Strong Destiny, Weak Heart
The Battle, Choices and Obligations
Chapter 21
Disclaimer: I wish I could take credit for Sailor Moon! Alas, not my creation, only this story is.
Previously on Strong Destiny, Weak Heart:
"Well then, let's get this over with." Darien said, as he transformed. "I ask you one last time Alum, stand down and stop this crazy charade."
"Ha, is that fear I sense your highness?"
"Perhaps your own." Darien replied. With that, Alum attacked and the battle commenced.
And now the continuation...
Chapter 21
Alum was no fool, not led by rage, but centuries of experience and training. Darien had never had a foe so calmly lethal. The clashing of the swords resounded throughout their battlegrounds. Mina easily heard the sounds of battle as she made her way through the trees and up mountains. She sensed a horrible aura, filled with anger and bitterness. The closer Mina got, the stronger the aura was, until she realized, it wasn't just one aura she was sensing, it was a whole mass of people. She decided it was best not to near the people, but get simply close enough to watch the battle, without being seen.
Darien was not as close to Alum's abilities as he would have liked to be, but he was still holding his own. He was constantly getting cut, slices through his face every time Alum got close. Whenever the swords clashed, his face lost a few drops of blood. Alum would use the clash time to switch the grip on his sword and move with lighting speed to stab what he could before he had to break apart for another charge. Alum's blade was thinner, and just as sharp if not sharper than Darien's, and based off Alum's movements, was much easier to wield. Alum noticed the blood on his blade, but also noticed the lack of blood or scars to Darien's face. Even though this confused him, he carried on his attacks like a trained killer.
Darien went in knowing this was a death match. No matter what he said, he knew Alum no longer wanted to live in the world as it was. He would either live on as the new self proclaimed king of the world, or he would die, finally at peace with the rest of his family. Alum would never accept Darien winning and the old ways to continue, that much Darien knew was guaranteed. No, like it or not, this would be Darien's first kill, if he was lucky. Every time Darien was cut, he felt fear, and he fed off of that fear. Allowed it to consume him, used it as a catalyst to see and sense things he was unable to before. The way Alum's feet were positioned when he landed from an attack, the way Alum would wobble when he would lead with his left foot. The fact that even though Alum was right handed, he would attack with his left. He remembered seeing the old man with a cane the first time he saw him, maybe it wasn't just for show after all.
Mina watched on in shock and horror as Darien was continually barraged with attacks. She felt his fear growing, the strongest emotion she could sense from him at the time. She decided to focus on Alum, for fear of crying out to the weaker man. She sensed anger, bitterness, and...was that love? She pondered the thought for a moment. Yes, it just made sense! If Alum was the King's highest general, then he just as well may have also been the king's friend! Meaning he knew him on a more personal level, which meant he must have known Darien while he was growing up, even cared for him on occasion. Also having a daughter himself, in love with the boy no less, must have meant that they had frequent encounters. Mina pondered how she could use this information for Darien's advantage, however nothing came to mind. The inside track and ideas were her own, for now.
Meanwhile back at Darien's apartment Ami still couldn't find a cause for Reagan's suffering. None of her data pointed to a reason why he would be in such pain. "Serena, isn't there anything you can do? As Sailor Moon I mean?" Ami pondered as a last resort, his vitals were starting to pulse again, great stats one minute, and dipping dangerously low the next.
"I don't know Ami, but I'll try." Serena transformed quickly and summoned her scepter to see if Ami's idea had any grounds. "I can feel his pain." Serena said, as she fell to her knees. "I think the scepter is redirecting his pain to me." She said weakly.
"Serena, transform back!" Rei said, trying to help Serena out of the room.
"No! Look!" Serena pointed at the monitors Ami had set up, it appeared he was getting better, however Reagan's face began to contort as if the pain had really just begun.
"Serena, it has you on your knees! Either use your scepter on him or change back!" Rei shouted again.
"Cosmic Moon Power!" She shouted as she pointed her scepter toward the bed. Her pain subsided for a bit, but then continued full force. She tried again, but this time the pain continued, as if it was feeding off the power. "It's not working!"
"Sailor Moon, change back!" Lita shouted.
"No, it's so painful, he'll die!" Everyone turned to see Reagan suddenly sit up, as if sleep walking, and shout.
"Alice, don't leave me! Not again! I want to be with you!" Then, just as suddenly, he was laying back down in bed.
Serena took a few seconds, before she spoke what she knew. "He doesn't want to be saved. He's trying to be reunited with his lost love. He's given up." She said, as the pain began anew. The scouts were in shock at first, trying to understand what Serena was telling them, but before they could focus on that, they saw her fall to her knees once again.
"Serena!" They shouted in unison as they ran to her side.
"Let him go Serena, transform back!" Lita said through tears as she realized how helpless they all were.
"No! I can't lose him, I won't!" Serena said, resolve in her face. The girls had no idea what to do. Their only option, to wait it out.
Back with Darien...
Alum seemed more determined as the battle dragged on, while Darien seemed to be losing his resolve. Mina knew he could feel Alum's closeness with the Earth, and feared the weakness would be his undoing. Mina saw that Alum felt that he was close to victory, she did what she thought would help Darien, she made herself known.
"Darien!" She screamed. Darien himself in a world of his own, only heard a 'sound' and didn't really pay attention to it, where as Alum seemed to get distracted. He smiled widely toward the direction of the yell.
"Followers, find the woman, and bring me her head." Alum said as he saw his followers disperse, and search for the scout. Darien realized what had happened, but he hadn't paid attention. He knew the 'woman' had shouted his name, but with everything that has happened in his life, it could easily be Rei or Serena.
With no other option, he tried talking to the followers. "Stop! Your prince demands it!"
"Hah! Prince? No, the one left here will be King, and they know it. You think they are going to listen to some snot-nosed kid? Not when they have a leader with centuries of knowledge!" Alum grinned at him as his followers didn't hesitate to follow his orders.
Suddenly, Darien felt an array of emotions at once. Fear, contempt, anger, love, passion, and resolve. He'd never felt anything like it before, such a surge of pure...power. He suddenly felt unbelievably calm, seeing everything as if it was in slow motion. Sensing where everyone was stepping, where every person touched the ground, as well as who each person was. He noticed it was Mina who called his name, and manipulated the Earth to do his bidding, causing Mina's surroundings to elevate into the air, where no one would be able to reach her. Next he created a crater with all the followers as well as the battle with Alum and himself, sank several feet into the earth. "You're done Alum." It all happened so fast, Alum barely had time to react. He looked into Darien's eyes, and saw no recognition of the young boy he remembered. This was a completely different person, the man before him was a leader, a natural born king.
"Not quite." Alum said to Darien. "There's still the matter of who will deliver the finishing blow." He said, still not convinced Darien had it in him to kill a man, even if it were the only option for peace.
"I don't think you quite understand my comment." Darien said, as he raised his palm and a beautiful rosebush emerged, entangling Alum in its thorns while carrying him up several feet. Alum's eyes were full of fear as he realized the situation he was actually in. "I will not allow anyone to threaten my planet. Be them alien or earthling themselves."
"It's nice to know I'll be leaving the Earth in 'capable' hands." And with that the giant rosebush covered Alum completely to peering eyes, while inside the thorns stabbed him thoroughly, assuring he would not be back, a small puddle began to form with the bright red blood of the bush's victim.
After Darien felt certain that Alum's life force was completely gone, he addressed the followers.
"All hail King Darien!" They said as they all began to kneel.
"Arise, and obey." Darien said as he elevated the crater back to its original mountain plane that they were on. "Go back to your homes, enjoy your time there. I will summon you when needed, and you shall all be citizens of a new world. One who's capital will be Crystal Tokyo." The followers nodded and dispersed to follow Darien's orders.
Mina heard and saw everything from her perch on the elevated platform. "Can you bring me down now please Darien?" Darien did as she asked and Mina looked into his eyes as she noticed them to look different, changed, worn. "Darien?"
"I know what you see Mina, and I know why. I can't go back to being who I was anymore. I'm no longer just another person. I have been forced to take my claim as King, and as such, I cannot shield the Earth with just words or empty threats. I must protect the Earth with the best of my ability, that doesn't mean to just let you guys and Serena battle. From now on, you'll all be able to live the lives you choose. I promise it will no longer be your duty to defend the earth any longer."
"But Darien, it's not just because it's our duty, it's because we love this planet too." She said with determination.
"Well then, I'll give you all the option to be generals in my royal guard if you all want to take it." He said with a smile.
Mina smiled back, "C'mon, let's go tell the others the awesome news!" She said as she signaled Darien to follow her and headed where he had parked his car. Mina constantly glanced back at Darien on the way, and noticed his energy being drained. She tried to keep it to herself and hoped they can get back to his apartment where Ami would be able to help shed a light on his situation. "I'll drive." She smiled and gave a wink. He said nothing and tossed her the keys. He felt himself get weaker and weaker, and knew it was because all of his emotions were calming, and he was beginning to feel his body buckle under the enormous stress he had caused it to be under. He tried to look as normal as possible, but by the time they were a few blocks away from his apartment, he began to wince and groan in pain. His scars that were once healed began to reopen, just slightly. Mina helped Darien out of the car and with her shoulder, allowed him to use her as a crutch. It seemed like an eternity to Mina, for the elevator to arrive on his floor. Mina pushed the door open quickly and called for Ami.
"Ami! Ami! Please, come help!" Mina could no longer carry him and he began to slip to the floor. Rei quickly realized what was happening and rushed to help Mina carry the weak man.
"Mina, why are you with Darien? What happened? Is Alum behind you guys? Should we transform?" Rei asked, determined to protect the weakened man.
"No! Just help me get him on the couch!" She did as instructed and Ami ran from the bedroom into the living room.
"He's injured, badly. He's going to need IV's." Ami wasted no time setting up for her second patient. Mina didn't fail to notice Serena and Reagan missing from the scene, and she knew they were both still in the bedroom. She could feel Serena's love for both men on overdrive, and hoped she didn't know she came with Darien. After Ami had Darien set up in a safe enough setting, Mina asked her discretely what was going on with Serena.
"She's turned into Sailor Moon and redirecting his pain into herself. He's clinging on to life, but not by choice. I know Serena won't let him give up, and right now Darien's the one in the most danger. He seems to be deteriorating fast! What happened out there?"
"Ami he used more power than I ever thought possible, and wielded it with ease! He literally moved mountains! Shouldn't he be able to control it?! Why is it affecting him so negatively?!"
"Because he has to calm down slowly. His body needs the time to adapt to power as well as relaxation. If what you say is true, he didn't train for this. Healing minor cuts and bruises is one thing, but to move mountains! It's a power I'm sure he didn't even know he had, let alone adjust to!"
Ami became increasingly concerned, as Rei heard everything and rushed to Serena's side.
"Serena, you have to let Reagan go! Darien needs you right now! He wants to live, Reagan wants to give up!" Rei said, pulling at Serena's arm.
"What? Is Darien back? What's happened to him?" Serena replied weakly, as she turned her head slightly to see Rei's teary face.
"Serena, I don't think Darien's going to make it, you can't save them both, you're going to have to choose one now!"
To Be Continued...
A/N: Thank you to all reviewers! Final chapter coming soon! Please don't hesitate to review!
Special Thanks/Mention: Swtmelody637, TropicalRemix, LoveInTheBattleField, GinnyPotter0183, xx Twilight Princess xx, Lunachan90, JippyJars, Kai2, inufan155687, buttaflykissesxoxo, moonangel, Marauder Megan, Ami-chanMercury98, and Kai2