Sailor Moon Fan Fiction ❯ The Revolution Prophecy ❯ Rheynsalia ( Chapter 21 )

Rheynsalia

 

 

Sailor Moon covered her mouth in horror as a massive sword plunged in and through Gemini's body from behind. Robbed of even a last word, the blade cut upwards through his face, the black fluids spilling over the blade and spreading on the rock surface of the mountain.

 

She backed away slowly as the disemboweled body of Gemini turned toward her and began to amble disorientedly in her direction, arms outstretched. She looked around to find herself alone on the plateau with the walking dead warrior before tripping on a rock and falling on her backside. Immediately, the dead body was towering over her, Gemini's split lips moving as “Chibiusa…” sounded forth in a horrible gurgle just before the body began to fall on top of her.

 

Sailor Moon began to scream…

 

Hiro awoke from his rest outside of Usagi's tent with a start in reaction to her screaming. He sprung to his feet in an instant and was inside Usagi's tent, noting immediately her in the midst of a nightmare. He crouched over her and put his hands on her shoulders, shaking her. “Princess Serenity!”, he said firmly, his grip on her loosening as her eyes opened and immediately began searching around to assess her new surroundings.

 

She finally looked up at him before throwing her arms around him and squeezing tightly. “Just a nightmare… just a nightmare…”, she whispered against his neck as she held on to him, drawing him down to the mat that she slept upon. In a tired, sleep-stained voice, she whispered, “Don't leave.”

 

Hiro nodded in reply and laid back as she included him underneath her sheet and rested her cheek against his chest. He held her that way for the longest time, staring up at the sky from the transparent roof of the tent. The celestial moons looked down upon him and said nothing as he turned his head to regard her peaceful, sleeping face. The internal struggle within him raged once more as he forced himself to restrain his need for her.

 

Meanwhile, Jamin and Alyssa heeded no restraint as they lay together.

 

Her hair sprawled across his chest, she idly poked and explored around his free arm and shoulder with a fingernail, brooding silently until Jamin spoke up. “Care to share?”, he asked quietly.

 

“I…”, she started hesitantly, her finger ceasing its action. “I'm worried about so many things. What is going on at home… what is going on here… the rest of these new warriors, who I suppose saved our skins… I just have so many questions. Why can't we train at home? At least then we'd be holding back the tide of darkness there…”, she said quickly, trailing off at the end.

 

Jamin sighed and squeezed her reassuringly. “I think we would fare worse at home, my love. It was only a matter of time until your mother's house was seized by the enemy. It was lucky that we were able to find her laboratory at all.”, he said. “We would not have been able to raise a family there. It would've just been a matter of time before we were found and killed. Not a lot of good we would do being dead. While we're here, we don't have to worry about watching our backs all the time. We can focus with full intensity and become stronger and maximize our power. As much as I hate admitting it, I think she was right when she said that the lives of thousands of our people taken away while we train here could not compare to the lives of the billions we can save if we're ready when the time comes.”

 

Alyssa moved closer to him. “And if we're not ready?”, she asked quietly.

 

Jamin shrugged. “Then we die. I think that the apocalypse taught us that not all stories have a happy ending. But if we do die, they're going to fight to beat us. We'll show them, no matter what, that justice will never ever die.”

 

“I wonder how long we'll have to stay here…”, she mused after a few moments of silence between them.

 

“As long as it takes, I suppose.”, he replied, starting to run his fingers through her hair. “Let's not make the mistake of comparing this place to home, or else we'll never be able to be happy. This is just a small vacation.”, he said, turning to kiss her on her forehead.

 

She moved her head up farther and caught his intended kiss with her lips as she moved herself over him. “I love you so much.”, she whispered against his cheek as she began to nuzzle his cheek before opening her lips and closing them once more around his earlobe.

 

She smiled at him with obvious delight as he grabbed her and turned her over on her backside. Her legs parted willingly and he was immediately probing her before slipping inside of her. She closed her eyes and sighed pleasantly as he took her once again, focusing on the sensation of his arms underneath her as he held her close. Her cries were soft and silent as clouds drifted in and began raining down upon the warriors' encampment. Loud thunder pierced the air as Jamin began to elicit her louder cries of pleasure. She looked down upon herself, watching him move effortlessly within her while suckling contentedly upon her nipples. Her hands frantically moved about his body, almost as if unsure where to touch him. And then all thought was lost as his last thrust into was met with a flood of indescribable sensation throughout her body and the unmistakable spread of warmth within her before her love came to rest softly above her. She moved herself to accommodate his weight as his head touched down on her left breast, breathing in deeply and letting the rhythm of the rain falling upon their tent wash her away into unconsciousness.

 

A few hundred feet away from the encampment, five dry Star Senshi watched as clouds gathered over their group of tents and began to produce rain. Marina looked upon the scene with amazement. “It hardly ever rains here and then when we arrive, it begins to rain on us, but hardly anywhere else. What a horrible omen.”, she said, sighing.

 

Three other Senshi laughed at her last words, Andarri remaining quiet. Rianna turned towards her sister while still brushing her silver locks of hair. “There is no omen, Marina. They have paired together.”, she said with a slight smile on her face.

 

The youngest of the five regarded her sister with a look of confusion for a moment. “What do you mean, paired off?”, she asked.

 

Erynn laid a hand on Marina's shoulder. “They are in love.”, she said simply. “When their passions become intertwined, there is a natural reaction to their power. Water and Lightning… it is a wonder that they don't inundate the entire planet.”

 

Stephen smiled at that, saying nothing as Erynn looked back toward him with a knowing glance. “So, when do you go back to babysitting Her Violentness?”, Stephen asked Andarri.

 

Andarri looked up. “I do not believe that I have ever been `babysitting' Sailor Venus, Sailor Solaris.”, he replied evenly. “I am merely extending the hand of friendship to her in the hopes that a foundation might be laid so that she can be lead to understand her importance in our group.”

 

Rianna looked up at him. “That is all?”, she inquired.

 

“I will not lie. I feel a familiarity with her and the emotions that she suffers through.”, Andarri said back. “I would be her friend. It seems as though I am the only one who cares to be, aside from Sailor Moon. Shall I only seek only to integrate her into the single group, forsaking all other motive?”

 

Rianna shook her head. “If Sailor Venus needs anything right now, a friend would just about fit.”, she said. “I find it so disheartening that a warrior of Love is so moved and lead about by her own overwhelming hatred. If we don't start trying to break through that shell now, she will self-destruct before the time is right for us to return to the Earth.”

 

Andarri nodded. “I shall see to it, your Highness.”, he said in return before walking away. As he walked, he kept his eyes on focused on his destination. She did not seem to be walking in the camp, and after a while of searching and not finding her, he went to her assigned tent. Kneeling in front of the entrance, he spoke up to try and get her attention. After the ensuing silence, he slipped his head into her tent and sighed in dismay as he saw the tent was empty and her belongings gone.

 

“She is gone.”, he said simply upon returning to the group of soldiers.

 

Rianna remained silent at that for a moment. “You know her better than the rest of us.”, she said, which was met by quiet sounds of amusement from Stephen and Erynn. Rianna turned towards them quickly, a fire in her eyes.

 

“Do you want to die?”, she asked, the anger undertoning her voice carrying the question. “Did you watch as Leo carelessly slaughtered her own brother who was conveniently beating the two of you senseless as well as OTHER Sailor Warriors? Because I was just wondering why you two are so nonchalant about letting her go on her own way. Without her, we die. It's that simple. WE ALL DIE. Do you understand?”, she nearly screamed.

 

Usagi and Hiro emerged quietly from their tents, Alyssa and Jamin a few moments later.

 

“You want some simple facts?”, Rianna continued, approaching Stephen and Erynn, who sat and watched her with wide eyes. “You were powerless to save your world. Your people, your heritage… GONE. You were lucky to be sent away before you were destroyed. If we do not work together, the only thing we have to look forward to is destruction.”

 

Erynn stood up and faced Rianna with anger in her eyes as the two stood literally face-to-face. “Are you angry, baby?”, Rianna asked, moving up on her toes to stand at eye-level with Erynn. “You want to take a shot at me? You wanna prove that you're not as weak as I say you are? TAKE IT. Because that's just what they want. For us to fight and squabble and not be one as a team. So COME ON, Sailor Lunaris! Laugh when I express concern over one of our own.”

 

Stephen stood up and put a hand on Erynn's shoulder, causing Erynn's head to turn sharply towards him. “She's right, hon.”, he said softly, trying to softly ease her back towards him. “Sailor Venus has real experience that we don't. We were wrong.”

 

Erynn seethed for a moment before turning around and walking back towards the tent she shared with Stephen, disappearing into the shelter. Stephen turned back towards Rianna, who just stared back at him. “Sorry.”, he said simply. “She'll be better in the morning, most likely. I'll make sure of it.”, he said.

 

Rianna nodded and sighed, coming down from her toes and sitting down next to Andarri. “It is your place to be the leader.”, he said quietly after everyone disappeared into their respective tents. “They look to you for strength, and you have shown it. You must not question yourself.”, he said.

 

Rianna nodded at him as he continued. “I believe that she has headed towards Rheynsalia on her own. I will go forward ahead of the rest of you and try to…”, he said, pausing. “I do not know what I will do. But hopefully it will lead Venus back to us.”, he finished, standing up and walking away without any other word.

 

Marina sighed. “Never thought you'd be that tall, sister.”, she said.

 

~~~~~~~~~~

 

Krista arrived in Rheynsalia just after Thelon's rise in the northern horizon signaled the start of a new day. Exhausted, she expected to find a quaint, old Western-style town, only to be surprised by a large city. Buildings stood tall, touching the heavens, Rheynsalia looking to be about the size of Tokyo.

 

The buildings seemed to be made out of some sort of green metallic substance, while the streets and sidewalks were composed of grayish and black stone, respectively. The streets were literally empty as most of the activity in the city took place above the ground, where vehicles moved about in an orderly fashion amongst the buildings, and people traveled on walkways that weaved throughout the city.

 

“Great… I have no idea how to get up there. No money… if they even use money here. No place to stay.”, she murmured when she felt a hand on her shoulder. She immediately turned her head and grumbled more when she recognized the hand. “Sent you to fetch me, did they?”, she asked angrily as she pulled her shoulder loose from his grasp.

 

Andarri's fingers shifted before she could pull herself completely free, though, and she found herself losing consciousness quickly as Andarri lifted her up into his arms. The last thing she saw was his face as he walked determinedly towards some unknown destination before she lapsed into unconsciousness.

 

When she awoke, she was in a room with dimmed, comfortable lighting. She found herself resting on her backside and immediately tried to move into a sitting position to no avail. She looked down her body and saw straps holding her down to the bed. Her wrists were likely bound and also her ankles.

 

“It is not time for you to get up, Krista.”, Andarri murmured.

 

“You let me go this instant, you asshole!”, she screamed back in return, straining to break free of her bonds.

 

“I will do no such thing. You have not completely recovered from your trip alone and I will not let you up. You might do something foolish, like try to escape or attack me.”, he replied in an even tone.

 

“You'd better keep me here and make sure I die. If I get out of this, I'm going to kill you.”, she said, icy venom in her voice.

 

Andarri got up from his seat and calmly placed his hand around her throat and began to apply subtle pressure. “I suppose I will have to dispose with you now, then.”, he said. “I could not allow you to take my life.”

 

For the first time in a long time, Krista began to feel genuine fear as she struggled for breath. She paused, saying nothing as his hand maintained the same pressure against her windpipe constantly. “Please…”, she whispered. “Please don't do this. I'm supposed to die in battle.”

 

“Is this not battle, Sailor Venus?”, he asked, moving over her to study her face closely. “You have told me that you intend to kill me if you free yourself from the restraints. I believe you are capable of doing so, and I cannot allow you the chance.”, he reasoned.

 

“We… we're frien… friends.”, she struggled to say, looking up at him.

 

He loosened his grip slightly. “Friends do not abandon each other, Krista.”, he said evenly as he felt her breathing beneath his palm. “I waited so long to be able to be on the same side as you. To fight together with you. To ease the burden upon you. But you will not ever trust anyone. You told me that you would kill me?”, he asked, placing her golden blade into her free right hand. “Feel free to do so.”

 

The moment her fingers clenched around the handle of the blade, she began slicing through her bonds and finally got up off of the table and rushed Andarri, pinning him against the wall with the blade to his throat. He felt the blade cut slightly into his skin as she pressed it to him.

 

His eyes only wavered slightly as he felt her hold the blade to his neck. “Is this the way that it will be, Sailor Venus?”, he asked, reaching up and securing his fingers around her wrist. “Do you really want to see if you can close the six inches from my neck in combat?”

 

“You're damned right, I do. My life is nothing if not for the fight.”, she snarled, leaping back. His hand immediately released her wrist as she moved and went for his transformation wand as she thrust hers into the air.

 

“Venus Star Power…” “Polaris Planet Power…”

 

“… MAKE UP!” “… TRANSFORM!”

 

Sailor Venus stared as his senshi garb seemed to wash over his form before leaping backwards for the window. The glass broke easily at her speed and she twisted her body to look downward, seeing only clouds below her. Additional glass shattering above her caused her to spin while falling to see Polaris leap out of the window after her.

 

Self-preservation aside, she gathered her power and flung a Love-Me Chain at Polaris, who turned and caught his foot on the side of the structure long enough to push off and out of the way of her attack.

 

People screamed all around as Sailor Venus burst through the cloud cover above them and continued her descent towards death.

 

“Love-Me…. CHAIN!”, she cried out, swinging the chain of energy around before releasing it at the right time and wrapping it around one of the walkways. She twirled the chain around her palm to enhance her grip as her velocity radically changed, hanging on long enough to swing back upwards and landing on her feet shakily on one of the airborne pathways.

 

She sensed the thud under her feet mere seconds later and whirled around to face Sailor Polaris.

 

“Crescent Beam!”

 

She directed her energy beam attack at Polaris while lashing out with her Love-Me Chain. She watched incredulously as he merely waved his hand and deflected the Crescent Beam while catching the other end of the Chain. “It will take more than that to dissuade me, Sailor Venus.”, he said evenly, lifting his other hand in the air before facing his palm towards the ground and lowering his hand slowly. “Gravity Well.”

 

The force on Sailor Venus suddenly became unbearable and she was forced to her knees, her palms nearly glued to the surface of the path.

 

“As much as I am sure that you would love to continue this altercation, we simply cannot do so in this public of a setting.”, he said politely as he began walking towards her.

 

Sailor Venus gathered her strength, struggling against the g-forces holding her down on the ground before finally leaping forward with a scream and breaking free of his power. Sailor Polaris, caught off-guard, had no time to react as her arm moved fluidly to the back of her suit and pulled her blade free. He felt the air begin to fill his lungs as she brought the hilt of the blade in a devastating punch to his abdomen, and then rush out before she connected with the same metal punch in an uppercut that sent him flying unconsciously. He landed against the surface of the path and rolled a few meters before coming to rest.

 

“Arrogant bastard…”, she mumbled as she walked toward him, his use of g-forces on her combined with the planet's naturally higher gravity having forced her to use the last of her strength.

As she knelt to help him up, she felt the air rushing towards her and moved backward immediately out of instinct.

 

Coming from the ground, Sailor Altima landed on her feet gracefully, regarding Sailor Venus for a moment before turning to look down at the fallen Polaris. She nodded briefly before returning her gaze to Sailor Venus.

 

“So. You don't like Usagi.”, she said simply.

 

Venus' transformation fell away as Krista stood before Sailor Altima, a look of incredulity twisting her face for a moment. She finally sighed and turned to walk away.

 

“Where would you go?”, Rianna called out, having dropped her transformation as well.

 

“Anywhere but here.”, Krista paused to reply, but made no move to retreat after speaking.

 

“We need you.”, Rianna said, walking slowly towards her. “He's the most powerful out of all of us and you dropped him without breaking much of a sweat. You have practical experience that we don't have, but we have something that is so much more powerful than that.”

 

“Yeah? And what would that be, your Highness? The power of love and friendship??”, Krista asked, turning to face her.

 

“I wouldn't put it quite that way… but yes. The Enemy isn't going to attack you from the front… they're going to come at you sideways and from behind. That is how they operate. You can't watch your own back all the time if you want to see where you're going.”

 

Krista paused at that. “Teach us how to fight. You are impressive in your own way, and the Enemy fears you. Use that fear. Use your anger. You cannot defeat them alone. Does it matter who your allies are when your adversary is the same?”, Rianna asked. “Either we will win, or we will die. Either way, in the end, you don't have to look at any of us again if you don't want to. Wouldn't you rather be around afterward to savor the satisfaction of not having to be around us?”, she continued, pleading in her voice.

 

“I can't stand watching them all the time.”, Krista finally admitted after a long silence between them.

 

Rianna paused, thinking before her reply. “He likes you.”, she said slowly, nodding her head towards the still-unconscious Polaris. “I can tell that there is some sort of something between the two of you. Don't you recognize this? You're the…”

 

“Senshi of Love. Yeah yeah yeah. I've heard this all before.”, Krista interrupted, looking off in the distance, seeing seven figures traveling towards the city. Rianna turned to see what she was looking at.

 

“They'll be here in a few hours… and we'll be here for a week or so.”, Rianna said quietly as she walked towards Polaris to pick him up and drape him over her shoulder. Krista watched in muted surprise as the seemingly small girl picked up her larger companion and carry him as though it were nothing.

 

“You don't have to come with us. But you need us, just like we need you.”, Rianna finished before turning to walk away. She paused and looked over her shoulder. “You familiar with computers?”, she asked.

 

Krista nodded in reply. “Well, do a residence search under your name. I communicated ahead to secure us places to stay. The city's computer system will tell you how to get home.”, Rianna finished as she began to walk away.

 

“Home…”, she repeated softly after Rianna was out of earshot.

 

She finally found one of the computer systems mentioned after walking along the aerial paths for a few minutes and got directions to the place where she was to stay. She had declined the clothes set up for her when she first arrived and was surprised at the stark contrast between her dark, muted clothing and the garb of the citizens of Rheynsalia. As such, she attracted stares from everyone that she passed.

 

She laughed self-consciously as she thought to herself that once, she was the champion of her people and how now she was an alien amongst the populace. This feeling lasted until she reached the doorway marked on the map that she was shown. A pad with the outline of the right hand was placed conveniently near the doorway and she placed her palm on it.

 

The doorway opened into the apartment allocated for her and she stepped inside. The interior lighting came on as she entered, illuminating the space set for her.