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Puppet Master Chapter 10 - Connections
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It was a spacious palace, walls gleaming silver and empty of all other life. Tapestries that must have looked splendid years before were nothing more then torn rags on the wall, their ragged ends testifying for the years they spent in disuse. Silvery lights glowed eerily from tall, tall lamps, shading the place with a haunted look to it. Moths danced around the light's glow, testing to see how close they could go before getting burned. Dust clogged up the air, moving in time with the group's footsteps. Layers of dust carpeted the floor, hiding the marble strips' true color.
Doors opened before them, creaking with delight from use. Everywhere was coated by the same haunting look, the same light and confirmed the same abandonment. In one room, glittering children's toys and dolls scattered the floor. In another, the walls were covered with maps and strategic plans. Huge conference tables grayed in another and the rooms continued on and on… The halls were stained with dark splashes, nearly completely covered by years of grime. The color of the stains was a suspicious and rusty brown, almost like old blood. A lingering melody whispered through the corridors, its wispy noise frightening the group more then anything else.The hall opened up to a huge room, as inviting as death itself. It looked to have been a garantual cout hall, the remains of a party still littering the floor. Glitter and dead, rotten flower petals crinkled beneath their feet. At the front end of the room, huge marble stairways lead up towards a raised podium. The stairs were fractured and creaked under the gang's weight.
The podium seated two elegant chairs, the seats decorated by a mass quantity of gems, fine medals and embroider arts. Glasses of champagne quivered from their resting-place on the floor as the group came up the stairs. All around the thrones were roses, their once fawn-white tips shriveled into black powder.
The group gave each other a look and walked back down the stair to the courtroom, frightened by the implications of everything. It was obvious that this place had once been an enormous mansion, perhaps once even a lustrous palace. To think that such a place could be brought to such utter ruin…A barely open door at the side of the hall caught their attention and they moved as one across the dust-covered floor.
Inside the room, huge realistic prints of men in their prime gathered dust on the walls. All the men looked the same: fair features, light skin and a smiling, serene face. The men also wore crowns of crystallized silver. In the middle of each crown, what looked to be a suspicious copy of the Silver Crystal twinkled on the landscape.The pictures formed rows along the walls, starting from an aged painting to one that looked days old. The last in line was a young man, features somewhat darker then all the rest.
He was smiling, a cunning and intelligent look in his eyes, as light brown hair, cut into an orderly style, grazed his skull. His chin was a bit pointed and rather then a serene expression, his face was settled into a more…worried appearance.
Beneath his picture read the name King Trieze."Is it just me or…" Jupiter broke the silence guardedly, staring up at the picture.
"He's a king?" Mercury whispered with wide eyes.
"That guy, he isn't the same person can he? He can't be a king!" Venus breathed quickly.
"But it's the same one," Mars replied thoughtfully. Her eyes half-closed. "What was he king over?"
"His rule was not as peaceful as his father's," a voice from behind explained.
Sailor Venus turned first, finding only empty air. The Scouts looked around the room warily, searching for the person who spoke.
"It was during his reign that the Dark Kingdom attacked. He tried his best to keep them away, but he wasn't able to do it alone," the voice continued. Still, everywhere they looked showed nothing but an empty room.
Venus looked back to see a young man standing before the picture, gazing up at it with a hint of remorse in his eyes. It was the same person who had attacked them. His cloak hid most of his body and he gave off a…lonely feeling.
"Who are you?" she demanded, powering up for battle. "You call yourself Heero but that's just a name."
"I thought Trieze said there was no power during training?" Heero replied. With an effortless motion from his hand, Venus's power went out. The others' also felt their powers being whisked away. The Scouts scooted back, keeping their eyes on him. Heero looked back to the picture. He shuddered lightly and looked back at them with bright blue eyes. Mars narrowed her eyes, sensing a change. "How good are your memories of the Kingdom?" he asked softly.
"The Moon Kingdom?" Mercury ventured. Heero nodded. "How do you know of the Moon Kingdom?"
"I have been there," Heero replied quietly. The girls stared on in shock. "If you do not believe me, what would you have me do to gain your trust?"
"What…do you remember of the Kingdom?" Mercury asked excitedly, her voice tight. "I myself do not remember much except for the times Queen Serenity personally awakened some memories." Her friends gawked at her and the trust she was placing in their enemy.
"You want me to share my memories?" Heero asked wryly. At their nods he shook his head. "I can do much better then that." The room shifted and Heero's form faded before being replaced by someone else. It was him but…not.
Instead of cloaked beneath a mysterious black mantle, he now wore a white tuxedo. Tinges of silvery coloring brightened the tux's edges. A white shirt was beneath the tux's jacket and a silvery jet-colored belt was on his belly. A long, deadly sword was clipped onto his belt, the hilt covered in dark spirals. He wore it casually, hand gripped about the hilt in a familiar sense. Everything about him was casual, the cuffs of his suit undone and the jacket let loose. A thick chain ran around his neck where a single pendant hung. It was shaped in the shape of a flat, many-pointed star. Though the edges were the slightest bit tinted by black evil, the cut of the design was like unto the Crystal itself. His soft white pants hid black shoes. The change from the dark clothing of before to the light, elegant clothing he wore now was as refreshing as it was confusing. His face, likewise, had changed. Instead of the longer, messy dark brown hair he'd sported before, it was now combed and cut back into a carefree style. The scars that had strengthened the feeling of melancholy he once gave off now shivered and disappeared, leaving his beautiful face free of the lines of worry, hate and violence it once held. A single silver earring punctured his left ear. The earring was a round circle but two drops of tears hung from it.
Seeing them, he bowed low. Straightening, Heero smiled and motioned for them to come. "Heero wants you to see this place before it became as it is now." The youth chuckled. "I think he's beginning to change. Under my influence, of course. I never thought he'd get this far."
"Y-You're not Heero?" Mars asked in confusion.
"Oh, that's right. You don't remember much, do you," he asked sadly. His eyes locked with Mars. "None of you have changed, though. My name is Astral and, in a sense, I am Heero. Or, at least what he use to be." Astral shook his head miserably. "He has changed too much for us to be the same person right now."
The girls blinked in surprise. "That's…not really all that helpful," Venus said with understandable confusion.
Astral shrugged. "I really can't tell you more then that." He pointed up ahead. "I'll show you the last night of the Moon Kingdom's rule."
The Moon Kingdom's Palace rose before them in its entire splendor. Fireworks went off in the distance, illuminating space with beautiful colors of light. People could be seen, laughing and dancing the night away as enchanting music played.
"You wanted me to share my memories," Astral whispered. "But I can give you back the piece of yourselves that has been missing since the beginning."
At once, the four Sailor Scouts saw themselves, enjoying the evening with the court. Mars, her long dark purple hair streaming in the wind, laughed and gently leaned in to steal a kiss from her beloved. All that could be seen of the man she cuddled against was his white-gloved hands and a hint of a purple uniform.Jupiter was lying in the grass, flowers blowing nearby. Her eyes were closed and her head rested in the lap of her lover. His hands played with her brownish-pink hair, causing her to giggle with delight.
Mercury sat on a swing, staring into space as she was being pushed back and forth by two similar gloved hands. The swing stopped as his mouth descended to claim her lips, their hands intertwined with each other. Her dark blue hair covered the kiss, hiding them away from the world.
Venus was high in a balcony, combing her long golden hair when she felt his hands stop her brush. She squealed in delight and turned to crush her body against her lovers, ignoring her duties this one time and relishing the night.
The memory brushed away with the wind. The Sailor Scouts paused to gaze at Astral with confusion. "What was that?" Venus asked at length.
Astral laughed magically, his voice coming in with a faded quality. "It was you, of course."
Serenity walked into the court, her eyes swelling with tears at the thought of her fiancé leaving yet again to fight. Her silver hair pooled to the floor, tailing behind her. She entered the court hall with polite dignity, smiling with the duty her birth granted. As dignities passed by, the mask she wore fell to reveal the deep sorrow she felt. Serenity sighed and began to walk away. A masked man stepped before her and, with a smile expressing more joy then words could allow, the two began to dance. Their whispery conversation was hidden by the hordes of people, content to collect in a circle around the two in quiet admiration of the mystical dancing.Far, far away, Beryl stepped away from the gardens with a self-satisfied smile. With a gnarled hand, she motioned eight bodies away. The bodies winked and wrinkled away. Beryl glared at the spot where the bodies had once been before throwing the thought away with an impervious shrug and heading away from the party.
At once, the Scouts and their four lovers stopped all activity and, with a whispered word, the four hidden men flashed away. The Scouts headed back to their own duties, concern illuminating their individual faces. They never saw the four generals appearing before Beryl, each being struck down to bent knees and being forced to accept her as they opened the gates to the Kingdom. Hours passed in the twinkling night before Beryl struck.
Astral froze the time and left them floating in the cool reaches of space. "Heero wanted you to see the Kingdom but you're not ready for it."
"Was that-"
Astral nodded, his cheerful demeanor appearing again. "It was the night of the attack. I could replace all your memories but I doubt Pluto would allow me to. Besides, you're not supposed to know until later."
Venus gazed at the floor. "How did you know? Of the Kingdom I mean?"
"Which?"
"Which what?" Jupiter asked.
"Which Kingdom do you want to know about?" Astral replied with a shrug, his manner teasing. He continued on with a mock-haughty voice. "There are so many I could tell you of-"
"The Moon Kingdom," Mercury answered a smiled tugging at her lips. She was beginning to grow fond of this Astral. Jupiter's and Mars' twin grins showed that they too felt the same.
"No, wait. You said that Heero wanted us to see the Kingdom," Venus objected. "What Kingdom was he talking about?"
"The Star Kingdom, of course," Astral answered. "That is his Kingdom after all. Mine as well."
"HIS?" Jupiter gawked.
"Heero's a prince?" Mars said shocked.
"It would explain his powers…" Mercury speculated, thinking with her calculating mind even in the present conditions. Three sets of eye set on her incredulously and she blushed. "Sorry."
"What's the Star Kingdom?" Venus wondered. "It sounds familiar somehow."
"I'm surprised you're the first to recognize it, Princess," Astral congratulated. "You had the least connection with it." He turned to the others. "Your brothers were sent here for training. Unlike the Moon, woman and men hold the same amount of power here."
"Brothers?" Jupiter asked incredulously
"Yes. Your brother named Callous known today as…Trowa, I believe, was sent here. Jupiter's people are extremely strong. Callous- I mean Trowa was a good friend of mine."
"Trowa?" Jupiter whispered.
"I had a brother?" Mercury asked, her voice lit with wonder.
Astral nodded his head respectfully. "Yes. His name was Rue. He wasn't your true brother but was adopted into the family. You two were close, I remember," his voice trailed off, eyes twinkling. "He kept our group out of trouble." Astral's eyes closed. "He's now known as Quatra."
Mars opened her mouth to ask but Astral intercepted her with quick, "Yes. You had a brother as well. His name was Kiln. And you remind me of him. He came from Mars as the sole survivor of his House. Had it not been for your family, he would have been forced from the planet in an attempt by the other Houses to gain the throne. When you see him again, he'll be called Wufei."
Astral cleared his throat. "I think that it's still too soon for you to see the Kingdom. And Heero has brought you here to train."
"Is that what our brothers did, when they were sent here?" Astral nodded, smiling at the Princess of Mercury.
"Then why did he attack us? Why didn't he just explain?" Venus questioned. "
"Yea. If he'd tried to explain it first, I bet we'd-" Jupiter began.
"We'd probably attack him, thinking he was some enemy," Mars finished. She nodded. "I understand now."
"Your understanding has not changed, Sailor Mars," Astral commented. When she stared at him in question, he continued, "You're the Scout of War. Your understanding of war has increased since I last saw you."
"Queen Serenity once called me that," Mars murmured.
"Was our hair-Did we really look like that?" Mercury asked.
Astral smiled teasingly. "Your hair will probably begin to change soon. Perhaps when you're training and- training! You have to start soon!"
The world began to fade again and they found themselves in the same room as before. Two voices were arguing about something and Astral's disappearing from could be seen wildly motioning to someone, an angry expression on his face. With a resigned sigh, the prince disappeared completely and the room seemed to shift. The Scouts blinked and everything seemed to be back to normal. The Scouts were back in the room they were exploring before meeting with Heero. The portraits glared at them, as though the long-dead men disapproved of their activities.
Except this time, no dust clogged the air. Everything looked perfectly clean, taken care of in the best way. The Scouts wandered around the room, staring at what had become of the barren wasteland. Everything was completely clean. It was like every bit of dust had been forcibly scrapped off. The two podiums that had stood, empty and forlorn now glittered and the cushioned velvet propped itself up with dignity. Guards stood at attention, backs stiff and eyes hard. It wasn't too difficult to guess what they were guarding. The podiums held two separate crowns of glittering gold and gems without end.One crown was clearly made for a woman. Nine pointed rods stuck out from a round centerpiece and were connected by strings of small, delicate pearls. The rods ended in stars and twinkled musically from their resting position. The crown itself was a light hue of gold, shiny and glossy in a clean, clear way. In the base, blood-red jewels and dying purple amethysts carved out a foreign title in a sweeping language. The language looked simplistic in its refined ways, imbued with an easy tongue that seemed to be the combination of all the Moon Kingdom's languages-or the base of them.
The other crown was sturdy and mannish in its design. Spiked serpents slithered on top of another title in the foreign tongue, this one carved by glittering black gems and silver streaks. It was also made of what looked to be pure gold but a darker, redder version. The serpents' eyes glittered devilishly from their positions, eyes made up of crimson stones. Set in the middle of this crown, like in the pictures, was a stone cut into the design of a broken diamond, sprinkling the room with light. It was as though the Crystal had been stolen to be placed among the slithery snakes.
The Scouts watched the crowns a moment more when they heard music playing from outside. Exchanging a look, the Scouts pushed the door open and stepped into the hall. People were dancing and singing to the captivating melody that came from the throats of a group of women at the foot of the stairways. The entire room was filled with noblewoman and noble men, all dressed in exquisite designs bragging of each noble's wealth. The room also held a mist-like quality, the source found as Venus accidentally bumped into a butler carrying a tray of food. She went right through him.
"Everything's fake," Mercury observed, stepping through a few people herself. Her face took on a concentrating expression.
"Weird," Venus muttered, stepping away from the butler who continued walking around the room.
"What's going on, do you know?" Jupiter questioned, stepping back from walking groups of aristocrats sauntered her way.
"No clue," Mars answered. "But it doesn't hurt so don't worry about it."
"This is all an illusion," Mercury concluded, her computer beeping silently as she conducted speedy tests on the ghosts. "My guess is that this is the Star Kingdom."
When the group of young women at the foot of the stairs stopped singing, everyone stopped to applaud them. The girls blushed and stole away into the night.
Taking the opportunity to examine what they could, the Scouts wandered the room. Everything was like it was when they first came, except instead of being old and decayed, everything was in perfect order. The air twinkled as glitter sprinkled the air and flowers scented the room from high above, roses and blossoms caught up high in a net to sprinkle fragrances onto the crowds. Nobility drank wine from the very glasses they Scouts saw in what must be the future, the same designs imprinted onto the glossy surfaces. And the marble stairways, instead of being cracked and broken now stood radiant against the lighting.
The King and Queen lounged in their chairs high above, drinking champagne and conversing with a group of young men. King Trieze was easily identified from the man in the picture. From the door, Astral strode out and purposefully walked to the King. His body glided through the Scouts, a transparent illusion of a past memory.
Trieze, seeing his son coming, excused himself and walked to the youth. The sounds of enjoyment and laughter covered the two's discreet conversation but couldn't hide the haunted look of weariness that contorted the King's face. The two nodded and went their separate ways.The Queen watched from her seat with sorrowful eyes, her light brown hair falling just past her shoulders. Straightening, she politely dismissed the crowd from the podium and waited for the King. The Queen wore her hair up in two buns on either side of her head, the curves decorated by an array of small pearls. Her dress was a light yellow color, setting off pale olive skin. From behind her, what could only be a princess walked. The princess had blooming scarlet hair and had the same colored dress on her young body. Looking to be about ten, the red-haired princess gazed at Trieze with a knowing look and whispered something into the Queen's ear. The Queen nodded and smiled lovingly into the girl's face as she walked away.
From the group of women singers, two young ladies glanced at each other warily. One had sun-blonde hair that fell to her waist. Her garb was simple yet fashionable and the way the crowds humbly bowed to her passing body gave her away as one of high station. The other had a near-white blonde hair color, also the same length. Her eyebrows were her most striking features, shaped into an accusing curve cut into two different points. It looked as though someone had taken them and yanked them apart, halfway tearing them in two when they stopped and left the pieces dangling.
As they walked further away, their departure went mostly unnoticed by all but three other women. All three wore uniforms. One had her brown hair down in two braids that fell from her shoulders and down her chest. Her arms were folded and she watched to see if anyone else saw them. Another had short blue-black hair, cut short with a stern expression. The dozens of honors pinned onto her uniform marked her as an officer of high rank. The last also had blue-black hair but was smiling cheerfully, waving to the people. Her hair fell around her face, short but carefree.
The five met together and talked silently among themselves. Their activities drew the attention of the four Scouts who wandered over to listen.
"What do you think Prince Astral has discovered?" the girl with the frightening eyebrows asked, leaning with one hand against a nearby wall. Her face was utterly expressionless, attention focused completely on the glass of wine in her hand. If the Scouts had not seen her speaking through the corners of her lips, it would be as though the questioned was asked from nowhere.
The first girl, the one of high rank, took up a similar appearance, faking nonchalance. "My brother has probably got more news on the Dark Kingdom."
The brown haired officer took a sip of her wine, pausing mid-sip to say, "I've heard that the Moon Kingdom has invited the Star Kingdom over for a dignified tour of their new palace." She continued drinking before again pausing to continue, "They wish to show off their newfound wealth of Earth."
Closing her eyes and slightly nodding her head in time with the music, the older officer muttered, "When did you get this Sally? When will the rest of us be informed?"
"Not for awhile. Not even the King knows of it yet," the brown-haired woman replied.
"It could be a trap," the last girl objected softly. All conversation stopped as a waiter walked by, proposing drinks. The girl smiled graciously and took one of the offered cups, saying nothing but the smile on her face. They didn't continue until it was clear. "The last time one of our Kingdom went they…"
The statement was left open. Sally coughed gently. "Cosmos, what does your brother think?"
Astral's sister shrugged, eyes tense. "He won't talk to me. Not yet, anyway. Wait…oh, he says we will be going soon. Within the hour. He says no more other then he and his circle will discuss it."
The dark haired officer's eyes shot open. "We can't! It's not safe! The Kingdom will strike anytime."
"Calm down Lucrezia," Cosmos murmured. A smile lit her young face and she turned it down into her glass. "My brother comes for you."
Lucrezia stiffened before touching her face nervously. A lone man walked up to her. He had long, flowing platinum hair and a pale complexion. His dressings made him out to be one of high stature or class in this place. Dozens of honorary medals hung on hid silver jacket. He bowed to her in askance and her face lost all lines of worry as the two danced in the crowd, dancing as one to the delight of all in witness.
"Did Astral say anything else?" The one with whitish blonde hair asked Cosmos.
Cosmos smiled. "Only that another asteroid approaches. If anyone wants supplies or more jewelry, he says they should be there soon." The four laughed quietly before breaking up and going their separate ways.
From the audience, a young woman with jet-black hair running to her knees narrowed her eyes. She wore the customary garb for Mars, a blood red dress covering her body and long black sleeves covered with words of magic. Long slits revealed slim legs and her olive skin contrasted with the pale beauty of the Star Kingdom. One hand gripped a long, honorary sword, its metal turning red-hot. Her hair shimmered and she was lost to the crowd.
As Astral walked away, a group of four young men joined him. All wore different colored suits in honor of their homelands.The first wore a dark green suit. His coarse brown hair covered half of an expressionless face.
The second wore a deep blue vest with beach colored pants. Soft blonde hair fell around his angel-shaped face.
Deep, fiery red that looked like live fire was the color of the third's. His black hair was gelled back into a severe style that matched his angry expression.
The last was smiling and laughing but he wore the colors of devastation- a destructive dark purple. A lone brown braid swung in time with his movements down his back.
The group swiftly walked away, leaving the night of merriment behind.
The Scouts walked from the room and outside. They passed through the rooms of before. The conference hall was filled with uniformed officers, all arguing in a deep and whispering language that sounded like thundering rumbles. Another room, filled with maps and the like was also filled but with darkly dressed directors. They spoke in hushed sounds, the somber language coming from their lips one that filled the Scouts hearts with dread to even pass by. It was as though they were looking into the face of oblivion and knew the end was near. Tinkling laughter floated from children's' mouths in another room, the language matching the chiming jingle the toys they played with produced.
Venus smiled unsurely. "Does everyone speak a different language here?"
"Not necessarily," Mercury muttered. She looked up. "It seems to be all the same language, except for the one those girls were speaking."
"How can it al be the same language?" Mars demanded. "I could've sworn there were at least a dozen languages going on there."
"My only explanation is that the language goes with what the people are feeling." Mercury shrugged. "The children were happy, they talked happily. The officers were angry, so was the language and the directors…"
"What were they speaking?" Jupiter asked. "The girls, I mean."
"Japanese?" Mars supplied weakly. "At least, that's what I heard."
Mercury smiled. "They spoke Lunarian," she answered softly.
"How do you know!"
Mercury shrugged at Venus' question. "That's what my computer tells me."
"So…we all speak Lunarian?" Venus asked. The Scouts remained quiet as they wandered the halls and finally reached the outside world.
There, the stars twinkled so close that their warmth could be felt. The palace was made of mostly silver-like pillars that glittered against the darkness of space. Marble and carpets also decorated that castle but everything was a snowy-white or silvery-pale. Everywhere, the people were happy and carefree.
The castle itself existed in a way none of the Scouts could explain. It looked like it was floating through space. It wasn't connected to a planet or anything at that. It was simply sprawled across the darkness that was space. It was as though space had been turned into a glass world and this place was sitting ontop it. It was like the Kingdom drifted. Space and Kingdom seemed to beat as one in time. The Scouts couldn't believe the size of it as they turned to see the true magnificence that was the Star Kingdom. The palace itself was nearly twice the size of what their dim memories of the Moon Kingdom's palace were and beside its towering silvery walls, gardens, houses, fields, and streets connecting homes with what might be work spread across the galaxy. It was a self-sustaining empire.Nearby, a shooting star froze in time. Somehow, people of the Star Kingdom made it across the icy space onto the star's surface. Within moments, a spiraling walkway connected the palace to the star and more people gushed onto it, laughing and enjoying everything. They were a happy, carefree people.
The Scouts walked onto the star in wonder. Everything was like a golden and silver crystal paradise. Children ran through crystallized domes of a soft rock laughingly, playing games in a foreign tongue. In some places, the crystal was so thick it became a black spot. In others, the children would accidentally run into the near-invisible wall. But never did it hurt. They would laugh and run off again.
Astral stood at a high spot of this, a natural rise in the star's surface. Below him, the group of young men that had followed watched uneasily. Such a display of power discomforted them: it was a show of power great enough to rival-no, pass that of their own powerful Moon Queen.From ahead, a chuck of rock headed towards the Kingdom. As large as a house, hitting it looked inevitable. As it crashed against the star, Astral's eyes blazed momentarily, ebbing the asteroid into a thousand piece trail of silver. Astral closed his eyes and focused his powers once more. The star began to shift its course, turning slightly. Satisfied, Astral stepped down and left. A guard, as the prince left, stepped up into the rise to fill the position.
The children ran screaming with delight, to crowd around Astral's legs. Astral and his group laughed and agreed to join them in the game. The children laughed wildly and ran around in a weird pattern, a game of some sort before being herded from the star. Soon, the King and Queen walked out followed by Cosmos, Lucrezia and the platinum haired man Cosmos called brother. Guards formed positions around the royal family and stood at strict attention.Cosmos and her two brothers exchanged glances. They turned away but the Scouts caught traces of an unvoiced conversation.
'Why are we going this way Regal?' Cosmos' whispery voice asked the night air.
Mercury started, eyes wide. "Did you guys hear that!" she asked excitedly.
"Telepathy…"Mars breathed. Venus and Jupiter exchanged awed looks.
Regal, her older brother, shook his head almost indiscernibly. 'I don't know.'
Astral's strained voice answered, 'They wish to impress us with their riches, so we will do the same.'
'But this rock isn't anything!' Cosmos rejected.
Astral glanced around. 'For them it is,' was his simple answer before breaking down the connection.
The spiraling stairway to the star was broken off and it was set free from the time entrapment. Still on the palace grounds, the Scouts could do no more then stare as the shooting star took off. Far beyond, the dim reaches of the moon could be seen as a speck beyond reach.
Again, the world seemed to shift and the Scouts found themselves standing in the dirty room once more. Heero gazed at them with veiled concerned eyes. Dark blue eyes, Mars noted, understanding the change. Astral had eyes shaded with light merriment. And they were light blues. As he saw that they were all right, the look was replaced by the apathetic countenance she was beginning to expect of the heartless Heero.
"Was that your Kingdom?" Mars asked lightly. Heero stared a moment before nodding sharply.
"That was my Kingdom before the war destroyed it," Heero's dry answer caught up to their ears. Venus looked around. She lifted a piece of the tapestries that fell around them as though the walls themselves were weeping. "What happened?" "That same thing that happened to your own Kingdom," Heero replied with the same cold tone. "We were attacked."
"And defeated?" Mars probed. Heero stared at her. "Yes, but the reasons were different. Our Kingdom was sucked away into a different universe and time. There was no one left to defend this place. Had we still been there, the Dark Kingdom's losses would have outweighed the gain of the Moon Kingdom."
"'Sucked away'? What's that suppose to mean?" Jupiter urged
Heero shrugged. "I have no idea. I was there at the time."
"I though Astral said you and he were one?" Mercury reminded. Heero shook his head. Mercury scowled. "The least you could do is tell us exactly when and where we are. It's obvious that you are somehow able to control time like Sailor Pluto can."
"You can?!" Mars shouted.
"It's the Star Kingdom's legacy to control time," Heero answered blankly. "The planet of Pluto bargained to borrow the ability in order to get into the Moon Kingdom. Queen Serenity refused to accept them without that ability. They were worthless to her eyes."
"Don't mess with our Queen," Jupiter warned, angered.
"How can you call her your Queen when the most you remember is the bits she gave you?" Astral's voice echoed across the empty room. His ghostly body appeared beside Heero, light eyes scanning them with an intensity he didn't display before. His right arm overlapped Heero's left, Heero's arm slightly glowing from the contact.
"I thought you were dead!" Venus shrieked, leaping back against a wall. Her actions disturbed the dust that had collected and now showered down on her spitting body.
"I am, in a sense…" Astral answered. His eyes turned thoughtful and he glanced at Heero. "You don't mind…?"
"Mind what?" Mars asked suspiciously.
"Nothing, of course," Astral answered with a flourish. "I just thought that sense I know the most out of everyone, at least at the moment, you would agree to follow me into time so that I might train you at a better location."
"We can't travel through time!" Mercury objected. "Our currant bodies aren't nearly strong enough. Traveling to the future with Rini nearly killed us with the strain."
"You don't have bodies," Astral whispered.
"What!" Jupiter yelled. Mars, Mercury and Venus echoed the shout.
"It's true," Astral continued as though it didn't matter. "Heero killed you-"
"Why!" Venus turned to shout at Heero who'd begun stealing away to the shadows. "Why'd you kill us! Wait. This makes me a ghost, doesn't it? I hate ghosts!" The blonde leader fell to the floor, crying and whining and pounding the ground in denial.
"Sailor Venus!" Mars reproached. She glared at Heero. "So, what now? We're dead, we can't do anything."
"You died after confronting the four sisters sent to kill you by Beryl," Heero replied, voice tinted with reprimand. "Yet without your help, the princess Serenity wouldn't have won."
"That's different," Jupiter brawled. "The Queen helped us that time. And after, Sailor Moon brought us back to life."
Astral shrugged. "So?"
"You can't bring us back to life," Jupiter shot back.
"Why not?" Astral asked.
"You don't have the ability," Jupiter answered, unsure.
"Says who?" Astral pressed. Jupiter sighed and stepped down. "Time is the ultimate ability. That was the reason it was made restrictively for the Star Kingdom. The agreement was that Pluto would have the ability to control time as long as our Kingdom didn't need it. They were also given a set of rules to follow. Our Kingdom raised each generation with exclusive training so that each knew the rules as though they came with birth, and each follows the rules. The collapse of the soul is punishment for those who disobeyed. If they dare disturb the peace of time, the Guardians take back the gift of life from them."
"So you hold the ultimate power over time?" Mars asked, humbled slightly before Astral's wisdom. Slightly.
Heero's eyes narrowed as though he detected the insolent thoughts coming from her. "We are one with time, in a way Plutarians will never be. In a way, we are above time, entering when we chose to and leaving when we need. But even then we observe the laws."
From behind Heero, another spirit- a dark, dark one- floated. Mars shivered and try to peer beyond the shroud it hid behind. As though it sensed her spirit powers, the soul quivered and vanished, leaving a chilling smile behind. Mars shivered again and was left wondering what it was.
Heero didn't seem to notice the contact he had with the otherworldly demon. Or perhaps he had known and expected it. Whatever it was, she had no chance to question its presence before it whipped away and she felt her very essence being sucked away…
----
Serena had never felt so good. Or so bad.
She was lying on her back, the tub's curved surface running smooth against her skin. Playfully, like a child, she began to gather the bubbly water and gently blew it across the room. The bubbles floated with a sinking motion until its fragile surface bumped into something and then it exploded into a thousand small pieces that drifted down to the floor. Sparkles left in the air showed where dozens of the small watery soapsuds had died throughout the bathroom. Serena giggled as bubbly foam glided down on top her head. The worries of the moment were gone and left the teenage girl the way she'd always wanted to be- normal. But…she wasn't a normal girl.
With a sigh, Serena began to scrub her long hair into one giant mass of oozing shampoo. Just thinking about the things she needed to do wrecked the day. Some shampoo threatened to drip into her eyes and she irritably smeared it away with a wet hand. The move only succeeded in spreading the shampoo across her forehead.
Serena took a deep breath and plunged into the enormous tub. Underwater, she viciously scrubbed at her head and worked the dirt out of her hair. Within minutes, Serena stepped from the tub, shining clean again thanks to her efforts. The weather outside was dreary as usual for this time of year. Dripping rain, a sound she once found so forlorn, now comforted her as it bashed against a window.
Immediately, Amy's face popped into her mind, an image of the teen smiling happily and asking Serena what was wrong. Serena waved the image away, her mood sinking fast. The thought of what she did, of what the Outers did humiliated the proud Sailor Moon. Ray's behavior was nothing out of the ordinary that day, in fact it had become a sort of ritual for the two good friends. They'd have a playful argument and then be the same friends. Just that…dream. Darien.
The name chilled her for some reason.
She hadn't seen him in forever but didn't really want to. He was always hanging around with Rini, having fun and ignoring her, his girlfriend and future wife. The thought of what he'd do if he knew she didn't even like him anymore…At least, she didn't think so… Darien's voice swept through her mind. Serena, you know I love you but Rini is my daughter. Serena scowled.
And I'm you're future wife.
The dream she had flashed through her head. Her mother, barely recognizable in the haze that followed every dream…That wasn't right, Serena thought. Usually, when Serenity spoke to her, it was with crystal clear comprehension and the dream would last that way forever.
Drying herself off with a fluffy pink towel and wrapping her hair up in another yellow one, Serena opened the door quietly, wincing at the accusing squeak it gave as she walked into the hall. No matter how many times she came here, she could never get over the amazement the apartment brought her. Huge painting graced the walls with bright colors and sculptures of dancing, happy and smiling people could be seen in every few corners. Giant pots from the Indians were used as mini tables and the walls gleamed white behind paintings done by the individuals living here.Portraits of the Moon Kingdom, done off scale and from a dream, gaped at her from one wall and beside it, the painting of her and Darien as the Prince and Princess held their locket tight. The half-forgotten memories she had left of that time filled her with a craving to go back to that time. Pluto already told her such a thing was impossible-just like it would be impossible for her to see her future self. No one can be in two places at once.
Serena walked into the room set apart as her own and quickly changed. Luckily, her parents thought she was spending the night at Ray's like she usually did on Friday nights. They wouldn't worry too much and if they did, she could smooth things over between the family. Once changed into a pair of comfy white pajamas sporting pink bunnies, Serena gathered her steel and searched out the people she wanted.Trista sat, meditating in what would be the apartment's front room, joined with two of the four strange boys. One was meditating as well and looked in his element. His black hair was styled back, glued to his forehead to reveal his light olive skin. His features were relaxed and calm, sitting with his back straight up and his legs crossed in an uncomfortable position. He wore what he'd been wearing since Serena had got there less then an hour before: A dark blue tank top with a slithering gold dragon across his chest and a pair of loose white pants. His feet were bare.
Besides the two meditating, another teen boy sat with his view towards a window. His head was facing the window but his eyes were watching Trista unobserved. His tight blue jeans and dark green shirt contrasted with the light colors from the walls, making him appear odd in the bright room. His short brown hair fell across one side of his face, hiding an eye. Seeing Serena, he turned to watch her. Serena suddenly felt extremely conscious of the bunny pajamas she was wearing and stepped from the room with a blush. Trowa's inquiring eyes followed her all the way.
Turning down the hall, soft off-white carpet crunched under her feet and she instinctively ran a hand along the wall as she walked, the thumb of her other hand lightly touching her lips in thought. She'd been here for less then an hour, barely said a word to those guys before rushing off to take a bath and yet, it was like she knew them when all they'd told her was their names. Weird, she thought definitely, reverting back to her normal self and forgetting about the whole thing.
In one of the rooms down the hall, violin music filled the air. The sweet, high pitch drew her attraction, sending her curious eyes looking for who played the instrument. Michelle was standing in the middle of a room, her shoulder length turquoise hair swaying in time with the music, with huge, gaping windows and a magnificent grand piano. The room was completely empty save for the piano, a large dark oak closet and two separate violin cases leaning against the wall.
Amara was leaning against the doorframe, eyes closed to listen to the beauty of the music as a serene expression covered her face. Both were wearing different versions of a dark gray and green uniform, Amara wearing the male version with gray slacks while Michelle wore a long gray skirt. Both wore long green sweaters. The windows' curtains lay, drawn to the side and the light storm could be seen from its bravura view. Michelle's sweet song echoed through the vacant area, turning into a haunting rhapsody.
Near Michelle, another of the boys sat with crossed legs on the floor, tuning a violin. His sand blond hair covered most of his eyes as his face was turned down and he wore the same colored pants with a blue shirt. When he looked up with a brilliant smile, he placed the violin in position and began to play. The two violinist's music combined into an airy tune, his music lifting her saddening one back into the clouds. They played with closed eyes, both knowing exactly where to place their fingers without thinking of what the sound would become.It rose with sweetness and filled the empty room with joy. Trowa, Wufei and Trista crept into the room and watched with admiration as the music swept through the apartment. Trowa stepped to the closet and removed a small, black case. Silver rang softly through the air beneath the violin music as he took out a shiny flute. The three played and performed a musical piece none of the listeners ever heard before but which sounded remarkably familiar.
At last the music died down and, with the sounding applause from the five spectators, the three put their instruments away. Trista watched them with a strange look before walking away to return to her meditating.
Serena stepped forward to speak with Amara and Michelle but the two had already begun walking away. Feeling the slightest tinge of frustration, the blonde stomped after them but stopped when she nearly collided with someone else. "Oh, sorry!" she exclaimed as she sent him tumbling back.
With a chuckle, the braided boy flipped back to his previous position and threw his hair back over his shoulder with an unconcerned expression. "Hey, no problem."
Serena glanced at him before looking to where the pair she needed to talk to went. Seeing their retreating forms leaving the apartment, she frowned. "Where are they going?"
"Who?" the teen asked. He was still standing there, rubbing a hand on the back of his neck and watching her with an inspecting gaze. Suddenly, he snapped his fingers and grinned. "Your Serena aren't you? That Sailor Moon girl everyone was talking about!"
"Sa-Sailor Moon!" Serena gaped. "How'd you- I mean, what are you talking about?"
"They told me," he pointed with his thumb towards the door Michelle and Amara had just left. "'Course, it was really the Pluto person but she doesn't want to admit it."
"Pluto told you?" Serena screeched. "WHY!!!"
Duo grinned. "Because we're here to help, I guess. Hey, didn't you say something about a guy named Heero?"
"Yea, you know him?" Serena asked eagerly.
"He's the reason why we're here."
Serena turned to see the black haired guy standing behind her, arms folded across his chest fiercely. "Um, hi."
Wufei nodded once in greeting. Beside the dark haired fighter, the other two guys stood. Quatra smiled cheerfully. "You're Miss Serena?"
Blushing, she nodded. "Just call me Serena."
"How do you know Heero?" Wufei demanded.
"Wufei, calm down," Duo chided. "It's not like we're going to get any information if you scare her."
"Scare me!" Serena laughed. "I'm not scared of anything anymore."
"Really?" Duo asked with raised eyebrows. Wufei sighed with annoyance and sat against the wall. Duo could be such a child sometimes.
"Amara? Michelle?" a sleepy voice echoed through the halls. A pink haired child stepped from one of the room, rubbing the sleep from her eyes. She stopped short at the sight of a certain blonde female. "Serena?"
"Rini? What are you doing here?" Serena asked with shock. "I thought you were at Darien's. That's where you're suppose to be!"
"I was but…Serena!" Rini ran and hugged Serena tightly about the waist. Serena's maturity had given Rini the impression of a parent, something she wanted now more then anything. "Serena, I had this bad dream about this really dark thing and it was like a cat! But then I woke up. And I would've stayed with Darien but he wanted you instead so when Amara and them came, I went with them and I saw Hotaru again! But now she's gone and no one knows where she is and I think Darien's mad because I left him alone at the park when we were suppose to have a picnic and it don't know what to do!" The narrative ended with a long wail from Rini.
"Shh…" Serena cooed, wrapping Rini in a comforting embrace and slowly rocking the young princess. "Shh, now. It's all right." For a moment, a glittering woman, tall and graceful replaced the blonde with silvery hair flooding down her spine. The woman watched Rini with a loving eye, much to the shock of the four pilots. The enchantment was broken by Rini's loud sniff and it was Serena holding Rini once more.
"Hey, cheer up!" Serena hushed with a smile. "I can think of a dozens things that make you look prettier then crying so come on." Rini sniffed again and looked up at her future mother.
"Like what?" the princess asked innocently. Serena grinned mischievously. In a flash, Rini's tearful face was gone as Serena's tickling fingers playfully tormented her out of her misery.
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I'm BACK!!! SOOO Sorry for the forever wait. This chapter's been cut in half so I could post it now- still grounded but hey, no problemo.
SCHOOL'S OUT FOR SUMMER!
SCHOOL'S OUT FOREVER!!! -I wish.
Especial thanxs for all those who are too nice to me. Thanks so much ShadowSonic!!! And everyone else who's given me so many idea about this fic that started out as revenge against my hated rival- my older sister: ~*~Kawaii Girl~*~
R/R -black rebellious.