Here's Chapter Sixteen! Enjoy! :)
Chad is Mars Knight?
Serena grinned sweetly at Darien, letting her eyes linger on his. He smiled back and bent down to kiss her waiting lips. Being in the rose garden was so romantic. The sweet smell of the flowers enveloped them, and they drowned in the soft perfume. He looked down at his beautiful princess, and felt such a surge in his heart that he wanted to cling to her and never let her go! She stared into his sapphire eyes, wishing at this instant they could be married and rightfully belong to one another.
Darien looked back towards the ballroom and immediately wanted to reenact his favorite memory of the Moon Kingdom. "Come my princess," he said smiling, offering her his arm. "The ball awaits, and you look so very beautiful."
Serena grinned and took it, leaning against him. She waited for the world to stop spinning as she realized she was his, and he was hers. Such beautiful thoughts could be so easily disbelieved.
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Amara spun Michelle across the ballroom floor, both stepping lightly and with such grace that they might have been mistaken as one. They moved together perfectly, blending and matching tempo so that many had to stop and watch. Amara was dressed in her usual male attire and having her elegant love in her arms made her look as happy as she felt. They were both wonderful dancers, artists in every way. The music ended, as did Amara with a graceful dip of Michelle. They smiled at each other, marveling at how perfect their partnership really was.
Michelle's smile suddenly faded and she stood up, obvious torment in her eyes.
"What's the matter?" Amara asked quickly, seeing her friend's distress.
"The Sea..." Michelle murmured softly. "It is churning, boiling... Something is coming Amara, something strong." She suddenly tipped unsteadily and Amara had to catch her before she sank to her knees, her aquamarine dress spilling around her.
"Michelle!" Amara cried, alarmed!
Michelle looked up at her, her eyes pleading with Amara's. "I'm fine Amara. We just have to warn the scouts, this is important. It's not here yet, but it's getting stronger." She said softly.
"All right Michelle, let's go find them." Amara said, making sure her friend was all right. When she was satisfied Michelle was okay, she took her hand and led her towards Amy and Mina, who were talking with Anthony and Greg.
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Raye wasn't having a very good time anymore. She had met this guy Jake- who was really cute- but not as cute as Chad. She kept looking for him in the crowd, but she couldn't find him, no matter how hard she tried. Jake just kept rambling on and on about himself until he noticed she wasn't listening anymore.
"Hey, uh, Raye. What do you say we get out of here?" Jake asked casually.
"Huh?" Raye asked, absentmindedly. "And go where?"
"Well, uh, you seem a little distracted... Just get out of here, go to my place or something." He said, grinning at her.
Raye turned around and looked at him. "To your place? And do what?" Raye asked, sort of surprised.
"Well, you know... We could have a little fun. I like you, you're cute, so let's get out of here and go somewhere that we can be a little more comfortable." He said, taking her arm.
"Excuse me?" Raye asked angrily, jerking her arm away. "Why would I want to go anywhere with you?"
Jake's face turned a few shades of pink at the volume of Raye's voice. He stepped forward and grabbed her arm roughly again, and came up close, his face inches from hers.
"Let go of me!" Raye protested, trying to take her arm away again, but he held it fast in an iron grip.
"What is this?" he whispered fiercely. "You lead me on all night and now you tell me I get nothing! I could've flirted with ten girls in the amount of time I spent with you- and now you're not going to do anything with me!"
His angry face was quickly turned to one of surprise when he was grabbed roughly from behind and yanked backwards. In a few easy motions, he was laying on the floor with his arms pinned behind him. Raye gazed at her savior in surprise and gratitude. Chad met it with a silent plea, asking her if she was all right. When he had verified this, he looked down once again at the boy beneath him.
"You should show better manners than what I just witnessed. Someone ought to teach you how to treat a beautiful lady. Next time I catch you touching her in any way, you're going to be in a world of hurt." Chad said coldly, allowing the guy to get up.
Jake took one look at Raye, wanting to say something horrible, but stopped when he saw how Chad looked at him. He straightened his jacket and headed for the door, keeping his head low in embarrassment.
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Lita and Ken danced across the floor, so engrossed with one another the ballroom seemed to disappear around them. Lita thought of the dance in her dream, while Ken thought of a dance with a distant princess, whom he couldn't remember, but somehow felt very close. They were beautiful to watch, using the dance to express their love that couldn't be said in words.
Amy watched them with avid interest, marveling at how well they suited each other. 'They're like Greg and I,' she thought. 'I wonder why Lita claims not to like him. He's obviously crazy about her. I wonder if she feels the same way...'
Amy looked up at her own date that was watching her closely. She smiled at Greg, and he looked back at her with such love, her heart hurt.
"Come, my prince." Amy said kissing him. "Let's join them in a dance."
Greg laughed and nodded. He took her hand and led her out to the dance floor, pulling her close he placed his hands on her waist gently. He twirled her across the floor as she picked up the beat. She danced as gracefully as Lita, not relying on her partner to guide her around as Serena, Mina, and Raye did. The lessons in the Silver Millennium had served their purpose. She smiled softly at the memory, but soon abandoned the thoughts of her friends as she picked up the beat of the music again.
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Twister landed outside a large beautifully crafted mansion. She stared at it for a moment, realizing it somehow looked very familiar. Her thoughts were broken as Leveler came down next to her. Twister hated to admit it, but Leveler was repulsive to her. Screamer had been worse, but Twister sometimes wondered why Queen Malice claimed they were related.
"Are you ready sister?" Twister asked in her same breathy voice.
"Ready as I'll ever be!" Leveler answered in a gruff, deep voice.
"Good, we'll attack in a short while then. I'm going to take a look around this place, get a sense of our surroundings." Twister said mysteriously.
"Why? There's nothing to see on this stinking planet!" Leveler retorted, snorting a little. She began to scratch a flea on the back of her neck.
Twister cringed, looking away with a touch of disgust. "It reminds me of something... I just want to look around." She said curtly. She tossed her long white hair behind her and flashed her gray eyes. Her dress swirled around her, barely a dress at all, but managing to conceal her body at the same time. "I'll only be a few moments. Wait for me here."
Leveler nodded uncertainly. 'What is up with her?' She wondered silently.
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Mina waltzed across the floor in Anthony's arms. Girls turned their heads to stare at them, watching Anthony with love-struck eyes. Mina smiled a little under their jealous looks. The guys were looking equally envious of Anthony. The Sailor Soldiers had been getting tons of attention all night, as well as the Knights. Greg was beating the guys off of Amy with a stick, and even Lita with her height, was getting tons of attention. But Lita had eyes only for Ken, who danced her across the floor with such fluid grace they seemed almost regal. Lita had never looked so happy, and neither had Mina.
Mina's thoughts shifted from her friends to the man who was holding her in his arms. She smiled at her dear Venus Knight, and pulled him closer, till her head was placed on his chest. Anthony looked down at the beautiful blond head of his love. He kissed her hair softly, and then twirled her around, making her laugh. He dipped her and met her lips with a kiss that sent shivers down her spine.
When they had parted, Mina looked up at him with tears of happiness in her eyes. "Anthony, will you ever leave me? Will you always love me?" She asked softly, reaching up to touch his cheek.
Anthony looked at her, and leaned his face into her hand. His eyes were so full of love that she believed, even before the words came from his lips.
"Mina, my darling, no one could ever take your place. You are my life, my love, and I could never let you go, not for anything in the world. You are the first thing I think of when I wake in the morning, and the last thing before I go to sleep. You are my sky, my air, my world, and I couldn't bear to be separated from you." He said earnestly.
Mina threw her arms around him and clung to him as if he was a dream and would disappear any moment. 'If he is a dream, she thought silently, 'then let me never wake up. I want to stay asleep forever, as long as I can be with him.'
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Raye looked at Chad with admiration and appreciation. She was so happy he had been there for her, but she was also ashamed. She had deliberately tried to ignore him all night and now he had come to her rescue, regardless of the way she had treated him. Tears filled her eyes and a wave of emotion swept over her, making her heart pound. She gasped.
"Raye..." Chad spoke, looking at her with concern. "Are you all right?"
Raye jerked her head up, confused with the situation, confused about her new emotions, confused on how to deal with them, and she reacted the only way she knew how.
"I'm fine! I didn't need your help! Why can't you just leave me alone for a few minutes?" Raye said, unable to control her anger.
Chad stepped back, stunned, and obviously hurt. He shuddered and turned. He walked out of the ballroom before she could see the tears in his eyes.
Raye stared after him, then gasped as she realized what she had done. Lita and Ken, who had been standing nearby, walked over to her. They had seen everything.
"Raye, what was that all about? I think 'thank you' were the words you should have used." Lita said, looking at Raye hard. "Raye, he just did you a favor, I think you should go apologize to him."
She nodded mutely, extremely ashamed of herself, and walked across the ballroom and out the door. She stared at the garden, so beautiful in the moonlight.
'Everything is beautiful tonight,' she thought sadly. 'And I had to go and ruin it.'
She walked out under the rose arches, going towards the lake, and found Chad underneath a willow tree. The lovely arms of the tree spread over him, while its finger-like branches tried to hide him in his misery. He sat on one of the upraised roots, looking at the lake as the tears ran out of the corners of his eyes. The moonlight shone through the branches of the tree, creating soft shadows on him, and making his shining eyes glitter.
'He looks so beautiful,' she thought, 'and so familiar.'
She stepped on a fallen branch and jumped as it cracked beneath her weight. Chad started and turned. He gasped and wiped the tears from his cheeks, standing up with reluctance. He had hoped to be alone.
"Raye..." he started.
"No," Raye interrupted suddenly, "let me say something." He stopped and simply stared at her. Raye lowered her eyes to the ground, trying to put the words jumbled in her mind together. She looked up, tears in her eyes. "Chad, since the day you came to my temple, all you've done is help me. You've helped me clean, cook, do laundry, and take care of Grandpa, and have never even asked for so much as a cent for your services. You have done countless wonderful things for me and I have repaid you with nothing but my cruelty."
"Raye, don't..." Chad interrupted.
"NO!" Raye spat. "Let me finish!" She regained her composure as quickly as she could. She didn't want to blow up like she did in the ballroom. "Chad, all I'm trying to say is that I'm sorry. It was cruel and stupid of me to say what I said in there. You do not bother me and you've been nothing but a help to our family, and I thank you for that. I'm sorry for how I treated you, and I hope you can forgive me."
Chad was speechless, completely stunned to see her looking so sincere. He looked down, wishing he could hold her, and wishing he could tell her how he felt. He placed his hands in his pocket, and felt the stone. It was hot as he touched it, but the heat died as he took it out. The glow, however, remained.
"Raye," he said, getting her attention. "I do forgive you. There hasn't been a day where I could stay mad at you. I've always blamed it on myself, and never expected any apology. I love you, you know." He turned away, not quite believing he had said it, but he found resolve in his words. "I love you Raye Hino, I always have, and I'll never stop."
Raye stared at him in amazement, but with fear as well. Fear for her, and fear for him and his feelings. She did not want him to love her when she didn't love him back.
"I wanted to give you this, Raye." Chad began again, staring at the stone in his hands. It was iridescent with its red shine. "I wanted to give it to you when the time was right. I think now is as good of a time as any." He walked over to her. Raye stared at the stone, entranced by its red beauty.
She reached for it, and he took her hand and led it towards his own. The stone glowed brightly, like red fire, lighting both of them up. Raye swayed dizzily on her feet but touched the stone anyway. She couldn't resist it.
She suddenly felt this enormous feeling of vertigo, and cried out as it washed over her. Chad was gasping too, wanting to let go of the stone, but unable to. He pulled Raye close and didn't even notice when stone fell beneath them. A light flashed from it, enveloping the two, and they were transported away, guided by the Goddess of Time.
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Chad awoke to find himself in a strange place. A mist swirled around him, preventing him from seeing anything. He looked down and found Raye lying at his feet. He bent down and gently shook her. Her eyes fluttered open in surprise and she sat up, letting herself remain in his arms before the dizziness stopped.
Raye suddenly gasped as a figure loomed above them. She stood up, ready to fight, when suddenly Chad stepped in front of her.
"Who are you?" Chad demanded of the figure shadowed by the mist.
"You have nothing to fear, I'm a friend." a gentle and mystical voice replied from the mists. A woman came into view suddenly, and Raye recognized her immediately.
"Sailor Pluto! What are you doing here?" Raye demanded. "Where are we?"
"You are in front of the Gates of Time, Raye. The time has come to reveal the secrets of your planet." Sailor Pluto said gently.
"Trista! Aren't you forgetting something? You brought Chad here too! Did you forget he's not one of us?" Raye said fiercely.
"No Sailor Mars. I have forgotten nothing, nor have I made a mistake in bringing him here." Trista said gently.
"Excuse me, but what are you guys talking about? Raye, you're Sailor who?" Chad asked, a little nervous.
Trista diverted her attention from Raye to Chad. "Welcome Mars Knight," she said to Chad. "I have brought you here to reveal to you your past."
Raye gasped, stunned. She suddenly felt faint. Chad is Mars Knight?
"What?" Raye asked weakly. "Say that again."
"You heard me Sailor Mars. Yes, Chad is Mars Knight. I want you to reveal yourself to him before I explain. Do you have your transformation stick with you?" Sailor Pluto asked.
Raye stared at her, incredulous. Chad couldn't be Mars Knight! He just couldn't, it was impossible! She would've remembered him- had some sort of recollection of him in all this time. There was no way! She wanted to scream out no, say it wasn't true, deny it... but she found herself nodding. She stood up and readied her transformation stick.
"Raye! What's going on? What are you guys talking about? Where am I?" Chad was getting nervous now, he felt excluded- like everyone knew something he didn't.
"Don't worry Chad." Raye found herself saying. "This will explain everything. I have kept this secret from you and Grandpa for a very long time, but I guess now I can share it with you." She shot a look at Trista, who seemed oblivious to her glare.
Raye readied herself and held the stick above her head. Chad watched her with surprise. 'What's she doing?' He thought. 'She looks crazy... This has got to be a dream!'
Raye sighed softly and recited the words that were so familiar to her now.
"MARS CRYSTAL POWER!!!"
Raye watched the red light surge from her stick and envelop her. She felt the red fire encircle her with a burning sensation that was quickly replaced by an enormous rush of power. She finished her transformation with a brief pose. She looked over at Chad, who was gaping at her in disbelief!
"You're-you're her." he murmured, not believing. "You've saved me before, I remember you!"
"Yes, Chad. I am Sailor Mars. I have saved you from the Negaverse a few times... Now you know my secret..." she said looking down. She shifted her gaze to Sailor Pluto. "And now I want to know why he had to know my secret! Trista, is he really Mars Knight?"
` "Yes, Raye, he is. I am now going to reveal to you your past. I will take you back to the final days of the Moon Kingdom, as well as the Kingdom of Mars..." she added. She turned to Chad.
"Chad, or rather, Mars Knight... Long ago there was a beautiful period of time known as the Silver Millennium. It was a wonderful epoch, where all the planets of the Solar System were united, and all dependent upon each other. We were the perfect team. Your planet, as well as many others, protected the base of the Silver Millennium: the Moon." She paused and continued. Chad listened intently, for all of it was very familiar.
"The Moon was ruled by an amazing woman named Queen Serenity. She was raising her daughter, Princess Serena, to take over once she came of age. Princess Serena was destined to be the most powerful ruler in the world once she took the throne. In an attempt to protect her, the princesses of the surrounding planets were made her guardians. One of these guardians was Princess Raye, also known as Sailor Mars." Chad's eyes wandered to Raye, who stood, listening just as avidly as he was.
"But as you know, Princess Serena wasn't the only one who needed a guardian. The other princesses were given one as well, a male counterpart, who was chosen by destiny to contain as much power as their respective princess. These guardians were destined to be the husbands of these princesses, and rule their planets in peace. Meanwhile, Princess Serena was betrothed to Prince Darien, in an attempt to unite the Earth and the Moon forever."
"All of this peace and planning ended when a massive, evil energy broke loose of its dimension. Queen Beryl had escaped from her prison, ready to unleash the awesome power of the Negaforce onto the unsuspecting planets." Chad shuddered at the name of the queen, remembering it from his vivid dream. Sailor Pluto saw this and nodded, she now knew he had some recollection of his past.
"Now don't be frightened. I am going to take you back to the final days of the Kingdom of Mars, for another story must be told, a story of much tragedy and pain." She held up her Time Key, and the huge doors opened, revealing a bright light from within. Sailor Pluto turned, looking behind her. "Come, but remember, you are nothing but silent observers, what's done is done. You must now look to the future. Look at this as only a chapter of your past."
Raye and Chad nodded, and taking hands, followed the Sailor Soldier of Time into the unknown.
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Chad is Mars Knight?
Serena grinned sweetly at Darien, letting her eyes linger on his. He smiled back and bent down to kiss her waiting lips. Being in the rose garden was so romantic. The sweet smell of the flowers enveloped them, and they drowned in the soft perfume. He looked down at his beautiful princess, and felt such a surge in his heart that he wanted to cling to her and never let her go! She stared into his sapphire eyes, wishing at this instant they could be married and rightfully belong to one another.
Darien looked back towards the ballroom and immediately wanted to reenact his favorite memory of the Moon Kingdom. "Come my princess," he said smiling, offering her his arm. "The ball awaits, and you look so very beautiful."
Serena grinned and took it, leaning against him. She waited for the world to stop spinning as she realized she was his, and he was hers. Such beautiful thoughts could be so easily disbelieved.
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Amara spun Michelle across the ballroom floor, both stepping lightly and with such grace that they might have been mistaken as one. They moved together perfectly, blending and matching tempo so that many had to stop and watch. Amara was dressed in her usual male attire and having her elegant love in her arms made her look as happy as she felt. They were both wonderful dancers, artists in every way. The music ended, as did Amara with a graceful dip of Michelle. They smiled at each other, marveling at how perfect their partnership really was.
Michelle's smile suddenly faded and she stood up, obvious torment in her eyes.
"What's the matter?" Amara asked quickly, seeing her friend's distress.
"The Sea..." Michelle murmured softly. "It is churning, boiling... Something is coming Amara, something strong." She suddenly tipped unsteadily and Amara had to catch her before she sank to her knees, her aquamarine dress spilling around her.
"Michelle!" Amara cried, alarmed!
Michelle looked up at her, her eyes pleading with Amara's. "I'm fine Amara. We just have to warn the scouts, this is important. It's not here yet, but it's getting stronger." She said softly.
"All right Michelle, let's go find them." Amara said, making sure her friend was all right. When she was satisfied Michelle was okay, she took her hand and led her towards Amy and Mina, who were talking with Anthony and Greg.
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Raye wasn't having a very good time anymore. She had met this guy Jake- who was really cute- but not as cute as Chad. She kept looking for him in the crowd, but she couldn't find him, no matter how hard she tried. Jake just kept rambling on and on about himself until he noticed she wasn't listening anymore.
"Hey, uh, Raye. What do you say we get out of here?" Jake asked casually.
"Huh?" Raye asked, absentmindedly. "And go where?"
"Well, uh, you seem a little distracted... Just get out of here, go to my place or something." He said, grinning at her.
Raye turned around and looked at him. "To your place? And do what?" Raye asked, sort of surprised.
"Well, you know... We could have a little fun. I like you, you're cute, so let's get out of here and go somewhere that we can be a little more comfortable." He said, taking her arm.
"Excuse me?" Raye asked angrily, jerking her arm away. "Why would I want to go anywhere with you?"
Jake's face turned a few shades of pink at the volume of Raye's voice. He stepped forward and grabbed her arm roughly again, and came up close, his face inches from hers.
"Let go of me!" Raye protested, trying to take her arm away again, but he held it fast in an iron grip.
"What is this?" he whispered fiercely. "You lead me on all night and now you tell me I get nothing! I could've flirted with ten girls in the amount of time I spent with you- and now you're not going to do anything with me!"
His angry face was quickly turned to one of surprise when he was grabbed roughly from behind and yanked backwards. In a few easy motions, he was laying on the floor with his arms pinned behind him. Raye gazed at her savior in surprise and gratitude. Chad met it with a silent plea, asking her if she was all right. When he had verified this, he looked down once again at the boy beneath him.
"You should show better manners than what I just witnessed. Someone ought to teach you how to treat a beautiful lady. Next time I catch you touching her in any way, you're going to be in a world of hurt." Chad said coldly, allowing the guy to get up.
Jake took one look at Raye, wanting to say something horrible, but stopped when he saw how Chad looked at him. He straightened his jacket and headed for the door, keeping his head low in embarrassment.
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Lita and Ken danced across the floor, so engrossed with one another the ballroom seemed to disappear around them. Lita thought of the dance in her dream, while Ken thought of a dance with a distant princess, whom he couldn't remember, but somehow felt very close. They were beautiful to watch, using the dance to express their love that couldn't be said in words.
Amy watched them with avid interest, marveling at how well they suited each other. 'They're like Greg and I,' she thought. 'I wonder why Lita claims not to like him. He's obviously crazy about her. I wonder if she feels the same way...'
Amy looked up at her own date that was watching her closely. She smiled at Greg, and he looked back at her with such love, her heart hurt.
"Come, my prince." Amy said kissing him. "Let's join them in a dance."
Greg laughed and nodded. He took her hand and led her out to the dance floor, pulling her close he placed his hands on her waist gently. He twirled her across the floor as she picked up the beat. She danced as gracefully as Lita, not relying on her partner to guide her around as Serena, Mina, and Raye did. The lessons in the Silver Millennium had served their purpose. She smiled softly at the memory, but soon abandoned the thoughts of her friends as she picked up the beat of the music again.
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Twister landed outside a large beautifully crafted mansion. She stared at it for a moment, realizing it somehow looked very familiar. Her thoughts were broken as Leveler came down next to her. Twister hated to admit it, but Leveler was repulsive to her. Screamer had been worse, but Twister sometimes wondered why Queen Malice claimed they were related.
"Are you ready sister?" Twister asked in her same breathy voice.
"Ready as I'll ever be!" Leveler answered in a gruff, deep voice.
"Good, we'll attack in a short while then. I'm going to take a look around this place, get a sense of our surroundings." Twister said mysteriously.
"Why? There's nothing to see on this stinking planet!" Leveler retorted, snorting a little. She began to scratch a flea on the back of her neck.
Twister cringed, looking away with a touch of disgust. "It reminds me of something... I just want to look around." She said curtly. She tossed her long white hair behind her and flashed her gray eyes. Her dress swirled around her, barely a dress at all, but managing to conceal her body at the same time. "I'll only be a few moments. Wait for me here."
Leveler nodded uncertainly. 'What is up with her?' She wondered silently.
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Mina waltzed across the floor in Anthony's arms. Girls turned their heads to stare at them, watching Anthony with love-struck eyes. Mina smiled a little under their jealous looks. The guys were looking equally envious of Anthony. The Sailor Soldiers had been getting tons of attention all night, as well as the Knights. Greg was beating the guys off of Amy with a stick, and even Lita with her height, was getting tons of attention. But Lita had eyes only for Ken, who danced her across the floor with such fluid grace they seemed almost regal. Lita had never looked so happy, and neither had Mina.
Mina's thoughts shifted from her friends to the man who was holding her in his arms. She smiled at her dear Venus Knight, and pulled him closer, till her head was placed on his chest. Anthony looked down at the beautiful blond head of his love. He kissed her hair softly, and then twirled her around, making her laugh. He dipped her and met her lips with a kiss that sent shivers down her spine.
When they had parted, Mina looked up at him with tears of happiness in her eyes. "Anthony, will you ever leave me? Will you always love me?" She asked softly, reaching up to touch his cheek.
Anthony looked at her, and leaned his face into her hand. His eyes were so full of love that she believed, even before the words came from his lips.
"Mina, my darling, no one could ever take your place. You are my life, my love, and I could never let you go, not for anything in the world. You are the first thing I think of when I wake in the morning, and the last thing before I go to sleep. You are my sky, my air, my world, and I couldn't bear to be separated from you." He said earnestly.
Mina threw her arms around him and clung to him as if he was a dream and would disappear any moment. 'If he is a dream, she thought silently, 'then let me never wake up. I want to stay asleep forever, as long as I can be with him.'
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Raye looked at Chad with admiration and appreciation. She was so happy he had been there for her, but she was also ashamed. She had deliberately tried to ignore him all night and now he had come to her rescue, regardless of the way she had treated him. Tears filled her eyes and a wave of emotion swept over her, making her heart pound. She gasped.
"Raye..." Chad spoke, looking at her with concern. "Are you all right?"
Raye jerked her head up, confused with the situation, confused about her new emotions, confused on how to deal with them, and she reacted the only way she knew how.
"I'm fine! I didn't need your help! Why can't you just leave me alone for a few minutes?" Raye said, unable to control her anger.
Chad stepped back, stunned, and obviously hurt. He shuddered and turned. He walked out of the ballroom before she could see the tears in his eyes.
Raye stared after him, then gasped as she realized what she had done. Lita and Ken, who had been standing nearby, walked over to her. They had seen everything.
"Raye, what was that all about? I think 'thank you' were the words you should have used." Lita said, looking at Raye hard. "Raye, he just did you a favor, I think you should go apologize to him."
She nodded mutely, extremely ashamed of herself, and walked across the ballroom and out the door. She stared at the garden, so beautiful in the moonlight.
'Everything is beautiful tonight,' she thought sadly. 'And I had to go and ruin it.'
She walked out under the rose arches, going towards the lake, and found Chad underneath a willow tree. The lovely arms of the tree spread over him, while its finger-like branches tried to hide him in his misery. He sat on one of the upraised roots, looking at the lake as the tears ran out of the corners of his eyes. The moonlight shone through the branches of the tree, creating soft shadows on him, and making his shining eyes glitter.
'He looks so beautiful,' she thought, 'and so familiar.'
She stepped on a fallen branch and jumped as it cracked beneath her weight. Chad started and turned. He gasped and wiped the tears from his cheeks, standing up with reluctance. He had hoped to be alone.
"Raye..." he started.
"No," Raye interrupted suddenly, "let me say something." He stopped and simply stared at her. Raye lowered her eyes to the ground, trying to put the words jumbled in her mind together. She looked up, tears in her eyes. "Chad, since the day you came to my temple, all you've done is help me. You've helped me clean, cook, do laundry, and take care of Grandpa, and have never even asked for so much as a cent for your services. You have done countless wonderful things for me and I have repaid you with nothing but my cruelty."
"Raye, don't..." Chad interrupted.
"NO!" Raye spat. "Let me finish!" She regained her composure as quickly as she could. She didn't want to blow up like she did in the ballroom. "Chad, all I'm trying to say is that I'm sorry. It was cruel and stupid of me to say what I said in there. You do not bother me and you've been nothing but a help to our family, and I thank you for that. I'm sorry for how I treated you, and I hope you can forgive me."
Chad was speechless, completely stunned to see her looking so sincere. He looked down, wishing he could hold her, and wishing he could tell her how he felt. He placed his hands in his pocket, and felt the stone. It was hot as he touched it, but the heat died as he took it out. The glow, however, remained.
"Raye," he said, getting her attention. "I do forgive you. There hasn't been a day where I could stay mad at you. I've always blamed it on myself, and never expected any apology. I love you, you know." He turned away, not quite believing he had said it, but he found resolve in his words. "I love you Raye Hino, I always have, and I'll never stop."
Raye stared at him in amazement, but with fear as well. Fear for her, and fear for him and his feelings. She did not want him to love her when she didn't love him back.
"I wanted to give you this, Raye." Chad began again, staring at the stone in his hands. It was iridescent with its red shine. "I wanted to give it to you when the time was right. I think now is as good of a time as any." He walked over to her. Raye stared at the stone, entranced by its red beauty.
She reached for it, and he took her hand and led it towards his own. The stone glowed brightly, like red fire, lighting both of them up. Raye swayed dizzily on her feet but touched the stone anyway. She couldn't resist it.
She suddenly felt this enormous feeling of vertigo, and cried out as it washed over her. Chad was gasping too, wanting to let go of the stone, but unable to. He pulled Raye close and didn't even notice when stone fell beneath them. A light flashed from it, enveloping the two, and they were transported away, guided by the Goddess of Time.
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Chad awoke to find himself in a strange place. A mist swirled around him, preventing him from seeing anything. He looked down and found Raye lying at his feet. He bent down and gently shook her. Her eyes fluttered open in surprise and she sat up, letting herself remain in his arms before the dizziness stopped.
Raye suddenly gasped as a figure loomed above them. She stood up, ready to fight, when suddenly Chad stepped in front of her.
"Who are you?" Chad demanded of the figure shadowed by the mist.
"You have nothing to fear, I'm a friend." a gentle and mystical voice replied from the mists. A woman came into view suddenly, and Raye recognized her immediately.
"Sailor Pluto! What are you doing here?" Raye demanded. "Where are we?"
"You are in front of the Gates of Time, Raye. The time has come to reveal the secrets of your planet." Sailor Pluto said gently.
"Trista! Aren't you forgetting something? You brought Chad here too! Did you forget he's not one of us?" Raye said fiercely.
"No Sailor Mars. I have forgotten nothing, nor have I made a mistake in bringing him here." Trista said gently.
"Excuse me, but what are you guys talking about? Raye, you're Sailor who?" Chad asked, a little nervous.
Trista diverted her attention from Raye to Chad. "Welcome Mars Knight," she said to Chad. "I have brought you here to reveal to you your past."
Raye gasped, stunned. She suddenly felt faint. Chad is Mars Knight?
"What?" Raye asked weakly. "Say that again."
"You heard me Sailor Mars. Yes, Chad is Mars Knight. I want you to reveal yourself to him before I explain. Do you have your transformation stick with you?" Sailor Pluto asked.
Raye stared at her, incredulous. Chad couldn't be Mars Knight! He just couldn't, it was impossible! She would've remembered him- had some sort of recollection of him in all this time. There was no way! She wanted to scream out no, say it wasn't true, deny it... but she found herself nodding. She stood up and readied her transformation stick.
"Raye! What's going on? What are you guys talking about? Where am I?" Chad was getting nervous now, he felt excluded- like everyone knew something he didn't.
"Don't worry Chad." Raye found herself saying. "This will explain everything. I have kept this secret from you and Grandpa for a very long time, but I guess now I can share it with you." She shot a look at Trista, who seemed oblivious to her glare.
Raye readied herself and held the stick above her head. Chad watched her with surprise. 'What's she doing?' He thought. 'She looks crazy... This has got to be a dream!'
Raye sighed softly and recited the words that were so familiar to her now.
"MARS CRYSTAL POWER!!!"
Raye watched the red light surge from her stick and envelop her. She felt the red fire encircle her with a burning sensation that was quickly replaced by an enormous rush of power. She finished her transformation with a brief pose. She looked over at Chad, who was gaping at her in disbelief!
"You're-you're her." he murmured, not believing. "You've saved me before, I remember you!"
"Yes, Chad. I am Sailor Mars. I have saved you from the Negaverse a few times... Now you know my secret..." she said looking down. She shifted her gaze to Sailor Pluto. "And now I want to know why he had to know my secret! Trista, is he really Mars Knight?"
` "Yes, Raye, he is. I am now going to reveal to you your past. I will take you back to the final days of the Moon Kingdom, as well as the Kingdom of Mars..." she added. She turned to Chad.
"Chad, or rather, Mars Knight... Long ago there was a beautiful period of time known as the Silver Millennium. It was a wonderful epoch, where all the planets of the Solar System were united, and all dependent upon each other. We were the perfect team. Your planet, as well as many others, protected the base of the Silver Millennium: the Moon." She paused and continued. Chad listened intently, for all of it was very familiar.
"The Moon was ruled by an amazing woman named Queen Serenity. She was raising her daughter, Princess Serena, to take over once she came of age. Princess Serena was destined to be the most powerful ruler in the world once she took the throne. In an attempt to protect her, the princesses of the surrounding planets were made her guardians. One of these guardians was Princess Raye, also known as Sailor Mars." Chad's eyes wandered to Raye, who stood, listening just as avidly as he was.
"But as you know, Princess Serena wasn't the only one who needed a guardian. The other princesses were given one as well, a male counterpart, who was chosen by destiny to contain as much power as their respective princess. These guardians were destined to be the husbands of these princesses, and rule their planets in peace. Meanwhile, Princess Serena was betrothed to Prince Darien, in an attempt to unite the Earth and the Moon forever."
"All of this peace and planning ended when a massive, evil energy broke loose of its dimension. Queen Beryl had escaped from her prison, ready to unleash the awesome power of the Negaforce onto the unsuspecting planets." Chad shuddered at the name of the queen, remembering it from his vivid dream. Sailor Pluto saw this and nodded, she now knew he had some recollection of his past.
"Now don't be frightened. I am going to take you back to the final days of the Kingdom of Mars, for another story must be told, a story of much tragedy and pain." She held up her Time Key, and the huge doors opened, revealing a bright light from within. Sailor Pluto turned, looking behind her. "Come, but remember, you are nothing but silent observers, what's done is done. You must now look to the future. Look at this as only a chapter of your past."
Raye and Chad nodded, and taking hands, followed the Sailor Soldier of Time into the unknown.
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