Hello Minna, Here is the conclusion to Fantastic Journey. I hope you enjoy it. Please R&R and let me know what you think.
Author's Notes - 'Denotes People's Thoughts' To my lovely reviewers THANK YOU!
Cardcaptor Eternity -Thank You, Red-Rose18 - I hope you enjoy this, Summergurl - Sorry there is no seiya in this lovely fic, but I hope you enjoy, SelenneStarr - Thank You, Crescendo - I hope you like this as much as the rest, Jamesstutz - THANKS, Poisonmoon - Etienne and Rob-Pierre are two different people. I hope you can find some liking for this story even though you seem to have already figured everything out.
I still do not own Sailor Moon this is just my overactive imagination at work...I know I know...beat it so we can read the good stuff...
Fantastic Journey
Chapter 8 - Understanding
Ami wandered into an industrial part of Tokyo and began scanning with her handheld. When she found negative energy, she called the girls.
"You guys need to get down here, I am heading in." She gave them the address and quickly signed off. Finding an open air vent, she smiled to have found a way in. Removing the screen and climbing in she began knocking cob webs out of the way and sliding her way along.
She paused listening when she heard voices. Holding her breath, she was surprised to hear Mamoru's voice along with another voice she vaguely recognized. 'Think...think why does that voice sound familiar?' Suddenly it dawned on her; the voice was their latest enemy the man Mamoru had scarred.
"I think it is a good idea but you must assure me that the item that we are bargaining with will never end up being my problem again." Mamoru's voice floated from below her, Ami's eyes widened in surprise at hearing such a hard edge to his voice.
"I can assure you that the problem has already been taken care of. The person, you so callously speak of, has no memory of you or anything from before today." The voice of their enemy held disdain and it caught Ami off guard. When his words sank in she almost gasped aloud.
'Person...person...you so callously speak of...no memory of you or anything from before today' When it suddenly dawned on her that they were more than likely referring to Usagi, her vision swam with tears to think that Mamoru would so callously bargain with their princess's life like that. The anger she felt shocked her, instead of staying and listening to more she kept crawling intent on saving Usagi at any cost.
Rob-Pierre walked back into the room where Etienne lounged relaxed. Kicked back in the chair he was happy to see Rob-Pierre grinning.
"It is a go then?" He asked watching his partner closely. When Rob-Pierre nodded, he let out a small shaky sigh.
"Yeah but there is one small complication, he wants to see her one last time." Etienne threw Rob-Pierre a surprised glance before speaking.
"What did you tell him?" 'Why would he want to see her one last time if he wants to be rid of her,' Etienne could not help but wonder. Rob-Pierre held up a hand to ward off any more questions.
"I told him it was up to you, but if you think it is okay, I want you close by. I do not trust this idiot at all." Etienne thought for a moment before speaking.
"I think it should be okay. She won't recognize him that much is certain. Did he say why he wanted to see her?" He asked even though there was probably no answer. He watched as Rob-Pierre shook his head.
"He probably just wants to make sure that she is well cared for and doesn't recognize him. I would do the same in his shoes." Rob-Pierre hoped that was all Mamoru was up to. "I want you close by in the shadows and quiet. I will send some other lackey to escort him to her room. He does not need to see you unless it becomes necessary."
The door opened and Mamoru hid his smile. Everything was falling into place nicely when a different person came into the room.
"I am here to release you and take you to see your friend for the last time." He came over to Mamoru and unlocked the manacles holding his wrists and then his ankles. Pulling out a different key, he unlocked the chains around his knees and chest.
Mamoru began rubbing feeling back into his wrists and hands. Stretching his arms and legs he grimaced as his muscles began protesting. He stood slowly and looked at the newcomer. The guy was probably a few years younger and looked like some one they found on the street willing to take orders for a minimal amount of money.
Mamoru had been eyeing the knife since he had first awakened. Someone had to be dense to leave a knife in plain sight of a dangerous captive. He deftly swiped it up and slipped into his pocket when the young man turned away for a moment.
"Okay I am ready." He looked at the guy expectantly and waited shifting his weight around and flexing all of his stiff muscles.
"This way, you only have a minute and then I am to blindfold you and escort you out. The boss people don't want you knowin' where we are." He walked over to the door and glanced back at Mamoru to make sure he was following.
They entered a hallway and walked down the corridor before making a right turn. The young guy walked to the third door and stopped pulling out a ring of keys. When the guy found the right key and put it in the lock, Mamoru made his move. He tapped the guy on the temple with the knife hilt and caught the body just before the kid slumped to the floor. Looking both ways quickly he dropped the body out of the way and opened the door.
Ami finally found a vent she could push out. Dropping to the floor, she immediately made for the shadows and looked around. She appeared to be in a hallway but she was not sure where. When a door down the hall suddenly opened, she slammed herself in a nook and prayed the dark shadows were enough to hide her.
Holding her breath, she was not surprised when Mamoru came out the door behind a young man. They walked down the hallway away from her and took a right. Ami quickly made her way to the corner and peeked around. She was just in time to see Mamoru tap the guy and set his limp body out of the way. When he opened the door and entered the room, she slowly made her way closer, keeping to the shadows.
Etienne stood quietly in the shadows watching as George led Mamoru to her door. When he saw Mamoru tap George he almost cried out in warning. Instead, he decided to wait and see what Mamoru was going to do. When he sat George's limp body out the way and began unlocking the door, Etienne thought he was going to try to rescue Usagi, but that did not make sense. When the back of his neck prickled, he realized that Usagi was probably actually in danger. Moving out of the shadows he slowly approached the door.
Usagi was still sitting in the chair when the door opened. A man she did not recognize opened the door and looked at her a moment before speaking.
"Usagi?" The man looked at her as though he knew her. He strolled into the room and stood watching her with an odd resentful look. She watched him for a moment before speaking.
"Do I know you? Etienne should be right back if you are looking for him. I do not know this Usagi person you speak of." He glared at her, which made her draw back in surprise.
"Well that makes this easier then. I am really not sorry to be killing you because your death will greatly benefit me." He pulled the knife from his pocket and aimed it at her heart. The look of shock on her face did not affect him at all.
He drew back his wrist and threw the knife, when out of nowhere, a blonde man literally jumped in front of Usagi deftly blocking her body.
Unfortunately, he did not fare so well, the knife caught him in the chest, burying itself deep in his flesh. He immediately slumped to the ground, smiling weakly at Usagi.
Mamoru stared in shock, he could not believe his one chance to rid himself of such a problem had just fallen apart. He was pondering a second attempt when, struck from behind, his vision began wavering. A second tap and his world faded to black. The last thing he heard was a vaguely familiar voice. "Turn about is fair play. This time though you won't be so lucky."
"Etienne..." Usagi immediately jumped up and dropped down next to him. Picking his head up gently she set it in her lap. She was not surprised to find tears racing down her face.
"Ah ma petite, remember I love you..." He paused as horrible wracking coughs shook his whole body. "I loved you for you. I did not care about Sailor Moon!"
She ran her hand over his cheek. "I love you too. It is going to be all right Etienne. Just hold on." 'He must be in shock and rambling.'
His voice was raspy and he sounded watery, breathing shallowly before continuing. "Cherie it has been a fantastic journey hasn't it?" His words had her mind buzzing and suddenly it was like waking from a dream; everything made much more sense but none of that mattered now.
"Etienne hold on...we'll get you help, just hold on." She was crying harder watching as he tried to speak once more.
"P...please cherie just save everyone..." He paused coughing as blood bubbled up out of his mouth, his hand wandered to her cheek and he ran his thumb over her cheek. With his last breath, he whispered, "I love you". Before his hand fell lifelessly to the floor and his eyes lost their spark.
Usagi found herself tugged upright away from Etienne's body. Glancing up in surprise, she was shocked to see Ami dragging her.
"Come on, quickly we have to get out of here. Where is your brooch?" Ami quickly whispered leading her towards the door. She had watched as the young man tapped Mamoru a couple of times and then hefted his unconscious body and left the room. That is when she jumped into action.
"I left it at home that is why I could not transform." Usagi glanced back one last time at Etienne's body before looking forward again.
Pulling Usagi along Ami headed into the hallway looking both ways before ducking into the shadows. They made their way along the wall until they made it safely back around the corner. They could hear voices coming from a room down the hall.
Ami quickly pulled the vent cover off before lifting Usagi so that she could grab it and pull herself up. Usagi climbed in and turned around grasping Ami's arms to help pull her up. Once they were both in Usagi looked in both directions until Ami pointed to the left. Usagi quietly began inching along trying to be quiet.
When Rob-Pierre realized that Sailor Moon was gone and Etienne was dead, he was furious. When George explained what had happened he decided Rose Boy would pay the price.
He could not believe that Etienne had sacrificed his life for the girl. 'Maybe there is something I do not understand about these softer emotions.' He was so mad that he did not even bother making Mamoru suffer he just simply gave George the order to kill him. Smiling, George picked up a wicked looking knife and headed for the storage closet.
Rob-Pierre sat pondering all that had happened. He knew without a doubt that the Sailor Senshi would come for him. Awaiting their return, he sat trying to understand where he had made mistakes. Most of his realizations came too late.
When a giant rumble shook the building, he stood slowly and made his way out to meet his destiny.
Fantastic Journey - Epilogue
Think of me,
Think of me fondly
when we've said goodbye.
Remember me
once in awhile,
please promise me you'll try.
Think Of Me - Phantom Of The Opera
Usagi stood in front of his headstone smiling softly. She placed the vase with pink carnations in the little vase holder. Placing a finger on the smooth stone, she hesitantly traced the cherub. It was the same as the one on the fountain. Seeing his name etched in the cold stone, she traced that too.
Etienne Christian Bramoulette. April 21, 1977 - June 18, 1997
"Don't worry, I will always remember." It was all she said before turning and walking back to her friends. The girls all watched her closely and when a single tear slid down her cheek, they gathered her close in a group hug and led her out of the cemetery.
FINHere is an end to Fantastic Journey. I hope you have enjoyed reading it as much as I have in writing it. Please R & R and let me know what you think.