It had been less then a week since Pyper and Clio had joined the team
once more.
Mikka had drifted further away from her team mates, and refused to
speak to Artio at all. She rarely fought with them either, preferring
to face the Youma alone, or with the Sailor Senshi. The others didn't
quite know what to do. Mikka was slipping away from them, and they had
no idea how to draw her back in.
~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~
Nikkos brushed Mikka's hair out of her face as she slept in the
living room. She had fallen asleep while reading.
He covered her with a blanket that was draped over the couch, and gently
kissed her forehead.
Mikka's eyes fluttered open, and she regarded him.
"Hi." Nikkos smiled.
"What time is it?" She asked, stretching.
"Just after one."
"In the morning?!? How long have I been asleep?" Mikka sat up,
pushing off the blanket.
"I don't know." Nikkos said. "Why?"
"I was supposed to meet Rei, Usagi and the others at six."
Mikka ran her fingers through her hair, smoothing it out.
"They'll kill me."
"Relax Cat." Nikkos chuckled. "I'm sure they'll understand."
Mikka sighed and relaxed back into the couch.
"Yeah, I guess."
Nikkos sat down beside her.
"So how have you been lately? I hardly see you you anymore."
"Yeah, I've been busy." Mikka placed her head on Nikkos'
shoulder, and closed her eyes.
"You know Cat.." He started.
"Shhh." Mikka hushed him. "Don't."
"You don't even know what I was going to say." He laughed.
"I know your question as you know my answer."
"I hate it when you do that." Nikkos said, making a face.
"We're even then." She smiled.
"What are you talking about?" He asked, turning to look at her.
Before he knew what was happening, Mikka leaned up and kissed him,
leaving him breathless.
"I love you, you know." He whispered.
Mikka smiled and put her head back on his shoulder.
"I know." She said, her lavender eyes sparkling. "I know."
~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~
Mikka awoke with a feeling in her heart she hadn't known for awhile.
Joy. Before she opened her eyes, she felt his body around her. His scent
surrounded her, and his warmth embraced her.
She opened her eyes slowly, and shifted slightly. She guessed it was
about five am by the sun, which was just beginning to rise. She sat up,
and stretched.
She had lain in Nikkos' arms all night and slept.
They had been up almost all night talking and she must have fallen
asleep at some point. Nikkos slept soundly, his chest rising and falling
with each breath he took. He looked so peaceful.
She smiled slightly.
She knew that she wouldn't get anymore sleep today, so she got up, and
went to the kitchen in search of food.
She hadn't been standing there long, when Nikkos came up from behind her
and wrapped his arms around her waist.
"Your up early." He noted, burying his nose into her neck.
"So are you." She smiled.
"I'm only half awake, it doesn't count." Me mumbled.
"I think I'll go down to the temple." Mikka told him. "Rei's the
only person I know who'll be up this early."
"You're both crazy." Nikkos yawned. "I'm going back to sleep."
"Sweet dreams." She whispered, as he went down the hall to his
bedroom.
"See you later, love." He replied, closing his door.
~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~
After a quick change of clothes, and other grooming necessities, Mikka
was walking slowly towards the temple. She was in no real hurry and was
enjoying the beauty around her. Birds chirped at her, as she made her
way down the street. It was the start of a truly beautiful day.
~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~
Rei was sweeping the steps as Mikka walked up.
"Hi." She smiled.
"Hey." Mikka returned the greeting. "I hope you don't mind me
dropping in so early."
"Not at all." Rei grinned. "Good to see your ok. We got worried
last night when you didn't show up."
"I fell asleep a bit early." Mikka explained.
"Sounds like something Usagi would say." Rei joked.
Mikka laughed.
"Would you like some tea?" Rei offered. "I just put the kettle
on to boil."
"I'd love some." Mikka smiled.
As they were about to enter the temple, an explosion shook the ground,
knocking them off of their feet.
"What was that?" Mikka asked, jumping back up.
"I have no idea." Rei stood up also. "But it came from over
there." Rei pointed to a column of smoke that rose above the buildings.
"Oh no." Mikka exclaimed. "That's coming from my neighborhood."
"Are you sure?" Rei asked her.
"Positive." Mikka whispered, taking off down the temple steps.
"Wait, Mikka. Come back." Rei called after her, but she was
already gone.
"Damnit." Rei cursed. "If its a Youma, she'll get hurt."
Rei quickly transformed into Sailor Mars, and rushed after the younger
girl.
~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~
The house shook as something exploded outside Ceres' window, waking up
the Crimson Senshi.
"What in the world was that?!?" Ceres heard Willow shout from
her room.
"Its a Youma, outside!" Nikkos yelled from the hallway. "Lets
get out there."
Ceres transformed into Crimson Storm, and opened her door.
Dream ran past her doorway, and she followed.
"Where's Mikka?" Storm asked.
"She went over to the temple." Wolf told her as he opened the
balcony door.
"Lets go already." Dream said impatiently.
Wolf jumped to the streets below, and was quickly followed by Storm,
and then Dream.
~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~
Mikka changed into CrimsonCat as she ran down the street.
"Oh Gods." She whispered. "Let them be ok."
People pushed against her as they ran the opposite way. After she had
been pushed off balance a few times, Cat leapt to the top of the
buildings, and jumped from roof to roof.
When she got close enough, she noticed that her house was still in one
piece, although there were many exploded cars, and that Wolf, Dream and
Storm were fighting the Youma. It looked like a dragon. But as far as
Mikka knew, there were no dragons on this world.
"What is this thing?" Cat exclaimed as she leapt down to join
the battle. "It doesn't look like the other monsters."
"I have no idea." Wolf replied. "If I didn't know any better
I'd say that it were a dragon."
"Look out!" Storm shouted.
Wolf and Cat leapt out of the way as the dragon breathed fire in their
direction. The spot where they had stood seconds ago was burnt black.
"I'd say that its a dragon." Cat breathed.
"But it can't be." Dream shouted, avoiding the creatures claws.
"There aren't any dragons around here."
"Tell that to him." Storm exclaimed.
"Distract it for a bit." Cat yelled at her companions.
"Deadly Storm!"
"Dream Illusion!"
The attacks slammed into the beast's side, drawing its attention towards
the two sisters.
Cat closed her eyes, and concentrated.
A fine, almost invisible silver thread seemed to form between the Dragon
and the small fighter.
~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~
Mikka concentrated hard, as she attempted to form a mind link with the
dragon. Perhaps she could reason with it, and find out where it had
come from.
She felt the psy. tether as it drifted towards the creature.
Cat knew the instant that it struck the dragon's mind. She was flooded
with images that she couldn't make out. They were too fuzzy, and
unclear.
Suddenly, without any warning, the background turned blood red and the
images turned hateful.
Mikka felt herself being surrounded by pure evil. Her very soul cried
out, as a blood-curdling scream escaped her lips.
~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~
Wolf kept a close eye on Mikka as she used her psy. tether on the beast.
He noticed her body tense up a bit, and her eyes squeeze shut.
Her hands flew to her head, and a single scream pierced the air around
them.
The dragon's head whipped around towards her, its eyes flaming.
With a slight snarl, it walked towards her.
Cat's knee's buckled, and she collapsed, falling to the pavement.
"Deadly Storm!"
"Dream Illusion!"
Storm and Dream tried to draw the dragon's attention away from the
fallen Crimson, but they didn't work. The creature continued its amble
towards her.
Nikkos dashed towards her, trying to get there before the dragon had a
chance to fry her.
He picked her up, and flew to safety. Mikka merely hung limply in his
arms.
"Mars Flame Sniper!"
The attack struck the dragon from behind, drawing its attention from its
escaping pray.
"Ice Storm!"
"Light Aura!"
"Shadow's Embrace!"
The attacks rushed at the dragon from its right.
"Flame Wall!"
"Wind Scream!"
"Star explosion!"
These attacks struck from the left.
"About time." CrimsonDream shouted at the arriving Senshi.
"What happened to Cat?" Star asked.
"No clue." Wolf shouted at them from the air.
"How kind of you to join us Star." Ice said coldly.
"Shut-up Ice." Star glared.
"Don't tell my sister to shut-up." Light defended.
"Hello!" Storm shouted. "Can we focus for one minute?"
"What is that thing?" Mars asked.
"Looks like a dragon." Shadow noted.
"But that's impossible." Mars returned.
"Whatever it is, it needs to be stopped. Its already caused major
damage." Dream informed them.
"Attack together." Star ordered.
Ice laughed coldly.
"I stopped listening to you a long time ago."
"Just do it." Storm sighed.
The Senshi channeled their energy, and released their furry.
"Flame Wall!"
"Wind Scream!"
"Star explosion!"
"Ice Storm!"
"Light Aura!"
"Shadow's Embrace!"
"Deadly Storm!"
"Dream Illusion!"
"Mars Flame Sniper!"
The attacks struck the creature from all sides, causing it to
disintegrate.
a small pile of red sand sat where the dragon had been moments before.
Wolf floated back down the to ground, with Mikka still in his arms.
"Looks like we did it." He smiled.
"How is she?" Storm asked.
Wolf frowned.
"Not good."
"Lets get her home then." Wind smiled.
~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~
Mikka was walking through the stars, when a voice called out to her.
"Beware she who transcends time." It called.
Mikka stopped.
"Who is there?" She called out. "Who warns me?"
"Beware, Princess of the Crimson ones."
"Show yourself." Mikka ordered.
"I shall give you the readings, perhaps they will aid you."
the voice began to fade.
Mikka lifted the bottom of her dress, and chased after the voice.
"Wait. Come back." She called out to it. "Don't leave me alone
any longer."
"You are not alone dear one." The voice whispered from all
around her. "You are never alone."
~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~
Mikka sat up in bed. Her heart racing, and her mind filled with her
odd dream. She groaned, as a piercing pain sliced through her brain.
She clutched her head with her hands.
"Why am I the one who always gets hurt." She muttered.
The pain subsided fairly quickly, leaving behind only a dull throbbing.
Mikka stood up, and left her room looking for the others.
She found Nikkos, Ceres, Pyper and Clio in the living room.
"Hey." Nikkos exclaimed. "Your supposed to be in bed."
Mikka made a face.
"Boring."
"How are you feeling?" Ceres asked.
"My head hurts. But other than that, all right."
"What happened anyway?" Nikkos asked her.
Mikka sat down next to him, and tucked her legs underneath her body.
"I'm not sure. Its mind was just so full of hatred.." She
shuddered. "It overwhelmed me I guess." Mikka looked thoughtful.
"But there was something familiar about it. Something I could almost
remember.."
"What is that?" Clio asked.
"What's what?" Mikka replied, confused.
"That scroll sticking out of your pocket." Pyper told her.
Mikka looked down, and noticed the scroll.
"I don't know." She reached for the rolled paper. "I didn't even
notice it."
"Let me see." Ceres spoke.
Mikka handed the scroll to her, and Ceres looked over its contents.
"It looks like a prophecy." She looked at Mikka. "Where did you
get this?"
"I have no idea..." A confused look settled upon her face. "Its
just like to voice said."
"What voice?" Nikkos asked her.
Mikka told them about her odd dream, and the warning she had received.
When she was done, Nikkos and Ceres looked just as confused as she did.
"Its a prophecy all right." Pyper said, as she looked over the
scroll. "All we have to do, is figure out what it means."
Mikka brightened.
"I love solving riddles." She smiled.
once more.
Mikka had drifted further away from her team mates, and refused to
speak to Artio at all. She rarely fought with them either, preferring
to face the Youma alone, or with the Sailor Senshi. The others didn't
quite know what to do. Mikka was slipping away from them, and they had
no idea how to draw her back in.
~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~
Nikkos brushed Mikka's hair out of her face as she slept in the
living room. She had fallen asleep while reading.
He covered her with a blanket that was draped over the couch, and gently
kissed her forehead.
Mikka's eyes fluttered open, and she regarded him.
"Hi." Nikkos smiled.
"What time is it?" She asked, stretching.
"Just after one."
"In the morning?!? How long have I been asleep?" Mikka sat up,
pushing off the blanket.
"I don't know." Nikkos said. "Why?"
"I was supposed to meet Rei, Usagi and the others at six."
Mikka ran her fingers through her hair, smoothing it out.
"They'll kill me."
"Relax Cat." Nikkos chuckled. "I'm sure they'll understand."
Mikka sighed and relaxed back into the couch.
"Yeah, I guess."
Nikkos sat down beside her.
"So how have you been lately? I hardly see you you anymore."
"Yeah, I've been busy." Mikka placed her head on Nikkos'
shoulder, and closed her eyes.
"You know Cat.." He started.
"Shhh." Mikka hushed him. "Don't."
"You don't even know what I was going to say." He laughed.
"I know your question as you know my answer."
"I hate it when you do that." Nikkos said, making a face.
"We're even then." She smiled.
"What are you talking about?" He asked, turning to look at her.
Before he knew what was happening, Mikka leaned up and kissed him,
leaving him breathless.
"I love you, you know." He whispered.
Mikka smiled and put her head back on his shoulder.
"I know." She said, her lavender eyes sparkling. "I know."
~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~
Mikka awoke with a feeling in her heart she hadn't known for awhile.
Joy. Before she opened her eyes, she felt his body around her. His scent
surrounded her, and his warmth embraced her.
She opened her eyes slowly, and shifted slightly. She guessed it was
about five am by the sun, which was just beginning to rise. She sat up,
and stretched.
She had lain in Nikkos' arms all night and slept.
They had been up almost all night talking and she must have fallen
asleep at some point. Nikkos slept soundly, his chest rising and falling
with each breath he took. He looked so peaceful.
She smiled slightly.
She knew that she wouldn't get anymore sleep today, so she got up, and
went to the kitchen in search of food.
She hadn't been standing there long, when Nikkos came up from behind her
and wrapped his arms around her waist.
"Your up early." He noted, burying his nose into her neck.
"So are you." She smiled.
"I'm only half awake, it doesn't count." Me mumbled.
"I think I'll go down to the temple." Mikka told him. "Rei's the
only person I know who'll be up this early."
"You're both crazy." Nikkos yawned. "I'm going back to sleep."
"Sweet dreams." She whispered, as he went down the hall to his
bedroom.
"See you later, love." He replied, closing his door.
~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~
After a quick change of clothes, and other grooming necessities, Mikka
was walking slowly towards the temple. She was in no real hurry and was
enjoying the beauty around her. Birds chirped at her, as she made her
way down the street. It was the start of a truly beautiful day.
~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~
Rei was sweeping the steps as Mikka walked up.
"Hi." She smiled.
"Hey." Mikka returned the greeting. "I hope you don't mind me
dropping in so early."
"Not at all." Rei grinned. "Good to see your ok. We got worried
last night when you didn't show up."
"I fell asleep a bit early." Mikka explained.
"Sounds like something Usagi would say." Rei joked.
Mikka laughed.
"Would you like some tea?" Rei offered. "I just put the kettle
on to boil."
"I'd love some." Mikka smiled.
As they were about to enter the temple, an explosion shook the ground,
knocking them off of their feet.
"What was that?" Mikka asked, jumping back up.
"I have no idea." Rei stood up also. "But it came from over
there." Rei pointed to a column of smoke that rose above the buildings.
"Oh no." Mikka exclaimed. "That's coming from my neighborhood."
"Are you sure?" Rei asked her.
"Positive." Mikka whispered, taking off down the temple steps.
"Wait, Mikka. Come back." Rei called after her, but she was
already gone.
"Damnit." Rei cursed. "If its a Youma, she'll get hurt."
Rei quickly transformed into Sailor Mars, and rushed after the younger
girl.
~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~
The house shook as something exploded outside Ceres' window, waking up
the Crimson Senshi.
"What in the world was that?!?" Ceres heard Willow shout from
her room.
"Its a Youma, outside!" Nikkos yelled from the hallway. "Lets
get out there."
Ceres transformed into Crimson Storm, and opened her door.
Dream ran past her doorway, and she followed.
"Where's Mikka?" Storm asked.
"She went over to the temple." Wolf told her as he opened the
balcony door.
"Lets go already." Dream said impatiently.
Wolf jumped to the streets below, and was quickly followed by Storm,
and then Dream.
~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~
Mikka changed into CrimsonCat as she ran down the street.
"Oh Gods." She whispered. "Let them be ok."
People pushed against her as they ran the opposite way. After she had
been pushed off balance a few times, Cat leapt to the top of the
buildings, and jumped from roof to roof.
When she got close enough, she noticed that her house was still in one
piece, although there were many exploded cars, and that Wolf, Dream and
Storm were fighting the Youma. It looked like a dragon. But as far as
Mikka knew, there were no dragons on this world.
"What is this thing?" Cat exclaimed as she leapt down to join
the battle. "It doesn't look like the other monsters."
"I have no idea." Wolf replied. "If I didn't know any better
I'd say that it were a dragon."
"Look out!" Storm shouted.
Wolf and Cat leapt out of the way as the dragon breathed fire in their
direction. The spot where they had stood seconds ago was burnt black.
"I'd say that its a dragon." Cat breathed.
"But it can't be." Dream shouted, avoiding the creatures claws.
"There aren't any dragons around here."
"Tell that to him." Storm exclaimed.
"Distract it for a bit." Cat yelled at her companions.
"Deadly Storm!"
"Dream Illusion!"
The attacks slammed into the beast's side, drawing its attention towards
the two sisters.
Cat closed her eyes, and concentrated.
A fine, almost invisible silver thread seemed to form between the Dragon
and the small fighter.
~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~
Mikka concentrated hard, as she attempted to form a mind link with the
dragon. Perhaps she could reason with it, and find out where it had
come from.
She felt the psy. tether as it drifted towards the creature.
Cat knew the instant that it struck the dragon's mind. She was flooded
with images that she couldn't make out. They were too fuzzy, and
unclear.
Suddenly, without any warning, the background turned blood red and the
images turned hateful.
Mikka felt herself being surrounded by pure evil. Her very soul cried
out, as a blood-curdling scream escaped her lips.
~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~
Wolf kept a close eye on Mikka as she used her psy. tether on the beast.
He noticed her body tense up a bit, and her eyes squeeze shut.
Her hands flew to her head, and a single scream pierced the air around
them.
The dragon's head whipped around towards her, its eyes flaming.
With a slight snarl, it walked towards her.
Cat's knee's buckled, and she collapsed, falling to the pavement.
"Deadly Storm!"
"Dream Illusion!"
Storm and Dream tried to draw the dragon's attention away from the
fallen Crimson, but they didn't work. The creature continued its amble
towards her.
Nikkos dashed towards her, trying to get there before the dragon had a
chance to fry her.
He picked her up, and flew to safety. Mikka merely hung limply in his
arms.
"Mars Flame Sniper!"
The attack struck the dragon from behind, drawing its attention from its
escaping pray.
"Ice Storm!"
"Light Aura!"
"Shadow's Embrace!"
The attacks rushed at the dragon from its right.
"Flame Wall!"
"Wind Scream!"
"Star explosion!"
These attacks struck from the left.
"About time." CrimsonDream shouted at the arriving Senshi.
"What happened to Cat?" Star asked.
"No clue." Wolf shouted at them from the air.
"How kind of you to join us Star." Ice said coldly.
"Shut-up Ice." Star glared.
"Don't tell my sister to shut-up." Light defended.
"Hello!" Storm shouted. "Can we focus for one minute?"
"What is that thing?" Mars asked.
"Looks like a dragon." Shadow noted.
"But that's impossible." Mars returned.
"Whatever it is, it needs to be stopped. Its already caused major
damage." Dream informed them.
"Attack together." Star ordered.
Ice laughed coldly.
"I stopped listening to you a long time ago."
"Just do it." Storm sighed.
The Senshi channeled their energy, and released their furry.
"Flame Wall!"
"Wind Scream!"
"Star explosion!"
"Ice Storm!"
"Light Aura!"
"Shadow's Embrace!"
"Deadly Storm!"
"Dream Illusion!"
"Mars Flame Sniper!"
The attacks struck the creature from all sides, causing it to
disintegrate.
a small pile of red sand sat where the dragon had been moments before.
Wolf floated back down the to ground, with Mikka still in his arms.
"Looks like we did it." He smiled.
"How is she?" Storm asked.
Wolf frowned.
"Not good."
"Lets get her home then." Wind smiled.
~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~
Mikka was walking through the stars, when a voice called out to her.
"Beware she who transcends time." It called.
Mikka stopped.
"Who is there?" She called out. "Who warns me?"
"Beware, Princess of the Crimson ones."
"Show yourself." Mikka ordered.
"I shall give you the readings, perhaps they will aid you."
the voice began to fade.
Mikka lifted the bottom of her dress, and chased after the voice.
"Wait. Come back." She called out to it. "Don't leave me alone
any longer."
"You are not alone dear one." The voice whispered from all
around her. "You are never alone."
~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~
Mikka sat up in bed. Her heart racing, and her mind filled with her
odd dream. She groaned, as a piercing pain sliced through her brain.
She clutched her head with her hands.
"Why am I the one who always gets hurt." She muttered.
The pain subsided fairly quickly, leaving behind only a dull throbbing.
Mikka stood up, and left her room looking for the others.
She found Nikkos, Ceres, Pyper and Clio in the living room.
"Hey." Nikkos exclaimed. "Your supposed to be in bed."
Mikka made a face.
"Boring."
"How are you feeling?" Ceres asked.
"My head hurts. But other than that, all right."
"What happened anyway?" Nikkos asked her.
Mikka sat down next to him, and tucked her legs underneath her body.
"I'm not sure. Its mind was just so full of hatred.." She
shuddered. "It overwhelmed me I guess." Mikka looked thoughtful.
"But there was something familiar about it. Something I could almost
remember.."
"What is that?" Clio asked.
"What's what?" Mikka replied, confused.
"That scroll sticking out of your pocket." Pyper told her.
Mikka looked down, and noticed the scroll.
"I don't know." She reached for the rolled paper. "I didn't even
notice it."
"Let me see." Ceres spoke.
Mikka handed the scroll to her, and Ceres looked over its contents.
"It looks like a prophecy." She looked at Mikka. "Where did you
get this?"
"I have no idea..." A confused look settled upon her face. "Its
just like to voice said."
"What voice?" Nikkos asked her.
Mikka told them about her odd dream, and the warning she had received.
When she was done, Nikkos and Ceres looked just as confused as she did.
"Its a prophecy all right." Pyper said, as she looked over the
scroll. "All we have to do, is figure out what it means."
Mikka brightened.
"I love solving riddles." She smiled.