Revised version
Act 9 "Chef Makoto's flowery dream comes true? The vow upon Christmas Eve!"
"What…is this place?"
Everything was dark. Helios felt his feet touch a cushioned but solid surface. His skin sensed a soft breeze combing through his cloth and hair. Curiosity gripped him and slowly Helios opened his amber eyes and saw a pristine forest all around him, he himself dressed in his familiar robe of white and blue tassels. As he looked slightly to his right, a reflection of pure white light shone into his eyes. Slowly, Helios turned and gasped at what he saw.
A few feet away from him was a tall crystalline tree. Its diamond like branches refracting and bending the lights, created a mosaic of rainbow colored beams on the lush green grass. Two songbirds fluttered by on their indigo colored wings, whistling a tune only they and the wind understood. They circled around the bewildered boy as one of them paused in front of him. Helios stretched out his hand as the little bird landed on his finger, chirping happily at him, as if greeting a long lost friend. Helios smiled at the little bird, which seemed to blush from the handsome caretaker's gaze, and flew off to join its companion in the branches of a nearby tree. Smiling still, Helios saw that he stood near a ledge over looking the terrain. He walked to the tip of the grassy cliff, looked down and saw an image that has been imprinted into his mind and heart for thousands of years.
Below were trees of all kind, covering the vast, seemingly endless landscape in a perpetual verdant sea. Here and there crystal structures rose from the earth, standing both imposingly and majestically in the warm sunlight. Woodland creatures such as deer, squirrels and rabbits carried themselves leisurely across the forever-green turf, nibbling on fresh grasses and nuts from trees. Birds of every color flew from branch to branch, their songs creating a symphony below the sunny sky. No place on Earth hosted such a sight, for this was a vision of a paradise, a land where worry does not exist and peace reigned eternal.
"Elysian…this is Elysian, I'm home," Helios said slowly to himself.
He reached out and touched the trunk of a nearby tree, wanting to make sure this was real, and not a figment of his imagination. Feeling the rough bark against his palm, Helios sighed in contentment and relief. But then, just as he was about to lift his hand away, the whole tree shook as the earth below trembled, scattering leaves to the ground in the wake of the quake. Suddenly a wild wind began to pick up, forcing Helios to cover his eyes with his arm.
As the wind died down the air was stiff with a foreign energy. Helios lowered his arm and what he saw chilled his blood into ice. There it was, not far in off in the horizon, a black tent-like ship, with multi-colored cocoons spiraling around its side. Loose cables dangled from the floating mass like tendrils of a maculate web. Black lightning flashed from the strange circus tent. Soon, the sound of pounding thunder echoed through the once peaceful sky, shattering the calm of the forest.
Helios watched speechlessly as the flashes of black lightning encased everything that it touched in a deathly white silk. Birds flew away in panic, only to be struck down by the raging thunder. Water ceased to flow as choking masses of webbing overwhelmed their banks.
This was all too familiar for the guardian, for only four short years ago had he witnessed the same exact scene before him. Above him the sky was beginning to lose its brightness as the world plunged ever deeper into the jaws of darkness. Helios dropped to his knees, horror and disbelief covered his face, drowning into his eyes.
"No…this can't be happening…" Helios whispered desperately to himself, his voice tight and choking.
"But it can!" a voice said, followed by a humorless laugh. Helios wheeled around, only to see the woodlands have disappeared, replaced by a vacant black space that filled the space all around him. Panic began to set in. This was all too similar, too much unwanted memory flooding back all at once.
"Why do you feel lost Priest Helios? You've been here before." The voice said once more, this time in a matter-of-factly tone.
Helios turned, trying to find the voice and put a stop to it. But as he turned, he found that once again, he could no longer move. Then suddenly he felt his body being lifted into the air, and saw white, cold lines wrapping itself around his wrist, his ankles, and his waist. Helios tried to cry out but no sound came out as a length of silk had found its way around his neck. The fine silk web constricted his airway, pulling him apart, pierced his skin with its frigid bite, forcing out a tortured moan from the priest's strangled throat. The webs pulled relentlessly until Helios was sure that his arms and legs would pop out from their joints.
Suddenly, the webs relented, like a puppet master who had released his hold on his doll. Helios' exhausted body dangled from the air like a powerless marionette, hanging from the bundled silver strings. For a few minutes the only sound in the darkness was Helios' ragged breathing. Then Helios heard soft footsteps coming from behind and approached him until he could feel the person standing right over his shoulder.
"Such a pity," the voice said with mock gentleness. A hand reached out from behind Helios's neck and tenderly touched his cheek. "But all this was inevitable."
The voice's hand slowly lifted Helios' face up. Through strained eyes, half closed from the torture, Helios saw a beautiful woman with wavy, ink black hair. She wore earring consisting of three crescent moons and a single black jewel on her forehead; her eyes were slated like that of a cat, but were lifeless and cold. The shock of seeing Nehellenia once more forced open Helios' eyes. Suddenly the Dead Moon queen disappeared from behind him, her face now side by side with his, her breath hot on Helios sweat tainted face.
"But you…you were…" Helios uttered slowly in denial, not wanting to believe what he was seeing, not wanting to relive that nightmare.
"Oh, but I am. And you will never be able to escape my grasp boy. Even though that little girl of the White Moon defeated me once, I will always be with you." Nehellenia chuckled, "You can't use the Golden Crystal; not back then and not now, so don't even try to think that you can get rid of me. It's no use, my darling," said the dark queen s she clamped her hands on Helios' cheeks, her face inches from his so that their eyes were aligned. Her cat-like eyes stared into his soul, striping him bare of all defenses as she delivered the final blow with a cruel smile.
"You will never be able to escape me, never!"
"NO!!"
Helios bolted up in his bed, his body drenched in cold sweat. Seeing the ghostly outlines of Mamoru's spare study room, Helios closed his eyes and took his head in his hands, his breath still rugged from the dream. He took a deep breath and dropped his hands down onto the blanket, which were in disarray from his constant tussling. Helios opened his eyes and the terror of the dream began to subside as he saw the cool, calming moonlight, filtered through the pale curtains.
The door creaked open, but to Helios, it might as well had been kicked open, for his eyes shot towards the door like a startled animal. Mamoru's head popped in through the door, his eyes alert as they swiftly inspected the area before looking down at the occupant of the room.
"Are you alright? I though I heard you scream."
Helios quickly shook his head and uttered brokenly, "No, I-I was just…it's nothing, really." He spoke those words without meeting Mamoru's eyes, but the older man seemed unconvinced. However, seeing that Helios won't elaborate any further, Mamoru nodded silently to himself and smiled weakly before he closed the door.
"All right then, sweet dreams."
Helios sat and watched as the door closed. Sweet dreams…how ironic, he thought darkly.
The heat from the nightmare had caused his body temperature to climb, and now as he sat there covered in sweat, Helios felt like he could go outside and simply stand in the cold, maybe then the frenzy in his mind will freeze over, and he wouldn't have to think about what had happened. Shaking his head the impulse, Helios unbuttoned the top two buttons of his shirt and decided to try and not think about the nocturnal ordeal instead.
As he eased himself back into bed, the irony of Mamoru's brief words only grew in Helios' mind. For only a few days ago it was Chibi Usa who was petrified; now it was his turn.
In Juuban's ever-busy shopping district, crowds flock by stores and shops. Some stopped to window shop while others were more than willing to get their hands on the trendy items. In the sea of people, one group of girls walked towards a small but charming looking restaurant named Jupiter Cove.
As they moved inside, lush green plants and flowers greeted them, giving their eyes a much-needed rest from the gray concrete and flashing lights of the urban jungle. The walls were painted a warm and creamy sap green while the ceiling was laid with earthy wooden beams. Small, art nouveau styled glass lamps lined the dinning area, adding a romantic glow to the place. Impeccably white tablecloth, small, with delicately-shaped silken oak leafs sown into each corner, dressed the tables. This plus the green and ivory colored plates matched the theme of the room perfectly.
Private booths lined the walls while round tables form a zigzagging line down the isle, the colorful vases of flowers upon them formed a rainbow line down the center of the room. There was a separate dinning room in the back, divided by a wood and rich paper screen that was painted with nouveau styled flower designs. There weren't many patrons in the restaurant, but those who there all seemed very pleased with the food created by head chef and owner, Makoto Kino.
"Oh, hi guys!" Makoto walked out from behind the kitchen. She turned to one of the restaurant waiters and asked her to keep an eye on the kitchen for a while. The group sat down in a large table at the secluded far end of the restaurant, and marveled at the place while they enjoyed some refreshments.
"Wow, Mako-chan you've really got this place going!" commented Rei as she nodded approvingly at the room's décor.
Makoto shyly scratched her head; her white chef's outfit was kept remarkably clean despite her line of work.
"But it's not much of a crowd here. People are coming in but mostly on weekends," Makoto said in a slightly disappointed tone.
Minako waved her hand. "Don't worry; I'm sure after people hear about how good the food and how wonderful the ambiance is they'll flock here by the hundreds. It's just that some times you gotta play the gallows, let people know you're here."
The group smiled wearily; this isn't the first time Minako's mingled up a proverb.
Chibi Usa gazed around the room, the soft lighting reflected in her clear ruby eyes. "It's almost like being in a forest, and the lamps look just like fire flies," she complimented.
Makoto smiled at the pink teenager, grateful for the praise. "Why thank you, Chibi Usa-chan."
Usagi clasped her hands together happily. "With you new restaurant and all, I bet you're going to have a great birthday party this year to mark the occasion! It's been a while since I last tasted your special double-decker chocolate and vanilla cake."
At this, Makoto became a little uncomfortable. "Umm, actually I need to tell you guys something about the birthday party. That is, I'm not having one this year." The group suddenly fell silent. Usagi looked positively heart broken, having been denied her chance at tasting the delicious cake.
Makoto looked apologetically at her friends and said, "The restaurant just opened and there aren't not enough hired hands to handle the weekend shift. There are also my classes at the Culinary Institute, so I'm going to be pretty busy from now on. That means," Makoto give a final sigh, "that I won't be able to hold my birthday party this year."
There was a silent hollowness at the table. Makoto's birthday party had been a tradition amongst the girls ever since they first meet and became friends. The parties weren't big but it had always been a good bonding experience for the senshi.
Ami was the first one to break the silence, "Well, maybe we can come and help you here at Jupiter Cove. I'm sure the six of us can handle it."
Rei leaned back in her chair and curved her lips up tentatively. "I don't know…I wouldn't trust Usagi in a kitchen any more than I would trust a lit match around an open tank of gas."
Usagi looked narrowly at Rei, but she knew what a mess she can make when she try to cook. It was better not to ruin Makoto's business so soon after she just started.
Minako sighed, "That's too bad, but we can still get you presents right?" Thinking this, the blonde's eyes brightened. "Is there anything you really want this year, maybe a nice Gucci handbag or a get away to say, Kyoto? With the money from the movie I'm sure I'll be able to do that. What do you think?"
Makoto shook her head; her face was the same shade as her rose earrings as she graciously declined the offer. "I can't do that, besides Minako-chan, you earned that money; it's not right for me to spend them so extravagantly."
"Mako-chan, this is going to be your 20th birthday, your coming of age birthday! If we can't have a party then as your friends we should at least do something to celebrate the occasion. So come on, tell us," Rei urged.
Makoto smiled and said softly, "Well, what I would really like, I guess, is to have a boyfriend." Hearing this, Chibi Usa looked at Makoto and saw a dreamy look on the tall woman' face. "A guy who loves me and cares for me, who's both handsome and charming. That's the kind of guy I want."
While all the other girls had an incredible look on their face, Chibi Usa was blushing softly. At the mention of boyfriend, somehow the young princess' brain warped up a picture of a particular handsome classmate of hers. Since her talk with Hotaru several weeks ago, Chibi Usa haven't really had any immediate thoughts about revealing her feelings for Helios. Her terrifying experience with Black Lady had blotted out all thoughts about opening her romantic feelings toward the boy. But now that life was once again back to normal (or as normal as a future princess' life can be) the question of telling him how she felt struck her at full force. If she doesn't tell him soon then once the enemy is defeated Helios will have to leave, then who knows when they'll meet again.
Makoto's laugh brought Chibi Usa out of her thoughts. The woman with the chestnut-colored ponytail chuckled, "Sorry, I was only kidding! I can't exactly ask you guys to kidnap a cute guy off the streets for me can I?"
"Well, is there anything else that you want?" asked Minako, propping her cheek on her hands.
Makoto nodded and looked at the small vase of fresh flowers in the center of the table. "Now that I've opened my own restaurant part of my dream is complete, but I still wish I can also open a flower shop. When I was little, I knew an old lady who had a small indoor garden at her house."
A smile spread across Makoto's face as she recounted her story. "Even during the winter months her house would always be filled with color and life. I too want to be able to see the rich colors of nature all year round, and I want people to be able to share that with me."
With dramatic twinkling eyes, Usagi suddenly stood up out of her chair (nearly spilling her drink) and declared, "All right then! We'll all donate some of our allowances and help you get one step closer to your dream! I'm sure you'll be able to open that flower shop, no problem!" Usagi shouted enthusiastically.
Chibi Usa shot her future mother a long look and said under her breath, "Usagi, you already spend all your allowances on junk food. I bet you don't even have ten yen left in your pocket."
Usagi bent down and said though puffed cheeks, "For your information, I didn't spend all my money; I still have thirty yens left!" The blonde triumphantly held up three fingers in the air.
"Right, like that'll do a lot of good!" Chibi Usa retorted with her usual ferocity.
Makoto waved her hand desperately, sweat drop hanging on her brows. "Calm down you guys, I was only saying; I can't take your money!" Makoto sighed through a half smile and said, "Besides, the best present in the world is having you guys as my friends. I'm satisfied as it is, by having you guys cheering me on."
"Mako-chan…" Chibi Usa couldn't but feel bad for her. It just didn't seem fair that someone as hard working as Makoto won't get to have a decent birthday celebration.
Looking up at the clock, Makoto stood up from her chair and looked at all her friends, "I need to go back to work, the drinks are on me," Makoto said with a playful wink. "I'll see you guys later!"
As Makoto walked out from behind the screen, a pair of eyes watched her. A woman dressed in a tailor cut yellow dress with a shop's worth of flamboyant jewelry to boot, trailed the chef across the room with her brilliant brown-yellow eyes until Makoto disappeared into the kitchen.
In the dressing room, Argent was thoroughly perusing a fashion magazine, letting out girlish giggles whenever she sees a handsome male model. Eisen was napping, leaning against her table. Oro entered the strangely calm room and cocked an eyebrow, surprised that for once she didn't walk into a room where the two archenemies were in a state of active war.
The clicking of Oro's boots woke Eisen, who shot up and looked around. She yawned when she saw it was only her teammate. "So, how did it go?" Eisen asked around another yawn. "I still think it's a waste of time to watch our targets. I say we just zap 'em and get it over with." With that, Eisen spun around and crossed her legs.
Once Oro's changed back into her usual costume, she smiled knowingly, "This time it'll be worth it. And I've got a new weapon up my sleeve. Literately"
Oro snapped her finger and the picture of a smiling Makoto appeared on the mirrors. Reaching into her sleeve, Oro pulled out the golden pocket watch she had used before. However, the watch appeared even more ornate than before, with strange instruments and such hanging from its rim.
"Thanks to the Black Crystal shard that Bellona-sama gave me, I've been able to make an updated version of my hypnosis watch. And I've been dying to see how well it works."
Eisen scuffed, "You sure? What if this person doesn't fall for whatever plan you have?"
"Oh she will. You see," Oro explained, "this target is a visionary. People like her are credulous and can be easily fooled and manipulated if you know which button to push and which string to pull"
"Oro's right about that, the more eager a human is to complete a dream, the easier they fall for a trap." Argent shot a glance at the picture in her mirror and wrinkled her nose. "But I have to say, this target of yours has no fashion sense. That ponytail is so last season!"
Just then, a booming message ringed through the room. "Metallum Girls, you are being summoned!" Bellona's voice ringed through the room and into the ears of the three women.
Argent sighed woefully and reluctantly put down her magazine. "I guess we'd better go." The others nodded and each disappeared in their respective closets of red, yellow and blue.
As soon as they saw the darkness of Bellona's room, the three women knelt down and respectively bowed their heads. Bellona's cloaked form walked out from the shadow and sat down upon her metallic throne.
"You have been working hard lately," Bellona began in a benignly voice, but the three could tell that that tone of voice wasn't going to last long. "But not hard enough!" The masked woman's voice rose commandingly.
The crystal ball containing captured energy, the one they had seen before, rose out from the stale air. However, this time the blue-purplish gas within the sphere seemed darker and cloudier than before. The sphere flew down towards the Metallum Girls and remained suspended in midair, slowly floating between the three women.
"When the crystal sphere is filled with the energies you have collected, only then will there be enough energy to finish the reconstruct on the Black Crystal. We must move fast before the senshi catch wind of our plans. Thus you must work quickly or we might miss this once in a life time opportunity."
The sphere flew back to Bellona's, and disappeared with a turn of her hand when Oro abruptly spoke up. "Mistress, if I may ask, just what exactly is this 'chance' you speak of? What 'chance' are we working on?"
Suddenly Oro felt a hand grasping her throat from behind her. She tried to pull away the hand but felt nothing but the skin of her neck.
"Oro!" Eisen looked at her teammate then back at Bellona, not knowing what was going on. Argent clutched her shawl but made no move to help. Then as suddenly as the hand came it disappeared, leaving Oro staggering upon both knees, struggling for breath.
Bellona's voice came as a bare whisper, but scorn and anger were clearly marked as she stood up from her throne. "Do you not remember who it was that saved you three miserable rats and made you what you are today?! Who are you to ask questions?!"
"I'm sorry Bellona-sama…" Oro said through haggard breaths as she pushed herself back up. "I was out of line, please, forgive me."
Seemingly satisfied with the groveling apology, Bellona took in a deep breath and changed her focus to all three women and noticed one was missing. "Where is Rame?" she asked directly.
Argent took a glance at Oro and spoke softly, "We have not seen her in days, Bellona-sama. And none of us knows where she is."
Bellona pondered on this for a while, then waved her hand and said, "Have her see me immediately once she reappears. You may go now." The three women beat a hasty retreat, leaving Bellona alone in the room.
"I don't believe there will be any need for that." Wise Man's voice spoke out from the darkness.
Without looking, Bellona asked, "What do you mean?"
Wise Man chuckled as he floated into sight. "I think Rame will turn up in time and soon too. And who knows, maybe we may even benefit from her temporary disappearance."
Bellona said nothing. Instead, she sat back down in her metallic throne and with a wave of her hand summoned forth the Black Crystal, its shards still drifting ghostly around the main block of crystal. Bellona's hand gently touched her ivory mask when she asked quietly, "How much longer do I have to wait, Wise Man? I can feel it," Bellona moved her boney hands, her voice echoing a deep feeling of dread. "I don't have much time left! This body of mine won't last much longer!"
Wise Man spoke reassuringly, "Do not worry. I am certain that this time my plan will work successfully, and I am sure you won't be disappointed with the results."
"Chibi Usa, Mamo-chan's car's here! Hurry up already!" shouted Usagi as she rushed to put a jacket on, Luna and Diana standing by her feet.
Loud footsteps came down from the stairs and soon Chibi Usa was racing towards the front door. "I'm coming, I'm coming!" the pink-haired teenager quickly put on her shoes and walked outside with her "cousin" before waving goodbye to Ikuko and Kenji.
Once they were inside the car, Mamoru greeted them with a smile. "So, where do my beautiful escorts wish to go tonight?"
Chibi Usa began before Usagi could close the car door. "We need to go to the mall and get Mako-chan a birthday present."
A semi-surprised look appeared on Mamoru's face, "Oh? But I thought her birthday was today."
Luna nodded, she looked at Usagi who was now blushing slightly and pretending that she's not in the conversation. "Well, Usagi procrastinated so she'll have to get it tonight to make the party. Sorry for the trouble Mamoru-san, I should've made her get it earlier."
"Don't worry about it Luna, I don't mind. But a party? What's that all about?"
Chibi Usa nodded as the car turned onto the main road. "We thought that it just wouldn't be right if we didn't have a party for Mako-chan's 20th birthday, so we're preparing a surprise party for her at her house. And we were wondering if you could drive us over to Jupiter Cover after we're done so we can take Mako-chan home for the surprise party."
Mamoru nodded. "Sure. But how are you girls going to get into Makoto's house to do the preparations? I don't expect you guys will be hiring a lock smith or anything?" Mamoru said jokingly.
Diana answered cheerfully, "Oh that's easy! Minako-san took the key that Makoto-san had hidden under her rug. She and Rei-san and Ami-san are going to do some simple decorating in the house while Usagi-sama and Small Lady are to accompany Makoto-san from her restaurant to her house."
Mamoru sweat dropped. "Um, but taking someone's house key? Are you sure she won't mind?"
Diana shook her small furry head. "Well, Minako-san called it borrowing, said that it was for a greater good and-" at this point, an embarrassed Chibi Usa covered Diana's mouth and laughed brokenly.
Chibi Usa thought she ought to change the subject before Diana spills any more of their plan. Initially she couldn't think of anything to say, but the empty front passenger seat up front caused the young princess to remember her future father's roommate.
"Say Mamo-chan, where's Helios?"
The car came to stop in front of a red light. The raven-haired man looked back at his future daughter, "Helios said that he wasn't feeling too well so he decided not to come along." Seeing the worried look on the girl's face, Mamoru smiled reassuringly, "Don't worry, I checked and there was no fever or anything. I guess it was because he didn't sleep very well lately. Just yesterday he woke up in the middle of the night from what seemed to have been a nightmare."
A nightmare…?! The word 'nightmare' rushed forth the hollow dreams she had before Helios' arrival. Could it be that now the enemy was targeting Helios? Chibi Usa shook her head inwardly as the car continued on its journey. Can't be. Helios is the guardian of dreams. If it's a nightmare then it's probably just that, an unpleasant dream, nothing more to it.
"Chibi Usa? Chibi Usa!" Usagi's voice knocked the princess back into reality, and she looked up to see Mamoru and Usagi standing outside the car, the car now parked in the mall's parking lot.
"Oh, I'm coming!" Chibi Usa hurriedly stepped out of the car the car. Luna and Diana stayed behind in the vehicle, while Chibi Usa and her future parents walked toward the glass sliding doors of the shopping mall.
Inside the mall, Usagi took Mamoru to the nearest department store, hoping to pick out some nice clothes both for herself and for Makoto. While the couple talked and held hands, Chibi Usa hung back away from them and for the most part walked along by herself. As Usagi and Mamoru walked in front, Chibi Usa watched their entwined hands, and saw the affection and love between them shining forth through smiles and gentle tugs of their hands.
The young princess sighed and looked up to see an advertisement with a shy young girl handing a handsome boy a wrapped Christmas present. Below were the words, "Give him something special this season, so that he will never forget your love."
'So that he will never forget your love'… Chibi Usa touched her lips and blushed. She can't just keep harboring her feelings for Helios inside like this forever; she had to tell him how she felt about him. But how? Chibi Usa bit her lower lip and thought to herself How am I to tell him that I…Looking back at the poster, her ruby eyes focused on the present in the illustration. An idea popped up inside the teen's head as a smile began to spread on her lips.
"That's it!" she whispered excitedly to herself. She looked around and saw an electronic clock in the clock tower in the middle of the mall. Displayed broadly, was the date "December 2, 2001."
On Christmas Eve, I'll tell Helios how I feel about him! On Christmas Eve then, 22 more days to go… Chibi Usa could feel her heart pumping rapidly, but she didn't care, too lost in the thought of her own future ventures.
Meanwhile, Mamoru and Usagi have noticed that their future daughter was occupied by some intense thought. Usagi stole a glance at Chibi Usa before she tugged on Mamoru's sleeve and said, "Say Mamo-chan, don't you think Chibi Usa's acting, well, strange today?"
Mamoru nodded as he also took a glance back. "Yeah, but she looks rather cheerful. Maybe she's happy about something, who knows."
Usagi sighed dramatically. "To think that just a few days ago she was so gloomy that I could swear there was a rain cloud hanging over her head. But now she looks absolutely giddy about something. Weird kid!"
Mamoru chuckled. "But she is our future baby. Besides, teenagers change their moods in a matter of seconds. You were like that too, but food would always cheer you up," the handsome prince said jokingly to his beloved princess.
Usagi curled up her lips like she was angry but it soon dissolved into a playful smile. "I don't think you should say something like that to your future wife and queen."
Mamoru laughed and hugged the blonde lovingly in his arms. He looked back at Usagi, but with a sudden shadow if sadness, "I was thinking that we should get Chibi Usa-chan an early Christmas present. We should get her something before I go back to the states."
Usagi looked back at her boyfriend, taken completely by surprise. "You're leaving again?" She asked half in disappointment and half in shock.
Mamoru nodded, the smile now gone from his face. "I got a call early this morning that my most anticipated research projects have suddenly taken a bad turn. My colleagues don't know what to do so they'll need me back to try and fix the problem. I'll be getting my ticket tomorrow and will be leaving on Wednesday."
Usagi snuggled in closer to Mamoru, her bright eyes downcast towards the ground. "I'm glad that you told me…but I thought we could spend Christmas together this year. You've been away for so long and with this new enemy…"
Mamoru held Usagi's head to his chest and kissed her on the forehead. "I know Usa-ko; I really wish I could stay too, especially at a time like this, to help you and the other senshi fight the enemy. But this time it's paramount that I go and fix the problem, but," Mamoru looked deep into Usagi's saddened blue eyes and conjured up a solemn smile, "I promise I will be back as soon as possible, so that we can be together by Christmas."
Usagi smiled and give Mamoru a kiss on the cheek. "I'll be waiting for you then."
Just then, Chibi Usa walked over and said with a blushing smile, "I'm going to be over there for a while. Is that okay?"
Usagi nodded. "Sure, but don't take too long. We still need to pick up Mako-chan." So speaking, the blonde lifted up a shopping bag and gave the teen a wink. Smiling still, Chibi Usa turned away and ran towards a gift shop to her right, while the couple contemplated where they should go.
Mamoru's blue eyes stopped upon a small but charming jewelry shop decorate with Christmas ornaments, making the place fit right into what Mamoru had in mind. Turning away from the shop, Mamoru gave Usagi's hand a gentle tug. "I was thinking we should get our little girl something special this year. What do you think?"
Usagi nodded affirmatively as the couple strolled over to the view the glass counters of the jewelry store. Almost immediately after she had entered the store, Usagi saw something that caught her eyes. Gingerly slipping her arm free from Mamoru, she walked toward the counter nearest to her. Once she'd bent over the glass display case, a wide grin appeared on her face.
"Mamo-chan, look at this," Usagi pointed into the display case, which hosted a myriad of necklaces and pendants, all kept in a neat roll, spread out across the white panel. Mamoru looked in the direction Usagi was pointing at and saw a silver crescent pendant set with a pale moonstone, glittering like a drop of ivory-colored milk in the crystal case. A tiny pink crystal, cut neatly in the shape of a star, dangled on the top point of the crescent, hanging by a single silver chain link. Mamoru looked back towards Usagi as both of them nodded simultaneously with a shared smile.
Meanwhile, Chibi Usa wondered thorough the spirited shop, passing rolls of figurines, cards and stuffed animals. But whatever she saw she turned away from, tentatively touching her lips at the too-cute items on the shelves.
"Can I help you?"
Chibi Usa jerked around to find a young, pleasant looking store clerk smiling at her. The pink haired girl quickly pushed up a smile to greet the attendant.
"Umm, well, I'm actually looking for a present…for a friend…" the blushing teenager began, "But I haven't decided on anything yet…"
"Do you have anything in mind?"
Pointing her index fingers together uncertainly, Chibi Usa paused, "Mmm, I…I want it to be something that the person can remember me by, and something that will show him that I…that I care about him and am thinking about him." At this point, Chibi Usa could feel her heart pounding like a jackhammer. She could swear the woman could hear it too, because a knowing grin came over the lady's face.
"I think I have just the thing." Turning away from the stuffed bears and candy, she led the teenage girl to the back of the shop to an area that Chibi Usa had previously overlooked. Coming around the corner, Chibi Usa saw shelves lined with ornate frames made of wood, metal and plastic, seemingly in every color and design imaginable. Some were plain, fit for all occasions, while others were obviously designed for specific events and moments.
The clerk stopped and smiled at the awestruck customer, "In my personal opinion, I think sending someone a picture of the happy times you've shared is a great way to remind him of your love."
Chibi Usa nodded shyly in agreement. She thanked the woman and began looking through the many choices before her. Some of the frames were too flashy, while others were too simple looking. At last she stopped in front of one particular frame that suited her purpose.
The frame wasn't big, only about the size of her palm. The border consisted of a larger frame surrounding the smaller silver lined glass display. The space between the two was filled with curling and twisting antique silver rose steams and leaves. The leaves were delicate, like the wings of a fairy. The roses were minuscule, only about the size of a pushpin head, and painted gold.
Carefully taking the frame from its resting-place, Chibi Usa almost ceremoniously present it to the store clerk who wrapped and handed the precious item as the pecuniary exchange took place.
Now all I need is a picture of Helios and I… Chibi Usa paused, suddenly aware that she had never taken a picture with Helios. For all she knew, he might have never seen a camera before. That's all right, I still have time. I can do this! she thought to herself.
"Chibi Usa, are you done yet?" Usagi's voice called from behind.
Chibi Usa quickly tucked the frame into a pocket on her jacket. "Coming!" As she half skipped, half walked toward her parents, Chibi Usa took one last glance at the advertisement which had inspired her and secretly smiled to herself.
Makoto walked to the door of her restaurant and flipped the "Open" sign to "Closed". She sighed and smiled proudly to herself. It had been a hard day. Makoto had fed her first large party today, a group of a nearly a dozen businessmen who were talking about a business deal over dinner. This created a lot of work for Makoto and her staff, but despite being tired and weary, Makoto felt proud, for she had passed one of the trials of owning a successful restaurant and Jupiter Cove had passed with flying colors.
A knock on the glass door snapped Makoto from her reveries. At first glance Makoto thought she saw a jewelry saleswoman at her door. There was a ring on each of the woman's fingers and her wrists sported three bracelets apiece. A gold pearl necklace and two slender gold chains dangled around her neck, and giant ruby earrings on her ears. It amazed Makoto as she went to open the door that the woman didn't appear to be weighted down by her assortment of jewelry.
Smiling politely at the woman, Makoto said, "Sorry, we're closed for today. But can I help you with something?"
The woman smiled graciously "Actually I was thinking I could help you, Kino-san."
Makoto poured the delicate teacups full of her favorite sweet tea as her guest nodded her thanks. Taking a sip of the warm liquid, Oro nodded approvingly at the blend of herbs and honey, genuinely impressed. "This tea is excellent. Did you make this yourself?"
Makoto blushed and scratched her head, "Yes, I blended it, thank you for the complement."
As Oro placed the cup gently down with a soft click, she turned her eyes to the brunette seated before her. "I visited you restaurant the other day and I was also very impressed with your cooking," Oro smiled sweetly, "And while I was dinning I overheard a conversation you were having with some of you friends."
At this Makoto's eyes opened in surprise. Responding to this, Oro smiled once more "I did not mean to spy but…" Oro looked straight in Makoto's eyes, her golden eyes holding Makoto's green eyes like a snake that's trying to hypnotize its prey. "I can make that dream of yours come true."
Makoto didn't reply and only watched her intently, so Oro went on, her voice light but mesmerizing as she took out a business card and laid it out on the table. "I am the president of a corporation here in Tokyo. For a while now I've had some money set aside. I hope to maybe one day donate it to a charity or an orphanage. But when I heard you the other day, I was inspired by your determination and thought that this money would do you great good. With 500 million yen you can start your own flower shop and have enough left to hire extra hands to help you manage both businesses. You don't even have to pay me back, Kino-san." A cunning grin slipped onto Oro's face as she anticipated Makoto's response. "What do you say?"
However, Makoto smiled and to Oro's amazement, shook her head. As Makoto blinked, Oro saw that her spell was broken, for a bright light blazed in those emerald eyes. "Thank you, I really appreciate the idea but," Makoto looked up and around at her green haven, "I believe a dream should be accomplished by my own hard work. To take the short route would take away the meaning of a dream, and in the end it wouldn't be the same anymore. Besides, I think it's a great idea that the money should be donated to charity. I can slowly make my own money to achieve my dream but orphans and the disabled need a little extra help at times to achieve their dreams. Still, I want to thank you for your generosity."
Oro took a sharp breath. Not only had her target not fallen for her trap, she had in instead given her a preaching. Oro swallowed her defeat and stood up to leave. "Well then, I'm sorry to hear that. Perhaps you will change your mind sometime. Sometime soon I should think." Oro said the last part secretly under her breath. "Good night then Kino-san." With that Oro left through the glass door and disappeared into the night.
Shaking her head, Makoto began collecting the tea set when she heard a car stopping outside. Then Usagi and Chibi Usa's voice began ringing out in the night air.
"You're hungry again? You just had dinner before we left the house!"
"I know, but all the walking we did in the mall made me hungry!"
A loud sigh could be heard just as Chibi Usa appeared by the door and smiled, "Hi Mako-chan!" Chibi Usa waved as Makoto hurried to open the door for them.
Looking beyond the pink-haired teenager, Makoto saw Usagi clutching Mamoru as they walked toward the restaurant. "Hey, what brings you guy's here? It's pretty late."
Mamoru replied, "We were shopping nearby and when we finished Usagi remembered it was almost closing time here so we thought we could pick you up and drop you off at your apartment on our way back."
Usagi smiled sheepishly. "But Mako-chan, do you think you have a piece of cake or something around in your kitchen? I'm starving!"
Makoto laughed and nodded. "Actually I happen to have some of your favorite double-decker chocolate and vanilla cake left from today's dinner party." Turning to Mamoru and Chibi Usa, Makoto smiled, "You guys sit down for a bit and I'll go get you each something to eat as well. A little midnight snack never hurts."
Makoto walked into the kitchen and turned on the lights. She walked past stoves and countertops and just as she neared the refrigerator stationed at the back of the room, Makoto heard a familiar voice behind her.
"Hello again Kino-san."
Makoto gasped to find Oro standing behind her. Her first instinct was to ask how the woman got into the kitchen when the backdoor was locked, but that question was quickly set aside when Makoto realized Oro wasn't really standing, but slightly levitating off the ground.
Immediately Makoto shifted into her fighting stance, her eyes narrow and alert. "Who are you really, and what do you want?"
Oro chuckled and made a mock bow once her feet touched the floor once more. "I am Oro of the Metallum Girls. I was hoping to do this the easy way but you didn't bite the bait." Oro changed back into her true self and stretched forth one hand. Makoto watched warily as a bizarre looking pocket watch appeared in the enemy's hand. Slowly the watch began to swing by itself, creating a soft swishing sound in the air as it went.
Makoto tried to focus on Oro but found her eyes drawn to the rocking watch like an insect to a flame. Her eyes began to swim and her fists unclenched and dropped down to her side as her eyes watched half openly at the pendulum. Mist like energy began diffusing from her body and into the watch. As the cloud of energy floated into the watch, the gems set into the watch glowed an eerie red, drawing Makoto ever deeper into its trance.
Outside, Chibi Usa was growing uneasy. "Hey Usagi, what's taking Mako-chan so long? She's always been speedy when it comes to whipping up a snack."
Chibi Usa's question was answered by a growl from Usagi's stomach, to which Chibi Usa sweat dropped and shook her head. Usagi was about to reply when her cell phone ranged.
"Hello?"
"Usagi, where are you guys?" Rei's voice came through the phone. "Everything's ready here. Haven't you guys picked up Mako-chan yet?"
"We're at Jupiter Cove, but uh…I kinda need a quick snack so I…"
Rei sighed into the phone, "I swear, there's something wrong with that stomach of yours. Oh well, you guys better hurry up. We don't want Mako-chan to catch on you know."
After Rei's hung up, Chibi Usa looked at Mamoru. "Let's go find Mako-chan. Or else Usagi might faint and she's too heavy for me to carry her out."
Usagi puffed up her cheeks at the comment. "What's that suppose to mean, you little shrimp?"
Chibi Usa blew a raspberry as Mamoru chuckled behind them.
As they marched toward the kitchen, Usagi caught sight of a blush of yellow. She stopped Mamoru and Chibi Usa and motioned for them to keep quiet. The three carefully stretched their necks forward to look inside. Chibi Usa gave a small gasp, which in the quiet kitchen, ringed out like a clarion call.
"Who's there?" Oro snapped her face around, her hands unmoved. Usagi nodded at Mamoru then turned to her daughter.
"Chibi Usa, stay here." By now Chibi Usa was growing accustomed to this request and did so without protest.
"Moon Eternal Make Up!"
Within seconds, Eternal Sailor Moon and Tuxedo Kamen stood by the doorway. Sailor Moon immediately went into her stance, "How dare you hurt Mako-chan! In the name of the moon I shall-!"
At this moment a loud growl disrupted Sailor Moon's speech. Chibi Usa smacked her palm to her face, exasperated, while Sailor Moon only stood there blushing. Even Tuxedo Kamen couldn't help but sweat drop.
Oro reacted by giving Sailor Moon a distasteful pull of her lips. Raising her hand above her head, Oro cried, "Amarillo Lightning!" Crackling electricity sprouted around her hand, turning into a long thin bolt. Oro picked it up and aimed the bolt straight at Sailor Moon and hurled the spear-like lighting at her.
"Yeek!" Sailor Moon dove behind the kitchen counter, and looked up to see a smoking hole where she once stood.
Tuxedo Kamen, who had dove to the other side, throw out a rose and the flower's sharp stem scratched a red mark on Oro's hand.
"Ah!" Oro grabbed her slit hand and growled under her breath, "There's two of them and one of me, I don't like the odds. I summon you now my Fury, Slice & Dice!"
The watch flew out of Oro's hand as two distinct spikes shot out from the side. The body of the monster was a cutting board in the shape of a woman. A ring of painfully sharp looking skewers hanged around its waist like a grass skirt while the head was an odd-looking aluminum pan. Other wash pan covered its shoulder, elbow, and knees like cheap armor. In place of arms and legs were beaters, jointed to look like muscles. However, the bizarre soon became downright horrifying as two kitchen knives stretched out from its forearms to take the place of hands.
"It's time to go chop, chop, chop!" The monster singed wickedly before sprinting forward, straight for Sailor Moon. Sailor Moon panicked and dodged aside, the knife point ended up making a five inch long cut in the wall behind her, splitting off pieces of tile. Sailor Moon's face turned blue at the thought of her near death experience, but there was no time to dwell on it, for the monster had pulled out her weapon and was making for her again. Suddenly, Tuxedo Kamen jumped in front of her, cane at the ready. A loud metallic cling ringed though out the kitchen as Slice & Dice's knife met Kamen's cane in a gridlock.
"Sailor Moon, go help Makoto!"
Sailor Moon nodded and ran towards Oro. Seeing Sailor Moon coming towards her, Oro quickly stepped back and disappeared into a yellow closet. Sailor Moon was about to grab her, but was too late and caught only air and then the kitchen floor. Makoto's eyes closed and sank to the ground as the spell broke. Luckily, Sailor Moon caught her in time and set her back against the wall, safe behind a sturdy counter.
Just then, Slice & Dice broke away from Tuxedo Kamen and shouted, "I'm going to make roasted super heroes out of you!" The skewers on its waist came lose and flew like arrows toward Kamen.
"Tuxedo Kamen!" Chibi Usa and Sailor Moon shouted. But Kamen was not without defense. With a motion of his arm, nearly a dozen roses struck the skewers in midair, rendering them useless as they fall cluttering to the ground. Taken by surprise, the monster stalled for a moment, giving Sailor Moon enough time to get up and take out her scepter.
As Slice & Dice rushed up to take another strike with its twin knifed hands, Sailor Moon raised her scepter.
"Silver Moon Crystal Power Kiss!"
The feathers formed from the attack surrounded the monster and with one shrill shriek, Slice & Dice shall chop no more.
"Mako-chan, Mako-chan!" Chibi Usa was already by Makoto's side, rocking her on her shoulder while Usagi detransformed.
Slowly Makoto began to open her eyes. "Where's that woman with the watch? Did Sailor Moon…?" Chibi Usa nodded and began helping the tired chef up to her feet. Turning to Usagi, Makoto smiled, "Thanks"
Usagi shook her head when once again, her stomach called. Makoto laughed, "I think I'll need to get you that piece of cake I promised. But first I'll have to figure out a way to hide that hole on the wall."
So while Usagi wolfed down not one, but two pieces of Makoto's excellent cake, Chibi Usa, Mamoru and Makoto used some tape and a piece of paper to temporarily cover up the damages the monster and its mistress had done to the kitchen. Once they were done, Makoto finally closed shop and hopped in Mamoru's car.
Upon reaching Makoto's apartment building, the group smiled and laughed as they went up. When Makoto turned the key to her apartment, she was showered with confetti and stringers from Ami, Rei and Minako. It was then that Usagi told her that they had planned to surprise party after she had told them she was not planning one.
Raising their glass into the air, Minako led a cheer, "Happy 20th birthday Mako-chan!"
Everyone cheered and waited for Makoto to make a wish before cutting the cake. As everyone began eating, Chibi Usa went up to Makoto, "Mako-chan, can I use your phone?"
Makoto nodded. "Sure, you know where it is right?" Chibi Usa nodded and turned to the hallway where the telephone was. Dialing Mamoru's apartment number, Chibi Usa didn't have to wait long before a voice answered.
"Hello?" Chibi Usa sighed inwardly in relief upon hearing Helios' voice.
"Helios, it's me. Are you feeling okay? Mamo-chan said you haven't been feeling well."
Helios did not answer, and for a moment Chibi Usa thought he might have hung up on her.
"…I'm fine, really," Helios finally said, but from the tone of his voice Chibi Usa knew it was a lie.
Why would he lie to me? Chibi Usa's heart suddenly felt weighted down by a heavy mass. She clutched her sweater, as if trying to catch and lift the weight but couldn't.
"All right then, um, get some rest okay? I'll see you later at school then," She managed to say.
Once again there was a pause. "Yes, good bye then…Chibi Usa-chan…" with that, the line clicked dead. Chibi Usa turned back to the party, but her mind and heart are no longer in it. She sat down on the couch, pondering the reason behind Helios' pretense. Unbeknownst to her, Minako had overheard her call and saw the reaction on Chibi Usa's face.
An idea popped in her head as she pulled Usagi to one side, her matchmaker mood roused. "Usagi-chan, I think I just found out something really major!"
Usagi was busy devouring her third piece of cake for the evening and said through a mouthful of cream and cake, "Wotch tat?"
Minako glanced back to make sure Chibi Usa wasn't looking and whispered excitedly, "I think Chibi Usa-chan's got a thing for Helios!"
At this Usagi almost choked and ended up swallowing her large mouthful of cake whole.
"WHAT?!"
"Keep it down!" Minako raised a finger to her mouth. After another glance to make sure Chibi Usa hadn't noticed, she continued, "The way she's acting lately is the clear sign of a young girl in love! Besides, you know how close she is to Helios! It's by all means possible!"
Usagi swallowed and nodded. "You're right! But still, we can't be sure."
"Well, and that is why we have to keep an eye on her." As she turned once more, Minako suddenly blinked because now Chibi Usa was no longer there on the couch.
"Hey, where did she go?"
Outside on Makoto's porch, the night wind was chilly, but not frosty. Chibi Usa looked up and could barely make out tiny stars twinkling against the light polluted city. Somewhere in that sky was the constellation of Pegasus, the winged horse of the Greek gods. But to her Pegasus held another, more personal meaning, yet the stars that had burned so brightly before seemed cold and distant tonight.
A touch of cold on her nose woke Chibi Usa from her thoughts. When she looked around, white dots of snow were falling; the first snow of the year.
"Pretty, aren't they?"
Chibi Usa sprung to her right and saw Black Lady grinning at her, casually sitting on the edge of the balcony. Instantly Chibi Usa felt her blood run cold and she had to dig her nails into her palm to keep herself from running away. Hoping to call for help, Chibi Usa turned back to call, but when she looked into the glass door she saw only her reflection and nothing of Black Lady.
Black Lady shifted her leg and gave a false look of disappointment. "Awe, aren't you glad to see me? It's been a while now since we last had a good little chat."
Chibi Usa glared and replied in a voice so cold that it's a wonder the air didn't freeze around her. "What do you want?"
Black Lady chuckled and gracefully touched her feet to the ground, her black high heels produced a soft "click" sound on the concrete floor. "As I've said: to talk. Or," the smirk once again appeared on her lips, "would you rather be whispering little secrets to that cute little white bird called Helios?"
Despite the growing color in her cheeks incited by those suggestive words, Chibi Usa kept her eyes on her alter ego.
"Leave Helios alone!"
"Oh, don't worry. I won't hurt him. He is a very beautiful little bird after all, and it must be nice having him kept in a cage and all to yourself, hmm? But still, what a silly fool you are, trying to keep a pet you know you can't have."
Chibi Usa shot a confused look at the devious woman. "…What do you mean by that?"
Black Lady cast a sideways glance at the girl before raising her hand toward her, smiling derisively. "You are a princess," she began, "destined to rule the Earth and the Moon. You've inherited a power that is legendary for its potency, one that is both respected and feared. But…" at this point Black Lady retracted her hand and laughed. A ringing laugh it was, not at all harsh to the ears, but an almost musical note filled with what Chibi Usa perceive as amusement.
"You foolishly fall for a boy, who by all means, is both below you in status and in power!" Black Lady shook her head, as if laughing at the silly joke of a child. "Helios cannot use the Golden Crystal to its fullest potential. He will only be a drag to you, unfit to be the consort of a future queen."
Chibi Usa shook her head furiously, "I don't care about that! I don't care that Helios can't use the Golden Crystal. Even if he doesn't have any powers at all I will still love him!"
"Yes, that's what your heart tells you isn't it? But what of your family? Will they allow this forlorn relationship? Your parents, at least they were royalty, prince and princess, equal in status. But him, he's a priest, and what's more, a priest to a world where humans do not belong. And don't forget the most important thing…"
Chibi Usa didn't know what to say, for she could only stare blankly out into the night. Black Lady smiled and soundlessly wrapped her arms around the girl and whispered in her ear, "he might not even love you back…"
"No…" a small voice cried in Chibi Usa's heart. No…I won't believe it! How can she say that when-when I haven't even…
"Chibi Usa, are you trying to catch a cold out there?" Usagi's voice barked, holding the teen's jacket in her hand as she opened glass sliding door.
Looking back, Chibi Usa saw everyone staring at her through the porch door. A sudden panic took her and the princess turned, but saw that there was not a trace of Black Lady anywhere.
"What are you looking for? Did you lose something?" Usagi asked as everyone walked out onto the small balcony. Chibi Usa didn't reply as she put on the jacket Usagi brought her.
"Oh look!" Rei pointed up at the sky "It's snowing!"
Everyone looked up as well and all seemed pleased by the sight of the pure drifts of white. Chibi Usa looked up as well, and thought that the snow now appeared even colder than before. Reaching into the pocket on her jacket, Chibi Usa's finger touched the neatly swathed frame. She laid her palm across the item and turned her eyes away from the snow.
Snow. So white and pure, yet so cold and desolate at the same time.
Bellona touched the white mask on her face. Now alone in her chamber, she stood in front of a large floor length mirror. The hood shed a long black shadow down the length of the mask. Bellona's withered hand reached up to her face and carefully took down the mask inch by inch. Next the clasp underneath her neck was untied and with a soft slosh, the cloak fell to the floor, forming a black pool around Bellona's feet.
"So beautiful…and yet so ugly…"
As the light shone upon Bellona's face, a woman with neck length wavy navy-blue hair and silver-gray eyes looked back at her. The top portion of the dress was of a light sapphire blue color, with thin silver lining and olive green gems at the neck. The collar of Bellona's dress linked down to two long tubular sleeves and appeared separate from the rest of the dress. Around her waist was a dark azure wrap, tied at the front by a wide silver band. A single large olive colored gem shown in the middle of the silver belt, two long silver tassels dangled below the green jewel.
But despite the urbane beauty of the clothing, Bellona's face told a different tale. The left half of her face was fair, like a pale skinned water nymph peering out from behind her long blue bangs. The other half however, was withered like her hand, the image of a face so weathered by age that it almost appeared no longer human. But the uncanny similarity with a haggard tree does not end at her face. As she lifted up her hand, her arm was like a thin twig, dried and shrunken.
Bellona touched her cheeks with her hand, her steel-like eyes mournful and sad; a startling contrast from the tyrannical composure seen by her underlings.
"How long will this last before it too disappears…" a finger traced the tender, youthful part of her face. "If it weren't for the Crystal then this wouldn't have happened, but…" a sickening smile, full of ego and pride, appeared on her lips, "it will all be worthwhile in the end…"
With a faint tip of her free hand, the sphere containing the energy that the Metallum Girls have captured appeared floating above her hand.
Lifting the sphere into the air, Bellona examined it with an unnatural intensity. "As soon as the Crystal is complete, I shall resume my take over of this galaxy. But first I must have this pitiful body replaced. By supporting the crystal's reconstruction with my own energy, my body has been drained little by little. Now I have to rely on human energy to complete the reconstruction. But I will not let this little misstep stop me. Oh, no…no, no, no…" she cooed
Lifting the hand from her face, she touched the mirror's surface and smiled gleefully as an image of Chibi Usa appeared. Bellona moved her finger as if to caress the princess' cheeks, "Because you, my pretty little princess, your body will be mine soon, and then so will your planet and the rest of this galaxy!"
A/N Hello! Once again, I apologize for the delay. I was traveling internationally for the last three weeks and unfortunately, my floppy disk (which I had copy-pasted then saved the first part of this chapter on) wouldn't display when I tried to open it (and my home PC was thousands of miles away). Thus, I had to write the last part of the chapter on a new document and paste the two halves together when I got home. Also, regarding the request for more fluff, there will be MORE fluff, and soon too (evil snicker). But for the lack of fluff up to this point, it's purely for the sake of developing the story's plot. The reason I think that most of my readers are reading this is because of the fluff, so trust me, I won't disappoint you. One last thing, some reviewers have commented that my chapters are long, really long. I know it's tedious and if you don't like the story then it's even worse. The fact is I don't like to chop things up and tease readers by giving out short chapters. Besides, a longer chapter can entertain a reader longer than a short one. But be warned, the next chapter is going to be very long, and I might even chop it in two because of that. BTW, in case you guys haven't notice yet, I'm NOT discontinuing. The chapters come out slow, I know, but I have school to worry about. It's senior year and I have one last chance to take my SAT I & II, and it has to count. That doesn't leave much time for typing so please, understand my dilemma because I enjoy writing this as much as you enjoy reading it but I still want to get into a good college.
PS the new attack Oro uses is translated as "Yellow Lightning". I made it up but some how it never got incorporated into the act when I was writing it, just like I did with Eisen's attack. (sweat drops)