I do not own the rights to any of the characters in this fanfic, nor do I claim them. The idea, however, is mine. Enjoy!
This Time Around
Chapter 9
Lotus stood over the enclosed capsule where Kite was resting. He had found her shortly after the battle between her and Sailor Moon had ended. Because Sailor Moon had been knocked out, and Rini was defenseless, it had been the perfect opportunity for Lotus to finally seize both the crystal and the girl. However, because Kite was so badly injured, he had taken her instead and placed her in the energy capsule. That had been two days ago. He had been severely reprimanded for failing to obtain the crystal, however that didn't matter to him. He sighed as he continued to study his partner.
Kite was lying down in a velvet-lined, oval shaped capsule. At each end of the capsule rested a black jewel, one by her feet and one by her head. Dark energy shot from the jewel by her feet, and as the energy wrapped around Kite's body, it disappeared into the jewel near her head. A single beam shot out from that jewel, and went directly into the upside-down crescent moon on her forehead. This process slowly restored the energy of the person inside of the capsule.
Lotus put his hands on the glass case and leaned forward. "Open your eyes, Kite," he said to her. "I know you have a stronger will than this." To his surprise, Kite's eyes fluttered open, and she looked up at him. He pushed the correct sequence of buttons on the machine, and as the lid slid open, he helped her sit up.
"Lotus," she said, confused. She looked around the dark room and frowned slightly. "How did I get here?" She recalled the events of her fight with Sailor Moon, and closed her eyes in shame. "I failed you again, didn't I?"
"I don't care about that, Kite," he replied. "But I am mad that you did not listen to my orders. You disobeyed me."
"I am not your servant, Lotus, and I resent you for thinking of me as one," she said angrily.
"Hold your tongue, Kite," he said in a low voice. "Have you forgotten so easily the promise you made me?" Kite looked down at the ground and shook her head.
"Of course I didn't," she replied.
Lotus pushed her head up so that they had eye contact. "The day we left our homes, we promised to stay together. We promised each other that we would make decisions together."
"I have kept my promise to you, Lotus," she protested. "I haven't hurt the child unnecessarily! What have I done wrong?"
"You used the Armor of Cruelty and the Armor of Illusion before you could fully handle their power," he stated, crossing his arms.
"But I thought I could handle it," she replied. "I never thought that they would hold so much untapped power!"
"Thinking you can handle the armor of the Warlords isn't good enough," Lotus snapped. "Our Master stressed the fact that anyone else using the power of the Armors would take extra energy, especially since they were crafted for their original owners. You could have been killed using that power too soon!"
"Oh Lotus," Kite began. She stood up and wrapped her arms around him. She then pulled herself back a little and briefly pushed her lips against his. "I'm sorry that I worried you . . . But I have experienced the full power of both armors. I'm ready to try again. I won't fail this time." She searched his face pleadingly, however she did not see any compassion.
"No, Kite," Lotus stated. "I'm going myself this time. I have complete control over the Armor of Corruption and the Armor of Venom. Our Master wanted to see you when you woke up." He kissed her on the forehead, and then disappeared as he began to walk away.
"Have you lost faith in me, my love," Kite asked out loud. She sighed and then made her way to the throne room. As she entered and stood before the man on the throne, she knelt down. "Did you summon me, Master?"
"I did, Kite," he replied. "I took note of your latest attempts to capture the child. Though I am disappointed due to your failures, I noticed your steel determination. It is admirable."
"Thank you, Master," she stated. She looked back towards the ground and grew silent as he held up his hand.
"I have foreseen what will happen, Kite," he continued. "Lotus will, indeed, succeed in capturing the one called Rini. However, he is far too weak, too soft, to execute my plans fully. This is why you will continue where he will inevitably fail. I want you to perform the ceremony on the child. The procedure is a dangerous one, and if she doesn't die in the process, she will join us as one of my warriors."
Kite's eyes grew huge. "But my Emperor, do you realize what you're asking me to do? I made a promise to Lotus," she protested. "To go back on my word would dishonor both our trust and our love!"
"And to defy my word will be the end of you," he yelled viciously. He studied her for a moment as his anger subsided, and then smiled evilly. "I won't do anything in haste. You are only a woman, and you're confused about where your loyalty lies. You are needed yet, Kite." He stood up and as an aura surrounded him, Kite gasped in fear. As his eyes glowed red, she screamed out in agony. The excruciating pain was too much and she passed out. He walked past her, and two soldiers appeared on either side of her.
"L-Lotus," she moaned in her unconscious state.
"Bring her this way," the Emperor commanded as he left the throne room. The soldiers obeyed, and followed him wordlessly.
* * * * * * *
"So Mia," Ryo began as everyone found a seat, "what did you want to tell us all?"
Mia looked around the living room and sighed. "Well, I really wanted to wait until everyone was here, but I don't know when Serena will wake up. And Kento won't leave her side, so here goes. Last night, Amy found something that might tell us who the new enemy is, but more importantly, what their mission is."
"Yes, we found a hidden message in Mia's grandfather's files," Amy continued. "It appears to be some sort of prophecy. The only set back is that we have only been able to translate half of it."
"Well, what did it say," Rei asked, her interest sparked.
"It goes like this: When the Ancient Evil comes for the child with the sacred jewel within, two must become one," Mia replied.
"That's strange," Rowen commented.
"As Amy said, we haven't been able to translate the other half of the prophecy," Mia continued. "So it may not make any sense at all until we can do that."
'Oh no,' Rini thought to herself. 'That's almost exactly what Kite said to me! Maybe she wasn't lying to me.' She inadvertently groaned, and Yuli looked over at her.
"Rini, what's the matter," he asked. "Is something wrong?"
She slowly nodded her head. "Yuli," she whispered, leaning towards her friend. "That's almost the same exact thing Kite said to me the first time I met her!"
"What is," he asked, confused.
"What Mia just told us," Rini replied, whispering even softer, if possible. "Kite told me she came for the crystal hidden inside of me!"
"Do you think that prophecy is about you then, Rini," he asked a little too loudly, drawing everyone's attention towards them. As everyone studied the two children, the boy fidgeted nervously. "Um, I'm sorry. Was I talking too loudly," Yuli asked, realizing his mistake.
"What are you two over there talking about," Mina asked. When neither of them answer, Mina shook her head. "Did I hear you correctly, Yuli? Did you ask Rini if the prophecy was about her?"
"We were just talking, Mina," Yuli said. Rini's eyes shined with moisture as she looked at her friend.
'He's willing to lie for me,' she thought fondly. 'He's lying to keep my secret safe!'
"Yuli," Mia said sternly. "We've known each other long enough to be able to tell when you're not telling the truth!"
"But Mia," Yuli began, looking at Rini for help.
"No buts, Yuli," Sage added. "You're only stalling for time. What were you two over there talking about?"
"It could help us solve this mystery, Yuli," Amy added gently. "So whatever you know, or you think you may know, you should tell us!"
"Maybe they really don't know anything," Serena said from the bottom of the stairs. Everyone turned towards her voice and smiled as they saw both Serena and Kento standing there.
"Serena," the Ronins, Scouts, Mia, and Yuli said in unison.
"Serena," Rini exclaimed. She ran towards the teenager and hugged her tightly. "Oh, Serena! I was so worried about you! I'm glad you're okay."
"I told you I would be fine, Rini," Serena replied kindly. "Now didn't I?" Rini shook her head, and Serena rested her hand on the top of the girl's head.
"How long have you been awake," Sai asked.
"Not too long, actually. Kento was asleep when I woke up. I had to wake him up," Serena joked. She suddenly got quiet as she thought about what had happened on the balcony with Kento. 'Well, what almost happened,' she said to herself, once again visualizing the hurt look on his face.
"I bet you're both hungry, aren't you," Yuli asked, breaking her train of thought.
"You bet, buddy," Kento said with a laugh, as Serena managed a weak smile. "Starving would be a better word to use," he added.
"We can fix something for you," Rini said quickly, grabbing Yuli's arm. "Let's go, Yuli!" Before anyone could object, the two children ran off to the kitchen.
"She sure did leave pretty fast," Serena commented. She looked over her group of friends and sighed. "Have I missed anything important?"
"Well, let me just say it's good to see you awake, Serena" Mia began. Serena smiled as the woman continued. "You haven't missed much, but we were just discussing something Amy and I discovered on the computer."
Serena raised an eyebrow as she looked over at Amy. "Really," she asked. "What did you find?"
"It's a prophecy that Mia and I were able to translate halfway," Amy replied.
"When the Ancient Evil comes for the child with the sacred jewel within, two must become one," Mia recited for the second time.
"What is that supposed to mean," Serena asked.
"Perhaps I can answer that question for you," Lady Kayura said from the doorway. Everyone jumped in surprise as she, Kale, Sekhmet, and Dais entered the living room. The three men were dressed similarly to what Kayura was wearing. The only difference was that their silk kimonos were gray with silver trimmings. "Greetings once again, Ronin Warriors and Sailor Scouts."
"Kale, Sekhmet, Dais," Ryo said, "it's been a long time."
"What brings you here," Sai asked.
"We have a proposition to make," Kale replied. He paused and looked at the girls. "And it requires your cooperation as well." This statement caused the Scouts to look warily at the newcomers.
"We don't fully trust you, however we will hear you out," Mina said.
"I assure you, we mean no harm to any of you," Dais said.
"And this coming from the former Warlord of Illusions," Lita commented dryly.
"If need be, we'll do this without your help," Sekhmet commented, narrowing his eyes at Lita.
"Still the hot-headed one, I see," Rei retorted sarcastically. "Wasn't it your mouth that was causing trouble for Kayura before?"
"You have no room to talk, Soldier of Fire," Sekhmet growled. "That is history between Lady Kayura and myself! Besides, you have trouble with your own leader as well. We have studied the Sailor Scouts, and you, more than anyone else, are constantly on Sailor Moon's case!"
"Hey," Kento shouted, silencing everyone. "Stop arguing." He turned towards the Sailor Scouts. "Girls, I know it's difficult to believe the former Warlords, but we trust them. And since we're allies," he continued, motioning towards the girls and the other Ronins, "I think you should trust them, too."
"Kento has a point," Rowen added. "We should hear them out. We're not going to get anywhere arguing." The girls nodded their heads in silent agreement.
"Thank you," Kayura replied, smiling briefly at the girls. "As I was saying, I may have a solution to this problem. Sailor Pluto and I have discussed the best way to defeat the Black Moon Dynasty."
"And what solution did you come up with," Amy asked.
"Alone, neither the Scouts nor the Ronins are strong enough to defeat them," Kayura continued. "But together, you will be able to overcome them."
"But that's what we have been doing," Serena stated. "And that hasn't worked yet."
"You misunderstand my meaning," Kayura said. "In order to defeat the Black Moon Dynasty, you have to join together, as one unified force."
Mia's face lit up as a realization hit her. "Two must become one," she exclaimed. "That's exactly what it says in that prophecy!" Kayura smiled and shook her head.
"Is that even possible," Amy asked. "Are you suggesting that we merge our worlds together?"
"It will be difficult, but it can be done," Kayura replied. "However, once it is done, it can not become undone. Your two worlds would be permanently merged together."
"This is a decision the ten of you must make together," Kale said. "If even one of you do not want this done, then it won't be done."
"What about the people, our families," Sage asked. "How will they be affected?"
"Only this house and the people within, as well as the Nether Realm, will be merged with the Scouts' world," Dais replied. "And it will be as if the Ronin Warriors and the events that have occurred concerning Talpa's attack never existed. To the people, it would have never happened."
"We'll die to them," Sai asked incredulously. "What about our parents and our families?"
"They can't mourn the death of someone they never knew in the first place," Kayura commented sadly. The meaning of her words caused the Ronins to become quiet.
"That is not fair to Yuli," Mia exclaimed. "Though my immediate family is dead, his are not! You can not take him away from his parents!"
"Neither you nor the boy have to go, should the Ronins and Scouts decide to go through with this," Sekhmet said. "This is not your decision to make."
"This is my house," Mia exclaimed. "Of course I have a say in this!"
As the former Warlords were about to say something else, Lady Kayura put a hand up to silence them. "Mia," she began. "What would you have us do, then?"
The question took Mia by surprise, and she searched her head for an answer. "I suppose exactly the same thing you're suggesting," she finally replied. "But if the Ronins and Scouts decide to go through with this, I'm going as well. I don't have much to look forward to here . . . Not anymore."
"Mia," Ryo began as he realized what, rather who, she was talking about. She smiled at him sadly, and he returned the gesture. "Thank you, but we're not even sure ourselves what we're going to do!"
"Well, I'll support whatever decision you make," she replied. The room grew silent, and finally, Serena spoke up.
"You knew about part of the prophecy, Kayura," she began slowly. "Do you know what the rest means?" Kayura, Sekhmet, Dais, and Kale looked at each other uneasily.
"Sailor Pluto would best be able to explain that," Kayura said, choosing her words carefully. "But know that what the second half of the prophecy says will not come to pass if your two worlds are not merged."
"What would happen to the four of you," Rowen asked Kayura.
"That's a difficult question to answer," Kayura replied. "But since we live in the Nether Realm we will either remain here, or go with you. We are, after all, guides and protectors of the Ronin Warriors."
"Then wouldn't this make it your decision as well," Ryo asked.
"We are here simply to serve you," Kale answered. "The decision rests upon your shoulders, not ours."
"Our duty is to protect our worlds," Mina said quietly. "Both of our futures are at stake, here. If the Black Moon Dynasty is that strong, and this is the only way to defeat our enemy, what other choice do we have?" The room grew silent as everyone was left to his or her own thoughts. After what seemed like an eternity, Kayura cleared her throat.
"I know that this is a difficult decision for you to make, Ronins. You'll be sacrificing a lot," Kayura began. "But you must make a decision soon. The identity of the leader of our enemy is still unknown, and we don't know when they'll attack again."
"Mina's right, you know," Sage commented. "We would all miss our families, but our duty comes first. I'm in."
"If we don't do this, the lives of our loved ones are at stake," Rowen added. "I'll do it."
"I understand what Mina and Amy meant about chance or fate," Sai said. He grabbed Amy's hand and squeezed it. "I'll do whatever it takes to protect those I care for deeply."
"We owe it to everyone to at least try," Ryo said. He extended his hand, and Rowen, Sai, and Sage put their hands on top of his. Ryo looked towards the last remaining Ronin. "Kento?"
"I want to make Kite pay for what she's done so far," Kento exclaimed, putting his hand on top of his teammates. "You can count on me!"
Kayura gave a small smile as she turned towards the Scouts. Serena looked at each one of the girls, and they all had hopeful looks on their faces. She turned towards the kitchen as Rini and Yuli each came out carrying a tray. As she looked at Rini, her answer came to her. She walked over towards the Ronins and added her hand to the top of the pile.
"It looks like we'll be working together for a long time," she said with a smile. The girls sighed as they joined Serena's side.
"Thank God, Serena," Lita said. "You had me scared there for a minute!" She blushed slightly as Sage smiled at her. As the Ronins and Scouts continued to talk, two figures entered the room. Rini was the first to see them.
"Sailor Pluto," she exclaimed. She ran over to the woman and Pluto extended her arms as Rini jumped towards her. "I thought that you couldn't come here for me!"
"Don't misinterpret my visit, Small Lady," Pluto replied. "I can only stay for a short time." By this time, the girls had turned their attention towards Rini and Sailor Pluto and went over to where the two were standing. The other figure stepped into the light from the foyer, and the girls gasped.
"Darien," the girls said in unison. Luna and Artemis had been sitting on his shoulders, and they jumped towards their respective owners.
"You've made the right decision, Serena," Luna said. "I knew you would!" Serena smiled as she looked at her guardian.
"I've missed you so much, Luna," she said. "I'm glad you're here." Luna rubbed her head against Serena's cheek, and then jumped down from her shoulder. Darien quietly cleared his throat, and as Serena looked over, she took a step closer to him.
"I'm glad to see you," Darien said as he caressed her cheek.
"It's good to see you too, Darien," she said softly. He smiled, pulling her towards him. As they embraced each other in a hug, a strange feeling washed over Serena. She looked over to where Rini had been standing, and she was gone.
To Be Continued . . .
AN - Thanks everyone for leaving your comments! I really appreciate it, so make sure to leave 'em for this part, too! And also, sorry it took so long for me to get this part out. I'm afraid I'm starting to get writer's block. -_-* I'll try to get the next part out a lot sooner!