Fatal Fury Fan Fiction / Ranma 1/2 Fan Fiction / Sailor Moon Fan Fiction / Dragon Ball/Z/GT Fan Fiction ❯ Sailor Rifts ❯ Chapter 2: Life wanted, Life taken ( Chapter 2 )

[ T - Teen: Not suitable for readers under 13 ]

Sailor Moon/Rifts Crossover (Revised Edition) By Simon Woodington

Chapter 2: Life wanted, Life taken

She could no longer recall how long she had been running. A glance
backwards told her that pursuit had dropped off. Exhausted, she
dropped her knees, her mind a blur. She struggled against her fatigue
even as the resurgence of pain brought her mind to a warm vertigo.

:Who am I running from?: Recollection failed, she was having a hard
time thinking straight. Two days of running had not helped. Hunger
drew her consciousness to a focus again, as it had done several times
over the last forty-eight hours. Dully she remembered. She was running
from a strange man in black armor. He had called himself 'Cage.'

:Not terribly inventive; she noted internally.

He had proclaimed that he wanted to protect her. His obvious efforts
at capture had not exactly inspired the young girl's confidence. She
glanced down at her torn outfit. Transforming to Sailor Mercury had
not helped, much. She had been able to use her Shabon Spray to confuse
them for her escape. She shook her head weakly, it had not helped at
all. They seemed to be able to follow her anywhere. This strange
environment had displayed more advanced technology than she thought
could have existed. Even if she had her computer, she doubted it would
have proved to be of any assistance.

:Well; she thought, :I am not without my resources. I've made it this
far, haven't I?:

The effectiveness of the thought ceased.

:Why? With Usagi and others gone, what good is it to run?:

Of that she was not yet sure. From what she could ascertain, this was
Earth. She determined that she was no longer in Japan. Somehow the
explosion had resulted in a teleportation of some kind. The thought
that she might teleport back to where she came fell strictly to
chance. First of all, she had no idea where she was, and secondly,
none further of where she was going. Beyond even this, she knew
herself to be lacking the necessary strength for such an action. So if
it was random teleportation, as they had not arrived together at the
terminating point of the transport, which meant the others could be
six ways from the moon. There was no way of telling where they were.
With a dull gaze, she looked about, trying to figure out where her
feet had taken her. She felt a stale warm breeze wash over her, making
her feel nauseous, and adding an undesired soporific effect to an
already depressing day. She was at the edge of both hope, and what
seemed to be a very poor, and rather dismal looking village.

She staggered as she stood, her senshi enhanced strength waned under
her human weakness. As she walked, her mind wandered listlessly over
the past several days of her life. Even though she tried to forget
Atlantis, she could not help but dwell on it. What was it? Maybe there
was something she was missing that could help her? Perhaps it was just
a morbid fascination with the former legend, and the pain it had
brought to her life.

She had always thought the world of Atlantis to be one of greater
enlightenment, and advanced knowledge. As a part time bibliophile, she
was always searching for more knowledge. It was from that search she
had gained a romanticized view of the legendary Atlantis. That hope
had been brutally dashed when she had learned of the true nature of
the inhabitants of the archaic continent. They had turned out to be a
race of slavers. Well, perhaps a single "race" was an inaccurate word.
She knew they were called "Splugorth," but it did not seem to have to
do with their appearance or genetic structure. Ami was sure there was
one intelligence behind the Splugorth, with the rest of the operatives
being obedient races, and those perhaps with a debt to their
servitors, or whatever the case.

She shook her head again, trying to keep awake. Hunger was no longer
staying her fatigue. She entered the town at a pace that resembled a
crawl, finding it difficult to muster energy for a more substantial
effort. Nearby people noticed her, but kept their distance, as if
unsure of her existence. Many regarded her as some kind of illusion,
then turned away to continue on with their lives. Others appeared to
be concerned, but lacked the nerve to approach the haggard looking
young woman. In return, she merely ignored them, or at least tried to.
After the resulting submission, and violence of Atlantis, somehow she
was not compelled to plead for assistance, even though she was sure
she would die without it.

Another woman, however, seemed to lack the fear of those about her.
She was a sharply dressed contrast to the poor look of the inhabitants
of the town, which swarmed about her as she approached Ami. It seemed
obvious to her that the woman was an outsider, a traveler of some
sort. She certainly did not live in this god-awful town.

In one slender, soft hand, she held a canteen, the other a rather
tempting slab of cheese. Ami just stood for several minutes, staring
at the food as if it was entirely alien to her. She reached towards
it, and hesitated, gazing at the woman who offered it to her.

'Gomen nasai, wakarimasen,' Mercury muttered faintly. So sorry, I
don't understand.

'Nihon go ga hanase-masen,' the woman replied softly; I don't speak
Japanese. :But I do want to save your life. Too bad I can't tell you
that outright...: "Mizu, um... water. I've got water, and food. Dozo.
Please, eat."

'Ah, so desu.' With a deft nod, and a weak 'Hai' the food disappeared,
and Ami attacked it ravenously.

'Namu ka Allison,' she said with a slight gasp. "Do you speak... uh...
English? Wakarimasu ka? English?" she gestured to her mouth as she
spoke, hoping to get the point across.

With a vague grin, she nodded. "Yes. I think you'll find that my
spoken English is exemplary."

"Cripes. Then why didn't you just..." she glanced down for a moment,
then sighed. "Oh."

"Right."

"You haven't eaten in while, I guess. What's your name?"

"Two days," she muttered with a heavy Japanese accent between bites.
"Ami."

Allison looked shocked. Her eyes traveled down Ami's bruise marked,
and ill-clothed frame. Then her face set in a concentrated look as she
slipped off her knapsack, opened it, and began searching through it.
After several seconds of rummaging, she pulled out a dark blue robe.
She handed it to Ami. Having finished the cheese, and water, Ami just
watched the woman like a wild animal; wary, and uncertain. Again, she
was hesitant.

There was a clearly questioning expression on her face as Allison
offered the robe. With an affirmative nod, she watched Ami put it on.
The care with which she donned the covering betrayed her refined
nature. She slipped the heavy hood over her short blue haired head.
Noticing her gaze, she did not smile. She just bowed stiffly and
turned away slowly.

"Where will you go?" Allison asked boldly.

The young woman paused, and turned back.

"Why do you care?"

"I don't have to," she replied. "If you don't want the help I'm
willing to offer, then you can just keep on walking. I won't bother
you again."

Ami considered this. It was possible that Allison had ulterior
motives, she found that she almost could not think to care. Her vision
swam before her.

"Uh-unnn," she murmured, taking two shaky steps, then fell into her
arms, unconscious.

---

"Ami?"

The voice was not much more than a whisper. She realized dully that
she had fainted. Warmth blurred vividly in her mind. She opened her
eyes. The sun was up, and she shut her eyes quickly as the light of it
blinded her. She uttered out slightly at the attack.

"Oh good, you're awake! You've been out for a while. Almost two days,"
Allison helpfully supplied. Ami opened her eyes slowly, dark
afterimages dancing in her vision. She blinked, unsuccessfully trying
to get rid of them.

"Are you hungry?" she asked as Ami glanced at her, and at their
surroundings. They were in a poorly built, and lit, bedroom. The walls
were composed of loosely placed panels of wood. The bed consisted of
straw, and she felt her back cry out in agony in testimony to the
stiffness of it. Ami's mind balked; sun? A makeshift hole in the roof
had been covered with some kind of transparent material. It looked as
though the hole had resulted from a fall, or battle of some sort,
rather than by the plans of the individual who constructed this place.

"Yes," Ami nodded slightly, eager to sate her hunger. Allison produced
a large piece of cheese, and several other items, which she quickly
pieced together to form a sandwich. Ami was starved beyond the point
of pickiness. She admitted to herself, however, that she had not eaten
this well in some time.

Allison could only watch as this plainly wan girl polished off her
sandwich in not much more than a dozen bites. Allison put together
another, hoping to sate her appetite. It was evident to Allison that
this girl had been taken for slavery. She bore the marks of a slave;
her back scarred, her wrists and ankles raw. Also, the two long claw
scars on her face. Fairly recent, she surmised. Ami's health was in
such a state that she was not likely to retaliate. Allison knew that
included her mental health, as well. Her feet had been bleeding when
she had tended them. More importantly, she bore the marks of an
Atlantean slave. Allison had flushed a symbiotic organism from Ami's
system.

:Thank heavens for Shi-Con tech; she thought.

Allison observed her finish off a third sandwich, and her second glass
of ale. Finally, she felt she could inquire of her.

"Who are you? How did you escape from Atlantis?"

That clearly caught her attention; she paused eating. She swallowed,
then spoke.

"I am Ami Mizuno. I was helped by one who claimed to be my friend."

"What happened?"

"Nothing. We escaped." Her tone was measured, her eyes narrowed
slightly, full of distrust.

"Then why are you alone? Where are your friends?"

"Friends? Did I say anything about friends?"

She was lying, and Allison was aware of it. Allison pursued the strain
of fiction, however.

"The one who helped you escape."

Ami studied her for a time. :She is no fool; she thought.

"She was killed."

Allison merely nodded. That part was true enough; Lt. Nira had been a
somewhat distant friend. Despite the remainder of dishonesty, she was
sympathetic of Ami's distrust. She had no valid reason to place any
faith in this unfamiliar woman.

:Well, that's something I intend to earn; Allison decided.

"How are you feeling?"

Ami regarded the inquiry like the promise of a politician; with the
expectancy of treachery.

"Better," she replied. "Thank you." A moment of silence was the
intervening point between that, and her next words:

"So what do you know that you haven't told me?"

Allison was not sure how to reply. She knew that the lie had buried a
hatchet of one kind, and to remove it, she only had to tell the
truth... but one question remained; would Ami believe her?

"What would you say if I were to tell you I was responsible for your
freedom?" Allison ventured dangerously.

"You going to prove it?" Ami asked, seemingly unfazed by the notion.

"I can. You think you can manage a short walk?"

She sat up sluggishly, and then swung her feet over the edge of the
bed. She leaned forward, abruptly, gagging. Allison startled, getting
to her feet rapidly. She put a hand on the young woman's shoulder.
Finally, Ami stopped, and looked up at her.

"Are you sure?"

Ami glanced up at her and nodded deftly.

"I guess I ate a little quickly. I'll be fine."

---

A few minutes later they exited the inn. Allison was sure the
innkeeper did not mind the two gold piece tip she had left him, next
to the five silver for the room. Quite a bit for such a shack, though
it was apparent that she was little concerned about the money. They
were moving as quickly as Ami's somewhat ragged pace would allow.

"So where are we going?" Ami asked.

"I've got a hovercraft hidden just outside of town," she explained.
""That will get us where we're going."

"A hovercraft?"

"Yeah," a deep voice started behind her. "One 'o those things ya crash
in, y'know? Kinda like this!"

Just as they turned towards the voice, a fist descended, smacking
soundly against the back of Ami's head. Ami gasped, and Allison cried
out, grabbing for an amulet around her neck. Allison's slender form
was abruptly replaced, in a brilliant flash, by a dark blue
exoskeleton armor, with great silver avian like wings. Reaching for
the blue scabbard mounted on her left hip, she pulled forth a heavy
broadsword. Ami stumbled forward, completely enveloped in shock,
trying to remain conscious.

The power armored Allison struck at Ami's assailant, aiming to kill.
The seven-foot tall cyborg raised his claymore and turned to parry
Allison's strike. They met evenly, snarling at each other as they
struggled to determine the greater strength. The cyborg grinned, and
raised what looked like a remote above his head. The one finger not
gripping it was used to point something... up?

She cursed loudly as a hovering tank descended upon them, it's great
cannon and accompanying rail guns making everything crystal clear.

'Yeah, som'ow I figgered y' might sees it m'way,' the cyborg stated,
his ugly grin retaining its unpleasant presence. Angrily, Allison
raised her hands, dropping the broadsword.

Ami faced the 'borg fearfully, as she would death. Death almost seemed
like a pleasant option at this point, but somehow, she did not feel
the need to explore it. The cyborg hit her, knocking her the ground.
Already dazed, she felt her conscious nigh slip completely as crimson
flashed in her eyes.

"Damn. I'd really luv ta kill ya, but a job's a job," the voice
growled, sound cruelly pleased. As the metal foot fell, Ami felt her
hip snap and crack into hundreds of shards as agony brought her mind
to full awareness. Another scream tore loose from her throat. The foot
came down again, causing her senses to reel in a fury of pain as her
leg ripped free from her body.

"You bastard! You inhuman...!"

"Now, now," snarled the cyborg, leveling his arm cannon at Allison,
three inches from her suddenly sweating face. "Let's be all
civil-like. I don't gotta kill ya, but if yer gonna get all nasty..."

Allison cursed under her breath, watching the hatch of the tank open,
and a heavily armored man appear from its depths. On a hope, Allison
extended the vibro blades concealed in the armlets of the armor, and
moved as if to attack, striking the arm cannon aside easily.

"Hey there you," snapped the voice from the hovertank. "Don' you be
getting' no ideas! See, don' think I cain' control dis heap...'

In a clear demonstration, he lifted his thick, armor plated arms above
his head as the huge cannon oriented upon her.

'Lo', no han's!" he laughed. "So Perry, we's goin' er what?'

'Yeah sure,' replied the cyborg. "Ya don' mind, do ya? Naw? I dun'
thunk it..."

Allison felt something smack sharply against the back of her head,
then, only a dark veil.