Chapter 11
Ami rolled over onto her side, pulling her blue afghan closer to her chin. She had been lying like that for hours, pulling the curtains shut tight to block out every beam of light that might otherwise flow into her room. This Ami preferred to be in absolute darkness, especially when she was feeling uncharacteristically depressed.
She squeezed her eyes shut. She couldn't believe what had happened to her a few hour ago–she refused to believe it. But no matter how much she tried to deny it, tried to pretend it was all a lie, she couldn't. Nephrite was gone. He'd abandoned her.
No–that wasn't true. He hadn't abandoned her–Ami had driven him away. She had driven the man she loved away. And she loathed herself for it.
How could you? A soft voice whispered inside her mind. Dark Mercury knew who that little voice belonged to–her good side. She clenched her fists, trying to block out her words. Why did you do it? Nephrite was only trying to help. He cares about you. He cares about me.
It's his fault, Darkury spat back, sitting upright and fully ready to argue with herself. He doesn't love me, he just loves the devoted little Ami I used to be. Just like everyone else...he was going to leave me sooner or later, anyways. I could sense it. That's why I broke up with him.
You're lying...the voice whispered.
Dark Ami growled, throwing one of her old stuffed animals from the bed across the room. With a defeated sigh, she flung herself back onto her pillows.
Nephrite somehow managed to drag himself back to Crown Karaoke. Shoulders slumped, he stumbled into the main room, barely acknowledging Motoki's presence.
"Naito-kun." Motoki said, approaching him, "Where have you been?"
Nephrite shrugged, inching towards his bedroom. "Sorry. I-I just went for a walk," he said evasively. "Um, I'm feeling pretty tired. I'm just going to go to bed."
In one swift movement, Motoki stepped in front of Nephrite. "We need to talk."
"Seriously, Motoki. I don't feel like talking. Not right now." He tried to squeeze past him.
Motoki held out his arm to block Nephrite's way. "Yes, now. I'm sorry, Naito. I don't like butting into other people's business, but, well...Usagi-chan and her friends are upset. Mako-chan is distraught. Somehow you're involved. I need to know what's going on."
Nephrite began to shake his head, but then stopped short. Motoki seemed like a pretty good guy, and it was getting pretty hard to hold everything in. Suddenly he remembered something Mamoru had once said to him. "If you ever need someone to talk to, you can confide in Motoki. He's a good person."
Nephrite swallowed hard. "...All right. If you're sure you want to know." Motoki looked at him steadily, nodding firmly. "Well, first of all, I tried to tell you before, my real name is not Naito. It's Nephrite. And...I'm not really from here." He took a deep breath and began to tell Motoki his incredible story.
Queen Beryl inhaled deeply, allowing the dark energy to flow through her as she approached the crystal dominion of Queen Metaria. Jadeite and Beryl's shadow, Kuroki Mio, flanked either side of her.
Mio's eyes widened in awe as the enormous rock began to pulse with a deep crimson light, casting a red glow on the entire cavern and those inside of it.
Jadeite swallowed hard, furrowing his eyebrows. "The Great Evil..." he murmured somewhat fearfully, casting a furtive glance to his beloved Queen.
Beryl, eyes never moving from the glowing stone, smiled in triumphance. "At last!! Queen Metaria's power will be mine for the taking!!"
Unbeknownst to the trio that was transfixed by the power, three others observed the scene with rather different reactions. Mamoru and Zoicite hovered on the outskirts of the cave dwelling, each frozen in horror. "Queen Metaria," Mamoru whispered, gritting his teeth. Usagi! He cried in his mind.
Beryl, Zoicite thought, clenching a fist, I cannot allow you to win.
Kunzite, who had also been observing, though from a safe distance, turned on his heel with a swish of his luxurious cape. This power, it can only spell trouble. He walked down the cave path swiftly. I have more important things to think of. He smirked evilly. A score I have to settle.
The next morning, Nephrite decided to walk the streets of Tokyo, to clear his mind. Or so he told himself. It was really to look for Ami, to see if he could find her at any of her usual spots...no such luck. She's probably hiding out, he realized, Planning her...revenge.
It sent shivers down his spine just thinking about it.
He checked his watch, wondering if Motoki would miss him. He was pretty understanding when I spoke to him...Nephrite recalled.
"You did the right thing, Naito-kun," Motoki had uttered with a sad smile after he heard Nephrite's tale, "Or should I say Nephrite."
"I did the right thing..." He repeated to himself, his tongue thick with despondence. He kicked a stray pebble with his tennis shoe. I did the right thing...
Then why did it feel so awful?! Why did he feel like dying?! He ruined everything. He forced Ami to leave. He forced her to make an impossible decision. After all, she can't control the darkness that consumes her. He was too hard on her. Too hard...
Suddenly, Nephrite heard screams and the sound of an explosion. He automatically shielded his face with his arms as smoke and sparks flew past him. When he uncovered his eyes he squinted. The smoke was clearing, and a figure was emerging from the shadow.
Kunzite lifted his chin a fraction and smiled with malice. Nephrite took a step forward on the sidewalk. "Kunzite!" He choked out, automatically taking on a defensive stance.
The eldest Shittennou began to draw his steely blade. "So you still live, Nephrite. But not for long." In one swift motion, he came forth with a swing of his saber. Nephrite quickly ducked, twirling around to his former brother's other side. He barely dodged two more blows, diving out of the way and clutching a lamp post for support.
Kunzite grunted, lifting his sword for a deadly strike. Nephrite lifted his hands, a blade suddenly materializing in his now gloved hands. As he blocked his enemy's weapon, Nephrite's transformed blue eyes widened. Red cloak, crimson tunic, sliver sword–he had regained his Shittennou form.
Flashing a cocky smirk at Kunzite, Nephrite pushed back with his sword and swung with full force. Kunzite stumbled backwards, an ebony lock of hair falling into his shocked face. "Impossible," he muttered viciously, his eyes unnaturally wide.
Before Nephrite could respond, a bright burst of light suddenly engulfed his body, stripping him of the Shittennou power as quickly as it had come. He stared down at his hands, a new fear settling in. He was facing Kunzite, and he was powerless.
Kunzite regained his composure, re-sheathing his blade. "So, I see you have regained your powers." He smirked superiorly. "Or partially, at least." He suddenly narrowed his eyes, a steely threat blazing behind them. "But know this, Nephrite: Mercury is mine." He then vanished with a flip of his cape, an evil laugh ringing in the air.
Nephrite quickly stepped forward. "Kunzite!" he called out in vain. His eyes fell to the ground. "What did he mean by that?" He wondered, setting his jaw. Well, whatever he meant, he decided, I don't like it.
Minako absentmindedly twirled the orange straw in her hand, studying the bubbles that fizzed to the top of her soda glass. Something was in the air. Something she didn't like...
Rei lifted her head, furrowing her eyebrows as the two cat guardians paced the yellow table. "Do you feel that...?" She murmured, sharing a glance with the Soldier of Venus.
Minako nodded. Usagi's slightly pink and tired eyes widened. "Is it another youma?"
Rei shook her head. "No...but it's an ominous presence...something's moving."
Luna nodded. "The nemy is growing stronger."
Artemis' green eyes widened fearfully. "It's Queen Metaria!!"
Usagi's hand automatically flew to her moon brooch, no doubt thinking of the crystal and the dark connection the two share.
Mako quickly put a hand on her shoulder. "Usagi, what is it? Is it the Crystal?"
Usagi shook her head fervently. "No, but I'm worried. If her power grows any stronger, will I be able to fend off the Princess?" Will Ami be able to fend off her darkness...she worried silently.
Luna began, "I don't know, Usagi. But your heart is strong. Your love for your friends and your planet will outweigh the Princess' thirst for revenge if you believe enough. I'm sure of it!"
Usagi smiled thinly, still fingering her locket. Mako cocked her head, a sudden thought striking her. "Say, Minako," she started, "You remember the past life the most. Do you remember Serenity being so...cruel? I mean, she and Usagi seem to be polar opposites."
Minako put a hand to her chin thoughtfully. "...No. She is very different now. The Princess Serenity we knew and loved was kind, sweet...a lot like our Usagi-chan." Minako suppressed a sudden giggle. "Only not as ditzy."
Usagi jutted out her lower lip in a pout. "Minako-chan!" She admonished.
The foursome broke out into a subdued laugh, and miles away, in the Dark Kingdom, two men observed their conversation. Zoicite projected the viewing beam for his Master, Mamoru smiling slightly at the sight of Usagi. As the pair watched them, Mamoru muttered, "Usagi...she's going through so much right now..."
Zoicite's pale blue eyes were transfixed on the vision, but not on the princess Mamoru spoke of. His soulful gaze took in the form of another princess...one that, to him, at least, was far more beautiful than Serenity. "Mm-hm," he murmured absently as Minako's already stunning features lit up with her gentle giggle. Zoicite inhaled sharply, mesmerized by her loveliness.
Mamoru turned to his friend, wondering why he was so quiet. His eyes widened inquisitively at Zoicite's hypnotized stare. "Zoicite?" he whispered, then, smiling slightly, decided it was a lost cause.
Ami sat up swiftly, flinging her bangs from her eyes. "I need to snap out of it," she ordered herself. She stood and brushed off her skirt, striding over to her desk where her book bag rested. Digging through it she produced her creamy pink cell phone and snapped it open, punching in the number she had come to know so well.
Usagi flipped open her phone on the first ring. Her fellow soldiers interest perked up to find out who was on the other end. "Hello?" Usagi's breath caught in her throat when she heard whose voice came next. "A-Ami-chan?" she choked out.
Rei and Mako's eyes widened, Minako merely bit her lip and leaned forward in her chair, all three straining to hear.
Usagi's face had clouded over as she took in Dark Mercury's instructions. With a final, "I understand," she slammed her cell shut. She turned to the other girls, steadying herself. "It was Ami-chan. She wants to meet us at the lake in thirty minutes. She says it's time."
Rei rose to her feet, her eyes blazing. "I say we go."
Mako stood as well. "I'm with you."
Minako got up from her seat. "Me, too."
Usagi stood slowly, clenching her fists. "We have to finish this." The soldiers all nodded in unison, then raced towards the staircase.
When Mamoru saw the girls run out of Crown Karaoke, he swiftly turned to Zoicite. "I have to go. I need to help Usagi. Who knows what Dark Mercury has planned--!!"
He raced towards the door to exit his quarters. Zoicite grabbed him, roughly forcing him to look him in the eyes. "Master, wait!!" He took a deep breath. "...I think only one person can help them now." He said quietly. Mamoru cocked a brow at his cryptic message, waiting for an explanation.
Nephrite leaned back on his bed, placing on hand behind his head and the other on top of the sleeping kitten on his stomach. He stroked Fluffy's soft fur, only comforted a little by her gentle purring. I did the right thing... he told himself again, fighting off the heavy feeling that had settled on his heart. I did the right thing!! Ami is out of control, she needs to realize it! Staying with her...pretending to support her evil wishes about domination and keeping quiet was only making everything worse! It couldn't go on any longer...I had to at least try and make her listen...
He nodded slowly. "Yes...I tried my best...I only did it because..." he closed his eyes, and a vision of Ami in that pale blue dress came to his mind again, "Because I love her..." As he uttered that last word his fingers began to tingle again, his body emitting a bright white light. He felt himself smile slightly, knowing what was coming. Fluffy hissed softly, scampering off of Nephrite's stomach and retreating under the bed, spooked by the sudden light.
Nephrite rose to his feet slowly, fingering his cape. "Again? How does this keep happening...?"
Before he could dwell on it any longer, however, piano music flooded his ears, and Zoicite's wavery form in appeared before him in Soul Flight. "Nephrite!" He said urgently, his shape cutting in and out, "Mercury is placing another attack on the Soldiers."
Nephrite gasped, blue eyes wide. He was silent for an instant, then nodded firmly. "I have to stop her."
To be continued...
