Sailor Moon Fan Fiction ❯ Her Battle ❯ Mars’ Fall from Grace ( Chapter 26 )

Hi everyone, thanks for stopping in to read my (not so little) story. Except many revelations in this chapter ; )

 

Thank you, toasterwoman360 for reviewing over at MediaMiner. It's always a bit of a shock to get reviews over there, as compared to ff.net.

 

The Master - First this response will only be on MediaMiner, since review responses are banned on ff.net. Just to keep everything simple, I'd give Absence a 9.5 overall simply because there are some flaws to it, but it's by far the best SM story I've read. Of Demons and Love would get a 9 because the story came from another story, but I've never been able to find that other story so some of the details to the plot are difficult to fully understand. Unconditional Love would get about a 7. It had a very original plot, but too much Mamoru bashing.

 

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Chapter 26 - Mars' Fall from Grace

 

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A shadowy figure watched apprehensively from a wooded area close to the battleground. The figure held a long pole-type weapon with a blade at the top. The figure gripped the pole tighter as the unimaginable transpired before their very eyes.

`Damn it! This is the worst-case scenario; I didn't want it to come to this, but I can't sit back any longer…' the figure thought as the individual heard Mars' attack being called out.

“Hell Fire!”

 

Sailor Moon stared wide eyed and shook her head as she whispered, “No. No. This is still that nightmare.” Around her, everyone's expressions fell from relief to shock. Even Pluto held a grave and somewhat stunned expression. Uranus seemed to be the first to recover and called for everyone to take cover.

 

With the flames getting closer, all the senshi took Uranus' advice and dove to the ground for cover; all expect for Sailor Moon who just continued to stand there. Upon seeing Moon's lack of movement, Tuxedo Kamen ran over to her. “Don't just stand there. You need to take cover as well.”

 

Sailor Moon turned to Tuxedo Kamen and stared at him as though she didn't understand what he just said. Realizing there wasn't much time left Tuxedo Kamen decided against saying anything more and simply took her by her shoulders and pulled her down to the ground with him. He hastily covered her with his cape. He knew the thin material would offer little protection against the fire, but under the circumstances, that was the best he could do. Tux looked up quickly and saw the flames were nearly upon them, so he ducked his head and covered it with his arms, bracing for the worst.

 

“Silence Wall!”

 

The group was surprised when they heard a loud boom, yet everyone remained unharmed. The warriors looked up to see exactly what happened. A large amount of black energy encircled the group and at the front stood its source. Standing a short distance in front of Sailor Moon and Tuxedo Kamen, with her Silence Glaive high above her head, was Sailor Saturn. The dome of black energy she created, holding off Mars' flames.

 

Saturn looked over her shoulder to the dumbfounded group, “Get out of here. I'll hold her off, but all of you need to get out of here!” All the senshi just stood up and stared at the senshi of death and rebirth, but none of them said a thing or showed a hint of movement. “What are all of you waiting for?! I can't maintain this barrier forever!”

 

That statement seemed to bring the senshi back to reality, Mars was still attacking and Saturn was fighting to keep the shield up. She was giving them a means to escape, but…

 

“Saturn?! I thought…I mean…where did you…?” Moon stuttered.

 

Saturn quickly cut her off, “That's not important right now. What is important is that you and everyone else leave this place and go somewhere safe.”

 

“You want us to leave?” Venus asked stepping up beside Tuxedo Kamen and Sailor Moon.

 

“Yes.” Saturn said simply and turned her focus back keeping the barrier up.

 

“But what about…what about Rei?” Moon asked looking past Saturn and shield she created to the previously missing senshi with a sorrowful expression. This wasn't how it was supposed to be, seeing Rei again was supposed be a joyous moment. But then, this person that appeared in front of them wasn't Rei, she wasn't the Rei they knew.

 

“I'll do the best I can, but right now she isn't someone that can be easily reasoned with.” Saturn said and gripped her weapon tighter, “The best thing you can do for her right now, is learn about what happened to her from Pluto.”

 

Everyone turned to Pluto, but she avoided their gazes and stared at the ground. “Pluto?” Uranus asked.

 

“This isn't the place to discuss this.” Pluto said and looked at Uranus. “It would be best if we left for now, as Saturn suggested.” The green haired senshi said, addressing the whole group.

 

“What?!” Everyone except the trio at the front of the group responded, who were just speechless.

 

“No good can come of us remaining here, not in this fight.” Pluto said seriously.

 

“You can't be serious…” Makoto began to say.

 

“Just listen to me!” Pluto said, uncharacteristically raising her voice. “I know what all of you are thinking, but things will only be worse if we remain here. We should leave for now and entrust Rei to Saturn.”

 

“That choice is Sailor Moon's to make.” Venus said and put her hand on the other girl's shoulder and whispered, “I'll leave this decision to you. We'll follow whatever choice you make.”

 

Sailor Moon turned to Venus, her crystal blue eyes swimming with unshed tears. `What am I supposed to do? I can't leave Rei now that she's so close…but if Pluto is saying that we should leave…' She closed her eyes tightly, forcing the tears her eyes held to finally fall from her eyes. `…I don't know what to do…'

 

“Please! Sailor Moon! I won't let her leave and I won't leave without her. I'll bring her to where everyone goes, but I can't with everyone here. I'm sure this sounds weird, but you have to trust me!” Saturn called.

 

Sailor Moon stared at Saturn and bit down on her lower lip. She bit down so hard on it a small droplet of blood could be seen running down her chin. `I can't just…'

 

“Sailor Moon, please!” Saturn pleaded once more.

 

“Alright.” Moon said finally and looked passed Saturn to Mars.

 

“Are you sure?” Venus asked quietly.

 

Sailor Moon shook her head, “I'm not…but if both Pluto and Saturn…'I don't want to leave'…I have to trust them.”

 

Venus nodded and wiped Sailor Moon's chin with her thumb, “Okay.” Venus turned to the rest of the group and said, “We're going to leave Rei to Saturn for now, so we need to leave for now.”

 

Everyone looked surprised that they were actually going to leave after they finally saw Rei again, but no one questioned it. This was Sailor Moon's decision after all. All the senshi began their slow retreat and after only a couple steps away from her previous position, Sailor Moon stopped and looked back at Saturn and Mars one more time. Moon turned to her right when she felt someone touch her arm.

 

“Come on. Everything will be alright.” Tuxedo Kamen said and took Sailor Moon's arm, trying to usher her away from the battle.

 

Sailor Moon closed her eyes and nodded slowly, she was afraid if she didn't stop looking at the two dark haired girls, she wouldn't be able to leave. She kept her eyes closed even as she felt Tuxedo Kamen pulling her away from the battle, allowing him to lead her away from Mars and Saturn.

 

~~~~******~~~~

 

Mars watched as everyone escaped except for the dark haired girl she was currently battling with. For a moment, she thought of breaking off her attack and going after them, but her instincts told her not to. This dark haired senshi that came to their aid, wasn't some normal warrior, she could feel that. The short haired girl was a Sailor Senshi.

 

“You're obviously a Sailor Senshi, but I don't know who you are and as such I have no grievance with you, so do yourself a favor and get out of my way.” Mars said.

 

“I will not.”

 

“Fight me then, you can not maintain that defense forever!” Mars yelled.

 

“I will not.”

 

“Then stand aside!” Mars shouted getting angrier.

 

“I will not.”

 

“If you will not stand aside, you will share their fate!”

 

“Stop this! This is not what you want. Have you forgotten you duties? Have you forgotten that you have someone you should be protecting?” Saturn shouted.

 

“Pro-tect.” A foggy image of a girl with a weird hairstyle suddenly appeared in her mind; Mars lessened the strength of her attack as a confused expression replaced her angered one. She tried to force her mind to focus on the image of the girl, `Who…is she?' Rei asked herself.

 

Suddenly a voice enters Rei's mind, `You aren't going to fall for her tricks, are you?'

 

Rei took a moment to think, `Is that girl…just a trick?'

 

`Of course, she just wants you to drop your attack so she can kill you! These senshi are ruthless enough to use such tricks to catch you off guard, don't give her that chance! You must kill the Sailor Senshi!' the voice said again.

 

Mars' aura visibly changed from red to black and she intensified her attack again, the strength of it was enough to break Saturn's `Silence Wall' and sent Saturn backwards, burning her arms and legs a little in the process as well.

 

“You can't beat me by using tricks!” Mars shouted and glared down at the motionless girl. “Saturn…was it? That's what they called you, correct? I thought your existence was forbidden.”

 

“Times have changed.” Saturn said as she sat up and used her Silence Glaive as support and brought herself up to her feet again.

 

“I guess it's not really important to me anyway.” Mars said and shrugged. “What is important to me, however, is catching up to them and right now you're being a real nuisance. So I'll say this one more time, stand aside or be prepared to meet the same fate as them.”

 

“I can't allow that to happen. Besides, by now I'm sure they are far enough away that you can't sense them anyway.” Saturn said calmly.

 

“You know, I didn't have any intention of fighting you, but you're making this really difficult.” Mars said walked towards the other senshi. After a couple steps she spoke again, “I'm starting to lose my patience with you, so let's just cut the talk now.” Mars clenched her fists and her sides

 

“Why are you doing this? Why would you attack your friends?” Saturn said and held her ground.

 

“Friends?” Mars repeated quietly. After a short silence she spoke again, “I don't know what you're talking about; I have no friends among them.”

 

“Don't allow yourself to be corrupted by false thoughts!”

 

“What would you know?” Mars said and took a few steps closer to Saturn.

 

“I know you aren't yourself right now and that you've been brainwashed by someone seeking revenge.” Saturn said and took a step back from the approaching Mars.

 

Mars stopped and cocked her head to the side, “Brainwashed…eh? It's funny that you should mention such a thing, since that's exactly what it feels like you're trying to do to me right now.”

 

Saturn looked shocked as she said, “I would never do such a thing. I simply want to help you return to your true self.”

 

“This is who I am! Don't claim to know me better than I know myself!” Mars yelled and to walked at Saturn once again.

 

“I know deep down you don't want to do this, you will only hurt worse after this!” Saturn exclaimed. Saturn held her Silence Glaive in a defensive position in front of her body and stood firm, waiting for Mars

 

“Stop trying to be my friend!” Mars yelled and charged Saturn in an all out run, throwing punches at the girl.

 

“I am your friend! And as your friend I will bring you back to who you used to be!” Saturn said earnestly as she dodged Mars' attempted strikes.

 

“Tell me, friend. Why is it that all of you abandoned me? Are you telling me that's what a friend does?” Mars asked, but didn't let up her attack on the younger girl.

 

Saturn caught Mars' left fist with her free hand and block her other fist with the pole of her weapon, “That didn't happen. We'd never do anything like that.”

 

“Are you telling me to believe what your saying over what my mind is telling me, now?” Mars countered.

 

“That's not your mind and those aren't your thoughts! You've been fooled!” Saturn yelled as she struggled to keep Mars from overpowering her.

 

Mars noticed the wide stance the other senshi was in and positioned her left leg between the other girl's legs. Mars inched her foot forward until it was slightly behind Saturn's right leg. Mars moved her face closer to Saturn's until her lips were almost touching the younger girl's ear and whispered, “Allow me to show you why soldiers of Mars are the fiercest in this galaxy.”

 

Mars abruptly pushed Saturn back with the fist she held, causing her to trip over Mars' foot behind her and fell to the ground. Seeing the prone position of her opponent, Mars quickly ran up to her and threw a punch towards her mid-section.

 

Saturn was surprised when she saw Mars' fist descending upon her. Her instincts took over and rolled to her right, narrowly avoiding the senshi of fire's fist. Luckily, for Saturn, she acted quick enough and narrowly avoided the fire senshi's attack.

 

“You're not getting away!” Mars yelled and pointed her hand at the other girl, who was still lying on the ground.

 

Saturn's eyes widen as she saw Mars ready her attack and sat up. She tightened her grip on her Silence Glaive and swiftly positioned it in front of her body, holding it with both hands. Simultaneously both girls called out their attack phrases.

 

“Hell Fire!”

“Silence Wall!”

 

It seemed almost immediately after the girls named their attacks, they collided with one another. `Something's not right' Saturn thought and gripped the pole even tighter. `Where did she get all this power from? I saw nothing of her having this unnatural power in my visions. This might be more than I can handle alone.' She thought as she felt herself being pushed back, but suddenly that stopped. Before she knew it, the flames started to dissipate, so she dropped her shield. Saturn was shocked to see Mars right in front of her as the flames completely extinguished.

 

“That weapon of yours is annoying.” Mars said and quickly kicked the section of the pole between Saturn's hands. Saturn's Silence Glaive flew high into the air and landed behind Mars. “Let's how long you can last with out that.” The senshi of fire said and looked at the other senshi.

 

“You know I don't want to fight you.” Saturn said and stood up.

 

“Then just stand there and die already.” Mars said

 

“I can't do that either.” Saturn said and took a defensive fighting stance.

 

“So you are ready to fight then?” Mars asked and entered her own fighting stance.

 

“I can't allow you to go anywhere, unless you leave this place with me.” The senshi of death and rebirth said calmly.

 

“Allow me? You still don't understand who you're dealing with, do you?” Mars asked.

 

“You're wrong. I know you quite well in fact, Rei. You have a stronger resolve than perhaps anyone I know. So, I know you are still fighting this magic that has taken over your body and I'm here to assist you in that fight to the best of my ability.”

 

“Still spouting that same ridiculous nonsense, are you?” Mars said, sounding irritated.

 

“It's the truth!” Saturn exclaimed.

 

“Prove it to me then.” Mars said and watched as a surprised expression crossed the other girl's face.

 

Saturn was silent for a short time, as she tried to think of what to say. She hadn't expected Mars to say that, but there was a problem. “Proving it to you is not enough. Even then you won't return to your true self.”

 

“That's what I thought.” Mars said and clenched her fists tighter. “You say that simply because you can't prove anything to me!”

 

“That isn't the case. If you'll just come with me to where everyone is we can figure something out.” Saturn said.

 

“I'm not going anywhere with you!” Mars yelled and ran at the other senshi, resuming her attack once again.

 

`This is getting me nowhere.' Saturn thought and blocked another punch. `She's attacking so fiercely, I can't remain on the defensive, but I don't want to attack her and risk hurting her.' Mars found an opening, kicked Saturn in the stomach, and clasped her hands together and pounded them into younger girl's back; causing Saturn to fall to the ground, onto her stomach. Mars walked over to her left side and grabbed her arm and held it to the ground as she thrust her knee into it, making a loud creaking noise.

 

“AAAAHHHH!” Saturn screamed as she felt one of the bones in her arm break.

 

“It's time for you to die now. I've already spent too much time on you.” Mars said as she stood up and walked in front of Saturn. Saturn used her right arm to push herself into a sitting position and looked up at Mars with tears rolling down her cheeks. Tears partially from the pain of her left arm, but also from her inability to do anything for the senshi of fire. “Rei, listen to me…you have to fight this, not for me, but for Usagi. Have you fallen so far that you'd forget about her?”

 

Mars' aura change back to red, “…Usa-gi?” `I don't understand; who is she talking about?' Mars thought and suddenly that same image of a girl with a weird hairstyle appeared in her mind again, but the image was too foggy for her to decipher exactly who it was.

 

“Please Rei come back.” Saturn pleaded

 

“Why do you keep calling me that?!” Mars asked confusedly.

 

“What would you have me call you?” Saturn said, equally confused by Mars' statement.

 

“I'm Diana.” Mars said without a shred of doubt in her voice.

 

`Diana…but that was her name in….' Saturn thought “No, you were Diana, but that was over a thousand years ago. You are Rei, Hino Rei, the Senshi of Fire, avatar of Mars, and protector of the Princess of the moon, Sailor Moon.”

 

“I know who I am! Stop trying to confuse me!” Mars shouted.

 

“I'm not! I just want to help you…let me help you, Rei. It doesn't have to be like this!” Saturn appealed and extended her right hand to the other girl.

 

“Just leave me alone!” Mars said as she backed away from the senshi of death and rebirth. She didn't like the way the other girl's words were starting to make her feel.

 

“Rei, please don't run away!” Saturn pleaded and stood up. She bit her lower lip when she felt a sharp pain surge through her left arm. She disregarded it as much as possible and started to walk towards Mars, slowly. She finally started to feel like she was making some headway with the senshi of fire.

 

Mars jumped back a few times to put some distance between Saturn and herself, “Just stay away!” Mars yelled and bent down and touched the ground with the palm of her hand, “Wall of Flames.” Mars said quietly. After she muttered the phrase and a `wall of flames' shot up from the ground, and separated her from Saturn. Mars looked at the other girl for a moment before running in the opposite direction of her.

 

Saturn's eyes widened as she watched flames come up from the ground to create a wall between her and Mars. The wall seemed to stretch a great distance, so there was no quick way around it. Beyond the flames she could see Mars make a break for it. She hurried up to the flames as fast as she could and called for her friend, “Rei!” Either the other girl was too far away to hear her or she just didn't care, Saturn wasn't sure which it was, but no more then thirty seconds later the flames dissipated. Saturn looked around, but the senshi of fire was nowhere to be found. “Damn it.” She cursed under her breath. `It appears I can't bring you back, but there is someone else who can.' She thought and started to walk gingerly to where she believed her fellow Sailor Senshi went. `There's only two places they could have went…I'll have to bank everything on choosing the right one.'

 

~~~~******~~~~

 

Once everyone was inside Makoto's apartment and settled in once again. Haruka looked at Setsuna and said exactly what was on her mind, “You knew this would happen. Didn't you?”

 

“Don't say it like I wanted this to happen. I knew we needed to find Rei as soon as possible and if we didn't…” Setsuna said, trailing off at the end.

 

“Don't fight…please.” Usagi pleaded, her voice hoarse from her previously shed tears and new ones starting to form.

 

Haruka looked downcast as she looked at Usagi, “I'm sorry.”

 

“What exactly did happen to Rei? What would prompt her to attack us?” Ami asked.

 

Setsuna sighed before speaking, “All of you are aware of offensive and defensive types of magic, but magic isn't limited to those types. There are types of magic that can heal and there is magic that can do far worse to you than simply injuring you physically. If one knows how, they can affect another in such a way that that person will no longer be him or herself any more.”

 

“What exactly are you saying, Setsuna?” Usagi asked, afraid of what sagely woman was saying.

 

“A long time ago, we used to teach a spell that allowed its caster to alter another's memory. In the past, it was used most often to keep secret mission, secret. I believe…or rather I know this is what has happened to Rei.” Setsuna said and waited for the inevitable response from the group.

 

“But there must be a way to reverse it though…” Minako began, but trailed off upon seeing Setsuna's grim expression.

 

“This isn't something that can be easily reversed.” Setsuna said quietly.

 

“But it can be, right?” Minako asked. Setsuna responded by nodded her head slowly.

 

“So how do we reverse it then?” Makoto asked.

 

“It's not that simple. As we speak, Saturn is most likely trying to appeal to Rei, but that won't work.” Setsuna said pessimistically.

 

“Why not?” Ami asked.

 

“Because there are only three ways to reverse this spell and that is not a possible way. She'd be asking for Rei free herself and I'm afraid without outside help she can't break free on her own.” Setsuna said

 

“Then, what are the three ways?” Michiru asked.

 

“The first way is for the caster of the spell to release the person affected of their free will.” Setsuna explained

 

“I don't think that's an option.” Haruka commented

 

“It isn't.” Setsuna said grimly.

 

“What's the second way?” Makoto asked.

 

“The second way is for the Queen to perform the proper counter-spell to reverse the memory loss.” Setsuna explained again.

 

“Wait a second…Usagi is the future Queen, can't she…” Ami said, but didn't finish when she noticed Setsuna was shaking her head slowly.

 

“No, she doesn't have that kind of knowledge yet and she won't until she ascends to the throne. This is something that's impossible to ask her to do.” Setsuna said.

 

“And the third way?” Minako asked.

 

“The third and final way is…death.” Setsuna said bleakly, hoping everyone understood what she meant without further explaining.

 

“So, all we have to do is take out this Kei person?” Haruka reasoned.

 

Setsuna shook her head, “No. Even if Kei were to die, the spell would remain.” Setsuna was silent and waited for what she implied to sink in. She cast her eyes downward as a dark shadow passed over everyone's eyes.

 

“That's unacceptable!” Usagi said and stood up.

 

Setsuna's eyes focused in on Usagi, “It is said that just before one dies, their life flashes before their very eyes. This is the only other way. In that instant before death, Rei will be herself once more and she'd be able to rest in peace.”

 

“You can't seriously be telling me Rei has to die!” Usagi said in a state of shock.

 

“Would you rather she remained like we saw her tonight?” Setsuna asked serious.

 

Usagi's eyes widened and she fell back on to the loveseat was sitting on, with Mamoru. She wanted to cry, but the tears refused to come. She wanted to scream, but she couldn't find her voice. She wanted to do something, anything than remain where she was, but her body was numb and unresponsive. How could things turn out like this?

 

The room fell deathly silent for an indiscriminate amount of time, until it was broken by the loud knocking on Makoto's apartment door, startling everyone in the room. Makoto stood up wordlessly and walked to the entrance to her home. She didn't even look to see who was at the door before opening the door. Once the door was opened she was met by a very tired looking Hotaru. The young girl stumbled a little as she tried to step into the other girl's apartment, but Makoto caught her, before she could fall, “Hotaru, what…” Makoto began to asked, but the other girl cut her off.

 

“Help me go to where everyone is.” She said and leaned more heavily onto the taller brunette. With Makoto's help, Hotaru walked into the room everyone was in, to the surprised of everyone, and announced, “There's still hope for Rei to return to normal.”

 

~~~~******~~~~

 

“Why didn't you finish that Sailor Senshi off?” Ryuji asked.

 

“I have my reasons. Besides, I thought the Sailor Senshi were mine.” Mars responded

 

“Oh they are, just do the job right next time.” Ryuji said.

 

“Fine, just leave me be.” Mars said and walked off, not waiting for a response.

 

Mars went down one of the many near empty hallways; there were few youma around the place anymore since most were killed in action. All the higher-level youma were eliminated, except for Ryuji. So, the only youma remaining were underlings and no threat to her, so she walked down the corridors with confidence. `Why did I stop? I had the prefect opportunity…' she thought when same foggy image of a girl entered her mind. Her hand left went instantly to her forehead, she braced herself with her other hand against the wall. `My head…it's throbbing…' She thought, whatever the image she was seeing, it was having a bad effect on her. “Damn it! Why won't it stop?!” She cursed and slammed her fist as hard as she could into the wall. The force of her punch completely leveled the wall.

 

`Am I still being affected by that trick?' She asked herself when the young Sailor Senshi's words from earlier echoed in her mind.

 

`You've been fooled!'

 

`I haven't been…I would be able to tell if she was being dishonest.' Diana thought and recalled the uneasy feel ever since she woke up. She chalked it up to youma infesting the place, but she needed to be sure. So with a determined look on her face, she walked ahead to speak with Kei, `I will discover the truth of things…'

 

~~~~~******~~~~

 

“I'm sorry I couldn't keep my word, Usagi-san.” Hotaru as she sat down with the help of Makoto and Michiru. When she was seated Hotaru let go of her left arm, which she had been cradling close to her body; revealing a nasty looking bruise on her forearm.

 

“My God, Hotaru! Your arm!” Ami said quickly knelt down beside the dark haired girl and started to inspect the broken limb.

 

“It's fine.” Hotaru said simply.

 

“Did…did Rei d-do that to you?” Usagi asked on the verge of tears, as her hand covered her mouth.

 

“It's really not that bad. I could have healed it myself if I didn't rush over here.” Hotaru said as she tried to pull her arm away from Ami but winced at the pain it caused, so she just let Ami do her thing.

 

“So, Rei did do all of this to you?” Haruka asked, already knowing the answer, but she still needed to hear her fellow outer senshi say it.

 

“She isn't at fault for this. If Pluto explained everything, you'd understand that already.” Hotaru said seriously and looked from Haruka to Setsuna.

 

“I already explained what has happened to Rei.” Setsuna said quietly.

 

“Good, then why don't we tell them everything that has happened up to this point?” Hotaru said, still looking at Setsuna.

 

“Shouldn't it wait until you have this taken care of?” Ami asked.

 

“This is more important.” Hotaru said and looked down at Ami with a very serious expression.

 

Ami sighed, “Alright, I can't force you.”

 

“Thank you, I appreciate your concern, but it's not necessary.” Hotaru said and rested her right hand over her left arm.

 

“We're all ears Hotaru.” Mamoru said.

 

Hotaru glanced at the Prince and nodded, “There are certain things that have been deemed unquestionable and for someone to question the unquestionable they would incur the wrath of the Gods.” Hotaru paused and looked at Minako for moment before continuing, “Rei is someone who questioned the unquestionable.”

 

Minako's eyes widened and she could her heart pounding in her ears, `Oh, God…don't tell me…' Minako felt like she was going hyperventilate, when she caught Makoto's eyes on her. The blonde hid her previous state of anxiety as best she could in order to prevent questions from the brunette.

 

“What are you trying to say Hotaru? What could Rei have questioned that would have prompted this?” Usagi asked unconsciously.

 

“It's not my place to say.” Hotaru said quietly. “I can say that it's at this point…” Hotaru paused and looked at Setsuna, “You were called on to fully your role, by calling Mamoru-san back to Tokyo.”

 

Everyone, Mamoru included, looked shocked by Hotaru's statement. Usagi looked at Mamoru questioningly, “What is Hotaru talking about?”

 

Mamoru looked at Usagi as he said, “I received a letter at the hotel I was staying at that you were in danger and I needed to return. I didn't know whether the letter was true or not, but I couldn't risk it, so I return to Japan. I never spoke to Setsuna though.” Mamoru looked at Hotaru and asked, “How do you know all of this?”

 

“I was shown all of it, mainly through dreams as I started to age rapidly.” Hotaru explained. “Everything to this point has lead to my premature awakening. I am the Guardian of death and as its guardian this crisis that has arisen has called to me. I can not allow the unnecessary death of a fellow Sailor Senshi.”

 

Usagi eyes lit up upon hearing what Hotaru said and at the same time she remembered what Hotaru had said when she first stepped into the room, “How do we get Rei back?”

 

“When I told everyone to leave earlier, I did that because I had to try something first…before…falling back on our final hope.” Hotaru said and lowered her head, “But I failed.” Hotaru was silent for a moment before taking deep breath and speaking again, “Now there is only one way…or rather one person that can return Rei to herself.” Hotaru looked straight at the Princess of the Moon and added, “Usagi-san, you must become Sailor Moon's true form.”

 

~~~~******~~~~

 

“Ryuji, how did things go?” Kei said and inched up on her seat.

 

“Things appeared to be going smoothly, until another Sailor Senshi showed up.” Ryuji said.

 

`There aren't…' Kei started to think when she remembered something Pluto told her and her eyes widened. “The planet…what was the planet of the new Sailor Senshi?”

 

“Saturn.”

 

`Since we're still alive, she didn't use her power, but…' Kei's thoughts were cut short when she heard knocking at her door. She turned to Ryuji and said, “If you would be so kind as to let our guest in.”

 

Ryuji nodded and walked to the door, knowing they would continue their conversion afterwards. When the youma opened the door, he saw Diana waiting impatiently. She stepped into the room, without waiting for Ryuji to say anything, but after she had past him he muttered, sarcastically, “Come in, why don't you?”

 

A moment later Ryuji felt an intense heat to his back and he froze, “I know you were there, so you know how easily I killed that other youma…do you want to be next?”

 

“Now…now…we mustn't fight amongst ourselves.” Kei said as she walked up to Diana and Ryuji. Ryuji could feel the heat was gone after Kei approached so he turned around and watched Kei step up to Mars. “Tell me what it was like seeing your former teammates once more?” Kei asked.

 

“I have a few questions for you actually.” Mars said and undid her transformation.

 

“Please, feel free to ask away.” Kei said with a smile and ushered Diana to follow her deeper into the room.

 

“Why is it that the Sailor Senshi I fought with, refused to fight with me?”

 

Kei shrugged and sat down again, “I don't know. Perhaps, she was trying to play some kind of mind game with you?”

 

“Why would the same Sailor Senshi claim that I had been brainwashed?” Diana asked.

 

“Brainwashed? What other kind of nonsense were you told?” Kei asked and laughed.

 

“If I discover that you've been deceiving me…I'll make you live to regret it.” Diana declared dangerously.

 

“I can assure you that I have not done anything to deceive you.” Kei said and stood up once more. She walked toward Diana and said, “I've hidden nothing of my intentions and I didn't force you to work with me, you did that of your own free will. Have I, at any time, given you reason not to trust me?”

 

“No.” Diana replied quietly.

 

“Exactly, but I'm not upset by it or anything. I guess I should have expected them to try to fool you. What I find most distressing is that you are allowing yourself to be fool by them.” Kei said and shook her head.

 

“You say that too?” Diana commented.

 

“Too?” Kei questioned.

 

“Never mind.” Diana said simply. `Hearing voices is bad enough, but agree with them and bring them up in a real conversation is insane. I think I just need to rest.' She thought and looked at Kei. “That's all wanted to know.” Diana said and began to walk out of the room, when another question struck her. “Who is Usagi?” Diana and winced after simply saying the name.

 

“The name doesn't ring a bell.” Kei said calmly and watched Diana leave. “Ryuji, I want you to keep an even closer eye on her. There has been a most disturbing turn of events.” Kei added after the door closed.

 

“Mars doubting you?” Ryuji questioned.

 

“Not just that…a troublesome person has shown up…Sailor Saturn.” Kei said in annoyance.

 

“Why is that?” The youma asked.

 

“With one swing of her weapon, she could end everything. Plus, I've never even seen a Sailor Saturn before. Her very existence is said to spell the end of the world.”

 

“She didn't seem all that strong to me.” Ryuji commented.

 

“Don't under estimate your enemies!” Kei yelled causing Ryuji to step away from her. “If things become too unfavorable for the Princess, she can end everything, everything I've worked so hard for. I don't know what her intensions are, but she is someone that must be eliminated. She's a high grade threat that can't be ignored.”

 

“How would ending everything be beneficial to the Princess and the Sailor Senshi?” Ryuji asked.

 

Kei glared at the youma for a moment, but proceeded to explain anyway, “Every Sailor Senshi has a title that symbolizes the elements they control. Mars is the senshi of flame and spirit, Venus is the senshi of light and emotion, Mercury is the senshi of ice and intelligence, Jupiter is the senshi of nature and lightning, Uranus is the senshi of wind and sky, Neptune is the senshi of water and sea, Pluto is the senshi of revolution and time, and Saturn is the senshi of…death and rebirth.”

 

“Death and rebirth?” Ryuji repeated.

 

“Yes. Now that you know that, you must understand why she can't be ignored.” Kei said and Ryuji nodded.

 

~~~~******~~~

 

“Hotaru, that isn't meant to happen yet.” Setsuna spoke up.

 

Hotaru turned to the senshi of time, “If you're going by the timeline you knew, I shouldn't even be here right now and none of this should have happened. If all this isn't a sign that some things have been done…that some things have been changed, that can't be undone; I don't know what is. Furthermore, you know as well as I do that me being here, right now, is a sign that it is time.”

 

“What you're talking about requires the power of every Sailor Senshi, Mars included. It can't happen without Mars.” Setsuna said.

 

Hotaru was about to counter Setsuna once more when Usagi spoke instead, “If this is what must be done to bring Rei back to normal, we'll do it. But Hotaru, what you mean by Sailor Moon's true form?”

 

Hotaru smiled at Usagi and took a deep breath before starting her explanation, “Every form you've taken till now has been to ready your body to handle this final, true form of Sailor Moon; Eternal Sailor Moon. If you would have attempted to become Eternal Sailor Moon any time before now, the strain on your body would have been so great; it would have most likely killed you. Even now, there will be a great strain on you to hold this form for any longer than a minute.”

 

Everyone seemed to show a little uneasiness after Hotaru's explanation, except Usagi. “It doesn't matter, even if my body breaks after thirty seconds, I'll bring Rei back to normal.”

 

`She still has guts.' Hotaru thought as she looked at Usagi.

 

“I'm still opposed, it's too dangerous.” Setsuna said.

 

“This is Usagi-san's choice and when the time comes, it's your duty to give Usagi-san your strength as well.” Hotaru said.

 

“How soon do you think we can try this?” Haruka asked.

 

“It'll take time. All of us need to be there and all of us need to be in good physical condition, otherwise it would be too draining on us as well.” Hotaru explained.

 

“Plus, we need to make sure Rei doesn't run away.” Ami added.

 

“That won't be a problem when the time comes.” Hotaru said cryptically.

 

“Now that we have a plan, we should each probably get some rest. I think all of us can agree that this has been one very long day.” Mamoru suggested. After a moment the group agreed, it was getting later and Mamoru was defiantly right about it being a long day.

 

“Let's meet again tomorrow afternoon, here…if that's okay with you, Mako-chan?” Usagi asked and looked at Makoto.

 

“Fine by me.” She agreed and everyone got up.

 

“Minako, could hang around a little longer? I wanted to ask you something.” Makoto asked and while Minako seemed reluctant she nodded he head. Ami looked back at the two girls for second, but walked

 

Hotaru walked over to Usagi as she was almost out the door and grabbed the blonde's arm. Usagi turned and looked at Hotaru, “Usagi-san you need to know that right now Rei-san…our Rei is in a dark place and only your light has any hope to bringing her back.”

 

Usagi nodded and hugged the shorter girl, “Thank you. I won't forget and I won't fail Rei.” Hotaru nodded in response and Usagi released the dark haired girl and left behind Mamoru and Ami.

 

“Come on, shorty.” Haruka said and messed up Hotaru's hair as she walked out with Michiru and being followed slowly by Setsuna. Hotaru hurried to catch up as Makoto closed the door after everyone exited.

 

~~~~******~~~~

 

“Minako, do you know something that the rest of us don't?” Makoto asked and waited for an answer.

 

“It's not my place to say.”

 

“That's the same thing Hotaru said, what do you know Minako? Tell me something.” Makoto asked.

 

“Tell you something? Tell you something? Alright, I'll tell you something. Stop foolishly denying your feelings! Go and talk to Ami!” Minako yelled.

 

“What are you talking about?” Makoto asked, confused by her friend's strange behavior.

 

“Damn it, Makoto! Did you understand a word Hotaru said? Because of Rei's situation she isn't allowed to love!” Minako yelled as she tried to fight back the tears that were threatening to spill out.

 

“Minako, are you saying…”

 

“You don't have something like that holding you back. I'm the senshi of love, don't you think I can feel when one of my friends is in love” Minako said.

 

Makoto just looked at her blonde friend with a confused look, `In love?'

 

“Kami-sama, you don't realize you're in love, do you? Haven't you even wondered why you've always felt so strongly connected to her?”

 

“I-I never really thought about it…” Makoto said.

 

“Maybe you should then!” Minako shouted and ran out of the other girl's apartment, leaving a bewildered Makoto alone in her apartment.

 

~~~~******~~~~

 

“That's looking much better.” Michiru commented about the younger girl's arm.

 

“I was slowly healing it as we talked inside.” Hotaru explained and moved her arm around as if to prove it was back to normal.

 

“So, do you need me to give you a ride back home?” Haruka asked.

 

“I don't have a home to go back to.” Hotaru said quietly.

 

“What do you mean?” Michiru asked quickly.

 

“Well, my father passed away.” Hotaru said and looked down at her feet as she walked.

 

“What? When did that happen?!” Setsuna asked, clearly not expecting that information, much to the surprise of Haruka and Michiru.

 

“A short time after I reached the age you see now. Papa passed away because he was possessed by that daimon for so long, his body never really recovered from it.” Hotaru said and stopped next to Haruka's convertible.

 

“I'm so sorry Hotaru.” Michiru said quietly.

 

Hotaru smiled sadly, “Its ok, at least I was able to remember everything before he died. I remembered the good and the bad, but I'm glad I did because now I have friends and a new family. I am a Sailor Senshi and now I know have mission I need to accomplish.”

 

“What do you mean `new family'?” Haruka asked cautiously.

 

“I hope you don't think it presumptuous of me, but I thought I could stay with you three.” Hotaru said The three older outer senshi looked at one another to see what each thought of the idea. “I understand if you guys don't want...."

 

“It's fine by me.” Haruka said and added in a whisper, “We will have to be quieter at night though…”

 

“Ruka!” Michiru chastised the blond and hit her on the arm.

 

The comment didn't go unnoticed by Hotaru, who was currently blushing a bright scarlet. `I guess it's stuff like this, I'm going to have to get used to.' The young girl thought as she watched the couple.

 

Setsuna for her part didn't show any sign of whether she heard the comment. Perhaps it was from hearing frequent comments similar to it or because she had something else on her mind, it was unknown.

 

Haruka cleared her throat, “Umm…what I wanted to say was; it's the least we can do after you save our butts back there.”

 

“I only did what I had to.” Hotaru said modestly and bowed her head as she added, “But thank you for allowing me into your home.”

 

Hotaru raised her head when she felt a hand on her shoulder, “That home, is all of ours now.” Michiru said and smiled warmly.

 

“Come on, Sets…” Haruka started say when she realized the green haired woman was no longer with them.

 

“I guess she plans on getting home on her own.” Michiru commented and moved the passenger seat forward, motioning for Hotaru to get in. Once the dark haired girl was inside, she moved the seat back and got in herself.

 

“Yeah, I just wish she'd give us some warning when she does that stuff.” Haruka said and got into the drivers seat, turning on the car once she was seated.

 

“She's probably going to confirm what she already knows…” Hotaru mumbled under her breath.

 

“What was that, Hotaru?” Michiru asked, looking over her shoulder into the back seat.

 

Hotaru shook her head, “Nothing.”

 

“What do you say we head home? We've got a lot of work ahead of us.” Haruka said and received a nod from her two companions, so she pulled away from the curb and began the drive home.

 

End Ch. 26

 

~~~~******~~~~

 

Chapter 26 is done! Once I was finally able to sit in front of a computer and type, it went by really fast. I wanted to end on a lighter note than the way the rest of the chapter felt, I how that happened. Were there enough revelations for everyone in this chapter? I'm happy to finally bring Hotaru into this, I love her! And she was so underused in the anime :( Oh, if anyone's wondering, Hotaru is 14 here and the reason she's so mature most of the time is because she's older than her age, if there's any question about that.

 

I'm now finally altering the SM story more to suit things here, like Hotaru's father being dead and now mention of Eternal Sailor Moon. Remember that chapter I talked about being Ami/Makoto centric (oh so long ago), I set it up with the second to last scene here. I'm not sure how long it will end up being, but it will only be them and finding out where Setsuna ran off to at the end of the chapter. If you have anything to say, just leave review or e-mail or whatever :) Until next time!