Sailor Moon Fan Fiction ❯ The Saga of Mercury ❯ For the Love of a Friend ( Chapter 26 )

The Saga of Mercury

Chapter 26

"For the Love of a Friend"

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.

Chapter 26 - For the Love of a Friend

Amy, Greg and Sasha hurried out of the park and down into the subway to take the train that would bring them to the hospital in Shinjuku.

The subway ride to Shinjuku was only eight minutes… but to the Mercury trio, it seemed to be longer than that.

"Can't we go any faster?" said Sasha in her seat on the train.

"We'll get there as soon as we can," Amy replied.

As they exited the train station, walking at a swift pace, they ran into Mina and Jamie.

"So I guess you guys know," said Jamie.

"Yeah, I just joined them in the park when we got the call," said Greg.

"Did Darien tell you anything?" asked Mina.

"No," replied Greg, "other than Ken's been hit by a car, come right away."

"That's as much as we got," said Jamie. "Mina was in the middle of making me some of her homemade cookies when he called us."

As Mina walked ahead of the pace, Greg whispered into Jamie's ear, "Well at least they'd be much better than Serena's…"

Before they knew it, the five were standing at the entrance to the hospital.

The five of them walked in, and inquired at the reception desk as to where the general visitors area was. The receptionist pointed the way, and soon the five found themselves in a high, round, glass atrium, with a snack bar and receptionist counter in the center. Seats for visitors circled around the center of the atrium like layers on a cake.

It was not too crowded, which made it easy for Mina to see…

"Serena!"

At the east wing of the atrium were Serena, Darien, Rini, Chad, Raye and Michelle.

The greetings were quick, as Greg snapped to the case.

"So?" Greg asked Darien.

"So… it doesn't look so good," replied Darien. "I was able to talk to one of the doctors a few minutes ago. Apparently it was a hit and run… a guy was driving the taxi too fast, and as Ken was on his way to a restaurant to meet up with Lita, the taxi plowed right into him… and didn't stop."

Amy covered her open mouth, while Mina put her hand on the side of her face in disbelief.

Sasha was very puzzled. "Is that bad?"

"Uh-huh," replied Rini. "Darien said that rarely happens here."

"And I think Darien's right," Greg responded. "So what's Ken's status now?"

Darien lowered his head. "He's critical," he said. "They say that he broke one of his shoulders, and he lost a lot of blood."

"Oh, no," said Greg. "So we don't know if he'll be all right?"

"Not right now," said Darien. "The doctors have him sedated."

"And I don't know what that means," said Serena.

"Sedated means he's in a deep sleep," replied Amy, taking a breath. "This doesn't sound good."

"What I'd like to know right now is, what about Lita?" said Jamie. "Does she feel all right? Does she even know about this?"

"I don't know how she found out at the restaurant," said Serena, "but she got here faster than we did… she's all alone in the cafeteria…"

Serena's eyes looked down and toward the side.

"She was crying, and going like, `Why, why, why'."

"Well haven't you talked to her?" said Mina.

"Darien's tried, Serena's tried, and I've even tried," said Michelle. "She doesn't feel like speaking to anyone right now."

"She's probably worried about Ken," said Sasha.

"Probably?" said Greg. "Try definitely."

The group fell silent for a while.

"Her parents are dead, and who knows about Ken," said Serena. "Lita must feel very lonely right now."

"Lonely?" said Sasha.

Serena nodded her head.

"You know, whenever I felt lonely, I always talked to my mom and dad," said Sasha. "If I, or anyone in the moon kingdom, had some kind of problem, they would always take care of it."

"And just who are your future parents, Sasha?" asked Darien.

All eyes fell on Amy and Greg.

"Are you saying that Greg and I should try talking to her?" said Amy.

Michelle smiled. "If Sasha's correct, then you two have the best shot of getting through to her."

"And knowing Sasha… I'd say it's worth a shot," said Greg.

"I know one thing, Mina and I would make the world's worst counselors," said Jamie.

"All right," said Amy, "so the rest of you will stay here and see if you can find out anything else about Ken?"

"Yeah, I guess one of us will come over if anything happens," said Darien.

"Can I come with you?" said Sasha to Greg and Amy.

"Sasha, I don't think…" started Darien.

"No, I DO think," said Greg, cutting in. "If Sasha remembers anything about what her future parents have said when it comes to topics like this, then believe me, she'll be a big help. Just in case we slip."

"If you guys weren't here, then Raye would be the next best thing, but she's with Chad watching Luna and Artemis at the temple," said Michelle.

"So we'll see you guys later," said Amy.

Amy, Greg and Sasha made their way toward the receptionist desk in the center of the Atrium.

"Greg!" yelled Darien. "Look on your left, go down all the way to the end and turn right."

"Thanks," replied Greg.

As the three left the area, a man in a white coat approached Darien.

Darien bowed. "Hello Doctor Takata," he said.

Dr. Takata shook his head. "It is getting worse and worse. We are running out of blood supply for Ken."

"What do you mean?" said Darien. "I thought you were supposed to carry all types of blood for any kind of patient."

"Ken is different," said Takata. "He has a special type of O blood that we carried in limited supply. But when we went to get more of that blood just, we couldn't find any. We suspect that this particular blood supply may have been stolen, and just that supply, because we have our others in full stock.

"So what does that mean?" asked Mina.

"If we can't find any blood of that type," said the doctor, "then we may lose Ken in a matter of hours."

Amy, Greg and Sasha made their way down the long corridor, and found the entrance to the cafeteria on the right side.

The large, red double doors stared the three directly in the face.

"I'm a bit nervous," said Sasha.

"Keep your head up high, and be strong," said Amy. "Didn't your parents ever tell you that?" she said, looking at Greg and smiling.

Greg smiled and nodded in reply.

Sasha held her head up high as she pushed open the cafeteria doors, Greg and Amy following right behind her.

The cafeteria was very stylish and modern, looking more like a business class airport lounge than the ordinary cafeteria. It was very spacious, with large leather appointments for all of the individual and couch-type seats, complimented with circular, spotless wooden tables.

Like the main atrium, this cafeteria was pretty empty… save for a few men in business suits eating their afternoon snack…

And, in the middle of one couch, a tall, young girl, with brown hair and a ponytail, in a brown and white school uniform, her arms and face buried into the top of a table.

"That's her," said Greg.

Greg was about to step forward, when Amy held him back. "We should walk up to her very slowly," she said.

They slowly and cautiously made their way through to where Lita was.

Amy and Sasha sat down to her left, and Greg to her right.

The three didn't say anything right away.

Lita was motionless… but…

Greg bent his head slightly toward Lita… then looked at Amy and Sasha. He pointed to his right ear a few times and silently mouthed what appeared to be the word "listen."

Amy and Sasha listened carefully…

To what appeared to be soft sounds of crying.

Amy looked at Greg and nodded… then put her hand on Lita's shoulder.

"Lita," said Amy in a soft voice. "Lita?"

Lita didn't budge.

"It's us… Greg, Amy, and Sasha…" said Greg softly.

After a few moments, Lita raised her head.

Her entire face was a dark shade of red. The makeup under her eyes appeared to be distorted from the amount of tears that she shed… and the tears were still, slowly, coming out.

"I…" said a shaky Lita, "I… can't say anything… right now…"

"We're very sorry to hear what happened, and we hope that Ken comes out all right," said Greg.

"Thank you," said Lita in reply, "but I don't know if he'll… make it…"

Lita buried her head into her arms again.

Greg put his arm around her. "Lita… why do you say that?"

Lita's red face turned to face Greg.

It took a moment for her to speak. At first, breaths broke her words into syllables.

"W… whe… when I… f… first met him… we were young… well… you know the story… right?"

"Yes," said Amy, "you've said this countless of times, that the revelation of Ken as your knight from Jupiter was the most important moment of your life,"

Hearing that, Lita slowly, but finally, sat up on the couch. She wiped the tears from her face, and lifted her finger.

"Well," she said, "that wasn't the only important moment of my life… there was… another…"

"Another?" said Sasha.

"Another," replied Lita, looking down and glum, but slowly starting to show a smile. "It was… the day I broke up with my first boyfriend… that jerk left me crying in the rain… and then Ken was there, with an umbrella… to keep me dry… in that turbulent time of my life… it was a few days before the lion attacked him."

"Ah…" replied Amy.

Greg nodded his head.

Sasha was puzzled again.

"Sasha hasn't heard of this," said Greg. "Why don't you tell her about that day… if you want to, that is."

"That's fine," said Lita. "It's the moment that proved Ken's friendship with me from the very start… it was back in the time of the Doom Tree, there was a lion cardigan sent down to collect energy… and it went after Ken… and then, it went after me… then… Ken… Ken… saved my life… as the lion came to attack, he pushed me out of the way… but when that happened, he tumbled over the ledge and fell all the way down… he hit the ground unconscious and bleeding… and he needed a transfusion from me to stay alive…"

As Sasha understood what had happened, Greg was starting to move into a psychic state of mind.

"I had a feeling that Ken would mean something to me even before this happened… since we were young. That feeling… became true… when I found out… when we found out… that he was my knight from Jupiter… the one that would be with me forever…"

Lita sighed and held her head.

"And now Ken's in bad shape, I feel like this is happening all over again…"

"Lita, it is obvious to me," said Amy, "that Ken has watched over you all this time, and that you have watched over Ken in return. That is a symbol of a true love and friendship… you must stay that way."

"Yeah, but what if Ken… what if… if…"

"If, if, if," said Greg. "Listen, you have to understand the two most important words in my vocabulary. Number one, be. Number two, strong. BE STRONG. Those are two words that Amy and Sasha know very well, and two words that I hold to high regard in my life here, my past life in the Silver Millennium, and my future in Crystal Tokyo. Never in my entire life have I ever come across any other set of words that make such an impact on one person. I think it's time that I pass those words on to you. Now… I know how this is all going to turn out in the end with Ken…"

Lita's eyes lit up.

"But," continued Greg, "I don't think it's appropriate to tell you the outcome. What I do think is appropriate is for you to become strong on the inside. No matter what happens, if you are strong on the inside, especially with your heart, you will get through all of life's problems. You can trust me on that."

Lita thought of Greg's words… and the small smile she had began to grow bigger.

"Hold your head up high!" said Sasha.

Greg laughed as Lita followed Sasha's request.

"I'm confident that I'll make it through," said Lita in a loud voice.

Then lowering her tone, she said, "and, I know, that my Ken, will make it through."

"See, Lita, you feel much better now!" said Amy.

"Yeah, if it weren't for friends like you," said Lita, "I don't know where my mind would be right now. Thanks."

"All righty," said Greg. "Now, what I can tell you is that in the atrium there is a monster dispatched by Queen Sorinya."

Amy's eyes went wide open.

"This is the monster that's been causing a huge mess," Greg continued, "and something that we have to take priority on right now. Then, Lita, I'm going to suggest something else."

"A monster?" asked Amy.

"Yes, I'm afraid so," Greg responded. "This monster… is apparently after the Jupiter family… Ken and Lita."

"He wasn't the one that…" said Lita.

"I'm afraid this monster might be responsible for hitting Ken with the taxi, as well as causing a certain theft inside the hospital," said Greg. "It has some kind of mind control beam."

"Mind control beam?" said Lita. "I guess it runs in the family…"

"Well, we don't have much time," said Amy. "The coast is clear, we can transform here."

The four of them stood up.

"It's time for me to fight for what's right. It's time for me to BE STRONG… and fight for Ken. Let's go! JUPITER STAR POWER!"

"MERCURY STAR POWER!"

"My turn… MERCURY PRISM POWER!"

"MERCURY KNIGHT POWER!"

Lita in particular felt a rejuvenation of energy and strength within her, as she became the Sailor Soldier of thunder and lightning… Sailor Jupiter.

The four of them ran out of the cafeteria, down the corridor and into the atrium… where, as Mercury Knight predicted, a monster - this one almost similar to the lion-like cardigan that attacked Ken a few years ago - was beginning to attack everything in its path. By this time, one fifth of the seats were destroyed, and everyone had fled in panic.

Everyone, that is, save for six other people whose job it was to take care of this sort of thing.

"CRESCENT BEAM!" yelled Sailor Venus, attempting to stop the monster.

But the sharp-toothed monster breathed out a powerful beam that dissipated the one Sailor Venus sent out… and the beam was headed for her.

"VENUS LOVE SHIELD!"

With prompt acting, Venus Knight was able to shield himself and Sailor Venus before the monster's beam hit her.

Tuxedo Mask tried to throw a rose to stun the monster.

The rose stuck on its head for a moment, before it was shaken off.

The relentlessness of the monster… and the growling of the monster… prompted Sailor Neptune to step forward.

"Stop what you are doing this very instant," said she, "or on behalf of the planet Neptune, I will have to harm you."

Her demands were met with a loud roar from the monster.

"Very well… DEEP SUBMERGE!"

The deep submerge attack was a big blow for the monster, as it was nearly knocked down and out.

The monster was starting to recuperate quickly for another strike…

"No… you… DON'T!" said a young woman in a green "fuku."

"Jupiter!" yelled Sailor Moon.

"This," said Mercury Knight, "is where payback happens."

Sailor Jupiter had already recalled about her times with Ken as she was walking through the corridor from the cafeteria… both in her life as Lita… and, another life…

"Ooooooh, YOU'RE GOING TO PAY FOR THIS!" yelled Sailor Jupiter.

But by this point, the growling monster had regained his strength… and was opening his mouth, revealing some kind of yellowish light from within.

"That's the mind control beam, he's going to try to hit Sailor Jupiter!" said Sailor Mercury.

"Use your scanners!" yelled Sailor Mini Moon.

"Good thinking," said Sailor Moon.

Sailor Mercury and Mercury Knight activated their scanners and joined hands.

Scanning for weaknesses, they discovered…

"Of course," said Sailor Mercury. "The Negamoon crescent is buried deep in his fur."

"Aim for above the eyes!" yelled Mercury Knight.

Sailor Jupiter nodded… and raised the antenna from her tiara.

"On behalf of the planet Jupiter, and of the Jupiter Knight, I call upon the forces of thunder and lightning, and his spirit, to eliminate this evil! SUPREME THUNDER!"

Sailor Jupiter's Supreme Thunder attack was stronger than ever before. The lightning bolts hit the monster squarely above the eyes.

But the monster wasn't the only one that went down for the count.

"Sailor Jupiter!" yelled Mercury Knight when Sailor Jupiter collapsed onto the ground.

He quickly ran over to where she was, while Tuxedo Mask yelled, "Mini Moon! Mini Mercury! Your turn!"

The two youngsters went right at it.

"SHABON FAN!"

"PINK SUGAR HEART ATTACK!"

The super cooled water from Sailor Mini Mercury covered the monster in a thin, tough wall of ice, and groan after groan could be heard from within with each hit from Sailor Mini Moon's attack.

"My turn!" said Sailor Moon. "If you mess with one of my friends, then you'll have to mess with me! For love and justice, I am the pretty suited sailor soldier, Sailor Moon! And on behalf of the moon, I SHALL PUNISH YOU!"

"Now would be a nice time to do that, Sailor Moon," said Sailor Venus.

Taking out her spiral moon rod, Sailor Moon nodded and moved into position.

"MOON SPIRAL HEART ATTACK!"

It was all over when the large heart punched through and dissolved the monster in a wave of purple smoke.

Sailor Moon was very happy…

"Yes! We did it! We… Jupiter?"

…until she found that Sailor Jupiter was struggling to get up.

Everyone ran to her aid… but the tough sailor soldier was able to stand up under her own power.

"I'm all right guys," said Sailor Jupiter. "Thanks a lot for all your help."

At that instant, Sailor Mercury's computer was flashing. Taking the compact computer out, she noticed that Raye was checking in to see if everyone was all right.

"Yes, Raye, we destroyed the monster that has been causing Lita all these problems," said Sailor Mercury.

"Great! Give her my best," said Raye, "and I'll try to pay Ken a visit soon… how's he doing?"

Everyone fell silent for a moment.

"Amy?" said Raye. "He… didn't…"

Mercury Knight stepped in. "Raye, if one of us can do something in particular, then he's going to make it."

"What are you talking about?" said Sailor Jupiter.

"Well, we should all get out of these clothes first before anyone else around here notices," said Mercury Knight. Turning to the computer, he said, "We'll talk to you in a bit, Raye."

"No prob… hope everything goes well!" said Raye.

After Sailor Mercury closed the computer, the entire group de-transformed then and there.

Greg then walked up to Lita.

"Ok, Lita, I'm going to make this quick because Ken doesn't have a lot of time," he said. "I've been able to figure out that the monster that we just destroyed was responsible for the destruction the O-positive blood supply. So do you know anyone here who has O-positive blood?"

"I do," said Lita.

"In that case… do you feel the strength for another transfusion? It might be the difference that we're all looking for."

Lita wasted no time responding. "Ken is my boyfriend… and the one that I've stuck to all my life… I have to do it to save him… again."

Darien pointed to Dr. Takata. "The doctor's right there."

Lita took a deep breath and walked to the doctor.

"Hello, miss, I'm Doctor Takata. How may I help you?"

"Doctor, I have O-positive blood, and I would like to donate it to one of your patients."

"Ah…" he said with a smile. "I know just the man you're talking about. Follow me, please, and we'll run a few tests before we can proceed."

Lita turned back to Serena, Darien, Rini, Amy, Greg, Sasha, Mina, Jamie and Michelle and smiled at them as Dr. Takata led her to the testing room.

After a period of time, as stars were appearing in the darkening sky, Dr. Takata returned.

"Great news! The transfusion is a success! It'll be enough to last overnight… and we have an additional blood supply being rushed to us, so I can guarantee that we'll have it in by tomorrow morning. To put it simply, he's going to make it."

Everyone cheered when they heard this news.

"Now," said the Doctor, "I have the two of them in a special recovery room right now, and Ken has been removed from sedation. You can all go see them if you want. It's all right with me."

After a brief trip through several corridors, the group came upon the Jupiter duo… that was smiling at each other as they walked in.

"Hey guys," said Ken, still a bit groggy from the sedation.

Everyone greeted the two. "How are you feeling?" asked Sasha.

"Couldn't be better, except for my shoulder," said Ken.

"The fracture will heal itself within two weeks," said Dr. Takata.

"I'm cool with that," said Ken. "Even with this, it gives me more time to spend with a certain someone…"

Lita blushed.

"Awww…" said Serena. "So when do you guys plan to go to the restaurant?"

"If Lita still wants to go…" said Ken.

Lita quickly nodded her head and smiled.

"Great!" said Ken. "All I have to do is get out of the hospital first, and get a list of things that I shouldn't eat, and we'll go for it!"

"It should be a very small list, given your injury," said Amy.

"He should be out in three or four days," said Dr. Takata. "He's taken the transfusion very well, and we think he'll take the other blood supplies just as well."

Ken turned his head.

"Doctor? I just want to thank you and your staff for all that you've done."

"My pleasure, Ken."

"Because with your help, I'm still able to be with the prettiest person in my world… my princess, right next to me over there."

Lita was starting to cry again. "You're my knight… you will always be," she said softly.

The others smiled at their reaction.

And Amy and Greg, in their minds, knew that Queen Sorinya struck again, but in the end, the side of good prevailed.

Nevertheless, they knew that Queen Sorinya would be relentless in the destruction of Amy.

Aside from their schoolwork…

They had to begin figuring out, sooner or later, how to bring her down.

HOW?

See if they come up with a plan in the next chapter... #27... of The Saga of Mercury.

The Saga of Mercury Chapter 26 - For the Love of a Friend 14

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