(BGM: Persona 3 - Mistic)
Chibi-Usa, or Lady as the unusual time-traveling past self of Kai called her, had just finished getting dressed for dinner.
The Senshi had gotten a very harsh dressing down by Neo-Queen Serenity, for their actions both past and present. Hotaru had been next to the queen during her rant, signifying that she was the only one who didn't incur the monarch's wrath. As the busty pink haired girl pondered that day, her thoughts turned to when Kai, their Kai, did what he did.
She recalled both the pain, and pleasure of that day, along with the knowledge that yes, she was betraying her best friend, and while at the time her mind was too filled with wonder and ecstasy to care, she felt horrible about it afterwards. Her mind then turned to the surprise, horror, and massive blush her younger self showed when told about the event in great detail.
Checking herself over in the mirror, she nodded silently, knowing that once again, it would be an awkward dinner, what with Hotaru still remaining mute. For a time, it seemed like life had returned to the dark haired girl, but just as suddenly as it came, it vanished. The pink haired Senshi sighed, wondering if they'd ever hear her voice again.
As usual, dinner was a quiet affair. Ever since the events of the past week, nobody really spoke at the dinner table, a tense, despair filled silence hovering over the group. Lady stole quick glances every now and then at Hotaru, who was merely picking at her food. The girl had grown horribly thin, and her once beautifully pale skin now looked as if she was a vampire. Though she did notice something different.
The pendant that Kai had gave her all those years ago…Hotaru was wearing it again. She was about to comment on it when something unexpected happened.
"You know…you can't just mush around good food like that."
Everyone's heads snapped up as a hauntingly familiar voice rang through the hall, followed by a loud ringing sound. Lady looked to Hotaru again, and saw a small glimmer of light appear in her eyes, just as, by the doorway, a glowing transparent ring of white light formed, before widening into a portal.
"I mean, I know depression just as well as you do, Hime-chan, but even I know not to waste such a good spread."
And out stepped the one person nobody ever expected to see.
"K-Kairyuu!"
The white haired youth (something the others noticed immediately) just gave Chibi-Usa a rather dead stare.
"Sorry, I don't know who that is."
Hotaru just stared at him, lifelessly. The others were tense as the unusual portal closed behind him, and he stepped towards the table, grabbing Hotaru's fork out of her hand, and spearing a small piece of chicken on it. He swathed the chicken around in the mashed potatoes on her plate, all while everyone watched. He looked Hotaru right in the eyes.
"Open." She glared softly at him. "Ooopen." The glare intensified. "Fine, I'll do it myself." He made an odd motion with his free hand, and Hotaru got a shocked look on her face as her mouth opened on its own accord. He slipped the fork holding the compilation of foods into her mouth and dropped his free hand. She glared at him, but chewed anyway.
"See? Good stuff." She gave him a look after swallowing, one that was spoken aloud by Haruka.
"Why are you here?!"
He sighed and placed the fork down. Ami, who was, in her mind, unfortunate enough to be sitting next to Hotaru, was gently tapped. She gladly scooted over and the youth plopped down to the alternate future version of his love. She looked away.
"Hotaru."
She couldn't help herself. She looked at him, and gasped.
He looked broken.
His eyes, once full of…something. A fusion between joy, anger, love and pain, now just…seemed dull. Her body acting on its own accord, she absently reached a hand to his face and held his cheek gently. He gave a wry, weak smile and sighed again.
"We're a lot alike…you and I."
She looked deep into his eyes, as if to ask why.
"I…learned some things. Things that change everything…she's not dead you know."
Her eyes narrowed and then widened as it sunk in…and then everything fell into place. As that was happening, he gently grasped the hand cupping his face and held it in his own, turning slightly to look Serenity dead in the eye.
"You failed."
"Wh-what? What are you-
And then it dawned on her. She gasped heavily and her hands flew to her mouth as her eyes widened in horror.
"No…"
"You defeated her, but she wasn't gone for good."
"That's why…"
He turned back to Hotaru. "He…I….We never stopped loving you Hime-chan. We did everything…all that…was to cut the link between us."
Her eyes glimmered with unshed tears.
"Why? Because that way when we inevitably died taking her down, you would be free to pursue life. We knew how much we meant to you…and we did the best we could to change that…so you would be able to move on without us."
Her head began shaking back and forth, as if she was trying to deny the truth thrown at her.
"We knew what you were capable of…and we knew that if we told any of you that she was still alive, you would try to fight with us…and…we didn't want anyone else dying pointlessly in a battle only We could win. So…we fucked your best friend, and your teammate, in hopes that it would drive a big enough wedge between you and us, that you would side with your friends, and hate us."
The motion grew quicker, as her eyes began tearing. She didn't want to hear anymore, but…she knew he wouldn't stop.
"We didn't want you to use your power for something so pointless as us…as much as we loved you…we thought it'd be better if you lived and we died…so you could live. Stupid idea, I know, but…"
He gave a watery smile at her. "Love makes you do stupid things, ne?"
She closed her eyes and nodded.
"The Revolution…it probably would have brought her back with it…but now…"
Her eyes snapped open.
(BGM: Rockman ZX - Black Burn)
"I'm only going to tell you this one thing…"
He had her attention completely.
"Follow your heart."
It was then, that the light returned to her eyes, as they were set aflame with determination.
"Just know that…if you do it…you might be doing more harm than good."
She shook her head, she didn't care. She wanted her love back. He smirked at her, the same smirk that she fell in love with all those years ago. He stood, and she with him. She wrapped her arms around him, hugging him with all she had.
"Wait…what the hell is going on here?" Rei asked. He responded by holding up his left hand. Around it formed a glowing white band that looked almost like a bobbin. Strands of light were flowing off it like loose strings fluttering in the wind.
"The Wheel of Fate is turning."
Queen Serenity gasped again. "You…you possess that power?"
"Yeah. It seems Tiamat is growing tired with the universe as it is. Mother's continued existence is doing far more harm to the Balance of things than it should be. Clotho gave me a bit of control over the thread. Apparently Mother is and I quote 'ruining the beautiful tapestry I was making for you and Hotaru.'"
Serenity just stared at him. "That's how…you came back here."
"That…and fully embracing my dear beloved Schala's last wish…"
He looked to Hotaru, who seemed to come to a decision.
"You're gonna do it then?"
She nodded. He walked over to her and pulled her close to him. In seconds she took over and pulled him into a very deep kiss. Her hands clenched around his back, gripping him as tightly as possible as she imprinted that very moment deep into her soul. Slowly, and reluctantly, they pulled away. The band appeared around the youth's hand again.
"…thank you."
Eyes widened all around. She spoke! The girl who hadn't spoken in years, finally used her voice again.
"Just be careful alright? I can't promise anything from my end."
"…just…don't…leave me…"
He smiled. "That, I can promise."
She nodded and closed her eyes, taking a deep breath. In seconds she was enveloped in a soft violet glow, before she had finally donned her Senshi uniform once more.
The others grew a bit apprehensive. "Wh-wh-whoa wait, what's going on?"
The Silence Glaive materialized in its master's hand, almost humming with power. The band flew from the youth's hand, flying over to an empty space before expanding into a glowing rift.
"Zero."
He froze as he was about to step through, surprised.
"You promised."
"Don't worry."
"…thank you."
She raised the Glaive over her head, a sudden violet light radiating from its tip. Zero stepped through the portal, the gateway closing behind him. The others shot out of their seats, and then were slammed back down by the massive wall of energy Hotaru was releasing.
"Hotaru what are you doing?!"
"…putting things right."
It happened.
All over the universe, suddenly the sudden inexplicable fear that comes with facing one's end engulfed every living being. In their mind's eyes, they saw; the light of the Revolution had been lit once again.
Energy wafted off of Hotaru like ribbons, streams of violet power weaving around as if guided by an expert hand. Before her eyes, the world shifted, changed. Suddenly, she saw lines over everything.
The power to See the End…His power…Our power…
Her tiara vanished, replaced with the symbol of Saturn. But for a brief moment, everyone thought they saw the same thing.
For one instant, Kairyuu's family symbol, their tribute to the Gods of Balance, the Crest of Chaos, flashed upon her forehead, overlapping that of her guardian planet.
She saw it. One single line that stood out more than the rest. It wavered and wiggled, like a loose thread. The light stopped as she pulled the glaive back.
Silence.
The Senshi were screaming, but no sound could be heard.
Throughout the universe, everything became quiet. Birds stopped chirping, waterways grew silent, though their contents still flowed. Animals stopped moving, as everything looked to the point where Hotaru stood.
She brought the glaive down.
The line snapped in two, like a stressed string being cut in twain.
And the world ended.
Was yea erra endia her ciel…
Helping Hotaru
Chapter X
Kairyuu-san is no more? The return of the Shinigami.
(BGM: .hack SIGN - In Your Mind)
The girls were having a picnic. Sitting in the very spot where everything started, plates of food were gathered together as the Senshi enjoyed a peaceful day.
"So, Hotaru-chan…have you heard from Kairyuu-san?"
Hotaru shook her head sadly. "Not since that day…"
"Wait." Haruka started. "You haven't heard from him…or seen him, in two weeks?!"
Hotaru sighed. "Technically? No."
Ami inquired. "What do you mean, technically?"
Suddenly the world inverted. The Senshi shot to their feet…save for Hotaru.
"It's alright…just watch."
The girls looked at the depressed Hotaru, confused, before the answer was given to them.
Before their eyes, the world seemed to distort like a bad TV image, before Kairyuu formed. He seemed slow, and transparent, and was moving with his head bowed, right through their picnic blanket…but no food, nothing was disturbed, as if it wasn't even there. A few steps, and he vanished, with the world returning to normal.
"That…is what I mean by technically."
Once again, Haruka was the voice of the group. "What the HELL was that?!"
"From what I understand…" Hotaru began, the others slowly relaxing and sitting back down, "Is that it's an 'echo' of Kai."
Makoto was confused, along with the rest of them. "An…echo?"
"I've been to his Guild a few times. They've seen him once in a while, he's been taking missions apparently, but I spoke with Lynn, the Guildmaster. She said that sometimes, if a powerful enough being, be they psychic or otherwise, is feeling an intense emotion, they create a distortion in reality. The world memorizes these distortions, and occasionally plays them back to rid itself of the excess energy. Kai…ever since that day, apparently people have been seeing these echoes everywhere."
"I see…so you've technically seen him, but only through the echoes he's been creating…but you haven't seen him personally…right?"
She sighed and nodded again. "Yeah…Lynn…and some of the others in the guild think he's avoiding everyone…trying to get his head together. Even they noticed their 'Lord' was acting strange."
Chibi-Usa frowned. "I wish we knew what was in that damn scroll…it seems like it's the cause of all this."
"All I know is that the scroll had something to do with his Original home. A weapon that could defeat 'Mother'…but I don't know what it was…" Naru sighed. She felt really bad about the whole ordeal. Though it still puzzled her as to what was in there, that would turn the usually stoic or goofy Kairyuu into…that lifeless shell of a person.
It was then that suddenly Chibi-Usa clutched her head as her inner darkness flared to life. An older rendition of her voice screamed in her mind.
MOVE!
In moments, the young princess seemed to spaz out, diving over the picnic basket and the food, knocking the sandwich out of Usagi's hands, and taking her mother for a roll. Before anyone could ask, the air around where the two had vacated suddenly grew frigid cold, before a massive crystal of ice shot from a flickering white cloud that formed seconds after the pink haired girl jumped to her feet.
The Senshi got to their feet again, dropping their food and looking around for any form of opponent.
"Hmm…not bad."
They whirled around, where Zero was leaning against a tree, right hand covered in fading blue runes. He pushed off the tree, stepping towards them.
"I didn't expect you to see it coming. I supposed you have Black Lady to thank for that." Still have to come up with a better name for her…ehh, if they make it through this.
"Kai!" Hotaru was about to race towards him when Chibi-Usa grabbed her arm.
"Who? Sorry, but there's nobody here by that name."
Haruka was pissed. He vanishes for weeks, making Hotaru sad, then tries to kill the princess and the future Queen? "Cut the bullshit Kurayami!"
"Honestly woman, I don't have any clue who you're talking to."
She was about to yell back but he cut her off.
"It won't matter anyway…" His eyes flickered for a moment, settling on a deep blood red. "Can't speak if your dead now, right?" He finished with a cold smirk, causing the group to unconsciously shudder.
(BGM: Persona 4 - A New World Fool)
He vanished from their sight before anyone could make a move. In milliseconds he was in front of Haruka, a flicker of silver blinking through the air.
Her left arm dropped to the ground, cleanly separated from her body. Everyone's eyes widened in horror as blood spurted out of the hole in her torso where her arm was, moments before. Haruka screamed in fear and pain before finding herself impaled upon gleaming silver. Blood sprayed out of her mouth as she choked on her own life.
He yanked the blade out of her body, before grabbing her by the back of the head and tossing her right into Michiru, who was paralyzed from shock. Seconds after impact, the two were doubly impaled by a spear of dark energy that was formed in the blink of an eye, and hurled at them right after Haruka was sent flying. Almost as an afterthought, when they landed, the black spear vanished, only for their bodies to have numerous vines shoot through them, before large thorns grew out like rockets, impaling them multiple times at once, creating a river of red flowing to the grass.
Hotaru cried out in horror before finding herself backhanded hard enough for her to be knocked to the side, before feeling her leg become held in a rough grasp. Her body was flung around, knocking into Chibi-Usa, before a ripple of air forced both of them through a nearby tree.
All of this was happening in the span of only a few seconds.
Wh-what is…this is too fast! How is he-
Ami stepped back, so far unnoticed by the rampaging youth. She watched with wide, fearful eyes as he held the gleaming silver blade in a reverse grip, and cut a bloody slash into Hotaru's chest, before whirling around and launching it at an incoming Sailor Venus. Minako sprung to the side, the blade nicking her shoulder. She began to incant her attack when she found herself gasping for air as Zero's knee slammed into her gut, before she felt a sharp pain as a glowing black blade appeared in his hand and he stabbed it down, through her spinal cord.
Letting her drop to the ground he kicked her in the side with his left foot, pushing her upwards before spinning on his right heel and punting her away, into Sailor Mars who was preparing to burn the fucker down.
Ami looked around. Something in her told her not to transform. She glanced at the broken, injured bodies of Michiru and Haruka. Her eyes narrowed as the air around them seemed to flicker.
It all made sense.
There's no way he'd actually do all this to us…something's changed with him but…no…this isn't real. I…I can feel it. This isn't real. But…how am I…
She remembered all the times Kairyuu praised her. Only three people…Hotaru…Chibi-Usa-chan…and…Myself…I can do this. I can break the illusion…I just need to focus…
She closed her eyes, missing how Zero's blade sliced through one of Setsuna's legs, forcing the woman to topple over, before he slammed his foot down onto her face repeatedly.
She took a deep breath, not noticing her body radiating a pale blue light.
"THE CAKE IS A LIE!"
The world shattered as a bright white glyph consisting of multiple runes and the Guardian Symbol of Mercury appeared surrounding Ami's body. The world turned ice blue, before bursting to pieces, revealing everyone in random positions on the ground, unharmed, and Zero with a very surprised look on his face.
Everyone blinked in confusion. Haruka grasped at her side, noticing not only that her arm was still there, in perfectly fine condition (discounting the splotches of mustard on her shoulder where she landed on one of the sandwiches in reality). Michiru checked her lover over, not seeing a scratch on her.
"Well fuck. I didn't think that'd happen so quickly."
Ami was panting. She didn't realize it, but she channeled a great deal of energy into that. The others got up shakily, not really understanding what happened.
"Interesting, I expected Hotaru to break through it really…you've improved."
"Well…I-
CRACK
(BGM: Concealed the Conclusion - Lunar Clock - Luna Dial)
Ami cried out in pain as Zero's fist slammed into her face, breaking her nose quite soundly.
"Not done yet!"
He followed up by delivering a solid knee to her chest, before pivoting and kicking her away. Sorry…but I can't let up. She fell to the ground, clutching her face as small streams of blood mixed with heavy tears, slipped through her fingers.
Sheesh I really hope I didn't do any permanent damage…Can't use anything huge now, shit's for real. Gotta go physical then.
He rolled to the side as a massive ball of fire engulfed where he was standing. Pissed off Mars with that one…her power's gonna be doubled now.
Another fireball, only this one was blocked by him uprooting a tree just before impact, and then launching the flaming tree back at her. Oh fuck it. Cant stay purely melee. Chasing after the tree he had to stop and back-flip over a beam of dark energy.
WHO THE FU-oh…looks like the kid brought out the big sister.
Black Lady was confused. Hell Chibi-Usa was confused. But they knew one thing, Kai was hurting their friends, and as much as they felt for him, they needed to protect them. They twirled their umbrella, and launched another ray of darkness.
He ducked under this one, blocking a sudden axe-kick from Jupiter. Is this for real? He slammed a fist into her crotch, and while not having the massive effect it would have on a male, it WAS a solid hit on her body, and a rather sensitive area as well, so she was stunned for a moment, which he used to yank her leg to her before crashing his own fist into her face, surprisingly not breaking her nose like he did Ami's.
The transformation must add some level of magical protection. An invisible barrier that reduces the level of damage taken…no wonder these girls could survive as long as they did. Hell they probably don't even know about it. Damn, now if onLYSHIT!
He dived to the side as a massive tri-colored orb ripped through the air. The combination attack of three out of four Outer Senshi just narrowly missed him. Ok…I gotta take one of them ou-
His thoughts cut off. Finding himself pinned to the ground, a glowing spear shoved straight through his chest. He looked down with wide eyes, seeing an enraged Saturn clutching the other end. He stared at her, surprise written all over his face. He coughed, painfully. A small pool of blood splattering on his blue jacket.
(abrupt stop)
That…wasn't supposed to happen.
She had tears running down her face…but she looked determined.
Shit…she's gonna kill me. Fuck. It wasn't supposed to be like that. Dammit Ami…why the hell did you have to have such an organized mind?! No, can't get distracted. I'm fading fast…got no other choice.
This is gonna suck.
Ignoring the massive blade pinning him to the ground, ignoring the fact that it had pierced a lung and any further movement would render him almost irreparably injured, he focused every single bit of will he could.
Surprising her, and everyone watching, he shot forward, the spear cutting clean through his back. He ignored the pain and latched both hands onto a shocked Hotaru's head. His body flared with violet light, the same exact color that Hotaru herself radiated as Sailor Saturn. She gasped as suddenly her Guardian Symbol appeared on his forehead, glowing radiantly and he shouted one phrase which entwined two souls together.
"SYNCHRONICITY CHAIN!"
Hotaru's own aura flared to life around her, and the two fields of energy flared before exploding in a massive wave of power, engulfing everything in the area.
Her vision cleared. Images raced before her eyes. Images surrounding the one she once loved, the man who suddenly attacked her and her friends, first trapping them in what appeared to be an illusion, and then he broke Ami's nose…
Is this…his life?
While that happened, she saw in parallel her life. The two sets of images overlapped, before fading and two world were seen. Two planets, one was her own, the other, a planet she'd never seen before. Reds, greens, blues…even yellows and oranges covered its surface, as twin rings arranged in an X formation surrounded it like protective arms. She watched as a giant sphere of black flew into the planet's surface before the whole thing was engulfed in fiery orange. A single horrifying visage filled her eyes as a demon appeared in her view.
The face of a goddess…but its body…puny insect like arms with three claws reached out of a body that looked like a giant white cocoon. Hundreds of tiny spike like legs raced along the inside of the disgusting object that served as its form. The whole thing looked like a demonic mouth, ready to eat her at any moment.
A horrible screeching laugh rang through her mind as her vision began fading again.
But before it did…she saw one last image.
First, was her planet, Saturn. Then was the unknown one. The two seemed to grow closer, and closer…before the forms overlapped completely.
They…fit…perfectly. Wait…that means-
The two images faded into one. One radiant looking world.
It was at that moment that Hotaru Tomoe understood why her boyfriend could exhibit powers similar to hers. It wasn't just because he was chosen by a God. Nor was it because he was blessed with the eyes that could see the End.
It was because they were essentially from the same place.
His world…and her world…were at one point one.
That explains…why I feel like…we're meant to be together…but why…why did they split? What caused it?
She would receive no answer for the moment…for she felt her eyes growing heavy.
Kai…no…kai doesn't exist does he? He never really did…but Kai and Zero…they are the same…just like how our worlds are the same…our lives…are entwined…
I am so kicking his ass later…oh GOD I hope I didn't kill him! Before she fell unconscious, she grew frantic, her mind recalling everything before she awoke in the darkness.
No…he…he should be fine…whatever he did…I can feel it…he's alright…
I hope…he didn't hurt…Ami…too bad…
Short chapter this time. I really wanna get this up. Now…what the hell is a Synchronicity Chain? And what the HELL did Future Hotaru say just before she died? Well I can answer both of those, but only one will be said here.
I will be eternally glad to end this world…
D&S Master: Yeah…the dubbed version shown on TV was crap. But the DVDs are pretty good, at least, the boxed set of the S season I got was good. Can't wait for your reaction to this one though…
Taeniaea: next one's up!