Chapter 74

Luna and Artemas had been the last to arrive and to see the carnage. Raye's house once again smashed, Uranus now lying dead on the ground and Raye sobbing uncontrollably. Neptune and Pluto could hardly contain themselves. The other scouts didn't move unsure of what do say or do.

"What..happened here?" Luna said in shock.

"Kaolinite killed Rick," Jupiter said managing to sound bitter amidst her own shock.

"He's gone?" Artemas said. No one answered.

"Where are the others?" Luna asked, her own eyes welling up.

"Went off to find her," Mercury managed to answer.

"They can't fight her on their own," Artemas said.

"That's assuming they found her," Luna said.

"Luna, we've got other problems at the moment," Sailor Moon snapped.

"Yes. I can see that..." Luna stammered.

"Rick...you..you..idiot...defending me..when you should have..ran..how could you do that? Now I..have no one," Raye said amidst her sobs.

"That's not true Raye," Venus said with the courage to walk up. "You have us."

"You're not enough!" Raye shouted and stood up walking over to her room.

"None of this is enough!" She shouted and picked up what was left of the door and flung it towards them. They all dodged out of the way.

"Raye, get a hold of yourself," Mercury said.

"Like that even matters!" she shouted and walked inside her room. Various things started flying out of it.

"This isn't good at all..." Luna said.

"She's a complete wreck," Artemas said.

"Rick..Rick..hey..man..you have to still be there," Neptune was saying.

"Yeah..you're just sleeping or something..get up," Pluto said.

Tuxedo Mask turned away.

The pain they must all be in. And Rick...he came to me..he saw it..coming..at least..he didn't live with that fear..until he died... He thought.

"Look what you've done to me!" Raye shouted. "I've become so dependent on you I can't even handle this!" she shouted and threw something else. "The price of having friends..." she said and through an entire book case out the door.

"Raye..uh.." Venus said.

"We have to stop her, but how..." Jupiter said.

Then things got even crazier. There was bright glow.

"Raye, please stop," came a voice. There appearing in front of them all was Queen Serenity.

"Queen Serenity," Sailor Moon said in surprise.

"You! You and your moon kingdom and your sailor scouts and your destiny! You've destroyed my life!" Raye shouted angrily.

"Please Raye..listen..." Serenity said.

"To you? I've listened to you before!" Raye shouted back and then collapsed to the ground of exhaustion.

"Raye!" the girls said worriedly.

"She's just exhausted..." Serenity said. "Please..leave her to me..."

Serenity then disappeared..

Raye started drifting in her unconsciousness. It was dark, yet she could look around and know she was seeing different things. Then Queen Serenity appeared.

"Get out of my mind!" Raye shouted.

"No," Queen Serenity said.

"I don't want you to be here...I've had enough of you."

"Raye..I'm here to give you a chance to get him back."

"What? You liar."

"No..the powers of a Sailor Scout are beyond your understanding...what they allow you to do can sometimes be extraordinary....each scout has been given the power to journey into the dark beyond if the need is great enough."

"You cannot be serious. You just want to calm me down."

"No, I am serious Raye...you must deep down know that...I can send you there...and you can get him back."

"Then do it."

"You can only do this once and you only get one chance."

"I said do it!" Raye shouted.

"It will be dangerous."

"Whatever! I said do it!" Raye said. Then everything changed.

She was in Tokyo, but this wasn't her temple. It was a street. People were walking back and forth. Children were playing in various places.

"What is this? This is just Tokyo!" Raye shouted. "What? What is this?" she said. "What is going on here!"

"Hmm...you are a loud one aren't you?" came a voice. She turned to see a man standing there.

"Who are you?" she asked.

"I am..a guide. I usually guide spirits to their new homes, but you are..are not a spirit."

"Of course I'm not..." Raye said still hardly believing this to be the dark beyond, but instead just a crowded street corner.

"You are a special arrival," the guide said.

"What's your name?" Raye asked angrily.

"Don't have one."

"You have to have one."

"Here I don't."

"Listen buddy, I have no idea where I am, this is just thirty seventh street. In Tokyo," Raye said.

"Is it? Look around."

She did so..everything seemed normal..until she noticed something very odd.

"Wait a minute...that doctor's office wasn't there before...wait..I used to go there....several years ago....but...the doctor was..." she stopped in realization. "Killed in an accident."

"Yes..but now he can continue to practice."

"But why.."

"You'd have to be dead to truly understand things here, but..you are here for a reason aren't you?" the Guide asked.

"I need to find someone."

"Someone in particular I assume."

"Yes...he probably just arrived," Raye said.

"Oh..I understand..well..then you're journey is quite simple. Merely go to where he passed on and you will find him, but not for long, because he soon moves on to where he should be."

"Uh..right thank you!" Raye said and started to run. The guide grabbed her arm.

"I can't help you anymore once you set off on your own." he said. "Beware of the past."

Raye nodded.

What did that mean? She wondered.

"One last thing. If you do not leave before this day ends, you will never leave."

"Great," Raye muttered and ran down the street.

Just have to get to the temple. Then I'll find him. She thought.

"Hmm..going somewhere Miss Hino," A voice hissed. She stopped as a figure stepped out in front of her.

"Jaedite!"

"Yes..." he said.

"What are you doing here," she said angrily.

"Me? We'll I'm a part of your past, and I'm a part of your afterlife, whether you are truly dead or not...of course..if you weren't to make it out of here..what a pity it would be for you to die."

"Out of my way," Raye said.

"Hmm..you're going to have to push me out of your way..." Jaedite said. Raye ran towards him and kicked him in the head, he stepped backwards, but grabbed her and threw her to the ground.

"I'm afraid your cheap skills will not do here," Jaedite said. "For that matter, even your powers will not help."

My powers. Raye thought and fumbled around in her outfit for her power sticks. Not here, she thought in surprise.

"Hmm..too bad," Jaedite said. Raye charged again. Jaedite dodged and hit her knocking her back into a wall. She noticed a small trickle of blood coming from a hand she had scraped against the ground.

"You can't beat me here..." Jaedite said. "This is my domain."

"I think we've had enough of you," came a voice. Stepping forward was a man in knight's armor that Raye didn't recognize. He drew a large sword.

"Hmm..very well, I have no need to continue this," Jaedite said and walked off. The man reached down and picked her up off the ground.

"Are you all right?" he asked.

"Just a little bruised."

"Then you will need some assistance," the man said. "Lisa! You're needed!"

Out of nowhere emerged a nurse.

"I will treat you, don't worry," she said and began to swab the wound.

"Uh..Thank you..both of you.." Raye said.

"Yes..well we heard you were here Miss Hino," the man said. "It's dangerous if you are unprepared."

"But who are you?" Raye asked.

"The only people you may meet in this world are people who are in some way related to you or your past...even if you are connected by a thing string. Everyone else is just scenery. You see these people walking down the street, but if you talked to them they would say nothing that could help you because you know so little about them," the man said.

"I know nothing about you though," Raye said.

"You know more then you think, it is all a relative scale. See you know our son," the man said.

"What?" Raye said.

"Allow me to introduce myself...Vincent Patterson, and my wife Lisa."

"Hi," Lisa said.

"You're....." Raye said.

"Yes, by just meeting our son you have managed to form a small tie, that allows us to help you know," Vincent said.

"This is so strange though..all this," Raye said.

"Do not worry..I will see to it that you get safely to your destination," Vincent said.

"You're all set," Lisa said. Raye looked to see she had been healed.

"But..how do I fight anyone?" Raye asked.

"Oh..you see..if you were meant to fight anyone you would have a way..like I do," Vincent said. "I will protect you till we get there."

"Uh thank you," Raye said.

And the three set off.

"To be perfectly honest the two of us..haven't really gotten along..." Raye said.

"We know, it's all right," Lisa said.

"Yes, you have both experienced pain, you have your scars. Scars the run very deep," Vincent said.

"Yeah..well.." Raye said.

"Anyway...we have seen the good that you and all your friends do..even at your own personal hardship," Lisa said.

"Well I've just lost someone I cared for because of it," Raye said.

"Not if we can help it," Vincent said.

Then the three of them heard a shrieking laugh and appearing amidst a field of energy petals came Zoicite.

"Hi ya," she said.

"Zoicite!" Raye shouted.

"Go away you fiend..." Vincent said.

"Make me," Zoicite said. The two jumped into battle. Vincent attacked. Zoicite dodged and returned fire. Vincent stepped back.

"Go!" He said and Raye and Lisa started running down the street.

Hmm..wait till Malichite gets them. Zoicite thought and turned to face Vincent Patterson.

The two hurried down the street.

"There's the temple up ahead," Raye said.

"I know," Lisa said.

Then Malichite appeared on the sidewalk.

"No, I don't think you'll be going any further," Malichite said.

"Try and stop me you idiot!" Raye shouted.

"I can by just standing here, you can't get by me," Malichite said.

"I suggest you move aside," Came a voice behind Malichite he turned to see two figures appear there, which Raye recognized immediately.

"Mother! Father!" she shouted.

"Yes...Raye..we are here," her father said walking forward, a sword in his hand. His mother advanced too with her own sword.

"Very well..go ahead and take me on," Malichite said and jumped to fight the two.

"I have to go check on my husband. You go on," Lisa said.

"Thank you again," Raye said and hurried up the steps.

She stopped suddenly. There stood Rick, motionless.

"Rick!" she shouted and hurried towards him.

A figure dropped in front of him.

"Oh..you aren't going to get him that easily," said the figure. Raye shrieked.

"Queen..Beryl..." she said in shock.

"Yes...you think you would escape me? Hah!"

"I won't let you stop me!" Raye shouted and felt something inside of her. I must call up my powers, all of them. She said and began to glow with red energy.

"That will do no good.." Beryl said. "You are still alive..I am dead...you cannot hurt me."

"I have to!" Raye shouted and launched a mass of red fire from her hands. It hit Beryl, but had no effect.

"You cannot kill me...I am already dead..." Beryl said and cackled. "I on the other hand can to quite a lot to you!" she shouted and blasted Raye with some sort of energy knocking her back towards the steps.

"Rick!" Raye shouted in desperation. Beryl let out a scream of triumph and then suddenly stopped and dropped to the ground. Rick stood over her, with a sword in his hands.

"Rick!" Raye shouted in shock.

"Raye..you came for me," Rick said.

"Yes, yes, I did," she said and walked over and hugged him.

"I will destroy you!" Beryl said rising.

"No you won't Beryl..you cannot interfere now," came the guide's voice.

Beryl disappeared. Soon her parents and the two Patterson's came running up the steps.

"Well..she did it," Ms. Hino said.

"Rick..please..let me have a moment," Raye said and towards the two of them.

"Mom, Dad!" she shouted. "Is that..."

"Hi, Raye," Ms. Hino said.

"Long time no see," Mr. Hino said.

Raye started crying with joy.

"I'm so glad to see you," Raye said willing to believe everything, since there was no point to not believing it.

"We're glad to see you too Raye," the two replied.

"Hmm...how you doing?" Vincent Patterson asked Rick.

"Well..for being dead I feel okay," Rick said. "Who are you?"

"Vincent Patterson, at your service and my wife Lisa."

"Oh..my.." Rick said in surprise.

"Raye!" came another voice. Raye turned and saw that her grandfather was standing there.

"Grandfather!" Raye shouted and ran up and hugged him.

"I'm so sorry I left you like that!" he said.

"It's okay...we all make mistakes," Raye said overcome with happiness.

"Uh oh," Rick said.

"What is it?" Vincent asked.

"Well..I know how the death thing works. Raye can only take someone back who's been here for less than a week in our time frame," Rick said. "She could still take her grandfather back..and she should."

"I'm sorry," Vincent said.

"Well I'd better go talk to her," Rick said.

"Very noble," Vincent said.

"Raye," Rick said.

"What is it Rick?"

"You should take him back."

"What?"

"Your grandfather..you can still do it Raye. He's not been permanently placed yet.."

"I could take him back..." Raye said realizing it.

"Yes," Rick said. "You have to do it. Forget me."

"I'll take both of you," Raye said.

"Sorry, you can't do that I'm afraid," the guide said.

"What do you mean I can't do that!" Raye shouted.

"You're already messing up the natural order of things enough even being here, and taking someone back will cause enough trouble. Two people can't go back with you."

"But..." Raye said and sank to the ground.

"Raye?" Ms. Hino asked.

"I can't make that kind of decision," Raye said.

"You don't have much time Raye Hino, the sun is nearly ready to set," the guide said.

"Already?" Raye said.

"Yes," the guide said.

"Raye, take your grandfather, you care for him, more than you could ever care for me," Rick said.

"No, Raye..he's young..you need him to look over you," her grandfather said selflessly.

"Raye..he's your family...I'm the guy who dumped you remember," Rick said.

"Yeah...we've got a few words for you about that.." Ms. Hino said.

"Uh...heh.." Rick said.

"Raye...I'm old...how much longer could I go anyway?" her grandfather said.

"But..I can't.." Raye said.

"Raye! You have to take him!" Rick and her grandfather both said pointing at the other.

"I..." Raye said.

"I'll make you're job easier," Rick said and started to run away.

"Oh, no you don't!" her grandfather said and grabbed him, starting to run away himself.

"No, you stay!" Rick shouted.

"No way," her grandfather said and kicked Rick in the head and dashed for the steps.

"Grandfather!" Raye said. Rick jumped into the air and landed in front of him.

"Ehh.." her grandfather said. "Raye..you have to take him...if you don't you won't forgive yourself..he deserves the rest of his life."

"Raye, he's right," Ms. Hino said.

"It's not an easy decision, but you have to do it," Mr. Hino said.

"Raye...don't..." Rick said. "Take him."

"Rick..I came for you...." Raye said. "You will come back with me."

"Now that we've got that settled, let's drink sake!" her grandfather said.

"How long as she got?" Mr. Hino asked.

"An hour.." the guide said.

"Then let's make the most of it!" Mr. Hino said.

Raye opened her eyes. She was still lying on the ground. The scouts were standing there in the same positions they had been before.

"Rick!" she shouted and stood up. Uranus opened his eyes and stared at Neptune and Pluto.

"What the heck are you two looking at..haven't you ever seen a dead guy before?" Rick said

"Rick!" the two shouted and started hugging him.

"Hey!" Rick said. "What kind of men are you?" Rick said standing up and brushing himself off.

"Happy ones," The guys said and started hugging him again.

"Ahh.." Rick said.

"Wha..what happened?" Sailor Moon asked.

"It'll take a long time to explain," Raye said weakly. "I really have to lie down."

"You know..what..so do I..." Rick said and felt light headed.

"For being dead a few minutes ago you have a surprisingly amount of energy," Neptune said.

"Hey..I'm the man..." Rick said.

"So what's being dead like?" Neptune asked.

"Sorta like a Star Trek episode," Rick said. "Where they save money by having the afterlife take place on the same set as they film the rest of the show."

"Oh..interesting," Pluto said.

"Rick, don't make light of it...it was the most...amazing experience..." Raye said with a smile. "I...saw...everyone...oh...I have to rest," she said and fell asleep.

"Well..looks like things are back to normal around here," Venus said.

"But what about the other two?" Luna asked.

Everyone looked at each other and didn't know.

CHAPTER 66 CHAPTER 67 CHAPTER 68 CHAPTER 69 CHAPTER 70  CHAPTER 71 

CHAPTER 72 CHAPTER 73 CHAPTER 74 CHAPTER 75  CHAPTER 76 CHAPTER 77

 CHAPTER 78 CHAPTER 79 CHAPTER 80  CHAPTER 81  CHAPTER 82 CHAPTER 83

CHAPTER 84 CHAPTER 85  CHAPTER 86 CHAPTER 87 CHAPTER 88 CHAPTER 89

 CHAPTER 90 CHAPTER 91 CHAPTER 92 CHAPTER 93 CHAPTER 94 CHAPTER 95

Return to story Menu