Sailor Moon Fan Fiction ❯ Tides of Fortune and Destiny ❯ Chapter 7 ( Chapter 7 )

[ Y - Young Adult: Not suitable for readers under 16 ]

A thick curtain of cold grey mist shrouded the time gate -- for those aware of its presence, it presented a most depressing sight, its icy veil enveloping the eight people standing before the mistress of time, Sailor Pluto.

“Excuse me, but did you just say they were brought back to life because of a mere desire, after all their evil deeds of the past during the Silver Millennium, not to mention, Tokyo in recent years. They murdered innocent people and just like that, they are casually brought back to life and released from their prison where they deserved to be locked away forever,” Rei protested, outraged as she reached for her transformation pen. “You will die for sure, this time.”

The girls grabbed their pens and started to transform when suddenly the ginzuishou came to life, cutting short their transformations. “Stop…!” Usagi yelled as the crystal died down. She was sweating despite the chill brought about by the mist. The girls looked outraged at their princess and leader.

“You cannot simply murder four people in cold blood because of what they did while under the influence of evil. They deserve a second chance. I thought better of you guys. Who would have thought my friends would seek to murder anyone based on bad feelings belonging to the ancient past.”

“But they tried to kill us only a few years ago…” Ami protested, clenching her fists.

Suddenly, like a mental assault it came, hitting Rei and Ami, a rush of memories of the past came crashing down upon them.

.::. Memories .::.

Rei observed Jadeite as he assumed a number of heroic poses as he wrestled Zoicite over the princess’s affections. Then visions of those nights when he would be out in the woods hunting and spending time with her assaulted her senses, and a procession of countless rendezvous under the stars unfurled before her. Then she saw her death. A throwing dagger, its silvery-blue blade the only warning of imminent death as it struck her, embedding itself in her stomach as her life’s blood flowed from her wound, as Jadeite laughed at her.

Ami looked on as images of a man who infuriated her swam about as she sat reading. Then she beheld scenes where she’d be gravelling thru the countryside on horseback with her lover -- he upon his mare and she, riding Crystal, his mount’s offspring. As the images shifted like shadows, the pictures darkened considerably. She knew her death was quick: no gloating, posturing, or explanation. Just a quick thrust of his sword to the side of her neck, slicing thru her carotid artery.

.::. End of Memories .::.

Recovering from the startling images they had just received, Rei directed a menacing glower at Usagi. Inside, Rei was hurt and furious, for her best friend was taking the side of those murderous fiends. “How can you, Usagi… I mean, defend these murderers? They not only ruthlessly slaughtered us along with innocent millions during the Silver Millennium, but tried to take our lives again after Beryl’s return a few years ago,” Rei almost shouted at her so-called best friend.

“The Shitennou were brought back to correct their mistakes and seek redemption. Usagi is right. They deserve a second chance. They were seduced by Beryl. Neo Queen Serenity and King Endymion could see beyond their deeds, actions performed by darkness that had taken them over, and seeing their sorrow, decided to use the Ginzuishou and gave them a new life,” Pluto declared as she stood in her planetary garb.

“You have to forgive them, guys. Mamoru and I have and they had imprisoned Mamoru for months before killing him and yet, we found it in our hearts to forgive them,” Usagi pleaded with her friends as she attempted to read the expressions upon their faces, but the mist obscured her view and she could feel the hatred coming off them in waves.

They are not going to forgive them. I don’t understand them. Yes, they did some horrible things, but everyone deserves forgiveness no matter what they have done. People make mistakes, even me. Oh mother, how can I fix this. Usagi thought as she watched her friends. Then suddenly Ami stepped forward. Her face red and puffy from the tears she had silently been crying upon experiencing her memories. She weakly scrubbed at her face with the palms of her hands as she approached Zoicite. Zoicite looked a little concerned, as she got closer.

Then in a whisper, Ami spoke, “I am willing to give you a chance, but I cannot forgive and forget so easily. Not after all we shared and then your betrayal.”

Ami stepped back, walked towards Usagi, and stood by her side as Zoicite nodded his understanding.

The others however, were outraged. “Ami, you traitor, how could you give him a chance…give any of them a chance,” Makoto cried.

“Shut up, Makoto…, just shut up. You girls are acting like petty children, grow up and act your ages.” With that, Pluto waved her Garnet Rod and everyone -- except for Mamoru and Usagi -- found themselves back inside their respective homes.

“What are we going to do, Setsuna? They are filled with such anger. And why did you not tell us about them sooner. I thought we could trust each other?” Usagi asked as she wrapped her arms about her stomach and shivered.

“It was imperative they remained hidden for a while, though I never expected Kunzite to come to you, Mamoru. I thought he would lie low and now they’re out in the open. I will have to make sure they come to no harm. They must live in order they might seek their redemption. It is time for you to go home and be princess, for your sake and for the baby’s, you will need your strength for the trials to come,” Setsuna said cryptically as she waved her rod again and instantly, they were back in their apartment.

“What did she mean by trials, Mamoru…?” Usagi asked as she flopped down on the bed.

“I’m not sure, Usako, but coming from her, it must be something important we have to watch out for.” Mamoru lay on the bed beside his wife and wrapped his arms around her.


.::. Later that night .::.


Bodies were everywhere. She was looking for her comrades. Looking at the horizon that called for the sun to slowly make its way towards that side of the moon and extinguish the unnatural darkness. Mina spotted a hint of blue fabric. Rushing forward, she stopped, shocked at the sight that met her eyes, gasping, she found it hard to breathe, she wanted to scream, she wanted to shout, or cry, do something, but could do neither as she fell to her knees at the side of the lifeless body before her. First thing she noticed was the deep cut that ran across the throat, she wanted to dry wretch, but she was unable to even do that, the blood had long since dried, and caked blood covered the wound and fuku. It was Sailor Mercury. She was dead as was Sailor Mars and Sailor Jupiter. Mars had her fuku torn, a seeping gash ran across her stomach, her hands clutched around the ornate hilt of a dagger buried in her stomach. Jupiter too, lay dead with a huge gaping chest wound, as the result of a sword having pierced her breast, her friends all dead, as were her princess and prince.

She climbed unsteadily to her feet, tears silently streaming down her cheeks. It was all too much. Walking past Mercury’s body, she spotted a solitary figure in armor a short distance away. She instantly recognized the black and gold uniform with its flowing cape caught in the Lunarian breeze. Venus’s face lit up as she detransformed and hope rose momentarily in her heart . She clutched her slightly protruding belly and rushed to her lover’s side.

“Kunzite, I am so happy you are alive. Everyone is dead. I am the only survivor.” Mina kissed her lover and took a step back. It was only then She noticed the evil look on his face she had not seen before until this moment. “What is wrong, Kunz, and why are you looking at me like that?”

Minako was getting scared and blinked rapidly, her breaths growing shorter as fear gripped her heart.

“You will soon join your comrades, princess,” Kunzite said coldly as he approached her, unsheathing his sword.

“No Kunzite, you can’t. Think of our baby. Please think of your little girl,” Mina pleaded as she clutched her stomach protectively and felt her baby kick. Her precious little girl she had conceived with her lover who now wanted to kill her, for what reason she did not know.

But Kunzite’s blade stopped half way through its deadly arc as her words reached his ears and he stared at her, a puzzled look on his face.
“What did you say, bitch?” Kunzite moved towards Mina as she backed up.

“I was waiting to tell you after the war. I’m pregnant with your daughter,” Mina whispered to her lover.

“Join me and the others then.” It was not a request, but an order.

“Join you in what...” then it hit her, the look on his face and the waves of evil coming off him. He had succumbed to the evil witch Beryl and had come here to kill her and the others. “You have to fight off her influence, Kunz. You just have to, if not for me, or yourself, then do it for your daughter.”

He shook his head and before she knew it, he’d moved forward, grabbed her by the hair, and pulled her face violently towards his. “I knew you did not have what it takes to join me. Why did I even bother with you? Maybe you can be of some use to me one last time,” He said in a maniacal tone. He pushed her forward and before she could stop him, he hit her in the stomach -- he struck his child’s resting place -- Minako screamed a piercing scream of pain, fury, shock and sorrow and doubled over with the searing agony of her injuries. He grabbed her once again by the hair and lifting her as if she were weightless, thru her over his shoulder. He turned, and ignoring her crying and screams marched back towards the palace along a deathly silent corridor -- dark and lifeless in its funerary emptiness. Carrying her into her bedchamber, he thru her on the bed and started taking off his armor. She was sobbing and screaming at him to stop, clutching her stomach. He noticed the blood coming from between her legs, soaking the silvery coverlet. She was in the process of miscarrying. Once he had removed his armor, he took his pants off, then as she kicked and lashed out at his relentless onslaught, Stripping her naked. She tried to fight him off, but he punched her in the stomach once again.

Mounting her ravaged and bloody body, he leaned forward and harshly kissed her as he groped and squeezed hard at her breasts. Moving his rough hands down her body, he grabbed her thighs and wrenched them open. Positioning himself, he invaded her with great force, ramming his manhood into her bloody depths. Mina screamed out a chilling shriek as he raped her.

“How could you? I thought you loved me… you murderous, raping bastard,” Minako screamed as he climaxed. To shut her up, Kunzite took a knife he knew she kept in the bedside drawer and with a fatal blow, plunged it clean through the thin bone of her temple.

.::. End of Dream .::.

“Oh my god...!” Mina shouted, waking with such a violent start, it sent Artemis jumping off her pillow.

“What’s wrong, Mina, did you have a nightmare?” Artemis asked, worried about his charge.

“It was a memory of how I had died during the Silver Millennium, Artemis. That’s all, and go back to sleep. I think I am going to get out and go for a walk, to clear my head.”

“But it’s three am in the morning, Mina.”

“Hush and go back to sleep, cat. I just need to clear my head.”

Mina changed out of her nightwear and dressed quickly, putting on her shoes before leaving the house for some much-needed air.

~*~

“Thank you, Setsuna. I have the address written down, bye-bye.” Usagi put the phone down into its cradle and looked at the address.

“You sure about this, Usagi…?” Mamoru asked as he got his coat on.

“I think they could use a friend to talk to right now, Mamoru. Therefore, yes I am sure. Now let’s go, I hope they are all there.” She grabbed her purse and opened the door to walk out. She was going to go see how the Shitennou were doing.

~*~

“Hold on I am coming.” Nephrite yelled at the door as he ran towards it and opened it to find a blond with a slight protruding belly upon the threshold.

“Princess, what are you doing here?” Nephrite was a little shocked when he saw her.

“I can come by and visit, can’t I. Well, no matter, Mamoru won’t be back for two hours. So, you could say you are kind of stuck with me, that is, unless you want me to walk out in this heat?”

Nephrite shook his head and let her inside. He motioned for her to follow him. He led her to the living room where the others were waiting.

“We have a guest, guys. So, be polite.”

Jadeite was the first to look up. His face red and bruised from the previous night.

“How are you feeling, Jadeite? I hate to say this, but does your face hurt as badly as it looks?”

“No thankfully, it does not, princess. It looks worse than it is, though my broken rib does hurt considerably.” Jadeite said as the other looked at her.

“I’m so sorry about that. I have never seen Rei lose her temper quite like that before.”

“It’s okay, he was a little drunk and should not have said what he did,” Zoicite piped in and earned a dirty look from Jadeite.

“Princess, what are you doing here?” Kunzite asked from his position in one of the comfortable reclining chairs in the room, his eyes concealed behind a book he was reading.

“I came to give you guys a friendly visit and I want to invite you to a party. I don’t know if you already know or not, but I am four months pregnant and next month I am having a baby shower at my mother’s house. I have made it clear to Mamoru that he must show up. So, now that you guys are around, you must come to keep him company.”

“Yeah sure, will do,” Jadeite said sarcastically.

“Yes you will Jad. I will make it very clear to the girls that if they wish to attend, they will behave and not be the bitches they were last night.”

“For our prince’s sake, I will come to this party of yours. What do we bring?” Nephrite enquired as the others slowly agreed, too.

“You don’t have to bring anything. The girls, mom and her friends will be bringing plenty I think. So, now that we’ve settled that, tell me what is going on.” Usagi asked as she sat down beside Zoicite.