**First meetings**, chapter 5: Escaping
by Lily.
lilian413@yahoo.com
AN: chapter 5 already!!. I hope you people like it... being working really hard to make it good.
Let's hope all the work pays off!. Email me with your comments and flames (although I hope there'll be more of that first than of the second ones @_@).
*********************************
Back in the dinning room, people were pretty much doing what they do
at Royal dinners:
Stuffing themselves full.
That, of course, with the exception of a group of friends, who
were now way beyond concern.
They were getting the wiggys for their missing friend.
"Kun, where do you think he is?".
"I don't know. Knowing him, he could be at the Royal Library, or at the
Royal Museum, or the Royal History Room, or the Royal---".
"Ok, Ok, we got your point".
The bickering that ensued soon tired Endimion out. He was in no
shape to be listening to their constant protests. This proved useful too, as
he noticed the thoughtful look in Nephlite's eyes.
The auburn haired general stuck up his chin to the front.
"There. See?".
Endimion followed that general direction, and all he could see was a row of
empty seats, previously occupied by the departed Moon Court.
"See what?. A bunch of empty chairs?".
"No. Didn't you notice something strange when they were seated?".
"Honestly?. No".
Nephlite's sigh was more of exasperation that of reproach.
"There was another empty chair. On the Princesses side".
"Really?. Which one?".
"Mercury's".
Kunzite and Jaedite, who had stopped getting on each other's nerves,
and were listening intently, asked together.
"You think they are together?".
Four pair of eyes looked into each other.
"Nahhh".
The silence remained for another five seconds.
"On the other hand...".
There were starting to freak their neighbors, as they again spoke
as one.
"Let's go and find him".
Since there was no higher nobility to pay their respects to, they stood up,
and rushed out of the room.
The party continued, and nobody missed the princesses or their counterparts
Earthlings . . .
* * * * * * * * * * * * * * * *
Ami had always felt gifted by the powerful mind she had.
It enabled her to calculate things beyond anyone else's imagination.
It was her greater strength.
Hence, she was incredibly smart.
And it was thanks to this mind, that she had somehow shaken off the
impression of their last encounter with the evil prince.
"Lord Zoisite, where are we going?".
"I don't know. I'm just running. I hoped you knew where we were".
"Then let's stop, so I can check".
{Anything to *not* think about *him*}.
They stopped.
She looked around.
And draw her conclusions.
"Ok, let's see. Big plants, huge leaves, enormous branches. A lake nearby.
Also almost no light, except for that Martian light-plants. Wow, for them
to be this tall, they must be at least---".
"Five hundred years. I know that. Also, they live without water, they are
self-sufficient. They breathe air, and can live on water or earth. Does that help
us at all?".
She was genuinely surprised.
"Wow, I see you know as much as I do about biology. Are you the studious
type?".
"Does the nickname BookMouse answer your question?. That's how Jaedite
and Endimion call me. Do you like studying too?".
"Wanna know how my friends call me?. BrainGirl. They have told me a
thousand times that the Library isn't my bedroom, that I should get some sleep
every once in a while, that the books are not everything in life, and that I should---".
"Go out more. That a book won't get me a wife, and that
I'm going to be alone for the rest of my life if I don't do something soon. I
think we are very much alike, don't you think?".
"Indeed".
They looked at each other, and blushed furiously.
They looked down, though not before Zoisite could see the shadow of fear
which danced through her eyes.
Coughing to hide his embarrassment, he spoke.
"So, could you figure out where are we?".
When she raised her eyes again, the shadow was gone, as if it had never existed.
But he was sure he had seen it. And he was doing his best to make it dissappear forever.
Mercury thought for a second, and a sudden tightening of her face told
Zoisite something was wrong.
"What is it Lady Mercury?".
"Well", she spoke, her voice slow, hesitant, "I think we might be on the North side
of the Gardens".
"And that's wrong because?".
"The magical dome which provides us with air, water and life in general, only reaches so
far into the Moon. The North side hasn't been colonized yet. There are no people,
or civilization there. Only wilderness".
"So?".
"Don't you see?. Magic does not work in here. The Crystal hasn't granted
permission yet, for the Queen is wary of what dangers may lurk in here. It's a
perfect place to start a revolution: within the Castle grounds, but far away enough
to not be detected".
Zoisite was beginning to see her point now.
"And so, no one will be able to track us down, because our auras won't be felt.
And, we have absolutely no idea how to get back, do we?".
She only nodded.
"Maybe, if I henshined---".
Her whisper was more to herself than to him.
"Mercury power!".
Zoisite had seen displays of magic before.
He himself could play out some.
But he wasn't prepared for *this*.
The power, the raw power of a Senshi, outleashed within two feet of him.
As Princess Mercury transformed, he couldn't help but stare.
It was so beautiful--- she looked so gorgeous---
Before Romantic could go any further, she appeared within the light,
a smile on her face.
To henshin was more than to just change clothing.
It connected you to your planet.
It connected you to the Source.
And Ami could feel the power running through her veins, giving her the strength she
had lost.
Hence, her smile.
Zoisite choked at the sight of her Senshi fuku.
That couldn't be *decent*!.
She had no right to look that good!.
"I'm feeling much better this way".
"So I see, my little princess. Or should I say, Senshi?".
The charm was killed immediately.
The transformation from a powerful, self-confident Senshi, into a whimpering
victim, took no longer than three seconds.
They both turned around, Mercury so slowly, agonizingly slowly, as if
in doing so, her worst nightmare would not be standing there, a painful yet still
evil grin in his face, and a bleeding wound in his chest.
"So, who would have thought that my fiancé would be a Sailor
Senshi?. Now, now, my darling. This kind of secret shouldn't be hidden from
your future husband".
"You are not my boy-friend, nor my husband!. I would
first die than marry you!".
Her screech was desperate.
At least, she could somehow speak when he was around.
That was something.
"My, my. Aren't we a little disrespectful today?. You know, sweetheart,
you should stop those little outbursts of yours. You'll make me kill your
little friend".
As he spoke, his good arm was slowly pointing towards Zoisite.
"No, leave him alone. He has nothing to do with this".
Somehow, Ren's sardonic grin turned even wider.
"Dear, don't you think it's too early in our relationship to
be having an affaire already?".
If he wanted to embarrass her, he was doing it excellently.
Mercury turned beet red, her cheeks staining with her embarrassment.
She managed, though, to make one last remark.
"We---we have no relationship whatsoever!".
"That's where you're wrong, honey. You *will* be my wife. I think that
qualifies as a relationship".
"No. No. No. And NO!".
Her cries of denial were loud now.
Ren didn't seem pleased.
On the other hand, he didn't seem surprised either.
But for Ami, to make her denial vocal, was slowly giving her
her strength back. With every cry, she could feel energy coming back to her,
energy which she thought never to feel again.
"Mercury Bubbles . . . BLAST!".
Funny.
Generally, when she called for an attack, it came.
This time, a little frothing appeared in her hands, wetting them.
Then, it disappeared too, with a loud pop.
"Kuso!".
She had forgotten.
How could she have forgotten?. They had no powers in here. She began panicking.
Fast.
That was until she remembered something else.
When it came to magic, there were strange subdivisions within its
own ranks. Some minor spells, required no magic, no outer force.
Just the very same energy of the user.
Of course, when I say minor spells, I mean *minor*.
As in very, very small. But at least, she had something.
She tried to remember the words, as Ren advanced on them. She saw General
Zoisite walking in his way, blocking his advance. He was protecting her.
He was protecting her. A total stranger!.
She could live with that.
She would repay him just now, anyway.
"Close your eyes".
The silent whisper was so low, and Zoisite made no move to react. She just wished
he had heard him, or she would be dragging a half-blind Zoisite around. She closed her own eyes, trying to forget the sticky sensation that threatened to cloud her mind.
Ren's aura was powerful, even in a place where he technically had *no* aura.
"Light".
With a loud blast, something snapped.
And the place was bathed in light as white as snow, so white, so blinding,
that forms and shaped blurred into nothingness.
Everything became whiteness, and for a second, she thought she had screwed it
up.
The feeling lasted only an instant.
Because the next, the light was gone.
And there were two shapes shuffling on the ground, scratching their eyes,
groaning in pain, as their eyes were almost burnt.
She hoped that since Zoisite hadn't received the full blast, he would've fared
the better of the two. To Ren, she wished nothing more than pain.
She bent over, and helped her friend up.
"Come on, we need to move!".
"I---I can't see!".
"I know. Don't worry, my eyes are just fine".
She began leading him away, as quickly as she could, while dragging a limping
man behind her. Like hell she was leaving him there, with that monster!.
"We must move fast. This won't take long to wear off. Specially in here".
"What was it, anyway?".
Zoisite, eventhough he could see nothing but blurry shapes of bluish-purple in
front of him, managed to locate her by the sound of her voice pretty well.
"A little trick we and the girls learnt to spice up a party. Never had used it so
hard before, though".
"Neat little trick, I might say".
He couldn't hide the awe, nor the pride in his voice as he spoke.
But right then, Mercury was dealing with her own fare of
problems.
Her spell had burnt their eyes for a while, but had done
nothing to their voices.
She could perfectly well hear Ren's screams of rage behind them.
"I'll hunt you till I get you, Mercury. You will not escape from me. And
tell your friend that he is next". . .
* * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * *
Meanwhile, the Senshi had finished searching the entire palace, and
had found nothing. Worried, the Queen was asking the last group that
returned from their quest.
"Did you find anything?".
"Nothing your Majesty. It seems she has disappeared
completely. No one saw her after she was with us".
The frown in their faces went deeper, and Queen Serenity turned to the
rest of the Moon defenders.
"Well, any other ideas?".
Everyone was silent, and many of them sighed in frustration.
Suddenly, the door burst open, and Princess Serenity, whom had taking
a searching quest for her own, entered running, followed by four men.
"Mother, I've go something important to tell you".
"Serenity, what is this suppose to mean?. You now better than to bring strangers
to this side of the Palace".
"Yes mom, but I---".
"Stop, Serenity. Now is not the time. Later. Now, what is it you wanted
to tell me?".
"Mother, I present you Prince Endimion of Earth". "
The black haired man bowed gracefully, and so did his companions.
"Your majesty, it's an honor to finally meet you. Let me introduce you to
my generals: Jaedite, Kunzite and Nephlite".
As each of them was mentioned, they bowed too.
The Queen calmed down immediately. She and Gaea had plans for the both of them...
it was no good getting angry at her son-in-law to-be.
"A pleasure to meet you, Prince Endimion".
Something striked her as odd.
"Pardon the questioning, Prince Endimion, but weren't your guardians four,
and not three?".
"Precisely. One of my friends has disappeared too, and we
have reasons to believe that Lady Mercury and Lord Zoisite are together".
"Really?. And what may those reasons be?".
The Prince blushed a little, before answering.
"Well, we think, he---he fell---".
"He fell in love with her", finished for him Princess Serenity.
The cry of shock echoed loudly around the big room.
"WHAT???"
"Look, Mother. At the welcoming ceremony, Lord Zoisite was caught watching
her intently. Later on, he recognized he liked her. Then, at the party, he disappeared
about at the same time Mercury did. So, it's reasonable to think that they are together".
"Hmmm. It may be a possibility. So, if that's true, at
least Lady Mercury isn't alone against Ren. Now, Prince Endimion, do you
have any way of knowing where Lord Zoisite is?".
"Sadly, no, My Queen. For me to sense their powers, they must be within a
hundred feet radius. Clearly, he's farther away that that. That's all I can tell
you. I'm sorry".
"It's ok. It's more than nothing. We must do something soon. Let's see. If I
use the Silver Crystal, I may be able to locate their aura, so you can go and---".
"No".
There was only one person in the whole Universe who would dare interrupt the
Queen.
Pluto.
She stood by the door, her dress shinning, even in the darkness. Her voice was calm,
and collected. Even so, her worry was evident.
"What do you mean *no*?. Do you want us to leave them on their own against that
psycho?. Are you out of your mind?. Look Pluto, I know you are the Guardian of Time Gate,
so you obviously knew what was happening. Why didn't you tell us?. You don't care about
her?".
Fury was clogging Jupiter's mind, and she couldn't continue her diatribe.
"Jupiter, calm down. You know that Pluto can't tell us anything about the
future. It's too much risk to take. If she says that we can't go after
Mercury, she must have a reason".
"Yes. We do have a reason".
A bunch of eyes were locked on her, and seemed to say: 'So?'.
"This is something she must face alone. If she can overcome
something like this, she will prove that she is worth to be a Senshi. If
she doesn't, we have been given orders to find another girl to be the Mercury avatar. That's all we can tell you. If you insist on going out and find her, we'll be forced to hurt you".
"A new Mercury?. You've got to be kidding. Why does Mercury need to prove
anything?. She was born with the power, isn't that enough?. And how come *we*
don't get to be tested?".
Pluto's smile reminded them of a Cheshire cat, lounging on a comfortable couch.
"Who said you weren't?. It's just that her test is much harder".
"How come?".
"She was the weakest of you. We didn't know whether she was ready to face what's to come".
"Now wait a minute here, Pluto. You know how Mercury doesn't like to
attack anyone. That's why she's always defensive, and that doesn't mean she's the weak link. Hey, remember when I first got here?. My powers were as feeble as hers!. Remember, Jupiter?".
When she got no answer, she turned to her friend.
A warm voice, from behind her, made her turn again.
"Excuse me, Lady Venus?. If you are talking to that woman in the dark green dress, she left already".
Venus face-faulted, and looked towards the door.
"What do you mean she left?".
"Well, she bowed to the Queen, and exited through that door, disappearing from
my sight".
Venus had the grace to blush.
"I know what 'leaving' means".
{Damn it, did I have to go an make a fool of myself in front of a hunk like this?.
Gosh, that white hair is so beautiful}.
The Queen spoke.
"That settles it, then. As much as I hate to say this, we will have to
stand back, and let Mercury defend herself. We can't fight the will of destiny".
As the Queen said her goodbyes, and returned to the party, Senshi and Generals
weighed each other down, like opponents before a battle. Endimion and Serenity
just grinned, knowing the sparks of something when they saw it. They remained quiet, though. Let them find out on their own.
Joking aside, they were much more attuned to their friends than they knew.
And they could both feel, even if they didn't know what it was, that they were fine
and well, and a certainty of their victory settled upon them.
Mars was the first one to speak.
"Hey, I have a question. Who gives orders to the Time Keeper?".
Jaedite popped in, and backed her up.
"Yeah. And did you notice how she always talked in plural?. 'We' this, 'we' that".
They all looked at each other, their youth shinning obviously in their
eyes. True, the Generals were older by age, but which male really grows up?. They
are always children by nature.
As one, they spoke their mind.
"Showoff".
******************************
TBc...........
by Lily.
lilian413@yahoo.com
AN: chapter 5 already!!. I hope you people like it... being working really hard to make it good.
Let's hope all the work pays off!. Email me with your comments and flames (although I hope there'll be more of that first than of the second ones @_@).
*********************************
Back in the dinning room, people were pretty much doing what they do
at Royal dinners:
Stuffing themselves full.
That, of course, with the exception of a group of friends, who
were now way beyond concern.
They were getting the wiggys for their missing friend.
"Kun, where do you think he is?".
"I don't know. Knowing him, he could be at the Royal Library, or at the
Royal Museum, or the Royal History Room, or the Royal---".
"Ok, Ok, we got your point".
The bickering that ensued soon tired Endimion out. He was in no
shape to be listening to their constant protests. This proved useful too, as
he noticed the thoughtful look in Nephlite's eyes.
The auburn haired general stuck up his chin to the front.
"There. See?".
Endimion followed that general direction, and all he could see was a row of
empty seats, previously occupied by the departed Moon Court.
"See what?. A bunch of empty chairs?".
"No. Didn't you notice something strange when they were seated?".
"Honestly?. No".
Nephlite's sigh was more of exasperation that of reproach.
"There was another empty chair. On the Princesses side".
"Really?. Which one?".
"Mercury's".
Kunzite and Jaedite, who had stopped getting on each other's nerves,
and were listening intently, asked together.
"You think they are together?".
Four pair of eyes looked into each other.
"Nahhh".
The silence remained for another five seconds.
"On the other hand...".
There were starting to freak their neighbors, as they again spoke
as one.
"Let's go and find him".
Since there was no higher nobility to pay their respects to, they stood up,
and rushed out of the room.
The party continued, and nobody missed the princesses or their counterparts
Earthlings . . .
* * * * * * * * * * * * * * * *
Ami had always felt gifted by the powerful mind she had.
It enabled her to calculate things beyond anyone else's imagination.
It was her greater strength.
Hence, she was incredibly smart.
And it was thanks to this mind, that she had somehow shaken off the
impression of their last encounter with the evil prince.
"Lord Zoisite, where are we going?".
"I don't know. I'm just running. I hoped you knew where we were".
"Then let's stop, so I can check".
{Anything to *not* think about *him*}.
They stopped.
She looked around.
And draw her conclusions.
"Ok, let's see. Big plants, huge leaves, enormous branches. A lake nearby.
Also almost no light, except for that Martian light-plants. Wow, for them
to be this tall, they must be at least---".
"Five hundred years. I know that. Also, they live without water, they are
self-sufficient. They breathe air, and can live on water or earth. Does that help
us at all?".
She was genuinely surprised.
"Wow, I see you know as much as I do about biology. Are you the studious
type?".
"Does the nickname BookMouse answer your question?. That's how Jaedite
and Endimion call me. Do you like studying too?".
"Wanna know how my friends call me?. BrainGirl. They have told me a
thousand times that the Library isn't my bedroom, that I should get some sleep
every once in a while, that the books are not everything in life, and that I should---".
"Go out more. That a book won't get me a wife, and that
I'm going to be alone for the rest of my life if I don't do something soon. I
think we are very much alike, don't you think?".
"Indeed".
They looked at each other, and blushed furiously.
They looked down, though not before Zoisite could see the shadow of fear
which danced through her eyes.
Coughing to hide his embarrassment, he spoke.
"So, could you figure out where are we?".
When she raised her eyes again, the shadow was gone, as if it had never existed.
But he was sure he had seen it. And he was doing his best to make it dissappear forever.
Mercury thought for a second, and a sudden tightening of her face told
Zoisite something was wrong.
"What is it Lady Mercury?".
"Well", she spoke, her voice slow, hesitant, "I think we might be on the North side
of the Gardens".
"And that's wrong because?".
"The magical dome which provides us with air, water and life in general, only reaches so
far into the Moon. The North side hasn't been colonized yet. There are no people,
or civilization there. Only wilderness".
"So?".
"Don't you see?. Magic does not work in here. The Crystal hasn't granted
permission yet, for the Queen is wary of what dangers may lurk in here. It's a
perfect place to start a revolution: within the Castle grounds, but far away enough
to not be detected".
Zoisite was beginning to see her point now.
"And so, no one will be able to track us down, because our auras won't be felt.
And, we have absolutely no idea how to get back, do we?".
She only nodded.
"Maybe, if I henshined---".
Her whisper was more to herself than to him.
"Mercury power!".
Zoisite had seen displays of magic before.
He himself could play out some.
But he wasn't prepared for *this*.
The power, the raw power of a Senshi, outleashed within two feet of him.
As Princess Mercury transformed, he couldn't help but stare.
It was so beautiful--- she looked so gorgeous---
Before Romantic could go any further, she appeared within the light,
a smile on her face.
To henshin was more than to just change clothing.
It connected you to your planet.
It connected you to the Source.
And Ami could feel the power running through her veins, giving her the strength she
had lost.
Hence, her smile.
Zoisite choked at the sight of her Senshi fuku.
That couldn't be *decent*!.
She had no right to look that good!.
"I'm feeling much better this way".
"So I see, my little princess. Or should I say, Senshi?".
The charm was killed immediately.
The transformation from a powerful, self-confident Senshi, into a whimpering
victim, took no longer than three seconds.
They both turned around, Mercury so slowly, agonizingly slowly, as if
in doing so, her worst nightmare would not be standing there, a painful yet still
evil grin in his face, and a bleeding wound in his chest.
"So, who would have thought that my fiancé would be a Sailor
Senshi?. Now, now, my darling. This kind of secret shouldn't be hidden from
your future husband".
"You are not my boy-friend, nor my husband!. I would
first die than marry you!".
Her screech was desperate.
At least, she could somehow speak when he was around.
That was something.
"My, my. Aren't we a little disrespectful today?. You know, sweetheart,
you should stop those little outbursts of yours. You'll make me kill your
little friend".
As he spoke, his good arm was slowly pointing towards Zoisite.
"No, leave him alone. He has nothing to do with this".
Somehow, Ren's sardonic grin turned even wider.
"Dear, don't you think it's too early in our relationship to
be having an affaire already?".
If he wanted to embarrass her, he was doing it excellently.
Mercury turned beet red, her cheeks staining with her embarrassment.
She managed, though, to make one last remark.
"We---we have no relationship whatsoever!".
"That's where you're wrong, honey. You *will* be my wife. I think that
qualifies as a relationship".
"No. No. No. And NO!".
Her cries of denial were loud now.
Ren didn't seem pleased.
On the other hand, he didn't seem surprised either.
But for Ami, to make her denial vocal, was slowly giving her
her strength back. With every cry, she could feel energy coming back to her,
energy which she thought never to feel again.
"Mercury Bubbles . . . BLAST!".
Funny.
Generally, when she called for an attack, it came.
This time, a little frothing appeared in her hands, wetting them.
Then, it disappeared too, with a loud pop.
"Kuso!".
She had forgotten.
How could she have forgotten?. They had no powers in here. She began panicking.
Fast.
That was until she remembered something else.
When it came to magic, there were strange subdivisions within its
own ranks. Some minor spells, required no magic, no outer force.
Just the very same energy of the user.
Of course, when I say minor spells, I mean *minor*.
As in very, very small. But at least, she had something.
She tried to remember the words, as Ren advanced on them. She saw General
Zoisite walking in his way, blocking his advance. He was protecting her.
He was protecting her. A total stranger!.
She could live with that.
She would repay him just now, anyway.
"Close your eyes".
The silent whisper was so low, and Zoisite made no move to react. She just wished
he had heard him, or she would be dragging a half-blind Zoisite around. She closed her own eyes, trying to forget the sticky sensation that threatened to cloud her mind.
Ren's aura was powerful, even in a place where he technically had *no* aura.
"Light".
With a loud blast, something snapped.
And the place was bathed in light as white as snow, so white, so blinding,
that forms and shaped blurred into nothingness.
Everything became whiteness, and for a second, she thought she had screwed it
up.
The feeling lasted only an instant.
Because the next, the light was gone.
And there were two shapes shuffling on the ground, scratching their eyes,
groaning in pain, as their eyes were almost burnt.
She hoped that since Zoisite hadn't received the full blast, he would've fared
the better of the two. To Ren, she wished nothing more than pain.
She bent over, and helped her friend up.
"Come on, we need to move!".
"I---I can't see!".
"I know. Don't worry, my eyes are just fine".
She began leading him away, as quickly as she could, while dragging a limping
man behind her. Like hell she was leaving him there, with that monster!.
"We must move fast. This won't take long to wear off. Specially in here".
"What was it, anyway?".
Zoisite, eventhough he could see nothing but blurry shapes of bluish-purple in
front of him, managed to locate her by the sound of her voice pretty well.
"A little trick we and the girls learnt to spice up a party. Never had used it so
hard before, though".
"Neat little trick, I might say".
He couldn't hide the awe, nor the pride in his voice as he spoke.
But right then, Mercury was dealing with her own fare of
problems.
Her spell had burnt their eyes for a while, but had done
nothing to their voices.
She could perfectly well hear Ren's screams of rage behind them.
"I'll hunt you till I get you, Mercury. You will not escape from me. And
tell your friend that he is next". . .
* * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * *
Meanwhile, the Senshi had finished searching the entire palace, and
had found nothing. Worried, the Queen was asking the last group that
returned from their quest.
"Did you find anything?".
"Nothing your Majesty. It seems she has disappeared
completely. No one saw her after she was with us".
The frown in their faces went deeper, and Queen Serenity turned to the
rest of the Moon defenders.
"Well, any other ideas?".
Everyone was silent, and many of them sighed in frustration.
Suddenly, the door burst open, and Princess Serenity, whom had taking
a searching quest for her own, entered running, followed by four men.
"Mother, I've go something important to tell you".
"Serenity, what is this suppose to mean?. You now better than to bring strangers
to this side of the Palace".
"Yes mom, but I---".
"Stop, Serenity. Now is not the time. Later. Now, what is it you wanted
to tell me?".
"Mother, I present you Prince Endimion of Earth". "
The black haired man bowed gracefully, and so did his companions.
"Your majesty, it's an honor to finally meet you. Let me introduce you to
my generals: Jaedite, Kunzite and Nephlite".
As each of them was mentioned, they bowed too.
The Queen calmed down immediately. She and Gaea had plans for the both of them...
it was no good getting angry at her son-in-law to-be.
"A pleasure to meet you, Prince Endimion".
Something striked her as odd.
"Pardon the questioning, Prince Endimion, but weren't your guardians four,
and not three?".
"Precisely. One of my friends has disappeared too, and we
have reasons to believe that Lady Mercury and Lord Zoisite are together".
"Really?. And what may those reasons be?".
The Prince blushed a little, before answering.
"Well, we think, he---he fell---".
"He fell in love with her", finished for him Princess Serenity.
The cry of shock echoed loudly around the big room.
"WHAT???"
"Look, Mother. At the welcoming ceremony, Lord Zoisite was caught watching
her intently. Later on, he recognized he liked her. Then, at the party, he disappeared
about at the same time Mercury did. So, it's reasonable to think that they are together".
"Hmmm. It may be a possibility. So, if that's true, at
least Lady Mercury isn't alone against Ren. Now, Prince Endimion, do you
have any way of knowing where Lord Zoisite is?".
"Sadly, no, My Queen. For me to sense their powers, they must be within a
hundred feet radius. Clearly, he's farther away that that. That's all I can tell
you. I'm sorry".
"It's ok. It's more than nothing. We must do something soon. Let's see. If I
use the Silver Crystal, I may be able to locate their aura, so you can go and---".
"No".
There was only one person in the whole Universe who would dare interrupt the
Queen.
Pluto.
She stood by the door, her dress shinning, even in the darkness. Her voice was calm,
and collected. Even so, her worry was evident.
"What do you mean *no*?. Do you want us to leave them on their own against that
psycho?. Are you out of your mind?. Look Pluto, I know you are the Guardian of Time Gate,
so you obviously knew what was happening. Why didn't you tell us?. You don't care about
her?".
Fury was clogging Jupiter's mind, and she couldn't continue her diatribe.
"Jupiter, calm down. You know that Pluto can't tell us anything about the
future. It's too much risk to take. If she says that we can't go after
Mercury, she must have a reason".
"Yes. We do have a reason".
A bunch of eyes were locked on her, and seemed to say: 'So?'.
"This is something she must face alone. If she can overcome
something like this, she will prove that she is worth to be a Senshi. If
she doesn't, we have been given orders to find another girl to be the Mercury avatar. That's all we can tell you. If you insist on going out and find her, we'll be forced to hurt you".
"A new Mercury?. You've got to be kidding. Why does Mercury need to prove
anything?. She was born with the power, isn't that enough?. And how come *we*
don't get to be tested?".
Pluto's smile reminded them of a Cheshire cat, lounging on a comfortable couch.
"Who said you weren't?. It's just that her test is much harder".
"How come?".
"She was the weakest of you. We didn't know whether she was ready to face what's to come".
"Now wait a minute here, Pluto. You know how Mercury doesn't like to
attack anyone. That's why she's always defensive, and that doesn't mean she's the weak link. Hey, remember when I first got here?. My powers were as feeble as hers!. Remember, Jupiter?".
When she got no answer, she turned to her friend.
A warm voice, from behind her, made her turn again.
"Excuse me, Lady Venus?. If you are talking to that woman in the dark green dress, she left already".
Venus face-faulted, and looked towards the door.
"What do you mean she left?".
"Well, she bowed to the Queen, and exited through that door, disappearing from
my sight".
Venus had the grace to blush.
"I know what 'leaving' means".
{Damn it, did I have to go an make a fool of myself in front of a hunk like this?.
Gosh, that white hair is so beautiful}.
The Queen spoke.
"That settles it, then. As much as I hate to say this, we will have to
stand back, and let Mercury defend herself. We can't fight the will of destiny".
As the Queen said her goodbyes, and returned to the party, Senshi and Generals
weighed each other down, like opponents before a battle. Endimion and Serenity
just grinned, knowing the sparks of something when they saw it. They remained quiet, though. Let them find out on their own.
Joking aside, they were much more attuned to their friends than they knew.
And they could both feel, even if they didn't know what it was, that they were fine
and well, and a certainty of their victory settled upon them.
Mars was the first one to speak.
"Hey, I have a question. Who gives orders to the Time Keeper?".
Jaedite popped in, and backed her up.
"Yeah. And did you notice how she always talked in plural?. 'We' this, 'we' that".
They all looked at each other, their youth shinning obviously in their
eyes. True, the Generals were older by age, but which male really grows up?. They
are always children by nature.
As one, they spoke their mind.
"Showoff".
******************************
TBc...........
