Sailor Moon Aeons.
Book 2: Rebirth.
Act 4: Death Busters.
Episode 69: Psychic storm.

By Razor Knight
Last update: November 27, 2013
Last edited: June 9, 2017

Hana had decided to visit the Senshi base, since she couldn't find any crimes to stop (was it a criminal holiday in Japan?) However, when she got there, she saw some new things she had heard about, but not seen by herself yet. "Guess it's a busy day today, right?"

"That's true," Ami said, not taking her eyes off the console, "almost everyone decided to show up to train today. Not complaining, it just doesn't happen too often."

"And what are you messing with now?"

Ami smiled. "Aiko, I think we're ready to test your theory."

Aiko walked to them. "Good."

"Make a short test first, then-"

"Not this time, mom," Aiko said.

Hana looked at her. The ghastly figure suddenly became solid, still wearing the same blue dress. "What the heck?"

"As I suspected, I can control the Zero and make it create a solid body for me to use," Aiko noted. "I am, however, still a ghost in the shell."

Terry walked to her. "It's good to see the Zero has some uses other than weaponry and flying boards."

Aiko smiled, then her arm turned into a small cannon. "You were saying?"

Ami shook her head. "Got her father's sense of humor." She then looked at Hana. "Something on your mind?"

"I was just thinking that Terry building himself a daughter looks quite... Fitting."

"It's not like I intended Aiko to become fully sentient," Terry noted, "but I'm not complaining."

"I wanted this body not just to see if it could be done," Aiko noted, "but so I could help with training."

"How can she-"

"It's simple," Ami said, "she keeps a record of all our training sessions. As far as combat training goes, I think she may know our strong and weak points, and help us improve."

Moon walked to them, with Warwitch (who seemed quite tired and had a few bruises,) trailing behind. "That's good, I would like to improve my dodging."

Warwitch sighed. "I need to improve my everything."

"I told you, we should have fought without powers," Moon noted.

"But I want to improve," Warwitch said, "what's the point of having these powers if I can't use them right?"

"That's the spirit," Aiko said. "Moon, I would like to test how good my control is. Are you up for a fight?"

Moon shrugged. "Sure."

As the two got ready for their fight, Hana looked at Terry. "She's incredible."

"Just like her dad," Terry said.

Ami shook her head at that. "Usagi's crystal caused the change in her, and that crystal is... An unknown. It's obvious that it's no simple jewel, but-"

"Have you tried scanning it?"

"We tried to scan it with every kind of scanning device we could get, but the crystal just doesn't show up in the readings."

"Sounds strange," Hana said, "but that means it's par for the course." She then heard a gasp, and turned to the fight closest to them. "Whoa."

Moon and Aiko were also surprised. Moon had been trying to hit Aiko with punches and kicks, and while Aiko had dodged most of them, her speed had been too much for her. Moon's last punch connected, and punched straight through where Aiko's stomach would be, had she been human. "Sorry, I didn't mean to-"

Aiko looked at the hole in her body as Moon pulled her arm back, and it slowly closed. "Don't worry, I learnt several things from this incident. First, that I control this body as well as I expected. Second, that you're fast enough that knowing all your moves means nothing if I can't keep up with them. Third, that mom's theory of Star-level Senshi being able to punch through a wall of Zero was right. And fourth... That I'm damn glad I can't feel pain."

"You can't?"

Aiko sighed. "This body is just a proxy, a tool. I still lack the means to be able to transfer myself into it, so I'm still locked in this base, since I- This body would be blind, deaf and mute if I brought it outside."

"Oh, that's too bad."

"Why?"

Moon blinked at that. "I thought you would want to go see the world with your own eyes."

"I can see it in other ways, and all my friends are here, so why go outside?"

"She has a point," Terry admitted, "so, does that mean you'll just keep that artificial body as it is now?"

"Of course not," Aiko said, "I'm going to download every robotics book I can and study them, perhaps I can find a way to improve this body, or even upload myself into it. Even feeling pain would be, all things considered, an improvement."

Yukiko chuckled. "So the two Mercuries created a Pinocchio."

Aiko winced, but then shrugged. "At least you're not calling me HAL like others do."

ChibiUsa was, meanwhile, in a place she had found only a few times, but a place she still knew more about than most of her friends, not counting...

"Hello, Small Lady."

"You wanted to see me?"

"Yes."

"What's wrong?"

"There's something I should warn you about, but I can't risk just telling you. At least, not yet."

"... Now I'm worried."

"I know about what you feel for Hotaru. Perhaps you should tell her about it, you could get a pleasant surprise."

What was Pluto saying, that she had a chance to- No, she knew how the future was supposed to go. "But what if... What if it's not meant to happen?"

"I've been watching your mother's battles," Pluto noted, "and there's one thing she's shown me. Following one's heart is never something to be ashamed of, even if it leads you down a dark path."

"You're telling me to go for it even if it could break the timelines?"

"As I said, I can't give you a straight answer. But I know you will do the right thing in the end. You just have to realize what the right thing is."

"That doesn't really help at all."

"I've already helped you as much as I can. Sorry."

ChibiUsa sighed as Pluto vanished. "I could say this was a waste of time, but then again, time doesn't even pass in here." And, she realized, she would have to think about what this actually meant. Perhaps... No, wild guessing wasn't good enough, she would need some time to figure things out.

There was never a boring day in Tokyo, specially for its resident heroes. And one of them was right now doing her usual civic service.

"Guess the criminal holiday's over."

The leader looked up and sighed. "Oh, it's that bitch who thinks she's a heroine. Let's show her what happens when you mess with the wrong people!"

Nova smiled. These men were quite the cliche, robbing a bank and then thinking normal guns (even those of high caliber) would be enough to beat her. She let reality sink into them for half a minute before yawning. "So, I thought you were going to shoot me?"

"Boss, what the hell's going on? I can't shoot!"

The leader shook his head. "Same here. It's that bitch, she's controlling our minds!"

"I'm not," Nova said, "all I'm doing is controlling your hands. Can't control what's not there, after all."

"Damn it, bitch, I'm going to kill y- Gack!"

Nova saw her foes all falling to the ground, and then saw Mimette holding a bunch of heart crystals. "Hmph, sorry, but I had to get these pests out of the way so I could get yours."

"Give those back."

"Huh? But these are criminals. I would think removing them from play would be good."

"Death is the easy way out, I'll make sure they rot in jail."

"Amusing, but here's what we'll do. I'll destroy these and use their energy to get you," Mimette looked at the hearts, but then felt something and paled. "How-?"

Nova smiled coldly. "I don't like killing, but if you don't drop those hearts, I'll have to turn yours into a tiny speck of gore."

She wasn't bluffing, and the evil woman knew it. Nova was somehow slowing down her heart, and she was sure that was just teasing. "Hmph, not worth it," she said as she dropped the heart crystals, "I don't even need to fight you, anyhow."

Nova only realized what that meant as she felt a sharp pain in her chest. Looking down, she could see a hand coming out of her chest, holding a black crystal. "Damn... It..."

Eudial saw Nova walk forwards and turn to look at her once she was free of Eudial's arm. And the look she was giving her... "What are you?"

"Amusing, I thought you scum would at least do some research."

Mimette phased right besides Eudial, and paled. "It's impossible, to still be moving when your crystal was removed-"

Nova smirked at her. "I don't need a heart to destroy you both."

Eudial fell to her knees, screaming in pain as she dropped the crystal. What was this girl doing? Her mind felt like it was being pierced by thousands of small needles, it was almost too much for her to bear. And she could hear Mimette's screams too. No, they could not win against something like this, so that only left them another choice. "You won."

Nova sighed, but her relief was short-lived. Without a target, she could feel her power, her full power, clawing at her own mind, breaking free. "No, I have to-" She never got to complete that phrase, as the air around her shook with a wave of psichic energy.

Aiko looked up. "The two Witches are out there."

"Who are they after?" Terry asked. Only a few of his friends were there, but they could call the others easily.

"It's Nova."

"Damn it, we have to help-"

Aiko was looking at the map, she could 'see' what was happening, by reading the energy fluctuations. "She doesn't seem to need any help, she's quite- Oh fuck."

"Girl, language," Terry muttered.

"Sorry, but... Nova's power is growing, it seems to be out of control."

Ami flinched. "If they took her heart crystal, she may not be able to control herself."

"Oh fuck. Guys, let's go."

Usagi looked at the screen. "If that black spot is the affected area..."

Yukiko, or rather Warwitch, smiled. "Transform and I'll get you there."

"How-"

Warwitch looked at Ami. "I may not be good at melee, but I haven't only been training for close combat."

"Gotcha," Usagi said. "Let's go help our friend."

ChibiUsa had been close to the are where Nova was, but she knew better than going in alone. Even her dual form was weak compared to the psichic storm being unleashed by their 'foe.'

She had only heard about this from the others, about Nova's true power, but it was one thing to be told about it, and a much different thing to see its effects. She had seen several Demon Hunters coming in and out of the area, relocating the would-be victims while making sure to stay out of the storm's range.

But the storm's growth wasn't slowing down, and the damage it was causing the city was-

"I thought you would be at the base."

ChibiMoon nearly jumped, but managed to keep her cool. Saturn was now standing besides her, looking at the storm. "I'm not quite sure how we'll get through this one."

Saturn nodded. "And it's worse than you think. Nova's time is running out, I can sense it."

"What the fuck is that?"

The rest of the group arrived, either by being teleported in, or flying. ChibiMoon sighed. "I don't think I have to say this, but don't even try going into that area."

"We have to stop her," Moon said.

"I know, but the storm would tear you to pieces before you got to her."

Dragon Mercury sighed. "I'm not sure even I would be safe, as this isn't like that one time. Something's wrong."

"What about shooting her?"

Saturn looked at Earth. "That's an option, but... It may not look like it, but Nova is dying. An attack strong enough to disrupt the storm and knock her out may be enough to kill her. And I'm not sure the crystal can be put back once that happens."

"Then what will we do?" Jupiter asked, "she's our friend, but we can't let her destroy the city... We can't let her kill herself!"

Moon had been trying to 'talk' with her crystal, and as she looked at Nova, her face showing resolve. "Guys, leave this to me."

Mars frowned. "Didn't you listen? You can't get close to her, you-"

Moon turned to her and smiled. "I know."

ChibiMoon's eyes widened. "Of course, the Ginzuishou! But can you do it at this level?"

Moon sighed. Sure, her daughter would know what the Ginzuishou could do, as her future self would have told her about it. "We'll never know until I try."

Mars realized what she was planning. "Wait, you can't-"

"Relax, Rei, I already stopped a comet from crashing into the Earth, I can do this."

"You died stopping that comet, of course I'll worry, you idiot!" Mars snapped.

"Sorry."

Mars was about to say something else, but then shook her head. "I understand. Good luck, Usagi."

Darkness, that's all she could see. Rage, fear, disappointment, they had fueled the storm outside, and she couldn't stop it. She was too weak to stop it now, she just hoped someone stopped her before she hurt anyone. It was impossible for her to-

"Don't use that word, there are no impossibles as long as you don't give up."

That voice... "Usagi?"

"Hana, you have to fight, you have to control your power."

"But now you saw what it can do. You know how dangerous I can be if I lose control. Wouldn't it be better if I just-" Hana's thoughts cut off as she saw an image of Terry in her mind. "Are you-"

"I'm trying to make you realize what your death would do to your friends. I can't stop this, Hana, only you can, but if you're giving up before even trying, then-"

"You think I haven't thought about them? About Terry? About everyone else? I just can't control it!"

"You shouldn't do this for others. You should do this for yourself. Are you really okay with this being the last thing you do? Being a human bomb? I... We all believe in you, but if you don't believe in yourself, then it's pointless."

Hana was 'silent' for a few seconds, but then noticed something. The darkness around her, it was fading, slowly yet relentlessly. "Are you doing that?"

"No, that's all you, Hana. You're already fighting it, but you hadn't realized it."

"Then... Then I'll have to fight harder."

Dragon Mercury saw the 'storm' around Nova weakening. "Damn, is she-"

Saturn shook her head. "I think you should thank Usagi for that."

Moon had been just standing still for a few minutes, but she suddenly blinked and looked around. "That was weird."

"What did you-"

"Hana!"

Saturn stopped and turned to see Dragon Mercury rushing to Nova The storm was gone, and Nova had fallen to the ground in a heap. "She's still alive. Barely, but-"

Dragon Mercury picked up the heart crystal and returned it to Nova's body. "Hope it's not too late."

Nova's eyes slowly opened. "That sucked."

"Welcome back."

"Thanks, I-"

"Hana?"

Saturn walked to the Dragon. "She's okay, but... She had that crystal out of her body for too long. Her energy's almost depleted."

"I'll take her to her house," the Dragon said, then looked at Mercury.

"I'll go too."

"Don't you trust-" Venus started, but then saw the look Mercury was giving her. "Uh, sorry."

"I trust Terry, but I want to make sure she'll recover."

Saturn nodded. "If anything happens, give me a call."

Moon saw her friends leave and then sighed, falling to her knees. "Damn it..."

ChibiMoon looked at her. "Are you okay?"

"I'm too damn tired after that, but... I didn't want them to worry about me when Hana was much worse off."

Mars smiled. "It's good that you're both okay, I was worried."

"What, no sarcasm?"

Mars sighed. "Sure, the one time I decide to tell you what I really feel..."

Moon shook her head. "Sorry, both for that, and for making you worry."

"It's okay."

As Mars walked away, Moon saw everyone except for ChibiMoon had already left. She looked at the younger girl for a few seconds, then sighed and turned back to normal. "Let's go home."

"Okay."

Usagi wasn't sure if she should tell her daughter about something she had noticed, but she could find few reasons not to tell her, and she didn't know when she would have another chance. "I have noticed something, and I think you should know about it too."

"What is it?"

"I've seen Hotaru staring at you, and I know the way she's staring is-"

"That is... You're not just joking, are you?"

"I never joke about that kind of things."

ChibiUsa stopped walking for a few seconds, but then smiled. "I guess I'll have to talk to her, then."

"Are you sure-"

"My mind's telling me this is the wrong thing, and that I would be taking a great risk, but my heart tells me the reward is worth it. And I would be a lousy descendant of Sailor Moon if I didn't follow my heart."