You would think that I would know better by now. That is, one would suppose I'd stop trying to alter Destiny as if it is something I have power over. All these years in existence have surpassed anyone living in this dimension today. I am easily marked the senior though I don't look anything near close to that. And yet here I am still stubborn and slow to give into the calls of Fate. If Destiny and Fate were people I'm sure we would not be on great terms with each other. I have more than once attempted to hinder both these things and each time I am eventually defeated as they are much more patient and withstanding than I could ever be, which might come as a surprise.
I have tried to keep Jupiter from dimension 3 for her sake and for ours, the senshi I mean, including Serenity and Endymion. I've got a gut feeling that won't go away that chaos will ensue as soon as I allow Makoto the chance to enter that dimension. Yet, the strings of Fate and Destiny keep beckoning for her to go. They use to be annoying whispers in my ears but have now turned to shrieks piercing enough to make my eardrums bleed. Of course, it isn't the first time.
She hasn't been seen too often, stowing away when there are no missions occupying her but quick to complete a mission as soon as she is assigned a dimension other than 3. I know she is waiting. I guess she has been for decades now though neither of us knew it not even Makoto. And like is customary, Fate has dealt a hand that has forced us to consider Makoto above everyone.
Rei cannot be bothered as she gloomily hovers above her grandfather's bed, Michiru refuses to go since she has now become burdened with worry for her lover's well being, I am obligated to remain in our dimension during Hotaru's absence, Ami will be needed to tend to Haruka's health since she is the best and there are absolutely no open doors present to occupy a green-eyed soldier's time. So you see. Against my constant applications to prevent her involvement with dimension 3, Fate has again reminded me of the inevitable. Makoto Kino will have to go.
I am uneasy about the situation as I can see her teetering mindset. Though she is strong I cannot honestly say that she is strong enough to face what she might come to realize. I'm afraid for her. I'm afraid for that dimension. Within each of us is a great amount of power and it would amaze you what we're capable of when struck with a vigorous provocation of emotion. Destruction is painfully easy for us and as a cruel reminder reconstruction is dreadfully difficult no matter how powerful we may come to be.
Haruka was too deeply injured to stay which was discomforting. She took out the whole base but the trade off was almost not worth it. Black Star had again gone into hiding, most likely to devise a way to either accumulate more power so they wouldn't suffer such a hindrance again when faced once more with one of the senshi or to find a way to disappear. Either option was no help to this case, for the Crystal Tokyo heroes that is. Minako frowned. They were strong, surprisingly strong but luckily Minako and Haruka were still superior in speed and strength. An unruly haired brunette and glaring Chinese man were rescued and now resting as Minako masked their temporary hideout to the best of her ability.
"I guess I screwed up," Haruka scoffed light-heartedly.
Minako's worried expression temporarily lifted as she let a smile press through.
"You don't seem too sad about it," she replied. "I'm starting to think you might have done this on purpose."
Haruka exhaled obnoxiously.
"And what exactly do I have to gain by my actions?"
Minako shrugged.
"I've never really been able to understand you and your motives," she admitted. "But I know you and Makoto have gotten pretty close."
Immediately the two stiffened unconsciously.
"Sorry," Minako muttered.
"Don't be," Haruka quickly affirmed. She suddenly winced, again reminded of her poor condition.
"Damn," she cursed. "My body's gotten pretty spoiled. It's like I've never felt pain before."
"Well," Minako reminded. "You haven't been this fatigued since…well ever."
"I guess you're right," Haruka mumbled, gasping as she forced herself to her feet. "Still, I don't understand how they could have spotted us."
Haruka looked grim, Minako too growing uneasy. They're entrance was flawless and their speed to quick to be picked up by any machine but somehow they were found out. Shaking her head, she discarded the thought to address the present.
"We'll have to review that later," Minako stated, her inherent leadership coming out. "The Moon is about to show, we should get ready to switch."
Haruka nodded, the two stepping outside to await the transaction. Minako's heart raced as she anticipated the arrival of Haruka's replacement. There could be no mistaking that only one person would be sent now since she was prided in her ability to complete missions quickly especially in compromising circumstances. The silver moonlight shimmered adoringly, Haruka's frame quickly disappearing into it. Minako averted her eyes for a brief moment, the shimmering light too sparkly for her eyes despite her innate control of light. As the moonlight dimmed to match the usual shine, she lifted her gaze to see the taller frame of a well recognized companion. Her mahogany strands curled anxiously in their hold as jade orbs beamed with uncertainty.
Minako pushed her inhibitions aside and gave a comforting smile.
"Welcome, Mako-chan."
Hotaru's eyes shot up, a large rumble shaking the roof of their hideout.
"They found us," she muttered, Usagi immediately getting to her feet.
Quatre rushed to the computer pulling up screens to pick up the camera feeds.
"Mobile suits," he stated. "Lots of them."
As his suspicions were confirmed, Duo headed towards the hangar.
"Can you handle that many?" Usagi asked hesitantly as the screens swarmed with large humanoids.
"We'll see," Quatre responded grabbing his goggles and gloves. He stopped in mid-step looking to Trowa who was posted against the wall. "Are you coming?"
For a moment there was no movement, Trowa's vacant stare eerily lurking uncomfortably around Quatre. There was a small nod, one that he could barely even notice as Trowa mindlessly went in the direction of his Gundam to leave Quatre as the last pilot in the room.
"What can we do to help?" Hotaru asked earning a shrug with a small smile from Quatre.
"I honestly can't think of anything but wait here until we're done."
He ran out, leaving Hotaru and Usagi to stare after him. The large metal doors slid shut, roaring machinery echoing from the other side.
"You know," Usagi started, her sharp red eyes going slightly dreamy.
"What?" Hotaru replied, eyes stern and demeanor antsy.
"I think I may have a crush on Quatre."
Hotaru nearly fell to the floor at the abrupt admission, her cheeks flushing as she was now reminded of just how close Chibi-Usa was to her mother. Only she could bring up something so random in the midst of a dangerous battle.
"Well don't let it develop too much," Hotaru voiced. "Though he's a gentleman I don't know how he'll handle the fact that you're older than his parents…much older."
"Ah, age is just a number!" Usagi refuted.
Hotaru's mouth was agape ready to respond until another tremor shook the whole room nearly forcing both females to loose their footing. Without thought, Hotaru returned to the computer screens to see what was going on.
"They need help."
Duo grunted in frustration, mobile suits swarming around him like a pack of wolves. He would take down ten just to have twenty more pop up to take their place. Teeth grit as he was beginning to lose his cool, Quatre's voice coming in over the radio.
"Duo, Trowa's not answering his radio."
"Dammit," Duo cursed, slicing through three mobile suits with his scythe and shooting an onslaught pair. His screen caught glimpse of Heavy Arms standing motionless as a group of suits were headed towards it.
"Com'on Trowa," Duo muttered to himself as he raced over to ward off the suits. Quatre showed up beside him, the two protecting Heavy Arms to the best of their ability. They were slowly losing their footing, they're strategy never including banding together. Philosophy for the pilots was always to divide and conquer no matter the numbers but Trowa's disturbing lack of action left them crippled as they tried to defend him until he finally stepped in.
"God dammit Trowa, WAKE UP!" Duo yelled over his radio.
Nothing but silence ensued, the two inching back slowly as the hordes of mobile suits kept squeezing in around them.
"Sh*t," Duo cursed. "I'm out of ammo."
He clung to his scythe in anticipation, the other suits approaching them tauntingly as if knowing the Gundams were losing ammunition.
Quatre's heart dropped, his head shifting to look at his two friends.
"So this is how it ends," he muttered as the thought settled into his mind.
Duo lowered his head, a small scoff sounding as his trademark grin spread across his face.
"I wouldn't have it any other way."
His grip tightened even more on his controls the last battle die fighting aura washing through both of them and Heavy Arms was still unresponsive.
"Oh by the way," Duo started in a playful voice. "I'm kicking your $$ when I see you in hell Trowa."
Duo raised his scythe to counter an incoming attack but was shocked by a sparkling black wall that seemingly appeared out of nowhere, stopping the attack from impact.
"What the…" he drifted, the wall quickly evaporating. The other suits turned to look for the producer and naturally Duo's eyes followed.
There on the ground that seemed miles away he spotted the pale violet-haired female, a tall pointed staff in one hand as a purple light cradled her form.
"Well whaddya know?" He smirked.
He grabbed a mobile suit headed in her direction and threw him down, using his scythe to decapitate him. In another shocking display, he saw a whole line of mobile suits disintegrated by the black electricity he assumed was Hotaru's.
"Remind me to stay on her good side," he mumbled to himself, the fight suddenly becoming much more feasible.
Quatre's royal blue eyes blinked in surprise but he hastily shook it off as he resumed fighting. Heavy Arms was finally moving, guns blazing as Trowa's skills were put to use. Quatre caught himself in a grapple, the other suit trying to overpower him as they both looked to be in a complete stand still. Red flashed on his screen as a mobile suit was detected directly behind him. Stuck he found his breath stalling until a blanket of blinding white light engulfed Sandrock completely. His sensors in his suit went blank, the monitors in no better condition as they were covered with static. Slowly, Quatre unbuckled himself from his seat and lowered his cockpit to try and see what it was that happened as the noise of a raging war no longer sounded.
He descended to find the sugar pink buns atop the cream-faced female with striking ruby eyes. His hand immediately ran through his hair, ruffling it a bit to try and piece together what it was that just took place.
"Wh—" he stopped. "How?"
Usagi smiled.
"I suppose we've got some explaining to do."
Thank you for reading!
Nerf-or-Nothing: Your reviews are always so kind. Thank you so much and I'm glad you've enjoyed this story. I hope this didn't disappoint. I finally wrote Trowa's monologue/first person perspective and I am so excited to put it up but some things have to happen beforehand that I haven't yet written so it's been difficult trying to stay focused on the in between action up to that point but also it motivates me to write quicker lol. Again thank you so much for reading and for your reviews ^^
anonymous: I'm so flattered that you read this despite your dislike for this style. I really appreciate it =) I too am in love with this story I must admit. Though C.H.E. is terribly fun to write, my favor lies mostly in this one ^^; Thank you so much for your review and I hope this chapter was up to par.
4Shame