Thank you again to all the readers and especially the reviewers. As one of my reviewers mentioned an interest in, Ami's test that is where I will begin my next group of tests; also each of the senshi will each have one chapter that covers all their tests. Any ways on with the story…
Hope you enjoy
Tsukia
Ami's Trials:
As Ami, Makoto, and Hotaru waited near the pond of the shrine two bright lights drew their attention to the path. Facing the light its blinding effect slowly fading to reveal… the forms of two senshi, Sailor Venus and Sailor Mars stood in their Eternal forms.
"Well," Venus smiled, releasing her transformation. "It looks like two down and three to go."
Mars smiled at Mina and then at the trio, "Go. Venus and I will keep Tokyo safe while you finish your tests."
The trio smiled and closed their eyes each focusing on that of their Princess. Then in three flashes of light they disappeared into the night. Once they were alone Mina transformed again into Sailor Venus. "With age comes duty and responsibility. There are at least two senshi who tonight will bare witness to the power of Aphrodite and Artemis."
Else where, Ami found herself in a cavern of ice and despite her surroundings she was quite comfortable. "Where am I? Despite this cavern being made of ice it feels like I am still at the shrine. This …"
Her thoughts were cut off by a voice that sounded like the wind on a spring morn, "Maia, my ice angel, welcome to the cave of wisdom and my home. I am your guide Athena, Goddess of Wisdom."
Ami stood in shock before the Goddess and foremother of her ancestors and the original Senshi of Mercury. Athena reading her descendants thoughts smiled, "My child you always did over-analyze. Relax and take a deep breath for within that state you will surely fail what you seek to excel."
Ami did as she was told and then said, "How is this possible?"
"All things are possible when mystics are at hand. Magic is no more logical than you are male or the Princess incompetent. However, that is the here nor there and no where near your goal. Three parts of you must be tested and three parts of you must all pass. Different things are tested for all and you must first decide who will be tested first: Ami Mizuno; Maia, Princess of Mercury; or Sailor Mercury."
Ami knew what was at stake if she failed and that she needed to test the one sure to pass first to ensure the others passed. For with the knowledge of how the tests worked she could surely figure out how to pass the rest. Ami froze in thought, "Be fore warned the Princess knows you well and the tests are not very logical but more on traits and emotions."
Ami nodded, "Then first I will test Maia, Princess of Mercury."
"That is a bold decision and I wish you luck. Once the test is finished no matter the grade you will be returned to my care. May you find what you seek?" And with a wave of her hand Athena disappeared into a mist and the cave began to shift and change.
"Ami, there you are did you forget the plan?" Haruka asked coming up beside Ami on the street.
"What plan?"
"Oh, all you inners are as air headed as the so called leader, whom we are trying to ditch."
"Remember Ami, we were going to ditch her for some senshi time."
"But Michelle, Haruka, Usa is a senshi and she isn't' that much of an air head. She always comes through in the end."
"So the brainiac is challenging the strength. Fine we can do that follow us," Haruka said pulling Ami away into the park, Michelle following behind with a smirk.
The trio soon came to a clearing, one that Ami was sure she had never seen before, it was here they stopped. Soon all the senshi were present except Sailor Moon. "United Senshi of the Milky Way, this Senshi wishes to defend that which we have already usurped."
"Then she will face us each in turn," Pluto said and then faced Rei, "Sailor Mars, after you."
Rei smirked and then stepped forward, "It is time that you learned your place, Sprite. MARS TRANSFORM!"
"Rei, we don't need to fight. There are other ways to resolve this, peaceful ways."
"Poor little Ami never wanting to fight always wanting the peaceful way out. I would have thought that after all these years of fighting and Venus' death in a vain attempt to protect her that you would have changed sides. Oh well, the fire will change your mind. MARS FLAMING SHOT!"
Ami managed to dodge the attack but another was always waiting as soon as she landed. "I can't keep up like this forever and there is no way I can take on all of them," Ami paused in thought, "Unless I am more powerful than them. Serenity, my sovereign, aide me as I defend your right as Queen, as I fight for you honor." Ami felt the surge of power and welcoming it into her soul she transformed without words or gadgets and stood in the power that was Eternal Sailor Mercury.
"So, she finally transformed! Took her long enough," snickered Saturn from the trees.
Mercury didn't even turn but gracefully touched an out stretched arm of a nearby tree and watched as the whole grove and clearing turned into a frozen place where the only color was that of the senshi's fuku. Saturn's averted her eyes for but a second as she looked on shocked as the clearing turned to ice, when her eyes returned she found no sign of Mercury.
"NEVER EVER DESECRATE THAT OF SERENITY! THE LIGHT IS ALWAYS HERS TO COMMAND! FOR WHAT YOU HAVE DONE BEWARE FOR THAT OF MERCURY DO NOT TAKE KINDLY UPON YOU!" Mercury's voice echoed as if coming from all directions.
Taking directions from Uranus and Pluto the senshi spread out to look for their "prey". Mercury watched from safety through the eyes of the ice sprites as they leapt from icicle to icicle creating more as they needed.
The first one to find Mercury found herself trapped within an icicle. Mars was unlucky enough to walk under the senshi of ice who then called forth the icicle sprites to make a senshi sized icicle for her, the sprites all happy to assist their Princess in the task to protect Lady Serenity, the giver of life. Once the icicle was complete Mercury approached it and said, "My apologies Mars but this is how things must be." And with a bow as she fled into the wind leaving the fire senshi trapped in an icicle upside down on a tree.
Saturn tried to take on Mercury but with the new powers the senshi of ice quickly over took her and using her new found powers turned Saturn into a snow senshi made of ice surrounded by a beautiful hot spring mote. Again Mercury apologized as she again disappeared into the wind.
Neptune being next on Mercury's list found herself in the grasp of a snow giant and being her powers were that of water unable to free herself. For it was her attempt at such that turned the snow creature into that of a giant. "Neptune, please accept my apology for I am only doing what is necessary to protect Serenity. At one point you understood this, I hope you still can."
The last three now stood in the clearing discussing their findings as each had found one of the other senshi and unable to reverse the predicament and decided to regroup, bad idea. Mercury looked on as they discussed what was to be done. Then taking a deep breath she called forth the northern wind as she had first done to speak to the senshi trio, "THREE I HAVE DEFEATED AND LEFT THEM WITH LIFE; THREE YET REMAIN THE LEADER AMID. WILL YOU SURRENDER? OR WILL YOU MEET YOUR FORMOTHERS? THIS CHOICE BE YOURS NOW…"
Ami suddenly found herself in the cave of wisdom with Athena looking down at her. "You did well and now only one test remains. But first warm yourself and eat something." With a wave of her hand there was a fire and biscuits and tea. After a little while Athena turned to Ami, "Are you ready for your final test as Maia?"
"Let's get it over with." Athena nodded and Ami closed her eyes.
"Maia, there you are. The Mercurian Council wishes your decision on the war effort."
Maia turned to face the maiden and looked at her in shock, "War effort? Excuse my momentary confusion but what war effort?"
"Why that against the lunarians, they are trying to immigrate to Murcery."
A stern faced Maia headed toward the council chambers and entered so quickly that no announcement of her arrival could be done she raised her hand for quiet. "I find no reason for a war against the Lunarians for they have always supported us and I for one will not stand to be at war with an ally."
The council went up into an uproar and argued about the lack of jobs and issues with medical coverage and of the differences in culture. After a while Maia could bare no more and raised her hand. "If you will not side with me then I will use my right as sovereign and provide you with what is to come or I will go on a vacation to earth for the duration of the war and let Serenity do as she will. May I remind this council that without her and my powers this planet will become an unlivable waste land? But then again it is the choice of the people and I will not ignore it."
The council calmed as reality set in and one council man addressed the royal Princess. "What of the immigrants?"
"We will come to a peaceful agreement that a set number of immigrants that we can accommodate and a shelter for those that we cannot while arrangements are made for them to travel to one of the other planets, thus leaving us with enough jobs for all and no need for war."
And as the council rose in standing ovation of their leaders peaceful yet inspiring ways … Ami found herself in the arms of her parents and tears of joy falling on her head. Encouraging words being whispered to her as she enjoyed being held by both her parents in a very very long time.