ARROWS OF DESTINY
Disclaimer: I DO NOT OWN SAILOR MOON
Chapter 11: Walking into the Unknown
"Minako, they've all returned!" Chibiusa burst into the room.
"They have?" Minako turned around excitedly while brushing her long blonde hair.
"Come on!" The small girl urged.
Minako put her comb down and got on her feet. She followed the young princess quickly into the halls.
Minako pushed the door open and felt as if her smile had frozen on her face. While she was glad her friends were back safe and sound, she did not expect them to bring their enemies into their home.
"Traitors!" She exclaimed while getting ready to transform.
"Minako, wait!" Ami shouted. Rei and Makoto moved next to her to restrain her from getting angrier.
"Let go of me! Have all of you gone insane?" Minako fumed.
"Calm down, they're not our enemies anymore." Makoto said.
"Well, it certainly isn't a coincidence for them all to show up when we're in deep trouble." The leader of the scouts said skeptically.
"Please, if you don't trust them, at least trust us." Rei stated, staring into Minako's eyes.
Minako took a deep breath to calm down. She knew about Rei and Jadeite, but Zoicite and Nephrite too!?!?
"Let me get this straight," Minako said after hearing all of their stories, "three of Endymion's former generals with three of Serenity's scouts. The connection seems to fit too well together. Why, it's like the only piece that missing is me and Kunzite." She laughed sarcastically, while everyone in the room stare at her in silence.
"Anyways, where is Serenity and Endymion at the moment?" Ami asked the princess.
"Mommy and daddy are resting at the moment. They grew tired of fighting with each other." Chibiusa replied sadly.
"Don't worry; we'll fix the problem now." Makoto encouraged the small girl.
"Not quite," Artemis cut in, with Luna following, "It's still not complete."
"Yeah, Minako still has her journey." Chibiusa remembered.
"Yes, and it will be the hardest of all. Are you ready, Minako?" Artemis said gravely.
"You know I am." She replied boldly.
"Alright, take the arrow out." Artemis instructed, "Now the rest of you, place your hand near the arrow and focus on the time you spent with one another."
Ami and Zoicite step forth first, placing their palm on top of the golden arrow while holding their other hands together. They closed their eyes and thought back on all the discoveries they made when researching or how they tried to best each other in chess.
The arrow slowly responded with a faint golden aura.
Next, Rei and Jadeite came forth and placed out their palms. They stared at each other intently, seemingly to forget everything else around them. The passion that exists between them burns brightly still to this very day. Their joining was defined by the grace of the sword and strength. It was the challenge that drives them towards each other, a clash of pride and will power that sparks the deep feeling between them.
Thus making the arrow radiate brighter.
Makoto and Nephrite stepped up next. They also extended their hand towards the arrow. Makoto always loved how serious Nephrite looked when he worked hard in the fields, while Nephrite remembered how Makoto use to hum softly while she cooked. Memories of each other made them smile warmly and seem to glow from within.
By now Minako could feel the arrow pulsing with life.
"Artemis, I can feel it. It's so powerful." Minako said in wonder, feeling the warmth emitting from the object. Though she had been distrustful of the generals, the power was undeniable and living proof of their repentance. Minako finally believed them to be sincere and in truth, a little jealous of the strong bond between the couples.
"You and one other have the final touch. Princess, you should prepare for your journey." Artemis reminded her.
"Ah, right. Guys, I shall be gone for a while. Rei, take care of things here while I'm gone." She instructed, and then she kneeled in front of Chibiusa, "Cheer up, small lady. I will return victorious." She winked and walked out of the room.
Artemis and Luna watched her leave with deep concern in their eyes.
Once Minako was out of sight, Artemis signaled to Luna. Luna nodded and said, "Princess, could you please let the Queen and King know that they have some old friends to greet?"
"Of course, it would be my pleasure." Chibiusa grinned and left.
"Artemis, I…" Ami started.
"I know, Ami. But she must go through with it."
"Don't worry, Minako is strong. If anyone can find a way then she can. She is our leader after all." Makoto said.
"It's not that easy. Minako and Kunzite's situation is a little different. We all died while protecting the moon. But for Minako, it was personal. Don't all of you remember? Kunzite killed Minako!" Rei blurted out, while all of the girls look away.
It was a difficult memory for all of them. The destruction of the Silver Millennium was painful to think about. After the generals were brainwashed into attacking the Moon Kingdom, the Scouts fought valiantly against their lovers. But none of them died in their lover's hand, except for Minako.
"Do anyone of you know what it feels like to be betrayed and murdered by the love of your life? I was there and I saw what happened. Minako didn't stand a chance against him. He destroyed her completely!" Rei continued as tears form in her eyes.
Jadeite placed his hands on her shoulder for comfort.
"I know, I was there too. Since all of you recovered your memory, you all know about Kunzite and Minako. This journey will bring much pain to my mistress, I know, but for the sake of Crystal Tokyo, Minako has to go through with it."
"I agree," Zoicite said, "I have a feeling Kunzite is out there waiting for her, just like the rest of us. If anyone can make her remember, it's him."
"Exactly, he was Endymion's right-handed man and the fiercest warrior I know. Our group would be incomplete without him." Nephrite nodded.
"I hate to do this to Minako, but Serenity and Crystal Tokyo must come first." Luna looked away sadly.
"We swore we would protect Serenity at all cost, even if it breaks our heart." Ami cried softly.
Makoto lifted her tear stained face, "I only wish she could be as happy as she was so long ago."
"Oh boy, it's just one surprise after another." Minako muttered to herself. The generals' presence surprised her quite a bit. She thought back to what she said before and laughed at her own foolishness.
Her and Kunzite? It was unthinkable.
Minako was ready to brush the idea aside when she remembered a glimpse of a long hair man she saw on Venus.
"Hmmm….." Minako pursed her lips and tried to think harder. But after a while, it was pointless to dwell on something so ambiguous. Besides, the only feeling she had for the silver hair general was dislike, to say the very least.
"At least I get to see Lian again." Minako said happily. She longed to see the mysterious man again. Ever since she returned, the feeling of knowing him grew stronger by the day. But she could not get anything out of Artemis. It was good to be returning to Venus so she could find out once and for all the identity of Lian.
"Alright, I'm as ready as I can be." Minako let out a breath.
Artemis and all the others were waiting for her when she approached.
"Are you set?" Artemis asked.
"I am." Minako finished. She looked at all of them and gave them a smile of confidence before taking off.
"I'll be back soon." She winked, and then she was gone.
After she's gone, the girls and the generals stared after her wordlessly.
When Minako opened her eyes, she found herself in the familiar ground of the Grand Palace of Aphrodite.
"Lian, Lian…" Minako called out softly.
A figure shimmered in front of her, and Lian appeared. "Welcome back. You called for me, princess?"
"It's good to see you again." Lian smiled ever so gently at the approaching girl.
"It's good to be back home." Minako answered.
"So what is it this time?" Lian cut right in and asked.
"Huh? Wow, you're pretty sharp." She laughed a little.
Lian shook his head, "It's unlikely for you to leave your charge unless there's something special here. Not that it's a difficult guess. I have a pretty good idea…"
"Alright, here's the story…" With that Minako explained about what transpired after obtaining the arrow.
"I see…It's true, with so few Venusians left, it's almost impossible to get it to work. The legendary strength of the Sailor Scouts is indeed true to make the arrow glow thus far." Lian was impressed.
"So can you help me out again?" Minako looked at him with sparkling eyes.
Lian looked a little taken back and looked away a little. "I'm not sure…"
Minako jumped next to him and placed her hand on his ethereal arm, "Please, pretty please?"
"Alright, alright…" Lian gave up, unable to resist her scheme. He sighed. It was always so difficult to refuse her. But leading her back to that man…the man who damaged her to her core…
"I will only be able to give you a little pointer. The rest is still up to you." He warned.
"That would be fine. It's my mission after all. But I am a little curious as who he is, I mean, there's no other Venusians here besides you, right?
"I'm the only one here." He said as he guided her to another place in the palace.
"I know, so this person just can't be a Venusian." Minako concluded, "You know what? The strange thing is that I never thought itcouldbeyou. Isn't that weird? I mean, besides the fact that you're a…how should I put it…."
"A ghost?" He offered.
"Well, yes…but I've always thought of you as a friend, or an older brother figure. I hope I'm not offending you. You are definitely an attractive man, just not my type." She winked.
Lian chuckled and asked, "So what is your type?"
"Probably someone humorous and handsome. I can't stand guys that are too serious or formal. Can you imagine me with some prim and proper guy?" She laughed out loud.
"Oh, I can see it…" He whispered to himself.
"What did you say?"
"Nothing." He coughed, "We're almost there."
"By the way, who are you really, Lian?" She suddenly asked.
"…"
"Since you know about me and the palace so well, you must be someone extremely important on Venus." She looked sharply at him.
"I suppose you can say that." He dodged.
"So tell me."
"…I think it's best for you to ask until after your mission."
She looked skeptically at him, "Alright, but I hope you're not avoiding my question."
He pretended he didn't hear her and stopped her in front of an opening in the garden. "Here we are, the Maze."
"The Maze?" She said confusingly.
"This is a somewhat special maze. The way lies in there. Let your heart be your guide and your intuition be your reasoning. If the man you seek is your destiny, then the path will connect the both of you. The chance is yours."
Minako looked deep down the shady maze and shuddered a little. Though she's just at the opening, she disliked the unpredictable feeling she was sensing. She gulped and took a tentative step forward. The temperature seemed to drop a little.
Minako looked back at Lian. The blonde man just stood there watching her. She didn't want him to see her as a wimp so she straightened her back and held her head high.
"Here goes nothing." She muttered to herself. Without thinking again, she started into the Maze.
"Is it me, or is it getting colder by the minute?" Minako said as she rubbed her freezing arms. The walls of the Maze spanned high into the sky, making it impossible to guess how long she's been here. Every turn and corner looked exactly the same. As time passed by, Minako's confidence was slipping.
She remembered Lian's words. She was supposed to rely on her heart and intuition.
Minako realized she has been irritated and impatient since entering the Maze. Quickly, she stopped and calmed herself down.
When she opened her eyes, her mind was clear. Taking another look around her surrounding, she tried to find her way again.
"Which way should I go?" She said to herself.
She looked to her right, then left. Without thinking much, she made a few turns, hoping to make progress.
"Believe in yourself, Minako." She encouraged herself.
After coming to another intersection again, Minako paused once again to ponder.
"Which way…which way…" She murmured.
Suddenly, she heard sounds of laughter. Minako looked around her but there was nothing.
"Am I imagining thing?" She wondered, giving herself a mental shake.
Come here…I'm over here….
"Who's there?" Minako said, spinning around.
Silly…I'm over here…You're too slow…
Minako began running towards the familiar voice. The echoes of the feminine voice carried itself through the Maze. Minako was frightened for some unexplained reason, but the urge to discover its mysteriousowner was too strong
You have to do better than that to catch me…
"Where are you?" Now she was shouting, with no one to answer her.
I'll always love you…love you…love you…
The sweet words repeated over and over again. Minako found herself surrounded by the sweet enticing words. She lifted a hand to her head, feeling a trance come over her. Lost was she in a mysterious drowning dream.
Bitterness is to love you…Release me from this agony…please…
The pain was so sudden, that the voice pierced her heart. Minako has never felt such torment and grief, that she collapsed on the ground crying.
She didn't even know who the voice belonged to, but it's as if it was her own pain. She looked down and watched her tears fell, clenching her stomach as the ache numbed her body.
Time didn't matter to her anymore. Only her emotions did. She had no idea how long she remained like that until she saw someone standing in front of her.
"Lian?" She asked without looking up.
When the person didn't answer, Minako looked up slowly, and through her blurred vision, saw a person she did not expect.
"Why are you here?" She demanded hoarsely.
He kneeled down in front of her as a few strands of his silver locks fell, "For your vengeance, and my salvation."
Finally, on Minako's story. I hope it doesn't seem rushed. Lately, I'm thinking of writing about the girls' former life, since I've developed a good background for the planets. Not sure if i'm going to go that direction yet. Thanks to those who still reads and reviews. I'll try to keep it at a steady pace but no promises.
