Sometimes You Just Need to Believe Chapter 24
I still do not own Sailor Moon and am a penniless fan. Please don't sue me!
(Ok, here things will begin to get more interesting, as if Haruka pulling a sword on Usagi wasn't interesting…Well, I pull into play one of the first things that Mamoru did in the manga AND PGSM…Yeah, they need those stones…Everywhere is closing in preparation for the storm…They need a skilled jewel thief. I'm NOT trying to portray Mamoru in a bad way. I have always said (or at least said a few times) that I will not be Mamoru-bashing in this fic. I really have no problem with the guy but I do think Seiya is WAY better for Usagi. ^_^ No, I wanted to showcase his skills as a thief from his days trying to find his dream princess' Silver Crystal. For those who haven't seen PGSM you have to watch Act 1 just for the look on Minako's face as she fights him making him drop all the jewels in the bag he had worked so hard to get. Priceless I swear! I finally give the typhoon a name and we see some more action! The typhoon is called Kawariyasui which means "Ever Changing." Well, with a jewel heist I would hope there would be some, but no, I'm talking senshi vs. senshi again! The carrier of the Dream of Dreams is getting closer too. The story might not continue much longer…I think I will write a sequel so don't be sad! Plus there is still much to settle here. We are closing in on the final chapters though. Thank you once again for all who read, review, and subscribe. I can't tell you how much I appreciate it!)
Haruka and Michiru let off no emotion as they sipped their tea. Slight looks to each other and subtle bits of body language indicated that they were indeed listening to what was being said and making mental notes. Nobody was ever certain what those two were thinking or what to expect out of them. Haruka eventually whispered something into Michiru's ear. Michiru nodded in approval to whatever was suggested.
"Koneko-chan," Haruka began. "You have saved us all numerous times. You have proven yourself a worthy ally. I was right about one thing though…With my first instincts I told you I didn't believe you were our princess. I feel justified now knowing that I still have my intuition, however underdeveloped it is compared to some of the other senshi."
Setsuna began to stand in anger but Mamoru gently held her back. Seiya's eyes were filled with rage. Luna and Taiki appeared to be in a state of shock. Yaten appeared lost by the whole conversation. Kakyuu it seemed was the only one who was slightly intrigued by the prelude to whatever the sky and sea senshi were going to say.
"But…" Haruka twisted her mouth to a grin. "I believe that when Queen Serenity left us as her daughter's guardians, she never expected this. You are more like our former queen than this princess. For all of this and more, I swear what loyalty I can to you, Koneko-chan." Haruka laid her rapier at Usagi's feet as she bowed low. "I will do my best to protect you."
Michiru bowed to Usagi and made a similar oath.
Once everyone was able to stop gaping in shock, Michiru turned to Setsuna. "I will ask you this once and I expect the truth, Sets. Have you seen any alterations in the Timeline? And moreover, have you always known that this would happen?"
"There are no alterations in the Timeline as of yet. If we don't stop Serenity-hime however, all will be lost. I must confess I had known. There are certain things I am not allowed to share with you. Besides, sharing this with you too early would have jeopardized the mission. Speaking of the mission, I still have not been to see Hotaru. Since she is the key she must remain tucked away so that Serenity-hime cannot reach her. The Gates of Time are a perfect place for that since only I can access it. I will not place myself anywhere near Serenity-hime." Setsuna rose and pulled her talisman out of thin air.
"Go then, quickly please," Haruka said, her eyes almost begging to see Hotaru. "I know she would be scared to see me right now since she doesn't know I am aware of the mission. Do this one thing for me…" Haruka looked around the room in embarrassment. "Tell her that her 'papa' loves and misses her very much."
Setsuna nodded as she opened the window and left the room.
Makoto was getting settled in since Motoki's apartment was going to be her home for a few days. They had the television tuned in to the local news station. The weather reports were not getting any better. It had been upgraded again and was pushing 195MPH winds…Sustained with gusts over 200MPH. This was not good. 'At this rate, when the storm hits it will register off the charts,' she thought as she unpacked the last shopping bag.
Usagi was feeling tired. Well, actually, she wasn't sure if that was the right word for it. She just knew that she needed to sleep somehow. Seiya helped her climb into bed and when she had trouble getting to sleep, he grabbed his acoustic guitar and softly played her the song he had written just for her. Once she was asleep, Seiya gently placed down his guitar and swept a few strands of hair away from Usagi's face so he could plant a kiss on her before leaving the room.
When he joined the others, Seiya saw Haruka and Michiru shoot him knowing looks. They too had used song to soothe one another to sleep when needed. It was yet another reminder to Seiya of just how much he and Haruka actually had in common, but he refused to dwell on it right now.
The group had decided to close the high rise shutters and ride out the storm there since EVERY hotel was booked inland. It was still a risk, but they were high enough up to avoid flooding from the storm surge and the building was a newer construction built to a higher code than some of the others nearby. The Three Lights had contacted their personal shopper to pick up some plywood for the two skylights and some canned goods, charcoal for the grill, candles, matches, and lighter fluid. Taiki was helping Mamoru move in what little furniture was on the balcony. The grill would come in handy when the power surely went out.
The typhoon had sped up unexpectedly and was expected to hit in the next thirty to thirty-five hours. Now named Kawariyasui, this monster of a storm was posing a very serious threat.
Back in the bedroom, Usagi was tossing and turning. Voices were invading her dreams. It sounded like cries for help coming from her friends Ami, Minako, and Rei. She even thought she heard Artemis. The things they were saying sounded almost like prayers. Were her friends praying TO her? At one point she could see Serenity sitting calmly while 'she' was serving her food and drink. Her family and Ami and Minako were busy preparing for the coming storm. That's when she realized, she was seeing through Rei's eyes. Rei was showing her what was going on! Nothing of great importance seemed to be going on but Usagi heard Rei's voice clearly in her mind. 'If you feel instantly tired like I know you did before you went to bed, go to sleep immediately. It means I have something to show you. Do not EVER tell me anything about you or where you are, Usagi-chan. If I know she can make me tell her.' I will,' Usagi answered. 'I miss you guys so much. Please stay safe during the storm.' 'We will. I have to go. You might have a slight headache when you wake up. Sorry about that,' Rei said.
Usagi sat straight up in bed and rushed to the living room not caring that she was still in her pajamas. "Guys, Rei is communicating with me!"
"How?" Haruka stood up both in shock and anger. 'This had better not be a trap for Koneko.'
Haruka did not have time to ask anything more because a portal opened up and out stepped Setsuna and Hotaru. Helios could be seen sitting in meditation by the Gates of Time behind them.
"Papa, I cannot stay long because it is too important for me to be as far away from serenity-hime as I can, but know that I love you too," Hotaru said with a smile.
Everyone stared in amazement at the young girl. This was not the Hotaru they remembered. With a wink she backed into the portal and Setsuna closed it behind her.
"What happened to her?" Michiru stared at the spot where the portal had been in disbelief.
"Hotaru became one with her whole self," Setsuna said. "She has the knowledge of all her lives rolled into one. It is what was needed for her to be prepared to carry out this mission."
"So Saturn has fully awakened," Haruka asked with a hint of fear in her voice.
"Usagi and Serenity-hime have far more fearsome abilities and Saturn knows how to seal Serenity-hime away, in theory anyway," Setsuna said.
"She did a great job the last time," Yaten said under her breath.
"Hey, you try doing any better, Yaten," Kakyuu scolded. "I trust Saturn's in ability to seal Serenity-hime when the time comes…I just…Setsuna-san, is it going to be like last time?"
Setsuna could only give a somber nod.
"NO!" Haruka stood up in a fit of rage. "You will NOT sacrifice MY little girl for this, or anything else!"
"I agree. There has to be another way to seal her without letting Hotaru-chan die," Usagi almost yelled with tears in her eyes.
"Odango," Seiya said almost in a whisper. The sad reality was that he knew deep within himself there was no other way regardless of what Odango and Haruka wanted to believe. A sacrifice had to be made for such a powerful magic. As sad as it was, the senshi of death understood and accepted her fate as she had for every life she had ever lived. She had experienced death as no one else could ever possibly know.
"Haruka," Setsuna said in an authoritative voice. "Calm yourself. Usagi you do the same. Nothing we do can change the process. I ask you to remember what other vital power Saturn wields."
"Life," Mamoru said. "Hotaru can arrange her own rebirth."
"But will she want to be near us? I mean, it took us a long time to show her the love she deserves," Michiru said with sadness on her face.
'Are those tears,' Taiki thought as he looked at Haruka and Michiru. "So what do we do to help her?"
"The same as last time. We have to arrange for a situation where we'd all be together," Setsuna looked at Usagi with an uncertain sadness in her eyes. "I'd have to be tucked away with a window viewing you all and will pull you through when necessary. We will lend our power to Saturn and she will complete the seal, forfeiting her life."
"No," Usagi said. "We will find another way." She slumped down into Seiya in an inconsolable crying fit.
Haruka and Michiru remembered seeing that same look of desperation on Usagi's face when Hotaru as Sailor Saturn had threatened Sailor Moon with her weapon and jumped into the core of Pharaoh Ninety. Usagi would not rest until another way was found.
"I do have some good news," Setsuna said.
"Please do share, we need some of that now," Kakyuu said as she watched Seiya try in vain to calm Usagi down.
"Hotaru has retrieved all four of the Shitennu and they are willing to help as Endymion-sama wills them." Setsuna looked at Mamoru. "There is a problem though. The ritual Hotaru found requires each of their stone types."
"But all the non-essential stores and businesses have been shut until the storm passes," Yaten said.
"You're forgetting something," Mamoru chimed in. "It's a set of skills I had hoped to never use again once the Silver Crystal was revealed…But you are in the company of a rather decently skilled jewel thief."
"Mamo-chan, its too risky," Usagi pleaded. "What if you get caught?"
"I'll be sure to have a series of drop points," Mamoru assured Usagi. Usako, you cannot come along. You'll bring too much attention to us. The last thing we want is Serenity-hime knowing Endymion is gathering his Shitennu."
Everyone nodded, though most looked nervous.
"Setsuna, you should stay behind too. If you get caught the entire mission is in danger of failure," Luna said.
"If we go, we're at risk of becoming enslaved just like the other senshi," Haruka said.
"But perhaps we could be the right bait to keep Serenity-hime away from Mamoru," Michiru added.
"But then we'd wind up fighting gain," Usagi cried out lifting her head from the warmth of Seiya's chest.
"Koneko-chan, if that happens, I expect him to protect you," Haruka said pointing at Seiya, who nodded in agreement.
"We expect no mercy from you if that happens, Starlights," Michiru said.
"My Starlights and I can arrange several meeting points so that when Mamoru has the stones we can scatter with them," Kakyuu said. "If we each take different routes to a meeting spot we should be less likely to get caught. Plus, they'll never know which one of us to follow."
"That's a good idea," Mamoru said.
Usagi shook her head in disbelief at what she was hearing. The senshi of love and justice were planning a jewel heist.
Together the group planned out where to meet. The closed park seemed like a good spot. At one end Haruka and Michiru could walk down the nature path and act as bait while on the other side the senshi could meet up.
"One thing," Luna said. "I'm following you two down the road a bit. I have the ability to erase your memories of our plans and location. Michiru, you can still speak into our minds though."
"And I will block your mirror again," Setsuna added. "I'm sorry about that before, but it was needed to bring Rei-chan's abilities to her full abilities. I have blocked her fire now since Serenity-hime could make her use it against us. That is why she is contacting Usagi in her mind, but does not ask her questions. Your teachings stuck well. Nice Job, Michiru." Setsuna smiled at Michiru.
"Its only about six more galaxies," the beautiful woman from the center of the universe said to no one in particular. So far she had received no ill will in any of the galaxies she had passed through. There was a senshi she needed to get in touch with. The senshi of the Milky Way needed to know she was coming. It was more a courtesy than anything. It is not as though Sailor Galaxia could stop her from bestowing her gift. The one true worthy receiver of the Dream of Dreams was ready and it was a gift only she could bestow. Her glow lit up the void of space with a blue comet of stardust. "The time has come for my partner to join me in my work." And on she flew with an even wider smile.
Tuxedo Kamen leapt from rooftop to rooftop. It upset him greatly to be the thief he had hoped was locked away again, especially considering it was Naru's mother's store that had the most lax security of all the convenient locations. At least he wasn't going for diamonds or rare gems. He could now see the building and began to stake out the area.
Cautiously, Tuxedo Kamen climbed down the fire escape and slipped past the street security cameras with ease. Under the cover of darkness, he slipped behind the small jewelry shop. There was a door that would trip the alarm, not a good way to go. There was a window that could be easily broken with his cane. It was small, but he could get through it. The fact that it was small made him a bit happier since it would not be expensive to replace. That small thought gave him some peace for his conscience.
Setsuna paced around the balcony. She was worried about Mamoru. He may have been a jewel thief years ago, but so much time had passed. Under the mandatory emergency curfew, looters could be shot on sight by police, military, and even shop owners. Not that she thought Naru or her family would shoot someone, but you never know.
Setsuna leaned onto the balcony determined to think of something happier. Worrying only made things worse. She smiled as her most recent happy memory came to mind. It was the time she and Mamoru had spent alone in the Starlights apartment. 'If any of them only knew,' she blushed at the memory. As risky as it had been that they would be caught, the two had made love like they had wanted to since they met on the floor behind the couch. It was not that they had wanted to rush into things, they had simply gotten caught up in the moment. Setsuna had no regrets about it. It felt like it had been right somehow.
Finally Tuxedo Kamen had found the last stone he needed. He rushed to the back by the window, but stopped when he heard voices and saw flashlights moving about. He could hear hushed voices talking outside. He knew they were police or worse, military, and they knew it had been a break in. Nobody had been in the front of the store. He heard the radio call for backup and knew he had just minutes and decided to take the risk of the front window. He hated breaking the more expensive front window, but at this point he had no choice.
Tuxedo Kamen went running, cane forward to break the glass, at full speed to the window and shattered it. He took off running as fast as he could. He knew he was being followed. He heard the footsteps behind him on the pavement. He ran to the nearby alley where Healer was waiting three flights up on a fire escape. Tossing one of the stones up at her Tuxedo Kamen kept running. Healer was on the rooftop before the police saw her. 'Good job, Healer,' the masked man thought as he continued running. Next stop was Fighter. He knew he could rely on her, though it was still odd to look at Seiya as a girl. He left the alley and made a sharp right turn behind another apartment building tossing the stone up to Fighter. Fighter too climbed up the fire escape with ease and grace. 'Alright, Taiki then Kakyuu-hime,' Tuxedo Kamen reminded himself. 'If I can ditch the cops I'll be home free. As he crossed the next patch of open road, Tuxedo Kamen raced towards a storefront awning and used it to propel himself onto the rooftop. He heard shots fired this time. Taiki was in position and took the third stone running off to the left. Tuxedo Kamen leaped across several rooftops before using another awning to climb down and cross into a residential area. It was a risk, but it was less likely that the police would shoot at him in such a place. In the backyard of a small abandoned home Kakyuu's hand reached above the wooden fence and the final stone was placed in her hand. She waited for the commotion of the chasers to quiet down and headed to the meeting place in the park. With any luck, Mamoru would be there soon.
Haruka stood staring at a lake with Michiru's hand clasped tightly in her own. It would have been quite romantic if they were not trying to be bait for Serenity-hime and keep her from Tuxedo Kamen and the others. Even though this plan made the most sense, she didn't have to like it. She and Michiru were sitting ducks and they knew it. But it was HER sweet koneko on the line. Sure slapping her across a room and kicking Seiya's ass until she was satisfied that Fighter could handle it had all been necessary. At least, that's what they had truly believed at the time.
A sweet fragrance began to fill the air around them. It was like roses blooming by a mountain stream. It felt familiar. It felt like home. Involuntarily both Haruka and Michiru felt their bodies turn and drop to one knee in a respective bow.
Serenity smiled and hastily told them to rise. Deep within Haruka was seething with hatred. 'I could fight off Galaxia's control and somehow this is different. I will not break my promise, koneko-chan. You will be protected.'
Sailor Kakyuu and the Starlights had all met up at the designated location and were eagerly awaiting the arrival of Tuxedo Kamen. It had been almost a half hour since they had arrived and with every minute that passed they grew fearful that he might not make it back.
Out of the shadows they saw a figure. As the shadowy person came into view Fighter's eyes filled with tears. "Odango, how could you," he demanded of Eternal Sailor Moon.
"Setsuna-san had to return to the Gates of Time and I thought I might be able to help. I couldn't just sit around and do nothing." Sailor Moon really looked sincere about her reasons. "I know everyone is mad at me…"
She was cut off by a kiss from Fighter. "How could you do something so stupid, Odango? We want you away from danger!"
"I didn't want you getting hurt because of me," she replied. "Not you or anyone." Sailor Moon looked at Healer, Maker and Kakyu.
"How sweet," a familiar voice sounded. "Too bad you let two more of my senshi slip out of your pathetic hands. They are once more loyal to me," Serenity said. "Sailor Moon, I had hoped you would swear your loyalty to me and become one of my senshi, but I see now that you are never going to see things the right way and are a lost cause."
"Serenity-hime, your way is not the right way," Sailor Kakyuu shouted angrily. "Can't you see what your anger is doing to this planet?"
"This planet?" Serenity broke into an eerie laugh for a moment. It was quiet and evil. The only decent thing this planet has ever done for me was to bring my Endymion to life." The "loyal" senshi took attack positions with tears running down their faces. "With every step I take the veil between Earth and Elysion slips just a little bit more. Once it is gone, Endymion and I can have the kingdom we should have shared over a thousand years ago."
"Who would want a kingdom of nothing but death?" Sailor Moon was pleading with Serenity.
Fighter knew that at this moment in time, there would be no negotiating with Serenity. Though, she had been wrong about Galaxia and maybe…Just maybe she was wrong this time too.
"My loyal senshi, remove these traitors from my sight," Serenity said with a sadistic grin.
Each of Usagi's friends were crying. It was obvious that they did not want to do what they were about to.
"Venus Love and Beauty Shock!"
"Deep Submerge!"
Both attacks were aimed at Sailor Moon. Fighter threw herself in front of her to absorb the brunt of the attacks. 'Was that relief in Uranus' eyes?'
"Mars Flame Sniper!"
This shot took a toll on Fighter. Mars had hit her directly in her left kneecap. Twice now in battle Mars had carefully avoided lethal spots.
"World Shaking!"
The attack knocked Fighter away from Sailor Moon.
"Star Sensitive Inferno!"
"Stear Gentle Uterus!"
"Star Serious Laser!"
"Kinmoku Royal Flush!"
Each attack was carefully aimed at Serenity. However, with a flick of her wrist Serenity once more held her sword. She held it up and allowed it to absorb each attack. A great circle of energy built up in front of her. Her senshi shifted away from the circle and it's path. Using the sword, Serenity began to draw out a five-pointed star and held the sword horizontally towards the center of the star. "Ouch!" Serenity dropped the sword in pain.
Looking up, everyone was relieved to see Tuxedo Kamen standing high on a tree branch nearby. He did not break into his normal rhetoric but instead merely said,"Try it now Sailor Moon!"
Sailor Moon no longer had a weapon to speak of since Galaxia had destroyed hers. Instead she simply allowed he love to use the Silver Crystal to encircle everyone in a great white light.
Serenity picked up her sword and motioned to Mercury.
"Bubble Spray!"
No longer could the Starlights, Tuxedo Kamen, Kakyuu, or Sailor Moon see the others. They did hear the sound of them running away though.
When the bubbles and mist dissipated Fighter saw a single rose stuck into the ground where serenity had been standing. 'That's why she was so upset when I distracted Sailor Tin Nyanko to save her. That was why the rose reminded her of him so much.'
There was not much time to think. In horror the group saw tuxedo Kamen fall from the tree as he gasped in pain. Healer and Maker both were able to make it to him in time to catch him before he hit the ground.
Sailor Moon rushed to Tuxedo Kamen's side. Fighter almost objected out of jealousy, but then she remembered how much trust she had for Odango and allowed herself to let go of this issue. What sailor Moon saw when she reached her former lover's side made her cry out in agony. "We have to get him to a doctor right away! He's been shot!" Tears were rushing out of her at a pace none of them had imagined possible.
"Oh good heavens no!" Kakyuu came rushing toward them.
"We can't take him to a doctor," Healer said sharply.
"They'll know he was the jewel thief and he'll never get into medical school," Fighter said.
Fighter's argument convinced Usagi. Perhaps she could heal him with the crystal and some help from the others, but if Mamo-chan could not live out his dream what would be left for him? "I can't take away his dream to be a doctor. H'es worked so hard and overcome too much to allow him to lose that. Let's get him to the apartment and tend to him there."
The masked man had passed out from the pain.
Across town something was happening deep within Setsuna. She had returned to find Usagi gone and that had her worried sick, but she knew something important had just happened. What it was exactly she could not tell, but she knew it was vital to the Timeline and it's continuation along the right path.
At the Gates of Time Helios came out of his meditation.
"You've been at that for hours. I was beginning to think you didn't like my company anymore," Hotaru said with a smile.
"No, I just saw that a beautiful dream has been saved and it left me happy."
Hotaru smiled back at the white-haired boy. 'He will be perfect for Chibi-Usa-chan one day,' she thought.
(So there you have it. I will start the next chapter right away! I hope you enjoyed this one. The reference to Haruka being justified in her saying Usagi was not teh princess dates back to S when she refused to believe it until Usagi retrieved the reborn Hotaru from Pharoah 90. Again, as promised I have a sequel planned out in my head I just can't leave any gaps. It would drive me nuts! ^_^ Again thank you to all who read, review, and subscribe. You keep me inspired!)