Dimensional Disaster Part 21

Between Magic and Power

by

Sailor Janus

         Hotaru found her mind constantly wandering back to Trunks. She wished they didn't have to be separated but neither really had a choice. Until Hotaru regained her powers, she was utterly useless.

         "Hey Hotaru, what are you thinking about? You've been a space case ever since you got here!" Mina giggled.

         Lightly smiling the girl replied, "Nothing really. I hope I can return to the dimension I was sent to. I have strong feeling they are going to need my help."

         "So what's that dimension like anyway?" Lita questioned, making Hotaru feel slightly uneasy since she was in the presence of her guardians.

         "It's very different. Their technology is much more advanced. They have hover cars and planes and a bunch of other inventions. I also live with a genius scientist named Bulma who created a time machine in the future."

         "I heard you also learned how to fight and fly," Raye said, joining in.

         Nodding, the senshi of destruction answered, "Yes. I have become a lot stronger and quicker than I once was." Smiling in thought she added, "And flying, there is nothing like it. You feel so free in the air as if nothing can tear you down."

         "Well, we have missed you a lot Hotaru," Michelle gently said.

         "Right, it's been odd not having you around," Amara agreed.

         "Thanks," Hotaru softly said with a small sigh. 'I wonder how Trunks is doing?'

*~*~*~*

         Trunks glanced around the empty world which was the hyperbolic Time Chamber. His father had once again left, forcing the teen to train on his own. Nevertheless, he had told Hotaru he was going to get strong and that was one promise he intended on keeping. His mind suddenly wandered to the short conversation he had with Gohan. The child Saiyan had mentioned that everyone besides his mother knew of the shared feelings between him and Hotaru. 'Could that possibly mean my father.... oh great. He and Hotaru don't exactly get along too well. This will be trying.'

         Gritting his teeth, the teenager returned to his training.

*~*~*~*

         Drawing a deep breath, Deidra winced slightly before opening her eyes. Allowing them to roam the room, she found the place to be completely foreign. "Where... am I?"

         "You're at the Great Healer's cottage, Deidra. Your friends have already left in search of your prince and princess. Don't worry, you are safe here," Garren reassuringly said. "I am called Garren, princess of Janus."

         Gaping, the girl stared in shock at the blonde-haired young man. "How-how-"

         "Calm down. Yes, I can read your thoughts. I'm empathetic. You had passed out and became gravely ill after entering this dimension. If it were not for myself and the Great Healer, you would have died."                  

         "Thank you. I think." Arching an eyebrow she carefully sat up and looked further around the room. "So I actually did it. Good. I can't allow my own dimension to be destroyed for something my other half did. I wish there was a way to silence Kalika completely."

         "If you were to silence Kalika completely, you would silence yourself as well," a deeper voice said from the shadows. Slowly the figure approached the teens. "I am the Great Healer."

         Nodding  Deidra carefully sat up, brushing a strand of curly hair from her face. "How do you know so much about me? Are you empathetic too?"        

         "No. I acquire knowledge in other forms."

         Curiously the senshi looked at the man, but found nothing sinister. Dropping her head she muttered, "Perhaps silencing myself would be the best way to prevent further actions caused by Kalika. At least everyone would be safe."

         Garren slightly cringed at the melancholy tone of voice the girl was using. He couldn't help to feel sorry for her. He too, felt the same way.  As if the mere sense of existing would put the world in great peril.

         "Nonsense Deidra." the old man gruffly said. "What you need to do is become stronger. Use your powers to contain that horrible being within you."

         "How? I lost my powers! Not even my bracelets can control her!" the burgundy-haired teen shouted, rising to shaky feet. "I am a danger to those that are near me."

         "Wrong. You are a product created through time."

         Pausing, Deidra picked her head up. "What do you mean?"

         Nodding as he clearly spoke, the Great Healer said, "You are not all you seem. You, Deidra, possess powers beyond your wildest dreams. Kalika can never access those powers, only you can."

         "But-"

         "You are not what you seem," he repeated. "You were initiated into becoming what you are only because you have the ability to control the fates through the power without going mad."

         Abruptly, Deidra sat down, staring at the man. "Initiated. You mean.... I am not a real sailor senshi?"

         Garren blinked in shock, contemplating why she was being told this now. Silently he watched as the scene unfolded.

         "Pluto was unable to handle both the gates of time and dimensions, thus she had to plea for assistance. Finally Chronos gave in, allowing her recruit and train a girl of her choosing. You were that girl, Deidra." Pausing for a brief moment he glanced around the room. "Do you feel serene here. As though it were your home?"

         Mutely the girl nodded, her jade green eyes never leaving the elderly man's face.

         Spinning around, The Great Healer walked to a corner of the room and pulled out a large wooden box. "That is because, this is your world. This is your own dimension and you Deidra, are the crowned princess of the Galens." Carefully he removed a silver tiara from a velvet bag concealed in the box.

         Deidra's eyes grew wide as she stared at the beautifully crafted tiara speckled with tiny gems. "Pr-princess?! I mean, yeah I'm princess of Janus....or am I not? Well, I guess I'm royalty no matter what." Nervously she began giggling, feeling extremely awkward.

         Garren's eyes however practically bugged out his head. "Sh-she's the princess?!" he cried out. "But-but-but-but- .....HOW?!"

         "Wh-wh-why is he stuttering?  What is going on?!"

         Snickering softly, the Great Healer questioned, raising an eyebrow, "Were you puzzled concerning your over-protective nature of her, Garren?"

         The teenaged boy however paled immensely. "I-I-I-I-I-" Pausing he took a deep breath, running a hand through his hair. "I didn't believe we would actually find her!" Looking straight into the older man's eyes, the teen added, "You knew Trista before, didn't you."

         "Yes I did. It was her idea to take Deidra and train her to become the Princess of  Janus for both of your protections. She knew of Queen Metallia's vengeance and we had to see to your survival," The Great Healer nodded.

         Finding her voice, Deidra said, "But I did die."

         "Yes, and so did Garren. You two were reborn for a later time, this time. The time line shifted upon allowing the senshi of destruction into another dimension, but perhaps, this may further correct what is to come rather than allow the chaos that is to come, gain control."                    

         "Are you trying to say, only we can prevent complete devastation?" the young man softly said.

         A tiny smile appeared on the Great Healer's face. "You will know in due time."

         "But how do you know I am indeed the princess? I mean, it could have been everyone and.... I'm babbling like an idiot now." Deidra rambled, completely bewildered.

         "With this," the man said, setting the tiara on top of Deidra's head. Suddenly she was enveloped in a flash of glittery light. Upon diminishing, there Deidra stood, in a long forest green velvet and silk dress trimmed with silver, burgundy and black. The dress was low cut with an empire waist and sheer off the shoulder sleeves. A black corset was wrapped around her waist. The skirt was long and had a black lace layer. Under it was a burgundy colored one which slightly peaked out.      

         Deidra stared in shock at her transformation. "This-this isn't my Janus princess form.... it's me."

         Blinking Garren whispered, "I don't believe it...She can't be."

         Glancing at Garren, the older man shook his head with an amused look, "You too have not been told the truth, my boy. I had to be sure you would be banished from town. The townsfolk who perished in the fire caused by the Stonphs was all an illusion. It was for your own protection."

        "What do you mean for my own protection? I'm merely a guard in the royal court. I don't need to be protected."

         Shaking his head the Great Healer grabbed Deidra by the wrist, pulling her towards Garren. Taking the young man's hand as well, he pressed their palms together. Abruptly a glowing light overtook Garren before quickly fading. Revealing him to clothe in garments which matched the princess's quite appropriately. A long black tunic under a dark green one trimmed in burgundy. A dark green cloak, black pants, and boots, were also now clad to the youth's body. "A match."

         "I-I-I-I am the PRINCE?!"

         "You two were betrothed so in correct terms, you will be the Prince of Galens. You Garren, are actually the Prince of Sawent."

         "Betrothed?!" Deidra squeaked in shock. "That means.... HE'S MY FIANCE?!" Paling as well, her green eyes widened in bewilderment. "But-but-but I don't even know the guy!"

         "We can't be engaged! It's-it's-it's-  Grrr I can't even form the right words!" Garren said, throwing his hands over his face. Mindlessly, he began pacing.

         Leaning against the table, the princess shook her head. "If you know so much about me, then why the incident with Lord Cacus?" she softly said with a melancholy look on her face.

         Spinning around, her betrothed raised an eyebrow. "Wait, Lord Cacus?! You mean you cheated on me?!"

         "No, she did not." the Great Healer interjected. "You will be pleased to know, my dear princess, that what you felt for that spiteful man was not love. It was a manipulation spell. You were forced into doing as he wished of you. Of course you regained the power to reason when the spell began wearing off and that was when he became anxious. You were completely used without your permission."

         Narrowing his blue eyes, Garren growled, "He used her?! I'm going to kill him!"

         "Too late, Garren, I beat you to the punch several months ago," Deidra admitted, lightly biting her lip. "The jerk had cut my hair though, but I destroyed him.... after he had taken control of me once again, bringing Kalika out and sending her on an assassination mission to destroy the others." Unconsciously she balled her right hand into a tight fist.

         Abruptly Garren's hand shot out and grabbed her clenched one. "Don't blame yourself for actions that you unfreely committed. It does not do any good. I know from experience."

         Silently, Deidra nodded, staring into the young man's crystal-like blue eyes. A small smile spread across her lips as she nodded. "Thank you."

         "I only wish I could have prevented your interactions with that demon. At least you brought his demise in the most torturing fashion possible."

         "You better believe it, Garren."

         A smile crept upon his face as well. "I had a feeling that you were not stuck-up. I may not exactly be ready for marriage but as long as it is to you and not some pristine snob, I will willingly accept."

         "Me? A snob? Posh! You, your highness, better not be some macho egotistical man who believes the woman's place is in the castle. Especially one with powers such as mine," Deidra smirked playfully.

         "Nah. Besides, I don't want you to have a PMS attack and send me to another dimension!"

         The princess dropped her jaw and sputtered as her fiancé started laughing. "You!" Gritting her teeth she lunged at him, causing the blonde-haired teen to lose his balance, sending them both crashing to the floor.

         "Ow." Momentarily he glared at Deidra  before bursting out laughing again.

         Wincing slightly she frowned at the prince. "What is so funny?"

         "I just remembered. We were like this as kids. Our parents made the arrangement I believe when you were first born. Rather than having to strangers meet and be married, they preferred us knowing each other so that trust could be developed."

         "That's right. I guess whatever memory spell the Greater Healer had cast on us is wearing off or he simply broke it." Picking her head up she glanced around the room. "Odd. He's gone."

         Shrugging, Garren suggested, "He probably wanted to give us the time to catch up."

         Limply, Deidra nodded, and rolled off the teenaged prince. "I suppose something big is going to happen if he chose this time to reawaken us."

         Sitting up he nodded, replying, "Knowing the Great Healer, that's probably the exact truth."

         "You are quite correct. Come. I have much to tell you," the Great Healer said from the doorway, gesturing for the young couple to approach. Regardless, they obediently obeyed.

*~*~*~*     

         Cautiously, the sailor senshi left the safety of the village. Fully alert, they watched for any possible dangers.

         "If we continue through Sager Forest, we should run into Lenton Valley, from there, taking a right at Jeoval River will lead us to Sawent. Supposedly, that is where Serena and Darien are," Amy explained as she carefully examined the map.

         "That doesn't sound too bad," Lita remarked, earning a head shake from the blue-haired girl. "What's wrong?"

         "Unfortunately, we'll be traveling through Stonph territory. Now I understand why the Great Healer gave us power gems."

         "So we'll actually get to use them after all? Might be interesting," Mina shrugged.

         Sighing, Raye added, "But we have never fought with powers that are not our own. This may be tricky."

         "We have no choice. If we are attacked, we must fight back. Finding the princess and prince are our main priorities. Everything else is minor details," Hotaru evenly said, glancing down at her necklace.

         "Hotaru is right, we will have no choice but to fight," Michelle nodded.

         Suddenly three large Stonphs leaped down from their hiding places in the high tree branches, snarling fiendishly at the women.

         "Heads up! We have company!" Amara shouted, jumping back slightly as five more creatures joined their comrades.

         "Looks like it's one for each of us! Let's see how well these gems work!" the senshi of Jupiter said. Clutching her hand into a fist she yelled "LEX FLA!"  Suddenly the sound of thunder rumbled through the air. Holding her hand out to the chosen target, Lita electrocuted the Stonph in a heart beat. "Wow! That worked well!"

         Smirking Raye held her hands up. "Let's see how you like the taste of fire! FLAM SPIR!" Making a half circle with her arms, fire in the form of two odd creatures quickly appeared and attacked a Stonph. Abruptly the princess Mars cried out in pain as another demon blasted her with magical energy in the back.

         "Raye!" Mina shouted in alarm. "I hope my power works... ILL LUM!" Suddenly the forest erupted in a bright light, blinding everyone within the vicinity.

         "AHHH! Mina! That was a bad move!" Amara growled, clutching her eyes.

         "Sorry everyone," the blonde sheepishly said, rubbing her eyes profusely.

         Drawing a breath Trista said, "Fra Pau!" Just then the Stonphs froze in place. "That bought us some time. Lita, Raye, destroy them quickly."

         Nodding the two girls obeyed, quickly eliminating their enemies before they could move again. Soon after, the senshi took off running through the woods, unknown to the danger they had yet to meet.

*~*~*~*~*

Author's Notes: This is one chapter that I did not expect to turn out the way it did. I certainly did not plan on Deidra being the princess of Galens! Story is writing itself now and I'm merely typing it out.

I know, not too much DBZ in this chapter but I promise the next one or two will have a lot more to it.

Thanks for reading and don't forget to review!