Hidden Behind The Mask
By Black Rebellious - a dark Sailor Moon/Gundam Wing cross-over
Rated: R- Drugs, self-torture, death and darkness.
Note: Sailor Moon and Gundam Wing belong to their respective companies and originators. But this is really more of a 1/2 Sailor Moon/GW cross-over, since half of the main Sailor Moon characters have been killed off at this point.
Chapter III
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Pluto sat at her throne beside the Gates of Time, tapping a patient finger on her metallic staff. The garnet end glowed with her endless thoughts, allowing her the power to sort the millions of memories coming to her each second. She looked around in surprise, noticing her isolated position for the first time.
"Where are Uranus and Neptune?" she murmured, half to herself and half to the only other person in the room.
Saturn sighed. "They have been gone for a long time. Don't you remember?"
Pluto squinted her eyes, searching through the many memories until at last the answer came to her. "Yes…they went to help the princess…"
Saturn stood and walked from her spot on the edge of the stable area where the Gates stood. She had been cloaked in the darkness, an arrangement getting more and more comfortable as time passed (in a matter of speaking) until now it was her own mini-sanctuary. It was as far as she could get from the unstable Guardian of Time without becoming lost in the time warp.
She called up a tissue from sub-space and wiped the tears from Pluto's face away. She then used the tear-wetted napkin to cool the princess's fever heated forehead. It was weird, taking care of the immortal Scout like a child, almost frightening. But it was the only choice Saturn had and the only thing she could possibly do at the moment without feeling guilt.
Pluto had finally cracked beneath the pressure of time. Not because it was too much to handle-Pluto was strong enough to hold out until the end of time and then do it over and over again for eternity. No, it was the death of her fantasized prince, Darien of earth, that shattered Pluto's defenses to the point of no return.
"H-Have they come back yet?"
Saturn turned her dark purple eyes to the deep garnets of Pluto. "Not yet, but they will," Saturn comforted and when Pluto fell back into her state of delirium, Saturn stepped back and away to her own dark corner again. She didn't want to be near the Time Guardian when the memories came. Memories of a time that never happened, never existed but had once appeared as a possible future-Pluto had seen them all, experienced each life as though it were the reality fate denied her. When Pluto first felt Darien's death, when her grip on time had cracked, Saturn discovered why Pluto so loved the prince that would be forever out of her reach. The answer had been obvious.
In one of her futures, Pluto had become engaged and even married to the black haired prince, living a life full of happiness. Somehow in that future, time had become so utterly warped that Serena had ended up as a girl on the other side of the planet and left Trista alone with Darien. It was so utterly tragic: Pluto remained absolutely loyal to her never-known husband of a different dream even while she lived such a lonely reality.
Other futures whose trails were better left untried had evaded Pluto's weak control left Saturn's mind spinning. Ages of darkness with absolutely nothing to hope for until the princess appeared in a flash of light, saving humanity. A world made of clouds where men and women flew through the skies -the evolution of the Moon Kingdom, had the Silver Millennium never been stopped. Worlds spanning across many universe with speeds so fast one couldn't blink before reaching one's destination where the people rode on waves of light and surfed the stars. One future even showed the world sunk by evil until the only land left was soaking deep beneath the seas.
Many Saturn could not make sense of and more she did not want to but a few were bitter-sweet romances, other hilarious comedies and all had wormed into her brain during a few moments of unguarded time. To think that Pluto would handle such things every moment of her existence, feeling emotions that did not belong to her present self and living a single moment over and over. Pluto knew history's story, cover to cover, even the many side stories or ideas that were never truly added to the main plot.
Saturn could and would not handle it and wished once more in what may have been forever or a moment before that she had gone with the older Scouts to protect the princess. Anything would be better then taking care of an unstable princess, especially one who controlled time. Who knew what could happen here at time's entrance? Who knew what this unguarded moment would bring? Saturn shivered and fell back into the shadows.
But not before she caught another glimpse of the sobbing Pluto.
---
"Mina. Your bags are all packed and ready to go."
"Thank you Horace."
"Now, remember. If there is anything you need me for-"
"I know. I'll call or else I'll just catch the next shuttle home. Goodbye Horace."
"Goodbye, Miss Mina."
Mina walked, her longs legs steady despite her beating heart. Lightning raced in her veins, having a competition to see which destroyed her first- the pressure of becoming the leader of the Sailor Scouts again or the uneven pumping of her heart. Japan had changed much since they'd been there.
Of course it would. It had been nearly fifty years since she last touched the black soil of this land.
Mina tried to remember exactly what happened after Darien's death. There wasn't much to remember. The Scouts had been knocked out and drugged, taken to a place without a name by evil men without souls. There, after many weeks, months, years, whatever, the Scouts had escaped. Through force.
The men had been amazed by their natural resistance to nearly every disease but had had quite some fun after discovering Serena's fear of lightening and thunder. The bastards would purposely leave her outside during a storm. Mina could never really see them but there were at least five. They'd put the Scouts through tests and experiments of all kinds, trying to "enhance" their strength, speed and endurance but never really seeing their true powers.
How could they, when at the start of the Sleeping Millennium, all of the crystals, transforming pens, even the Rose had vanished. So each of the men had satisfied themselves with playing with the girl's false forms until totally exhausted and angry.
Lita was the one with the plan. She discussed with Ray and Amy, leaving Mina to take care of Serena. Mina had no clue how they did it but one night, Lita shook her awake and told her to run.
It had been literally years since their capture and Mina couldn't take it no more so she left to see what was left of her family. And had inherited. From what she understood, Ray and Lita had then fought over leadership of the Scouts until Lita stormed off and Amy stuck with the broken Serena through it all. During the whole thing, none of the Outers dared to show themselves.
Times had changed greatly from the days of bus and bike. There had been a war recently between the Space Colonies, space ports large enough to qualify as small countries from Mina's days, and the earth. Mina had been in captivity all through the war, now known as the Eve Wars, and the mini-war that followed, dubbed the Marie-Maya War. In both wars, huge mechanical machines known as Gundams fought for peace and justice, like the Sailor Scouts once did. Ironic, that once the old force could no longer do its job, a fresher, more powerful force stepped up to push it from its spot.
Now, shuttles transported people from space to earth in as much time as a plane did back in the twentieth century. Electric cars were collectable items and new, solar powered vehicles with panels hidden all over the exterior, were just beginning to fade. Bikes were still popular but much more powerful and technology ruled over all. Mina still had to wonder at nights as she looked up to see the many shining stars that weren't stars. She wondered if she could live on Venus, being its princess and all.
She wondered if she should live in space.
"Mina?"
Mina turned her head to the sound, starting at the familiar voice. "Amy. I-I didn't see you."
Amy smiled weakly. "I could see that," she replied in a strained voice. She hadn't changed much from her teenage years aside from the fact that she had matured. Tall but not too tall with short, stylish dark blue hair and a face free from the stress her eyes belied, Amy was as strong mentally as well as physically as she had ever been. Her wardrobe now consisted of dress suits, most of them ranging from a deep Atlantic sapphire to a windy azure to a misty cerulean. All of her clothing was blue now. A symbol of her power, no matter how unconscious she was of the fact.
Mina was the same. Her color of clothing extended from the brightest gold to a dull yellow. Her own body had matured as she suspected everyone's had. And they would all wear their colors to declare their status.
"I'm sorry. I would have been here yesterday but-"
"It's all right. Lita got here yesterday…let's get to the temple," Amy changed the subjects a bit too fast. Mina may not have been at her best at the moment but she could catch the undertone of worry in Amy's voice.
"What is it?"
"Ray is still mad about Lita just leaving and Lita refuses to being subject to Ray," Amy muttered quietly, so low Mina could hardly catch the words. "There is so much tension it's almost like the air had been turned to ice."
Mina digested the statement as they walked through the streets of the gangster Tokyo, reaching the pure temple.
Lita stood against a wall, casually like she had lived in the ghettos all her life. Her brown hair tied in its customary ponytail, Mina noted with no surprise the hidden muscles that had grown to womanly size in Lita's forearms and exposed calves. Lita wore a black skirt that rose just below the knee with a forest green blouse that rustled its silky material in a breeze. Tall black boots laced their way up to her mid-calf. Lita was now tall, proud, and looked ready to snap.
Ray stepped from the gate's walls, holding a stick of incense to light her way. Mina didn't realize how late it had become. Or how tired she was. Ray looked at her, brushing long raven hair from her delicately pale face, and lowered her eyes. Her cheekbones were high and her cheeks were tinted from the candle's heat, signs of the great beauty Ray had grown into. Her body was hidden by the large traditional wear of the priestess but Mina believed the clothing hid a perfectly fit body, ready to charge into danger and coiled with action.
"Mina."
Mina tipped her head. "Ray. Lita."
Ray waved a hand. "Come. Tomorrow will be a long day. I already have a room prepared for you."
Two ravens cawed from the air. Mina inclined her neck back, eyes taking in the ravens. "Who are they?"
"Urim and Makor." Ray raised her eyes to stare into Mina's bright orbs. "Light and Source."
"What happened to-"
"Dead." Ray's eyes fell once more in the presence of the leader she had tried so hard to emulate. Attempts that had failed and ended up with the Scouts being taken apart, piece by piece. "Your room?"
Urim glared at the intruder but Makor spread its wings, brushing Mina's hair lightly with the extended feathers before tripping over the air currants and falling fast. Mina blinked at the whoosh of air as Ray nimbly caught the falling bird midair, correcting its flying patterns and setting it free once more. Mina looked a question to Ray.
"They are orphans. Not very good at flying just yet. Sometimes, they fall and I have to catch them," Ray shook her head. "But I'm not always there in time."
Mina closed her eyes and allowed herself to be lead by sense alone.
---
Late that night, Ray opened the door, face sweaty. She's spent most of the day locked inside with the great fire, consulting it for wisdom and guidance. Anything was better then being under Mina's blank stare. Ray clenched her fist and her right hand shot up, gripping her mouth shut against the sob that threatened to release itself. She literally held her mouth shut against the burning feeling that stung the back of her throat.
Ray leaned against a pool, eyes cloudy from misty tears. She raised a shaky hand and gazed at the perfect tear she'd plucked from her cheeks. Another tear? When so many had already fallen, Ray no longer believed the droplets meant anything. Not anymore. They had no power to stop pain, to ease one's suffering. All they did was redden her eyes and damp her cheeks. Almost disgusted, Ray rubbed the tear vengefully into her forefinger, skin hungrily sucking up the moisture.
Ray sighed and wiped away all evidence that she'd been crying, leaning back into the pole as she hugged herself with long arms. She gazed up at the innocent stars that still dared to shine in the night sky like diamond specks, despite all that happened- the stars still dared to try and raise her hopes, dreams…
Urim fluttered in the air bathing Ray with a few prize feathers. Ray lifted one from the heavy priestess robes draped along her body and stared at it. The feather was a fine black, silky and smooth against the thin ivory-white bone like structure that held the feather together. Ray absently ran the feather through her fingers, gaze turning back up towards the stars. The other feathers drifted away, gliding on the whisper light breeze that rankled the trees' leaves and enchanted the temple chimes.
Makor swooped in from above, obviously the better flyer of the two, and dropped onto Ray's shoulder, clawing at the deeply padded cloth it used so often as a perch, using its inch-long talons to support its hasty landing. Its yellow beak reflected the moon's weak light, shiny surface bright even at night. One of Ray's hands reached up to rub the bird's soft and delicate skull white her other hand darted into one of her huge pockets. From it she withdrew the bread bits she always carried, reaching up to offer it to the raven. Makor ate it up hungrily, devouring the slightly moistured bread.
Sensing its sibling's feast, Urim let loose a piercing cry and landed on Ray's other shoulder, nipping her ear lightly. Ray winced and soon the two birds quietly finished off the bread, all the while tightening their deadly grip on her shoulders. Ray stood slowly, letting the birds adjust to her movements and her made her way to the courtyard. Leaning against on of the stone benches was the broom she never remembered to put away. She touched the ancient wooden handle and continued on, heading for the gate at the bottom of the long stairway. She couldn't remember whether or not she had locked it shut but she would sacrifice these few moments to check.
Makor spread its wings, wingspan about two feet across. It moved the feathers uneasily, flapping them as it tried to remain balanced. It let out a shrill scream of alarm and hopped from foot to foot, pressuring Ray's shoulder.
Ray's head swung to the right, stopping halfway through the courtyard as she tried to spot the presence she felt and Makor confirmed. It could just be Amy, she reasoned to herself, trying to ease the sense of alarm clawing its way up her throat. The genius had been caught before, journeying through the mini-forest within the temple walls. But this presence didn't have the icy feel Ray could spot a mile away. Maybe it's Mina or Lita. Who knows what either of them liked to do. Perhaps they also liked to walk out at night, preferring to watch the cold and distant moon from afar and reminiscing on days past then to sleep the night hours away.
Urim's head shot up, eyes fixed on a point to Ray's left. Makor quieted its balancing dance and settled on Ray's shoulder more securely, also staring forward at the same place. Both birds had gone as still as stone except for the occasional flutter of their wings.
Guided by their reactions, Ray followed their gaze and entered the dimly lit tree realm, walking between the huge trunks of the great trees. She knew this place like the back of her hand, remembering all the times she ran through these dark halls away from the world only to be followed and lured out by her grandfather. Some of the trees grew close enough to the walls and were old enough to serve as a ladder for the skilled, a back exit out of the temple.
To her surprise, Urim and Makor took off with a scream. Their wide wings skimmed through the air like poisoned darts, camouflaging with the night. The black feathers circled high in the air, making not a sound in the night. Ray watched, transfixed by their smooth and elegant motions, no effort going into their flying as though more important things needed to be considered. As one, the two birds dived deep, losing themselves from Ray's view and plunging into the treetops. Ray heard small branches breaking from their plunge, leaves crinkling to the floor and took off toward the noises.
She ducked low branches, stepping carefully with no noise.
"Princess, the Moon Kingdom needs you," a voice called out.
Ray narrowed her eyes and didn't stop during her search for her ravens and for the voice that was talking to her. Something grabbed her shoulder and Ray brought the mute Urim to her forearm, ignoring the way its talons ripped into her robes, breaking the surface of her delicate skin. She spared the bird a glance and broke her silence for the first time that night. "Where's your brother?"
Makor soared into her view suddenly, nearly hitting her. The sudden appearance scared Ray and she flung her arms with up a scream, forgetting all about the other bird firmly attacked to one of her arms. Urim took off with a shrill cry, half thrown into the air by Ray's impulsive actions. It took the clump of clothe that it had been resting on with it into flight as well as a sizable portion of the priestess's arm, striking a deep wound into her. Ray screamed again, clutching at her arm in pain and turned around, running for the safety of the temple. Urim shrilled another scream, a warning to the alien presence of the forest, and followed its mistress. Makor climbed the air, higher and higher, until it found the branch it was searching for. With a screech, the huge raven spread its wings and drifted to the branch. A fisted arm shot out, catching the raven and drawing back into the shadows. The presence rubbed the bird's skull thoughtfully before flinging it into the air, ignoring its graceful flight as it dropped to the ground and followed quietly.