"World…SHAKING!"
(Play Final Fantasy X: Hurry!)
The golden ball of energy slammed into a group of odd looking monsters, ripping them to shreds with their powerful winds. All around her, monsters of varying sizes and classes were being engaged by her fellow Senshi…all…except one.
Damn my stupidity…why, WHY must I act like such a fucking MAN all the time?!
She hopped back, barely evading the slash of one of the creature's claws. The creatures were numerous, ruthless, and seemingly intelligent. They wouldn't stand in shock as an attack headed their way like the majority of most monsters the Senshi fought. They would move, adapt…improvise…and they were proving to be very difficult opponents.
"Venus Love Me Chain!"
"Sparkling Wide Pressure!"
Uranus smirked. So they took his idea after all…as much as I hate to admit it…it was a sound beating we received…our own attacks being used to defeat us…
Jupiter and Venus combined their attacks to simulate what Kairyuu had done to them. It would seem that the sound beating they all received was an eye opener.
"Mou, these guys are too tough! There's too many of them!"
"We have to keep going Sailor Moon! If we give up now…the whole school will be wiped out!"
"But will it matter in the end, I wonder? Ever since our battle with Kairyuu was leaked to the press…we've not been favored in the eyes of the masses…"
"Neptune, we can't let that stop us or we truly WILL be as evil as the press claims!"
"AAAHH!"
"CHIBI-MOON!"
Chibi-Usa was trapped. Backed into a corner, there was no way she could escape. Suddenly, everything seemed to slow…and then stop. There was no noise…no movement…just complete quiet.
"Wh-what-
At that moment…a beautiful melodic voice that none of the Senshi expected to hear rang out.
"Silence Glaive Surprise!"
A brilliant purple light began shining from the roof of the school. A ring of purple light fired from the glowing point, which was followed moments later by a huge spherical wall of energy that slammed into, and immediately eradicated every single monster the Senshi were fighting…while leaving the Senshi perfectly fine.
"Hotaru!"
Chibi-Moon ran to the pale girl, who had leapt from the roof, and landed in front of the Senshi. No civilians were around, thankfully, so nobody but the Senshi heard her little slip. She stopped right in front of the girl, taking in the new view.
"Y-your uniform…"
Her outfit had changed. Now it more resembled a maid's outfit, than a school girl's. The entire outfit was black, with the top having sky blue lace trim, and the bow being a dark maroon. On the bow was the usual heart, but engraved in the heart was now a dark red infinity symbol. Instead of the normal white gloves the Senshi wore, she wore black lace arm length gloves that looked like stockings for the arms. She now wore knee length black socks, and very dark purple boots. Her ears were still adorned with earrings in the shape of the planet Saturn, and she still wore the standard Senshi Tiara.
However, around her neck was no longer the Star Choker. What now rested there was a black Celtic Cross on a silver chain. But this looked different as well. Within the cross, along the outer circle were six different colored jewels, along with a seventh, silver jewel in the center of the cross. A yellow jewel was at the top left "corner" of the circle, a red one at the top right, a green one at the bottom right, a blue one at the bottom left, a black one at the top, where the upper tip of the cross met the circle, and a white one at the bottom, where the lower shaft met the circle.
Usagi stepped up and gasped in shock.
"Woooow. You look so elegant!"
Hotaru gave her Princess a small smile. "Thank you, Sailor Moon."
Chibi-Usa burst out. "Oh Hotaru I'm so sorry!" She clutched the taller girl.
Hotaru wrapped her arms around the pink haired girl. "It's alright Chibi-Usa…I forgive you."
"You do?"
Hotaru stepped back and stood at arms length from Chibi-Usa, smiling gently.
"Yes…it wasn't your fault…and I can say you honestly believed I was told."
Uranus stepped up behind Hotaru.
"Well that's a relief, now we ca-
Within moments, Hotaru had the tip of the Silence Glaive pointed at the Wind Senshi's jugular. The violet eyed girl glared at the taller woman.
"I never said I forgave you Tenou Haruka."
The others gasped at the sheer hate radiating off of the girl. Uranus began to sweat with fear, completely at Saturn's mercy…when another voice, this one even less expected, rang out.
"Ne, ne. Let her go Hotaru-chan. You don't want her filthy blood on your nice outfit do you?"
Hotaru sighed and reluctantly pulled away. "You're right…Kairyuu-san."
She stepped away from the Wind Senshi, who let out a deep sigh of relief, and walked over to the new arrival.
"Kairyuu-san!"
"Right in one, Sailor Moon."
Kairyuu was wearing a dark red vest over a black shirt that had the words; "Beware the Shirt Ninja" on it, long black pants with silver flame patterns on them, black sandals with white socks, and a katana strapped to his waist.
He slipped his left arm around Hotaru's waist and pulled her close. She leaned her head up and gave him a quick kiss on the cheek, and then rest her head on his shoulder.
"Wh-what the hell?"
"Surprised? I was too when he asked me out. It would seem I wasn't as…discreet as I thought."
"But…the two of you-
"Make a very nice couple."
Everyone stared at Usagi.
"What? They do! He was the one that trained her in controlling her power, the one that first extended the hand of friendship and trust among her new peers, AND the one to destroy the very being that pretty much raped her mind a few years ago. I say they make a fine couple." Here she turned back to Hotaru. "I'm happy for you Hotaru-chan, I truly am."
Hotaru flushed slightly, as Kai chuckled. "Thank you, Usagi-hime."
"Destroyed? Yeah, after he made a deal with it to kill-
Haruka was shut up once again by the sheer hatred radiating off of Hotaru. Kairyuu sighed and slid his hand around her stomach and onto her chest, right on top of her breasts. The Senshi's eyes widened in shock and indignation at the obvious breach of personal space…when his hand began to glow a soft blue…causing Hotaru to relax. She gently shook her head clear of the lingering rage, and leaned into him.
"Better?"
"Yes…thank you."
He began to remove his hand when she turned her head and gave a sharp glare.
"I don't recall giving you permission to move your hand."
Everyone froze in place. Even Kairyuu. He then chuckled. "As you wish, Lady Saturn."
She then smiled and wrapped her arms around his, holding the both of them in that position.
Haruka spluttered in indignation. Michiru asked. "But…why…why do you hate us so?"
"Do you really have to ask?"
Finally she found her voice. "But you said you forgave us!"
Kairyuu cut in. "She used the word 'you.' In the context she spoke it in, the word 'you' is an extremely broad term. She could have meant Chibi-Usa alone, everyone of you as a whole, or only a select few of you."
Jupiter piped in. "What did you mean then, Hotaru?"
"Sailor Moon."
The Pigtailed blonde looked at the Senshi of Death and Rebirth.
"Sailor Mars, Sailor Venus, Sailor Mercury, Sailor Jupiter, and Sailor Chibi-Moon."
They all blinked.
"You have all been forgiven, on the grounds that you defended me when I could not defend myself, had no intent to harm, or indirectly cause the harm of myself, and were not in a position to even fathom that I could possibly not know the atrocities directed to my person at the hands of your fellow members."
Everyone blinked again, the words not exactly sinking in. Kairyuu cleared things.
"That means she forgives the Inner Senshi because they did nothing wrong, and everything right."
The inners all made noises of understanding.
"Sailor Neptune, Sailor Pluto…and Sailor Uranus."
The outers looked at the girl, sadness in their eyes.
"You who have performed said atrocities are NOT forgiven. I am ashamed to call myself an Outer Senshi. Your actions, your lack of thought, your sheer stupidity, has tarnished the reputation of which we Sailor Senshi uphold."
Hotaru turned her gaze upon Sailor Moon, bowing her head in respect.
"Princess Usagi…On behalf of the Outer Senshi, I apologize for the horrid misconduct of my associates. Such actions and thoughts are unbecoming, and down right dishonorable of a Senshi."
Sailor Moon was taken aback…but she quickly recovered and gave Hotaru one of her trademark brilliant smiles.
"It's alright, Hotaru-chan. Though their actions were unbecoming, you, personally, have nothing to apologize for. But your sincerity, and honor, are both welcome, and inspiring…and I thank you, for coming to our aid."
"It is my duty as a Senshi, Princess Usagi. I, unlike they, am not one to allow my personal problems to interfere with my work…"
She looked up at Kairyuu. "Well…in most circumstances."
Usagi continued to smile, and simply nodded.
"I know what you mean."
Suddenly, Kairyuu tensed.
"Something's wrong…"
Hotaru looked up at him. "Kai-kun?"
A scream rang out from behind the school.
"That voice…"
Kai's eyes widened in horror.
"No…SCHALA!"
He immediately wrenched himself from Hotaru and raced to the school.
"N-Nani? Kai-kun!"
Saturn ran after him, with the other Senshi trailing behind her. They arrived to see Kairyuu, Kouji, and Mikoto fighting along side a girl with pink hair and a girl with silver hair. Kouji was flinging balls of condensed darkness left and right, while Mikoto was bouncing around, cutting through every monster that stood in their way. The pink haired younger girl, roughly around Chibi-Usa's age, had a black short broadsword, and a small black shield, and was hacking away at the monsters alongside the silver haired girl. As the Senshi grew closer, they saw that the girl's hair was tinted blue, very slightly. She too wielded a short sword and shield, only hers seemed to be made from crystal, also with a light blue tint.
And then there was Kairyuu. Swinging his blade left and right, deftly cutting his way through the monsters, slowly making it to his target…which they saw was a purple haired girl with glasses, bleeding heavily from a gash in her side…and having her Dream Energy slowly sucked out of her. He had managed to clear a path…but moments later, he was surrounded again.
Hotaru was the first to feel it, her pendant glowing slightly.
"Back…"
Kairyuu's body began to glow…
"The fuck…"
The glow solidified, and turned sickly black.
"OFF!"
He slashed his arms to his sides, causing a wave of dark energy to rip through the combatants, eradicating the monsters, knocking his allies to the ground, and throwing the girl's assailant away from her. He ran to her side, picking her up gently.
(BGM: Wild Arms Complete: A Sorrowful Separation)
"Schala! Schala hold on!"
The girl coughed. "Kai…you…you're late…"
"Hang in there kit, we've got a healer-
"No…it's too much…even…if I were…healed…" She coughed again. "I've…lost too much blood…my body…my mind…is too weak…"
"No! You've got to hang in there! It's not too late, it's not!"
"It is…but…I won't…let myself…die…in vain…"
She placed her hand to her chest…and called forth…
"Is that…Dream Energy?!"
"What the hell is that boy doing?!"
"Schala?"
"My last one…my Purity…please…take it…"
"Schala no!"
"Please! Inside…is my power…you'll need it more than me…even…even if I lived…I would be of no use…in…a fight…"
"Schala…" Silent tears were running down Kai's face.
"Please Kai…"
He nodded, not trusting his voice to speak.
"You were…like a brother…to me…put…my power…to better use…than I could…"
"I promise…"
She smiled at him, and released one last breath of air…
"Goodbye…my sister…"
Her body erupted in white sparkling orbs…all of which surrounded Kairyuu…and then flew into his body.
Helping Hotaru
Chapter V: Releasing the Inner Self!
Kairyuu's True Potential.
Everything seemed to stop. Even the monsters froze in place.
They all felt it.
A sudden silence far greater than could be produced by even the Senshi of Death and Destruction. The shadowed figure re-appeared, not too far from Kairyuu.
"Why?"
His hoarse voice croaked into the silence, his body unmoving.
The shadowed figure, the one that looked exactly like Kairyuu, responded.
"It needed to be done."
"She was our sister."
"Her power was required."
"It was not her time."
"Her time had ended for this world, her power required for what is to come."
"Why not someone else?"
"Would you truly sentence a complete stranger to this fate?"
"She was young; she was so close to finishing."
"There is no time, someone who could control that power is required."
"Why not someone else?!"
"Would you trust another with what must be done?"
(BGM: Devil May Cry 3 – Devils Never Cry)
"……you realize what will happen now…"
"It has been too long since the last time."
"And you choose now to do it."
"Better now, where there are proper targets, than later, around those you love."
"I hate you…"
"I know. You need to. It's best it be me, your shadow, than an innocent."
"You will be destroyed."
"Eventually…but not tonight. There is still more for me to do before we are ready. Then, and only then, will my time come."
"And if I hunt you down?"
"You will only condemn those you care for."
"…I hate this world…"
"Hate not the world, rather those that decree such things required."
"That's what I meant."
"Indeed."
"Why though?
"Because it is needed."
"At the expense of innocents?"
"Lives will be lost either way. Take solace in the knowledge that those I hunt are not as innocent as you'd think."
"Lives are still lost though."
"And their respective souls returned to null, awaiting their penance, and eventual rebirth."
"Still…I grieve."
"Which is what makes you better than I. But enough of this. The time has come. Release yourself. Bathe in the power, and return to normal. There is still much to be done, and things to be learned."
"Farewell for now, shadow of myself. I await the day of your destruction."
"And I long for that time as well, for then we shall be at peace."
With those words, the shadowed version of Kairyuu vanished in a burst of black and purple wisps.
Once again there was silence.
The monsters snapped out of their stupor.
Let go…they call you the God Slayer…don't they?
With a mighty roar, a hulking beast of a creature stomped its way to Kairyuu, who was still crouched on his knees.
Just let…
The giant boar of a beast raised its right arm, holding a gigantic spiked club.
It all…
It brought it down with a triumphant snarl…only to freeze in place just before contact.
Go…
Kairyuu's body seemed to flicker…
Kill them all…
In a massive spray of blood, the monster's body was suddenly ripped to shreds, causing all humans watching to gasp in shock. Standing just behind where the monster once stood, Kairyuu's right arm was outstretched. Suddenly, Uranus' Space Sword began to vibrate.
"What the hell?"
The jewel encrusted blade shot from her hands and spun its way to Kairyuu, who caught it easily. The blade's glow shifted from a brilliant gold to a demonic looking blood red. Another monster charged him. This one looked like a zombified lizard wearing Samurai armor. It raised its katana to swing down upon Kairyuu…only to suddenly find the Space Sword jammed into its head. Instantly, the monster's body, armor included, turned into a mass of blood that splattered to the ground.
"Kouji." Mikoto called to her friend. She didn't know what was going on, but she knew that Kairyuu had just done something impossible.
"We should move out of his way…don't you think?"
The other teen nodded and slowly backed away alongside Mikoto, neither one wanting to make any sudden movements lest they be considered a threat. Sailor Saturn gripped her glaive tightly.
"Kai-kun…"
As if he heard her, his head turned to her direction. Face obscured by his lengthened hair, a single glowing red eye stared at her from underneath the blood matted locks. The other Senshi gasped in fright, involuntarily taking a step back. Saturn however stood her ground, despite the horrible pounding within her chest.
What is this feeling? It isn't fear…it's…pride?
At that moment, three more creatures charged Kairyuu. He slowly turned his head to see them all raise their weapons, ready to chop him into pieces.
The Eyes of the Death God…
Gripping the blade in his hand he swung to his left, at the nearest creature. Nothing happened.
"He missed!"
Saturn's eyes narrowed. Suddenly the creature's blade fell to pieces. Everyone, monsters included, stared at the stump left behind. Kairyuu seemed to smirk. Suddenly two fingers were jammed into the creature's chest, right through its armor. It fell to pieces instantly. The other monsters backed away only to have Kairyuu whirl around and slice through one's chest, splitting it in two. He cut through the last one as well, just as easily, this time lobbing its head off in one swing.
Kouji gripped his scythe. "How the hell is he doing that? Those things took AGES to kill, and he's cutting through them like they're nothing!"
The rest of the miniature army all rushed Kairyuu. This time everyone could see the demented smile on his face, eyes shining red. He too ran, racing towards the creatures coming at him. He flipped the Space Sword around in his hand, holding it like a dagger. He easily ducked under the first monster's swing, cutting its arms clean off and then slashing down through its torso. As that one fell apart he brought his blade through another creature's skull, while using his foot to slam a third monster's own blade through its throat.
Flipping over the swing of one, he slammed his foot into the face of another, shattering the creature's skull in a powerful kick, while making another jab of his fingers into the lower back of a different creature, as his right arm sliced through yet another, all at the same time. He landed on his right foot, and pivoted to cut through a fifth monster's club, inevitably slicing through the large beast's stomach. It too fell in half before breaking apart.
Now Mikoto was shocked. "Kami! One swing took that thing out? It took me five minutes just to get one of its arms off!"
It's been far too long since you used these eyes…
I almost forgot…how fun this was…
You don't fight like this enough…
The thrill…the fear…the power…
It's intoxicating isn't it?
I…missed this feeling…the feeling I get…
When you're around that Senshi chick…the feeling of Death…
The feeling of joy…
The feeling of Pain…
The feeling of love…
You fight for her…
I kill for her…
You die for her…
I live for her…
He laughed.
It stopped everything. Even the monsters stopped in mid-step.
He laughed. At first a snicker…then a chuckle…then full blown laughter.
A flicker of movement. A monster's head went flying.
Still he laughed.
Paralyzed by an unseen force, the creatures couldn't move…yet he still cut through them.
His laughter continued.
Slicing left and right, up and down, moving, never stopping, blood spraying everywhere.
He kept laughing.
The forces dwindled. Where once there were hundreds, now only fifty remained.
His laugher slowed to a stop…but the smile stayed on his face.
Let it all go.
All of it…
Your fear…
My anger…
Your hatred…
My love…
Your sorrow…
My joy…
He dropped the Space Sword to the ground. His eyes began shining, as his body began glowing with a silver light.
Not even the Senshi can stand up to your full power…
But it's not them that need to be destroyed…
Something awaits us. All of us. And you are the key.
I've been living for the wrong reasons…
You can't be good. You can't be evil. You can only be yourself…
I've been trying to be someone I'm not…
Live for your own reasons. Live because you choose to. Die because you choose to. Your life is your own. What you do with your power is your choice. Nobody can take that from you.
Hotaru…
She loves you. Haruka may hate you, but Hotaru loves you…just like Schala did.
The glow spread into the ground, a massive circle of energy surrounding him, and the demonic army frozen by his power.
I messed up…
People make mistakes.
I didn't see how she felt…
You aren't perfect. Gifted with Comprehension you may be, but you aren't perfect.
I will make it up to her…
Then avenge her properly. Destroy the fools who dare attack your home.
The God Slayer…
It's who you were…it's who you Are.
Hotaru…
She'll die…if you don't let go.
I don't want to lose her…
You will, if you don't let go.
I can't lose her…
Let it all out…
"I won't lose her…"
She's destined to die for this planet. You have the power to stop that, Child of Saturn…
The symbol of Saturn flared to life on his forehead. Everyone gasped. Hotaru on the other hand…strained to hear what he was whispering.
"I won't lose her…"
If you let it all go, release your power, she will not die. Her destiny can be changed, and you are the one who can do it.
"I won't lose her…"
The glow around his body turned into a set of six points of light, resembling wings. The circle of energy beneath him turned into a massive glyph.
"I won't lose her!"
The glyph flared with light, and transparent white chains flew into the air from the edge of the glyph. They slowly began spiraling inward as his body rose into the air.
"YOU HEAR ME?! I WILL NOT LET HER DIE!"
A flare of white light, and the glyph released a massive explosion of energy into the air. A shockwave rocketed out from the huge beam of light and knocked all the spectators to the ground.
When the light cleared, nothing remained. All the blood that had been shed, all the monster's body parts…all of it gone. Everyone opened their eyes as the sound of crunching gravel reached their ears. They saw Kairyuu bend down and pick something up.
Schala…my sister…
He held in his hand the blue pendant she always wore. He slowly tied it around his neck.
I promise…I will protect her with the power you have given me…
The Senshi rose to their feet, groaning.
"Hey. Windbag."
Haruka looked up to see the Space Sword flying right at her. She yelled in fright and fell on her behind as the weapon hovered in mid-air in front of her.
"Tch, don't be such a wuss."
"Sensei?"
He'd changed. His hair was even longer than before, his skin a tad bit darker…but what was most different…
Was the feeling.
Power.
They could all feel it. It rolled off him in waves. Power, flowing freely throughout his entire body.
"Yeah…sorry I took so long getting here…"
"Ah…it's alright…um…about…Schala…"
"She's in a better place now…at least she damn well better be or I'm gonna hunt Death down myself and have…words…with her."
"Ahh…you can do that?"
"Sure, why not? Look…I gotta deal with the Rainbow Brigade over there."
He pointed at the Senshi.
"Oh…right."
"Sensei…are you alright?"
"Give me a day with Hotaru-chan and I'll be fine."
Kouji and Mikoto both smiled. "Feeling's mutual huh?"
"Well, you spend a week in the same house with someone who's got the hots for you and see what happens."
The two of them looked at each other and then turned away, blushing.
"Aha! I knew there was something going on. Hey…spread the word. No school till next week. I'll convince the Heads to let everyone have a week off…I've got some stuff to do anyway, to keep this from happening again."
"Right!"
He gave them a small smile and walked over to the Senshi.
"Couldn't you have come up with a better name than 'The Rainbow Brigade?'?"
"Well, I could have called you Skittles."
"No. Just no. Every time you'd see us you'd probably say something stupid like 'taste the rainbow.'"
"Yeah, probably."
"Ano…Kurayami-san…"
"You want an explanation…fine. But not here. If you'll excuse me…I have a shrine to desecrate."
He vanished in a burst of light.
"HEY!"
Rei yelled out. "That little twerp was talking about my place!"
She took off. "GET BACK HERE!"
The others followed.
"You finally let go…"
The shadowed version of Kairyuu stood on the branch of a nearby tree.
"Perhaps…now…you will be able to keep your promise…"
Gods…it's been months hasn't it? It's funny; at least four months ago I had written everything up to the title screen. It wasn't until the past few days did I actually manage to complete it.
I hope I still have readers…