Chapter Thirteen: Recalled
My brother has been quiet and pensive since he came home, as if he's trying to make sense of something. I didn't bother to ask what happened—I'm not sure I want to know. I'm still conflicted: I truly do care about Usagi, but… Dimande's obsession with her is unhealthy. Sick or not, she is fated to love Mamoru. Together they will become Neo-Queen Serenity and King Endymion, and will rule with gentle hearts and a steady hand. And yet… it is almost as if destiny has changed. Once again I hear voices in the wind: "She must choose for herself which future path to take." Could it be…?
I'm about to go outside and clear my head when I hear a knock at the door.
Saphir opened the door and felt arms wrap around him, suddenly bringing him into their embrace.
"Surprise!" Petz said, releasing Saphir from the hug and fixing her hair nervously. "Sorry to jump at you like that. I'm still not used to being able to be with you again, and I got a bit excited."
Saphir looked at her with warm, though distant, eyes. "Oh, Petz. It's so good to see you," he smiled.
He looks at me with love, but I can tell that his thoughts are somewhere else. "I brought a blanket and some sandwiches," she said, holding up a basket full of food. "I thought we could have a picnic, just the two of us."
"That sounds perfect," Saphir replied as he reached out to hold Petz's hand. I've had enough of moping about and thinking to myself. I love Petz. Whatever concerns I may have, I can share them with her.
I wonder what is bothering Saphir so much… I came here because he has already been alone for so long. I hope that he feels he can talk freely with me. Saphir, please trust in me. Whatever it is, we can work it out together.
….
"Mako-chan? Mako-chan, are you there?" Usagi and the others called as they wandered down the winding hallway they found themselves in.
"This appears to be the right place; we're in a labyrinth just like she described. She must be here somewhere," Ami said as she began analyzing the structure on her supercomputer.
….
I awake to find who must be King Minos standing over me: he wears a long cloak that looks to be covered in cobwebs, and a tarnished gold crown on top of a mess of tangled grey hair. He is chanting… somehow, even though I know he is speaking a different language, I am able to understand the words. He, towering above me looking more like a phantom than a man, is summoning Argus- the hundred eyed beast enlisted by Hera to guard Zeus' lover.
Suddenly, I'm in terrible pain… it's as if he is reaching into my heart and draining the shine of my Sailor Crystal. I can hear Usagi and the others calling to me… but as much as I try to cry out, I can't make a sound.
"This beast was born to guard Zeus' lover because of Hera's jealousy… you, blessed by the god of thunder, will now inherit its hatred towards Zeus. Argus will defeat you using your own power, then will take the Silver Crystal," the towering figure of King Minos laughed, his dark eyes shining wildly and his bones glowing and seemingly visible through his translucent skin. He then disappeared, walking through the walls of the maze- proving himself truly to be a phantom.
"Not if I can help it," Makoto managed to cry out. Usagi's calls getting closer, she yelled: "Don't come any closer!"
I'm staring at the terrifying beast, Argus, which looks back at me with contempt in all of its hundred eyes. Even as I stand I can feel it draining my power, and the shine of my Star Seed. It is using my own life force against me.
But I have to defeat it before Usagi gets here… no matter what, I have to protect her.
"Sailor Jupiter! Mako-chan!" Usagi exclaimed, her and the others finally having reached the same corridor of the maze that Makoto stood in.
Argus' eyes one by one turned to focus on Sailor Moon. Its body suddenly sprouted two massive arms, like the roots of an oak tree, which it held close together and began generating an electric charge between, intending to blast Sailor Moon.
"Sparkling Wide Pressure!" Makoto yelled, directing Argus' attention back to her by destroying several of the beast's eyes. "I will be your match."
"Mako-chan, no! We'll help you!" Rei screamed. She looks so weak, she can't do this alone.
Makoto smiled. "No… its strength is born of my own powers. Only I can defeat it." My body is starting to fade away as the rest of my Star Seed's shine is transferred to Argus…
Makoto began to charge up electricity for her next attack, but the Argus' attention had already been drawn back to Sailor Moon and the others from the sound of Rei's cries. As its remaining eyes all turned to stare at the brooch containing the Silver Crystal and it prepared to snatch the Crystal and destroy all the Senshi in one move, Makoto threw herself at the monster.
"As long as I have one shred of power left I will use all my strength to defeat you and protect Usagi! Jupiter Oak Evolution!" With her final cry, bolts of lightning and razor sharp oak leaves shot at Argus, wrecking all its remaining eyes. After its eyes were destroyed, the beast collapsed and turned to dust. Makoto immediately fell to the ground, unconscious.
Usagi, Rei, Minako and Ami all ran to Makoto, while the Outer Senshi stayed back and kept watch. Ami reached for her arm and felt for a pulse.
"It's weak, but definitely there," Ami said. Though it's not her pulse I'm worried about… it's her body that seems to alternate between being solid and invisible, similar to what happened when our Star Seeds were taken. Though her Star Seed was not taken, most of its shine was drained… "I'll stay with her. The rest of you should continue on and find King Minos."
Haruka nodded and she, Michiru and Hotaru grabbed the shoulders of Usagi, Rei and Minako, escorting them away from where Ami knelt beside the unconscious Makoto.
"No… I can't leave her!" Usagi said through the steady stream of tears. It's too similar to what happened before… Why does everyone I love have to get so hurt protecting me? "I can't take it anymore!" But I know that I have to… Please, don't leave me alone…
….
Dimande, who had fallen asleep pondering Hotaru's words and questioning his own feelings and intentions, suddenly shot up, wide awake in the dark room. What is this feeling?
She is hurting… I can feel her pain. So the words of that girl, Sailor Saturn, were true.
Should I go to her?
No, not yet. It is her friends, her guardians, that still must care for her.
I pray that I do not have to, but if the time comes that she is alone, without the Senshi protecting her, then I will go to her. At least now I know: I can find her and protect her no matter where she is.
I love you, Sailor Moon.