This is a bit of a different fanfic than I'm used to writing. I thought it was an interesting premise, so I decided to write it. Here go the disclaimers: I don't own Sailor Moon, so don't sue me, yada yada yada…

Anyway, if you want to email me, it's at Guardian4@atlantic.net. However, PLEASE put Fanfiction or something like that in the subject line. I get a lot of junk mail and I may just delete it without reading it otherwise, though I won't mean to.

Onto the story…

Angelic Embrace

Part 5

Doctor Mizuno was by no standards a narrow-minded person, but she had a great trouble believing in this new concept, 'magic' and Sailor Senshi. She sighed and her long time friend, Minako, turned to her with a curious look.

"What's the matter?"

"I just don't quite believe all that has happened."

For a time, Minako was silent. Characteristically, she thought deeply before answering. For the life of her, Ami couldn't understand why her friend had been so cheerful when they had been talking with those other people, though it seemed to be quite natural for her to be so cheerful. Minako hadn't ever been that cheerful in years and she always seemed to weigh her words. It seemed that being around 'Sailor Pluto' had changed her drastically. Now Ami found it hard to imagine Minako seriously, though she'd been serious, hardly laughing, for many years until now. What had happened three years to make her so serious she wouldn't even tell Ami.

"I do, strangely enough. It rings true."

"I don't deny that it sounds true, but still, it sounds unbelievable at the same time."

"Can you explain the dreams any other way?"

"…No."

They walked in silence for a while until they heard voices ahead of them. Automatically they slowed their pace, but even though they did, they still heard the voices clearly over the silence. It was that of the four men and brown-haired woman, Kino Makoto.

"Makoto? Are you even speaking to us?" Ami thought it might have been Jace.

There was silence.

"Oh don't sulk. It isn't like you." That was definitely Nick.

"Don't you dare say something isn't like me," she hissed and Ami could imagine the woman whirling around in anger. "I thought I knew who you were, but the way you were was just an act. You know nothing about me the same I know nothing about you!"

"Well this is me so get used to it." Ami was struck by the rudeness until he whispered, "Please. I'm sorry we had to lie and pretend toward you, but we had no choice, believe me. I had no wish to do that, but it was necessary. We didn't know if you were a Senshi, in which case we needed to talk. We were pretty sure you were, you just didn't know, but it wouldn't do to show who we were to you in case you really weren't a Senshi."

Makoto didn't say anything and there was the sound of thumping, heavy footfalls taking her farther away from the men, who continued to talk. Ami and Minako exchanged glances and continued listening, though Ami felt a bit guilty about eavesdropping.

"Well we sure pissed her off," said Jace in English. Minako, who had lived in England for a while, had no need to translate it for Ami, because Ami had studied just about every language in the world, though she was most proficient in English besides her native Japanese.

"I didn't hear you giving any other suggestions or courses of action," retorted Nick sourly.

"You really like her, don't you?" This was from Zale in a contemplative tone. Ami could practically see his thoughtful look and that thought led to how handsome he was. She blushed and Minako shot her an amused look, knowing what the good doctor was thinking about.

"Well, how could I not? You know how I felt about Jupiter in the past."

By now the two women were straining their ears to hear them, though not because the voices were drifting away. It was still quite clearly said, but even Ami was not immune to such a juicy bit of information.

"Does that extend to Makoto now?" The voice was rumbling and Ami had no trouble placing Keagan's deep bass.

"Yes and no. Much more now that we got to Japan and she met with Pluto. She's acting like Jupiter did, but I…I still love Jupiter how she used to be."

"Well we remembered our past clearly, like crystal, when we were three to five," remarked Jace. "We've always known what we were and what we had to do and what had gone on before. She hasn't and she's just learned the person who she's been looking for is her princess and in dire circumstances. You know what Jupiter was like in the Silver Millennium; it would have been tearing her apart. Who's to say she isn't feeling like it now? Also, maybe she just hasn't remembered anything, including you two's relationship."

"But you remember the day the Moon Kingdom fell. You know what was happening that day," said Nick soberly.

"Yeah, your—"

There was the sound of an elbow being slammed into some soft surface and a rush of air expelled. There was a mutter that could have come from anyone, but Ami rather thought it was Zale. After a rather long time of silence, they heard the unmistakable tones of Makoto.

"Are you coming?" she asked irately in Japanese.

"Yes, we are," replied Keagan in the same language.

They drew farther away, the conversation disappearing slowly from their ears. Ami and Minako looked at each other and Minako whistled softly. "Didn't know about that, that's for sure."

Ami nodded and they proceeded to walk in silence to their respective homes.

She entered the park in casual attire since she was not due at the hospital that day. Ami easily spotted Minako who was in animated conversation with someone. When she drew closer, Ami could see it was Hino Rei.

"Hello, Miss Hino," she said as she approached.

The woman rolled her eyes and said, "Just call me Rei and it's not—" She cut herself off and looked away.

"It's not what?"

"Nothing."

Minako and Ami exchanged glances. There was a story there, for sure, and Ami knew as if it was a sure as a rock that Minako would be the one prying it out of Rei. There was a rather uncomfortable silence until they were approached by two other people.

"Hello," greeted Michiru. Haruka nodded at them. They did not appear to hold any of the suspicion of yesterday.

"Good day, Miss Kaioh, Miss Tenou," replied Ami cordially.

"Just Michiru and Haruka," said the blonde with a smile.

Ami blushed. "It's just that it's conditioning. I always greet my patients like that."

"It's all right, Ami-chan," said Minako fondly. "We forgive you."

Easy laughter filtered around the group, though their conversation was relatively muted considering how many people were at the park. They certainly had no wish to be overheard.

"Follow me."

They turned and saw Sailor Pluto, dressed as a civilian. She wore a gold overcoat over a green t-shirt and black pants. Her ruby red eyes blinked rather benignly at them though there was a glint like glass deep in their centers.

"Shouldn't we wait for the others to arrive first?" Ami questioned quietly.

Sailor Pluto shook her head. "They arrived earlier, arguing at the top of their lungs." The older woman rolled her eyes. "I already took them to the meeting place to get them out of public. They're probably still arguing amongst themselves. Call me Meioh Setsuna when we are not Soldiers."

They nodded and followed silently in her wake. Ami and the others heard them long before they saw the men and Makoto. Setsuna cursed under her breath and broke out into a run, leaving the door open.

They had come to a large, open warehouse. Carefully Ami stepped in and looked around. There were a few chairs, a table, and one rather battered loveseat. There were boxes filling the edges of the room. A metal staircase led to a catwalk high above.

In the center of the room, of course, stood the four men and Makoto. Setsuna was in the middle of berating them when the five of them entered. Haruka crossed her arms and watched.

Finally Minako broke in. "Setsuna-san, why such a need for secrecy?"

Her shoulders were tight and taunt as she turned around to the blond woman. "We must be careful. If the enemy hears even a wisp of a Senshi, we'll be up to our ears in youma, daemons, and whatever else he might think up. It is imperative that no one knows who and what we are. With these five arguing about it at the top of their lungs it is a wonder the entire block doesn't know who and what we are by now."

Makoto glared at Setsuna and her hands clenched into fists. "Look, it was you who came to me! I didn't ask for this! You'll just have to deal with a few questions that you refuse to answer. I'll just leave."

Setsuna looked at her with calm eyes. "You wouldn't leave."

The brown-haired woman opened her mouth to dispute it and closed it without a word. It was apparent from the sullen and rebellious look on her face that Setsuna spoke true.

"What must we discuss?" Ami asked to break the silence.

"You must find a way to reach the princess, break her seal, and help the prince."

"Can you give us any tips on how to do that?" Rei's voice behind Ami was filled with sarcasm, as if she knew that Setsuna would say no.

Setsuna shook her head. "I've already meddled too much as it is. I cannot help you anymore."

With that, the woman left the warehouse and the people still there were left staring at each other. Minako stepped forward and took charge, which surprised Ami a bit. She was never usually the leader type, though they both knew she could be if she wanted to.

"We have to find a way to reach this princess. Since the only time we ever see this place is in our dreams, we have to do something then. We will have to arrange a time some day soon when to get together. When we go to sleep, we'll hold hands. Hopefully, we should end up together as a group near the bubble barrier and we can break it open."

Keagan gave her an approving look tinged with something else. Minako gave him a sidelong glance, but otherwise ignored him. Ami hid her smile. She knew Minako liked the tall man, but had had enough bad experiences to be cautious around him.

"Agreed," Haruka said. "However, there are a few things Michiru and I need to take care of in our daily lives, so we'll meet in…a week's time at our home. Here is the address. We'll do this experiment then."

Everyone nodded and the pair left quietly. Zale slid quietly up to her side, startling her. "Would you walk with me, Mizuno-san?"

Ami nodded and the two left. A backward glance showed Minako winking at her. Ami's cheeks burned, but she resolutely looked ahead. A few minutes of silence occurred before she decided to break it. "So, what did you wish to talk to me about?"

"May I call you, Ami, before I ask anything else?"

Ami finally looked up at him and into his deep green eyes, which were lighter than Makoto's. More like a sea green, she thought. "Yes, you may."

"Ami-chan, Setsuna-san told you that you are a Senshi. But do you remember it? Feel it inside? Or is it simply like someone telling you that you are something?"

Ami looked ahead and thought. "The truth, Zale-chan, is that it's both. I don't 'remember' anything about anything, but I don't feel as if someone just told me I am. I feel that I am inside myself, but I know nothing else."

He sighed, one laden with sadness, and she looked at him in curiosity. "Is there something wrong?"

Zale shook his head and ran his hand through his wavy blond hair. "Nothing."

"It isn't nothing, Indiano-san. I'm a doctor; don't try to fool me."

He opened his mouth to speak when he thrust her away from the road. A blast of purple light hit the pavement with a thundering crash. Ami looked up to see a man floating above them. His face was blank, but there was a cruelness, a coldness, about him that clutched at his shoulders and body like a tight cloak.

"Run, Ami-chan. Run!" cried Zale as his body brightened. A gray and green jacket formed. White gloves covered his slim hands and black boots that went up to his knees formed over his gray pants. On his shoulder awards and such were pinned, glinting off in the sun, most having a piece of zoisite stone embedded into it.

His hand glowed and an ice spear formed in his open palm. Zale placed his body in front of her and said in a dangerous voice, "I am the European Shitennou for Prince Endymion of Earth, second in command, Zoisite. For harming the prince and Princess of the Moon, Serenity, you will not escape my wrath."

The man simply smiled and thrust his palm out. Silver blue light gathered and pyramids of ice formed on the ground under his feet. With quick movements, he focused his fist toward the center of three consecutive ice pyramids. Like he had slammed it with a hammer, they shattered, the deadly ice shards flying at Zale and her.

Ami almost screamed, but some instinct kept her quiet. Zale crossed his arms over his chest as the pieces of ice hit him. They ripped his uniform and dark spots of blood began to seep into the fabric.

"Ami-chan, RUN!" he grunted.

With a last look at him, she ran with all her strength. She heard Zale yell something and she looked back. A gasp wrenched from her throat and she tried to run faster. Behind her were three monsters, each uglier and deadlier than the last.

She knew where she was running to and she knew she couldn't go there. Straight into the public would only hurt them. She swerved down a side road that she knew would lead to the ocean. It was a road that wasn't traveled by any except her.

Ami slipped and slid down the sand toward the beach. The youmas jumped and one caught her shoulder with steel claws. She fell, but her momentum down the slope was enough for the creature to be knocked off. Blood coated her shoulder and shirt, but she immediately got up and ran toward the water.

As soon as her feet touched it, her body glowed and she was sucked deep down. But Ami felt no fear, for some reason. Her slacks and shirt dissolved into a light, ice blue dress. On her neck was a choker made of dark blue silk. Suddenly she was thrust toward the surface.

Her face turned to the sun and her eyes closed. And she remembered.

Mercury looked down from the sky and back at the charging youmas. As the Princess of Mercury, she shouldn't be in the battle, but as the ice Senshi, she should be there.

"Freezing Ring!" Her wrist glowed brightly and ice formed in a ring around it. She pointed her wrist to the monster and chunks of ice grew and flew at it. It surrounded it in a circle and froze it in its tracks.

"Mercury, help Zoisite!"

Mercury's breath caught in her throat as Mars screamed at her to help her love. She turned to see sea green eyes and…

Her body glowed and Ami felt the ice magic turning her into a Soldier. She landed on the beach and glared at the youmas running at her. "This is for the princess!" she screamed. "Freezing Ring!"

Like in her memory, the attack flew at them, surrounding the three small youmas. They screamed, but the sound was cut off when the ice froze around them. Mercury kicked out at the motionless statues, shattering them.

With a mental command, her computer appeared in her palm, leading her back the way she had come and back to the battle.

When she arrived, the battle was being fought hard, but her friends were on the losing side. For a moment, confusion filled her as she watched her sister Senshi. They weren't using their attacks; they weren't fighting like they were trained to do, except maybe Jupiter…

Then she it hit her and she remembered. They didn't remember, like she did. A blast of red light and they were all thrown down. Uranus and Neptune weren't there, neither was Saturn. Mercury knew Pluto would be at the Time Gate, so she wasn't worried there. But where were Uranus and Neptune?

"Stop!"

Her voice was just as effective as her ice magic. It froze every combatant on the battlefield and they looked up at her, standing on a tree limb and looking every inch the cold warrior she was over her element, ice and fog.

"How dare you attack my friends! Ice and fog will be your downfall, as I am Sailor Mercury! Diamond Dust!"

Sparkles of ice blue light circled her form. Her hand rose above her head and an ice corridor appeared around the man and his seven youma. Mercury brought her arm down in a horizontal arc and a thin blast of blue light erupted in its wake, flying unerringly at its target, a column of ice that had formed in the center of the corridor, and shattering it.

The man cursed and disappeared. The ice disappeared in sparkling lights, leaving wounded youma behind. Mercury's eyes narrowed. Though she was by far the least physical of the group, her anger nearly consumed her and she jumped down, kicking hard and punching the remaining five youma. Her hits were not as effective or deadly as the other Senshi, but they served long enough to stun her enemies while the rest of the Senshi moved in for the kill.

When the youma were but dust on the ground, Mercury, breathing heavily, turned. She had not noticed before, but she noticed now, the Shitennou there as well. Her eyes widened in shock and recognition at one in particular.

"Zoisite!"

His face broke into a broad, ecstatic smile as she ran to him. He twirled her around and around in his arms as Mercury alternated between laughing and crying in happiness.

Finally he set her down and Mercury gave him passionate kiss. When she pulled away, her cheeks were flushed with bliss and her blue eyes sparkled. She turned away to greet the other Shitennou, who embraced her warmly as a sister or close friend. She remembered how close the prince, princess, Inner Senshi, and the Shitennou had gotten before the fall of the Moon Kingdom and it was a wonderful feeling to have it back again.

Mercury turned to her fellow Senshi, but Mars and Jupiter just stared at her suspiciously before walking away. She consoled herself that they just didn't remember. After all, they'd just met in this life.

Minako walked up to her curiously, though she was a bit more withdrawn than usual. She smiled at her friend. Minako smiled back, somewhat hesitantly. "I'll see you tomorrow, then, Ami-chan? I'm afraid I must have some time alone to think."

She nodded and the blond walked away, slowly detransforming. Mercury sighed and Zoisite put an arm around her shoulders. She smiled up at him and he kissed her gently. They nodded at the other Shitennou and walked away. The three left, shook their heads, half in happiness, and half in sadness as they went their separate ways.

End part 5

I know Mercury doesn't have a Freezing Ring or Diamond Dust. These are copyrighted attacks from Legend of Dragoon. I don't own the game (actually I own the game but I didn't make it), Sony does and Playstation.

 For future reference, I'll probably use other attacks for them because I love them, though the way the Senshi use these magic attacks are different from the game.