YESSSS! I am enrolled in another course. Time flies, huh? I finished BS Information Technology, and now, I'm taking BS Accounting Technology. Goodness, times fly just too fast...

Anyway, I'm gonna do things differently in updating. Recently, I've been required to submit sub-story updates for an author to match up with his story. I'm gonna finish that and it'll take a while before I finish up on updates for my stories. Still... Writing and updating works well for me and I'm not stopping. Ohohoho, no sir-ee!

Now I'm done. Chapter6! Here it is...

Charlie – I'm getting closer to my objective. It will be soon. Scotland will be free...

1892... Universe Ambrogio, Universe 12 of 20... England...

Eli that time was feeling as if she could go solo for a while. Aware that she said Rin and Nozomi were not needed, she was feeling worried as well that she might have said something mean to them. She brushes it off as she eventually approaches Isleworth town's library. It was in a separate building having strong vertical foundations that support the roof, meaning the library building's body has a separate foundation from underneath the ground. The engineering of some buildings here in the town are noticeably different and the library is one of those buildings.

She climbed up the stairs leading to the entrance before she finally entered through the front door. That morning, there were only a few reading in the library. Most of them are teens, but one or two adults are seen in there as well. Eli then told the librarian she'll be fine on her own when she browses the books by herself, following the rule she needs not to be noisy.

The books were interesting as she browsed the history of the world through the books she read and she found interesting things. The way the English had been utilizing in armoured carts was an interest to her, so she began researching a bit on their engineering of standard carts. The armoured carts seemed to only be available to nobility who want to be protected. Standard wooden carts are more common, but armoured carts seem to be special. The royal government's protective cart made for officials seems impervious to damage since it uses advanced raw material, and they're pretty much rare in England at this point. The royal government took the raw material as an advantage and used it to build the royal government's 'armoured arsenal cart,' another name for the strongest armoured cart in the world at this time and in England alone.

"Interested in armoured carts, are we?" A low-key young woman said this while she was reading another book. She had short brown hair, wears glasses and looks to be in her thirties or so as she looked at Eli with the abundance of books she had beside her. "Darling, if you're going to research about the carts made, you should ask the makers of it. Some of them live in Isleworth. This town after all is near the bridge project to Scotland."

"Oh, I'm sorry. I didn't know you were into them as well."

"...only for the liking, dear. I don't know the makers too well, but if you're interesting, I'll write up one of them for you." The woman eventually took a piece of paper from nearby and used a feather quill pen before dipping it in ink. She then wrote on the paper that quick and delicate at the same time. This took Eli off-guard. Even SHE didn't know how to balance delicacy with quickness in using the feather quill pen. Eventually, the woman finishes it and hands over the paper with the ink already dry. "You should know that he takes his work quite seriously. If you have any questions about the armoured cart, ask him."

Eli gladly took the piece of paper and looked at the content. "Hm... Roy Graves. He's the general engineering chief, you say. And he's just close by. Would you mind if...?" But before she finished the question to look at the woman, she wasn't there anymore. She winced and looked around and it didn't make any sense. The woman was gone like she disappeared in thin air. 'Where is she...?'

Meanwhile back in Cosmos Sailors' HQ...

Maki was wondering of what Melusine was doing. That time, Melusine was seated on the floor with her eyes closed, like she was meditating. 'But what for? Does she need to get in touch with the universe or something?'

"Maki-chan." Koizumi called before she approached Maki, just before she looked at the meditating Melusine in front of them. "Ah... Melusine-sama thought she could focus and try attain inner-peace."

"I thought that the was the case. The mission is definitely something for us to take note of, huh? And she might need to give it her all."

"Not necessarily," Melusine replied as she slowly opened her eyes and looked at Maki. "I only need just enough to perform well in the day or in whatever situation calls to my intervention. You're welcome to join me. You'll see different things if you focus with me. Trust me... Patience is counted and it'll be quite fun." And as Melusine said it, Umi suddenly approached from behind and took a seat on the floor beside Melusine. "Ms. Sonoda, it's a good thing you're here. Care to join?"

"Of course," said Umi. "I'd love to. The pressure at this moment is making me feel off, and I wish to relax for a bit."

"You come to the right place, Ms. Sonoda. Have patience and good things will come to you when you do this with me. Now... Take a deep breath and close your eyes as a start. I'll follow suit. Okay?"

"Thank you." Umi then took to Melusine's sitting position, with one leg crossing over the other before she attains her balance and finally closing her eyes as she took a deep breath, and breathed slowly.

Maki seemed interested of this and decides. "I'm joining. Koizumi if you want, you can come with me too."

"Ah. Thanks, but I have things to do. I want to do this someday, though." Koizumi then walks away from the three with a smile as she waved Maki goodbye.

Maki eventually sits down beside Melusine before taking a deep breath, closing her eyes, and breathing out slowly. 'I wonder what I'll attain from this, though...?'

And it felt like time passed as her eyes were closed, that everything around her disappeared into nothingness.

Maki – It felt like I was floating in a dark void which had nothing. But then, I felt a little light in front of me. I didn't open my eyes yet. But as the light finally grew bright, I opened them little by little, until I was in a medium-sized bedroom. There was a piano there. It was daytime, it seems. The bed is extravagant. Then someone was playing on the piano, while someone was lying on the bed.

She then remembered what this was to her. "This is... a memory." She winced at this and approached the bed, seeing the one who was lying down. The person was actually herself, in her sixties, with her eyes closed. The hair was scattered on the bed, coloured brownish-red and with some white hair.

This is me... Listening very well to the song. I remember. This was one of my final days before I died. My daughter... She was playing me one of the songs I composed... It was actually based on those who wanted to fulfil their dreams. It had a mix of making one want to be an idol, and making one successful. I put it to blend in an instrumental and my daughter learned of it.

Then I saw my old self smile, knowing the song I composed is played perfectly by someone else. I didn't let her listen to this, since it was a secret I've been keeping. See... I've always wanted to do things alone, but she was always at my side, giving me the message that I shouldn't be solo all the time. After she gave me that advice, she lived with me from now on. She's only 34 right now, and she's grown-up.

Maki's surroundings slowly turned bright white until her surroundings changed when it dimmed again. She was at a cemetery at a high sunny noon. Then she saw her daughter, standing in front of a grave.

I already know whose grave that belongs to. Cancer was never friendly to me at all and I lost against it. It's sad I left her there, but I didn't mean to. But, I already knew my end was coming anyway.

And now... I'm looking at Yukio Nishikino, crying in front of my grave. She deserves better...

Eventually, Maki got behind her daughter and called: "Yukio..."

And Yukio turned around, still in tears and eventually was surprised. Her own mother, young and somehow appearing solidly whole while wearing a white dress, was in front of her. "Oka-san...?!" And she immediately moved forward to try and hug Maki. She wasn't able to do it, since Maki isn't physically there, letting her pass her own mother's spirit. "What...? You're..."

"Yukio... I'm sorry, but..."

Now I remember. I always felt there was a moment I missed before I got reunited with the other members of μ's. THIS was the moment. The only reason why I'm remembering it now, is because I was wishing for it.

Maki then frowned as she continued. "The first thing I thought before I got to you... is if I was worthy to see you. I'm sorry, Yukio. But..." Maki slowly smiled, still seeing Yukio crying in sadness, just before Maki holds her hand up to Yukio's cheeks, enough that the surface of her hand touches her skin. "You shouldn't cry. I'm actually proud of you. You grew up to be stronger than how I was before."

"Hm?"

"College was tough, as well as work. Raising a child so early seemed to make it much worse, but you were able to manage your life like it's a pinch. I'm glad for that. I'm glad you didn't follow me and went to do better."

"But... I always respected you. I loved you for who you are, Oka-san."

"I know that. Perhaps this is how fate treats me. Though, it was my time to begin with."

"You're about to leave me."

"No. Not yet." Maki then saw fit to glare at Yukio's eyes. "Yukio... be strong. You're my daughter and you'll always be. There will be a very crucial time you WILL need me, but for one last time. Perhaps I've seen a lot of improvement from you, but there's one thing I need to see you succeed in before I really see you independent. Promise me, that you will wait for me until that time. The trace of my life, depends on you accomplishing what you still need to do. Can you do that?"

Yukio is given the opportunity to do something for her mother. Though, it would take a certain amount of time until it happens. This made Yukio curious. "What is it so important do you want me to do?"

"...something that could solidify my presence and yours. Something in the future will happen and our names will be remembered." Maki said this with no doubt in front of her daughter.

I'm greatly anticipating something that would happen in the years later on. I never told any of my other teammates yet. This is something I need to deal with myself, but will need Yukio's help for it.

"Then I'll wait for you," said Yukio now wiping her tears away. "But where will you be until that time comes?"

"I'll be at a place to probably get stronger, Yukio. Something for you to experience is what I'll experience first. Do you understand?"

"Yes... Oka-san. But... How long?"

"Just have patience, my dear. I know I'm not the mother who you thought should be..."

"Stop it. Oka-san, I forgave you a long time ago, for everything. There's no need for this. Whatever you want me to do, I'll wait for it. If that's that case, then fulfil your promise that you indeed come back."

"I will. Thank you for believing in me." Maki's body then started to fade before she levitated and hovered backwards while holding her arm out. "Promise me... Yukio. Wait for me...!" Maki then lets a tear drop from her eye before her body fully disappears from Yukio's eyes.

Now I remember. I meant to really meet Yukio after my death. This is just after seeing my most cherished moment... hearing my daughter play my own piano piece for me. It allowed me to meet her, and give her instructions for my return, and what we should do.

It's a promise I'll always remember... Yukio...

Maki suddenly opened her eyes and gasped deeply for breath. She found herself still seated on the floor and surprised that she just returned from something she couldn't explain. Not only that... but the rest of the Cosmos Sailors not counting Nozomi, Rin and Eli, and included Melusine, were all shocked to finally see Maki awake. "Wait... what happened...? Melusine..."

"Ms. Nishikino..." Melusine then bent beside Maki. "You were in meditation for 2 hours straight."

"Wait, what...?!"

"It's true," Nico said. "We were trying to wake you up but it felt like you were sleeping too heavily."

"So it happened..." Maki said this to herself before revealing: "It felt like minutes. But... Melusine, what else did you experience from me?"

"Nothing at the most is what I've seen, but this is common. The rest of you should know you're not human anymore. You're all half Cosmic-Fairies. I'm a full one, but you guys are still partly human. What she experienced was her glimpse of the past. Believe it or not... She interacted with her daughter."

The rest gasped in shock.

"No way...!" Nico said.

"She's done that...?! How?!" Honoka asked this in high curiosity and concern.

"It's rather simple," Melusine replied. "She first experienced the most cherished memory she had while she was still living. And based on her brain activity, it tells of a moment when she hears a song she first composed. And Yukio, her daughter, as I believe was playing the same song. It was the most cherished moment Maki experienced, since she composed that when her life was thriving with wonders. Raising a child wasn't easy."

"Ehehehe..." Maki chuckles before finding the strength to eventually stand on her feet. "I guess I forgot that part since after my death came the moment I really give my daughter instructions. Was it really meant to be that way?"

"Ms. Nishikino, the only reason your state of species allowed you to do so, is because you wanted to leave something more than a memory for Yukio. But what is it, exactly?"

"I want you to wait for it, Melusine. It's something important. But I'm not ready to tell it to you now."

"Alright. But you gotta tell us all at a certain time, right?"

"Just wait for that." Maki smiles and turns her head to the others. "I gained something from the experience I had. I would like to show all of you. Retrieving your most precious memory is one way of receiving your power. Like so..." Maki then raises her arm as she closes her eyes. Her hand is wide open as she felt her surroundings disappeared and the wide universe is shown to her own eyes.

Thus she recited: "By the power of the great cosmos, I SUMMON THEE!" Maki then felt a surge of power starting from the tip of her fingers of her open hand as it travelled down quickly to her feet. A red and orange flare surrounded her body. As her hand remained open, it glowed from dim to a bright level before a white flare started forming the hilt of some sort of sword. Then, the sword's figure was made into the final shape of a rapier. Her hand closes and she held the hilt before the rapier materializes into reality. She held it before the hilt then shown bright red stars while the sharpness of the rapier was noticed as it shown on her. "Cosmic Rapier!" She made a duel rapier stance before she swung downwards, then horizontally just before she got to her ready stance. Her surroundings eventually changed as she was showing this to the rest. She felt like it was more than an instinct to her and was confident at it. "That was it." And the rest were in awe...

"No way..." Melusine couldn't believe she saw Maki's extension herself. "If you can make the extension from your own consciousness, then you obviously have your power with you now."

"Exactly." Maki smirked as she felt something come out from her back. She wasn't afraid and she spreads her fairy wings. Then she looks at her own wings closely. "Wow... So these are my fairy wings... I didn't feel I was ready to show all of this unless I knew my power, which I have an idea of. Nico... stand in front of me."

"Why me?" Nico herself stood in front of Maki before the redhead suddenly walked to her, then surprisingly through and past her from behind. Nico felt some chill from inside her before turning around in shock. "What in the hell was that?! Did you just walk THROUGH me?!"

"How else would you describe that?"

"You turned into a ghost!"

"Hehe... Silly. The power I showed to you is what I would call Intangibility."

"Meaning," Melusine starts to explain. "...that she can go through almost anything. Her intangibility should be tested further. But for now, we know she can phase through normal living beings."

Kotori was looking intently when she suddenly sees Maki sink down using her intangibility. Then she suddenly felt hands hold her shoes. She's shocked of it just before her shoes phased through the flooring before she stopped. Kotori was shocked as she was stuck, then saw Maki in front of her as she ascended back standing on the floor. "Nishikino-san!"

"Well... I can phase through anything. This proves I could also get one to phase through anything as long as they're touching me." Maki explains as she grabs Kotori's hand as she pulls her up, letting her phase out from the floor before letting go. "Sorry about that."

"It's okay," Kotori said in relief. "Don't do that again."

"I doubt it might be the last time, Kotori. Melusine... How's Eli doing?"

"Ms. Ayase?" Melusine asked, but answered Maki's question. "She's still investigating what seems to be further details into the armoured cart's origin. She might get useful information and could be a bit of a related case she needs to look at."

"I'll come down there whenever the time's right."

"Why not now? You can always join her so you can give her a helping hand."

"Then I need you to help me on something, Melusine." Maki winked afterwards and started walking to the fighting arena.

"Ah. Alright then." Melusine then walked beside Maki as they both walked to the fighting arena hoping to see what Maki is made of...

Meanwhile back in Isleworth Town...

"Hm..." Eli was looking at an open book she held and was intrigued by its contents. 'The raw materials came from a meteorite crash. They were first fluid in movement but they solidified when the raw material embedded itself onto Earth's surface. Since then, it had been mined and England was on top of the armoured cart industry. Others don't know about this yet and Japan and America have yet to see this.'

"I see you're enjoying yourself." A familiar woman's voice was heard across the room Eli was in and she was surprised that the woman she saw at the library was the one who knows the book too well.

"Um..." Eli couldn't say anything since she couldn't believe the same person was the one who owned the book. "You're the author of the book?"

"Who do you think knows more about armoured carts in the country? I'm sorry if I confused back there at the library."

"For a woman, you're certainly gaining so much profit here. I mean... You've gotten a lot of books in store while you're the one in charge of the design of a standard armoured cart. But did you also design that of the royal government's armoured cart?"

"Yes. I'm also the one who put up for their design. Actually, the term is 'armoured carriage.' Though, many Englishmen call it 'armoured carts' for short," the woman explains while adjusting her glasses.

"You're Sarah Bardsley, England's current armoured cart designer and production manager. I'm honoured."

"And... I'm honoured to meet you..." Sarah smirks at Eli. "...Ms. Eli Ayase."

- Case One: Tracking the Culprit (part 3) –

TO BE CONTINUED...