Rated PG-13
Disclaimers: Sailor Moon and everything affiliated with her are the property
of Naoko Takeuchi, Toei Animation, Kodansha, and DiC. They are not mine, I
am only borrowing them for a little while. Any other characters are mine.
If anyone wishes to use them, please notify me first.
Just a bit of clarification:
the * * signify a person's thoughts
the ***** before a section signify either a memory or a shift into
the mindscape or dreamscape (don't worry, this will make sense eventually, I
hope).
Please email me with your questions, comments, and/or criticisms at
jnkryo@yahoo.com. Heck, flame me if you want to. I'd like any
feedback I can get. Enjoy the story!
Daughters of Destiny
Part 4
by: Johnny Ng
Everyone met at the Hikawa shrine after dinner for a meeting. At
least everyone was supposed to meet there, Serena was a little late.
Raye stomped around the Great Fire Room. "I don't believe this! How
can she be late to this meeting?"
"Calm down, Raye," Lita counseled the agitated priestess, "She'll be
here soon."
As if that was her cue, Serena bounded in to the room. "Sorry guys,
I'm not that late, am I?"
Raye looked as though she would have an apoplectic fit but all she
did was just throw up her hands.
Trent shook his head. "Now that everyone is here, I think we should
start with what do we know so far?"
All heads turned to Amy and the genius girl nodded and took out her
computer. "I have analyzed the readings and scans I got from the explosion
site and have managed to graphically reconstruct what had exploded." She
punched a key and a holographic image of a small ship appeared above her
computer.
Mina took a closer look. "Is that supposed to be a spaceship or
something?"
"Yes, but you can see it's relatively small. Clearly built for one
person."
"Could it be a fighter craft?" Artemis asked thinking of the
single-seat Earth fighter planes.
Amy shook her head. "That's what I thought at first, but my scans
didn't detect anything resembling weapons. It also had minimal magical
shielding and armor, but it had an oversized engine."
Serena looked lost. "What does that mean?"
Trent answered. "It means that this thing was built for speed and
little else. It wasn't meant to fight. I'm betting that this was either a
spycraft or some sort of scoutship." His face turned grim. "And for either
ship to complete its mission, it has to return to a base or mothership."
"Mothership?" Rhea was aghast. "How many more of these...people do
you think there are?"
"I don't know." The mage turned to Raye. "Do you think you can do a
fire reading to try and find out what you can about this?"
The priestess nodded. "I'll do one tonight."
"And I'll keep an eye on NASA and the space satellites to see if they
happened to find anything unusual," Amy said.
"All right," Trent said bringing the meeting to a close. "We'll meet
again in two days."
Lita blinked. "Two days? Why not tomorrow?"
Rhea looked down and answered quietly. "Because tomorrow is my mom's
funeral."
The sky was overcast and it matched the mood of the sparse group
gathered for the funeral of Aeko Shidou. Only Serena's family, Rhea, Trent,
and the scouts attended the ceremony.
The priest had spoken a few comforting words in memory of Aeko and
had given way to Rhea to speak the eulogy.
The girl cleared her throat and spoke in a quavering voice. "My mom
was a great woman, the best mother I could have ever had. She raised me
alone and I believe she did a wonderful job." She stopped speaking for a
moment, overcome with emotion. When Rhea was able to continue, there were
tears in her eyes.
"My mom had the best laugh and her smile could light up a room. That
was how she was, always positive, always looking for the good in everything.
She would tell me, 'Never look back, the best is yet to come.'" She took a
deep breath. "For you, mother, I will do that."
Soon after, the coffin was lowered into the ground and was covered
over. Everyone went and gave condolences to Rhea and she accepted them
gratefully. A little while later, it was just her and Trent still standing
beside the grave. A light rain began falling.
Trent walked over to his niece and put his arm around her. "Are you
ready to go?"
Rhea nodded, her face wet with tears and rainwater. "Yeah, let's
go." *Good-bye, mom.*
The morning sun topped the trees outside Daniel Takazawa's tomb and
shone on the form of Trent Powers. He stood in the battle-scarred clearing
and surveyed the damage. With all the preparations for Rhea's mom's funeral
he had forgotten about his brother's tomb and the beating that it took.
Surprisingly, there wasn't much destruction. The major blemish was the
crater near the middle of the field.
Trent sighed. *I'm sorry, Daniel. I never intended for this to be a
battleground.* He raised his arm and spoke an incantation. His hand glowed
orange and earth in the crater rose up. Soon the crater was filled and the
ground was level. The glow shifted to green and grass sprung up from the
bare ground. When it was over, the clearing was pristine and whole again.
The glow left his hand and the mage lowered his arm. *Rest in peace
again, brother.* With a slight pop, he teleported away.
In orbit around the Earth, a little used satellite from a little
known country began to beam down its usual load of collected data that it had
obtained by having its antennae and dishes pointed outwards towards the
heavens.
The data that trickled down from this little used satellite ended up
in the little known country's only astronomical laboratory, which happened to
be empty as it was late at night. Thus no one was there to see the anomaly
that the satellite detected.
Unfortunately, none of the country's scientists would ever see it,
for the lab was so under-funded that it was using extremely outdated
computers, computers that had a peculiar habit of performing a total memory
wipe at the stroke of midnight everyday...and it's 11:58 pm. The lab
technicians knew about this, but every time they brought it up to the
project heads, they were shouted down, so they lived with it.
The clock ticked to 11:59 pm.
In Japan, Amy's minicomputer began beeping. It had been accessing
the world's computer network and had found something interesting in the
memory banks of a computer in that relatively little known country. Amy,
however, was in the shower and left her computer on her desk.
After a few more moments of futile beeping, the computer did the
equivalent of a digital shrug and executed the last commands that had been
entered into it: find and download any information on any abnormal
astronomical phenomenon.
It had just finished the data retrieval and was about to access more
files when the information suddenly vanished. The clock on the wall of the
little known country's lab had just struck midnight. Performing another
shrug, Amy's computer logged and flagged the download before once again
resuming its search.
Once again the gang all met together, this time at Trent's house.
Rhea was still a little depressed after her mom's funeral, but with
everyone helping her and giving her emotional support, she was feeling a lot
better.
Noriko Powers, Trent's mother, brought out a tray of cookies and set
them down on the living room table. "Here you go, everyone," she said
smiling, "Eat up."
Trent saw Serena's eyes light up and grinned. "Thanks mom."
Noriko nodded. "It was nothing. I'm going to be heading out for a
party with some of your father's navy friends now, so behave yourself."
"Mom!" Trent said, scandalized.
Mina giggled. "Don't worry Mrs. Powers, Trent won't try anything
with everyone here."
Trent hung his head. "Et tu, Mina?"
Noriko laughed as she walked out the door. "Have fun kids."
When his mother finally left, Trent let out a huge sigh. "Now we can
get down to business." He turned to Raye. "Have you learned anything from
the Great Fire?"
The priestess shook her head. "The fire couldn't tell me much last
night. I even tried a fire reading this morning but came up blank. But
there was something strange..." Raye looked around at everyone. "When I was
trying to communicate with the fire, I felt another presence...a strong
presence." She shuddered. "And it was blocking me."
"Blocking you, huh?" Trent looked thoughtful. "Hmm, let me try an
augury of my own."
The mage went to a bookshelf on the far wall. He selected a book and
pulled it free and a section of the wall slid away revealing a descending
staircase.
Lita whistled. "Wow, just like in the movies."
Trent smiled. "Yeah, I've always wanted one of these. It leads to
my personal lab."
"You mean your basement," Mina said smirking.
"No, not my basement. It's actually a pocket dimension I created
that's totally separate from this reality. The experiments I perform in my
lab aren't entirely...safe, and I wouldn't want to blow up my house ...or all
of Japan."
Mina gasped. "Just what experiments _are_ you doing?"
"Nothing too dangerous for now, my dear," the mage said going down
the steps.
Somewhat dubiously, the rest of them followed.
Only the first few steps could be seen. A grayish mist obscured the
rest of the stairs.
"Just be sure you grip the railing on your right and count out
twenty-five steps," Trent cautioned them. At the bottom of the steps,
everyone felt a gentle tingling in the back of their minds. The mage sensed
a sudden nervousness and reassured them. "Don't worry, you're just passing
through the dimensional barriers, that's all."
"Don't worry he says," Raye said sarcastically. "If it's all the
same, I think I will. It's not everyday that I travel from one world to
another."
The mists parted and the tingling feeling vanished with it. Once
they were finally able to see, they found themselves in a very plain empty
room, if you could call it a room. It was more of a box than anything else.
The walls were stark, gray, and windowless. There wasn't even any furniture.
"What kind of lab is this?" Rhea asked looking around.
"Hey, it may not be much to look at, but it doesn't have to be,"
Trent retorted, "not when I can summon whatever I need."
As if to demonstrate this, the mage waved his hand and an ornate
table and a silver bowl and knife appeared. He went to the table and looked
into the still waters of the bowl. "I need total concentration for this, so
please don't make any sudden noises." He picked up the knife and pricked his
finger. Holding his hand over the bowl, Trent let a drop of blood fall into
it, staining the waters with a red haze. When the runes on the sides of the
bowl began to glow, Trent began chanting.
Lita edged her way over to Rhea. "What's going on?" she whispered to
the apprentice mage.
"Trent's trying to contact a higher power--a god if you will--and
he's going to ask for some information."
"But what was that with the blood?"
Rhea frowned and tried to recall what she had read in the divination
section of her spellbook. "I think it has something to do with a sacrifice
that has to be made in attempting to contact a god. In the past, a mage
trying to cast an augury had to pay tribute to the entity he was trying to
contact. That usually involved the sacrifice of something of worth to the
mage." She looked at her uncle with concern. "The blood of a mage is very
potent. It symbolizes the life and soul of a mage. Trent must be trying to
reach someone very important."
Sweat started to bead on Trent's brow as his forehead was furrowed in
concentration. The runes on the bowl flashed and the water in it began to
burn. The fire flared and everyone shielded their eyes. Trent, though, had
his gaze set on the bowl, and when the smoke cleared he saw that the waters
were still and clear once again.
#Your sacrifice is very great, mage,# a deep voice echoed around the
room.
Trent grit his teeth as the god focused his will on the mage. "To
whom do I have the honor of speaking with?"
#You speak with Adhar, lord and master of the 17th dimension and the
all worlds of Adharan galaxy.#
A quick smile flitted across the mage's face followed by a grimace.
*Didn't really expect to get anyone this powerful. Oh well...* "Great
Adhar, I seek information--"
#I know what you seek, Trent Powers,# Adhar interrupted, #but I am
afraid that I cannot answer your questions.#
Trent looked shocked, but he knew better than to argue with a god.
Raye, however, wasn't having any of this. Unable to find a target to vent
her frustrations, she just shouted out to the room, "What do you mean you
can't help? You're a god aren't you? You should know something!"
Rhea had been able to sense the tremendous effort that her uncle was
using in just trying not to be overwhelmed by Adhar will. When she heard
what Raye was saying to the god, she tried to stop her lest Adhar turn his
attention--and will--towards the priestess, but it was too late.
As soon as she finished her tirade, Raye felt a _presence_ around her
and a great weight pressing against her mind. She immediately recalled her
mental training and erected a mental shield.
#And who do we have here?# Adhar attempted to enter Raye's mind, but
he was surprised to encounter a barrier. #Surprising.# The god examined the
shield. #Ah, you are a priestess of the Great Fire, aren't you?#
Raye blinked and nearly lost her shield. "Y-yes, I am."
Adhar chuckled. #Just how is that old fire spirit doing?#
"He--he's fine, I suppose," the priestess sputtered out.
#Good, I always liked him. I am sorry for the intrusion,
priestess...#
"Raye."
#I am sorry for the intrusion, Raye. It's just been so long since
anyone has challenged me.# Adhar turned back to Trent. #Well, mage, how is
it that you have befriended a priestess of the Great Fire?#
"My friends are more than they seem, my lord," Trent answered.
#Truly? I would like to see this for myself.# The god extended his
influence and lightly brushed the minds of all those present in the room.
#Indeed, mage, you do keep august company. It is not often that I am able to
meet with Princess Serenity and her royal court.#
Serena gasped. "You know who I am?"
#I recognized your soul as well as the souls of your friends,
Princess. I also recognized the Imperium Silver Crystal that you carry.#
The tone of the god turned somber. #I grieve for the loss of your mother,
Serenity. She was a great queen.#
"You knew my mother?"
#I was a frequent visitor to the Moon Palace during the Silver
Millenium. Alas, I could not prevent Beryl from destroying it.#
Unknown to everyone, the Silver Crystal glittered inside Serena's
broach. The blond's eyes grew distant and when she spoke, it was with a
different, more regal voice. "I do not blame you, Adhar."
#Who...Queen Serenity?#
"Yes my old friend."
#But how is this possible?#
"It is with the help of the Silver Crystal as well as the allowance
of my daughter. A part of my soul exists inside the Crystal and my daughter
agreed to let me speak with you."
#It is good to speak with you again.#
"Yes, but my time is short. If our friendship meant anything, please
aid my daughter and her friends."
#You ask for much Serenity. You know I am forbidden to act directly
in your dimension.#
"So you cannot help?"
#Now I didn't say that. Though I cannot directly interfere, I will
help you.# A rolled up scroll appeared next to the bowl. #This scroll will
reveal to you a place where you will be able to find the answers you seek.#
Trent took up the parchment and read its contents. "This place isn't
all that far from Tokyo. What do I do when I get there?"
There was a faint chuckling. #Don't worry mage. The stars will
guide you.#
"Thank you Adhar," Serenity said softly, "I know even this was hard
for you." The Silver Crystal started to pulse lightly. "I'm sorry my
friend, the Crystal calls and I must go." She turned to the scouts. "Trust
Adhar...and trust in yourselves."
The Crystal pulsed one more and Serena's eyes refocused. "Thank you,
mother," she said softly.
#Good-bye, Serenity.# The god sounded subdued. #I have given you
all the aid that I can; the rest is up to you, mage.# The silver bowl glowed
briefly and the god's presence vanished.
Mina looked around. "Is he gone?" she whispered. When she saw Trent
nod she went over to him. "What does the scroll say?"
"Well, it's written in Old Latin but from what I can understand, it
speaks of a place where the Earth's magical field and the magical fields of
other dimensions overlap and form a nexus...and that place is right outside
Tokyo."
The wind whistled past Trent's car as he roared down the country
road. The mage grinned and with a thought, his car turned into a
convertible. The wind now whistled through his hair, as well as through the
hair of his passengers.
"Um...Trent, would you mind giving this car its roof back?" Luna
sputtered through her fur flailing in front of her face.
Artemis laughed. "C'mon, Luna, don't be so stuffy. What's wrong
with feeling the wind in your fur?"
"I have nothing against that. It's the bugs in my teeth I don't
like."
"Relax," Trent assured the Moon cat, "we're almost there."
A few minutes later the three of them arrived at their destination.
Trent stopped his car and took out the scroll. "This looks like the place,
but I didn't expect a building to be here."
"Who cares?" Luna spat out, "Let's just get inside." She saw Artemis
sniggering. "What are you laughing at?" Artemis just chuckled and scampered
towards the building.
Trent smiled as he watched Luna chase after the white cat and hurried
to catch up with them.
As the mage neared the building, he saw that it was actually a
church, a slightly run-down church. A puzzled expression crossed Trent's
face but he just shrugged. He found the cats standing outside the doors with
the hair on their hackles raised and wary expressions on their faces.
"What's wrong?"
Artemis hissed. "There's something not quite right with this
building. Luna and I are both sensing strange magical emanations coming from
this church."
Trent concentrated but came up with nothing. "Maybe it's just the
nexus you're sensing."
Luna shook her head. "No, this feeling is...familiar. I just can't
place it."
"Well, I'm going in. Come along if you want." The mage opened the
door and stepped inside. The interior of the church was even more wrecked
than the exterior. Litter and refuse were everywhere, evidence that a number
of bums and vagabonds had used this building for shelter in the past. The
few pews that were remaining were smashed beyond repair, but oddly, it seemed
as though many were already removed to clear out an empty space in the center
of the church.
The Lunar cats did eventually follow Trent inside, but they didn't
let their guards down. The familiar feeling was even more intense inside.
Luna was still trying to remember where she had sensed the emanations when
she slipped on a wet spot on the marble floor and slid into a pile of burnt
rags. She struggled to free herself when she stopped. Lying in front of her
nose was a worn grey uniform jacket with yellow piping. Suddenly Luna
remembered. "Neflyte!"
Artemis gasped, but Trent looked puzzled and asked, "Who?"
"The second of Queen Beryl's general's. The magical energies we
sensed earlier were his. This must have been his base of operations."
Trent thought for a moment. "Alright, but why here? Unless..."
"...he found out about the nexus, too," Artemis finished.
Trent walked to the center of the church and started to brush away
the debris on the floor. "Hey, I think I found something." He swept away
some more rubbish and eventually revealed a complex diagram drawn into the
floor. "It seems to be a divination circle, an astrological divination
circle." A thoughtful expression appeared on his face. "I might be able to
use this."
Artemis gaped. "What?! Are you sure you want to do this? I mean,
this thing was created by Neflyte, and who knows if it still even works."
The mage grinned. "Don't worry, Artemis. I know what I'm doing. In
fact, I think this is something I have to do. Adhar did say that the stars
would guide me. I guess this was what he meant." He studied the circle and
the surrounding runes and diagrams and found that they were still intact.
*Good, that means it still might be active.* He took a deep breath and
stepped into the middle of the circle.
"Be careful, Trent," Artemis cautioned, "Mina would skin me alive if
anything happened to you."
Trent nodded and closed his eyes. He went into a trance and felt his
consciousness drift away from his body. When he was ready, he opened his
eyes and saw his body below him. *That went rather quickly, usually astral
projection takes me a few minutes to get fully prepared. I guess the
residual energies of this church and the nexus helped me somewhat.*
The mage took stock of his surroundings. His astral body was
attached to his physical body by a silver cord and he floated about ten feet
above the floor. *Now where are those focal lines?* Trent knew that for
this divination circle to work, he had to find and reestablish the magical
focal lines that Neflyte himself had created to power it.
However, the circle had been unused for years, and over time, those
lines tended to fade away. *Guess I'll have to do this the hard way.* He
dived into the floor and down into the earth itself looking for the mana well
that he knew existed under the church...and he found it. It was by far one
of the largest mana wells he had ever seen.
*No wonder Neflyte chose to build his base here.* He scouted the
well and soon found what he was looking for. The focal lines had degenerated
so much that they were little more than wisps of energy swirling around in a
sea of magic.
Trent wasted no time. He directed his thoughts at the focal lines
and muttered a phrase. The lines responded by gradually getting brighter as
they began to draw more energy from the well. He slowly nursed them back to
the surface and replaced them into position in the circle. When he made
certain that everything was in place, he returned to his body.
Luna was getting anxious. It had been nearly an hour and Trent still
hadn't moved. She was about to go wake the mage up, when he suddenly opened
his eyes and spoke, "The stars know everything."
On the _Wrath_, Lord Bane's eye blazed as the ship's comm system
alerted him to an incoming message. He waved his hand and allowed the
message to go through.
"My lord," Raze's voice said through the speakers. "We've detected a
large spike of magical activity--"
"I already know captain," Bane interrupted quietly. "Do not concern
yourself with this. I will handle it personally."
There was a long pause before Raze answered. "Very well, sir." Then
the communication ended.
The light from Bane's eye glowed wickedly as he went to make
preparations.
End Part 4
Notes: I wasn't too clear if Neflyte's base was a church or a mansion,
but I decided on a church because it just sounded better ^_^