Okay, here's the FULL epilogue. Sorry about last week's upload.
She opened her eyes, which was her first surprise, so she
quickly closed them again, then peered out through one, and then the
other. Yep, she definitely had control of her eyes.
And face, for that matter. Consciously, she flared her
nostrils, scrunched up her eyebrows, and puffed out her cheeks.
Everything seemed to be in working order.
In fact, she seemed to be alive, and that was her second
surprise. Other than a terrible weakness that had settled in her
bones, along with a disconcerting feeling that something was missing,
Rei was positive that she still lived.
"No," she whispered with dawning horror, bolting upright in
the bed. "NO! Usagi!"
Rei leaped out of the bed, nearly slipping on the satin
sheets, and sprinted for the door, screaming madly all the way.
The door swung open just as she reached for the handle,
slamming Rei painfully in the forehead and dropping her like a sack of
dazed potatoes.
"Nani?!? Nani?!?" Usagi cried, frantically glancing back and
forth in the room, looking for an intruder or something before
settling her gaze on Rei, or rather, the ugly red mark beginning to
show on her forehead. "Oh! Gomen nasai, Rei-chan! Are you alright? Oh
dear, gomen nasai!" She kneeled down beside Rei, gingerly touching the
quickly-forming bump.
Rei stared with saucer-wide eyes at the princess, utterly
forgetting the pain. Usagi is alive! Usagi is alive, and so am I!
"What's all the commotion?" Chaszmyr asked, silently padding
into the room with a snowy white brow raised inquiringly. He sported a
deep, royal blue doublet over a white shirt, and black trousers tucked
into soft leather boots. Concern touched his sky blue eyes, and he
kneeled before Rei. "Why, Mistress Rei, you have awakened." He
retrieved one of her hands, and kissed it lightly. "It's wonderful to
see you out and about." He flashed her an absolutely dashing smile,
helping her to her feet. "Lady Usagi, you really should be more
careful. At this rate, Rei will never recover from her debacle."
With a great deal of confusion (and embarrassment on Usagi's
part), the dark-haired woman allowed herself to be pampered back to the
bed, though she refused to release a grip on Usagi's arm. Even when
they had Rei safely nestled back under the covers, she would not
relinquish her grip.
The princess cringed slightly at the vice-like grip. "Uh,
Rei-chan, you don't need to hold on to me. I'm not going anywhere if
you don't want me to." She smiled tightly in a vain attempt to hide the
discomfort, but Rei noticed it as if she were screaming out loud. Very
slowly, the priestess released her grip, still unable to comprehend
how both of them had managed survival.
"How?" she gaped, trying hard not to leap and smother Usagi,
fearing she might never let go.
"Ah, a simple resurrection spell, my dear," Chaszmyr drawled
with mock nonchalance. "My Beloved is blessed with a trifling of her
goddess' divine power." Despite his light tone, something in his tone
tinged his words with concern.
"So... I was dead... at least, for a little while?" Rei
settled back into her pillow, trying to digest that piece of
information. "Did Xune... you know... did she...?"
Usagi shook her head. "No, Xune's alright. She's pretty tired,
but that's about it. Apparently you didn't want to come back, and she
had to fight for your return. She's been resting for a week now, but
she's alive."
"Xune's far away from her goddess as well, and that added to the
difficulty of the spell," the drow added. "It's not really going to
help your state of mind to dwell on it. Besides, everything worked out
for the best anyway, and now I'm here to make sure you girls don't get
into anymore trouble." His good humor infected even Rei's confusion, a
wane smile touching her lips.
The priestess felt very tired and disoriented, as if the weight
of the world had been pressing on her shoulders for so long, she had no
idea what to do now that it had lifted. Somehow, she had made it
through her most grueling endeavor yet. Her twin was dead, finally,
leaving her alone with the power-
Rei's breath caught in her throat, for she suddenly realized why
she felt as if some void had entered her body. For an excruciating
moment, Rei tried to concentrate on something, anything, even a wisp.
Nothing.
-----------------------
A Rei of Hope: Epilogue
-----------------------
When first she opened her eyes, it was with weary wonder. The
life she had sacrificed, that she had burned away with such a free and
unregretting choice, had been returned to her. She could not
understand. She had felt it slip away, had felt with certainty that all
she had left to play on this jeweled world was complete, despite
knowledge that she would have a part in keeping the future whole. The
future queen of Crystal Tokyo would have had need of her when the
palace would be under siege, but the Sailor Mars was sure the others
would handle the burden with fortitude, with the courage she had
displayed herself in sacrifice.
And yet, here she was, staring at a dark ceiling, alive and
immensely tired.
Sitting beside the bed, boring her with those eternal magenta
eyes, was the Sailor Pluto, her staff resting upon one shoulder.
"I must know, Rei," she said in a desperate voice
uncharacteristic of her. "Who are you? I cannot see you, but you are
here, foreign to me, who has watched over the rest of you for more time
than I can remember. I must know who you are."
"Do you still fear me?" That was not what she meant to say, but
those were the words that emerged from Rei's weakness.
Pluto frowned, then shook her head once. "Perhaps at one time I
did, but no longer. With the end of your Darkness, you have been
released of the burden of the Weave. You cannot play as large a part in
the instability of Time anymore. No, I do not have the privilege of
fearing you any longer."
"Then," Rei replied, taking in a breath to settle herself, "does
it matter who I am?"
"No," Pluto conceded, "I suppose not, but I still would like to
know."
Rei was still in her Sailor Mars form, and she remembered
something that had come back with her that she had tucked away for
later study. Seeing as how she no longer had that opportunity, she
pulled it out of her dimensional pocket. "Perhaps this will explain
everything to you, Setsuna," she muttered, holding out her outstretched
hand.
It was a shard of gemstone, blood red in hue.
The gasp that escaped Sailor Pluto was discreet, but enormous in
magnitude. Tentatively, she reached forth and carefully grasped it, her
eyes wide with horror, but also with wonder. "Where did you get this?"
"The future."
Pluto stared hard at the woman lying in the bed, caressing the
shard with love. Imperceptibly, her body tensed. "Oh. That is why you
are foreign to me."
Rei only had the energy to nod, her fatigue beginning to
overwhelm her again. "May I ask you a favor?"
"Perhaps."
Closing her eyes at her exhaustion, the Senshi of Fire whispered
softly, "Can you follow the timeline and see if I exist in this time
other than myself?"
A short silence followed, and Rei did not have the energy to open
her eyes and see Pluto's reaction, but she fought off her tiredness in
hopes that Pluto would respond.
The Senshi of Time contemplated turning the request down, for she
knew if another Rei Hino existed at this time, then she would know it.
That kind of paradox would reverberate throughout the timestream. No,
somehow, if her experiences were correct, the Rei Hino of this time
would have vanished, leaving nothing of her existence for anyone to
follow. Somehow, this Rei had proven the stronger of the two to Time,
and it had accepted her over the other. Pluto could not decide whether
that was for the best or not, for she was unaware of the true
consequences of this particular event, and she did not think she would
ever know.
"I will do as you say, Sailor Mars," the elder Senshi murmured,
hearing the patient's breath take the soft rustle of sleep. "Rest easy,
for you have earned it more than I will possibly know."
-----
Rei's fingers brushed lightly over the crystal case holding the
jade circlet. It seemed so long ago that she had created these display
cases, with full intentions of discovering the secrets of all her
treasures. She knew each had a story to tell, each with a history
magnificent and grand, some horrible, some brilliant, all wondrous.
A sigh of regret escaped her, one that would remain in this vault
with the artifacts. She would never unlock their mysteries, now that...
With lingering steps, Rei stole one more glance at the trove she
had created once upon a time. Then, with whispered softness, she
uttered the password that shut the magical portal behind her. An ebon
slab of polished stone ground down from the top of the threshold,
sealing the chamber. As commanded by the spell, the rock melded and
reshaped until it was nothing more than another wall of her bedroom.
She had promised to allow Szaravel and Xune to study the
treasures within, so the items would not be truly lost, and yet, in a
sense, they would be lost forever to her. Without the aid of the Weave,
Rei would never study their secrets as was her wont.
Moments later, the young priestess was bundled in thick robes,
wandering the temple grounds. Evening had settled in, and the winter
air held the biting crispness of a clear and featureless night. The
stars shone like glimmers of hope, announcing with a sad joy that the
world had escaped yet another turbulence that threatened to shake it
apart.
Yet another disaster abated by last minute heroism and sacrifice.
The sigh that emerged this time coalesced into a breathy cloud,
evaporating like so much... life.
Footsteps clicked on the paved path, drawing Rei's attention from
the sky back to the earth, and to her deepest friend, Usagi.
"Konnichiwa, Rei-chan."
"Konnichiwa, Usagi-chan."
"How are you feeling?"
"I'm... alright, I guess."
The two stood silently for a few minutes, Usagi watching Rei, Rei
returning her attention to the stars. The normal chirps evoked by the
night muttered soundlessly about them.
"Rei, look at me."
The young woman flinched, for she had been expecting this for
some time. In fact, she had expected the confrontation ever since she
woke up nearly a month ago, but Usagi had held her tongue in a rare
display of patience. Until now.
Slowly, the priestess brought herself to meet the princess' gaze.
Strangely, it was not as bad as she had thought. There was confusion in
those beautiful sapphire eyes, confusion and a tiny bit of wonder.
Wonder!
Almost instantly, Rei knew what the blonde was thinking. Only
Tsukino Usagi would be confused that she was not the one to stand
solely in the fore of this battle, to absorb the blow of evil for
everyone else, to sacrifice her life as she had done more times than
any one person could ever be expected to.
Not only that, but the innocent young woman with a heart so pure
that it absolutely had to be made of gold, this Tsukino Usagi was in
wonder of her dark-haired friend because Rei had been the one take her
place. It went beyond that, however. If it had been anyone else,
Makoto, Minako, Hotaru, anyone, she would have the same bafflement
written in her eyes. It was not the fact Rei had taken the
responsibility upon herself, but rather the fact that ANYONE would
consciously accept the responsibility, knowing the consequences as she
undoubtedly had countless number of times before.
Without a word, Rei raised a finger to Usagi's forehead, brushed
aside a lock of hair, and softly kissed her where the crescent moon
would shine. "My baka odango atama," she whispered fondly.
Usagi gave her a quizzical look in return, trying to decide
whether she was satisfied or not. THAT certainly didn't answer any
questions. On the other hand, it was very nice, if absolutely out of
character. "Are you sure you're alright?"
"Princess, I couldn't be any better. Would you like to have some
tea?"
"No, actually I don't. What I want is for you to tell me where
you got that Crystal?"
"That is a long story, and one you won't be too comfortable
hearing. I don't think I'm comfortable even telling it." Rei shuddered
as the events of those five days crept back into her mind. "It's
another time, another place, one that... one that you will never endure
again."
Usagi digested that, chewing on her lower lip in comtemplation.
"Does Pluto know?"
Rei blinked in surprise. "How...?" She took a longer look at her
friend, and realized something new. The princess she had spent almost
all of her teenage life pestering, badgering, insulting and hardening,
was infinitely more insightful than Rei had ever given her credit for.
Beneath that exterior of flippant, childish innocence was a driving
mind far more intelligent than expected. The dark-haired woman suddenly
felt foolish. "Yes, Pluto knows."
Usagi shrugged, slipping her arm around Rei's and directing them
back towards the shrine. "In that case, it's alright. Everything is
okay. I take it it was worth it?"
Rei stared into those sapphire eyes, seeing her own reflection
gazing back in the moonlight. Tightening her arm's link with Usagi's,
she replied, "Yes, very much so."
"Even the part where I disguised myself as you?" Usagi asked
slyly.
Rei chuckled and nodded. "In the grand scheme of things, that's
one for you, my princess."
It was not long thereafter that Usagi had to leave. With all of
the excitement of the previous few weeks, the princess and her consort
had had to put off their considerations for their wedding, but that
would change now. Before she left, Usagi made Rei promise to go
shopping tomorrow for bridal dresses. Rei sighed mockingly, but agreed
joyously.
It was time for a little happiness.
Rei watched Usagi leave from the top of the stairs leading to the
street. When the princess was far enough away that she would never
notice, the priestess spoke aloud over her shoulder, "Alright, Grell,
you can come out now."
From the shadows hiding beneath the banisters, the Grelloth Noxus
flowed forth, towering like a giant over Rei. "I had figured you would
have noticed me before now, Lady Rei."
She shrugged. "I didn't want Usagi tainted by your presence." Her
tone was actually light-hearted, and she even favored him with a small
grin.
If the Grell was surprised, he gave no hint. "I am glad you are
well."
"Are you?" Rei gave a sad frown. "It was good to be on the same
side, Grell. Will we be enemies once again? I had hoped..." She left
her words hanging expectantly.
The white mask shook back and forth in the negative. "Do not be
foolish, Fire-child. Nothing has changed between us. I still represent
everything that the Senshi abhor, and I will not sway from my goals
just because of a peculiar predicament which forced us together." He
hesitated marginally, then reached out with a gloved hand to caress her
cheek.
Rei shuddered at the touch, but did not pull away.
"I would betray you one day, use you like I use all that are
associated with me. My dreams are much too despicable for the likes of
you, and I would not push them upon you in any case. My feelings for
you are... a weakness."
The dark-haired woman stared back, unable to decide whether he
was insulting or complimenting her. The spark of anger, however, was
igniting within her, and she pulled back. "We will be enemies from here
on, Grelloth Noxus. You do understand that?"
"I understand that very well. The question is, will you
understand that?" Rei opened her mouth to reply, but he forestalled
her. "I know you better than most. You are compassionate and self-
sacrificing. If you think you can accomplish something, then you will
try, not matter the odds. Those are all very admirable qualities, but
they mean nothing to me. If you hesitate for a moment when next we
encounter each other, I will destroy you with no compunction
whatsoever. You must be fully aware that I am the worst evil you may
ever encounter."
He stepped back then, and pulled back one side of his cloak,
revealing a young man that had been standing within the Grell's cloak
all along. His face was slack with unconsciousness, but he stood upon
his own power somehow.
Rei let out a gasp at seeing the young man.
The Grell stepped back, releasing his hold on the male, who
promptly fell to his knees, and would have fallen upon the ground if
Rei had not rushed forward to support him. Tears blurred into her
vision upon touching her lost love of five years, and she cradled his
head to her chest, gazing up at the Grell with eternal gratitude
gushing from her eyes.
"Do not thank me," he interrupted, closing his cloak once again.
"I agreed to the contract, and the contract has now been fulfilled. I
have returned to you Cole Gishumi as I said. Hear me, though. He is not
as you know him."
"Nani?" Rei replied, doubt returning to her face. "What have you
done to him?"
"He was, for some time, the host of the Grelloth Noxus, and as
such, there are irrevocable side effects."
"What sort of side effects?" Rei growled.
The Grell turned back towards the shadows. "He will never
remember his time as myself-"
"Good!" the woman barked, gripping Cole tighter.
"-nor will he remember anything about you or your friends."
The air suddenly felt thick to Rei's lungs, and she struggled for
her breath as it seemed she had been punched in the stomach. With
widening eyes, she glanced down upon Cole's handsome face, a host of
memorable images coming to her vision.
"I could not allow him to retain memory of myself, and since you
are intermingled in his mind with my form, I was forced to remove his
memories of you as well." He stepped into the shadows and disappeared.
I am sorry, Lady Rei, but this is the lesson I must teach you. Until
next time." He melded back within the shadows, leaving a void deep and
cold.
Rei's sobs echoed through the temple grounds.
-----
"That was very rude of you, Grelly Boy," Baba Yaga mentioned,
tipping back a shot of some liquor before setting it down upon her
table. Through her scrying crystal, she watched the anguish of the
priestess with a certain equanimity, but then grunted in disgust and
switched it off. "Still, in the long run, you have done her a
considerable favor. Don't you agree?" The witch addressed the woman
standing behind her.
"Yes, your majesty, it was most necessary," Sailor Pluto replied
with no emotion. The Garnet Orb glimmered off her deep green hair.
-----
Winter in France was not that much different from winter in
Japan. The same cold wind swept through the streets, whistling past
awnings, windows and beggars alike.
The Louvre was closed for the night. Several guards made their
rounds, waving flashlights back and forth aimlessly. They did not take
the job very seriously, for no one could get through the security
measures anyway. This particular museum was one of the most difficult
institutions of art to burglarize in the world. No human could hope to
get in, let alone get out.
Of course, humans are not the only ones to habitat the Earth.
Standing upon the roof of the museum, she glanced about at the
city of Paris, then turned her attention to the guard strolling below
her. After a few minutes, he strode by, leaving her alone once again.
On silent wings, she fluttered down to the front entrance,
landing on delicate, bare feet. The huge doors were locked, of course,
but they did not hinder her in the least. She simply stepped through,
phasing past the construction.
Her eyes scanned the vast halls, searching with a calm
directness suggesting she knew exactly what she was looking for. The
security cameras missed her every passage, for the being did not
register on the visual light spectrum. When it came to the laser
detection systems, her eyes usually discovered the invisible lines
before she passed through, and for those she did not, some force about
her bent the beams up and over her without breaking the actual
connection.
For all practical purposes, she was not there.
After some time, she turned a corner, and smiled warmly before
approaching one particular piece of sculpture. Upon standing before
it, she kneeled in respect, bowing her head demurely. "The time
quickly approaches, my Holy Lord. I come with a message."
"Who delivers this message?" asked a sonorous masculine voice,
emanating from the artpiece known throughout the world as 'The
Thinker'. "I do not recognize the voice."
"I am Serra, my Lord."
"Serra? I know not of you. Your youth must be extreme."
Unruffled, Serra raised her purely silver eyes to gaze upon
the sculpture. "Indeed, my Lord. My position has been raised but
recently. I am a mere 1500 years in service."
"Ah," the statue exhaled in understanding. "Very well. What is
this message?"
"As sentenced, you will be released 1001 nights before the
Silence. As foretold, you are released 1001 nights before the
Silence." Serra stood, waiting for a reply.
The statue remained voiceless for a long moment, before
speaking again. "What of my position?"
"The Solar Spark still wanders the world, awaiting history,
though..." Serra trailed off, her great white wings fluttering in
agitation.
"Though?" he prompted.
She shook her head, silver hair cascading down her pale
shoulders. "You are given permission to free yourself from your exile,
Lord Galaghiel. Fate will take care of the rest." Once again, she
waited calmly.
At first, nothing happened, and Serra feared perhaps the long
imprisonment had severely drained the celestial condemned of his
powers. After a moment, though, the stone began to glow with a holy
light, sprouting from cracks within. With a creaking grind, the
Thinker raised his head from his fist, straightening and rising to his
feet. The light enveloped his whole form, swallowing the drab stone
grey and replacing it with a fine bronzed tan. Two wings of burnished
gold sprouted from his massive back, stretching wide with grand
strokes. Like the magnificent detail with which the original sculptor
had chiseled into the statue's physique, so to did this being ripple
with masculine beauty, broad of shoulders, thick with muscle, exuding
grand strength.
He towered a full seven feet tall, a mortal Adonis, his wings
swept out twice as wide as his height. Very slowly, the being opened
his eyes for the first time in several thousand millenia.
Like his wings, the eyes were burning gold.
Serra looked unperturbed at the towering man before her, even
though he stood nearly two feet taller and was completely nude. Far
from being embarrased, the winged woman nodded in a foreign
understanding.
The General of the Celestial Host had returned at last.
*****
Whew! It's about time! Uh, alright, here is the address that you may
contact me with your comments and criticisms:
meech@mindspring.com
If you are wondering about any author notes or such, well, I can't come
Up with any at this time. If you have any questions, give me a buzz.
Also, if you have been reading my stuff since I started writing, and
I put you on my mailing list, well, it seems the mailing list was lost
When I switch computers. My apologies to everyone who has been expect-
Ing this part before it should up on the archives.
See you when I write again!
Meech the Brown Hornet
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