Sailor Moon Fan Fiction ❯ The Revolution Prophecy ❯ Usagi's Birthright - Part One ( Chapter 9 )

Usagi's Birthright - Part One

 

Three days had passed since Hiro and Usagi had seen Jamin. During that time, Hiro had done his best to reduce the swelling in Usagi's ankle, and surprisingly enough, it had gone down considerably. Of course, during that time, Usagi's attitude was almost unbearable.

Hiro had gone to the lake to wash both of their clothing and spent that time in meditation, which he had started practicing now once again. He had never thought that he would have to do anything like this with his life, and he found that meditation helped soothe the fury inside of him that had recently surfaced since he had been reunited with Jamin.

He sighed as he reached over for another article of clothing, and grasped nothing but air. He glanced over to the clothes pile and saw nothing left but the sack that he had gathered their clothing in. He observed the sun almost near the highest point in the sky and was silently thankful, for the sun and breeze combined might dry their clothes before the day was done.

He set up a thin line and hung the clothes to dry. He began walking back to the camp to check on Usagi. It was truly a beautiful day, and for the first time since Usagi's return, he noticed that it almost seemed as though the world he once knew was returning.

Once back at the campsite, he marveled at Usagi, who was actually standing on her sprained ankle. She smiled weakly upon seeing him, and walked slowly over to him. "You're a lot tougher than I thought, Usa.", he said with a smile.

"Well, I have to be.", she said quietly. "Doesn't seem like there are any other Sailor Senshi around. Anyhow, this is uncomfortable, but I think it's good enough to last me until we catch up with Jamin. It seems like forever since I've seen Alyssa. I wonder how she is...", she mused.

"Well, why don't you sit down, Usa?", Hiro said. "We're not ready to leave yet, and any rest you can get for that can only help. We can wait until tomorrow. Our clothes will be dry before night falls, and I'd rather travel during the daylight."

She nodded and sat down slowly. "Are you hungry?", she asked. "While you were gone, I walked a little bit and grabbed some more stuff for the fire. It wouldn't take much for me to fix you something from our supplies."

Hiro smiled, but shook his head. "Nah, I'll be fine for a while. Besides, the rumbling in my stomach is just about the perfect object to focus on during my meditation. It almost drowns out all the other sounds.", he said, laughing. He waved and walked back towards the lake.

Usagi sat down and laid her head back against the grass and stared at the skies. She was afraid to tell Hiro, but she had seen Sailor Pluto in her dreams last night...

"Small Lady...", Sailor Pluto said, holding out her arms in a warm embrace. "You are such a beautiful young woman. I refused to look into the future at you, because I wanted to experience you blossom."

"Plu...", Usagi said slowly. "I haven't seen you in so long. What happened to Crystal Tokyo."

"Small Lady... please listen to me.", Sailor Pluto started. "There are so many futures. The smallest decision can change the course of time."

"Plu... I don't understand. What are you trying to say?", Usagi replied, frustration creasing her forehead.

"Small Lady, there have been times in the long history of this world where I have not been allowed to intervene. This is one of those times, and I can only watch. But trust me, you are not alone, and you will never be alone. Even now, Sailor Senshi prepare to gather under your leadership. And I will always believe in you. Never forget..."

Usagi watched helplessly as Sailor Pluto's body faded to just an image, and then faded away altogether.

Usagi opened her eyes to see that hours had passed while she re-experienced her dream. The sun was beginning to dip below the horizon when Hiro returned to the camp, their neatly folded clothes in his arms. She smiled.

Hiro placed their clothing into their respective knapsacks and relaxed on his sleeping bag as Usagi finished their meal. They quietly enjoyed a meal of bread and a chicken broth filled with assorted vegetables together, and then went to sleep.

When the sun rose the next morning, Hiro got up silently, letting Usagi get some extra needed rest. He quietly put all of their supplies into the third pack they had brought along, and he neatly folded his sleeping bag and stuffed it in above his clothes. He took his time, deliberately pacing himself if it would mean even an extra minute of sleep for the Princess.

When everything was packed away, he turned around to wake her, but found that she was already awake and taking care of her sleeping bag. He sat down and watched, ignoring the instinct to offer to do it for her. He knew she would only refuse the help. She was independent like that. She always had been.

When all of her things were packed away, she carefully got up to her feet and tested her weight on her ankle. She moved slowly back and forth, grimacing once or twice. Finally, she nodded in satisfaction. Breaking the silence of the morning, she said, "It should be fine once we're walking."

"Are you sure, Usa?", he replied. "We don't have to go today if you're not ready."

She only smiled in reply, and they began walking north towards the seashore residence where they would meet up with Alyssa and Jamin. Fortune smiled on them after about two hours of their trip. Hiro had heard rumors of cities actually having survived the Millennium Holocaust somewhat, and they came across one of those. Usagi put on her cloak to hide her identity and they ventured into the town. People milled about quietly even in the daylight, not walking outside for any longer than they had to.

Except for one man. Upon seeing the two walking through the streets, he came up to them.

"Pardon me, but you are not from around here, are you?", he asked.

Hiro nodded. "Yes, we come from the south. We are looking for friends who may have passed through here on their way to the northern shores."

The man nodded. "Well, the monsters in this region are being more brutal than usual these days. There are rumors of vigilante fighters having completely embarrassed a scouting patrol about three weeks ago about an hour north of here. Although I can't comprehend anyone who could stand up to even one of those horrible bastards..."

Usagi looked at Hiro silently. Hiro nodded without responding. He knew at least one fool who would stand up to the monsters. He just didn't know whether that constituted bravery or just pure stupidity.

"You should stay here in this town.", the man said. "It is certain death to travel further north, and we can pray for the souls of your unfortunate friends."

Hiro smiled as he politely declined. "Sorry, but we have to take that chance. We appreciate the offer, however."

The man frowned. "Please wait here for a moment. I'll be right back."

As he walked away, Usagi leaned closer to Hiro and began whispering quickly. "Vigilante fighters who EMBARASSED a scouting patrol?"

"Yeah...", Hiro responded quietly. "I didn't think Alyssa would have been foolish enough to fight alongside Jamin. I hope they're both okay."

"No!", Usagi whispered vehemently. "Unless he lied to us, Jamin was here only about a week or so ago. He wouldn't have traveled through these parts since FOUR YEARS before then!"

Hiro couldn't find the voice to reply. She was right. He and Alyssa had been living in that lakeside home since they left the destroyed shrine four years ago. Jamin had sent Alyssa ahead by herself so he could pack whatever he could hold of his mother's last possessions. He hadn't even been to the town, much less north of the town.

As if reading his mind, Usagi continued. "It has to be someone else...", she said quietly. "But who would have enough power to take on a whole squad of those things?"

Hiro didn't reply, and held his finger to his lips as the man returned with two bicycles. Hiro started to say something to him, but the man interrupted, saying, "You two will probably need these. If you encounter any monsters on the way to your destination, at least you might be able to escape before you're killed."

The man paused. "No need to pay... these belonged to my wife and my only son. They were killed two years ago... I'm sure they'd be pleased that they could help someone."

Hiro replied quietly. "I come from the Hikawa Jinja from the south... I'll pray for their souls."

The man smiled. "They would appreciate that, I'm sure. I wish you nothing but the best of lucks, strangers... You will need it."

Usagi pondered quietly about how true those words were. She was knee-deep in the middle of the biggest crisis the Earth had ever faced, and she still didn't know everything that was happening around her. It was as though she were flying with a hope and a prayer.

It was black. Pure black that penetrated and washed over the room. In the midst of the darkness, the crystalline orb began to glow and project images.

The dark lady watched the images wordlessly as they showed the grisly death of two of her better soldiers.

She watched the darkness around them as a dual energy wave spiraled around itself as it flew and severed the torso of one of her minions. It was comprised of a blindingly bright beam that was encircled by a pure black wave, visible even in the darkness of the morning.

Her fists clenched, the muscles spasming because of the strength of her anger. She watched as a crystalline staff flashed briefly in the darkness and a massive purple wave emitted from the top of the staff and reduced her other minion to mere dust instantly.

She rose to her feet, her fists still clenched. She screamed, but no sound came from her mouth. Slowly, her fists relaxed and her mouth closed. At that moment, a woman walked into the room. Her hair was waist-length and wavy. It was pure black, just like her outfit which comprised of a tight top that left her midriff bare and a short skirt.

"Your Highness. There are intruders in the laboratory that once belonged to Sailor Mercury.", she said quietly.

"No...", the dark lady replied. "They must NOT be allowed! Send the captain of my guard to stop them. NO MISTAKES! Those children must DIE!"

"Of course, your Highness.", the woman said placidly. "I have never failed you. I won't now."

"Oh, and is that why you were only able to find the children AFTER they quit hiding and began traveling with Princess Serenity?", the lady screamed.

The woman said nothing, and merely turned on her heel and walked from the room.

"Incompetent fools.", the dark lady breathed.

Usagi and Hiro arrived at the seashore house only seven hours after going through the town. The bicycles were a blessing, and they were able to make it to the house before darkness fell. However, dusk fell as they arrived and they found the house empty and without electricity.

"Do you think something happened to them?", Usagi asked hesitantly.

"No, Usa.", Hiro replied. "I'm sure none of the homes in this area have had power for four years. They're probably just waiting for us inside."

"I hope so...", she said.

They walked around the porch to the front door. Hiro mentally noted the lack of any light at all. He thought they'd at least have candles. Trying not to let it show on his face, he began to worry about whether Usagi was right and something had happened to them. He took his staff from around his belt and rapped on the door with it. The door opened with a creak, as it had never been completely shut.

Usagi trembled, but Hiro placed a reassuring hand on her shoulder. "Usa, I'm sure that nothing is wrong. I would have been able to sense the danger by now. Let's just go inside and wait for them."

She nodded, and they walked into the house. She pulled their lantern from her pack and soon, the front room of the house was bathed in light. Usagi looked around apprehensively.

The house looked like it should have been, a home that hadn't been inhabited. She shivered at the amount of spider webs and dust that decorated the place.

Hiro pondered quietly, and then spoke. "Let's check upstairs in Alyssa's room. I have a... feeling."

They padded up the stairs as silently as possible, and walked down the hallway that led to Alyssa's bedroom. The door was shut. Hiro rapped on the door with his staff, but the door did not open. It had been shut recently, but nobody came to open it.

"Come on, Usa.", Hiro tried to say with confidence, attempting to belay the fear that was beginning to bloom inside of him. He placed his hand on the knob, and turned it, pushing the door open and jumping back with his staff ready to fight.

The room was empty. Hiro laughed nervously as they walked into the room. He quickly noted the lack of spider webs and dust. "Usa, they have been here. They are safe.", he said with a smile.

She nodded. As they ventured further into her room, they spied a note on her bed. Usagi grabbed it and read, "Princess Serenity. Jamin and I await you in Mother's laboratory. The entrance to the basement where the tunnel begins is in her room. I eagerly await our reunion, Usagi. Always your friend, Alyssa."

Hiro smiled at her. "What are we waiting for?", he asked.

She laughed and nodded. "Let's go!"

They traveled through the house and made their way into Ami's bedroom. Footsteps amid the dust led them to the closet, where they found a small lever that lowered the closet into the hidden basement.

They found the magnetic lift that would have normally ferried Ami into her seafloor laboratory inoperable, just like Jamin and Alyssa had. Hiro noted with a hint of frustration in his voice, "That's gonna be one long journey."

Usagi nodded. "Well, they did it, so we can do it too."

Just then, Usagi's Silver Crystal began to shine brightly, the light penetrating the surface of her brooch.

"What the...", Usagi breathed.

The two of them watched as the light from the Silver Crystal seemed to flow into the lift. The power to the basement came alive for the first time in years, and the lift began to hover over the monorail track.

"Thank heavens!", Hiro exclaimed. "I was really dreading having to walk through that tube."

They climbed on the lift, and Hiro grabbed a level and pushed it forward slowly. The lift began to move forward along the track. The lights along the underwater tube winked on as they came within proximity of the Silver Crystal, providing light along their way. After about 5 minutes, Hiro pointed to the ocean floor, barely visible.

Usagi looked and nodded. Hiro was pointing at the ocean floor laboratory, which had its own power source. The light from the completely glass-enclosed lab traveled for 500 feet around the lab, lighting the ocean floor around it.

Hiro suddenly shuddered. "Usa! There's danger down there. Transform now!"

Usagi didn't even question him.

"Moon Crystal Power, Make Up!"

She began to transform, feeling the power of the Silver Crystal begin to flow throughout her body. She smiled as she felt the aspects of her fuku begin to fit around her body. She held out her hands as the entire suit washed over her like a flood, and when the lights dimmed around her, she stood as Neo-Sailor Moon, the new champion of justice.

"Get ready!", she said to Hiro, who only nodded in response.