After the End
Chapter 3: The Sound of Bees in Winter
1992
Tokyo
"Okay, so if this chart is correct, there's at least… four more of us?" Ami indicated the mess of notes she'd been taking, with lines drawn to a crude sketch of the solar system.
Serenity leaned over and shook her head. "No, you've got Earth labeled too- there's no senshi here." Her blonde hair was tied back in a low ponytail with uneven ends.
"What? But why not?"
"Earth was ruled by the Elysians back then… their heir was Prince Endymion. Men can't be senshi, so there's no Earth senshi."
"If he was reborn with the rest of us, I suppose that's true…" Ami looked thoughtful.
"He was reborn." Serenity answered firmly. "I… saw him." She bit her lip. She hadn't seen Mamoru since that first day at school. She'd avoided the arcade and anywhere else she'd thought he might go. She wasn't entirely sure why, but she was a little afraid of him. Even now that she and Ami had become friends, just like before, she wasn't confident in her ability to make things turn out the same way. Especially after she'd cried all over him and then disappeared.
What if he rejected her? She wasn't the same girl he'd fallen in love with. Maybe he wouldn't want her with this extra maturity. Maybe he'd say she was boring, too staid and stolid. He couldn't know her grave attitude was brought on by actual graves.
She hadn't told Ami of how the Silver Millennium ended, much less the tale of her time-travel and body-melding. Partly because it was simply too much to absorb, and partly because she now hoped to avoid that timeline altogether. If she told Ami what had happened, it would lock her flexible mind into a preset path, an expectation of how things would be. It was lucky for Serenity that she had so many years between her timelines. She remembered this era in blurs and bits more than in whole days and hours. She could recall bits of conversation, parts of battles, a few key events, but nothing very linear. She knew, for example, that the buses should start to vanish from Hikawa Jinja any day now, but she did not recall when it began, or if there should be another battle between now and then.
Serenity also knew that her actions would be having repercussions on the current timeline. The enemy could change their plan based upon her own. Why they had followed their original strategy for so long had her a bit confused, and more than a little worried. It didn't fit. She knew they were smarter than this, weren't they?
Ofcourse,theyweredefeatedbyfiveteenagerslasttime. Serenity reminded herself. Maybe the ripples would change things, but nothing seemed different yet, apart from herself. It was unsettling, like snow in summer.
She'd just have to be careful.
000
Ami took a walk with Luna later that day, carrying the small black cat on her shoulder. They weren't going anywhere in particular; Ami just wanted to learn more about her new powers and the associate responsibilities. She kept away from the busier areas of the city, trying to go in a more park-ward direction. She did not, of course, want anyone noticing her conversation with the cat. Ami had noticed in the past few days that people tended to ignore strange things, pretend they hadn't happened, and forget them quickly. In general, the stranger the thing, the less likely it was that anything would be done about it. Or so her findings led her to believe.
"I suppose I'll start at the beginning then?" Luna had a slight accent that Ami couldn't place. It might have been just the effort of speaking Japanese through a cat's mouth. Ami wasn't sure.
"If you would please." Ami said, "I don't remember anything of it. I suppose I might recall more in time… but nothing so far."
"A thousand years ago, there was a magical kingdom on the moon."
"What did they breathe?"
"Well, it was different then- the moon had an atmosphere. There were lakes and forests, gardens and parks and everything- and the one great city. It was all ruled by Princess Serenity's mother, Queen Serenity."
Thatmusthavebeenconfusing.Ami thought, making a mental note to always apply the proper title when talking about either Serenity.
"You were one of the Princess's four guardians, the Princess Mercury."
"Excuse me, but would that mean I was from Mercury then?"
"Yes, from the castle there. All the planets were habitable then, to a greater or lesser degree." Luna headed off Ami's inevitable question. "The other four guardians came from the planets Mars, Venus, and Jupiter, as your chart delineated. "
"What about the other planets?" Ami asked, wondering why she hadn't thought of that before.
"They all had guardian senshi as well, but those were tasked with guarding the Solar System and the Silver Millennium, not the Princess. Now, to continue; the Queen was a wise and just ruler, and the Solar System was at peace. It was then that the trouble began."
Ami listened in fascinated wonder as Luna recounted all she could recall of the ancient civilization's collapse and the romance between the Earth and the Moon.
"It was rather fitting, I suppose, that the rest of you found love on Earth as well, though it didn't end well."
"What do you mean?"
"The Shitennou, Endymion's four guardians. The four of you meant to announce your betrothals the day that Serenity and Endymion announced theirs, but you never had the chance. Beryl, princess of Earth, turned them against us with dark magic. Her ally, Metallia, granted her greater power than any of us were prepared to face. "
"She could twist their minds so much that they would strike against the ones they loved?" Ami was shocked. How could they stand against such powers?
"They still are." Luna answered gravely. "The Shitennou still serve Beryl; Jadeite is one of them."
000
This can't be happening… it just can't.
I can't…
000
"-and after that, there was nothing left to do. Serenity sent my compatriot and I to Earth, to await the rebirth of the Princess and her Court."
They were walking past a serene-looking shrine. Ami looked over at it absently, listening to Luna explain the tragic end of the Silver Millennium. The swooping lines of the traditional architecture looked very solid to her. Had she really done all of these things in her past? Loved, fought, …died? It seemed so very unreal, and yet she had to believe it. There was a talking cat telling her all of this, and all of the other impossible things that had happened lent support to the idea that something even more impossible could have begun it.
It was more than just logic that led Ami to trust Luna's words. She'd had the oddest sense of déjà vu while the little cat was talking. Almost as if she'd heard the story before. Or lived it. It wasn't just that the events felt familiar. Several times, Ami found herself predicting what would happen next in the tale, and then being proven right.
There were also the ..other thoughts.. that had sprung up, unbidden, whenever mention was made of the Shitennou,Zoicite. Thoughts that had no basis in Luna's story. Thoughts that had no business in Ami's innocent mind. She'd never seen Zoicite. Oh, but she could picture him… Impulsive, quick-witted, and more than a touch licentious- the perfect mirror for the proper Princess Mercury. She shuddered suddenly, and not in fear.
"I think I need to sit down." Ami said softly.
"Of course, Ami-san."
Ami wandered quietly onto the temple grounds. Without really thinking about it, she walked up the steps towards the temple bell.
"Get out of here!"
Ami looked up in startled bewilderment. A tall young miko was glowering at her, hands on hips, and violet eyes flashing.
"I'm sorry!" Ami gabbled, backing up. "I didn't mean to- ah!" She backed a little too far and lost her footing, starting to fall backwards. Visions of her bones all broken flashed through her mind in a split second. Then a strong, slender hand grasped her wrist, hauling her forwards. Ami stumbled three steps as the miko pulled with all her weight and then collapsed. She glared up at Ami from the concrete ground. Luna mrowled her concern.
"Be more careful!" The miko growled. "What are you doing up here with your head in the clouds?"
"I'm sorry!" Ami helped the miko to her feet. "I just… I got some unsettling news. I was still absorbed in what I just learned. I'm sorry."
"I thought… well, I was wrong. I'm sorry too." The miko straightened her red hakama and smiled crookedly. "I'm Hino Rei, by the way. It's very nice to meet you."
"I'm Mizuno Ami. It's nice to meet you as well." Ami looked around. "It's a lovely shrine, Hino-san."
"It was a lovely shrine anyway." Rei said disconsolately. "We may have to shut down, what with the disappearances and all." She picked up a broom and began sweeping as she explained. "The past few days, we've been noticing that people who come here just vanish. It's been subtle, so it may have been happening for a while, but it's always the same story. They come here first, and then they get on the bus… and they never get back off."
"It sounds like an urban legend." Ami said, thinking. "How did you find out about it?"
"Well after this had happened a few times, Missing Persons or somebody put it together and decided we were behind it." Rei growled, sweeping particularly viciously. "They were here yesterday, investigating- They asked everyone here. Me, Grandpa, and even Jedou." She sighed. "The only people here who haven't been interrogated are the Shrine Crows."
"So when you saw me…"
"I thought we were getting tourists or something. I know we will eventually… the story is just too weird for the curious to pass up."
"Indeed." Ami frowned. "Maybe Sailormoon will solve the mystery?" She smiled, and glanced significantly at Luna, who had taken up a napping position on the wall. The cat didn't react in the slightest.
"As long as someone solves it…"
"Hino-san!" A male voice called from inside. The door opened and a tall blonde man walked out. "Grandpa needs more O-mamori for this- " He stopped, staring at Ami. She was staring right back.
Jadeite.
000
…maybeIcan…
Yes… this will do just fine… I can get away-
Who's there?
You? No!
000
Luna darted behind Rei's voluminous hakama, trying to conceal herself. Jadeite would certainly recognize her as well as Ami, and she wanted to buy the petite senshi as much time as possible. Whatever the effect of the thousand-year sleep on Jadeite, Luna doubted it would be detrimental to the despicably cunning general's tactical abilities or magical strength. Thatwouldbefartooconvenient.
Ami, meanwhile, was backing away slowly, eyes on Jadeite like a cornered cat watching a wild dog. One hand was in her skirt pocket.
"Jedou? Mizuno-san?" Rei looked between them, confused. "What's going on?"
"That girl is a thief!" Jadeite snapped, pointing in accusation.
"Liar!" Ami gasped, shocked. "He's not even human!" She caught her foot on the step again, and half-stumbled, catching herself. "He's behind the att-"
Jadeite moved a hand in the instant Ami stumbled, and a bolt of white energy struck her, knocking her backwards. She fell down the hard stone steps and lay in a heap at the bottom, unmoving.
The bus pulled up to the stop.
"You evil bastard!" Rei snarled, and tackled Jadeite. He threw her over one arm, knocking her down the stairs. Luna rushed after her.
"I'll deal with you in time…" Jadeite growled. "Kigaan!" The bus door opened, and a woman with a strangely evil face emerged. The bus itself was empty.
"Master?"
"Take them to the 'bus stop'. I'll be by presently."Jadeite walked off. Kigaan nodded, and bending, struck Rei sharply on the temple as she started to rise. Rei slumped, unconscious. Kigaan, displaying unusual strength, lifted both girls and dumped them on the floor of the bus. Luna only just managed to leap inside before the door closed. Kigaan reached for the auto-pilot control, and having set it, stepped out of the bus. The door slid shut again. She tapped the bus's side twice, and it started, then drove into a wavering black portal. Kigaan then struck both hands sharply together, and a second bus, identical to the first, appeared in the same place. She climbed inside.
The entire incident had taken only a few minutes. No one seemed to have noticed a thing. Soon, people began to board the bus.
000
Serenity made a quick addition to her timeline. She sat back and surveyed the result with pride. It was written over four pages of her English notebook, in English, hopefully disguising it enough that no one would find it; or at least that they wouldn't realize what they had found.
The completed timeline showed the event of the next few months and the past several weeks as they had previously happened, written out and organized to the best guesses Serenity could make from her distant recollections.
Written alongside in ink were the events of the new timeline, as far as Serenity knew they had already happened. According to her predictions based on the old timeline, the next event should be the vanishing buses at Hikawa Jinja. Should be.
Serenity reminded herself once more that prior events did not predict future events- just because it seemed a thing should happen the same way it always had, didn't mean that it would. She recalled an incident with Chibi-Usa, when her daughter discovered climbing, the kitchen cupboards, and the joys of painting with food, all in the same afternoon. Her nurse hadn't expected Chibi-Usa to get into any trouble in the kitchen, since the lower cabinets were all locked- she hadn't taken into account the things that Chibi-Usa could do and simply hadn't yet tried.
On another page, Serenity began a list of the Dark Kingdom's known skills and tactics.
Energy;draining&collecting
Collection of nijizuishou
Targeting of lonely individuals
Mind control/brainwashing
She paused on the last item, remembering the pain and fear of having her Mamoru turn against her- nearly kill her. That couldn't happen again. She had to-
She had to what?
Ihavetotalktohim.
Serenity folded up her notes and shoved them under her bed, tossing a pair of slippers on top of them. She noted absently that the room was a bit untidy. Maybe she should clean it. After she saved the world, perhaps?
She left.
000
Heh heheh heheh…
They're not going to see this one coming.
000
The doorplate read 'Chiba Mamoru'. Serenity stood before it, hand raised to knock, frozen. She couldn't do it. She didn't have the words. What could she say to him that wouldn't sound insane? What, that he'd believe?
"Hi,I'myourwife.I'mfromafuturewhereeveryoneisdead.Wannahangout?"
No.
Better to leave it for another day, perhaps. Anything would be better than-
Driving him away?
Getting him involved?
He'd be involved anyway, in time. She was afraid of going wrong. There wouldn't be another redo after this. She couldn't just keep grabbing the key and re-ordering time every time she stubbed a toe.
The door swung inward, and a startled Mamoru nearly collided with Serenity.
"Woah now!"
"I'm sorry! " Serenity gabbled, backing away.
"No, it's my fault, barging out like that- are you okay?"
"Fine, please don't worry about it." The words were running away with her.
"Wait a second- don't I know you?"
Yes,I'mthecrazygirlwhocriedalloveryou.
"I don't think-"
"You're the mystery girl!" Mamoru exclaimed, "I was worried about you, dango-head." He paused. "I guess it's not dango-head now. You get hungry?" He gestured to her new haircut, the uneven blonde locks.
"In a way." Serenity blushed. This had been a bad idea.
"So why are you here?"
"I- "
Light.
Red.
Searing.
Mamoru screamed.
He fell to the ground.
Vanished.
Gone.
000
The bus was floating in blackness. Outside the windows, Ami could see only a featureless grey plain. It seemed to stretch on forever. She shivered. No sun, no sky, no birds. Just empty, grey night. She sincerely hoped that no one actually lived here, although she was beginning to suspect that this might actually be the Dark Kingdom Luna had spoken of.
"Wow, someone really specialized in gloomy décor." Rei said from behind her. Ami
turned to find the miko staring calmly out of the bus window. Her pale brow furrowed over her odd violet eyes. "Where are we?" Rei asked, and Ami could detect an edge of steel to her calm.
Ami just shook her head. "I wish I knew," she replied, "but I really have no good ideas." IwishUsagiwerehere. Wishing would, of course, do no good.
The bus slowly ground to a halt next to a line of identical buses. The other passengers had all collapsed, from fear or shock, or maybe energy drain. Ami wasn't sure. Rei seemed unaffected, but a miko would have better spiritual defenses than ordinary people, or so Ami theorized.
"I'm getting off this nightmare bus." Rei growled, heading for the door.
"Wait!" Ami didn't dare raise her voice too much, but Rei stopped. "Whatever's out there, I think we need to go together" Ami explained, and she pulled out her henshin wand. "I hope I can trust you to keep this a secret." She added quietly, and then transformed.
Rei quirked an eyebrow. "You're one of them? The new superheroes?" Ami just nodded. Rei grinned. "So, who designed the costumes? Your creepy uncle?"
"Oh, never mind that, let's go." Ami blushed.
000
Serenity stared into the door in disbelief, and the beginnings of despair. Mamoru was gone. This could mean only one thing. The bus had gone through the portal. She turned and started running. The portal must be closed by now, but maybe-
There, Hikawa Jinja. There- the bus, vanishing. There was no way she could get through until another bus vanished- and by then, the others were sure to be dead, or worse. Rei didn't have her henshin wand, and if things proceeded as Serenity recalled they did, Jadeite would be waiting on the other side of the closed portal.
Where it led precisely was something Serenity had never quite worked out. It could be a pocket dimension, a small quantum burp in the fabric of reality, or perhaps a portion of the Dark Kingdom base at the North Pole. Or it could just be a particularly gloomy cave. She didn't know. The important thing was that she had no way of getting there. They would have to fight without her.
Her friends were on their own, at least for now.