Yes, I have finally written chapter five! And yes, I have gotten
everyone's e-mails. I've been busy with school and the such and have
not had the time, nor the effort, to write. To make up for this huge
time inconvenience, this chapter is stock-full of action and lots and
lots of things will be going on at once... expect to be confused.
Chapter Six is, sadly or happily depending on how you look at it, the
last chapter of the Mage Princess. That chapter is going to be full of
explanations. Tons and tons of them. I don't doubt that it will be the
longest chapter yet. But I haven't written it yet (it's still swimming
along in my brain) so I can't be sure of this. I also do have an
epilogue that I would like to put up but I'm not sure if I should. I'll
wait for you all to read the last chapter (the next one) and then tell
me if you would like an epilogue or not! So please, sit back, relax,
and enjoy the Mage Princess! ~_^
For all those interested: This series will probably be about 8 parts
(this includes prologue and epilogue) long. So expect more! ~.^
A few disclaimers: I don't own Sailor Moon... if I did I would be
publishing these stories because I would have enough money to do so...
I'm also an extremely poor college student who has to rely on her
scholarship to pay off the registration fees so don't sue me... you'll
get nothing out of it! One more thing: Washi is my character... Hou is
also my character and I guess that Kou is my character too since she is
so very different from Serenity ne? ~.^ Anyway I made all of them up so
don't steal any of them, okie? ^^
New disclaimer: Yuufu, Narcissus, Ohamu, and Abura Kakyuu are also my
characters. No stealing!
New new disclaimer: Prince Rupert Heron is my character as well! I
ask for a lot, huh? ^__^
I guess it's on with the story!
The Mage Princess
CHAPTER FIVE
By: Sailor Berkeley
* * ~ ~ Darien ~ ~ * *
I finally took myself away from my horrible wife and escaped to
these gardens where I had once come as a child. The memory of that time
brings tears to my eyes. The look she had given me is still fresh in
my memory. The look of absolute shock. Of pain. Hurt. I could never
face her again.
I round one of the corners and am instantly on alert. There is
about fifteen feet of wall lying in rubbles at my feet. If Beryl has
broken my agreement, I will kill her. That's the first thought that
comes into my head. That is all I can think of until I see her.
Princess Serena Serenity is standing next to that rubble and
there are tears forming trails down her cheeks. My body instantly
starts to move towards her, as though the love I feel for her ties me
to her in an inexplicable way. My mind is screaming at me. Telling me
to stop. To remember my promise. To remember her safety. But I can't
listen. The bond that I had ignored while on other planets is too
strong when it's near her. I can't just ignore the strong pull I feel
towards her. Especially if she's in pain.
When I'm so close to her that if I reach out I could pull her
into my arms, she looks up with a stunned look. Her blue eyes are wide
and full of love. I know that love is for me with a surety that I have
never known before. My arms reach out of their own accord and pull her
towards my chest.
I feel elated. Free. I can't even begin to describe the
feeling that is coursing through my veins. My heart swells so much that
I feel it will break my rib cage. My life is perfect for that sweet
moment. I wonder at her love. How she could love someone like me.
Someone who left her when she was in need. Who disappeared for eleven
years and never left any word. My eyes sting and I blink at the tears
that are falling. I do not deserve her. But I would never give her up.
Not ever.
She looks up at me and her eyes are now hopeful. Oh, so hopeful
that it hurts me. I can't do this. Not to her. Damn Beryl and damn me.
At my hesitation the bubbles of hope I saw in her start to pop and she
slowly pulls away from my arms.
"Da... Prince Endymion. I'm sorry, I..." I put my finger to her
lips before she can say anymore.
"Shhh. Don't you know that I love you?" I wipe away a tear from
her face and then turn around and walk away.
As I go back the way I came I know that I had just done
something horrible. Unforgivable. I should never have let her know how
I feel. It is too dangerous for her. I rush to Beryl. She must not find
out about this meeting. Serena's life depends on it.
* * ~ ~ Serena ~ ~ * *
I watch the second man I love walk away from me and sob aloud.
My hand instantly goes up to cover the sob but I can't help but make
some kind of sound. This is too much for me. I could never have handled
it if these two occasions had happened within years of each other, much
less within minutes!
And the way their words were so similar. It is vaguely
disturbing to me. And the way both of them had wiped away my tears. It
could be a coincidence, but it was a very strange coincidence. The
words "Don't you know that I love you?" echo in my brain and leave me
strangely empty but full at the same time. Two men. Two loves. Same
words. Something about it all is supposed to click. I know it in my
heart that it should make sense. But it doesn't.
I wipe away my tears with my Mage robes and call on the Houou
for help. His warmth takes away some of my sorrow and helps me cope
with the events that have just occurred. I hear his sweet song and
smile a little smile. I then direct the Phoenix, and help him pick up
all the rocks and put them back in place. I open my eyes after what
seems to me like hours of work, and see that the wall is back up. There
is a small crack in it, though. I touch it with my hands and know that
the crack was left on purpose. The Houou had left it. To remind me of
today and to let me know that nothing is perfect. I feel his approval
of my conclusion and smile wider. I'm glad that nothing is perfect.
* * ~ ~ Minako ~ ~ * *
My eyes are having a hard time opening and I know that it's
because I have been sleeping for at least two days. I slowly blink them
open as my conscience returns to me and I remember the Mage I had hurt
so badly with the help of Haneko. His purring body is as warm as ever
and he looks just like he had before the fight. I, being of matter,
have a headache that will probably not go away for a couple of days
and he, being pure energy, is as playful as he ever was.
I stop looking inside myself since it is forming yet another
headache behind my eyes and I finally look around my room. I give an
audible gasp and the body that had been sprawled next to my own sits up
quickly and holds my hand tightly.
I have never before seen Kunzite in such a state. His clothes
are rumpled, his hair is less than perfect and his eyes actually have
dark circles underneath them. Something I thought I would never see in
my perfect love.
I'm about to comment on his appearance when I notice the worry
and love in his eyes. Love! I can feel it surround me completely. I
almost expect my body to start vibrating as it does when Haneko purrs
loudly.
He raises the hand that is not holding my own to my face and
slowly touches my cheek, as though he cannot believe that it's me. I
cup his hand with my own and, with that simple gesture, he reacts.
I had thought, up to now, that the kiss we had shared on Earth
all those years ago was extremely passionate but it held nothing to
this one. It managed to show me love, passion, lust, tenderness, and
endurance all at once. I know my cheeks are flushed because I can see
that his are.
I can only think of one thing: Whatever had brought this about
was the best thing that had ever happened to me.
He then reaches into his jacket and pulls out a small bag tied
with plain white string. My heart beats faster as he unfastens the
bag and pulls out a gold arm-band with two small hearts engraved on it.
I recognize it immediately. My mother wears one exactly like it that
was given to her by my father when they married.
By Venetian custom, a couple is married when they proclaim
themselves married. There is no ceremony, no vows taken. The arm-band
that the man buys for his intended is actually magical. It is made the
same day that a man falls in love with any Venetian woman. It then sits
in the Band Keeper's storeroom until the calling of the arm-band is too
strong for the lover to ignore. No one but Band Keepers know the secret
of the arm-bands. One thing is certain, when the arm-band is accepted
by the female Venetian, it binds the two together forever. Which is why
no ceremony is necessary, and no engagement. As soon as the arm-band is
accepted the two lovers are married.
Kunzite knows this as well as I. His lips open and he is about
to ask me to marry him, but I don't let him. I stop him with a kiss
that plainly says yes to him.
And I don't know when the arm-band fastened itself to my arm,
it did not unfasten - in fact there are no fastenings on it at all -
but I suddenly feel the weight of it on my arm (exactly halfway between
my elbow and shoulder) and I know that it will always be there. For as
long as the two of us are together and in love. And my bond to Kunzite
is stronger. We are married.
* * ~ ~ Lita ~ ~ * *
It isn't easy for me to remember a time when I did not have
Nephrite by my side. He had always been there, ever since I was born
and probably before that moment as well. He had been assigned to me as
a child. His family had been the Guardians of the Jovian Princesses for
centuries and he had been taught, ever since the beginning, that my
safety was all that mattered. I don't know when exactly this happened
but, when I was fourteen, I came to realize the fact that Nephrite did
not only care about my safety anymore. He wanted more than that. He
wanted my love.
There were no proclamations. No gestures. No looks. Just a soft
and growing knowledge of it. I could notice no difference in his
treatment of me, nor in his regard towards me, but I could feel it.
Somewhere deep down I could feel it. And that was when Umahaki showed
himself to me. When the span of his green wings encompassed me and
left me feeling whole and wanted.
At that moment, when I found myself with Umahaki, I knew that
no matter what others said, no matter what happened, I would be with my
beloved Nephrite for all time. Nephrite, however, was taken away from
me on that same day. His Gift had been discovered and he went to meet
the rest of the Hito and I was left alone.
Those were the most horrible years of my life. No one knew that
Umahaki had shown himself to me because I was too depressed to allow my
magical abilities to show themselves. When Serena left for Angreemon
two years later I would have been sent off too if I hadn't kept Umahaki
a secret.
In fact, the only time I was ever even remotely happy was when
I went into myself and Umahaki would allow me to climb onto his broad
back and we would fly through the green sky in my mind. I used to grab
onto his mane and feel its silky caress on my face and somehow become
immediately happier. Because of this, Umahaki, the Winged Horse, was
kept a secret and became my own spring of happiness.
When I turned twenty, six years after Nephrite had left me I
saw him again. I can recall that moment as easily as I can the color of
my mother's eyes. Something you don't ever forget.
He had grown older. I had grown older. But, somehow, we were
still perfect for each other. Since that moment when his blue eyes met
my own green ones once again, when we shared everything through that
single kiss, when his arms encircled me for the first time; I know that
I could never live without him.
I close my eyes and gently pet Umahaki's forehead, his green
coat and emerald eyes are shiny. He winks at me and his teeth bite
down on my shoulder lightly, playfully. I'm scared of what will happen
and he understands. He knows I'm tense.
I open my eyes with a sigh, feeling a little better now. I'm
sitting on a wooden bench at the Jovian fountain, staring at the
lightning spilling from its center. Reaching my hand in, the lightning
quickly spreads into my arms and heads straight for my heart and my
head. My heart beats faster in response and Umahaki's wings are now
spread and crackling with more energy. I'm so emerged in the feeling
that I almost don't hear the footsteps heading towards me. I slowly,
regretfully, take my hand out of the lightning and look to the person
who had invaded my private place. Seeing Nephrite's wavy brown hair
quickly calms that feeling and I sigh softly as he takes me in his arms
as though it were the first and only time. Every time it's like that.
Being a Doushi makes him want to live in the present all the time. Like
there's going to be no tomorrow. Yet another reason I love him so.
I tilt my head back to look at him and when our eyes meet I
know. He slowly, reverently, leans over and places a two kisses at my
temples, two on my cheeks, two on my eyes and finally, one on my mouth.
I cannot believe that this is happening. I didn't think he would ever
have done that. A promise of engagement. Kisses at the temple show
respect for intellect, the eyes demonstrate trust, cheeks demonstrate
friendship while the mouth is the promise never to kiss anyone else in
that way while we are both alive. I wait apprehensively. No Jovian ever
made such a promise without having something magical happen soon after.
It was a part of the engagement. Even if there were to be no ceremony
later, the two of us were to act as married forever after this moment.
Even though I was expecting something to happen, I had no idea
it would have contained such a joyous feeling. Lightning flew from my
fingertips into his and, shocked by this, I look down to see that there
are now five rings, one on each of my fingers, crackling on my right
hand. Nephrite's hand also carries those same rings and the love I feel
at that moment is unlike any I have ever felt before.
* * ~ ~ Hou ~ ~ * *
Of course I had been a fool. Why had I ever said anything to
her about my feelings? She was still in love with that weakling from
Earth. I sigh with frustration. She could have said something damnit! I
feel my fist clench again and slowly let it go. I don't want another
fifteen feet of wall to lie in rubbles again. Not now. Not when I'm not
in the mood to fix anything. Only to destroy.
With that thought in mind I head straight for our captive. It
would be better for me to take my anger out on her than on anyone else.
That way, perhaps, something good might come out of this. I arrive at
the room she is being kept in and know immediately that something is
very wrong. I instinctly call Kou to me and she is by my side in a
moment. For a second I'm afraid that she would be apprehensive about
being near me but that feeling is gone as soon as she looks at me. She
is all business. She knows the importance of our Mage relationship. She
would never give that up.
We both look at the door and I reach for it first, enveloping
the cold knob in my warm hands. The security that we had built into the
door searches my hands and, finding the correct pattern of magic,
unlocks immediately. I had thought that the most I would find would be
the captive gone. Physically or spiritually. But I was very wrong.
Kou gasps audibly and both of us stare at the mass of dark
energy that is crackling at the center of the room. The hatred and pain
imbedded in that massive ball envelops me and tries to get into me to
draw from my magic. I panic for a second until the Houou screeches. Not
once in my single life had I ever heard the screech of the Houou. It is
an ear-splitting sound. It sliced the dark energy coming towards me in
half so that the two pieces slid by me at large speeds.
I had been so speechless and surprised that I had forgotten to
shut the door behind me. The dark energy is heading towards the door
and I command the door to close just as the last bit of darkness leaves
the room. Kou and I look at each other, alarmed.
* * ~ ~ Rei ~ ~ * *
Jadeite is playing with my hair again. I sigh. I love it so
much when he does this. I'm not sure why but it just reminds me of
being a child and of being safe. I'm almost falling asleep when I
realize that he is humming a song. A very perticular song. My back
straightens immediately as I also notice that he is weaving my hair
into a very particular braid. One-two-three-four-five. One-two-three-
four-five. Over and over again. Five braids and five respective
sentences for each braid. Feelings jumble within me. I'm partly in
shock but partly ecstatic. I concentrate on his words.
"One for your trust. Two for your promise. Three for your
strength. Four for your understanding. Five for your love."
He repeats these words as he works on five small braids in my
hair. One starting near my left ear, one near my left temple, one near
my right temple, one near my right ear, and one in the middle of all
the others. I start to chant the words with him. I'm not sure why I do
this, but it seems necessary. As we do this his fingers work faster and
the words blur together in such a way that love is the single word that
we can hear. We stop at the same time as he reaches the bottom of my
hair. His hands are about to let the braids go when they surround his
fingers and turn red and hot as flames. I can feel him wince at the
pain but he doesn't take his fingers away nor make a sound. The flames
of my hair make their way up his arms and higher, up to his throat
where they encircle his neck and slowly turn into gold. Around his neck
there now lies a golden chain with a single black pebble, the identical
color of my hair. The flames are gone just as suddenly as they appeared
and I turn to him with tears in my eyes.
"Why? Jadeite, that was not necessary." I touch his burns
tenderly. His entire right arm was burned and red from the overheat. I
knew that they would heal soon since this fire was not made for
scarring, but it did not have to be done. This was the old ritual in
Mars. The one that women made the men they married endure because it
showed strength and valor. In Mars the women are naturally more skilled
with fire than men are. Withstanding heat and pain are needed in
Martian men and any man who cried out or drew away from the heat in
their loved ones was considered not worthy of marriage. But those were
the old days. That tradition was long gone and was not performed unless
the woman required it. And I never had.
He picks up my hand and kisses my palm. "Because I would never
truly be a part of you unless this had happened." My eyes wince but I
know that he speaks the truth. It isn't easy to be married to a Martian
woman, as many men have found out, because of our infamous tempers and
our ability to throw flames around when we are angered. A man who can
suffer through this tradition can live with a Martian woman and be a
part of her complete self. He will have her trust, promise, strength,
understanding and love. In that small black pebble he carries a bit of
me. I lost that part of me for him and so we are never to be separated.
I suddenly lunge forward and envelop his lips in mine. Showing
him how much this means to me. And how much he means to me.
* * ~ ~ Ami ~ ~ * *
I love talking about the wedding with Zoicite. Unlike my other
friends, my marriage will never truly be finished until the ceremony.
In Mercury, the vows taken during the ceremony must be done in the
company of friends and family. If this is not done then we could never
call ourselves married. Zoicite is joking about the amount of water
that will be wasted at the ceremony when he suddenly stops and listens
to something. His hand grips mine more tightly and I wait for him to
tell me what's going on.
"The Darkness. It has spread."
I just stare at him, trying to understand what exactly it is
that he is telling me. But not even at a moment like this can I just
absorb things slowly. My brain is telling me what to do. To act. To
make calculations. To solve problems. I hate this feeling, but I must
endure it. Especially today. I need my brain to help me figure out what
to do.
Zoicite puts a hand up to my cheek and I allow it to rest there
for one second before we both take off running towards the palace. I'm
about to transform into Sailor Mercury when I feel a force grab me. I
cry out and try to fight it until I notice that it's just Serena's
Phoenix magic. I allow it to grab me and find myself inside the palace
walls with the other Senshi and the Hito standing around the two
Zen'youkuhikouki.
I feel the ice surround me and Sailor Mercury is now standing
in the place of Princess Ami Maia. Kou speaks first.
"The Darkness has gone free. There's no time to explain right
now but we can only tell you that, as the Hito probably know, when the
Darkness escapes it can spread throughout all of time. In other words,
it is currently in the past, the present and the future all at once. As
we speak we're sure you can notice this."
I'm confused by Kou's speech but the Maquin reminds me that the
Zen'youkuhikouki use that term when they are together in spirit. That
meant that Kou was actually speaking for Hou because he was speaking to
her through their link.
At their words, I look around and notice that the bright white
marble walls around us are suddenly looking aged and charred. As though
something evil was trying to taint its beauty and had been trying to do
so for years. I feel tears coming, but Sailor Mercury stops them. She
is never as weak as Ami is. Ever.
"We don't know how to start nor how to go after the Darkness.
You are all here because we hoped you'd be able to somehow help."
"I think I might have an idea, Zen'youkuhikouki, if you would
hear me out." Hou nods at Malachite to continue and we all look at him
with hope. "The Hito can look through Past, Present and Future to find
who it is that helped the Darkness spread. This won't be easy now
because the Darkness has twisted timelines and made things very
complicated for us. So it will take even more energy than we usually do
when this is done. We will need to be protected and must not be
bothered at all until we return from trance or we might never be able
to come back."
I gasp and look at Zoicite. If I ever lost him... But no, his
eyes are telling me that this must be so, and I know it must. I
strengthen my heart to this as I hear the Zen'youkuhikouki agree to the
Hito's plan.
Zoicite briefly touches my face and then joins the other Hito
in the center of the room. They all close their eyes and the entire
room is silent. After a couple of minutes we look at each other,
worried. I had seen this performed once before and it never took this
long. When the door suddenly creaked open, all of us were ready to
kill whatever it was that had so foolishly decided to barge into this
room.
Prince Rupert steps into the room looking like his usual dumb
self and we all relax, my ice water withdrawing from my hand into my
body. "What are you doing here?" I whisper, more irritated than I care
to show.
"I was just looking for people." I cringe at the loudness of
his voice. It echoes down the silent hall. Rei jumps for him
immediately and covers his mouth.
"Shh." She whispers. "Go look somewhere else."
His eyes look scared but he nods slowly and turns to leave. We
all look to the Hito once again and so are caught completely by
surprise when black lightning comes flying towards the Hito. Before any
of us could react, Hou and Kou shield the four men from the attack. The
black lighting crackles angrily and tries to penetrate the shield,
which is slowly becoming more flimsy as more and more lightning is sent
towards it. I turn around and see that behind Prince Rupert is that
woman, Beryl, the one who had come here with Prince Darien Endymion. I
shiver as she smiles a wicked smile at me. I don't know when I spoke
but I'm telling that dolt Rupert to move when he turns to me and his
eyes are just deep pools of black. I gasp and shrink away a bit. I can
see the other Senshi coming towards me and the door. He sends black
arrows towards me and I automatically throw up my ice shields. I sigh
when I realize that the arrows had broken when they hit the ice. I let
down the shield in relief. But something is wrong. I look down and see
a black arrow imbedded deeply in my chest. Rupert, if that really is
that creature's name, laughs diabolically and I just stare at the arrow
in disbelief. I can feel blackness take over me and I'm about to allow
it to do just that when Aipen drew me into myself. I surround myself in
the ice and watch my breath come out of my mouth. So comfortable. Aipen
comes towards me and his normally shiny coat has gone dull, his beak is
open but no comforting sounds come out. I hug him as close as I
possibly can and feel the knowledge come into me. I stand up and Aipen
then becomes made of small ice cubes. Tiny little ones. I start taking
them from him, one by one and start to make an ice sculpture, one that
is in the shape of a large tear. The blackness is enveloping my small
haven and it doesn't seem like I'm working fast enough. My Maquin
abilities have left me completely. I have no idea how much time has
gone by. It seems like hours. I wonder how everyone else is doing. If
they are alright. I can't be too much help to them trapped in here. And
Zoicite. I hope he's alright. I shake my head slowly. No, I can't think
about that. I need to work. I pick up another ice cube and Aipen shakes
his wings and makes a small soothing sound. At least I have something
to do.
~ ~ * * Mina * * ~ ~
Mercury is looking down at herself in shock. The black arrow
imbedded deep in her chest is slowly growing larger. Trying to overcome
her. I rush towards her when she suddenly gives off a bright blue light
and the arrow crumbles into dust. That same beam of light shoots out of
her wound and towards Rupert. His eyes grow in surprise but he seems to
finally get a hold of himself and throws up a dark shield. I know what
I must do as I gather my own strength and weave my heart once again.
~ ~ * * Kou * * ~ ~
Hou and I are getting very tired very quickly. The Houou's
wings are getting weak from being spread around the Hito's bodies for
so long. I'm almost giving way to despair when suddenly Zoicite
tentatively touches my mind, startling me. His eyes are still closed
and I know that he is saving his strength for when all the Hito decide
to attack.
'It's that man. The one we call Rupert. He is not really a man
afterall. I'll explain later. He's the one you want to go after.'
I look at Hou, who heard the entire thing through our link, and
he barely nods to me. We must somehow get rid of Beryl to get to that
creature. Rupert. His name just does not fit anymore. I wonder that it
calls itself.
I barely notice that the whole room is softly illuminated by
four different colors: blue, yellow, red and green, and that my Senshi
are slowly becoming weaker as the Creature's shields hold firm. I still
don't know what to do. The Hito cannot attack with our shields around
them and we in turn cannot take the shields down without them being
quick enough to dodge Beryl's attack. Suddenly the answer dawns on me.
I hate to do this but it must be done. It just must.
I open my mouth and my tongue forms the sounds without thinking
and without hesitation. "Bakerakkishitenlitsutar." It came out as no
more than a whisper but as soon as the last syllable is out of my
mouth he stands there.
His pink hair is now tinged with a slight red and his eyes have
no pupils in them so that they are completely white. Those unseeing
eyes look at me and he nods vaguely. His aura is one of evil, something
unholy and not right.
Beryl had been too busy to notice Washi's arrival. That would
prove her undoing. Washi's attack is clean and simple and encounters no
resistance. In horror, I notice that he is still sending attack after
attack onto her body. The Hito are now fully awake and all of us stare
at this unholy being. Bakerakkishitenlitsutar is not Washi. He is the
pure magical essence of Washi. No morals. No compassion of any kind.
Just a body that contains the power to do one's will. My will had been
to get rid of Beryl. He is doing just so. In a sick and perverted way.
I almost retch at the sight of my Master. My sweet and caring
Master becoming this revolting creature. There was no stopping him. He
will not stop until his obstacle is completely gone. Finally the
energy is too much for Beryl's body and she screams as she is engulfed
in mage flames. Bakerakkishtenlitsutar looks back at me with an evil
grin and disappears.
For a second none of us can move. Then everything starts
happening at once. Rupert, that Creature, laughs a loud laugh and I
watch, horrified, as one by one my Senshi fall to the ground. Without
warning, the Hito move as one and attack the Darkness from all sides.
And one by one they fall. I am in shock. I cannot move. Cannot think.
And then the door opens and in stumbles Darien. Determined,
thoughtful, sweet, useless Darien. The Darkness turns to him and is
somehow, for some reason unknown to me, afraid. Before the Darkness can
do anything, Darien lunges across the room and reaches his hand out
towards me.
I am about to put my own out when I notice it is not me he is
running towards, it is Hou. Hou's own hand is stretched out and the
two grasp each other and for a second time stops. I see them together.
Completely different from each other and yet something is so similar
and so obvious that I can't - quite - put my finger on it. Then that
moment is gone and where two men stood now stands one. He is Darien in
every sense of the word. But in his veins now burns the fire of the
Houou. I can feel it.
Even as we are preparing to attack I wonder what happened to
Hou and whether or not he would be coming back. I do not have to wonder
long. Before my eyes Darien transforms into Hou and takes my hand in
his.
I know what to do. Without any words shared or any thought. I
just know. Inside myself the Houou is slowly getting larger and larger.
Hou - or was it Darien? - was completely sharing his power with me and
the Houou forming between us was larger than I had ever seen. We both
put our hands on each of the Houou's shoulders. I am filled with fire.
Hot burning fire. The Houou slowly becomes dimmer as his power is
transferred to us.
The Darkness was forming its own attack. I could feel the black
clouds surrounding it attempt to fight its way towards us but the
Houou's brilliance is no match for the Darkness.
Hou and I raise our hands at the same time and red and gold
fire flings itself at the Darkness. It reciprocated with black fire
that fought its way towards us. A small bead of sweat rolled down my
forehead and I furrowed my brow in concentration. The Darkness was
gaining strength. I could not imagine where it was coming from when I
noticed that my Senshi and the Hito were feeding the Darkness. Their
powers were being drawn from their still bodies to help defeat Hou and
I.
It was then that I remembered. Remembered all the times we had
spent together. Remembered Ami's fear of her Maquin abilities. Her
bright eyes as she spoke of Zoicite. Remembered Rei's fiery temper and
constant worry. The calmness she experienced with Jadeite. Remembered
Lita's strength and her loneliness. How complete she felt with
Nephrite. Remembered Mina's love and compassion. Her exasperation and
passion with Kunzite.
And at that same moment I knew that no matter what happened, no
matter what the circumstances, Hou and I would win this. Or die trying.
I was not surprised when I noticed more power seeping into
myself. The souls of the Senshi and the Hito were standing around the
two of us and giving us their power. Their love, support, courage and
trust burning through me and giving me warmth. I channel all these
feelings into my attack and feel the Darkness give way. Its face is
twisted in worry and is finally showing exhaustion. But I know it is
not enough. What else could be done?
Hou is looking rather pale and I know that he is a moment away
from completely falling to the ground, as am I. I would only welcome
death if I could take the Darkness with me. If I could save my friends
and my love I would pay any price. And it was at that moment that my
Moon sigil started to glow with an incredible light.
Floating in front of me was the Ginzuishou. The Moon Crystal. I
slowly reach out to it and cup it in my palms. I bring it to my face
and then blow softly on it. My hot breath stirs the magic inside the
Crystal and the white light it shoots out is intermixed with red and
gold.
I'm not sure what exactly happened, only that I heard an
earsplitting scream and then the Creature once again became a dark ball
of energy which blew up from inside, white, red and gold lines shooting
through from the center of it. Each small bit of Darkness that erupted
out of that ball was thrown in different directions throughout the
Universe.
I then make my wish. I know, as well as every other Queen and
Princess of the Moon knows, that I would die now. But that my wish
would come true. I already felt the sharp tuggings of death at the edge
of my soul and I wished for the safety of my friends and love. For my
two loves.
I was almost completely fading away from existence when a soft
chuckle kept me for a while longer.
"If you think the Houou would ever allow me to take you away I
believe you are seriously mistaken."
I do not know what to say. I don't have enough strength to
speak, but I feel I must. "Who are you?"
The chuckle again. "Dense child. The Ginzuishou of course. Oh I
know plenty well I'm just a Crystal." I could almost feel as though it
was rolling its eyes. If a Crystal could do such a thing. "I used to be
Winged Energy. Just like the Houou, Unamaki, Aipen, Hinekami and
Haneko. I was... do you know... I don't even remember anymore." Another
chuckle. "As it is, you will not die child, rest easy. So morbid, are
we? I'm not as bloodthirsty as your ancestors may claim. The one time
that my bearer dies after using me and what happens? Everyone in the
universe is making up stories about death and wishes! Hmph!"
"Oh." I do not know how to respond to this. I never knew the
Ginzuishou could talk. "Do I still get my wish?"
"Of course you do. I'm not completely heartless. Though you
will feel much the worse for wear. Just a warning. It feels good to
finally be able to speak to a bearer. I've been so bored the last few
centuries. I doubt I will be speaking to you anytime again, either. No
matter. I'll just wait for the daughter."
Before I can ask the Crystal what it meant by that, I fall into
a comforting silence where the Houou keeps watch over me.
~ ~ * * Hou * * ~ ~
I hold onto her naked cold form in the same pond we had stood
in what seemed like ages ago and hope. Nothing happens. I hold her
tighter than ever and still the pond just mirrors our reflection. Her
arms limp by her side and my tears burning hot paths down my cheeks and
into her hair.
My mind is screaming at me. How could I have let her do this?
Why did I allow her to use that damn Crystal? I knew this would have
happened and yet I had done nothing to stop her.
My body is heaving huge sobs now and I can hardly breathe for
despair. She couldn't be dead. She just couldn't. The Houou is quiet
and I wonder why. I look inside myself and can't find him anywhere. Now
I start to panic.
Then I notice it. A small trail of red light lingers and I
follow it deep into my mind. To a place I had never been before. And I
see them. Both of the Houou becoming one. Merging with themselves.
I almost jump when the limp arms encircle me with newfound life
and I look into those blue eyes once again. They are as bright as ever
and full of love. The love I live for if only for this moment. Even if
it never came again I would be happy with this much. Just this much.
And we kiss and I suddenly know. Know that she loves me with
all her heart. We draw away slowly and the fire is gone from the pond.
With the fire goes my body and I am once again just Prince Terrence
Titan Darien Endymion of Earth.
~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~
Who is confused? Raise your hand if you are! MWHAHAHA! My mission in
life is complete... now I can die in peace. Not quite. I promise an
explanation will arrive. Lots of explanations. Loads and loads of
explanations. Enough to make you tear out your hair and scream. Please
no more! NO MORE! Errr... heh. Please tell me if you enjoyed reading
this chapter! I love getting e-mails! E-mail me at
cfmc@uclink4.berkeley.edu with your thoughts!
everyone's e-mails. I've been busy with school and the such and have
not had the time, nor the effort, to write. To make up for this huge
time inconvenience, this chapter is stock-full of action and lots and
lots of things will be going on at once... expect to be confused.
Chapter Six is, sadly or happily depending on how you look at it, the
last chapter of the Mage Princess. That chapter is going to be full of
explanations. Tons and tons of them. I don't doubt that it will be the
longest chapter yet. But I haven't written it yet (it's still swimming
along in my brain) so I can't be sure of this. I also do have an
epilogue that I would like to put up but I'm not sure if I should. I'll
wait for you all to read the last chapter (the next one) and then tell
me if you would like an epilogue or not! So please, sit back, relax,
and enjoy the Mage Princess! ~_^
For all those interested: This series will probably be about 8 parts
(this includes prologue and epilogue) long. So expect more! ~.^
A few disclaimers: I don't own Sailor Moon... if I did I would be
publishing these stories because I would have enough money to do so...
I'm also an extremely poor college student who has to rely on her
scholarship to pay off the registration fees so don't sue me... you'll
get nothing out of it! One more thing: Washi is my character... Hou is
also my character and I guess that Kou is my character too since she is
so very different from Serenity ne? ~.^ Anyway I made all of them up so
don't steal any of them, okie? ^^
New disclaimer: Yuufu, Narcissus, Ohamu, and Abura Kakyuu are also my
characters. No stealing!
New new disclaimer: Prince Rupert Heron is my character as well! I
ask for a lot, huh? ^__^
I guess it's on with the story!
The Mage Princess
CHAPTER FIVE
By: Sailor Berkeley
* * ~ ~ Darien ~ ~ * *
I finally took myself away from my horrible wife and escaped to
these gardens where I had once come as a child. The memory of that time
brings tears to my eyes. The look she had given me is still fresh in
my memory. The look of absolute shock. Of pain. Hurt. I could never
face her again.
I round one of the corners and am instantly on alert. There is
about fifteen feet of wall lying in rubbles at my feet. If Beryl has
broken my agreement, I will kill her. That's the first thought that
comes into my head. That is all I can think of until I see her.
Princess Serena Serenity is standing next to that rubble and
there are tears forming trails down her cheeks. My body instantly
starts to move towards her, as though the love I feel for her ties me
to her in an inexplicable way. My mind is screaming at me. Telling me
to stop. To remember my promise. To remember her safety. But I can't
listen. The bond that I had ignored while on other planets is too
strong when it's near her. I can't just ignore the strong pull I feel
towards her. Especially if she's in pain.
When I'm so close to her that if I reach out I could pull her
into my arms, she looks up with a stunned look. Her blue eyes are wide
and full of love. I know that love is for me with a surety that I have
never known before. My arms reach out of their own accord and pull her
towards my chest.
I feel elated. Free. I can't even begin to describe the
feeling that is coursing through my veins. My heart swells so much that
I feel it will break my rib cage. My life is perfect for that sweet
moment. I wonder at her love. How she could love someone like me.
Someone who left her when she was in need. Who disappeared for eleven
years and never left any word. My eyes sting and I blink at the tears
that are falling. I do not deserve her. But I would never give her up.
Not ever.
She looks up at me and her eyes are now hopeful. Oh, so hopeful
that it hurts me. I can't do this. Not to her. Damn Beryl and damn me.
At my hesitation the bubbles of hope I saw in her start to pop and she
slowly pulls away from my arms.
"Da... Prince Endymion. I'm sorry, I..." I put my finger to her
lips before she can say anymore.
"Shhh. Don't you know that I love you?" I wipe away a tear from
her face and then turn around and walk away.
As I go back the way I came I know that I had just done
something horrible. Unforgivable. I should never have let her know how
I feel. It is too dangerous for her. I rush to Beryl. She must not find
out about this meeting. Serena's life depends on it.
* * ~ ~ Serena ~ ~ * *
I watch the second man I love walk away from me and sob aloud.
My hand instantly goes up to cover the sob but I can't help but make
some kind of sound. This is too much for me. I could never have handled
it if these two occasions had happened within years of each other, much
less within minutes!
And the way their words were so similar. It is vaguely
disturbing to me. And the way both of them had wiped away my tears. It
could be a coincidence, but it was a very strange coincidence. The
words "Don't you know that I love you?" echo in my brain and leave me
strangely empty but full at the same time. Two men. Two loves. Same
words. Something about it all is supposed to click. I know it in my
heart that it should make sense. But it doesn't.
I wipe away my tears with my Mage robes and call on the Houou
for help. His warmth takes away some of my sorrow and helps me cope
with the events that have just occurred. I hear his sweet song and
smile a little smile. I then direct the Phoenix, and help him pick up
all the rocks and put them back in place. I open my eyes after what
seems to me like hours of work, and see that the wall is back up. There
is a small crack in it, though. I touch it with my hands and know that
the crack was left on purpose. The Houou had left it. To remind me of
today and to let me know that nothing is perfect. I feel his approval
of my conclusion and smile wider. I'm glad that nothing is perfect.
* * ~ ~ Minako ~ ~ * *
My eyes are having a hard time opening and I know that it's
because I have been sleeping for at least two days. I slowly blink them
open as my conscience returns to me and I remember the Mage I had hurt
so badly with the help of Haneko. His purring body is as warm as ever
and he looks just like he had before the fight. I, being of matter,
have a headache that will probably not go away for a couple of days
and he, being pure energy, is as playful as he ever was.
I stop looking inside myself since it is forming yet another
headache behind my eyes and I finally look around my room. I give an
audible gasp and the body that had been sprawled next to my own sits up
quickly and holds my hand tightly.
I have never before seen Kunzite in such a state. His clothes
are rumpled, his hair is less than perfect and his eyes actually have
dark circles underneath them. Something I thought I would never see in
my perfect love.
I'm about to comment on his appearance when I notice the worry
and love in his eyes. Love! I can feel it surround me completely. I
almost expect my body to start vibrating as it does when Haneko purrs
loudly.
He raises the hand that is not holding my own to my face and
slowly touches my cheek, as though he cannot believe that it's me. I
cup his hand with my own and, with that simple gesture, he reacts.
I had thought, up to now, that the kiss we had shared on Earth
all those years ago was extremely passionate but it held nothing to
this one. It managed to show me love, passion, lust, tenderness, and
endurance all at once. I know my cheeks are flushed because I can see
that his are.
I can only think of one thing: Whatever had brought this about
was the best thing that had ever happened to me.
He then reaches into his jacket and pulls out a small bag tied
with plain white string. My heart beats faster as he unfastens the
bag and pulls out a gold arm-band with two small hearts engraved on it.
I recognize it immediately. My mother wears one exactly like it that
was given to her by my father when they married.
By Venetian custom, a couple is married when they proclaim
themselves married. There is no ceremony, no vows taken. The arm-band
that the man buys for his intended is actually magical. It is made the
same day that a man falls in love with any Venetian woman. It then sits
in the Band Keeper's storeroom until the calling of the arm-band is too
strong for the lover to ignore. No one but Band Keepers know the secret
of the arm-bands. One thing is certain, when the arm-band is accepted
by the female Venetian, it binds the two together forever. Which is why
no ceremony is necessary, and no engagement. As soon as the arm-band is
accepted the two lovers are married.
Kunzite knows this as well as I. His lips open and he is about
to ask me to marry him, but I don't let him. I stop him with a kiss
that plainly says yes to him.
And I don't know when the arm-band fastened itself to my arm,
it did not unfasten - in fact there are no fastenings on it at all -
but I suddenly feel the weight of it on my arm (exactly halfway between
my elbow and shoulder) and I know that it will always be there. For as
long as the two of us are together and in love. And my bond to Kunzite
is stronger. We are married.
* * ~ ~ Lita ~ ~ * *
It isn't easy for me to remember a time when I did not have
Nephrite by my side. He had always been there, ever since I was born
and probably before that moment as well. He had been assigned to me as
a child. His family had been the Guardians of the Jovian Princesses for
centuries and he had been taught, ever since the beginning, that my
safety was all that mattered. I don't know when exactly this happened
but, when I was fourteen, I came to realize the fact that Nephrite did
not only care about my safety anymore. He wanted more than that. He
wanted my love.
There were no proclamations. No gestures. No looks. Just a soft
and growing knowledge of it. I could notice no difference in his
treatment of me, nor in his regard towards me, but I could feel it.
Somewhere deep down I could feel it. And that was when Umahaki showed
himself to me. When the span of his green wings encompassed me and
left me feeling whole and wanted.
At that moment, when I found myself with Umahaki, I knew that
no matter what others said, no matter what happened, I would be with my
beloved Nephrite for all time. Nephrite, however, was taken away from
me on that same day. His Gift had been discovered and he went to meet
the rest of the Hito and I was left alone.
Those were the most horrible years of my life. No one knew that
Umahaki had shown himself to me because I was too depressed to allow my
magical abilities to show themselves. When Serena left for Angreemon
two years later I would have been sent off too if I hadn't kept Umahaki
a secret.
In fact, the only time I was ever even remotely happy was when
I went into myself and Umahaki would allow me to climb onto his broad
back and we would fly through the green sky in my mind. I used to grab
onto his mane and feel its silky caress on my face and somehow become
immediately happier. Because of this, Umahaki, the Winged Horse, was
kept a secret and became my own spring of happiness.
When I turned twenty, six years after Nephrite had left me I
saw him again. I can recall that moment as easily as I can the color of
my mother's eyes. Something you don't ever forget.
He had grown older. I had grown older. But, somehow, we were
still perfect for each other. Since that moment when his blue eyes met
my own green ones once again, when we shared everything through that
single kiss, when his arms encircled me for the first time; I know that
I could never live without him.
I close my eyes and gently pet Umahaki's forehead, his green
coat and emerald eyes are shiny. He winks at me and his teeth bite
down on my shoulder lightly, playfully. I'm scared of what will happen
and he understands. He knows I'm tense.
I open my eyes with a sigh, feeling a little better now. I'm
sitting on a wooden bench at the Jovian fountain, staring at the
lightning spilling from its center. Reaching my hand in, the lightning
quickly spreads into my arms and heads straight for my heart and my
head. My heart beats faster in response and Umahaki's wings are now
spread and crackling with more energy. I'm so emerged in the feeling
that I almost don't hear the footsteps heading towards me. I slowly,
regretfully, take my hand out of the lightning and look to the person
who had invaded my private place. Seeing Nephrite's wavy brown hair
quickly calms that feeling and I sigh softly as he takes me in his arms
as though it were the first and only time. Every time it's like that.
Being a Doushi makes him want to live in the present all the time. Like
there's going to be no tomorrow. Yet another reason I love him so.
I tilt my head back to look at him and when our eyes meet I
know. He slowly, reverently, leans over and places a two kisses at my
temples, two on my cheeks, two on my eyes and finally, one on my mouth.
I cannot believe that this is happening. I didn't think he would ever
have done that. A promise of engagement. Kisses at the temple show
respect for intellect, the eyes demonstrate trust, cheeks demonstrate
friendship while the mouth is the promise never to kiss anyone else in
that way while we are both alive. I wait apprehensively. No Jovian ever
made such a promise without having something magical happen soon after.
It was a part of the engagement. Even if there were to be no ceremony
later, the two of us were to act as married forever after this moment.
Even though I was expecting something to happen, I had no idea
it would have contained such a joyous feeling. Lightning flew from my
fingertips into his and, shocked by this, I look down to see that there
are now five rings, one on each of my fingers, crackling on my right
hand. Nephrite's hand also carries those same rings and the love I feel
at that moment is unlike any I have ever felt before.
* * ~ ~ Hou ~ ~ * *
Of course I had been a fool. Why had I ever said anything to
her about my feelings? She was still in love with that weakling from
Earth. I sigh with frustration. She could have said something damnit! I
feel my fist clench again and slowly let it go. I don't want another
fifteen feet of wall to lie in rubbles again. Not now. Not when I'm not
in the mood to fix anything. Only to destroy.
With that thought in mind I head straight for our captive. It
would be better for me to take my anger out on her than on anyone else.
That way, perhaps, something good might come out of this. I arrive at
the room she is being kept in and know immediately that something is
very wrong. I instinctly call Kou to me and she is by my side in a
moment. For a second I'm afraid that she would be apprehensive about
being near me but that feeling is gone as soon as she looks at me. She
is all business. She knows the importance of our Mage relationship. She
would never give that up.
We both look at the door and I reach for it first, enveloping
the cold knob in my warm hands. The security that we had built into the
door searches my hands and, finding the correct pattern of magic,
unlocks immediately. I had thought that the most I would find would be
the captive gone. Physically or spiritually. But I was very wrong.
Kou gasps audibly and both of us stare at the mass of dark
energy that is crackling at the center of the room. The hatred and pain
imbedded in that massive ball envelops me and tries to get into me to
draw from my magic. I panic for a second until the Houou screeches. Not
once in my single life had I ever heard the screech of the Houou. It is
an ear-splitting sound. It sliced the dark energy coming towards me in
half so that the two pieces slid by me at large speeds.
I had been so speechless and surprised that I had forgotten to
shut the door behind me. The dark energy is heading towards the door
and I command the door to close just as the last bit of darkness leaves
the room. Kou and I look at each other, alarmed.
* * ~ ~ Rei ~ ~ * *
Jadeite is playing with my hair again. I sigh. I love it so
much when he does this. I'm not sure why but it just reminds me of
being a child and of being safe. I'm almost falling asleep when I
realize that he is humming a song. A very perticular song. My back
straightens immediately as I also notice that he is weaving my hair
into a very particular braid. One-two-three-four-five. One-two-three-
four-five. Over and over again. Five braids and five respective
sentences for each braid. Feelings jumble within me. I'm partly in
shock but partly ecstatic. I concentrate on his words.
"One for your trust. Two for your promise. Three for your
strength. Four for your understanding. Five for your love."
He repeats these words as he works on five small braids in my
hair. One starting near my left ear, one near my left temple, one near
my right temple, one near my right ear, and one in the middle of all
the others. I start to chant the words with him. I'm not sure why I do
this, but it seems necessary. As we do this his fingers work faster and
the words blur together in such a way that love is the single word that
we can hear. We stop at the same time as he reaches the bottom of my
hair. His hands are about to let the braids go when they surround his
fingers and turn red and hot as flames. I can feel him wince at the
pain but he doesn't take his fingers away nor make a sound. The flames
of my hair make their way up his arms and higher, up to his throat
where they encircle his neck and slowly turn into gold. Around his neck
there now lies a golden chain with a single black pebble, the identical
color of my hair. The flames are gone just as suddenly as they appeared
and I turn to him with tears in my eyes.
"Why? Jadeite, that was not necessary." I touch his burns
tenderly. His entire right arm was burned and red from the overheat. I
knew that they would heal soon since this fire was not made for
scarring, but it did not have to be done. This was the old ritual in
Mars. The one that women made the men they married endure because it
showed strength and valor. In Mars the women are naturally more skilled
with fire than men are. Withstanding heat and pain are needed in
Martian men and any man who cried out or drew away from the heat in
their loved ones was considered not worthy of marriage. But those were
the old days. That tradition was long gone and was not performed unless
the woman required it. And I never had.
He picks up my hand and kisses my palm. "Because I would never
truly be a part of you unless this had happened." My eyes wince but I
know that he speaks the truth. It isn't easy to be married to a Martian
woman, as many men have found out, because of our infamous tempers and
our ability to throw flames around when we are angered. A man who can
suffer through this tradition can live with a Martian woman and be a
part of her complete self. He will have her trust, promise, strength,
understanding and love. In that small black pebble he carries a bit of
me. I lost that part of me for him and so we are never to be separated.
I suddenly lunge forward and envelop his lips in mine. Showing
him how much this means to me. And how much he means to me.
* * ~ ~ Ami ~ ~ * *
I love talking about the wedding with Zoicite. Unlike my other
friends, my marriage will never truly be finished until the ceremony.
In Mercury, the vows taken during the ceremony must be done in the
company of friends and family. If this is not done then we could never
call ourselves married. Zoicite is joking about the amount of water
that will be wasted at the ceremony when he suddenly stops and listens
to something. His hand grips mine more tightly and I wait for him to
tell me what's going on.
"The Darkness. It has spread."
I just stare at him, trying to understand what exactly it is
that he is telling me. But not even at a moment like this can I just
absorb things slowly. My brain is telling me what to do. To act. To
make calculations. To solve problems. I hate this feeling, but I must
endure it. Especially today. I need my brain to help me figure out what
to do.
Zoicite puts a hand up to my cheek and I allow it to rest there
for one second before we both take off running towards the palace. I'm
about to transform into Sailor Mercury when I feel a force grab me. I
cry out and try to fight it until I notice that it's just Serena's
Phoenix magic. I allow it to grab me and find myself inside the palace
walls with the other Senshi and the Hito standing around the two
Zen'youkuhikouki.
I feel the ice surround me and Sailor Mercury is now standing
in the place of Princess Ami Maia. Kou speaks first.
"The Darkness has gone free. There's no time to explain right
now but we can only tell you that, as the Hito probably know, when the
Darkness escapes it can spread throughout all of time. In other words,
it is currently in the past, the present and the future all at once. As
we speak we're sure you can notice this."
I'm confused by Kou's speech but the Maquin reminds me that the
Zen'youkuhikouki use that term when they are together in spirit. That
meant that Kou was actually speaking for Hou because he was speaking to
her through their link.
At their words, I look around and notice that the bright white
marble walls around us are suddenly looking aged and charred. As though
something evil was trying to taint its beauty and had been trying to do
so for years. I feel tears coming, but Sailor Mercury stops them. She
is never as weak as Ami is. Ever.
"We don't know how to start nor how to go after the Darkness.
You are all here because we hoped you'd be able to somehow help."
"I think I might have an idea, Zen'youkuhikouki, if you would
hear me out." Hou nods at Malachite to continue and we all look at him
with hope. "The Hito can look through Past, Present and Future to find
who it is that helped the Darkness spread. This won't be easy now
because the Darkness has twisted timelines and made things very
complicated for us. So it will take even more energy than we usually do
when this is done. We will need to be protected and must not be
bothered at all until we return from trance or we might never be able
to come back."
I gasp and look at Zoicite. If I ever lost him... But no, his
eyes are telling me that this must be so, and I know it must. I
strengthen my heart to this as I hear the Zen'youkuhikouki agree to the
Hito's plan.
Zoicite briefly touches my face and then joins the other Hito
in the center of the room. They all close their eyes and the entire
room is silent. After a couple of minutes we look at each other,
worried. I had seen this performed once before and it never took this
long. When the door suddenly creaked open, all of us were ready to
kill whatever it was that had so foolishly decided to barge into this
room.
Prince Rupert steps into the room looking like his usual dumb
self and we all relax, my ice water withdrawing from my hand into my
body. "What are you doing here?" I whisper, more irritated than I care
to show.
"I was just looking for people." I cringe at the loudness of
his voice. It echoes down the silent hall. Rei jumps for him
immediately and covers his mouth.
"Shh." She whispers. "Go look somewhere else."
His eyes look scared but he nods slowly and turns to leave. We
all look to the Hito once again and so are caught completely by
surprise when black lightning comes flying towards the Hito. Before any
of us could react, Hou and Kou shield the four men from the attack. The
black lighting crackles angrily and tries to penetrate the shield,
which is slowly becoming more flimsy as more and more lightning is sent
towards it. I turn around and see that behind Prince Rupert is that
woman, Beryl, the one who had come here with Prince Darien Endymion. I
shiver as she smiles a wicked smile at me. I don't know when I spoke
but I'm telling that dolt Rupert to move when he turns to me and his
eyes are just deep pools of black. I gasp and shrink away a bit. I can
see the other Senshi coming towards me and the door. He sends black
arrows towards me and I automatically throw up my ice shields. I sigh
when I realize that the arrows had broken when they hit the ice. I let
down the shield in relief. But something is wrong. I look down and see
a black arrow imbedded deeply in my chest. Rupert, if that really is
that creature's name, laughs diabolically and I just stare at the arrow
in disbelief. I can feel blackness take over me and I'm about to allow
it to do just that when Aipen drew me into myself. I surround myself in
the ice and watch my breath come out of my mouth. So comfortable. Aipen
comes towards me and his normally shiny coat has gone dull, his beak is
open but no comforting sounds come out. I hug him as close as I
possibly can and feel the knowledge come into me. I stand up and Aipen
then becomes made of small ice cubes. Tiny little ones. I start taking
them from him, one by one and start to make an ice sculpture, one that
is in the shape of a large tear. The blackness is enveloping my small
haven and it doesn't seem like I'm working fast enough. My Maquin
abilities have left me completely. I have no idea how much time has
gone by. It seems like hours. I wonder how everyone else is doing. If
they are alright. I can't be too much help to them trapped in here. And
Zoicite. I hope he's alright. I shake my head slowly. No, I can't think
about that. I need to work. I pick up another ice cube and Aipen shakes
his wings and makes a small soothing sound. At least I have something
to do.
~ ~ * * Mina * * ~ ~
Mercury is looking down at herself in shock. The black arrow
imbedded deep in her chest is slowly growing larger. Trying to overcome
her. I rush towards her when she suddenly gives off a bright blue light
and the arrow crumbles into dust. That same beam of light shoots out of
her wound and towards Rupert. His eyes grow in surprise but he seems to
finally get a hold of himself and throws up a dark shield. I know what
I must do as I gather my own strength and weave my heart once again.
~ ~ * * Kou * * ~ ~
Hou and I are getting very tired very quickly. The Houou's
wings are getting weak from being spread around the Hito's bodies for
so long. I'm almost giving way to despair when suddenly Zoicite
tentatively touches my mind, startling me. His eyes are still closed
and I know that he is saving his strength for when all the Hito decide
to attack.
'It's that man. The one we call Rupert. He is not really a man
afterall. I'll explain later. He's the one you want to go after.'
I look at Hou, who heard the entire thing through our link, and
he barely nods to me. We must somehow get rid of Beryl to get to that
creature. Rupert. His name just does not fit anymore. I wonder that it
calls itself.
I barely notice that the whole room is softly illuminated by
four different colors: blue, yellow, red and green, and that my Senshi
are slowly becoming weaker as the Creature's shields hold firm. I still
don't know what to do. The Hito cannot attack with our shields around
them and we in turn cannot take the shields down without them being
quick enough to dodge Beryl's attack. Suddenly the answer dawns on me.
I hate to do this but it must be done. It just must.
I open my mouth and my tongue forms the sounds without thinking
and without hesitation. "Bakerakkishitenlitsutar." It came out as no
more than a whisper but as soon as the last syllable is out of my
mouth he stands there.
His pink hair is now tinged with a slight red and his eyes have
no pupils in them so that they are completely white. Those unseeing
eyes look at me and he nods vaguely. His aura is one of evil, something
unholy and not right.
Beryl had been too busy to notice Washi's arrival. That would
prove her undoing. Washi's attack is clean and simple and encounters no
resistance. In horror, I notice that he is still sending attack after
attack onto her body. The Hito are now fully awake and all of us stare
at this unholy being. Bakerakkishitenlitsutar is not Washi. He is the
pure magical essence of Washi. No morals. No compassion of any kind.
Just a body that contains the power to do one's will. My will had been
to get rid of Beryl. He is doing just so. In a sick and perverted way.
I almost retch at the sight of my Master. My sweet and caring
Master becoming this revolting creature. There was no stopping him. He
will not stop until his obstacle is completely gone. Finally the
energy is too much for Beryl's body and she screams as she is engulfed
in mage flames. Bakerakkishtenlitsutar looks back at me with an evil
grin and disappears.
For a second none of us can move. Then everything starts
happening at once. Rupert, that Creature, laughs a loud laugh and I
watch, horrified, as one by one my Senshi fall to the ground. Without
warning, the Hito move as one and attack the Darkness from all sides.
And one by one they fall. I am in shock. I cannot move. Cannot think.
And then the door opens and in stumbles Darien. Determined,
thoughtful, sweet, useless Darien. The Darkness turns to him and is
somehow, for some reason unknown to me, afraid. Before the Darkness can
do anything, Darien lunges across the room and reaches his hand out
towards me.
I am about to put my own out when I notice it is not me he is
running towards, it is Hou. Hou's own hand is stretched out and the
two grasp each other and for a second time stops. I see them together.
Completely different from each other and yet something is so similar
and so obvious that I can't - quite - put my finger on it. Then that
moment is gone and where two men stood now stands one. He is Darien in
every sense of the word. But in his veins now burns the fire of the
Houou. I can feel it.
Even as we are preparing to attack I wonder what happened to
Hou and whether or not he would be coming back. I do not have to wonder
long. Before my eyes Darien transforms into Hou and takes my hand in
his.
I know what to do. Without any words shared or any thought. I
just know. Inside myself the Houou is slowly getting larger and larger.
Hou - or was it Darien? - was completely sharing his power with me and
the Houou forming between us was larger than I had ever seen. We both
put our hands on each of the Houou's shoulders. I am filled with fire.
Hot burning fire. The Houou slowly becomes dimmer as his power is
transferred to us.
The Darkness was forming its own attack. I could feel the black
clouds surrounding it attempt to fight its way towards us but the
Houou's brilliance is no match for the Darkness.
Hou and I raise our hands at the same time and red and gold
fire flings itself at the Darkness. It reciprocated with black fire
that fought its way towards us. A small bead of sweat rolled down my
forehead and I furrowed my brow in concentration. The Darkness was
gaining strength. I could not imagine where it was coming from when I
noticed that my Senshi and the Hito were feeding the Darkness. Their
powers were being drawn from their still bodies to help defeat Hou and
I.
It was then that I remembered. Remembered all the times we had
spent together. Remembered Ami's fear of her Maquin abilities. Her
bright eyes as she spoke of Zoicite. Remembered Rei's fiery temper and
constant worry. The calmness she experienced with Jadeite. Remembered
Lita's strength and her loneliness. How complete she felt with
Nephrite. Remembered Mina's love and compassion. Her exasperation and
passion with Kunzite.
And at that same moment I knew that no matter what happened, no
matter what the circumstances, Hou and I would win this. Or die trying.
I was not surprised when I noticed more power seeping into
myself. The souls of the Senshi and the Hito were standing around the
two of us and giving us their power. Their love, support, courage and
trust burning through me and giving me warmth. I channel all these
feelings into my attack and feel the Darkness give way. Its face is
twisted in worry and is finally showing exhaustion. But I know it is
not enough. What else could be done?
Hou is looking rather pale and I know that he is a moment away
from completely falling to the ground, as am I. I would only welcome
death if I could take the Darkness with me. If I could save my friends
and my love I would pay any price. And it was at that moment that my
Moon sigil started to glow with an incredible light.
Floating in front of me was the Ginzuishou. The Moon Crystal. I
slowly reach out to it and cup it in my palms. I bring it to my face
and then blow softly on it. My hot breath stirs the magic inside the
Crystal and the white light it shoots out is intermixed with red and
gold.
I'm not sure what exactly happened, only that I heard an
earsplitting scream and then the Creature once again became a dark ball
of energy which blew up from inside, white, red and gold lines shooting
through from the center of it. Each small bit of Darkness that erupted
out of that ball was thrown in different directions throughout the
Universe.
I then make my wish. I know, as well as every other Queen and
Princess of the Moon knows, that I would die now. But that my wish
would come true. I already felt the sharp tuggings of death at the edge
of my soul and I wished for the safety of my friends and love. For my
two loves.
I was almost completely fading away from existence when a soft
chuckle kept me for a while longer.
"If you think the Houou would ever allow me to take you away I
believe you are seriously mistaken."
I do not know what to say. I don't have enough strength to
speak, but I feel I must. "Who are you?"
The chuckle again. "Dense child. The Ginzuishou of course. Oh I
know plenty well I'm just a Crystal." I could almost feel as though it
was rolling its eyes. If a Crystal could do such a thing. "I used to be
Winged Energy. Just like the Houou, Unamaki, Aipen, Hinekami and
Haneko. I was... do you know... I don't even remember anymore." Another
chuckle. "As it is, you will not die child, rest easy. So morbid, are
we? I'm not as bloodthirsty as your ancestors may claim. The one time
that my bearer dies after using me and what happens? Everyone in the
universe is making up stories about death and wishes! Hmph!"
"Oh." I do not know how to respond to this. I never knew the
Ginzuishou could talk. "Do I still get my wish?"
"Of course you do. I'm not completely heartless. Though you
will feel much the worse for wear. Just a warning. It feels good to
finally be able to speak to a bearer. I've been so bored the last few
centuries. I doubt I will be speaking to you anytime again, either. No
matter. I'll just wait for the daughter."
Before I can ask the Crystal what it meant by that, I fall into
a comforting silence where the Houou keeps watch over me.
~ ~ * * Hou * * ~ ~
I hold onto her naked cold form in the same pond we had stood
in what seemed like ages ago and hope. Nothing happens. I hold her
tighter than ever and still the pond just mirrors our reflection. Her
arms limp by her side and my tears burning hot paths down my cheeks and
into her hair.
My mind is screaming at me. How could I have let her do this?
Why did I allow her to use that damn Crystal? I knew this would have
happened and yet I had done nothing to stop her.
My body is heaving huge sobs now and I can hardly breathe for
despair. She couldn't be dead. She just couldn't. The Houou is quiet
and I wonder why. I look inside myself and can't find him anywhere. Now
I start to panic.
Then I notice it. A small trail of red light lingers and I
follow it deep into my mind. To a place I had never been before. And I
see them. Both of the Houou becoming one. Merging with themselves.
I almost jump when the limp arms encircle me with newfound life
and I look into those blue eyes once again. They are as bright as ever
and full of love. The love I live for if only for this moment. Even if
it never came again I would be happy with this much. Just this much.
And we kiss and I suddenly know. Know that she loves me with
all her heart. We draw away slowly and the fire is gone from the pond.
With the fire goes my body and I am once again just Prince Terrence
Titan Darien Endymion of Earth.
~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~
Who is confused? Raise your hand if you are! MWHAHAHA! My mission in
life is complete... now I can die in peace. Not quite. I promise an
explanation will arrive. Lots of explanations. Loads and loads of
explanations. Enough to make you tear out your hair and scream. Please
no more! NO MORE! Errr... heh. Please tell me if you enjoyed reading
this chapter! I love getting e-mails! E-mail me at
cfmc@uclink4.berkeley.edu with your thoughts!