IV is here, finally. I'm done after this. Anyway, kick back, relax, snack on some PEZ, and enjoy the show.
Disclaimer: Takeuchi-san's characters aren't mine, Kaumi isn't mine because he is based on a real person please ask before using this portrayal of him, the song isn't mine. The story idea and Darius are mine, however. Please don't sue. Please don't steal. Thank you.
It's My Life IV
WildRose04
Kaumi had seen his friend leave. He called out to her, but recieved no answer. Kaumi followed, worried that Makoto might hurt herself in this state. He had to stop her, had to find out what was wrong. Kaumi turned the corner, trying to figure out where she had led him. Up there on the right, that was the small grocer he went past every day. She was running home. He stopped, letting Makoto run on. 'Why was she running like that? What did he do to her?', Kaumi thought. As a door slammed shut on one end of the street, a young man turned back toward the palace on the other.
It had begun. Darius knew his plan had worked the second Makoto accepted his request for a dance. And now it was only a small matter of time before he had her, and the universe, for his own. Darius had waited so long for this. When he would finally show her, the bitch that had shunned him, who was boss. Then she'd come crawling back to him, asking for his forgiveness. Would he give it to her? Perhaps. It all depended on how much groveling she did.
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The throne room doors slammed open. Standing between them was a young man in black-blue armor. It was Kaumiryu, and he was out for blood. "You have found her, I see. Well, did you like what was there?" The crowd parted, revealing a grinning Darius. "You filthy, bastard son of a she-demon," Kaumi unsheathed his sword, the blade of beautifully forged steel with a design engraved upon it and a crownbearing dragon on the hilt, "you die tonight!" The young prince charged at Darius, sword raised. Darius only grinned. When Kaumi was within striking range, he brought the sword down fiercely, aiming straight for the other man's throat. With a clang, the beautiful sword fell to the ground with it's dead owner. Impaled on the end of a black blade.
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Kaumi re-entered the palace quietly. This was no trouble seeing that the midnight hour had just struck. He scanned the room quickly for his target, spotting a whirl of dark purple in the far corner as he left the room. Kaumi silently followed, hoping not to alert Darius of his presence. The other young man stopped suddenly. "So we meet again, Prince of Dragons", Darius said as he turned to face Kaumi. "It's been a long time, hasn't it? But don't think that I've forgotten what you did." Kaumi stepped out of the shadows, looking icily calm. "You hurt Makoto for the last time, Darius. You might have gotten away with it the first time, but not now." Darius laughed. "Honestly think you can fight me, eh? We'll just see about that.", the son of Chaos said as he drew his sword.
Makoto looked up, pure determination in her eyes. She looked around blindly, searching for something, though not sure what. A flash of green caught her eye. There, on the table. It was the gift from Kaumi. Makoto stood, walked into the living room, and picked up the small box. She carefully took off the simple wrapping. It was a jewelry gift box. Makoto opened the red velvet box. Inside was the ring she hard worked so hard to copy the dragon design from. There was also a note. Makoto unfolded the note slowly, nervous as to its contents. It was a confession:
Makoto,
I have loved you since the first time we met. Not through our friends in this lifetime, but on Io. That first glance you gave me at the System Conference of Soldiers sent chills through every nerve in my body. I was suprised by your apparent ease with people, and caught off gaurd when you followed me onto the dock. Even though it seemed you just wanted to be friends in that life and this, I just want you to know that I love you, no matter what.
Kaumi
Makoto collapsed to the floor for a second time that night as this news slowly sank in. He loved her. He loved her! Makoto looked at the ring in her shaking hand. Now she knew why that design was so familiar. This was his family ring, the same one he had gotten from his father, King of the Dragons. Slowly, she put the silver band on. A crackle went through the air. Something was happening. Not wasting time, Makoto ran out the door.
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A scream resounded through the ballroom. It was Makoto as Kaumi, her best friend and the one she secretly loved, fell dead at her enemies feet. Laughing, Darius turned to watch the grieving girl. "Ryu, don't leave me." She shook his cooling body. "Please, don't leave me here, dammit!" Makoto fell sobbing onto him as Darius laughed on. She didn't know the secret Kaumi had taken with him in death.
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"I thought you learned your lesson the last time, boy." Darius said as he slowly neared the reborn prince. "You thought wrong, Darius. I won't stand by and watch you destroy Makoto from the inside. You did once and you won't do it again." Kaumi practically growled. "And why not, hmm? Because you love her? No amount of love can save your precious Makoto, get over it." Kaumi slowly drew his sword, a present from his friend. "You only say that because you cannot love, son of Chaos. Let her be or I will end your life here and now." Darius grinned, "So be it."
Makoto ran, ran faster than she ever had in her immortal life. Never had she walked into a fight, that was how you got killed and it just wasn't her style. No, she always ran headlong into them, teeth bared and weapons at the ready. But never had she been so afraid of, or run so fast to, a war she couldn't win. Makoto knew she would lose, but she still had to try.
A clang was heard as the swords clashed, each trying to overpower the other. This wasn't just a fight for life or love, this was between the two sides of life itself. One was dark, warped, and considered evil. The other bright, slightly naive, and in over it's head. Both unknowingly fighting a battle that wasn't theirs. Clang as the swords met again. Clang as a running figure burst into the hallway.
They were fighting. Makoto could hear their swords clashing against each other, even over the noisy crowd of party-goers. She had to get there, had to stop them. Makoto shoved her way through the crowd, not caring if anyone was hurt. All that mattered was whether or not she got to Kaumi in time. Makoto blasted the heavy doors open, throwing light on the two battling figures.
Kaumi turned, trying to find the source of the bright light coming from behind him. "Kaumi, watch out!", Makoto cried, but too late. Darius had used her entrance to get Kaumi when he wasn't watching, slashing deeply into his chest. He smiled as Makoto ran to catch her falling love. Kaumi would die from the wound, but slowly. It served him right for taking the object of his attentions away.
Kaumi looked up into Makoto's tearstreaked face, his eyes already clouding with the pain. He tried to sit up, to hold her, wipe away her tears, but couldn't. She stroked his face gently, and something metallic touched his cheek. It was the ring. He looked up and smiled slightly. She smiled back through her tears. "I love you...", she wispered. With this message as the last words he would ever hear, Kaumi's head rolled to the side. Makoto kissed his lips softly, the tears falling onto his face, and set him on the ground. She stood, looking down at her lost love. "You have hurt me for the last time, Darius." Makoto looked up, pure hate written on her face. "It's time to join your mother in hell."
This ain't a song for the broken-hearted
"Think you can win, Sailorjupiter? Then you will die as well!" Darius laughed as he disappeared. She ran out of the hall, into the throne room.
No silent prayer for faith departed
Darius appeared over the crowd in dark purple armor. This time, he was detirmined to win.
And I ain't gonna be just a face in the crowd
"Foolish mortals!" Darius held out his hand, sending a wave of energy out over the crowd. The palace broke into pieces that went flying into the air. All were knocked down. All but one.
You're gonna hear my voice when I shout it out loud
Hotaru went flying into the air. She was in the dress Makoto had bought, the one Darius had made. "Give in or lose one of your own.", he said, a large grin on his face.
"I will never give in to you, Darius." went out Makoto's battle cry.
It's my life
"Then she will die!" cried Darius as he drew his sword once more.
It's now or never
"Not while I'm around, " replied Makoto under her breath. "Jupiter Crystal Power, make-up!"
Makoto glowed with an unearthly green light as ribbons surrounded her body, transforming the beautiful dress she wore into the fuku of one of her most powerful forms, Sailor Starjupiter. White wings grew on her back, which she used to take flight, heading straight for Darius.
I ain't gonna live forever
Makoto raised her sword, the steel blade gleaming in the light of her power. She had used this weapon on him once and would use it again.
I just wanna live while I'm alive (It's my life)
"Ha, is that all you've got? A metal stick and some wings, and yet you are going to win? You jest, Makoto!" She said nothing, only flew on.
My heart is like an open highway
"Mako-chan, don't! He's going to-" Hotaru was cut off as he knocked her with the hilt of his sword. "Shut up foolish one. She can't win, no matter what."
Like Frankie said, I did it my way
"Prepare to lose, Darius. You will not survive this night.", Makoto stated coldly.
"Then I will take her with me," Darius replied as he ran the sword through Hotaru.
I just wanna live while I'm alive, It's my life
She didn't scream. Hotaru had never felt pain like this, but didn't scream. She had to be strong. If Hotaru was going to die, then dammit she might as well die with some honor.
"See Makoto? You couldn't save her, just like the others. You never could do anything right, and never will, will you?" Darius shrugged as he dropped Hotaru's limp body. "Oh well, too bad for her, eh?"
Makoto dived, reaching for Hotaru. She caught the dead senshi, but just barely. Slowly, Makoto descended. Landing, she walked over to Haruka and placed the girl in her arms. "I tried, really I did." Makoto was holding back tears, trying to hold onto just a little dignity. "We know you did. And that's all anyone can ever do.", came Michiru's reply as she and all the others among the palace's ruins faded and Daruis' laughter rang out in the silence.
This is for the ones who stood their ground
Makoto looked up at him, and whispered words he would wish she hadn't, words she didn't even remember knowing. "Senshi Ethereal Power, make-up."
For Tommy and Gina, who never backed down
Light burst from the ground around Makoto in ribbons originating from a glowing circle. The ribbons wrapped around her body fully, and pulled Makoto under the ground.
Tomorrow's getting harder make no mistake
Darius laughed. "Running away, huh Makoto? Too bad." He laughed again. "Wrong, only getting some reinforcements."
Luck ain't even lucky, gotta make your own breaks
Darius turned. Makoto stood on a pillar of light. She had taken the ultimate form, the One senshi. Sailorbalance herself, in the flesh.
It's my life
"You, you, you...", Darius stuttered.
"Speechless? Certainly something new for you, isn't it Darius?", replied Makoto coldly.
"You're her!"
Makoto smiled as an obsidian staff appeared. "That's right. Sailorbalance, here to restore what you have taken."
It's now or never
"But how? How did you hide it from me! I am the ultimate Prince of Darkness! I know everything! How did this possibly happen!" Makoto shook her head, chuckling.
"Poor, nearsighted Darius. Too blinded by power to see what was right in front of you. Didn't you know that the power is spread to the others when senshi die? Silly you to send it all to me."
I ain't gonna live forever
Darius regained his composure. "No matter, it will only make my victory more glorious!" He leaped at Makoto, wielding his restored weapon.
I just wanna live while I'm alive (It's my life)
Makoto held up her staff as a shield, barring Darius' sword.
"Give in, dammit!", he cried.
"Never again!" was Sailorbalance's reply as she spread her black wings and took flight.
My heart is like an open highway
Darius took off after her. With each swoop and dive they fought, sword to staff. Suddenly, the staff snapped in half. Darius had chopped the middle until it broke. No matter, Makoto dropped the two pieces and drew her sword.
Like Frankie said, I did it my way
"Die, son of Chaos!" went out Makoto's battle cry as she fought with new energy.
I just wanna live while I'm alive, it's my life
"Ughh!" Darius was starting to wear thin, she could tell. His youthful-appearing face began to age, slowly, but still noticably.
Better stand tall when they're calling you out
"Ichrashna!" Makoto wasn't expecting that. The powerful surge of energy struck her hard, forcing Makoto out of the air and driving her into the ground.
"We could have ruled the cosmos together, Piknast. We could have been happy."
Don't bend, don't break, baby, don't back down
"My name is Kino Makoto, lover of Kaumiryu, Guardian of Time, tool of the Cauldron. No longer shall I be called Piknast. And if being your wife is happy, I sure as hell would rather be miserable." A silver-gray light filtered out from under the mass of Darius' attack, slowly pushing it up. Makoto was using all her strength to fight, and she was going to win no matter what.
It's my life
"It, it can't be!" Makoto slid out from under Darius' attack.
"Oh, but it is."
It's now or never
Light gathered in Makoto's hands and along her back. It took physical shape as a longbow of silver with black workings and quiver full of silver arrows. Makoto nocked one of these arrows on her bow and took aim.
I ain't gonna live forever
"Galactic Stardust Archer!" The arrow turned into a streak of silver light as she let it loose, aimed straight for Darius.
I just wanna live while I'm alive (It's my life)
The arrow hit its mark, piercing through Darius' armor to penetrate just below his breast bone. Makoto lowered her longbow. "I offer you one last chance for life. Do you take it or leave it?"
My heart is like an open highway
"Will it be with you?", went out his weak queary.
"You have already killed my soul Darius, you would have no life with me ever." Darius grimaced at her words.
"Then kill me now so I may be with you in spirit." Makoto's obsidian staff appeared by her side.
"Very well."
Like Frankie said, I did it my way
"Cauldron of old, grant me the strength to deliver this universe to your depths once more. Galactic...Time...Implosion!" A great silver and black light grew around Makoto during these last three words, blinding Darius. Upon hitting the last word of the phrase, the light burst.
I just wanna live while I'm alive
Across the cosmos, a great roaring was heard. A vortex formed itself at the end of Makoto's staff, which was pointed at Darius. The vortex spun faster each moment, pulling into it whole systems. The air around the two shook with the disturbance. Eventually, even the Earth was being pulled into it's powerful grasp. Darius looked at Makoto. "I love you," he mouthed as it in turn swallowed him. Makoto died as the vortex finally collapsed.
It's my life
Makoto sat up, slowly looking around. Everywhere she looked was empty. She knew this place. It was the place of the Galaxy Cauldron, the edge of existence itself. She stood, unsure if she would be able to support herself. "Well done, child.", spoke a voice. It was not a familiar voice, but she still knew it to be the Cauldron speaking. "You have served me well when unjustly forced to. You shall be rewarded. What would you like?" Makoto swallowed. "Please, I would like to see this new Genesis before I go." Immediately, the air around Makoto seemed to explode with singing and colors beyond description. She stared in awe, drinking in every detail as new stars and planets were born in what seemed a matter of minutes, just like the last time. The Galaxy Cauldron spoke again. "What else would you like?" Makoto shook her head. "There is nothing else." A stabbing pain struck her suddenly, causing Makoto to pass out once more.
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A small girl sat in the stark whiteness of an unknown place. "Why do you cry, little one?" She sniffled, looking around.A small woman with hair, eyes, clothes, and wings of silvery grey comes near the girl. "Because," the girl starts, "because everything I love has died, and I couldn't stop it." The woman smiles, kissing the girl on the forehead. A small silvery balance symbol appears on the child's head. "Do not cry, child. Watch." The girl looks up as indescribable colors and sounds burst around them. The child turns to the woman, eyes wide in amazement. "This, child, is the Genesis. All those cheated in the last life will be reborn in this new one." The girl is now a young woman, with flowing red-brown hair and green eyes. The small woman kisses the girl's forehead again. The balance symbol is replaced by the Jovian four. "Remember what you have seen and learned now, as well as what you have seen and learned in the past, and what you will see and learn in the future." The beautiful creature slowly melts back into the mists. "Wait." cries the girl. "What is this place? Who are you?" The woman's voice is heard. "This is the Galaxy Cauldron, and I am its Gaurdian." With this, the girl is in the time continuum once more.
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A hand touched Makoto's face, stroking her cheek gently. She opened her eyes, quickly shutting them again because of the light. Warm lips met hers in a soft kiss. Makoto opened her eyes again to look straight into the face of Kaumi. He smiled and helped her to stand. All around were vibrant flowers and long grasses. They stood in a great sprawling meadow, and in the distance was a village where Makoto knew she would find peace. Kaumiryu smiled at his love, "Welcome home."
It's done! I'm finished! I'm through, dammit! I'm eternally grateful to you for coming this far, especially Clint H. Coyt/King Cobra Clint and Lady-Dragonguardian since they were my first signed reviews and came back when I put two up. If you two are reading this, thank you for being so patient with me and coming back to finish it. Umm, that's about it. My friends know who they are and know I love them for not killing me a long time ago. They also know how much I abhor this particular story, but they liked it so it's no longer banished to eternal nonexistence. Really, that's all I've got for now. There'll be super-crappy poetry up at some later point when another bout of insomnia hits (hooray depression!) but for now, I'm sure there's much better stuff out there for you to read. Ta!
WR04
p.s. Sailorbalance's fuku looks like Eternal Sailormoon with Super sleeves, but black and silver with black wings. Oh, and her hair is in three odangos, but they're made of lots of little braids that start right before they go into the ponytails and her hair is, of course, a tarnished bronzen red. My lovely friend Helen drew a picture for me (waist up, but it's super perdy and you get the general idea anyway.) and as soon as I dig it out from amongst my many high school treasures and remember to scan it, I'll stick it on LiveJournal and link it through my profile. And a note on her weapons and attacks: since I imagine Sailorbalance as being THE last one standing, it makes sense for her to be an amalgamation of all the Senshi since their power essentially gets pooled up where it all originally came from, the Cauldron. Therefore, she has access to all powers, knowledge, weapons, everything. Godlike I know, but even she died in the end.