Disclaimer: I do not own Sailor Moon.
Side by Side
Haruka glanced uneasily around the marketplace, waiting for Seiya to arrive. The raven-haired man had asked Haruka to meet him at noon by the clock tower in the town square. Haruka had finished all the tasks Souichi had assigned her extra early and snuck out the palace. Haruka tapped her foot impatiently. It was now half past noon and there was no sign of Seiya.
Pulling at her plain white shirt, Haruka tried to ignore the stifling heat. The sun shone brightly in the sky above, showering the entire marketplace in warmth. Looking up, there were no signs of clouds or anything that would reduce the heat. The clear blue sky stretched interrupted like a plain canvas for miles and miles in all directions. In addition to the heat, there was also no sign of any wind. Everything was completely still; there weren't any tree leaves rustling or wind chimes tinkling. Even the plants seemed to droop on this hot summer day. The Neptunian shopkeepers sat unenergetically by their stands, not bothering to attract any customers because of the heat.
The blonde growled loudly as she searched the crowd again. If Seiya was playing a joke on him, it was definitely not amusing. Once she got back, she would hunt him down and toss him into the ocean to be eaten my hungry sharks.
"Hey Haruka!"
Spinning around, Haruka found a raven-haired man walking unhurriedly towards her. Seiya's trademark grin flashed across his face as he stopped in front of an unimpressed blonde. In fact, Haruka was fuming. Grabbing Seiya by the collar, Haruka asked him angrily where he was.
"Ah, you see," Seiya said, chuckling nervously. "I had some difficulties convincing the queen to let me take someone along out with me."
Haruka glared at Seiya with narrowed eyes, her grasp on Seiya's collar still firm.
"See, after the thing I did with Michiru last night, the queen was hesitant to let me take her out of the castle."
"Michiru?" Haruka's grasp loosened and her eyes looked at Seiya uncertainly. Overlooking what Seiya did with Michiru, the blonde turned around and found the aqua-haired woman standing quietly behind her. Seeing that Haruka had noticed her, Michiru bit her lip and stared at the ground. When Seiya had asked her if she wanted to get out of the castle, Michiru had instantly said yes. She hadn't been to the market place in such a long time and her mother would have never let her go if she had asked. However, Seiya said that he wanted to take Michiru out so they could have enjoy the day and work on their relationship. The Queen eventually agreed. Michiru was elated but she didn't expect that Seiya had asked Haruka to meet him. If she had known, Michiru would have most likely stayed in the palace and avoided the embarrassment.
Feeling light footsteps head towards her, Michiru bit her lip and focused on keeping her head down. She couldn't face Haruka. Not after what she almost did yesterday.
"Michiru, could we--"
"It's alright Haruka," Michiru said, forcing her voice to work. It sounded unreal and high, but Michiru continued. "There is no need to discuss what occurred yesterday. It was an accident."
The footsteps stopped.
"I… understand."
Michiru felt Haruka's fingers slide underneath her chin. Gently, Haruka lifted Michiru's head so that she looked her in the eyes.
"In that case…" Haruka hesitated slightly as she looked at Michiru. Was what Michiru said true? If it was, then there was no concern that Michiru's feelings would interfere with their mission. Haruka just needed to deal with her own. The blonde sighed deeply. She had hoped that after they finished this, they might be able to start a relationship back on Pluto. She had realized, last night, that she had fallen for Michiru. Those hints that Setsuna and Yaten had given her had begun to stir in Haruka's mind and the young woman had thought about it for the entire night. However, it seemed that it was a misunderstanding. In a way, this was a good thing. Michiru would not have feelings for Haruka that would endanger herself or the mission. Haruka just needed to lock away her own feelings. "In that case, let's both work on saving Neptune together."
Michiru nodded. "Seiya has told me everything about Malachite."
Haruka shook her head, once again feeling annoyed with the dense air and lack of wind. "We need to find a quieter spot to discuss this."
Turning to Seiya, Haruka motioned for him to come over.
"Haruka…"
The blonde turned to Michiru. She looked at her partner in concern. Something in Michiru's voice told her that something was not quite right. The shorter girl appeared to be very pale and was even shaking slightly. Seiya stopped beside Haruka and looked at the staring blonde imploringly.
"Haruka… something bad is coming," Michiru whispered.
As if on cue, the ground began to tremble. A crack formed in the ground nearby and spread outwards. From that single crack, hundreds of other breaks spread outwards. Suddenly, the ground burst open and a large rock like creature broke out from beneath the surface.
Forgetting Seiya, Haruka grabbed her partner's wrist and led them both through the panicking crowd. People shoved and cried, as the towering monster roared and stomped on the ground. Haruka fought through the crowd, while keeping a firm hold on Michiru. Despite what it seemed, Haruka's eyes never left Michiru. To her surprise, Michiru didn't seem as terrified as everyone else. Haruka felt Michiru squeeze the hand Haruka was holding on and met Haruka's eyes.
She was not afraid as long as Haruka was with there with her. They would both face this monster together.
Understanding the unsaid message, Haruka nodded. Breaking into a run, Haruka sped around a corner and the two found themselves near the docks. Spotting a dark alleyway, the blonde dragged Michiru to safety. The two watched from a distance as the creature ripped off the top of a building.
"Do you have your transformation pen?" Haruka asked, reaching into her pocket for her own.
"I always keep it with me," Michiru said and lifted her pen.
"Uranus Planet Power!"
"Neptune Planet Power!"
Stomp, stomp, crush, boom. Sighing softly, the giant smashed another building. If his master wanted him to crush buildings, we would have to crush buildings. After spending fifteen long years hiding in the outskirts of the solar system, he was suddenly called forward to crush buildings. How long had it been since he had last been summoned by a dark mage? The old mages had ruled over his race for as long as he could remember but he had thought that they were all dead. Though his race could survive in outer space, the mages, despite their power, clearly could not perform such a feat for such a long period of time. Suddenly, a ball of energy sped past the creature, nearly hitting him.
Dropping the building it was holding, the creature turned to find to people standing on top of the clock tower, both back to back. One had messy sandy blonde hair and deep green eyes. The woman seemed to radiate with untamed power that flowed like the wind around her. The other woman had aqua-hair and stormy blue eyes. Her power was like the roaring ocean, crashing down in a wave a power.
"Who are you two?"
"Summoned by the new age, I, Sailor Uranus, dance with elegance."
"Summoned by the new age, I, Sailor Neptune, dance with grace."
"Sailor Senshi?" The creature now recognized the outfits the two women wore. It had lost to the past Senshi but it did not intend for that to happen again. The creature smiled as he examined the two women. This was getting more interesting.
"World Shaking!"
The creature smiled and leaped upwards as the giant ball of light sped underneath it. The monster landed on the ground and turned to face Sailor Uranus with a unimpressed expression. "The last Sailor Uranus was much better."
"Just wait for it," Uranus taunted.
The creature turned around and gasped as the yellow ball of light turned around and headed towards it once again. It was too late to move now; all the rock creature could do was brace itself for the impact.
A giant boom sounded in the air, sending rocks flying everywhere.
The dust cleared and Uranus and Neptune waited with baited breath. A shrill roar burst out and was instantly followed by an avalanche of dirt that was aimed at Uranus and Neptune. Not expecting the attack, both scouts were sent flying to the ground.
Neptune groaned and clutched her head as she tried to sit up. As she did, rocks and dirt slid down from her clothes. Her entire body felt like a giant pile of bricks had crushed her, which was actually quite similar to what had just happened. Glancing to her left, she saw Uranus scramble painfully onto her feet. The blonde winced slightly as she moved and Neptune realized that her partner had a cut across her right shoulder.
"Uranus—"
"I'm fine, we have to focus on defeating this creature," Uranus said sharply. "Do not worry about me."
Neptune nodded, and painfully got onto her feet as well. The young woman ignored her body's cry of protest and forced herself to stand up. She could not let Uranus do this alone.
"Neptune Deep Submerge!" Neptune cried, calling forth a giant ball of water. She needed to end this quickly. Taking aim, Neptune sent the ball at the rock like creature.
Grinning, the creature slammed the ball on energy back at the two warriors. This time, both women were prepared and leaped out of the way. Neptune was forced to separate and landed on top of a beat up building across from where Uranus had set down on. The ball crashed harmlessly into a building, spraying water everywhere in the process. As droplets of water rained down on the three figures, none of them moved.
"It is a pity that such weak warriors have become the legendary Sailor senshi."
Breathing heavily, Uranus glared at the creature as it continued to taunt them. Neptune noticed that Uranus' wound was still bleeding. Her eyes followed the trail of blood that trickled down her shoulders and to her elbows where the gently dripped onto the floor. Her ocean blue eyes followed the droplets of blood that fell to the ground. Neptune's heart clenched painfully.
"Uranus…" she whispered softly.
Uranus clasped her wounded arm with her left hand. Glaring at the monster, Uranus tried with difficulty to summon another attack. A spark formed in her right hand but quickly disappeared.
The creature tilted its head to one side as if listening to something. It seemed displeased as it turned to the two fallen senshi.
"It looks like you are going down first Uranus," the creature said and lifted its arms. Hundreds of sharp rocks and pebbles rose from the ground and hovered in the area surrounding the rock creature. His race hated blood shed, especially on little ones. The creature could tell that these two were not even adults yet. However, orders were orders.
Neptune's eyes widened as she saw what it was about to do. Her eyes darted to the injured Uranus and she realized that her partner would not be able to withstand the attack. Without thinking, Neptune lifted off from the building she was standing on and sprinted towards Uranus. Out of the corner of her eyes, Neptune saw the creature cry out a word and the rocks starting to shoot forward.
Uranus braced herself for the attack. She had failed. The blonde closed her eyes and waited for the blow. She heard rocks wiz past her but did not feel anything hit. Opening her eyes, Uranus saw her partner standing in front of her, blocking the rocks from hitting her.
"Neptune!"
The smaller girl collapsed and Uranus rushed forward to catch Neptune in her arms. Cuts and bruises were littered all over Neptune's delicate body and her outfit was torn in many areas. Uranus clutched tightly onto Neptune, tears forming in her eyes. The smaller girl held on tightly to Uranus with her gloved hands with a sad smile on her face.
"Why? Why did you do that?" Uranus asked in a strangled voice. She pulled Neptune closer to her, as if expecting the smaller girl to disappear if she did not hold on tight enough.
"I'm sorry Uranus," Neptune said weakly. She looked sadly into Uranus' eyes and a smile flickered across her face. Those warm eyes. She could stare into Uranus' eyes forever and still be content. The girl buried her face in Uranus' shirt. "I'm sorry Uranus. I –I love you. I have loved you for quite a while. You were always there for me and promised me that no matter what happened, that you would always be there by my side. Everything in my life seemed so perfect and I was content just to have you there with me.
"But it ended all too quickly. Yaten came and I found out that you had a relationship with him. I was devastated but kept quiet. Many times I wanted to strangle Yaten but found that I was unable to do so. You seemed happy around him and I didn't want to ruin it for you. Then we got into a fight. You trusted Mimet and Yaten more that you trusted me. I tried to continue on and pushed away the feelings I had for you. When it became unbearable, I received a letter from my mother, telling me to return home. I was glad for an excuse to leave. I couldn't stand to watch you and Yaten together.
"Yet you followed me to Neptune. I did not understand why you wanted to haunt me like this. If it weren't for you, I would have soundlessly married Seiya. You came and I did not know what to do. So I pushed you away. Yet you stayed and said that you would always be there for me and you wanted to take me back to Pluto with you. Haruka, I truly wanted to say yes."
Neptune lifted her gloved hand and gently placed it on Uranus' cheek. "Its too late now. If I had the chance now, I would talk to my mother and convince her to let me return to Pluto with you. Seiya and I would both talk to our parents and explain how we do not wish to be engaged to one another. I know you still love Yaten, but Haruka… I want you to know that I truly love you with all my heart."
Uranus hugged Neptune's body and cried silently. The blonde could hear the creature preparing to launch another attack. If this was how it was going to end, then so be it. It didn't matter as long as she was with Michiru.
The rock creature cried out a word and the rocks shot forward. Haruka braced for the attack. However, for the second time today, it never came. A pale blue light had suddenly engulfed the two Senshi and Uranus' glanced up to find a small mirror floating in between them and the rock creature. The small mirror glowed softly and a shield formed around the two senshi, reflecting all the rocks that came crashing towards them.
Then the glow flickered and faded away. The mirror clattered onto the ground in front of Neptune. Uranus watched as the smaller woman slowly untransformed. Her fuku faded away and was replaced by her civilian clothing. Though still unconscious, Michiru's face was regaining some color.
Displeased, the creature stomped forward. This battle should have been finished long ago. He did not want to fight any longer. Uranus clung on tightly to Michiru, there was no way she could stop this creature. However, the creature stopped in its tracks just before it reached Uranus. Turning around, the creature yelled, "Who is there?"
"Deep Sea Current Call!"
Uranus glanced up and saw a woman with marine blue hair that reached to her waist standing on top of a building. Uranus noticed that the fuku the woman wore was basically the same as Neptune's except her fuku was sapphire colored. The fuku also had long bows and her broach was shaped like a seashell. The woman raised a flute to her lips and played a beautiful melody.
Uranus glanced toward the ocean and felt the blue-green body of water rumbling. Suddenly, a spiral of water rose from the ocean and started to twist around the rock creature. The creature roared angrily and fought against the spirals of water. The flute grew louder and the water completely engulfed the creature.
Gently finishing the melody, the woman lowered the flute and jumped down from the building. She landed softly on her feet and started to walk towards Uranus however the creature suddenly broke free of the water and sent a barrage of rocks flying in at the woman. Seeing this, she leap back but was hit by a few stray rocks. She fell backwards and landed on the wet ground. Water came showering down on everyone in the area. Haruka closed her eyes as she felt the cold droplets of seawater hit her face.
Shaking slightly, Neptina pushed herself up into a sitting position. The effects of her illness were starting to show in her performance. Water slid down the woman's face and her fuku was drenched from head to toe. The Queen brushed back a few locks of wet hair and weakly reached out with her hand to grasp the flute she had dropped when she was hit by the rocks.
"Sailor Neptune," the creature sneered as droplets of water continued to pour down around them. Its eyes focused on the woman through the veil of rain. Though he did not have any personal grudge against the two young ones, this one was an exception. "Long time no see. I believe the last time I saw you was on the border of the solar system. You and your friends had forced me away and turned my body into smithereens. I'm afraid your friends aren't with you today."
The creature sent a wave of mud and rocks over to Sailor Neptune, however the attack was stopped when a wave of yellow light whipped forward and collided with the attack. Rocks flew everywhere and showered everyone in the clearing. Haruka's head snapped up when she heard a familiar voice call out.
"She is not alone. Warrior of the Heavens, I, Sailor Uranus, dance with grace."
"Keeper of time, I am Sailor Pluto. The planet shall not fall to you, time will tell."
The two new warriors landed softly by Neptina and helped her up. Sailor Neptune pulled away from Uranus. "I do not need your help Urana."
"It seems we have no choice dear Neptina," Sailor Uranus replied, facing her former partner. Reaching out with her hand, she summoned a jeweled sword. "Just like old times."
Dashing forward, Sailor Uranus held out her sword and cried, "Space Sword Blaster!"
Her attack hit and the rock creature stumbled backwards, falling on top on top of the clock tower. "Call of the rocks!"
The ground shook and hundreds of rock soldiers burst from the ground. Their bodies were comprised of rocks yet they assumed a human form. The smaller rock creatures turned their blank rock faces towards the three older scouts and started walking forwards.
"Pluto Deadly Scream."
The wind whipped angrily as Pluto summoned a massive orb of energy. Pointing her staff at the rock army, she sent the ball of energy flying into the army. A small explosion took place and some rock men disintegrated while others stumbled. Those who fell but were able to continue walking crawled back up and started walking forwards once again. The three scouts backed away warily.
"We have to split up," Uranus called.
"Who allowed you to order us around?" Neptune snapped, as the three scouts continued to back away from the rock army. She took her eyes off the rock people and glared angrily at Uranus. "If I remember correctly, last time you told us to split up, one of us got killed."
Sailor Uranus angrily spun around to meet Neptune's eyes. Her blue-green eyes were mixed with anger and sadness as memories of the battle on Pluto returned to her. She had buried the memory deep in the back of her mind for many years and now, the wounds from the past arose once again, slashing angrily at her. Urana wanted to argue back but found that she couldn't. She wasn't sure anymore whether she had made the right decision as the leader.
"Nothing to say dear Urana?" Neptune asked furiously as tears of frustration and sadness filled her ocean blue eyes.
The rock people took their victims' distraction as a chance and jumped forward to attack. Whirling around, the three scouts leapt back.
Looking behind her, Pluto leapt into the air and landed on top of a building. They couldn't waste any more time. Spotting the first rock creature, she jumped over from her building to the next and headed towards it. If that rock creature was defeated, then the army would disappear.
"I did what I thought was best at that time," Urana said, trying to keep her anger from bubbling up. The warrior blocked an attack from a rock person and aimed a kick at another that was on her right. The woman winced as pain shot through her lower leg and decided it was best not to kick the rock people. "Give me a break Neptina! All I have heard from you over these past fifteen years is what I have done wrong!"
Neptune laughed hollowly. "I suppose you think you're perfect?"
"No," Urana replied as the two warriors jumped on top of a building and out of reach of the rock people. "I have flaws and I am willing to admit it. However, it seems that you won't admit yours. You think you are perfect Neptina, you think that whatever decision you make is correct! This blinds you. You think that everything you do is correct and refuse to acknowledge other people's ideas and feelings."
"What do you know about me?" Neptina asked angrily, as she clenched her shaking hands.
"I know that you have been trying over the past fifteen years to make your daughter perfect. Let me tell you, no one is perfect! By doing this you will only make her unhappy. Your expectations will restrict her from telling you what she really wants in life and the freedom that everyone should have the right to experience."
Neptune clenched and unclenched her hands as Uranus spat the words out. What Urana said couldn't be true. She was giving the best for Michiru. She was carving a path for Michiru and preparing her for the challenges that lay ahead. Michiru would never crumble and never fall. Michiru would become a great ruler and lead a happy life.
Perfection never brought you happiness, Neptina thought to herself. She did become a great ruler that would be remembered by all Neptunians for all time. Yet, she had missed out a lot in life. She never married the person she loved, she never had any choices in what she wanted, and she seldom had time set aside for fun.
Now as she looked back on it, Michiru had always wanted more time for herself and away from her studies. There had been countless times when Michiru would ask if she could leave the castle to visit the market place and walk by the ocean. Many evenings, Neptina would catch her daughter staring longingly out her window.
"Ahh!"
The two scouts spun around to find Sailor Pluto struggling in the first rock creature's grasp. Turning to face Uranus and Neptune, the giant rock creature called back his minions. "Surrender or your friend dies."
Uranus' eyes widened. Dropping to her knees, memories from what had happened almost fifteen years ago flooded back.
"Uranus!"
Sailor Uranus scrambled on her feet as she saw vines bursting out from the ground and wrapped themselves around Sailor Pluto. Her time staff clattered onto the ground. The crimson-eyed woman cried in pain as the vines tightened their hold around her petit body and lifted her up into the air.
Lifting her sword, Uranus cried out, "Space Sword Blaster!"
There was a small explosion as the blast from her sword hit the root of the vines, causing dust to gather up in the air. The dust cleared and Uranus's eyes widened as the dust revealed the vines to be unharmed.
"It's no use," laughed the mage. "Your friend is mine unless you surrender to us."
The violet-eyed man faced Uranus, his calm eyes meeting Uranus' blazing blue-green orbs. Smirking softly, the man made a symbol with his hands, causing the vines to glow a blood red color. Ruby screamed out in pain once again.
"Ruby!" Urana yelled as she ran forward. She had to save her friend. A rainfall of arrows that rained down in front of her blocked the woman from reaching her friend. Uranus bristled with anger. "Don't you dare hurt her!"
"Surrender to me."
Urana curled her hands into fists. It was their duty to protect the solar system. She couldn't let the invaders win. However, they still had other chances. They were currently just after planet Pluto. They could surrender and regroup on planet Neptune. The forces were stronger there. The blonde let the information roll over in her mind. Yet, giving up Pluto would mean that their enemy's forces would grow larger as well. Urana glanced from Ruby to the enemy. What was she to do? The blonde was saved from making the decision when she heard Sailor Pluto's voice.
"Urana..."
The blonde turned to face the petite woman wrapped up in the vines. Ruby's tired crimson eyes shook Urana's soul. Ruby appeared much more tired than she usually was after the death of the King of Pluto. Her bright eyes had dulled and her spirit had dwindled. Yet she continued to fulfill her duties as Queen and raise Setsuna to the best of her abilities. Urana stared deeply at Ruby as if searching for something.
"Urana... You cannot give up Pluto. Please... If you have to, give me up to the enemy. It is no loss for us. Me for the lives of thousands. Do what you must."
"Ruby... You cannot give up like this," Urana argued passionately. "You may have lost your King, but you have a daughter, Neptina and me!"
"Setsuna is old enough to take care of herself. I have taught her everything I known..." Ruby winced in pain as the vines slowly tightened. "Please Urana. This will be my last duty as the Queen of Pluto."
Urana looked deeply into Ruby's eyes. "Ruby..."
"You are wasting time," the mage called out. "This woman or the planet, which do you want?"
Uranus felt as if someone was toying with her. Faced again with the same decision, the blonde did not know what to do. She sat helplessly on the ground as she watched the monster tighten its grip on Setsuna.
Beside her Neptune's face paled. No. Ruby had died to protect her daughter and her home. She could not let her sacrifice go to waste. She could loose another friend. Yet… the marine-haired woman glanced uncertainly at the rock army that surrounded the creature and her eyes found Michiru and lying unconscious in Urana's daughter's arms. If she surrendered… then… The Queen looked over her city and her planet.
Neptina stepped forward. "Do not harm her. Take me instead. I would be much more valuable to you."
Sailor Neptune felt someone grab her wrist and looked down to see Uranus' gloved hand wrapped around her wrist. She met her partner's eyes and for the first time in fifteen years, she felt some warmth and familiarity in them.
"Don't do it." Uranus said softly.
"I can't let them take Neptune."
"I… I can't let them take you." Uranus whispered.
"What could we do then?" the uncertainty in Neptina's voice was new to Uranus. Neptina was a confident woman, always sure of her decisions.
Urana suddenly felt guilty for not trying to mend their friendship over the last fifteen years. Neptina had changed. She could tell that the other woman had become less sure of herself. Urana had known Neptina for a long time, and even though many Neptunians could boast that their ruler was confident and precise in all her decisions, Urana could see through Neptina's mask. She knew that Neptina was not as strong as she appeared to be and when she was young, had always needed support from her, Ruby and Asuran. Now that Asuran was gone, all she had was Michiru left. Urana's heart clenched painfully. Though Neptina had been too proud to come seek her out, she should have gone to her friend. After all, they were in the same boat. Was it too late now?
Urana looked deeply into Neptina's eyes and smiled reassuringly. If they were to fall now, they would fall together. Urana had missed her partner.
"We could fight together until we draw our last breath." Uranus said fiercely. "Both Haruka and Michiru have transformed. They could take care of our planets. Queen Serenity would also be there for them."
A flicker of hope and confidence flashed across Neptune's eyes. "All right then, even if it takes our lives, we'll save Setsuna and fight the rock creature until we fall."
Neptune gently pulled Urana on to her feet. "Are you ready?"
Uranus nodded. "Together then."
Author's Note: I made up Neptina's attack but don't like the name very much. Lol, I'm not really good at naming stuff. Does anyone have any ideas for a name for a combined attack for Urana and Neptina? If you have any suggestions you could post them on the review. You could include a description of the attack too if you want.