Fatal Fury Fan Fiction / Ranma 1/2 Fan Fiction / Sailor Moon Fan Fiction / Dragon Ball/Z/GT Fan Fiction ❯ Sailor Rifts ❯ Chapter 12: Awakening the Angel of Fire ( Chapter 12 )

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

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

Chapter 12: Awakening the Angel of Fire

He paced; only a few minutes remained. She would come out of the coma
in less than ten minutes. Dr. Ravelli fidgeted furiously in
expectation of his latest creation. Such beauty to be transformed into
such power!

:What will manifest in my black haired beauty?; he wondered. If
nothing, then she would simply have to undergo further treatment. He
almost had to wonder how much more she could take; she had already
endured a week of exposure to the drugs. No matter. She would come
into her own. She was too much of a wonder not to survive.

:The fire:

The flames licked at her soul, teasing her. She felt the warmth, and
knew that the fire was there. It was there for her. It was going to
help her take her revenge.

:You have known the fire most of your life. Use it. Use it to take
back that which has been stolen from you:

Her eyes snapped open. Awareness flooded her senses. Color. Light. The
lights in the ceiling shone above her. She felt the coldness of the
table, her bare skin against it. The air was warm in her dry mouth.
Listening to the sound of her world, she heard nothing. Nothing.

Movement in the corner of her vision brought her attention to him, The
Hated One, as he entered the room. The door closed, she saw his mouth
move. Silence was his only comment. He reeled as she screamed. Rei
felt the vibrations in her throat as her voice tumbled forth in terror
and anger. The Hated One drew near as the noise ceased.

:The fire!:

Anger coursed through her. Rei felt her hand suddenly free from the
bond that held it. That hand was on fire. The Hated One's mouth opened
in a mixed expression of pleasure and stark amazement. She reached
toward him with her flaming hand, and sent the fire towards him, to
let it burn, to destroy him. The fire took him, holding firm though he
scrambled and ran through the door, leaving it open. She willed that
the fire help her, so that she might be sure of his death.

As the fire of her hand consumed the rest of her body, she felt the
power of it fill her soul. Never again would he take anything from
anyone. His life was hers. She flew out to the blackened body of the
doctor, she knew the truth of the fire. It would never forsake her.
Never.

Soon, others came. They wanted the fire. She cried out again, and
struck those down who came. They would not steal the fire from her.
She was the fire now, and she would not be taken. She flew through the
open door, going somewhere. She was not sure exactly where. Away? Away
from what?

The pain.

As she sped down the white halls, she noticed cells like the one she
had been held in. The thought that she might be able to free them did
not even occur to her. She was consumed by her hatred for the
Coalition. Then she saw them as they ran towards her. They had
weapons. The first stopped.

A cry of rage left her throat as she struck the first of the five. His
helmet exploded in a plume of smoke. The second merely stepped over
the body and pointed a strange looking gun at her. A white foam issued
forth from the nozzle of the weapon, and as it struck her it caused...

:My fire! No...!:

...a violent wash of pain to take her as the flames of her body
dissipated. She landed on her knees, coughing and cursing. Her voice
rang out in uneven curses at her attackers.

She felt a hand pull her hair, forcing her to look at one of them. She
watched his mouth move, her anger only growing as he spoke. Though she
could no longer hear him, she was starting to understand the words
that his mouth formed when it moved.

'You're gonna pay Bitch....'

Then a hand hit her in the face. She bit the hand that slapped her,
drawing blood. The man's mouth moved again, and so did the hand. Rei
felt her arm snap as he twisted it violently behind her. She gave out
in pain. The next thing she felt was a needle, then the welcome bliss
of the veil of unconsciousness.

---

Dr. Mysin, a female geneticist of much experience and high rank,
founded a strong interest in the piece of work that had unexpectedly
terminated Dr. Frank Ravelli. Immediately after his expiration, she
requested seniority on the case. Her interest in Dimensional Being 210
extended somewhat further than just the result of the experiments.

Rei herself was quite the curiosity, in her eyes.

Rei could no longer tell night from day. She slept whenever the
opportunity presented itself; which was not often. Between those
restless periods lay more questions, beatings, and examinations. At
times Dr. Mysin would submerge her in a glass tube. It was discovered
that Rei no longer needed to breathe. She could also cause an aura of
fire to surround her at will.

This, and other things led Dr. Mysin to install cybernetic hearing
implants in Rei so that she could explore her interests on a more
intimate level.

Rei had only been awake for a short extent of time. The length of
which she failed to recognize, not that it mattered. Being able to
hear again was something she really did not revel in. What was there
to listen to but the curses of her captors as she continued to rebel
in what few ways she could?

At least when deaf she could pretend to ignore the name 'Bitch.'

She had been told to expect to meet the senior doctor. Dr. Silver's
kind words were always welcome. He had also elaborated on the
condition of 'Sarah,' a.k.a. Ami Mizuno. Apparently the mental stress
was too much for the young woman; she had spontaneously developed
amnesia. Every fact from the point of birth had been conveniently
forgotten.

The doctor sympathized with the tears Rei had shed, and that she shed
none at the point of his recollection.

"Damn lot of good that did," Rei snarled faintly, getting to her feet.
Her violet eyes traveled the wall, hoping that some kind of weakness
would present itself. Of course, none did.

She shivered. Most of the time the climate of the room was bearable,
but sometimes, like just then, it was like a warm evening on Mount
Everest. She still wore the collar, since they replaced it. No more,
since they did not care for any dignity that might have remained
within her. Despite her bruises and scars, the evidence of her
blossoming into womanhood was unmistakable. Her form had filled out,
mostly in the hips, and bust.

Being a woman in captivity was no better than being a teenager. It
presented her with nothing she could use.

"Be that all ye see of it? Mayhap there be more, my dear, than first
appears," queried a deep, faintly pleasing male voice.

Rei gazed around sharply.

"What?" She gazed sternly at the wall, as if trying to perceive
something in it other than the whiteness of the ballistic plating.

"Quite right," the voice said, sounding amused. "Thou hast been less
alone than thou hast thought for a very long time."

Rei swore darkly.

"What the hell is it you want?"

"I want ye, love."

The conviction of his voice stunned her into silence, and brought her
anger to a halt. As the moments passed, she began to sense more than
just his voice. His presence became gradually clear to her, his
emotions, his mind and his soul.

Over the course of seconds, his life played itself out in her mind.
The collar did not seem to be able to restrain the flood of memories
which ensued. He was a True Atlantean of some one hundred years
experience. He had known of her existence since the point of birth,
and had sought her out from that point forward. He was a powerful mage
schooled in many magic arts, including the element of fire, temporal
wizardry, and the delicacies of dimensional travel. He was considered
by many a force to be reckoned, and respected. She also read in him
that she was his first and only love, that he had not fallen for
another over the century of his life. The passionate strength of his
love took possession of her heart, until she replied it in intensity
and potency. Rei found herself crying tears of insurmountable joy.

As the bond tightened between them, a humanoid figure trickled into
existence. He had the seriousness of a raven written in the gorgeous
features of his face, the muscular build of a powerful warrior, and
midnight tinted waist length hair smooth as silk. He was clothed in
deep shades of silken black as if in mourning.

Immediately she was in his arms, mumbling softly, wordlessly. Emotions
and thoughts flooded her mind to the point of confusion. She knew not
what to say first.

:You need speak not.. I know. I have read in your beauteous heart all
thou offereth me; he uttered gently in her mind.

"I know," Rei whispered. "It's just so much... to be loved like
this... um, to have you, everything..."

:Speak with thy mind. They can block not the passions we share:

It seemed incredible, even for its honesty, she felt for an instant.

:We must escape; Rei started, her mental words hesitant at first. :We
must... I... It's not safe here:

:Aye, my sweet. Thou'rt right. Howe'er, thou needs must speak first
with Cassandra:

Rei recoiled.

:Why? She wants nothing but my death:

:Nay. Her mind betrays her. She has fallen in love with ye:

Rei balked, poking her tongue out of her mouth in a statement of her
disgust.

The man chuckled faintly.

:Aye, it be quite distasteful. Yet, methinks thou might use it to thy
advantage. She means to free thee, and though my powers be great... I
run short of the manna required yet. It will take time. Thou
understandeth me, aye?:

:Hai, Adolphus, I understand; she replied, feeling calm for the first
time since she knew not when. :What about you?:

Before replying, he leaned forward, planting his lips firmly to hers.
Silence drifted idly by as immeasurable passion was shared. He then
smiled softly, stepping back from her.

:I will be seen only by thou, my sweet fire-soul. Worry not for me:

She nodded, a warm smile radiating on her face. His eyes narrowed in a
rare expression of hatred. Immediately Rei understood; she was sharing
his hatred for their abuse of her. As much as she appreciated the
direction of his emotion, she would rather he was not angry. It
darkened his face so unpleasantly!

:They come!; he thought bitterly. :Mayhap your facade would best be
kept, aye?:

In response, she pushed her feelings down into the core of her soul,
forcing what little animosity remained to come to the surface. The
focus of Adolphus' feelings became darker, she felt, and it helped her
to concentrate on the matter at hand. As the door slid smoothly open,
she brought a scowl to her face.

"Feh," the grunt said. "In a bad mood tonight hey Bitch? Well," he
hefted his standard issue CS energy rifle. "It don't matter t' me. So
long as yer not too loud."

He grabbed her shoulder, pulling her out into the hall with him.

"Dr. Mysin said she wanted you."

Rei remained silent for most of the trip, actually caring for a change
whether or not she was brutalized.

"Why so quiet, fire-hussy? Did we finally beat the fight outta you?"

Rei snarled under her breath, fully prepared to turn and fight.

:Please love, don't. Combat shall serve ye not, despite him; Adolphus'
mind explained soothingly to her. She knew he was walking beside her,
she could feel him. She wanted so to look at him, to hold him, and it
hurt her so that she could not. :Besides, ye have seen only the one
side of yon coin:

"Huh? I guess we 'ave! I never figured ya fer a quitter," the grunt
said, seemingly surprised. "The doc said ya'd never let up, if ya know
what I mean..."

Rei stopped and cast a measured glance back at the armored man.

"Hunh... Just you keep moving Bitch!" He slapped her, his hand cupped
for effect more than pain, knocking her to the floor. As he knelt down
to help her up, he spoke in hushed tones.

"Sorry Rei, I hafta do that. Dr. Silver said he'd be back real soon
with the others. He said he'd gotten word 'n Usagi and Mina. Ya'll be
gettin' outta here soon." He shoved her away roughly as he finished,
and uttered another loud order.

She nodded ever so slightly in his direction, thanking him. The
passing of a pair of moments saw them to Dr. Mysin's office, and the
entry of Rei into her presence.

"Radiant! Absolutely radiant!" a soft, sultry voice exclaimed gently.
"My sweet heavens you are beautiful. Dr. Ravelli did have glorious
taste, if nothing else."

Rei risked a glance upward at the woman, challenging her with distinct
ferocity. The sun-bleached blond stood and returned Rei's gaze evenly,
maintaining the altercation. It rather seemed to Rei that the amply
built woman would make a better whore than a scientist. She hardly fit
the stereotype; wide dark green eyes, full, firm lips, a slender
hourglass figure, and a graceful, sensual look about her. If not for
the fact that her hair had been done up elaborately on her head, it
would have easily fallen in full pale gold lengths to her svelte
waist. She wore a simple khaki business suit which somehow accented
her figure rather than concealed the generous curves of it.

:Thou'rt quite right, love, if not somewhat harsh. She meanest only
the best for thee, in her perverse manner:

:I know, but that's hard to accept. The only love I want is yours; Rei
concluded. She felt the warming of emotions in Adolphus and fought to
conceal her reaction. For a moment there was the flicker of oddity at
the statement, and another pang at the loss of Juan, but both were
stifled by her new love's complete understanding and sympathy.

"What do you want?" Rei began, making a point of simplicity for the
complication of emotions within her soul.

"That, my dear, is - for the most part - up to you. I know what I
want, but the real question is, do you?" The woman raised a sleek
eyebrow.

:She's playing with me; Rei stifled a flare of rage. :Damnit! I don't
want to do this...:

:You must. This be the path of least cost; Adolphus stated. Rei
sighed.

"I want to leave, Cassandra."

Cassandra smiled; she was winning.

"That makes two of us, my angel. I tire of the Coalition. They tire of
me. I find the concept of being an enemy of theirs tantalizing."

Rei looked nonplused.

"I don't get it."

Cassandra nodded seriously.

"Of course you don't. To put it plainly; I have two problems. First,
how to make an enemy of the political power I have served my entire
life? Leave. That, my luscious creature, is my second problem. How to
leave in such a way that in order to return I must occupy a body bag?
You are my means. So far, breaking the standards of experimentation
upon you has meant nothing. Why? Merely for the reason that your
angelic frame refuses to expire. You have survived the most brutal
exploratory surgery, drug exposures, and physical abuse."

Rei shuddered plainly at the references made by Cassandra to her. Each
time she did, the blond woman smiled, pleased.

"Stop it you whore," Rei snarled. "I'm not your angel!"

Cassandra merely looked satisfied.

"I knew you wouldn't hold back. I was counting on it." She stepped
around her white desk, and stood before Rei, studying her closely.
"You are too much the Firebrand. I am glad I choose you."

Rei's open palm moved before she could think to stop it. Cassandra
gasped, and wiped a bit of blood away from her lip as it curled
somewhat angrily downwards.

"Mind your temper. I have limited generosity, my dear."

Rei growled, her fury growing.

"Decide what, you bitch?"

She leaned forward and kissed Rei's cheek.

"If you sincerely wish to leave the Coalition State of Lone Star."

:Love...:

Rei grabbed Cassandra by the throat and held her aloft.

"No," she hissed. "I set the terms here. You're the one who wants to
leave, you do what I say. Got it?"

Cassandra gagged and gasped.

"Wh-what do yuh-you want?"

"I want you to free Ami Mizuno."

Cassandra looked shocked.

"The half-cyborg?"

Rei tightened her grip on the woman's neck.

"Agh-gh-all right...!" she coughed, struggling.

Rei dropped her, and with a dark scowl, stated, "I won't hesitate to
kill you. Don't forget that."

Cassandra coughed, rubbed her neck with her hands, then said:
"Perhaps. Were I you, I would endeavor not to forget that if you kill
me now, you will never escape."

Rei's eyes narrowed.

"Ah," Cassandra smiled. "I see you do not favor the idea. Good. Shall
we go, sweet one?" She gestured towards the door.

:Oh love, what have I gotten myself into?:

:Worry not Rei, I am here for thee:

Rei thanked the stars for his presence.

--

Ami, or rather, Sarah, did not seem terribly attached to the idea of
departing.

"Damnit Sarah, why not?" Rei asked, uncharacteristically trying to
restrain her frustration. Sarah gazed calmly, and steadily at her, her
blue eyes serene, and hard at the same time.

"Listen honey, I'm glad yer fine, but I can't go. Shyanne needs me."

Her eyes widened, "Who?!"

"A ten year old girl in GECA. Unless I kin find a way ta get 'er
out..."

:Adolphus?:

:To leave ye would be an option I cannot entertain. I shall locate
this girl, and we shall return for her. Aye?:

:Okay:

"Alright Sarah, I'll get her out for you. Where is she?"

Skepticism washed over her face.

"How?"

Rei leaned forward, and whispered as she spoke.

"A mage. He's... Um, he can get her out."

"Magic!" she blurted aloud.

:Rei! Cassandra has betrayed thee!: Suddenly his form became visible.
He took Rei's hand and pulled her to him.

"Needs must we leave, now!"

Sarah got to her feet.

"Rei..." she started. Her face said the rest; come back for me...

"All right," she said, looking at Sarah, then at her raven-faced love.
"Let's go."

---

As the grunts burst through the cell door, they noted a blue haired
girl fallen, her soul pouring out through her eyes.

"What the hell is this?" snapped an angry sounding Dr. Desmond
Bradford, following closely behind, stern glare cast upon the sobbing
young woman.

Cassandra appeared beside him, eager to answer his question.

"Case 211-A, Sir. She seems to be crying."

The man issued a dangerously intolerant sigh.

"That, my dear, is painfully obvious. What is not, is why."

Cassandra walked about the room for a moment, as if looking for
someone. Dr. Bradford's hawk-like eyes scrutinized her actions.

"Sir," she started, "we seem to be," she hesitated. "Missing one of
the experimental cases."

"Must I continually stand witness to these failures!" he boomed,
turning away from Cassandra briefly. "Arthur, Drake! Go! Take a squad
and search the entire level until this creature is found! Or must I do
it myself?!"

"No sir!" one of the two grunts barked before exiting hurriedly.

"You, Cassandra, have a great deal of explaining to do. Come," the
Administrator decreed as he departed the scene. With only a single
regret-filled glance, she glanced back upon her failed ploy, and
exited the scene. Some moments after her tears had dried, Sarah heard
a small voice.

"Mom...?" As this word was uttered, two forms faded slowly into
existence.

"Come Sarah, we hath time to tarry not!" Adolphus asserted swiftly. In
his arms he held a small grey-winged blond haired girl. His face
appeared somewhat pale, though Rei knew plainly why. A mystic talisman
had given him the manna needed by drawing from his physical stamina.
As a result, he leaned on her ever so slightly. He had been kind
enough, however, to provide the young girl with a robe which was more
than she had worn during her interval of residence at Lone Star. Sarah
ran over to him, and they were gone.