Divinity: The Fates and the Afterlife

Chapter Sixteen

A/N: Thank you kera69love and SerenityMorrison for your lovely messages, you guys make me feel like this isn't made in vain. Thank you, it really means a lot. Have a lovely weekend!

* Audi, Model A5 Sportback Prestige in Brilliant Black– Now, this is my personal choice of car (because it's my favorite), but feel free to imagine whichever model you like.

Something to keep in mind: When in phone conversations, if the text is in italic it means is the other person at the end of the line.

Rei looked at Minako with shock, her brain could not come with anything logical to say. This only meant one thing, it was important and it was related to them, one way or the other. "W-What did she..." she trailed off and shook her head, still surprised to learn the news. Minako sighed softly and put the phone on the coffee table and stayed silent for a minute, as she also processed the information given, "She... um..." she looked at Rei and nibbled her lower lip softly, "She said that they want to talk to us, all of us."

"Did she mention where they found the girl?" Rei frowned, Minako shook her head and looked at the phone on the table "No, she said she would explain once we were all together." She turned and took a deep breath, "I need to tell Artemis and Luna..." Rei exhaled, and rested her hands on her lap ignoring her friend and leader's comment, "Did she say when?"

Minako looked at her and nodded, "This afternoon—I will call Ami-chan and Mako-chan."

"And Usagi?"

"Michiru agreed not to call her until we know what is going on," Minako sighed and rubbed her temples, "I think it's fair."

Rei nodded and turned to grab her purse to look for her phone then dialed a number and waited for an answer, "It's me." she said bluntly and narrowed her eyes, "I need you to please look after my grandfather, I will not return to the Shrine until later this afternoon." she paused as she listened to the other person at the other line, "I have things to do I don't need to explain to you, I will be there later—goodbye." Minako arched her brow and turned to her friend with a query look in her eyes, "He answered, huh?" the blonde crossed her arms. Rei nodded and sighed heavily, "At least he treats my grandfather well, he owes him much."

Minako felt bad for her friend, she knew how much the situation with Yuuichiro was damaging her spirit, and how much it would cause if she had to go back to battle. She turned to grab her phone with resignation and dialed another number and waited for an answer "Hey..." she said softly and leaned her head on her hand, "Mako-chan, are you busy?"

At the other side of busy Tokyo, Makoto smiled as she wiped a trace of sweat running down her forehead while she served and garnished another dish, "Hey you! Where have you been?" She waved her hand to the waiter, to let the girl know it was ready to be taken to the dining area. "Um, up and about." she heard Minako joked lightly at the other end of the line, "How are you?"

Makoto exhaled, exhaustion was her new look, smiling she changed her phone to one ear to another and held it in place with her shoulder as she walked towards the back door to take a small break, "The same, work has been crazy these days, it's been a while since I saw you all. We need to set up the final details for Usagi's wedding—there is a cake we must try and approve."

"Yeah, we do." Minako said softly and took a brief moment to continue, "Mako-chan, there is some—"

"How about tonight?" Makoto took out her handkerchief and patted it softly all over her face, "How is your agenda? I can get out of work early tonight."

Back at her apartment, Minako turned to give a quick hesitant glance at Rei and then back to face the wall to think her next choice of words carefully, "Actually, the reason I called you is to ask if you were available tonight to see each other, there is something I need to tell you."

"Ok, sure. Should I call Usagi or are you—" the strong and cheerful tone in Makoto's voice was soon interrupted by her friend and confident, "But, for another reason," Minako sighed softly and closed her eyes. Makoto stopped cleaning her runny mascara and frowned, "You okay?"

Minako sighed again, "There has been something going on and I wasn't going to say anything but it has come to the point where it is important for you and Ami-chan to know."

"Oh my god... you are pregnant," Makoto said bluntly, Minako widened her eyes with shock and shook her head, almost frantic "What?! No!"

"Then what is it? You sound worried,"

Minako nodded and rubbed her right temple in a circular motion, "I am, but it's better if we talk about it in person," Makoto checked her watch and bit her lower lip, "I'll be out in a couple of hours, where do I meet you?"

"I think the Crown Café would be best. We all know the place and we can get the privacy we need," Minako turned to a nodding Rei, who agreed with the blonde's suggestion. "I suppose then that Rei knows what this is about?" Makoto asked, over the phone. Minako nodded, "Yes, she does. See you there in a couple of hours okay? I have to call Ami-chan and let her know too."

"And Usagi?"

Minako sighed heavily, "Usagi will know but in another time," the comment took Makoto by surprise, thinking either this was a surprise for the bride or was something else, though, she wished it was a bridal surprise. Frowning, she nodded to herself and looked down at her watch again, "Okay, I will meet you there."

As soon as both women hung up the phone, the blonde patted her flushed cheeks nervously and started dialing Ami's phone with high hopes to find her available, since she was the hardest to reach most of the time. She looked at her raven-haired friend and bit her lower lip, "Let's hope she answers... hey, Ami-chan, I suppose you are busy and all, I know, I'm sorry but—"

Ami leaned her back on the wall while waiting for the elevator to come down to her floor "Hi Minako! no, don't worry, it's okay. What's up?"

"First off, are you alone?" The bluenette heard her friend ask with a nervous tone, and nodded when realized in fact, no one was close enough to eavesdrop on her conversation, "Yes."

"Oh good," The relaxed sigh she heard from her blonde friend made Ami frown with concern, "Why? Minako-chan, everything alright?"

"You are probably the only one I don't need to sugar coat things since you are a Doctor and have nerves of steel. I need to talk to you—it's important, do you think you would be able to come to the Crown Café in about two hours?"

Ami widened her eyes and turned to look at the clock at the nurse's station, "Sure, I can ask somebody to cover for me for a couple of hours—I just have to check on a patient and pass the report to Mamoru and then I can go,"

"Perfect, though, there is something I need to ask you."

"Sure." Ami tapped her foot on the floor anxiously waiting for the elevator to open its doors. "Do not tell Mamoru anything about this, don't say a word." Minako's request added to the strange tone in her voice caught the bluenette's attention, "Minako... is everything okay?" She heard her friend sigh at the other end, "I just need to tell you something I think it's important and I need your support on it,"

Ami widened her blue eyes with shock, "Minako... are you?"

"No! I'm not!" Ami squinted her eyes and moved her phone away from her ear when she heard Minako raise her voice at the other end of the line. "Please, don't say anything because I am not calling Usagi for this. It's a thing between us,"

"Is it a surprise?" Ami went down Makoto's same path, making Minako feel like the worst surprise giver in the world and bit her lip before turning to Rei whom, by the look on her face was more than obvious that she felt the same way or even worse than her at the moment, "Um, yes, kind of,"

"Ok, I will see you there in a couple of hours. That should be enough to finish my pending tasks." Minako nodded with relief to hear her friend's confirmation, "Okay, see you then Ami chan." Minako hung up and put her phone on the coffee table and looked at it like it was touched by the devil itself. She stayed silent for a couple of minutes before closing her eyes and let out a worry exhale, "I guess there is no turning back now."

Rei looked down and nodded, feeling very much the same, "The best we can do now is to prevent whatever might put everyone in danger,"

Time didn't go fast enough for any of the girls. Minako and Rei waited on her apartment until it was late enough for them to leave, between small talk both women could not hide their concern about the whole situation. Ami and Makoto both handled their tasks at work in silence, very aware and concerned about whatever they were going to find out. But one thing was for sure, the feeling of uncertainty was beyond overwhelming.

O—o—o—o—O

Michiru looked at the clock resting on top of the fireplace in silence while waiting for Hotaru to come back from school. She had spoken her decisions and thoughts to the rest and was only waiting for the moment to take action. Megumi sat next to the musician on the couch, looking down at her hands was all she felt she could do; she wished to explain everything but even for her, it was too complicated. Confused and overwhelmed, she waited; she waited for them to come for her, she could feel their eyes on her and that she was being observed in silence at all times. Those who were after her, she knew were there, close lurking, and waiting for the right moment to attack and drag her to hell.

Michiru exhaled softly and stood up when she heard the door open, turning to face the dark haired girl at the door "It's time,"

"Did you talk to them?"

"Just Minako, she called the rest of the girls."

Hotaru turned to look around but her thoughts were answered by Michiru, "Setsuna is out with Haruka, we will meet all of them here later. The young girl walked into the living room and looked at Megumi as she sat next to her on the sofa, her dark eyes showing compassion and understanding towards what the Terran maid must be feeling "You are not alone in this. Do not be scared." With eyes hopeful and a spirit reinforced, Megumi smiled and hoped for a miracle to finally happen.

O—o—o—o—O

At the other side of the city, Mamoru finally ended his shift at the hospital and was ready to go to Usagi's house to have dinner with her and her family. He looked at his wrist watch and sighed, knowing he was already fifteen minutes late, "I won't hear the end of it..." he breathed as he pressed the alarm button on his key to unlock his impeccable black *Audi. As soon as he closed the door, his phone rang; his lips curved into an apologetic smile as if she could see him, pressing a button on his wheel he answered to her call, "I'm sorry—I had a patient at the very last minute."

"Papa is asking for you..." Her sweet but more ladylike voice echoed inside the car; Mamoru looked to his right to make sure no cars were coming close and exited the hospital's parking lot and narrowed his blue eyes, "Yes, I'm sure he is..."

"Where are you?"

"I just left the hospital, I'll be there in around twenty minutes—if I am lucky. I am so sorry Usa... you can start without me."

Usagi chuckled, knowing how much Mamoru hated to be late when he had an appointment with his in laws, especially when he still tried to win his father in law's affection, "Relax, nobody is upset. Shingo hasn't even come home yet! And dinner isn't ready—It's still in the oven." Mamoru smiled as he took another turn, "Oh well in that case..."

"Noooo! You come over here now!"

He chuckled, finding adorable her reaction. He still loved to tease her from time to time and more because he was aware that she knew he was not being serious but just playful and that it was his way to forget any kind of stress from his job and that after all the nagging, it was harmless. "Do you need anything from the store? I need to—" his eyes widened when he felt a sudden stab in his chest that made it hard and painful to breathe. He looked up and saw the traffic light turn red, luckily for him.

"You need what?"

Mamoru pressed a hand on his chest and tried to grasp some air; the feeling was very familiar, it was like he was being called. He felt like if his alter ego was coming through and slowly wanted to take over like if he had to respond to something but the problem was that he didn't know what or whom it was behind that call. "Mamo chan?" Usagi noticed the silence, and her voice began to reflect it, "Are you there?"

"Y-Yeah..." Mamoru opened one eye and took a deep breath, he saw the light turning green and took all the strength he could and managed to park outside a building, "Usako... I have to call you back..."

"Mamo-chan what's wrong? Are you okay?"

"Yeah... I just... I need to load some gas—I'll be there soon." Mamoru didn't give Usagi time enough to ask another question and pressed the button on his steering wheel to end the call. He threw his head back and growled in pain. He pressed his hand against his chest but it didn't matter how much pressure he put, the pain didn't go away and it was starting to become almost unbearable. Suddenly, the same vision he had days ago flashed into his mind again; as the mysterious woman appeared in front of him and called his name while being engulfed by rabid flames making Mamoru feel anguished again for trying to save her, "What do you want!? What do you want for me!?" He yelled at the woman extending her hand out to him, "Who are you!?" he growled angrily.

"Endymion! Endymion, wake up!"

"NO!" He groused and opened his eyes. His own anger and heavy breathing brought him back to reality once again and freed himself from the pain and saw the woman in front of him was gone. He turned and looked everything was normal and under control. He stayed there frozen and silent in his car as he tried to pick up the pieces of what just happened and relate it to something, something that he might have left inconclusive in his past. It didn't make sense to him, why a woman was calling him that again? He thought Serenity was the only one who really had the power to link her energy with his and that he was done with looking into strange faces from his past the moment the Silver Crystal appeared. He slammed his hands on the wheel several times with anger and cursed under his breath, "Why do you keep calling that name!?" he asked frustrated and looked up, "Who in heaven's sake are you?"

Like an answer to his questions, a bright light scratched its way across the sky, like a lighting. "What the..." he mumbled with wide eyes. He got out of the car immediately and turned to see other how all the people around stopped to stare with the same face of wonder. Making him feel less crazy for been having all those strange visions. Seconds after the light vanished, the city went into total blackout. All the lights on the streets and buildings were suddenly dead, leaving everybody surrounded by pure darkness.

"Ego sum iens ut interficias omnibus vobis,"

A deep, low voice echoed in Mamoru's mind and sent chills all over his body. Widening his eyes, he turned to his side to find the person who might have said it but nobody was close enough to him to whisper something in his ear. His throat went dry when he realized what this meant. Unlike all the people standing there, amazed and wowed by the natural occurrence, he knew this was not just a marvelous event, it was a threat and it was addressed to them.

Seconds after the phenomenon disappeared, the lights started to flicker and slowly came back, one after the another, leaving a mortified Mamoru standing under a street light, still looking up into the night sky. A tug in his chest made him react and walked back to his car with his mind thinking of only one person: "Usagi..." he breathed and drove as fast as he could to her house.

O—o—o—o—O

Setsuna looked outside the window and exhaled softly, "It looks like the power is back."

Hotaru turned to a very silent Megumi, sitting on the couch with her arms wrapped around herself, her breathing was betraying her usual calm. "It was them, wasn't it?" she was surprised to hear the young girl's affirmation. Megumi hung her head low and took a deep breath "They are not going to leave us alone. They will keep looking until they capture me."

"Why are they looking—" Haruka asked, but soon her question was interrupted by the sound of the doorbell. "It's them." she said softly and turned to Setsuna who went to open the door, "I'm glad you could make it," she said softly to all the five girls. "Yes, we almost get lost when the blackout happened... but we found our way. Good thing it only lasted a couple of minutes," Minako nodded and was the first to come in, followed by Rei, Ami and lastly Makoto. "Is everyone...?"

"Yes." Setsuna said, "Go straight to the living room, they are all there—I'll go make some tea."

All five women walked inside the living room and were immediately welcomed and greeted by Michiru, Haruka, and Hotaru, except for the one guest. "It's been quite a while since we saw each other," Haruka's voice showed a little remorse and guilt, unlike them, the Outers had more busy schedules with their careers that made it hard to be as much in touch with the others as they would like to and now with the new strange events happening and the new addition to the group, it was going to become even harder.

Minako smiled "We totally understand," turned and gave Hotaru a small hug, and turned to the couch "I didn't know you had company, you should have..." she paused, her eyes widened in surprise when she recognized the person who was sitting quietly next to Hotaru; Megumi in return, reacted the same way and stood up. Minako gasped with surprise and pointed at her absently, "You..."

Megumi widened her brown eyes and turned to Haruka, then to Hotaru with a confused face. Rei joined the conversation and the confusion, "What is going on?" Minako blinked a couple of times, trying to break free from her shock and turned to the raven-haired woman "The girl, she's the girl." Rei's amethyst eyes widened "W-What?"

Hotaru, Michiru and Haruka looked at both girls with wide eyes and ended on them, "Wait, you know her?"

Megumi turned to look at Rei then turned to look at Ami and Makoto standing in silence behind, and exhaled with surprise, "I-It cannot be..." she walked over to Minako and looked at her in the eye "I was not dreaming..." she whispered and felt new tears began to pool in her eyes "It is you," she turned to Rei, then the other girls again. Minako shook her head with astonishment, "It was not a mistake, that you called me Venus—you know who I am and you can talk," Megumi nodded, "I do not know what is happening... Why? How?"

Rei sighed and turned to Ami and Makoto, "I know Minako didn't say much when she called you but there are some strange things happening lately and it is important for you to know too."

"You are scaring me, Rei-chan." Ami frowned, "What are you talking about? Michiru looked at them and invited them to sit, thinking it would be better for them to be reunited and as comfortable as possible to be able to put some pieces of this odd puzzle called Megumi. "Please, join us."

All five girls sat around the coffee table while Megumi, Michiru, and Hotaru sat on a couch, close to the window. Setsuna joined them minutes later carrying a tray with a teapot and cups. Haruka as hesitant as always, started the conversation "Let's start from how do you know this girl?" she turned to Minako.

Rei sighed, "I believe I am the one who should start explaining," her soft voice caught everyone's attention and turned to look at her, "This all began with a vision I had a couple of weeks ago while I was reading the sacred fire at the Shrine." Rei turned to Haruka, "I had many visions of a man wearing some sort of armor, the silhouette of a girl and a call for help," Rei turned to look down at her steamy tea cut, "After a couple of days since that vision, I had another one. One, coming from an entity I could say it was evil, a demonic creature," she looked up at all the girls paying attention to every word, "This entity spoke in another language, an ancient tongue, one I could not decipher. I could not quite get what it was saying but after I tried to purify the fire, it attacked me and almost asphyxiated me to death,"

Michiru frowned, "It is so strange... I saw something similar on the mirror but I could not relate it to anything—that was my first warning." Makoto turned to Rei shocked "Rei... why didn't you say something to us when it happened?" Rei tilted her head low, ashamed for having to drag this situation until this very moment when things were now clearly alarming, "I don't know if you remember being all somber when I asked if you missed being a senshi..."

"Since then?!" Makoto widened her eyes and turned when she felt Ami's hand on her Amazon friend's shoulder. Her powdery and polite tone always soothing the roughness from the thunder Senshi, "Did something else happened after this incident happened Rei-chan?" she turned to Minako, "And how Minako-chan got involved into this?"

Minako put her cup down, "Rei called me one afternoon and told me about it. We decided not to tell you then because we weren't sure what it meant, or what it was. We decided to take action until something else happened, and... well, it did." she looked at Megumi.

"What else happened?" Makoto rested both palms on the cold surface of the coffee table as if the feeling of the cold glass from the table could keep her mind grounded.

"I found this girl close to my apartment right after Rei and I had this talk, I took her home. Luna and Artemis were there too," Minako turned to Makoto, "Luna said she looked familiar, like if she knew her from somewhere else but she could quite not remember from where and she never spoke to me, she just called me Venus and the next thing I knew, she was nowhere to be found." she turned to Megumi with an air of relief but also slightly heartbroken for not trusting her, "I searched for you, I was worried that something could have happened to you. I am so glad you are safe but now that you are here, it only confirms our suspicions into say there is so much more to this situation..." she turned to face Haruka and Michiru "Am I right?"

"We were attacked," Michiru said in her usual regal tone, "Our side of the story begins when Setsuna saw a light crashing in a park close to her workplace,"

"It was a beam of light similar to the one we just saw before this blackout," Setsuna added. Makoto raised her hand and shook her head, "Wait, is all of this related to this blackout?"

Setsuna nodded, "It appears so—that day at the park, there was an evident crash on the concrete but no object to be found. That is where I started to become suspicious when I saw a girl hiding in the bushes... that same afternoon, when all of us went back she was nowhere around,"

"It was you..." Minako looked at Megumi, "You landed here, you escaped... that is why I found you."

"We found her a couple of days ago when she was being attacked by what appeared to be entities possessing the bodies of civilians at the park—they were after her," Michiru turned to a nodding Haruka, "We fought them, but it is clear that this isn't close to being over but just the beginning of a new battle, a new enemy is filtering into this city" Haruka said dryly. Hotaru turned to Minako, "The reason she called you Venus..." Her sweet, soft voice caught the girl's attention, "Is because she knows us from the past."

All five girls turned to look at Megumi with a shocked expression "You know us?" Makoto turned to Megumi with a perplexed look in her eyes. Hotaru nodded, "She was there that night when I put down my Silence Glaive and everything was over—she recognized me," she turned to Megumi, who was struggling to keep herself calm. Minako frowned as she slowly tried to the pieces of her memory together, "I am trying to remember... but," she shook her head, "How is it even possible?"

"You saw it then, the end of that era," Ami turned to Megumi who nodded in response, "You were the White Princess' Guardians, you tried to help her... and my Master, but..." she lowered her head "It was too late."

Rei looked curious at her and put her cup down, "Your Master?" Megumi nodded and looked up, her tears and the knot in her throat was making it impossible for her to continue so Hotaru felt it was appropriate to explain it to her, "Megumi is from this planet but from two thousand years ago—just like us. When she was at the Moon at that time, was because of her Master, Prince Endymion, was there with Princess Serenity."

All five pairs of eyes widened in shock, Minako broke the pattern as the memory came clear in her mind making her gasp with shock, "The girl who asked for help... it's you!" she stood up, "That is why you knew me! You plead for help to save the Prince that night!" Megumi looked up and before she could know it, the blonde was wrapping her arms around her, "I am so sorry for not recognizing you before... Oh my god, I am so sorry... I can see it now... I can see it, that moment, that night."

Rei shook her head as the memory slowly came to her again, like a fog clearing in her mind and putting the pieces together, "I remember now... it was the night of the engagement," she frowned "How?" Rei turned to Megumi with evident amazement. Her thoughts slowly started to come back, like a film before her eyes; everything that happened since that night and all the trouble before it. She remembered the dilemma with the Princess sneaking to Earth very often, to see her lover, the Terran Prince.

Minako pulled back and sniffed softly. Her blue eyes looked into the girl's brown ones and took a deep breath, to calm her emotion and the sense of nostalgia that was invading her heart, "You must have been horrified... to see all that destruction, all that hate, and the result of it."

Megumi closed her eyes and lowered her head again, deep in her pain she lamented the loss of her Prince and the tragic end of the White Princess, "I was told to run away... as fast as I could. Ever since that night, I have been a nomad, a fugitive, and prey."

"Why are they after you?" Rei asked, "Why after all this time... you are here?"

"The clothed object..." Minako muttered and turned to look at it resting against the sofa, Makoto frowned still confused, "What? What clothed object?" Minako pointed at it to clear her friend's question and looked at the girl, "The object you've been carrying around... whoever is after you, wants it. Why?"

Megumi shook her head "I do not know why—I was told to carry it with me because it is supposed to be a key of some sorts, my mission is to deliver it to its rightful owner."

"And who is the rightful owner of that?" Makoto arched her brow, "The Protector of this planet." Michiru answered, her tone of voice deepened, "The Prince..." Ami ended the mystery and turned to Minako but before she could ask Minako took the lead and shook her head, "No, Rei and I didn't want to say anything because of the event coming close, we cannot help to feel guilty if we told something and ruin that moment... it's not fair."

"I have been feeling really guilty about all this, I cannot ruin their day with news like this..." Rei ran a hand through her long, dark hair in frustration, "But at the same time, I feel bad for saying nothing at all."

"But... they have a right to know, especially him," Ami said softly. Haruka sighed and crossed her arms, "You say Luna and Artemis were there when you took Megumi home, right?" she turned to Minako, "What did they say?"

"To tell them the truth, of course—Luna wanted me to talk to all of you right away but I needed more evidence that she, in fact, was related to us somehow, then Rei came along with her side of the story and the rest is history."

Ami looked at the girl and gave her a kind smile, "You may be wondering why are we calling ourselves differently from that time you knew us," her kind voice and attitude made Megumi remember the sweet senshi with the blue gown, always silent and calm, but very assertive with every comment she made. "We were reborn on this planet and were given these names to carry on with our lives here. Sometime later, we were found by Luna and Artemis and they helped us unlock our real identities but we normally go now by our civilian names to avoid confusion among others. Times are different now and it's nothing as you might remember."

"You may associate Luna and Artemis as the cats looking after you at my apartment, but back then... they were the advisors to the Moon Queen." Minako said softly, "Do you remember?"

Megumi widened her eyes and nodded, she surprised that all this time had gone through. All the things she must had missed while she was traveling through the universe trying to fulfill the mission given to her. "How did you find your way back to Earth?" Rei asked with a new wave of familiarity towards the girl, Megumi looked at her and then at the clothed object that was now resting on her lap, "I prayed for help... and it brought me here,"

"The enemies after her, all we know is that she knows them as 'the shadows' because that is what they are. They lurk in the darkness and possess whoever they can take as a vessel. But who is behind it all, we still don't know it yet. But it's more than clear that they won't rest until they get what they want." Setsuna said determinant.

"The key..." Makoto turned and saw the large object on the girl's lap "What is that key?"

Megumi closed her eyes and remember the moment she took the weapon from the Princess' corpse and shook her head softly "It burns..." she muttered, her eyes looked down at the shaggy carpet, "The reason I cannot allow you to even look at it, is because it burns. It shines so brightly, it could leave you blind. I do not know why it accepted me as its Guardian, and it is because of its constant warmth that I believe I am alive—it has protected me all this time from evil."

"We have decided to keep her safe with us until we learn more about the enemy and what its true intentions are, the obvious is that whoever that is, wants this object. But why? We still need to find out. In the meantime, she is staying with us." Haruka turned to Minako, with more authority. This was serious, they all knew that. But now the bigger question was thrown in the air.

"Should we tell... them?" Makoto dared to break the spell and asked.

All eight senshi fell silent, they knew the answer but they all agreed that it would be unfair for the royal couple, with the wedding so close and after all this time when they can finally live together, a new enemy had to appear. Hotaru looked at the girl and could not help to feel nostalgic. She put herself in her position and her heart ached, this was a girl who hasn't had a proper bath, a meal or a place to sleep in more than a thousand years. She took and agreed on the task to guard the object on her lap, risking her life, running away all of her life. She imagined her scared, depressed, alone in the vastity of the universe, without being able to speak to no one, with no family, without a planet to return to and without her Prince.

She was the soldier of death, she knew perfectly well the feeling of being hunted, of being wanted dead and of being alone, afraid and angry at the same time for this kind of life they were destined to follow. She put her cup on the small side table, the sound of the porcelain touching the glass caught everybody's attention "She deserves to be, with the only person related to her. In this time and era, she needs to be with her family or, who is close to being her family. She has the right to know what happened and she needs to fulfill her duty. So, I believe we do not have another option." Hotaru looked at Setsuna and Haruka, who, at first were the most hesitant and against the idea "She has suffered enough,"

Makoto leaned her back on the couch and sighed "So, what do we do then?"

"He must know something... he has the power to read and sense things, just like me or Michiru-san or me," Rei said, still not wanting to mention the fact that the person they were talking about, was the Prince himself. All the girls knew, that if they told Megumi about it, she would run off desperately with the hopes of finding him and the result of it, would be catastrophic. For once, because she would be easily targeted and found by the enemy and second because the Price probably would not recognize her just like they didn't at first. Right now, it was a risk it all kind of situation and they needed to set the ground and prepare both sides for it. And for that, they needed to talk to Usagi first because she would be the right person to bring him to where Megumi was, without suspicion. Everything had to be kept in secret, for now, they had to be as hermetic as they possibly could, any leak of information could be devastating and would put not only Megumi but everyone in danger. The shadows were clever and they just needed an opening to create a disaster.

This was a decisive moment and it had to be handled with extreme care.

"So, what then?" Makoto asked, again. Rei bit her lower lip in thought for a moment "I think... either we talk to her first, and then bring him here or just... bring both of them and let it be a surprise, just like it happened to us."

"I will talk to her," Minako answered, "I need to see her tomorrow for some things related to the... event. I will tell her then." she turned to Megumi and gave her a soft, reassuring smile, "I'm very glad to know you are here. You are in good hands, they are very strong," she winked her eye at her, making Megumi smile, genuinely. If you need anything, you can contact me or the girls. She turned and pointed her finger at Rei, "Mars is Rei, and she is a shrine priestess in this era. She lives in a beautiful shrine full of all kinds of trees and flowers." Rei, in response, smiled. Her finger then moved to Ami "Mercury, is Ami. She is a doctor, she works in a hospital and saves people's lives every day." The bluenette waved her hand, "And Jupiter, who we knew as the Amazon girl, is Makoto." she wrapped her arm around the fragile girl in a friendly manner to make her feel more at ease, "She is a chef and she makes the most delicious food and pastries you will ever taste." Makoto giggled and tilted her head, "I can make something for you, anytime. You just ask, okay?"

Megumi smiled, thinking how at last, she had found allies and people she could relate to; they were being so kind towards her, despite not really knowing her. Her grip tightened around the object in her lap as in gratitude for listening to her prayers and taking her to a safe ground. At last, she didn't have to run away, anymore.

She was home.

O—o—o—o—O

In the immensity of a palace, filled with solitude. Its walls held years of regret, and its polished marble halls echoed only laments under the dome-like ceilings and pristine appearance. One would normally think this is a place filled with dreams, peace, and harmony but in fact, the only thing that inhabited these long halls and tall walls were just haunted memories of a past and a life that never came to be successful. A woman with long dark hair walked in silence; her long dark red gown contrasted with the gray and obscure walls of her castle. Her dark eyes held regret, anger mixed with rage, her spirit was filled with abandon. She knew her destiny was meant to be this way, it was written since she agreed to be the wife to the God of War, Ares.

Eris felt the rage of never being what her husband wanted her to be. The woman he always carried in his mind, and in his heart. She lived by the rage of the shadow of a woman, who decided another path in her life but had learned to become a legend. For centuries she cursed her name and despised everything she represented. Because, after all; she was once a woman in love with her husband and not only that, he loved her too. The moment Eris agreed to marry Ares she became a mistress kept in the dark and a vessel to those memories of his true one love.

The echo of steps bounced through the marble floors and stone walls, it was him who had finally gone back home. The Goddess of Discord turned to find the blonde warrior standing in the main court, looking up at the night sky. Her now cold blood could not feel anything but the pleasure to see him as miserable as she was.

"Interesting view—" Eris broke the silence between them, "I never thought I could see the day to witness it. The Mighty Lord of War, broken, hopeful... lingering from his own memories. Trapped, in his past," her sultry voice curled out from her tongue, dancing through her lips; her sentence was finished with a smirk of satisfaction. "Oh, My War Lord, how times have changed. Once a hero, feared by everyone and now..." she stood next to him and peered her vicious stare at him up and down, like examining his perfectly toned body she knew he had under that heavy armor, her dark eyes pierced through his soul and could not help to snarl at him with a poisonous comment. "—You are nothing but a joke."

"It is good to see you are still alive, too, Eris," Ares' held pure disinterest, his eyes never left the sky, to even look at her, it was more than obvious than the relationship between them was beyond lost and broken. "It is indeed amazing how your words cannot hurt a single cell in me, no matter how much you try," he finally broke contact with the stars and looked down at the petite woman in red, "I have grown a very thick skin against you. You can say whatever you want but that will not ever make you better than anything that lives in this realm," Ares narrowed his gray eyes, "When did you become so bitter?"

Eris let out a single chuckle, and looked away "The moment I married you, Ares, you condemned me to misery,"

"You knew the consequences of this marriage." Ares looked the other way, completely avoiding any sort of contact with her beautiful but very bitter wife. Eris scoffed, "The consequences..." she shook her head and frowned, "It is interesting how after all this time you dare to come here like if nothing happened. You have been absent for years and now you come to say these words to me? What else is that you want from me?"

Ares arched his brow, "Me, wanting from you? No, Eris. I do not want anything from you. But I would like to remind you that this is my realm, my Palace—my planet. You are most welcome to leave anytime you want. I do not care what you do with your life, you have done enough to make me not want you—to make me not to care."

Eris's peace did not last long enough to keep the conversation in a moderate state. Her dark eyes burned with anger, every time he reminded her that, that he did not care. "I know you do not but, do you know what makes me go to sleep at peace every night? To know that she did not care for you either." Ares chuckled and closed his eyes, "Oh, Eris..." his smile slowly fading as he turned to look at her again "The only thing I am thankful for, the only good thing that this marriage ever created, was our daughter and I thank all the Lords and heavens, that she did not come to be like you,"

"That child was always weak, no wonder why she died by Serenity's hand," Eris rolled her eyes and crossed her arms with evident disinterest.

"I am really sorry for not loving you the way you wanted me to. It was too much, too demanding, and your paranoia slowly poisoned this relationship. You grew to be a rotten soul," Ares shook his head, "The real reason why Serenity asked for our daughter to be part of the Royal Guardians was that I asked her to. Her life was miserable here with your constant screaming so full of hatred towards her, it is like you never loved her."

"You always loved the wrong people, I am your wife! I deserved a better treatment from you. I deserved the attention, I deserved to be desired and adored, the same way you did with Gaia." Her hands began to tremble with anger and her controlled voice changed to one with distress, "I curse the memory of that woman... I curse the day she was created and brought to this realm. I curse the moment you set your eyes on her and the moment you asked me to marry you—look what you have done to me, Ares! Look at what you made me become!"

"You did that to yourself, Eris." Ares frowned, "All your hatred, all this heavy energy around you... you created it. You created this hell I am standing on, this is the reason why I left and didn't come back, until now."

"Why did you come back, anyway?"

Ares sighed tiredly, "This might be the last time we see each other. This is, after all, my realm. I can come and go as I please... but from this day forward I detach myself and everything that represents me, from you. I have spoken to Zeus and Hera; this shell of a marriage no longer exists. I am no longer your husband and you are no longer my wife and if I ever look into my daughter's eyes, my daughter, again; I will not think of you. She is my daughter and mine alone, the only good thing that was in you, you passed it onto her and that is what I will value, for the rest of my time in this realm. Because, you Eris, you are nothing but a part of a past I no longer care about," Eris looked at him with shock as he turned to leave her behind, "You cannot do this to me! Where am I supposed to go?!"

"I do not care what you do with your life from this moment on," Ares looked over his shoulder at her and stopped, "That is the reason I came back—to tell you that I want you to get the hell out of this place and my life, forever." A sad smile crossed his lips, "It is true, I never got over Gaia because she was the woman I always aspired to love but somehow, she was always out of my league. Even if I had the opportunity to be with her and give her the life she deserved, she was too good for me. In the end, she was smarter and braver than any of us and found a better man than myself. All this time, your recriminations have been invalid because you have been thinking that I was longing to be with her when in reality all I have ever been doing since I left her on Earth, was to protect her. It is true, I loved her, I loved everything she represented and probably I still do. I will always remember her and I truly regret that I never had the opportunity to ask for her forgiveness for what I did to her, but since that day, I promised myself to change things and fight for a better cause and protect the only good part left of that dynasty."

O—o—o—o—O

Mamoru parked his car in the driveway and walked with hurry over to Usagi's house but as he made his way through the small front yard he soon spotted his fiancé sitting on the porch in silence with both arms wrapped around her as if she was trying to comfort herself for what happened. "Usako," he said with a worried tone and wrapped his arms around her and pulled her in a protective embrace, "Are you okay?"

Usagi nodded still not looking at him. This was unlike her, and it was worrying him more than a while ago. He sat next to her and leaned his head on hers, "Usa... what happened?"

"Did you see the light in the sky?" He heard her ask in almost a whisper, Mamoru sighed and closed his eyes, "Yes, yes I did."

"It was very strange... and then the blackout—I felt uneasy, troubled... scared," Usagi mumbled in his chest but her words were clear enough for him to understand what she was saying, "There was this wave of energy that made me feel unstable, I was worried about you. I didn't know if you were okay, I could not reach you on the phone... I was becoming very desperate,"

"Hey," kissed her head to comfort her, "Whatever it was, it has passed. It's okay. I'm fine," his hand slowly rubbed her bare arms and frowned, "How long have you been out here? You're freezing—let's go inside," he pulled back and looked her in the eye, "Your family? Are they okay?"

"Yes," Usagi nodded, "They're inside, Shingo just got home too—they're alright."

It appeared to be that he was the only one who heard those menacing words, it was almost as if they were addressed only to him. For what Usagi was talking about, she was scared about the whole blackout and the light that came from the sky for a couple of seconds and not the threat that came along with it. The blonde took a deep breath and exhaled, "Mamo-chan, should we be worried?"

Mamoru rested his forehead on hers and thought of a good answer to give her. It was hard for him to lie to her but with what has been happening to him lately it could easily be related to what happened that night. He had to let her know, at least part of the uncertainty he was feeling, "I don't know Usako," he managed to say, "But whatever it is, I won't let anything happen to you—you are not alone,"

"So, what you are saying is that something might be coming to us," Usagi said, her voice slowly breaking with deception, "Usa," Mamoru whispered and looked into her eyes, "We don't know anything about this incident, we cannot jump to any conclusions... but like I said, whatever it is... I won't let anything happen to you." He felt Usagi caressing his cheek and saw the tears quivering in her eyes. Usagi knew something was different, deep down she knew something was happening. She knew him too well, more than he could ever imagine and she could feel the distress and the effort of keeping the conversation and the situation under control, so she won't get worried.

She always thought that it was the cutest thing he did for her but also the most dangerous because, in the end, he was always the one to take the first blow. Usagi sighed and closed her eyes and thought how Mamoru could eat dry, burnt cookies, burn his hand by accident with the misplaced pot she left on the counter and never complain or scold her, or drink the saddest, most bland coffee she could ever make because he knew it made her happy to do things for him. Of course, he never complained when she offered to put the coffee maker, even when he knew the result would be, well—strange.

The love she had for him had no boundaries and even when they have been together for so many years, she still learned and loved new things about him. They were getting older and while they learned new, more mature ways of handling difficult situations she was still the same klutzy and distracted Usagi everybody knew and loved but also the girl who worried about others before herself. No matter how distracted or vulnerable she was, she could always count that she had a steady, calm support from Mamoru, anytime. She gave him a sad smile, she felt it and he felt it too, something was coming and none of them had a clue of what it was. Her hand reached for his and intertwined her fingers with his having one thing for sure in her mind, if she entered to a battle again, she wouldn't do it alone.

With a heavy sigh, she closed her eyes and tried to change the course of what could become a heavy conversation, "I was waiting for you, I was hoping you could drive me somewhere we could buy something to eat." Mamoru frowned and tilted his head to look at her, "Wait, weren't we supposed to have dinner here? You told me..."

"Yeah, it didn't work out," Usagi pulled back and crossed her arms with disappointment. Mamoru arched a brow suspiciously, "You burnt—"

"Dinner? —Yes," Usagi interrupted and scratched her nose, "Okay," Mamoru sighed and looked around, "And your parents? Did they get to eat something at least?"

"Well... since I offered myself to cook dinner, they either had the option of eating something raw or something burnt to a crisp."

"And what did they do?"

"They ordered pizza."

"And you didn't eat?"

Usagi sighed with even more disappointment, "Shingo came with his girlfriend and they ate what would have been our slices, by the time I finished cleaning the kitchen, it was all gone—then the blackout happened, yadda, yadda, yadda..."

Mamoru cleared his throat and scratched his chin in thought, "So, let me get this straight—you cooked dinner. It burned or was left uncooked and your family ordered pizza but you didn't get a piece for any of us? That is the worst bargain ever." he tried to keep his laughter to himself, but it was too hard for him to keep a straight face at the whole situation, "This is a tantrum of yours, isn't it? You, sitting here in the cold, alone in the porch..."

Usagi rolled her eyes, "Well, the flash of light and the blackout did scare the hell out of me, but I am also starving! Shingo was inconsiderate, I mean, I understand his girlfriend came along but, he at least should have offered to order another one,"

Mamoru could not hold it any longer and broke into a fit of laughter, getting Usagi upset in the process, "Don't laugh! This is a serious matter!" she turned and slapped him in the arm "Ash, you are so annoying,"

"Hey, you burned the food—I should be the one upset here, I am starving too and you were almost asking me to fly all the way here because dinner was almost ready and when I finally get here pouf! There is no dinner,"

"And what?" Usagi turned with a frowned and saw her boyfriend wiggled his fingers in the air, "Pouf, you know—like magic." Usagi laughed, "You are so weird, you are definitely not suitable to be King."

Mamoru threw his head back and laughed louder, "Says the Queen who has the power to burn water," Usagi could not hold it anymore and joined the fit of laughter, "Hey at least I can modify things from their original state!"

Both kept laughing like children at the park, in the middle of the day. The sound finally caught the attention of everyone inside and soon Ikuko appeared at the other side of the door and watched surprised at the couple sitting on the porch, crying of laughter, "I knew I heard noises, what are you two doing outside?! Usagi, I thought you were in your room!"

Both turned over their shoulder and wiped the tears from their eyes, Usagi shook her head and cleared her throat, "No, after I cleaned the kitchen and found out we were out of pizza I decided to wait for Mamo-chan here,"

"Oh, yes well... we were not counting with Shingo's starvation... I'm sorry dear, I will cook you something or we can order something else if you like?" she looked at Mamoru "I am so sorry Mamoru, Usagi offered to make us dinner but the blackout... well, ruined it."

Mamoru smiled, "Yes, I was informed of the incident. Don't worry, we can go and have something to eat, do you want something, or need anything?" Ikuko smiled, "As always so sweet, but I am alright dear. I was actually planning on going to bed early," she looked at Usagi and sighed, "Your father is slightly annoyed with all the noise your brother and his girlfriend are making in the living room,"

Usagi narrowed her eyes, "Noise? What are they doing in there?"

"They're watching something... a movie, I think, but it is really loud and we do not understand a thing,"

"Well then, say no more—I will go get my purse," Usagi turned to give Mamoru a peck on his cheek and walked inside, leaving Ikuko alone with him, "Did you find your way here safely dear? I do not know the extent of the blackout, but it was very strange."

"Yes, I was just driving from the hospital when it happened. It was a little chaotic, but the lights came back to normal quickly." He smiled at his mother in law, the woman was always so sweet towards him that it was impossible not to love her like a second mother. Ikuko crossed her arms and pouted her lips, "I was hoping to see the news in case there was some information about it, oh well, I guess I will have to wait until tomorrow—it doesn't look like Shingo will go to bed anytime soon," the older Tsukino smiled, "Oh, dear come inside! It is very cold out here and Usagi might take a while to come down... you know how she is—I just made some tea, you can have a cup with me while you wait."

"Thank you, Mama-san, I think I will accept your offer, you are very right about Usagi taking her time..." The older woman smiled and patted Mamoru on his back as they entered the house, she closed the door and changed her slippers, so did Mamoru. Just like Ikuko said, there was a lot of noise in the living room but it was common for a young couple like Shingo and his girlfriend to be watching movies that loud. Still, he had to admit that the noise was a little overwhelming; Shingo peered from the couch and waved his hand at him, "Hey Mamoru!"

Mamoru smiled and waved his hand from the foyer, and walked into the living room to greet the young man. "Hey Shingo..." he turned and frowned when he saw the movie playing in the t.v. "What are you watching?" Shingo smiled and turned to lower the sound with the remote, "Oh, this sci-fi movie... it's a little low budget but it's entertaining," he turned to his girlfriend "Oh, I think you haven't met my girlfriend—Sato Akari,"

The young, dark haired girl waved her hand and could not help to blush a little when she took a good look at the man Shingo was talking to, the blonde young man wrapped an arm around her and smiled, "This is Chiba Mamoru, my sister's fiancé,"

"Oh," the girl blushed and bowed her head in respect "N-Nice to meet you." Mamoru smiled, "Likewise."

"Are you waiting for Usagi?" Shingo popped another corn kettle into his mouth and leaned back in the couch, Mamoru nodded, "Yeah, she went to get her purse... so..."

"Oh man, give her like 40 minutes to come down," Shingo joked making Mamoru let out a hearty chuckle, "Yeah, I know," he patted Shingo on the shoulder in a brotherly fashion, "Well I'll leave you two little love birds to continue watching your movie. Nice meeting you, Sato-san." Akari blushed again and nodded, "Nice to meet you too Chiba-san,"

"Do you want to join us while you wait? I'm telling you... it's not that bad," Shingo pointed his thumb towards the t.v. but Mamoru turned down the offer with much politeness, "It's okay. I'll wait for your sister in the kitchen—your mother's making some tea, I'll go have a cup while I wait."

"Okay, but just so you know... my dad is in there, so... you know," Mamoru smiled and nodded as he walked towards the kitchen, "I think I'll survive,"

Liked it? Leave me a comment below! Good vibes are always well appreciated.

I do not own Sailor Moon, just this plot and some of the characters.