Disclaimer: I do not own any of the characters in this chapter, though really, if I did, I'd be having more than lint in my pockets.
Tenshi's Notes: Minna-chan! *squeals* I'm totally overwhelmed by your responses, even though most of my reviews basically cursed me for being evil and leaving you with a cliffie. But since I am me, and I am evil, this chapter will be a cliffie again *ducks and hides quickly* I'm telling you though, the next chapter will be worth your wait, and filled with sap and all that good stuff! Again, please do review, since it does keep us authors going… and *giggles* I've had another idea for another contest as well but I probably won't do it till next chapter. Anyway, again… I hope I don't confuse anyone with this chapter, and remember, reviewing makes me happy, and when I'm happy, I tend to write faster and post faster! *big grin*
Before I forget, big thanks to my wonderful chans out there: Angel, BunnyS, D, Hikari, Ivory, Jade, MK, Silver and whoever else I forgot. The review wars are still going on strong *giggles* Even though I think Silver-chan still owes me big for review 3 and 4… and now 5!! Heheh it better be a 2000 word essay, misy! And special thanks to these gals for always listening to my rants and raves, and CereCere for always pushing for the next chapter! That's it I think! Ja!
Italics on its own (not within a paragraph) are spoken by the entity, and *laughs* gomen for any confusion. Usually it's pretty apparent who's speaking.
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Goddess: Chapter 5
Setsuna stared at the mirror blindly. How could the experiment have gone so wrong? The entity had become stronger, and achieved a level of consciousness that exceeded their expectations. It had somehow realised that Usagi was also a part of her. She touched the mirror's cool surface bitterly, cursing the fates that had allowed her the powers to see the future but not be able to change it. Master had always told her that, and laughed at her face when she had tried to alter destiny. Usagi…please, fight it. You can do it. It's your birthright. It's something within you. Fight it.
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The sailor senshi glared at Mamoru angrily. Tensions were running high in the room, as were their tempers. Their ultimate weapon had been stolen from them and her idiot boyfriend had done nothing to stop it.
"How could you let Usagi slip through your fingers??" Rei demanded.
"You have to understand. I was in shock from Megami-sama appearing… I have never seen her presence thus far. She's incredible, Rei. Her powers are tremendous, and she killed that youma as if it were nothing of consequence."
"What about this mysterious stranger?" Ami asked, as she attempted to analyse the situation to determine Usagi's whereabouts.
"He's very strong, and his powers are unlike anything I've ever encountered." Mamoru said seriously.
"That's not saying a whole lot," Makoto muttered under her breath, angry beyond belief at the stupid man for losing Usagi, as Minako snickered beside her.
Glaring at the two senshi, he continued. "He seemed to know Usagi, although she claims not to know him."
"Claims?" Ami inquired curiously.
"I just get the sense that they know each other somehow."
"We need to base this on facts, Mamoru. Your interpretations may be misled by feelings of jealousy."
"Was he cute at least?" Minako piped up.
Makoto punched her shoulder lightly though a laugh escaped her lips, easing the tension in the room.
Scowling at the lively blond that reminded him so much of Usagi, he barked out, "There's no time for your boy-crazy behaviour! We need to concentrate on finding her!"
"Look, Usagi means just as much to us as she does to you. She may be our ultimate weapon but she's also our friend. There's no need to snap at Mina-chan," Ami said levelly.
Minako walked away from the scene, hurt by Mamoru's accusations. Was that how everyone saw her? A boy-crazy fiend? She had just thought the situation was a bit too tense and had wanted to lighten it up a little. Usagi, you have to come back to us. We need you. Pressing her heated cheeks against the cool glass of the window, she stared out at the city, not taking in the beauty of the sunset in front of her. How would she find Usagi? How could they? And who was this stranger that had taken her away? Wherever you are Usa-chan…Minako thought, thinking about her friend's fondest wish to be normal. I'm positive he's much nicer than Mamoru, and much cuter.
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Wake up. You must wake up. Trunks, you must wake up.
There was that voice again, tickling his consciousness, and the faint plea in her voice could be heard.
She's in trouble. You have to save her.
His eyes flew open just in time to feel Usagi slump in his arms. She hadn't been fully conscious, but now she felt like deadweight to him.
"NO!!!!!!!!!!!!! I won't lose you damnit!!"
Holding her tightly, he glanced around the room, looking for the mysterious voice that had forced him to wake up in the first place.
"Where are you?!?!" He shouted in panic as he carried her in his arms. All rational thoughts had long since fled his brain as he tried desperately to find that voice.
Your mother will be able to help her. Bring Usagi to her.
"Hang on sweetheart, just hold on," he kept repeating to himself as he flew off in the direction of the time machine. Moving faster than he ever had in his life, he wondered if he ever had so much to lose. His heart thundered, filled with fear of losing the only woman he had ever loved. It was a race against time. Losing was NOT an option.
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"Bulma-sama!!!" He yelled out as he sped out of the time machine, cradling her weakening body close to his own.
"Nani?" Bulma whispered in shock to see her future son reappear back in their world. "What are you…?"
"Please… please save her." Tears filled his eyes, and immediately Bulma could feel the depths of his love for this woman. For one so young, he had already lost so much in his life. If she died, he would never recover from the devastation.
She nodded, motioning him towards the back of the house. With one arm still holding on to her, he cleared the rest of the table as he laid Usagi down gently. Bulma moved quickly to the younger woman's side, observing the paleness of her skin, and the stillness that surrounded her body.
"What happened?" She asked as she began to quickly examine Usagi's body.
"I… I'm not sure…" Trunks whispered hesitantly. For one brief moment in time, everything had seemed all right and he had her back. And then, she was taken away from him once again. Just like everything else in his life, he thought harshly. It seemed as if he was destined to be alone in this life, with solitude as his companion.
The… chip. You must …remove …it. Hurry…
"There is a chip in her brain! You must remove it!!" Trunks yelled out, almost crazed in his desperation. He could not lose her. Dimly, in the back of his mind, it occurred to him that the voice somehow seemed weaker. Bulma frowned slightly as a thought suddenly struck her.
"Hmm… I could just use one of my devices that I created. It sends an electric signature straight to the chip, shorting it out."
Moving quickly, she ran to her workroom, throwing everything around in her haste to find the tiny remote control. She cursed fluently, using words that she had heard her husband say countless of times. "Yatta!" She cried out as she finally found it. It always struck her as strange whenever you were looking for something, it was always right in front of you.
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He wouldn't leave her side. He refused to, despite Bulma's gentle prodding to eat something. There was just something disturbing about a Saiyajin turning away food. Bulma gazed at Trunks, his face lined with worry as the young woman, Usagi, lay there. He had one of her hands in his own, as if he could somehow will his strength into her body. The chip had been disabled, and she wondered what on earth it had been doing in Usagi's brain in the first place. With his other free hand, he brushed the golden locks to the side, his thumb grazing her cheek. There was such a poignant look on his face that it upset Bulma to look at him.
"Woman!!!"
Bulma let out a sigh of exasperation. That man just had the damnedest timing.
"Trunks, I'm going to keep your father out, okay?" She spoke softly. She wasn't even sure if he heard her as she left quietly.
It was killing him. It truly was. Watching the woman you love lie there unconscious, unable to do anything to help her was tearing him up inside. The frustration and helplessness was gnawing away at him. His eyes were bright with unshed tears, tears he could not allow himself, for if he did, it would almost be an admission of her being dead already.
"Come back to me, Usagi… come back. I don't know what I'd do if I lost you again," he pleaded, squeezing her hand tight, hoping and praying for a response. The silence that greeted him was the most painful one he had ever heard.
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A flurry of activity took place in the research labs as the creature in the middle roared angrily, "Where the hell is she?! And why is that chip disabled???" It was severely aggravated at this point. Usagi had been its only successful test subject since they had been unable to replicate the same results with the others. Clenching its jaw, its deep purple lips snarled at the assistants, arbitrarily releasing an energy blast that killed two of them who hadn't managed to get out of its way in time. "SETSUNA!!!!"
She appeared out of nowhere, her head bowed in deference to the creature. "You summoned, Master?"
"Do you know where she is??" It demanded fiercely.
"Iie. Her whereabouts are unknown to me. What about the chip?" She asked calmly.
"It's disabled," it growled in frustration. "I can't track her anymore. Find her." It stalked away, anger radiating from each and every step.
A small smile appeared on the corner of her mouth, thanking the heavens that she had decided to implement a modified chip in Usagi's head. For if she hadn't had done that, Usagi would be dead. You lied to me, Master. I have powers far greater than you let on.
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The peace that existed in her mind at that moment was wondrous. She couldn't explain it. It was as if something had always been holding her back, and not letting her remember anything. She could remember now. Trunks… my love. She choked back a sob. We're together again but we cannot be. This life I lead cannot be yours.
Shouldn't you let him make that decision? The silvery apparition that was her appeared again.
I have duties, obligations, and destiny to fulfill. Usagi thought sadly.
You hold your own fate in your hands.
How can I ask that of him though? Wouldn't that be selfish?
Would he be happy without you? The figure asked simply.
"He wouldn't be…" She whispered, understanding dawning on her. But what was she to do about Mamoru? She realised now that a part of her had still remembered Trunks and what they shared though she had tried to repress that by giving her love for him to Mamoru instead. Mamoru was a good man, always treating her with kindness and patience. But Trunks… he was the one who owned her heart.
Are you ready, Usagi?
For what?
To face him again?
With all my heart and soul, yes.
And just like that, she woke up.