Title: The last ingredient and a mystery - The Quest part XI
Author: Ree
Theme: AU - thaw
Genre: general/action (?)
Version: AU - (manga/Anime)
Rating: G

Takeuchi Naoko created them. I'm just following a different branch on their universal tree.

The last ingredient and a mystery - The Quest part XI

' Nearby, the land of the mini-giants.' Mamoru curled his fingers around the hilt of his sword. 'I wonder what the Grub minions will be like here. Certainly they will be stronger than the ones in Yonder.' The green trees gave him a faint hope that the Grub was not affecting this kingdom yet. But that hope faded when he saw the larva pop out of the ground. With practiced ease, Luna flew from her horse, thorns already smashing into the little creatures, at the same time he vaulted from his saddle, his sword slicing three of the creatures into bits before his feet even touched the ground. Holding themselves ready, they waited to see if any more would attack.

Artemis felt awed at the ability both fighters had show. He glanced towards Usagi, wondering what she was going to do.

Usagi's eyes darted about, taking in the entire landscape. Spotting nothing else, she slid her wand back into her belt. Mamoru swung back onto his horse as Luna flew back to hers when it became evident nothing else was going to attack.

"That was too easy." Luna cut her eyes towards Mamoru to see if he agreed with her. Mamoru nodded in agreement. She caught Usagi doing the same out of the corner of her eye. Tense, the party rode into town.

The buildings towered over them. Usagi looked about, and when she finally spotted some of the inhabitants, she understood what was meant by mini-giant. The young children were as tall as she was. The adults were about five inches taller than Mamoru. Spotting a shop, she knew that they were heading there, it was a good place to get information as well as supplies.

Dismounting, the party trooped into the small building. Mamoru approached the counter picking which of the three attendants looked like they might have a bit of information while the rest of the party hung out near the door. Spotting a likely one, he leaned against the counter and caught their attention. "Excuse me."

"Can I help you?" The girl smile at him. "Are you buying or selling?"

"Buying."

The girl's smile broadened. "What can I help you find?"

"We need some journey rations and some information." He smiled at her, hoping she could supply both needs.

"Journey rations I can get you, the information depends on what you want to know." Even though her gaze was still friendly, Mamoru could feel her calculating how much she could get out of him.

"I need to find the field that has the Ashes of Destruction." He kept his face blank.

Her face fell slightly. "Oh... I can't even charge for that, it is too common knowledge. The field is half-a-days from here to the north. Ever since the thaw, it has been burning off and on. We are trying to figure out why the lightening keeps striking it. Are you one of the parties that are trying to win the reward?"

Mamoru smiled, letting her believe what she wanted. "Thank you, how much are the rations?"

A few moments later, the party headed out. Artemis glanced at the party that he had joined. He was originally just going to escort them across Yonder. His gaze landed on the black haired fairy that road with him. He couldn't see leaving her, somehow he was going to convince her to return to the spring.

The next morning they rode to the edge of the field. Ashes swirled about as the breeze gently blew.

"We are to find the ashes in here?" Usagi glanced at Mamoru and Luna. "Do you think that any of the ashes would work?"

Luna shook her head. "I'm sure that there is a particular set of ashes we have to get." Mamoru nodded in agreement.

Riding into the field, they hunted for someone who could help them find what they needed.

Makoto watched as the newest party of investigators crisscrossed the field. Sliding her fingers through her brown hair, she caught it up into a ponytail and then headed out to greet them.

"Well met."

Mamoru looked at the tall lady, her green eyes almost even with his blue. 'She is tall even for the mini-giants.' Nodding slightly, he returned her greeting. "Well met."

Makoto studied each member of the party, trying to determine what path they would try to solve the mystery. "I'm sure you wish to know what your reward will be for solving this puzzle for us." She gestured to the small stone building standing in a clearing of ashes. "We have collected one hundred gold pieces, those as well as a container of the ashes of the first destruction of this field will be yours."

The party members eyes meet briefly. They had to solve the mystery to collect the last ingredient. Mamoru looked back at her. "Can you tell us all that has happened, and what has been proven wrong so far?"

She gestured towards the stone building. "This way. Let us speak of this in comfort."

They walked into the building and were surprised at how comfortable it really was. Settling onto well stuffed cushions, they munched on refreshments while, for the next hour, Makoto told them everything she knew.

--

Mamoru placed his hand on Usagi's shoulder. "Give it a try. Healing the land is the only thing that hasn't been tried."

Usagi nodded. Frowning in concentration, she raised her wand. 'I don't want winds. All that would do is blow the ashes everywhere, Rain. That is what this place need. Soak the ground, wash the nutrients back into the soil.' Letting her mind roam, she waited to see if the words would come to her. "Cleansing rain."

A gentle rain fell all about her, washing into the soil. The little bit the feel on the party left them feeling refreshed, and ready to face anything. Out of the soil small shoot of wheat popped out.

Makoto watched in awe as the plants started to grow. Fear also crawled down her spine. When the wheat grew the lightening came.

Artemis glanced up at the darkening skies. "Maybe we should head in."

Drawing his sword, Mamoru planted it into the soil. "No, we stay here. Everyone has run when the lightening came, we need to see what happens." Thunder punctuated his words.

Makoto stood under the eaves of her house, watching the party as the stood out in the almost empty field.

The thunder gave a loud crack as lightening shot out of the sky, striking the ground near Usagi's feet. The new shoots went up in smoke.

"There!" Artemis couldn't believe what he saw even as he yelled. Two large antennae were sticking out of the ground. "Binding Heart!" He flung his hands out towards the antennae. Thick vines sprouted from the ground, twining about them.

Luna shot a surprised look at him, and them smiled happily. She had help.

Mamoru pulled his sword out of the ground and ran towards the vines as Usagi ran the other direction. With a mighty jump, he spun down between the antennae, slashing at them both. The ground shook as he landed. The ground split open as he jumped backwards. A beetle as large as Makoto's house rose out of the ground, dirt showering down revealing red iridescent wings and a dark green head. One flick of its wings sprayed dirt and rock over everyone.

Tightening his grip on his sword, Mamoru rushed the beetle's legs, slashing at the front legs. His sword bounced off. Skidding to a halt, he stared up in the creature's face. 'This is going to be tough.'

Usagi felt her eyes widen as she watched Mamoru's sword do no damage. 'I hope I didn't heal that thing... I hope I didn't make it stronger.' Clutching her wand, she prayed she would have enough energy to heal everyone as they fought this creature.

Luna flew up so she was even with the beetle's face. "Flower of my heart, send forth the needles of protection!" The thorns sailed forth, piercing it in the eye.

The beetle sprang forward, attempting to snap her in two with its mandibles. Luna barely dodged out of its way.

Artemis pointed to one of its legs. "Binding and Piercing Heart!" Thorn covered vines wrapped about its legs.

Seeing an opportunity, Mamoru ran and jumped onto its head. Swinging with all his might, he slashed at its eyes. The beetle flung its head about, sending Mamoru crashing to the ground. Rolling as fast as he could, he escaped being bit.

The beetle pulled at his legs, trying to free them.

Luna raised her arms. "Flower of my heart! Send forth your punishment!" The petals couldn't wrap about the creature, but the thorns clattered over it, some puncturing soft spot in the joints and between the wings. Luna lowered her arms and began to worry if she would have enough power to finish this fight.

Mamoru noticed that the joints were also a week point, and started hacking at the back legs. The beetle kick at him, scrapping him with the barbs on its legs.

Usagi raised her wand. "Winds of Healing!" The green mist surrounded Mamoru. Raising his sword with renewed energy, he continued hacking.

Luna raised her arms once more, hoping for the energy to help take down this monster. "Flower of my heart! Send forth your punishment!" The petals clung to whatever the could and surrounded them. Luna almost danced for joy as the petals clung to the creature's eyes, expanding and blocking its vision. As the thorns struck they sank home, deep into the eyes.

The beetle flung its head side to side, snapping at anything, trying to get to Luna. It pulled itself forward, ripping one of its legs free. Mamoru dodged quickly, barely avoiding being stepped on. The beetle dropped his head, and snapped at the ground, almost catching Usagi in its jaw.

"Binding and Piercing Heart!" The rose vines erupted out of the soil and twined about the creature head.

Mamoru jumped back up onto its head, and continued hacking at the soft spot between the head and the thorax.

The beetles great wings fanned trying to blow him off. The succeed in raising the ashes, blowing them about and obscuring everyones view. A loud thunk and the ground shaking was how they knew that Mamoru had succeeded. As the ashes settled, Usagi spotted Mamoru pulling his sword out of the creature. The rose vines faded as the creature also dissolved. Mamoru was able to jump off before it vanished completely. Left in its place was a small flask brimming with light. Picking it up, Usagi stashed it a pouch. She was sure that they would need it sometime. She just hoped that they would know what it was before then.

Makoto came running over to them. "Are you okay?"

Nodding tiredly, the party smiled at her. "Just tired."

Mamoru gestured to the torn up soil. "I think we found your problem. It has probably been buried under there since the thaw. Its wings were metal coated and so were its antennae."

"I think you are right. Come, rest here tonight." Makoto shooed them into the house.

The next morning, they rode forth with the last ingredient needed to make the cure. As they headed towards Beyond, everyone was worried what they would have to fight next.