Chapter 11
Rini was on her way to Carra's rooms for another lesson after leaving the gate room where she had seen Gaea and Athena off. She tried to keep her mind off her friend's departure, but inevitably her thoughts fell upon Gaea. She was nearly to Carra's door when suddenly surprise and fear swept over her in great waves, threatening to swallow her whole. She cried out and grabbed her head so quickly that she almost fell over. Grasping for something to balance herself, she found a warm steady arm that grabbed her around the waist supporting her.
"Rini! Its ok, come inside. Stay focused! Concentrate on walking, I'll steer you." Came Carra's voice filled with concern. Rini did as she was told and concentrated on putting one foot in front of the other. Soon she was told to sit and she sat down in a high backed chair in which she leaned against to help concentrate on gaining control over her vision. Her vision began to blur from tears that fell out of her control to stop them as she felt the emotions overpowering her own senses. Fear, worry, evil and raw power was flowing between Gaea and Rini, but under all the emotions was love of the greatest kind. This kind of love could only come form a life bonded pair. She felt Carra come up behind her and place her hands on her head, putting her middle fingers on her temples. "Rini, I'm going to shield you, hold on a sec." Carra said quickly, but in a low voice that wouldn't ring in her aching head. She began to feel the floodgates close and she was finally relived enough that she could blink that tears away.
"Well I built up the strongest shield I could, but because of the bond that you and Gaea have, I won't be able to block what you're receiving from her completely." All Rini could do was shake her head. She was in shock still, but her mind was in a torrent of thoughts now that she was able to think again. {What's happening?!? What went wrong?}
:Gaea!: Rini screamed mentally with a sob that apparently let Carra know that something was really wrong.
"Let's go." She said, grabbing Rini's arm and dragging her out of her front room and down the hall. Soon they reached to council room. Carra burst in with out knocking startling everyone in the room. There was a full council session in progress as petitions were presented by the various sections of guilds, a very blanched merchant stepped down and away from the white marble table that the King and Queen sat at. Carra marched up to the table and a very interested King and an indecisive Queen, still dragging the princess behind her making quite a scene. She bowed, since she was wearing pants instead of a dress or skirt, and spoke loudly and clearly so that the full council could hear her.
"Your Highnesses, Amitie is under attack and the Princess Gaea is in grave danger." She paused for the effect of it, listening to the gasps and whispers behind her. "Your daughter here was struck with a flood of emotions that I felt as well when I shielded her in her incapacitation. We must sent help, she is fighting, but I don't know who she I fighting or how long she and Athena can hold out against as great an evil as I felt." She bowed again and took a step back to allow everyone to take in what she had just announced. Serena shock her head a little as if to wake herself up and straightened in her chair.
"I have not forgotten the promise I made to Princess Gaea of Amitie. I shall call the Princesses of my court." She closed her eyes and sent out a mental plea to the 4 inner Senshi. :Sailor Senshi! Please come to my aid. The Princess Gaea of Amitie, Persephone's daughter, needs help in battling an evil that has arisen to go against her and the Moon Court.: All who had the gift of mindspeech, however small, heard the call and felt the mental nods of the 4 girls. With that she and Darien stood up almost knocking their chairs completely over and hurried out with Carra and Rini on their heals.
"Mamma, where are we going?" Rini's voice was steady now and no tears were visible I her eyes. {She's stronger than I thought.} Carra thought.
"To the gate room, to meet the Senshi and go to Amitie."
"Your Highness!" Carra began her protest, but was stopped by Darien's glare.
:Let me handle this.: Came his smooth voice. {All right big shot, be my guest!} Carra thought. Arguing with Serena was a battle that was hardly ever won.
By that time they had reached the gate room to find all four girls there and ready to go. They had transformed before they arrived apparently.
"Bunny, please hear me out. If you go and battle with the Senshi like old times and get hurt, or killed, what will happen to the kingdom? Everything that your mother did to save you and the Moon Court will have been in vain. Think about it Meatball Head. Please." At this Serena stopped and starred at him. She got a sad look in her eyes and looked away at the gate that was being rebuilt from earlier.
"Fine, you won. I won't go." A silent tear trickled down her face in memory of her mother that was destroyed when the Negaverse attempted to take over that Moon Court all those years ago. Serenity had died to save her daughter and the Universe. Now Neo-Queen Serenity would have to stay out of a fight that, if lost, would change the agathokakological balance (the balance between good and evil…big word for the day!) forever.
"Moon Mamma, I'm going." Rini said to no one's surprise. All Serena could do was nod at her daughter's strength and devotion to her friend.
"Moon Princess Power!" At that Rini transformed into her Sailor Outfit and joined up with the rest of the Senshi in front of the gate that now held steady. Serena took one look at the scene and bolted form the room.
"Good luck girls, be careful." That said, Darien ran out of the room after Serena. Mina, Amy, Rini, Lita and Raye all looked at one another and nodded. They ran through the gate just after Gaea and her bonded counter attacked.
"The evil is so strong! It's like a tide trying to come in!" Raye said.
"Well than let's keep it form coming in and join our powers with the Prince and Princess!" Mina said. Smiling at the others shock she knew that she and Rini were the only one's who would be able to tell that the man standing next to Gaea was her life bonded Prince. They shared a smile and looked back at the battle unfolding in front of them.
"We're here Gaea!" Rini shouted over the roar of power that was surrounding them. Gaea risked a look back and waved at her friend and the help that she had brought. They ran forward to stand right behind the Defenders.
:This is Prince Degen and his bonded raven Solanara.: She said to the new comers, the love was apparent even in her voice. They all smiled at that. Only then did they look forward to see what they faced. They were shocked to see a pale, slender girl a little older than Rini and Gaea with dark hair and eyes so black they bore no whites. Fighting stances were taken and they watched as they were mocked by this harlot of evil.
:Her name is Othi and she's not to be under estimated. The power of the Dark Spirit is behind her.: Degen warned them. Funny, Rini thought. His mind voice sounds a lot like dads.
A raspy voice that seemed to echo from far away, came out of Othi's mouth, accompanied by a chortle that could only be produced by someone that was not sane in the least.
"HA! So I see that you have brought reinforcement. Very interesting, I shall have fun destroying you all!!! You're to weak to defeat me, even will those pathetic excuse for women behind you!" With that another bit of laughter came. Angry, Raye came forward.
"Mars Fire Surround!" She yelled. With a snort, Othi banished the fire just as it reached her. The others followed Raye's example and used their strongest attack's against Othi, who banished them all, laughing.
"You'll never defeat me. Here's a taste of your defeat though!" She spun around and threw 9 glowing balls of pure power. Amy, Raye, Lita and Mina all went down writhing and moaning. Rini cried out and knelt next to Mina.
"MINA!" She cried as her friend rolled over, pain lacing her eyes with tears.
"Help Gaea, we'll be all right. I promise. Go." With that she and the others were gated back to the Moon Court and the doctors. {They've had worse, Mina's right. I've got to help Gaea and Degen.} Rini straightened up and went to stand beside Athena and Solanara who was perched on Athena's shoulder.
During the time that the Senshi and the royals of Amitie were recovering from the near deathblow, Othi had received an order form her Master of the Dark to destroy her enemies of the Light for good. That would include taking out the planet and the small solar system that held it as well. Othi smiled but suppressed the urge to laugh aloud. {I'll get them yet, revenge will be mine. Long now I have wondered why Naharu hadn't killed Gaea and her ugly pet Athena, now I understand. He'll pay and her with them. Then I can go after the Moon Court and all servers of the Light. The Dark will prevail.} She closed her eyes and opened her mind and soul up to the Dark One. She could feel her fill her with all the blood magic that had been stored for so many years that it came in a flood. {Oh yes, She thought. Naharu will pay in blood!!!}
"Rini you should leave. I don't want to see you end up like the others." Gaea said, a single tear made a path down her face. "There's no more one person can do to help." Another tear streamed down the other cheek.
"No! I won't leave you and Degen to this beast. I won't go!" She said, a matching tear fell down her cheek. Gaea could feel the love and commitment in her friend. She had to concentrate on keeping her voice steady.
"Please Rini, go. Your mother can't stand losing 2 daughters at once. Please." More tears fell uncontrollably. She could not force her self to turn away, she wouldn't give up, Rini needed to live. :Degen, please explain things to her, I can't find my voice.: Even her mind voice was quivering with pain and sadness. He kissed her hand and stepped forward.
"Rini, please listen and understand." Degen looked down on her and grabbed both her hands in his to gain her attention. She looked up, tears in her eyes. {He'll make a fine prince for Gaea.}
"Rini, you need to be alive and well. We are going to sacrifice ourselves to save our world and yours. If the Dark One is not stopped now, she will come after Crystal Tokyo and Earth." He paused to let all that sink in before her went on. She still looked at him, the tears came more readily now like little rivers falling down her face. He could see her heart bleeding from the coming loss of her bonded friend. "We won't be completely gone. You'll still find us in your thoughts and dreams, we'll be real enough. All you need do is think of one or the other for us and we'll be there in your mind, or the mind of any other that should want us. On day, we'll have a child. But it will be born in the flesh. Who will take care of it but you and your mother? Please help us. Do this for us. We care about you and everyone's future." Degen squeezed her hands and let them fall from his. When she looked down into her hands she found a crystal unicorn. She looked back up at Degen with a quizzical glance. He smiled.
"This is to be our child's bond animal. When they are born, this figurine will come to life. Then you will know to come to Amitie and find the babe." He stepped back to the other side of his princess and gently pushed her forward. She ran to Rini and hugged her for the last time. They stood there for a long while. Then let her go. Gaea glanced at the place where Othi had been. The avatar had disappeared. Rini and Degen followed her gaze and swore. They looked all around, then spotted her. She was floating about 8 to 10 feet above the ground.
"Rini go. Now!" Gaea forced out the words, but the pain that they took was obvious. Rini nodded and turned to half run to the place where the gate would open for her. She called out to her mother and saw the gate powers flux and spring open to show her the gate room with her mother and father standing waiting to comfort her. She turned to look at her friend for the last time.
"I love you Gaea." She called not expecting an answer.
:I love you too. Always and forever.: With that she walked through the gate to her mother's waiting arms.
Rini was on her way to Carra's rooms for another lesson after leaving the gate room where she had seen Gaea and Athena off. She tried to keep her mind off her friend's departure, but inevitably her thoughts fell upon Gaea. She was nearly to Carra's door when suddenly surprise and fear swept over her in great waves, threatening to swallow her whole. She cried out and grabbed her head so quickly that she almost fell over. Grasping for something to balance herself, she found a warm steady arm that grabbed her around the waist supporting her.
"Rini! Its ok, come inside. Stay focused! Concentrate on walking, I'll steer you." Came Carra's voice filled with concern. Rini did as she was told and concentrated on putting one foot in front of the other. Soon she was told to sit and she sat down in a high backed chair in which she leaned against to help concentrate on gaining control over her vision. Her vision began to blur from tears that fell out of her control to stop them as she felt the emotions overpowering her own senses. Fear, worry, evil and raw power was flowing between Gaea and Rini, but under all the emotions was love of the greatest kind. This kind of love could only come form a life bonded pair. She felt Carra come up behind her and place her hands on her head, putting her middle fingers on her temples. "Rini, I'm going to shield you, hold on a sec." Carra said quickly, but in a low voice that wouldn't ring in her aching head. She began to feel the floodgates close and she was finally relived enough that she could blink that tears away.
"Well I built up the strongest shield I could, but because of the bond that you and Gaea have, I won't be able to block what you're receiving from her completely." All Rini could do was shake her head. She was in shock still, but her mind was in a torrent of thoughts now that she was able to think again. {What's happening?!? What went wrong?}
:Gaea!: Rini screamed mentally with a sob that apparently let Carra know that something was really wrong.
"Let's go." She said, grabbing Rini's arm and dragging her out of her front room and down the hall. Soon they reached to council room. Carra burst in with out knocking startling everyone in the room. There was a full council session in progress as petitions were presented by the various sections of guilds, a very blanched merchant stepped down and away from the white marble table that the King and Queen sat at. Carra marched up to the table and a very interested King and an indecisive Queen, still dragging the princess behind her making quite a scene. She bowed, since she was wearing pants instead of a dress or skirt, and spoke loudly and clearly so that the full council could hear her.
"Your Highnesses, Amitie is under attack and the Princess Gaea is in grave danger." She paused for the effect of it, listening to the gasps and whispers behind her. "Your daughter here was struck with a flood of emotions that I felt as well when I shielded her in her incapacitation. We must sent help, she is fighting, but I don't know who she I fighting or how long she and Athena can hold out against as great an evil as I felt." She bowed again and took a step back to allow everyone to take in what she had just announced. Serena shock her head a little as if to wake herself up and straightened in her chair.
"I have not forgotten the promise I made to Princess Gaea of Amitie. I shall call the Princesses of my court." She closed her eyes and sent out a mental plea to the 4 inner Senshi. :Sailor Senshi! Please come to my aid. The Princess Gaea of Amitie, Persephone's daughter, needs help in battling an evil that has arisen to go against her and the Moon Court.: All who had the gift of mindspeech, however small, heard the call and felt the mental nods of the 4 girls. With that she and Darien stood up almost knocking their chairs completely over and hurried out with Carra and Rini on their heals.
"Mamma, where are we going?" Rini's voice was steady now and no tears were visible I her eyes. {She's stronger than I thought.} Carra thought.
"To the gate room, to meet the Senshi and go to Amitie."
"Your Highness!" Carra began her protest, but was stopped by Darien's glare.
:Let me handle this.: Came his smooth voice. {All right big shot, be my guest!} Carra thought. Arguing with Serena was a battle that was hardly ever won.
By that time they had reached the gate room to find all four girls there and ready to go. They had transformed before they arrived apparently.
"Bunny, please hear me out. If you go and battle with the Senshi like old times and get hurt, or killed, what will happen to the kingdom? Everything that your mother did to save you and the Moon Court will have been in vain. Think about it Meatball Head. Please." At this Serena stopped and starred at him. She got a sad look in her eyes and looked away at the gate that was being rebuilt from earlier.
"Fine, you won. I won't go." A silent tear trickled down her face in memory of her mother that was destroyed when the Negaverse attempted to take over that Moon Court all those years ago. Serenity had died to save her daughter and the Universe. Now Neo-Queen Serenity would have to stay out of a fight that, if lost, would change the agathokakological balance (the balance between good and evil…big word for the day!) forever.
"Moon Mamma, I'm going." Rini said to no one's surprise. All Serena could do was nod at her daughter's strength and devotion to her friend.
"Moon Princess Power!" At that Rini transformed into her Sailor Outfit and joined up with the rest of the Senshi in front of the gate that now held steady. Serena took one look at the scene and bolted form the room.
"Good luck girls, be careful." That said, Darien ran out of the room after Serena. Mina, Amy, Rini, Lita and Raye all looked at one another and nodded. They ran through the gate just after Gaea and her bonded counter attacked.
"The evil is so strong! It's like a tide trying to come in!" Raye said.
"Well than let's keep it form coming in and join our powers with the Prince and Princess!" Mina said. Smiling at the others shock she knew that she and Rini were the only one's who would be able to tell that the man standing next to Gaea was her life bonded Prince. They shared a smile and looked back at the battle unfolding in front of them.
"We're here Gaea!" Rini shouted over the roar of power that was surrounding them. Gaea risked a look back and waved at her friend and the help that she had brought. They ran forward to stand right behind the Defenders.
:This is Prince Degen and his bonded raven Solanara.: She said to the new comers, the love was apparent even in her voice. They all smiled at that. Only then did they look forward to see what they faced. They were shocked to see a pale, slender girl a little older than Rini and Gaea with dark hair and eyes so black they bore no whites. Fighting stances were taken and they watched as they were mocked by this harlot of evil.
:Her name is Othi and she's not to be under estimated. The power of the Dark Spirit is behind her.: Degen warned them. Funny, Rini thought. His mind voice sounds a lot like dads.
A raspy voice that seemed to echo from far away, came out of Othi's mouth, accompanied by a chortle that could only be produced by someone that was not sane in the least.
"HA! So I see that you have brought reinforcement. Very interesting, I shall have fun destroying you all!!! You're to weak to defeat me, even will those pathetic excuse for women behind you!" With that another bit of laughter came. Angry, Raye came forward.
"Mars Fire Surround!" She yelled. With a snort, Othi banished the fire just as it reached her. The others followed Raye's example and used their strongest attack's against Othi, who banished them all, laughing.
"You'll never defeat me. Here's a taste of your defeat though!" She spun around and threw 9 glowing balls of pure power. Amy, Raye, Lita and Mina all went down writhing and moaning. Rini cried out and knelt next to Mina.
"MINA!" She cried as her friend rolled over, pain lacing her eyes with tears.
"Help Gaea, we'll be all right. I promise. Go." With that she and the others were gated back to the Moon Court and the doctors. {They've had worse, Mina's right. I've got to help Gaea and Degen.} Rini straightened up and went to stand beside Athena and Solanara who was perched on Athena's shoulder.
During the time that the Senshi and the royals of Amitie were recovering from the near deathblow, Othi had received an order form her Master of the Dark to destroy her enemies of the Light for good. That would include taking out the planet and the small solar system that held it as well. Othi smiled but suppressed the urge to laugh aloud. {I'll get them yet, revenge will be mine. Long now I have wondered why Naharu hadn't killed Gaea and her ugly pet Athena, now I understand. He'll pay and her with them. Then I can go after the Moon Court and all servers of the Light. The Dark will prevail.} She closed her eyes and opened her mind and soul up to the Dark One. She could feel her fill her with all the blood magic that had been stored for so many years that it came in a flood. {Oh yes, She thought. Naharu will pay in blood!!!}
"Rini you should leave. I don't want to see you end up like the others." Gaea said, a single tear made a path down her face. "There's no more one person can do to help." Another tear streamed down the other cheek.
"No! I won't leave you and Degen to this beast. I won't go!" She said, a matching tear fell down her cheek. Gaea could feel the love and commitment in her friend. She had to concentrate on keeping her voice steady.
"Please Rini, go. Your mother can't stand losing 2 daughters at once. Please." More tears fell uncontrollably. She could not force her self to turn away, she wouldn't give up, Rini needed to live. :Degen, please explain things to her, I can't find my voice.: Even her mind voice was quivering with pain and sadness. He kissed her hand and stepped forward.
"Rini, please listen and understand." Degen looked down on her and grabbed both her hands in his to gain her attention. She looked up, tears in her eyes. {He'll make a fine prince for Gaea.}
"Rini, you need to be alive and well. We are going to sacrifice ourselves to save our world and yours. If the Dark One is not stopped now, she will come after Crystal Tokyo and Earth." He paused to let all that sink in before her went on. She still looked at him, the tears came more readily now like little rivers falling down her face. He could see her heart bleeding from the coming loss of her bonded friend. "We won't be completely gone. You'll still find us in your thoughts and dreams, we'll be real enough. All you need do is think of one or the other for us and we'll be there in your mind, or the mind of any other that should want us. On day, we'll have a child. But it will be born in the flesh. Who will take care of it but you and your mother? Please help us. Do this for us. We care about you and everyone's future." Degen squeezed her hands and let them fall from his. When she looked down into her hands she found a crystal unicorn. She looked back up at Degen with a quizzical glance. He smiled.
"This is to be our child's bond animal. When they are born, this figurine will come to life. Then you will know to come to Amitie and find the babe." He stepped back to the other side of his princess and gently pushed her forward. She ran to Rini and hugged her for the last time. They stood there for a long while. Then let her go. Gaea glanced at the place where Othi had been. The avatar had disappeared. Rini and Degen followed her gaze and swore. They looked all around, then spotted her. She was floating about 8 to 10 feet above the ground.
"Rini go. Now!" Gaea forced out the words, but the pain that they took was obvious. Rini nodded and turned to half run to the place where the gate would open for her. She called out to her mother and saw the gate powers flux and spring open to show her the gate room with her mother and father standing waiting to comfort her. She turned to look at her friend for the last time.
"I love you Gaea." She called not expecting an answer.
:I love you too. Always and forever.: With that she walked through the gate to her mother's waiting arms.