The Other Side of Paradise

Part 6

Author: Nyneve

Well, here is part six. I'm feeling depressed today. I have officially entered the final stage of my education by registering for high school. *looks around* What? Did you think I was older? Anyways, I don't know if I can stress this enough. READ THE SOVEREIGN OF SELENITY'S FICCIES! She's just as sad right now as me. And you don't want a couple of sad authors, do you? Noooooooooo. Well, don't own the anime. Adieu!

-Nyneve

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The two lovers stood in the empty hallway, holding onto each other as if their lives depended upon it. All of the fear and pain they had ever felt had left, and they were left with a sense of peace.

"I thought…I'd never see you again," Amy murmured, laying her head against Duo's chest.

"Aw, you know me. Can't get rid of me that easily," he grinned, running a hand through her hair.

"Still though, I don't understand how you could be here. How you could be alive…" she whispered.

Duo took a deep breath. "Please Amy. I can't tell you right now, okay? In the morning…"

"In the morning is fine. I'm glad enough to have you back," Amy replied. Duo nodded, then kissed her passionately.

Just then, a light came on. "Amy, shame on you. Fraternizing with the enemy…" Amara's voice said. She and Michelle were leaning up against the wall, staring.

"Uh-oh…" Duo muttered, then carefully removed his arms from Amy's body, and backed away.

"No! Amara, Michelle, it's okay! I mean, he's all right. Duo's on our side," Amy explained. However, neither woman looked convinced.

"That's what Raye thought too. Look what happened to her," Michelle commented.

"Hey, that wasn't Q-man's fault! He was being controlled!" Duo snapped.

"Then how do we know you aren't?" Amara accused.

"Amara no! Remember even Raye said she caught on when Quatre was being controlled. I know Duo. This is really him!" Amy pleaded.

"Still…" said another voice. King Endymion stepped out of the shadows.

"Your majesty," the three women said in unison.

"Your majesty? Is this guy king or something?" Duo asked, confusedly.

"I am," Endymion replied.

"Oh, uh," Duo bowed awkwardly.

"That isn't necessary. Your name's Duo, right?" he asked.

"Yeah, that's me. Also known as Shinigami, God of Death," Duo replied, causing Amy to giggle nervously.

However, the king too looked amused. "I see. We'll have to introduce you to Hotaru."

"Hotaru?" Duo asked.

"Local Bringer of Death. I think you two would get along nicely," Amy smiled.

"Yes, well. Might I ask what you're doing in the palace? This is a restricted area, you know," Endymion said.

"Your majesty, I let him in. He's on our side now. He even brought his Mobil Suit with him," Amy said.

Endymion raised an eyebrow. "You managed to get a Gundam here without getting noticed?"

"Well, uh…" Duo stammered. "I guess a few people saw."

"Weapons have been outlawed here, save for the powers of the Sailor Senshi," Endymion explained.

"He didn't know…" Amy began, but a warning glare from Amara quieted her.

"That is understandable. Yet, we can take no chances. Duo, I must ask that you spend the remainder of the night under Uranus and Neptune's supervision. In the morning, the rest of us will decide what to do with you," Endymion said.

"Can Amy stay?" Duo asked. Endymion shook his head.

"I'm afraid not. It wouldn't be good for either of you," he replied, then started to walk away. A moment later, he paused, and glanced back. "And Duo, you may be able to see Quatre in the morning, if all goes well."

"Q-man's here?" Duo asked. Michelle nodded.

"He's been unconscious for a long time, but Raye's staying with him. I'm sure he'll be fine in another day or two," she replied.

"All right, come on now. We'll let you sleep in the North Wing. It's the most heavily guarded," Amara said, then glared at him. "If you try anything…"

"Under normal circumstances, I would. But since there's someone waiting for me here," he glanced at Amy. "I wouldn't dream of leaving."

"Good. Amy, you go to bed now. We'll wake you in the morning," Michelle said. Amy nodded, then squeezed Duo's hand.

"Don't worry. You'll be fine," she said reassuringly, then walked off down the hall.

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"DAMN HIM! DAMN HIM!" Hecate screeched as she stared into the pool. Duo had gotten into the palace, just like she had hoped he would. However, the blasted Endymion was giving him a chance to redeem himself. They were going to trust him.

"Mama, please. The angrier you become the less control you have over the last three mortals," Janus said soothingly.

"Yes, I know. Still, if that b****** Endymion hadn't interfered Uranus and Neptune would've killed that wretched boy. Which, in turn, would've probably driven Mercury to suicide," she snapped. "But no. They're just going to keep an eye on him. If he behaves, they'll let him go. Then they'll probably destroy any last bonds of control I have over him."

"But Mama, why don't you just use the bonds now? Make him come back!" Janus cried.

"I can't. I don't have that much power over him anymore. He's too close to the Silver Crystal. It's destroying the bonds," she muttered.

Everything was silent for awhile, and it seemed as though the very walls of the cave were afraid that Hecate may lash out again. But she didn't. Instead, her eyes began to glitter cruelly.

"But, I can still turn the Senshi against the boy," she smiled.

"But you don't have any control over them! What can you do?" Janus asked.

"The God of Death thirsts for blood. He will have it. Oh yes, he will have blood," she grinned evilly, then began to mutter words.

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"Gee, thanks for your kind hospitality," Duo muttered sarcastically. The "bedroom" he was given was nothing more than a linen closet. There were piles of blankets on shelves, but nothing more.

"Would you prefer we lock you in the hangar? I'm sure it would be much more your style," Michelle snapped.

"Now listen closely. We are going to be outside the door, do you understand? If you try anything, even just one move…" Amara trailed off. Her space sword did the talking for her as she fingered the hilt.

"Yeah, I get it. Fine. Can I go to sleep now?" Duo asked.

The two women nodded. Amara gave him a little shove into the closet, then locked the door.

"I have no idea what Amy sees in him," she muttered.

"How could Amy be friends with those two?" Duo asked himself. He sighed, then pulled a couple of towels off of the shelf, and a heavy blanket. Making himself as comfortable as he could in the small space, he put the towels under his head and wrapped himself in the blanket, then drifted off to sleep.

Outside, Amara and Michelle were quiet, sending silent messages to each other.

Suddenly, there was a bang from inside of the closet. The two women leapt up.

"What was…" Michelle was cut off by a louder noise. Suddenly, the door broke down and pinned the two women to the ground.

"He's getting away!" Amara cried, managing to push the door off of herself and her partner.

"Don't worry, he doesn't know the way out or his way around. We'll catch him," Michelle reassured. Amara nodded then reached for her sword. She gasped. It was gone.

Meanwhile, Duo was having a strange dream. He was running down the hall of some military like base, looking for someone or something. Finally, he stopped in front of a door. Pausing, he opened it.

Laying in the middle of the room was a shadowy figure. For some reason, he knew this was his enemy. Grabbing a sword from somewhere, he slowly approached it. But when he was right over the figure, he heard someone calling his name.

"Duo! Duo! Stop it! What are you doing?" it cried.

"Huh?" he asked groggily. Then, he opened his eyes. He was in a bedroom, standing over a young girl with short black hair. He was holding a sword to her neck. On the other side of the room was Amy, and she was crying.

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Please R+R! All for now!