A Double Edged Sword Part 15
The Awakening
by
Sailor Janus
Hotaru raced to the ledge of the building screaming as Deidera fell to the ground below. "Deidera! NOOOOO!" she cried out, covering her eyes not wanting to see her friend's body slam against the solid pavement of the sidewalk.
During the fall, however, the burgundy-haired girl tried to remain calm and twisted her body to the point where she could safely land slightly on her feet, which turned into a roll in the grass to decrease the risk of damage to her legs. Fortunately, she pulled off the maneuver perfectly. Lying on the school lawn, she stared dazedly at the sky. After the realization that she was still alive hit, the girl released a deep sigh and thanked the gymnastics she learned in France, and the different styles of martial arts she learned everywhere from America to South Korea and finally at Japan. Slowly she rolled over and gingerly climbed to her feet, hoping that she didn't sprain anything during her landing, which to the girl's surprise, she did not.
"Hey Hotaru! Are you okay up there?!"
Blinking, Hotaru tore her hands from her face and peered over the ledge of the building only to find Deidera Doubre looking surprisingly alive. "Deidera, you- you survived, but how?"
The girl giggled as she watched Hotaru disappear from the sight, more than likely to run down the stairs of the building so they could talk without shouting. Once Hotaru finally caught up, Deidera began to explain her amazing skills. "I guess you say it helps to have taken both gymnastics and martial arts. They both taught me how to fall and catch myself without breaking any bones or well, dying."
The dark-haired girl stared at her as they began walking down the sidewalk away from the school. "But weren't you about to kill yourself?"
Deidera looked at the ground and studied the cracks in the concrete as she spoke, "Yeah, except, I wasn't going land on my feet as I just did. It would have been my head that time. Anyway, you shouldn't be here."
Hotaru wasn't going to stand being pushed away. She really needed a friend right now fearing the worse for her father, but couldn't bear to show her face in the hospital once again. She had already spent enough of her time in that building with the white walls reeking of disinfectant. "Do you remember anything about the Silver Millennium?" she asked trying to change the subject hoping Deidera wasn't going to attempt to take her life again.
The green-eyed girl thought hard at the question. "I don't think I have been awakened that far yet," she softly answered.
The violet-eyed teen glanced around at their surroundings and realized that there was no one else around. "Deidera, do you have your henshin wand with you?"
"I- yes I do. Why?"
"There is no one else here and I have a gut feeling for some reason, that if you change into Sailor Janus, some pieces to the puzzle would fall into place."
Deidera thought of this for a moment when suddenly her head began to ache. 'No! This is not going to happen again! I won't let you take control!'
Hotaru noticed that the girl had a very intense look on her face and knew there was trouble. "Deidera, what's wrong? It's happening again isn't it? Transform quick!"
The burgundy-haired girl gritted her teeth, and balled her hands into fists fighting to keep control. She closed her eyes briefly and grabbing her henshin wand from her pocket. 'It's now, or never.' She thought drawing a deep breath and shot her hand up in the air then yelled, "Janus Planet Power!"
Suddenly the pain vanished and the appearance of Sailor Janus took on her own. After she finished transforming, Janus turned to Hotaru and smiled. "Thank you, Hotaru. You saved me. Lord Cacus, the man that took control of Deidera's evil personality, imprisoned me in his fortress. The only way I could escape, was if she transformed."
"Who is Lord Cacus?" Hotaru asked quizzically.
Sailor Janus looked sadly at the girl. "He was my love in the Silver Millennium, or so I thought, but he used me for his own benefits."
Janus reminisced to the past that she wished to forget. The past before the Silver Millennium fell.
*~*~*~*
"Once again, I am standing at this boring gate alone. Perhaps Saturn will stop by, but then again, she has been so busy as well. Oh well, once again, I am a lone soldier partaking in my duty, to guard the dimensional gates," Janus sighed as she stood at the threshold of the gates of her planet which protected the galaxy from intruders of other worlds.
"Are you by any chance, the beautiful Princess Janus, of the double-faced planet?" a voice said from behind her.
Spinning around, the burgundy-haired princess found herself facing the most wonderful man she had ever seen. He had silver hair streaked with gold and the most incredible emerald green eyes, which rivaled her own jade one; he was indeed a sight to see.
"And who, might I ask are you?" Janus asked breathlessly as she stared at his eyes, feeling like she could lose herself in them.
"Lord Cacus. It is my pleasure, princess," the man answered and he took her hand and kissed it in a slight bow.
From then on, Princess Janus looked forward to his visits. The other princesses, however, did not approve of him and thought Janus was acting quite foolish. Even her own best friend tried to talk the enraptured girl out of the growing relationship. Sadly, that was last time the two spoke.
"Janus, I believe you are moving too fast and should slow down, not to mention that I think he has been blinding you from what he really is," Saturn said gently hoping she could help her best friend realize what a mistake she was making.
"No, you just don't want me to be happy! Do you even know what it's like to stand alone and guard these gates?! It's lonely and boring! I am still young and deserve to have something good to happen to me but if you can't accept it then I guess our friendship is off!"
Saturn gaped at her friend. She couldn't really mean that, could she? Shaking herself out of disbelief, the dark-haired princess continued on, her violet eyes glowing with urgency. "Janus, there is something really corrupt about Lord Cacus! He is using you! Can't you see that?!"
The burgundy-haired princess could no longer handle more lectures from anyone. Not even her best friend. "Shut up! Shut up! SHUT UP! I don't want to hear anymore of this, this nonsense! If you can't be happy for me, then leave! I don't want to see you or hear from you ever again! I don't need you! I love him and if you can't accept that then go! I NEVER WANT TO SEE YOU AGAIN! LEAVE NOW!" Abruptly, the princess turned away waiting for her ex-friend to depart from the two-faced planet.
Saturn looked away as she left, never looking back to see if perhaps, Janus really did come to her senses. After the abuse that Saturn just took, she didn't care.
After that unfortunate day, Lord Cacus had complete control over Janus's emotions allowing him to persuade her into permitting anyone whom he wished into the dimension, including, Queen Beryl.
"Cacus, why do you want her in this world? I sense nothing but evil from her," Janus questioned her love as he snickered at the girl.
"Don't be so paranoid, Janus! She is safe, not to mention, she is your mother," the man lied as he tried to coax his girlfriend into allowing the woman into the dimension mainly, because she offered the gold and silver haired man, control over half of the galaxy's kingdoms. Lord Cacus wanted power, and by using his girlfriend who happened to be a princess as well as the senshi of dimensions, he practically had free reign, not to mention the smitten girl was twisted around his little finger.
"Really? Are you sure?"
"Janus, my princess," he whispered, wrapping his arms around the girl. "Would I ever lie to you?"
The princess hesitated a moment, before allowing Queen Beryl through the dimensional gates. This, however, was the biggest mistake of the young princess's life.
"Why, thank you, my dear. I shall pay you back for your generosity three-fold," the woman sneered as the princess's face fell, realizing that she had been deceived.
"No. What have I done?"
"You just sentenced this pitiful world to a war, that is what you have done, child," Queen Beryl said as she crackled with dark energy.
Janus turned to Lord Cacus, "Why?! Why did you lie to me?! I thought you loved me!"
"Loved? Ha! Why would I love a sniveling little brat such as you, princess? I wanted power and you had power so quite frankly, I used you."
The princess shook her head as tears flooded her jade green eyes. Taking a deep breath she was filled with rage. "I shall destroy you," she breathed. "I SHALL DESTROY ALL OF YOU!"
*~*~*~*
"Deidera? Deidera? Are you okay?" Hotaru asked worriedly as she looked at her friend who was still Sailor Janus.
Blinking, Deidera came out of her trance. "Huh? Yeah, I'm okay. I remember now."
"What do you remember?"
"Everything about the Silver Millennium. I also want to say, I'm sorry for the actions that took place back then. I was very wrong and very stupid and if it were not for me, then the Silver Millennium would not have fallen. They were right. I was to blame," Sailor Janus said as she transformed back into Deidera. "And I am gonna kill that bastard for everything that he has done!"
"Okay, we're gonna need a plan. Let's go find the others," Hotaru said as she turned on her communicator, only to be stopped by Deidera.
"No, this is my mess and I'm the one that is going to have to clean it up, no one else. Sorry, but if anyone gets hurt then I won't forgive myself. Goodbye, Saturn," Deidra, sternly said as she turned and ran away from her friend.
Hotaru watched the burgundy-haired girl leave, wishing she could convince her that taking on Lord Cacus by herself was probably was not the best idea. "We're gonna help you whether you like it or not, Deidera." Hotaru sighed before she reported the news to the other sailor senshi on her communicator.
"Everyone, we have a problem. Deidera plans on fighting Lord Cacus alone," Hotaru reported, hoping they would agree to help.
"You mean she didn't kill herself?" Minako said with a slight amount of confusion. "Is that a good thing?"
"Listen, her memories are back and so are mine of the Silver Millennium. She was used."
Setsuna nodded, "We'll be there. I think I know where he might be hiding out at."
Hotaru quickly ended transmission and ran in the direction which the senshi of dimensions headed towards. "Deidera, don't do anything stupid! I can't lose anymore people in my life!"
*~*~*~*
Sailor Janus was filled with rage as she approached Lord Cacus's fortress, which was no more than an abandoned warehouse. "Dark, dank, and dirty. Totally, perfect for you," the girl drawled as she transformed into Kalika. "Never thought I'd do this again, except this time, I'm in control." Deidera glanced down at herself and raised an eyebrow. "Well…. At least the clothes aren't too bad." With a smirked she headed in the building.
Janus was shocked to see what the inside looked like. It was bathed completely in red light. Slinking down the hall, she tried to trigger Kalika's memories so she wouldn't look suspicious. 'At least he smashed that damn sphere. Now I don't have to worry about him knowing I've been awakened,' she thought entering Lord Cacus's quarters. 'This is it.'
"What a surprise to see you, my dark goddess," the man grinned as he strolled up to the girl but suddenly froze, sensing there was something different. "What is the matter, my little predator?"
' Ugh, not those pet names again!' Janus smirked as she seductively walked up to him and whispered in his ear, " I am no longer a little plaything for you to do what you like with. I'm finally cutting the strings on you. You have control no more Lord Cacus. Kalika is dead and Sailor Janus reigns over all!"
"You! How the hell did you get free?!"
The woman stepped back and threw her hair off her shoulder. "It doesn't matter. You used and violated me for your own personal agenda once again proving to be are the lowest form of flesh ever to exist. I loathe you and will make you pay, Lord Cacus, even if it means my own death," Janus shouted, as she broke free of Kalika's image.
The sinister man looked at the girl and laughed. "How do you expect to do that when you don't even have full power?!"
The burgundy-haired senshi smirked, "Simple. By taking back what is mine."
"And what is that?" the man asked sounding bored.
"My bracelets, "she answered matter of factly while flicking her wrists to which the bracelets appeared appeared. "You didn't think that I'd still forget about them, did you? Because if so, then that was very foolish. Thank you for keeping them safe though. I'll need to show you my gratitude." With a finally glare to her ex, she brought her wrists together in which with a flash of light, she transformed into Super Sailor Janus, holding one silver fan and one gold one. "I am the two-sided soldier of light and dark. Guarding the gates to other realms beyond this dimension, I am Sailor Janus and I shall end your reign of terror forever!"
"Well, two can play that game. Chimaera! Hypnosia! Get in here!" Lord Cacus yelled, but they never appeared.
"Too, bad. I guess the help won't arrive," she grinned. 'The other sailor senshi must already be here.'
"What?!"
"It's just you and me Cacusy." Janus giggled in a mocking tone.
"Let's see how well you like having a sword shoved through your stomach," the silver and gold haired man growled grabbing his gold engraved silver sword off the wall. It was truly of fine craftsmanship, but did it even stand a chance against the senshi of dimensions?
"Rather than through my back? Probably not much difference," the girl quipped back, crossing her arms, her fans still tightly in her grasp. Fury filled Cacus as he rushed Janus who sidestepped him then took a swipe at the man with her silver fan, drawing blood to his face. "Sorry. Did I forget to mention that these things were sharp?"
Cacus struck again but this time to Janus's head, which she blocked with an X-block with the aid of her fans.
"Too bad Cacusy. Guess you must be all talk, huh?"
"Quit patronizing me, you foolish girl! Let's see how you like the taste of my dark powers," he cackled, throwing a ball of black energy at the green-eyed girl who dove for cover only to be blasted by it, throwing her roughly to the floor.
"Ugh!" Janus groaned. Slowly she climbed to her feet, joining the two fans together into a larger one.
The color suddenly drained from the man's face. "You're not going to..."
"United Fan Radiance!" Janus cried out as gold and silver colored energy struck Lord Cacus sending him flying against the wall.
"You will pay for that!" the man grumbled as he rose to his feet and snatched his fallen sword from the ground. With a battle cry he raced up to the burgundy haired girl, ready to take her head but her reflexes were much quicker. Unfortunately as she ducked he sliced off some of her hair in the process.
"You-you cut my hair, you bastard!" Janus cried out as she examined the hair on the ground realizing that she was probably going to have to cut it, if she survives of course. The girl knew that Lord Cacus was toying with her, and that he had something far more devious planned. She had to be ready.
Snickering, the evil man swung his sword around, and stabbed the distracted Sailor Janus in the stomach.
Crumbling to her knees while clutching her stomach she gasped. "I knew I'd see blood again." She drew a breath and thought. 'Of course, my poem. Lucky me. I'm a psychic poet. Of course it's not doing me any good at the moment'. Sensing that her ex was about to attack again, Janus separated and threw the silver fan, slicing Lord Cacus in the arm.
"You, bitch," he yelled while clutching the blood gushing arm.
Suddenly, the man's eyes went coal black, as he began to turn into what he always had been. A monster. Black smoke soon filled the room, as his skin went gray and wings appeared on the man's back. Lastly, his face became very serpent-like.
"The ugliness inside you has enveloped the outside as well, " Janus whispered as she rose to her feet. "His inner demon."
"Janus! What are you doing?!" Eternal Sailor Moon yelled as she and the other senshi raced into the room.
"Stay back! This is my fight and I must do it alone," Sailor Janus sternly said, keeping one eye on the monster. 'Just what are you planning to do?'
"Janus! We can help you!" Saturn shouted as she looked at her friend.
"No, This was my fault to begin with and I'm afraid that you'll all be a big liability to me. Please go."
At that moment, Lord Cacus chose to strike, unleashing every ounce of dark energy towards Janus, who was unfortunately distracted.
Gasping, she jumped out of the way but was too late, allowing the energy to slam into her already well-abused body.
"JANUS!" the others cried out as Lord Cacus's energy slammed door the shut, locking them out.
"Oh no! We have to do something!" Venus worriedly said.
Sailor Mars thought for a second. "What about Sailor transport?"
Pluto instead sadly shook her head, "No, there is too much power in that room. He has shut us off completely."
"I guess all we can do is wait," the aqua haired senshi whispered.
"This is not fair! He is going to kill her and there is not anything we can do about it!" Eternal Sailor Moon sobbed as Tuxedo Kamen hugged her.
"This is what she wants. To put an end to what she had caused," Saturn quietly said as she leaned against her Silence Glaive.
"At least we beat those two witches, although I did not appreciate being hypnotized into seeing plane crashes," Jupiter muttered, pounding her hand against the wall.
The others soon fell quiet, wondering who the victor would be.
*~*~*~*
Sailor Janus groaned as she picked her head up, coughing up blood. 'There has to be some way to defeat him! Damn it! If only I knew how! One more hit may finish me off for good.'
Lord Cacus sent another blast her way. Fortunately Janus managed to dodge this one as she rolled against the floor, before rising to her feet to retaliate. "Spiral Twisters!" Janus screamed as she brought the two small twisters in her hands together into one big one, forcing them towards the demon, sending it back against the wall. Noticing that the monster appeared to be in a dazed stupor, the girl took advantage of his handicap. 'Please work. 'Bringing her fans back together Janus yelled, "United Fan Radiance!"
The gold and silver energy flashed as it hit the monster, causing a large explosion as every red light bulb in the room shattered. "Damn, you bitch!"
The Senshi of Dimensions did not even hear what her ex said as she separated her fans one last time, and crossed her arms, flinging them like two Frisbees, straight into the monster, one hitting his chest and the other, his head, decapitating him, before he dissipated into a puff of black smoke.
"It's over," Janus sighed as she fell to her knees and looked at her blood stained gloves and fuku. Practically everything white was now red. Laughing, Janus felt herself transforming back into her true self, Deidera, before everything slowing faded to black.