~~SILVERMOON~~ *Encounters* Parts 7-8 by Immora based on the manga and anime Bishoujo Senshi Sailormoon ______________________________ Author's Notes for Silvermoon: Hello everyone :) How are you? Well, here's some notes on my story: Rating: PG-13 because younger kids might not be able to handle it. The story contains mild language, mild to heavy violence, homosexuality, and mildly suggestive commentary. If you can't handle that kind of content, don't read this story. This is the third installment of the story; make sure you've read "Awakenings" before you move on to this. The characters in this story are from the manga and anime Bishoujo Senshi Sailormoon, owned by Naoko Takeuchi, Toei Animation, Kodansha, and other people whose names I don't know. Sharra, Ka'ina, Akeru, Necros, Nagera, Lorenada, E'melok, and the various races of Quenholtians and world of Quenhol are also MINE MINE MINE, so don't use them! If you couldn't figure it out, the Immora that appears in this story is my character... not ME. Sailor Moon's new form [Silver Moon] was thought up by yours truly, so you may not use it in your own fanfic. Also, the story itself is mine, but was based upon situations appearing in the manga and Japanese anime. So don't copy/plagiarize my story. If you wanna base a story on it, TOO BAD! Come up with your own idea. Be original. You shouldn't bother writing a fanfic if you can't think of your own plot! You can e-mail me at immora@japan.crosswinds.net That's about it for now. Enjoy my fic! Visit my page at: http://come.to/immora and the Silvermoon section at: http://www.geocities.com/TelevisionCity/2480/silvermoon.html Remember, you can ONLY get new additions of Silvermoon from my site! I do not send it to any fanfic archives anymore. ________ SEVEN ________ Time: the next day Place: the palace on Uranus Uranus sat on a throne in her indigo princess dress, her face a mixture of bored and exasperated. Her head rested on her hand, elbow propped on the armrest as Toren read a report off to her. Uranus fidgeted in her seat. Damn throne! she thought to herself. Why the hell does it have to be so uncomfortable?! She looked around at her (boring) surroundings. Ooo, yay. Her throne was on a pedestal with several steps leading up to it, a red carpet leading from the base of the throne to the large wooden double doors at the entrance to the throne room. Candles and tall windows lined the walls. The floor was marble. Uranus hated it. "--the Vidiava family requests an audience with you," Toren was reading. "They said--" "Why?" Uranus interrupted. "Why do they want to talk to me?" Toren was seething. That woman _had_ to learn to stop interrupting! "They want to talk about some ideas they had for improving our economy. Their son has offered to take your place when you're gone--" "What are his qualifications for that?" she murmured. She'd heard basically the same thing all morning. So-and-so family has idea for improvement, son/daughter wants to rule, a number of marriage proposals she promptly refused. "--and he is quite good with the people..." Uranus blinked. She'd missed everything Toren had just said. "No more marriage proposals, I hope." "None this time. I still don't see why you turned down Ranfa, he's a perfectly decent young man and a woman of your position should have a spouse, and besides, you've known him awhile and he's quite smitten with you--" Uranus let out a loud laugh and sat up in her throne. "Oh, he is, is he? Tell him, like the others, that _I_ _am_ _not_ _interested_! We should make an announcement that all marriage proposals should cease because I won't except them!" Toren raised an eyebrow and sighed. "Really, he's a great young man, quite popular with the other ladies--" Uranus hopped down from her seat, kicked off her heels (she really hated wearing high heels) and walked over to Toren. "Toren, I don't care. I _really_ don't care. I'm already in a relationship and I am QUITE happy with it. I don't want to run off and marry some guy I barely know. I don't want to marry some _guy_, if you get right down to it!" She laughed and turned to walk back to the (uncomfortable) throne. "What are you saying?" Toren asked in surprise, adjusting his reading glasses. He smoothed his (fast graying) brown hair down. "I mean, about the marriage issue?" She turned and glared at him. What a dense fool! "Toren, why don't you make a general announcement to the families that seem to be intent on getting me wed that I will not marry their sons because I am just not interested, okay?" "Not interested in getting married to a _man_ or--" "I am _homosexual_ you fool!!!" she shrieked at him. "I am not about to marry a man! I already have a lover, and I am QUITE CONTENT to continue my relationship with her, okay?! Now go put out a communication through those weird crystal-thingies we're using now to tell those dumbasses I am NOT marrying any of their sons, okay?!" Toren was frozen in place with shock. "WELL?!!?!" "Yes, princess," he murmured, dazed, and walked off to send the message. "And get ME a crystal while you're at it! I need to talk with Michiru, she'll want to make sure I'm okay!" "The princess of Neptune?" "YES the princess of Neptune! She's the only Michiru I know!!!" Uranus was seething. Toren quickly ran out, retrieved a crystal ball for her, and shakily handed it to her. He promptly left after that. Uranus sighed and moved her hand a few inches over the ball in a circular motion. "Patch me through to Princess Michiru of Neptune please. Tell her it's Haruka." The mage on the other in answered, "Hold on a couple minutes. It'll take awhile to get through the magical field around the Earth moon. Some strange residue--" The man cut off as he started the spell. Damn that Immora; she just _had_ to get into that battle with Saturn! Who knows how long this'll take!? Uranus impatiently slid down in her seat to wait. Time: several minutes later Place: Pluto's room, the Palace, the Moon Kingdom Pluto sat on her bed, Saturn on hers, talking with Neptune, who was resting in an easy chair across from them. They weren't really discussing anything in particular. Pluto was still a bit upset about some of Immora's comments to her, Saturn weak from her battle yesterday. Neptune was a bit saddened by Uranus's temporary departure, since it was still uncertain when she'd return. Pluto was in the middle of saying something when she gla nced over to the communications crystal on her dresser. "Hmmm? It's glowing? Who'd be calling in--" Pluto ran her hand over the top of it. "Hello there, who's calling?" "Hello," a mage on the other end said. "A call for Princess Michiru of Neptune, from... ah, Haruka... ?" Apparently a fairly powerful mage, Pluto thought, to find Neptune here. "Put it through. Oh, sorry about the magic field; Saturn got in a battle with an archmage yesterday." "I can guess who..." the mage murmured. "Excuse me?" Neptune said, waving her arms. "I believe there's a call from Haruka to me, not that mage to you. I'd like to talk to her..." "Oh, sorry!" Pluto said with a laugh. She handed the ball, about the size of her head, to Neptune. Neptune pressed her hand to it. Uranus's face appeared. "Hello!" she said cheerfully. "Hi there!" Neptune giggled. "How's it going over there? Anything interesting happening?" "Well... hey, go into our room. HEY PLUTO, TAKE THE BALL!!! Redirect the call to our room, 'kay Setsuna? THANKS!!" Pluto winced and whispered to Neptune, "Doesn't she know I can hear her just fine?" Neptune handed the ball to Pluto and went into the room she and Uranus shared. She sat down on their bed near the window (the other closer to the door went unused now that the two were sleeping in the same bed) and picked up her own ball. Uranus's face appeared in one half, Pluto's in the other half. "Okay, go away Pluto!" Pluto laughed and her face disappeared, leaving Uranus's the only one their. "Toren went to send out a message for me, so I'm alone now," Uranus commented. "So, what's going on?" Neptune inquired, lying back on the large pillows. "Well, lots of people have offered to take the throne, I've received a few marriage proposals from guys I've never met, Toren knows about my, ah, 'interests' now. I kinda screamed it at him when he kept pushing me to marry some Ran-something-or-other guy." Neptune laughed. "Oh okay. Did you visit your mother yet?" "Yup. I don't think she's going to make it much longer. She's pretty weak. They sobered her up, but she's still in no condition to even get out of her bed. She was surprised to see me; she really only had vague memories of me since she was usually wallowing in alcohol when I lived here. Ah well, if she _had_ been able to think for herself, she probably would've tried to help me out when I was a kid, and then Dad would've beat _her_ too." Neptune gave a weak, sad smile. "It's a real shame your dad had to be like that. You deserve so much better, love." Uranus smiled and blushed. "Thanks for the compliment," she said, then dropped her voice lower with a sweet smile, "but I have all I need now that I'm with you." Neptune smiled. "Thanks, I could say the same for you..." Uranus laughed. They continued to talk for the next few hours. Time: roughly the same Place: Serenity and Usagi's room. Mars was visiting Serenity and helping her brush her long silvery hair. She'd taken it down from her odango to brush out, and it was a tangled mess. "How can you stand having hair this long?!" Mars asked in an awed tone. Serenity giggled. "Family tradition. The girls always have long hair tied up in odango. It's just a trademark." Mars smiled and glanced at the communications crystal. The image was scrambled and kept switching between images. For some reason it kept picking up only other people's transmissions and not the ones meant for them, and then the image and sound kept switching at random, never matching. It was so annoying! The constant garbled voices got on your nerves after awhile... Serenity looked over to watch too. She briefly saw some Mercurian baron's face, Uranus's face (must be talking with Neptune), Jadeite, a duchess from Saturn, a young giggling girl, a peasant man, Naru, Immora... Immora?!?! "Did you see that?!" Serenity gasped. Mars just groaned. Would that archmage just GO AWAY?!!! "Let me finish brushing your hair and we'll go see. She might just be talking with Pluto or something..." She better not be here she had better not be here... I swear I will hurt her as badly as I can if we see her!!! Mars finished one half of Serenity's hair, and Serenity pulled it up, twisted the top part into an odango, pinned it, and let the rest hang down. By the time she was done, Mars was almost finished. Serenity pulled the rest of her hair up. "Well, let's go see if she's here." They wandered around through the halls and bumped into a woman going the opposite way. "Oh, sorry about that!" she apologized. "I was lost in thought, I should have been paying attention." "It's alright," Mars said with a smile. She noted the woman had unusual eyes, the pupils were white and her irises were a swirl of emerald, cerulean, and silver that constantly shifted. Her hair was dead straight, reached to her waist, and was very dark, her skin tanned and smooth except for a small, pale mole under the right corner of her mouth. She had very delicate features and was taller than Mars. She wore a cerulean dress that was in a style like Immora's, with a hoodless cloak fastened around her shoulders with a flat gray stone. "A mage?" Mars asked before she realized what she was saying. "Yes," the woman answered. "My name is Ka'ina. I am a student of Immora's. You know her, I assume. Your friend Sailor Saturn gave her quite a beating." Mars laughed. "I'd say she gave one to Saturn! That woman is powerful!" And boy is she a bitch! Ka'ina chuckled. "Immora gets carried away in battles. She would undoubtedly return to grovel at Saturn's feet begging for forgiveness. Her mind is starting to slip again and it's all Sharra and I can do to keep it from going completely." Serenity remarked, "She was a nice person on the inside, I could sense." Ka'ina nodded. "She really is; she is very kind, but she does have a cruel streak. She's very dependent and hates being alone. All she really needs is someone that loves her..." Ka'ina trailed off. "Who'd love _her_? You'd have to be as crazy as her!" Mars said bitterly. Ka'ina flinched slightly. "Ah... I am her lover..." Ka'ina said slowly. Mars turned near the color of her hair. "Omigosh I'm sorry! I didn't mean it... I... um..." Mars turned around and fumed. Great, I just insulted this woman that I barely know. She'll probably turn me into dust or something. Strange... I get a really bad feeling about her though. Something seems wrong... "It's alright," Ka'ina said softly. "I guess I am a bit... insane... for falling for someone like her... well, I better go now, goodbye." Serenity smiled at her. "Bye!" Mars didn't say anything. That woman had a strange spell around her, but she couldn't tell what it was. It seemed like she was controlling someone... She and Serenity walked off. "What was it we left our room to do?" Serenity asked. Mars suddenly realized she'd completely forgotten too. Shrugging, they walked off to go visit the Generals. We might as well, Mars thought as they wandered through the palace. Ka'ina sadly looked at the watch she held. Immora was supposed to show up over three hours ago. She was never late and would have contacted Ka'ina if something went wrong. Did she not want to see her anymore? Or maybe... could she have broken the spell?! Ka'ina sighed and walked through the wall, outside to the gardens, never once caring that she'd passed through solid rock. ___ Uranus laughed as she finished filing her nails, tossing the file aside. She didn't like fixing her own nails herself, but she didn't feel like asking someone to do it for her. Plus, she was too busy talking to Neptune through the crystal to wander away from the crystal. Neptune kept chattering away when the door opened behind her. She held up a finger to signal "wait a second", then turned to talk with the person. Uranus saw it was Naru. She draped her legs over the armrest as she sat to wait, glancing into her mirror with mild amusement. She always used to have cuts and bruises on her face as a kid, but she had healed up nicely. No scars on her face, a few on her back, and of course a mark on her ribs from the bullet wound her father inflicted. Uranus flipped her pale bangs out of her deep blue eyes and noted that she needed to get them trimmed. She was growing her hair out slightly, still keeping it short, but a more feminine style than she used to wear. Neptune said it looked nice on her, so Uranus decided she might as well keep the style. She half-heartedly studied her face, then turned back to the crystal. Neptune waved Naru away. "I am so sorry, Haruka! I have to go to a meeting!" Uranus sighed. "Oh okay... call later, alright?" Neptune giggled. "Of course I will! Talk to you later," she said softly, giving Uranus her sweetest smile. "I love you, Haruka." Uranus smiled back. "I love you, Michiru." Neptune blew her a kiss, and Uranus giggled as she waved at her. The crystal went dark. Uranus sighed sadly. The hall was silent now. It was boring again. Toren walked in slowly, his face deathly pale, as if with fear. Uranus looked up with confusion; What the hell is he so scared about? "Y-You have a vis-visitor," he stuttered. "Sh-she requests to--see you n-now..." "Who is it?" Uranus demanded irritably. Toren opened his mouth to speak, and his voice failed him. He quickly darted back into the other room. Uranus rolled her eyes and sat back in her throne correctly, watching with annoyance as a shadow behind the curtains moved into the hall. Uranus then stared in shock and considered summoning the guards or transforming on the spot. The woman's pale face looked eerie with her crimson lipstick and dark lined eyes, combined with dark clothing. She wore a black hoodless cloak that trailed behind her, fastened with a silver clasp. Her dress was a dark reddish brown, low-cut, the right side slit up to mid-thigh. She wore soft black leather boots that covered up to her knees, making her steps silent except for the sounds of her faded brownish-black cloak dragging on the carpet. Three small black leather cords were tied around her waist, one drooping down on the left of her waist, the other two dipping on the right. Crimson beads were laced into this. She had black gloves pulled to her elbows, made of soft fabric but obviously good protection. A small dagger was strapped with brown leather cords to each glove, a larger dagger tied to her waist with the leather cords. The cords around her gloves made slight bulges appear between each twist of cord. She wore dangling blood colored jewels on her ears, though her blond hair covered one ear slightly. She had a serious expression on her face, but strangely emotionless also. She stopped several yards from the throne to bow her head in acknowledgment, then raised her piercing dark blue eyes with reptilian slits to Uranus's face. "Immora..." Uranus hissed. Immora's lip twitched. "Correct." "Unusual outfit," Uranus remarked coolly. Immora cocked an eyebrow. She walked over to a cart resting near the wall and poured herself a glass of a cold, non-alcoholic fruit drink. She sipped it lightly, silent. "You probably wonder why I am here," Immora started, seemingly searching for the right words. "I was going to go straight to the Moon Kingdom, but there is undoubtedly some sort of price on my head now... so I think I will avoid it for awhile. Anyways... I need to apologize to the Senshi and the Moon Kingdom for my... irrational behavior yesterday. I have a... condition... that seemed to have resurfaced yesterday." "What, are you insane?" Uranus sneered. "Precisely," Immora said simply. Uranus blinked in surprise. "My former teacher, Necros, placed a spell on me that gradually caused my sanity to lessen more and more. Eventually, I went insane. A sorceress, Lorenada, healed me... seemingly. The spell isn't completely removed and sometimes my mind will slip and I will have no control over my actions. That happened to me yesterday, when I suddenly took it into my mind to attack the Palace. I sincerely apologize for that, and for harming Saturn like that. I would heal her myself... but she probably wouldn't trust me to do that... and... my magic has grown very weak since that battle. It will take me a couple more days until I have full control of my magic again. I am limited to telepathy, telekinesis, and simple spells for now. I only wear these daggers so if someone attacks me I'll have some protection. The slit in my skirt is so I can kick easier if someone attacks me. I know that will eventually happen... I-I have been attacked here before." Immora started getting nervous, it seemed, Uranus judged from her biting her lip and glancing around the room. "I've always defended myself with magic though, so I don't know if I can defend myself without it..." "Immora, why don't you get help?" Uranus asked as gently as she could. No matter what this woman claimed, Uranus was... afraid... of her. She didn't want to have to fight her. This was a powerful archmage and could probably kill her easily. She wasn't going to chance it. Immora pushed her hair behind her ear, then pulled her hair out from behind her ears again. Must be a nervous habit, Uranus noted. She had sat down in a chair now, and was drumming the long fingernails of her left hand on the armrest while her right hand rested under her chin. "I have tried to... find a cure... but so far there really isn't anything I can do. No one is powerful enough to fully cure me. Since I am the most powerful magical force that currently exists--other than pure magic, of course--it is hard for someone to use their magic in... well, to combine their magic with mine to heal me. If someone tried to use magic against me, depending on the nature, my own would either work automatically with it or against it. To heal me, because of the direct root of the spell, they would have to tap into energies that reside in Hell, where the man that put this spell on me is now. My magic automatically counters magic from nether regions and that involving death." She then smirked slightly. "Probably the reason Saturn could hurt me as bad as she did was that my magic, which is directly connected with my own mental and physical well-being, was so stressed to counter her own death- related forces that it just sapped my strength to the point that I couldn't work the magic anymore. The reason none of the others could attack me was that I could easily defend myself against fire-based power, love, water, etc... which is what the other Senshi use. There would be no strain and therefore, I would have easily won. The Senshi would have tired out, and in using my magic to negate theirs, I could actually become stronger from the effects of their powers against me. Silver Moon's powers, no matter what, have a basis of goodness and healing to them. That could easily have helped me defeat Saturn by tapping into that once Silver Moon's energies had been directed at me. That is why Pluto wanted no one else to attack--- she knew my energy would be depleted by attacking Saturn." Uranus had listened with fascination at her entire explanation. "That's really amazing," she said, "but wouldn't my powers have had some strange effect on you? I am linked with Heaven, the wind, the earth, etc... since you are sensitive to the more Hellish powers, wouldn't you also be harmed by more Heavenly energies?" Immora thought about it. "That is likely..."she murmured. "I wouldn't try though," she warned. "I tend to have strange... bonds... with people linked to either Heaven or Hell. I don't know why, it seems our souls are connected. I have no idea why. Welllll... Mages draw their energies from all around. Our powers are based on the energies around us, the two strongest obviously being the two-afterworlds, the first places to exist. Since we draw so much more energy from these than the other areas, we have strong spiritual connections with those aligned with them." "Like a soul-sister," Uranus murmured to herself. This was her first interesting visitor all day, and she found she was actually gaining an understanding of this unusual woman through this conversation. Immora laughed softly. "I guess you could say that. Very few people are aligned with those places, so yes, in a sense, the group of mages combined are all a bunch of soul-sisters and soul-brothers. Then those aligned with Heaven or Hell are also included." Uranus's eyes widened in surprise. "But I am--hmmm?! So... _you_ are my soul-sister?" Uranus laughed. "That seems crazy." Immora's eyes were narrow slits of concentration. "Well, yes... that could explain this unusual understanding between us... a soul-sibling, in the case of these energies, simply refers to the connection with the Heavens that my soul taps into and that yours does. If you get right down to it, we are only 'soul-siblings' in the sense that the energies in our souls have origins in the Heavens, though mine also tap into the Hellish realms too. So it's not like our destinies are fused or anything, that's what soulmates have, and besides, a soul-sibling and a soulmate are different. We all have a soulmate somewhere, we just have to find them. Our soulmate is the one we are destined to be with, forever. One that we will always love and be loved by in return. Most people never meet there's, or if they do, they don't realize it. If the bond is exceptionally strong, it is very easy to recognize and therefore, probably much deeper than others." Uranus put both legs over her armrest and relaxed. "Hmmm... I think I have found my soulmate already," she said softly. "It sure does seem like it..." "If you mean Michiru," Immora said with an amused tone, "I _do_ know of a spell that can determine things like that... relatively simple spell..." She closed her eyes and whispered a few words. A soft glow formed around both her and Uranus. She opened her eyes with a grin. "Well, what do you know, the two of you _are_ soulmates." "Wow," Uranus said in awe. I guess we really are meant to be together, she thought happily. If our souls are linked like this, we have to be! "I am so glad to have someone like her... that loves me like this... I love her so much... I wish everyone could have a love as deep as ours." She sighed softly and asked suddenly, "Are you in love with someone?" Immora suddenly dropped her glass on the carpet, amazingly it didn't crack. She smoothed her skirt as she stood up. "I do hope the other Senshi will accept my apology. I never wanted to be enemies." Uranus grinned over at her, though was puzzled by the sudden change in subject. "Hey, they can learn to get used to you 'sister'." Immora laughed. "I am not your sister in blood, but in spirit. Not a true sister then," she commented. "But close enough. I don't have a family, so I might as well call you mine." Uranus looked at her with an amused look. "If all you mages are soul-siblings, then could you actually be soulmates too? Or would it be 'incest' for soul-siblings to be together?" Immora shrugged. "Not really. We aren't _truly_ relatives. Besides," she said, dropping her voice, "relationships between mages are usually very brief unless the two are soulmates... I... I should know," she said sadly. "Some mages... they actually will use certain spells to _make_ the person they love fall in love with them... Ka'ina did that to me. I broke the spell just today," she sighed. "That's the problem with getting involved with another mage... you never know if the attraction to them is real or if it's the result of a spell. I was supposed to meet her at the Moon Kingdom today... but I didn't. The meeting was supposed to be for us to... go out to dinner, become closer... but I don't want to do that with her. I wish I had someone... like... well, I wish I had someone as close to me as you and Michiru are. I used to have someone... if my fragmented memories are correct... but Ka'ina wiped those memories and..." "Let me guess, she sent this person away so you couldn't fall in love again?" "Yes..." Uranus gave her a wry smile. "You'll meet again one day," she said softly. Immora smiled sadly and stood up. "I hope so. I wish we could talk more, but I need to be going. I have to help Sharra with a spell--" "Was she that dark-skinned Elfin lady that appeared to retrieve you yesterday?" Immora nodded, then bowed at the waist. "Goodbye, Haruka, I shall see you some other time... ?" Uranus rose and walked her to the door. Just as Immora placed her delicate hand on the door handle, the door swung open. Immora stepped back as a tall, lanky man with dark hair and dark colored robes entered. "Princess, I--" He blinked in surprise as he met Immora's gaze. He then bowed at the waist, an awed expression on his face. "Immora. A pleasure to meet you." Immora nodded and bowed politely. "And you are?" "Zatuur. I have studied you for years, it is an honor to meet you face to face." Immora cocked and eyebrow and chuckled. "I didn't know there was any written material about me. I'm not really that interesting!" Zatuur smiled and traced a strange symbol in the air. Immora did the same, her finger leaving a blue glowing trail behind it, so the symbol shone in the air briefly before fading. She smiled back at Uranus again before leaving the room, to go rest in some guest quarters. "What just happened?" Uranus asked in confusion. Zatuur laughed and handed her a scroll. "It was a gesture of welcome. Here. This is from the Titaaun family. Their son--" "Let me guess, offers to take the throne, wants to know if I'll marry him?!" "Ah... yes. I'll just tell him no." Zatuur smiled slightly. "Maybe you should make a general announcement that you are already... ah, in a relationship... and are not interested in committing to another one." Uranus shrugged and headed off to her room. What a weird day. Time: about two hours later Place: a library, the Palace, the Moon Kingdom Mercury, Neptune, and Venus had gotten together to study. It was pretty late at night and they only had candles to read by. Mercury skimmed over some science notes, Neptune glanced at her math before becoming lost in a complicated daydream, while Venus struggled with her studies of the Uranian culture. "Too bad Haruka isn't here," she muttered. "She could probably help me with this." "I just plain wish she was here," Neptune said with a little sigh. Her hand trailed to a necklace around her neck with a rich blue stone on it. Mercury looked up at her and noted the necklace. It looked to be expensive, and she had no idea what the stone was, but it was obviously real and extremely rare. "Where'd you get that necklace? It's beautiful," Mercury commented. Venus promptly looked up to view the necklace. Neptune blushed faintly. "Ah... Haruka gave it to me... about three days ago..." She cleared her throat and opened up a book. Venus and Mercury both smiled slightly. Venus combed her golden hair back, then irritably scratched the skin around the symbol on her forehead. "Are you okay?" Mercury asked with a puzzled look. Venus nodded and continued scratching her forehead. "It just itches like crazy... I don't know why..." She glanced around the library and noted a dark-haired woman sitting alone in a corner with a haunted look on her face. The door to the library slowly opened. The woman that entered was... Immora? She was wearing a light blue, satin silk dress that hung to her ankles. No makeup adorned her face, making her look strangely innocent and weak. A small silver necklace hung from her neck along with a few bracelets on her wrists. Her feet were bare. Several candles went out around the room as she gestured with her hand. The corner the dark-haired woman sat in had only one candle glowing, while the three Senshi had about five. They watched with interest as Immora sat down across from the other woman and took a deep breath. "Hello, Ka'ina," she said. Her voice was soft and sad, unlike how'd they remembered it. "Hello, Immora," Ka'ina said bitterly. "Ka'ina, I... I am sorry I didn't show up... I just..." Immora looked away. "I'm sorry. I just don't think that... Ka'ina, I broke through your spell... I'm sorry, but I don't love you. We can't stay together. I'm sorry." Ka'ina just looked at the floor and a single tear trailed down her face. "I still love you," she whispered. "I only put the spell on your because of that." She fled the room before Immora could say anything else. Immora sighed and sat back farther in her chair. She then glanced in the Senshi's direction. "Michiru?" she called softly. Neptune was surprised that Immora was using her real name. "Ah... yes?" "I was on Uranus today. I spoke with Haruka... before I left the planet..." she walked over to her and held out a scroll. "She told me to give this to you if I saw you." Neptune put it in her bag. "Thank you..." she trailed off. Immora looked so weak and tired standing there in that pale slip dress, with her blond hair falling down her back and around her shoulders. She was so pale, with very delicate, frail features, the light of the candles dancing on her eyes... Neptune's eyes widened. Her pupils... they were round? Weren't they slits before? What did it mean? As she watched, Immora's pupils slowly formed slits again. "Sleep well," she whispered to the three before walking out the door slowly and silently. She gently closed the door behind her. "Poor woman," Venus whispered. "She's so confused, she has so much pain to live with..." Neptune sighed and pulled open the scroll and read it aloud to the other girls. " 'Dear Michiru',... that's all she can say? Dear?" "Keep going," Venus prodded. "Worry about it later." " 'Hello! I've been incredibly bored here on Uranus. Not much has happened since I last talked with you. Immora dropped by to chat and since she mentioned going back to the Moon Kingdom, I told her to give this to you.' Well, obviously, I mean, we just saw her," Neptune chuckled. " 'My mom isn't doing well. The doctor said she probably won't make it another day. She seems happy enough though. I visited her, and she said that she was happy that she wouldn't have to feel the pain anymore. She said there was nothing left for her, so she was happy to be going on to a better place. I will miss her a lot. I never really got to know her. I wish she could meet you. She told me she thinks you sound like a "very nice young lady, the type you wish your daughters could be just like". She hopes we'll be happy together, and she said that she'll send her blessings from above when... if we get married.' Hmmm... I wonder..." Neptune giggled and kept reading. " 'I miss you already! It really hasn't been that long or anything, but I miss spending time with you. I _hate_ being cooped up in the palace all day. I wish I could see you again. I'll probably be here over a month, but I'll come back the day of the ball and stay the night before I have to go back. It'll be nice to spend the whole night together again, won't it? Just like old times, staying up late talking, getting barely any sleep because we spend so much time making love...' " Neptune coughed and blushed deeply while Mercury and Venus just giggled. "Well, well, Michiru," Venus teased. "I didn't know that you two were going that far!" Neptune blushed deeper and cleared her throat. "Minako... we are deeply in love and... we just... we are old enough to be... engaging in those type of, um, activities..." "Why don't you keep reading?" Mercury suggested to spare Neptune more embarrassment. Neptune opened her mouth to speak, then turned around and started looking around the room with a puzzled look on her face. "Are you okay?" Venus asked her, brow furrowed with concern. "I thought I sensed..." Neptune shuddered and pushed the thought out of her head. Get a grip, Michiru! She's dead! We destroyed her! She can't be here... right? "And you want _me_ to do this?" The shadowy form standing in her room nodded. "Yes. You are the only one I know of with the power to--" "What if I refuse?!" the woman snapped. "Just because I _have_ the ability, doesn't mean I will agree to this... this _madness_!!" The form seemed to coalesce into the shape of a woman with long, flowing hair, but still remained a shadow. "You tried to kill all the people here yesterday. You could do it again." "No!" the woman shouted hoarsely. "I am tired of it! I am too weak! My magic is still weakened!" "When you regain your power--" "NO!!!" the woman screamed. A burst of blue light shot at the shadowed form but only passed through her. The woman then crumpled on the floor sobbing. "I don't want to hurt them, really I don't.... I..." "You really _are_ weak, Immora. You are stupid and powerless, aren't you?" The form shimmered into nothing. Immora lay in a crumpled heap, sobbing to herself until she was gasping for air. "I will never answer to you, Mistress Nine... never..." she closed her eyes and slowly fell asleep. "Never." ________ EIGHT ________ Time: the next morning Place: the Palace, the Moon Kingdom Neptune stirred, and immediately upon awakening had the strangest sensation that something was very wrong in the Palace. She just couldn't figure what it was. She tied her bathrobe around her and went downstairs for breakfast. It was early in the morning, and only ten people were in the huge breakfast hall. A few people in the Earth military, a man she recognized as a doctor from Uranus (why was he _here_?), a giggling couple sitting off to the side, a Mercurian translator, and Immora, who never noticed Neptune. Neptune grabbed several food items and casually walked over to the Uranian doctor. He was busily typing into a keypad, a small communications crystal in front of him. The ball showed a screen of writing, that was all that was there at the moment. He seemed frustrated and busy, Neptune didn't say anything in case she might disturb him. "Damn!" he swore. A face appeared in the ball. "I'm sorry," he told the woman that had appeared. "I can't do anything with these figures. Near as I can tell, she's dying and we can't stop it. Tell her daughter." He broke off the communications and rested his forehead against his head, looking tired and guilty. "Who is it? The woman that's..." "The queen," the doctor said. "The queen of Uranus is dying, and we'll probably lose her in the next ten minutes." Time: roughly the same Place: the palace on Uranus Uranus had been shaken awake, and after hastily throwing on some clothes, led to her mother's bedside, where the woman lay in her final minutes. "Mom!" she cried in a choked voice. She dropped to her knees next to the bed and clasped her mother's hand. "Mom... I am sorry... I couldn't do anything..." Her mother coughed and made a choked sound. "Darling, there isn't anything you could do to stop it. Let it go. We all die someday... some of us sooner than others. Wipe your tears away, daughter, and stand proud! You have your whole life ahead of you! I've lived mine! I am going on to a greater place, you don't need to stop that." She paused to cough softly. Uranus smiled through her tears. "I love you, Mom. I really didn't get to spend much time with you... but you were always special to me... in those times I remembered..." Her mother smiled weakly. "Child, just be happy for me. I have lived in pain too long, I've needed a release. Now I have it. Your life is so good for you now! Think about it dear. You have a woman that loves you dearly, that you also love, and you have friends that will stand by you. You have many things, Haruka..." she coughed again. "Haruka, please, just be happy. Stay true to your friends, stay strong in your faith, and of course in your love." Uranus nodded, fighting back tears. "Farewell..." Her mother closed her eyes and leaned back farther in her pillows. "Goodbye, Haruka... I love you daughter..." She gave a soft sigh and gave her last breath. Uranus pushed the bangs back from her mother's face and kissed her forehead. She knelt down and said a small prayer, then opened the door where many people gathered, waiting. "There is no more to be done here. The queen is dead." She turned and walked back to her room, then flung her windows opened and looked at the sky. "If you can hear me now, Mother... thank you. For listening, for loving me... even if you couldn't be there in my childhood." She smiled up at the sky sadly, then turned to the crystal to tell Queen Serenity what had happened. Time: an hour later Place: the breakfast hall, the Palace, the Moon Kingdom The Inner Senshi, Saturn, Pluto, and Princess Serenity sat eating breakfast. A lot of people were in the hall now, many still there from earlier. The young, giggling couple was still there, Immora still sat there, not really eating, but she was sorting through papers, writing a report it seemed. Saturn had just opened her mouth to speak, when Queen Serenity opened the doors and clapped her hands loudly. The hall fell silent. "I ask, please, for a moment of quiet reflection. A life has been lost, the queen of Uranus, just an hour ago." The gatherers obliged and lowered their heads, thinking about what they'd heard. Several people from Uranus were there, all remained in shock, silently praying for their late queen. Queen Serenity looked up. "You may continue," she said softly. Many people stayed quiet, the rest murmuring softly. Immora walked over to Queen Serenity and handed her the sheets of paper. "Please read this," she said softly, before walking out of the hallway in a strange sort of trance. Neptune raced to her room and grabbed her communications crystal. "Get me through to the palace on Uranus--" The woman on the other end responded, "The princess has asked not to be disturbed--" "Put me through to her!!!" "Ma'am, I am afraid that--" "I am her LOVER!!! Put me through to her!!" "Ah... yes, m-ma'am... hold on a moment..." Neptune sat impatiently waiting as the lady seemed to be searching for which signal would reach Uranus's room. Finally Uranus's face appeared. She smiled weakly, sadly. "Hi Michiru..." "Hi Haruka... I... heard what happened. Do you want me to come over there? I figured you probably want someone to talk to..." "My shuttle leaves in three hours to return to the Moon Kingdom for the ball. I can only stay until tomorrow afternoon though; I will need to get back to my duties... Mom's funeral is in five days..." Neptune wiped a tear from her eye. "Haruka... I..." Uranus smiled sadly at her. "There was nothing anyone could do for her... maybe some mage could've helped, but Mom wouldn't have wanted that. She wanted it to end..." Uranus drew in a shuddered breath, the type you breathe after you've been crying hard for a long time. "I'm gonna miss her... she was the last family I had... Lord knows where my brother is!" She smiled more genuinely then. "Well, at least Mom is happy now... she always had a very strong faith... Her life wasn't so great so she wanted it to be over. I just have to accept that." Neptune blew her a small kiss. "I'm going back to Uranus with you, okay? I miss you too much, and besides, it's easier to rule a planet with someone by your side." Uranus laughed. "Thanks! Well, gotta get my dress from the cleaning lady... I hope you'll like it. I picked it out for the ball, it's dark blue..." "Don't tell me yet! I wanna be surprised!" "Suit yourself," Uranus chuckled. "Well... I should go... if I am lucky, maybe I can catch an earlier shuttle." "Yeah, okay... Hey wait!" Neptune suddenly remembered... "Haruka... I've been getting these strange feelings lately... like there is some evil presence in the palace... I'm scared, I really am. I don't know who to talk to..." Uranus thought about it. "Why not go to Mars? She is good with this type of stuff..." there was a burst of static briefly on the screen and some garbled sounds, then Uranus appeared again. "Sorry! This thing isn't working quite right... see ya later okay? I love you..." Neptune giggled as Uranus blew her a kiss and winked. "I love you too" Blowing her a kiss, she broke of the communications, then flopped back on their bed and pondered the strange premonitions she'd been having lately. Time: about seven minutes after previous scene Place: a guest room, the Palace "No!!! I told you NO!!!" Immora started throwing vases and various strange objects, magic trinkets, and books at the shadowy form, before stumbling to the ground when she lost her footing. She looked back up at the form of Mistress Nine with a sneer. "I won't ever serve you. I am not STUPID, unlike what you might think." She spat at the form. "Look at you, you don't even have a body anymore! You're just a shadow, a mere presence!" Mistress Nine's black form was only a shadow of her former self. It had the shape, but the solid black shadow didn't betray any features. A strange purple glow formed around her, and her eyes became visible as piercing white slits on her face, her irises only showing as a dark circle in the white. A red glow formed from the eyes. "I will regain Hotaru, Immora, and then you can't do anything to stop me. You _will_ help me whether you wish it or not." Immora climbed to her feet again. "You don't get it, do you? I will NOT serve you, no matter _what_ happens!!! And how the HELL are you able to exist after all the power the Senshi threw at you!?!" Mistress Nine laughed lightly. "You fool! I am tied with many powers in the universe, linked to darkness. As long as there is evil in this world, I can return." Immora snorted. "Whatever. I really don't care anymore." Without any semblance of modesty, she cast her clothing aside and pulled on a pale violet dress, slit up one side, with thin straps and a low neckline. "Now, I am going to ENJOY myself and have fun. Don't interfere with that!" Mistress Nine shimmered into a purple glow. "I go where I choose." She d isappeared after that. Immora shrugged and applied rosy brown lipstick to her lips. I hate that woman, she thought to herself, pulling her hair into a twist and sticking pins in it, a few pieces left out to frame her delicate-featured face. She won't control me, I will never let _anyone_ control me again, after what Necros did... Immora shuddered slightly, then turned around in front of the mirror to examine her dress. She slipped her feet into pale violet high heels, then put silver hoops in her ears, a silver bracelet near her bicep (it's one of those Egyptian style ones) and fastened a necklace around her neck. It had a rich blue gem, the variety unknown, but clearly rare [note: this is just like what Neptune was said to have in the previous chapter; this was not given to her by Uranus though!] fastened on a silver chain. She held the jewel up in front of her face with a wistful look, her pupils rounded. I will find you... one day we will be reunited, my love. I am sorry that Ka'ina removed the memories and I couldn't remember a single thing about you, but I remember now... I know who you are now. I miss you so much! I don't know when, but we will be together again... my soulmate. I have a strong feeling it will be soon... A single tear trickled down her cheek, and Immora irritably dabbed her cheek with a cloth to get rid of the smear her eye makeup left behind it. I will find you one day... we will be together... forever... Time: half an hour later Place: a meeting room in the Palace Queen Serenity was discussing the report Immora had given her with several generals, Kunzite, Jadeite, Zoisite, and Nephrite among them. She had made it clear that Mistress Nine was still in existence and was trying to utilize Immora's powers, and to regain possession of Hotaru. Kunzite paced the floor while Nephrite spoke with the other two, the other generals present murmuring amongst themselves. "I think that if she plans to attack," a general from Jupiter spoke, "we need to build up everyone's defenses in preparation." A voice spoke out, "That is just what she is waiting for." A person materialized from the shadows. Immora. She was dressed for the ball, it seemed. "Look, she will wait until she knows we are ready for her to attack. She is strange in that sense... she wants to wait until... until my powers are built up again. She seems to think I will assist her." A Martian commander narrowed his eyes in her direction. "Will you assist her, archmage? You tried to attack us two days ago! Why not now?!" A typically fiery-tempered Martian, Immora thought to herself. "No, I will not. Oh, General, if you were paying attention to the broadcasts lately, I did _not_ attack of my own free will. I believe you can study that report in detail if you wish to understand my unique mental condition fully." She then curtsied slightly. "If you will excuse me, the ball is in two hours, and I need to speak with some people. Farewell Queen, gentlemen." "She has a strange charm to her," Zoisite murmured. "If you have a heart of ice," Jadeite chuckled. Time: an hour and a half later Place: the docking bay, outside the Palace The Senshi stood waiting for Uranus's shuttle to arrive, along with a few dozen Uranian citizens that wanted a glimpse of their princess. Some of the guests had filed outside to see who all would get off the shuttle--it held about a hundred people--along with the well-known gossipers, fishing for stories to broadcast over a general channel the next morning. Neptune stood with the Inner Senshi, the four Generals, and Endymion. The Generals and Endymion had their arms wrapped around the shoulders of their respective lovers, while Neptune stood off to the side. Pluto and Saturn were talking with an old friend of theirs several yards away. Neptune smoothed the front of her dress, a silvery aqua in color. The dress hugged her upper body while the skirt billowed around her, the low dip of the neckline and the loose, transparent sleeves complimented her shapely figure well. Her heels matched the color of her dress, and she wore simple droplet earrings, the ring and necklace Uranus had given her, and a thin silver chain bracelet around her left wrist. She only wore a bit of rosy lipstick as her makeup. Like the other Princesses, she wore a thin ribbon tied in the back around her neck. Her wavy hair was worn down, curling around her shoulders slightly. The Inners were dressed with equal elegance. Princess Serenity had her usual, beautiful white dress, white heels, the engagement ring Endymion had given her, and some simple silver jewelry, with pale pink lipstick as her only makeup. She was a vision of angelic beauty in her soft white and silver tones. She had tied a silvery white ribbon around her neck which complimented her eyes and hair well. A few small white flowers were tucked into her hair near her odango. Mercury had on a short blue-toned dress, the color shifting from rich blues to aqua tones depending on the angle you looked at it. The neckline dipped but was modest at the same time, her sleeves thin spaghetti straps. Her dress was flowing like water, her silver jewelry seeming to reflect the watery hues. The ribbon around her neck shifted colors with her dress, her silver hoop earrings and bracelets appearing blue toned in comparison, her lips glossed to a delicate shine. Venus had a yellow dress on that had a gold tinge to it. Her v-neckline didn't dip very low, the slit up one side of her skirt showed her legs, the skirt and top clinging to her lithe form. Her shiny hair was worn loose instead of in its usual ribbon, matching her gold droplet earrings and bracelets well. The ribbon was the same color as her dress, though she tied it at the side of her neck instead of the back, her bronzy lips completing the color scheme. Mars wore a rich red dress so as not to match her bright hair color exactly. Her dress clung to her before flaring around her knees, her thin straps worn low on her shoulders with her plunging neckline showing her tanned skin. Her hair was pinned up in a twist, with several pieces dangling loose. Her ruby jewelry was set in gold, the ribbon around her neck had a slight curl in the tails. She smiled briefly in Serenity's direction as her rosy lips kissed Jadeite's cheek briefly. Jupiter wore an emerald-toned dress, loose and billowing around her, with a low neckline and transparent sleeves like the one's on Neptune's dress. Her wavy locks were pulled back in a low ponytail with a ribbon like the one around her neck. She wore only rose earrings for jewelry, but they were so polished and bright that it didn't seem necessary for her to wear any more. Her lips were a glossy pink, going well with the rose earrings. Pluto wore a black dress with a plunging neckline and thin straps. It clung to her body, flaring only at her ankles, her dark hair pulled up in a high ponytail held with a silver hair-ring. Dark jewels sparkled from her ears, a dark ribbon tied around her neck seeming a bit out of place, but she looked strangely imposing nevertheless. A bracelet made of silver wrapped here upper arm (again one of those Egyptian ones, you know, those snake bracelets?) She didn't smile but only briefly, a slight twitching of her deep chocolate-colored lips. Saturn wore a purple dress with a modest neckline and off-shoulder sleeves. The dress was loose around her tiny frame and she seemed uncomfortable standing around in it. She wore tiny silver hoops for earrings, her only jewelry, her lips glossed slightly, and the ribbon tied around her neck matching her dress in color. She seemed a bit nervous though. I have a terrible feeling about tonight, Saturn thought to herself. Something is terribly wrong, I know it... Usagi stood to the side of Saturn, wearing a silvery pink dress that was simple in design; low neckline, strappy sleeves, tight on the top while becoming looser and flared towards the bottom. She wore her hair down, flowing in soft waves, with some small white flowers tucked behind her left ear. She wore tiny silver droplets for earrings, with a silvery pink ribbon tied around her neck, and a small silver chain around her wrist with a heart dangling from it. Pluto was surprised at how much more mature she was than in the Original Time, and was pleased that she had grown into such an intelligent, calm woman. The Generals wore black tuxedos with flowing cloaks, the inside lining of Kunzite's being an icy blue, Jadeite's a dark red, Nephrite's a rich green, and Zoisite's a deep golden orange. Endymion wore his usual black tuxedo with a flowing black cloak, the inside lined with a rich red velvet. As the group stood, Pluto and Saturn rejoined them. The shuttle finally landed, about ten minutes late, but that was to be expected with the strange magical waves that Immora and Saturn's battle had caused. Passengers started filing off the shuttle, side-by-side, in a long trail of people. Several well-known families exited the plane, their arrivals announced as the left the ramp. Uranus was near the back of the group and seemed a bit upset about being so far behind everyone. A big fuss was made by the announcer at her arrival, the group waiting for her ignoring what they said. "Haruka!" Neptune called out, waving her hand over the large crowd of people. Uranus waved back and started pushing people aside to get through, "'Scuse me, pardon me, hey! Watch where you're going!" She finally got through the crowd. "Jeez, it's a zoo out here!" she chuckled. Neptune smiled and ran into her open arms, hugging her tightly. "How was the trip?" Jupiter asked. Uranus nodded, "It was okay, some rough space, but it was a pretty smooth trip--oof! You're squishing my ribs, Michiru!" Neptune giggled and kissed her lips lightly. She pulled back from the embrace and breathed, "You look gorgeous." Uranus blushed slightly. "Thanks, you do too." Uranus wore an indigo dress that fitted her slender body tightly. It had a dipping neckline with two tiny straps on each sides for sleeves. The skirt was slit to just above her knee on each side. She wore a gold chain with a tiny globe-shaped gem on it, a rich dark blue with flecks of aquamarine swirling in it. It was a gift from Neptune. She wore a small gold hoop on each ear, her lips colored in a rosy brown. The ribbon matching her dress tied around her neck had very short tails on it. She kissed Neptune on the forehead. "Like the dress?" "Yes, it's very nice," Neptune said with a smile. "C'mon, let's get away from the crowds, the ball starts in twenty minutes... it's going to be tough getting inside," Mars told them all. "We better get inside then," Endymion said with a smile. "After all, the 'royal couples' have to be announced." The couples all groaned. "Pluto, Saturn, and Usagi, you three will each get separate introductions..." "Why do we have to be announced?" Serenity said with a sigh. "We are royalty, important people, rulers, Senshi..." Mercury shrugged. "We have to get used to it. These people look to us for protection and leadership. They expect us to be announced and talked about--" she laughed, "I'll stop rattling on... probably is a rather boring topic, right?" The couples joined hands as they walked to the front of a line of important people that would be introduced, the three singles also coming in behind them. "Oh, sorry! I didn't mean to bump you--" Saturn started to someone she'd jostled. "It's okay I wasn't--Saturn?!" The woman's eyes widened in surprise. "Immora?!" Saturn was completely shocked, but she tried not to make too big a deal about it. Immora cringed. "Er, hi... I... Saturn, I am so sorry for... attacking like that... I..." Saturn's shocked face changed to a wide smile. "Uranus explained it in a transmission to me last night. I understand. I... forgive you." Immora breathed a sigh of relief. "Y'know... I _hate_ waiting in this stupid line!" She laughed lightly. "I don't consider myself important, so why should I be here?! I mean, tons of mages look up to me and everything, but I'm really just some simple woman who wishes she had a _normal_ life! I'm sure you can understand that, being a senshi and all, can't you? Being popular really _sucks_ sometimes." She laughed with Saturn, then they exchanged several words, complimented their choice of dress, and stood talking as they waited to be introduced. "Welcome to the annual Silver Millennium Ball! I hope the trip was okay--" the usual speech by the announcer followed. "First, we have our dear queen, the beautiful Serenity!" There was an uproarious applause after that, Queen Serenity entering the room with her usual grace, smiling as she took her seat at a large table reserved for the Senshi and the Generals (Endymion too!) "Princess Serenity of the moon and her fiancé, Prince Endymion of Earth!" The young engaged couple walked it with Serenity's hand around Endymion's arm. They politely nodded and took their seats. "Princess Mercury and her boyfriend, General Kunzite!" The two entered and smiled to everyone, Kunzite returning several salutes he received from various members of his forces. "Princess Venus and her boyfriend, General Zoisite!" There were several whistles, just who they were directed to was not apparent. They waved before taking their seats. "Princess Mars and her boyfriend, General Jadeite!" They walked in and briefly waved before slipping into their seats. The announcer paused slightly. "Princess Jupiter and her _fiancé_ General Nephrite!" They hurried to their seats as scattered shouts and whistles flew at them, the Senshi all staring in astonishment at them. "When did THIS happen!?" Serenity squealed. "Hush, last night, now be quiet," Jupiter hissed. "Princess Uranus and... *ahem* her girlfriend Princess Neptune!" They walked in holding hands and smiling widely, receiving various responses as they took their seats. "Princess Pluto, Princess Saturn, and the beautiful, kind, and mysterious woman known as Usagi!" The three women entered, curtsied, then took their seats. "Um..." the announcer was uncertain about announcing the next person on the list. "The most powerful archmage in known existence, Immora!" Immora entered with a tiny forced smile, the only true applause being from some mages clustered together, the rest was out of politeness. She sat down at a large table where most of the mages sat, a strangely crestfallen look on her face. The introductions continued for a bit as some other important persons and families were announced. "General Toren of Uranus with his wife..." Uranus held back a loud laugh as his name was called. "The King and Queen of Neptune, with their daughters and sons..." the announcer racked off several names as Neptune paled slightly. The announcer continued announcing the royal families of the various planets, the kings and queens receiving less applause than their sons and daughters however. "... one who has been known to us as one of the fastest runners and best shuttle pilot around, Akeru!" A loud crack of glass was heard from one of the tables and most of the guests fell silent and turned to see Immora, shards of glass held in her trembling, bleeding hand. The eyes went back to the woman introduced as Akeru, shrugging as they clapped for her. Akeru had average skin-tone, short, boyish-cut black hair, and almond-shaped, chocolate brown eyes. She was average height, slender, and carried herself with confidence. Like most of the men present and only a couple women, she wore a tuxedo, pale in color but not quite white, looking strangely right in it. She wore a silver chain around her neck, with a rich blue gem attached [notice a pattern here?] She took her seat at the table filled with mages, choosing an empty spot next to Immora. The introductions finished shortly after that. Uranus nudged Jupiter with her elbow. "Hey, you have any idea what is going on over there? I don't know what to make of it..." Jupiter followed her gaze to where the mages sat, the other Senshi also starting to take interest. Immora sat, wide-eyed, and said nothing as she gazed at Akeru, tightly clasping the jewel around her neck. Akeru looked over at her with a bemused look. The Senshi used their magical abilities to hear what they said. "Do you remember me, Immora?" she spoke in sweet tones. Immora nodded slowly. "I think so..." Akeru cupped Immora's chin with her hand. Immora colored slightly. "I've missed you... I am so sorry for what happened..." Akeru just smiled and kissed her cheek gently. "It isn't your fault... Ka'ina made you forget and sent me here..." A tiny tear trickled down Immora's cheek. Akeru brushed it away, Immora catching Akeru's hand in hers when she pulled it back, and gently kissed the other woman's hand. Akeru smiled at her and Immora smiled shyly back. "Poor Ka'ina," Venus said softly, gesturing to the crestfallen woman sitting a several seats away from Immora and Akeru. "It's kind of obvious what Akeru and Immora feel for each other... Immora has a love for Akeru that she never had for Ka'ina..." Music started playing and couples started to file out to the dance floor. "May I have this dance?" Endymion teased Serenity, pulling her to her feet as the two began twirling and moving across the dance floor with practiced skill. Uranus smiled to Neptune and they stood, also moving to the dance floor. "Remember that day in the cave?" Neptune blushed faintly, then gently pressed her lips to Uranus's. "How could I forget... my first kiss, or should I say two, ever. And they were _quite_ good, Haruka." Uranus laughed with her, holding her close as they moved in time with the music. The Generals helped their respective lovers to their feet as they moved out to the floor also. Venus kept hissing questions in Jupiter's direction, as did Zoisite, demanding an explanation as to just how their engagement came about. Queen Serenity sat at the table with Pluto, Saturn, and Usagi. "They all make such beautiful couples," she commented. Pluto nodded in agreement. "They do all go well together... hmmm, what _is_ our friend Immora up to?" They looked over in her direction. She was talking softly with Akeru, nervously clasping her hand. Akeru then asked her something and they stood up. Akeru started to lead her in the dance, moving among the dancers a bit awkwardly, as if not used to dancing much. Immora's cheeks were flushed slightly as they held each other tightly. "Akeru, I ... I love you. I am sorry that Ka'ina... you know..." "Hush, my love..." Akeru whispered, pressing her finger to Immora's soft lips. "I love you too..." They leaned closer, meeting each other's lips in a tender, yet passionate kiss. A few murmurs escaped some of the people dancing near them, the couple never even noticing in their embrace. Akeru pulled back slowly. "I missed you," she told Immora softly. Immora blushed slightly and said shyly, "I really missed you too... once I remembered you..." Serenity chuckled, "Despite having lived for technically hundreds, maybe thousands of years, she still is young at heart." The various couples continued to whirl around the dance floor as the band shifted to a slower song. Endymion held Princess Serenity tighter to him as he talked softly with her. "When do you want our wedding to be? We've been engaged for awhile now..." "Hmmm... let's think about that later and just enjoy the party for now..." Pluto smiled to Saturn. "They are a lovely couple aren't th--" her words cut off as her eyes went blank. "Pluto, wha--" Saturn gasped for air, her eyes blanking out. Her world seemed to swirl around her, she felt light-headed like she was floating, yet strangely heavy... everything was spinning, she was numbed, but a sharp pain ached through her body... everything seemed so silent, but a voice throbbed in her mind... her thoughts were mixing, jumbling, hers and someone else's, she could feel part of her body clearly while the other seemed to be feeling what another person felt... Queen Serenity dashed to Saturn's side, the Senshi quickly breaking away from their dances to run over to here. Saturn had collapsed on the ground shrieking, a black shadow shaped like a woman hovering over her, but seeming to overlap her... The crowd started screaming and panicking, shoving aside their peers in a dash for the exits. Guards swarmed around trying to get things under control. Queen Serenity started shouting at the Senshi, "Transform! It's Mistress Nine, you must stop her!" The Senshi all clutched their heads simultaneously as a pulsing sensation went through their minds. "I am afraid NOT," Mistress Nine cackled. Saturn's body raised, eyes still blank. About half of Mistress Nine's form was merged with Saturn's. Saturn's body seemed like a puppet, suspended in the air, unable to control her own actions. Mistress Nine sent out a wave of energy that rippled the air and slammed into the Senshi, it didn't knock them back or hurt them physically, but had another effect... "I-I can't henshin--" Mercury moaned. "My head..." "That power.. it's too strong, stop fighting it!" Uranus called hoarsely to them. "The harder you try the more it AHHHH!!!" she slumped to her knees clutching her throbbing head in her hands. Purple lighting crackled in the air as Mistress Nine slowly merged with Hotaru's body. "STOP HER!!!" someone else screamed. A burst of light hit Mistress Nine's shadowy form and she was forced back a bit. "What the--" Immora stood their with a terrified look on her face. "D-Don't do it please! You told me you wouldn't... You don't know what--" a burst of black energy from Mistress Nine slammed Immora back against the wall. A crack split the wall as the crunch of bones was heard. Immora still remained pinned to the wall as Mistress Nine continued to pour black energy from her, slamming into the screaming archmage's form. Finally the onslaught stopped. Immora dropped to the ground with a sickening thump. Akeru screamed loudly and ran over to her crumpled, bloodied figure. "The ginzuishou! Give it to me!" Queen Serenity shouted, fighting against the pain of the black energy crackling around her. The guests had cleared the hall, leaving the queen, the Senshi, Immora, Akeru, and Mistress Nine the only ones present. The younger Serenity painfully lobbed it to her mother, who clasped it in her hand with fierce determination. A strong wind blew outwards from Mistress Nine, pushing them back away from her as she continued to merge with Hotaru's body. Uranus painfully crawled over to Akeru, who was slumped over the form of Immora. Immora's breathing was ragged and her healing was going painfully slow. "You have to help us!" Uranus shrieked. "Get up! Get up and fight!" "I can't!" she sobbed, clutching her broken ribs. Sobs racked her body, making the pain worse. "I-I-I wish I c-could but... ahhhh!" she screamed as a glow rushed through her. Blood stained her hands as she held them in front of her face, shudders racking her. "I can't d-do anything against her... I-I..." "Don't push her!" Akeru whispered hoarsely. A burst of light caused the Senshi to slide across the floor towards the walls. Pluto finally came to, weakened and in terrible pain. She couldn't access her time abilities. She watched in horror as Mistress Nine started to complete her possession. "Immora!" Queen Serenity screamed. "Use the gin-ginzui--" Immora started to say. She coughed hard and spat out some blood. Queen Serenity held it up and a bright white light began to glow. "Ginzuishou Clen--" she never finished her words. A bright purple flash suddenly appeared, and everything was colored red as a red glow formed, finally turning black. They couldn't see what was happening... A dull purple light, shaped light a small star, appeared. Then red glowing eyes. Everything lit up again. "NoOOOoooOOOooOOOoooooOOO!!!" Immora shrieked. Loud maniacal laughter filled the hallway. Standing tall, wearing a low-cut navy dress with long black hair, yet the same frail form they knew, was Mistress Nine. "I knew I would have this body again... nothing can ever stop me..." "Pluto Senshi MAKE-UP!!!" Pluto shrieked, ignoring the fire in her mind. She stood up, clothed in her fuku. The pain in her head made her want to pass out, but she had to keep going... "Mars Senshi MAKE-UP!!!" "Uranus Senshi MAKE-UP!!!" "Jupiter Senshi MAKE-UP!!!"" "Venus Senshi MAKE-UP!!!" "Neptune Senshi MAKE-UP!!!" "Mercury Senshi MAKE-UP!!!" "Moon Prism Power, Make-UP!!!!!" The Senshi transformed and stood up, clutching their respective weapons in hand. Mistress Nine laughed loudly. The two Serenities clung together, trying to power the ginzuishou, which refused to answer their summons. "Blazing --" Mars started her attack, when Mistress Nine sent another ripple of energy out. The Senshi screamed as they slid across the marble floor to collide with the wall. Mars moaned and started to try again, when a burst of energy hit her hard, knocking her unconscious before she could cry out. "Try something else, summon your elements or something!" Akeru cried to them. She held Immora against her, her pale tuxedo dotted with Immora's crimson blood. Immora moaned and rasped, "Just summon them! Don't worry about the words *cough cough* just do it!!" Neptune nervously started, "I summon the spirits of the sea--" Mistress Nine's form seemed to waver and glowed brightly. Neptune cried out and screamed, knocked unconscious like Mars. "Damnit, it isn't responding!" Princess Serenity cried. The ginzuishou remained dull and lifeless. "I summon the guardians of the heavens--" Uranus also screamed was also knocked out by a blast. "We are never going to win this," Neo-Moon sobbed. "Everytime we try she just--" "Wait!" Akeru cried. "Immora... give me the rings..." "What?!" Immora gasped. "Akeru, you can't--" "Do it!" Immora handed over several rings to her, each having a different colored gem set in them. Akeru grimaced slightly at the flow of energy that went through her, then turned to face Mistress Nine. Several bolts of lightning, followed by a flow of fire and ice, launched at the other woman. Mistress Nine sidestepped them, then lashed out, knocking the rings from her fingers. "Damn!" Akeru swore. "I can't use those abilities without the amplifier rings--" "Death... " Mistress Nine started in a chill voice. Pluto's eyes widened to their fullest. "no, No, NO SOMEONE STOP HER!!!!" Immora cried out hastily, "I Summon the energy of the Cosmos to me--" "Reborn..." "--and call you to fill me with your power!!!" "Revo--" "Katanu shali tai Na!!!!" Immora shrieked. "--LUTION!!!" A bright white burst of light formed, matched by a burst of black light. The two smashed together, the sound of a gigantic thunderclap shattered the air as a blinding light formed. Screams echoed in the air as a rush of intense cold poured from the blast, seeming about to freeze everything in the bright glow, when suddenly it all ceased. The Senshi that were still conscious huddled together as they sobbed with fear, then sniffled slightly and looked around. Saturn lay on the ground, her skin almost deathly white. Her body had returned to normal. Immora lay, not breathing, on the ground next to her. Their dresses were torn and clung in pathetic scraps to them, scratches and small burns marking their pale skin. The scream from Akeru brought them to their senses. They stumbled over their feet, moving as quickly as they could to Saturn and Immora's side. "Oh God no please no oh my God..." Mercury was murmuring to herself. She lay her head to Saturn's chest, fearing the worst. "Oh thank God, her heart is beating... faintly though... she's not breathing..." She inwardly grimaced. If she had to resort to mouth-to-mouth... Akeru handed her a vial of smelling salts. "It might work... get her breathing first..." Neo-Moon stumbled forward and said some strange phrase under her breath. A pink light glowed around Saturn and she drew in a shuddered breath, then another. Mercury briefly waved the vial under Saturn's nose. She coughed and her eyes fluttered open. She started to sit up, but Jupiter held her shoulders, keeping her in place, then gently gathered her into her arms, cradling the frail princess. Saturn started sobbing. "Oh God I hurt all over... I feel so horrible... check on her..." she whispered, then passed out, but she breathed regularly. Jupiter gently handed her limp form to Pluto. Akeru was frantically trying to rouse Immora. Immora lay still on the ground, still not breathing. Mercury checked her. "She barely has a pulse... we might loose her..." "She's IMMORTAL damnit!" Akeru screamed. "She won't die! It's not possible for her to! Just wake her up please!!!!" She drew in a shuddered breath. "I-I... I'm sorry, I just..." She calmed down a bit and started taking deep breaths. "We have to get her breathing again... give her mouth-to-mouth please," Mercury said. "I don't think anyone else is willing to." Akeru nodded and pinched Immora's nose tightly shut, held her jaw firmly and covered her mouth with her own. She breathed in several times, then pulled back and pressed her hands to her torso, pushing in a few times. The waited several moments. "Damn!" Akeru repeated the procedure. She then repeated again... Finally Immora started to breathe again. "She's still unconscious," Venus murmured wearily. "And Mars, Nep--" "Call the doctors," Queen Serenity murmured to them, slumped against the wall. "Summon them, someone..." A few minutes later, the doctors showed up, putting the five patients on stretchers and carefully teleporting them to the medical facilities. Time: two hours later Place: the medical facilities, the Palace The Senshi, Akeru, and Queen Serenity waited outside the door nervously until the doctor let them come in. Mars, Uranus, and Neptune lay on small beds pushed near each other. "They should be okay in a few days," the doctor told them. "Conscious by tomorrow, but they will need to rest a few days. Calling upon their elements like that and having the link so suddenly severed... it may damage their abilities for a couple of weeks. But they will be physically and mentally well within three days at the most." The doctor handed some medical reports to Mercury, who scanned through them briefly, planning to read through them later. "Saturn... I am afraid I do not know when she will be well. There is no way to tell yet if Mistress Nine is still within her. I am afraid we will have to keep her in unconscious until we are able to determine if Mistress Nine still possesses her. Also, she might be damaged mentally by the attack... I will explain more momentarily.. We have been able to cure most of her wounds already, so when we are able to wake her up, she should be in full health." The Senshi nodded to him. Queen Serenity sadly gazed upon Saturn, lying with the sheets pulled up to her neck. They had removed the shreds of her dress, as they'd done with Immora, because they had gotten in the way during the surgery. Though they had appeared to be not seriously injured on the outside, there had been some internal bleeding in both that the doctors had to stop. The doctor handed the medical documents on Saturn to Mercury, then drew their attention to Immora. "I am afraid she has fallen into a coma. We tried to...ah, jump-start her usual magical healing process with a small dose of this," he held up a vial of a strange liquid, "but we got no response--" "What do you mean?!" Akeru interrupted. "If her magic abilities are working they would have started to heal... oh no..." her hand flew to her mouth. The doctor nodded. "As you all might recall, her abilities were weakened by her battle with Saturn--not permanently, but they probably would not have raised back to full potential for a number of days. What Immora did earlier today..." he cleared his throat. "Mistress Nine called upon a power that would have ultimately destroyed _everything_. I don't mean just this planet, this solar system... the power she called upon would have reached across possibly hundreds or thousands of galaxies. Immora did a very... _stupid_ thing... she basically called upon a power that would have basically done the exact opposite of that. When the two energies collided, that huge explosion you felt was formed. It did not just burst and disappear. That same explosion is still traveling... it's probably left out solar system by now... What I am getting at is that Immora used a power, a very great power, that she should not have attempted even in her full power, much less her weakened state. She is lucky she is immortal or she would undoubtedly be dead already. Using that much power would kill anyone _except_ for an immortal, and as it is she probably will be in a coma for a long time." Akeru seemed to be frozen in place. "How long until she can be woken up?" "At the least... " the doctor sighed deeply. "It could be several months before she wakes up, and maybe even more time after that before she is able to even _think_ on her own again." Jupiter steadied Akeru as she slumped over towards the ground, crying hard. "oh God!" Pluto whispered. "If it had this effect on her, how could Saturn... ?" "Saturn is a unique case, she already had the potential for that kind of attack in her. Immora did not have that ability. The chant she cried out, the summon she made... she drew in power from _everything_, and then suddenly released it in that one burst. Normally, if she were to attempt that, she would have to build up the energy for months... but to do it in a matter of seconds..." Pluto leaned wearily on her Time Staff. Saturn and Immora... comatose... Saturn likely to still be possessed, they didn't dare risk waking her... Immora in a coma for who knows how long.... Mistress Nine could escape anytime and attack. A small tear escaped her eye. All I've tried to do in my duty is to keep the natural balance of this reality. I failed in the last one, and this new reality was formed. This one has plunged into a chaos that I can't do anything to prevent. Things are happening that shouldn't happen, and I can't do anything to stop it. I have failed. ********** END ENCOUNTERS ~~~ NEXT: REMEMBRANCE