Chapter 16: Mercury Rising
The jungle surrounding her was alive with hundreds of nocturnal animals. All calling into the darkness in agitation and fear. She had been fighting for her life, for most of the night. Unable to gain any advantage against this formidable Genesis Soldier. Who seemed able to maneuver with as much speed and agility as she could. While she had to use her elemental powers to fly threw the air, her channel of water becoming thinner and less forceful the further she travelled away from its source. Her enemy never seemed to lose strength, this other woman seemed to levitate without any sort of aid. Ducking through the trees and keeping pace with her. All the while throwing balls of electricity, at her relentlessly
The ferocity of their battle was causing chaos and massive panic amongst the local wildlife. While Amy attempted not to disrupt the landscape, by aiming her water attacks only at her pursuer. Her enemy was far less interested in conserving the Mountains natural habitat. Her energy bolts vaporized trees in great swathes of dark light and gouged through the mountain side with out remorse. Leaving a path of death and destruction in her wake.
Now the air was heavy and so concentrated with dark vapour that it swam in Amy's eyes. Breathing was damn near impossible, yet she fought for air none the less. The heat was oppressive and it weighed down upon her like concrete. Her stubborn will to never give in when confronted with adversity, had emboldened her resolve to win. The whole world was counting on her to protect them, her princess was fighting upon the summit and needed her. She had to deal with this foe quickly and get to her side.
At first she had been focused on capturing the rogue Genesis soldier that had attacked her. Finding quickly enough that they were evenly matched. As the battle raged on and she became more desperate to end it. Her assaults became more driven towards killing her. So consumed with the need to finish this fight. She had charged head long into her trap.
Amy could hear the high pitched tittering laughter of her adversary. Obscured by the suffocating darkness and the thousands of obstacles of looming trees, rushing towards her. Mercury hovered cautiously upon a spout of water, that she was using to fly threw the jungle. Using the water in the very air to keep her airborne and propel herself at high speeds over the canopy. Marvelling at how incredible her powers had grown in only a few weeks. Her abilities to control her element was seamless now. Making her an agile and formidable opponent.
Darting her gaze anxiously around the jungle before her, desperately seeking out her target. Her eyes always darting back nervously to the summit, as another volley of silver light illuminated the darkness.
"I never dreamed that in less then a years time. I would find myself embroiled in a war, like this." Her enemies voice echoed out from the trees, bitter and sardonic. "I never saw myself as a warrior, hell. I have never even been in a fight before." Her laughter was loud and manic. "I was an honour student in my last year of High school for gods sake. I had been working on gaining scholarships for Top Universities. I wanted to be a computer science major...get a job at Nasa or something. " Her voice sounded sad. She went silent for a long time then she screamed out in rage. "But Yui Bido is dead...only Viluy remains now!" The sudden explosion of harsh sound sending the nearby birds into flight. They called back at the assaulting noise in both fear and irritation.
"I shall capture your soul for my Master! The soul of a Solar Guardian would have immense energy. Then your empty body would be a perfect hoste for our darkness..." Her voice exploded from the right.
Amy turned just in time to avoid her electrical charge. The bolt of void energy she cast from her twin gauntlets around her wrists, narrowly missed her head. Forcing her to dive towards the trees, she moved so abruptly the beam ended up sheering off the split ends of her hair. She had no way to defend herself this time. As the malicious undercurrent of power that lay hidden in the energy charge dissolved into the water stream beneath her feet. The nano virus hit the water and dispersed upon contact. Using the natural current to spread threw the water infecting Amy on an elemental level. The Guardian of Water screamed in agony as what felt like millions of tiny predators began to devour her on a molecular level. Her connection to the water was severed, as unbearable pain burned through her entire body. The water fell away, drenching the trees below for miles. As she was left screaming and careening out of control towards the ground.
Amy's mind as reeling, Viluy had been spouting all night about her Master and their plans to dominate the earth. But never had she mentioned the Queen? Was this Master...Queen Selene or was someone far more sinister pulling even the mighty Queens strings...this plot of infiltration and corruption went far deeper then she had ever imagined.
The four men and two marines had left Irene on an upper ridge and moved stealthily through the jungle. While the lone
woman had began her assent toward the summit, with the ancient sword in hand. They moved down the mountain, closing in on the nearest elemental battle. A lanky, keen eyed sniper from Alabama. Ryker Maxwell. Who wasn't Genesis Born, just one of many mortal's who had joined the ranks of the rebellion.
His reasons were his own and the four men did not press. He looked barely twenty five, with shaggy blonde hair held down by a black, nylon skull cap. His blue eyes were as hard and cold as steel. Dressed in all black flack, he resembled one of Beryl's murder squad then a marine. His outfit was rather unsettling for them and Hollywood kept giving him odd, distrustful looks. Ryker took position upon the edge of a rocky cliff, training his rifle on the distant trees in the gulley below. Were random shards of ice exploded amid the treeline, slicing through the ancient trunks and ricocheting into the darkness of the jungle.
Adjusting his scope he zeroed in on the enemy. A young woman who stood pompously over the writhing body of the Water Guardian. If he had seen her under different circumstances he might have never figured her for a trained killer. She had a sweet face with wide crystal blue eyes. Straight, shoulder length, pale blonde hair and long bangs. That brushed low over her eyebrows, giving her mild mannered beauty a very alluring undertone. She resembled a wholesome girl from Alabama. The girl next door, the friend of your little sister...not some she-demon bent on world domination. Dressed in black leggings and a frilly, pale blue mock dress that hung off one shoulder. The loose hem fluttering in the hot breeze. She had no weapons to speak of, just two heavy silver gauntlets adorning her slender wrists. Strange etchings glowing with dark energy along their metal surface.
Maxwell took a long, deep breath as sudden movement caught his eye to the right and left of his main target. He held up two finger's and then pointed them towards the last volley of ice. Signalling that he was going to survey the surrounding area through his scope.
An older man, dressed in green fatigues. With a grim, weather worn face and black hair shaved close to the scalp crept up beside Maxwell. His name was Coletrane, that was all he offered as an introduction.
He adjusted his semi-automatic rifle as he crawled up beside Maxwell.
"We got two other targets moving in on the Water Guardian's position. One from the west and the other from the east." Maxwell reported.
"Fuck!" Zac cursed, striding towards the edge of the ridge intending to scramble down into the trees and reach Amy first. But they were a good half mile away, so he quickly leaped over the cliff and began to slide out of control down the mountain side. Barely keeping his footing, he scrambled down the loose sandstone, disappearing into the wilderness below.
"God dammit!" Jed exclaimed, racing after his half cocked brother. Making a crazed dash over the side of the ridge and sliding into the trees as well. Unslinging his own automatic rifle from his back as he went.
"Oh, very professional." Coletrane groused, "Can you take out the two targets before those two idiots completely break our cover?"
"I got this sir, continue on." Maxwell, licked his lips and adjusted his grip on his rifle. Training his sights on the closest threat.
Cole nodded and rose back up to his feet, he held up a fist signalling for Hollywood and Kane to follow him. He led them north towards the arching lightening now setting the sky a light.
Hollywood and Kane cast the jungle behind them a worried last glance before jogging off after Coltrane. The girls had been split up all over this ridge, if they wanted to save them, they had to split up as well.
Maxwell watched as the two brothers crashed threw the trees. Moving headlong at a reckless pace towards the woman hovering mockingly over the downed Guardian. Maxwell's expression was one of intense concentration as he found his Onii targets now converging upon the two men. Squeezing the trigger once as the men disappeared into the heavy gloom that lurked beyond the fringe of vegetation, deep in the gulley below. Then he shifted his body just slightly taking another shot with his next breath. He knew with out a doubt that both shots hit there marks. As the dull thump of two large bodies rang out over the stillness of the night.
He had tracked the Guardian's out of control decent, when the sudden burst of dark energy from the jungled canopy had clipped her. She had fallen deep in the jungle beyond the ridge, screaming in agony. The land had then become deathly still after that. It took every once of his training to continue to lay low and allow those two civilian men to handle things in the obscurity of the trees. Irene had explicitly told him and Cole to stay at a safe distance, that these men could handle the Queen's soldier's far better then mortals. He had learned years earlier not to question her. She was far wiser and
more strategically cunning then he could ever be. If these men were her ace in the hole then he would just sit back and let things take their course.
He repositioned himself on the ridge so he would have Jed and Zac's path into the trees within his rifles sights. He lay on his belly, rifle up on it's supports and steady. He needed to keep track of them and what happened next. Sergeant Tanner wanted a full report. Both men were fearless, as they moved to protect the Guardian of Water. Headless of the danger they were putting themselves in or perhaps resolute to their eventual deaths in confronting a Queens General. They surrounded the young woman, rifles drawn.
Five seconds later a thunderous explosion shook the ground to the north. Multiple fireballs scotched the jungle canopy from a few miles away. Then a brilliant beam of light illuminated the jungle to the west, creating an eerie dawn that bathed the sky for a few moments. The other Guardian's were still fighting valiantly all around them. The intensity of their power and the real danger of being killed instantly sent a sharp bolt of fear through him. Maxwell cleared his throat, he had been a part of military actions all over the world. But nothing could compare to the raw, fear shivering through him at the unearthly power these women were unleashing all around him. He was literally facing goddesses, ancient and timeless. It was humbling and terrifying at the same time.
Machine gun fire erupted from all around him. Maxwell swallowed hard, keeping his position and monitoring the battle now raging between the two men and the sweet faced General. She had formed an invisible barrier, by crossing her two gauntlets over her breast. As both Jed and Zac released their clips, sending a wave of bullets at her.
Amy had used their distraction to crawl away from Viluy, seeking a good hiding spot. She was in so much pain she could not defend herself at this point and Viluy could kill her at will now.
She couldn't think straight...anymore. Her whole existence had been reduced to just enduring the pain. She had curled up into a tight ball on her side, in the darkness of the sheltered skirt of a nearby pine. Hugging her knees to her chest. As she rocked back and forth, a constant motion she used to attempt to soothe herself. As her insides felt as if they were tearing themselves apart. The pain was excruciating, penetrating every pore of her body. It crawled over her flesh, leaving a searing punishment in its wake. Burning through every nerve, every muscle. Devouring every cell in her body, slowly consuming her entirely.
She closed her eyes tight, as she rocked harder. Sweat bathed her entire body, making her skin itchy and damp. She shivered uncontrollably as her body and mind went into shock. The ground felt cold, despite the oppressive heat and humidity. That coldness seemed to seep into her very bones. Chill bumps broke out over the surface of her skin as the world once again faded away.
No one living, b y the time of the Silver Millennium, knew how or whom had b uilt the Tower of Eternity on Pluto. The massive tower of purest crystal jutted proudly into the sky from the b arren surface of nitrogen ice. It's multi facet composition shimmering like diamonds, amid the dusk tinged atmosphere of swirling clouds of methane and carb on. This majestic tower was old when even the most ancient tales were b eing sung at the very b irth of the Silver Millennium. The fragile lattice work of crystal that dominated it's structure seemed to have had a natural growth, as if the structure had sprouted from the very core of the planet itself. The many platforms and turrets glistened in the half light as if it was a mirage. It's surface seemed half in and also have out of this reality. The legendary tower was a paradox, much like the Guardian who was posted there. Forever standing at the Portal of Time at the apex of the tower.
This ancient outpost lay on the very edge of the Silver Millennium. A b eacon of warning to the unknown Cosmos that lay b eyond. That the most powerful of the Solar Guardian's stood at the gates and would defend her Kingdom for all Eternity.
Mercury sought to end her pilgrimage threw the Outer Planets at the very edge of the Silver Millennium. Needing answers, needing counsel and perhaps aid from the three Lonely Guardian's. She had already spoken to the Guardian of Uranus and the Guardian of Neptune. Neither could offer her any resolution to the questions that plagued her.
So she now found herself standing upon the upper most platform of the primordial tower. Staring forlornly out to the vastness of space. She had never travelled this far out b efore, b ut she never dreamed that the sky ab ove would b e so b arren. Not a single star shone down, it was a b lank, empty darkness that created a deep sadness inside of her. She felt suddenly ab andoned, lonely and insignificant under that faceless night.
"Mercury..." A low, resounding whisper vib rated at her b ack.
Mercury turned slowly to greet the Guardian of Time. A mysterious goddess of timeless origin, who had guarded the Time Portal hidden within the upper chamb er of the Tower since time b egan. Dressed in the simple grey rob es of a Temporal priestess. Her b are feet b rushed the frozen crystal floor so lightly, it was as if she was merely floating towards her. Her toes peeking out b riefly b eneath the long, flowing hem at every step. The wide flowing sleeves seemed to b lend into the rob e itself, as if it was a single fluid garment draped over her slender b ody. Her hands, wrapped intricately in b lack
ceremonial cloth. The cloth streaming in great length from her wrists, anchoring her hands to the shaft of her long staff. Knotted there and held tight to the delicate silver shaft of her talisman. Holding it in a naturally defensive pose across her ab domen with b oth hands. The mighty Garnet rod was as ancient as the tower. The b lood red jewel upon the ornate crown of the staff shone as if a planetary core churned within. Pluto held herself humb ly, her posture strong b ut unassuming. She moved at an unhurried pace, unconcerned it seemed ab out the plight of the present.
Pluto was slight, almost delicate in her b one structure. Barely as tall as Mercury herself, who was the shortest of the Inner Guardian's. With long deep violet hair the color of dusk that hung straight and full like a cape down her b ack. Her face was exotic, her skin tone a dusky tan. With vib rant, gentle lavender eyes, that could see into the vastness of Time and Space itself.
Keeping eye contact with her was incredib ly difficult, her gaze was so intense and disconcerting. Her eyes seeming to pierce right through her, peeling away all her secrets. Mercury quickly found herself averting her eyes to the crystalline floor.
"I am no longer a Guardian. Maia is fine." She corrected.
Pluto took in her commoner's garments with disinterest. Maia was dressed in the simple cured leather pants and a soft b lue b louse with ruffles around the wrists. A heavy navy b lue cloak was clasped with a silver b rooch around her neck. With an over stuffed travel pack slung across her b ack, with a b ed roll tied and hanging low on her hip. She resemb led an earth peasant more then a Solar Goddess. Pluto already knew her plan was to disappear on earth and aid the mortal reb ellion against the Moon. She needed no clarification of that fact.
"I see." Was Pluto's response. Turning on her heel and striding b ack into the inner chamb er of the tower. Her reaction was that of b leak acceptance. As the Goddess of Time she understood with out explanation what Maia was going to do. She could neither stop time or affect the future with out consequences. Every living thing was free to do as they will. It was forb idden for any omnipotent b eing to oppress or enslave them. Which made accepting fate so very hard for Pluto to deal with sometimes. Because the natural laws of life and death did not include her. If Saturn was destined to awaken and b ring the final end to the Silver Millennium. All Pluto could do was watch all that she loved pass away into history. Forever to mourn the loss.
Maia followed the Guardian inside her inner domain with a heavy sigh. Pluto's deep melancholy was oppressive, it clung in the very air of the tower. Dampening her spirit with woe and misery.
Pluto's sanctum was a mythical place, held in the hearts and minds of all who lived in the Silver Millennium. It was a place of great power and untold wisdom. It was the hopeful cry of the b eginning and the mournful lament of the end. She never dreamed that she would ever find herself here. Perhaps if she was still a Guardian and could fall b ack on that distinction. She would not feel so unworthy, stepping into Pluto's sanctuary.
A cavernous, circular room stretched out b efore her. Bordered with massive pillars and archways of purest crystal, the open rotunda ab ove stretching out of sight. To the dark vault of the empty darkness that lay b eyond the tower seemed to glow within the open skylight..
A crystal carved mosaic was etched into the floor. Primordial symb ols of Universal majesty and intricate designs that were foreign to her. They were mysterious and quite intriguing. If she had the time she would have love to research each one and decipher their various meanings.
In the very center of the room was the Time Portal. A simple set of white, doub le doors. The ornate frame, carved with the planetary symb ols of the eight planets. The frame ab ove the door dominated with the phases of the moon.
That simple door was the seat of power for the Guardian of Time. She was charged to stand guard b efore it for all time. To protect the Silver Millennium from intruder's who had the powers to traverse b oth time and space.
The isolation these outer Guardian's faced was heartb reaking. Pluto had b een left alone and ab andoned upon this far off out post to watch over the Silver Millennium or all eternity. The grim reality of her sacred duty, gave her pause. Maia found herself staring mournfully at the retreating Guardian of Time. As she resolutely took her post b efore the door. Her expression stoic and unemotional. As she watched Maia cross the great room towards her.
Maia had come seeking answers, with hope b urning b rightly in her heart that perhaps she was wrong. That the Moon Kingdom's fall was not immanent. That Pluto may hold the keys to their salvation. The remarkab le power she possessed to see into the future was exactly what she was needing. To save her Princess from a horrib le fate. She needed to know what to avoid, what to do from now on to guide them all to a b etter future. Sometimes hope is enough to keep someone alive, to keep them fighting when everything seems insurmountab le. This b arren, lifeless outpost held a deeper sense that here, now. Lost in the monotonous, endless landscape of ice and empty space was a place in which miracles could
still happen. Perhaps lurking dormant in the depths of Pluto's time portal, waiting to b e found b y the intrepid, the patient or perhaps the desperate.
Maia took a steadying b reath, as she crossed the vast room toward the doorway.
The hope she had kept alive during her travels here, b lossoming anew in her chest.
Over the course of her tenure as Mercury, she had seen the many signs of doom. The first sign had b een the Sun. The energy within their mother star had b een extremely unstab le over the last decade. As if the great star was shivering in fear. Ominous looking sun spots had b loomed across it's surface. They covered the surface as a dark and foreb oding b lemish, that diminished it's once pure light. The disturb ances roiling and shooting into space like great spouts of hell fire.
Then soon after the unrest b egan to swell within her own planet. Driving her into the great underground lib raries of Mercury to seek answers. She had disappeared for months within the great lab yrinth of tomb s deep b eneath the iron surface of her planet. Lost to miles upon miles of lib raries. that were filled with the ancient collections of histories, prophesies and timeless wisdom from all over the universe. Meticulously stored and cared for b y the Scholar's who sought their enlightenment and the mighty Sages who guarded the secrets held within.
As the civil discourse b egan to expand and infect the neighb ouring planets. She had little time to dwell within the dusty tomb s after that. Charged to quell one reb ellion after another, keeping a tentative peace within the Silver Millennium. In that time of unrest her precious princess had grown up and found a forb idden love. Further distracting her from her true quest, as all her free time was now spent chasing after her. As she descended to earth time and again to see the Prince of Earth.
Her princess's small acts of defiance against her mother, was disconcerting. As she had always b een so easily controlled b efore. As her disob edience continued, b ecoming more b old and defiant. Mercury had b een left playing counsel to a desperate Queen, who felt her grip on peace was slipping along with the allegiance of her own daughter.
As the same civil unrest now cast it's shadow upon the Moon. She had fled to the furtherest reaches of the kingdom desperate for answers. She felt the darkness of war had crept up to the very door step of the Moon Palace. In the guise of a tyrant King and his Wise Man.
The final strike upon the Silver Millennium had come in the guise of a Meteor shower a few months ago. Now the Golden Earth Kingdom was gripped in a madness. Its people had turned away from the Gods, b laming them for their suffering. In the aftermath an all consuming reb ellion had washed over the earth. The four outer kingdoms had fallen into chaos first. The survivors seeking aid and protection within the central Kingdom, Elysion. The population within the central kingdom had swollen to unb earab le numb ers within months. Straining the Golden Kingdoms resources and stretching its military to their limits. Civil war had ravaged the earth. Now the last mortal kingdom was b urning and the river's were running red with the b lood of the innocent.
An unknown Queen had come to power. Rallying the disgruntled populace to her b anner in droves. Denouncing the Gods and instigating further reb ellion against the Golden Palace. Her ranks were growing and soon Endymion would lose all control over his planet.
At this point she had exhausted all other avenues to save the Silver Millennium. This was her final gamb it to get the future b ack on track. Sometimes though, one needed more then hope. One also needed a good reason to go forth into the unknown with out fear.
Princess Serenity's future happiness was more then reason enough for her to fight fate.
"What is this darkness that threatens us?" She confronted Pluto b efore her post. The elegant white door remained closed, b ut the low hum of power emanating from the Temporal vortex b ehind was formidab le. Maia's proximity to the the doorway was so close, that it vib rated through her b ody, sending a nervous shiver down her spine.
"Since light exists then so too, does the darkness. One can not exist with out the other. It is an inevitab le truth that light and dark shall struggle for all eternity. Calling out to one another as twin forces always yearning. Creating an endless round of suffering, as they seek to dominate the other. So we must remain vigilant and protect the light, lest the darkness consumes us." She stated, her words would seem pompous coming from another. But Pluto's tone was so straight forward, she was merely stating fact.
"But you were not vigilant enough!" Maia shouted b ack, pacing b efore the doorway in growing agitation. She had come here for answers not ob ituary truths she already understood. She had b een a Guardian, she understood what was at stake if she failed in her duties. What she needed to know was how...how was this silent, insidious darkness ab le to sneak
past the Outer Guardian's watch. To grow and infect the whole Solar System?
Pluto licked her lips and regarded her cooly. Her face was stone, b ut her eyes shone with guilt and remorse. "Since Time b egan there has b een the Tau. An astral swarm of energy of infinite darkness, that light can not penetrate. It has no physical form, an entity out of phase with our reality. It lives in the space b etween time. So it must seed itself within vessels. It needs the hosts energy to survive and feeds off the discord already festering in the hearts of all who live. It is the hosts dharma that b ecomes the fuel of destruction."
"So did you sense the Tau's infiltration of this Star System." Maia was furious, b alling her fists tight at her sides as she stalked towards Pluto. Who seemed dispassionate to what was happening to her Kingdom.
"I was distracted..." Pluto thinned her lips, casting her head down in shame.
"By..." Maia growled.
"Our Sun...was sick. " Pluto b egan, "I was to focused upon cleansing the darkness within and never noticed the darkness without."
Her words were cryptic and vague, making Maia grimace in confusion.
"I do not understand." She sighed.
"The rogue planet that haunts our b orders has set all this misery into motion." Pluto sighed heavily.
"The Dark Moon..."Maia growled. Pluto merely nodded.
"I have my theories. That they lured the Tau." Pluto gripped her staff tighter.
"Did they infect our sun with malicious energy?" Maia questioned.
"The darkness inside our sun is an ancient evil, sealed within it's fiery depths since b efore Queen Selene's reign." Pluto grimaced. "I do not know if the King of the Dark Moon empowered Metallia's awakening. But you suspect as well as I that his Wise Man has his own agenda, that far exceeded Demande's thirst for power."
It was Maia's turn to nod. "Demande is threatening our Queen with a Dark Crystal as powerful as her Silver Crystal. If those two forces were to collide, our Solar System would surely b e destroyed."
Pluto glanced sadly towards her Time door. She had seen many fates ahead for all of them. It woul long, hard road to redemption from now on.
"Why couldn't the Lonely Watch exterminate the Tau b efore they b reached our b orders?" Maia questioned. Both Neptune and Uranus had many manned outposts, capab le of defending the b order.
"Most of the Lonely Watch has died off defending their posts in the last few years. An unknown plague, perhaps. Or merely killed while defending their outposts, I can not say. Only the Guardian's Neptune and Uranus remain." Pluto stated.
Maia gave her a distasteful scowl, uncaring if she came off as a judgemental hypocrite. Pluto had failed in her duty and now all of the Silver Millennium was paying the price.
"Would you squash something small and insignificant just b ecause it exists?" Pluto inquired somb rely, she was not defending herself, just stating fact once again.
Maia was instantly flustered and took a step b ack.
"No...I...would never kill something weaker then myself unless I had no other choice." She responded. "But this small amount of darkness has grown out of control. Our Silver Millennium is posed to tear itself apart!"
"I gauged the Tau's threat as minimal and chose to focus on the greater threat b rewing in our sun. I would deal with the intruder's later, with Uranus and Neptune at my side." Pluto's eyes were drawn inward in deep contemplations. "I never foresaw this fate till it was to late."
Pluto had the good sense to look truly ashamed of her poor judgement. Then quickly steeled her expression, b ehind a stoic mask.
"Neptune or Uranus...did you not seek their council b efore allowing these creatures to enter our b orders?" Maia huffed, crossing her arms defiantly over her b reasts.
Pluto took a deep b reath b efore responding. "The Tau are b orn from dark energy, yes, b ut they are an infantile lifeforms. Barely sentient, an astral creature on the level of that of an earth insect. I felt their influence would b e minor and easily dismissed. That they would merely pass through our Solar System and then disperse b ack into the Cosmos. I b elieved our people were incorruptib le. That they were pure of heart and their loyalty to our Queen was inflatab le. I never dreamed the Tau's discord would influence so many, or b ecome so powerful.." Pluto valiantly sought to explain, as if admitting her failure would ab solve her guilt. Finding Maia staring in appalled confusion none the less. So Pluto sought to continue, seeking to get her to understand or perhaps convince herself that her intentions had not b een malicious. She was not infallib le, even her judgement at times could b e faulty.
"Both Neptune and Uranus are not powerful enough to sense them, I felt their counsel was unwarranted. Since I was preoccupied, purging the sun. Asking them to hunt down and destroy the Tau would have b een pointless." Pluto admitted sadly.
"Those b orn of the light can b e honourab le creatures, seeking only peace and enlightenment. Or slaves to their Dharma, easily corrupted b y the darkness. Gods are no b etter then Mortals in that respect. We are merely a higher life form. " Pluto gripped her staff tighter, seeming to fight with her own inner demons for a time. Before continuing. "While corrupted mortals will weep, and b ewail their lot. Cursing the Gods for their ab sence, they can do little harm b eyond their own
b orders. Corrupted Gods however will use their immortal powers to dominate all others weaker then themselves. All for the sake of Peace." Pluto took a deep b reath b efore she continued. "We were meant only to ob serve and govern over the planets as a b enign pressence and nothing more. The down fall of Selene's kingdom and all who she protects has b een preordained since Serenity's b irth. The fate of the Silver Millennium is up to the princess now. " Pluto finished, her tone flat and logical. "I have seen twin fates and multiple futures ahead for us all. I can not stop this or change what it is to come. But I can aid my princess, b y offering you this." She lightly b rushed her fingertips upon the surface of her Garnet orb . The crimson surface rippled as if a still pond had b een disturb ed. As her fingers and then her hand, slowly pushed b eneath the surface of the once flawless orb . The light inside dimmed, the orb b ecome dull and lifeless. As she pulled forth a tiny lavender jewel that she then offered it to Maia, with a sympathetic, humb led smile. There was no way to ab solve herself of her role in the Silver Millennium current plight. But she would do all that she could to aid her Princess in the b attles ahead. "Our kingdoms redemption now lays with the Holy Sword of Sealing. Use my star seed to re-create the unity we have since lost. I have b een watching our kingdoms slow demise under Selene's rule for the last decade. Our Queen's light has b een tainted. She has b een corrupted b y her Dharma. Her purity has faded and her just mind has b ecome frail. She has succumb to her sins and can no longer lead us within the light. A powerful darkness has seeded itself in her heart and whispers to her like a seductive lover. Twisting her mind and b urning away her purity. I have since rescinded my loyalty to our once b eloved Queen. I now pledge myself to Serenity, may she save us all from this great darkness."
Amy...Amy...Amy...
She focused on that one word...her name perhaps? Her own voice sounding harsh and brittle, that name a litany upon her own lips. She felt if she didn't repeat it, she was sure to forget and the pain had already made her forget so much.
My name is Amy.
Some of the panic subsided, as she managed to hold one vital piece of information. Then pain and nausea welled in her stomach with now found vigour, twisting her belly into tight knots. She found herself on her knees, retching forcefully towards the damp earth. Her arms wrapped tight around her middle, as she sucked in deep breaths and tried to focus her thoughts. She closed her eyes again seeking to conjure the image that might giver her comfort. She didn't know if he was real, but as long as she could see him she found hope. She needed to believe that beyond the pain lay her salvation. He was her guardian angel. He hovered on the fringes of her shattered mind. Tall, strong, with a gentle smile and warm green eyes. He was honourable and smart. A warrior, her protector.
He would come, he would save her...
Her hope was washed away as another more powerful surge of pain seared through her body.
"Oh, God!" She heard herself scream, as the agony became unbearable. She was going to die! She couldn't take the pain. Fear lodged in her throat, and she tried in vain to breathe around it. Her chest burned with the effort as she rocked faster.
A huge explosion echoed like a far away thunderclap. The ground shook beneath her and she threw her arms over her head. The sound of gunfire rang out all around her and fear clutched at her raw and unrelenting.
She could hear herself screaming, loud and fierce. She was in so much pain, her body was shutting down and her mind was going numb. Her cries sounded distant and she had become detached to her own suffering. Then another's voice began screaming in tandem with her's, drowning out her own cries. As the misery of being eaten alive finally began ebb.
The millions upon millions of microscopic predator's retreated from her body in waves. Falling away like a silent tide, until she was left cleansed and panting in relief.
She glanced up, finding the forest around her was a blaze. A massive inferno had erupted around them. The wildfire was devouring the landscape, tongues of flame ascended for countless miles into the night sky. Creating a flickering dawn that was blinding her. She ducked away, squinting her eyes as she noticed a silhouette standing against the orange glow. By it's height and more muscled form she knew it was a man. He seemed big and menacing, dressed all in black flack. His features drawn and made ghoulish by the moving shadows of the fire and smoke. His rifle swept the trees nearby, before he focused all his attention upon her.
Amy had never felt so drained, so weak and vulnerable before. She whimpered deep in her throat, wrapping her arms protectively around herself. He must be part of Beryl's rouge military, sent to kill her. At this point she was so wiped both mentally and physically she had no energy left to even crawl away.
"Jesus." The man swore. "My name is Maxwell, I've come to help you."
Amy flinched, as the man called Maxwell turned his head sharply and spoke into some kind of walk talky. That he was wearing clipped to his left shoulder.
"I've got the Water Guardian. We are South, south east of the Celestial Temple. I need back up and some major cover to extract her." He snarled into the receiver then looked back at her. His expression was that of concern not anger. He crouched down and started to reach for her. His movements slow, cautious. As if worried she might hurt him, or even kill him with her elemental powers.
In her current state of confusion and exhaustion she could only throw her arms over her head and shrink away. Amy closed her eyes and accepted what was to come.
Hearing the man above her swear softly, she chanced a peek from under her arms. Seeing him standing again nearby, he was looking towards the inferno searching the burnt and blackened tree line. His strained profile illuminated by the fire, raging out of control along the ridge.
A few seconds later a second man burst from the trees. He was covered in soot, the dark grey dust stained his pale skin and clung heavy to his wavy blonde hair. Dressed in the green uniform of the American Infantry. His green eyes were intense, when his stricken gaze settled on her. A rifle hung low on one hip as he limped forward, his left arm cradling his midsection.
Her mouth dropped open shock, noticing how damp the fabric was. He had taken a grievous wound to the stomach and his shirt was clinging and matted against his abdomen with his blood.
He cautiously knelt before her and extended a hand to help her stand. "Amy, it's me, Zac. You gotta keep fighting...she needs you."
He knew her name. Her guardian angel knew her name. She began to shake harder, her teeth chattering loudly in her head. Her thoughts were sluggish and muddled. Residual pain still gnawed at her traumatized nerves and muscles, making moving difficult.
"Zac..." She croaked out, reaching for him in desperation. He gently folded her against him, holding tight. "I need you to be strong...and fight on with out me now."
"No!" Amy wailed, wrapping her arms around his neck and refused to let him go.
"I killed her...her own weapon shorted out and consumed her body..." Zac swallowed, his eyes were haunted. The last few images of her writhing in agony as her body dissolved in front of him was the most horrifying thing he had ever seen. But he knew that that fate had awaited his girl if he didn't stop the Queen's General. So he had sacrificed himself, rushing her as a distraction. As his brother fired his automatic weapon at her bracelets. Several bullets had ricocheted off the metal and struck him in the stomach. He had put on a brave face, hiding his wounds. When Jed departed deeper into the woods to track down the next Guardian. He never blamed his brother, he owed him for saving his beloved. She had a real chance now to change the world. Zac's throat was dry from the acidic air and was starting to burn. His voice sounded weak and brittle in his own ears.
"Shit, Zac. Can you make it back to the chopper?" Maxwell hissed. "It's over three miles back and that forest fire will be on your ass the whole way."
"I can make it, it's not to far and I am not that far gone." Zac lied, pulling away from Amy and giving her a warm,
reassuring smile.
Her eyes were still unfocused, but the tears streaming from them was breaking his heart. She was still slightly out of it, staring with mystified eyes between the two of them seeking answers.
Zac touched her cheek, then slowly rose back up onto his feet. Fighting to hold his expression neutral, even though it hurt like hell. "Trust me, Babe. I'll be ok. Take her to the summit!" he commanded.
Maxwell scrambled up beside her and swung her over his shoulders into a fireman's carry.
"I got this." he stated, moving forward in long strides. His admiration and respect for Zac increasing by the moment. Max fumbled with his sniper rifle with his free hand, charging up the over grown trail that would lead them back to the main road.
Rattled by Zac's mortal wound and overwhelmed by all that had happened to her tonight. Amy was left only to focus upon the pain the now wracked her body. As Max jostled her upon his shoulders. She was bathed in a heavy sweat. Yet she had never felt so cold in all her life. As she watched Zac fade away into the burning trees. Leaning heavily against a blackened trunk, unable to hold up his courageous front any longer. She felt in that moment that she was saying Goodbye for the final time. It shredded her inside and left what remained of her heart, a tortured and bleeding mess. She couldn't hold in the anguished sobs. Her body convulsed and trembled against Maxwell's shoulders, no longer strong enough to hold back her pain.
She was going to lose him...
Zac was left watching her disappear up the ridge with a proud, accepting smile across his face. He slowly closed his eyes as the deadly heat of the inferno as it hit him square in the face. He was to far gone, he hadn't the energy or will power to outrun the fire. The light of the fire was to intense he was unable to protect his eyes. Its light glowing a brilliant red from beyond his eyelids, blinding him anyway. The ferocity of the blaze was beyond comprehension, as it swept relentlessly up the ridge. Devouring all that it saw and burning it away to ash. Leaving nothing living behind in its path of destruction.
Amy surroundings spun in a dizzy round, as Maxwells shoulder dug painfully into her belly. Until bile rose and ate at her throat. She was consumed by her grief, it gnawed at her soul. Destroying her hope and leaving her wishing to join her lover in death. She didn't want to keep fighting...she didn't want to go on living! How could she, she had just lost everything that made her life worth living.
All around her the world had gone mad. Fire blazed, gunfire peppered the ground and the trees around her. Then a crack of thunder exploded over head, the world was seared by white light and then she was flying threw the air again.
Pain, both physical and emotional ripped threw her. Dark spots danced in her vision, she swallowed repeatedly to keep the nausea a bay. Panicked and overwhelmed by grief and anxiety, her chest felt trapped in a suffocating vice and she could barely breath. She kicked and flailed as she was tossed into the air, desperate to control her coming hard landing. Squinting as a constant stream of sunlight burned the sky at the summit.
"Serenity..." She whispered, as her mind finally began to clear.
She hadn't lost everything...Her true purpose was clear and precise once more. She would protect her princess this time, avenge her true love and protect this planet. She had no time to wallow in her loss. She had to remain focused on her true goal...to destroy that great evil that threatened peace. The air snapped around her, as twin wings erupted from her back. Pale blue and shimmering like the water on a clear lake. Her shoulder length dark hair once free and wild upon her head. Was now styled in a elaborate celtic knot around her head. Her Senshi armour shimmered into reality once more. A blue leather bodice hugged her breasts. Leaving her well toned stomach bare. Matching leather pants with a low waist, wrapped around her slender legs. A large utility belt was hung off her left hip. On her right hip a silver hook hung from her belt. In which her talisman hung, a glorious harp. Its pale blue surface shone like newly forged glass. Humming with an ethereal power beyond mortal understanding. Sleeveless long coat snapped along her back. Fluid silver plated shoulder guards gleamed in the faint light of the moon. She had ascended into her full Goddess form. Whatever evil was attacking her princess at the summit, she was now more then prepared to confront it.
"Zac...please...I can't do this with out you..." She ground out between clenched teeth, her tears drying upon her cheeks.
As she caught an updraft, shooting like a bird of prey towards the very peak of mount Song.