Author's Note:
The normal disclaimers here of course and that I'm certainly not doing this for money.
There are a few elements that are exclusive to the manga, as you will read, but those only involve character differences than from the anime, such as the Shitennous' relationship. Also, Mamoru has the Golden Crystal.
If you need to contact me, my email is Guardian4@atlantic.net. Please put fanfiction or something in the subject line so I know what you're emailing me about. And if you're a really nice person (if this pertains to a certain fanfiction that I've done) you might want to put the name of the fanfiction you're referring to somewhere in the email.
All names are like the Japanese say them, last name first. So Kunzite's name would be Kail Rainer in America, but in Japanese it would be said Rainer Kail.
Army of Immortals
Chapter 11: Distant Call
Mars, after checking on her grandfather, knelt before the fire in the ever-unmarred grate. Slowly she called upon the calm that she knew was inside her, though hardly ever made its appearance. She could feel Jadeite behind her, shifting slightly when he couldn't stay still in one position anymore. He was obviously trying to remain silent and motionless so as not to distract her. She smiled involuntarily at his thoughtfulness, though it wasn't necessary. Once she had activated the link between herself and the flames, she wouldn't know he was there at all, whether he made any noise or not.
Her eyes slowly dimmed from outside awareness as her essence spiraled down, deep into the heat that was her element. A slow but gradual lightening filled her vision and she wanted to cover her sight, in case it got so bright it hurt. She didn't see any vision; instead, something formed before.
She nearly gasped. A Fire Sprite! Messengers from the gods to those who were partial to fire flitted in front of her, as if it couldn't bear to stay in one spot for more than a millisecond.
"Busy, haven't you all been? This is the second time the Powers That Be have answered to specially gifted mortals," it said, rather amused at her shock.
It resembled the upper body of a human, with two arms and a head though not being female or male, but the bottom half of it was simply fire, similar to an inverted tornado. She felt surrounded by fire, but as if it was a bubble for her and the Sprite in front of her.
"What do you want to know?"
Mars shifted a little in nervousness. "Is Serenity—"
"She doesn't blame you. This seems to be a common worry. The Stars' Child was worried that the man, Endymion, blamed him for his capture as well."
The only problem with the Sprites, Mars thought, was that it had no concept of human emotions. While the gods and Powers That Be did, to some extent, the Sprites always amused by the emotions but never understood them.
"Is it safe to rescue Serenity and Endymion now?"
It knew she was referring to the anomaly in the North Pole. "It is safe to go through; there is no trap, if that's what you mean. It may not be safe for you, overall, since there are numerous dangerous threats there."
"We can handle that, though," she murmured.
"I'm sure you think so," it answered, for once no longer amused or laughing. "But beware: you might find things there that you would rather not know. You might find things that have changed from what you knew. Beware of the tricks that Beryl might lay, once she knows you are inside her lair. She does not take kindly to intruders, even such as harmless as I."
Mars nearly smiled. The Fire Sprites were hardly harmless in groups, but there was little that one or two could do by themselves, other than things that barely rated practical jokes.
She was concerned, though, at the advice from the Fire Sprite. What could have changed? Something about Serenity and Endymion perhaps? What would they find that they would rather not know?
"Thank you," she told it, her attention on her thoughts.
"Soldier of War, listen to me," it hissed, looking around as if it thought it was being watched. Her concentration snapped back to the Sprite.
"Be careful in Beryl's lair. Do not be foolish enough to take her on when you go there. Only rescue your friends and then leave. You will surely die if you think you can defeat her. Not only is it her home, the advantage of that in itself hers, but there are things that she can do there that would defeat you faster than you can blink. Make sure the rest of hot-heads in the Senshi and others know this well and HEED this advice."
With a swirl, the Sprite was gone.
A hand on her shoulder jerked her back to reality and she looked up into Jadeite's worried eyes.
"We have to go," he whispered urgently. "People are coming to the Shrine and if they find us here, we're dead."
She managed to glance at the lawn and her face paled as Jadeite pulled her away. Her father must have noticed that she had been missing from school for a week now and decided to pay her Grandfather a visit. She longed to stay and defend him for what she knew her father would say, but she couldn't, not then.
Her eyes shut in pain at leaving the only family member who cared about her to fend for himself against such a ruthless man as her father, she ran back to the Control Room to tell her friends her findings.
End Chapter 11