The Fall
by Sereko
sereko13@yahoo.com
---------
"Will you be all right?" Usagi nodded her head briskly.
"Hai!! HAI!! HAI!!! DAIJOUBU!" Mamoru sighed and looked down at her
again.
"That's what you said right before you collapsed. Somehow..I'm having
a hard time believing you. Mars did hit you pretty hard and from what
Pluto says...you shouldn't have healed her like you did. Therefore,
you're even worse off. So...I highly doubt that you are fine."
"But-" Usagi began to sit up in her bed but Mamoru gently pushed her
back down.
"No! I won't listen to it anymore! Just rest, for me. You don't know
how frightened we all were for you. You weren't even supposed to be in
the training room, let alone go against a senshi! It's dangerous!"
"Bu-" Mamoru put his fingers over her lips to silence her. He lowered
his head so she couldn't see him and tried to blindly find one of her
hands. She grabbed his hand, wondering what was wrong and lifted his
chin. "Oh my goddess! Mamoru!" The stream of tears now coursing down
his cheeks were a little more than startling. Usagi immediately sat up
and hugged him tightly. "Gomen nasai, Mamo-chan. I didn't mean to
scare you. But, I'm fine now...you have nothing to worry about. Please
Mamo...don't cry."
He pulled her away and held her by the shoulders to look into her eyes.
"We've had so much going on lately...it's just getting to me. Now is
not the time to go and get hurt!" He smiled meekly and hugged her
again. "I love you too much to have you be injured in front of my very
eyes. Oh Usako..." This time she pulled away from him, looked at his
caring face, and kissed him.
-----
*SERE!!! Where are you?!?!?!*
*Luna? I'm in my bedroom. What's wrong?*
*You haven't heard?! Oh my goddess!!! I'm coming right now!*
*Um...ok. I'll see you in a few--*
Serenity was cut off by a speeding blur of light heading towards her.
"OH MY GOSH!!!! You won't believe it!!! It's absolutaly horrible!"
"Luna! Calm down! Gosh, let me tell her." Serenity craned her neck to
see Artemis coming up behind Luna. "Sorry for her mad rush, your
majesty. Anyway...well...have you talked recently with Queen Palda or
King Sarras?"
"No, actually I was just about to arrange a meeting with King Sarras.
Why? What has happened?"
"Umm...gosh...I don't know how to say this...You remember the negative
energy outbreaks lately, right?"
"Of course! I've had to continuously seal them in the caves on Terra."
"They have grown increasingly in the past couple hours..and...well..."
"AND THEY HAVE KILLED THE ROYALTY ON MERCURY, MARS, VENUS, JUPITER,
SATURN, NEPTUNE, URANUS, AND PLUTO!!!!!!
"NANI?!?!"
"Darn it, Luna! CALM DOWN! Please queen...ignore her."
"Artemis! WHAT IS SHE TALKING ABOUT?!" Serenity anxiety rose quickly
and she had almost jumped out of her chair by now.
"Sh-She is telling the truth. The negative energy grew up to 70% higher
than what it was, in just a few minutes, three hours ago. Before we
could get to you from Jupiter, they had already attacked. We couldn't
do anything in time. The shuttles have been destroyed so Luna and I
had to personally teleport ourselves here. The last transmissions on
Queen Baiti's crystal were from all the planets. The royals' servants
were calling everyone to ask for help because their lieges had been
slaughtered by some unknown dark force. The odd thing is that the
darkness didn't touch anyone else at all."
Serenity had the look as though she was physically hit with something
and almost fainted. Instead, Artemis held her shoulders and sat her
down on her chair. "I know...we can't believe it either."
"T-T-Ter.."
"Tersa?" Serenity barely nodded. "She's fine. She and Motami were
informed just before it hit Terra. That's the other odd thing. The
evil didn't come from the Terran caves where the rest was sealed. It
came from each edge of the universe. Pluto was the first to go...then
Mercury and so forth. You, Tersa, and Motami are the only ones left.
I-It never came near the moon. That's what scares me the most. We'll
need to be prepared for the worst possible situation. I'm afraid that
our assault will be the worst of them all."
Serenity choked, her eyes as wide as could be, and she absently stood
up. "Your majesty?"
When Luna finally calmed down she spoke to her queen, "Sere? What are
you doing?"
Looking into nothingness, still in the complete shock of having all
her dear friends be killed, she started to walk out of the room.
"H-Have to tell children...need to know."
Luna and Artemis looked at each other and simultaneously spoke, "Would
you rather we did it?"
"Hai...you with me...we all tell...come now..." The advisors followed
their dumb-struck queen down the halls until they reached the senshi
wing. "Gather them all and bring them to the training hall...easier
there...will tell then..." Luna and Artemis obeyed.
-----
"What has happened? What's wrong with the queen?" The senshi were all
there and the questions were starting up.
Luna, Artemis, and the queen were all about to start the explanation
when they heard some yelling on the other side of the door. "Usako!
Stop!! Don't do this!!"
Usagi: "No! I'm fine! I heard Luna and Artemis urgently getting all
the senshi! I want to see what the fuss is about!"
Galen: "Usa! Would you listen to some sane people once in a while and
STAY IN BED!!!!"
Usagi: "No! Now be quiet!" Just then, the large training hall doors
opened and a blonde-haired girl popped in. Right behind her were two
angry men. They all looked up to see everyone staring at them. Nervous
giggles passed and soon the talking began.
When the meeting ended, they were all frozen. Nobody talked, nobody
moved, nobody breathed. "Dead?"
Artemis dropped his head, "Hai. Gomen nasai, minna."
-----
"This won't be good if we are attacked." Mamoru said as he watched the
scene in front of him.
"Not at all." Galen, standing right next to him, was also seeing and
hearing all that passed. They were standing at the front of a hall
that led to the senshi quarters. They could hear all the senshi crying
their hearts out, but they could only actually see one person. Usagi,
running from room to room, across the hall over and over, comforting
each senshi and making sure they felt ok before she fled to another
room to comfort another. Eight senshi for one girl to take care of.
Mamoru: "She's not going to feel very good when she finishes this."
Galen: "From being tired or from emotional distress?"
Mamoru: "Both. Running all over can't be helping her energy loss from
before, then having her sworn protectors in the worst state possible
to do anything. Just can't be good."
After about two more hours of this, Usagi finally returned to her room.
There sat Galen and Mamoru, discussing the possible attack to the Moon.
Galen looked up first, "You have returned finally." He gave a quirky
grin and Mamoru continued for him, "We thought you were going to
collapse in the hall."
Usagi looked disappointed, "They just lost their families. Aren't you
even a little distraught at the thought?"
Mamoru: "Of course we are, but we try not to let the sorrow overtake
us. If that happens, then there is no one who has a safe, strong mind."
Usagi: "Ok, fine...I-I guess I can accept that. I'm too tired to argue
with you." She wearily smiled and walked over to Mamoru, sitting on
his lap.
Galen: "We thought you would be. We can leave if you want to rest."
Usagi shook her head, "No, just continue your conversation. I won't
bother you." She laid her head on Mamoru's shoulder and put one arm
behind his back.
Galen: "Oh, ok. Well then, Mamoru...the total number of universe
soldiers could out-number any fleet ever made! We shouldn't have a
problem!"
"But our soldiers aren't fully equipped with energy attacks. If they
are to stand a chance, they need more than just swords! The dark
entities killed those people with energy blasts. Therefore, erase the
soldiers and all we have are four guardians, eight senshi, two advisors,
the queen, and you & me. That's not very much for a whole universe."
Usagi looked up from Mamoru's shoulder and commented, "Hey! What about
me? I can fight!" Both men looked over from their conversation and
stared at her. "What?! I've got some power you know! I can help you
all!"
Mamoru: "No, Usako. You aren't going to do that again."
Galen: "He's right. We don't want you to get hurt again."
"But I can help!" Usagi thought for a second and continued, "You both
know that I can help, don't you? You know that I can...that I can kill
it. That's it isn't it?!"
Galen: "Usa-chan..."
Usagi: "No, wait! Why would you not want me to kill the evil? I thought
that is what you were trying to do. Is it not?"
Mamoru: "Usako..."
Mamoru tried to calm her down by massaging her back and giving her a
slight hug. It didn't work because the next thing she did was jump at
top speed out of his lap. "No! Why don't you want me to kill it? Come
on! There's no reason!"
Galen: "You don't understand."
Mamoru: "It's more complicated than just killing the evil."
"Well, tell me! I wish to know the reason that you do not want my
assistance. The assistance that you know could greatly benefit you."
She looked at them and noticed something flicker in both sets of eyes.
They seemed discouraged and sympathetic, but anyone could have noticed
that. There was something more...a sense of...sorrow. They, themselves,
were calm and collected but their eyes...the windows into their souls...
they were swimming with sorrow and fear. Calmer yet scared, she barely
whispered, "What is it? I can see it...in your eyes. Your holding
something painful back. Something that makes you sad just thinking
about it...something that scares you. Please..Galen..Mamo-chan...what
is it?"
The men slowed down a bit. After so long, she had finally seen it.
They breathed deeply, cleared their heads...how were they to tell her?
Should they even attempt to? They didn't want to tell her...but they
were stuck now. The way she said the question...so innocent. The way
she could so easily figure out the two closest men to her...the two
men with whom she had spent her whole life...the two men she loved so
dearly. Her look was the worst. She could kill a man with those eyes
and the way she used them...the way just a look could change someone.
Galen: "If you fight the evil and defeat it.."
Mamoru: "...the only way you..can win is if..if you..."
Galen: "Is if you sacrifice yourself..."
Mamoru:"...you have to die to kill it..."
Usagi stood perfectly still, unknowingly acting as her mother did
earlier that day. Wetness gathered at her eyes. She took some steps
back and held her chest. She accidentally ran into her bed post, still
trying to catch her breath. "A-Ari-gato...for tel-telling me..."
Both men sat up and walked towards her. "Gomen nasai, Usako...nobody
wanted to say anything. You've never been faced with issues like this
before concerning your power. We didn't want to scare you...gomen.."
Usagi slid down the post and sat on the ground. Galen and Mamoru
approached her and kneeled down. "Usako..."
She looked up at them, tears finally falling down her face. She moved
forward and embraced Mamoru immediately. "..my gosh...I-I'm so scared...
I've..I..I just never knew that my power meant that much..."
Galen: "Unfortunately..it means too much. That's why you have eight
senshi. Their power combined can protect you."
Usagi grabbed onto Mamoru tighter. "B-But...how can they help if I
have to die...what's the point of having them at all?"
Galen: "They are not worthless, Usagi. They are your protectors, after
all. They can keep you from harm...that is there duty."
"Then why do I have to die?"
"Because Usako...you are the child of destiny. Your power is what is
needed to dispel the evil. All evil has a perfect match. One who is
equal in force and strength. There is only one equal..only one person
who can fully cancel out the darkness. Gomen nasai, Usako...I didn't
want it to be you...Neither of us wanted it to be you. We had no
control over it...you are the child of destiny..." The crying
increased and she held onto Mamoru for dear life.
Galen: "We don't want to lose you Usa...and if you didn't know the
truth..then you couldn't do anything...and you would have survived. We
don't want to see you die if we have anything to do about it."
"I'm just so scared. I don't know what to do, say, think..anything!"
Her hug intensified even more. "Whatever you do...please don't leave
me..please..."
"Never, Usako. Never would I think such a thing. Aishiteru..always and
forever, remember?"
"Please...protect me..."
Galen: "Of course! We're going to try as hard as we can to get through
this with you in one piece."
"Everything is happening so fast...so many things at once...I-I just
can't deal with it...I-I don't want to deal with it...*sob*" Mamoru
snuggled his head against Usagi's and held her tightly, yet was
cautious of her fragile build. Galen moved over and rubbed her back
soothingly.
"Shhhh...It's ok, hun...shhhh...We're not going anywhere..."
"Usa-chan...you'll be ok...we won't let you be hurt."
Usagi's sobbing started to hiccup and she didn't say another word...
however, subconsciously...her telepathy was going hay-wire. It wasn't
really what she said in telepathy...but the feelings that she had the
power to send. It sent shivers down everyone's spine...
"U-Usako? *shudder* Onegai...calm down..."
"I think everything has finally *shudder* gotten to her. I'm not even
sure if she realizes that she's doing it."
"Can we do anything for it?"
"I-I'm not sure..nothing like this has ever happened."
Both men alerted themselves when the heard the patter of many feet
outside their door. "I think Usa-chan is sending it out to more people
*shudder* than just us."
"Princess!?!?!"
"Usagi-chan!!"
The door was flung open unceremoniously and slowly but surely..all then
senshi, the cats, and the queen were standing at the entrance to
Usagi's room. Galen and Mamoru shushed all of them and tried to keep
them from doing anything.
"Usako?" Mamoru tried to get a reaction out of her...but she wouldn't
move. She just kept crying. "Ok everyone...first of all. She found out
about the sacrifice situation. Other than that, from what Galen and I
can tell...*shudder* all the events from the past couple months have
finally hit her at full force."
Queen Serenity pushed her way to the front of the crowd and stared at
her daughter. "The poor dear. Will she move?"
"No. It doesn't matter what I do...she won't respond *shudder*. She
was fine just a couple of minutes ago...I-I don't know what happened..."
Mamoru again tried to get something out of Usagi...but all she would
do is cry and hug him like the universe would collapse. He finally
gave up his attempts and hugged her back with all his fear. Rubbing
her back and rocking her just slightly...he hated not knowing how to
help her. "Usako..."
"Your majesty, isn't this that one illness...ohhhh...I can't remember
the name. You know...the one where the subconcious takes all control...
something like that..." Luna continued to strain her brain, Artemis
soon following her lead.
"Hai, Luna. I know what you're talking about. I believe that's what it
is. Her worst fears have come true all in a short time and with such
power behind them...she just can't handle it. Her mind has literally
lost itself in her fear."
Artemis: "...she's letting her emotions control her. From what I can
see...she is showing her love & affection, need, sorrow, and...pain...
I think.."
Uranus: "Is there a way to get her out of it?"
Luna: "I don't remember ever hearing of a cure *shudder* there's got to
be a way though...the one person that I heard about who went through
this...he came out just like normal..."
Jupiter: "Should we remind her of things close to her...or something?
*shudder* You know...what people do when someone has amnesia."
Luna: "That might work...I guess we could try."
A half an hour passed and everyone's attempts had failed. No memory or
special event had brought her out of it. "I think I might have just
one left..." All turned to Mamoru. He had tried a couple simple things...
but this time it looked as though he had finally found something good.
"Just give me a second.."
*Usako? I know you can hear me...onegai...usako...remember that night?
When you came to see me at the palace. I was crying my eyes out on my
bed and you walked in ever-so-quietly. You were there for me that night,
Usako. You healed me then...when I thought it was all lost...you
helped me back to my feet. We broke the curse, Usako...you and I...
together. We never let go and never had to...remember Usako...
aishiteru, always and forever...aishiteru...*
Galen: "Mamoru? Bud?"
Mamoru: "I've done my best. If it doesn't work..I'm lost..."
Waiting for a second...everyone fell silent. Usagi didn't seem to
change her attitude..she was still crying and hugging religiously.
But then... "Ma-Mamo-chan...?" They all stood still, trying to confirm
what they just heard. Then again... "Mamo-chan...?"
Mamoru responded immediately, "Usako!?! Oh please, Usako?!" He snuggled
a little closer to her again...and it worked.
"Mamo-chan...I'm scared..." It didn't seem as though much had changed,
she was still hugging and crying as usual...but she was talking,
responding to others...she was free.
"It's ok...you can be scared...just don't do that again, ok?"
"Sure..*sob*"
"Sorry for that guys...thanks for all your help. I think Usa might
need some time alone right now. So...ship 'em out!" Galen moved
everyone out of the room at looked back at his sister. "Hey, Mamoru.
Make sure she's ok for me, k?" He received a nod and a smile, which
was good enough, and followed the others out of the room.
"We're alone again, ne?" Usagi giggled despite her current state.
"Would you like to get into bed?" (*not* what you're thinking! ^_^)
"Sure...but, Mamo?"
"Hai?"
"Can you hold me like that night...onegai...?"
"Of course."
* * *
The slow rumble, that shook the ground, woke everyone up.
Saturn: "Wha? Did I destroy the world yet?"
Mars: "Ahh man! *yawn* Luna! I'm too tired to start training..don't
knock so hard!"
Venus: "A girl's gotta have her beauty sleep every now and again, you
know..."
Neptune: "Someone's having too much fun this morning. Stupid lovers..."
Jupiter: "Ahh man!!! GO AWAY!!! I wanna sleep!!!"
Mercury: "Technical analysis shows that WE NEED MORE SLEEP!!!!!"
Uranus: "What's going on here?! I'm TRYING to get some sleep!!"
Pluto: "Time is so cruel to me...too early...*yawn*"
Luna: "Artemis!! Stop chasing that damn mouse! You keep hitting the
wall!!"
Artemis: "Huh? Luna...don't kick me!"
Serenity: "The pages have returned...poey..."
Galen: "Nani? Fighting? Fights! Guards!..you go take care of 'em..."
Usagi: "Mamo...stop moving so much..."
Mamoru: "Usako...come on...I'm not even awake yet..."
(ß hehe..jk...that's sick! ^_^)
The rumble came around again and this time, they were knocked to their
senses.
Uranus: "The attack! It's here! Damn! SENSHI!!!!!! GET OUT HERE NOW!!!!!
" Her call was loud enough that all senshi were soon found gathered in
the hall, completely on edge. "Darn...guys...can you transform on your
own yet?" They all shook their heads. "Great! This could be a problem...
wait...on the first day...didn't the queen say that we could transform,
just not as well as Pluto?"
Venus: "Possibly...the only problem is that we've never done it on our
own! Luna and Artemis are always the ones who transform us...to conserve
our energy for practice. It's too early in our training to transform
and have enough energy to walk."
Mars: "Well, anyway...we've got to find Luna or Artemis. NOW!!"
Everyone ran down the halls until they reached the destined room.
"LUNA?! ARTEMIS?!"
"Hai? Children? Is that you?" The senshi looked across the room and
saw no one...then they looked down.
Jupiter: "Transform us!!! There's an attack and we haven't learned
how!!!!"
The cats' eyes flew open and they both back flipped. Out of a few
seconds of light, two people appeared. "Alright! Come here, children!"
The senshi crowded around and all were soon transformed.
Neptune: "Let's go guys! I think it's source was near the south wing!"
-----
"Mamo-chan? What is that?" Mamoru stirred slightly and drowsily opened
his eyes.
"I have no idea. It almost sounds like...*listening*...footsteps?"
Mamoru and Usagi were lying in the bed together, holding each other.
Hai..they did spend the night together...but not like that. Mamoru
began to sit up, taking Usagi up with him and tried to hear the noise
more clearly.
*USAGI!! MAMORU!! ATTACK!!!!!* They jolted at the urgent message and
hoped out of bed. "That's what it is!!" They were about to put some
clothes on, but the senshi decided to break in just then. The two
looked shocked at the intrusion and Usagi immediately attempted to
cover herself. Her long white nightgown was quite enough, but it was a
perfectly natural reaction to hide herself. Mamoru's light shirt and
pants were also enough to pass off as a casual outfit.
"Usagi-chan? You're all right?"
"Huh? Hai. We just noticed that something was wrong. Where was the
source?"
"Supposedly...just around here."
(
geocities.com/sereko13)