For Love or Destiny
Disclaimer: I don't own Sailor Moon…honestly you can stop glaring at me with those jealous eyes. I don't own it.
Key:
"___": dialogue
'___': thought
~*~*~*~*~ : scene change/dimension change
Prologue: Five Minus One Equals Chaos
"Shine Aqua Illusion!"
"Mercury! Look out!" came the warning from Sailor Mars. "Burning Mandara!" Her attack flew from her fingertips, the fire easily seen in the young miko's eyes at even the prospect of her now injured friend. Mercury had been hit with the Youma's pointy tentacle, piercing her soft flesh.
"Sailor Moon, finish it now!" Came the deep, husky voice of the mysterious Tuxedo Kamen.
"Right," she said nodding her head and whipping out her scepter. "Moon Spiral Heart Attack!" Thousands of hearts and spirals flew from the wand and destroyed the monster that had dared to hurt innocent people and one of their senshi. Once the monster was reduced to a pile of gook and gop, the senshi ran to Mercury's side.
"Mercury!"
"Mercury!"
"Are you okay?" the calls from the fallen senshi's friends and companions rang out through the silent night. The stars twinkled in the night sky, reflecting a peace that did not exist on that particular night. A gasp and sharp intake of breath were all that answered the concerned girls. Their fallen comrade was holding one of her slim gloved hands to the wound in her side, her red lifeblood spilling onto the now stained concrete.
"Mercury, you have to hang in there! You're going to be okay." Mars said reaching the injured girl first. She moved Mercury's hand from the wound only to cause the flow of blood to increase it's speed. She hurriedly pressed her own hand to the hole in her friend's flesh.
"Please be okay, Ami-chan." Sailor Moon said the tears falling from her cornflower blue eyes. Tuxedo Kamen held his lover close to his chest as she sobbed her sorrow.
"Do you think you can heal her Sailor Moon?" Sailor Venus asked quietly. Sailor Moon pulled back from Tuxedo Kamen's chest with a hiccuped sob.
"Iie, I don't think so. Luna only said it was for healing those taken over by the enemy. I've never tried it on an injured person. I don't know if it would harm her more than help." She sniffed quietly. Venus nodded reluctantly agreeing with her friend and princess.
The injured senshi's eye lids slowly flickered open, revealing her ocean blue eyes which were quickly filling with moisture.
"Minna…" she gasped out. Her voice stopped any and all thoughts that were flowing through the senshi's minds.
"Ami-chan!" Moon nearly shouted, leaning down closer to Mercury.
"You'll be okay Mercury-chan." Mars said, her hand still pressed tightly to the wound in her friends side. Mercury slowly shook her head.
"I don't feel like it…I'm so dizzy. I just want to sleep. Please just let me sleep in peace." Mercury whispered her voice cracking with the emotions that were pulling at her heart.
"Iie! Ami-chan you can't leave us!" Jupiter called out, leaning down to be near her friend. The senshi all formed a tightly knit circle around their wounded friend.
"You can't go to sleep! You know that Dr. Ami-chan." Venus joked through her tears. Mercury's lips cracked into a slight smile.
"You always knew how to make me laugh minna…I'll never forget you. Goodbye, my friends…I'm sorry that I could not protect you Serenity-hime." She finished with a whisper. Her eyes rolled back into her head and her head lolled to the side. Her body growing still, the only movement was the slight breeze that played with the hair of the young senshi of ice. Tears were flowing freely from all senshi present, Tuxedo Kamen included. The girls had become like sisters to him, he couldn't bear to see any of them hurt.
Just as Sailor Moon let out an ear piercing cry, Sailor Mercury began to glow a brilliant blue color.
"What's happening minna?" Jupiter asked backing away from the girl who was now also emitting a wave of energy. The other senshi followed Jupiter's lead and backed up a few feet, giving Mercury room to do whatever she was doing. Her body floated in the air, hovering a few feet off the bloody ground. A bright blue light, starting at the jewel in her tiara and moving over her body, enveloped the young girl quickly.
When the light dissipated, Mercury was left in her princess form. Her ice blue dress clung to her body, the skirt hanging down, almost touching the ground. The bodice was form fitting, and was held up by two double straps that split into four criss-crossing ones on her back. The neckline plunged dangerously low considering the senshi in question. Her feet were adorned with crush blue velvet pumps. A blue choker with the Mercury symbol dangled from her neck, her ears were triple pierced, with three blue rhinestones in each ear. The symbol of her planet and guardian shone brightly on her forehead.
"Ami-hime…" Mars whispered shocked at what had just happened.
"What's going on?" Venus asked, her lower jaw hanging open in both shock and disbelief.
"I don't know…" Moon trailed off. "I've never heard or seen of anything like this happening before."
"Serenity's pain fueled the ginzuishou to grant her wish…for Ami-chan to be okay." A voice whispered quietly. The senshi all gasped and looked down to see their guardian friend Luna staring at the young ice princess. "This has only happened once in recorded history. Over two millennia back, your great-great-great grandmother did the same for her friend when she was injured." Luna continued as if the senshi had never noticed her presence.
"Which senshi was it?" Moon asked quietly.
"We don't know." Artimas said.
"Will that heal her?" Tuxedo Kamen asked quietly.
"Please say it will…" Venus trailed off looking over at her floating friend. Luna shook her head.
"We're not sure. We do not know what ever happened to Serenity-sama's friend. We were not alive at the time." Luna said sadly.
"Let's get her somewhere safe." Jupiter spoke up.
"Yes…where is she going to stay?" Moon asked quietly, "Tousan and Kaasan would flip if I tried to keep a floating half-dead princess in my room."
"She can stay with me…I live by myself no one would ask any questions." Jupiter said. The other senshi nodded.
"We'll all stay over at your house tonight, to see if anything changes. We'll all take shifts staying with her until she wakes up." Mars said, her eyes never leaving Mercury's body.
"I'll carry her." Tuxedo Kamen offered. "Let's go…"
"Minako!"
"Hmm?" was the response from a certain blonde hared young girl.
"What were you thinking about? You were just kind of starring off into space there." Usagi asked her friend with a smile on her face. Minako's countenance turned dark at the thought of her friend that was still in her coma like state.
"Is there any change?" she asked instead. At Mina's question, Usagi knew what her thoughts had been on previously. Her smile also faded rather quickly.
"Iie…not a thing." Usagi said allowing her eyes to well up with unshed tears. Mina saw this and quickly stood to hug her friend.
"Gomen, Usagi-chan! I didn't mean to give you melancholy thoughts as well. It's just…I can't help but feel this is my fault…"
"Don't! You can't blame yourself Mina-chan!" Usagi said interrupting the girl's pity speech. "We have never fought a youma like that before. Luna has no idea what they are or where they came from. How can we be expected to? Come on Mina-chan…let's go get some ice cream."
"Usagi-chan always thinking with her stomach." As if on cue, Usagi's tumbly had a rumbly. Causing the girl to blush and place her hand on the back of her neck.
"Yea, well what can I say?" she said with a laugh. Mina joined in the laughter, though it was strained and forced. Everything other than tears and sadness seemed to be forced as of late. Mina wrapped her arm around Usagi's shoulder and they leaned on each other as they made their way out of Makato's apartment and down the hall towards the elevator.
~*~*~*~*~
"Please Ami-chan…please wake up." Rei said holding her friends hand in her own. She kissed the top of Ami's hand before dropping it and placing her head in her hands. She sighed deeply. She didn't know how much longer the senshi would last without their friend. Both in battle and in spirit. It had been nearly three weeks since the battle that started the whole mess that they were in now. The senshi were no closer to discovering the origins of the aliens as they had dubbed them, then when they had first appeared.
It was only days between battles and it took the senshi's most powerful attacks to even phase the aliens. They were weary not only in body but also in mind. They were seriously weakened without Mercury's computer and Ami's guidance. They never realized how important one senshi could be until now…until it was too late.
The senshi had taken turns standing vigil over their friend. It was now Rei and Makato's turn, Usagi and Minako having just finished theirs. Mamoru and the two guardian cats had their watch in about three hours. Makato was presently in the kitchen making her and Rei some green tea to calm their nerves.
They had successfully convinced Ami's mother that she was invited at the last minute to study abroad in Germany and that she wasn't able to contact her. She was a bit skeptical at first but after hearing it from all of the girls and Mamoru, she finally conceded that it was the truth and not so patiently awaited a call from her daughter.
"Hey Rei-chan." Makato said opening the door quietly and walking very carefully into the room. A serving tray was in her hands, and on the tray was a steaming pot of tea, two tea cups and several cookies that Makato had just pulled out of the oven. Rei looked up at her voice and sighed again. Makato sat the tray on the table in the guest room and sat lotus style on the floor, pouring both her and Rei a cup of tea. Rei slowly made her way from the position at Ami's side to Makato's on the floor.
"Do you think we'll be able to get through this?" Makato asked after taking a generous sip of her steaming brew. Rei, after also taking a sip, set her cup down and placed her hands on her thighs.
"I'm not sure Mako-chan. I only hope that we will all survive to be able to get through it. I fear that Ami-chan will never waken, or she only will once we are all killed and the world is torn by these...monsters." Rei was clenching the fabric of her skirt tightly, forming wrinkled balls of fabric in her hands. "I can't stand the thought of us losing our lives to these creatures. But I couldn't bear it if we had to watch from the other side as Ami-chan awakens alone."
Makato quickly wrapped her arms around her friend and hugged her to her chest. Rei couldn't hold back her tears any longer. Tears of frustration, pain, and sorrow flowed from her eyes and onto her friends green sweater. Makato soothingly rubbed her back and tried to hush her cries.
"Don't worry Rei-chan. We will get through this. We have to. All we can do right now is wait and protect this earth that we have grown to love so much. The planet, the animals and plants. But most importantly, the people on this planet that we love who don't know what's going on or how to help stop it, and as much as we hate to admit it, Ami-chan is one of those people right now. We have to keep our hope and faith that everything will turn out all right. It just has to."
~*~*~*~*~
A lone figure stood gazing at the beautiful sphere known as earth. She starred into its depths seeing more than the swirling clouds and the storming seas. Seeing beyond those giant hunks of dirty land and seeing into the lives of her precious daughter and her court. A lone tear fell from her blue eyes, causing a tear streak to begin on her pale face. Several more followed the first, causing several more streaks to appear on her beautiful face.
She quickly whipped around upon hearing footsteps approaching her. She did so, so hurriedly that her lavender hair twisted around from behind her to the front of her body, the silver color quite evident. Her hair was done up in two odangos on the top of her head. Her worried look turned into a small smile when she saw the figure that was behind the footsteps.
"Ah, Michiko-sama right on time. I am sorry that we could not meet under more amiable circumstances." The woman with the silver spun hair said. Her voice was soft, yet commanding at the same time. There was a power behind her, and yet still a passion, a spark of light that seemed to never dim.
"Please Serenity-sama. I'd like to consider us friends, there is no need to be so formal." The new woman said with a small, forced smile. Serenity nodded and returned the tight smile with one of her own.
"Only if you drop the sama." Serenity said. Michiko nodded before turning to face the glowing blue orb that was planet earth.
"Sere…my daughter…" Serenity placed her hand on the women's shoulder.
"I know Michiko. You know it must be done."
"Can't she for once end up happy?" Michiko cried out, falling to her knees and burring her head in her hands. "Why must it be my family that is cursed to suffer this blight every time!" Serenity knelt down beside the sobbing women and brought her head to her chest.
"Don't cry. Daijoubu, Michiko-chan. You know it all works out in the end."
"But must she suffer so much to not…"
"This won't help her. You cannot comfort her in this condition. We need to hurry." Serenity's calm, commanding voice seemed to snap Michiko out of her depressed slump.
"Of course my queen. Forgive me your grace." Serenity sighed. Once Michiko slipped into her game mode there was no more beating around the bush or informalities.
"Of course. Shall we get on with it then?"
"We shall." Michiko said steeling herself for what she must do.
"Take my hands." Serenity ordered. Michiko took them without hesitation and both women closed their eyes in concentration. Serenity began to chant in ancient Lunarian and Michiko in her native tongue. Serenity could not see Michiko's spirit leaving for her eyes were still tightly shut, but she felt it. "Good luck my friend." Serenity whispered before continuing the chants.
~*~*~*~*~
"Ami-chan…Ami-chan…" a soft voice filtered through the void that I was currently in. I looked all around me but I could not find the source of the voice.
"Who are you? What do you want with me?" I asked, trying to hold back the tremor in my voice but failing.
"Do not fear me. I will not harm you. I am here to help you. I haven't much time, so I must be brief…"
"Who are you? Why can't I see you?" I called out. I heard the voice sigh. It was closer now, only a few yards away. "Please. Allow me to see you."
"I cannot. For it would be breaking every rule that I was sworn to protect. Just know that I am a friend and that I am here to help you. Please, you have to trust me." The voice begged with me. I could hear the pleading tone and knew I really had no choice.
"Fine…I will listen to you. But I will not guarantee that I will like or follow what you say."
"I would expect nothing less…" the voice responded full of pride. "Do you know what happened to you? Or where you are?"
I paused a moment to consider her questions. I couldn't remember what had happened exactly, but I do remember the battle…
"The youma!" I cried aloud. "Are my friends okay?" I asked the voice of who I assumed was female.
"Of course Ami-chan. You always did care more for others well being than your own. They are fine…it is you who are not."
"Am I dead?" I asked tentatively, afraid of the answer. The voice chuckled.
"No, my dear. You are not dead. You were wounded fairly badly by the youma and your Mercury Crystal has knocked you into a coma like state while it tries to heal your body and/or wait for someone to help it along."
"Oh my…" I said, my hands going to cover my mouth. "How is everyone holding up?"
"Not too good. The battles against this new alien species are constant and they cannot take the rest they need. Not to mention only their strongest, most powerful, most draining attacks have any effect on them." The voice said sadly. I allowed a few tears to fall from my eyes.
"How can I hurry this healing up? I want to be out there to help my friends."
"I knew you would want to. It's not going to be easy. I'm telling you that now." The voice warned. I stood rigid and nodded once, not even sure if she could see me.
"I am prepared to face whatever may come." I knew the voice was smiling, somehow I knew that what I had said pleased her.
"Good, I knew that you would. Now, I am going to be able to counteract the Mercury Crystal and heal you just enough that you won't die. However, there is some bad news. These aliens blood is not normal…as is expected. Their blood is actually toxic to humans. However, it is deadly to Mercurians and Venations. You must warn the others of this, so that Minako-hime isn't in the same position as you."
"I can do that. Will what you are going to do, counteract the poison as well?"
"No, I'm afraid that it won't. However I will give you the power to suppress the symptoms for awhile and the knowledge of how where to find the antidote."
"And if I cannot find the antidote in time?" I asked, a hint of worry in my voice.
"Then…I'm afraid there is nothing more that anyone can do. You will die, or more accurately re-enter your coma like state…indefinitely." I couldn't hold back my gasp.
"You don't mean…"
"I do. You have no idea how much this pains me to have to tell you this. But I have faith in you, I am sure that you can do this." the voice said, a small quiver could be heard. "I'm sorry. I cannot stay any longer. My time is up. Good luck Ami-chan…please succeed…my daughter…"
"What?? Daughter?" Did I hear that right? I could have sworn that's what she said before she faded away. Maybe my ears are playing tricks on me? Or this could just be some crazy dream brought on by too much work and not enough sleep…but then how do I explain the battle.
Was that part of my dream…oh I am so confused! Wait…what is this feeling…it feels as if I am sinking. No wait! I don't want to sink into the darkness forever…
"Ahhhhh!!!!" the scream tore from my throat before I could stop myself…
~*~*~*~*~
"Ahhhh!" Ami screamed sitting bolt right up in the guest bed. Her body was glowing a bright blue before the blue faded to a slight halo effect around her body. Makato and Rei jumped up from the floor and rushed over to her side.
"Ami-chan! Are you all right? What happened?" Makato fired out as soon as her mind processed that her friend was awake again.
"Mako-chan, let her breath. Now Ami-chan. What happened!!!" Rei screamed, her eyes filling with tears of happiness. Ami just sat in the bed, starring at her hands as if it were the first time she had ever seen them. Suddenly she grabbed her side and hunched over.
"Ami-chan, are you all right?" Rei asked quieting down and sitting in the chair next to her bed. Makato quickly called the other senshi and Mamoru with her communicator before sitting down on the other chair on the other side of the bed.
"Take your time Ami-chan…" she started before Ami cut her off.
"I must find the quartile range, I need to get to the apex of the space time continuum. There must be a way to transdimentionalize the senshi teleport for one. I don't the have brute power to open the vortex at the moment but if I got some help from the other senshi perhaps it could work…" Ami trailed off continuing to talk to herself. Makato and Rei both starred at the girl as if she had grown another head.
"Ummm, Ami-chan. Did you hit your head or something?" Makato asked her eyebrows raised in question. About ten minutes into Ami's babbling, Mamoru and the cats arrived.
"Is she okay?" he asked, stepping into the room. Makato and Rei were still staring open mouthed at the senshi that was currently talking to herself.
"I don't know if I'd use those words per se. Physically she seems okay, but I don't think she's all there upstairs." Makato said with sweatdrop.
"Is…she…okay…?" Usagi said in between pants having just rushed into the room, Minako right on her heels also currently panting and using the door frame as a support. Luna walked up to the girl and hopped up onto the bed.
"Ami-chan…are you all right?" Luna asked cautiously staring at the girl who had stopped talking to herself and was starring off into space, a glazed look over her eyes.
"She's fine Luna…" A voice said from behind the group. They all turned to see a woman with a dress very similar to Ami's only a deeper shade of blue, and a crown on her head instead of the symbol of Mercury. Luna and Artimas bowed deeply.
"Michiko-sama. What are you doing here?"
"There is no need to bow, you two!" she scolded gently.
"Who is she?" Usagi asked confused.
"She is Ami's mother from the Silver Millennium." Artimas said with a smile. The woman smiled and walked over to her daughters side.
"It's time." She said sadly.
"Time for what?" Rei asked staring at the dead woman who had seemingly appeared from no where.
"Time for her to save herself and in turn the world."
"How do you mean?" Mamoru asked.
"The alien species that has invaded this planet never appeared in the normal timeline. They were not foreseen. Not even Pluto herself saw this one coming. Their blood is highly toxic to humans, deadly to all from Mercury and Venus…Mina-hime you may want to be extra careful not to have a blood to blood transfer with these creatures."
"Will she live?" Usagi asked tears filling her eyes.
"That has yet to be determined. She must find the antidote and mix it with the proper ingredients in order to wipe the poison out of her system."
"What is it?" asked Luna.
"A rare specimen indeed. She knows of it, and that is all that matters."
"Where can we find it?" Usagi asked desperately.
"You can't. Only she can. This is her mission alone."
"But what of the monsters? How can she search the globe alone for this with them running around?" Makato asked crossing her arms over her chest.
"She won't be searching the globe…" at her pause the senshi all breathed a sigh of relief. "She will be searching in another dimension. I am merely here to show her the way…"
TBC!!!!
So where is this rare specimen located? What is this rare specimen? Why was Michiko so hesitant to send her daughter to this other dimension. It can't just be the danger could it…? Or is it something deeper than that…something that transcends right and wrong…find out in the next chapter.
Oh, if you want me to include a little dictionary of the Japanese words I use in this fic, just let me know. The words I do use are fairly common and have been used in many fics. I have no problem making a list though. Just ask. Thanx!!!!
Disclaimer: I don't own Sailor Moon…honestly you can stop glaring at me with those jealous eyes. I don't own it.
Key:
"___": dialogue
'___': thought
~*~*~*~*~ : scene change/dimension change
Prologue: Five Minus One Equals Chaos
"Shine Aqua Illusion!"
"Mercury! Look out!" came the warning from Sailor Mars. "Burning Mandara!" Her attack flew from her fingertips, the fire easily seen in the young miko's eyes at even the prospect of her now injured friend. Mercury had been hit with the Youma's pointy tentacle, piercing her soft flesh.
"Sailor Moon, finish it now!" Came the deep, husky voice of the mysterious Tuxedo Kamen.
"Right," she said nodding her head and whipping out her scepter. "Moon Spiral Heart Attack!" Thousands of hearts and spirals flew from the wand and destroyed the monster that had dared to hurt innocent people and one of their senshi. Once the monster was reduced to a pile of gook and gop, the senshi ran to Mercury's side.
"Mercury!"
"Mercury!"
"Are you okay?" the calls from the fallen senshi's friends and companions rang out through the silent night. The stars twinkled in the night sky, reflecting a peace that did not exist on that particular night. A gasp and sharp intake of breath were all that answered the concerned girls. Their fallen comrade was holding one of her slim gloved hands to the wound in her side, her red lifeblood spilling onto the now stained concrete.
"Mercury, you have to hang in there! You're going to be okay." Mars said reaching the injured girl first. She moved Mercury's hand from the wound only to cause the flow of blood to increase it's speed. She hurriedly pressed her own hand to the hole in her friend's flesh.
"Please be okay, Ami-chan." Sailor Moon said the tears falling from her cornflower blue eyes. Tuxedo Kamen held his lover close to his chest as she sobbed her sorrow.
"Do you think you can heal her Sailor Moon?" Sailor Venus asked quietly. Sailor Moon pulled back from Tuxedo Kamen's chest with a hiccuped sob.
"Iie, I don't think so. Luna only said it was for healing those taken over by the enemy. I've never tried it on an injured person. I don't know if it would harm her more than help." She sniffed quietly. Venus nodded reluctantly agreeing with her friend and princess.
The injured senshi's eye lids slowly flickered open, revealing her ocean blue eyes which were quickly filling with moisture.
"Minna…" she gasped out. Her voice stopped any and all thoughts that were flowing through the senshi's minds.
"Ami-chan!" Moon nearly shouted, leaning down closer to Mercury.
"You'll be okay Mercury-chan." Mars said, her hand still pressed tightly to the wound in her friends side. Mercury slowly shook her head.
"I don't feel like it…I'm so dizzy. I just want to sleep. Please just let me sleep in peace." Mercury whispered her voice cracking with the emotions that were pulling at her heart.
"Iie! Ami-chan you can't leave us!" Jupiter called out, leaning down to be near her friend. The senshi all formed a tightly knit circle around their wounded friend.
"You can't go to sleep! You know that Dr. Ami-chan." Venus joked through her tears. Mercury's lips cracked into a slight smile.
"You always knew how to make me laugh minna…I'll never forget you. Goodbye, my friends…I'm sorry that I could not protect you Serenity-hime." She finished with a whisper. Her eyes rolled back into her head and her head lolled to the side. Her body growing still, the only movement was the slight breeze that played with the hair of the young senshi of ice. Tears were flowing freely from all senshi present, Tuxedo Kamen included. The girls had become like sisters to him, he couldn't bear to see any of them hurt.
Just as Sailor Moon let out an ear piercing cry, Sailor Mercury began to glow a brilliant blue color.
"What's happening minna?" Jupiter asked backing away from the girl who was now also emitting a wave of energy. The other senshi followed Jupiter's lead and backed up a few feet, giving Mercury room to do whatever she was doing. Her body floated in the air, hovering a few feet off the bloody ground. A bright blue light, starting at the jewel in her tiara and moving over her body, enveloped the young girl quickly.
When the light dissipated, Mercury was left in her princess form. Her ice blue dress clung to her body, the skirt hanging down, almost touching the ground. The bodice was form fitting, and was held up by two double straps that split into four criss-crossing ones on her back. The neckline plunged dangerously low considering the senshi in question. Her feet were adorned with crush blue velvet pumps. A blue choker with the Mercury symbol dangled from her neck, her ears were triple pierced, with three blue rhinestones in each ear. The symbol of her planet and guardian shone brightly on her forehead.
"Ami-hime…" Mars whispered shocked at what had just happened.
"What's going on?" Venus asked, her lower jaw hanging open in both shock and disbelief.
"I don't know…" Moon trailed off. "I've never heard or seen of anything like this happening before."
"Serenity's pain fueled the ginzuishou to grant her wish…for Ami-chan to be okay." A voice whispered quietly. The senshi all gasped and looked down to see their guardian friend Luna staring at the young ice princess. "This has only happened once in recorded history. Over two millennia back, your great-great-great grandmother did the same for her friend when she was injured." Luna continued as if the senshi had never noticed her presence.
"Which senshi was it?" Moon asked quietly.
"We don't know." Artimas said.
"Will that heal her?" Tuxedo Kamen asked quietly.
"Please say it will…" Venus trailed off looking over at her floating friend. Luna shook her head.
"We're not sure. We do not know what ever happened to Serenity-sama's friend. We were not alive at the time." Luna said sadly.
"Let's get her somewhere safe." Jupiter spoke up.
"Yes…where is she going to stay?" Moon asked quietly, "Tousan and Kaasan would flip if I tried to keep a floating half-dead princess in my room."
"She can stay with me…I live by myself no one would ask any questions." Jupiter said. The other senshi nodded.
"We'll all stay over at your house tonight, to see if anything changes. We'll all take shifts staying with her until she wakes up." Mars said, her eyes never leaving Mercury's body.
"I'll carry her." Tuxedo Kamen offered. "Let's go…"
"Minako!"
"Hmm?" was the response from a certain blonde hared young girl.
"What were you thinking about? You were just kind of starring off into space there." Usagi asked her friend with a smile on her face. Minako's countenance turned dark at the thought of her friend that was still in her coma like state.
"Is there any change?" she asked instead. At Mina's question, Usagi knew what her thoughts had been on previously. Her smile also faded rather quickly.
"Iie…not a thing." Usagi said allowing her eyes to well up with unshed tears. Mina saw this and quickly stood to hug her friend.
"Gomen, Usagi-chan! I didn't mean to give you melancholy thoughts as well. It's just…I can't help but feel this is my fault…"
"Don't! You can't blame yourself Mina-chan!" Usagi said interrupting the girl's pity speech. "We have never fought a youma like that before. Luna has no idea what they are or where they came from. How can we be expected to? Come on Mina-chan…let's go get some ice cream."
"Usagi-chan always thinking with her stomach." As if on cue, Usagi's tumbly had a rumbly. Causing the girl to blush and place her hand on the back of her neck.
"Yea, well what can I say?" she said with a laugh. Mina joined in the laughter, though it was strained and forced. Everything other than tears and sadness seemed to be forced as of late. Mina wrapped her arm around Usagi's shoulder and they leaned on each other as they made their way out of Makato's apartment and down the hall towards the elevator.
"Please Ami-chan…please wake up." Rei said holding her friends hand in her own. She kissed the top of Ami's hand before dropping it and placing her head in her hands. She sighed deeply. She didn't know how much longer the senshi would last without their friend. Both in battle and in spirit. It had been nearly three weeks since the battle that started the whole mess that they were in now. The senshi were no closer to discovering the origins of the aliens as they had dubbed them, then when they had first appeared.
It was only days between battles and it took the senshi's most powerful attacks to even phase the aliens. They were weary not only in body but also in mind. They were seriously weakened without Mercury's computer and Ami's guidance. They never realized how important one senshi could be until now…until it was too late.
The senshi had taken turns standing vigil over their friend. It was now Rei and Makato's turn, Usagi and Minako having just finished theirs. Mamoru and the two guardian cats had their watch in about three hours. Makato was presently in the kitchen making her and Rei some green tea to calm their nerves.
They had successfully convinced Ami's mother that she was invited at the last minute to study abroad in Germany and that she wasn't able to contact her. She was a bit skeptical at first but after hearing it from all of the girls and Mamoru, she finally conceded that it was the truth and not so patiently awaited a call from her daughter.
"Hey Rei-chan." Makato said opening the door quietly and walking very carefully into the room. A serving tray was in her hands, and on the tray was a steaming pot of tea, two tea cups and several cookies that Makato had just pulled out of the oven. Rei looked up at her voice and sighed again. Makato sat the tray on the table in the guest room and sat lotus style on the floor, pouring both her and Rei a cup of tea. Rei slowly made her way from the position at Ami's side to Makato's on the floor.
"Do you think we'll be able to get through this?" Makato asked after taking a generous sip of her steaming brew. Rei, after also taking a sip, set her cup down and placed her hands on her thighs.
"I'm not sure Mako-chan. I only hope that we will all survive to be able to get through it. I fear that Ami-chan will never waken, or she only will once we are all killed and the world is torn by these...monsters." Rei was clenching the fabric of her skirt tightly, forming wrinkled balls of fabric in her hands. "I can't stand the thought of us losing our lives to these creatures. But I couldn't bear it if we had to watch from the other side as Ami-chan awakens alone."
Makato quickly wrapped her arms around her friend and hugged her to her chest. Rei couldn't hold back her tears any longer. Tears of frustration, pain, and sorrow flowed from her eyes and onto her friends green sweater. Makato soothingly rubbed her back and tried to hush her cries.
"Don't worry Rei-chan. We will get through this. We have to. All we can do right now is wait and protect this earth that we have grown to love so much. The planet, the animals and plants. But most importantly, the people on this planet that we love who don't know what's going on or how to help stop it, and as much as we hate to admit it, Ami-chan is one of those people right now. We have to keep our hope and faith that everything will turn out all right. It just has to."
A lone figure stood gazing at the beautiful sphere known as earth. She starred into its depths seeing more than the swirling clouds and the storming seas. Seeing beyond those giant hunks of dirty land and seeing into the lives of her precious daughter and her court. A lone tear fell from her blue eyes, causing a tear streak to begin on her pale face. Several more followed the first, causing several more streaks to appear on her beautiful face.
She quickly whipped around upon hearing footsteps approaching her. She did so, so hurriedly that her lavender hair twisted around from behind her to the front of her body, the silver color quite evident. Her hair was done up in two odangos on the top of her head. Her worried look turned into a small smile when she saw the figure that was behind the footsteps.
"Ah, Michiko-sama right on time. I am sorry that we could not meet under more amiable circumstances." The woman with the silver spun hair said. Her voice was soft, yet commanding at the same time. There was a power behind her, and yet still a passion, a spark of light that seemed to never dim.
"Please Serenity-sama. I'd like to consider us friends, there is no need to be so formal." The new woman said with a small, forced smile. Serenity nodded and returned the tight smile with one of her own.
"Only if you drop the sama." Serenity said. Michiko nodded before turning to face the glowing blue orb that was planet earth.
"Sere…my daughter…" Serenity placed her hand on the women's shoulder.
"I know Michiko. You know it must be done."
"Can't she for once end up happy?" Michiko cried out, falling to her knees and burring her head in her hands. "Why must it be my family that is cursed to suffer this blight every time!" Serenity knelt down beside the sobbing women and brought her head to her chest.
"Don't cry. Daijoubu, Michiko-chan. You know it all works out in the end."
"But must she suffer so much to not…"
"This won't help her. You cannot comfort her in this condition. We need to hurry." Serenity's calm, commanding voice seemed to snap Michiko out of her depressed slump.
"Of course my queen. Forgive me your grace." Serenity sighed. Once Michiko slipped into her game mode there was no more beating around the bush or informalities.
"Of course. Shall we get on with it then?"
"We shall." Michiko said steeling herself for what she must do.
"Take my hands." Serenity ordered. Michiko took them without hesitation and both women closed their eyes in concentration. Serenity began to chant in ancient Lunarian and Michiko in her native tongue. Serenity could not see Michiko's spirit leaving for her eyes were still tightly shut, but she felt it. "Good luck my friend." Serenity whispered before continuing the chants.
"Ami-chan…Ami-chan…" a soft voice filtered through the void that I was currently in. I looked all around me but I could not find the source of the voice.
"Who are you? What do you want with me?" I asked, trying to hold back the tremor in my voice but failing.
"Do not fear me. I will not harm you. I am here to help you. I haven't much time, so I must be brief…"
"Who are you? Why can't I see you?" I called out. I heard the voice sigh. It was closer now, only a few yards away. "Please. Allow me to see you."
"I cannot. For it would be breaking every rule that I was sworn to protect. Just know that I am a friend and that I am here to help you. Please, you have to trust me." The voice begged with me. I could hear the pleading tone and knew I really had no choice.
"Fine…I will listen to you. But I will not guarantee that I will like or follow what you say."
"I would expect nothing less…" the voice responded full of pride. "Do you know what happened to you? Or where you are?"
I paused a moment to consider her questions. I couldn't remember what had happened exactly, but I do remember the battle…
"The youma!" I cried aloud. "Are my friends okay?" I asked the voice of who I assumed was female.
"Of course Ami-chan. You always did care more for others well being than your own. They are fine…it is you who are not."
"Am I dead?" I asked tentatively, afraid of the answer. The voice chuckled.
"No, my dear. You are not dead. You were wounded fairly badly by the youma and your Mercury Crystal has knocked you into a coma like state while it tries to heal your body and/or wait for someone to help it along."
"Oh my…" I said, my hands going to cover my mouth. "How is everyone holding up?"
"Not too good. The battles against this new alien species are constant and they cannot take the rest they need. Not to mention only their strongest, most powerful, most draining attacks have any effect on them." The voice said sadly. I allowed a few tears to fall from my eyes.
"How can I hurry this healing up? I want to be out there to help my friends."
"I knew you would want to. It's not going to be easy. I'm telling you that now." The voice warned. I stood rigid and nodded once, not even sure if she could see me.
"I am prepared to face whatever may come." I knew the voice was smiling, somehow I knew that what I had said pleased her.
"Good, I knew that you would. Now, I am going to be able to counteract the Mercury Crystal and heal you just enough that you won't die. However, there is some bad news. These aliens blood is not normal…as is expected. Their blood is actually toxic to humans. However, it is deadly to Mercurians and Venations. You must warn the others of this, so that Minako-hime isn't in the same position as you."
"I can do that. Will what you are going to do, counteract the poison as well?"
"No, I'm afraid that it won't. However I will give you the power to suppress the symptoms for awhile and the knowledge of how where to find the antidote."
"And if I cannot find the antidote in time?" I asked, a hint of worry in my voice.
"Then…I'm afraid there is nothing more that anyone can do. You will die, or more accurately re-enter your coma like state…indefinitely." I couldn't hold back my gasp.
"You don't mean…"
"I do. You have no idea how much this pains me to have to tell you this. But I have faith in you, I am sure that you can do this." the voice said, a small quiver could be heard. "I'm sorry. I cannot stay any longer. My time is up. Good luck Ami-chan…please succeed…my daughter…"
"What?? Daughter?" Did I hear that right? I could have sworn that's what she said before she faded away. Maybe my ears are playing tricks on me? Or this could just be some crazy dream brought on by too much work and not enough sleep…but then how do I explain the battle.
Was that part of my dream…oh I am so confused! Wait…what is this feeling…it feels as if I am sinking. No wait! I don't want to sink into the darkness forever…
"Ahhhhh!!!!" the scream tore from my throat before I could stop myself…
"Ahhhh!" Ami screamed sitting bolt right up in the guest bed. Her body was glowing a bright blue before the blue faded to a slight halo effect around her body. Makato and Rei jumped up from the floor and rushed over to her side.
"Ami-chan! Are you all right? What happened?" Makato fired out as soon as her mind processed that her friend was awake again.
"Mako-chan, let her breath. Now Ami-chan. What happened!!!" Rei screamed, her eyes filling with tears of happiness. Ami just sat in the bed, starring at her hands as if it were the first time she had ever seen them. Suddenly she grabbed her side and hunched over.
"Ami-chan, are you all right?" Rei asked quieting down and sitting in the chair next to her bed. Makato quickly called the other senshi and Mamoru with her communicator before sitting down on the other chair on the other side of the bed.
"Take your time Ami-chan…" she started before Ami cut her off.
"I must find the quartile range, I need to get to the apex of the space time continuum. There must be a way to transdimentionalize the senshi teleport for one. I don't the have brute power to open the vortex at the moment but if I got some help from the other senshi perhaps it could work…" Ami trailed off continuing to talk to herself. Makato and Rei both starred at the girl as if she had grown another head.
"Ummm, Ami-chan. Did you hit your head or something?" Makato asked her eyebrows raised in question. About ten minutes into Ami's babbling, Mamoru and the cats arrived.
"Is she okay?" he asked, stepping into the room. Makato and Rei were still staring open mouthed at the senshi that was currently talking to herself.
"I don't know if I'd use those words per se. Physically she seems okay, but I don't think she's all there upstairs." Makato said with sweatdrop.
"Is…she…okay…?" Usagi said in between pants having just rushed into the room, Minako right on her heels also currently panting and using the door frame as a support. Luna walked up to the girl and hopped up onto the bed.
"Ami-chan…are you all right?" Luna asked cautiously staring at the girl who had stopped talking to herself and was starring off into space, a glazed look over her eyes.
"She's fine Luna…" A voice said from behind the group. They all turned to see a woman with a dress very similar to Ami's only a deeper shade of blue, and a crown on her head instead of the symbol of Mercury. Luna and Artimas bowed deeply.
"Michiko-sama. What are you doing here?"
"There is no need to bow, you two!" she scolded gently.
"Who is she?" Usagi asked confused.
"She is Ami's mother from the Silver Millennium." Artimas said with a smile. The woman smiled and walked over to her daughters side.
"It's time." She said sadly.
"Time for what?" Rei asked staring at the dead woman who had seemingly appeared from no where.
"Time for her to save herself and in turn the world."
"How do you mean?" Mamoru asked.
"The alien species that has invaded this planet never appeared in the normal timeline. They were not foreseen. Not even Pluto herself saw this one coming. Their blood is highly toxic to humans, deadly to all from Mercury and Venus…Mina-hime you may want to be extra careful not to have a blood to blood transfer with these creatures."
"Will she live?" Usagi asked tears filling her eyes.
"That has yet to be determined. She must find the antidote and mix it with the proper ingredients in order to wipe the poison out of her system."
"What is it?" asked Luna.
"A rare specimen indeed. She knows of it, and that is all that matters."
"Where can we find it?" Usagi asked desperately.
"You can't. Only she can. This is her mission alone."
"But what of the monsters? How can she search the globe alone for this with them running around?" Makato asked crossing her arms over her chest.
"She won't be searching the globe…" at her pause the senshi all breathed a sigh of relief. "She will be searching in another dimension. I am merely here to show her the way…"
TBC!!!!
So where is this rare specimen located? What is this rare specimen? Why was Michiko so hesitant to send her daughter to this other dimension. It can't just be the danger could it…? Or is it something deeper than that…something that transcends right and wrong…find out in the next chapter.
Oh, if you want me to include a little dictionary of the Japanese words I use in this fic, just let me know. The words I do use are fairly common and have been used in many fics. I have no problem making a list though. Just ask. Thanx!!!!
