Adventure 20: Time To Say Good-bye
From the last adventure......
As a result of my curiosity the team had to go with (that's a bad way of putting it but they didn't have to go if they didn't want to) Seiya and I to Alecto. Chiyoko had nor problem with all of us staying with her until things cooled down on Kinkomu. While coming back from the grocery store I had to start something with someone. Chiyoko told me not to and I should have listened but do I ever? The guy turns out to be an officer and wanted to question me about some things. The whole time he asked me questions I just played stupid. The team sent Robert to get me out of the jam (yuck!). Then while all of us were walking home Azusa found us and started a fight with me. So the two of fought when Charlotte showed up. She had Azusa taken away and told us she'd be waiting on her home planet for our final show down.
"Well we have one more obstacle in our way and that's Charlotte.", Yaten said.
"There is no way I am going to fight her. I'm sick of having to fight everybody.", I said.
"That's what happens when you're the leader.", Suz said starting to tease me.
"None of us want to fight her, but we'll need all the help we can get.", Taiki announced.
"Do you really think that Chiyoko will fight her?", I asked him.
"Considering the things she's done, Chiyoko'll fight her.", Yaten answered.
"We need to get Kakyuu out so she can help us. We would have to tonight but it would be worth it in the fight.", Hotaru suggested.
"That means we have to go back to Kinkomu and get her out.", I responded not very happy.
"Why you snuck in there before what's so different?", Robert asked.
"Don't start with me. I am in a very bad mood after what you did back at the police station. Let's go tell Chiyoko that we need to go back to Kinkomu."
We walked back to the house and Chiyoko was busy making the late dinner. The house was nice and warm compared to outside.
"Chiyoko all of us need to go back to Kinkomu, tonight.", Jen flat out told her.
"Why? You guys haven't even been here a day and you have to go back?", she asked in disbelief.
"We just need to get to the palace and get Kakyuu out. Then we can come back.", I explained.
"But that's the reason why all of you had to come."
"We need help in fighting Charlotte. Kakyuu is very good at fighting and we could use her help as well as yours.", Seiya told her.
"Well I can get a small group into the palace's tech room but I would have to go with.", Chiyoko said aloud thinking of how she could pull it off.
"Who wants to go?", Taiki asked.
"How big can the group be max.?", Jen asked.
"Five including me.", Chiyoko answered.
"Alright that only let's 3 of go. Maria has to go because she knows where to go. That leaves 2 spots.", Taiki said already thinking of who could go with.
"I'll go with.", Jen volunteered.
"Why can only 4 go?", Hotaru asked.
"We'd have the princess coming back.", I answered, "One more person. Who is it?"
"Just let Seiya go all of us know that the two of them are inseparable.", Suz answered.
"Wanna go?", Chiyoko asked.
"Sure why not? Let's go then.", he answered.
"Good luck.", Hotaru told us.
"Be back by morning.", Suz added.
The four of us headed back out to the transporter. It was slowly getting colder outside and darker. Sneaking into the palace would be a lot harder than it was before. I was almost positive that there were still quite a few guards around because of last time. But there were more people with me this time. If the same window was open we could get out unnoticed. We came to the rusted door and Chiyoko again opened it. We walked in and waited around until Chiyoko was ready.
"You may want to transform before we leave. The trespassing alarms won't go off if the scanners pick up scout energy. If this works right we should be home in 2 hours. If not it may take all night. Let's hope for the best. Ready for transport in a little under 2 minutes."
"TRITON CRYSTAL POWER!"
"PHEBOS CRYSTAL POWER!"
"ALECTO STAR POWER!"
"FIGHTER STAR POWER! MAKE UP!"
"One thing before we're transported. Kakyuu needs her transformation wand. Azusa took that away from her."
"We'll just have to split up and look for it. It can't be hard to find now that Azusa is out of the picture. Just a few more seconds to transfer."
We were then transported to the palace's tech room. Chiyoko got started right away. We just stood around while she was getting some information.
"One of you could come down with me to the prison cells and try to get Kakyuu out.", I suggested.
"That isn't a good thing to do with only four of us here. If you wait a few more minutes we can all go down there together.", Chiyoko commented.
"I'm going down there. Besides if all four of us go down at once we'll probably get caught."
"Actually if I can just get into the security system, we can do anything and not get caught."
"You keep doing that Alecto. I'm going to break the princess out."
And I left the room for the basement again. It was weird going this way since it was by the front and I had to trace my way backwards. There were a few guards but I dodged them easily. I found the staircase and went on down. There was already a torch lit and it gave a few cells a bit of light. I found Kakyuu right away and she was happy to see me.
"Do you know what happened to Azusa? We need to find out where she put your transformation wand."
"Next cell over."
I was surprised at the answer. I went over to the next cell and I saw a bit of a clothing.
"Azusa?"
"What do you want?"
"Where did you put Kakyuu's transformation wand? If we can get her out we can return this system to peace. Where did you put it?"
"I'm not telling."
"Azusa, when this is all over I will not file any charges against you if you tell Phebos where the wand is.", Kakyuu told her trying to persuade her.
"Is any of the Starlights with you?", Azusa asked.
"Yeah. Fighter and Alecto also came with."
"Will they be coming down?"
"Eventually. Where is it in relationship to here? I might be able to find it."
"You have to go back up the stairs down to the next staircase. From there go up the stairs up 2 flights of 'em. Then there are some rooms, go in the fourth one. Inside the room there will be safe boxes, her wand is in the 3 row 2nd one. Then get back down here as fast as you can. You got all of that?"
"Yep. Be back as soon as I can."
I started the route that she had told me, but I had to figure in the guards. I hoped that Chiyoko had gotten the security down so I wouldn't have to worry tripping one of those. When I got to the stairs I didn't want to go up because I had no way of knowing where the guards were. The stairs were pretty steep but that's a palace for ya. When I got up 2 flights of stairs I peeked out to see if there were any guards. I looked down the hallway and there was a guard in front of the room I was supposed to go in. I thought about what I could do but there was nothing I could do without causing some noise that others might hear. I tore a piece of the curtain off the window over the staircase and got a little closer to the guard. He wasn't exactly doing his job so this would just add a little fun. I lit the cloth on fire and tossed it my his pant leg. I got a kick out of his reaction (I know that sounds mean and cold but it was funny). He had to run into another room to put the fire out and I jumped at the chance to get into the room. I looked for the box Azusa had told me about but there was a lock on it.
"Oh, well just have to burn it off. Phebos Fire Attack!"
Luckily the lock broke right away and sure enough the wand was in there. I grabbed it and closed the drawer back up. I had no time to check if the guard was there or not. I was down the hall by the staircase before the guard noticed me. He told me the stop where I was but I kept on running. I ran down the stairs really fast and was worried about the guard chasing me. I ran down the hall and down to where Azusa and Kakyuu were. Alecto, Fighter, and Triton were already there waiting.
"Why are you running?", Triton asked me.
"A guard caught me and I had to out run him. I have the wand Kakyuu.", I answered holding out the wand.
"Thank goodness. I finally get to leave. KINKOMU STAR POWER! It's been awhile since I've transformed. Let's get out of here shall we?"
"Yep. Just let me break the lock. PHEBOS FIRE ATTACK! Sorry I didn't mean to break the door."
"That's ok. Where do we have to go from here?"
"Back to Alecto and get ready for the fight against Charlotte.", Fighter answered.
We followed Chiyoko back to the room and she got the transporter ready. At least we had accomplished our goal and had more of a chance of winning. When we got back to Alecto it was late and we all wanted to go to bed. When we got to the house I went straight to the bedroom and went to sleep. I woke up later on that night and got out of my scout uniform and into my pajamas and went back to bed. The next morning everyone was up except for me. I got changed right away and went out to see what everyone was doing.
"So you decided to wake up this morning."
"Quiet Seiya. I was just real tired and wanted to make sure I was in top shape to go against Charlotte. When are we going to head out?", I asked.
"We're trying to figure that out. She will not be happy that's a given.", Taiki answered.
"Do you think we'll be separated again?", Hotaru asked.
"Who knows. No one knows where she's drawing her power from either. That is something to worry about. The only way to find out is to go to Freya and hope we're not ambushed."
"Princess, do you have any idea about what happened with her?", Chiyoko asked.
"No. All of sudden she just started acting rebellious and didn't want to follow any orders that I gave."
"That doesn't help one bit. Want to head out now? We have to eventually.", I asked.
"Why not? Let's teach her a lesson.", Suz said jumping out of her seat.
"Alright. We don't know what we're up against but that isn't any different from any other battle.", Jen added.
"Let's head back to the transporter.", Chiyoko said.
"What about Selene? We can't leave her here all alone. What if something happens she can't do anything to defend herself.", I asked.
"I'll be fine princess. You go and do your job.", Selene answered.
"Are you sure?"
"Yes now go. I'll keep an eye on things here."
So the group headed out to the transporter. Everyone in a way didn't want to fight just like the other major battles we had been through. I was wondering if the fighting would ever end. I've been fighting for almost a good three years and it was tiring. Another thing was the fact that my mom still had no clue about our true identities. When we got to the room we had to transform and get ready for the fight.
"CALLISTO CRYSTAL POWER!"
"DEIMOS CRYSTAL POWER!"
"TRITON CRYSTAL POWER!"
"SATURN CRYSTAL POWER!"
"KINKOMU STAR POWER!"
"ALECTO STAR POWER!"
"PHEBOS ETERNAL POWER!"
"FIGHTER STAR POWER! MAKE UP!"
"MAKER STAR POWER! MAKE UP!"
"HEALER STAR POWER! MAKE UP!"
"How long?", I asked.
"At least ten minutes. I haven't used this to go to Freya yet. I never got to. Just relax a little before we fight.", Alecto answered keying things in, "Princess could you help me with a few things?"
"Sure."
I hated waiting around, but there was no way to get there. Everyone was just hanging around not doing too much and I was pacing around the room. I was trying to think the battle through in my head so I wouldn't freak out in the middle.
"Would you please stop. It's getting annoying.", Healer said breaking the silence, "You're driving everyone nuts by pacing around and around."
I stopped for a few minutes but started back up again. I was getting too worked up over nothing. I tried calming myself down but it didn't work. I was too worried about what would happen and thinking of the worst possible scenario. They all faith in me but I was starting to doubt that. I liked it better when I followed someone and not having to think of this type of stuff. Fighter knew I was worried and he came over by me and held my right hand. He moved my hair away from my face. I slowly started calming down and he knew it.
"It'll be okay.", he said in a whisper. I went to say something but stopped.
"It's ready. It will transport in 1 minute. Everyone get on the platform.", Alecto announced.
All 12 of us fit on the platform, but not comfortably. The transporter started up and wrapped us in a nice white warm light. When we were released from the light a cold chill ran down my spine.
"Where do you think she is?", Triton asked.
"A little walk from here. Knowing her she's waiting for us to come.", Kakyuu answered.
We walked a block and no one was found. It was weird since it the middle of day and no one was out. We came to a fancy Victorian house and a person was in the second floor window.
"So you guys did take me up on the fight? I'm a bit surprised. Well let's get this underway.. FREYA STAR POWER! Let's have a environment change.", she said coming out of the front door. She waved her arms around her and the sky turned a blood red. She was mighty proud of what she had done and she would not give up easily.
"As a part of revenge only the scouts from this system will fight me. The six of you stay back and don't interfere.", Freya said right out. I looked up at Fighter and I could tell he didn't want to do this. I squeezed his left hand and looked up at him.
"Don't worry about us. We'll be alright." he leaned over and gave me a slight kiss on the lips, "Just trust us. It would be better if we handled this."
So the Kinkomu system scouts stepped forward accepting the challenge. In their hearts they did not want to but they had to protect the peace.
"None of you backed down. I thought at least one of you would.", Freya responded.
"You're wrong for doing this. You will pay for what you've done.", Kakyuu said.
The six of them got ready to fight each other and all the six of us could do was watch. Freya enclosed the group in a barrier to prevent anything from happening. Freya started the battle off with an attack that sent everyone crashing into the barrier. Then Starlights attacked together and did get Freya. But she attacked back. This went on for sometime with all of them attacking Freya one minute and Freya attacking all of them the next.
"I can't watch this anymore! Watching them get beat up is wrong.", I yelled at the team.
"What can we do? There is nothing we can do right now.", Deimos yelled back at me.
"Ri, we can't do anything if they're in a barrier. Sit down.", Callisto added.
"Marie you have to calm down or you won't be able to fight her with a straight head.", Triton said trying to calm me down. All it did was make more mad than I already was. No one was looking at the barrier anymore because none of them could take it anymore. The dome filled with smoke then broke. We rushed over to them. All of them were beaten up badly and Freya had some cuts but that was it.
"Fighter you okay?", I asked him.
"Let me keep fighting. I almost had her."
"There is no way. You are in no condition to fight. You stay here and rest some. It's our turn to fight her. We'll get her for all of you. How are the others?", I asked everyone else.
"Just like Fighter. There is no way they can fight any more.", Deimos answered.
"Freya you're going to get it! Why did you attack the people from your own system?", Saturn asked.
"They deserve it. All of them supported Princess Kakyuu. They don't deserve to be scouts of this system if they support war."
"I'll fight you one on one Freya. As a leader to a leader. You won't back down will you?", I asked her.
"Ri you are not fighting on your own this time. We're here to help you.", Callisto told me holding my left arm back.
"Do you want to end up like them?", I asked pointing to Kinkomu scouts. She was quiet she knew I knew what her answer was. "Didn't think so? All of you tend to them while I handle her."
"You think I'm going to be easy don't you? That's what they thought and look how they ended up. You're a push over like all the others.", Freya said with a small laugh.
"You're going to regret saying that. PHEBOS FIRE STORM!"
"Shield! I'm an even match for you. I'm second in power to Kinkomu. You can't win. FREYA SOLAR BLAST!"
The attack came so fast that I couldn't react and skidded on the ground before coming to a stop. My back burned and the back of my arms, too. I sat up getting myself together.
"Don't do that to our leader.", Triton said. The team formed a wall in front of me and challenged her to a fight.
"Guys I will not let you. I'm just a bit scratched up."
"Don't worry about it. We want to fight.", Saturn told me.
"TRITON ICE ILLUSION!"
"CALLISTO LIGHTING STORM!"
"DEIMOS TORNADO TREMOR!"
"TOTAL OUTRAGE!"
With the four attacks at once Freya took a huge hit. She wasn't too happy about taking a hit but she returned the favor and attacked the four of them at once. The four of them flew back and hit the ground.
"Leave 'em alone. Don't attack them. PHEBOS FIRE STORM! I can't stand to see them take the attacks."
"You are a wuss. FREYA WATER BLAST!"
I tried one of my attacks but fire can't stop water. I almost got hit but I heard, "SILENT WALL! Leave our princess alone."
"Saturn get out of here. I may need you to help later. It's bad enough that everyone else is out then you have you out, too."
"I have a sworn duty and I promised your mother a thousand years ago that I would do anything to protect you. The rest of the team took that promise when they became part of the team. Even you took that promise."
"So you want to take me on? You can't be hard to beat considering you're the smallest out of the group.", Freya asked looking Saturn over.
"I'm the strongest scout in my system."
"You? Who ever gave you that power will regret it."
After she said that I got mad and wanted to give everything I had.
"Freya don't say that about my mother! You have no right in saying that. She was the best mom in the world! PHEBOS PLANET ATTACK!"
"Phebos I have never seen you that mad. Why did you do that?", Saturn asked.
"She sacrificed her life to make sure all of us had another chance at a peaceful life. No one that I know could do that. Saturn get out of the way because I'm going to let her have it this time."
Freya struggled to get back on her feet. When she got up she started to laugh, "At least now I know how to get you mad. You can't allow your emotions to get in the way. You will never be able to think straight."
"You're wrong. Getting me mad is the mistake all the enemies make."
"If I'm wrong prove it. FREYA SOLAR BLAST!"
"PHEBOS FIRE SURROUND!"
She looked at me surprised. Freya had never fought me all she had seen was what I did against the others. She started thinking about what she could do to defeat me. I didn't want to kill her just defeat her. But if the planet attack only knocks her to the ground I would have no choice but to use the crystal.
"Phebos if you think you can defeat me you thought wrong."
"What?"
"I've been drawing power from something I found." she waved her hand and a dark ball appeared. "This will give me unlimited power which means you're dead no matter what you do. Dark energy ball give me the strength I need to get rid of her."
I used my arms to shield the wind that came from the dark energy. I peeked out a little and saw that her in a different outfit. I was surprised and all I could do was stare at her.
"This is so much better. This will be your grave."
"I don't think so. PHEBOS PLANET ATTACK!"
Sure enough the attack hit her but it didn't do anything.
"Don't mess up my hair. FREYA WATER BLAST!"
I got knocked down and was all cut up. I rubbed my left arm since it was sore. When I lifted my glove it was covered in blood. I looked at it, the top of the glove was gone and part of sleeve was too. The cut had to be at least two inches long and fairly deep. I never knew water could do that to a person. I thought to myself, If I was just a little stronger I could take her on. But if I fight her in the princess form I can't attack her. I just need a little more power.
"You going to give up? Everyone who has challenged me has ended up in the hospital. FREYA SOLAR BLAST!"
"STAR STORM SHOWER!"
"Fighter!"
"Go on and transform into your princess form. You at least stand a chance."
"I can't do anything if I'm in that form."
"Figure something out and come back. Go!"
I ran behind a tree and tried to figure something out. There is nothing I can do. I wish my mom was here she could at least encourage me to do my best. I heard someone's voice in my head telling me, Don't give up this easily. If you focus that power to the crystal it will lend you that power.
Queen Serenity?
Hmm mm. You can awaken your final form. A form that your sister didn't even reach in her most difficult battle. Just ask the crystal and it will grant your wish.
I got the crystal out of the broach and looked at it for awhile. I held it away from me and calmed down a little.
"Crystal please grant me the power I need to return Freya to normal. Let me return peace to this system." The crystal did nothing and I was so mad. I looked at the battle and saw him still fighting her even though he was in bad shape. I stood up and ran over there. I was not going to let history repeat itself again. When I reached them a light surrounded me. I closed my eyes and a strong wind blew. I opened my eyes and looked at my outfit. It had changed and I realized the crystal had granted me my wish. I had the confidence I needed to finish this fight.
"Leave him alone." I lifted the crystal over my head and focused the power I needed. I no longer depended on Serena to help me win. I was old enough to use the power myself. "PHEBOS CRYSTAL ATTACK!" I moved my arms so they were straight in front of me and the crystal released all of the power that had been stored up. The scouts looked on and had a shocked look on their faces. The attack hit her and a black light left her. She fell to the ground and laid there for awhile. I collapsed because I had used too much power. My final form could handle it but not this one. I tried to sit up but I didn't have the strength. The team came over and helped to my feet. I looked by Freya and she was thankfully back to normal.
"Phebos, I am so sorry. That energy corrupted my head. Will you forgive me?", Freya asked.
"Yeah. Is that why you did those things to Kakyuu?"
"Yes. It told me that she was holding everyone back. If it was not for you that force would have taken total control."
"Let's get you home.", Callisto said.
"Alecto are you coming with?", Triton asked.
"No. I'm going to help them. It was fun having all of you over. I'll set the coronates so you all can go home.", she answered.
They had to help me walk back to the teleporter. She keyed in the coronets so that we would be transported back to the house. We all waved bye to her as the light surrounded us.
When we were left off we all went in to relax. Selene saw that we were home and said that Serena wanted us back in Crystal Tokyo A.S.A.P.
"Will someone get us?", I asked.
"Setsuna-san should be coming. They said to have all your stuff together so all of us can get out of here fast.", she answered.
Everyone went to pack and were ready to go home. I was so tired but I packed everything and walked back into the front room. When Setsuna showed up it was already dark outside.
"All of you ready?", she asked us.
Everyone nodded their head yes. They grabbed their bags and went by her. Selene hopped on my shoulder and I had my bag on the other and went on over. She got one of the time keys out and she transported us back to Tokyo.
"You can go set your bags down in the rooms you used last time then go to the dining room.", Setsuna told us.
I didn't want to go up the stairs to the room.
"Ri come on. Do you need help with your bag? I'll take it for ya if it's too much.", Suz asked.
"Here. I really appreciate this. I would normally be fine..."
"Don't explain it. Which room is the one you stayed in?"
"The 5th on the right."
"Oh right next to mine. I'll drop my stuff off first, then yours, then we'll go down."
So we just that. Lita came up and told us that we needed to bring the transformation items and communicators down with us. That seemed weird since we had never needed to bring them down before. When we got down there the team was wondering why we had been called back to Tokyo. We didn't know if something was wrong and they needed our help or what.
"All of you take a seat. I know this is sudden calling you back here. With that being for final battle all of us in Tokyo started thinking that it would be best for you to forget everything that has happened.", Serena started. I looked up at her in disbelief.
"You have to be joking.", I said.
"No. We want all of you to hand over your communicators and wands. Then when you go back home you can repeat the time you've been fighting. You can grow up without knowing about your scout forms.", Amy responded. I sat in my seat slowly getting mad about what had been said.
"All of you just have to place your items in the middle of the table and leave them. When you go home time will repeat.", Raye added.
"No way!", I yelled getting out of my seat, "I will not hand anything over."
"You guys do have tonight and all day tomorrow to think about it.", Lita told us. I left the room very upset and slammed the door behind me. I ran out to the garden to think. I could not believe what they wanted us to do. True I have wished to be a normal girl but why now? We had just gotten used to it and now we had to go home without any memories. I couldn't image my life without all of this. Darien came out and wanted to talk to me but I didn't feel like talking.
"Why did you run out?"
"Why do you want the team to do this? What will come out of it?"
"I know you been fighting a lot longer than your team. You're used to fighting. I can tell you now that all of us wish that we had a normal life. Sure destiny meant for us to fight."
"You don't get it. I would forget all of this again. I'd forget Seiya and you and everyone else. Don't you remember when you got a second chance at living a normal life do you like it?"
"Not really. I have a question for you. If your team decides they want to lead normal lives again will you?"
"I would have no choice."
"You do have a choice. You still have tomorrow to spend here before you go home."
"It would be different. None of us will be this close without this. Now I don't know what to do. I don't want to forget any of this but..."
"Go talk to him. He might have an idea on what to do."
"What do think I should do?"
"I would take a normal life over fighting. If anything threatens your planet all of you will be awakened. Go and find him."
"Thank you."
I went to find Seiya but I didn't know where to look. I peeked into his room and he was in there.
"Maria, we've been wondering where you went."
"I don't know what to do. Should I go back to being a normal girl again?"
"Well, why don't you want to go back to being normal?"
"I'd forget about you. I've been fighting for a good two and a half years and to have to go back redo all of that would be hard. What would I do without you?"
He walked over by me and sat down and put his arms around me.
"Let's go out and do something. The team will decide to lead normal lives again and you will have to. If we never to get to see each other again let's at least do something together one more time. Go get your coat and we'll do something."
I went back to my room grabbed my coat. I closed the door and went back down the hall. He was waiting for me and we went off. The team expected this from the two of us. All of them knew how close we were and now we were going to separated. We didn't do that much but I wasn't in the mood for anything. We went by a small lake in a park and sat down on one of the benches. It was now dark in Tokyo. A cold wind started to blow some leaves around. I looked around and realized that this was the same park that I had run off to so many times when I needed to think.
"Want to go back? It is starting to get late.", he asked.
I was quiet for a few minutes when I finally answered, "Yes."
He knew that I didn't want to go home not without him. He didn't know what to do. Both of us had hoped that we could stay together forever, but this weird turn of events would not allow that. When we got back to the palace we went upstairs to our rooms. I got changed for bed when someone came in.
"Seiya what are you doing here? I thought you would have gone to bed."
"Not on our last night together. I thought about this while we were together and it seems like the right thing to do." He took my hands into his and gave me a kiss.
"But you always kiss me before we go to bed. What's so different?"
"I want to take it farther. If we never get to see each other again then we might as well."
"What if we get caught?"
"We won't. I locked the door when I came in. I will not do this if you don't want to."
I broke away deciding if this was right. We had gone out officially for a year, unofficially year and a two months. There would be no harm in doing this since time would repeat and it would be like it never happened. He came behind me and kissed my head, "Well what do you want to do?"
"Whatever you want to. We might regret not doing this so might as well.", I answered. I knew what he wanted to do but hoped we did not get caught. Everyone would let me have it if they found out.
"So you're willing to let do anything I want?"
"Yep. I could care less on what we do tonight. If no one will come in then we can do anything we want."
(I am not going to put any detail on what happened next. All of you readers know what happens next. If a guy and a girl are left alone in a bedroom and no way of getting caught think.)
I couldn't seem to fall asleep. He put his arm around me and pulled me closer, "What's wrong?"
"I can't sleep."
"It's alright. We can talk if you want to. Do you regret what we did earlier?"
"No. We should have done that sooner. Now I really don't want my memories tucked away."
"I have a feeling that we'll meet up again someday."
"What if we don't recognize each other?"
"We will. That is one thing I'm sure of. Try to get some sleep tonight."
I turned around and placed my arm across him and I fell asleep fast. The next morning I woke up to someone pounding on the door.
"What is it?", I asked.
"Are you coming down to breakfast? And why do you have the door locked?", Suz asked.
"None of your business! I won't be coming down."
"Fine! When you're hungry later don't complain."
"She is so annoying. Trying to be romantic and she comes and ruins it."
"That's ok. She's right about going down though."
I looked up at him surprised.
"Well, if we don't go down there now they will defiantly know something went on last night. I'm sure they heard something but ignored it. Let's get up, get dress, and go down."
"Alright."
We both got dressed and went down to breakfast.
"Why are both of you late?", Robert asked.
"Shut up. Didn't get much sleep last night.", I answered.
"Seiya where were you last night? Taiki and I looked for ya but you weren't in your room."
"And why was your door locked this morning?", Suz asked.
We knew we were caught. I didn't want to answer not in front of everybody.
"They don't have to answer those questions. They didn't get back until late and.....", Jen started, "You didn't did you?"
"Jen quiet.", I said calmly. I was trying not to get embarrassed but the team knew darn well what happened last night.
After breakfast I went back up to my room and shut the door. It was only because Yaten, Suz, and Jen had to say something.
"Hey can I come in?", Lita asked.
"Sure."
"Why did you get so embarrassed at breakfast? Is it something they said?", she asked sitting down next to me.
"It's what they didn't say that got me embarrassed. They just had to open their mouths."
"I don't get it. Your team knew what you meant but the rest of us are in the dark. The only reason why they know is they know Seiya and me too well."
"Can you tell me?"
"Do you really want to know? If I tell you have to promise not to tell anyone."
"I swear I won't tell anybody."
"The questions they asked....there is one answer. Lita I don't want to come out and say but think of what they asked."
"Oh my gosh! You did?"
"Oh yeah."
"What made you decide to?"
"If we're never going to see each other after today we might as well."
"You don't want your memories tucked away do you?"
"No. After everything that has happened I don't."
"Your team said they wanted to leave by noon. They said it would be better if it is not dragged out, the good-byes that is."
"They can't wait to go home but that is the last place I want to be. What will happen to Selene?"
"She'll probably stay here with us. If you want to do anything with him you better go now."
"Right. See ya later."
I found him outside under a tree in the courtyard. I walked up to him and he was asleep.
"Hey, want to do something?", I asked.
"Like what?"
"Maybe just stay out here 'til I have to go."
"Alright."
I sat down next to him and just felt relaxed all over. I wished time would stand still so this would never end.
"Promise me something.", I said.
"Like what?"
"That when I'm old enough you'll come and find me."
"Why are you so worried?"
"I don't want to lose you."
"Do you think after last night I'll forget about you? I don't want any other girl besides you. When you're old enough I swear I'll find you."
"Thank you. I don't want to repeat my sophomore year of school. I hated that year."
"You'll do fine. You have to get your stuff together you only have an hour left."
He stood up and helped me get up. We both went back up to my room. Most of my stuff was already except for a few things. I looked in the mirror and noticed the necklace.
"Seiya."
"Yeah."
"Take this.", I said taking the necklace off.
"Why? You don't want it?"
"No. When we meet up again give that to me and that might remember everything."
"Right."
"I want to say good-bye to you now so I don't get so emotional when we have to leave. You are the best guy a girl could ever have. If we don't find each other the girl who has you as a boyfriend is the luckiest in the galaxy. I don't know if you know this but you are the first guy I've ever gone out with."
"Stop crying.", he told me wiping the tears off of my face.
"I can't.", I told him. He held his arms open and I went to him. He stroked my hair trying to make me feel better.
"You have to stop crying or I'll start tearing up. I don't want this to end now, either. You need to give your broach to Serena."
"I know. I'll give it to her now."
"You'll have to hurry you have to leave in 15."
"I will."
I ran out of my room and down the stairs to the throne room.
"I'm sorry for barging in. I have to give you this.", I told her holding the broach out.
She took it from my hand, "I'll take good care of this for you. It took a lot to hand this over didn't it?"
"Yeah. Seiya had to convince me. If the team wants to go home and lead normal lives I have to, too."
"Well not everyone wants to go."
"What do you mean?"
"Robert has decided to stay back and do some training with....."
"Darien. I am so going to let him have it."
"Wait. He really wants to stay here. Besides if anything comes up we can send him and none you will have to fight."
"I know the four us have to leave in 10 minutes but it was fun coming here one last time. I'm glad I got to know you. I know I'm the younger sister but you helped me through a lot so did Darien. The two you were always there for me when I needed you."
"You're welcome. When Hotaru turns 18 and you don't have your memories you will get called back here and have restored."
"Promise?"
"Yeah. I keep my promises don't I?"
"Don't know. You might have a ditz attack."
"Come on. Let's go wait for the others in the front foyer."
She wasn't too happy about my comment but she knew I was joking around. Jen and Meghan were already waiting to go home. They had always stuck together. Hotaru came down along with Susie and all their stuff.
"Ready to go home?", I asked them.
"Where's Robert?", Hotaru asked.
"I'm staying back to train some more with Endymion. I'll help with things here and maybe I'll go back home.", he answered.
None of us cared really but it still bothered me. I had a sick feeling in my stomach about going home without Seiya and all of them. We looked at each other in the eyes and I couldn't help but go and hug him one last time.
"I love you.", I said through the tears.
"Darling quiet crying. Go on and go home. You're mom is probably worried sick about you. I love you, too and you already know that.", he gave one last kiss and gestured me to go back by the group.
"Well, the way time is going to work is when Maria first found Luna is when time will repeat. That was a good year ago. Get together tightly.", Setsuna told us.
"One more thing. I want to tell all of you. It was a great honor fighting along side of you.", I told everyone crying.
"You'll all be back one day. See you when that day comes.", Serena responded.
Setsuna waved her wand and a light surrounded the group. We kept an eye on everyone until finally we couldn't see them. That had to have been the saddest moment I have ever been through.
The bus jolted me awake.
"Stupid driver.", I said to myself.
The bus had just pulled up to my stop and I got off. I started walking down the street. It was October and I was looking forward to the homecoming dance on Saturday night. I took the elevator in my building up. I walked down the hall, unlocked the apartment door, and went straight to my room.
"It is so good to be home.", I said falling onto my bed.
End of New Battle.
Read onto 21 to find out how life was as a princess or skip ahead and find out what happens to the team. Did they ever go back to Tokyo or lead normal lives?