[a/n] Hi everyone! I hoped you enjoyed the first chapter after my pretty lengthy intermission. Well, I'm ready to commit to this again, and probably to the end. This was originally one chapter, but for your enjoyment and dramatic purposes, I'll make it two. This chapter is filled with symbolism and important stuff so be on the lookout for hints for the ending. I can't continue however with your precious reviews though, so please do so, I need somebody to write this for. Thank you so much. Email me for any questions. Sorry for the hold up, now lets start our story. [a/n]
Loyalties [part 1]
Cole awoke to a dark world, a cold world, filled with silence. There was no dust or debris in front of Cole, yet no ground to walk on either. The entire plain was a burgundy mist that was so dark and silky, but totally transparent. He could feel no definite temperature, just a neutral climate, enough to keep him alive, but a lack amount to keep him sane.
Reluctantly he felt his face with his palm, but what surprised him was that there was no blood, not even a scab anymore. He was sure that he would have a scar on his face and be soaked in his own blood, but everything was just fine. Then he looked down, his heart gave a fast beat of worry that caused a cool sweat to form on the surface of his face, his uniform was gone and all he was dressed in was a silk tank-top and boxers, both as pure as white can get.
The young man searched his neck, his necklace was gone, the necklace that kept him alive all of the time, the necklace that held his scepter that he could resort to in his time of need was now gone. He was as pale as the garments over his toned body. He immediately thought back to his last, cold memory. He could visualize the strong winds pushing his back and the powerful attack being given its first and last breath of life, tearing open the forest, inside and then out, and finally destroying everything in its path. He wondered if he was destroyed as well and that his scepter was left in the before-life as he thought of it, which was the world he longed for dearly at that moment.
In a theatrical-like manner he could see his friends in his peripheral vision, each rising from what looked as nowhere, one at a time. He stared deeply at them, they too were in the pallid attire that made his heart sink. They were on their own. The five of them stood out so much, which made them easy prey for anything that may possibly be around them. He hoped Radix and Maddox were not among them. 'No. They have to be dead by now.', he thought to himself.
"Cole, they are gone. Our scepters are all missing, what are we going to do?", Andrew asked, finally shattering the silence. His voice echoed and filled the entire unadorned space. "If Radix and Maddox have them, we are all doomed."
Deep down Cole knew that they did not have all of them. In the depths of his mind their was a location he knew of where Uranus, Neptune, and Pluto's scepters all rested. He felt the urge to summon them, and possibly try to use them to save their lives, but he did not know what balances he would corrupt if he did. He would use that as a last resort. "Maddox and Radix are dead, Andrew. They had to have died in the explosion, I just know it."
"Then why are we not dead?", David defied. "Can you tell me that, Cole?"
Cole was in no mood for David at this moment "Who said we aren't dead, I personally have been dead for the past two days, try it sometime.", he glared. David did not respond, he could see Cole's anger.
"I sense that we are not on Earth. There is no life energy here,", Matt said softly "Its almost as if we are in another--"
"Dimension.", a powerful voice ricocheted around the group. "You are a very intelligent human, Matthew, it's a shame you are not as smart as me however. Or else maybe you would have this."
Matt looked forward and saw that the powerful voice belonged to Maddox, sword in hand, and Radix standing right in his shadow, just as confident and fierce. In Maddox's other hand though was Matt's scepter, gleaming with crimson rage that made him want to lunge at the bounty warrior.
"Give that back Maddox! Hand it over or you will regret it!", Matt shouted.
Maddox grinned assertively, tossing the rod like a baton while the 4 boys held Matt back from jumping at it.
"Why are you not dead!? We killed both of you!", Cole demanded more to himself than Maddox.
Radix grabbed the claret scepter while it twirled in the air, stepping out of the shadow. "That is what you thought when really you just created such a force that you broke through your own dimension, taking all 6 of us with you, novice."
"This will end here you sick bastards!", Drake threatened angrily, "This is to the death! YOU ARE GOING--"
Radix flicked his long index finger at Drake's mouth causing him to bark excessively.
"BARK! BARK BARK BARK! BARK BARK!?? ARF ARK WROFF ROFF ROF ROF!", Drake cried hysterically while he tried to form words from his mouth.
Radix gave a relieved sigh and with another flick of his finger kinetically pushed him on his rear "Sit down you pathetic dog. Utter another word and you shall be put to sleep." He turned his head to the others "I and Maddox rule this dimension and as you can see, gives us boosted powers and as you can also see…you have none. We have 5 of the 8 scepters we need, I suggest sitting on your asses while I kill you all."
With the raging intensity still flowing through him, Matt stepped forward to Radix "Fat chance! You get us out of here at this second or I swear you will be sorry."
Radix made the tip of his index finger glow a threatening shade of mauve and sent a powerful power surge forward that brought Matt to his knees.
Maddox gave a disapproving look "Radix, enough. We must kill them now and give them to master before sunrise. They have been cornered so let them die."
Radix remained to have a crazed look in his gleam "No, not just yet.", he ejected 5 silver thread-like beams from his finger tips and attached them to Andrew's hands, legs and neck. Radix became Andrew's puppet master and against his will directed him to the growling Drake, causing the two to kiss while Radix giggled quietly. "Kiss the puppy loser, kiss the puppy.", he laughed sickly as the strings were sliced like lightning by Maddox's sword which made the mystical thread dissolve into dust. Radix glared.
"I should have never trusted you to do a true warriors job. Nevertheless." , Maddox sent thousand of sound waves from his palm sent the first four soldiers to sleep, leaving Cole out and conscious.
"Any last words on behalf of your crew?", Maddox asked with feigned compassion.
Cole left the area silent for a moment. He knew what he wanted to say. "The strings are fading Maddox and the beast will break from his chain. You deserve to know that.", Cole flinched and held his eyes tightly shut, he failed his entire team.
The warrior leered sternly at Cole. "Do what you want with the others but leave my sight ,Radix. Do not return until told otherwise."
Radix giggled once again "As you wish!", Radix transported off in a fiery explosion and took the other four with him, cackling until the smoke faded and he was out of sight.
"Rise boy.", commanded Maddox. Cole gave no response, he didn't even open his eyes, he knew from the moment he spoke that he would live. "I SAID RISE!"
Maddox made his eyes glow green and jolted Cole up with his mind.
"I order you to fight me!", Maddox directed solemnly. Cole refused to speak. "I want to fight to the death, to prove to you and the universe that I am in control of both you and Radix! I will kill you and I will use your head as a symbol of my authority. Fight me now, Sailor Saturn. You do not have a choice."
Cole opened his eyes slowly and spoke with every ounce of heart within him. "I am not Sailor Saturn, Maddox."
The bounty warrior jerked uneasily "Don't be a fool. Of coarse you are!"
Cole's eyes streamed with tears. "No. That is the entire point. Sailor Saturn is strong and invincible---the most confident and talented fighter I know. I am not him. I am Cole Collingsworth and have been for quite some time. Cole is a weak human, Saturn is a powerful god. I can't fight you, I want to die now. I have failed myself, my family, and most important of all my friends. Do not ever call me Sailor Saturn because he is dead--a memory along with everything else I have been in contact with. Do not make me fight you."
Maddox's face turned crimson with fury as he grabbed a small chain from neck and threw it inches in front of Cole. It was his beloved scepter. "There you sorry excuse for a hero! It is your scepter, the only one I had in my possession. Use it at once, I want to fight a true warrior of great caliber. Wipe your tears away and fight.
Cole stared blankly at Maddox. "A few minutes ago, I might have taken it, but now that Radix has taken all of my friends to use them for who knows what, I realized that it isn't that scepter that makes a great hero. It's the person who harnesses its power. Take it back. It is yours now. Keep the rod and every ounce of pain that comes with it."
Maddox charged a tiny sphere of energy on his finger and sent it at Cole's left leg. He didn't even scream, he just collapsed like an empty coat hitting the floor. Maddox yelled and cursed as loudly and as long as he could stand, but Cole couldn't even find the strength to care any longer. He was drifting into his own thoughts and dreams.
He could no longer see or hear Maddox anymore. Everything surrounding him was an angelic shade of white that made even his garments seem dark.
"Cole get up, did you forget the promise you made to me?", Sailor Uranus asked. Cole had never seen him so clean and white before, he was so stunned that he didn't even care to think of how Uranus could possibly be talking to him right now. He seemed so at rest, with angel wings sprouting from his back and a golden aura enchanting and calling at Cole's spirit. He could feel his burdens being lifted away from him.
"Of coarse I did not.", Cole said shamefully. He couldn't even look at him in the eye. "I think about it everyday of my life."
"Cole, you are holding back. I know it--I know you. Why have you been so disturbed recently."
Cole aggressively tried to keep himself from crying in front of his friend. Reality was starting to sink in. "I --k-killed you, George.", Cole quivered. "I killed you! I don't know exactly how, b-but I killed you, I d-did."
George frowned. "Cole, don't you ever blame yourself for my death. It was my time, you merely helped my escape."
"WHY CANT I ESCAPE THEN, DAMMIT! Why can't I die too! I am ready, George! I can't do the job anymore."
"Is that all this is to you, Cole? A job?", he asked disappointedly. "You are the chosen one, Cole. I know you don't mean that."
"Of coarse I do!", Cole insisted hysterically. "I can't stand to see my friends die anymore, I am not the chosen one, it has to be a mistake. You are the strong one. You are so much tougher, smarter, and quick witted than I can or will ever be. Why aren't you the chosen one."
George looked at Cole softly. "Cole, you know perfectly well why you were the chosen one, and I was not. Dr. Tomo made it perfectly clear--"
Cole cut his friend off "I don't speak of him or what happened that horrible year anymore. I'm just grateful that my friends were there to help me through that the entire time.", Cole's eyes widened. He just realized what he had said at that moment. His friends…they may not be with him physically, but the memories and happiness they gave him still bestowed him with strength…as if they were beside him. Cole let his tears fall and stared at his feet. "George, I am such an idiot. How could I not see what you were trying to point out to me all of this time. My friends! My friends have always been at my side, thick through thin, giving me hope and guidance! I know that it is my responsibility to never give up on them and to fight to the end! That was the promise that I made to you, I have never felt so strong in my life! And you to thank for it! Thank you Geo-", Cole looked over his shoulder to embrace his companion but saw nothing but the air, burgundy and silent as it was before.
Cole was so confused. He knew that what had just happened was real. He had spoken to his dead friend. He could still feel his warm breath over his shoulder, but he was gone…and so was the realm of eternal love and peace his toes had just felt beneath him. But now only Maddox was in his sight now. He had his back to Cole, still cursing and yelling as loud as ever, and his scepter at his heels…
Maddox fury subsided slightly. His back was still to Cole. "You say you want to die, Cole!? That is a wish worth granting! Say goodbye human!", he sharply turned but his expression of anger was now covered with shock. Cole was standing tall and confident in his Sailor Soldier uniform and a heavenly glow enshrouded his life energy.
"You idiot, who do you think you are! Now you wish to fight, Cole?"
The Sailor Soldier looked at Maddox with no fear or self-pity as before, he just said one thing to the bounty warrior and one thing only. "I do not know who this Cole you speak of is, but you can call me Sailor Saturn, your downfall."
Loyalties [part 1]
Cole awoke to a dark world, a cold world, filled with silence. There was no dust or debris in front of Cole, yet no ground to walk on either. The entire plain was a burgundy mist that was so dark and silky, but totally transparent. He could feel no definite temperature, just a neutral climate, enough to keep him alive, but a lack amount to keep him sane.
Reluctantly he felt his face with his palm, but what surprised him was that there was no blood, not even a scab anymore. He was sure that he would have a scar on his face and be soaked in his own blood, but everything was just fine. Then he looked down, his heart gave a fast beat of worry that caused a cool sweat to form on the surface of his face, his uniform was gone and all he was dressed in was a silk tank-top and boxers, both as pure as white can get.
The young man searched his neck, his necklace was gone, the necklace that kept him alive all of the time, the necklace that held his scepter that he could resort to in his time of need was now gone. He was as pale as the garments over his toned body. He immediately thought back to his last, cold memory. He could visualize the strong winds pushing his back and the powerful attack being given its first and last breath of life, tearing open the forest, inside and then out, and finally destroying everything in its path. He wondered if he was destroyed as well and that his scepter was left in the before-life as he thought of it, which was the world he longed for dearly at that moment.
In a theatrical-like manner he could see his friends in his peripheral vision, each rising from what looked as nowhere, one at a time. He stared deeply at them, they too were in the pallid attire that made his heart sink. They were on their own. The five of them stood out so much, which made them easy prey for anything that may possibly be around them. He hoped Radix and Maddox were not among them. 'No. They have to be dead by now.', he thought to himself.
"Cole, they are gone. Our scepters are all missing, what are we going to do?", Andrew asked, finally shattering the silence. His voice echoed and filled the entire unadorned space. "If Radix and Maddox have them, we are all doomed."
Deep down Cole knew that they did not have all of them. In the depths of his mind their was a location he knew of where Uranus, Neptune, and Pluto's scepters all rested. He felt the urge to summon them, and possibly try to use them to save their lives, but he did not know what balances he would corrupt if he did. He would use that as a last resort. "Maddox and Radix are dead, Andrew. They had to have died in the explosion, I just know it."
"Then why are we not dead?", David defied. "Can you tell me that, Cole?"
Cole was in no mood for David at this moment "Who said we aren't dead, I personally have been dead for the past two days, try it sometime.", he glared. David did not respond, he could see Cole's anger.
"I sense that we are not on Earth. There is no life energy here,", Matt said softly "Its almost as if we are in another--"
"Dimension.", a powerful voice ricocheted around the group. "You are a very intelligent human, Matthew, it's a shame you are not as smart as me however. Or else maybe you would have this."
Matt looked forward and saw that the powerful voice belonged to Maddox, sword in hand, and Radix standing right in his shadow, just as confident and fierce. In Maddox's other hand though was Matt's scepter, gleaming with crimson rage that made him want to lunge at the bounty warrior.
"Give that back Maddox! Hand it over or you will regret it!", Matt shouted.
Maddox grinned assertively, tossing the rod like a baton while the 4 boys held Matt back from jumping at it.
"Why are you not dead!? We killed both of you!", Cole demanded more to himself than Maddox.
Radix grabbed the claret scepter while it twirled in the air, stepping out of the shadow. "That is what you thought when really you just created such a force that you broke through your own dimension, taking all 6 of us with you, novice."
"This will end here you sick bastards!", Drake threatened angrily, "This is to the death! YOU ARE GOING--"
Radix flicked his long index finger at Drake's mouth causing him to bark excessively.
"BARK! BARK BARK BARK! BARK BARK!?? ARF ARK WROFF ROFF ROF ROF!", Drake cried hysterically while he tried to form words from his mouth.
Radix gave a relieved sigh and with another flick of his finger kinetically pushed him on his rear "Sit down you pathetic dog. Utter another word and you shall be put to sleep." He turned his head to the others "I and Maddox rule this dimension and as you can see, gives us boosted powers and as you can also see…you have none. We have 5 of the 8 scepters we need, I suggest sitting on your asses while I kill you all."
With the raging intensity still flowing through him, Matt stepped forward to Radix "Fat chance! You get us out of here at this second or I swear you will be sorry."
Radix made the tip of his index finger glow a threatening shade of mauve and sent a powerful power surge forward that brought Matt to his knees.
Maddox gave a disapproving look "Radix, enough. We must kill them now and give them to master before sunrise. They have been cornered so let them die."
Radix remained to have a crazed look in his gleam "No, not just yet.", he ejected 5 silver thread-like beams from his finger tips and attached them to Andrew's hands, legs and neck. Radix became Andrew's puppet master and against his will directed him to the growling Drake, causing the two to kiss while Radix giggled quietly. "Kiss the puppy loser, kiss the puppy.", he laughed sickly as the strings were sliced like lightning by Maddox's sword which made the mystical thread dissolve into dust. Radix glared.
"I should have never trusted you to do a true warriors job. Nevertheless." , Maddox sent thousand of sound waves from his palm sent the first four soldiers to sleep, leaving Cole out and conscious.
"Any last words on behalf of your crew?", Maddox asked with feigned compassion.
Cole left the area silent for a moment. He knew what he wanted to say. "The strings are fading Maddox and the beast will break from his chain. You deserve to know that.", Cole flinched and held his eyes tightly shut, he failed his entire team.
The warrior leered sternly at Cole. "Do what you want with the others but leave my sight ,Radix. Do not return until told otherwise."
Radix giggled once again "As you wish!", Radix transported off in a fiery explosion and took the other four with him, cackling until the smoke faded and he was out of sight.
"Rise boy.", commanded Maddox. Cole gave no response, he didn't even open his eyes, he knew from the moment he spoke that he would live. "I SAID RISE!"
Maddox made his eyes glow green and jolted Cole up with his mind.
"I order you to fight me!", Maddox directed solemnly. Cole refused to speak. "I want to fight to the death, to prove to you and the universe that I am in control of both you and Radix! I will kill you and I will use your head as a symbol of my authority. Fight me now, Sailor Saturn. You do not have a choice."
Cole opened his eyes slowly and spoke with every ounce of heart within him. "I am not Sailor Saturn, Maddox."
The bounty warrior jerked uneasily "Don't be a fool. Of coarse you are!"
Cole's eyes streamed with tears. "No. That is the entire point. Sailor Saturn is strong and invincible---the most confident and talented fighter I know. I am not him. I am Cole Collingsworth and have been for quite some time. Cole is a weak human, Saturn is a powerful god. I can't fight you, I want to die now. I have failed myself, my family, and most important of all my friends. Do not ever call me Sailor Saturn because he is dead--a memory along with everything else I have been in contact with. Do not make me fight you."
Maddox's face turned crimson with fury as he grabbed a small chain from neck and threw it inches in front of Cole. It was his beloved scepter. "There you sorry excuse for a hero! It is your scepter, the only one I had in my possession. Use it at once, I want to fight a true warrior of great caliber. Wipe your tears away and fight.
Cole stared blankly at Maddox. "A few minutes ago, I might have taken it, but now that Radix has taken all of my friends to use them for who knows what, I realized that it isn't that scepter that makes a great hero. It's the person who harnesses its power. Take it back. It is yours now. Keep the rod and every ounce of pain that comes with it."
Maddox charged a tiny sphere of energy on his finger and sent it at Cole's left leg. He didn't even scream, he just collapsed like an empty coat hitting the floor. Maddox yelled and cursed as loudly and as long as he could stand, but Cole couldn't even find the strength to care any longer. He was drifting into his own thoughts and dreams.
He could no longer see or hear Maddox anymore. Everything surrounding him was an angelic shade of white that made even his garments seem dark.
"Cole get up, did you forget the promise you made to me?", Sailor Uranus asked. Cole had never seen him so clean and white before, he was so stunned that he didn't even care to think of how Uranus could possibly be talking to him right now. He seemed so at rest, with angel wings sprouting from his back and a golden aura enchanting and calling at Cole's spirit. He could feel his burdens being lifted away from him.
"Of coarse I did not.", Cole said shamefully. He couldn't even look at him in the eye. "I think about it everyday of my life."
"Cole, you are holding back. I know it--I know you. Why have you been so disturbed recently."
Cole aggressively tried to keep himself from crying in front of his friend. Reality was starting to sink in. "I --k-killed you, George.", Cole quivered. "I killed you! I don't know exactly how, b-but I killed you, I d-did."
George frowned. "Cole, don't you ever blame yourself for my death. It was my time, you merely helped my escape."
"WHY CANT I ESCAPE THEN, DAMMIT! Why can't I die too! I am ready, George! I can't do the job anymore."
"Is that all this is to you, Cole? A job?", he asked disappointedly. "You are the chosen one, Cole. I know you don't mean that."
"Of coarse I do!", Cole insisted hysterically. "I can't stand to see my friends die anymore, I am not the chosen one, it has to be a mistake. You are the strong one. You are so much tougher, smarter, and quick witted than I can or will ever be. Why aren't you the chosen one."
George looked at Cole softly. "Cole, you know perfectly well why you were the chosen one, and I was not. Dr. Tomo made it perfectly clear--"
Cole cut his friend off "I don't speak of him or what happened that horrible year anymore. I'm just grateful that my friends were there to help me through that the entire time.", Cole's eyes widened. He just realized what he had said at that moment. His friends…they may not be with him physically, but the memories and happiness they gave him still bestowed him with strength…as if they were beside him. Cole let his tears fall and stared at his feet. "George, I am such an idiot. How could I not see what you were trying to point out to me all of this time. My friends! My friends have always been at my side, thick through thin, giving me hope and guidance! I know that it is my responsibility to never give up on them and to fight to the end! That was the promise that I made to you, I have never felt so strong in my life! And you to thank for it! Thank you Geo-", Cole looked over his shoulder to embrace his companion but saw nothing but the air, burgundy and silent as it was before.
Cole was so confused. He knew that what had just happened was real. He had spoken to his dead friend. He could still feel his warm breath over his shoulder, but he was gone…and so was the realm of eternal love and peace his toes had just felt beneath him. But now only Maddox was in his sight now. He had his back to Cole, still cursing and yelling as loud as ever, and his scepter at his heels…
Maddox fury subsided slightly. His back was still to Cole. "You say you want to die, Cole!? That is a wish worth granting! Say goodbye human!", he sharply turned but his expression of anger was now covered with shock. Cole was standing tall and confident in his Sailor Soldier uniform and a heavenly glow enshrouded his life energy.
"You idiot, who do you think you are! Now you wish to fight, Cole?"
The Sailor Soldier looked at Maddox with no fear or self-pity as before, he just said one thing to the bounty warrior and one thing only. "I do not know who this Cole you speak of is, but you can call me Sailor Saturn, your downfall."
