Chapter 411
"Is she any better?" Akiro said hurrying off an airplane.
"I'm afraid not," Haruka said. "She's no worse at least."
"Yes, I see," Akiro said. "All right..let's go."
"Are you all right Akiro?" Haruka asked. "I mean..do you.."
"Haruka...I don't have time to be messed up, that'll come later," Akiro said.
"I understand," Haruka said.
"Hotaru has promised to do everything she can. I believe her."
"Oh yes, Hotaru will help out for sure," Haruka said.
"I will do my best," Hotaru said walking up. "Our past quarrels mean nothing at this point in time. I know that."
"Well we'd better get you back," Haruka said.
"Greg I wish you wouldn't brood like that, you don't know if you're powers would have even helped," Michiru said.
"It doesn't help," Greg said. "I might have been able to prevent this somehow."
"That could be true of many things. I wish you wouldn't carry this weight on your shoulders. Hotaru will think of something."
"I hope so," Greg said. "I'm going for a walk."
Michiru nodded solemnly.
He really is taking this too hard. Michiru thought. I wonder why it's bothering him so much.
She walked upstairs.
"How..awful.." Mina said. "I mean..no one should be like this.."
"Yeah.. I know.." Lita said.
"It's just..."
"Mina..why don't you get some rest," Michiru said. "I can see this is bothering you."
"I..all right," Mina said. "I just feel kinda bad leaving the bedside and all."
"I'm sure she'd understand," Michiru said.
Mina nodded and headed out.
"I can't even understand what's going on in there," Lita said.
"It can be disturbing, I know," Michiru said. "Still, Hotaru will find out."
"And how do we know Hotaru might not get swept into it too?"
"That..hadn't occurred..to me.." Michiru said in realization.
"Oh.well..I guess we don't know what she'll be getting into," Lita said.
"Yes, you're right," Michiru said. "This isn't very easy for me either. I'm used to knowing what I'm getting into."
"I always like it that way. This..it's just a whole other world practically."
"You doing okay Lita...I mean you've been lately surrounded by.."
"I'm tough like that Michiru, besides I know that when someone's in pain they need people by them, even if their just friends."
Michiru nodded.
"So true."
"Well..if this was some sort of attack, the enemy hasn't done much aside from it," Seiya said.
"That we know off," Patterson said.
"Yeah.."
"Though I doubt they could. The last time we fought them, they spent several days either planning or recovering or both. I'm guessing there's a chance that we can hurt them badly too. Considering that we fought both forces, they probably have nothing left to fight with."
"Caria attacked."
"Yes she did, and I still haven't located her within the city limits, so she could be still at her base. For all we know these telepaths can have their bodies shattered and still use their minds."
"Not something I want to think about," Seiya said. "Let me know if I can do anything to..you know..fight...or something."
"I will," Patterson said.
Seiya stopped.
"Hey..uh..this may sound odd," he said. "But..something's been bothering me. Something you might know more about."
"Really.."
"Yes..well..to put it bluntly..I died."
"I noticed."
"But..I don't have any fear. I want to fight them some more...I'm looking forward to it. Is that normal?"
"No..but when death is involved. No one's even normal ever again."
"Oh...I guess.." Seiya said and walked out.
Weird, but I guess he knows what he's talking about.
Akiro hurried in the door.
"Upstairs Akiro," Seiya said.
Akiro hurried up and into the room. He hurried to Ai's side.
"So this is how it is?" he said.
Michiru nodded.
Akiro sat down and just stared at her. Michiru and Lita stepped out.
"Hotaru, do you have any idea what might have happened?" Haruka asked.
"The interior of the mind is a complex place filled with conflicting forces, and forces even I do not understand even with the ability to see within my mind or that of others. When two minds interact the level of uncertainty increases. With two strong telepaths engaged in combat within a dream of all places, the forces involved..are..well..volatile..as far as I can tell. It's possible that it caused an overload, a literal explosion of psychic energy within Ai's mind."
"So..what could that do to her?" Haruka asked.
"It is hard to say," Hotaru said. "It is also true that Caria could have also been hurt in the process. Though I couldn't guess how badly."
"So..what can you do for Ai?"
"I can find her..within herself."
"I don't understand."
"It is not something that can be completely understood. It is a concept that is easier shown then told, and when it is shown their are other complications. I will do what I can," Hotaru said. "Though I cannot guarantee success."
"I'm sure you'll do your best," Haruka said. "But Hotaru isn't there some risk for you too?"
"There is risk in everything we do..this is no different."
"Sayings aside.."
"Yes.." Hotaru said. "But I will deal with it. I must."
Haruka nodded.
"All right..now I must enter her mind...this will hopefully not be a one way trip," Hotaru said. "However, all of you will probably see me feel the effects of this on me. I am unable to use my powers without some degree of pain. I am able to control it slightly, however, I will undoubtedly show it, so do not interfere. I am afraid that you will have no way of knowing really how I am feeling without me losing focus from my objective. Furthermore, there is no way you could pull me out, at least that I know of, if there was trouble anyway. With that.."
Hotaru closed her eyes and laid her hand on Ai's. The group all watched.
Hotaru grimaced, and then fell into a trance like state.
"Now we wait.." Akiro said tensely.
Darkness. Hotaru thought. Yes...indeed...it is a wreck in here.
She walked slowly not really able to see in front of her.
"Hmm...this is not a good sign."
She looked around some more.
"Darkness...unfortunately I have no way to dissipate it. However I fortunately am well accustomed to it."
She walked forward and stopped dead in her tracks. She slowly bent down and stuck her hand towards the floor.
"Nothingness..." she said. "This is worse then I had imagined...a hole in the mind. However..that is not irreparable."
She leapt into the air and felt herself dropping. She held out her hands and began to float.
"I am prepared for such things," she said and slowly felt herself descend. She could make out light below her.
She looked down, wincing slightly.
The hole's bottom was glowing bright green.
She dropped to the floor and stood amidst the energy.
"This is merely residue.." She said looking around. "Obviously the mind couldn't take this kind of punishment."
She looked around. The green energy slid down into a tunnel.
"Only one way to go," she said and walked down it looking from side to side.
"How amazing..a world within the mind...then again I should be used to such things..yet..there is something wondrous about it not being infested with demons."
She kept walking and emerged into sunshine.
"Interesting," she said.
Time was passing much faster on the outside. Hours had gone by.
"Ai doesn't deserve this," Akiro said.
"We know," Michiru said.
"I'll tell you..I never thought I'd have to sit here like this waiting..like a vigil..I mean she's always worrying about me," Akiro said.
The girls nodded.
"I did some real stupid things. Ai, she let's loose sure, but we've been through so much. I mean you might wonder how a guy like me and her could get along so well. It's through work.." Akiro said. "I mean we were on our own out there. Sure you've fought a lot of bad guys, we've had our share of trouble. The way things were sometimes...we were the only people we could talk to...and trust..she probably means more to me then I'll ever mean to her."
"Now that's not the way to see it," Lita said. "I think you're proving why you need respect."
"Yeah..well...what a stupid thing...telepathic..wars..." he said and sighed. "Excuse me."
He stood up and walked into the bathroom.
They all heard the door slam.
"Don't blame him," Haruka said.
"They seem to be a couple that has been through everything and together at that...constantly at each other's side," Lita said. "It's a powerful story if it doesn't end this way."
"It can't.." Michiru said. "That's not how these stories end."
"Greg.." Mike said.
"Hmm..so you finally came after me.." Greg said.
"There's too much of this kind of stuff going on you know...people running off to be alone, to grieve or sulk or whatever.."
"Mike, shut up."
"Ah..that just isn't going to work," Mike said. "Now Greg look, we all feel bad, but you've lost it."
"Mike..I am supposed to defend people, it's the only thing I know how to do...whether I do it well or not is debatable...but...it's what I'm supposed to do. And I used to have the power..why isn't it here now?"
"These are different circumstances, besides you know these powers can be a curse too," Mike said.
"Right now they could save a life," Greg said.
"Hotaru's there she'll save the life if necessary."
"I just feel so helpless...." Greg said. "You want to know what's bothering me."
"I am here for it," Mike said.
"Death... Mike.." Greg said. "I'm a Guardian Scout, supposed to fight off evil and all that other stuff..supposed to save lives..."
"And you do."
"Not enough...Rick died..didn't he?"
"Yes..but he came back."
"So what..I wasn't there..was I? And then..D.V...he died. We were in the same ship..and I couldn't help. I got myself killed."
"Saving Hotaru!"
"There could have been another way.."
"There might have been...but..."
"Then there's Seiya.."
"Seiya.."
"Seiya.. I couldn't save him...Mina and Darrien either.."
"But Greg..we're a team here..you can't bear that responsibility."
"And now Ai..is sitting up on the roof, and she gets..."
"She's still alive."
"Hardly."
"Yes..but.."
"Mike...if I had my powers I could have saved them all..don't you see..I would have known what would have happened."
"Now..you can't start thinking that way. If you had your powers other things could have changed."
"Oh..sure...whatever...I would have known the truth..I could have helped..and forget even that for a second...what about my superior intellect huh..I'm a genius...too..and have I helped..am I ever ready to get the drop on an enemy by figuring out their secret plan? No...never me..I'm just along for the ride!"
"Greg..look..this isn't a science what we do..it's a lot of luck..some other stuff involved..I mean..you've got other concerns."
"I am supposed to protect people. Instead...well.."
"You do protect people...you've saved countless lives."
"One death is too many."
"Greg, you forget that we all beat the responsibility for that."
"I don't want the responsibility for that! There must have been something I could have done.."
"Stop beating yourself up here.."
"I'm done talking," Greg said.
"Well I'm not."
"Yes you are," Greg said. "You don't understand."
"I understand, I want to help."
"There is no help."
"Greg..there's always help...you know better then that. You can't let this haunt you forever."
"And if she dies?"
"Then Akiro will save her."
"It's not the point. We are graced with a second chance, but what about everyone else? We've been lucky, no one has been killed yet..but just how easy do you think it would be for this block to just be destroyed..."
"That's what we're here to stop."
"We can't stop it all," Greg said.
"That's the truth, but..come on..are you going to give up on the future?"
"The future?" Greg said. "Do we even have one.."
"Now hold on.."
"Talk's over," Greg snapped. "Go away."
He walked off.
I really don't know how to handle this. Mike thought But Michiru could. I hope.
He turned and headed off in the other direction.
Hotaru was walking across a countryside inside Ai's mind.
"Apparently this part wasn't damaged," she said. "Still..I don't know how this will help."
A farm house appeared in the distance.
"That is odd.." Hotaru said. "Still..it must mean something more."
She walked towards it and arrived after a good walk.
"Ah...what brings you to this dream.."
"UH..well.." Hotaru said.
"Say...you wouldn't happen to be a friend of a violet haired girl would you?"
"Uh..actually," Hotaru said.
"Come in, come in.."
"She's in here."
"Progress," Hotaru said.
Ai was indeed there lying in a bedroom.
"Interesting effects," Hotaru observed and walked towards the bed.
"She's got quite a knock on the head. The problem is the doctor is out of town."
"Then I will find another doctor."
"The nearest doctor then is one hundred miles from here."
"Not a problem," Hotaru said.
"What?"
"Show me the way."
"But you can't just walk there."
"Then give me a horse."
"You can't ride there either."
Hotaru noticed something.
"What is this?" she said starring at a mirror sitting next to Ai's bed.
"Oh..that was with her...we felt she might need it..but it's broken...you see.."
"Yes..I see.." Hotaru said. "That explains it..her dream mirror broke.."
"Her dream mirror...so what? She's got a concussion there."
"Merely a metaphorical representation of her real pain.." Hotaru said wincing. "A doctor could only do so much anyway. Still the damage must be repaired."
"Uh..well..uh..what do you mean?"
Hotaru picked up the mirror.
"I will need this."
"And just what are you going to do?"
"Find the only one who can repair this.."
"I'm sure there's more then one person"
"No, I must find the Pegasus."
"Oh..I see...what is that..the manufacturer?"
"You might say that," Hotaru said and strode out.
"Visinite..you are ready?" Ircanite said.
"Yes," Visinite said.
"Good, we need to get Caria back, and to accomplish this...I will need a telepath, we don't have one, but the scouts do. You are to capture Sailor Saturn and bring her here."
"Yes sir," Visinite said. "I will do as you say."
"And what am I to do?" Sorophyte asked.
"I will put whatever plan you are doing on hold. I want you to intercept the crystal searching scouts, you seem to be more capable of dealing with them," Ircanite said.
"Ah..yes...I look forward to it," Sorophyte said. "Leave it to me."
Hotaru carried Ai's dream mirror as she strode away from the farmhouse. It slowly faded, the earth became flat and grey. Twisted trees grew out of the ground.
"Yes I suspected as such," Hotaru said and continued to move forward.
The dream mirror glowed slightly.
"Indeed.." Hotaru said.
A grey shape approached her.
She stared at a demon as it got closer and then stopped.
"You dared to enter this realm...interesting..." the demon said.
"Every mind has it's inner demons, but even deeper it's truer powers, I will pass by you to reach it," Hotaru said.
"With a dream mirror in your hand..I doubt it.." the demon said. "Give it to me and you may go."
"I think not," Hotaru said. Her scythe appeared in her hand.
"Oh it's a fight you want!" the demon shouted and leapt at her. She charged back at it and with a quick slice cut through it.
Another demon advanced.
"You cannot destroy us interloper!" it shouted.
"I can merely deal with you," Hotaru said and raced forward.
"He's what..." Michiru said. "I had better go after him."
"I think that would be best," Mike said.
Michiru hurried out.
It's never wise to assume such a weight on one's shoulders, but I can understand why Greg would. He's really too good for this messed up world of ours. And now I have to convince him that everything he thinks, rightly so, doesn't matter.
How am I supposed to do that? Especially to someone who can see right through
me. Well this is what counts in a friendship I guess.
"Don't worry Akiro," Lita said. "Hotaru will save her."
"Yes, you have destiny behind you," Haruka said.
"Destiny?" Akiro asked.
"Of course, how could something that has stayed so strong, your relationship, be broken now when humanity is about to face it's ultimate test."
"Yes.." Haruka said. "Akiro..we're all going to be there for the final act..whether this is it, or not..that is what we are supposed to do."
"I guess," Akiro said. "I just don't want to lose her. We were just beginning
to be able to enjoy all that we've worked for."
"Demons I fear you not!" Hotaru said and leapt out of the way of another one. She was soon racing across the ground. The demons chased after her.
"You are not the demons I face!" she shouted.
"You're in our world now!" the demons shouted back and leapt at her. She avoided them and swung her scythe. Several fell.
"You had best stick to things you are capable of defeating!"
A massive demon landed in front of her.
"You should know better!" he shouted. Hotaru shrank back and shrieked. "A....a...wraith..."
"Indeed....." the demon said. "Now..Hotaru Tomoe..I believe it is time for us to once again join."
"NO!" Hotaru shrieked.
"Greg.." Michiru said.
"You're wasting your time!" Greg shouted.
"I don't think I am!"
Her communicator went off.
"Oh what's that now!" Michiru said.
"Michiru..I hate to say this but we've got other problems.." Patterson said.
"Like what?" Michiru said.
"Visinite and company..they're headed this way."
Michiru sighed.
"Greg! Are you coming!"
"Why should I even bother," Greg snapped.
"Oh dear..I don't have the time to settle this..it's up to him!"
She hurried back towards the house.
"Akiro..are you all right with this?" Sailor Jupiter asked.
"What else can I do.." Guardian Earth said.
The scouts all readied themselves.
"Be ready.." Sailor Uranus said.
Visinite and the enemies charged.
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