AN: Sorry for the long wait. Things happened and I'm working on some original stuff. So some of my fan-stuff has taken a backseat. However, I'm still working on this. So here we go. Sorry if it's short.
Latona..? Raina couldn't get the name out of her mind for a while. Something about it bugged her. Where had she heard that name before? Latona...?
Sighing deeply, the red haired woman couldn't seem to settle that nigh. She wasn't sure if it was something in the air or in the bed, she just couldn't sleep. Instead, she found herself wandering the temple in the dead of night- or what passes for night in this place. In the main hall, it's figures shadowed feeling rather cool for once, she heard voices.
Her brows knit in curiosity, following the sound down to the inner sanctum where the shrine was held. Only Helios was supposed to enter it- well him and the royals. Raina thought that since she was married to Mamoru, she might as well count. Moving closer, she peered into the crack door, spotting Helios on bended knee before a glowing pillar. She stared at it for a moment longer before the figure emerged- pale pink? A woman, she was certain, but she's never seen her before. Though, it did remind her of that girl that Nijiko brought over for dinner once.
Her train of thought was interrupted as Helios spoke.
"I cannot, my lady. I simply cannot do as you ask."
"You must have courage." The pink spirit said, "I know this is a great burden to you, but you mustn't delay anymore! Each day that past, it'll get stronger."
"But-" Helios sounded so..sad? Upset?
Raina didn't know how to describe it, but she knew whatever it was, he was rather reluctant.
"You must!" The woman's voice was firm, "The future of Earth and everyone is counting on it! If you don't it'll fall into ruin and the prince.."
".. I understand."
What was going on here? Raina thought to stay and question Helios about this, but her attention was captured by another sound that was coming from the main hall again. Casting one last glance at Helios, Raina moved on to see what it was. Whatever the deal with Helios was, it would have to wait. She could just question him later.
Outside, she saw the black winged nightmare waiting for her. Immediately she recognized him for who he was and went to him.
"Phobetor, I presume?" Raina sighed softly. "What brings you?"
"It's time for the final rite."
"What?" Raina frowned, "But, I.. I mean I've only done it twice! What do you mean final?"
Phobetor snorted a bit, his golden eyes focused on her, "Unfortunately, we do not have the luxury of time as we once did. There are things that are in motion now to disrupt this land. As the prince's wife, you are the shield to guard against this threat until his return."
"Didn't you say that if I took too much at once-?"
"We haven't the time. Hopefully, you have adjusted to it all well." Phobetor told her, "Please, for the safety of us all."
"Pegasus?" Helios called for his favored animal, but saw the white horse nowhere. "How odd..?"
" Helios!"
Helios turned, surprised to hear the woman's voice from where he was. He hurried back to the prayer room, seeing clearly her worried expression. Alarmed he knelt down, clasping his hands as he stared up at her mystified at what had occurred.
"My lady," Helios intoned, "What is the matter? Why have you summoned me?"
"That woman!" She said, "She is going to do something that'll bring an end to this future! You must stop her."
"How? Where has she gone?" Helios rose now, panic settling in, "I must summon the Shitennou at once!"
"There's no time or that." Something glowed before him, "Take this key and it will lead you to where she is. You must stop this ceremony at all cost, Helios. The future of our world depends on it!"
When it winked out, Helios looked down at the silver and gold key in his hands, "If my lady wishes it.." He muttered trying not to feel overwhelmed. He raised the key and concentrated, though he wondered where Pegasus had gone to.
As Helios disappeared in a ball of light, Jadeite swiftly returned to his brothers-in-arms to relay what had transpired.
Kunzite raised his hand, a sword he had once had to swear his loyalty to Prince Endymion appeared, "Than we must get there first." He turned to Zoisite, "Do you have a lock on where the bracelet she's wearing is?"
Zoisite nodded, summoning up a hazy looking map, "That I do. We should go. I'm sensing a massive gathering of magic at the center."
"Come out come out wherever you are.." Sing-song voice of Zirconia echoed through the endless maze of boxes, "We just want to talk to you."
Nijiko closed her eyes tightly, trying to hide again. She could sense the old crone getting closer. Shuddering, she dashed to another cluster of them before she could be spotted. Covering her mouth, she listened as the soft sound of the robes rustling and the tapping of the long staff when she passed.
Eventually, the calls grew fainter, as did the noise and she breathed out shakily. There had to be a way to get home, right?
Rubbing her eyes, she felt utterly hopeless. Why couldn't she find the exit? Who were these weird people? Why couldn't she find her mama and papa?
"I want to go home.." Nijiko whimpered softly trying not to cry.
That's when she heard it, it sounded like the whining of a horse. Nijiko rubbed her eyes and looked up at a bright light that had emerged in front of her.
"What..?" Her sapphire blue eyes got even bigger when it became a winged unicorn. "A...horse?"
The animal lowered it's head to her, the wings rustling a bit before settling again. Sniffing her, the animal then nudged her, kneeling to the ground, indicating it wanted her to get on its back.
"Is this for real?" Nijiko glanced back but did so, gripping tight to the winged horse's mane, "Whoa..it is!"
"Little girl~!"
Her head snapped up as the horse pranced back a bit at the sound.
"Oh no, it's that witch!" She looked down, "We have to get out of here!"
As if it understood her words, the horse trotted forward, wings spread out before flapping so it could fly into the air. Below, Nijiko could see nothing but a maze of crates and beyond that in the darkest part, eyes that was watching it all. Though she was too stunned by being on a flying horse to pay it too much attention. Even Zirconia's curses didn't reach her ears.
Nijiko didn't know where they were going and she didn't care. She was finally free of that awful place!
Fisheye still grumbled while he searched the graveyard, seeing nothing but pillars of graves. How was he to find anything here?
"It's impossible!" Fisheye whined, looking down at the pretty yellow sundress he managed to find. Finally human and he couldn't even show off his new outfit. "This really is annoying. How are we to even know?"
With a deep sigh, he turned to leave when he sensed something.
"What's that?"
Fisheye walked a few rows before he found one that seemed to be positively glowing, "What..what's that? Could that be it?"
The elated feeling he had bubbled up within him, turning he moved to leave and bumped into a very handsome man. "Oh..sorry.." Fisheye gave a sheepish smile and looked up at him finding those dark blue eyes mesmerizing. "Ah..."
"It's alright." Mamoru smiled at him, "Are you alright, Miss?"
"Yes...I am." What a weird feeling. Fisheye never had it before. Then he remembered what he should be doing, "I- I'll see you later, handsome!" He winked before leaving.
Once he tells them about this place, maybe when he's human he could go on a date with that cute guy?