissa closed the door after her friend left and exhaled deeply. "And you have no idea how much you've helped me, Serena. I never knew you were such a great friend. Even when I knew you were, I didn't know how much until tonight. You mean so much to me right now. I love you, Serena."
She walked back into her bedroom and stared up at the ceiling tile again. "I still have my demons, though. Maybe Raye is right in not trusting me too quickly. Maybe Serena shouldn't be the only one to go see that grandfather."
-xXXXXx-
Rubeus stood once more in front of Metaria's lair. The entire room was all too familiar to him by now, and so was the look of the bubbly orange egg that his queen was currently in.
"Metaria," Rubeus said as he stood right at the edge of the platform, "how can I possibly face you as a failure like I have been?"
"You are not, Rubeus," the egg responded. "I actually believe we have an unexpected situation unfolding that could prove beneficial to our cause, but we may have to work a bit harder to use this new plan."
"What new plan? Are we still looking to kill Reenie?"
"Yes, but you see, Rubeus, I think Serena will know anyway that it was you. She suspects you too much now for us to risk it. There is someone, on the other hand, who has had too much trouble trying to trust the witch."
Rubeus' eyes narrowed slightly, causing him to squint. "I think I know who you're referring to, but when did this catch your attention?"
"Sailor Mars hasn't exactly been saying any kind words about her. Plus, Rubeus, I don't think you'd be surprised to know that I have been keeping an eye on what happens at their Hikawa Shrine, especially after you battled them at the school. Her and Serena seemed to have a falling out."
Rubeus cocked an eyebrow. "Anotherone? And she was bragging about how she didn't want to be leader of the Soldiers!"
"But the basis of the argument was about Melissa and why Raye cannot trust her. The past arguments were only small bickering. This one looked to be a lot more."
He extended his lips slightly to the right and hummed in thought. "You think we can keep them fighting?"
"We could, but I might have a way to make this a lot more exciting for you. Raye's grandfather is the owner of the Shrine, and he was also one of the original seven carriers of the rainbow crystals, which were essential to form the Silver Crystal. We attacked him, but at the time, Queen Beryl was the one who orchestrated the attack. I am not sure if that is the reason for Raye's refusal to trust Beryl or not. However, if I am correct, Beryl will arrive at the Shrine tomorrow. It won't take much to get Raye to think that it was Beryl who did in her grandpa."
Rubeus snickered. "Kill the old geezer, frame Beryl, and prove the Fire Bitch right!"
"Yes, but remember that the other Sailors will not be so convinced. You need to find some way to make them believe Raye when she finds her grandpa dead. Beryl's hands needs to be smeared by the blood. And they cannot know you were there at all."
"I think I've got a plan, but there is one more element to this. The reason why the last attempt failed."
"I saw her blow the whistle on the whole damn thing. She will be dealt with."
"Every time I think I've got everything going my way, someone else comes in and ruins it, and then I have to face you and tell you about the failures." He pivoted around, away from Metaria, and sulked. "I don't think I'm any better than Queen Bitch was as far as pleasing you is concerned."
"Unlike Beryl, though, you are making some progress. Remember, I trust you to be able to at least get us in the correct direction."
Rubeus came out of his sulking and clenched his Hizrounswa gun with his hand. "And about Reenie?"
"Once Raye plants the seeds for us, then we can worry about Reenie."
Rubeus' eyes lit up like lights. "Because Serena and Raye claim to be so tight, if Raye gives Serena doubts about Beryl, then she won't be so convinced that Beryl wouldn't want to kill Reenie. I got it now." He cackled loudly and turned back around towards Metaria. "It will be a pleasure. The more I hear of this, the more I like it. When can I begin?"
"Right now!"
Without another word, Rubeus disappeared from the room. The egg only gave a few sequences of the bubbles from within rising up in response.
-xXXXXx-
Casto had arrived at school, though Serena had decided to try to go in a bit earlier to see if she could get some time with Molly. He just got to the front door when he saw Melvin get dropped off by his father in a black four door Sentra. Once he got out of the car, the car sped away, and Casto ran up to him immediately. "Mel!"
"Cas," Mel yelled out, "I'm glad you're here so early!"
Although Melvin wasn't completely somber, Casto noticed some discomfort in his friend's voice. "What's up, Mel? You don't sound so hot."
"Mister Koa visited my house yesterday!"
The news was enough to send Casto a step back. "What the hell? He's doing the same to you that he's doing to Molly."
"Yeah, but fortunately my dad wasn't as convinced. He only put me on probation until he can check things out, if you could call it that."
"That's good," Casto smiled. "Though you know Mister Koa is going to be all over your ass now. He's expecting you to be completely grounded."
"After the stuff he told my father about you, I think he might."
Casto's mouth straightened. "What did he say?"
Melvin let out a small breath before continuing, "He said that he thinks you're not really Serena's brother and that you're only trying to swindle her family."
Casto's breathing quickened, and he could feel his heart nearly pounding out of his chest. "That pathetic little piss-ant! He better not even look at me the wrong way!"
Melvin laid a hand on Casto's shoulder. "Don't worry, Cas! I know you wouldn't ever do anything like that."
"Yes you would, Casto!" they heard a loud and, to them, disgusting voice hark from behind Casto. It was the tall, salt-and-peppered-haired teacher that he saw when he turned around.
"How could you dare even think that I would take advantage of my sister like that?" Casto roared. He was so loud that a few of the other students in front of the school stopped talking amongst themselves and turned towards the showdown.
"Like you even are her brother!" Koa answered. "Face it, Casto: you're nothing but a damn troublemaker here, and it wouldn't surprise me if the School Authority expelled you in a few days."
"Why are you so obsessed with us, sir?" Melvin asked. "Why are you so afraid of us that you have to go to our houses and tell our parents outright lies?"
"And why are you talking to Casto still? I thought your father set some new rules for you last night. I was expecting you to follow them."
"My father is a lot smarter than you give him credit for!" Melvin did not notice the forcefulness that his voice took, as more students began to watch the argument, with a few even gasping upon knowing that it was Melvin who was standing up for himself.
"He doesn't realize yet that I'm trying to further your education by getting rid of your distractions."
"Yeah, right! All you're doing is making us uncomfortable with being around you!"
"And you think I care? You haven't moved away from Casto yet, and I expect you to in about five seconds, or else I'm going to move your ass for you!"
'Over my goddamn dead body, you will,' Casto thought as he adjusted his stance. He eyed Mister Koa as he inched closer towards Melvin.
"No," Melvin proclaimed. "You are not my father!"
"But I am your teacher, and I will make sure you follow your father's orders to the letter!" Koa reached down with his hand and grabbed Melvin hard by the arm.
Or at least he attempted to, for as soon as he was about to grapple Melvin, Casto caught Mister Koa's hand with his own. He trembled in anger as he used all his strength to hold his arm off.
"He's not willing to get physical with you, Mister Koa," Casto growled sternly, "but Ihave no problem doing so! He's my friend, and I swear to God, you hurt him, and you will wish you never crossed me!"
"Look at this, will ya," Mister Koa said as he continued to have his wrist held in what felt like a vice. "Casto is threatening a teacher. I didn't think you would stoop that low. Then again, you are robbing the Sommers family blind! How much did you get so far, Casto? A thousand, ten-thousand yen, huh? I've lost count!"
"No, Casto!" Serena screamed as she came out from within the school. She saw Casto's other hand pull back with a closed fist, and she ran as fast as she could to catch that free arm before he could strike his target.
"He's not worth it," Melvin added as he assisted Serena in holding Casto off from Mister Koa. The two together were enough to make him back off of the teacher and let go of his wrist.
"Damn right it isn't. School's about to start, and I suspect Melvin knows of the new period assignment he has with me. Second period, Melvin. You won't see any of your distractions there. As for you, Casto, the first thing I would do Monday morning is come up with a good reason as to why you threatened me, because we're going to have a long talk with the School Authority about you. I just hope for your sake that you won't get expelled for this alone." Koa began to walk towards the school as all the students continued to eye the occurrence, although they were unsure who to pay more attention to as it unfolded.
Koa stopped near the door and spoke one more time. "By the way, I really hope you guys can get used to me, since you'll be seeing a lot more of me. I hope to be a good influence on your studies." He entered the school without another look back, with the students still looking on in shock.
"No, you won't, Mister Koa," Serena growled. "Patty's coming back next week, she told me. You'll be long gone Monday morning."
"Not a moment too soon, either," Melvin answered as he slowly released Casto from his restraint. Serena did the same just a second later.
"I swear," Casto said, "I would've punched his lights out if I wasn't stopped. He sickens me!" Casto paced quickly into the school as the starting bell rang out.
'I wish I could have what you have to control your emotions like you do, bro,' Serena thought as she walked into the school with him.
Melvin looked on for a moment as he tried to regain his composure. 'That's the same way Sailor Vulture protected me yesterday. Casto, you don't have to hide it from me.' He walked into the building.
-xXXXXx-
TA Private Girls School was just a few blocks away from Juuban Middle School. It had a single tree to the left of its front yard entryway. Like the public school, there was an eleven foot brick barrier surrounding the premises. The blue-brick building had three stories, and each room had two windows or more.
As school ended on this day and the girls filed out, Raye Hino could only walk with a long face and narrow eyes, a face that she carried with her throughout the school day.
However, she stopped when two conversing school girls blocked her path. As she tried to maneuver around them, she caught a sample of the conversation they were having. She stopped to listen, though ducking into a small alley on the other side of the street.
"Did you see that woman who went to that Shrine today?" one girl said. It was the question that made Raye want to listen in more.
"You mean that tall, red-haired chick who just walked up the steps of the Hikawa Shrine?" the other girl asked. "Yes, I saw her. She looked down. I felt sorry for her, actually. Was going to ask what the problem was, but I didn't think it was any of my business. She had some cool attire, though, and I wanted those wonderful ruby red eyes she had. Did they ever sparkle!"
'Red eyes and hair? Tall woman? At the Shrine? That sounded like...oh, my God!'
Without warning, Raye took off running towards the Shrine. She weaved around the pedestrians on the sidewalk, though she nearly ran into a few of them. Some of them stopped to yell at her for not paying attention to where she was going, though she was too much in a panic to care. She heaved and panted as she kept her legs going as much as she could. She didn't stop for anything as she saw the Shrine just a few blocks away now. 'If you've done anything to my grandpa, Beryl, so help me, I will kill you right now.'
She rocketed up the outside steps and sprinted towards the entrance door. She dropped her book bag outside and took her shoes off at the door before running into the Shrine. She almost got into the fire room when she was stopped by Chad.
"Hey, babe," he exclaimed, "why the panic?"
"She's not allowed here, Chad!" she answered angrily.
"Who isn't?" He then popped his eyes open. "Oh, you mean the Melissa woman who came here asking for a session with your grandpa."
"Damn right I mean her! She's capable of..."
"Shh! Keep it down. You'll distract them."
"From her..."
"Now Melissa," she heard her grandfather say through the door. "Try your best not to move a muscle."
"They're both fine, if that's what you're worried about," Chad said as he very slowly cracked the door open so she could peak in.
She saw the fire being lit, and her grandfather and Melissa both sitting with their calves folded underneath them. They both had their eyes closed, as calm as they could be.
"What is she doing here?" Raye asked, now a bit quieter.
"Like I said, she was asking for a lesson from your grandpa. She told us she was Serena's friend and that she heard about these sessions from her. That was all the convincing he needed to let her have one. They've been at it for some time. Why isn't she allowed here?"
Raye didn't answer as she continued to listen to her grandfather. "Now, Melissa, concentrate. Don't think about anything else except what frightens you. Do not be afraid to face it. You must combat your fear in order to defeat it."
"He told me she wasn't looking well," Chad whispered. "I even saw a little of it. She looked depressed."
"I'm sure she was," Raye groaned.
Her groan was enough to make her grandfather open her eyes and look behind him. "Raye, you're home!"
Melissa also opened her eyes, seeing Raye there. "Raye, I'm sorry. I know you don't like me, but..."
"You're damn right I don't," Raye cried. "I especially don't like you being here with my loved ones."
"Raye, c'mon," Chad scolded. "Don't be like that. What's with you?"
"She's bad news. I swear to it. You have no idea what kind of crap she's done."
"The "'crap'" I've done is why I've come here, Raye," Melissa answered. "I wanted to try to get rid of the demons that caused me to do those things."
"You weren't possessed. You knew everything you were..."
Her grandfather shot to his feet. "Raye, be quiet!" He then turned to Melissa. "Stay here, Melissa. I'll be back." He turned back to Raye as he approached the door she was standing at. "C'mon, Raye. Outside so we can talk."
Grandpa closed the door. Melissa looked down at the fire that was still burning in front of her and sighed deeply.
-xXXXXx-
"Okay, Raye," her grandfather asked as he walked with her to the center of the Shrine walkway, "what is it that I have to be afraid of by letting her have this class?"
"Yeah, babe," Chad added. "What catastrophic thing is she going to do to us if we let her patronize here?"
Raye gritted her teeth and felt her fist clench. "She's destroyed thousands of lives with her actions. She's destroyed homes and relationships. She constantly lies; so much so that she can do it naturally. She's not welcome here!"
"Yes, she is!" her grandfather yelled angrily. "Everyone that seeks our help is welcome here. Even those who have committed some bad things in their lives."
"But she's one of the..."
"Raye," Chad said, trying to put his hands on her, "chill! You've never been like this towards anyone."
Raye jumped away from his embrace. "No, Chad! Don't you dare touch me right now!"
"Raye," her grandfather yelled, "enough! This is something more than what you're telling us. You're hiding the real reason why you can't trust her!"
"What would that be?" Raye screamed.
"Your parents. You and your father weren't close at all, and you felt he betrayed you."
"That's not it, grandpa!"
"You do remember it, right? You told me you hated politics because of him."
Raye turned her back to her grandfather. "I don't want to talk about this!"
"When will we, though? It's because of that that you refuse to trust anyone!"
Raye punched the bark of a tree. "No it isn't!" She didn't give any other words as she stormed down the steps and stomped away from the Shrine.
"Hey, Gramps," he heard Melissa call out from the door. "I can go ahead and go if I'm going to cause you that much trouble."
"Nonsense," Grandpa yelled as he turned towards his guest. "You're not causing any trouble. It's her that I can't get through to."
"Never seen her that stubborn about trusting someone, though," Chad pointed out. "Perhaps it's what she thinks of Melissa coupled with her issues in the past. Wish she would at least try, though."
"Like I said," Melissa continued, "if I'm not welcome here, I can go. I don't want to endanger your relationship with her by me being here."
Grandpa walked over to Melissa and put a hand on hers. "Don't worry, Melissa. It's something that she needs to realize about herself. She can't keep that in forever."
Melissa looked towards the steps that led down to the sidewalk. Her jaw hung open as she shut her eyes slightly. "You sure it's not a problem?"
"It won't be. Besides, we're not done with you just yet. Your thoughts now are telling me that you are still afraid of your own demons. Go back into the fire room and we'll continue where we left off."
Melissa, as instructed by Grandpa's hand movements, pivoted and went back into the Shrine, with him pushing the sliding door shut behind them.
Chad looked on as he saw them reenter the Shrine. He then turned his head towards the outside steps. 'Why are you so afraid to discuss it, babe? It's only going to hurt you by holding it all in.'
As he went about his business looking over the garden of the Shrine, someone was looking over everything from his perch on a tree branch that was on the very edge of the right side of the shrine: Rubeus.
"Wow," he said to himself, "please tell me I'm not just imagining things. This is a dream come true. Raye is not only unwilling to trust her, but she's ready to blame her for the wind blowing east instead of west. This is going to be way tooeasy. Have to wait just a little bit longer before we can act, though. Don't want to waste this opportunity." He vanished from the branch before anyone could find him.
-xXXXXx-
Grandpa sat back down on one end of the fire, with Melissa sitting down the same way she was before on the other end. The two clasped hands on both sides of the fire, ignoring the heat that was coming from the steam.
"You should worry more about your granddaughter than a class with me," Melissa said.
"She's fine," he answered. "She needs some time to herself. I just hope she'll be okay. I can't do anything about it until she comes back, anyway. I have to stay here and look after the Shrine, and you're still here. Trust me, you're not leaving until we find out what's bothering you."
Melissa hung her head. "I just don't want to be the one responsible..."
"It's not the first argument we've had, and I'm sure it won't be the last. She's always been like that, but she always understands when it comes down to it. Trust me, I know her. I wouldn't push her away for anything, believe me."
With a heavy sigh, Melissa answered, "Okay. I'll believe you. But if I hear anything different..."
"Not a chance, though I'm glad someone is going to make me live up to my words." Grandpa tightened his grip on her hands. "Now, let's continue. Close your eyes and concentrate."
Melissa did just that, only she closed her eyes tightly. She could not say any words as she took a few deep breaths.
"Good," he said. "You remembered to take a few deep breaths in order to calm yourself. Now, whatever you see, I will see, as well. Don't hold anything back. Tell me everything you experience right now."
-xxxxx-
Melissa was in a pitch black room, with no end to the marble floor she was standing on. She could feel the coldness of that very floor come up through her black socks and nearly freezing her feet. She whipped her head back and forth before walking a bit forward, all with her mouth slightly open.
"I'm in a room. There are no walls in here. It's just me. I feel so cold, and so alone in here. I...I don't want to be here."
"Don't be afraid of it. It's just your perception. Nothing more. Think of what scares you. Moments of your life that have defined who you were and who you are now, regardless of whether they are good or bad."
Melissa continued to walk forward, quickening her pace. She only took two more steps before she heard someone crying. It sounded like a child, maybe a small girl. As she walked further in the same direction, her eyes caught the image of the girl. She wasn't too big. In fact, she couldn't have been over seven years old.
"I see a girl in front of me. She's crying for some reason. Something happened to her. Her clothes are ripped."
The girl had on a button-up blue shirt on and a long matching dress. She also had white buckle-up shoes on that echoed a loud sound across the room when she lifted her heels slightly. She was sitting down with her head buried within her arms that were folded on her bent knees. Melissa slowly approached this girl, seeing that the girl's clothes were ripped, and there were some severe bruises on the girl's skin where the rips were.
She knelt next to the girl, who was still sobbing. "What's wrong, hon?"
"The bad men," the girl's voice echoed. It was a voice that while sweet and innocent was also filled with pain and anguish. "They hurt me. They killed my family." She had her head still buried in her arms, and it appeared as though she wasn't going to let Melissa see her face at all.
Melissa's eyes glistened as they widened. "Bad men? Did you see who they were?"
"No. I couldn't see. I can't remember."
"Where do you live?"
"It doesn't matter. They burned it down. I don't know where to go. I'm so scared. I want my mommy."
Melissa's tongue felt frozen, and the more she tried to move it, the stiffer it became. Finally, she laid her hand on the girl's back. "Don't worry, sweetie. You don't have to be scared. We'll find your mommy, okay?"
"How can I trust you?"
The question made Melissa take a step back from her.
"She asked me how she could trust me?"`
"Do you have any way of proving to her that she can trust you?"
Melissa approached the young female again. "Because, the bad men. They are scared of me. They cower the second they hear my name. And once they know it's me, they have no choice but to surrender. Once they do, then we will make them tell you where your mommy is, all right?"
The girl was beginning to say something else when a small black hole began forming underneath where she was. Melissa didn't have any time to react before the hole became a large shadowy hand that grabbed the girl and completely covered her with it.
"No!" Melissa screamed as she returned to her feet. "She's a child! What the hell are you doing to her?"
She could see it, even though she could've lived without the visual: the girl's body had become as black as the shadow was, and was forming into the same entity the hand was. She actually became part of the hand as the shadow that was left from the girl was absorbed into the appendix. The hand then dissipated into the ground, with nothing left of the girl. Melissa ran to where the girl once was, her tears splashing onto the floor.
"Why?" she yelled. "This is sickening."
"But it's what the scum like her deserve," she heard a raspy man behind her growl. She slowly and methodically rose to her feet, planting her left heel on the floor ever so slowly as she used her right foot to pivot herself towards this man.
She recognized him immediately. He had a thick, black goatee on his long and skinny face, a black turtleneck sweater on with white slacks, and white low top shoes that looked to be a little worn out. The long nose and brown eyes were what she saw first before she looked over anything else on him, and that was enough for her to know who this short man actually was.
"Keishi!" she roared. "You're the one who caused them to do it!"
"He's the man that those Keishites followed."
"I'd have you know," Keishi said as his long, black hair stayed stiff during his slow approach towards Melissa, "that what they did made me proud to call them my sons."
"Your sons? They killed innocent children! There was no reason for them to do what they did!"
Keishi walked up as close as he could to Melissa and began to raise one of his dusty hands towards her red locks. "Don't lie to me, Queen Beryl! You loved seeing those children be sacrificed for me. They are with me, after all. Right where they belong."
Melissa listened as this man had his hand in her hair, trying to caress and seduce her in some way she did not understand. "You're a sick bastard!"
"I have to be. It's the way this world is anymore. You know how normal humans are. They hold on to their failed beliefs like it's their saving grace. Those cowards in the United Nations aren't going to extract justice when they need to, so we have to do it for them, and do the right thing when they won't."
She eyed that hand, and swore to herself that if he moved it anymore into her hair, she was going to act. "By blowing up a goddamn school with kids still in it? What the hell does that prove?"
"That we're willing to show those bastards in the U.N. that we mean business. We will get what we want, or else their biggest treasures get what they deserve."
Not only did that hand go even further into her hair (she didn't know why she let him get as far as he did to begin with), but she could feel her throat becoming warmer, and it was from something she didn't want to feel inside of it. She gripped the caressing hand and tossed him over her shoulder. His back collided with the ground hard, echoing across the room.
"You coward!" she cried. "That's not justice. That's terrorism! And, in case you forgot, Keishi, I did express interest of joining the U.N. to the secretary-general. It was only because my kingdom wasn't declared a country yet that they couldn't accept it, but Cecil Moon did encourage me to keep trying, and that he was proud of..."
"Princess Melissa," she suddenly heard a male voice say from behind her. She turned around to see a shadow outline of a man who walked towards her younger self, who she also saw there. This ten year old version of herself looked up at the male, though she looked as if she had just turned around when Melissa did.
"Hmm?" the young Melissa asked.
The male sighed deeply and knelt down to the young Melissa. "It's not going to be easy to tell you this, but it's about your parents."
"Are they okay?"
"Well," the male said, sighing again. "They were heading to their peace meeting, as you know. It was to be on Mars, and they passed the Moon when something..." He paused.
"What happened? What happened to my mom?"
"They collided with another shuttle, and both shuttles..."
"No, don't make me have to watch..."
"You must face it if you are to rid yourself of your demons. It's what still haunts you."
"What's going on?" the young Melissa said.
"No one," the male gulped hard, "no one survived the collision."
The young Melissa took exactly three steps back—Melissa counted as she watched the girl do so—and then shouted, "No! You're lying! They're okay! Mom! Dad! They're all right! You have to be lying!"
"I'm sorry, Melissa! You're parents aren't coming back. I wish I was lying to you!"
"No!" the younger Melissa screamed. She punched the leg of the male repeatedly. The male took all the blows without objection. "You must be lying! They can't be dead! They can't!"
Melissa could only look away from the scene, though she heard several footsteps, probably from the younger one running from the male.
"And so it began," she heard a female voice, once again behind her. However, Melissa didn't even look back when she heard it. That voice was the one that she actually had wanted to meet face to face. This was her chance.
"Metaria," she growled.
"You know full well you began to show who you really were on that day. You ran from it!"
"You liar! I would never..."
She was interrupted by who she saw when she turned around. She could've sworn it was Metaria's voice. In fact, it was her voice. However, when she looked towards the figure that she heard taking small footsteps towards her, she saw that it wasn't Metaria that had the voice, but rather...herself! It was a manifestation of Beryl, in her purple dress, with her tiara on her head. Everything about Queen Beryl that told Melissa about that time in the Dark Kingdom was true on this figure. Her determination to face Metaria turned into complete fear as she stepped back.
"Yes, you would," the figure said as she continued to approach Melissa. "In fact, you embraced the corruption since the day you were born!"
"The...corruption?"
"No one can escape it, Melissa. You obviously couldn't! Serenity couldn't! Hell, even Serena is showing signs of corruption. It's everywhere, in the minds and hearts of everyone it chooses to seep into. There's no sense in fighting it. In fact, the feeling of it taking over your soul feels nice."
Melissa couldn't believe what she was hearing, and she couldn't keep this pace up forever as this woman continued to quicken her steps. She was reminded that she still had her socks on, which meant that she had absolutely no traction on the smooth surface of the blue marble floor. She felt herself sliding every time she took a step back. "No, you witch! It feels horrible. It made me sick to know what I was capable of."
"Everyone thinks that, Melissa. But look at what you gain: unlimited strength and power. You are so weak without it. Not only can you not face me, but look how much of a pitiful creature you've become. You care about these humans, when they don't care about you. Not that man who's helping you now, not Serena, certainly not Raye, and not even those four General pukes you continued to tote around like trophies Hell, Casto hates you, even."
"Those Generals were my friends," Melissa answered. "And Casto...you say one bad thing about him..."
"Because of what? Why does it matter to you? What is it about him that makes you want to protect him so much? You couldn't even protect your own kingdom when you didn't have that corruption! But once you did, my God, you delivered. You gave that Moon Kingdom a taste of its own medicine. Did you really think you would've been able to extract revenge on Serenity for what she did to you if you didn't embrace the corruption?"
Melissa stopped back stepping as she gasped in horror. "What revenge?"
"Don't play dumb with me! You know what I'm talking about. Or is it that you're still scared to admit what happened to you after that terrorist attack? Your parents kicking the bucket; those children dying. Those aren't the only things you fear, is it? There's one more thing that you still haven't even told Zoycite. It's what caused what some of your advisers called the Sailor Earth Uprising!"
"You shut up about that time!" Melissa growled. "I know nothing about any Sailor Earth Uprising!"
"It was because of how they felt about what happened to you! I'm surprised, with all this talk about you loving peace, you never mentioned once about you having desires to join the Silver Project, or Silver Millennium Project, or whatever that bitch Serenity called it. Too bad they won't ever know why you never bring it up. It's too bad they will never know what really haunted you so much that you took her offer. Those people who only think they know why it was called that and write those stories about a real Sailor Earth! If they only knew what it really was, they would be what you are not: brave soldiers for the cause, and know that the Moon Kingdom deserved what it got. Too bad they will never know, because you will always be the coward! Until the end, never wanting to face the one day that changed her life forever!"
Melissa took deep breaths, seething while looking at the woman who continued to approach her. The encroachment—and her words—was all it took for her to try to strike her with a punch to the face. The manifestation, however, caught her punch and used it to toss her to her side. Melissa collided with the ground so hard that some of her wind got knocked out of her. She did all she could to regain her breath and get back up. However, as she got to her hands and knees, the manifestation kicked her in the ribs as if she was going for three points. It made Melissa get knocked back further as her entire spine collided with the floor, and she was slow to get back up from.
As she returned to her feet, she saw the manifestation change form and grow larger. This time, it was a huge shadowy blob with appendages. As it inched towards Melissa, she could hear noise coming from within the blob's body. They were voices of those she had known throughout her life, and those she could only hope to remember. As the figure continued to make its way towards the slowly rising Melissa, she began to see the images of the same people she had heard the voices from, although she couldn't make out what the loud voices were saying from all the crosstalk that was going on. Whatever they were saying to her, it wasn't in a comforting tone. She used her hands to back herself up from the creature. She could feel it overtake her: the fear of whatever this thing was, and the more her eyes, as frozen to the creature as they were, remained on it, the more frightened she became. She could also see burning and crumbling buildings from within the figure that lowered its right hand towards her. She tried to scamper away from the creature, but was not able to as the thing grabbed her by the temple and hoisted her into the air.
She tried to flail. As much as she tried to move some, or any, muscles, though, she found it impossible as her limbs just hung down vertically against her body. The beast had a firm grip on her head, used no effort to keep her high off the ground, and began to move her towards its main body. She found that part of the blob had begun to open itself, and she was headed straight for it without any defense.
"Wh-What is this?"
"Melissa?"
She continued to cry as she began to see something form in what could've been the mouth of the creature. It was another figure, but it was a fiery one that looked to be made of the same material as the blob that had her paralyzed in the air. The figure screamed out, "Melissa, you will accept me!"
Melissa could not say or do anything, but the figure turned into her manifestation again. It appeared to be burned alive by the flames, but she wasn't as she stood inside of them without incident. It was what Melissa saw out of the manifestation next: the eyes began burning fire, and it roared. When it did the latter, the teeth were as razor sharp as a lion's, and it looked ready to chomp onto Melissa. "Accept me! It is your destiny!"
-xxxxx-
As soon as Melissa saw that very image of herself, she quickly wrestled her hands out of Grandpa's and shot her eyes wide open. She never got back to her feet as fast as she did at that moment, and she flew to the back wall of the fire room, clenching her chest and panting heavily.
"Melissa!" Grandpa shouted as he got back up and ran to Melissa's aid.
"Wh—What the hell was that?" Melissa heaved. "That...thing!"
"It was," Grandpa began, "I don't know. It was frightening to look at!"
"I couldn't move! As much as I tried, I just couldn't. It was like I was accepting that damned thing back into my life, even when I swore on my soul I would never do so again!"
"Was that the thing that forced you to do the things you feel regret for?"
"The woman! That bitch ruined my life, but what I saw was something new! Gramps," Melissa paused to get a heavy breath out, "I never felt so scared in my life as I was when I saw that thing."
"What were the voices?"
"My parents, the girls, Casto, my friends from my true past, all saying that they hated me! They all were saying that they wanted me to burn in the pits of Hell! Then I saw myself become the Devil Himself!"
"You're gonna be all right now, Melissa. You faced all of it. You know what haunts you now, do you? You know now what scares you?"
Melissa's hand came back to her side as she began to calm herself. "It's me! I'm scared that whatever is trying to get me back will succeed. I don't want to go back. I never want to return to that place, and I'm so scared that she'll force me back, and that I'll do things that I don't want to do to the people I care about again. I'm scared that they really think like that about me."
"They do not. I know Serena loves you, and I know they all have their own way of saying that they care about you now. They don't want to see you go back, either. As for that person you speak of. You know she's trying, and she isn't going to stop until she succeeds. But you know her, and you know how to stop her from getting you back." Grandpa eased his hands off of Melissa as he continued. "You know, there's an old saying that goes 'Fool me once, shame on you. Fool me twice, shame on me.' It means that you were easily fell for her tricks because you didn't know who she was and she got you at the worst time. But if you go there again, you go with knowledge of the last time you got tricked. You're better prepared to counter those plans because you know what she will try to entice you with, and you have a duty to not let yourself get tangled up into what caused you to have these fears."
Melissa smiled and nodded. "You're right, Gramps. I know all about that bitch now. I've got an advantage no one else has against her."
"And that's what you can help your friends with.'
Melissa nodded again, but with narrow eyes this time. "Gramps, I'm curious: is there anything else you know about Raye that she doesn't know that you know?"
"What do you mean?"
"I mean like..."
"And that'show you take care of tools like that airhead," they heard a voice echo from outside.
"What the...?" Grandpa asked.
"Rubeus," Melissa growled, "what the hell are you doing here?"
"Ruby...who?"
Melissa ran towards the front door. "Stay here, Gramps! This is a battle I need to finish! You gave me so much today. Let me return the favor. He isn't doing anything to this Shrine, Raye's distrust of me be damned!" With a very loud growl accompanying her words, Melissa raced out the door once she slipped her shoes back on.
Outside, she saw Rubeus towering over Chad's unconscious body, with Drillbit flanking him. Rubeus turned his head slightly to see Melissa at the base of the Shrine's front door steps. "Melissa, how are you going to explain what you just did to this poor fellow to Raye, eh? She's going to be pretty pissed when she finds out..."
"Get! The Hell! Away! From this shrine!" she sternly ordered. She stood completely still, with her feet planted flat on the ground and ready to strike at any moment.
"You are going to have some s'plaining to..."
"I don't think you heard me, Rubeus!" Melissa said again. "You have no business being here, and I swear on my soul, if you come any closer to this place, I willkill you!"
"Rubeus," Drillbit whispered, "what happened? I thought she wasn't even allowed here."
"Go and find out where that Raye bitch is, and make sure you lure her here. You remember how to use that power you got, right?"
"Yeah, I do. Don't worry, Rubeus! I'll take care of it!" Drillbit dissipated from view, leaving Rubeus to fend the ever-irate Melissa.
"What is your deal, huh, Melissa?" Rubeus asked. "You spend all your life in that shit hole and don't care for a soul, and then you suddenly have enough of a heart that you are willing to defend someone you once attacked. What gives, huh? And now you're saying that you'll kill me if I take one! Little!" He lifted his left foot and pushed it forward one pace. "Step!"
Without any warning, Melissa shot out her hand and a heavy lightning beam headed straight for his foot. Rubeus just barely got it back to where it was before he could get hit.
'Woah,' he thought, 'Drillbit was right! Something's happening here.'
"This is a sacred place. I am going to protect it, and you're going to have to kill me and drag me back to the Dark Kingdom if you expect me to come back. But I swear to God, Rubeus, I mean my words tonight! You're very lucky that beam missed that precious foot of yours. I warn you though, I don't miss twice."
"Too bad that only counts when you're cleaning up carcasses, now isn't it?"
Melissa fired another lightning beam at him. He dodged that one by rolling to his right. He did that for the next five beams that she fired.
'Drillbit,' Rubeus thought, 'hurry up! I have a feeling Beryl might've known about this plan, too!'
-xXXXXx-
There was a small cafe near the Crown Game Center that sat on the corner of the street that led to Juuban School. It could only seat about twenty people, though many that were ordering food in the white-walled building were taking it home with them, with those very people waiting on the cloud white couch by the sky blue counter for their food. The reason for the theme: its name, the Sky Limit Cafe. It had only opened for a few weeks, but they were rather busy for how unknown they were at the time.
Though Casto and Raye, who sat in one of the three window booths on the school street side, didn't pay much attention to the patrons. As they sat at opposite ends of the table, Casto continued their conversation. "Why do you think she can't be trusted, though?" He took a bite of a roast beef sandwich, one of many basic international dishes the cafe served.
"Think about it, Casto," Raye answered before slurping down a bit of her soda through her straw. "If it wasn't for her, we would still be living on the Moon, and Serena would be the Moon Kingdom Queen by now. Serenity would still be alive today. And that woman tried to steal Darien from her. I don't get how we are all supposed to just accept her as our own after all the crap she put us through."
"I don't want to offend you, Raye, but what you mentioned your grandfather said about your parents. He may have a point."
Raye put her drink aside. "What do you mean?"
"Well, it's a similar case to what I've had to go through when I was in L.A. Someone you were really close to did you wrong, and you have to get out the anger. However, since the person you have the real issue with isn't there for you to lash out at, you turn to the person who would be most susceptible to your words. Again, no offense, but I think maybe you have to at least put whatever that may be aside in order to see some of the things we've seen come out of Melissa."
"I'm sorry, Casto, but I can't trust her at all. I don't know how you guys can."
"I think it's because she's so far proven that she wants to try to make things right. She's done so much to help us fight Rubeus since declaring that she's on our side now. That, and she's befriended and helped us through a lot of our personal issues. She doesn't want it to be easy to earn our trust, either. She knows it'll be hard, but she's shown that she's going to try to do things right."
"And you would just accept it?"
Casto sighed deeply. "Raye, I'm not going to pretend that something might happen in the future that may put things into question. Hell, we all have the capacity to do evil things, but it goes with the scene of things. The people who were your allies today may be your enemies tomorrow, and those who were your enemies yesterday will be your best friends today. As much as you hate Melissa for leveling the Moon Kingdom, and stealing Darien, and all that other stuff, she probably hates herself for becoming what she was for so long. Imagine for a moment if that was you suddenly realizing that you could make things right where you went horribly wrong, but no one believed you were sincere. Yes, I know what she did was terrible, but I don't think she was acting on her own power. I think she was being used and manipulated by Metaria. In fact, I believe that was the name I heard was given to that entity I was telling you about a month or so ago."
Raye's eyes widened. "I forgot we were talking about that. We never got to finish that conversation the day Rubeus attacked the hospital and abducted Ikuko."
"That's why I am certain it could've been Metaria that was the name, and I'm also pretty sure now that it was her who orchestrated the plan from where I was seeing it."
"Which is why you think Beryl might not have been fully aware of what she was doing. I remember you saying that she had varying expressions, with some of them being guilt."
"Yeah! Something tells me that deep down, she didn't want to do it. I believe that, in her mind, for some reason, what she did was the only option around whatever was bothering her. Either that, or she got convinced by Metaria that it was the right way. It's also why I believe that she wouldn't want to willingly go back there. Whoever this Metaria person is must be rather convincing."
"Do you," Raye paused, "trust her? I know you believe that she wouldn't go back, but do you trust her as much as Serena does?"
"Will you be angry if I said yes, I do?"
"I know I wouldn't be able to change your mind or Serena's."
"Would you want to? Look, one of the things I love about Serena is that she's always very forgiving. She has always been able to let go of grudges. I think that's a reason why her sudden anger highs have been scaring us. We've never seen that out of her, though I can't blame her after all she's gone through lately. As for me, I think Melissa's doing toomuch to convince us. I believe and trust her to make things right. I know Melissa can never change what she did in the past, and it's in the past. But I believe she wants to write her own future, and that we can trust her with our lives." He heard Raye give out a very depressing sigh. He leaned on the table and looked into her eyes. "Raye, I know you don't like me saying that or believing that, and I may not be your most favorite person because of it, but it's something I deeply believe now. Melissa is definitely on our side. Besides, Rubeus would've blown it by now. He's really bad at keeping secrets."
"I know," Raye exhaled as she looked out the window. 'Maybe grandpa is right. I do hate my father for abandoning me for his job, and I've never felt able to get that out.'
"I was going to go to her apartment later to ask her about helping me bust Mister Koa, but since she's at the Shrine, I'll stop there if she's still in that class."
"I think it was more than..." It was the last thing Raye could say before she heard screams coming from outside. "What the hell?"
"Time for me to do a little fixin' up around here," called out the booming voice of a familiar foe. It was followed by the sounds of a drill, and then a chainsaw.
"Drillbit?" Casto asked. "He actually got a new hand?" He looked out the window to see a flurry of people running past the cafe, though he could not see Drillbit.
"That's the direction," Raye started before she gasped. "Of the Shrine!"
"You don't think...!"
"Oh, my God! Grandpa!"
'Not when I was beginning to get through to her.'
They both stormed out of their seat—with Casto dropping a tip and money for the meal on the table—and outside, praying for the best...but expecting the worst.
Thank you to my beta and to all the readers who have been reading this from the beginning. Hopefully you continue reading. It's near the end now, but far from the end of the Saga.
Good night, and good luck.