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Disclaimer:....oh yeah.... I really don't own this stuff, just the story idea.
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Puppet Master
Chapter 9
Philip and Sydin bowed low before their queen, hair falling down and shadowing their paled faces. Their queen's anger was great today, overwhelming to be near. Sydin watched beads of sweat run down his long hair, forming a liquid puddle on the floor. He winced as another drop fell to the floor, the plopping noise echoing through the heated area.
He could feel Philip's eyes glaring at him but ignored it, the human had become distant lately, ever since the boy Heero had come. Sydin suspected some sort of treachery was going on but held his peace. Serne's wraith would fall on them both if such a thing were discovered.
"Where is he?" Serne's voice cut in, her anger and frustration letting loose. Her shadowy figure stalked the length of the pond stiffly. She stopped and focused on Philip. "You were supposed to be with him."
"Queen Serne, Heero was informed of his duty to destroy the Sailor Scouts and has set out to do so. Starting with the Inners," Philip added, knowing it would please her. He shivered slightly, glad at his ability to keep the panic he felt out of his voice.
"Why did you not inform me? Never mind. Get out now."
"My Queen," the brothers intoned respectfully and turned to go. Serne watched until she was sure they were gone before allowing the smug smile she held back to surface. "So, my pet had already started? It won't be long now until I'm freed with none to oppose me."
She called up the images of the Sailor Scouts as her energy allowed and watched the life fires burn in her vision. Such a power, to see her enemies as she pleased, served its uses many times as it also found those who held tremendous powers in hand.
Red fire burned with the adrenaline of new leadership. Serne gazed into the frozen image of the Princess of Mars's face. Concern for the lost Moon princess and an overwhelming responsibility for the well being of her friends now under her command showed in the stressed expression, a gleeful turn of events for Serne.
A deep, blue fire flickered beside it, unnaturally blue, the color of the deep seas. Mercury's princess posed with her faithful computer but the watery water revealed the emotional tumult the quiet one was in. Uncertain of whether the Mars Princess was a capable leader and a shame still fresh from the Outers' words now being covered by a new will to fight.
Yellow flames tickled cheerfully, bragging of the princess of Venus's unquenchable mirth. The princess smiled in the face of adversity but even then held back the gloomy side from the world. The yellow flames were tinted with the slightest gray, a sign of future depression if it was not in place already. Serne grinned maliciously at this. That the one who held the others' spirits up when they mourned the loss of the Moon's joyous nature was about to break under the strain.
The last candle was already beginning to separate from the others. A rich green blaze bragging of Jupiter's strength flickered against inner surrender to doubt and loneliness. Jupiter had always been unnaturally ferocious when compared to the more peaceful planets nearby, marking them as different and therefore avoided by most. It seemed that not even the princess could escape that solitary life. She was falling back into its habit without the Moon's presence to draw her out of her protective shell. Another bonus for Serne's side.
Nearby but completely separate from the burning candles was another group of lights, strengthened by years but weakened by the lack of numbers, trust and security the Inners had. The Outers stood together but only when need arose.
The two flames of Uranus and Neptune, orange and turquoise fires intertwined together to form a bond stronger then any other but they could only stand against so strong a gust before falling without help from the Moon or her Scouts. Even then, the pair was too proud to accept the needed help without being beaten into submission. Such an alliance would eventually fall beneath enemy forces. The two would likely accept defeat at the hands of enemies before help at the hands of friends. Air and water could rarely combine to form a significant fighting team and the only thing keeping them stronger then their planetary rivals was the years they spent in training.
Separate but standing beside the two, a single, dark green flame glowed. It burned with a hidden potency and raw energy flowed in a winding pattern. Serne frowned. Usually, Pluto's Princess was seen to mess with the flow of time, ejecting herself whenever she saw fit. Her power to direct the flow of time seemed to be lying dormant. Did the princess seal herself in this time? Was such a thing possible?
The question killed itself as five more life firs appeared beside the three Outers. Five?
Four were grouped together and held a distinct distrust of the Outers. They glowed with the colors of some of the Scouts' homes- dark blue for Mercury, burning red for Mars, the forest green of Jupiter and...
Purple? Saturn?
The lights were darker then the princesses' but...Saturn had none others of its own!
Serne glared into the four young male faces that blurred into the flames. A peaceful looking blonde male; a taller, brown haired teen who's hair covered one eyes from view; black hair slicked down into a pony with pale, white skin and dark onyx eyes separated another; the last showed a cheerful, braided teen with a mischief look about him. Saturn's color. Who were these warriors?
The last fire shined with pure silver, the Moon's chosen color. Serne hissed. So, the brat had joined them already? No matter. These things were of no consequence to what truly mattered.
Serne forced the visions away and called upon the four flames that concerned her most.
A fire of dark gray shot into existence. Sydin. Dark elf and still loyal follower. She dismissed him.
Another of lighter gray appeared, its flames licking the air greedily. Serne frowned slightly at this. Philip's darker hue was loosing itself. Betrayal? Possible and all too likely. A twisted grin settled on her face. But with his betrayal come the torture she'd inflict as punishment...and it had been some time since she'd felt someone scream race down her spine. Philip would satisfy that urge.
Saturn's dimming light was fast changing from destructive purple to the darkest of black. The princess wouldn't resist the change for much longer, a thrilling thought. Without the constant support from her friends, Hotaru's previous feelings of loneliness and abandon would seep into the girl's bones, intensifying doubt and waver the child's resolve. Such a powerful ally would give her the winning hand.
Speaking of which...
Serne turned her pale face to the last of the flames and the greatest in her view. It could hardly be seen, the darkest flame of night. Occasionally, the blackness would shudder and a chill of white light streaked down the flame before the darkness covered it up. Heero was hers without a doubt. The icy fire his life flame gave off was enough proof of the change he underwent though the white light concerned her. Where did the light come from?
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Heero carefully placed the magic that would allow him easy transportation from this place before sneaking out of the temple. Things were getting in place.
Ray came back into the room a moment later, forgetting exactly what she wanted. She could barely remember something about someone being in this room…Shrugging, she shut the door and left, never noticing the enchanting feeling the room now gave off.
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Hotaru woke up somewhere she'd never been before. All around her, dirty children were running around and playing in the dirt. One particularly dirty child walked up to her, examining her and leaning close. His breath stank badly, so much that Hotaru coughed at the scent. Dressed in rags that looked like they were soaked in mud and a backward hat, he held himself with the easy and lethal confidence every street kid had.
"So, who are ya?"
Hotaru jumped at his voice and, blushing, replied as calmly as she could, "My-my name's Hotaru and..."
"Yeah?" he sneered, wiping a runny nose with the back of his hand. "Well, 'Ru, you've gone and got on my terri'try. And without my permission. What'cha gonna do to make it up to me?"
"I-I didn't know. I was just sleeping and-"
"I'm Snipe and I own this street." Snipe turned and spit, the saliva slamming on the ground with a sickening sound. He motioned to all the kids around him. "They all now that. They belong to me. You're on my street so now you belong to me."
"I-I'm sorry. I-I didn't' know. Honest!" Hotaru protested, noticing for the first time how old the kids were. Most were probably 16 or so but so starved and dirty, they looked years younger. A sudden throbbing for some warm food filled her but she dared not ask for anything. Standing on wobbling knees, she started to leave.
"Where ya goin', 'Ru?" the kid called after her with a malicious tone.
"I-I'm going to my home-"
"I didn't say you could go anywhere," he interrupted, standing lazily and moving towards her with slow, frightening motions. He grinned deviously at her frightened looks. The other kids caught wind of his voice and most ran away, their eyes wide with fear. Three or four of the bigger ones grinned and shared hungry looks. They gathered around Hotaru, sending out shouts and leered at her body. For the first time, she realized how raggedy her clothing had become. After running from the Outers, she'd lost all sense of direction and had fallen asleep in the black night.
Hotaru swore at her lack of foresight, ignoring the hunger that had now become painful throbs in her belly. As the guys drew closer, the pains became greater until she was on her knees, clutching at her waist and holding back whimpers of pain.
"What's wrong, 'Ru? Ya sick or something?" Snipe asked, disgust in his voice. He shook his head. "We can't allow any sick'uns here. Too bad. I was gonna have some fun with ya."
"But Snipe!" one of the boys complained, "She can't be all that sick. I mean...can we just-"
"No!" Snipe yelled, "If any of us get sick, everyone might get sick an' we'll all die an' then what? See, ya gotta have a brain and think 'bout this stuff."
"That's why you da leader!" another kid replied enthusiastically. He was rewarded by Snipe's grim nod.
"But boss," the first kept on complaining, "what it she's actin' or somethin'?"
Snipe shrugged. "Don't matter. We can't even let an actin' sick person get us sick. Now get off an' take care of it Shark. "
"Alright," the 'Shark' pouted but reached for Hotaru. "Sorry but ya heard 'im."
"Wh-where am I going?" Hotaru asked, shying away from his hand. Inside the pain died away, as though it was waiting for his response as well.
He smiled. "Where all the rejects go." The boy next to him snickered and made a cutting motion across his neck. They all laughed and Hotaru bit back a scream.
Her shining star crystal shimmered a moment and was replaced by a single, broken glass shard. Hotaru let out a cry as the spirit of Sailor Saturn appeared from nowhere. The long, threatening Silence Glaive was gripped firmly by two, white gloved hands, its deadly edge shining fatally with eagerness for blood. Hotaru shivered as its blood lust touched her mind. The background faded into chaotic purple swirls and symbols Hotaru once knew. Knee-high purple heeled boots, laced by leathery straps and decorated by a thin purple bow covered her slender legs. Her outfit, a white suit with a small purple skirt and purple shoulder pieces, glistened against the disarrayed environment, as though she wasn't fully there. Dark, crimson ribbons bloomed at her chest and lower back. On her A nine-pointed star sparkled between her decorated chest and on the purple choker on the warrior's neck. Straight black hair fell chin length, veiling the golden tiara on her forehead and concealing the draped crystal earrings. Her pale skin outlined glistening purple orbs and gleeful pink lips.
Princess, the warrior commented dryly, are you all right?
"Who are you?" Hotaru whispered frightfully.
The warrior smiled. I'm the warrior of death, Sailor Saturn.
"No! You can't be!" Hotaru protested, "I'm Sailor Saturn!"
If you insist, Sailor Saturn shrugged. I am really nothing more then your subconscious. I am you, in a sense. The part that doesn't want you to get hurt.
"What do you mean?" Hotaru asked. She glanced at the environment. A multi-pointed star whirled by, leaving a trail of disorder in its wake. Coded messages glazing golden pierced the sky at odd intervals and everywhere, patters of noise and blackness lingered. "Where am I?"
Again, I am your psyche, the part of you that understands everything you do except that I can understand more. While you are continually battling the mortal woes of this world, I'm seeing everything you see only a glimpse of, things you don't consciously register but that I do. And this she motioned to the purplish-black spirals around them, is Saturn. It was not usually this bad but when you and your brother left, when we were attacked by the Dark Kingdom without protectors, when the guardians protecting against the chaos that Saturn ruled were destroyed, this is what happened. Sailor Saturn gasped, clutching at her chest. And now, it will be worse, she added, gasping for breath. They attack.
"Who are you talking about?" Hotaru asked but was never answered.
The crystals over her heart and on her neck exploded, sending bits of crystal into the air. Hotaru shrieked and covered her eyes. A bright light illuminated the area a moment and dulled immediately as darkness came from everywhere, hungrily consuming its opposite. Sailor Saturn shivered on the ground, still clutching at her chest.
Hotaru ventured forward uncertainly and placed a hand on her shadow's shoulder. Sailor Saturn looked up. All that was left of the crystals was a single shard. Bloody paths ran from the explosion's mark and blood dripped from her chin. The once-white suit turned black and the Scout hissed. So, they think to attack me now, while I am at my weakest! Her chilling voice seethed, eyes narrowing in pain and hate. They shan't get away with it! The Scout of Destruction turned and ran off into the darkness as a laughing voice cracked in the air. Hotaru screamed as pain filled her body and barely noticed as Saturn's heavens shuddered and faded away.
She was on the ground of the street, screaming at the top of her lungs, body curled up in a circle and shaking as agony racked her body. The teen boys were still circled around her, arguing vehemently and behind them, scared eyes of little children gazed at her with wonder. Streams of tears ran down their cheeks and a few were hiccuping fitfully. Hotaru sat up slowly, blinking several times and stared at them, face blank and body motionless.
"I swear I didn't do anything!" Shark yelled. "She jus' fell and screamed!"
"I tell ya, over an' over again. Not in front of them kids." Snipe replied calmly, swinging a fist at Shark. "If they're scared, nobody'll wan'em 'cause they'll keep crying an' if nobody wants 'em, I get no money!" The fist slammed into Shark's face, sending the kid flying down the street.
"Boss! Boss! She's up!" another teen cried out, pointing at Hotaru's prone body with glee. Snipe spit towards Shark and walked towards Hotaru.
"What'dja think ya be pullin'?" he demanded, kicking her in the side. Hotaru withered away but continued staring at him. Snipe stared back a minute before breaking eye contact and grabbing her gracelessly, dragging her away. "I'll take care of her myself," he called over his shoulder, "get them kids back in their places."
As his followers ran to do his orders, Snipe pulled Hotaru into a dark alley. Checking to make sure no one was watching, her pulled out a switchblade and turned towards the girl.
Hotaru watched him walking towards him and stood slowly. She gave him a moment's pause before bowing her head and smiling. Her black hair fell across her face and she began laughing. Her hand clutched the broken crystal tightly, so tight that her grip went white and blood tinged her pale skin.
Snipe drew back a moment before moving forward with a quick motion. He gave a war cry and slicked the air before her.
Hotaru looked up the instant the blade would hit and eyes narrowed the slightest.
Snipe smiled wickedly as the blade connected to something but his grin faltered as the hit rang out with a metallic sound. Before him the small, weak 'Ru was no longer there.
A powerful looking girl his age, her form flickering in the dark, held a long, metal pole, blocking his blow effortlessly. He cursed and leaped back. She looked like the Sailor Scouts! Except...a tight, black material covered her body, topped by purple borders at the neck and a low purple skirt. Black material flowered at her arms like soft wings and blood-like fabric had been done into ribbons at her chest and back. The same purple colored heeled boots laced up to just below her knees, topped by thin purple ribbons and the pole she held was taller then herself. Its silvery edge was sharpened so that it glinted murderously in the dim light. Midnight black hair, chopped short at her chin, hung around her head like a shroud and a deep yellow tiara graced her forehead. A single band of purple circled her neck, forming a choker. A single crystal piece hug suspended in the air before her chest. She let out a sigh and closed her eyes as the piece floated towards her, enveloping it into her body. It appeared again on her chest and the choker band, two single pieces hanging from her ears. The crystal glowed and darkened to a deep purple, replenishing itself into a full star. Softly glowing dark eyes gazed at him beneath the veil of black hair.
Snipe let out a terrified squeal, not caring what the others thought of him, and shot from the alley. His blade dropped forgotten on the floor. Saturn walked gracefully towards it, leaning over to pick it up. She smiled as she flicked it shut. Gripping on the Silence Glaive, she soothed its ruthless attitude, promising it fresh blood that night, and began to trail after the boy. She had to return his forgotten item.
When she turned a corner, Snipe was being circled by his band of henchmen, all of them murmuring concernedly as he breathed heavily. His back was hunched over, shoulders trembling.
"What's he talking about, a demoness?"
"What happened to that girl?"
"He probably took care of her. But why's he so scared?"
The sun's light had long gone out and it was dark enough for torches to be lit. Four of them burned merrily from the hands of the boys. Saturn walked calmly towards them, silent as the night. They didn't hear her come up until she whispered airily into the ears of one boy, "I think this is his?"
Snipe shot up from his squatting at the sound of her voice. His followers stumbled out of the way as he screamed again and took off. Saturn watched his fleeing body a moment before her hand flicked up. In a motion almost too fast to be seen, she threw something after the retreating body. Everyone stared in shock as an inhuman howl came from Snipe's mouth before being cut off abruptly. His blade had imbedded itself in the back of his skull. Gore oozed into the street and the teens watched in dumb daze as their leader died before them.
Saturn coddled her Glaive and turned on the rest.
Screams of pain and blind terror issued themselves throughout the night. None were safe from her wraith.
Strange as it was, as Sailor Saturn walked away from the bloody carnage she'd wreaked, the strange hunger pains she'd experienced had gone away the instant hot blood sizzled against her skin.
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Darien ignored the talk of the day as he browsed through the store's food section. His right hand was tightly bandaged from the incident, a sharp reminder of the 'vision' he'd seen. He'd spent the entire day pondering the question of what had happened. His still shattered window and bleeding hand were proof that someone had shot an arrow at him. A vague remembrance of the Outers saying something about a new enemy sprang to mind.
"Darien, what happened?"
Andrew juggled some of the dairy products he was carrying until they were piled neatly on the floor and he stepped forward to talk to his friend.
Darien offered a phony smile and gestured to his bandaged hand. "What, you mean this? Oh, I was cooking with...Lita and I cut my hand."
"That's too bad. Say, where is Lita? And Serena, for that matter? Isn't she always hanging on you?"
Darien forced a chuckle. "No, she staying at Ray's temple with the girls. I don't want her to see my hand until it gets better."
"Oh, well, need any help?" Andrew asked, picking up his groceries again.
Darien waved the help away. "Hey, I just cut myself ok? I'm not disabled or something." Andrew smiled and waved. "Bye."
"Lies never solve anything," someone said. "They only cause more trouble later on."
"What?" Darien turned but saw no one except an old lady at the end of the isle. Scratching his head, he shrugged and continued searching for something to eat.
A tall, dark haired person walked by, shoving Darien into a counter. "Hey, watch where you're going!" Darien complained, shaking a fist at the person's back.
The guy turned around. Dark blue orbs met dark green. The guy glared at Darien. "Are you talking to me?"
That voice! It was the same that just...As he continued glaring, Darien shivered. "Yea, you just shoved me into a counter."
The guy shrugged and continued walking, occasionally stopping to pick up a bag of chocolate or equally appealing item. Darien watched as he placed all the treats in a bag and walked from the store, not paying or even glancing towards the cashier. A guard noticed and was about to protest when the guy stared at him, chilling both the guard and Darien. The guy then walked from view. The guard shivered and glared at gazing customers, sending their wondering looks away.
Darien quickly finished his shopping and left the store, paying before he did so. He walked down the street and passed by an electronics store. Dozens of televisions provided different channels for the admiring public, each showing how good their broadcasting receiver was, how lifelike their images were and how cheap their prices were.
A nearby TV roared to life. "This just in," a smiling reporter informed the watching public. Her statement was repeated a dozen times as each television changed over to the channel. She cleared her throat and whispered, "Am I on?" She must have received some affirming sign because her smile instantly became brighter, back straighter and position more rigid. "As I was saying, just a few minutes ago, here on Malaysia Avenue," she gestured to a dark street being lit by dozens of reporters and journalists' lights, "a terrible tragedy occurred."
An uniformed officer passed by in the background and the reporter hurried to catch up with him. "Officer! Officer! Can you please tell the waiting people what just happened?"
Darien shook his head, walking away. Probably some stupid story on how some kids were threatening to kill themselves. Nothing that would concern him. The officer on the screen cleared his throat. "Well, Miss..."
"Jennifer Court," she supplied.
"Miss Court...I don't know what to say-"
"Start from the beginning," she advised.
He nodded and motioned to the street behind him. "Less then 15 minutes ago, there was a terrible screaming from back yonder. Horrible cries that I'll never forget. We got here as fast as we could. This street is where abandoned orphans old enough to live on their own usually come and stay so we immediately thought something was being done to them. We rushed here but it was too late. As we got here, this girl walk out of the street, carrying this...thing, I don't know what to call it. She smiled at us, wearing nothing but some dinky clothing, and walked away. The children...the children-"
"How many causalities, officer?" Jennifer questioned, eyes eating up the story and processing the information into a summarized version for the morning news.
"There were..." The officer trailed off, gazing into the distance. "Too many."
Jennifer frowned, clearly not liking that answer. "Sir, about how many children live in this street?"
"Over two hundred.
"And how many survived?"
He paused in sad reflection before muttering, "None," and walking away.
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Trieze sat in a room surrounded by blubbering buffoons. Everything was white in the room. Ivory tables, gleaming white walls and bone ashen chairs. Even a white plated mirror hung from a single white nail on the wall. It would have been obsessive to any others but for him, King Trieze of the Sea European Empire, it was normal and even considered his signature. He was the emperor of all of Western Europe, having conquered it not long ago just after the people celebrated the New Year of 2250, a year with new technology and great space advances. Soon, within the year hopefully, the first working Space Colony would be working. Trieze massaged his chin with a thumb. The colony should be celebrated and the year system currently used, the AD and BC calendars, were getting too old. Changing it would boast morale and give him a greater name in history then he currently had.
He glanced towards the mirror. The stately appearance he knew so well glanced back. A gracefully plain white, button-down shirt, half covered in medals and decorations, covered his chest. The other half of the shirt was hidden beneath a navy blue coat in a style not seen for centuries. Black pants and black boots were clean as always. The fanatical behavior he had for cleanliness had sprung from the sight of first blood. It felt as though he'd never be rid of the blood that had splattered his hands years ago during an accidental swordsmanship practice. Even now, the sticky feeling still textured his hands along with the rusty smell...
"King Trieze, don't you agree?"
Trieze side glanced them, racking his mind for the conversation. They had been speaking of..."When you asked me that question, which answer do you wish me to answer to?"
"Sir?"
"Are you asking whether I agree to the fact that, though we've encountered great scientific leaps, the amount of science is painfully low? Or am I answering to the question of whether soldiers will accept greater scientific standards?"
The man who'd asked the question, a fat and balding fellow, gulped noisily and stammered, "I-I guess I'm as-asking both questions. Sir."
Trieze hummed quietly, thinking quickly. "The answer to both questions, gentlemen, is yes. Science is needed to advance battles and the soldiers will understand that. However, you must consider that some soldiers will rebel against the fact."
Trieze
The men went back to another pointless discussion, leaving Trieze alone with his thoughts once more. Trieze blinked, the only visible sign that he'd heard something unusual, and slowly gazed at the mirror. How simple everything looked to plain eyes. Inner battles hid from sight and hidden whims are nothing more then lines on a person's face. In the mirror...
Trieze squinted slightly. He looked back around the room and into the mirror. There was a boy in the mirror!
Trieze snapped to his feet, startling the discussion.
"King Trieze, is something...wrong?" the fat man asked nervously, yes darting back and forth for the cause of the king's disturbance.
The boy looked hauntingly familiar. Dark brown hair falling in messy tresses just above his shoulders and dark blue eyes glowed at him. There was something about his stance, the way he held himself, the dark feeling the boy practically emitted. A dark cloak covered his body but Trieze didn't have to see the muscles hiding from view to know that they were there. Black, black as the chaotic space, filled everything in the mirror as the white reflection gave a shudder and fell away, surrendering to the boy's power.
"King Trieze? King Trieze!"
Trieze was barely aware of the panicked faces around him, focused only on the youth in the mirror. As if he knew this, the boy calmly stepped from the mirror and into the real world. Startled and frightened shrieks came from the men around Trieze and rapid footfalls sounded, running away from the white room. Somewhere far away and distant, an alarm pounded mercilessly through the halls.
The boy bowed low. "King Trieze."
"You know me?" Trieze questioned, trying to control his own fear. What demon was this, to have corrupted a reflection and to step from mirrors?
A brief, ironic smile. "I know of you, I even know you better then you currently do."
"What do you mean, talking in riddles?" Trieze demanded.
"I knew who you were. Now is nothing more then another of the many lives you've lead."
Trieze blinked at this and remained still.
The boy straightened his head. "You've left your Queen in the last life. She's still trying to stay with your death weighing her down. So many things are that much clearer now that I understand."
"Understand? What queen?"
"You, in all your previous- and perhaps future- lives have always had your Queen by your side. You latest life ended by an unfortunate quirk of fate and you two were separated." The boy smiled darkly. "I am Heero."
"Heero?" Trieze recognized the name from a faded memory. Something about a young boy and four others, their faces blurred in his mind.
Nodding, the boy motioned with his hand. "If you wish to help your people- your true people, King Trieze- come with me."
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"Relena, please, this will only take a moment," Lady Une protested against the fastly shutting, hidden door to Relena's apartments. Dressed in her usual brown uniform, the lady had her hair done up in two familiar buns and a thin wire frame held the glasses over her petite nose. "It is extremely important that you see these documents!" About a dozen Preventers filled the hallway behind her, talking quietly and watching in all directions for any manner of threat.
"And I have just as extreme matters that have been waiting for my attention for the past week, Lady. I'm sorry but I'm just too busy," Relena replied, heartlessly slamming the door in her advisor's face.
"Miss Relena!" Une's muffled and frustrated voice came through the door.
"Calm down, this will only take a second," Zechs chided, coming up behind the Lady.
Une whirled in surprise. "Relena cancelled all her meeting today to see you?" Une questioned, shocked.
Zechs smirked and brushed past her, knocking on the door-that-looked-like-a-wall. "Relena, it's Zechs."
"Milliardo! How are you?" Relena asked courteously, opening the door as though she was at the front of her home instead of the door to a hidden suite in the middle of Preventer Headquarters. She curtsied and widened the door to allow him entry. "How has you vacation been?"
Zechs smiled bitterly. "At the moment, I prefer Mars' silence then the noise of this place."
Relena waved his complaint away. "You've been living in space for too long brother. It's been almost six months since your last transmission and nearly a year since you last came to re-supply. We were deeply worried for you. Is Noin well?"
Zechs was about to answer when Une cut in, her severe face tightened into a scrowl. "Relena, please. If Preventer Wind is only here for a visit, then you wait for another time. Things have been chaotic since the pilots' disappearance-"
"Which is what we're here for," Noin broke in, walking silently up the hallway. The Preventers had moved out of the way for her, her reputation and respect as a teacher during OZ's rule not yet lost. She gave them a worried glance. "Une, you've got to get these agents out of the hall. They're like an arrow for anyone who wants to know where Relena is and anyone at all can sneak into these halls with them as a distraction."
"You underestimate these agents, " Une frowned deeply but ordered her shadows away. As the hall cleared, everyone stepped into Relena's room. "What exactly do you know of the pilots' disappearance," Une asked the two of the top ranking officials in the Preventer Agency.
"Well," Noin began, "we-"
"Are you sure this room's secure?" Zechs questioned, a concentrating look on his face.
"Of course," Une replied, anger lying beneath her tone. "This is the most secure area of the building. We check it daily for bugs, implanted materials and unwanted items. We know how important Relena's safety is."
Zechs nodded but his concerned expression and the way he walked around the chamber, searching for something, insured silence for the next few minutes.
Noin finally sighed wearily and asked, "Zechs, what are you doing?"
"Shh," he silenced, creeping towards the door.
Three feminine voices carried lightly through the wall:
"Are you sure it's this one?"
"Of course I am! I-"
"Shhh! Quiet! They'll hear us!" Silence, then: "They've stopped talking!"
"Shit!"
Zechs smiled knowingly and motioned for Noin to continue. She cleared her throat, eyeing the room with confusion. "Well, like I was saying...Relena called us to tell us that-"
Zechs whipped the door open, causing two individuals to fall to the floor. They lied on the floor, shocked, a moment before leaping to their feet. "Mr-Mr. Milliardo, sir...How are you?" Hilde asked cheerfully, fidgeting nervously. When she saw his stern expression, her face fell. Beside her, a mop of red curls glared but said nothing.
"I hope we're not interrupting anything?" Dorothy asked lightly, stepping into the room behind the two. Her blonde-white hair fell about her in a blanket-like motion. "We just thought it fair to be included in such a delicate conversation."
"What are you talking about?" Une asked, going red in the face.
"Well, " Dorothy explained patiently. She motioned to Hilde, who blushed fiercely. "We happened to be in the Security Room and heard you mention something about the Gundam pilots. And since we have such heavy connections with them, we knew you wouldn't mind having us here to join in this conversation. You don't mind, of course, Miss Relena?"
Relena sighed and nodded forlornly. Lady Une stared at them ignorantly. "What exactly were you doing in the Security Room? I assure you that no one goes in there unnoticed."
Hilde blushed deeper and Dorothy sighed wearily, as though she were explaining to a child. "Lady Une, the reason we were able to enter you Security Control Room was because security, for the most part, is currently down. We knew the other Preventers wouldn't give us access to this secured area so we were forced to improvise."
Zechs widened his eyes appreciatively. He looked at the furious Hilde. "I thought only Heero could get by security so easily." Une's enraged look went by ignored.
Hilde shrugged. "He is. It took me nearly a day to even begin to hack into the system. It took me over a month to set it up so that I can enter it at will. And the only reason we knew where the panel was is because of all the Preventers blocking the halls."
Une blushed and sputtered angrily.
-------------------
Heero woke up and ignored the stitches of pain running through his body. Trieze was now awake. He glanced around him, stuck in some empty but enormous apartment. In the hall, a young brown haired girl was just entering the apartment a few doors down, her face free of the dozens of worries that plagued Heero. Shaking them away, he started to leave. They were both safe now. Trieze would protect her while Heero was gone. He'd stay here while Trieze finished a few items of business. As for the others...
Duo's laugh echoed through the walls. Heero smiled. The others could sleep a while longer. A brown bag of candy lay on the floor, remains of a trip to the store not too long ago. Darien's face was burned into Heero's memory as well as the fact that no matter what, the Princess belonged to him. He gazed at the bag of candy dejectedly. The only reason he entered the store was to see if the Prince was all right and he needed the candy as an excuse for his being there. The fact that he'd seen Serena buying the same candy before had nothing to do with it.
Nothing. The Prince and Princess belong with each other. Heero closed his eyes and tried to remember the mission. His feelings could jeopardize the mission. His eyes hardened and doubt left.
but still, Astral whispered softy, his flittering spirit visible to only Heero's eyes, would love really be that bad?
-------------------
Rachael glanced around the hallway. She could've sworn someone was watching her. Shrugging, she entered the room after the teary eyed Serena and shut the door behind her. A moment later, another door clicked shut after her.
-------------------
Time passed and Serne looked up at the full moon watching over her prison. A symbol, she thought darkly, of the Kingdom who captured and threw me in here. The moon's silverish light gave everything a misted view, casting light on an otherwise dark night. And the stars twinkling far above...
The stars...
Serne gaped at them in open horror as their white light shined dimly in the black night, understanding hitting her like a pile of bricks. The weak light looking fragile when compared to the jarring silver moon but whose light traveled from an origin far stronger then any suspected.
The stars' white light... Heero's white light... Panic, endless streams of horror filled her every core.
How could it be? Heero was from another world. He couldn't be of the Star's. The thought chilled her and her covered shoulders trembled with fear.
But nothing else could have the Star's pure white.
The fullness of the situation hit her head on.
Heero was of the Star Kingdom. She'd tried to convert the Star's own. Memories of the Kingdom's dealings with the distant Stars filled her brain. The peaceful exterior hiding the Star's awesome powers. Tales told to her by fear-ridden traders of the Star's swift and destructive vengeance. Tales where far off kingdoms were totally destroyed with only a dozen of the Star's warriors, the universe's best fighters. The kingdom known for their patience and fair judgement-but once that judgement was passed, it was never revoked. The Star Kingdom followed through with its plans mercilessly and was not known for their compassion, especially if one of their own were at stake.
She'd tried to alter one of that Kingdom's. For the first time in her life, Serne felt the cold breath of panic running down her spine.
What would happen if they found out?
As she thought, a new flame began to burn feebly in the background, Rachael's smiling face darkened by shadows.
-------------------
Trieze awoke in a cold room, back sore from sleeping on chilly wood. He distastefully stood up, brushing off whatever dirt might have collected on his suit, real or imagined. He was wearing a tuxedo that was completely white. Dark blue tinted some parts of the suit but it was, for the most part, a silken milky ivory color. Quickly assessing his appearance in a mirror, Trieze hand-brushed his hair and straightened his clothing.
"Are you going to stand there all day?" Heero asked, leaning against the doorway. Trieze ignored him for the moment and glanced about the room. Except for a frail-looking cot and the mirror he was looking in, the room was totally bare. Heero noticed his inspection and nodded. "There isn't too much because it's only temporary."
"How long have I slept?" Trieze asked finally, placing a hand on his hip.
"In this world, you've slept less then an hour."
"And the other?" Trieze prodded.
Heero shrugged. "I don't know but since it's only an illusion, you could go back to the second you 'died' or a hundred years after. Or before. time flows as you want it to there, once you accept the fact that it's an fantasy."
Trieze nodded, accepting the information as reality without a second thought. "And the others?"
"They can either sleep on forever or be awakened."
"Which is better?" Heero questioned, head slightly tilted to the side, as though he were listening to someone.
"For who? You, or them?"
"Them," Trieze replied without a second's hesitation.
Heero smiled secretly, blowing Trieze away. "I knew you would say that. And it would be a torture for them to live like that. Everyone was placed in that dreamlike state for over a millennia, our subconscious's have grown dependant on each other. if someone as important as yourself were suddenly removed from that chain, the others would live out unhappy, meaningless lives."
"Isn't…that what they're doing now?" Trieze asked hesitantly, still staring at the emotionless boy. True, the smile was there only a second and it wasn't very large but, never before had he ever seen Heero Yuy smile.
Heero shook his head. "Now, they are living as they want to live. They are exploring the reaches of their minds and experiencing things as they want. After this life, with the Gundam pilots and yourself gone, they won't experience anything like it and slowly withdraw into themselves and never come out."
"What am I, to be so important?"
"I can't tell you that," Heero replied in his traditional monotone. "But you'll find out soon enough. And don't be surprised if you find that you can do certain items without explanation. In the meantime, I have to do some work. I need you to start training these girls," he handed Trieze a picture of the Inner Scouts, "until I can do it myself."
"Where?"
"There's an old abandoned building in the middle of a nearby forest. I suggest you spend today getting familiar to this place and find them tomorrow. When you do all you need is to press this," and a small remote control was passed into Trieze's hands, "and imagine yourself near the building they'll be trained at." Trieze gave Heero a skeptical look but pocketed the device. "You'll need to be at the temple the girls are currently staying at for it to work."
"Is that all?" Trieze asked. Heero nodded sharply and left the room.
The next day, Trieze was walking pass a temple when one of the girls he was suppose to be training walked up the stairs to sprawling temple grounds. She walked with a drifting attention, mostly focused on her inner thoughts. Trieze looked at her and followed silently. Up the stairs she went, her short blue hair tossing in the wind.
Trieze nodded as he saw her entering a door, catching a glimpse of the other three in the room behind her. Without another thought, he put them to sleep. Remembering Heero's warning about things happening 'magically,' he set out to do what was required. Stepping into the shrine- and gracefully throwing out the sleeping bodies of an old man and an older teen-age boy - Trieze pressed the button on the device. For a moment, it felt as though something was moving but the feeling stopped abruptly. Trieze waited a moment longer. Nothing happened.
Stepping outside, he found himself in the center of a huge gym. Black walls surrounded him on all sides. And the shrine looked extremely out of place. It had worked after all.
-------------------
Darien sat in his room, forehead beaded with sweat. How long had it been?
Not too long, a mocking voice informed him. Darien shot to his feet, looking for its source. Probably only a few minutes.
"Who's there?" he demanded, reaching in to grab hold of his transforming pen. His fingers clenched together as his muscles throbbed, a spasm forcing them to clamp together painfully. He gasped at the stinging torture. Images in his mind of him, carrying Serena to bed, her sleeping face propped up against his chest. Images of her, happily serving him and all the world bowing down to him as King of the Earth. His rightful title that Serena helped him achieve. He saw her bowing with all the others and Ray bowing lower then the others. Ray's black hair shining playfully as she lay with him in bed, her body so excellently curved, even Serena could not compare. Of fires so hot that burned for him only. Serena's eyes wondered often, ignoring Darien to seek out new men. Men she thought were better. Andrew, his best friend. Alan, the alien freak. Prince Diamond, sitting on his thrown and saw the two lovers intertwined with each other, her blonde hair spilling over them, covering them as they...
Darien blinked. He would never...not with Ray! And Serena would never do that to him. she would never betray him for an...enemy? She kissed him once, of her own free will, and many other times, while she was under his spell. The one who was his forever, sleeping with an enemy.
The kisses didn't count, Darien shouted to his inner self, trying to convince both that Serena would never do that. She didn't have a choice-
Did she? He asked himself. If she didn't, then why did you see her, stealing a kiss just before the bastard prince died? She wasn't under his spell then, was she ever? If she can do it, she's not worthy of a King. The Mars princess is so much better. Darien closed his eyes at the thought of Ray's body, writhing in pleasure beneath his...
As Darien grappled against his growing doubts, Serne smiled in her chamber. Brother, you are a fool. Torturing you in this fashion will be more fun then anything else I could do to you. Soon, my revenge will be complete. You should have joined me, so long ago.
-------------------
"You're powers are hereby stripped of you," he announced, voice tinted with anger. "Since you believe yourselves to be awesomely powerful with them, you will probably die during the training without them. The attitude you present tot me is one of insolence and it is not acceptable." For the last hour, the girls had been fighting him at every turn, provoking him to attack them so that they would have a reason to attack. As it was, their honor held them back- the belief that he wasn't an enemy was too strong for them to ignore. And the fact that since the leader for their group was missing, they'd lost all will to fight except in dire cases.
Mars glared at him. "You think you're so much better then us, why don't you prove that you can beat us without using your powers?"
Trieze glowered back at her. "When we first met, that is exactly what I did! I defeated you by using simple tactics, knowing that asleep you could cause no harm to me and the environment. So you went to sleep-"
"You put us to sleep!"
Trieze raised a hand. "I don't know how that happened so I take no credit for it. You fell asleep and I took your home to a remote place to be trained. If you refused to accept your defeat at my hands, you will never accept defeat at the hands of your enemies. And once you do that, you'll die."
"You are our enemy!" Mars yelled back. "The Sailor Scouts never give up, never surrender. We'll never stop fighting to protect our princess!"
"This isn't about the princess," Trieze coldly stated, an inner voice feeding him information. And he suddenly knew who he was and how important these girls were. "This is about you girls. In the future, Queen Neo-Serenity depended on her Sailor Scouts to protect her without her help. How can she depend on you if you can't defeat an enemy without her?"
"You-you have no idea what the future will be like," Mars stuttered slightly, stemming the tears that threatened to fall. "The future is-"
"Never decided. You believe that the dreamy fantasy world you claim to have visited was the future. That may be true but the future will not come unless the present works for it. You will never be strong enough to hold foes at bay unless you train for it."
Mars frowned and bit back a retort. Trieze calmly took a sip of his tea and waited for her reply. Mars glanced around and sighed. "Where is the rest of my team?"
"They are in the other room, waiting for your return and your decision."
"My decision? They want me to decide whether I should trust someone who kidnaps us-"
"You are still in you temple. Your temple just happens to have moved with your persons inside."
"-and then takes away our powers, all the while claiming to be an ally and hiding his actions behind a wall of 'it's for your own good'?" Mars replied sarcastically. Shaking her head, she continued, "I can't make a decision without some sort of proof. And you haven't even offered me some."
Trieze smiled into his cup. "I have no current proof but the one who'll be training you will answer any question you have."
"The one who'll be...great. As soon as a begin to trust you, you announce that you won't even be the ones training us." Mars shook her head and detransformed. "I can't make a decision so soon."
"Nor would you want to. I've seen that there is a fire in the other room," Trieze mused carefully, staring at the girl and watching her back go rigid with shock. "It is legendary for its spiritual powers. You are more then welcome to spend anytime you wish with in the room. I've heard that it's most relaxing and, if you do spend time there, you won't be disturbed." Ray nodded slightly, walking out of the room with stiff movements. It was dark outside and as a single bird called out into the night, Trieze glanced at the shining stars surrounded by the chaos of outer space.
The next morning, Trieze entered their room as the sun arose.
"Your training begins now," Trieze stated as the four Inners awakened, detransformed and groggy. They were lying in Ray's room, still wearing the clothes from the day before and surrounded by dozens of pillows and blankets. "Within the hour, I will know your limits and press you beyond them. Within the week, you'll be stronger then ever before."
"What are you talking about?" Lita demanded, rubbing the side of her head where a soft pillow had rubbed its pattern on her face. She tried to remember where the pillow was from but sleep was too tempting to allow her brain to function properly. "What training?"
"You're leader decided last night that it was time for you to be trained by someone with great skill," Trieze continued, oblivious to the empty and blank stares he was being given. His white tuxedo's arm was momentarily ruffled as he lifted a hand and wrapped his fingers around an elegant chin, appearing to be in deep thought. "Your guardian will be allowed to come, of course, but will give you no assistance."
"How did you-"
"No questions, Artemis," Trieze interrupted. The cat tried to argue but was kicked by Mina- accidentally of course- and landed in an unconscious heap on the floor. He gave the four girls a thoughtful look. "You have three minutes to prepare yourselves. I'm being generous today but if you pass that time limit, your training will be that much harder."
Trieze left the room, his white cloak trailing as he rested above his right shoulder.
"So...what hit me?" Mina mumbled, falling back into a mountain of pillows.
"I can't think!" Amy exclaimed, also going limp against the soft, inviting pillows. She breathed in their rosy scent in bliss and wrapped a thick cotton blanket against the morning chill.
"What...time..." Lita murmured sleepily, face buried against the alluring comfort the cushions gave.
Ray yawned widely, glancing outside. "Sun's not even up," she replied, blinking a dozen times and brushing hair from her face. "Does anyone..."
"Care?" Mina filled in, her voice muffled by the pillows and comforts surrounding her. "No."
Amy shook her head with a blush of shame while Lita's light snore gave the answer of the warrior.
Ray gave them a drowsy glare and tried to hit them with a pillow but didn't let go in time. The result was her landing in a sprawl at the door, which gracefully opened and smacked her already painful bruise.
Trieze glared disdainfully at the group of lazy girls and shook his head. "I had hoped you would listen to me..."
Artemis was lifted carefully and Trieze walked from the room.
"Whatever," Mina muttered, promptly falling back to sleep.
Ray was about to agree when they suddenly found themselves in a cold, iron room. Gone were the blankets, pillows and sweet-smelling scents. The comforts that lulled the girls to sleep disappeared, leaving the girls lying on cold, metal sheets of floor.
"What the!" Ray gave the room a disbelieving stare, gripping her transforming pen as a reflex to danger. "I didn't agree to this!"
"This looks like danger," Lita muttered, all traces of sleep gone. None of them were the tinniest bit tired now that a direct threat appeared. Ray gave the place a final stare before taking out her pen. He said their powers were gone but that didn't stop her from transforming. The others followed her example and, in a flash of light, became the Sailor Scouts.
Trieze stood in the shadows, watching with a calculating but blank gaze. His attention didn't seem to be focused on anything as he let out a muffled curse. Things were moving much too fast. The Moon was found, which was good as always, but Saturn was still lost. The traces of her energy didn't look good. Heero was still one step ahead of them all. It wasn't a comforting thought, that the one enemy he had in his "life" would be the one who gave him orders but Trieze was never one to complain. At least not seriously. Instead, he thought the situation over, looking for a way to transform the situation. If only he could remember more then the quick flashes of illuminating memories.
As for the enemy...a faint and familiar aroma seemed to fill the air whenever the enemy's hand passed but his- or her- identity remained a mystery since the beginning. There wasn't enough time to do everything. On top of it all, the others needed to be awakened.
Lady Une...Trieze dropped that thought and turned to the disapproving growl of the white cat nearby.
Artemis's ears lay flattened against his head but he knew his bounds. One did not mess with the Star Kingdom's King when decisions were made. But Artemis believed himself to be of a high enough position to at least voice his complaint. "They don't need your training," the cat spat at last.
Trieze allowed a light smile at the situation- he, the King of the strongest Kingdom, was being complained to by a creature not a tenth his size. The thought of arguing with a cat went beyond most logical beliefs but it didn't stop it from happening. "Yes, but then again, you have no true idea about what we're up against. In their current condition, the Sailor Scouts wouldn't stand a chance."
Artemis growled again. "I still do not truly believe your story of being the King of a distant Kingdom but since I so not have complete memory of the Silver Millennium so you'll get the benefit of doubt. And even if you were lying, I could do nothing against you-"
"Then don't fight the matter any more. As you should be aware, if I were not who I claim, why do I wish for you to grow stronger? If I were an enemy, would logic not declare me to instead of giving you lodging and training, kill you while I have the chance? Your memory is flawed- worse then I would have wanted- and you do not remember so many things."
Artemis said nothing but tension fell of his small white body in waves.
Trieze ignored it and focused on the first problem he could tackle. The Sailor Scouts were now doing their best to find a way out and training should begin. It wouldn't be too long before Noin was awakened to replace him at this but until then...
Noin...Lady Une...Again he dropped the thought but a doubt still plagued him. As they currently believed, he was dead. What would she think, to see him again?
-------------------
Heero paused, more out of reflex then true thought. His mind was wondering again and his body had reacted out of pure instinct. After a quick glance- aided by his magic- he saw nothing and continued but kept a close watch on his surroundings. His instincts warned of battle not far off and he would not be caught off guard.
Minutes passed and thoughts rose again, forcing his attention away from the real world and deep inside himself again. Himself, as a combination of two memories. One, the life of relative comfort as the second prince Astral from the strongest Kingdom. And another as the tortured but purposeful life as Heero Yuy, Gundam Pilot and teen assassin. And while the two lives conflicted with events, his personalities and actions had been relatively similar.
Not that it was surprising. But this time...
A fist clenched hidden beneath layers of black clothing. This time, something was changed. The powers...too much power...not his power. The power he had now was destructive, pure and simple. As a prince and pilot, he'd wielded similar power but...
Never had he ever wanted to act on it.
A twig cracked, sending him leaping into cover before he realized the sound was his own.
Heero looked around. He was back in the forest. And it was night. Vaguely, Heero wondered if he shouldn't be somewhere else.
A small black cat made its way across his path, slinking derisively before him. Heero scowled and, acting on impulse, imagined the cat as much bigger. The thing was too small to be a challenge the way it was. Right now, a fight was what he wanted.
Hissing, the cat leaped away mockingly into a nearby bush.
Heero followed quietly. His powers crooned delightedly inside, instructing him on what to do. Giving him new clues on how to use the burning intensity within.
The cat was lying on a branch, bathing itself confidently when Heero spotted it.
His eyes narrowed in concentration. Imagining the cat's form bigger, its fangs longer, claws thicker. He imagined the way it would move, slinking through the forest without a sound as it stalked its prey. Imagined its sleek, black body as its muscles rippled and the sound of its voice, chilling living creatures as its cry echoed through the woods.
The cat stopped mid-lick, stretching its neck and searching vainly for the source of its unease. By the time it noticed Heero's intense eyes, blazing with concentration, it was too late.
Heero gathered his energy, forming it into a ball the size of his fist, and sent it crashing into the cat's black hide.
It let out a painful, high-pitched screech then cut off abruptly, the noise changing into a deep roar of fury. The small kitten leaped at Heero, fur standing on edge and claws outstretched. The spot Hero's energy hit it spurt out dark blood and a black mist, covering the animal and dropping it from view. It landed on the floor and Heero watched with a calculated interest, not truly caring how his experiment turned out.
The cat yowled in pain, cringing on the forest floor while trembles shook its tiny form. The mist waited a moment before converging on the cat completely. From its tiny body a demon broke through. Its skin and fur blow the neck tightened and busted as the monster's shoulder blades and lowered neck tore against the feeble resistance. Its paws twitched violently before massive claws and padded paws clawed their way through. From its torn neck, a black and muscular neck arose. Darkest black, slit eyes peered with a momentary phase at the world upon the creature's sleek forehead, long fangs gleaming in the moonlight. It blinked once, twice, before letting out an earsplitting scream. It's past body lay on the ground like a broken doll, blood splattered about in dark puddles and fur straining against a light breeze on the floor.
It was exactly as he imagined, as he wanted.
It was a beautiful creature.
Lethal eyes studied Heero as the monster stretched tight muscles and flicked its long, slim tail. The tail curled above the ground, rustling over leaves and twigs. A small creature, most likely a mouse, made the mistake of squeaking in fright. The creature flickered its ears and, with a swap of its hand, sent the thing flying. An audible crunch was heard as the small animal slammed against a tree, its tiny bones breaking on impact.
Heero gazed at it impressively. Its head was nearly chest height but its dark coat slide into the night scenery. Dark eyes reflected the moonlight and the feline animal stalked forward towards Heero.
Shaking his head, Heero froze the creature and studied it. What was originally supposed to be nothing more then something he could vent his frustration at now looked to be a close ally. Such potential shouldn't be wasted.
Heero glared at it, unfreezing its muscles and motioned it to come forward.
The cat hissed dangerously but moved until Heero told it to stop. Heero stared at it a moment more and attempted to establish a psychic connection.
Decay. Death. Destruction. Heero's eyes widened as he explored the cat's train of thought. Perversion. Abuse. Demise. Death. Destruction. Death.
"Blight," Heero whispered, naming the creature. The cat yowled but didn't break eye contact. It's eyes blazed in quieted fury but fury nonetheless. "Blight," Heero repeated in firmer tones.
The creature hissed but lowered to its belly in submission. Heero nodded approvingly and it leapt at him in blind rage.
Heero swatted its claws away in impatience. Swinging his foot, his black boot caught its chest and sent it flying into a tree. Squirrels and birds flew off in fear. The cat was on its feet but circled Heero cautiously, no longer as confident.
"Blight!" Heero said in a commanding tone. The cat winced visibly and shook as though the name had power over its very being. It probably did, Heero thought. This creature was a demon in this world. Such a thing as a name held power over the ones of that sort.. Heero stepped forward and stroked the cat's back, causing it to hiss in anger but no more.
Heero continued petting it, comforting it until the hisses and growls softened into purrs of contentment. "Listen," the cat purred loudly at his soft tone and opened its eyes lazily, showing its willingness to serve. The demon creature was bought as Heero allowed his magic to seep into its brain, changing its hate into loyalty to him and furthering its pleasure to a mind racking rapture that seared the cat's brain.
Nodding, Heero continued petting it but communicated his orders in each stroke, the magic lessening.
Find the ones called the Outers. There will be three. Follow and watch. Stay from sight of the one elf and the one who lives in these woods. Wait for my orders. Attack if attacked but do not kill. Feed on what you will.
The cat purred louder and leaped off to follow its master's orders.
As its shadow dissolved from sight, Heero turned a new eye to the forest. What could be done to a cat could be done repeatedly to change this place to his domain.
In his mind, Heero envisioned a place so dark that even shadows couldn't pierce. Creatures that feed on the night and trees that would attack invaders. He imagined the forest as a living thing and wandered until he found a small clearing. Already, the trees were enlarging, their branches beginning to cover any sunlight, reflecting it before the rays could touch the forest floor. In the clearing, Heero smiled softly and imagined a large castle, built to his needs. As the power created the building, its spiked tops piercing the sky, Heero turned and unleashed his power until the forest grew to his whim.
Black reigned supreme and animals were transformed to suit his needs. Awesome monsters woven into existence by his own making.
Snakes with black, black scales but whose under belly was translucent enough the heart could be seen beating.
Huge wolves transformed into slinking beasts with long snouts, dark fur and gleaming yellow eyes. They hunted in packs, feasting on whatever fell before them and ate not only the prey's meat but its feelings and memories as well.
Hawks and other birds' talons grew long and sharp, stained with blood before the night was done. Their vision was tampered with, increasing sight and perception so the birds of prey could see for miles and served as scouts or messengers to their creator. Black feathers fell about him in respect, many stained with the blood of the kill.
Huge worms just became, lurching deep below earth's surface but waiting for a creature to lie down to sleep before striking.
The trees spent all energy growing larger branches and enormous leaves to block out the sun that their roots were drained of color, leaving with piles of bark instead of its normal brown. The leaves grew as large as a man's arm and hand, a few inches thick as well. Energy spent for their growth changed the light green leaves to a dark black in color, sinister to look at.
Vines snaked their way around the deaden trees, given lives of its own that it could strike at any small creature moving nearby and lived by the life juices of others.
The tinniest bugs became traders of incurable disease and dozens of other cats became like their first, Blight, roaming around for a stray meal while guarding their lands with ferocious loyalty to their master. Heero gave them extraordinary intelligence, just below a normal human's IQ. And they used every bit of it to serve him and guard him with their lives. Dozens upon dozens of more things came to life, each with normal intelligence but implanted with the deep urge to serve their creator.
As the evils creatures slithered into being and the dawn came, the darkness was so complete that no sunlight penetrated Heero's new home.
His power coursed through every leaf, every living thing. It was incredible. The entire system had been changed to suit his needs until the animals became creatures tied to the night and weakened by light.
Heero watched from the entrance to his forest as the dawn's tingling rays touched his icy skin. Already, people were gawking at what the park had changed into and Heero enjoyed their sense of fear. It gave him a sense of...fullness. A cat's shrill scream brought back his attention and with a swish, his black cloak turned and departed. Dawn's rising rays flickered vainly after, seeking him out but failing as he ventured further and further into the empty cold of the forest.
-------------------
At the back of the forest, there was a small grove of trees surrounded by liters of dead animals and separated from everything else. Serne shivered and waited as no one came to report. Heero's presence was nearby but instead of being revitalized by the thought, she shivered greater and did her best to sink back into the hell she was trapped in. Nothing could be worse then knowing the Star Kingdom would be after her and she only hoped Heero's alteration was deep enough to distract his Kingdom long enough for her to come up with a plan of escape.
-------------------
Trieze sighed, calling the training session to a halt. "This is going nowhere."
All around him, the Sailor Scouts were battling various figures, each composed of previous enemies. Alan and Ann taunted them from one corner, occasionally shooting out cards that exploded when they came in contact with anything; a real-life image of Prince Diamond and his Black Moon Family attacked in another; Wise Man and his infernal energy ball assaulted them mercilessly from another. And in the middle, the four Sailor Scouts breathed heavily, tired and winded. Trieze was about to say something when Heero walked in.
Heero gave Trieze a slight nod and the men walked from the room.
"So, I'm done here?" Trieze asked.
Heero nodded. "Yes. But I need you to protect a girl named Rachael." Heero and Trieze continued walking away, discussing.
"When will the others arrive?"
"Soon."
Ten minutes later, when the Scouts were getting rested to be ready to fight once more, Heero stepped from the shadows. "I am Heero, your trainer. For now."
"Where'd Trieze go?" Jupiter asked spitefully. "Did he go to find more things to attack us with?"
"You weren't even beginning to be trained. Trieze was going easy on you. I'll give you a single chance to defeat me, if you can," Heero stated, arms crossed defiantly across his chest. "If you can't do that, you can't defeat the enemy you seek. If you can, I've underestimated you and your training will be terminated."
"We're the Sailor Scouts, we never lose!" Mars declared, ignoring the doubts plaguing her mind. 'The Sailor Scouts, but without Sailor Moon, we wouldn't never got this far.' "I told that once to Trieze and I mean it just as much now."
"Then what are you waiting for. Destroy me."
Mercury fingered her computer nervously. "Guys, I don't like this. I'm not getting any readings from him. We can't tell his strength, weakness, whatever."
Mars watched their opponent carefully. "It doesn't matter," she finally said. "We can still beat him. Last time we saw him fight, he used a sword instead of psychic or power attacks, right?"
"I guess so," Venus said from behind. A powerful wind was beginning to pick up, creating waves in the tall grass, making the meadow look like a sea of flowing green silk. There was no close protection from the raging wind- the nearest tree was several meters away. Each Scout felt the slightest tinge of fear: there was no protection or distraction if they needed to get away quickly. All or nothing.
"Come on guess, we can do this!" Mars shouted, hands folding in a pray-like motion before her forehead. "Stay as far away as you can and get the most damage from ranged attacks. Let's go! Mars Soul Bird!"
From her outstretched finger, a huge flaming bird sizzled into existence. For a moment, it looked only like a ball of screaming fire but the falcon soon outstretched its arms to its full wingspan and flew into the air.
'Great Spirit, listen to my pleads,' Ray thought, eyes closed tightly in concentration. 'Follow my thoughts, attack my enemies. Follow where I lead and consume those who would destroy the peace of this world.'
The blazing creature screeched in reply and dove against the wind towards the cloaked enemy of its summoner. As it neared, Heero lifted his eyes and gazed at the creature.
'Mother Spirit, attack not those who have done no wrong to this world,' his whispering voice called out.
Mars screamed as she heard, the pain of contacting with him for even the slightest moment too great to bear. Millions of seconds of his life flashed inside her mind, too fast to be seen but each representing one thing: pain. She fell to the ground, clutching at the sides of her head in agony. The Soul Bird and she screamed as one, the sound echoing through the empty meadow.
'Mother Spirit, depart the mortal realm and come again at my bidding,' Heero commanded, Eyes narrowed in threat. 'The Princess cannot be helped by the fiery souls of Mars.'
The bird screeched in pain and disappeared, its fiery wings turned to ashes by the wind. Embers floated around Mars in a last embrace before being swept away by the sooty winds.
"Sailor Mars!" the three Scouts shouted and rushed towards their friend. A pillar of flame surrounded her, burning away at the fleeing tears in her eyes. A moment later, she was gone.
"What did you do?" Jupiter yelled. When Heero only stood there without acknowledgement of her being, she screamed in fury and clenched her fists together. "I call upon the power of Jupiter!" she screamed. "Jupiter Supreme Thunder!"
The wind blew fiercely and storm clouds appeared in a breath. Thunder rolled loudly and a single bolt of lightening fell from the sky onto Jupiter's outstretched Tiara.
She held the power within a moment, savoring the intense waves of energy about to tear her body apart before screaming out, "DRAGON!"
A roar like nothing heard before rang in everyone's ears as a creature of pure electricity shot to life and blasted through the air. The air crackled in the dragon's way, bursting with Sailor Jupiter's power. It roared once, a horrifying scream of pure voltage, before rushing the enemy. Furious jaws hissed and snapped, tearing bits of the flying grass into shreds. Outstretched wings sizzled in fury and curled out to full length, swishing through the air in perfect motion. Jupiter smiled encouragement to the raging monster but it needed none. Connected to its mistress by the bounds of creation, it knew her every whim and flew to carry off the reason of its existence.
Heero didn't spare it a glance, moving only to step a minute step back when its blistering wings flew by. As it circled high above and plummeted a second time for the kill, Heero stared at it a second, his own eyes suddenly sparkling with energy, before letting the creature engulf him completely.
"Got'cha!" Jupiter yelled triumphantly.
'Don't be too sure.'
"What!" Jupiter asked, leaping back and glancing around nervously. Venus and Mercury were at her side, congratulating her on the victory and worrying about Sailor Mars when abruptly the dragon's cry could be heard again.
It shrieked in horrid pain as the connection of life between it and its maker was severed. Gathering its power, the dragon searched for a way out of the pain. Before it stood a man, the human's mind expanded so that the dragon could feel him.
'Come,' said the voice. 'Join the stars, your brothers. Understand and come.'
Roaring with pain and seeing a way out, the dragon shot out into the skies, passing the heavens and soaring into the stars. For a moment, the stars twinkled in welcome and it forgot everything but the stars.
Jupiter squealed as the dragon left her, leaving the source of its life behind for the stars. It could be seen, flying higher and higher all the while slowly dying without energy to sustain it.
She turned on her heels to see the offender as shouted, tears in her eyes, "What did you do!"
Heero studied her impassively. "Freed it."
"You killed it!" she screamed as it began to fade fast from reality.
"No," Heero refused, "The moment you sent it to fight, you sentenced it to die."
"I did not-"
"If it lived the explosion meant to kill me, you would dismiss it," Heero stated and looked back towards the flying spectacle.
For a brief moment, utter and total freedom filled Jupiter's soul as the dragon reached its place in the stars and as it died, she blacked out.
"We can't fight him one-on-one," Venus whispered to Mercury as they knelt by Jupiter's body, securing it from whatever happened to Mars. Mercury merely nodded, checking Jupiter's body with her computer.
It beeped loudly and Mercury's eyes widened. "Get back," she screamed, throwing both herself and Venus back as a pillar of lightening claimed their comrade's body.
"This is our last chance! Venus Love and Beauty Shock!" Venus screamed, sending a power towards the enemy and sealing it with a kiss. Mercury nodded and added her "Shine Aqua Illusion!" attack to the golden wave. Yellow hit Heero head on, sending his cloak flying back as a wave of pure elemental ice struck, freezing whatever particles it hit.
"Did we get him?" Venus asked nervously. Victory seemed so near...
"No, but I can't tell where he-Augh!" Mercury groaned as she slumped forward to the ground.
Wind whipping her hair into a frenzy, Venus didn't have to see him to know that their enemy had won. A shock of pain hit her neck and she faded away.
"I'm sorry Princess," Heero's whispery voice murmured as her eyes closed and a golden light consumed her body.
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Author's Note:
Oh my gosh! You guys, I'm sooo sorry! For the past few weeks, I've been resricted from the internet cause I got a 'D' on my progress report. *weep* Tell me, is that a resonable punishment! It's not like I'm dazing off in class, wondering how this story will turn out- actually, that happens sometimes. See what I sacrifice for you guys! You better be happy and review and give my torn-up ego a psyche lift with happy reviews telling me how much you love this story and all that. *weep* can you imagine, I was gone for weeks! O internet, how I love thee. --by the way, thanks to all you people who've reviewed so far. I gotta go before I get caught. Don't expect me to update for like a year [or until I get to sneak back on. ;-) ]
One last thing: I tried my best. Honest. I hope none of the characters were OOC or anything. Augh! My parents are home! Gotta slice. Bye.
-black rebellious. May 2001