Chapter 11 - For Friendship and Love
"I've laid my memories and dreams upon those wings
Leave them now and see what tomorrow brings"
-= Nobuo Uematsu - Melodies of Love =-
*** I apologize for the delay of this chapter and if it remembers sad things that all the world wishes it had never happened. Please forgive me. ***
It can't be... I'm with that strange feeling once more. The feeling that I already know that girl, I know I've seen her before, so why can't I remember where did we met? I need to know, please, I have to know who is - or was - she, I have to, I have to, PLEASE, let me remember that! PLEASE! My mind is dizzy, my heart seems to be pounding harder and faster, someone please tell me what is happening with me!
***
And Rick was right. It didn't take too long until Tieko lost her consciousness and fell into his arms, sweating by the heat and by the extreme use of soul energy. The Senshi and the Guardians noticed that and prepared themselves for the first attack of the creature that was in front of them.
"My work seems to be easier now", laughed the woman of fire, getting closer to the group. "You were trapped in this small shop, soon you'll faint because of the heat. Give me the girl."
"Only over my dead body", growled Art, drawing his sword. "You won't take her!"
"As you wish, young man... I guess it's time to start your prayers."
The group could only gasp when a huge fireball went into their direction, too fast for any of them to think of a way of dodging it without leaving the others behind. The Senshi and the Guardians could jump, but they would leave Tieko, Daniel and Rick on the range of the fireball and nobody could jump over the ball if they tried to carry one of the three.
Suddently, the sound of glass breaking and a big foam spray cut Hinoko's words and the fireball, making everyone atonished. By the broken glass of the Ice Cream Shop window, stood a amuzed Martin, with a fire extinguinsher by his side.
"WHA-"
"You'd better try to close your mouth, Hinoko-san", said Martin, with a smile on his face. "It's not polite to keep it open like that. And... I do think you know how to handle this, don't you?"
Sailor Mercury and Amerin blinked twice when they noticed that Martin was looking to them. "Er... we do", they answered together.
"Good. So I think I should go now... who knows what Hinoko-san will do with me as soon as she finishes placing her mouth in the correct position. Ja na!", finished Martin, running away before the youma noticed what was happening there.
If they weren't in the middle of a battle, certainly they would burst in laughter the moment when Hinoko looked around, furious, and did not see the 'little bastard' who had used the foam spray against her. Unfortunately, they too were surprised by Martin's action and that gave the youma enough time to recover herself from the shock, what Siren noticed some seconds before a ray of fire went in Amerin's direction, giving her enough time to jump over him and dodge the fire.
"Shine Acqua Illusion!", shouted Sailor Mercury, creating a barrier of ice around Hinoko. "This won't hold her for much longer!"
"Will Sailor Moon have enough time for the Moon Princess Halation?!", asked Sailor Venus, kneeling behind a table.
"I don't think so", answered Art, tumbling one table to make a safer shelter for Daniel, Rick and Tieko. "She's almost melting Sailor Mercury's ice. Sailor Mars' attacks won't be useful against her and Sailor Jupiter won't be able to touch her or to use any eletric attack. Your attacks won't be effective neither, Sailor Venus, because we have to be able to hold her first..."
"Hey", interrupted Sailor Jupiter. "How do you know that much about us?"
"Excuse me...", said Siren, looking in an odd way to Art and Sailor Venus. "Can we continue this talk later? I'm sure that Art will be able to explain everything, but now we've got work to do."
"She's right", agreed Luna. "Sailor Mercury, we need something to distract her while Sailor Moon gets ready for her attack."
"Don't worry about that. Shabon... SPRAY!"
Right after the bubbles took over the place, Amerin ran right in front of where Hinoko should be, making everyone doubt of his consciousness.
"Amerin, are you OUT OF YOUR MIND?!", shouted Siren. "She'll be able to get you there for sure!"
"Neptune, ruler of the seas, I ask for your power! May you and me become one life, one soul!", and a blue energy surrounded Amerin's body, lifting him some inches off the ground. "Blue Tidal WAVE!!!"
No words could be said by any of the warriors, who kept looking as Amerin attacked Hinoko, his arms held in her direction, aiming all the energy of his attack in a single target. But something wasn't right; Art knew that no Guardian was stronger than a Kishi or a Senshi and that Amerin's attack could be draining all his life energy.
"Sailor Moon, there's no time left!", shouted Sailor Mars, when she noticed that the boy's energy was beginning to fade out. "Sailor Mercury, how much will he hold on?"
"Not much", she answered, analysing the situation with her VR goggles and her computer. "And his energy pattern doesn't match any of ours, so all we can do is don't waste his effort."
*... his energy pattern doesn't match any of ours...?!* thought Gin, remembering something he had heard many years ago.
***
"That's right", smiled Selen, her hands on her back, while kicking some small stones on the floor. "We're not Senshi, we're not Kishi. We're Guardians, that's why we're not the same as them. They have royal blood in their veins, we don't."
"So... why were we chosen to be their Guardians?"
"Gin-chan, we have a different kind of energy in our bodies. We're not as powerful as the ones from the royal families, but we aren't defenseless like the other people of the Union. That's why they chose us", answered the silver haired girl, getting closer to the boy. "Probably History won't even mention us... we're lucky to have the chance to train along with the Destiny Kishi."
"Neither them are well known by the others, right?"
"Right", answered a boy with dark green hair and a violet stream of light upon his eyes. His clothes were different of Selen and Gin's and he had the symbol of Pluto on his right arm. "Fate-sensei wished that we were a secret group of Kishi. And so are you. Never forget that... you have the same energy, you share the same destiny."
***
"... you share the same... destiny", whispered Gin, looking at the situation. Amerin's hair was turning to a light blue, what wasn't a good thing. His life was fading away. "Jupiter Green POWER!!!"
The symbol of Jupiter gleamed on Gin's forehead, and his body was surrounded by a green light. Selen looked at him and smiled.
*So you remembered Chronos' words...*, she thought, standing up and placing herself by Gin's side, holding his right hand with her left hand. "Sailor Moon! We'll give you the time you need! Moon Silver POWER!!!"
The leader of the Inner Senshi was still puzzled with what was happening, but she understood their message and withdrew her Moon Rod. "Moon..."
"Let's help them!", decided Sailor Venus. "Venus Star..."
"NO!!!", shouted Art, "Your energy is different from theirs! If you do that, they can die! I can't help them neither, for I'm not a Guardian!"
Sailor Venus, Sailor Mars and Sailor Jupiter could only look with puzzled eyes to the brown-haired young warrior, who placed his sword back to its accabard and ran to protect the three that were hidden behind a table.
Suddently, a scream came from the water barrier created by Amerin and he fell on the ground, unconscious. Selen and Gin ceased the energy transfer immediately and Siren took a defensive position, ready to block any attack from Hinoko.
But all they could see was the face of the fire creature, who smiled evilly and laughed at them. "This is all you've got? Thank you very much, now I know my enemies and the power you've got within your souls. I shall come stronger and more prepared the next time we meet! Farewell!"
"Was that all...?", asked Sailor Moon, making her Moon Rod disappear. "And look at all this mess... she only wanted to see our real power."
"And I must say that it was good that you didn't finish your Moon Princess Halation", said Sailor Mercury. "All she saw was the extension of their power, not yours. She won't be fully prepared...", and she stopped talking when she saw two people crying and holding unconscious bodies on their arms.
"Now it's time to go", said Sailor Mars. "Is there anywhere we can go without calling anyone's attention?"
"We have the Institute's dormitory, Kenneth is the janitor, so we can get inside by the back door", answered Rick. "But I don't know if we'll be able to understand you if you aren't as Sailor Senshi."
"It's worth a try", said Sailor Jupiter, reverting her transformation back to Makoto. "So...?"
"No problems here", smiled Daniel. "Now we have to take them to a safer place."
"Before the police arrives", added Ami. "Catherin, are you able to carry Aindre... forget it."
And, faster than anyone could ever imagine, the not-so-small group ran towards the Fallen Institute, carrying two unconscious teenagers and a lot of questions in their minds.
***
After half an hour and two kettles of hot water for brewing some tea, Tieko and Aindrea were much better, even though Tieko still complained about the terrible headache she had and Aindrea kept asking Catherin for some aspirin.
"Does anybody want more te...", Martin began to ask, when a big 'NO' came to answer his question. "OK, no more tea, then. Should I ask if anyone wants an aspirin or a bag of ice?"
Aindrea and Tieko nodded, while Rick went to the kitchen to get more hot water. He still wanted some more tea, stronger than the one Martin had given to the two with headache, of course. "Nobody cares for an Earl Grey?", he still asked, knowing that the answer would be something like 'No, thank you'.
But he didn't expect a pillow.
"'kay... now that everybody is awake and Rick already had a pillow thrown in his face, should we begin our little talk?", asked Kenneth, sitting by the table.
"First of all... welcome to Mornington, Sailor Senshi", said Arthur, while Kenneth began to think more seriously about 'glue' and 'soundproof panels'.
"Thank you, Arthur", answered Usagi, trying to behave as a leader. "And... who are you, after all?"
Rei, Minako, Makoto and Ami slapped their foreheads when their 'leader' made that question that way. "Y'know, Usagi-chan...", started Makoto. "There are better ways to ask something like that."
Megan laughed loudly, making Aindrea and Tieko's heads ache even more. "Don't worry... even we don't know that very well."
"All we know is that Catherin recieved two pendants last week", said Kenneth, picking up his. "Some days after I got to Mornington. One was hers and one was mine. A strange voice in her head told her that a friend of hers would be in danger and that she should use the pendant to defend that friend."
"At least I had Luna to explain certain things to me", said Usagi, with large, round eyes and a sweatdrop on her head.
"Not everyone has a cat counselor to explain how to deal with magical powers...", mumbled Arthur, trying to be polite and cheering inside his mind because Tieko couldn't poke him at that moment.
And another pillow flew across the table.
"I guess we can start by saying who is who here, can't we?", groaned Tieko, after tossing the pillow she was using in Arthur's face.
"-cough- that's a good idea -cough-", coughed Daniel, trying to stay without laughing. He was too close to Arthur.
"OK, leader goes first", and Catherin pushed Kenneth.
"Why me?! Alright... I'm Kenneth Raiden, or Gin of Jupiter."
"I'm Megan Lightner, Selen of Moon."
"Catherin McKinnion, Siren of Saturn."
"I am -ouch- Aindrea Terence, Amerin of Neptune -ouch- pleased to meet you..."
"I'm Arthur Crossroads, better known as Art of Endymion, Earth Destiny Kishi."
"Er...", began Usagi, when Megan started to wave her hands in front of her.
"You don't need to say who are you", she laughed. "We still remember some facts that happened in the Silver Millenium, Princess Serenity... can I call you Usagi?"
The blond girl smiled. "Sure! I prefer being called Usagi rather than 'Princess Serenity' or 'Your Highness'! After all... I'm a common girl, just good n' plain Usagi Tsukino."
***
Good n' plain Usagi Tsukino. That was what she wished to be... a common girl, with no bigger responsibilities than going to school and returning home everyday. That was also what Queen Serenity of the Silver Millenium wished for her daughter, when she sent her soul to reborn in Earth. Unfortunately, Destiny didn't want it to happen. And so rose from the commonners the Pretty Soldier Sailor Moon, champion of love and justice.
How many tears were droppen during the years she fought against evil?
But she also had happiness during those years. She made new friends and found the one she swore she would love forever, a love that would be able to challenge time and space.
Sometimes, she felt as if all that battle against evil would never find its end. Enemy after enemy, something always happened to disturb everyone. To be against peace.
***
Hinoko was furious. She couldn't believe she had been caught in such a childish attack. She had been defeated by a FIRE EXTINGUINSHER!!! Nobody would forgive her if she returned to her world without the girl and without making justice for Kazeko's death.
She still remembered the last words Kazeko said before leaving home.
***
"It's time for me to go. Please tell my mother that I'll be back soon, OK?"
"OK, Kazeko. Take care."
"I will. Bye."
***
"You... you killed my friend... and now, how will I tell her family what happened?! She didn't came for war, but if it's what you desire, that's what you all will have!!!"
With tears rolling down her face, Hinoko concentrated almost all her energy in her hands and yelled once more, trying to call the Guardians.
"THIS is what you deserve from taking my friend out of my life!!!"
Mornington would never forget those words. And the fireball that destroyed part of Fallen Institute and the drops of fire that fell over the town, setting fire in almost all the buildings.
***
"Wha... what is happening?!", shouted Althea, when she felt the ground shaking. "An earthquake?!"
"Let's get out of here!", screamed Helen, pulling Althea's hand. "It's dangerous to stay inside the building!"
***
"What is happening?!", shouted Catherin, feeling the ground shaking.
"We have to get outta here!", demanded Kenneth, opening the door. "Everybody to the main pathway, NOW!"
***
Everybody thought it was an earthquake.
But nothing prepared them for seeing the institute in fire and fire drops falling from the sky. It was if the world was being destroyed by the apocalypse.
Some people couldn't do nothing but cry in the streets. There were people who couldn't believe in what their eyes were seeing.
"It's like hell...", sobbed Usagi, without knowing what to do.
"What could ever make this happen?", asked a brunnete girl, with her hair in a ponytail, by her side.
"I think I know what... or who did this.", growled Arthur. "Did everybody get out of the buildings?"
"There are some people trapped inside it", answered Kenneth, after phoning the security. "Let's go to a safer place."
The Senshi and the Guardian understood when Kenneth said 'safer place' and followed him. The brunette girl, scared with what had happened and lost from her friend, followed the group without anyone noticing that she was there.
It didn't take long for them to find a place where nobody would see them. Kenneth picked up his pendant and the Japanese girls had their transformation pens on her hands.
"Jupiter Green Power!"
"Moon Cosmic Power!"
"Saturn Violet Power!"
"Mercury Star Power!"
"Neptune Blue Power!"
"Mars Star Power!"
"Moon Silver Power!"
"Jupiter Star Power!"
"Earth Destiny Power!"
"Venus Star Power!"
"MAKE UP!!!", the Senshi shouted, right after the Guardians had already transformed themselves.
***
The Senshi and the Guardians soon left the 'safe place', leaving a scared Althea behind. She couldn't understand what was happening and almost couldn't believe in what she had seen. But it was strange... something in her heart told her that sooner or later, she would be with them.
She just couldn't understand why.
***
"HINOKO!!!", shouted Sailor Moon and Siren, after finding the youma right over the church. "We know this is your fault!"
"Well, well, welcome to hell, Guardians", she laughed, with an evil and weird look in her face. "Prepared to die?"
"We shall never die...", said Art, angrily, and getting his sword out of the sheath.
They finally took their positions for the battle. Daniel, Rick, Tieko and Martin ran to somewhere far from the church and, without knowing why, felt they were safe where they stopped. The girl that saw the transformation scenes could see a faint bordeaux light surrounding the four teenagers.
***
"Do you think this was really meant to happen?", asked a worried Aleph, watching everything through the mirror. "Did this happen before Chronos interfered in that timeline?"
"It didn't", answered Moon Fox. "But that is past already. Present time is what is happening now and that's the truth for every single person that lives in the Mornington created by Chronos. I don't think we can do anything."
"We can try to do something, can't we?", asked Firebird, walking restlessly in the room.
"Someone is already doing something. See that bordeaux light? That's Pluto."
"You mean that.."
"Martin does have some power. Chronos wouldn't let him without any defense", said Moon Fox. "All we can do now is wait."
"That's something I do hate to do", sighed Aleph, rubbing his hands.
"I've laid my memories and dreams upon those wings
Leave them now and see what tomorrow brings"
-= Nobuo Uematsu - Melodies of Love =-
*** I apologize for the delay of this chapter and if it remembers sad things that all the world wishes it had never happened. Please forgive me. ***
It can't be... I'm with that strange feeling once more. The feeling that I already know that girl, I know I've seen her before, so why can't I remember where did we met? I need to know, please, I have to know who is - or was - she, I have to, I have to, PLEASE, let me remember that! PLEASE! My mind is dizzy, my heart seems to be pounding harder and faster, someone please tell me what is happening with me!
***
And Rick was right. It didn't take too long until Tieko lost her consciousness and fell into his arms, sweating by the heat and by the extreme use of soul energy. The Senshi and the Guardians noticed that and prepared themselves for the first attack of the creature that was in front of them.
"My work seems to be easier now", laughed the woman of fire, getting closer to the group. "You were trapped in this small shop, soon you'll faint because of the heat. Give me the girl."
"Only over my dead body", growled Art, drawing his sword. "You won't take her!"
"As you wish, young man... I guess it's time to start your prayers."
The group could only gasp when a huge fireball went into their direction, too fast for any of them to think of a way of dodging it without leaving the others behind. The Senshi and the Guardians could jump, but they would leave Tieko, Daniel and Rick on the range of the fireball and nobody could jump over the ball if they tried to carry one of the three.
Suddently, the sound of glass breaking and a big foam spray cut Hinoko's words and the fireball, making everyone atonished. By the broken glass of the Ice Cream Shop window, stood a amuzed Martin, with a fire extinguinsher by his side.
"WHA-"
"You'd better try to close your mouth, Hinoko-san", said Martin, with a smile on his face. "It's not polite to keep it open like that. And... I do think you know how to handle this, don't you?"
Sailor Mercury and Amerin blinked twice when they noticed that Martin was looking to them. "Er... we do", they answered together.
"Good. So I think I should go now... who knows what Hinoko-san will do with me as soon as she finishes placing her mouth in the correct position. Ja na!", finished Martin, running away before the youma noticed what was happening there.
If they weren't in the middle of a battle, certainly they would burst in laughter the moment when Hinoko looked around, furious, and did not see the 'little bastard' who had used the foam spray against her. Unfortunately, they too were surprised by Martin's action and that gave the youma enough time to recover herself from the shock, what Siren noticed some seconds before a ray of fire went in Amerin's direction, giving her enough time to jump over him and dodge the fire.
"Shine Acqua Illusion!", shouted Sailor Mercury, creating a barrier of ice around Hinoko. "This won't hold her for much longer!"
"Will Sailor Moon have enough time for the Moon Princess Halation?!", asked Sailor Venus, kneeling behind a table.
"I don't think so", answered Art, tumbling one table to make a safer shelter for Daniel, Rick and Tieko. "She's almost melting Sailor Mercury's ice. Sailor Mars' attacks won't be useful against her and Sailor Jupiter won't be able to touch her or to use any eletric attack. Your attacks won't be effective neither, Sailor Venus, because we have to be able to hold her first..."
"Hey", interrupted Sailor Jupiter. "How do you know that much about us?"
"Excuse me...", said Siren, looking in an odd way to Art and Sailor Venus. "Can we continue this talk later? I'm sure that Art will be able to explain everything, but now we've got work to do."
"She's right", agreed Luna. "Sailor Mercury, we need something to distract her while Sailor Moon gets ready for her attack."
"Don't worry about that. Shabon... SPRAY!"
Right after the bubbles took over the place, Amerin ran right in front of where Hinoko should be, making everyone doubt of his consciousness.
"Amerin, are you OUT OF YOUR MIND?!", shouted Siren. "She'll be able to get you there for sure!"
"Neptune, ruler of the seas, I ask for your power! May you and me become one life, one soul!", and a blue energy surrounded Amerin's body, lifting him some inches off the ground. "Blue Tidal WAVE!!!"
No words could be said by any of the warriors, who kept looking as Amerin attacked Hinoko, his arms held in her direction, aiming all the energy of his attack in a single target. But something wasn't right; Art knew that no Guardian was stronger than a Kishi or a Senshi and that Amerin's attack could be draining all his life energy.
"Sailor Moon, there's no time left!", shouted Sailor Mars, when she noticed that the boy's energy was beginning to fade out. "Sailor Mercury, how much will he hold on?"
"Not much", she answered, analysing the situation with her VR goggles and her computer. "And his energy pattern doesn't match any of ours, so all we can do is don't waste his effort."
*... his energy pattern doesn't match any of ours...?!* thought Gin, remembering something he had heard many years ago.
***
"That's right", smiled Selen, her hands on her back, while kicking some small stones on the floor. "We're not Senshi, we're not Kishi. We're Guardians, that's why we're not the same as them. They have royal blood in their veins, we don't."
"So... why were we chosen to be their Guardians?"
"Gin-chan, we have a different kind of energy in our bodies. We're not as powerful as the ones from the royal families, but we aren't defenseless like the other people of the Union. That's why they chose us", answered the silver haired girl, getting closer to the boy. "Probably History won't even mention us... we're lucky to have the chance to train along with the Destiny Kishi."
"Neither them are well known by the others, right?"
"Right", answered a boy with dark green hair and a violet stream of light upon his eyes. His clothes were different of Selen and Gin's and he had the symbol of Pluto on his right arm. "Fate-sensei wished that we were a secret group of Kishi. And so are you. Never forget that... you have the same energy, you share the same destiny."
***
"... you share the same... destiny", whispered Gin, looking at the situation. Amerin's hair was turning to a light blue, what wasn't a good thing. His life was fading away. "Jupiter Green POWER!!!"
The symbol of Jupiter gleamed on Gin's forehead, and his body was surrounded by a green light. Selen looked at him and smiled.
*So you remembered Chronos' words...*, she thought, standing up and placing herself by Gin's side, holding his right hand with her left hand. "Sailor Moon! We'll give you the time you need! Moon Silver POWER!!!"
The leader of the Inner Senshi was still puzzled with what was happening, but she understood their message and withdrew her Moon Rod. "Moon..."
"Let's help them!", decided Sailor Venus. "Venus Star..."
"NO!!!", shouted Art, "Your energy is different from theirs! If you do that, they can die! I can't help them neither, for I'm not a Guardian!"
Sailor Venus, Sailor Mars and Sailor Jupiter could only look with puzzled eyes to the brown-haired young warrior, who placed his sword back to its accabard and ran to protect the three that were hidden behind a table.
Suddently, a scream came from the water barrier created by Amerin and he fell on the ground, unconscious. Selen and Gin ceased the energy transfer immediately and Siren took a defensive position, ready to block any attack from Hinoko.
But all they could see was the face of the fire creature, who smiled evilly and laughed at them. "This is all you've got? Thank you very much, now I know my enemies and the power you've got within your souls. I shall come stronger and more prepared the next time we meet! Farewell!"
"Was that all...?", asked Sailor Moon, making her Moon Rod disappear. "And look at all this mess... she only wanted to see our real power."
"And I must say that it was good that you didn't finish your Moon Princess Halation", said Sailor Mercury. "All she saw was the extension of their power, not yours. She won't be fully prepared...", and she stopped talking when she saw two people crying and holding unconscious bodies on their arms.
"Now it's time to go", said Sailor Mars. "Is there anywhere we can go without calling anyone's attention?"
"We have the Institute's dormitory, Kenneth is the janitor, so we can get inside by the back door", answered Rick. "But I don't know if we'll be able to understand you if you aren't as Sailor Senshi."
"It's worth a try", said Sailor Jupiter, reverting her transformation back to Makoto. "So...?"
"No problems here", smiled Daniel. "Now we have to take them to a safer place."
"Before the police arrives", added Ami. "Catherin, are you able to carry Aindre... forget it."
And, faster than anyone could ever imagine, the not-so-small group ran towards the Fallen Institute, carrying two unconscious teenagers and a lot of questions in their minds.
***
After half an hour and two kettles of hot water for brewing some tea, Tieko and Aindrea were much better, even though Tieko still complained about the terrible headache she had and Aindrea kept asking Catherin for some aspirin.
"Does anybody want more te...", Martin began to ask, when a big 'NO' came to answer his question. "OK, no more tea, then. Should I ask if anyone wants an aspirin or a bag of ice?"
Aindrea and Tieko nodded, while Rick went to the kitchen to get more hot water. He still wanted some more tea, stronger than the one Martin had given to the two with headache, of course. "Nobody cares for an Earl Grey?", he still asked, knowing that the answer would be something like 'No, thank you'.
But he didn't expect a pillow.
"'kay... now that everybody is awake and Rick already had a pillow thrown in his face, should we begin our little talk?", asked Kenneth, sitting by the table.
"First of all... welcome to Mornington, Sailor Senshi", said Arthur, while Kenneth began to think more seriously about 'glue' and 'soundproof panels'.
"Thank you, Arthur", answered Usagi, trying to behave as a leader. "And... who are you, after all?"
Rei, Minako, Makoto and Ami slapped their foreheads when their 'leader' made that question that way. "Y'know, Usagi-chan...", started Makoto. "There are better ways to ask something like that."
Megan laughed loudly, making Aindrea and Tieko's heads ache even more. "Don't worry... even we don't know that very well."
"All we know is that Catherin recieved two pendants last week", said Kenneth, picking up his. "Some days after I got to Mornington. One was hers and one was mine. A strange voice in her head told her that a friend of hers would be in danger and that she should use the pendant to defend that friend."
"At least I had Luna to explain certain things to me", said Usagi, with large, round eyes and a sweatdrop on her head.
"Not everyone has a cat counselor to explain how to deal with magical powers...", mumbled Arthur, trying to be polite and cheering inside his mind because Tieko couldn't poke him at that moment.
And another pillow flew across the table.
"I guess we can start by saying who is who here, can't we?", groaned Tieko, after tossing the pillow she was using in Arthur's face.
"-cough- that's a good idea -cough-", coughed Daniel, trying to stay without laughing. He was too close to Arthur.
"OK, leader goes first", and Catherin pushed Kenneth.
"Why me?! Alright... I'm Kenneth Raiden, or Gin of Jupiter."
"I'm Megan Lightner, Selen of Moon."
"Catherin McKinnion, Siren of Saturn."
"I am -ouch- Aindrea Terence, Amerin of Neptune -ouch- pleased to meet you..."
"I'm Arthur Crossroads, better known as Art of Endymion, Earth Destiny Kishi."
"Er...", began Usagi, when Megan started to wave her hands in front of her.
"You don't need to say who are you", she laughed. "We still remember some facts that happened in the Silver Millenium, Princess Serenity... can I call you Usagi?"
The blond girl smiled. "Sure! I prefer being called Usagi rather than 'Princess Serenity' or 'Your Highness'! After all... I'm a common girl, just good n' plain Usagi Tsukino."
***
Good n' plain Usagi Tsukino. That was what she wished to be... a common girl, with no bigger responsibilities than going to school and returning home everyday. That was also what Queen Serenity of the Silver Millenium wished for her daughter, when she sent her soul to reborn in Earth. Unfortunately, Destiny didn't want it to happen. And so rose from the commonners the Pretty Soldier Sailor Moon, champion of love and justice.
How many tears were droppen during the years she fought against evil?
But she also had happiness during those years. She made new friends and found the one she swore she would love forever, a love that would be able to challenge time and space.
Sometimes, she felt as if all that battle against evil would never find its end. Enemy after enemy, something always happened to disturb everyone. To be against peace.
***
Hinoko was furious. She couldn't believe she had been caught in such a childish attack. She had been defeated by a FIRE EXTINGUINSHER!!! Nobody would forgive her if she returned to her world without the girl and without making justice for Kazeko's death.
She still remembered the last words Kazeko said before leaving home.
***
"It's time for me to go. Please tell my mother that I'll be back soon, OK?"
"OK, Kazeko. Take care."
"I will. Bye."
***
"You... you killed my friend... and now, how will I tell her family what happened?! She didn't came for war, but if it's what you desire, that's what you all will have!!!"
With tears rolling down her face, Hinoko concentrated almost all her energy in her hands and yelled once more, trying to call the Guardians.
"THIS is what you deserve from taking my friend out of my life!!!"
Mornington would never forget those words. And the fireball that destroyed part of Fallen Institute and the drops of fire that fell over the town, setting fire in almost all the buildings.
***
"Wha... what is happening?!", shouted Althea, when she felt the ground shaking. "An earthquake?!"
"Let's get out of here!", screamed Helen, pulling Althea's hand. "It's dangerous to stay inside the building!"
***
"What is happening?!", shouted Catherin, feeling the ground shaking.
"We have to get outta here!", demanded Kenneth, opening the door. "Everybody to the main pathway, NOW!"
***
Everybody thought it was an earthquake.
But nothing prepared them for seeing the institute in fire and fire drops falling from the sky. It was if the world was being destroyed by the apocalypse.
Some people couldn't do nothing but cry in the streets. There were people who couldn't believe in what their eyes were seeing.
"It's like hell...", sobbed Usagi, without knowing what to do.
"What could ever make this happen?", asked a brunnete girl, with her hair in a ponytail, by her side.
"I think I know what... or who did this.", growled Arthur. "Did everybody get out of the buildings?"
"There are some people trapped inside it", answered Kenneth, after phoning the security. "Let's go to a safer place."
The Senshi and the Guardian understood when Kenneth said 'safer place' and followed him. The brunette girl, scared with what had happened and lost from her friend, followed the group without anyone noticing that she was there.
It didn't take long for them to find a place where nobody would see them. Kenneth picked up his pendant and the Japanese girls had their transformation pens on her hands.
"Jupiter Green Power!"
"Moon Cosmic Power!"
"Saturn Violet Power!"
"Mercury Star Power!"
"Neptune Blue Power!"
"Mars Star Power!"
"Moon Silver Power!"
"Jupiter Star Power!"
"Earth Destiny Power!"
"Venus Star Power!"
"MAKE UP!!!", the Senshi shouted, right after the Guardians had already transformed themselves.
***
The Senshi and the Guardians soon left the 'safe place', leaving a scared Althea behind. She couldn't understand what was happening and almost couldn't believe in what she had seen. But it was strange... something in her heart told her that sooner or later, she would be with them.
She just couldn't understand why.
***
"HINOKO!!!", shouted Sailor Moon and Siren, after finding the youma right over the church. "We know this is your fault!"
"Well, well, welcome to hell, Guardians", she laughed, with an evil and weird look in her face. "Prepared to die?"
"We shall never die...", said Art, angrily, and getting his sword out of the sheath.
They finally took their positions for the battle. Daniel, Rick, Tieko and Martin ran to somewhere far from the church and, without knowing why, felt they were safe where they stopped. The girl that saw the transformation scenes could see a faint bordeaux light surrounding the four teenagers.
***
"Do you think this was really meant to happen?", asked a worried Aleph, watching everything through the mirror. "Did this happen before Chronos interfered in that timeline?"
"It didn't", answered Moon Fox. "But that is past already. Present time is what is happening now and that's the truth for every single person that lives in the Mornington created by Chronos. I don't think we can do anything."
"We can try to do something, can't we?", asked Firebird, walking restlessly in the room.
"Someone is already doing something. See that bordeaux light? That's Pluto."
"You mean that.."
"Martin does have some power. Chronos wouldn't let him without any defense", said Moon Fox. "All we can do now is wait."
"That's something I do hate to do", sighed Aleph, rubbing his hands.