Episode 4
Part 2
Having made his way into the hospital's domains, Orpheus looked around and observed a floor directory. Staring at the many multiple-coloured floors the building housed and the sections they were designated to, he paused, then put a hand to his forehead and asked, "Tomo-kun, where precisely is your Grandfather?"
…
Hearing his answer, he nodded and said, "Very well, I shall proceed there immediately!"
"HALT!"
Stilling, Orpheus turned his dark pink eyes and saw a couple of security guards approaching him, dressed in black caps and wearing blue shirts and black trousers.
Their radios were at the ready. One boldly demanded, "Who are you? What business do you have here!?" Then, seeing the fight between the Guardians and the monsters, a further question was asked: "Did you escape from the monsters or-!"
GLOOM!
His dark powers overflowed from within, and raising his hands, he told them both, "Stand aside!" With that, he initiated his powers to incapacitate the obstacles!
XXXXXXXXXX
KABOOM!
"Urgh!"
Barely flying out of the way of the sinister attack, Usagi rolled and landed on the floor. She'd been desperately trying to draw Junonia and Kenatus's attention away from her friends so they might recover with Ami assisting her with her bubble attack when she could, as she tried her best to aid them.
Looking up determinedly, she saw Junonia with her cannon aimed at her with a smug smile on her face as wisps of smoke escaped its mouth; her mind raced, trying to think of what to do when-!
"Too slow!"
Hearing her cry, she saw her monstrous steed, Kenatus, with his bow and arrow at the ready, his hoof digging into the floor!
Shocked seeing him do this, she realised fast what he would do and-!
"Usagi-chan please run!"
At Iris's cry, Usagi nodded, then she tried to take off again when-!
"KENATUSSSSS!"
The monster immediately began his chase after her!
Horrified seeing him coming, Usagi pushed and pushed herself to run and take off. She finally kicked off the ground, letting the wind carry her, when-!
SWISH! SWISH! SWISH! SWISH! SWISH!
SWISH! SWISH! SWISH! SWISH! SWISH!
Kenatus unleashed his arrows at Usagi, much to her distress, making her-!
"Hey! Agh! Whoa!"
Dart about chaotically everywhere in the air, desperate not to be struck like a helpless duck, when-!
"GOTCHA NOW!"
To her horror, Junonia had her cannon aimed at her again and-!
FLASH!
The fuse ignited and-!
"YOUR HIGHNESS RUN!"
Usagi tried desperately to. However, she'd lost momentum from trying to avoid Kenatus and-!
KABOOM!
"AAAAGGGGHHHH!"
She was struck and crashed onto the floor, her still form emitting grey smoke into the air.
Her body ached awfully, and she gritted her teeth. She knew this couldn't keep going. She and the others needed to do something; otherwise, Tomo and his Grandfather, would both be-!
"Ha! Ha! Perfect shot!"
Aching, she looked up and saw Junonia smirking over her. As she did, she heard the sinister girl say, patting the side of her dangerous weapon happily, "I do love good toys!" Then, pecking it with a tiny kiss, she aimed it at Usagi again and asked, "Any last words you dumb phoney?"
Usagi gripped one of her hands. She couldn't think of anything, but her mind raced, desperate to come up with anything that would help her and her friends get out of this mess!
XXXXXXXXXX
"Urgh!" "Agh!"
COLLAPSE! COLLAPSE!
As the two security guards fell before him, Orpheus sighed as his shadows swarmed around Tomo's possessed body. As he did this, he uttered, "Honestly, compelling sleep in another's shell is most taxing!"
Then, as he looked over the map again to find Tomo's Grandfather, he heard-!
KABOOM!
"AAAAGGGGHHHH!"
He turned and saw the meddler from before hit the floor, her form exuding smoke. He stayed silent as he saw his crew mate approach her, readying her cannon. As she did this, he tiredly uttered, "I really wish she wouldn't be so loud!"
Then, turning his attention back to the map, he saw the right location and headed to the stairs that would take him to the right floor. As he walked, he added, "And she better hold back! Even if they are adversaries!"
His hand coming to his chest as he thought of distant days long past, he continued, "To lose one's life over a mere disagreement will be meaningless." With that, he continued to fulfil the young boy's heartfelt wish to save his Grandfather.
XXXXXXXXXX
Breathing hard, Usagi was struggling badly. This would be the end for them at this rate, but she and the others couldn't falter. For who knows what these terrible Chain Raiders would do to Tomo and his Grandfather? They couldn't lose them to-!
Then she stopped, seeing something in the distance. The sight of it brought a small relieved smile to her face, and then, looking up at Junonia, she told her, "Yeah, you know what... I do have two words for you."
The red-haired cannon-wielding girl, becoming baffled, replied, "Oh, really?" Then, keeping one of her hands ready over the fuse, she asked, "What are they?"
With a smile, Usagi told her, moving her hand to her forehead, "Don't blink!"
"Huh?"
"Moon Twilight Flash!"
FLASH!
"AAAAGGGGHHHH!"
Junonia was blinded by Usagi's new technique and simultaneously-!
"KENATUSSSSS!"
Her monster was inflicted by the piercing white light!
Relieved, Usagi cried, "I did it!" Then, quickly, with some struggle, she moved to get up, however-!
"YOU CHEAT!"
FLASH!
To Usagi's distress, Junonia had somehow ignited her cannon gun and quickly-!
KABOOM!
"WHOA!?"
She panicked, leaping out of the way, however-!
KABOOM! KABOOM! KABOOM!
Junonia, in her blind state, continued blasting away, striking everything near her and Kenatus.
Usagi, with a shudder, knew she'd really made her mad now!
"You won't get away with this! I'll get you! You blonde phoney! You'll-!"
"Sparkling Wide Pressure!"
FLASH!
"AAAAGGGGHHHH!"
Then quickly, Junonia was struck by a powerful shining blast of electricity, sending her flying off Kenatus!
Pleased, Usagi cried, relieved, "Well done! Sailor Jupiter!"
Mako had luckily finally recovered from being struck by Orpheus, so she quickly smiled and gave Usagi the thumbs up, but before she could do more-!
"KENATUSSSSS!"
The enraged Tocsin seemingly had recovered as he angrily pointed his dark bow and arrow at the Guardian of Thunder!
Worried for her, Usagi moved to try and do something, when-!
"Venus!"
GLOW!
Suddenly, another of her comrades rose to the challenge, with a kiss of light forming into a ring of hearts around her, unleashed-!
"Love and Beauty Shock!"
SHINE!
Immediately, Kenatus was struck, throwing him off balance and stopping his attack!
"Venus!" Usagi cried happily, and then she saw her friend stand beside Mako. As she did, becoming determined, she said, "I gotta help them!"
"Wait..."
"Huh?" Stopping, hearing her Sprite's somehow pained voice, Usagi put a hand to her chest and asked worried, "Iris-chan, what's wrong?"
"That man... Orpheus, we have to stop him!"
"Orpheus?" Repeating the leader of the Chain Raider's name, Usagi looked at the hospital and realised, "Oh, no! You're right!" However, looking at her friends-!
"KENATUSSSSS!"
SWISH! SWISH! SWISH! SWISH! SWISH!
SWISH! SWISH! SWISH! SWISH! SWISH!
The awful creature was unleashing arrow after deadly arrow on her friends. As he did, she worriedly cried, "But everyone, I can't leave them here to fight this thing! If I don't then-!"
"Then there'll... be no time, you won't be able to..."
Anxious for Iris as her voice trailed off, and realising there was no time, Usagi was torn. She didn't want to leave Minako and Mako alone to face this Tocsin, but she knew Tomo and his Grandfather needed them. She didn't know what she could do to-!
"Just go!"
She saw Mako battling Kenatus up close, trying to wrench his deadly weapon out of his dark arms. As she did, she continued, "Sailor Moon! You can't be distracted right now; save those who need you!"
Hearing this, Usagi's eyes widened, and she protested, "But you guys will-!"
"We'll be fine!"
Hearing Minako's voice, Usagi looked at her and saw her raising her hands together. As she did, she aimed and told her, "We can look after ourselves, you just do what you need to Sailor Moon!"
Then, focusing, Minako released one of her classic attacks,
"Crescent Beam!"
SHINE!
"RRRROOOOAAAARRRR!"
The Tocsin was struck straight in the face, making him retreat backwards.
She looked pleased with her results and
told Usagi, "Now go on! Go!"
At her words, though Usagi was still worried about them, she nodded and quickly went. Running back to where Ami and Rei were, she asked them, "Are you guys alright?"
Ami looked at her surprised and replied, "I think so!"
"Urgh...!" Rei was clearly aching as she struggled to sit up.
Helping her, Ami put an arm around her shoulders as Usagi did the same. As she did, she continued, "I wish I could have done more!" Then, looking at her, Ami added sadly, "I'm just sorry that all I could give you was some aid from my bubbles, Usagi-chan, I just-!"
"No! You helped; it's okay!" Usagi assured her, then tightened her grip on Rei. She said, "And you can again. We need to stop Orpheus from taking Tomo-kun and his Grandfather."
As she said this, Ami was quiet. Then, noticing where Usagi was looking, she asked, "You want to go into the hospital?"
With a firm nod, Usagi replied, "Yeah, we can't waste time! We've gotta catch up with them fast!"
"Ha, ha!" Hearing Rei's laugh with surprise, Usagi was about to ask what had made her chuckle when she heard her say, "For once you're kind of sounding like a leader!"
Quiet, Usagi told her with a troubled smile, "Hey, I've always been one you know!"
"Yeah, when you really think!" Rei retorted, then with a grunt of pain, she told them, "Now c'mon let's hurry up and get in there! I'm not gonna let them take friends of mine!"
"You got it!" Usagi replied, and with that, the three of them headed to where Orpheus had disappeared to stop his monstrous endeavour of stealing Destiny Jewels.
XXXXXXXXXX
Walking up the stairs, Orpheus, as he walked within Tomo's body, was getting closer and closer towards the ward where his Grandfather lay. With his hand on the rail, he continued his ascent quietly.
"Uh?"
Hearing an inner tired sigh from within his mind, Orpheus asked, "Did I stir you awake?"
"I guess? Are you almost there?"
"Nearly," Orpheus told Tomo, then added, "You won't need to wait much longer."
"I'm glad! But, Orpheus-san?"
"Yes?" The Captain replied.
"Why're you going so far to help me and my Grandpa? Are you just after our jewels?"
Stilling for a moment as this was put to him, Orpheus then released a small chuckle and replied, "It would be easy just to say yes and leave at that I suppose?" He ascended again, saying, "But no, it's not the only reason I assist those like you who are suffering."
"It isn't?"
"No," With a shake of his head, Orpheus then revealed, "It's because I want to save you all, so in turn we can all be happy... and also, so I may save someone precious to me."
"You want to save someone too?"
With a nod, Orpheus then revealed, "Yes, my beloved..." Then, with a pained look, he continued, "She's doomed to succumb to an awful fate, and I'm fighting to tear her out of the claws of that terrible misfortune."
"And me along with my Grandpa can help in doing that?"
"That's right!" He confirmed and added, "And in turn, I can help change and better both your fates too, that I'm absolutely certain of!" Then, looking up the stairs, he continued, "I want to save everyone who chooses to side with me."
"... You're a kind person aren't you?"
He chuckled and said, "Maybe in your eyes," then looking at the floor that was fast approaching, "Others would call me monstrous, for taking those who are precious to them."
"Well I don't."
"Yeah, but if circumstances were different..." However, Orpheus didn't continue. Instead, he concentrated on the goal at hand and told him, "Well, anyway, let's assist your Grandfather now!"
"Right!"
As Tomo agreed, the two of them continued on to finally secure their new futures together.
XXXXXXXXXX
Finally making it inside, the Guardians looked at the map near the entryway. As they did, Ami asked her, "Rei-chan, where do you think Tomo-kun would be going right now?"
As this was asked of her, the Guardian of Mars looked torn. Then, after a moment, she shivered and revealed, "The intensive care unit... that's where his Grandpa will be."
Shocked, Usagi asked, "Intensive care?"
Nodding, looking pained, Rei explained, "He was involved in a car collision, he saved Tomo-kun but the injuries were so bad that..." Then she bit her lower lip and said, "We were told he doesn't have a lot of time left."
Shocked, Usagi repeated, "No time left?"
Rei's eyes teared up, and she said, "Yeah, I was told that when I went to visit with my Grandpa, Tomo-kun's parents begged me not to tell him. Since he's at a crucial point right now, they didn't want to ruin his future and..."
"Rei-chan..." Ami uttered sadly.
However, shaking her head, she told them both, "C'mon, this isn't the time to mope around! We've gotta stop this guy from taking them both!"
"Right!" Usagi agreed, then put her hand to her chest. She thought of asking Iris if this might restore Tomo-kun's hope. But-!
"Okay! I've got it!" Ami cried, her blue visor over her eyes. She told them, "I've located an elevator that will take us there the fastest!"
"Great!" Usagi said, relieved. Then, the three of them were on their way to intercept Orpheus!
XXXXXXXXXX
"Urgh..."
Aching all over, Junonia sat up and, shaking her head, uttered, "Darn! What hit me?"
"KENATUSSSSS!"
Spooked, she looked on and saw-!
"Oh, c'mon!"
She saw her Tocsin being ridden by one of the blonde phoney's dumb lackeys! Staring on, she saw the green-clad and the reddish-brown-haired girl trying hard to stay on Kenatus's back; she looked determined and cried, "Honestly! You'd think I'd be able to master this guy being a Sagittarius!"
Junonia became appalled. She didn't understand how on earth that would assist her?
"Just keep him distracted! I'll try again!"
Then the other dumb blonde spoke, and watching her, Junonia saw-!
"Venus Love me Chain!"
SHINE!
KLANG!
Then, quickly, she saw Kenatus wrapped around the middle, binding his arms down with a chain of gold light made of heart shapes. Seeing this happen, she was shocked, and then she heard-!
"Great! My turn again!" The green-clad lackey said, then she raised both hands with curled fingers-!
"Supreme Thunder!"
FLASH!
It struck Kenatus straight through his humanoid torso, making him sizzle and shake. Then, he became utterly still.
Seeing this, Junonia felt a chill; without Kenatus, she'd be totally helpless. She wouldn't be able to win or-!
"Did you get him?"
As the blonde one asked, the ponytailed-haired girl replied, "I hope so, if we have then-!"
"KENATUSSSSS!"
Quickly, though, Kenatus revealed he wasn't down for the count and quickly started bucking around madly, trying to make the dumb blonde release him and throw off his attacker.
"Hey! Whoa! Whoa! Whoa!"
Seeing this ridiculous scene play out as her monster struggled against the nuisances, Junonia became mad, feeling her blood boil. At this idiocy, she grabbed her cannon gun and began aiming it, saying, "That idiot!"
With her targets in sight, she uttered, "He can't even handle two pipsqueaks! If my Captain saw this right now me failing against that phoney's pals, he'd be-!"
However, stopping, she realised, "Wait a minute! Where is she!?" Then, looking around, she saw she was gone - but not just her; two of the rest of her party were, too.
Baffled by this, she tried to think of where they would have gone when she realised, "They wouldn't!" Looking back at the hospital, she realised it was the only place they could have gone to. Imagining them trying to thwart her Captain and their attempts made her grind her teeth seethingly.
"Those utter pests!" She spat. Then she didn't hesitate!
FLASH!
She set her cannon alight and shouted, "KENATUS!"
At her cry, he looked at her and the lackeys too and-!
KABOOM!
"Whoa!?"
She fired at the dumb blonde, making her fall back and release her Tocsin. As he became free, he bucked and jumped before finally-!
"Agh!"
Throwing off the green girl. As he was rid of the pest and looked at her, she commanded, "STOP MESSING AROUND AND GET RID OF THEM!" Then, putting her cannon gun away, she continued, "DON'T YOU HOLD ANYTHING BACK YOU HEAR ME!?"
The monster was silent before it nodded. Then-!
GLOOM!
He swirled with dark shadows, making the two lackeys retreat back a few steps before-!
"KENATUSSSSS!"
He quickly drew out his bow and arrows again, which he promptly started to-!
SWISH! SWISH! SWISH! SWISH! SWISH!
SWISH! SWISH! SWISH! SWISH! SWISH!
SWISH! SWISH! SWISH! SWISH! SWISH!
SWISH! SWISH! SWISH! SWISH! SWISH!
Cover the entire space with arrow fire, sending them flying everywhere he could reach!
The lackeys then began their desperate attempts to survive, and seeing them do this, Junonia didn't care. Instead, she focused her power and escaped into a dark portal that she would use to find the rest of these pesky meddlers. For she wouldn't let anyone whatsoever interrupt her precious Captain's mission!
XXXXXXXXXX
"So, this is it..."
Finally, in the right room of the intensive care unit after knocking out others who had tried to hinder them, Orpheus gazed upon the unconscious body of Tomo's Grandfather, slumbering within a wide windowed serene moonlit room. His face covered by an oxygen mask and various vital tubes inserted in his arms, making him remain within the living world.
Clearly, they'd never be able to talk to the man. However, he needed to ask, "Do you think your Grandfather would've agreed to this?"
"Probably not, but it's my wish to save him... would he really detest me for wanting that? Would he say I'm wasting my future?"
Orpheus didn't answer immediately. He considered his circumstances and replied, "No, I don't believe anyone would." Then, as he walked into the room, he added, "And your future won't be wasted nor his, so don't fret alright?"
"I won't!"
"Good!" Approaching him, Orpheus was silent. Then, standing by his side, he placed his hand on his chest and felt for his Destiny Jewel.
"Is he alright? Will you be able to help him?"
Orpheus didn't reply immediately, as he focused on feeling the precious light he shone with. He made his assessments, and opening his dark pink eyes, he replied, "Yes, we're just in time."
"Oh, great! That's such a relief I'm glad!"
"Yes, it is, for both of us," Orpheus smiled. Then he concentrated and-!
GLOOM!
Using his dark powers, he reached through his chest and wrapped his hand around the older man's Destiny Jewel. As he did, he reached his other hand deep within Tomo's core. Grasping his jewel too, he told him, "And now, it's time to change both your fates."
"Yes! Please do!"
Orpheus nodded, and with that, he proceeded to grant the boy's wish.
XXXXXXXXXX
The elevator began to arrive at the correct floor, and Usagi tried to mentally prepare herself. She whispered, "Alright Iris-chan, here we go!"
…
However, to her worry, there came no response from her Messenger Sprite. She asked again, "Iris-chan?"
"Usagi-chan...?"
She sounded tired. Usagi then put a hand on her heart choker and asked, "Iris-chan are you okay?"
"My apologies, I'm worn out a little, I-?"
"How?" Usagi asked, worried.
"Well, I-!"
TING!
They finally arrived, and the doors opened and as they did-!
"Let's go!"
Suddenly, Rei now more recovered, ran out of the door before anyone could stop her!
"Rei-chan!?"
"Let's get after her!" As Ami urgently said this, Usagi nodded hurriedly and ran after her with the Guardian of Mercury. So together, they may stop a tragedy!
XXXXXXXXXX
Turning both of their Destiny Jewels carefully, Orpheus remained silent.
"I feel so... tired now."
"You will, it's to be expected," Orpheus told him. Keeping his eyes on the boy's Grandfather, he continued, "With each turn I am removing each link of life that binds both of you to the realm of the living."
"So... this is death?"
With a shake of his head, Orpheus revealed, "No, this is mercy. I am simply putting you both on pause, letting you drift away into a sanctuary of safe dreams, until the day comes I can bind you all with safer and good links of life." Then, closing his eyes, he revealed, "After all my goal is to gift everyone a fortunate life, not one of misery."
"I see, that doesn't seem so bad."
With a small smile, Orpheus replied, "It's not I assure you." However, with a sad sigh, he revealed, "But when that time will come, that unfortunately I don't know when that will be, for-!"
"STOP IT!"
At this shout, Orpheus looked up, and in the doorway, he saw-!
BLAZE!
A young, long, dark-haired woman clad in red heels and an unusual white, red and purple ribboned attire, with a fiery bow and arrow in hand. Aiming at him, angrily commanded, "Get away from Hiroshi-san!"
Hearing the name of Tomo's Grandfather, Orpheus was silent. Then he asked, "How do you know that name?"
"Just get away from him!" The young woman cried, then the fiery weapon in her hands blazed brighter, dyeing the room an angry red.
Seeing this, Orpheus sighed and removed his hand from Tomo's Grandfather, asking, "Are you satisfied now?"
Looking infuriated, she told him, "No! Now release your hold on Tomo-kun! He's not yours to have!"
Hearing the aggression in her voice, he gazed at her and realised, "You know this boy don't you?"
"I'm not here to answer your questions!" She told him, then narrowing her eyes, she continued, "I'm here to stop you!"
Staring at her as she said this, Orpheus closed his eyes and replied, "I see, that's unfortunate." However, with a hardened resolve, he revealed, "But I'm here to grant his wish!"
GLOOM!
Then he told her in a deadly tone, opening his eyes burning with determination. His shadows warped and grew all around Tomo's body, "And you will not stand in my way!"
"Tch!" She moved and quickly-!
FLASH!
The arrow of fire came flying straight at him! However, ducking fast, he avoided the blow and-!
SMASH!
Her blow tore the window, shattering the big panes behind them into pieces! As it did, she looked alarmed, but Orpheus gave her no time to retaliate-!
"Vega Shadow Lashing!"
His shadows dived forward, like dark arrows into the floor, then swarming across the floor in seconds, they leapt out and-!
SLASH!
"AAAAGGGGHHHH!"
He sent her flying back!
"Rei-chan!?" "Rei-chan!?"
Two new voices came, and looking on, he saw more of the meddlers from earlier. Displeased, his shadows moved to his whims and-!
SLASH!
"AAAAGGGGHHHH!"
"Ami-chan!?" He sent the blue-attired and shorter-haired girl flying out of the room, then he changed targets and moved to strike the long blonde-haired girl, who braced for the impact when-!
FLASH!
His eyes widened in alarm at this. He then uttered, "What is this!?" For quickly, the shadows he sent her way were wiped out in seconds, leaving her completely unharmed!
Staring at her, he asked in disbelief, "What are you?"
…
Baffled herself as she stared at him. Usagi couldn't think of a word to say. However, agitated, she pointed at him and demanded, "That's MY question to you! Who do you think you are!? Attacking innocent people like this and trying to steal people away from those they love!"
He stared at her, stunned momentarily, before he sighed and told her, "I believe I already told you my name was Orpheus and what our purpose is didn't I?" Then, with unimpressed eyes, he continued, "You definitely don't retain details very well do you?"
"Hey! Don't call me stupid!" Usagi cried out, mad.
"I did no such thing."
"Yes you did!" She countered.
Shaking his head, he told her with a shrug of his shoulders, "You can see it, however you wish, it's clear you won't listen to my words properly will you?"
Embittered, Usagi couldn't believe this guy! How could he act so calmly after harming her friends!? She wouldn't forgive him! So quickly, she moved her hands and-!
FLASH!
She called forth her new caduceus wand. Holding it tightly, she told Orpheus, "Just give him back! Return Tomo-kun to us! You can't have him or his Grandpa!"
The leader of the Chain Raiders stared at her, then he asked, "Are you insinuating that I am treating them as objects?"
Blinking hearing this word, Usagi repeated slowly, "In-sin-you, what?"
"He means you're...hinting that he's doing something bad."
Hearing Iris's explanation, she whispered, "Thanks!"
Then, retaking her serious stance, she told him, "Yeah that's exactly what I'm doing! Because you want to just take their Destiny Jewels don't you? Like some awful pirate!"
He stared at her, then he repeated, "Pirate?" He stilled, and then, after a moment, he did something unexpected. He chuckled, finding her declaration amusing.
Appalled seeing him do this, she demanded, "Hey! What're you laughing for!?"
"Because I've never considered such a label!" With a shake of his head, he continued smiling, "But yes I suppose that's what you could call us?" Then, focusing his dark pink eyes amusedly on her, he said, "Though personally, I've always thought of myself and my band of comrades as rebels against fate."
Hearing him repeat this, Usagi didn't understand and asked, "What exactly do you mean by that? Fighting against fate?"
Orpheus studied her momentarily before he revealed, "I speak of the cruelty that each world subjugates its inhabitants to."
Feeling a chill as she heard this, Usagi repeated, "Cruelty?"
"Yes, the unjustly kind." As he confirmed this, he narrowed his eyes and stared at her.
Usagi was further baffled and asked, "How would a world be cruel to its people? What makes you-?"
"Are you really asking such a stupid question?" Orpheus asked her, clearly unhappy by her confusion.
Usagi didn't reply; she could only stare at Orpheus as he moved his arm and drew her attention to Tomo's slumbering Grandfather. As he did, he told her, "You think the world was kind, when it decided to have this man enter an awful state, for the sin of protecting his Grandson against another's thoughtlessness?"
Staring at Orpheus, Usagi couldn't think what to say, so she shook her head and told him, "The world didn't want that! How can that be!?" Thinking of her own experiences, she told him, "Accidents happen, intentional or not..." Gripping her hands on her wand, she protested further, saying, "But a whole world wanting that to happen, that's insane! That can't-!"
"It is possible!" Orpheus told her, then with a glare in his eyes making her stop, he continued, "I've seen it myself, the dark chains that bind this dying man and his Grandson, the world wanted them both to perish! That's why they've lost their colour."
Usagi became silent upon hearing this; something in Orpheus's words made a chill run through her bones. But she countered, telling him, "That's not true! They're haunted by despair and pain, it can be cleared away!" Then, with a hand on her chest, remembering Iris's words, she told him, "I can make that happen! I can restore hope to Tomo-kun! I-!"
"Perhaps so, but what about the boy's Grandfather?" Orpheus stopped her dead in her tracks, as he did with an angry look in his eyes. He asked her, "You think this all happened, simply because he was unhappy, that's what led to him being struck down?" Then his eyes narrowed as he told her, "How naïve are you?"
Usagi shivered under his hostile gaze; she couldn't say anything as Orpheus continued, "There are times of course when people enter a dark state, that I won't deny. But what do you think caused that dismal state in the first place? Are you saying its the suffering person's fault? That they simply need to cheer up and things will immediately be all right?" His hostility was evident in his disapproving voice, "Is that what you really think?"
She stared at him silently; she felt hesitant to answer immediately. Then, looking down, she bit her lower lip and replied, "...I don't know?"
"You don't?"
As she heard him ask, closing her eyes, Usagi told him, "I won't deny it, bad things happen and I've got no idea what causes all that stuff, I'm not going to pretend I know..." However, clenching her wand tightly again, she told him firmly, "But I still believe things can always get better, no matter what the cause of it is! Because someone will always try to reach you and get you out of that darkness!" Feeling a light glow within her chest, she told him, "Me and my friends will help everyone we can, no matter what! By using the bonds we share, and using the powers of our Sailor Crystals, we will always protect the people of Earth against the grief brought by fate or anyone else!"
Staring at her, Orpheus asked her, "Sailor Crystals?"
Usagi nodded, then-!
GLOW!
Her chest glowed brightly, with the dazzling and warm light of the Silver Crystal revealing her powerful intent. As she did, she told him, "For I am the Guardian of this world, the warrior who fights for love and justice! I am Sailor Moon!" Then, with her resolve shining like her crystal, she told him, "And I will stop you Orpheus!"
The leader of the Chain Raiders stared at her silently, surprising her yet again. He smiled and told her with another small laugh, "Amazing, to think I would find another who shares the same power."
"The same?" She repeated, shocked.
Orpheus didn't answer her immediately. Instead, he walked and stood before the bed, bringing his hands close to his chest, and-!
GLOOM!
A dark shape formed that morphed and glowed with a sinister light. As it did, Usagi was caught off guard by this display.
"For I too, am a Guardian like you!" Then as the source of his power formed, revealing a dark crystal in the shape of a teardrop, it spun in the air exuding a dark force that seemed to suck in the light from the Silver Crystal.
Usagi felt another chill go down her back as she heard Orpheus then reveal, "I am the Guardian of the star Vega, the constellation you know as the Lyra!" With his eyes shining with his own dark resolve, he declared, "And in the name of those who have been abused by the forces of Fate! I will save them from you, Sailor Moon!"
Usagi couldn't believe it. This person, possessing Tomo-kun, he was a Guardian like her? That couldn't be possible!
However, seeing the dark energy of his crystal and feeling its ominous power, there could be no denial. He was of the same calibre as she and her friends! But she still didn't understand what had caused him to act in such a-!
"I don't care what you're the Guardian of!"
Spooked, Usagi turned and saw, "Rei-chan!?" Quickly, she saw her friend had returned and was now coming to her side.
She was grimacing, but she burned with determination as she told their new enemy, "You don't have... the right, to take those we love... from us!" She faltered and tripped.
"Rei-chan!?" Catching her fast, Usagi held her close to herself.
She breathed in and out hard, then held Usagi herself, letting her prop her up. She made a silent nod to her, grateful for the help.
Usagi was glad too, then looking at Orpheus with her, she stayed silent as Rei continued, "Even if you're fighting fate, I won't let you take them away from us!"
As she said this, Orpheus asked her, "Even if it's by the person's choice?"
"It's a bad one! Made in the worst moment!" She told him, then-!
"Mars Flame Sniper!"
BLAZE!
Quickly, her fiery bow and arrow emerged and taking fast aim, she released her power and-!
BLAST!
"Urgh!"
Orpheus was thrown back, making the image of his crystal fade away as he hit the foot of the bed. As it did, he uttered breathlessly, "That was close!" Then, feeling his energy depleting, "I've almost reach my limit, I won't be able to keep going much longer!"
"You mean you won't be able to save my Grandpa?"
"I'm sorry, Tomo-kun!" Then, as the smoke started to fade, he told him, "At this rate I won't be able to take you both with me! I'll-!"
"It's okay!"
"Huh?" He became puzzled.
"Just do what you can, I'll do something!"
"Something?" Orpheus repeated, puzzled.
"Yeah, just please..."
…
Surprised, Usagi asked, "Did you get him?"
"I think so!" Rei replied, though she admitted, "But I had to hold back a lot, I couldn't hurt Hiroshi-san!"
Silent, Usagi though nodded and said, "Yeah, I know!" Then, patting her back, she said, "Well done, Rei-chan!"
Her friend revealed a troubled smirk, but before she could say more-!
"Sailor Moon?"
As the smoke cleared away, sprawled on the floor, looking disorientated, his eyes restored to their original brown. In amazement, the two Guardians saw, "Tomo-kun!?"
The young man stared at them, baffled. Then, achingly, he stood up, shaking his head, and uttered, "Where am I, what-?"
"We're here to save you!" Rei cried, then quickly Usagi assisted her, and the two of them walked closer to him and said, "I'm sorry it took a bit, but you're gonna be alright! That guy won't come for you now!"
However, the young boy stared at them with wide eyes as they approached. He stepped back and away from them, his surprised look turning into anger.
As he did this, Usagi asked him perplexed, "Tomo-kun?"
"Stay away from me!" He ordered, looking agitated.
Shocked, Rei asked, "What? Why would you say that?"
"That guy, Orpheus-san..." Upset, he told them, "He was gonna save my Grandpa! Do you know that?!"
Stilled, Rei asked him, "What?"
"He was gonna save him!" Then, looking at his slumbering Grandfather, with pain in his eyes, he turned back to them, "And now you've ruined that!" Looking down with tears in his eyes, "There's no hope anymore!"
Usagi felt a pain in her heart, staring at Tomo's hurt look. She didn't know what to say.
"That's not true!" Rei spoke again. She told him, "No matter what that guy told you, whatever method he was gonna use! It wouldn't have done any good! I know Hiroshi-san would never have-!"
"How would you know my Grandfather!?" Tomo demanded angrily, "You don't know him! There's nothing you guys can do to-!"
"You're wrong! I do know you!" Rei countered, then looking uncertain momentarily. She sighed, then moved her free hand to her chest-!
GLOW!
Shocked, Usagi cried, "Rei-chan!?"
Tomo then repeated, "Rei-chan...?"
With that, Rei undid her transformation. Revealing her original self. As she looked at him, she told him sadly, "Hi, Tomo-kun..."
It was clear. Tomo couldn't believe his eyes. Then he asked, "You're Sailor Mars?"
She nodded her answer.
Then, as he stared at her, he quickly looked angered and asked, looking back at his Grandfather momentarily, "...Did you know his condition? What was really gonna happen to him?"
Rei looked conflicted; she took a deep, pained breath and then admitted, "Yeah, I did... your parents told me everything, and my Grandpa since they're old friends."
Tomo became infuriated, "So you lied too! Just like them! Keeping me in the dark about everything!"
Rei gripped her fist and told him, "I didn't want to honestly..." However, she desperately added, "But they, me and my Grandpa we didn't want to devastate you! You know Hiroshi-san wouldn't want you to be heartbroken, we were just trying to-!"
"SHUT UP!" Tomo cried, then, holding his head, continued, "Don't pretend you know how he feels!" Then, slapping a hand to his chest, he added, heartbroken, "And how I feel! You don't know at all!"
GLOOM!
Then, suddenly, awful wisps of darkness began to pollute around his body. Showing the darkness of despair and pain that was gripping him.
"Tomo-kun!?" Usagi cried worriedly; she had to do something, and Rei did too before things got worse!
XXXXXXXXXX
SWISH! SWISH! SWISH! SWISH! SWISH!
SWISH! SWISH! SWISH! SWISH! SWISH!
SWISH! SWISH! SWISH! SWISH! SWISH!
SWISH! SWISH! SWISH! SWISH! SWISH!
"AAAAGGGGHHHH!"
As Minako and Mako screamed, they hit the floor, unable any longer to avoid the storm of arrows that Kenatus had unleashed on them.
Aching as she tried desperately to pull Mako up beside her, Minako didn't know if they could go on much longer. They had to give time to Sailor Moon and the others so they could rescue Tomo. However, if that didn't happen soon, they'd-!
"KENATUSSSSS!"
Then the awful centaur Tocsin towered over them, his sinister bow and arrow ready to rip them apart.
The two Guardians stared up hatefully at Kenatus, unable to move away in time. They were prepared for the worst when-!
"SHUT UP!"
Hearing this loud cry, Minako stilled, and Mako did too. Then, surprisingly, Kenatus froze as well.
Minako, shocked, asked, "That was-?"
"Don't pretend you know how he feels!"
Mako though quickly recognised the voice and asked, "Tomo-kun?"
"And how I feel! You don't know at all!"
The two Guardians could feel the pain in his voice, even from all the way down there. It was awful, but before they could express anything-!
GLOOM!
Kenatus's body started to swarm and fester with more evil shadows. As it did, horrified, Mako asked, "What's... he doing?"
Shaking her head, Minako moved to answer when-!
"KENATUSSSSS!"
The monster charged, leaving them in the dust. As he did, shocking them, the two of them then saw him move to another position. He quickly took out his deadly bow and arrow again and aimed in one precise direction.
Baffled, Minako looked up with Mako and to their horror, they saw the broken window from earlier that Mars's Flame Sniper attack had destroyed before. There, they saw Tomo's unprotected back, which was being targeted by the monster!
XXXXXXXXXX
Seeing him swarm with darkness, Usagi didn't know what to do. She had to heal him and stop the hurting, but how was she to do that when-!
"Stop trying to hide everything from me!" As Tomo cried out, Usagi stared with Rei as he continued, "Don't decide what I can handle and what I can't!" His hands tensed in his hair, "Why can't I have a say in anything, do my feelings not matter in the slightest!?"
Hearing his pain, Usagi froze. Then, looking at Rei, she saw her look torn as tears began to line her eyes; she uttered sadly, "Tomo-kun..."
He breathed in and out, agitated, but then bowed his head back. With a sad chuckle, he uttered, "But again... maybe that's how you all see me, isn't it?"
Perplexed, as she stared at him, Rei asked, "Like what? What do you mean?"
He turned back and looked at her, "...You think I'm weak, don't you?" Rei stiffened in Usagi's hands. The heartbroken boy continued, "That with just this, I'd collapse and not be able to function anymore right? You think I'm that pathetic?"
"No! That's not true at all! We just didn't want to hurt you, so you wouldn't-!"
"What you did was worse!" He cried, then gritting his teeth. Tears started to pour down his face. Then he continued, almost sobbing, "You kept the truth that Grandpa was dying from me, too soon! And all that time I was practising for the archery finals... I could've spent it with him instead!" He rubbed his eyes, trying to rid the pain, "You denied me that time!"
Feeling the heartbreak in his voice, Usagi felt pain in her heart. Rei stilled, she uttered, "Tomo-kun..."
"But I guess... it doesn't matter anymore!" Then, looking at them, not bothering to hide his anguish, he took a step backwards and said, "Grandpa's gonna die soon anyway, and I know he was the only one I could believe in now. Who truly understood me."
Not liking what this was hinting at, Usagi asked him, "What do you mean?"
"I can't believe in anyone anymore!" He told them, then with his hands on the broken window panes, he said, "Everyone's always going to lie to me, you all think I'm weak and if my Grandpa's not going to be with me in the future..." With a sad smile, he said, "I don't want to be a part of this world anymore!"
Horrified, Rei cried, "Tomo-kun you can't!"
"Why not?" He asked, then looking at her leader, "You can't heal my Grandpa right now, can you Sailor Moon?"
Shocked as he asked this, Usagi looked at him. Then, she remembered when she had resurrected her friends and herself in the past; it'd come at a massive sacrifice and throughout all her battles. She knew she couldn't restore someone in the way he wanted. All she could do was shake her head silently.
"Usagi!?" Rei cried, upset.
"There you are Rei-san..." Then, with a laugh, he told her, "This is the only way now!"
However, his old friend told him, "No, it's not!" Rei pleadingly told him, "Look even if we can't do that this doesn't make you weak! I do believe in you, I always have! And I... I should have told you the truth and I'm sorry!" Her tears falling, she continued desperately, "But listen, we'll think of something! I know we will, we'll find some way to make your Grandpa wake up, I'll talk to my own and-!"
"I think you're the one that needs to grow up Rei-san, if you believe in something silly like miracles!" Then he tensed his hands, readying himself.
Neither girl knew what to say, but Tomo told them, "But hey! Try and prove it to me!"
"Prove it to you?" Usagi asked him.
With a nod, he declared, "Yeah, that miracles can happen!" With that, he moved and-!
WHOOSH!
"TOMO-KUN!?" In horror, the two of them saw Tomo fall from the window! Rushing to it, they saw him plummeting to the ground below!
Usagi couldn't believe it! She was horrified, but then-!
"USAGI-CHAN!" Her attention was returned to her friend, who told her upset, "PLEASE!"
She didn't need persuading, and quickly, she dived out the window, holding Rei by the hand. As they did, the two of them dove down to catch him.
WHOOSH!
However, he was exhilarating down too fast! They wouldn't reach him in time. Desperately, she whispered, "Iris-chan! Please!"
GLOW!
In seconds, Iris responded to Usagi's cry, and the power of their Unity activated, making them fly down faster. They got closer and closer to Tomo when-!
"KENATUSSSSS!"
To their horror, Usagi saw Kenatus with his bow and arrow at the ready, and in seconds, as he fumed with dark energy-!
BLAST!
He unleashed a single deadly shot that intended to wipe them all out!
"Oh, no!?" As Rei cried out.
Usagi was horrified too, and then, as the blow came at them-!
SHINE!
A bright power shone out around Usagi, Rei and Tomo, wiping out the attack in seconds, but-!
"Agh!"
Hearing a cry of pain, Usagi worriedly cried, "Iris-chan!?"
"I'm... alright! Just please, save him!"
Worried for her, Usagi though nodded, and quickly, in seconds, she and Rei made it to Tomo and-!
GRAB! GRAB!
She and Rei immediately took hold of Tomo, stopping his horrible descent.
As they took hold of him, he looked startled and seeing them both, he asked, "Huh? You both managed to-!"
"Yeah, we reached you! You idiot!" Rei cried mad. Then, tightening her grip on his hand, she continued, "When we get to the ground! I'm going to give you the scolding of your life!"
Tomo looked at her with wide eyes, then he looked at Usagi.
She stilled, unsure of what to say, but with a sad smile, said, "I know you've had it rough and you were left out of things, but from now on, we'll make sure things will change for you!" Then, looking at her friend, she asked, "Right, Rei-chan?"
Staring at her, surprised momentarily, Rei smiled, pleased, and looking at Tomo, she told him, "Yeah! I'll make absolutely sure!"
"You mean it?" Tomo asked in disbelief.
"Hey! I mean what I say y'know!" Rei told him, clearly annoyed at the doubt.
Usagi laughed, and then she asked him, "Do you think you can start believing in miracles now, Tomo-kun?"
Staring at her, he was quiet. Then he laughed and replied, "Sure, I guess I can now!" Then quickly-!
SHINE!
The darkness that Tomo was polluted with was replaced by warm radiant light and as this happened-!
"KENATUSSSSS!"
The monstrous centaur wasn't finished and tried to come after them again, reaching his hand to grab them!
However, Usagi was empowered by this warm light and her Unity with Iris. Called out her Caduceus Wand and focusing its power, she swiftly moved-!
GLOW!
Surrounding Rei and Tomo in empowered magical rainbow light, letting them both float safely in the air. She charged down, flying in and around Kenatus's muscular form, as he tried to strike her over and over, missing each shot he fired. She cried out her new technique,
"Rainbow Moon Sweet Embrace!"
She wrapped him tightly in rainbow ribbons, stopping him from moving in seconds. He roared angrily at this confinement, but she didn't care, and instead focusing with all her remaining energy, she cried out the final technique that would fix everything!
"Moon Harmonious Restoration!"
SHINE!
Quickly, Tomo was drawn out of Rei's hands. As he was, she was worried. But before she could cry out-!
"It's alright, Rei-san! It's gonna be alright now!" He assuredly smiled, looked up high and continued, "...And the miracle I really wanted has been granted now!"
She looked at him confused but couldn't ask any more about it, as Kenatus's form was quickly swallowed up by a giant white flower bulb, along with Tomo! As they both were, the miraculous flower throbbed with warmth and life until-!
"Wonderful!"
BLOOM!
Quickly, the flower they were in bloomed, releasing a giant cluster of white orbs everywhere, which immediately healed all the victims who had fallen to Kenatus's terrible dark arrows.
Seeing them all being restored, Usagi was hugely relieved and smiled gratefully, "At last we did it!" Then she saw Rei come back down to earth, and as she did, she ran to Tomo's now slumbering form. Quickly, she joined her, and as she did, Minako and Mako did the same to ensure they were all okay.
XXXXXXXXXX
"Urgh..." Awakening, Ami was disorientated. Pulling herself up, she held her forehead and asked, "What happened, I was..." However, quickly, she remembered and uttered, worried, "The enemy!"
She lifted herself up achingly and immediately hurried back to the hospital room. Peering inside, she then saw-!
GLOOM!
An awful human shadowy figure, standing over the body of Tomo's Grandfather. In horror, Ami saw the darkness around them grow thicker and thicker while the light that was the victim's Destiny Jewel dimmed.
She had to do something. She moved to call her power when-!
"It is done..."
DIM...
Its light completely died, and in seconds, the Grandfather's physical form completely dissolved into dark atoms, leaving only the dimmed Destiny Jewel behind, which the living shadow took into his hand.
Seeing this happen, Ami felt her heart freeze. Her eyes widened as she watched the shadow hold the jewel in his hands close to what would be his chest. As he did, he uttered, "Your wish has now been granted Tomo-kun!" With that, more shadows morphed and moved around him, and a portal was opened. He was going to escape!
Ami tensed her fist. She wouldn't let that happen!
"Mercury Aqua Rhapsody!"
SPLASH!
Stopping his exit in seconds, playing her mystical watery harp, he looked at her, and she declared, "Return that Destiny Jewel!"
The shadowed figure's glowing dark pink eyes narrowed, and he replied, "I will not!" Then, gazing at it, he said, "This man will have life again someday, he will not succumb to a pointless death!"
Angered, Ami had no time for this. She needed to find a way to get back to the others; if they teamed up, they could surely-!
"THERE YOU ARE!""
Shocked, she turned, and there, arriving with her cannon gun in hand, looking wild and dishevelled, was Junonia.
Freezing, Ami then heard the furious redhead say, "After searching for all those darn rooms! I'm gonna make you pay for humiliating me!"
FLASH!
She then ignited the fuse, ready to fire!
Ami ran to get out of the way!
"Junonia enough!"
However, it was clear the cannon crazy girl was beyond reasoning as-!
KABOOM!
"AAAAGGGGHHHH!"
XXXXXXXXXX
"AAAAGGGGHHHH!"
Looking up in horror, the happy atmosphere completely evaporated, as everyone looked up and saw falling through the air covered in smoke, hit by a terrible fiery blast was-!
"Ami-chan!?" As Usagi cried out, she quickly moved. Kicking off the ground, she flew straight up, making it to her friend in seconds and-!
GRAB!
Caught her in her arms.
Holding her close, she cried worriedly, "Ami-chan! Ami-chan!"
"Urgh...!" Then the Guardian of Mercury opened her eyes slowly and asked, "Usagi-chan?"
The blonde girl smiled with relief, her eyes tearing up when-!
"GOT YA NOW!"
It was then Usagi saw, with alarm, Junonia again. Who had her cannon gun aimed straight at her from the broken window. She didn't have time to register anything else when-!
KABOOM!
"AAAAGGGGHHHH!"
Both Usagi and Ami screamed as they were sent plummeting down to the ground!
"USAGI-CHAN!" "AMI-CHAN!"
Everyone below was horrified, but there was no time to do anything! They couldn't-!
GLOW!
However, miraculously, a sphere of rainbow light appeared over Ami and Usagi, slowing their descent and then letting them land softly on the ground.
Shivering, Usagi, feeling this light, opened her eyes and noticed, "Wait? I'm not hurting!"
Ami was amazed too, then said, "Yeah, I'm not either now! Just what-!"
"Urgh!"
DIM...
However, with this groan of pain, the sphere around them died away and as it did.
GLOW!
Her Messenger Sprite separated from her form, returning Usagi to her original civilian state.
"Iris-chan!?" Catching her quickly in her hands, Usagi then saw in terror that her poor Sprite was covered in terrible scratches and charred all over!
Worried, she cried, "Iris-chan! What happened to you! Why're you-!?"
"I...I stopped... the pain!" Iris revealed achingly.
"Huh?" All Usagi could do was stare at her in disbelief.
"Iris-chan, what do you mean by that?" Ami asked her worriedly.
"I... absorbed the damage... from the battle, so my Princess and you wouldn't..." But Iris couldn't speak anymore as she fell into unconsciousness.
Still hearing this, Usagi cried, "Why? Why would you do that!" Looking at her poor, tiny, hurt form in her hands, she held her close and said, "You shouldn't have done that! You shouldn't..."
Ami was saddened too, but before she could say anything, Mako came over with worry-!
"I'M SORRY!"
They looked up again, and there they saw, floating in the air was, Junonia, held by the arm of a raging figure covered in dark shadows.
"CAPTAIN! CAPTAIN PLEASE I'M SORRY! FORGIVE ME!" She cried this loudly in upset and sorrow, trying to desperately grovel as she held onto him with another free arm.
"I WILL NOT!" Then the shadowed figure looked at her critically and said, "You will be dealt with when we get back to the Shining Hippocampus!"
She shuddered and looked away from him, her pitiful tears continuing to leak down.
As the Guardians looked up at him, Rei noticed, "Hey! That jewel!"
For it was then the others all noticed it, too. In Orpheus's free hand was a darkened Destiny Jewel. As they looked up at it, with terrified realisation, this meant-!
"This is our prize for this night!" Then, displaying the jewel in front of his chest, Orpheus revealed, "Hirohsi-san has been saved by the wish of his Grandson!"
Hearing this stilled, Rei then, looking at her old friend, asked, "Tomo-kun did-!"
"Yes!" Those dark pink eyes gazed at them all and revealed, "He distracted you all, so that this miracle could be made possible."
No one could say anything at all, for they realised then the awful truth. They'd failed, and that would now mean-!
"Now I bid you all farewell, Guardians of this world." With that, Orpheus vanished, taking Junonia and Hiroshi's Destiny Jewel.
"No wait!" Rei cried, but it was no use. All that was left above them was the darkness of the night.
…
As the gravity of what happened settled, no one knew what this would mean for them. For looking at Tomo, who was slumbering in Rei's arms, they couldn't believe he'd go that far to make sure-!
"Mmm...!"
It was then the young man stirred awake. As he did, Rei cried, "Tomo-kun!?"
He opened his eyes, looked at her confusedly, and asked, "Rei...san?"
"Why did you do it!?" Rei cried, upset.
"Do what?"
"How could you let them take your Grandpa!?" Rei cried, tears falling from her eyes.
"My...Grandpa?" He asked her, puzzled.
"Yeah! Why couldn't you believe in Sailor Moon and-!"
"Rei-san... I've never had a Grandpa what do you mean?" Tomo asked her, baffled.
Everyone was horrified at these words. They said nothing except Rei, who asked, "You've never... had...?"
"Yeah, I've never had someone like that!" Then, as he sat up, he held his head.
"How could you say that!?" Rei cried, then she continued, grabbing his shoulders, "We used to all practise archery, you, me him and my Grandpa! We-!"
"What? No!" He replied, then corrected her by saying, "It was always just you, me and your Grandpa! There was never-!" However, as he said those words, tears started to pour from Tomo's eyes.
"Tomo-kun!?" Rei cried, alarmed.
Feeling his cheek, the young boy was confused, "What is this?" Then, quickly, more and more tears spilt uncontrollably from his eyes. He couldn't hold them back as he tried to wipe them away, "Why? Why am I crying... I don't understand! I-!"
Then he broke down into sobs. Holding him close to herself as he shivered, Rei cried too, and the devastated Guardians then saw the pain and misery that was left behind when the precious life, memories and destiny of one person were robbed from the chains of life...