Sailor Moon-Violence and Corruption
Part 5: "Try, Try Again"
By Bill K.
"I'm calling for a Usagi Tsukino," the voice on the phone said.
"She's at school right now," replied Ikuko. "This is her mother."
"This is the Tenth Street Veterinary Hospital. We just wanted to let you
know you can take your white feline home this evening."
"White?" asked Ikuko. "Our cat is black."
"Oh. They were brought in together, we just assumed they both belonged to
your daughter."
"No, we just own the black one. I don't know who owns the white one.
How's our cat doing?"
"We're seeing improvement, but she's going to need to be watched for a few
more days to check for infection or any breathing problems."
"I see. Well I'll tell my daughter, although she'll probably be there
after school tonight."
The veterinarian hung up and walked over to the cages in the infirmary.
Luna was sleeping, but Artemis was awake and alert. He eyed the vet
surreptitiously.
"Hmm, guess you don't get out tonight, Kitty," the vet said, placing a
dish of food inside the cage.
"Meow," Artemis said for effect and received a scratch on the head.
"I thought that cute little blonde owned you. Guess we'll have to wait
for your owner to show up."
"I hope she does," Artemis thought as the vet checked Luna. "I kind of
miss her."
* * * *
As Usagi walked down the street, she pondered her latest problem: Namely
how to find the inner senshi in order to change them back. If Luna and Artemis
hadn't known where they were, how could she find out? Then all at once it hit
her - -
"They're after me," she thought. "Let them come to me."
Seized by the idea and energized by it, Usagi headed straight for the
park. Finding a secluded spot, she whipped off her brooch.
"Moon Eternal Make Up!"
The few people who were in the park at ten a.m. on a weekday turned and
stared. Eternal Sailor Moon, the costume wings on her back glistening in the
morning sunlight, marched purposefully across the paths and the grassy areas of
the park. She found the highest open point, on a small grassy mound in a
clearing, chose a point and stood there defiantly.
"I'm here!" she yelled up at the heavens. "I know you want me! Come and
get me! You don't have to hurt my friends or my family! I'm right here!"
The park remained peaceful and calm. The few patrons stared up at her in
confusion.
"Anyone?" Sailor Moon said hopefully. Her shoulders slumped. "I was sure
that would work. Now what do I do?"
Something crashed into her back with the force of a battering ram. Sailor
Moon was flung forward, then landed hard face first and rolled down the mound to
the bottom. She struggled to regain her wits. As she pulled herself to a
sitting position, she looked up and saw the four renegade Sailor Senshi standing
on the mound overlooking her.
"We're here, Sailor Moon," Venus smiled. "We just wanted to see if you'd
start crying."
No reply came from Sailor Moon. Instead she cleared her mind and summoned
the Moon Power Tier. The girl felt the touch of the Silver Crystal in the back
of her mind and she silently prayed for the strength to complete her task.
"Burning Mandala!" roared Mars. The fiery rings shot out at Sailor Moon.
She barely managed to evade them.
"Sparkling Wide Pressure!" yelled Jupiter. Sailor Moon had to stop on a
dime and leap over the bolt of electricity.
"Crescent Beam!" called Venus. Sailor Moon sprawled on the ground on her
face, narrowly evading worse damage than a few clipped hairs. She looked up and
saw the four senshi smugly towering over her.
"It was a good idea to try to change us back," Mercury said, grinning
contemptuously. "But it was a tactical error to think we'd just sit here and
let you. Then, tactics never were your strong point." She pointed to the Moon
Power Tier. "Shine Aqua Illusion!"
Sailor Moon tried to lurch to her right, fearing she'd be too late.
"Silence Wall!" and the water blast froze to ice against an invisible
barrier. Sailor Moon looked behind her and saw Sailor Saturn standing ready,
The Silence Glaive pointed menacingly at the four renegades.
"I've always wondered how much your force shield could take," growled
Jupiter. "Ladies?" Her hand snapped down emphatically. "Jupiter!"
"Venus!" replied Venus, in order to summon her most powerful attack.
"Mars!"
"Mercury!"
Lost amid the louder shouts was a whispered, world-weary phrase: "Dead
Scream". Her attack was not. The bubble of energy exploded from the talisman
atop her staff and bowled through the senshi like a ball through tenpins. "Now,
Sailor Moon!"
Sailor Moon nodded and scrambled to her feet. She raised the Moon Power
Tier above her head.
"Silver Moon Crystal Power Kiss!"
A shudder passed through Sailor Moon, as it always did when the Silver
Crystal was brought into play. She felt the energy form and grow. She took it,
manipulated it, then guided it towards the nearest target, the fallen Sailor
Mercury. The silver energy shot out, enveloping Mercury, caressing her with its
restorative touch.
And Mercury screamed.
"Ami-chan!" wailed Sailor Moon in shock and horror.
Trapped within the silver energy, Sailor Mercury was in pain. She howled
out her agony, writhing like she was on fire. Instantly Sailor Moon tried to
recall the energy, but she didn't know how. The others stared in amazement as
Mercury thrashed around in the grip of Sailor Moon's healing attack.
"Venus!" snapped Sailor Venus, scrambling to her feet to take advantage of
the distraction, "Love and Beauty Shock!"
The shock waves hit Pluto dead on, tossing her aside like a leaf in a
hurricane. The senshi landed awkwardly and didn't move.
Mars threw a fireball that Saturn's shield caught. Jupiter and Venus were
retreating toward their fallen partner, now changed to Ami Mizuno.
"No!" shrieked Sailor Moon as she bolted forward. Saturn barely dropped
her protective barrier in time. The two renegade senshi stopped and seemed
about to attack, but Sailor Moon brought up the Moon Power Tier. They backed
away and abandoned Ami in retreat.
"Silver Moon Crystal. . ." began Sailor Moon, looking to get off another
shot. But Mars, Venus and Jupiter disappeared into a teleportation field that
flared like a sun, then faded. A final flaming arrow flew back from where they
were and was deflected by Saturn.
Sailor Moon skidded to a stop on her knees next to Ami.
"Ami-chan?" she whispered, cradling the unconscious girl in her lap.
"Please wake up, Ami-chan."
"Sailor Moon!" cried Saturn. "Sailor Pluto's hurt!"
"Ami-chan," Sailor Moon whispered, gently stroking the girl's forehead.
"I'm sorry if I hurt you. Please wake up. Please?"
* * * *
"And I tell you, the guy was giving me the eye," Cooan insisted as she and
Karaberas walked into the two story house they shared with their other two
sisters.
"Cooan, you practically propositioned the man," Karaberas replied, shaking
her head in embarrassment. "I nearly went into shock! And so did he!"
"What am I supposed to do, play 'Miss Aloof and Hard to Get' like you? I
liked him and he liked me."
"And so did the woman he was with."
"She was all wrong for him," shrugged Cooan.
"You," muttered Karaberas in total resignation, "are so completely
classless, little sis."
"Don't you 'little sis' me," fumed Cooan.
"Shhh!" demanded Beruche, glued to a news report on television. It caught
the attention of the other two women as well when they spotted the Sailor Senshi
in the news footage.
"What's happened, Beruche?" Karaberas asked.
"There was a battle in Juuban Park," Beruche replied, her voice a timid
whisper. "They say two girls were hurt and that the Sailor Senshi were
involved."
"Cooan, didn't you say you spoke to Usagi recently?" Karaberas noted.
"Yeah, she said her friends were missing," replied Cooan.
"It doesn't look like they're missing any longer."
"It doesn't look like they're friends any longer, either," Beruche added.
The three studied the footage as it repeated.
"It looks like they are fighting," whispered Karaberas. "What do you
suppose it could be about? Did Usagi mention anything?"
"No, she was too worried about them," Cooan said. "I think we should go
to her - - see if she needs any help."
"That's a good idea," Beruche nodded.
"And maybe it's not," cautioned Karaberas. "Maybe this is some internal
thing. Maybe it's something we shouldn't get involved in. Maybe our butting in
would only end up embarrassing and humiliating Usagi. Think before you leap,
Cooan."
"That's true, too," nodded Beruche.
"And what if she does need our help?" persisted Cooan. "Even if it's only
a shoulder to cry on and an ear to listen to her troubles, don't we owe her
that? Have you forgotten all that she's done for us?"
"No, I haven't," bristled Karaberas. "But unlike you, I don't go charging
in every time I think I'm right. How many times has she fought menaces that
threatened all of existence? Did she ask for our help then? If she needs us,
she'll call us."
"Unless she's too proud."
"Oh, enough!" sighed Beruche. "Sometimes I think you two would argue less
if you were perfect strangers. How about we do what we always do - - let Petz
decide."
"Petz doesn't know everything," scowled Karaberas.
"Maybe, but she has enough perspective to judge things fairly. I trust
her judgment."
"Fine, let Petz decide," Karaberas conceded, flopping in a chair. "I'm
tired of thinking about it. It'll give me stress wrinkles."
"Cooan?"
"Let Petz decide," nodded Cooan. "But I'm going, even if I have to go
alone."
"You two are impossible," huffed Beruche.
* * * *
The hospital waiting room was becoming a familiar place for Usagi and that
in itself was a bad thing. She sat on an old, neutrally colored sofa next to a
table full of old magazines and yesterday's newspapers, looking at the old
carpeting without seeing it. Hotaru, fidgeting with the impatience of youth,
wandered into the room for the fifth time. She wandered out a few seconds
later.
Usagi sighed. She flashed back to the Emergency Room and the doctor
looking Ami over first, then Setsuna. Setsuna was diagnosed with a concussion
and got x-rays to confirm there was no skull fracture. But Ami - - Usagi heard
the staff say a lot of stuff she didn't understand, and one word she did: coma.
To make matters worse, someone in the hospital had notified Ami's mother of her
arrival. Seeing the normally placid, stoic, logical Mrs. Mizuno desperately
fighting back hysteria only made Usagi feel worse.
She was denied entry to the exam room. Mrs. Mizuno went in, but paused at
the door and addressed Usagi.
"Don't leave," Mrs. Mizuno said in a tone expecting to be obeyed. "I need
to talk to you about some things."
"Blaming yourself again?" she heard a husky voice say.
Usagi looked up. Haruka stood just inside the doorway, dressed in a robe,
her fractured shoulder braced in a sling. Hotaru stood next to her.
"Just wondering what I did wrong," Usagi said vacantly. "I've never had
anyone react that way before."
"You've also never fought this enemy before," Haruka told her in her
typical blunt manner. "I know you think you did something to Ami, but maybe the
enemy did it as a last spiteful act before it died. You know, Dumpling, you
ought to consider that Ami's better off now than she was before, and that's
thanks to you."
"Better off how?"
"Well, I know I'd rather be comatose and free than be awake and a slave.
Don't let this stop you from trying to free the others. After all, you're the
only chance any of them have."
Usagi remained silent, considering this. A few moments passed, then Mrs.
Mizuno entered. She looked Haruka and Hotaru over warily.
"How's Ami?" Usagi asked anxiously.
"Still comatose." Mrs. Mizuno's gaze stayed on Usagi, dissecting her.
"What happened, Usagi? Where has my daughter been for the last day and a half?
Why is she in a coma?"
Usagi's gaze fell to the floor. She didn't know what to say.
"She was abducted," Haruka replied bluntly, daring anyone to challenge the
statement. "Usagi helped her escape. You ought to be grateful."
"I'd like to know more before I decide who I should be grateful to," Mrs.
Mizuno bristled. "Usagi, I know Ami's involved in something. She's been
involved for about two years now. I also know you're involved, too, and
probably Rei Hino and Makoto Kino and Minako Aino." She glanced at Haruka. "It
wouldn't surprise me if you're involved, too."
Usagi swallowed.
"I don't know what it is exactly, but I let it go since Ami's grades never
fell off and she never showed any signs of dangerous personality changes. If
anything, she's become more outgoing since she met you. But I know she's
involved in something she's keeping secret from me. I know my daughter and the
signs are there if you're alert enough to look for them. I'm sorry Ami doesn't
trust me enough to confide in me, but until now it wasn't important enough to
press her on."
"Mrs. Mizuno," Usagi struggled to say, "I . . .it isn't that she doesn't
trust you. . ."
"It's better that you don't know," Haruka finished Usagi's sentence. "For
your safety and hers."
"Better how?" Mrs. Mizuno asked pointedly. "These people who you say
abducted Ami - - are they going to try again? Are they going to do worse to
her? I think it would be nice if I knew this."
"I can't guarantee they won't," Haruka replied, meeting the intense gaze
of Ami's mother unflinchingly, "but I don't think they will. Usagi's the one
they want." Mrs. Mizuno glanced with curious concern to Usagi. "Ma'am, I know
you're just trying to protect your daughter. I know it's more than some parents
would do. But there are times in a person's life when she has to take risks to
protect things that are dear to her. Ami knows this and she accepts it."
"What risks?" demanded Mrs. Mizuno. "What is she protecting that she has
to risk herself?"
"You, for one. I'm not going to reveal what she's doing specifically.
It's her decision whether she confides in you. It's not mine and it shouldn't
be yours, either. But I will tell you that she is risking herself for something
noble and honorable. Please keep that in mind."
"Have you ever been a parent?"
"Well," Haruka stammered and it was the first time Hotaru could recall
seeing her blush, "I've . . .been helping to raise the child of . . . a friend."
"What if that child was the one lying comatose upstairs. Would you feel
the same way?"
Haruka glanced at Hotaru.
"I'd be by her side, waiting for her to wake up so I could tell her how
much I loved and admired her," Haruka replied. Hotaru beamed.
"I just don't agree," Mrs. Mizuno shook her head. She looked to her right
and realization came to her. "Where did Usagi go?"
They all looked. Usagi was gone.
* * * *
Mars screamed. Her scream echoed through the cavernous underground long
after the noise died out in her throat. She hung limply from her wrists, unable
even to thrash around in a futile attempt to escape. For the supernatural
aspect of Tenera still held control of her mind and wouldn't allow her to move.
It let her feel every second of torment Tenera inflicted upon her.
It let her scream in hopes of amusing Talon Umbra.
Tenera said nothing, asked no questions, made no demands. She didn't have
to. The captive senshi knew what she wanted of them. They knew they were being
punished for resisting, for managing to hold back just enough to allow Sailor
Moon to escape twice and thwart their captor's plans.
It didn't make it hurt any less.
"Do you think this will help, Tenera?" asked the disembodied voice of
Talon Umbra.
"Yes, Mistress," Tenera replied, looking away from the three senshi
hanging by their wrists. "They will obey me."
"And have you considered the possibility they might prefer to die before
betraying their patron?"
"Then they will die."
"And your opportunity for victory will dwindle with it, Tenera. It
dwindles now. Your prey is on guard."
"Yes, Mistress. I will succeed. My life is collateral for that
guarantee."
"Yes. It is."
Tenera looked to Jupiter. Jupiter howled in agony.
* * * *
Setsuna opened her eyes and immediately closed them. The sun peering
through the window of the hospital room was far too bright at the moment. Her
head seemed fuzzy and it pounded with a dull ache.
"Finally awake?" Setsuna heard the melodic voice and recognized it, but
it took a pair of seconds to associate a name with the voice. Setsuna opened
her eyes again and glanced around the room.
"Am I in the same hospital as you and," Setsuna asked, briefly searching
for the name she wanted, "Haruka?"
"Yes," Michiru smiled, her mouth tugging at the bandage taped to her
cheek. "How's your head?"
"Angry," replied Setsuna, "and apparently at me."
"No doubt. They say you suffered a concussion."
"That would follow. Thinking," Setsuna grimaced, "is a chore."
"Remember which senshi did it?"
"The one," and Setsuna paused, frowned and wrinkled her brow, "in orange."
"You probably caught her attack full face." Michiru smiled again and
eased back in her chair. "A fine bunch we are. We outers must be getting old.
Only Hotaru's still functional."
"Or the inners are stronger."
"They are stronger," nodded Michiru, "but they're bolder, too. They don't
have the restraint of concern for another's safety. They're fighting to kill."
"Sailor Moon?" Setsuna asked suddenly. "Safe?"
"Yes, and she managed to get Ami away from them, too. Not quite in one
piece, I hear. Poor kid. I wonder how she's holding up?"
"I wonder how Usagi is holding up," Setsuna commented.
"That's who I was talking about."
* * * *
Usagi stood at the foot of Ami's hospital bed. The door was closed. The
two were alone. For a moment, Usagi let doubt creep into her mind. Then she
summoned her resolve. She had to try. She had to.
"Moon Eternal Make Up," she whispered so as not to attract attention.
After transforming to Eternal Sailor Moon, she summoned the Moon Power Tier.
"I'll make you well, Ami-chan. If I can't, then I have no more reason to be
Sailor Moon." She took a deep breath and cleared her mind so she could
establish as firm a link with the Silver Crystal as possible. "Silver Moon
Crystal Power Kiss."
The silver energy washed over Ami like a soft wave. She stayed still as
Sailor Moon poured all the energy she dared out through the Tier, guided by a
single powerful wish for Ami to be restored to normal. When Sailor Moon reached
her limit, the silver wave died away.
Sailor Moon waited anxiously. The monitor beeped monotonously, the only
sound in the room. Then Ami's lip moved. Her eyelids fluttered, then opened.
"Usagi-chan," Ami whispered, weak and disoriented. "What are you doing in
my bedroom?"
Sailor Moon collapsed to her knees at the foot of Ami's hospital bed.
Gripping the footboard, she touched her forehead to the bed and gave happy,
silent thanks.
Mrs. Mizuno, Haruka and Hotaru walked down the hall toward Ami's room,
thinking Usagi had gone to visit the patient. As they neared the room, Usagi
popped out of the door. When she spotted them, she broke into a wide, happy
grin.
"Mrs. Mizuno ma'am," she bowed. "Please come in. Ami would like to say
good morning."
Ami's mother stopped for a moment, her eyes wide and incredulous. Then
the news sank in and she broke quickly for the door. Flying past Usagi, she
stood just inside the door. Ami looked over to her.
"Good morning, Mother," Ami whispered, giving her a weak smile.
Her mother sat down on the side of the bed. She gathered Ami up in her
arms and hugged the girl tightly to her. From the doorway, the three senshi in
hiding could see her back shaking, like she was softly sobbing.
"I knew you could do it, Usagi-chan," Hotaru said softly. "I had faith."
"See, Dumpling," Haruka smiled, placing her hand on Usagi's shoulder.
"You can't accomplish anything until you try. And sometimes you just have to
try more than once."
Usagi nodded, her face threatening to burst from the wide grin on it.
Continued in part 6
Part 5: "Try, Try Again"
By Bill K.
"I'm calling for a Usagi Tsukino," the voice on the phone said.
"She's at school right now," replied Ikuko. "This is her mother."
"This is the Tenth Street Veterinary Hospital. We just wanted to let you
know you can take your white feline home this evening."
"White?" asked Ikuko. "Our cat is black."
"Oh. They were brought in together, we just assumed they both belonged to
your daughter."
"No, we just own the black one. I don't know who owns the white one.
How's our cat doing?"
"We're seeing improvement, but she's going to need to be watched for a few
more days to check for infection or any breathing problems."
"I see. Well I'll tell my daughter, although she'll probably be there
after school tonight."
The veterinarian hung up and walked over to the cages in the infirmary.
Luna was sleeping, but Artemis was awake and alert. He eyed the vet
surreptitiously.
"Hmm, guess you don't get out tonight, Kitty," the vet said, placing a
dish of food inside the cage.
"Meow," Artemis said for effect and received a scratch on the head.
"I thought that cute little blonde owned you. Guess we'll have to wait
for your owner to show up."
"I hope she does," Artemis thought as the vet checked Luna. "I kind of
miss her."
* * * *
As Usagi walked down the street, she pondered her latest problem: Namely
how to find the inner senshi in order to change them back. If Luna and Artemis
hadn't known where they were, how could she find out? Then all at once it hit
her - -
"They're after me," she thought. "Let them come to me."
Seized by the idea and energized by it, Usagi headed straight for the
park. Finding a secluded spot, she whipped off her brooch.
"Moon Eternal Make Up!"
The few people who were in the park at ten a.m. on a weekday turned and
stared. Eternal Sailor Moon, the costume wings on her back glistening in the
morning sunlight, marched purposefully across the paths and the grassy areas of
the park. She found the highest open point, on a small grassy mound in a
clearing, chose a point and stood there defiantly.
"I'm here!" she yelled up at the heavens. "I know you want me! Come and
get me! You don't have to hurt my friends or my family! I'm right here!"
The park remained peaceful and calm. The few patrons stared up at her in
confusion.
"Anyone?" Sailor Moon said hopefully. Her shoulders slumped. "I was sure
that would work. Now what do I do?"
Something crashed into her back with the force of a battering ram. Sailor
Moon was flung forward, then landed hard face first and rolled down the mound to
the bottom. She struggled to regain her wits. As she pulled herself to a
sitting position, she looked up and saw the four renegade Sailor Senshi standing
on the mound overlooking her.
"We're here, Sailor Moon," Venus smiled. "We just wanted to see if you'd
start crying."
No reply came from Sailor Moon. Instead she cleared her mind and summoned
the Moon Power Tier. The girl felt the touch of the Silver Crystal in the back
of her mind and she silently prayed for the strength to complete her task.
"Burning Mandala!" roared Mars. The fiery rings shot out at Sailor Moon.
She barely managed to evade them.
"Sparkling Wide Pressure!" yelled Jupiter. Sailor Moon had to stop on a
dime and leap over the bolt of electricity.
"Crescent Beam!" called Venus. Sailor Moon sprawled on the ground on her
face, narrowly evading worse damage than a few clipped hairs. She looked up and
saw the four senshi smugly towering over her.
"It was a good idea to try to change us back," Mercury said, grinning
contemptuously. "But it was a tactical error to think we'd just sit here and
let you. Then, tactics never were your strong point." She pointed to the Moon
Power Tier. "Shine Aqua Illusion!"
Sailor Moon tried to lurch to her right, fearing she'd be too late.
"Silence Wall!" and the water blast froze to ice against an invisible
barrier. Sailor Moon looked behind her and saw Sailor Saturn standing ready,
The Silence Glaive pointed menacingly at the four renegades.
"I've always wondered how much your force shield could take," growled
Jupiter. "Ladies?" Her hand snapped down emphatically. "Jupiter!"
"Venus!" replied Venus, in order to summon her most powerful attack.
"Mars!"
"Mercury!"
Lost amid the louder shouts was a whispered, world-weary phrase: "Dead
Scream". Her attack was not. The bubble of energy exploded from the talisman
atop her staff and bowled through the senshi like a ball through tenpins. "Now,
Sailor Moon!"
Sailor Moon nodded and scrambled to her feet. She raised the Moon Power
Tier above her head.
"Silver Moon Crystal Power Kiss!"
A shudder passed through Sailor Moon, as it always did when the Silver
Crystal was brought into play. She felt the energy form and grow. She took it,
manipulated it, then guided it towards the nearest target, the fallen Sailor
Mercury. The silver energy shot out, enveloping Mercury, caressing her with its
restorative touch.
And Mercury screamed.
"Ami-chan!" wailed Sailor Moon in shock and horror.
Trapped within the silver energy, Sailor Mercury was in pain. She howled
out her agony, writhing like she was on fire. Instantly Sailor Moon tried to
recall the energy, but she didn't know how. The others stared in amazement as
Mercury thrashed around in the grip of Sailor Moon's healing attack.
"Venus!" snapped Sailor Venus, scrambling to her feet to take advantage of
the distraction, "Love and Beauty Shock!"
The shock waves hit Pluto dead on, tossing her aside like a leaf in a
hurricane. The senshi landed awkwardly and didn't move.
Mars threw a fireball that Saturn's shield caught. Jupiter and Venus were
retreating toward their fallen partner, now changed to Ami Mizuno.
"No!" shrieked Sailor Moon as she bolted forward. Saturn barely dropped
her protective barrier in time. The two renegade senshi stopped and seemed
about to attack, but Sailor Moon brought up the Moon Power Tier. They backed
away and abandoned Ami in retreat.
"Silver Moon Crystal. . ." began Sailor Moon, looking to get off another
shot. But Mars, Venus and Jupiter disappeared into a teleportation field that
flared like a sun, then faded. A final flaming arrow flew back from where they
were and was deflected by Saturn.
Sailor Moon skidded to a stop on her knees next to Ami.
"Ami-chan?" she whispered, cradling the unconscious girl in her lap.
"Please wake up, Ami-chan."
"Sailor Moon!" cried Saturn. "Sailor Pluto's hurt!"
"Ami-chan," Sailor Moon whispered, gently stroking the girl's forehead.
"I'm sorry if I hurt you. Please wake up. Please?"
* * * *
"And I tell you, the guy was giving me the eye," Cooan insisted as she and
Karaberas walked into the two story house they shared with their other two
sisters.
"Cooan, you practically propositioned the man," Karaberas replied, shaking
her head in embarrassment. "I nearly went into shock! And so did he!"
"What am I supposed to do, play 'Miss Aloof and Hard to Get' like you? I
liked him and he liked me."
"And so did the woman he was with."
"She was all wrong for him," shrugged Cooan.
"You," muttered Karaberas in total resignation, "are so completely
classless, little sis."
"Don't you 'little sis' me," fumed Cooan.
"Shhh!" demanded Beruche, glued to a news report on television. It caught
the attention of the other two women as well when they spotted the Sailor Senshi
in the news footage.
"What's happened, Beruche?" Karaberas asked.
"There was a battle in Juuban Park," Beruche replied, her voice a timid
whisper. "They say two girls were hurt and that the Sailor Senshi were
involved."
"Cooan, didn't you say you spoke to Usagi recently?" Karaberas noted.
"Yeah, she said her friends were missing," replied Cooan.
"It doesn't look like they're missing any longer."
"It doesn't look like they're friends any longer, either," Beruche added.
The three studied the footage as it repeated.
"It looks like they are fighting," whispered Karaberas. "What do you
suppose it could be about? Did Usagi mention anything?"
"No, she was too worried about them," Cooan said. "I think we should go
to her - - see if she needs any help."
"That's a good idea," Beruche nodded.
"And maybe it's not," cautioned Karaberas. "Maybe this is some internal
thing. Maybe it's something we shouldn't get involved in. Maybe our butting in
would only end up embarrassing and humiliating Usagi. Think before you leap,
Cooan."
"That's true, too," nodded Beruche.
"And what if she does need our help?" persisted Cooan. "Even if it's only
a shoulder to cry on and an ear to listen to her troubles, don't we owe her
that? Have you forgotten all that she's done for us?"
"No, I haven't," bristled Karaberas. "But unlike you, I don't go charging
in every time I think I'm right. How many times has she fought menaces that
threatened all of existence? Did she ask for our help then? If she needs us,
she'll call us."
"Unless she's too proud."
"Oh, enough!" sighed Beruche. "Sometimes I think you two would argue less
if you were perfect strangers. How about we do what we always do - - let Petz
decide."
"Petz doesn't know everything," scowled Karaberas.
"Maybe, but she has enough perspective to judge things fairly. I trust
her judgment."
"Fine, let Petz decide," Karaberas conceded, flopping in a chair. "I'm
tired of thinking about it. It'll give me stress wrinkles."
"Cooan?"
"Let Petz decide," nodded Cooan. "But I'm going, even if I have to go
alone."
"You two are impossible," huffed Beruche.
* * * *
The hospital waiting room was becoming a familiar place for Usagi and that
in itself was a bad thing. She sat on an old, neutrally colored sofa next to a
table full of old magazines and yesterday's newspapers, looking at the old
carpeting without seeing it. Hotaru, fidgeting with the impatience of youth,
wandered into the room for the fifth time. She wandered out a few seconds
later.
Usagi sighed. She flashed back to the Emergency Room and the doctor
looking Ami over first, then Setsuna. Setsuna was diagnosed with a concussion
and got x-rays to confirm there was no skull fracture. But Ami - - Usagi heard
the staff say a lot of stuff she didn't understand, and one word she did: coma.
To make matters worse, someone in the hospital had notified Ami's mother of her
arrival. Seeing the normally placid, stoic, logical Mrs. Mizuno desperately
fighting back hysteria only made Usagi feel worse.
She was denied entry to the exam room. Mrs. Mizuno went in, but paused at
the door and addressed Usagi.
"Don't leave," Mrs. Mizuno said in a tone expecting to be obeyed. "I need
to talk to you about some things."
"Blaming yourself again?" she heard a husky voice say.
Usagi looked up. Haruka stood just inside the doorway, dressed in a robe,
her fractured shoulder braced in a sling. Hotaru stood next to her.
"Just wondering what I did wrong," Usagi said vacantly. "I've never had
anyone react that way before."
"You've also never fought this enemy before," Haruka told her in her
typical blunt manner. "I know you think you did something to Ami, but maybe the
enemy did it as a last spiteful act before it died. You know, Dumpling, you
ought to consider that Ami's better off now than she was before, and that's
thanks to you."
"Better off how?"
"Well, I know I'd rather be comatose and free than be awake and a slave.
Don't let this stop you from trying to free the others. After all, you're the
only chance any of them have."
Usagi remained silent, considering this. A few moments passed, then Mrs.
Mizuno entered. She looked Haruka and Hotaru over warily.
"How's Ami?" Usagi asked anxiously.
"Still comatose." Mrs. Mizuno's gaze stayed on Usagi, dissecting her.
"What happened, Usagi? Where has my daughter been for the last day and a half?
Why is she in a coma?"
Usagi's gaze fell to the floor. She didn't know what to say.
"She was abducted," Haruka replied bluntly, daring anyone to challenge the
statement. "Usagi helped her escape. You ought to be grateful."
"I'd like to know more before I decide who I should be grateful to," Mrs.
Mizuno bristled. "Usagi, I know Ami's involved in something. She's been
involved for about two years now. I also know you're involved, too, and
probably Rei Hino and Makoto Kino and Minako Aino." She glanced at Haruka. "It
wouldn't surprise me if you're involved, too."
Usagi swallowed.
"I don't know what it is exactly, but I let it go since Ami's grades never
fell off and she never showed any signs of dangerous personality changes. If
anything, she's become more outgoing since she met you. But I know she's
involved in something she's keeping secret from me. I know my daughter and the
signs are there if you're alert enough to look for them. I'm sorry Ami doesn't
trust me enough to confide in me, but until now it wasn't important enough to
press her on."
"Mrs. Mizuno," Usagi struggled to say, "I . . .it isn't that she doesn't
trust you. . ."
"It's better that you don't know," Haruka finished Usagi's sentence. "For
your safety and hers."
"Better how?" Mrs. Mizuno asked pointedly. "These people who you say
abducted Ami - - are they going to try again? Are they going to do worse to
her? I think it would be nice if I knew this."
"I can't guarantee they won't," Haruka replied, meeting the intense gaze
of Ami's mother unflinchingly, "but I don't think they will. Usagi's the one
they want." Mrs. Mizuno glanced with curious concern to Usagi. "Ma'am, I know
you're just trying to protect your daughter. I know it's more than some parents
would do. But there are times in a person's life when she has to take risks to
protect things that are dear to her. Ami knows this and she accepts it."
"What risks?" demanded Mrs. Mizuno. "What is she protecting that she has
to risk herself?"
"You, for one. I'm not going to reveal what she's doing specifically.
It's her decision whether she confides in you. It's not mine and it shouldn't
be yours, either. But I will tell you that she is risking herself for something
noble and honorable. Please keep that in mind."
"Have you ever been a parent?"
"Well," Haruka stammered and it was the first time Hotaru could recall
seeing her blush, "I've . . .been helping to raise the child of . . . a friend."
"What if that child was the one lying comatose upstairs. Would you feel
the same way?"
Haruka glanced at Hotaru.
"I'd be by her side, waiting for her to wake up so I could tell her how
much I loved and admired her," Haruka replied. Hotaru beamed.
"I just don't agree," Mrs. Mizuno shook her head. She looked to her right
and realization came to her. "Where did Usagi go?"
They all looked. Usagi was gone.
* * * *
Mars screamed. Her scream echoed through the cavernous underground long
after the noise died out in her throat. She hung limply from her wrists, unable
even to thrash around in a futile attempt to escape. For the supernatural
aspect of Tenera still held control of her mind and wouldn't allow her to move.
It let her feel every second of torment Tenera inflicted upon her.
It let her scream in hopes of amusing Talon Umbra.
Tenera said nothing, asked no questions, made no demands. She didn't have
to. The captive senshi knew what she wanted of them. They knew they were being
punished for resisting, for managing to hold back just enough to allow Sailor
Moon to escape twice and thwart their captor's plans.
It didn't make it hurt any less.
"Do you think this will help, Tenera?" asked the disembodied voice of
Talon Umbra.
"Yes, Mistress," Tenera replied, looking away from the three senshi
hanging by their wrists. "They will obey me."
"And have you considered the possibility they might prefer to die before
betraying their patron?"
"Then they will die."
"And your opportunity for victory will dwindle with it, Tenera. It
dwindles now. Your prey is on guard."
"Yes, Mistress. I will succeed. My life is collateral for that
guarantee."
"Yes. It is."
Tenera looked to Jupiter. Jupiter howled in agony.
* * * *
Setsuna opened her eyes and immediately closed them. The sun peering
through the window of the hospital room was far too bright at the moment. Her
head seemed fuzzy and it pounded with a dull ache.
"Finally awake?" Setsuna heard the melodic voice and recognized it, but
it took a pair of seconds to associate a name with the voice. Setsuna opened
her eyes again and glanced around the room.
"Am I in the same hospital as you and," Setsuna asked, briefly searching
for the name she wanted, "Haruka?"
"Yes," Michiru smiled, her mouth tugging at the bandage taped to her
cheek. "How's your head?"
"Angry," replied Setsuna, "and apparently at me."
"No doubt. They say you suffered a concussion."
"That would follow. Thinking," Setsuna grimaced, "is a chore."
"Remember which senshi did it?"
"The one," and Setsuna paused, frowned and wrinkled her brow, "in orange."
"You probably caught her attack full face." Michiru smiled again and
eased back in her chair. "A fine bunch we are. We outers must be getting old.
Only Hotaru's still functional."
"Or the inners are stronger."
"They are stronger," nodded Michiru, "but they're bolder, too. They don't
have the restraint of concern for another's safety. They're fighting to kill."
"Sailor Moon?" Setsuna asked suddenly. "Safe?"
"Yes, and she managed to get Ami away from them, too. Not quite in one
piece, I hear. Poor kid. I wonder how she's holding up?"
"I wonder how Usagi is holding up," Setsuna commented.
"That's who I was talking about."
* * * *
Usagi stood at the foot of Ami's hospital bed. The door was closed. The
two were alone. For a moment, Usagi let doubt creep into her mind. Then she
summoned her resolve. She had to try. She had to.
"Moon Eternal Make Up," she whispered so as not to attract attention.
After transforming to Eternal Sailor Moon, she summoned the Moon Power Tier.
"I'll make you well, Ami-chan. If I can't, then I have no more reason to be
Sailor Moon." She took a deep breath and cleared her mind so she could
establish as firm a link with the Silver Crystal as possible. "Silver Moon
Crystal Power Kiss."
The silver energy washed over Ami like a soft wave. She stayed still as
Sailor Moon poured all the energy she dared out through the Tier, guided by a
single powerful wish for Ami to be restored to normal. When Sailor Moon reached
her limit, the silver wave died away.
Sailor Moon waited anxiously. The monitor beeped monotonously, the only
sound in the room. Then Ami's lip moved. Her eyelids fluttered, then opened.
"Usagi-chan," Ami whispered, weak and disoriented. "What are you doing in
my bedroom?"
Sailor Moon collapsed to her knees at the foot of Ami's hospital bed.
Gripping the footboard, she touched her forehead to the bed and gave happy,
silent thanks.
Mrs. Mizuno, Haruka and Hotaru walked down the hall toward Ami's room,
thinking Usagi had gone to visit the patient. As they neared the room, Usagi
popped out of the door. When she spotted them, she broke into a wide, happy
grin.
"Mrs. Mizuno ma'am," she bowed. "Please come in. Ami would like to say
good morning."
Ami's mother stopped for a moment, her eyes wide and incredulous. Then
the news sank in and she broke quickly for the door. Flying past Usagi, she
stood just inside the door. Ami looked over to her.
"Good morning, Mother," Ami whispered, giving her a weak smile.
Her mother sat down on the side of the bed. She gathered Ami up in her
arms and hugged the girl tightly to her. From the doorway, the three senshi in
hiding could see her back shaking, like she was softly sobbing.
"I knew you could do it, Usagi-chan," Hotaru said softly. "I had faith."
"See, Dumpling," Haruka smiled, placing her hand on Usagi's shoulder.
"You can't accomplish anything until you try. And sometimes you just have to
try more than once."
Usagi nodded, her face threatening to burst from the wide grin on it.
Continued in part 6