"Rei, you're going to be late." An elderly man with a white mustache dressed in a shrine attire called outside a temple room. "Rei?"
"I'm up already, Ojii-san." A teenager stepped out behind the elderly man. Her raven black hair glistened in the spring sun and her violet eyes portrayed the mysterious power she held within. She wore the gray school uniform of the exclusive private school for girls, TA Private Girls School.
"Rei!" Her grandfather jumped. "Don't startle a old man like that. His heart can't take it."
"Sorry, Ojii-san. I'm off to school." Rei turned and grabbed her book bag. She headed down the temple's many steps. Two crows circled above and cawed as Rei left the temple grounds.
Her grandfather watched as a bright aura of red flared around his granddaughter. When Rei had first arrived at this shrine, she wasn't even in elementary school.
---
"Ojii-san, you have crows in your garden?" Little Rei asked as she saw the two black crows soar through the air. She was no more than four years old and was dressed in a small proper Victorian dress.
"There are many in the cities." He was a much younger man ten years ago with only a graying hair and mustache. "There are very common in the city. Have you ever seen them before?"
All of a sudden Rei ran forward after the crows, calling, "Phobos! Deimos!"
"Rei!?" Her grandfather exclaimed.
The crows landed on the little girl's shoulder as she looked back at her grandfather. "It's their names, Phobos and Deimos. This was decided a long time ago!"
---
'Ever since then she's been such a mysterious girl. But, I know...Rei, one day, you will return to your true birth land...Even if I don't know when that will be and where that would be...'
Mirror of Reflections
Chapter 1
Reflection of Courage
Rating: PG - PG 13
"I don't know what to do...This is just another crossroad in my life. But, for the first time, I don't know which way to go. I've come this far because I've...fallen for you... Rinoa...Now...am I just supposed to let you go...?"
- Squall, Final Fantasy VIII
Disclaimer: Sailor Moon is the property of Naoko-san. I do not own it. Please don't sue me. However this story is mine and any other characters I will create along the way.
She closed her eyes and let her power flow through her body. This would be the last time she would need to teleport and then she would be home, for the first time in a millennium. She was dead tired on her feet from using all her energy to fight off bandits and other threats.
The universe has become so chaotic as of late, but she was not worried about home. Home will always be home and home would always be there for her to go back to.
She had spent the last thousand years trying to sort out the pandemonium light-years away from home, on the other side of the universe. There has been so many civil wars, interplanetary wars, galactic wars, famine, epidemics, and all kinds of other natural disasters. Law had declined to nothing. Bandits, thieves, and murderers ran free throughout the galaxy, doing as they pleased.
She was worried. She was more than worried. She was anxious- in fact, terrified. She could not find a reason for the decline of the universe the last few centuries. Then she caught a wisp of a rumor, news traveled very slowly between galaxies. The Silver Millennium was no more. The entire alliance had fallen.
She felt the pull of the gravity of the earth's moon, it wrapped around her, almost as if to welcome her home. She opened her eyes and all she could see was destruction as far as she could see. She stared in shock at the landscape. The rumors were true.
The Silver Millennium had fallen. The Palace lay in ruins, even the ruins were slowly giving into time. Her home was indeed, no more.
---
"Luna..." Mizuno Ami said to her cat. "What was the Princess like?"
Ami had been quite busy and tired for the last month; between school, cram school, friends, Dark Kingdom schemes, and just senseless youma attacks. In the last few weeks, Luna and Ami had uncovered a few Dark Kingdom establishments meant to collect energy for their grand cause: including a fortune-telling house, a pet shop called Perfume, a late night radio talk show, a work out center, and a clock shop in Harajuku. Some of these establishments could have been in operation for years yet no one ever suspected them. Everyone was concerned about Ami's recent lack of energy, from her friends, Luna, her mother, to her teachers. There was no sign that the Dark Kingdom was going to let off their relentless attacks. They were trying to wear her down.
I won't let them win, not that easily.
The cat looked over at her new charge before turning to face the full moon in the sky again. "I don't remember much of our past lives. We may regain our memories within time, but it's uncertain. It's all so vague like a long forgotten dream. All I remember was golden blond hair and the most beautiful sky blue eyes."
"And it's my duty to find and protect her, right?" Ami asked and Luna nodded slightly. "I can do that, I'm stronger than I think."
Luna smiled. Everything was going to be all right.
"I know you're tired Ami-chan, but it'll get easier as we awaken the others. Don't worry." Luna patted Ami's shoulder. "But be careful, things will move a lot more faster than you think."
Ami's mini-computer began to beep for the third time this week, signaling the discovery of Dark Kingdom activity. She glanced tiredly at the clock: 11:42 at night. It looks like she wasn't going to get any sleep tonight. She pulled out the small blue computer. She punched a few keys to pull up a map of Tokyo. She looked over at Luna and sighed.,"Youma in Sector C, just a few blocks away from some kind of shrine."
Luna frowned, "The Hiwaka Shrine?"
Ami nodded.
"Hmm...that sector's been quite busy lately, perhaps we should investigate it more thoroughly later," Luna closed
her eyes and shape-shifted to her human form. "Ready?"
---
"Konnichi wa, Usagi-chan." Motoki greeted as Usagi, Naru, and Ami entered Crown Game Center.
"Konnichi wa Motoki-san." Ami bowed to the young man, her tired eyes scanned the arcade.
"Ami-chan, are you all right? You've been so tired lately." Motoki gazed worriedly at her.
"I've been staying up late just to get ahead." Ami lied almost automatically. She hated lying, but she had no choice unless she wanted to tell the whole world that she was Sailor Mercury. She still hated doing it, every time she was forced to lie. It
felt as if she was forced to swallow something sour and extremely unpleasant.
"Ami-chan, I can understand your diligence, but you have to get some rest too." Motoki sighed.
"I know." Was Ami's quiet response.
Motoki noticed for the first time that his best friend had yet to greet his most frequent customers. He nudged the dark haired man that continued to stare at the cup of coffee before him. "Say hello Mamoru."
"Hi." Mamoru muttered.
"Are you okay?" Usagi asked as she reached out and felt his forehead. "You're not hot, do you feel dizzy?"
A rush of heat flew through his veins. Mamoru brushed her aside. "I'm fine." With those few words, he left the arcade.
"Don't mind him, he's been like that for the last few days." Motoki said as he took the coffee mug and cleaned the counter top. "I'm sure there's nothing life threatening wrong with him."
---
Queen Beryl sat idly upon her stone throne. Her plan has been set into motion. Soon she would reclaim what was rightfully hers. No one would be able to stop her.
Absolutely no one.
"Queen Beryl, our experiments have been very successful, the test subject is completely at our mercy." Zoisite reported as he appeared from the shadows.
"Very well, proceed with the plans I've already arranged." Beryl waved her hand in a dismissing manner. "Tell Jadeite that I wish to see him, there is something I wish for him to investigate."
The blond man hesitated to carry out her command at first, but as he opened his mouth to say something Beryl cut him off. "I suggest you do as I say if you wish to keep that insolent tongue of yours." Her eyes flashed dangerously.
Zoisite proceeded to fade into the darkness.
---
Zoisite punched the wall in his darkened bedroom. If only he could make Beryl see the truth, then he would be free again. Freedom, such a sweet word upon his lips. From his pocket he drew out a small portrait of a young blue-haired woman.
He stroked the painting fondly and whispered, "We'll be together soon, Kallan."
---
Rei scowled as her classmates went out of their way to avoid her, moreso than usual. It wasn't her fault, but even if you had no magical power or instinct whatsoever, you knew today was not a good day to be anywhere near Hino Rei.
Someone backed out of a door and slammed right into Rei. The force sent her sprawling onto the floor with her books spread around her.
Jadeite wondered what the hell he was doing as he stood in a classroom that overlooked the yard outside of the school. He had felt a desperate pull at his heart not too long ago. He could do nothing but follow it. There was no point being here. Just as he was about to teleport away, he felt that same tug again and great power just beyond the classroom door.
In his eagerness to find what was and could cause these feelings within him, he accidentally knocked over one of the students of the school as soon as he stepped out of the door.
"Sorry." Jadeite muttered as he helped the girl retrieve her belongings. He took one long look at her and could see the great power that lay within her.
Rei looked up into a pair of dark sky blue eyes. She shivered. They were so human and yet inhuman at the same time. She could also sense the dark power and presence that stirred within this man.
"Thanks." She muttered as the older man helped her pick up her belongings.
"You're welcome." Jadeite's eyes narrowed as he continued to study this girl. She was no doubt the source of the power he had felt. "What's your name?"
"Hino Rei."
"Hino Rei?"
"Yes, and may I ask who you are?"
"My name is Jadeite."
Rei stared at him for a second, wondering why he hadn't given her his last name as well. "A pleasure to make your acquaintance."
"Believe me, it is my greatest pleasure to make your acquaintance Rei-san." Jadeite held her hand and gently kissed it like a gentleman.
The bell rang, announcing the beginning of the first period. She pulled her hand back abruptly."Excuse me, I have to get to class." Rei walked cautiously away the man. There was something very wrong with that man. She would have to keep her eye out for that man. Yet for the first time in her life, for that one second his lips were on her skin, she felt complete.
Jadeite glared at the girl as she retreated the hallway. She was indeed a force to be reckoned with. He had not been able to read her at her. He would have to keep an eye out for that girl. He felt a tingling at the back of his mind. Queen Beryl was calling. He vanished from the empty hallway.
---
"Usagi-chan?" Naru waved a hand in front of her friend's face, but received no reply of any kind. "What's wrong with her? She's been like this for the last week!"
"She just has a lot on her mind." Ami replied as she smiled quietly to herself.
"You know about the charms they sell at the Hiwaka Shrine? They're supposed to work really work. They have charms for almost everything, studying, athletics, and even love. I'm going to check it this afternoon, anyone want to come with me?" Naru asked brightly.
Usagi snapped out of her trance and glanced at her friend. "Love?"
"Yep, do you have someone in mind?" Naru asked slyly. "You've been in such a daze lately."
Usagi looked down. Something closed around her throat. She couldn't breath. She struggled with herself to speak for a few minutes. She fought back the tears that welled up in her eyes. It hurts inside.
"Usagi-chan?" Ami whispered. She gripped the other girl's shoulder and shook her a few times. She gasped as Usagi looked up at her with the strangest expression. "Usagi-chan?!"
"I'm fine." Usagi shook her head to clear it. She grinned brightly at her friends. "Really, I'm okay. I'd love to go with you this afternoon, Naru-chan."
"I'll come too." Ami said.
Beside, Luna had wanted to investigate that sector anyway.
"Don't you have cram school today?" Usagi questioned curiously.
"No." Ami lied as she watched the blonde out of the corner of her eyes.
---
Jadeite surveyed his surroundings quietly. Queen Beryl had sensed a great power emitting from this shrine. It was not the usual holy aura that protected most shrines, but a fiery aura of planetary energy. A power very much like his.
He sneered at all the schoolgirls buying their good luck charms. The fools... He glared at the charms and found the same
aura as the one around the shrine. So there was a bit of real power in these charms. Now the question was where was the source of that power?
He strayed away from the main shrine and found himself in a quaint little Japanese courtyard garden. It was quite beautiful and gave him a sense of peace he had never had before. He shook off this foreign feeling and made his way toward the source of this strange power.
He slid open a door. The power was the strongest here. It was a small room, a small shrine dedicated to ancestors and dead relatives. There was a small wooden box placed on a pedestal, signs of protection and health were engraved into the
wooden surface.
That must be the source of the power.
"Excuse me, this area is off-limits to visitors." A strict voice ordered.
Jadeite turned around and came face-to-face with Rei in her miko outfit. "Ah Rei-san, what a coincidence. Sorry, I was in the garden when I thought I heard a loud crash coming from this room. I came to investigate. I would hate to see someone intentionally desecrate this beautiful shrine."
"We appreciate your concern Jadeite-san." Rei glared after the man as he left the room. She didn't believe him. A part of her desperately wanted to, but deep inside, she also knew that this man could no longer be trusted.
Jadeite could feel Rei's gaze follow him as he left the room. He knew she didn't trust him. It didn't matter, he had found out what he needed to know. He would take that power away, by force if necessary. He would return with it to Queen Beryl and receive his reward.
Yet why did he still feel so empty inside?
Rei walked over to the wooden box and fingered it gently. An aura of fire flared up under her hand. A single tear rolled down her cheek. "Okaa-san."
---
"So pretty..." Usagi gazed at the shrine in admiration. She watched many of her classmates giggled dreamily over the charms they had just brought. Naru had naturally brought a love charm and Ami had brought a charm for good grades.
"Ami-chan, I really doubt you'll need that charm. You're already smart."
"I just need a little reassurance before the National Aptitude Test." Ami said as she tied the charm to her book bag.
"There's a garden over there, what to take a look?" Naru pointed to the courtyard garden.
---
Rei stood over by the fountain, staring at her reflection. Nearby, Phobos and Deimos cawed softly to each other as if they were having a conversation. Her head shot up as she felt a great power from behind. She turned around to the sight of three schoolgirls from a local junior high.
She could feel a great power emitting from the blue-haired girl. But she didn't feel threatened by that power- in fact, she found the power quite soothing, like a kindred soul. She felt an even greater power within the blonde, but there was something very strange about her.
"Good afternoon." The three girls bowed to the miko.
"Good afternoon." Rei bowed to the girls as well.
"This is a beautiful shrine." The blue haired one complimented.
"Thanks." Rei whispered quietly.
"I'm Tsukino Usagi." The blonde introduced herself and then turned to the other two. "And this is Mizuno Ami and Osaka Naru."
Rei smiled, she couldn't help it. There was just something about them. "I'm Hino Rei."
---
"I see you've discovered the Fire Room." She twirled around and took up a fighting stance. She lowered her defense, seeing it was only Duchess Galena's daughter, Lady Purity.
Purity bowed lowly to the Martian diplomat, Atalanta Arden. "I was sent to fetch you for dinner, Lady Atalanta."
"You called this the Fire Room, what purpose does it serve? Everything feels like flames." Atalanta ran her hands along the wall.
"There is a room dedicated to each element in this palace. The Fire Room is dedicated to the element of fire as its name indicates." Purity explained. "The Rooms are used for various purposes throughout the year, for the various rituals that
are needed to be performed. The Four Lords use them as a place where they can mediate and practice. Jadeite uses the Fire Room."
"Jadeite?"
"He's Endy's third-in-command. He's a warrior of fire like yourself, my Lady." Purity smiled. "He's kinda silly at times but he's the only one out of the four who would even think of put up with my pranks. You'll get to meet him at dinner."
"I take it when you say Endy, you mean Prince Endymion." Atalanta turned to the younger girl and smiled. This girl was just brimming with a sense of innocence and, as her name suggested, purity. This girl was most definitely charismatic. She
could light up any room she stepped into.
"Yes." Atalanta could have sworn she saw a slight blush upon Purity's cheeks.
"You must really care for him." Atalanta stared at the girl as if she was trying to decipher her.
"Of course, he's my best friend." Purity answered.
Atalanta looked the girl straight in her eyes and whispered. "But you wish you two could be more than that."
"Don't be silly!" Purity exclaimed as she turned away from the older girl.
"He's my best friend and I'm his cousin."
"Now you're being silly. Don't think that you can hide something like that from me. I am a warrior of fire and soul. You're not his cousin, at least not by blood. I don't mean to offend you, but everyone knows that Duchess Galena adopted you when she found you in the gardens but they still think of you as royal blood. There is probably no better match for Prince Endymion, at least that's what I think."
"My Lady..."
"Call me Atalanta."
"We should get to dinner." With that, Purity fled from the room.
Atalanta smiled softly to herself. She had a feeling that the two of them would become very good friends.
---
Jadeite hid behind a statue of Ebisu, the Shinto god of fishing and trade and one of the Seven Gods of Good Fortune. A globe of fire appeared in his arm and began to expand. The flames began to take a humanoid shape that suspiciously resembled a certain Shinto miko.
Jadeite stared at his creation. Why did it resemble Rei? He brushed that thought aside and focused on what was important. He would have time to think about this later. "Guardian Flame, burn this shrine to the ground. If Sailor Mercury is to show up along with that shift-shaping feline friend of hers, take care of them."
Jadeite looked back at the group of girls with blank eyes as the grass began to burn beneath his feet.
---
Mamoru shook his head to clear it. He tried to concentrate on his term paper once more yet his pounding head would not allow him to. "Why does this keep happening?" He muttered to himself. Someone or something was calling to him and he had to answer. Mamoru collapsed over the table.
---
Phobos and Deimos cawed frantically and took flight into the air. Rei swirled around and watched in shock as the grass fire spread. The girls raced to the shrine shop to warn Rei's grandfather as Rei tried to put out the fire but no matter how much water she used to dose the fire, it just kept growing and spreading.
The fire department soon arrived and forced everyone to evacuate as they tried to fight the fire. Like Rei's previous attempt, there seemed to be not enough water in the entire world to put out this fire.
Rei's grandfather stared at the shrine in despair. The strangest thing was the shrine itself didn't seem to be burning. He could see the fire singed the wood yet it wasn't burning up. "THE BOX!!!" Rei's grandfather exclaimed as he broke past the firemen and raced back toward the shrine.
"OJII-SAN!!!" Rei screamed. She tried to go after her grandfather but a fireman held her back. Rei bent her head as if in defeat. The fireman relaxed his grip slightly as Rei appeared to cease her struggle.
"Sorry." Rei whispered. Before the fireman could even ask, Rei knocked the man out with a swift uppercut and chased after her grandfather.
Luna ran up to Ami and meowed furiously as she pointed to the shrine. She glared at the shrine and could now see the dark aura that came with the fire. Pulling out her transformation stick, she knocked over another fireman and followed Rei into the
flames. Luna followed swiftly behind her mistress. The two vanished into the flames, leaving Usagi to pray for all of their safe returns.
"Mercury Power! Make Up!" As Ami transformed, Luna returned to her human form. "Shabon Spray!" Ami folded her arms across her chest and formed a bubble of magic around the two, protecting them from the fire, the heat, and the fumes.
Rei raced through the flames. 'Funny, I should be ashes by now.' In fact, the flames felt soothing to her. The fire curled around her body, caressing her skin, it gave her courage and strength to keep on going. 'Ojii-san...'
She found her elderly grandfather hiding in a corner of the kitchen. "Ojii-san!" Rei wrapped her arms around the old man to support his weight. "Are you okay?"
"Rei..." Her grandfather coughed. "You came for me..."
"Of course!" Rei shouted. "What were you thinking?!"
"Sorry, but I had to save this." Rei's grandfather pulled out the wooden box he had tucked under his shirt. "Your grandmother wouldn't have been happy if I let this burn."
"Ojii-san..."
"There you are." The fire in the room suddenly vanished as Jadeite appeared in the room. His blank eyes stared down at the pair. "Give me the box old man and I might just spare your worthless lives."
"Why do you want this box? All it contains are momentums from my wife and daughter." Rei's grandfather clutched the box close to his heart.
"May be, but there is an item of great power within that box." Jadeite extended a hand forward and drew from the fire all around. "Give it to me."
"Please, Jadeite-san, please don't do this." Rei said pleadingly.
"Sorry, Rei-san but orders are orders and I must follow them." Jadeite launched his attack at the grandfather and granddaughter.
She pulled out one of her wards and threw it at Jadeite. "Evil Spirit Begone!"
Jadeite's attack ate through her ofudas. Rei lifted her grandfather and evaded his attack barely. Jadeite tossed another blast of flames at the two. Rei could not move fast enough with her grandfather's extra weight. Just when they were about to be fried, a streak of black carried them outside. The flames broke apart as if to make way for them.
Tuxedo Kamen set the two down on the grass. "You're safe now."
Rei stared at the man before her. A top hat, a mask, and a tuxedo?
As if on cue, Sailor Mercury and Luna broke through the flames. Luna stared at the masked man, something at the back of her mind screamed for her to remember. Eternal love...the Terran Prince...the Moon Princess...tragedy... She could feel the
earth beneath her feet shift towards this man.
"Endymion-sama?" Luna whispered in shock.
Tuxedo Kamen smiled gently to the White Moon guardian and nodded. "Long time no see, Luna-san."
"Rei," Rei's grandfather coughed. He handed the box to her. "Your grandmother was a great seer. She told me to give this to you when the time came, when the darkness would come for its power." He collapsed.
"Ojii-san!" Rei exclaimed.
Mercury checked the man's pulse. "He's only unconscious. He'll be fine."
"Mizuno-san..." Mercury stared at Rei in shock. "It's your aura, I can sense your power. Who did this?"
"The Dark Kingdom."
"The Dark Kingdom? Ojii-san..."
Jadeite materialized before the group with his fiery creation beside him. "Just give me the box."
"Jadeite!" Luna snarled as she recognized the face of the tall man. "You traitor!"
"The White Moon Guardian and Sailor Mercury, kill them." He ordered the humanoid flame.
It lunged toward the two but met only with Mercury's bubble. It slashed viciously at the obstacle.
"Shabon Spray!" Mercury enclosed Jadeite's creation in a watery bubble like her own. It screamed in pain as the water slowly killed it off. Jadeite's creation gave one last struggle and an ear-piercing shriek before it collapsed into nothingness.
Jadeite appeared next to Mercury and grabbed her arm. He ran a shock of dark energy through her system. Luna gasped in surprise and formed a globe of intense light energy and slammed it into the man. He managed to teleport away in the midst of Luna's attack, releasing Mercury. There was a small smoking crater where he once stood.
"Jadeite!" A brisk voice shouted, almost like an order. Jadeite turned the masked man. "You can't do this. You wouldn't want to do this."
"Shut up." Jadeite threw a fireball at the man. Tuxedo Kamen simply brushed the attack aside as if it was nothing.
"You serve under me Lord Jadeite, you can't harm me. Remember?" Jadeite shook his head. There was something mesmerizing about this man's words that pulled at a long forgotten part of his soul. He wanted to obey. A quicksilver of a
memory flashed before his mind's eyes. His friend...his brother...his prince...his lord...
"Fight it Jadeite, fight this dark power that captivates you."
Jadeite!!! Queen Beryl's voice screamed at his mind. Destroy these nuisances and be done with it!
"Yes, my Queen." He mumured and looked up at the group, his eyes blank once more. He appeared next to Rei, a sphere of dark energy building up in his hand. Phobos and Deimos dived out of nowhere and began to attack the Dark Kingdom general. Jadeite screamed as a painful red energy invaded his body. He glared at the crows.
"The Guardians of Mars." Jadeite turned and fled into the flames.
The two crows landed by Rei's side and glowed with a deep red color. In their place stood two kneeling and identical fairy like figures. Their long ebony hair were rolled up into Danish-like buns on either sides of their head as the rest the their hair flowed freely. Their scarlet eyes bore right through Rei's soul. They each wore a one-piece body suit of crimson red with a large six pointed star embroidered on the chest. Large transparent bows on the back of their outfits made them appear as if
they had wings. They each held a crow feather in one hand.
"Atalanta-sama." They said in unison and bowed from their kneeling position.
"Phobos, Deimos…" Rei whispered.
The two spirits opened the wooden box and fished out a strange red pen similar to Ami's henshi stick. "Here, Princess." They said together as they handed the pen to Rei. "Transform. Save this temple and the people you care most for."
Mercury leaned against Luna for support. "Is she one of us?"
"Yes," Luna smiled. "She is the second."
Tuxedo Kamen took one last look before vanishing. They no longer needed him. Everything would be okay in the end. It had to. "That's two, Serenity."
Rei stared at the pen. She was afraid, deeply afraid. If she accepted this power she could never go back to her normal life, she would have accepted a duty that would be forever bound to her. If she chose to take the pen, she would have the power to protect the shrine, her grandfather, and even the world. But she wouldn't be alone, she would have Ami, she would have someone to share and understand her pain and fears. She also knew deep inside that she would not be the last, there would be many others to come after her.
She didn't have a choice.
No, Luna's voice filled her head. You always have a choice, but which will you choose? Most importantly, will it be the right choice for you?
Rei nervously grasped the pen. "We believe in you." Phobos and Deimos smiled before they returned to their crow form. The two crows took flight into the air and vanished.
Rei stared at the pen. She could feel the power flowing from it. It was so familiar, as if it was always meant for her. She raised the pen in the air and said four words that would change her life for all of eternity. "Mars Power! Make Up!"
In Hino Rei's place stood the Soldier of Strength, the Warrior of Fire and Soul, Sailor Mars. Jadeite would pay for what he did. "Please take care of Ojii-san." She said to Mercury before running back into the flames.
"Wait!" Mercury exclaimed as she tried to follow after Mars, but Luna stopped her.
"No, this is her fight," Luna shook her head. "She must prove to me that she is worthy of such powers, just as you had."
---
Jadeite pitched another globe of fire at the shrine wall. "Why won't you burn?! This place should be ashes by now."
"Jadeite!" He turned to face Sailor Mars. "You will pay for vandalizing this shrine with your evil intentions. I am the soldier of strength, the warrior of fire and soul, Sailor Mars. In the name of Mars, I will punish you!"
Jadeite leaned against the wall in an almost lazy manner. "Do you really believe you can defeat me, Rei-san." He emphasized the fact that he knew her true identity. He extended a hand forward and all the fire within the room gathered
within his hand. He released a stream of fire upon Mars.
Mars placed her hands together in a prayer stance and began one of her meditation exercise. Jadeite's attack rose around Rei but did not harm her. She drew the flames under skin. She could feel the fire dance within her veins.
"Fire Soul!" Mars drew power from her inner pool of fire, her magic and her power. "I'll do what I must." Mars said quietly as she pulled out her henshi pen.
She knew what she had to do and she knew it would hurt her in more ways than one. Her hand shook as she raised it in the air. The inferno curled around her body and drew flame from the fire that engulfed the shrine. From a distance, the firemen stared in shock as the fire went out in a flash of scarlet light. Mars couldn't explain the soul searing pain she felt as she looked into Jadeite's empty eyes.
"Foolish senshi." Jadeite glared at Mars as he powered up for another attack. "Lying down your pen is like lying down your life, you don't have the guts to do that."
Mars gazed sadly at Jadeite. She finally understood her attraction toward him. It was love. "I'll do what I must." She repeated to herself as she aimed her pen at Jadeite. "Sayonara. Fire Soul!" Mars poured all her energy into this one attack.
Jadeite smiled wickedly as he countered with his dark energy. 'She can't defeat me, no one can.' He was surprised when his attack was pushed back slightly by Mars' fire but he doubled his effort as did Mars. "Seems like we're evenly matched." Jadeite grinned insolently at Mars.
Mars prayed silently to Kami-sama for power to defeat the man before her. She struggled as Jadeite's power pushed her back slightly.
---
Atalanta stared at the destruction before her. Her home, the only home she had ever known, was being torn to pieces right before her eyes. Buildings dilapidated, the Palace tore apart from inside out, and the dead bodies of her comrades and enemies that littered the pavement, that was all she could see for as far as she could to see.
A blood-piercing scream filled the cold, stale air. She turned toward the source of the terror she had heard. She caught sight of a young blue haired woman collapse into a pool of her own blood. She raced toward her friend. She discarded the high heeled party shoes she had been wearing and ran barefooted to Kallan. Her scarlet silk ball gown was ripped in all kinds of places. The delicate fabric was far beyond the point of any possible repair. She stumbled over the once beautiful dress now stained with the blood of her enemies.
Atalanta pulled Kallan's head onto her lap. She could see death slowly invade the cerulean in Kallan's eyes and claim her as its own. Atalanta smoothed out the ruined arrangement of Kallan's cotton soft hair and brushed away the specks of blood on her powdered cheeks. She fought back tears and smiled sadly. "Such a pity, we spent hours getting ready for this ball." Atalanta looked down and tried to scowl properly at her appearance. "Now look at us."
Kallan returned her grin tentatively. She turned slowly to look at the body of the man she had just killed. "He betrayed us, I can't believe it." Tears welled up in Kallan's eyes. "I love him."
Atalanta held Kallan tightly, so afraid that if she let go, she would never see her again. 'Fool, you know she's dying, there's nothing you can do to save her.' A voice in Atalanta's head whispered quietly to her.
"Go, protect Serenity." Kallan ordered quietly.
"You're in no position to give orders, I'm your superior officer." Atalanta replied, trying very hard to be strong.
"I know, but I order you as your friend..." Kallan trailed off as she closed her eyes and took her last breath.
Atalanta stared at Kallan, who lay lifelessly in her arms. 'Get up!' She screamed at herself. 'You have to report to Celeste and find Levina! You have to warn them!' Her body refused to move. It refused to listen to her.
A familiar masculine voice before her said, "There you are, love." There was such sarcasm in the word 'love'. She didn't want to believe he would betray them as well. Atalanta looked up, only to meet a pair of blank ice blue eyes.
She stiffly stood up as she stared in shock at the man before her. "Jadeite, why?"
"It doesn't matter now. We have a date with destiny." He said coolly at he drew his sword.
Atalanta picked up the sword that Kallan had just used to kill her own lover. She gazed uncomprehendingly at the cold crimson-stained steel in her clammy hands. She looked her soul mate straight in the eye and said with renewed courage and
strength. She must complete and honor her duty.
"Yes, a date with destiny." She would not disgrace herself, not even for love, especially the love of this traitor. 'But I'll always love him in my heart.'
---
Mars' knees shook as did her arms and hands. 'What was that?!' She could remember every detail of her vision. She remembered the scent of stale decay that would hang in the air for the rest of forever. She remembered how constricting her
dress had suddenly become. She remembered how dirtied she felt with the layer of blood that coated her fair skin. She remembered that feeling of numbness and the pain that tore at her heart as she watched Kallan die. She remembered the heaviness in her limbs that came with each step, with each and every movement. She remembered every detail with such clarity as if she was actually just there.
"No, I won't let that happen! I can't let that happen!" Mars' attack threw all her strength, courage, fear, every emotion into her last stand. Jadeite's eyes widened as he finally realized he was beaten. The flames surrounded him and tore him to bits.
Mars leaned tiredly against the shrine wall. She fingered the scorched walls. 'Just like the Fire Room.' The fire had actually given the shrine a strange but beautiful hue. The shrine was fine, but most of all her grandfather was well too.
Something shiny on the floor caught her eye. She bent down to pick it up. It was a round, polished piece of jade. 'Jadeite...' Mars thought numbly, 'Jadeite...' It flared with power under her fingers, with his power. Her hands shook as she held the gem close to her heart. It was almost as if he was still alive, it felt as if he was right next to her. A single tear slipped down her cheek.
It was love.
---
Ami wiped her brows as she leaned against her broom for a rest. The damage to the shrine was mostly minimal but the room where Jadeite and Sailor Mars were fighting sustained the most damage. Ami had stayed behind to help clean up while Rei took care of her grandfather and the firemen. "Luna..."
The small black cat raised her head toward Ami. "Yes?" She asked.
"Is Rei-san going to be okay?" Ami asked slowly.
"No one knows. Her flashbacks were a lot more violent compared to yours." Luna sighed sadly.
Two crows settled on the railing outside of the room. They ruffled their feathers slightly. "We have faith in Atalanta-sama so please have faith in her as well."
Luna jumped up and approached the two crows. "About time. Where were you when your mistress needed you?"
The crows stared disapprovingly down at the cat. "We had faith. We have been training her all our lives. There will always come the day when the student must leave the teacher and make his or her own way in this world. When that day comes, all we can do is have faith that she will pass her trials."
Luna smiled slightly and bowed to the two crows. "I understand. Trainers from Mars has always stressed the importance of learning to fight independently as well as a team."
---
Zoisite remained in his kneeled position before Queen Beryl with his golden head bent down. He held his pose very still as he waited for the queen's reaction. A slight murmur arose among the youma who were in the court at the time. He stayed completely still for a second, five seconds, 30 seconds, yet there was no response. He raised his head to meet Beryl's orange eyes. It was filled with so much loathing and immense fury that it surprised even Zoisite, so much that Beryl couldn't even get in a word.
Beryl didn't say anything as she collected a large sphere of energy into the palm of her hand. Zoisite jumped to his feet, ready to defend himself at any second. She carelessly tossed it into a crowd of youma to her right. There wasn't even a sound as the group was vaporized. The Great Hall became as silent as a graveyard.
"Beryl." A harsh voice said from within the crystal on Beryl's staff as it pulsed with an evil light. "I don't appreciate you destroying the troops I gave you. I will not stand for such a thing. It was just one general, one soldier, Beryl. Don't be so petty. He wasn't even of our kind. He was of your kind." The vile voice was filled with disgust at the mere thought of Beryl's race.
"Of course Metallia-sama." Beryl stroked the crystal gently as the same evil light filled her eyes.
Zoisite backed away slightly, his eyes betrayed his true feelings, complete and absolute terror. As Beryl threw her head back and gave an insane laughter, he shivered uncontrollably with some of the other youmas in the crowd.
That's true evil. I've never seen anything like it. Kallan, will I ever make it back to you?
---
"Ojii-san, just rest, I'll take care of everything." Rei pushed her grandfather back into his bed.
"Rei-" Her grandfather began.
"Don't start with me, you need to rest." Rei replied firmly.
Her grandfather smiled softly as he closed his eyes. "You're all grown up, your mother would be proud."
Rei stepped out of the room and quietly closed the door. She fiddled with the piece of Jadeite that she now wore around her neck. It cast a protective aura over her and those she loved. She could hear his voice whisper softly into her ears, tickling the back of her neck.
"Love always endures." That was what he said.
"Yes," Rei muttered to herself. "Love always endures, no matter what." She tilted her head up to catch the last rays of the setting sun. She could and would now face the world with renewed courage and a sense of love. Courage, that was all she would need…
