Sailor Moon Fan Fiction ❯ The Saga of Mercury ❯ Two Showdowns: Long... and Quick ( Chapter 15 )

The Saga of Mercury

Chapter 15

"Two Showdowns:

Long… and Quick"

Written by Jose I. Ramos

Portions based on "Mercury Knight stories" by Ryuuen No Miko

"Sailor Moon" and all related characters are copyrighted by Naoko Takeuchi, Kodansha, TOEI Animation and other agencies.

Storyline © 2003 Jose I. Ramos

Revised 10-23-03

DISCLAIMERS

As usual, "Sailor Moon" and all related characters are copyrighted by Naoko Takeuchi, Kodansha, TOEI Animation and other agencies.

The Saga of Mercury story is copyrighted by me, however content in some chapters is based on the Mercury Knight Stories as described in the Chapter 1 Introduction.

Rose quote located in this chapter is based on text from "The Rose Ceremony", written by the Honorable Mark Ovard.

This text is located on the Dallas-Fort Worth Wedding Exchange website, at http://www.dfwx.com

The author of The Saga of Mercury does not challenge the rights to the text of "The Rose Ceremony".

The song "Yatta" is performed by Happatai. The author of this story does not challenge the rights to the title and lyrics of this song.

Chapter 15 - Two Showdowns: Long… and Quick

In the middle of the park, the sun slowly setting behind the clouds in the west, stood Sailor Mercury and Mercury Knight.

They, along with Tuxedo Mask, Luna and Artemis, told the other scouts that they had to come to a mandatory meeting in the park tonight to discuss the future of the Sailor Scouts and the Knights. During that meeting, Sailor Mercury and Mercury Knight would attempt to give to them their respective rings… and Tuxedo Mask would try to change Sailor Moon and Sailor Mini Moon's ways.

"It's getting late," said Sailor Mercury. "They should have been here by now."

"I guess we're the only two that are 100% punctual," responded Mercury Knight.

Sailor Mercury then looked in the distance… and spotted everyone walking their way.

"Ah, here they come now," said Sailor Mercury. "But… they're all walking together!"

Walking toward Sailor Mercury and Mercury Knight from a distance were, Venus Knight, Sailor Venus, Jupiter Knight, Sailor Jupiter, Sailor Moon, Sailor Mini Moon, Tuxedo Mask, Sailor Mars and Mars Knight. They all seemed to be marching in unison, just like soldiers.

Sprinting ahead of them were Luna and Artemis.

"Do you think they finally made amends?" asked Mercury Knight. "Do you think Tuxedo Mask used the powers from his roses to turn them the right way?"

"Well, here come Luna and Artemis, maybe they'll tell us," responded Sailor Mercury.

Luna and Artemis were running ahead toward Sailor Mercury and Mercury Knight… but with worried looks on their faces.

"You two, we have a problem!" said Luna.

"Something's gone wrong with all of them…" started Artemis.

"MARS FIRE BLADE CHARGE!" yelled Mars Knight.

"LOOK OUT!" yelled Mercury Knight.

Sailor Mercury and Mercury Knight jumped out of the way of Mars Knight's fire blade attack… just in time.

"CRESCENT BEAM!" shouted Sailor Venus.

Mercury Knight had to split off from Sailor Mercury as each tried to dodge the Crescent Beam attack.

Soon everyone was throwing their best shots at the two.

Mercury Knight took a brief stillness to try to get an answer from Tuxedo Mask. "What's going on, Tuxedo Mask?"

"What's going on," he responded, "is that I'm tired of YOU giving all the suggestions around here! I AM YOUR LEADER and I can do whatever I want… and I'm making sure that you, along with your Sailor friend, don't give suggestions anymore!"

"Greg!" yelled Sailor Mercury. Mercury Knight turned around to see Sailor Mercury look up at a high tree limb. She then looked back at Mercury Knight and winked at him.

"SPARKLING WIDE PRESSURE!" yelled Sailor Jupiter.

"BURNING MANDALA!" yelled Sailor Mars.

Sailor Mercury and Mercury Knight were dancing again, trying to avoid the attacks. As soon as Sailor Mercury had a free chance, she formed a fog bubble and dispersed it, yelling "SHABON SPRAY!"

As soon as the fog spread out to cover everyone, Sailor Mercury and Mercury Knight darted up to the tree limb.

"Come out wherever you are!" yelled Sailor Moon, trying to see through the fog. "For evil and darkness, I AM SAILOR MOON, the CHAMPION OF THE NEGAVERSE!"

Sailor Mercury gasped. Mercury Knight's eyes went wide open.

"LET ME AT `EM! LET ME AT `EM!" yelled an alert Sailor Mini Moon.

Mercury Knight turned to his partner. "Ideas?"

"We need to look at this situation more carefully."

"Ok, why don't we do an computer interface to see if we can pick up anything?"

"Right," responded Sailor Mercury.

The two joined hands and activated their super computer visors. A golden yellow tint could be seen covering their eyes.

They zoomed in and scanned the scouts, the knights, and Tuxedo Mask.

Mercury Knight spotted pulses of waves. "I can see some waves coming out of their… no, wait… they're going INTO their head."

Sailor Mercury then did some research in her brain. "These are very different waves than the ones that I studied before we came here."

"They've got to be hypnotic waves… maybe the guys are getting different… instructions… from the Negaverse?" said Mercury Knight.

"That has to be it," responded Sailor Mercury. "The Negaverse… has turned our friends against us, and… but… I don't get it… Tuxedo Mask… wasn't he on our side?"

"Well, I don't know," said Mercury Knight. "The rose should have protected him. Maybe it was the change in the wave frequencies?"

"Or, he might have still been Darien when this happened…" said Sailor Mercury, "but, we'll have to discuss this later… I just thought of something…"

Sailor Mercury had to communicate this idea fast, since the fog was starting to vanish.

"I think the logical thing to do," she said, "is to try to get Tuxedo Mask back… then we'll deal with the others."

"I'm with you," he answered.

"All right," Sailor Mercury shouted toward the throng, "if you want to fight with the Negaverse instead of against it, then so be it! For love and justice, I am the sailor-suited pretty soldier of intelligence, and protector of water! I AM SAILOR MERCURY!"

"And I'm the protector and defender of the planet Mercury, and its princess! I AM MERCURY KNIGHT, and don't you forget about that!"

"In the name of Mercury," said Sailor Mercury…

"…WE SHALL PUNISH YOU!" said both of them.

"And right now, we speak for the Moon, too!" said Mercury Knight.

The fog was slowly dispersing. The first figure that they could see through the fog… was Tuxedo Mask.

Tuxedo Mask wasted no time in throwing a rose… black in color… directly at Sailor Mercury. The rose was traveling so fast, Sailor Mercury had no time to react. As she was about to shut her eyes, the hand of her knight caught the rose.

Mercury Knight quickly looked at the leaves to determine the wind speed, then threw the rose back to Tuxedo Mask, saying, "Ha! Why don't you try again, Mister Tuxedo?"

Tuxedo Mask stepped away from the rose's path… But the rose curved direction, thanks to the wind. The stem stuck right into Tuxedo Mask's chest.

Tuxedo Mask opened his eyes. "AAHHH… what's… happening…" he struggled to say. He was clenching tightly to the rose, which was beginning to glow a bright red. He started to shake and tremor, and went down on one knee… then the tremors stopped. He removed the rose, looked up at Sailor Mercury and Mercury Knight… and jumped up to meet them.

"What… happened? I felt a little dizzy there," said Tuxedo Mask, removing his top hat and holding his head.

Mercury Knight had a hand on his sword handle. "Quickly, whom do you work for?" he asked.

"Whom do I work for?" I'm Tuxedo Mask, friend of the Sailor Scouts!" responded Tuxedo Mask.

Sailor Mercury smiled. "Welcome back!"

"Did we cure the others yet?" asked Tuxedo Mask.

"Nope, remember, you got hit, too," responded Mercury Knight, "so we wanted to wait for you before we continued. Do you remember the plan that we discussed?"

Tuxedo Mask took a moment, and then said, "Right. Do you have the rings?"

"Right here," said Mercury Knight, taking out the white box.

"All right," said Tuxedo Mask. "Remember, I'll try to get Sailor Moon and Sailor Mini Moon back first, then we'll go."

"Right," said Sailor Mercury. "Ready, my love?"

"Ready as I'll ever be," said Mercury Knight. "All right Tuxedo Mask, we'll wait for your signal."

Tuxedo Mask looks down and sees the fog lifting. A moment later, Venus Knight spotted the trio in the trees. He pointed to them with his sword and yelled, "There they are! VENUS LOVE BLADE CHARGE!"

The three leaped out of the way in the nick of time. Sailor Mercury and Mercury Knight landed on their feet and started to run, trying to find a perfect waiting spot. But they realized it wouldn't be easy, when they turned their heads and saw six of their former friends chase after them. "Get them!" yelled Sailor Mars.

That left Tuxedo Mask alone with Sailor Moon and Sailor Mini Moon.

"Sailor Moon… Sailor Mini Moon…" said Tuxedo Mask, "stop what you are doing. You are being controlled by the Negaverse."

The two girls took out their Moon Rods. "We'll show you what happens when you betray us," yelled Sailor Moon.

"You've got no right to leave the Negaverse and follow them!" yelled Sailor Mini Moon.

"MOON SPIRAL HEART ATTACK!"

"PINK SUGAR HEART ATTACK!"

Tuxedo Mask immediately put both of his hands into his suit and whipped out two large bouquets of red and pink roses. All of the roses started to glow brightly. They deflected the attacks of Sailor Moon and Sailor Mini Moon into the cloudy sky.

Sailor Moon then opened her eyes wide, and dropped her Moon Rod on the ground. Sailor Mini Moon did the same. Both of them stared at the roses.

The roses sent a glowing red light toward and around both of them.

Tuxedo Mask started to look at the trees and saw the wind begin to pick up around the three of them.

A quarter mile away, Sailor Mercury and Mercury Knight were crouched in the bushes.

Sailor Mercury deactivated her computer visor and said, "All right, he's done it… now it's our turn."

Mercury Knight stood up from the bushes. "HEY NEGACREEPS! WE'RE HERE! COME AND FIND US!"

It didn't take more than a few seconds for Sailor Mars, Sailor Jupiter, Sailor Venus, Mars Knight, Jupiter Knight and Venus Knight to surround them.

Sailor Mercury stood up and looked around. A hint of nervousness could be seen in the expression on her face.

Mars Knight, Jupiter Knight and Venus Knight drew their swords… and Mercury Knight drew the open box of rings.

Mars Knight was about to charge toward them… but stopped when he saw two rings with the Mars symbol on it.

Jupiter Knight dropped his sword when he saw two Jupiter rings.

Venus Knight lowered his sword and said, "Hey, are those mine?"

Sailor Mars, Sailor Jupiter and Sailor Venus inched closer for a better look.

Sailor Mars looked in awe at the two Mars rings with the diamonds.

Sailor Jupiter, looking at the turquoise Jupiter rings, said softly, "they're beautiful."

"Opal?" said Sailor Venus, looking at her rings. "My favorite color!"

Mars Knight reached out to touch the large Mars ring… and immediately felt something weird begin to travel through his body.

The other five affected by the Negaverse started to have similar feelings as well.

Sailor Mercury looked at Mercury Knight and smiled. Her knight smiled back.

They then braced themselves for what was about to come next. They could start to see the light emanating from the rings begin to surround the six, and they noticed that the wind was starting to blow stronger.

Sailor Mercury clutched hard to Mercury Knight, who was now holding an empty white box.

When the wind died down and the lights went away, Sailor Mercury and Mercury Knight looked around.

Sailor Mars, Sailor Jupiter and Sailor Venus were gone. So were Mars Knight, Jupiter Knight and Venus Knight.

Sailor Mercury activated her visor and zoomed toward the spot where Tuxedo Mask, Sailor Moon and Sailor Mini Moon were. They were gone, too.

"Everybody's disappeared!" said Sailor Mercury, who was starting to go into a panic. "We haven't lost them, have we?"

A calm Mercury Knight put his shoulders on his princess, and said, "No, no, we haven't. I have a feeling they've gone to a better place, for now…"

"What?" said Sailor Mercury. "I don't understand what you're…"

"Well," responded Mercury Knight, who tapped back into the psychic powers given to him by being an original Rainbow Crystal carrier. "They've gone back to the Moon. They're getting their memories back."

"Whew," responded Sailor Mercury. "Well, they are coming back, aren't they?"

Mercury Knight took a moment to think, and then responded, "Yep, in a few minutes they'll be back… as their normal selves. Which gives us enough time to…"

The two suddenly felt something furry on their feet…

It was Luna and Artemis.

"Hi!" said happy Sailor Mercury, bending down to grab Luna. "Where have you two been?"

"Uh…" Artemis began, a sweatdrop on his head as Mercury Knight picked him up. "Well, we…"

"I hate to say this to you, Sailor Mercury, and I hate to say this even to myself, but that was too much for us! I was scared, but Artemis was scared too! I thought he'd at least stand up like he's suppose to."

Artemis was embarrassed. "No comment," he said.

Sailor Mercury and Mercury Knight de-transformed.

Amy and Greg walked hand in hand, Luna and Artemis at their side, towards the spot where Greg predicted the others would soon return.

"Eventually," said Luna, "we'll have to deal with this Sorinya from the Negaverse."

"Yes," said Artemis, "we now know of the hypnotic wave that she can produce, and we know that we have a barrier against it, so now we have to focus our efforts on how to get to her. Amy, do you know what could be the next step for…"

Artemis stopped talking when he looked up.

Amy's eyes were frozen, staring and smiling at Greg, as they continued to walk.

"AHEM!" said Artemis.

Amy and Greg blinked their eyes and stopped walking.

"Oh," said Amy, blushing, "sorry! I think the next step is to find some place that will lead us to her. Remember, we found Queen Beryl in a part of the arcade, so there must be some other place around here where we'd get to her."

"Sounds like a good plan," said Greg. "But right now, our friends, turned enemies, turned friends, are coming back to us." He pointed in front of him. "Right over there… in 3… 2… 1… NOW!"

Greg was right on time, as the wind picked up once more. Returning back to Earth were Serena, Rini, Darien, Raye, Chad, Lita, Ken, Mina and Jamie.

"AMY! GREG!" yelled Rini as she ran to embrace both of them. Everyone else walked toward them, wearing smiles, to exchange greetings.

"Enjoying yourselves?" said an evil voice.

Everyone gasped and turned around to see a youma molded in the shape of an eagle.

"I am Eagloria, servant of Queen Sorinya and the Negaverse, and I will wipe all of you off the face of the Earth for leaving us!"

Greg snapped, "Darien, take the girls away, we've got this covered."

Chad responded, "Wait, dude, WE have this covered?"

"I think he means him, you, me and Jamie," said Ken.

"Hey guys, I think I remember what Greg wants us to do," replied Jamie.

Darien led the girls and the cats a safe distance away, leaving Greg, Chad, Ken and Jamie to face Eagloria.

"Let's go!" yelled Greg. "MERCURY KNIGHT POWER!"

"MARS KNIGHT POWER!"

"JUPITER KNIGHT POWER!"

"VENUS KNIGHT POWER!"

Wasting no time, the four knights drew their swords and set up for their special attack.

Eagloria also wasted no time, blasting an enormous hypnotic wave toward the four.

But the wave didn't seem to break their focus. They bunched together and got ready.

"All right," yelled Mercury Knight. "You're about to find out what happens when you mess up our minds!"

"In the name of the Moon Kingdom, you are like so screwed!" said Mars Knight.

"We love our friends and our princesses!" yelled Jupiter Knight.

"And we won't let you break that bond," replied Venus Knight.

"Sure, sure, sure…" responded Eagloria. "Just try me!"

Mercury Knight pointed his sword toward Eagloria. "MERCURY ICE BLADE!"

Mars Knight, standing to Mercury Knight's right side, pointed his sword to that of Mercury's. "MARS FIRE BLADE!"

Jupiter Knight did the same on the left side. "JUPITER THUNDER BLADE!"

Venus Knight pointed his sword toward Eagloria, with the sword over Mercury Knight's head. "VENUS LOVE BLADE!"

The four knights braced themselves.

Mercury Knight yelled "SUPER ATTACK!"

At this, all four swords were beginning to react. Bright and intense light began to shine from each of the four sword blades: Blue light from Mercury Knight's sword, Red light from Mars Knight's sword, Green light from Jupiter Knight's sword, and Yellow light from Venus Knight's sword.

Mercury Knight thrust his sword forward, and all four knights yelled in unison, "CHAAAAAAARGE!"

As Mercury Knight thrust his sword, the blue light began to shoot out of the tip toward Eagloria. The red, green and yellow lights joined and seemed to dance around the blue light as they made their way toward Eagloria.

Eagloria then threw out the most powerful sonic wave that she could… and her powers, and that of the knights, clashed briefly… before the knights gained the advantage. The powerful colors of light smashed through the wave and hit Eagloria squarely in her chest.

Eagloria didn't have time to yell anything… she exploded in gray smoke as soon as the attack of the knights hit her.

The knights withdrew their swords and de-transformed.

Greg then said gently, "the aggressive knights get their revenge… but next time, we'll be cautious on using aggression."

Serena and Rini hugged Darien, while the other girls went up to hug and kiss their knights.

Having gotten rid of Sorinya's latest challenge, and a youma in one swoop, the sailor team went their separate ways to go home… it was getting late at this point.

Greg and Amy walked over to the train station so that Greg could catch his train back.

But they didn't plan on a certain young girl tagging along with them… Rini.

Rini had asked Serena and Darien if she could go with Amy and Greg to the train station. While Serena protested, Darien made her change her mind, and the two agreed.

"I'm so happy about you guys!" said a beaming Rini, holding their hands. "Amy, Greg, you're swell!"

"Uh, gee, thanks!" replied Greg. "What makes you think that?"

"It was the two of you that saved all of us! You know, from that hypnotic… thing?"

"Actually, don't give me the credit," replied Amy, "Darien had something to do with it too, remember?"

"Yeah," responded Rini, "but you two brought back six of them! Raye, Lita, Mina, and the guys… I'm very happy about that!"

Greg tapped into his psychic powers, on a hunch.

"Say, Rini," said Greg, "it sure is nice to have you around to walk me back to the train station. But is that the only reason you're walking back with us, because you're happy about us?"

"MM-HMM!" snapped a nodding Rini.

"There's nothing else, eh?"

"Nope! I'm just very, very, very, VERY HAPPYYY! I'm so happy I can sing! YATTA! YATTA! YATTA! YATTA!"

Rini was holding Amy and Greg's hands so tight, their arms flopped up and down each time Rini yelled "Yatta."

Greg stiffened his arm and said, "Rini, stop. You know Amy and I can't stand that song."

Rini stopped, and so did Amy.

"Greg, your train!" Amy protested.

"I've got time," responded Greg.

Greg turned to Rini.

"This doesn't have to do with the rings, does it?" he asked.

Rini's face gave a confused look. Her eyes were bulging and she was stammering for some answer.

"Are you upset because you don't have a ring and you want one?" asked Greg.

"Ummm…." said Rini.

"UMMM?" said Greg.

Rini dropped her face, frowned, and gave her answer in a low voice.

"yeah."

Greg crouched down and lifted Rini's chin. "Oh, don't worry about it! You don't need a ring! Your love for Serena and Darien, and their love for you, is what counts, and is what really saved you. The symbol for that was the rose… or I should say, that bouquet that you got."

"But I WANT A RING!" stomped Rini.

"Hey Rini, do you know what?" said Amy, crouching down. "I bet that if you work hard at it, and you grow up like the rest of us, you'll get a ring."

Rini thought for a moment when she heard this, then frowned again.

"Rini, listen," continued Amy. "You're still young so you still have a lot to learn. Why, when I was your age, I still had things I needed to learn… and I wasn't as smart back then as I am now. But, I'm going off topic here… don't worry about the ring. The rings are symbols of friendship and love between two people, but what really is the most important gift of love someone can give… is a rose.

"Greg and I have a friend who lives in America - his name is Mark. He said that in the past, the rose was considered a symbol of love and a single rose always meant only one thing - `I love you.' He also said, that when you do something wrong to someone, it might be difficult to say I'm sorry. If you can't find the words to say, then you can give that person a rose - because that rose says what matters most of all and overpowers all other things and all other words. That is why the rose is the most important thing - and the most important gift - that you can have."

Rini smiled as Amy was describing this to her. Then Rini hugged her and said, "Thanks, Amy! You're cool!"

"I'm cool?" said Amy. "What about Greg?"

Greg braced himself.

"He's cool too!" yelled Rini, going over to hug him.

The time came for Amy and Rini to say goodbye to Greg at the train station.

Amy thought for a moment as Greg was standing at the door of the bullet train, then said to Rini, "Rini, is that Luna-P over there?"

"LUNA-P!" Rini yelled. "Where?"

As Rini turned her head, Amy had time to shut her eyes and plant a long kiss on Greg.

Greg opened his eyes once or twice to make sure Rini wasn't looking.

When they finished kissing, Rini faced them again, hands on hips. "What were you doing?"

"Uh…" said Amy, "… playing! I was playing with you! A smart girl has to have fun sometimes, right?"

Rini gave Amy a look, then smiled and said, "yeah, I guess so."

"OK guys, I'm on my way!" said Greg. "Bye Rini! I'll be back tomorrow! Don't you forget!"

"I won't!" replied Rini.

Greg stepped into the train and looked at Amy - for what seemed to be an eternity - as the doors closed and the bullet train started on its way.

Amy walked Rini back to Serena's house, and then walked home.

In Serena's house, Rini was telling Luna about Amy and Greg, and about roses.

Luna thought to herself, "Amy and Greg are not like Serena… they always seem very kind and gentle - and cheerful - whenever they're around Rini…"

Then Luna had a vision appear in her head.

To which she replied… "Amy and Greg… better start getting used to that soon…"

End of Chapter 15

Now that everyone is back together, thanks to the Scout Rings (and those bouquets), what will Queen Sorinya do next?

Will she continue to target Amy?

Or will she change her plans and try something else?

You'll find out in the sixteenth chapter of The Saga of Mercury.

The Saga of Mercury Chapter 15 - Two Showdowns: Long… and Quick 3

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