Chapter 412

"What..are.you...doing..here?" Hotaru said backing up slowly.

The wraith smiled.

"Why I'm here for you..."

Hotaru shrieked again and began to shake.

The wraith hit her and knocked her to the ground.

When she awoke again she was quite thoroughly tied to one of the trees. She noticed the dream, mirror lying beside her. The Wraith sat nearby.

"Ah..you're awake.." the wraith said grinning.

Hotaru's eyes widened.

"No..I'm not going to join with you.." he said.

"What.."

"You see..I can't even kill you...or else I'd kill myself..very annoying actually," the wraith said.

"But.."

"What I can do is keep you from getting where you're going until the girl dies of course."

"Why though?"

"Because I am a servant of death..and because it's what I do. To simply let you take that dream mirror over there to be repaired. Not my style..see what I find funny about all this is that you brought me here...if you hadn't, you'd be staring at a nice glistening dream mirror right now..but..sorry..no.."

"How did you get here."

"As I said, you brought me.."

"I..no.."

"Hotaru...you were purified...that is true. The evil that was me ceased to be..however...the memory..the fear...of being joined with me..like you were..that remained..and I am not just any fear I am one of great power..I follow you wherever you go, including here...your focus on saving that girl allowed me a lot of free reign."

He laughed.

"So you see my dear," the wraith said. "Unless that dream mirror gets repaired soon..the girl will die..and that is fine with me. It's just too bad I can't eject you from this dream state, but preventing you from saving her is satisfying enough."

"You monster!" Hotaru said straining against her bonds.

"Yes..I suppose I am! But what joy it is to torment you once again!"

He laughed.

Hotaru sniffled and began to cry.

"I can't..let this happen..." She said.

"Sorry..times up for you," the wraith said.

"Venus...Love Chain Encircle!"

"Jupiter Thunderclap Crash!"

"Not today girls!" Fulcrua shouted and leapt out of the way unleashing her energy bolts. The two dodged.

"Jupiter watch the others..she's mine!" Venus shouted.

"You got it!" Jupiter said.

Sulcar dived at the battle throwing out weapons again.

"Mars Star Laser!"

The attack shot out. Sulcar narrowly avoided it.

"Keep at it!" Sailor Uranus shouted.

Chigta raced towards her.

"Uranus World Shaking!" She shouted.

Chigta punched it and knocked it away.

"What!" Uranus shouted.

Chigta laughed and leapt at her.

"EARTH Overwhelming Essence!"

Guardian Earth opened up from point blank range and knocked Chigta into the next yard.

"Mercury Devout Revenge!"

"Neptune Deep Submerge!"

Visinite knocked the two attacks away.

"Don't make me laugh."

Xicav raced forward spitting energy.

"I'm going to take you down," Sailor Jupiter said racing forward.

"Try it!" Xicav said and whirled.

"Jupiter Thunder Crash!"

The two attacks exploded throwing them back.

"Sounds bad out there," Guardian Neptune said starring at the two girls in their trance like states sitting nearby.

The window shattered as Mivxsati leapt in.

"Oh...cra...." Neptune said and was hit hard and knocked through the door, flipping over the bannister and falling straight to the floor.

He slowly...tried to stand up.

"Guys..the ninja..the girls.." he said into his communicator weakly.

"AI!" Guardian Earth shouted and leapt onto the roof of the house. He leapt over it and into the window. Mivxsati whirled.

"DIE!" Guardian Earth said and swung his energy swords.

"EARTH Elemental Vigor!"

The attack blasted through the walls and the roof above. Mivxsati was blown apart in the air.

"It's just you and me now!" Visinite shouted.

"Just how I like it!" Guardian Mercury said. Visinite unleashed a barrage of attacks. Mercury avoided them and launched his own. Visinite knocked them aside. They slammed into a house.

"Must be more careful.." Visinite said.

"Apparently so!" Guardian Mercury said charging.

"Now you always do that!" Visinite said and shot rods of energy in his direction. Mercury spun and avoided them all flipping in mid air and jabbing his sword into her. She screeched as he swiped his second sword across her face.

Seconds later she began to bleed but not before blasting Gmerc straight into the garage door of the house. He went through it. And bounced across Haruka's car before hitting the wall.

Visinite breathed trying to get back her breath.

"SATURN..BLADE OF GALAXIES!"

What!"

She was hit from the side and sent skidding into the ground.

Guardian Saturn hurried up.

She whirled.

"I'm ready for you!" he shouted.

"One..two...three!" Sailor Uranus and Sailor Jupiter shouted. They shot forward and punched Chigta in unison knocking him to the ground.

"Venus..Love and Beauty Shock!" Venus shouted hitting Fulcrua straight on. She was propelled across the street and slid into the front yard of a house hitting it hard.

"Hah.."

"VENUS!" Mars shouted.

Venus whirled.

Sulcar hit her with a dive and knocked her off of the roof she stood on. A bomb flew at her.

"Oh...no.."

It exploded throwing her to the pavement.

"Neptune Deep Submerge!" Neptune shouted.

Xicav avoided the attack and leapt at her.

She dodged him.

"Earth!"

The attack bounded along the ground and knocked Xicav to the side. He still fired with a hail of bullets blasting Neptune in through a front window.

Sailor Jupiter And Sailor Uranus faced him down.

"Enough!" came a voice. Ircanite dropped to the ground.

"You have won today." he said.

The enemy vanished.

"You know he could have probably finished us all off.." Sailor Uranus said.

"Maybe.." Sailor Jupiter said.

"Still..he knew better..it would have probably weakened him and Sailor Moon would have gotten him for sure."

Jupiter nodded.

"That's not to say we aren't already..hurting.."

The two looked around at the various scouts lying injured across the lawn

"And the house.." Uranus said.

"Yes," Jupiter said. "It got totaled. So much for the idea of living together."

"It worked though. I just hope Hotaru is all right."

Jupiter nodded.

"Won't be long now.." the wraith said.

"And then what?" Hotaru asked.

"Well..she'll be dead, and I'll be back inside of you..." the wraith said.

Hotaru glared at him.

"I must just leave you here," Hotaru said.

"You're in no position to dictate anything," the wraith said.

"Aren't I..." Hotaru said. "I'm no longer afraid of you."

"You will always be afraid of me!"

"Perhaps...but I also know..that...if I was to encounter you again..I would beat you and that makes the fear something I can handle."

"Too bad, you can't handle it now," the wraith said.

"You don't understand do you?" Hotaru said.

Her ropes fell away.

"This is my realm.." she said.

The wraith started.

Hotaru picked up the dream mirror.

"Now..move aside," she said. "Or face the consequences."

"I think I'll just face the consequences."

Hotaru blasted the wraith back.

"You're biggest mistake was revealing yourself to me!" Hotaru shouted. "I can do nothing about the fears of Ai, or even my true fears...but I can knock you out..and then..when I leave this body you will be left here..and without a host for your fear, you will die...because Ai could care less about you, she doesn't even know who you are, you're just a small little demon.."

The wraith's eyes widened.

"Good bye!" Hotaru shouted and blasted him down. He fell to the ground.

She raced forward.

The sky began to clear.

She began to be uplifted.

That felt good. But now I have to save Ai before anymore time is lost.

"Mike..you..all right?" Greg asked kneeling down next to him.

"I am not even close...and the physical pain's bad too," Mike muttered.

Greg grinned.

"So what are you doing here anyway?" Mike asked.

"Can't run from a fight," Greg said. "Not even if I am pretty messed up inside."

"Yeah..well nice of you to show up late and all..my body appreciates it.." Mike muttered.

"Don't worry..you're going to get a nice ride to the hospital."

"You mean the insane asylum has finally accepted my application?" Mike asked.

Greg laughed.

"You had to hit the car didn't you?" Haruka asked.

"It really wasn't my choice," Patterson muttered lying on top of the hood.

"Do you have to lie there?"

"It's better then the ground..." Patterson said.

"You just can't get hurt in any normal ways can you..no it has to be through a garage door off a car and into a wall.."

"Hey..you started it.." Patterson snapped.

"Ehh..." Haruka said.

"Mina..you all right?" Lita asked.

"I'm peachy keen!" Mina shouted. "Ehh..just let me lie down somewhere.."

"Uh..good idea," Lita said.

"Never trust anything with wings...that's my new motto."

"All right..Mina.."

"Yeah..that's right...it'll come back and get ya!"

"Mina..you're delirious."

"I normally am.." Mina said.

Lita grinned.

"They managed to survive this.." Akiro said. "I hope Hotaru is making some sort of progress."

"If she's there, she's working on it," Michiru said.

"When will it all end?" Akiro muttered.

"The fighting you mean?"

Akiro nodded.

"You'd think by now..we'd finally get relief from the heavens.."

"You believe that a god controls what happens?"

"Something does," Akiro said. "And whatever it is.."

"I know," Michiru said. "I guess I've gotten used to it. After so many years."

"I never have...accepted..yes..but..always..hoped. I get the sense though..maybe this is it."

"I don't know Akiro."

"So you're not big on wishful thinking then?"

"I just don't believe that we should chase a dream like that. The universe is never that simple. Unfortunately the job we do may continue for all our lives. As much as I would like to make you feel better by saying otherwise, it would be inappropriate for me to say anything else at this time."

"Yeah, I guess," Akiro said. "But we can always hope."

"Hope is allowed."

"You know..Ai and me..we knew it practically from the start..I mean..I'm not big on the chit chat..but I knew she was right for me.. I mean..guys..like me..we want a girl who can understand us...while being herself.."

"Naturally."

"And..she did..she knew me and she didn't criticize, she understood...and now..here we are.."

"She'll be back.." Michiru said.

"Yeah.." Akiro said.

Sirens sounded as various vehicles pulled up.

"Well I'd better make sure no one discovers this and wonders what is going on," Michiru said.

"Yeah.." Akiro said.

Michiru headed out.

"Hmm..her inner purity is greater then mine it seems," Hotaru said walking forward and looking at the bright plain and the beautiful trees now surrounding her.

"Interesting," She said and moved on.

She reached a clearing, where a large light glowed in front of her.

She looked around.

"So..you made it.."

She whirled.

"You are..."

"Pegasus..yes.."The mythical creature said.

"You have something for me?" he asked.

Hotaru held aloft the mirror.

"I see.." the Pegasus said. "The dream mirror...very well..I will repair it."

"Thank you," Hotaru said.

"How interesting..I never thought anyone would visit."

"Strange how the world works.."

"Yes..it is...have you ever met your guardian of dreams."

"No..I care little for such things."

"What?"

"It's really not my interest."

"I see..I'm sorry to hear that."

"Don't waste your sorrow."

The mirror floated in front of the Pegasus. He touched his horn to it.

It glowed and then became intact.

"There," the Pegasus said.

"I must return this to her..as well as get the doctor..her wounds must be treated."

"Hop on," the Pegasus said.

"I didn't think you could leave this area."

"It would hardly be useful to have these wings if I couldn't."

"I see," Hotaru said.

The two were soon flying into the air.

"If you can leave, why don't you do so more often?"

"I can only come if summoned," the Pegasus said. "There are forces in this world that would seek to catch people like me...in all of us..so...I only come out when needed..but now it is needed..it was important for you to make the journey to see me.."

"Yes...I see that now."

"Anyway...there is the house.."

She saw it immediately come into view.

"That was fast," she said in surprise.

"I am not the guardian of dreams for nothing."

"That I believe," Hotaru said.

"Tired," Akiro muttered leaning back against his chair. "Come on..girls.." he said.

"Come on to what?" Hotaru asked.

"Wha..." Akiro said. "Hotaru..you're..but..Ai.."

Ai's eyes opened.

"Hello," Ai said. "Akiro.."

"AI!" Akiro said

"Well..you idiot..hug me.." Ai said.

"Oh of course," Akiro said.

Hotaru stood up and walked out smiling as she did so.

"Hotaru..you...did it.." Michiru said.

"Yes Ai is safe. The house has exploded," Hotaru noticed.

"Just a little," Michiru said.

"I have to sleep," Hotaru said.

"What a debacle," Ircanite said.

"I'm sorry.." Visinite said. "I should have planned more carefully."

"You should have..yes..that is certain!" Ircanite said. "Now we will have to capture that Sailor Earth's powers."

"Sir..." Fulcra said. "Caria..is gone.."

"What?" Ircanite said. "Then we will have to find other ways to beat the scouts. The crystals have become all the more important! All of you hurry up and recover! You are needed!"

"It's great to hear everyone's doing all right," Serena said into her communicator.

"Well..you could say we're all doing fine," Lita said. "Aside from the pain and ..uh the trashed house."

"Trashed house?" Amy said.

"Oh..Amy..you were here..." Serena said. "Uh..why don't you go for a walk Amy."

"What happened?"

"Just a little chipped paint.." Lita said. "Uh.."

"Lita..." Amy said seriously.

"Well..nice talking with ya," Lita said.

"Uh..all right..gotta go," Serena said. "We've got four more crystals..talk to you soon."

"Wait!" Amy said.

"Bye," Lita said and cut the connection.

She sighed.

Amy's going to kill us. On the upside, at least we can blame all that damage we did on the evil guys..

She smiled slightly.

"I hear things are going well back there," Raye said.

"Sure are," Serena said.

"They destroyed my house didn't they?" Amy asked.

"They didn't say anything about it," Serena said.

"Well of course they didn't," Amy said. "Serena.."

"I'm sure everything's fine," Serena said.

"No it's not.." Amy said.

"It's all right Amy," Taiki said. "I'm sure it'll be fine."

"I'm just sick of exploding houses being associated with me that's all," Amy said.

"So where are we headed Setsuna?" Rick asked.

"Brazil," Setsuna said.

"Oh...wonderful country they have down there," Rick said.

"Isn't that where all the rainforests are," Steve said.

"We're going to be going to one," Setsuna said.

"That should be an experience," Amy said.

"I don't want to go there," Serena said. "They'll be bugs everywhere."

"You're worried about the bugs," Taiki said. "There are things far worse."

"There are? " Serena said.

"Why don't you tell her Amy," Taiki said.

Amy's eyes narrowed.

"Yes..I think I will."

"Now wait a minute Amy..I had nothing to do with your house.."

"Too late.." Amy said. "Let's begin by talking about snakes, they can be quite poisonous..and the rainforest is just filled with them. There are quite a few different species."

Serena screeched.

"It's good to have you back Ai.." Michiru said.

"Believe me, I am quite glad to be back," Ai said.

"Interesting how an inferior telepath was needed to save you..hmm.." Hotaru said. "Food for thought."

"You wouldn't have lasted five minutes against Caria," Ai said.

"Yes..well..I didn't have to did I.."

"Girls..girls.." Greg and Akiro said.

"It's healthy to see things back to normal," Michiru said.

"What are we going to do about a house though," Lita said.

"I suppose you're right," Michiru said.

"Why don't we just go live at Raye's," Lita said.

"Do you think she'll mind?" Michiru asked.