Welcome Back Mercury

“She is your love, that is correct, but are you hers, that is the question.”
“There is no doubt, I cherish her with all my heart.”
“Then you will feel her with your heart.”

        Zoicite grabbed his head in pain, he had not gotten any sleep for more than twenty four hours, and the pain in his head did not help the fact that he had been trying to concentrate and feel her with his heart, the link between true loves.  He could not remember what it was that was required in order to open the psychic link, there was so much that he did not remember, in fact, he couldn’t even remember if, on that night at the Mercurian ball, he had been able to claim her hand for the dance.  With his memory scattered, it was almost impossible for him to reopen the link that they once would have had as loves, not to mention of course that she would have changed over the years.
        Many things had changed during this time, she had become less reserved than he had ‘remembered’ from the Silver Millennium when she would have never performed in public, let alone in the short skirts of figure skaters.  Those memories which had been restored to him also made it so hard to believe that she would befriend a scoundrel like Asuka Akiyama, his archrival for the top, he had stolen the spot from his hands just as he was about to reach it.  The commentators said that he had flair, that he was stylish, charming, elegant, handsome, and, Zoicite knew, that he had a way with girls.  They flocked to see him, he was their utmost hero, all because of his face; the old Princess Mercury that he knew would have despised someone of that character.  He didn’t understand their friendship; they would have only met for a week before she became a competitive skater, yet people called her his prodigy because they were supposed to pair skate.  In fact, no one had ever heard of her in the skating world prior to the All-Japan Qualifiers, if there was a relationship, the press would have been sure to have picked it up before then… yet the press reacted just as surprised when he walked in with a young lady announcing that she would be his partner.
        He hit the wall with his bare fists in frustration as he realized that there was no link between the present Ami Mizuno and himself, because he had never met her in this life, he hardly knew her.  He didn’t even remember the past enough to open a link with her previous self, thus his easing his way into the present, he didn’t know which direction to even start the communication.  For all he knew, Ami Mizuno could be completely different than Princess Mercury, although he doubted it, he knew that he had fallen hard for Princess Mercury, and now, even without knowing Ami, he had fallen for her.  In his mind, there was no questioning that they were meant to be, that the link had to be there… if only Someieichi-kou would restore his memories completely, he was sure that he would be able to once again gain access to the link that once was.

        “Are you sure that this will work Mercury?”
        “It has to work, that is, if he… if it was meant to be, and it has to be, it can’t not… okay *deep breath* Jupiter, are you ready?”
        “Hai!” (yes!)
        “Put your hands here, and prepare for release at1, san.... ni… ichi!  (3… 2… 1!)”
        “Supreme Thunder Dragon!”
        Nothing happened.  The flash of white lightning passed from Jupiter’s hands into the computer, and then, nothing.  No sound, no light, nothing.  The computer did not acknowledge that anything had occurred in that brief moment, it was as though the transmission of energy had not taken place.  Until the three senshi had turned away and began to question silently whether the senshi of intelligence had for once got her equations wrong and the machine had just sucked the energy in without any output… when there was a loud zapping noise and a spark of red occurred.  They screamed and their legs gave way as they fell.
        “What?  What was that?” Was the only thing that Venus managed to grapple out.
        With a bemused look, the only senshi left standing looked at them with a mixture of amusement and wonderment, “umm… laser?  What did you think it was?”
        Jupiter got onto her feet unsteadily at first and took a hesitant step towards Mercury, “so, did it work the way it was supposed to?”
        Mercury turned her visor on once again and scanned the unconscious patient in front of her, “well, there seems to be some damaged tissue on the scalp, but… otherwise he’s fine, the chip’s been completely vaporized!!”
        The senshi stared at their resident genius for a brief moment when Venus suddenly exclaimed “everything’s back to normal then!!”
        “Well, other than the fact that we are still standing in the midst of space?”
        “Mars, you are such a spoilsport.”
        “In case it escapes you V-chan, we are stuck here, the teleportation room that we came in by has disappeared with the rest of the Kuriverse-Go?  Oh, but no, I’m just being a spoilsport, I’m just a pessimistic person with a pessimistic outlook aren’t I?  V-chan, look around you, there is nothing here!  I’m being realistic when I say how are we going to get back to Earth because I happen to want to get back there.
        Without a word, Mercury took Lord Takeuchi’s life key from the pocket and held it in front of her, she didn’t know what she should do with it, but she knew that somehow it would take them home.  She did the only thing that she could think of doing, she prayed with all her heart and soul to go back, to be with her mother, and to get out of this god-forsaken place.

        “Father?  What are you doing here?”  Deus Mercury asked in surprise as his long imprisoned father walked towards him.
        “I am here to bid farewell.”
        “Father, what did you do to deserve this?  This imprisonment, and now, this final farewell?”
        “These were my wishes my son.”
        “The two wishes granted in lieu of our servitude to the princess?”
        “Yes, the others wished for a peaceful life and luxury, I wished for this.”
        “What on Earth for?  Surely imprisonment cannot be pleasant.”
        “It is a simple life of mortality and a woman whom I loved and loved me in return that I want.  Imprisonment was necessary for me so I may return at a certain time.  My wish is to be fulfilled now, so I am told.”
        “A baby, is this what you are to become?  With no recollections of myself or your past?”
        “No, it seems that I was supposed to return earlier in time, but… it was forgotten after my spirit was encapsulated when I made the wish, and now, I return as a man in my forties.”
        “How can life be simple if you are to remember the complications of another life?”
        “They have reasons I believe for wanting my return on this time-stream.   My fellow deus and goddesses mock my foolishness for choosing to be encapsulated for so many years until the right time, then have my spirit vaporize afterwards, in exchange for the short comfort of thirty or so years, but son, I believe that I will be happy, will you accept that?”
        “Immortality is a burden father, I believe you once told me that.  Quality is what is important, not quantity, if you trust that the life of mortals, no matter how short, will make you happy, then it would be foolish not to chase those dreams.  Father, it seems like you made a sensible wish then, I respect your decision.”
        “Then I have taught you well.  My transportation departs soon, I wanted to wish you luck in your continuing duties, it is not easy being the guardian of the Mercurian Princess.”
        “I realize that now father.”
        “You have to learn to let to go my son.”
        “Yes father.”
        “I wish you luck,”
        “And I you, I will look upon you when you walk the Earth.”
        “Perhaps you too will find this life most rewarding, after having seen the Earth for so long, now, I can finally partake in its lifestyle.  Albeit I have waited for many millenniums, since the Silver Millennium when my novice had become Lady Mercury, in that capsule until the time was right, that life was not pretty, but I hope that it will be worthwhile.  The knowledge given to me regarding this present Earth seems immensely interesting, I look forward to being able to participate. I must leave now my son, remember, you have to learn to let go.”
        “Farewell father, I shall be seeing you.”  The younger deus said, referring to the mirror that allowed them to see the workings of Earth.
        His father laughed, “Always a penchant for humor, perhaps one day I too will see you on Earth.”
        “It is forbidden for me to visit.”
        “My mischievous son has never followed the rules, and I will not believe it if I was told that he would be following them now.”  He chuckled as he walked away from his son for the final time as he traveled the vast expanse of The Grounds.  “I count on you to continue the family tradition of causing havoc in this place, you didn’t think that I was all good now, did you?”

Index