Crystal Points
Emania, Land of Infinite Gods
Vision is the river, and we who have been changed are the flood.
-Daniel Quinn, The Story of B
Episode 9- The Flowing River of Vision! Points of Crystal, Each Transfixed.
The faerie road was unreal.
Before, it rushed past in a glittering wave of warped space, blurred in the
way that motion causes sunlit leaves to shadow. Each time they rode it, it
moved faster, tunneling around them with the effect of stretching. But now
the distortion was at a climax, and it was flecks of matter they saw only,
not tangible matter. It was energy now, of streaming stars and nebulae,
dusty beauty and shining starlight. Components of a cosmos.
Mizuno Ami saw these things from her vantage point on Lagu's back, body
pressed close to the smooth scales as wind flattened her, tugging at hair
and clothing. Over her shoulder, she could still see the forms to her sides
and behind her. This formation had been chosen by the creatures themselves,
a pattern that they fell neatly into. Lagu stretched her gossamer wings, and
Eolh fell to the left, Jara to the right, and Ken in the back of the
formation. A perfect diamond, a synchronous flight.
*Hurry.* The dragons whispered. *Hurry, hurry, hurry....*
Such silence.
*Hurry, hurry the time is at hand. Hurry, oh, hurry....*
Then the faerie road ended, as they must, and in the distance of their
sight they saw a reddened peak, glowing in the darkness of a moonlight
night. To the Fire Mountain, to the volcano, to the temple of Infinite Gods,
to the sleeping place of the dragon of Fire. War raged where there was fire,
and black clouds churned into the air, obscuring and cloaking the realm
below.
Wingbeats thudded in Ami's ears. Wingbeats and heartbeats, too fast, too
strained. This was the time. Would they be right? Their abilities and hopes
and...and....
Light of lavender lit up the sky, a pillar of brightness that caught on the
colors of the smoke, illuminating it, making its swirls visible. It faded,
then burst again, testament to the power of the one who wielded it. The
temple soared into view as Lagu dipped on a wing, circling them, the others
wheeling along behind, four spiraling dragons, weaving between each other.
*Eolh hears it. It is words of death.*
"What words?"
But Ami did not need to ask what words they were. As the ground rushed
forward under them, she could see a solitary figure midst the stones,
familiar and welcomed, though usually the bearer of dark tidings. Behind
her, she knew that Minako had also seen it, and the word, "Pluto!" was
shouted. For a moment, the soldier of time paused, glancing upward to see
the four Inner Senshi spiraling down to meet her. Her expression usually
stoic, it did register a certain amount of surprise to see this, and she
seemed to understand that where she stood was where they intended to land.
Sailor Pluto turned, and another blast of orb shaped light caught a tangle
of the creatures mid-step, scattering those it did not kill. She pushed her
way up the narrow path, watching figures appearing on the walkways above the
giant gate that allowed entrance to the temple.
Pluto's arrival had been timely, so to speak, her attacks clearing away the
bodies of the creatures that swarmed there. And so Lagu made her landing,
tucking claws up under her body neatly as she landed, depositing Ami on the
ground. Wind stirred away the grass and loose soil as Eolh backwinged, Jara
then stepping onto the ground, heavy claws resting lightly on top of the
pillar of the east. She tucked back her massive wings, curling her tail
aside so that Ken may also land, snaking his head low so that his passenger
may slide off onto the ground.
Those that still dared to fight did not manage to come close enough, as
Eolh turned and brought back the complexity of wings, sweeping them forward
and sending any of the armed things tumbling backward. As Minako entered the
ring of stones, Jara flung her head back and trumpeted, the vibrations
echoing though the empty valley, alerting all to the presence of the
dragons, four elemental dragons, points of crystal adorning the space
between their eyes.
There was running, from the ground and from the walkways, men and women who
stopped to hear this scream of anguish and triumph, a mournful melody out of
the throat of the dragon of the Earth.
Four pairs of eyes met from where they stood with uncertainty. Blue,
violet, green.
*The death is here. Here it must end.*
There was a tearing sound from beyond the walls, and the sounds of battle
reached up into the night. It does not end. Battle continues, regardless of
the happenings in other places. The screams that answered Jara were not
draconic, but human, and pained. The tide of creatures seethed around them,
and no amount of magic from Pluto's staff could hold them off infinitely.
Ami turned her head and stepped back, standing before the pillar of the
North. Lagu arched her neck, placing herself upon the pillar, eyes whirling
as she arched over it, lowering her eyes to the ground as Ken mirrored her
from his place across the circle. In unison, fire and water spread their
wings, and the veins that traced so delicately though the translucent wing
membrane seemed to catch the droplets of light that still hung in the air,
evidence of the light of the stars. No longer did Ami or Rei stand before
the stones, but living traceries of light and water, fire and vision.
Softly, two more sets of feet stepped forward, Minako, one, Makoto, two.
Wings spread out above them, a dome of shimmering layers. Droplets of light,
strands of starlight, moonlight, beads on a celestial string. Young women,
powerful within, silhouetted by the energy of the world that burned.
From within this circle of stone and flesh, four jeweled crystals could be
seen to glow, the sharp cuts of their prisms emitting beams of light and
beauty. Within the human heart are many emotions, refractions of will and
reflections of thought. Here they gathered, focused though a liquid lens.
And they danced.
No words need be shouted, when magic grows from the heart. No commands
needed to be said aloud, only etched onto the fabric of the mind. Such as
they were now, silently and quietly. Crystals within blossomed, like petals
on a flower, the attainment of a power they had not needed to tap before.
Never before on their own, never before the last defense. And who knew what
power may be concerted when people may join together, not to create death,
but life?
As these flowers bloomed, a light crept though the world. It was distant at
first, faint as though the dawn that rose in the east. It grew strong around
where they stood, flowing outward like the tide. From where Sailor Pluto
stood, Timestaff in hand, she paused, closing her eyes and feeling the
pressure of the light against her eyelids, soaking in the pure power of it.
A ray of hope, thoughout a world. She could feel it.
Upon the ramparts of the temple of the Fire Mountain, women gathered, dark
robed and silent. They were young, and they were also old. Some worried,
others welcoming the light that washed over them as it did the woman below.
"Can't you feel it?"
"I can...."
"What is this light?"
"Beautiful...."
A little girl with blonde hair stood among them, where she had managed to
find herself, slipping out of the care of the other young girls. She held
her little goldfinch familiar in her hands, and felt a warmth in her heart.
It was like a newborn star, hot in her chest. She placed fingers to her
heart, and felt the pulse of the star there. It was something that she had
long felt, but as though trapped away, locked where she could not touch it.
This was a key, releasing that energy. So Lillia opened her eyes, and felt
warm salt tears in them. Not from sadness, not from fear, but from hope.
And that light of hope mingled with the light of the world.
"Undine, can you feel it?"
"It's so warm...."
A streak of dirt and blood crossed the face of a silver eyed witch, and a
bruise on the cheek of the man with her. The fighting had stopped, eddying
then abating as power of beauty stretched out over the land around them.
Stilled enemies froze in the blaze, eyes wide in shock, or perhaps
disbelief. But they watched the light, as though searching for a thing
within it. Still, two silver eyed sorcerers waited. In contrast to the
shadows of their faces, the light illuminated them, bodies and eyes alight.
She looked upward from where she knelt, pushing herself upward. "Turn the
tide."
"The tide?"
"All that has been done...is try to slow the river. It cannot be stopped.
What happens when the whole world choses a different path?"
The answer, of course, is that nothing could stop it.
Into the glassy brightness, the heat that burned so brightly within this
silver eyed sorceress broke, merging with the light. Beside her, this same
power boiled up within her companion. A star was born, birthed from the
power of their minds.
What is the power of the world, when all people wish it to be lit?
"Look," Rory whispered, tapping Lenora on the arm as she noticed a thing.
It was a little girl, her eyes closed and head tilted back, a star resting
on her forehead, emitting a brilliance unseen by mortal eyes. Lenora tore
her vision away from the sight of the dragons below, and saw Lillia, a smile
on her tiny face, hands opened as though offering a thing in peace.
"Lillia...."
Within Lenora, she felt a warmth begin to fill her, looking then from
Lillia to the other worried women around her. Again she looked to the wing
shrouded circle of stones. "All of us. All of us together," she whispered so
softly that her words could not be heard. She placed her hands on the bare
stone wall, and closed her eyes. There was a source to her magic, a place
that she could feel within her heart. All that had happened, the pain around
her. And still, a little girl offered her power. So selfish. They had all
been so selfish.
"Power to the dragons....power to the world...."
And so she prayed, and the light that filled her was not only her own.
Behind her, heads bowed, her councilors, her sisters. They followed her,
young though she was. So strong, together, they could become.
Within the temple, within the walls, within the valley, saw the men and
women around them bow their heads, and felt the crackle of energy around
them. The magic that permeated the air they breathed, flowing though their
blood, that was below their feet in the stones of the earth, and in the
forging of the rocks that beat within the heart of the mountain. Those with
magic, those without. A flood of power.
From the ring of stones, four bodies felt a strength they had experienced
never before. Within them and without them, they felt the merging of magic,
and the light that made them luminous. It was not a magic of their own only,
of something so uniquely special about each specifically. But the ability of
focus though themselves the magic of the world. Each body that arched up
behind them, wings and tails and with a jewel on their forehead....they grew
smaller, transparent as more people bowed their heads, joining the symmetry
of power they had begun. If though the brightness, a person had looked, they
would see instead different forms where the creatures had once stood,
stepping downward, and wrapping white wings around the gowned forms of four
young women.
*The infinite power of the world.*
Where demons stood silently, watching the pinwheel of light, they shed the
shells they had worn, empty now. It was as though, through the union of
magic, old and new, and the hope of the people of the world, they were
freed. Twisting free of these ugly bodies, new butterfly wings emerged, and
transparently unfurled, only to fade away again into the light that bloomed
in the darkness.
*Can you see how beautiful the world is? Even though the ugliness around
you?*
So delicate, this light of hope.
It is the nature of things, to end. For things to die, for their energy to
be released, and to flow into the energy of other things. The first rule of
thermodynamics is that all energy is constant. It cannot be newly created or
destroyed. It can only move from one thing into another. Laws of nature
cannot be changed, regardless of the seemingly unnatural ability for men and
women to harness magic. Rather, perhaps, some energy is only summoned more
clearly through some than through others. Use of a conduit or a catalyst
only makes the transfer of this energy more transportable.
And so, as all energy must, the blooming power of light entered a situation
of entropy, degrading, and flowing into other things. As this brilliance
channeled itself away, each figure within the monolith found herself
weakening. And as this happened, the light of their magic faded away into
the dawn, leaving the figures on the ground, eyes closed, breathing steadily
as their bodies attempted to compensate for the drain of their power.
The newcomer, Sailor Pluto, broke the silent spell that lay upon the land
before the temple. She was the first to realize that this working was
complete, and was the first to move. She stepped within the circle, looking
down at the still faces, strands of hair falling over closed eyes. After a
moment, turning, she knelt down beside the still form of Rei, brushing the
hair back and setting the Timestaff beside her as she held her hand over her
mouth, feeling the steady, faint stream of breath. She placed two fingers on
the artery in her neck, and felt a steady pulse, just below the surface.
What made Pluto's eyebrows lift, though, was what was set in the senshi of
Fire's hair. A small, elegant crown, of black obsidian, the edges cut fine
so that they were clear. Intricate design puzzled its way upward, the center
strongly resembling a circle, an arrow jutting from its side.
Pluto turned, hearing steps behind her, watching the wide gates of the
temple draw open, and people tentatively emerge from them. A louder sound
made her turn over her shoulder, watching a battered young man collapse
beside the fallen Makoto.
Balan performed similar checks on Makoto, brushing any loose hairs from her
face, and any invisible dirt. He had known, for a long time, that she was a
princess. But to see her gowned in the pale green, and a crown of curling
oak leaves on her brow, truly showed her lineage. Still sleeping, her lips
slightly parted. "Best not to wake you, huh, Lady Lightning?" He pulled her
head up into his lap, so that she would not have to let it sit on the cold
ground.
"Balan?" He saw a light shadow move over him, and recognized the voice.
"She's all right, Princess."
Rory's voice was soft. "I'm glad." Then the shadow moved, and made a
startled motion as she saw Minako lying on the ground across from Makoto.
"Minako!" And the Northern Princess gathered up her skirts and settled in
beside the Princess of Venus.
Lenora knelt down beside Ami, tilting up her head so that her neck
lengthened, eyes fluttering a moment, then staying still. The High Priestess
did what she could to make her comfortable for the moment, settling her head
on her knees as the Mercury Princess dreamed. A light blue gown pooled
around her. Lenora found herself wondering at the magic that nestled in her
hair. A crown, of crystalline ice, with the intricacy of a snowflake. And
yet it was unmelting.
"Is she all right?" A figure stood above her, and the Priestess looked up,
squinting into the sunlight behind the woman addressing her. After a moment,
the woman knelt, and Lenora looked directly into the eyes of a witch for the
first time. "She's a friend of ours, you know."
The words were almost a test, and Lenora knew it. Will you accept her, as a
friend of your enemy? To which Lenora replied, "Yes. Don't worry. We'll see
that she's taken care of."
That seemed enough to satisfy the woman, and her companion, still standing,
nodded his head once in understanding. Then, still kneeling beside her, the
woman said, "I'm Caitlyn. This is Undine."
"Lenora, High Priestess of Emania."
"We know."
"Um, excuse me," Rory called across the distance between them, since the
stranger had just picked up Rei, and was carefully balancing an elegant
staff weapon across her arms while she did so. "Who are you?"
Her garnet eyes met Rory's and the Princess of the North felt a chill. "A
friend of theirs. Sailor Pluto. It is not good, for them to rest here. They
should have beds readied. They will need to sleep for some time."
Rory could say nothing, but turned to see Lenora move Ami to Caitlyn's
arms, standing. "Yes," she agreed, then turned to one of the many women who
followed her out the gates. They stared owlishly at the spectacle before
them, as did the soldiers, both guard and witch, who began to congregate
around the standing stones. These waited expectantly, side by side, some
standing on toes to see more clearly. "Go ready the room they had before.
See to it that they each have a bed, this time." It took the woman a moment
to realize it was she being spoken to, then leapt into action, pointing
fingers at the idling and gawking priestesses around her. Commands went up,
and several went back inside, the word of the battle's end ringing though
the air.
"Lord Balan," Lenora said as she watched the wounded man doing his best to
pick up Makoto. "There is no need for you to hurt yourself further...." she
died away as he managed to stand, turning, face set against her.
"I'm fine. Have someone show me where to go."
She acquiesced, and flipped a hand, the familiar little figure of Lillia
darting out though the crowd ahead of an older girl who began to step
forward. "I'll show you!" Lillia announced, Chirper chirping happily in
circles around her head as Balan moved forward.
"Madam," Rory heard beside her in a low voice, "Allow me to carry your
companion. Your medical skills may be more useful with the injured, than
with the sleeping." Rory turned to see Xanntippe just beside her, and she
offered Minako over to him, watching her curl up as her head lolled.
"You really do tend to pop up unexpected, don't you, Xann?" Rory frowned a
moment, then commented, "You know, I get the weirdest feeling I've met you
before."
He shrugged and smiled, standing.
Then, more seriously, she asked, "Are there many? Hurt?"
"It was a difficult battle, my Lady," he informed her, then turned to
follow Balan. He passed by Pluto, who was standing just beside Lenora, and
watching as Caitlyn picked up Ami, then letting Undine carry her as they
silently exchanged a glance. Caitlyn had more words to say. But first, she
quirked an eyebrow, oddly looking at Pluto, who turned under the scrutiny.
"Nice hair," Caitlyn commented, tapping the bun in her own.
Pluto mirrored the odd look, tilting her head to the side. "Arigatou."
Caitlyn shrugged, turning aside slightly as Rory stood beside her, watching
Undine and Pluto leave with Ami and Rei. The three young women looked
between themselves, Princess, Priestess, and witch. Rory frowned, looking at
Caitlyn's profile as she sent a final glance up where the senshi disappeared
into. "I am Lady Princess Aurora of Northerland," Rory introduced herself.
"Caitlyn," the witch replied, frowning at her. Caitlyn then added, "You
should know, though, that you aren't a Lady Princess."
"Huh?"
"I'm sorry to be the one to inform you, but there was a battle south of
Aerial a few days ago."
"I know," Rory told her, thinking of the time spent on the river. They had
passed though a portion of water that ran pink with blood, swirling around
the hull of the boat. On the shore, wounded men of different flags and
allegiance lay on the riverbank, fires set as they tended to wounds. "We
passed though it-" Then she stopped, thinking of the first words. "What do
you mean, not a Lady Princess? Was Father taken? If there's a ransom-"
Both Lenora and Rory were expectantly looking into her face, waiting for an
answer. "The North won the battle, your Highness, but at a high cost." The
words were bitter, and it took several moments for Rory to grasp the
honorific that had been used. Your Highness.
"He's dead?" The words squeaked a little at the end, but she thought she
did an impressive job of controlling her voice.
"So say the reports."
"Oh," Rory managed, looking down and feeling Lenora's eyes on her,
sympathetic. She twisted a fold of fabric on her skirt, knuckles white.
"Well. Then I suppose I should...make an example. I will...go help with the
injured soldiers.... They'll need a healer." She set herself on that idea,
and looked up, lips in a fine line as she began to push her way though the
onlookers, randomly grabbing priestesses as she went, issuing orders,
pushing the thoughts in her head to the side.
"My people are have injured, as well," Caitlyn said aloud after a moment,
watching the crowd begin to dissipate as duties were being issued from
recovering priestesses. Healthy women diffused into the wounded men, calling
for the younger girls to run, hurry, get bandages and hot water and clean
cloths and medicines. Hurry, before the filth and festering set in. "We
could use some healers as well."
Another small test, and Lenora still understood the ramifications of it.
"My women will care for your fighters," she offered. "They are welcome here,
so long as they wish to remain."
Caitlyn folded her arms, and looked over at the slightly shorter woman, who
was drawing up the violet lined hood to protect her from the dawn's early
chills. "There are going to be many who do not like the idea."
"I know. But all who were here...they will understand."
The sorceress looked down at her feet, arms folded. "I'll spread the word
among mine."
"We changed the world, Caitlyn," Lenora said as she began to turn away. "It
will keep changing."
"Only as long as we want it to," came the reply, and then she was another
figure in the crowd, and Lenora was once again the High Priestess of Emania,
and moving among the others, bringing her temple under control again.
Minako woke sleepily, eyes opening blearily to see a low portion of ceiling
over her head. "There's a big chunk of rock over my head. Again. Okay." With
a groan, she touched a faintly sore head, and sat up, turning to the side to
see herself in the polished bronze mirror she had woken to...what? a month?
a decade ago? Her reflection was coppery, and she saw then that her
appearance was slightly altered. Still Aino Minako, certainly, but in a
dress of bright yellow, her red bow just hidden behind a golden metal crown,
smooth and polished, a topaz set into the center of her circle and cross
Venus symbol. She touched it, not really sure if it was real.
"A crown for the Princess of Venus," a familiar low voice said from the
darkness in the room's corner. Minako turned away from her reflection,
straightening to see Setsuna move a bit more into the light. Always elegant,
her clothing now was slightly more casual, but with the sleekness customary
to the time senshi's wardrobe. Black boots, long jeans, a wide belt with a
silver buckle. A black shirt, the sleeves just past her elbows, and a thin
choker, much like what she wore as Pluto. Her lips were faintly curved
upward with amusement, garnet eyes smiling at Minako's surprise. "It suits
you, Minako-chan."
"Setsuna-san!" Minako's face lit up. "That was you I saw when we landed! We
were worried that you wouldn't be able to find us."
Setsuna's brows lifted, and she stepped out of the darkness, setting
herself on the room's empty chair, crossing her legs. Around them lay the
other three Inner Senshi, sleeping peacefully as they recovered spent
energy. Cots had been carried in, and now all four had rested on a bed of
some sort, not propped up on pillows and chairs. "I'm sorry to see you had
so little faith in me."
"Oh, it wasn't like that!" Minako protested, then realized Setsuna was
actually teasing her. She grinned, then her face became worried. "Is
everything okay? Usagi-chan?" She rubbed her eyes, and speaking though a
yawn, "Mamoru-san, Haruka-san and Michiru-san? Hotaru-chan?"
"Everyone is fine. I take it you've had quite a time here."
"Yeah. It's been pretty crazy. Perfect timing, Pluto."
Setsuna lifted an eyebrow at the pun, then laughed lightly, shaking her
head. Minako began looking around the room, passing by the still faces of
her friends. They slept, and they were in front of her. Setsuna was there,
and the enemy was gone. There was nothing to worry about, not this soon
after saving the world, at least. But it was the absence of Jara that was
worrying her. She expected the golden dragon to be in miniature, the way Ken
and Lagu had been after finding them. Curled up by her head, maybe, sleeping
away beside her. She barely knew Jara, and the connection between them left
a strange hole. "Setsuna-san, where is Jara?"
"Jara?"
"And Lagu. Ken and Eolh. Where are they? They should be here."
"The dragons, I take it."
"Hai!" Minako was now moving around the room, peering around the sleeping
forms of her friends. She expected to see at least one of the dragonets
there. Perhaps the others had just gone out to feed...Ken, maybe, wanting
meat, or Lagu some fish. If they had to go fishing, then they would have to
go down to the valley below, or find a creek. One would have stayed. They
wouldn't just leave, would they? After a moment, she felt a sinking
disappointment, and asked, "They're gone, aren't they, Setsuna-san?"
Quietly, she sighed, lowering her eyes, then looking at a lit lamp. Oil
burned from within it sweetly, scented in olives. "I watched them fade away,
as you invoked their powers. A woman named Rory and a priestess named Lenora
gave me some information as to what has occurred. Your powers as senshi
linked to theirs. It washed away the dead things, ended the battle I arrived
in. I watched..." she hesitated as she remembered the names Minako had used
a moment before, "Jara, Lagu, Ken and Eolh. They looked like angels,
Minako-chan, for a moment. Crystal angels, with white wings. Then they faded
away too, with the darkness."
"Oh," Minako managed, looking down. She smoothed the silky skirt with her
fingers, feeling the softness of the fabric. She didn't want to cry, but she
missed the presence of Jara already. So little time to have known her. "Then
what, Setsuna-san? Do we just go home? Should I just wake everyone up, let
you henshin, and go home?"
Setsuna's face softened slightly, watching Minako turn and sit down on the
edge of her bed, idly turning the folds of her skirt in her fingers. "You
want to see that your new friends here are okay, do you not?"
Her head lifted, and she looked startled. "Really? You'd let us stay a
couple more days?"
"How long have you been here, Minako-chan? The changes you have incurred in
their path are complete. A few more days will matter little. If nothing
else, it will solidify it."
Minako had hardly expected this kind of generosity of Pluto, usually so
insistent on keeping the timestream free of change. Then, perhaps, their
being here was part of history after all. Also, this was not Pluto's world,
was it? Did she care for Emania, as well? Guardian of Time and Space. How
far, exactly, does the duty of such a person extend?
"I'm glad," Minako decided aloud. "I'd like to make sure everyone is..."
she trailed off in a yawn, then smiled, shaking her head. "I guess I still
am a bit worn out."
"Then rest, Princess Venus," Setsuna told her, sweeping to her feet,
standing and moving to the door, pausing to listen when Minako asked a last
question.
"These are the gowns that we wear, ne, Pluto? Like Usagi-chan when she was
Serenity?"
"Hai, Venus. And the crowns of the queens of the Inner Planets."
Minako blinked at that, and touched the gold on her brow with her fingers,
feeling the smooth curve of it around her head, and the light weight. Like
her tiara, it fit her comfortably, made perfectly for her. "Arigatou,
Setsuna-san," Minako smiled, watching her open the door and bow as she left,
the starlight from without lighting the outside. "I'll see you in the..."
she lay down, head on the feathery pillow. "...morning...." she sighed, and
still uncovered by a blanket, drifted back off to sleep.
Evening dropped again, and Ami watched the clouds in the distance.
Thoughout the day, the grey towers of cloudy fortresses had loomed overhead,
sending down a shower of rain in the day's middle. But wind had pushed any
full deluge south and east, the storm front carried away from the small
festival that had formed below. Now the sky was clear, if slightly chill,
and the forms of the moons still hung overhead. Air and Fire hid their faces
fully, Earth, so slow, had yet to turn fully away from the night they had
returned to the Fire Mountain. Water, though, the swiftest of the four
moons, was again a crescent, near to half full. Ami tugged the indigo cloak
around her, feeling the cold metal of the knotwork brooch below her chin as
she burrowed more deeply into the warmth it offered.
She stood alone on an empty rampart. Fire Mountain temple felt separate
from the world, a pinnacle on a volcano, unreachable. More so, now, somehow.
The first place to step upon a new path, others still unsure whether or not
to follow. Seven sunrises she had watched, now the seventh sunset. This
evening, though, was different than the previous ones, since today had been
a special day. Ami had always wanted to be a doctor. The medicines and
information she knew from biology, chemistry, and simply talking to her
mother had been useful, helping where she could. She'd been careful to keep
an over-enthusiastic Minako from helping a little too much with the nursing,
but after a little while, the reality of battle injury set in. It was not
the same as watching a movie, however realistically portrayed. No impact
seen though a screen can replicate the feeling of a man die in front of you,
not from cancer or AIDS or any physical disease, but from a battle. It's a
hopeless feeling. Ami wondered if the expression on her face had been the
same as that of Sailor Moon, when they died against the DD Girls, or when
she and the others had leapt in front of Galaxia's golden bracelets.
She closed her eyes, felt the cold air, moisture still hanging in it from
the afternoon showers. How hard she had tried to focus her power, send the
rain away. She could feel the sweet scent of rain in her, and hoped that
maybe she had helped keep the day relatively free of destruction. Too much
relief in today.
Cheery music drifted up to her on the breeze, and she looked below, seeing
the bright lights within the temple grounds. A small band was playing a
fast, wordless tune from one corner. To her amusement, she watched a small,
recognizable speck known as Minako hop up in front of them, and could see
her motioning to the band to follow her. Familiar strains of music drifted
up.
Sadness is in this Sailor Smile.
Arising from a miracle, Sailor Wing.
Someone or Something is holding the glittering star.
I will not lose! Towards tomorrow, with a Sailor Yell
Without doubt! I will catch you! The Sailor Star
Let this pledge be delivered til the ends of the galaxy.
Ami hummed along under her breath, knowing the words from somewhere. It
seemed appropriate, and she watched the fast beat pick up with the people
below, sending them dancing in spirals. Today Rory-hime became Queen Aurora,
crowned by Lenora this morning, at sunrise. Queen of the North, rising to
her position as her father had died in battle. Rory-hime had been saddened
by his death, but as it was known, she was not particularly close to him.
Her mourning was official mourning, not private. And her crowning ceremony
had been lovely, if simple.
Clustered among priestess and silver eyed sorceress, the point was made:
There would be no more Cleansings. Caitlyn, Undine and the others had
remained there, though as many healed, they left. Only a handful, including
Caitlyn and Undine, remained though this morning, and now wove in a complex,
dizzyingly fast tossing dance to Minako's song. She watched a quartet of
people, recognizing Makoto and Balan, Caitlyn and Undine. Hands enclasped,
walk, break apart, clap, turn and the women find themselves in the air, then
down again, to exchange partners and repeat the process.
Nothing fancy, really. Ami was still in the robes of an acolyte priestess,
Setsuna oddly comfortable in the full robes. Ami smiled, thinking they
suited her and her mysterious nature. A little too comfortable, really.
Maybe she had worn such things before. Who knew, with Setsuna?
From the time when you disappeared,
An unending journey to search for you has begun.
On a map yellowed with age, a stenciled picture of an angel
Points a finger to a Dark Colosseum that awaits our arrival.
Still, she breathed in the rain scented air, and tried to think. When she
had woke from the enchanted sleep, she had felt refreshed, instantly looking
around for Lagu. But to her dismay, the dragon was gone. So it was with the
others. But she did not feel that Lagu was gone. Just absent, if that made
any sense.
"Are you still out there, Lagu? Can you still hear me?"
She looked up at the visible curve of the pale blue moon, and could see the
narrow head of the water dragon upon the cratered satellite. Within an
instant, her eyes widened as the familiar voice in her mind answered, *Of
course.*
"Lagu!"
*You are silly. Do you think I would just leave?*
The words were full of merriment, lighter than Ami had heard Lagu speak
before. "But where are you? Why aren't you here?" A brief look around her
confirmed that she was still quite alone on the tower, and no small dragon
sat beside her.
*I am always here. You have not lost me. Do not be afraid.*
"I'm not."
*That is good.*
Ami smiled, watching the dancing below. Rei was easy to spot, a smooth
dress the color of mulled wine standing out clearly against the white cloth
of the table behind her. She was speaking to one of the guards, who had just
run up with a drink for her. Smiling coyly, she was flirting easily, and
seemed to be enjoying herself. Ami shook her head, looking around for the
last senshi there. Setsuna was standing in the shadows, as was her usual,
watching the festivities. She stood beside Lenora, and they appeared to be
discussing something quietly. Lenora laughed lightly after a moment, and
made a gesture out across the dance floor.
The heart trembles from that day's secret kiss.
No matter how difficult it is,
I will continue to find you.
"Lagu, what will happen now? What of this world?" She waited a moment,
watching again the four dancers, two of who's eyes glowed faintly. "And the
silver eyed? What are they?"
*All things must change. Even magic.*
"Lagu?"
*Old things go, and new things come. Stronger than before. Is it not so
with you?*
Shabon Spray. Shine Aqua Illusion. Mercury Aqua Rhapsody. Each stronger
than the last. Each the same with the others. Power of their planets, of the
stars, of the crystals. Always building on the past. A kind of evolution.
*That is right. All things grow. That is life. Continuous growth upon older
growth. I fear for a world that does not flow. Look below. See the little
one?*
Ami looked, and saw the blonde head of Lillia, tentatively dancing with a
young boy off towards the back. They were bumbling along, trying to keep up.
Neither was very experienced, and the fact they both had bird familiars
flying around their heads, chirruping delightedly, was not making it any
easier. Ami laughed at them, knowing how embarrassed they must feel.
"Yes, I see her."
*She is the strongest element of the old ways.*
Ami's eyes widened at the announcement, but she remained silent to hear
Lagu continue.
*In her heart, magic has attained a peak. She is also the last to reach
such a height. New power courses though the land, and brings change with it.
An advancement. A new way.*
"The Silver Eyed."
*Yes.*
She made a small sound, a hum, as though in thought or consideration. Ami
watched movement just below her, and saw a sweep of long hair move into the
doorway leading to the steps. Casting her eyes around, she saw that Lenora
now stood alone, and reasoned that her visitor would be Setsuna.
"Will I be able to hear you always, Lagu?"
*Listen within. I am always with you, Ami-chan.*
Then Ami heard soft steps behind her, and turned to see Setsuna emerge
though the opening on the floor, the top of the stairs. "Konbanwa,
Setsuna-san," Ami greeted, bowing politely to the woman. Setsuna returned
this with a nod, stepping fully onto the tower's height.
"I thought it best I let you know, that when Minako-chan is done with her
song, we had best leave. The coronation ceremony is complete, and the
festival will stretch long into the night."
"Hai," Ami agreed quietly, tilting her head to the side. "Ah, Setsuna-san,
you look like a real priestess."
Setsuna chuckled lightly. "The mists may carry a person to Avalon, Elysion
and back, Ami-chan." Then the amusement died away, and a chill breeze warned
Ami not to question the strange words, even though Setsuna had laughed. Her
face had grown still, and though it was still friendly, it was cautious.
"You had best go down, Ami-chan."
"I was just about to," Ami agreed, going to step down. When Setsuna made no
motion to follow her, she queried, "Setsuna-san?"
"I'll be but a moment. A last respect to a unfamiliar land."
Ami blinked, then smiled. "Of course. I'll gather the others."
"I'll be right there."
Don't grieve, the Sailor Eyes!
This is about you, the Sailor Wind!
This song knows the path of the star.
I will not lose! Towards tomorrow, with a Sailor Yell
Without doubt! We will find you! The Sailor Star
Flying upon angel's wings.
For a moment, Setsuna listened to Ami's soft footfalls run down the steps,
then watched the blue haired head wind her way into the crowd. Stars shown
above, brilliant in the rain washed sky. "Your ways are heavy handed."
"Are they?"
Setsuna looked back beside her, and saw a figure she had expected for
several days now. A black dress, a chime on an anklet. Bronze skin and pure
white hair, oversized eyes that let too little white around them. Fragrance
of spice could be scented, and the newcomer tilted her head to the side,
unchilled by the coolness in the air. "And you are?"
"Meioh Setsuna. Called Sailor Pluto, to you."
"Ah. Daeva."
Setsuna's lips drew thin, and she frowned at the woman sitting casually
backwards on the wall, leg tucked up under her as she let the other hang.
Daeva looked over her shoulder at the people below. "Still. This was the
only way."
"Amassing an army? Killing those that need not have died? How is that the
only way?"
"It is my way to fight. Is it not true, that the past must die to give
birth to the future?" Daeva looked at Setsuna carefully. "You have seen the
destruction of worlds. I can see it in your eyes. That is how history is.
One thing dying to give rise to another. The transfer of one life into
another. One kingdom must fall so that another may rise?"
Her last words were a carefully placed question, and they had the desired
effect. Setsuna thought of the Silver Millennium of her world. How the
Glaive had fallen, and how the future now promised an even brighter
Millennium. That had been the Silence of the past. So carefully was the new
future she had pushed for in her long life. Ensuring that it would be
bright.
Running alone and discovering a path,
At last, with great difficulty, I have found this tunnel.
At the bottom of a fresco your trail is shown.
Someone hanging on a star is gesturing me to come by chanting a spell.
This is the miraculous fate of two people,
Even if you cross into the past or the future, I will still find you.
Silence does not necessarily mean apocalypse.
"Tell me you do this with no regrets, then, Daeva. Tell me you do not
regret any of the losses." She spoke bitterly, hoping she would find a mark.
And she did.
"Yes," the faerie admitted slowly, and her voice was heavy with
rememberance. "Sacrifices must always be made."
"I have fought a long time. As have you." Setsuna looked down at the
swirling figures below. Ami had reached Rei first, and was speaking briefly
with her. With a little laugh, she bid goodbye to the man she had been
speaking to, and winked at him, waving as she went to wait for Makoto to
finish her dance. Setsuna closed her eyes, stepping back a bit from the
edge. "And sometimes, I have seen that there are indeed other ways. Are
there no heroes here?"
Daeva shrugged, looking down below as well, eyes picking out various
figures within the crowd. "Yes. But disjointed. Most had not even met."
Those eyes roamed. To a corner, a thief with three men around her,
outrageously daring them to outdrink her. To a corner of the dance floor,
where a young woman danced with a young guard, slightly clumsily, him trying
to compensate by keeping them out of everyone else's way. A dark man who
watched the dancing from under one of the arches surrounding the stone
plaza, quietly sipping a goblet of wine. To two twirling silver eyed, the
woman laughing rarely as he caught her from the toss into the air. And upon
a small dais, the new Queen of the North stood, smiling politely as High
Priestess of Fire Mountain joined her, hands folded within the sleeves of
her robes.
Pain is in these Sailor Eyes.
Arising from a miracle, Sailor Wing.
Someone or something is holding the star of fate.
I will not lose! Towards tomorrow, with a Sailor Yell.
Without Doubt! I will catch you! The Sailor Star.
Let this pledge be delivered til the ends of the galaxy.
"And now a future has been chosen. I will ensure it. That is why I did what
I must."
Setsuna regarded the woman with her. "They'll always wonder about you."
"Ah, but that's part of the fun!" Daeva laughed, making a small gesture
that created sparkles around her fingertips. Setsuna lifted her eyebrows,
unsure what to make of the woman with her. "But really. There are always
people to fight. They just have to realize it." Daeva hopped off the wall,
standing and stepping into the tower's center, standing beside the stairs.
"Imagine a world full of...now, what was it that your friends called
themselves? Ah yes. Sailor Senshi. Now wouldn't that be interesting?" Daeva
made a small motion with her hand, and the moonlight intensified around her
briefly, leaving a cheshire smile in the air. "Nice to meet you, Sailor
Pluto."
And then she was gone, and into the silence, the last strains of song could
still be heard.
This is about you, the Sailor Wind!
Don't grieve, the Sailor Eyes!
This song knows the path of the star.
I will not lose! Towards tomorrow, with a Sailor Yell
Without doubt! We will find you! The Sailor Star
Flying upon angel's wings.
Setsuna saw that below, the dance had ended, and that the four Inner Senshi
had gathered. After such a long journey, it was time to go home.
Approaching the back of the makeshift dance floor, Ami and Rei stood in
wait for Makoto, who was finding her way though the crowd, Balan in tow, and
Caitlyn and Undine just behind. It was strange, watching them come forward,
Balan still scruffy with scrapes and bruises from the earlier battle, the
two 'witches' out of trail gear and cleaned up, Caitlyn even in a fluid blue
dress.
"Ah, Ami-chan! Rei-chan!" Makoto greeted, "Aren't you dancing too?"
Rei shrugged, folding her arms, "Yeah, well, you and Ami-chan are the only
ones who can really dance at all anyway, remember?" She flicked some hair
over her shoulder, referencing to their one attempt at becoming 'princesses'
so long ago.
"Well, we're sitting this one out," Caitlyn commented with a sigh, taking a
quick look over her shoulder as the crowd of waiting people began to eddy
around, waiting for a new song to begin. "It's been quite an evening."
"Don't look so dissapointed. You know you're happy with the situation,"
Undine cajoled, elbowing her. She rolled her eyes, frowning with a shrug.
"We'll see how things work."
"Pessimist."
"Optimist."
The two were standing face to face, eyes locked, Undine grinning, Caitlyn
glowering, arms folded at the teasing. Then they paused, turning since they
suddenly felt eyes on them. Rei and Makoto had devilish, slightly
Minako-when-plotting-something-romantic looks on their faces. Ami was pink,
and shaking her head as they got ready to begin interrogations. But then
another song started, and Balan decided to let the two silver eyed have some
peace. He'd been around the four senshi long enough to know where this was
headed, and didn't think, for such a usually calm person, that Caitlyn would
like being prodded. "Ah, Lightning, come on. One more dance before we take
a break?"
That got Makoto to turn around, face lighting up as Balan offered an arm to
escort her back. They had barely begun to wave goodbye when the orange clad
form of Minako exploded out of the swirling crowd, running, waving her arms
excitedly. "Minna!" she was shrieking as she skidded to a stop, leaping up
and down as she grabbed Makoto's shoulders. "That's the second time I was a
hit with that song! Makenai! Ashita e seeraa eeru, Zettai! Tsukamaeru!
Seeraa staa, Kono chikai todoke ginga made!" She released Makoto, who
staggered back into Balan. Eyes full of stars, Minako made a fist, shoving
it into the air and spinning around as she laughed wildly. "When I return to
Tokyo, I will at last become a famous idol! Men will worship me! I'll have
millions of fans across the world! I, Aino Minako, famous star!" There was
more maniacal laughter, until Minako realized everyone was staring at her.
Then she blinked a couple times, and grinned, a little embarrassed. "Gomen
ne. Got a little carried away, ne?"
"It's okay, Minako-chan," Rei shook her head, a hand to her temple in
despair at her friend's amazing enthusiasm.
"I'm glad you're ready, then," they heard from behind, heads turning to
watch Setsuna approach quietly. "We should leave now. The festivities will
begin to wind down soon, and only the more wild people here will stay out
though the night. You do not need to remain for such things."
They looked a little disappointed, but moved to come together, except for
Makoto, who hesitated, arm still linked though Balan's. Minako was the first
to pick up on the pause, sneaking slyly closer to the pair. "Ah, Mako-chan.
Not going to get a nice, big juicy kiss goodbye from your boyfriend?"
"Minako-chan!" Makoto shouted sharply, flushing red.
That brought some light laughter from the others around them, watching as
Minako waited expectantly for the embarrassed Makoto's answer. It was Balan,
though, who answered for her, pulling her back gently. "We already said our
goodbyes, Minako. She has her Princess to take care of," he said with
acceptance, turning and looking at Makoto, who sighed, noticing something
behind him. She then continued,
"And you have yours."
Edging around the turning tides of people, the violet hooded Lenora
appeared, Aurora beside her. That morning had been hectic, preparing the
princess for the coronation. There wasn't really enough time to make
anything elaborate. So Aurora instead wore a simple gown of pale, pale blue,
a darker sash across her chest, bearing the emblem of the white unicorn,
standard of the North. Light blonde hair had been washed and oiled, once
again braided into the rope that fell down her back to her feet. "You
weren't planning on leaving without saying goodbye to us, were you?" the new
Queen asked with a smile as they approached. The circle of people grew a bit
wider, a range of heights, status, and power. To look around them would be
to see a thing of uncertain magic.
"Rory-hime!" Minako greeted with a smile, then paused, shaking her head.
"Iie. Queen Aurora. I'll have to watch that."
"Don't!" Rory protested, waving a hand and shaking her head. "Rory. Please,
just Rory."
"Hai," came the response. "It's going to be weird when we get back home.
We'll miss you," Minako turned from Rory to Lenora, to Balan, Caitlyn and
Undine. "All of you."
"I thank you, for helping to save our world," Lenora said quietly. "It will
be remembered. What has been changed. The stories...we will write them down.
The legends will not be forgotten."
"But Lenora-san," Ami interrupted her, "then it is history."
Lenora accepted the correction, and smiled, stepping back a bit.
"Ami," Caitlyn asked, and the blue haired girl turned to see the woman
giving her a sad sort of smile. "Thanks."
"Hai."
"All right, is that everyone, then?" Rei cut in, tapping Makoto, reminding
her to release Balan's arm.
There was a laugh, and Rory said, "We'll miss you too, Rei."
The senshi of Fire grinned, shrugged and said, "Who wouldn't?"
More laughter.
"Setsuna-san?"
"It may be best, if you henshin first."
"Why?"
Setsuna sighed. "It is a long journey. Not the same as usual. A more
powerful form will make the trip easier, for all of us."
Looks exchanged between the senshi. There was no one to hide from here. All
save Lenora and Undine had even seen the transformation before, and both
certainly knew about it by now. Nothing to hide. Not in Emania.
"Henshin yo, minna!" Minako ordered, pulling out her pen.
"Mercury Crystal Power!"
"Mars Crystal Power!"
"Jupiter Crystal Power!"
"Venus Crystal Power!"
And, after a moment, "Pluto Crystal Power!"
"Make-up!"
Light lit the sky, the distance between the stars not seeming quite so
infinite, or black. Ribbons of gold mingled within the crackling arches of a
globe of electricity, as rings of fire wove a pattern though streams of
water. Powers of the elements that made up the universe. But as their
display of magic ended, the night did not sweep in on them again. Instead,
they looked up to the sky, along with those who stood beside them. Four
sorceresses stood on the ledge of the plaza's buildings, dark silhouettes
against the eruptions of color around them. One on each roof, they stood
with a hand to the air, a slender wand of wood in the uplifted fingers. Out
of the end, glittering fireworks came to display, lighting the air. Blue and
purple spangles curtained to the ground, and a gout of red tinged yellow
fountained upward. The colors rippled, shifting as one grew dominant and
another faded, over the faces of the people below, their eyes wide and
mouths open to exclaim. One shot upward, and exploded in a blossom of white,
hanging heavily like a chandelier as it slowly faded away.
"They must have thought that it was time to begin," Lenora commented
lightly, to no one in particular, and also to everyone. Then they felt a
reddish light wash over their shoulders, and faces turned around to see the
faint forms of five women, within a ball of garnet. And as the booming
sounds of explosions mingled with the amazed sounds of the crowd, the Sailor
Senshi faded away, onward, to a road of light.
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