Sailor Moon Fan Fiction ❯ The Saga of Mercury ❯ Rebuilding and Friendship ( Chapter 24 )

The Saga of Mercury

Chapter 24

"Rebuilding and Friendship"

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

DISCLAIMER

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.

Please feel free to write a critique or send your comments to JRHORSE98@AOL.COM with the subject line, in all caps, SAGA OF MERCURY.

This chapter is dedicated to the seven astronauts that America and the world lost on February 1, 2003, in the Space Shuttle

Columbia disaster.

May their souls, through the mercy of God, rest in peace.

Chapter 24 - Rebuilding and Friendship

News of the fiery destruction of the Hikawa Shrine reached every part of Tokyo… of the country… even the entire world…

…and, the Negaverse.

Quartzia was about to tell Sorinya the great news… but there was one problem.

She's STILL snoring? Quartzia thought to herself. Well then, in that case, I have to do something that will wake her up… the destruction of the shrine has emotionally weakened the sailor scouts. Soon I will unleash my latest plan, en route to the destruction of SAILOR MERCURY!

Quartzia chuckled to herself as Sorinya continued to snore.

Quartzia expected the destruction of Hikawa Shrine to emotionally destroy the bond of the sailor scouts and knights.

But the result that Quartzia expected… was otherwise.

The shrine's destruction was big news, so much that many prominent people in the political, entertainment and wealthy groups of the city donated money for the rebuilding of the shrine. One such entertainer was reported to have said that Hikawa was "a treasure of Japan that we must not lose forever."

The rebuilding of the shrine began three days after its destruction. Amy and Greg were able to get together to design blueprints for the shrine, based what it originally looked like.

The entire team of sailor scouts and knights, together with local construction workers and other skilled volunteers, began to reconstruct the shrine, working different shifts, around the clock, to put the pieces in place.

Grandpa Hino, Chad and Raye oversaw the entire reconstruction process, and spent their nights at the home of a very special friend…

Serena Tsukino.

It was not more than three weeks since the start of the rebuilding process that everything was finished… and everything was restored to the way it was before the fiery destruction occurred.

The sailor scouts and knights went to Hikawa Shrine to help Grandpa, Raye and Chad settle back in, and to post flyers announcing the grand re-opening of the shrine, which would occur in a few days.

They all went around and through the shrine… and they were all satisfied.

A beaming Raye was extremely happy. "Thanks guys! I really appreciate all that you've done for us."

"Hey girl," said Lita, "You're one of our closest friends… you're like sisters to us… we love you so much, we just couldn't pass up on this."

"I think I'm going to perform a song," said Chad.

Raye had a sweatdrop on her head. "Uh, no thank you, Chad, there are many priests that are coming for the re-dedication ceremony, that's enough fanfare for us, I think."

"But I really want to re-open the shrine with LOTS of fanfare!"

"You can go over to the new charms stand, that's what you can do!"

Greg smiled and whispered to Amy, "Yep, they're back to normal."

Turning to Ken, Greg asked, "Do you have everything planned for the re-opening?"

"Uh, yeah," said Ken, "we have about fifteen priests coming in, and they'll perform the re-dedication ceremony. First, Raye and the mayor are going to give brief speeches at the entrance at the bottom of the stairs.

"Then the priests will perform, and then we'll close everything out with fireworks."

"Fireworks?" asked Greg.

"Yeah," replied Ken. "They're going to shoot some fireworks high in the air from Hitosugi Park."

"Who ever suggested fireworks?" asked Greg.

Mina stepped in between the two gentlemen, and said in a royal voice, "That would be me, Miss Beauty! I've got to add some pizzaz to the ceremony, too, you know."

Jamie then stepped in. "And just who do you think is going to approve a fireworks display?"

Mina smiled and looked confident, saying, "I spoke to Raye's grandfather about it and he likes the idea."

"Well then," said Jamie, "he's the owner… if he likes it, then…"

"…There's not much we can really do other than respect his request," said Greg, who was looking around. "Where did he go, anyway?"

"Ha," said a laughing Ken, "must be happy with his new place that he… got lost, or something…"

Amara and Michelle stepped forward. "I'm worried that the Negacreeps are planning something," said Amara.

"I am too," said Amy, "and that's why I've come up with a plan to make sure that nothing serious happens."

"What do you think?" asked Michelle.

"Well, Greg and I will be transformed from the start of the ceremonies to the end of the fireworks… maybe a bit longer… and we'll be using our computers and scanners to see if we pick up anything. If we do find something then we will let you know on the cell phones and communicators."

"It's a good plan," said Greg.

"I just want to love someone like you," sung Chad in a loud voice.

Everyone had to cover their ears… including Serena.

"And they think I'm pathetic…" she said.

The day of the re-opening of Hikawa Shrine finally arrived. At 4 PM, the town mayor and Raye were ready to deliver their speeches in front of the hundreds of people - and several news cameras - that had showed up.

Standing at the front of the crowd were Serena, Darien, Ken, Lita and Mina.

Jamie was at the back of the crowd, as the lookout… with a close eye on Sailor Mercury and Mercury Knight, who were hidden at the top of one of the buildings, visors activated, scanning for signs of evil activity.

As for Amara and Michelle… they were nowhere near the Hikawa Shrine. Instead they were in the Porsche, on their way to pick up Rini and Sasha from their first day of school.

The mayor was in the process of giving a short but rousing speech. "This shrine is a testament to our past, the present, and our future," he said. "It is a landmark for all of Japan, and I am very happy to see the re-building process completed today."

Sailor Mercury, visor activated, was switching her attention frequently from scanning for evil to listening to the speeches, and applauded when she heard the mayor.

"What do you think Raye's going to say?" said Mercury Knight.

"Well, she's about to speak," said Sailor Mercury.

The two kept switching their attention between one thing and the other as Raye began her speech.

"When I was a very young girl," she started, "I never understood what living and worshipping in a shrine was all about. All I knew was that I had a grandpa who would sometimes be wacky… but would always love him very much. Then the years pass… and we come to today. I…"

Raye shivered a bit as she continued.

"I have just passed through one of the darkest moments of my entire life. I saw what happened to the shrine… but I knew that when the smoke had cleared, we would rebuild. Not only the shrine, but also a new set of memories. But we cannot forget the past. The memories of the past now join the memories of today, and of the future, as we re-open this shrine to everyone. In it all, my grandfather, my boyfriend and companion Chad, and many, many friends, have contributed to making this all possible."

Everyone clapped.

"There are two people in particular that I would like to thank for everything that they have done for us…"

Raye was cut off by sudden gusts of wind, which began to blow in from two different directions.

Dust was starting to kick up from the ground, and everyone had to close their eyes.

Sailor Mercury and Mercury Knight tried to locate where the wind was coming from… but were dumbfounded. "I really can't tell from where," said Mercury Knight. "The amount of dust is making it hard…"

The dust storm prompted everyone to take shelter in the lobbies of the buildings that were across the street.

Chad went into one of the buildings with Grandpa Hino, while Raye, Serena, Darien, Ken, Lita, Mina and Jamie stayed outside.

Raye ran down from the podium and attempted to find the others. She could see where they were… barely.

"They're getting ready to transform," said Sailor Mercury, deactivating her visor.

"We'd better join them," said Mercury Knight, doing the same.

Sailor Mercury and Mercury Knight proceeded to jump off the roof to join their friends…

Or so they thought…

When they found that their feet had been frozen to the ground.

"Oh, crap," went Mercury Knight.

"It appears that we're stuck!" yelled Sailor Mercury.

Mercury Knight looked at his princess. "NO, REALLY?" he responded.

It was then that they heard evil laughter emanating from behind them.

They turned around to see…

"Behold! I am Quartzia, loyal servant to Queen Sorinya and the Negaverse! I have come to wreak havoc on anyone that stands in the way of the Negaverse!"

"Which means that I'll have to step in to fix that," said Mercury Knight, reaching for his sword.

Quartzia snapped her fingers. Before they knew it, Sailor Mercury and Mercury Knight found their hands at their sides, unable to move them.

"Right now, there's nothing you can do about the dust cloud, or ME!" yelled Quartzia. "The one that currently stands in the way of the Negaverse is Sailor Mercury, and I have come to carry out her destruction!"

"You'll never be able to destroy us!" said Sailor Mercury.

"Oh I see," said Quartzia, "you two love each other? Well then I'll make sure you're all together…"

Another snap of the fingers sent the feet of the two sliding together, until Sailor Mercury and Mercury Knight ended up back to back.

"Now, I may not be one nice person to deal with, but I'm willing to make a deal with you…"

"NO! We make no deals with you!" said Mercury Knight.

"Well, maybe you'll think twice after you see what I'll put on the table…"

With that, Quartzia made two bright bubbles of air appear on either side of her.

Inside these bubbles, unconscious, were…

"Rini?" said Mercury Knight.

"SASHA!" yelled Sailor Mercury.

"You wouldn't!" yelled Mercury Knight.

"Oh I think I would… now I don't have a lot of time so I'll make this quick… you have two choices… you can either forfeit your actual powers to the Negaverse, and you live out your normal, insignificant lives, and I spare these two young children that I plucked out of school early today… or you can keep your powers, live out your normal, insignificant lives… be the superheroes that everyone keeps talking about… and these two children belong to the Negaverse, FOREVER!"

"NO!" wailed Sailor Mercury who was starting to shed a tear.

Mercury Knight was stunned. Give up his power… or give up the children… the ones who would be the future of the moon kingdom.

There was a long pause…

"Make up your mind… oh did I tell you… if you waste time and don't give me an answer… the two of you… will DIE!"

Which forced Sailor Mercury to say: "Greg?"

"Yes?"

"I'm going to miss being Sailor Mercury."

"You are, eh? Well… I'm going to miss being… your knight in shining armor. But I'll love you nonetheless."

"And I will love you, too, for as long as I live."

"So," said Quartzia, "you've officially made up your mind?"

"Yes," said Mercury Knight. "We have chosen to…"

"To KICK YOUR REAR END!" said a voice from above.

Quartzia, Sailor Mercury and Mercury Knight looked high overhead.

The wind was still strong, blowing leaves and flower petals, as two familiar faces descended onto the rooftop.

"I hate it when someone always interferes with our affairs. Whether it's down and dirty, or something as little as snatching the kids we try to pick up from school. Your irate behavior toward them will not be tolerated anymore! I'm SAILOR URANUS!"

"And I am SAILOR NEPTUNE. Release those two girls right this minute, or we shall have to harm you."

Quartzia extended her hand, sending a huge gust of wind that almost knocked Uranus and Neptune to the ground.

"Uranus!" said Mercury Knight.

"Neptune!" yelled Sailor Mercury.

Sailor Uranus stood straight up and took a few steps forward. "THAT'S IT," she yelled, extending her right hand upward. "WORLD SHAKING!"

The World Shaking attack squarely hit Quartzia, vibrating her all over and bursting the bubbles that Sasha and Rini were in. The two collapsed hard onto the rooftop.

The attack also cut off Quartzia's hold on Sailor Mercury and Mercury Knight, as the two found themselves freely moving their feet and hands again.

Mercury Knight looked at Sasha… then at Sailor Neptune.

"I know what you're thinking," said Neptune, raising her arms above her head. "DEEP SUBMERGE!"

"MERCURY ICE BLADE CHARGE!"

"SHINE AQUA ILLUSION!"

The combined attack of the three sent super cooled water toward Quartzia. It froze all around her immediately upon contact.

With Quartzia in an icy shell, unable to move, Mercury Knight said "And now, it's time to take you off the air."

"STOP!" yelled a voice from behind.

Mercury Knight turned his head. So did the other sailors.

Standing on the rooftop, having ascended above the dust…

…Was Sailor Mars.

Sailor Mars, an angry look that matched the color of her long flowing hair, marched straight past everyone… and toward Quartzia.

"I'd let her finish it off," said Mercury Knight.

"Let's make sure she doesn't go over the edge…" said Sailor Mercury.

"YOU…" said Sailor Mars. "YOU… YOU WERE THE ONE THAT CAUSED THE DESTRUCTION TO THE HIKAWA SHRINE! YOU WERE THE ONE THAT MADE PHOBOS AND DEIMOS INTO YOUR TEMPORARY SERVANTS TO WREAK HAVOC ON EVERYTHING!"

Quartzia responded… but her response was mumbled thanks to the ice that was surrounding her.

Sailor Mars brought her hands together. "YOU MUST PAY FOR THE DESTRUCTION THAT YOU'VE CAUSED… BURNING MANDALA!"

With those words, Sailor Mars sent the largest Burning Mandala attack of her life to the frozen Quartzia… who could do nothing as the rings of fire burned through the ice, and burned through her.

Quartzia, who was now in flames, was able to yell out…

"IT'S… NOT… OVER!"

She, and the fire, disappeared in a puff of yellow smoke.

Sailor Mars collapsed onto her knees. Mercury Knight, Sailor Mercury, Sailor Uranus and Sailor Neptune ran up to her.

Sailor Mars smiled. "I'm very happy now."

"I'm proud of you," said Mercury Knight. "You didn't get your emotions too far ahead of you and repeat that attack out of retribution."

"I wonder how the others are doing," asked Mars.

"I wonder how the girls are doing!" said Sailor Mercury.

Sailors Mercury and Neptune attended to Rini and Sasha, while Sailor Uranus, Sailor Mars and Mercury Knight looked down off the rooftop and to the street, where the dust had now completely cleared.

Serena, Darien, Lita, Ken, Mina and Jamie were all starting to get on their feet… all covered in dust.

"You guys could use a shower!" yelled Mercury Knight.

"Oh, be quiet," said Jamie with a smile. "Is everything all right up there?"

"Another creep the Negaverse caused this," said Uranus. "She's out, but not gone."

"Her name is Quartzia," said Mercury Knight.

"How's Chad and Grandpa?" asked Sailor Mars.

"They're all doing fine, they've been inside on the ground floor all this time," said Darien. "I bet with the dust cloud, they couldn't have seen a thing."

"Blecch! Blecch! cough-cough blech!" said Serena, coughing up dirt and trying to shake the dirt off her clothes. "OH!" she moaned, "the dirt got on my new jeans!"

"Call everyone out, I'll de-transform and finish my speech," said Sailor Mars.

The others respected Sailor Mars' request and brought everyone outside.

When everyone had found their way back to the shrine's steps, Raye re-appeared and apologized. "It's very unusual that dust storms are caused by the weather around here. Now I think I was about to talk about the people that I wanted to thank for helping all of us out…"

As Raye was speaking, Sailor Mercury and Mercury Knight were on the rooftop with Sailor Mini Moon and Sailor Mini Mercury, who had transformed. Sailors Uranus and Neptune had already de-transformed and had gone down to street level.

"I don't know what was going on," said Mini Moon.

"My teacher was acting strange today," said Mini Mercury.

"Really?" said Mercury Knight. "Well in that case we have to keep an eye on your school in the future…"

"There are two people that I'd like to thank in particular for everything that they've done for us," continued Raye.

"Perhaps," said Mercury Knight, "some of the teachers are being influenced by the Negaverse, so we wouldn't want to see…"

"Quiet!" said Sailor Mercury.

"What?" asked Mercury Knight.

"Raye… Raye's talking about us!"

"Us?"

"Amy and Greg are two very special friends," said Raye. "I might not match to them when it comes to IQ, but since they're smart, they've been the ones that have helped us out the most. With their heart, their dedication, and their love… well, we may have not finished this in a short amount of time."

"What do you think of that?" said Mercury Knight.

"I… I don't know what to say!" said Sailor Mercury.

"I'm happy that you two have made a difference!" said Sailor Mini Mercury.

"We'll have to make up for what she said then," said Mercury Knight.

"I wonder why she hasn't mentioned Serena?" said Mini Moon.

"Also," said Raye, "on the subject of friendship, there's another true friend named Serena."

Serena took a step back and covered her mouth.

"There!" said Mini Moon.

"I don't know if there's a better, truer, more loyal friend that I have than Serena. We share a lot of common interests… and we also share a lot of common differences… we fight sometimes, but after every fight, I think to myself that fighting actually brings us closer."

Serena was crying… but not loudly like she normally does.

"Make no mistake, I love all of my friends… but when you really come down to basics, Serena's the one I hold close to my heart. I love her very much."

Serena ran onto the stage and hugged the life out of Raye.

The news reporters were off and running, taking the best photos that they could.

"And I love you TOO!!!" yelled a teary Serena.

After a few seconds, Raye relinquished herself from Serena. "Ok, that's enough," she said. "With that," she said, directing her attention to the crowd, "I hereby declare the Hikawa Shrine OPEN!"

Cheers from the crowd rose again as the press conference drew to a close.

Shortly thereafter, the priests began to file into the shrine, one by one, to say their blessings.

As the sky became darker, it was almost time to start the fireworks show.

The entire sailor team was on the roof for a high view of the pyrotechnic spectacular, except for Chad, who decided to watch the fireworks with Grandpa Hino from inside the shrine.

Everyone was in regular clothes, except for Sailor Mercury and Mercury Knight, who were still in their fuku and uniform, respectively, still searching for any last sign of evil.

It was a long day, and Sailor Mercury and Mercury Knight were starting to feel a bit tired.

The fireworks began to the delight of everyone… and the intensity of the fireworks kept the two from Mercury awake.

Sasha was sitting down with her future parents. "This is wonderful!" she said.

"Oh yeah, fireworks are supposed to be wonderful. Do you know that they were designed in…"

Mercury Knight stopped when Sasha's head began to lean against his body.

"Sasha, are you all right?"

Sasha rolled her big blue eyes up to look at Greg, and nodded her head.

Mercury Knight then turned to Sailor Mercury… who had leaned on his shoulder, then and there.

Mercury Knight thought for a moment. "Oh, well," he said, wrapping his arms around the two of them.

Everyone enjoyed the fireworks display. When it was over, Darien asked everyone to look his way.

Darien was seated with Serena and Rini.

Rini was giggling, but quieted by Darien quickly.

Darien then turned to Serena.

"I'll make this nice and quick, Serena," he said, holding out a closed rose.

"What's up with that rose, Darien?" asked Jamie.

Darien just smiled at him… then looked back at Serena. "Ever since I knew you were going to be the future Moon Princess, I knew that some day I had to fulfill our destiny. I'd like to take that step real soon…"

Darien reached into the center of the rose, and pulled out…

A crescent… diamond… ring.

Serena gasped. So did the rest of the girls.

"Darien?" said Mercury Knight.

"Greg!" responded Darien before turning back to Serena.

Darien shook for a moment before steadying himself.

"Serena Tsukino," he said, "when you finish all of your school work, and I know you will… I want to know if you would do me the honor… of becoming my wife."

Immediately, Greg felt something from inside, and whispered to Amy, "Stand by, something's going to happen to Serena…"

Serena looked at the ring…

And fainted.

The Saga of Mercury Chapter 24 - Rebuilding and Friendship 13

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