Ryoko: Happy B-day Vela-chan!!!!! Your getting TWO presents tonight!!!!
A/N: Ryoko: Sorry Vela-chan that I didn't have it up last night.
Disclaimer: Neither Sailor Moon nor the chars used in this story belong to me.
Fate Isn't Written in Stone
Chapter 8:
Returning to the Present
(Next Morning (early))
Hotaru set down her cup of steaming tea. "Shouldn't Usagi and the Starlights be woken up soon?"
Setsuna nodded. "Soon. We'll wake them up if they don't wake up themselves."
() "It's not like kitten will wake up of her own accord at this time," Haruka said.
A bleary eyed Yaten stumbled out of his room rubbing an eye. He yawned then asked sleepily, "Where's Seiya?"
Minako rushed to Yaten "He's still sleeping silly now come on, you can sit by me!"
() "But-" Minako shoved him into a chair- "But Seiya isn't-" Minako shoved a biscuit into his mouth.
"He's still sleeping! So eat your biscuit!"
Yaten shrugged then thoughtfully chewed his biscuit.
"I'm sick of Usagi always slowing us down! I'm waking her up!" Rei hissed. She stomped over to Usagi's tapestry/door and pulled it aside. "Oi!" Usagi- chan! It's time for you to." Rei gasped, her eyes got huge then she shrieked turning away and covering her eyes. "Sorry! Sorry! I didn't mean to intrude." She ran back to the table.
"What is it?" Ami asked.
Rei (hair sticking out because of stress) pointed to Usagi's room with a shaking finger. "Ask her for yourself when she comes out."
Usagi say up slowly, a hand still holding Seiya's. "Rei-chan?" she murmured straightening her nightgown. Seiya sat up and blinked sleepily. He was shirtless now. "What was that about?"
Usagi stepped out of the bed, Seiya following suit. "I don't know. You and I were just sleeping when she shrieked and all." Seiya clasped Usagi's hand in his as they walked to where the others sat. Taiki had recently joined them.
Haruka saw Seiya bare-chested with Usagi, coming out of HER bedroom and jumped to her feet. "What the f-"
"Haruka!" Michiru hissed. "Let them explain!"
Haruka took a long breath then sank slowly back down into her chair. She glared at Seiya. "What were you doing in there?"
"We didn't-" Usagi started but Haruka held up her hand. "I was asking Seiya."
"We were only talking last night and.we fell asleep I guess."
Haruka turned to Usagi. "You WERE fully clothed last night weren't you?"
Usagi positively glowed scarlet. "I."
Haruka's eyes got so funny looking (everyone else stared) and a large sweat drop appeared over her head. "Oh my God." Haruka murmured. "You.?"
Usagi's jaw dropped. "Haruka-san! Oh my God, no!" We were just talking and we kissed.well actually we kissed nearly till dawn. But that's all."
Haruka stared at Usagi open-mouthed.
"So, uh, did Quiore ever come back? Seiya asked nervously, trying to change the subject.
"No he did-" Michiru started when a voice (echoing slightly) said, "Yes. I'm here."
The senshi heard the familiar sound of birds taking flight and felt a soft breeze on their skin.
Quiore materialized slowly a few feet from the senshi. He gave Seiya a small double take then smiled. He looked a little tired.
"Who was in the passageway Quiore?" Makoto asked.
"You're guardians."
"Luna?" Usagi asked.
"Artemis?" Minako added.
Quiore nodded
"How did they get here?" Minako wondered aloud.
"I can answer that." Setsuna replied. "I told them to contact us if they needed our help. I gave them a charon (sp?) so they would be directly teleported to The Passageway."
Usagi turned to Quiore. "Why aren't they with you?"
"Animals don't do well space traveling."
"It took you all night to figure that out?" Hotaru asked attentively.
(A/N from Ryoko: I don't think that's right Vela.)
Quiore smiled at her. "No. I had to tell them everything I told you. It took longer than I expected since they had their share of questions."
"Why did they come?" Rei asked.
Quiore's smile faded. "They need you back on Earth," he answered solemnly. "You should come with me right now." He glanced at Haruka, who was moaning and whose eyes were @.@ from stress and shock, and snapped his fingers. A dry, brown flower appeared in between them. He took her teacup, crushed the flower into a coarse powder with a hand, took a spoon and stirred it around. Then he gave Michiru the cup.
"She should drink this." He said. "It will calm, de-shock, de-stress, and de-confuse her. And God only knows it won't be good if she's confused shocked and stressed while fighting. It's a little sour though."
Michiru nodded and shook Haruka's shoulder. "Drink this," she said softly.
Haruka took the cup absently and drank it all at once. In an instant her eyes turned from @.@ to X.X and her mouth puckered. "It's SO SOUR!!: she cried bouncing up and down on her tiptoes.
The others stared () at her, including Quiore.
Finally, Haruka sat down and sighed. "That was horrible."
"Well at least you aren't zombied anymore." Usagi said, imitating Haruka's @.@ face, then her X.X eyes and puckered mouth.
Haruka pulled Usagi towards her and held her (much like she does Neptune in some of those "cousinly" pictures.)
"You're lucky I like you kitten," she whispered so low no one else heard.
"I know you like me," Usagi whispered back. "You're my friend so of course you do."
"Not in that way."
Usagi got a () on her head and tried to pull away but Haruka held onto her. "You're lucky I like you, no one else would be able to imitate me, without being in pain, as you did."
Usagi laughed nervously ()^^ "Hehe.We.Can I go now?"
Haruka kissed her cheek (but luckily no one noticed) and let the squirming Usagi go.
She put a hand on her cheek where Haruka had kissed her. She remembered how Haruka said she was attracted to Usagi while they were battling the Death Busters, that had been on the day Mamoru had forgotten it was her birthday (how she had been offended, but now she didn't care). It had slipped her mind because she thought she was just teasing. Apparently, Haruka wasn't.
Usagi linked her arm through Seiya's telling Haruka. 'I love somebody else.'
Haruka smiled slyly at her. "You're a sly one kitten."
Quiore spoke up. "Please transform so I can take you back. It's easier when you're transformed."
The senshi nodded.
"Moon Eternal!" "Mercury Crystal Power!" "Mars Crystal Power!" "Jupiter Crystal Power!" "Venus Crystal Power!" "Neptune Crystal Power!" "Uranus Crystal Power!" "Pluto Crystal Power!" "Saturn Crystal Power!" "Fighter Star Power!" "Maker Star Power!" "Healer Star Power!"
"MAKE-UP!"
"Take us to Luna and Artemis, Quiore!" ESM declared.
Quiore nodded. There was the familiar flash of light, slight breeze, and sound of bird wings. Usagi reminded herself to keep her eyes shut tightly until she could see the next flash of light through her eyelids.
'Wait' she thought. 'Where's Quiore?' She flexed her fingers on both hands. She didn't feel him. As a matter of fact, she didn't feel anything. She wanted to open her eyes but was afraid to, finally she did, and almost screamed. She was standing in a dark room carved of black stone and, and, HE was there.
Mamoru -no- Princes Endymion was sitting on his throne, holding the hilt of his sword in one hand, clenching a black rose in the other so hard it bled. His eyes were even more sinister than before.
He smiled. "Usako."
ESM took a step backwards. Fear was mounting higher and higher inside herself.
Endymion stood up and slowly walked up to her. "I've been waiting for you."
ESM was trembling. Her gaze fell to the floor.
Endymion touched her face, she jerked away and without thinking-slapped his hand and shouted, "Don't!"
Endymion looked surprised but his surprise quickly turned to anger. "You should show respect to your master."
"You aren't my master," ESM hissed. "You never have and you never will."
"Who made you great?" he asked. "Who gave you hope to defeat Beryl? Whose future self told you to believe in our love during the fight against the Black Moon? Who gave you're life back after the gizinshou shattered on Fiore's meteor? I did! I own you Usagi! I own you!" He shook her violently. "I own you, so I can order you to do anything! I order you to love me!"
"No!" ESM yelled, "I love Seiya! Not you! Seiya!"
"Surrender everything Usagi," he said (surprisingly) calmly. "Surrender your heart, body, and soul to me!"
"NO!" ESM screamed. She felt him let go of her shoulders and she opened her eyes slowly.
Endymion had his sword point hovering an inch above her brooch. "My challenger will die, whether you love me or him. And if you can't see the error in your ways then you too, shall perish. You're fire-reading friend almost did for inquiring too much."
"Chall.challenger?" ESM whispered as Endymion placed the point against her chest.
Endymion smiled insanely (much like when he was brain washed by Beryl), but didn't answer. Instead, he pulled his sword back then thrust it forward.
ESM didn't have time to even gasp.
"USAGI!"
ESM blinked. Her eyes were hazy, she blinked again and they cleared.
Fighter was leaning over her, gently shaking her shoulder a concerned look on her face.
ESM looked around. They were back in the Passageway and all the senshi were gathered around her and Fighter.
"Odango Atama, are you alright?" Fighter asked.
"What happened?" ESM murmured slowly sitting up.
"You tell me," Fighter replied. "All I know that as soon as you got here you went into a trance of something. Mars was about to use her AKU RYUTAI SAN attack on you. So, what happened?"
ESM thought back. "I saw Endymion.and he almost killed me.or at least he tried to with his sword. He said that he owned me because of all the help he gave me during battle. And he tried to make me love him. He said if I didn't he's kill his challenger-which I think is Fighter-and me too. He also said.He said something about Rei-chan! And the fire!"
Everyone looked at Rei. "Rei-chan, did you see Mamoru in the fire?" Minako asked.
Mars nodded. "He said the same things basically. That was going to kill Seiya, that Seiya had ruined his plans to be ruler along side Neo-Queen Serenity, et cetera."
"Why didn't you tell us?" Minako asked.
"I didn't want to believe it myself at first, I didn't tell because.I wanted to make sure it was Mamoru."
ESM held a hand to her forehead. Her forehead throbbed madly. "Where's Luna.and Artemis?" she mumbled.
The senshi shifted uncomfortably, glancing at each other nervously.
"Usagi." Ami started. "Quiore has them.He took them down the hall so you wouldn't see them the moment you woke up."
"What happened to them?" ESM gasped with horror and shock.
"Apparently." Mako took over. "Mamoru got to them first.Even though they're animals he didn't show them any mercy. They only just got away-"
ESM jumped to her feet and shoved her way out of the circle her friends made, sprinting down the hall. "Quiore! Quiore, where are you?!" She called. "Quiore!" she spotted him 12 sprinting steps away. "Quiore!" He looked up and she saw a black figure lying in his arms.
"Luna!" she cried coming to a stop before Quiore. She knelt down beside her guardian and friend, giving her an once-over. "Oh Luna." Gently, she took the cat from Quiore and hugged her. "I'm so sorry I wasn't there to protect you."
Luna looked at Usagi. She struggled to breath. "It's not.your fault.Perhaps.Good will.come out of this.somehow."
Quiore stood up and spread his wings. "Their condition has worsened in the last 24 hours. If I had known the roses he had punctured them with were toxic." He looked down at Artemis, who was much better off than Luna, he had only several nasty cuts. He was staring at Luna, a concerned look on his face. "I'm going back.to retrieve some medicine and bandages for them."
And in an instant, he was gone.
"Why did he do this to you?" ESM whispered. She heard heavy footsteps behind her and knew that it was the senshi.
Luna, still struggling to breathe, replied. "Endymion.looking for you.said.patience for your return.ran out..Tried forcing us.to bring you back."
"How did you get here though?"
Artemis took a step forward. "Pluto gave us a charm to say. It would enable us to go where you were.
The senshi stepped at her side but ESM didn't acknowledge them.
After a few seconds of uneasy silence Mercury spoke up. "Usagi.we just didn't want you to be worried.well, hurt."
"You could have had the decency to tell me," ESM whispered, hurt that her friends didn't think she could handle this. A thought jolted her into her mind, then she put it into words. "I'll fight Endymion until one-or both- of us drop dead and rot on the ground.
"Well at least she's enthusiastic," Uranus muttered. -_-()
"But I think that was overdoing it," Neptune returned. -_-()
"Tell me about it," Pluto added. -_-()
"Is she always like that?" Saturn asked. ^^()
"Unfortunately," Mars replied. -_-()
"Hey!" ESM cried but was cut short when Quiore reappeared carrying an armload of supplies.
"I brought back as much as I could." he said kneeling down, setting the supplies on the ground and taking Luna into his arms He picked up a small, stone jar taking a pinch of whatever was in it and spread it over her wounds. They lost their ugly greenish look but began to steam. Luna gritted her teeth but still cried out,
"I'm sorry," Quiore said above her cry as she squirmed in his arms. "But it's taking out the poison."
"It hurts so." Luna whimpered.
"I know," he replied. "It will be easier if you were humans."
Artemis looks up at ESM. "Couldn't you do that through Sailor Moon?"
"What?"
"Couldn't you turn us both into humans? You did to Luna once before."
"I guess I could try." She replied. She spread out her arms as her brooch opened up revealing the ginzuishou. Ginzuishou, she thought as it began to glow. You've helped me through the years, and soon you will again. But this time is different, it's not to defeat an enemy but to help our guardians. Please gizuishou, use your power to transform Luna and Artemis into humans so they can be healed quicker.
"Gizuishou!" She cried. "Power up!"
Luna and Artemis' bodies got all shiny (body lines for Luna but only waist- up lines for Artemis) as their limbs lengthened.
Artemis blinked and examined a hand with an arm that had a deep cut on it, staining his white long sleeve. "So this is what it's like to be a human." (He looks like his Manga self)
ESM smiled weakly. "Yes," she whispered then collapsed.
Usagi opened her eyes slowly. The senshi were all sitting down against pillars. Those aren't pillars, she thought, we're back in that one room.Then she realized she was in a tube herself. Strange, she thought, I don't seem to need to breathe.Across her were Luna and Artemis, also in tubes, nude, expect Luna's long hair covered her while that ring of steel plates covered Artemis.
Quiore's face appeared in front of hers. "Oh, you've recuperated." He stated putting a hand on the glass.
Usagi nodded and placed her hand against it too. She blushed suddenly. Oh my God." she thought glancing down at herself, then returned to her normal shade when she realized her hair was down and covering herself.
"You don't have to be embarrassed. We took your hair down to cover you."
Usagi was a bit surprised. Can you.? She began.
Quiore nodded. "There's something about this substance, it allows me to read your thoughts. So, ready to come out?"
Usagi smiled and nodded.
"This is as far as I can go with you," Quiore announced back in the Passageway.
"Can't you accompany us back?" ESM asked.
Quiore shook his head. "I am forbidden to leave my post. The consequences for abandoning my post.they're grave, let's put it that way."
ESM nodded. "Well.I guess this is goodbye then," ESM said softly.
Quiore nodded. "Yes. But before you leave, take this-" he pulled a long snow white feather from his left wing, snapped his fingers as his purple jewel glowed, and the feather turned in a crystal feather pendant on a long gold chain. "I have a feeling I won't see you for a long while-" he smiled sadly "-So remember me by that. It may come in useful at one time or another.when it becomes its true form again. You're shine activates it."
ESM hugged him tightly. "Thank you Quiore."
Quiore looked at Seiya/Fighter. "This once belonged to you. The queen put it in my possession for me to keep." It was a red ruby start pendant on a silver chain, he handed it to Fighter.
"Thank you," Fighter returned.
"We'd best get going. We don't want to disappoint Luna and Artemis when they finish recuperating." Pluto stated.
ESM went to Fighter's side. "Buh bye Quiore!" She called as he began to float backwards away from them. She waves to him.
Quiore waved back. "Good-bye Princess!" He called back.
The next instant he was gone in a flash of white light and a soft breeze.
Then the Passageway disappeared as they were transported home.
It was evening and the sky was turning pink. The city looked fine but evil energy emanated from everywhere.
"Endymion has defiantly awakened," Mars announced though she didn't need to say it. Everyone knew.
A/N: Ryoko: Sorry Vela-chan that I didn't have it up last night.
Disclaimer: Neither Sailor Moon nor the chars used in this story belong to me.
Fate Isn't Written in Stone
Chapter 8:
Returning to the Present
(Next Morning (early))
Hotaru set down her cup of steaming tea. "Shouldn't Usagi and the Starlights be woken up soon?"
Setsuna nodded. "Soon. We'll wake them up if they don't wake up themselves."
() "It's not like kitten will wake up of her own accord at this time," Haruka said.
A bleary eyed Yaten stumbled out of his room rubbing an eye. He yawned then asked sleepily, "Where's Seiya?"
Minako rushed to Yaten "He's still sleeping silly now come on, you can sit by me!"
() "But-" Minako shoved him into a chair- "But Seiya isn't-" Minako shoved a biscuit into his mouth.
"He's still sleeping! So eat your biscuit!"
Yaten shrugged then thoughtfully chewed his biscuit.
"I'm sick of Usagi always slowing us down! I'm waking her up!" Rei hissed. She stomped over to Usagi's tapestry/door and pulled it aside. "Oi!" Usagi- chan! It's time for you to." Rei gasped, her eyes got huge then she shrieked turning away and covering her eyes. "Sorry! Sorry! I didn't mean to intrude." She ran back to the table.
"What is it?" Ami asked.
Rei (hair sticking out because of stress) pointed to Usagi's room with a shaking finger. "Ask her for yourself when she comes out."
Usagi say up slowly, a hand still holding Seiya's. "Rei-chan?" she murmured straightening her nightgown. Seiya sat up and blinked sleepily. He was shirtless now. "What was that about?"
Usagi stepped out of the bed, Seiya following suit. "I don't know. You and I were just sleeping when she shrieked and all." Seiya clasped Usagi's hand in his as they walked to where the others sat. Taiki had recently joined them.
Haruka saw Seiya bare-chested with Usagi, coming out of HER bedroom and jumped to her feet. "What the f-"
"Haruka!" Michiru hissed. "Let them explain!"
Haruka took a long breath then sank slowly back down into her chair. She glared at Seiya. "What were you doing in there?"
"We didn't-" Usagi started but Haruka held up her hand. "I was asking Seiya."
"We were only talking last night and.we fell asleep I guess."
Haruka turned to Usagi. "You WERE fully clothed last night weren't you?"
Usagi positively glowed scarlet. "I."
Haruka's eyes got so funny looking (everyone else stared) and a large sweat drop appeared over her head. "Oh my God." Haruka murmured. "You.?"
Usagi's jaw dropped. "Haruka-san! Oh my God, no!" We were just talking and we kissed.well actually we kissed nearly till dawn. But that's all."
Haruka stared at Usagi open-mouthed.
"So, uh, did Quiore ever come back? Seiya asked nervously, trying to change the subject.
"No he did-" Michiru started when a voice (echoing slightly) said, "Yes. I'm here."
The senshi heard the familiar sound of birds taking flight and felt a soft breeze on their skin.
Quiore materialized slowly a few feet from the senshi. He gave Seiya a small double take then smiled. He looked a little tired.
"Who was in the passageway Quiore?" Makoto asked.
"You're guardians."
"Luna?" Usagi asked.
"Artemis?" Minako added.
Quiore nodded
"How did they get here?" Minako wondered aloud.
"I can answer that." Setsuna replied. "I told them to contact us if they needed our help. I gave them a charon (sp?) so they would be directly teleported to The Passageway."
Usagi turned to Quiore. "Why aren't they with you?"
"Animals don't do well space traveling."
"It took you all night to figure that out?" Hotaru asked attentively.
(A/N from Ryoko: I don't think that's right Vela.)
Quiore smiled at her. "No. I had to tell them everything I told you. It took longer than I expected since they had their share of questions."
"Why did they come?" Rei asked.
Quiore's smile faded. "They need you back on Earth," he answered solemnly. "You should come with me right now." He glanced at Haruka, who was moaning and whose eyes were @.@ from stress and shock, and snapped his fingers. A dry, brown flower appeared in between them. He took her teacup, crushed the flower into a coarse powder with a hand, took a spoon and stirred it around. Then he gave Michiru the cup.
"She should drink this." He said. "It will calm, de-shock, de-stress, and de-confuse her. And God only knows it won't be good if she's confused shocked and stressed while fighting. It's a little sour though."
Michiru nodded and shook Haruka's shoulder. "Drink this," she said softly.
Haruka took the cup absently and drank it all at once. In an instant her eyes turned from @.@ to X.X and her mouth puckered. "It's SO SOUR!!: she cried bouncing up and down on her tiptoes.
The others stared () at her, including Quiore.
Finally, Haruka sat down and sighed. "That was horrible."
"Well at least you aren't zombied anymore." Usagi said, imitating Haruka's @.@ face, then her X.X eyes and puckered mouth.
Haruka pulled Usagi towards her and held her (much like she does Neptune in some of those "cousinly" pictures.)
"You're lucky I like you kitten," she whispered so low no one else heard.
"I know you like me," Usagi whispered back. "You're my friend so of course you do."
"Not in that way."
Usagi got a () on her head and tried to pull away but Haruka held onto her. "You're lucky I like you, no one else would be able to imitate me, without being in pain, as you did."
Usagi laughed nervously ()^^ "Hehe.We.Can I go now?"
Haruka kissed her cheek (but luckily no one noticed) and let the squirming Usagi go.
She put a hand on her cheek where Haruka had kissed her. She remembered how Haruka said she was attracted to Usagi while they were battling the Death Busters, that had been on the day Mamoru had forgotten it was her birthday (how she had been offended, but now she didn't care). It had slipped her mind because she thought she was just teasing. Apparently, Haruka wasn't.
Usagi linked her arm through Seiya's telling Haruka. 'I love somebody else.'
Haruka smiled slyly at her. "You're a sly one kitten."
Quiore spoke up. "Please transform so I can take you back. It's easier when you're transformed."
The senshi nodded.
"Moon Eternal!" "Mercury Crystal Power!" "Mars Crystal Power!" "Jupiter Crystal Power!" "Venus Crystal Power!" "Neptune Crystal Power!" "Uranus Crystal Power!" "Pluto Crystal Power!" "Saturn Crystal Power!" "Fighter Star Power!" "Maker Star Power!" "Healer Star Power!"
"MAKE-UP!"
"Take us to Luna and Artemis, Quiore!" ESM declared.
Quiore nodded. There was the familiar flash of light, slight breeze, and sound of bird wings. Usagi reminded herself to keep her eyes shut tightly until she could see the next flash of light through her eyelids.
'Wait' she thought. 'Where's Quiore?' She flexed her fingers on both hands. She didn't feel him. As a matter of fact, she didn't feel anything. She wanted to open her eyes but was afraid to, finally she did, and almost screamed. She was standing in a dark room carved of black stone and, and, HE was there.
Mamoru -no- Princes Endymion was sitting on his throne, holding the hilt of his sword in one hand, clenching a black rose in the other so hard it bled. His eyes were even more sinister than before.
He smiled. "Usako."
ESM took a step backwards. Fear was mounting higher and higher inside herself.
Endymion stood up and slowly walked up to her. "I've been waiting for you."
ESM was trembling. Her gaze fell to the floor.
Endymion touched her face, she jerked away and without thinking-slapped his hand and shouted, "Don't!"
Endymion looked surprised but his surprise quickly turned to anger. "You should show respect to your master."
"You aren't my master," ESM hissed. "You never have and you never will."
"Who made you great?" he asked. "Who gave you hope to defeat Beryl? Whose future self told you to believe in our love during the fight against the Black Moon? Who gave you're life back after the gizinshou shattered on Fiore's meteor? I did! I own you Usagi! I own you!" He shook her violently. "I own you, so I can order you to do anything! I order you to love me!"
"No!" ESM yelled, "I love Seiya! Not you! Seiya!"
"Surrender everything Usagi," he said (surprisingly) calmly. "Surrender your heart, body, and soul to me!"
"NO!" ESM screamed. She felt him let go of her shoulders and she opened her eyes slowly.
Endymion had his sword point hovering an inch above her brooch. "My challenger will die, whether you love me or him. And if you can't see the error in your ways then you too, shall perish. You're fire-reading friend almost did for inquiring too much."
"Chall.challenger?" ESM whispered as Endymion placed the point against her chest.
Endymion smiled insanely (much like when he was brain washed by Beryl), but didn't answer. Instead, he pulled his sword back then thrust it forward.
ESM didn't have time to even gasp.
"USAGI!"
ESM blinked. Her eyes were hazy, she blinked again and they cleared.
Fighter was leaning over her, gently shaking her shoulder a concerned look on her face.
ESM looked around. They were back in the Passageway and all the senshi were gathered around her and Fighter.
"Odango Atama, are you alright?" Fighter asked.
"What happened?" ESM murmured slowly sitting up.
"You tell me," Fighter replied. "All I know that as soon as you got here you went into a trance of something. Mars was about to use her AKU RYUTAI SAN attack on you. So, what happened?"
ESM thought back. "I saw Endymion.and he almost killed me.or at least he tried to with his sword. He said that he owned me because of all the help he gave me during battle. And he tried to make me love him. He said if I didn't he's kill his challenger-which I think is Fighter-and me too. He also said.He said something about Rei-chan! And the fire!"
Everyone looked at Rei. "Rei-chan, did you see Mamoru in the fire?" Minako asked.
Mars nodded. "He said the same things basically. That was going to kill Seiya, that Seiya had ruined his plans to be ruler along side Neo-Queen Serenity, et cetera."
"Why didn't you tell us?" Minako asked.
"I didn't want to believe it myself at first, I didn't tell because.I wanted to make sure it was Mamoru."
ESM held a hand to her forehead. Her forehead throbbed madly. "Where's Luna.and Artemis?" she mumbled.
The senshi shifted uncomfortably, glancing at each other nervously.
"Usagi." Ami started. "Quiore has them.He took them down the hall so you wouldn't see them the moment you woke up."
"What happened to them?" ESM gasped with horror and shock.
"Apparently." Mako took over. "Mamoru got to them first.Even though they're animals he didn't show them any mercy. They only just got away-"
ESM jumped to her feet and shoved her way out of the circle her friends made, sprinting down the hall. "Quiore! Quiore, where are you?!" She called. "Quiore!" she spotted him 12 sprinting steps away. "Quiore!" He looked up and she saw a black figure lying in his arms.
"Luna!" she cried coming to a stop before Quiore. She knelt down beside her guardian and friend, giving her an once-over. "Oh Luna." Gently, she took the cat from Quiore and hugged her. "I'm so sorry I wasn't there to protect you."
Luna looked at Usagi. She struggled to breath. "It's not.your fault.Perhaps.Good will.come out of this.somehow."
Quiore stood up and spread his wings. "Their condition has worsened in the last 24 hours. If I had known the roses he had punctured them with were toxic." He looked down at Artemis, who was much better off than Luna, he had only several nasty cuts. He was staring at Luna, a concerned look on his face. "I'm going back.to retrieve some medicine and bandages for them."
And in an instant, he was gone.
"Why did he do this to you?" ESM whispered. She heard heavy footsteps behind her and knew that it was the senshi.
Luna, still struggling to breathe, replied. "Endymion.looking for you.said.patience for your return.ran out..Tried forcing us.to bring you back."
"How did you get here though?"
Artemis took a step forward. "Pluto gave us a charm to say. It would enable us to go where you were.
The senshi stepped at her side but ESM didn't acknowledge them.
After a few seconds of uneasy silence Mercury spoke up. "Usagi.we just didn't want you to be worried.well, hurt."
"You could have had the decency to tell me," ESM whispered, hurt that her friends didn't think she could handle this. A thought jolted her into her mind, then she put it into words. "I'll fight Endymion until one-or both- of us drop dead and rot on the ground.
"Well at least she's enthusiastic," Uranus muttered. -_-()
"But I think that was overdoing it," Neptune returned. -_-()
"Tell me about it," Pluto added. -_-()
"Is she always like that?" Saturn asked. ^^()
"Unfortunately," Mars replied. -_-()
"Hey!" ESM cried but was cut short when Quiore reappeared carrying an armload of supplies.
"I brought back as much as I could." he said kneeling down, setting the supplies on the ground and taking Luna into his arms He picked up a small, stone jar taking a pinch of whatever was in it and spread it over her wounds. They lost their ugly greenish look but began to steam. Luna gritted her teeth but still cried out,
"I'm sorry," Quiore said above her cry as she squirmed in his arms. "But it's taking out the poison."
"It hurts so." Luna whimpered.
"I know," he replied. "It will be easier if you were humans."
Artemis looks up at ESM. "Couldn't you do that through Sailor Moon?"
"What?"
"Couldn't you turn us both into humans? You did to Luna once before."
"I guess I could try." She replied. She spread out her arms as her brooch opened up revealing the ginzuishou. Ginzuishou, she thought as it began to glow. You've helped me through the years, and soon you will again. But this time is different, it's not to defeat an enemy but to help our guardians. Please gizuishou, use your power to transform Luna and Artemis into humans so they can be healed quicker.
"Gizuishou!" She cried. "Power up!"
Luna and Artemis' bodies got all shiny (body lines for Luna but only waist- up lines for Artemis) as their limbs lengthened.
Artemis blinked and examined a hand with an arm that had a deep cut on it, staining his white long sleeve. "So this is what it's like to be a human." (He looks like his Manga self)
ESM smiled weakly. "Yes," she whispered then collapsed.
Usagi opened her eyes slowly. The senshi were all sitting down against pillars. Those aren't pillars, she thought, we're back in that one room.Then she realized she was in a tube herself. Strange, she thought, I don't seem to need to breathe.Across her were Luna and Artemis, also in tubes, nude, expect Luna's long hair covered her while that ring of steel plates covered Artemis.
Quiore's face appeared in front of hers. "Oh, you've recuperated." He stated putting a hand on the glass.
Usagi nodded and placed her hand against it too. She blushed suddenly. Oh my God." she thought glancing down at herself, then returned to her normal shade when she realized her hair was down and covering herself.
"You don't have to be embarrassed. We took your hair down to cover you."
Usagi was a bit surprised. Can you.? She began.
Quiore nodded. "There's something about this substance, it allows me to read your thoughts. So, ready to come out?"
Usagi smiled and nodded.
"This is as far as I can go with you," Quiore announced back in the Passageway.
"Can't you accompany us back?" ESM asked.
Quiore shook his head. "I am forbidden to leave my post. The consequences for abandoning my post.they're grave, let's put it that way."
ESM nodded. "Well.I guess this is goodbye then," ESM said softly.
Quiore nodded. "Yes. But before you leave, take this-" he pulled a long snow white feather from his left wing, snapped his fingers as his purple jewel glowed, and the feather turned in a crystal feather pendant on a long gold chain. "I have a feeling I won't see you for a long while-" he smiled sadly "-So remember me by that. It may come in useful at one time or another.when it becomes its true form again. You're shine activates it."
ESM hugged him tightly. "Thank you Quiore."
Quiore looked at Seiya/Fighter. "This once belonged to you. The queen put it in my possession for me to keep." It was a red ruby start pendant on a silver chain, he handed it to Fighter.
"Thank you," Fighter returned.
"We'd best get going. We don't want to disappoint Luna and Artemis when they finish recuperating." Pluto stated.
ESM went to Fighter's side. "Buh bye Quiore!" She called as he began to float backwards away from them. She waves to him.
Quiore waved back. "Good-bye Princess!" He called back.
The next instant he was gone in a flash of white light and a soft breeze.
Then the Passageway disappeared as they were transported home.
It was evening and the sky was turning pink. The city looked fine but evil energy emanated from everywhere.
"Endymion has defiantly awakened," Mars announced though she didn't need to say it. Everyone knew.