A/N: So guys hope you had a very merry _insert whatever holiday you celebrate here- mine was decent. Here i have for you chapter 3! we are taking Sailor moon in a totally different direction, so here we go as the plot thickens and everything you Thought you knew about the serenity bloodline becomes blurred into lines.. YOU MAY GET CONFUSED while reading this chapter.. If so, That's because it was intended.. i hope you like it..
please read and review!
I don't own Sailor Moon!
Chapter 3: Uprising of a dark beginning. Izumi joins the team.
"This is the rise of the Neo Moon" Yumi said holding the black envelope in front of her. She wore a grim expression as she wondered what it would say. She looked to Mari who was still critically injured and Rei who was no better. For a moment the carnage around them gave the reality that this wasn't what any of them were expecting.
Saeko had dressed the many wounds, yet no matter what she did, she knew that some cuts were too deep to simply dress, and with no way to clean the cuts, infection was a high risk. Most of the people of storms were busy treating their own wounds and salvaging what they could of what was left in the homes. The babies Hitomi and Nao were both in the care of Yasu at the time since others needed help.
"What does it say Yumi?" Makoto asked as she looked back to the forests.. Anyone who had not been removed quickly enough were slain, many others were injured. That woman who delivered that letter had spared their lives, the reasons were unknown too most as the letter stayed carefully in Yumi's hand.
"Before I let you read it, understand this: There's more going on than what this letter will tell you. I don't know how deep this goes, but someone is going to get a hard kick to the ass when I find out why they pulled this." Yumi said as Makoto nodded, it was apparent that while the delivery of the note had been planned, the battle was not.
Makoto looked at the note she was handed and then to the others around her. It became clear she was the one who had to read the letter. Apprehensively, she studied the folds and slowly lifted the seal. She felt her stomach flip inside as she felt a slight bit of unease take hold. Pulling out a letter it was in a written scroll that seemed well thought out and carefully written. Tear drops seemed to stain the pages heavily, wrinkling the papers lightly. She glanced up as Rei held her leg in pain and Mari was still in a sleep like state, only faintly breathing. In the back of her mind she vowed whoever was to blame would pay dearly as she placed her eyes on the paper before her. Her voice laced in the fear evident in her posture as she read the note for their group to hear.
My friends, no that is not the correct word. My family, I feel great remorse in the deliverance of the words I am to bestow upon you. The Neo Moon will rise, I have seen that clearly now. However my fear is that in order for it to happen we will have to do some very terrible things. I am sorry for not being able to believe that Saria was right in what she told me, now I know it was all a grim fate made when we broke laws of time. I am sorry for what I have caused, and I fear this time it is I to blame.
Each coin that you hold in your hands is a voice for you as a Senshi, yet even more so, a voice as a human. The coin I received I was told to keep within the stillness of my heart until the time came, and now I know why. Your coins all have value in the fact that they guide you, or ease your pain. Mine however was not of the same voice. When I left the shrine I was taken to the moon of the past. The ruins that still inhabit the area were covered in a dark mist and when I stood in the ball room aged and withered I still smelt blood. It was as if the smell never faded and I was honestly very scared. My coin hadn't made sense too me until I had arrived on that moon.
Unlike your journeys Saria had given me my coin. She knew I would request a walk and had given me the coin. It was a grey coin, not tainted black, nor white of perfection, but an unearthly lifeless grey. On it was a carving in deep tainted lettering. On it was one word. It is one I feel great remorse for doing it to you all. I have failed you. I do not know how, nor do I know why, but my coin said Fall. I'm sorry. I really am.
When I had been taken to the castle a man, my brother stood before me. His hair was blond like mine, yet he had tainted black streaks on his head. He embraced me and said that it was ok, that he forgave me. Guys, I care about all of you. I love every one of you for your own purpose in life. I don't know how I failed, but the look in his eyes were enough to tell me that I had somehow.
We are the tainted people. We of the White Moon. We were deceived by some one, some place. My brother is a gentle man, I know this now. I now know that some how the Serenity bloodline became unable to kill. This may have seemed like a good thing, however I now know this to not be fact. When the serenity who founded the Silver Millennium came into power, she came into power by others who followed her. I still do not know why she sought to build a utopia, yet I know it was not for reasons of purity.
I have heard many stories of why the many elements followed her, yet all were very different. Only one fact remained the exact same, that someone of my bloodline had come to rescue them. I was told for some reason those coins held deep value to fixing this issue, yet I do not know why.
I'm sorry I am unable to tell you anything more. If I knew what all of this meant I would cry it out in my tears, I would beg for you too know. However I do not, and therefore I am now asking aid. Find out what these coins mean, help me. Please don't cast me out, and yet even if you would, I would feel no hatred towards you. Take care, and please find it in your hears to do all you can. Even if it's not for me, don't forget about each other.
"Who wrote this Yumi?" Makoto asked as she passed the slip of paper around for the others to see. "It's almost as if… She…. Couldn't have, but it looks like she did." Makoto said clearly implying who the writer was.
"It looks too neat for her writing. Then again, she may have changed a lot. However if I remember correctly even Usagi from the future wrote like crap." Rei said as they all tried to find the aspects that could debunk the theory behind who it was that wrote it.
"Holy hell?" Haruka said as she sat upright using a nearby crate as a backrest. "You aren't thinking that Usagi wrote that are you?" She questioned as the others stared wide eyed at what they had just heard "She wouldn't ever do that!" Haruka shouted as her voice cracked from a high pitch near the end.
"Actually.." Yasu whispered "There's a lot of things… you don't know… things you did… back then." She was quiet as she spoke, fearful in what her explanation would grant her. She didn't want to be hated for knowing, all of the kids knew because Saria had told them. Saria knew, and so they knew as well. The cold eyes and stares weren't at her, just the letter, she knew that much.
"What do you mean?" Makoto said as she looked down at Yasu with a disapproving look, not hateful, disappointed was a far better word. Yet she was unsure who it was aimed at, Usagi, or Yasu herself.
"Don't…blame us." Mari rasped out as she coughed up a small bit of acid and blood. Her eyes seemed unfocused yet she was responsive. "It's not…our fault. It's.. yours." She said as she coughed harder for straining her voice. Ami handed her water and told her not to speak as questioning eyes wandered around the other two children before them.
"Look, It's your fault in the past, we know it doesn't make sense. That incarnation was most likely your first and because of that, memories of what happened mostly have been lost to the new, most recent incarnations. We don't know what happened, we weren't there. All I can say is Saria did say this was a possibility." Yumi said as she gave a look to Yasu. She would not force her friend to rat out such things. She was the combat leader, she would take the blame, even if it was the very people who pointed the fingers who had caused this too all start so very long ago.
"Well then, what the hell is going on?" Rei commanded annoyed, she felt highly betrayed, yet she had no one to place the blame on and Yumi was the nearest target. "You seem to have a good grasp of the situation. Start explaining." Rei said in tone that matched Makoto's look.
Yumi didn't seem phased. "Promise not to interrupt me, and I'll explain. Place no blame on Yasu either, even she was kept in the dark about most of what I will tell you." She said as she glared at Makoto giving a warning not to be rash just yet. When the agreements were made that their parents would at least listen to the entire thing before speaking Yumi sighed and began.
"Firstly, let me ask you this. You didn't think Saria toying with the flow of time could have had a negative impact did you?" Yumi said as she received a round of answers confirming that no one had thought she had to follow those lines. "That's your first mistake. Everything in life holds balance, including manipulating the flow of time. Now this has many effects, not just one. Setsuna usually becomes punished for her actions, however Saria has a different effect given." Yumi said cryptically as the information digested slowly to the adults.
"She even once clearly stated 'Unlike you, I do not follow the laws of time.' to her own mother. The reason for that is simple, even if she does not, we do. You all fail to see, Saria was only a half blood when it came to being a time mage, meaning she wasn't effected the same as Setsuna, a full blooded mage." Yumi spoke as she paced going to each adult as if sizing the up. She was clearly stating there was a difference between them and it wasn't just Saria. Xen knew exactly where this was leading, it was the reason her kind were often killed.
"Why you ask? Simple! Half blooded Senshi carry more than one deity. This can be dangerous and have odd results. Saria is a Senshi that is dangerous, she has been forbidden to use her mage power, just like Setsuna. However, unlike Setsuna she doesn't become punished, Instead it's the people she cares for! When ever Saria uses a magic, someone she cares for is deeply reprimanded for what she has done! During the future she used one of her powers to bring us too you in this time! It would have been breaking all the laws possible for her to bring us here like she did. When she did it, she pissed off time. This is the result!" Yumi said as she pointed too all of the area around her. Mari was wounded, even her own mother was hurt because of Saria. Yet she was not to blame, nope not by a long shot.
"I'll go so far as to say that this right here," She paused to point as the display of people who were caught up in their actions "Was your doing! It was your fault!" She shouted as she pointed to the parents who she knew in the future had caused this. She didn't give them time to voice a retaliation as she ranted onwards finally releasing all of her pent up anger she had withheld from them, trying to see good in them, yet failing as she looked to them now. The confusion in their eyes, it really angered her. "If you hadn't gotten into a war to begin with Saria would not have had to bring us hear upon Usagi's demand!" She said as she glared at each and every Senshi before her, making sure to keep a firm eye on Rei. Angry was a very large understatement.
"Yasu and Mari both thought we came for a visit, so did Chibiusa! That's what they thought! You know the real reasons now… why we were sent back, they do now too! You idiots tried to reset time! In the process you sent us back here!" She said as she turned to Haruka before changing her stance to face everyone back in the grass. "You idiots asked Saria to help! She did, and then brought us here! She thought your deaths up there would be the damned cost! She was wrong, that was a price willing, yet that is then not a punishment is it?!? The price being paid is here and now! We are paying for the shit you did up there!" Yumi said as tears spilled down her face and the last final blow was dealt.
This one was the one that held the most venom, it left the others speechless in their tracks and they realized that perhaps a Utopian future was wrong from the start. It was their ideal that brought them to see Yumi in tears and lives lost. "It gets worse. I could sit here and tell you all the crap on this planet and how it may play out due to your dumb shit. Instead I'll give you one damned good piece of advice. Before any of you pretend you know who is too blame for what action, take a step back a realize one thing. Usagi made a pact with Saria! A death pact! She's going to try and get you to kill her off! If that happens her bloodline will cease to exist! Those coins hold the value to right the wrongs that all of you caused."
All were quiet as this very disturbing thought was ingested and for a moment Ami thought clearly on what she was told in the lab by Taiki. All of them had the power to do wrong, if they believed it to be right. Serenity was the only one unable to do that, so then what was going on, it didn't make sense. Yet even if the words were painful, perhaps there was truth too what Yumi was saying, if what Taiki said was to be believed as fact.
"We caused this. Taiki was right." Ami whispered quietly before she noted all eyes were on her quiet spoken understanding. Her gaze to all of the Senshi showed they clearly weren't listening when they should have when the children had spoken when they had first arrived. They knew that was why. They knew. "Taiki was correct. We will kill in the name of what we believe to be correct. We would do awful, hurtful things if we believed them to be the truth in this world. We were wrong with what we did, yet we did it anyway, to protect them." Ami said looking to the children that were before her.
"Explain, you've lost me this time." Makoto was beyond confused, her a traitor? It was not likely, no one would betray them, they didn't do that to each other willingly. Saeko seemed to have a good idea what Ami had meant. As she whispered about Hotaru and what she had said a while back.
"We played god. In the future they would have been involved in the war. If they would have lived or passed on with us, we don't know. We sent them here with Saria's help. Setsuna can do a lot of things, but she would have died in bringing them here, Saria didn't. The reason we are being punished is because we changed their fate. History always repeats itself. Meaning somehow, or some way history of what happened to the first Senshi, happens to be replaying, except this time we are living it. We messed with fate and this is our punishment. We are to blame." Ami said as everything clicked into place. It was in a way sickening to know that they were the cause of the destruction, yet it left one question in her mind. "What about Usagi. What did that Serenity do back then, or rather what is she doing now that we need the coins for? What was the pact she made?"
Yumi sighed as she thought for a moment. "I don't know what the pact was, but I know for a fact Usagi made one with Saria, I know one was also made with her mother Setsuna, though I know that one has little effect on anyone except Hotaru. As far as what the Serenity in the past did, I have no idea. I do know that the coins play a role in all of this, but I'm not sure how, or even why." She said she paced in confusion.
"Coins?" Xen said as she picked up on the key part of information. "You mean like currency, or do these coins have markings, or symbols?" she asked in wide eyed wonder, Zori's eyes bugged out as he caught the drift of what was going on and he tried his hardest to not to show his inner emotions.
"They are all different, but they hold words on them and we got them at the forging point for each of our planets. Why does this thing mean something for you two?" Haruka said as she pulled hers out of a pocket. Xen jumped into red alert as she looked intently at the relic of a past long forgotten.
"Please tell me you all have them." Xen said in wonder as she received confused nods and questioning looks. "These are the relics of the Senshi of our people. A symbol of importance as it were. All were to bow before you if had a coin like this, most have long since been forgotten as nothing more but mere trinkets. nowadays almost everyone doesn't even know what they are, and this is the first time I've seen one." Xen said trying to get a better look.
She explained what Cade had told her all the time. Stories like this should be folklore, nothing more, yet she was now looking at what Cade would speak of as if legend was now fact. "It was stated the soul of a person who passed on could leave a moment frozen in time. If they had a need to pass forth a legacy their soul would form into a crystal. One thought would bury within their soul. This word was the message to be passed on for their legacy. One day it would be of value to right the wrongs they may have committed before their death. If you shatter that crystal, the soul bares you the right to correct their wrongs. With that simple coin you hold the answer to their wrong doing. At least that's how the legend goes." Xen said as she looked at all of them and then back to the coin before Haruka pocketed it again.
"Ok, so these coins can correct our wrong doings." Rei said as she tossed her thoughts into the already tense atmosphere. "It would seem to me somehow we are all at fault, what we don't know is how. Usagi is apparently under a pact with Saria, but we don't know why. What confuses me more is the fact Setsuna made one concerning Hotaru. So who exactly are we to be fighting, or better yet, what do we do to get Usagi out of the pact?" Rei said figuring Yumi would know, she was poorly mistaken.
"Don't look at me, I'm not Hotaru." Yumi sighed as she thought for a moment. "Speaking of that, it seems to me like we are missing a few exact keys in all of this, but I'm not liking the facts as they pan out. It seems too me Hotaru would know the most regarding this. At least she would have if she hadn't have been reborn. I'm not sure what the pact regarding her is, however if Setsuna is anything like her daughter in the least, you find Hotaru, you'll find something of value." Yumi said as she noted Mari trying to sit upright before she coughed hard due to what was most likely a few bruised ribs.
Ami couldn't help but notice what ever the problem was, it wasn't like they could just go out and search for Hotaru, or the others for that matter when Mari was in that condition. "Whatever happens to be going on will have to wait, we aren't prepared to travel when we have babies and injuries to worry about. We will just have to wait until they recover." Ami said as she was assured that it was the best form of action. How soon she forgot who exactly it was she was dealing with.
"Easy for you to say, everyone in your family is here." Haruka said trying to stand and quickly hit the ground, she too was in no condition to travel long distances. "Where's my family, where's the woman I love, and my daughters? Mari's hurt because of us, but if we were attacked the others could have been too." She said as she tried to stand only to fall back over, she was simply too weak to continue to fight for the moment. "I'll be damned to hell if I don't go!" She said as she tried one last time only to fail once again. Blood was seeping from Haruka's wounds, and even if none of them were deep, the one at the back of her knee made it impossible to walk.
Even bigger problem is we have no medical supplies, nothing we can use to treat Mari or Rei anyway. This is simply too dangerous." Saeko said as she felt remorse for not being able to do her job in a time when it was needed most. that's when she noted Xen doing something unwise by a medical standpoint. She was treating Rei's wounds herself. "What on earth?" Saeko questioned as she went to go see what was going on.
"Look, I dunno what the hell kind of planet you come from, but where I come from medical supplies are few and far between. We have to learn what to do to suppress wounds and stop blood." Xen sighed, she was busy tying leaves into a piece of dirty cotton. She then took it and placed it deeply into the gash of Rei's leg. "I know this looks odd, but rolling leaves in a bundle and tying it off in cotton is often used as a way to absorb the blood. It may not be sanitary, but you can plainly see this needs stitching, there's no way any compress bandage will work. I have an idea, but it'll require me getting Cade to help us." Xen said as she whistled at the raven near Rei, it got the idea and came to the call. Xen wrote in her native tongue on a piece of burlap using some of the blood that caked her hand from Rei's wound and sent it flying. In the mean time she used twine and burlap to case the wound fully.
"Last thing I thought I would ever have to do is perform Meatball practice." Saeko said as she too grabbed some of the leaves and a cotton shirt to tear and do the same thing for Haruka's wounds. "This can not be sanitary by any means." She said as she was next to Xen. Not even a pair of gloves to help in the task gave even Saeko an uneasy feeling, Xen seemed not to mind as she continued.
"On the battle field we aren't given an option." Xen said creating simple conversation. "We do what we have to, as far as infection goes, that's the last thing we can afforded to worry about in a place like this. You could sit there and tie off these wounds every ten minuets, but they lose more blood that way. The leaves help absorb more so we don't need to change them as often." Xen said figuring Saeko had grasped that simple concept already.
The leaves stung inside the cotton, and when placed inside, or directly on the cut the pointed edges poked and caused a large amount of pain as it scraped the cuts even more until they were wrapped into place. Even then, it still hurt to have the pointed edges around the tender flesh. Once the cuts were finished Xen was breaking boards into thick strips and using a pick axe found nearby to poke holes into the wood. She then dragged Mari onto it and fastened the wood tightly too her body making a form of cast.
"What are you doing that for?" Saeko said examining the handiwork. "It doesn't seem to stop Mari's movement. It's not a proper casting." sticking her hand through various points to try and understand why Mari was being encased in the wooden slats as such. It didn't make logical sense too her, then again she had worked in a hospital, with proper supplies, never had she dealt in a battleground where meatball surgery would be used.
"I'm not trying to stop her movement, I'm making a transportation vessel around her body. The letter I sent Cade is for him to bring what we call a shuttle house. It's a very large ship and takes a lot of manpower. Only thing is because of how bumpy the ride can get if we don't in-case her in something we could hurt her more while traveling place to place. Better to have one already built and ready for when he comes." She said as she checked the width of the slats. The casing was loose enough for basic movement, however Mari was secure enough that her body could not bend enough for her to actually hurt herself. More vines and wood were used to allow the casing to be opened and closed without being dismantled. Meanwhile Saeko was still rolling leaves and trying to get them packed correctly. It was much herder than it looked.
Xen explained how a shuttle house worked vaguely as she continued her task. "It's large size allows us to use it as a permanent living quarters, it moves slow, and often times it is a ground only vessel. Even with birds pulling it along, most of the time we have pedals we use to aid them along. It's a slow mode of travel, but inside we can better treat the wounds of battle. It can't go into rocky areas and is very limited, the use I have for it is simple. It will follow our trail from behind. I can ride on a bird much faster than that thing can move. We will place any Senshi going with us on that shuttle I'll take you to where you need to go."
"But what about your father? You've found him, are you willing to join us so quickly? You may not see him again for a long time." Makoto said beyond the point of shocked that Xen had suggested that. If it were her to make the choice, she would stay with her father in a heart beat.
"Don't sugarcoat it. I may never see him again. Even so, I made a pact, it would be a dishonor for everyone should I break it. Including her." Xen said looking to the small Hana who she knew who would be on her own. It was their way of life, and she made a pact with Yumi to work with her, there would be no turning back.
"She has to go Makoto." Baen said as he came back from scouting to note the conversation taking place. "Xen is a nomad like us, but even if I am her father, she was raised by Cade a leader to those of the wind. Even if our people accept her now, she isn't one of us. She is not of the wind either, you have more of her kind and that will provide the best possible place for her to thrive." His cold stare gave the vibe of distress as he looked at his daughter.
He knew this was the path she would choose regardless of his decision of wishing she would stay. He hadn't been able to tell her what to do for six years, and he wasn't about to start now. She had done well for herself, if she wished to go, he wasn't going to command her not too. On the same note, he dearly wished he could follow, but his place was here. Someone had to look after the forest nomads. With Makoto leaving for a while it left only him as a substitute.
He grabbed Makoto and walked her to the side. His eyes held a severity as he spoke. "There has been a pact made by Xen. She has chosen Yumi as a leader. In the fight, I saw my daughter risk her life for them, and thus they are her people now, her family if you will welcome that term. Her place in this world is to reside among them and that child named Yumi is apparently the leader just as Yasu said. I do not know why she decide the path she did. I do know even if she seeks the help of Cade, she is not at his side, she is at Yumi's and her party." Baen had a look of remorse but he requested for a short walk up the hillside with Makoto. It was if he wanted to pass a torch so to speak and in her eyes it was unsettling.
She told him she would follow him and after she informed Ami of the situation she departed up a path that overlooked the carnage that they had faced before. The man next to Makoto had a deep faith and an even deeper understanding of the world around him. His words were calm, and though his voice was quiet, it held wisdom she had never heard from the man before.
"Makoto, in this short time I have lived as a nomad I have seen many things. One of that many things is a dark understanding of the way full blooded elements view those of tainted bloodlines. It's the one thing that never seems to fully fade with time. Truth of the matter is harsh to understand, but a child like Xen would be hated and mistreated if anyone knew the truth. Your kids are of power, because you are of powerful standing. No elemental planet would overthrow you, yet it doesn't mean Yasu herself will be safe when her time to lead came." His eyes looked deep into the ground, as if the soil could provide an answer the horizon couldn't. He looked back to her before gazing back to the sky before them, and the trees they claimed as home.
"Xen will be ok. I know that to be fact, she's lived on the outer realm. She knows what to expect. Your children had never had to fight the way Xen has, that is, until now. I fear they are most in danger because of others and the tainted view of this world. I will say one thing, be careful. A child of mixed blood can be powerful, but like that child Saria, many face a reprimand for an action. It depends on the child, and a lot of times it's the wrath of the deity or fate to keep balance. I warn you, so you and the others won't make a mistake that could cause more people to be hurt, or lives to be lost." Baen said as he looked back to ground and his eyes hardened. He was contemplating something, of this Makoto knew.
"What is it?" She said as she looked at him confused. "What's wrong?" Makoto placed her hand on his shoulder and gave him a stern look. It was pleading to know what was bugging him and he could see the honest concern in her eyes.
"When you go…" He froze before he hardened and finished his request. "Take Izumi with you." He said as his eyes glazed over in a tearful request. The child had long since lost her leader and her need to be protected by Baen was fading. She needed to stand tall, and if anyone would stand by her, he knew these people would. He wanted for her to have a home, and in the depth of his mind, he knew Xen would protect her.
"Alright, I will," Makoto said as she whispered in quiet agreement. "But, she will need to stand by us, not be protected by us. She will be fine, I'll see to that personally. Your child, Xen… she's a tough nut to crack, and knowing Izumi.. They'll drive each other to hell and back." Makoto laughed in thinking of the child that made Yasu rethink who exactly she was as a person.
They sat up on the hilltop until they saw Rei's raven beckon them back to the camp. As they walked silently both were uncertain about what could happen. What they would see in the up coming days? Neither of them knew. At the camp many of the dead were being buried and those who had lost the ones they loved mourned deeply. No words could be provided for comfort, even fewer could be spoken as an apology. The silent embraces of the ones still alive spoke more than words ever could. They spoke comfort, peace, understanding, pain and the most, love.
Baen went to get Izumi while Makoto went to look at the large wooded travel structure. It looked to have two floors and the birds attached were to aide in moving the place Makoto knew she and the others would call home for at lest a little while. Xen was standing at the top with the other kids. Most likely she was explaining what to do. Inside she could see Mari laying on a cot, her wounds being properly dressed alongside Rei. Idly she wondered what it would be like on this journey.
"Xen! Come down for a moment!" Baen shouted as he caught his daughters focus. Her eyes quickly went from him to the child next to him. It was a friend of hers and she could barely speak. "Izumi…"
"I'm home Xen." The child said. Her deep colored skin left her to stand out in the crowed. She was not from the wind. She was in fact of water and storm. Just like Yasu, and yet she was different, and her piercing eyes bore deeply into Xen's. "I'm going with you Xen. Your not doing this alone. I won't let you."
Xen looked at her for a moment and nodded. "Alright then! Lets go!" She said leading everyone into the moving structure and they headed out. Traveling at a very slow pace as Baen wordlessly waved goodbye. This was their life, no goodbyes would be spoken. It was not needed. They both knew that it was alright to never say goodbye.
Inside there was a meeting as the boat moved slowly, unknown to most Xen and Yumi had a plan. Xen was in the lowest floor preparing knapsacks. She and the others were going to take the stage. She left Yumi to explain to the adults their plan. The other kids were helping in the preparation.
"We have to go!" Yumi retaliated when the adults became uneasy at what was going on. "Look, we have injured who need to recover. Mari is out of commission just like Haruka and my mother. We aren't stupid, and with the number we have it'll be easier to split in two ways." She spoke with an air of order. She wouldn't back down, they knew that too be fact. She gave the final explanation, leaving no room for argument. The kids wouldn't listen too them, then again, after what they knew now, none of their parents had any right to command their children around.
"Well what do you intend to do? Leave us behind?" Makoto sighed in annoyance. She hoped the twins would be more willing to listen to reason when they grew older. She examined the structure she was in, she could still see the forest she came from clearly in the distance as a few of the people Cade brought with him pedaled the craft to help the birds that were outside.
"I believe you'll be traveling with us." The old man said in a slow deliberate voice. "Xen and the others will be fine on bird back, I assure you of this." He said as he stood behind Yumi silently giving her the courage to continue the plan she and Xen had devised. Izumi had joined in next to Cade, offering her silent approval of what was going on as well.
"We can't drag all of us around like idiots when your hurt. This is really the only sure fire way we can make sure we can get to the places we need to go." Yumi said as she looked hopeful. "I know you guys don't like what's going on, but that's why we need two objectives." She was begging quietly for them to just approve for once and not question the reasons for action. Ami clearly caught on to this as she held Nao for his feeding.
"She does have a point. There is no way we can expect to go in one big mass and not attract attention too ourselves. It will look as if we are trying to cause an all out war zone, and quite frankly we don't have the ability to bring Mari or Rei with us if going by bird. Some will need to stay behind. Lets just hear them out, it's better than fighting with each other." Ami said in rational thought. She didn't like the prospect that things were going to get more dangerous as time went on. They couldn't risk more of them getting hurt or worse.
"Well, what I was thinking is that if we split two ways you can collect the rest of us and get them all in one spot. Cade can take you with this shuttle. Meanwhile, I'll take a team with me and we can find out more about these coins, and see to what exactly is going on with the White Moon." Yumi said as she turned to the newest member of them all, Izumi addressing her specifically. "You and Xen are both really good friends, so tell me, will you go with us, or them?"
Izumi thought for a moment and nodded to Yumi affirming what the blond had already figured would happen. "I'll follow you, Xen may need me for navigation help. We are both nomadic, it would make the most logic." She said as she strode out of the room and into where she knew Xen was.
"Alright, if Izumi wishes to come with us, let me think about the best way to break up teams I'll be back in a few." Yumi said as she also went to talk with Xen. Whispers could be heard from the other room ad Xen began a heated debate about who should go where. As that particular conversation took place in the other room, Haruka and Rei were beyond annoyed at Ami for encouraging this to happen.
"What the hell was that about?" Rei questioned her blue haired friend as she sat on one of the cots. "You don't actually think this is even close to a decent idea do you?" She sighed as she took in the appearance of the others in the room. Mari and Haruka were in no better condition as they lay across the room.
"Well what was I supposed to do Rei? I hate to say this but you can't exactly ride with your leg on the mend. Same goes for Mari, she's just too badly hurt." Ami said taking in the sight of Haruka's daughter still being wrapped in proper bandages to keep her from becoming more injured.
Makoto sighed as she butted into what could possibly be a verbal thrashing. "Rei, relax. I hate to admit it, but Ami is right." the tall brunette said as she removed herself from her place in the corner and moved to Haruka addressing the blond. "So, what's up with Xen anyway? Can we trust her with the others?" Makoto asked as she then turned to address Rei and the others. "What about the other kids? Think we can trust them? I'm not sure about Izumi, I don't know much about her. What about the others you brought with you?"
Cade being the wise old man he was, had waited very quietly for a chance to voice his own views on the matter. Clearing his voice he caught the attention of Haruka who nodded to him and he took the floor to speak. "I know not of the issues you all seem to face. I will not attempt to tell you or any of your people what is right or wrong in this instance. However, if you'd like the opinion of this old man who has seen a great many things I have only one bit of advice I can offer." He said standing from where he was and proceeding to walk to an old cabinet off to the side. Inside was an old ratty book, torn by age and withered by time. He had thought long and hard before voicing anything about what he knew until now, but if he could help he would.
"and what might that be?" Makoto spoke harshly crossing her arms. It had been stressful lightly and over all it was taking its toll on her. "Don't begin to tell me that book is some magic answer too all this bullshit. I can't take any more oddball situations today!" She growled crassly at the man who just glanced her way before opening few pages and sighed as he closed the book.
"It seems to me, Yumi holds a great deal of trust to all who follow her. In a case such as this, I say you allow them too go. Xen and Izumi are both children of nomadic planets. Although I don't know Izumi, I do know Xen, having seen her practically raise herself for years she's a very discerning individual." He placed the book in Makoto's hands. Inside were old photos, ones of Xen and her family, little Izumi, and many others. This old book continued to become more meaningful as the pages were turned and the photos were older and more delicate. Makoto realized that there was more strength between Xen and Izumi than she would have first guessed.
"Is that Baen?" Makoto said looking at a far younger man holding a baby girl. The smile on his face couldn't be matched and at his side was another man with his daughter who was a little older. Their wives stood next to them and it looked as if they had a perfect family. As if nothing could have gone wrong.
"Indeed it is." Cade said looking at the photo in question. "Back when his wife gave birth to Xen we had welcomed him into the nomadic family of the wind. That was where he wished to stay and his best friend followed them. Back then his friend had three sons and his wife was expecting a forth child shortly." Cade said recalling the memory from the vast many he still retained. "Baen had requested that his friend come with us, and I did not refuse him. A few months later Izumi was born and all seemed well. Things were peaceful as time moved forward until we came upon a battle with a few from the water. They questioned why one of their people stood among us of the wind, why the people of the storms also stood by our side. It started a fight and in the end many of us became scattered." Cade explained before he took his seat and he closed his eyes momentarily. He knew they wanted to hear more, and he didn't disappoint them when he continued his explanation.
"No one really knows what happened to most, but those of storms blame the wind for my actions. Baen we know is among your people Makoto, and I am thankful Xen still has someone to call her father. I do not know where the rest of her family is, but it is clear to me Izumi was to follow us because of her. They were childhood friends until six years ago, now that they are back together I don't wish to see them separated. Moral in all of this is simple. Those children will do as they please, like it or not, so if they trust each other, why don't you follow suit." Cade said as he looked outside the window and smiled. The others looked too and noted a sight that really brought warmth too the hearts of the older Senshi.
The kids were on birds, all of them except Mari were out there doing various things. Xen and Izumi were running in time with the birds who were running large circle around the slowly moving shuttle. Laughter could be heard as Xen was out running Yumi who was on one of the smaller birds. Yasu seemed happy as a true smile donned her face. "Kids will be kids." Saeko sighed as she smiled at the childlike behavior that she rarely saw in any of the children they way she wished she would. "I wish they would act like that more often." She said as she caught the eye of Makoto.
"Act like what?" Makoto asked as she looked to Izumi who was holding Xen's hand, before it earned some playful teasing. Yumi was currently on Zori's back as he ran after Xen trying to be faster. "They're acting fine too me." She said totally missing the point.
"She means she wishes you all would act your own age every now and then. Like the teens and children you really are, Senshi or not." Cade said as his voice echoed with laughter when Xen got tackled by the boy of flame. It was an innocent move since she decked him in the arm while laughing, Yumi had landed on Izumi who for her part seemed highly amused that Xen had wiped out into the grassy area.
The day progressed as they watched the kids play in the grass keeping up with the slow moving craft. After a short while. more joined in until it was just Rei, Haruka, Mari, and Saeko watching from the inside. Makoto and Ami walked hand in hand, each holding a baby in their arms. That's when Mari said something that caught the others off guard.
"You know, I don't think it matters who started the idea for a utopia." She said a she turned her head from where she lay. "but, I do think it was a plan to fail to start with. No one should have came up with the idea. Many years in history, anyone who does becomes the tainted one." Mari said with a soft sigh. "So many people want peace and harmony, but we don't want that. I don't think anyone really does in the depth of their soul. To have a utopia we would have to be perfect, but no one really is. Live with the war, it's the way things should be. Lets not make a Utopian society, lets just make one where people can live." She coughed as she closed her eyes and turned back to laying quietly.
Haruka had been caught off guard as she looked to Mari in confusion. Had that really come out of her daughters mouth? She couldn't believe it. "Do you really mean that Mari, do you really want to live in a world full of this type of thing, where you get hurt? Where you see people you care about get killed and you lose them?" Her voice was quiet but laced with pain and regret for Mari's words.
"Yes, I do." She said in a simple answer and turned her head and looked at the window. "Look, see that out there? that's what being a kid is like. You used to be kids too, and you lived in a world full of imperfection before you became Senshi. Do you hate what you had so much you would go to war to change it? Your not fighting for a noble cause, your fighting to make your own society. Why not let how people live be, and form a non corrupt government for once." She said as she coughed from strain and a tear formed on her face. "I don't know about you, but I'm not perfect and I won't try to be, they are happy out there, as flawed as this life is, they are happy. Only question is, can you be?" Mari said and rolled over and stopped talking to rest.
The other adults had over heard the last part of the conversation as they stood in the doorway. It was a wake up call to hear what they did and Yumi who had also heard from the hallway smiled a soft smile at what Mari had said. that's what they had all wanted, not perfection, just a simple life. They allowed the night too fall upon them as time went on. The next day Yumi would decide the teams and the jobs of the Senshi would be upon them. Rei, Haruka, Makoto and Ami were awake and talking quietly so they wouldn't wake the others.
"She was right you know." Haruka said as she remembered what her daughter had said. "I remember being a normal human. I had dreams of someone my own age, and as far fetched as some of them were, being a super hero never made the list. Being a pilot, or hawk trainer sure those were my wishes. I was happy being who I was before I became a Senshi to a degree. When I met Michiru, I knew there would be more out there. I think I would be happy in the imperfect world as long as I still had you all as my family." Haruka smiled thinking of all the good times they shared even through tough times.
"I agree, As long as we can be together, I don't give a damn how perfect life is." Makoto said as she remembered how she was before she was a Senshi. Life was far from perfect before, but when she met Usagi and the others things just clicked and she would be happy just as things were. "Besides, Can you imagine what us being perfect would be? A perfect person can't even trip on the floor, that rules Usagi out and she's our princess would be queen!" Makoto laughed remembering the blonds' antics that nine times out of ten got them all into trouble.
"Yeah I know!" Rei laughed quietly. "Minako is no better off in a perfect world. Hell in all honesty we were setting ourselves up to fail if that's what we tried to do. I can't handle being perfect, if we were perfect we would be gods, and I don't know about you, but I don't feel like a god." She said remembering her own moments of idiocy that made her not fit the bill as far as perfection went.
"Well then, lets regroup together and redesign this world and our lives. Lets go back to what we know, imperfection at it's finest. We will build the new Neo Moon as a society not based on perfection, but instead we will build it how we know how too. With the human side of our hearts." Ami said as her logical side started to mentally take over.
"Well what about if we fail? No government is perfect." Makoto said as she thought carefully about what we being suggested. "How will this even work? There are many kinds of government in this world." she asked sending a glance around the room.
"Well I say we just don't plan. Cade was right, perhaps we are taking things the wrong way. We will live a very long time, lets stop planning and do like our children, just live. It doesn't really matter what happens how, as long as it does. What ever it is. That's what I think." Ami said as she smiled back at Makoto. The others nodded and chattered into the late night before drifting off to sleep.
The next day when everyone woke up Yumi thought carefully before splitting up the proper teams. There was a lot to factor in considering the injuries. Most would stay behind in the shuttle while a few of the strongest went up ahead. Yumi's team would be comprised of Makoto, Yasu, Xen, Izumi, and Zori. At Xen's request Hana was also placed among them. The others would follow the slow pace and gather the other Senshi. Three mounting birds would be left behind for carrying a smaller group from the shuttle should the craft not be able to cross over an area of land.
Xen was preparing for leaving when Makoto of all people grew interested in what Xen was doing with the birds. She watched the child at her task, seemingly uninterested in the rest of the world. Zori was also preparing, using a stone to sharpen his blade a small bit. Makoto decided to make some conversation figuring it would do little harm. "Xen, if I may ask, what do you plan to do when this is all over?"
The shorter brunette took a moment to think as she fed and groomed the birds. She paused with the brush before speaking. "Stay nomadic I believe. Find a rebel group or start my own. It seems the best way of life. Dad was right about that." she said resuming her task as she noticed the real questions in Makoto's eyes. Xen sighed as she found a seat on the a stool and motioned to one next to her. "I assume you have something more important you want to speak on, so sit down and speak on it already." She commented slightly annoyed.
Makoto nodded and took a seat thinking on how best to word her question. "Xen, I know what Yumi said… you know, about people born of multiple elements, well.. About the punishment thing. Does it really affect things this badly?" Makoto asked remembering the powers her children used in the fight, she worried about what the outcome may be.
"Well, that depends on the mix and deities involved." Xen stated as she used herself and Izumi for a prime example. "I can not use powers, or there will be a punishment by both deities. My price, or punishment as it were, is the fact that every time I use my power of either deity, someone I care for receives the damage given. For example, if I were to hurt or kill someone I hate, some one I love will be treated the same." Xen said simply, that had explained why she hadn't used power before. "On the other side of the coin, Izumi receives a punishment of injuring herself for each attack she uses. Its a sort of backlash effect." Xen said as she stood and went back to tending the birds.
"What about the others?" Makoto asked in a rush of fear. "Do you know what they suffer through should they use power?" her eyes were pleading and Xen sighed as she put her brush down again and nodded knowing where this was going.
"Yumi's powers give the backwards effect of making her feel no emotion. All empathy for a person or loved one leaves her mindset. that's dangerous because if she gets into enough fights and if she has no recovery time, she herself may actually turn on us and become an enemy. On the flip-side, she also seems to have immense physic powers and that seems to be enhanced when her emotional strength leaves her side." She explained recalling Yumi's highly aggressive attitude after the fight and the slight aura change that notes when a deity could be causing a negative effect..
Makoto only nodded for Xen to continue as she listened intently. It became clear Makoto wouldn't speak until Xen was done explaining. "Mari's punishment is much like Izumi's. It seems when she attacks with a power she too become injured as time goes on by her own deity. This could one day kill her if she fights too hard or too long. She is of wind, her sea deity doesn't approve of water usage at all it seems." Xen said as she brushed the bird next to her. Yasu was the last one too explain, yet she was the most complex.
"As for your kid, Yasu, She's got a rather odd punishment I noticed. She gains the feel of those she harms. If she fights them with an attack, she can feel it herself through them. Instead of it being a backlash, she uses electricity, and a human or Senshi has some type of element in the body. The main issue in that is the fact that she not only acts as an electric current, she also is a conductor of it. Meaning she gets shocked by the people she happens to attack with electricity. Same goes for ice, her body gets cold from the inside out." Xen said as she looked sympathetically at Makoto.
"Her issue is the same as Mari as far as what happens if she fights too much goes. Except I would tend to think where Mari would die off pretty quickly if she wasn't careful Yasu would pass on slowly. Hypothermia and electrocution both take a longer measure of time. Her mix is actually a very dangerous combination as far as elemental properties go. She has a water base, and that conducts electricity from her lightning base." Xen sighed as she continued her work. It seemed no one put together the fact that all three kids worked as a triangle. Curtain elements either fueled or snuffed out others. All three of their children were evenly matched as far as powers went. Xen knew this was why she would follow Yumi, Safety in balanced numbers kept everyone from trying to over step lines. It was a safe system.
While the others were collected Makoto and the children were to track down the Serenity family and find out what ever they could. At the end of Yumi's briefing Yasu stood forward. She held objects in her had that were just like the wrist communicators used before yet far more advanced. "Alright, since we are splitting up, we need a new form of communication. What I have here are far more than your basic communication device. It's also used to track and store data log files much like the Ice-Nine. You'll also notice it's compatible with that basic system." Yasu said as she passed out each one.
Each wrist watch looked roughly the same. The black leather straps and deep gray lining made the bold colors of each Senshi stand out. Each one had a series of numbers and a small pop out voice recognition system made it slightly more bulky should they open the communicator to use it. Over all it was far more advanced than what most were used too. "Now you'll notice that the radar is color coded. Open up your communicators and I'll give a basic briefing." She said as she opened her own. Inside the indent was an earring just like Ami would use and Yasu placed hers on he ear, signaling others to do the same.
"This earring allow voice communication without the communicator being on, however because of this it feeds into a network powered by my computer the Ice-Twenty. With the system active you can continue to talk without the use of the watch on your arm. This provides useful in fights." she said as she pressed her earring down and a thin line metal protruded the end, this was the microphone bit. "Now when you open the watch up, it starts a one on one personal call with visual. It also doubles as a camera so we can see what the area looks like around you. To access that feature you'll need to type in your name as a password. Each watch is name specific meaning you can not type my name into your watch and vice versa." Closing her watch and opening her small computer no one but Yumi and Mari had known about, she began typing out a few dial tones and other things, shortly all the communicators synced up.
"Close and then reopen your lids again please." She said and the others did as they were told. On the top screen was another small screen and the status said 'Safe', after a few moments it changed to a yellow 'Caution' and then a orange 'Danger' status, the final status was a noise alarm and when it went off a red blinking word played across the screen saying 'Senshi Down'. "Alright, I don't think I need to explain too much into this system since it's complex. All you really need to know is the fact that your vital signs are monitored by the watch. If anyone starts to sustain damage we will know by the watches. If you see a 'danger' sign, or a red 'Senshi down' sign all watches go into alert mode and trace the Senshi that became hurt. If someone becomes so critically wounded that the watch picks up no life signs, a direct feed to that Senshi is established through the other watches." Yasu said finishing her briefing. "Any questions?"
"Just one." Ami said looking very intrigued by the watch in her hand, looking over the expert craftsman ship. "You say that we are synced to a network of sorts. This in itself is fine, but what happens if you're the one to sustain the injury? Then how will the feedback work?" The blunette asked as she fidgeted with the settings the others hadn't bothered to tamper with.
"That's rather simple actually. We are not based on a network like your used too. Believe it or not, these were constructed in the future before we cam here. Same with my computer, I made them myself. It will not need the main system to be operational should I or my computer take damage. Each one is fitted with a microchip drive that downloads and installs data into each computer networked into it, however should something happen too me, the watches will already be synced too each other. Only way to pass data is through a one on one link that I then pass through too the others. Should I be downed the main system goes into alert mode and the normal code of conduct becomes overrode so that the watches work on their own." Yasu said as she handed Ami the last of the watches to pass out too the other Senshi when they were located.
"I may be a smart ass for this one, but why do they have to go directly through you computer?" Makoto asked highly confused. Then again she was not skillful in computers, that was Ami's hobby, not hers. "Why not have the watches be directly linked all the time, with out your computer needing to be attached."
"It's a security measure mostly." Yasu explained as she typed a few activation codes into some of the watches. "See, the watches use sound waves and Cerebral tracking. This can be dangerous if we happen to find an enemy who knows how to hack into systems with little to no security. My computer has one of the strongest defensive programs around. That's why it will only be over rode if my watch says I'm down or if the computer happens to get damaged." After that no one else had any questions to add and the preparations for leaving began.
Xen told Cade that they should find the Mineral Senshi first. This Senshi would be Minako and so he decided to follow the soil and rich matter for clues where to find her. Meanwhile, the assigned team to follow Yumi would go by bird back and figure out what they could about the coins. Xen knew the best place too find this information was where ever the serenity bloodline was. After a brief lunch Yumi and her team would take their leave.
Many questions filled the minds of those on the shuttle. What were the pacts that were made. Why were they made in the first place. What were the coins intended purpose. It all seemed unclear as time progressed.
~~~~~~~ Inside of a cave on the outskirts of any path finding Senshi~~~~
A voluptuous woman stood in her cloak and her hair was multicolored with every elemental color donning her tresses. tears streamed down her face as she told the man before her what had happened. He held her close as she continued to cry. This woman was sorry for the crimes that had been committed by herself and others. Her mourning was in vain, for it would not change a thing of the past, and would augment the future very little. As he stood there holding the woman his eyes hardened.
"Don't cry Usagi. Your friends will rescue you. I can guarantee that. The White Moon was flawed wanting to have a perfect life free of war. The values were correct, but the way they were carried out caused many to suffer. This is the price of perfection. In the end it simply can not exist. As a result we have seen what perfection causes." He said as he gave value to the actions of his men. This man, her brother was a noble man, all who knew him knew it to be fact. "Your friends will come to your aid, and when they do you will all right the crimes committed." He said in a clam explanation.
When he stepped back from his little sister he noted the child off to the side. Her tresses of deep black and purple eyes. Next to her was Chibiusa and currently they were speaking quietly too themselves. He remembered that he promised Pluto that he would not give the child powers. She was to live a human life for now, though he did not know why. Motives were unclear too him even more so when Setsuna requested the aid of Katan, Dalan, and Talan. Why had they been brought back so soon, the man did not know. A strange pang of uncertainty fueled his gut with every breath. He knew there was more to the situation than he was told, but had agreed to Pluto's wish without further explanation.
"Usagi." He addressed her. "Please do not cry, I have sent Mamoru for the next task, so please try to rest." He spoke calmly and soothingly as he brought her to the chase lounge to relax. "You will see, he will return unharmed. I promise you that he will be unharmed." The man spoke in a whisper.
"I know he will be alright, but what about Michiru? This is just too much, just far too much." Usagi cried as she spoke cryptically. "I can't bare to cause anyone else to feel harmed by my doings! Please promise me she will be alright." Usagi begged.
The man looked down too her and closed his eyes, a small bit of inner confliction came through in his emotions when he spoke. "I can not guarantee she will be fine, but I can guarantee she will be ok." he responded just as cryptically. "I know you are finding all of this to be very difficult, but the only thing I can ask you to do is wait and see what I mean." He said as he stopped talking fearing his voice might break. He was a kind and gentle man, Usagi knew this to be fact, and that's why for the moment, she chose to listen to his advice. She just hopped the others would be ok.
TBC!
So there you have it. Read and Review! chapter 4 is being written as we speak.. expect it within the next week or 10 days :D