Sailormoon Zodiac: #15 - Mirai no Kodomo / The Child of the Future By: Janelle Jimenez (miaka@bishounen.org) Official Webpage: http://www.sailormoon-millennia.net/ [http://bishounen.org/smmillennia/] Notes: Once again, this episode is very, very different than the original episode 15. There's also a few Japanese cultural notes that I wanted to mention before the story so no one's pace gets interrupted by wondering what certain things are. Note 1: 'ganguro' is a term referring to a once somewhat popular look amongst very trendy girls in Japan. It literally means black face. The girls would darken their skin, lighten their hair to a white/blonde color, and wear lots of white eyeshadow. Note 2: 'enka' is a pre-pop form of Japanese music. It was once very popular, but pop music has since taken over Japanese airwaves and charts. It's still listened to, mainly by older people. It's kind of like the Japanese equivalent to country music, except without the youth following. Note 3: This episode contains a naughty word. You've been warned. "You should have been there, Ameko..." Tenshi said softly. "We really needed you. Your water powers would have been useful against Arseniru--you could have dissolved his attack..." "So that's how you saved me...You're a Sailor Senshi." Ameko replied as she turned in her chair and faced her white-haired friend. Tenshi shook her head gently, "No, my powers to levitate don't come from being a Sailor Senshi." Tenshi said as she focused on one of the pencils on Ameko's desk. "At least I don't think so, I discovered this power when I was a little girl." she murmured as she concentrated on her target. The pencil rose into the air and began to shakily write on a pad of paper. Ameko looked down in curiousity at was being written, "Nakayama something-ko?" she asked smirking slightly, "Sorry, I'm not very good with this yet! I only recently practiced using the power for delicate things like writing. I'm surprised I almost got it right at all!" Tenshi giggled. She paused for a moment and picked the pencil out of midair and examined it carefully. Her face then turned serious, "Ameko, really...you should have been there. Sailorleo was in such pain..." "Good, I hope she knows what pain feels like." Ameko said coldly. Tenshi blinked in surprise. She had noticed that ever since Ameko's suicide attempt, Ameko had been acting quite strangely. She wasn't the same innocent, kind Ameko that Tenshi knew. This Ameko was jaded and bitter. "Ameko...Of course Jessica knows what pain feels like." Tenshi murmured, "I meant emotional pain." Ameko muttered. "She knows what that is more than physical pain. Can't you see it in her eyes? She hurts every day, she just doesn't know why." Tenshi sighed. "I don't see anything in her eyes but cruelty." Ameko scoffed. "I know you don't like Jessica, and with good reason...but you shouldn't wish harm upon her." Tenshi said quietly. "Don't tell me what to do!" Ameko shouted as she slammed her hand down on her desk, her bright blue eyes flaring. Tenshi nearly jumped in surprise. "What's wrong with you? You're not acting like the Nakayama Ameko I became friends with." "That Nakayama Ameko is dead. She died that night. That Nakayama Ameko was weak and easily hurt and cowardly. I'm not like that anymore." Ameko replied in a cold voice, but the hurt still apparent in her eyes. The desperation gleamed in her eyes. Despite the hard words she was saying, Tenshi could see the loneliness and fear that had always been there. In the past her eyes were shrouded with false happiness, now they were shrouded with a false hardness. She was still the same Ameko, scared and vulnerable. Ameko had just simply changed how she hid it. Knowing this was enough to keep Tenshi from leaving Ameko's side, she needs me more than ever, Tenshi thought. "We needed you that night, Ameko." Tenshi said calmly, "If the old Nakayama Ameko was weak and the new Ameko is not, then don't be a coward. Face Sailorleo. Show her that you won't be chased away. Be a strong Nakayama Ameko and come back to the team..." * * * * * "Inoue-san, where are those balloons that we ordered?" "They're over there, Rei-sama." a girl said cheerfully to Rei. Rei glanced towards the direction she was pointing to where nothing sat except for air. "Inoue-san, I think you need to double-check that." Rei said gritting her teeth. "Poor, poor Hino-san." Jessica smirked as she walked by, a group of admiring followers trailing behind her carrying various boxes of decorations and stage settings. I can't believe I have to work with her, Rei thought darkly. "Jessica, why don't you be useful and tell me where Kanae is so I can talk to her about the concert tonight?" Rei asked as calmly as possible. If the battle with Arseniru hadn't put her in a bad enough mood, the sudden stress of the School Festival was aggravating her even more so. Not to mention the fact that the burns were still sore in some places of her body. All of this added to a rather irritated Rei. "Anou, Rei-sama, Kanae-san can't sing tonight, she's had strep throat for four days now." Inoue Mikiko said in her cheerful, sweet voice. "Ah, Hino-san isn't on top of things?" Jessica asked with false innocence, "Don't you know, Hino-san? Miraino Ako's band The Fates are playing instead." "WHO?" Rei repeated. "Miraino Ako-san, she transferred to T*A Academy several weeks ago, Hino-san." Mikiko said brightly. Rei cocked her head to the side. This was news to her. She was usually always completely on top of the goings-on at T*A, even when Senshi business got in the way. She supposed that she had been even more distracted since Usagi had been unconscious. Rei racked her brain trying to think of who Miraino Ako was when it finally came to her. "Oh! I know who this is now. She has purple hair that she wears up in a sloppy side-bun...That's right, she's in Class B. I've seen her smoking outside before..." "Oh she smokes?" Mikiko said giddily, "She's so wild!" "Hope her music doesn't offend anyone." Jessica smirked, "I guess you'd get in trouble for that, ne, Hino-san? Since you're the head of coordinating the talent show." "Jessica, do me a BIG favor and go away." Rei replied, "Don't you have some boxes you're supposed to be putting somewhere?" "I'm so sorry, Hino-san, but I'm a little busy right now. Niko-chan is going to be here and I'm in charge of greeting her." Jessica replied as she began to walk off. "Niko-chan?" Rei repeated, "Yeah! Jessica-san somehow got Niko-chan to be one of the judges of the talent show, isn't that great?" Mikiko exclaimed. Her then usual vapid look took on an even more confused aura, "Didn't you know, Rei-sama? You are the head of the talent show, aren't you?" Rei felt herself stiffen slightly, I'm being upstaged by Jessica in every damn way. Now she's friends with an idol? Well...I'm Sailormars, beat that! she thought acidly. She put on her sweetest smile and beamed a grin at Mikiko, "Yes, that's wonderful. This'll be the best school festival we've ever had." * * * * * "Damn her, damn her, damn her!" Arseniru shouted as he slammed his fist repeatedly into the viewing screen where images of Scorpia Beruku-Staa were currently flashing. "Killing her is too easy, I want her to suffer." Arseniru muttered, "I want to see that stupid smile turn into a grimace of horror." Arseniru let out a grunt as he spun on his heel and paced furiously back and forth before the viewing screen. He picked up a glass of wine off a small table and took a sip, "I can't fail anymore..." he murmured, his pulse beginning to slow down as he calmed himself down. "I must be rational about this. I cannot let my lust to destroy Scorpio destroy me..." Arseniru sighed and threw himself down upon one of the overstuffed chaise lounges in his room. He took one more sip of the wine before tossing it, goblet and all, aside. He snapped his fingers abruptly and instantly one of the many women lining one of his walls walked forward. He beckoned to the girl with his finger, "Your master's tired and needs a massage, so be a good girl." he cooed. He sighed once more as he felt his body relax under the deft fingers of the girl, "Patience, Arseniru, patience. The time is almost here..." he muttered to himself as he tried to let himself forget about the matter at hand. However, soon he grew anxious. The girl's gentle hands and warm body did nothing to ease his anxiety and this soon grew to impatience and annoyance. Finally, he threw the girl off of him and quickly stood up. "You bore me, I need to find....a real woman." * * * * * "Wow, Rei-chan, T*A always looks so great for its School Festival!" Minako exclaimed happily as she looked at all the booths and vendors around. "It's too bad that you don't have any cute boys at your school though." she said with a wink. "Well, there's lots of cute girls." Ami replied, blushing deeply as she saw all eyes on her after her comment, "I mean...you know, if you like cute girls." Makoto laughed and patted Ami on the back gently, "Don't worry, we understand. Hey, Rei-chan, aren't you singing for tonight's talent show?" "Hah! No! They told her she couldn't sing anymore since she kept winning all the past talent shows!" Usagi exclaimed. "Wow really?" Minako asked, "Usagi! You weren't supposed to say that!" Rei said sheepishly. "Well, yes, this year they asked me to step down and be a judge." she replied and tossed her hair over her shoulder. "You should have gotten Niko-chan to sing!" Minako exclaimed, "She can't Minako-chan, you have to go to T*A Private Academy to be in their school talent show." Ami replied, "Actually, she's a judge." Rei replied, now somewhat proud of the fact that Jessica could get such a big name to come to the festival. It made the school look good. "Wow, really?! Oh! I have to see her!" Minako cried as she clapped her hands together in excitement. "Hey, isn't that...that girl we played volleyball against? What's her name?" Makoto asked pointing to the beautiful black haired girl surrounded by groupies, she seemed incredibly bored. "Jessica Taylor." Rei muttered. "Yeah, well anyway, Niko-chan being here is her doing. They're friends." Makoto cocked her head to the side and was about to say something, but a loud ominous rumbling caught her attention instead. "Mako-chan!" Ami exclaimed as she grabbed Makoto's arm and pulled her violently towards her and the others. Seconds later, a motorcycle zoomed by them and skidded to a stop. A cloud of dust filled the air and caused Usagi to cough violently. "Hey watch out next time." Rei said with a frown to the girl on the motorcycle, "You could have killed us." The girl, dressed in a T*A Private Academy uniform, removed her helmet and shook strands of her purple hair out of her face. With amazing deftness, she swept her hair up to the side, formed a bun, and tied it off with a rubberband she had around her wrist. She gave the group an uninterested glance with her violet eyes and lit a cigarette. Minako looked like she was in shock, "Whoa..how cool. She rides a motorcycle and she smokes! You never told us a girl like that went to school here! She's so much cooler than the ganguro at Juuban High School!" Minako whispered to Rei, jabbing her in the side with her elbow. "You think ganguro are cool?" Ami asked in shock. "Oh...You must be Miraino Ako-san..." Rei said as Minako's words reminded her of Mikiko Inoue's. "Yup, that's me. You're Hino Rei, everyone talks about you..." Ako replied, "All good stuff though." she added with a wink. She took a drag off her cigarette, "Sorry about that a second ago...I thought you'd get out of the way. No harm done, right?" She tossed the remnants of her cigarette to the ground and stamped it out with her foot. "Anyways, I hope you see my concert tonight!" she said with a surprising brightness and pleasantness. She waved to the shocked group and headed into the crowd of festival attendees. "What...an interesting girl..." Ami said as she blinked her eyes. She knew girls like that existed, the wild and untamed sort. They hung out in Shibuya and Harajuku and dated older men and went to clubs...but she had never actually spoken to one. It was like a sociology project to her. "Ami-chan, you have a strange look on your face." Minako said eyeing Ami suspiciously. * * * * * "So, we've found almost all the Zodiac Senshi..." Estrella said as she looked to the girls gathered in Joanna's room. "Tenshi-san, did you have any luck persuading Ameko to return to the Zodiac Senshi?" "I'm not sure...she's very bitter." Tenshi said frowning gently, "She has every right to be bitter!" Mihana exclaimed as her eyes darted over to Jessica, who had lately been looking more and more distracted. "I think it might help if Jessica-san apologized to her..." Tenshi suggested gently. "What should I apologize for?" Jessica demanded, her attention returning at the sound of her name. "I didn't do anything to that girl. She was the one who couldn't handle a little criticism." "Look...the point is, that the only Zodiac Senshi left to discover are Libra, Aries, and Pisces..." Estrella cut in. "Hikari-san, do you have any idea where they are?" Hikari shook her head gently. "I was sent by Queen Selestia from the Golden Millennium...I don't know what happened to everyone, I just know that she sent me to save it from being destroyed." "Do we actually need all 12 Zodiac Senshi in order to obtain the Golden Key? I mean...I don't see why. All we need is the Seven Stars to make the Golden Key. With that we can destroy the Black Star Galaxy so they can't destroy the Golden Millennium..." Shikami replied. "I think it may be too late for that..." Joanna said thoughtfully, "If the prophecy that Hikari came to warn us about has been fulfilled, then doesn't that mean at this point there's not much we can do?" "How very optimistic of you." Jessica muttered dryly. "Personally, I don't believe in Fate or prophecies." "How American..." Tien-Lei commented from her magazine. "Not American, practical. I mean, who's to stop us from saving the past? No one can tell me that my future is set in stone and that it's hopeless now." Jessica said coldly. "What happens in the past doesn't have to affect the future." Hikari winced slightly at Jessica's comments. Though Jessica's words weren't directed to Hikari, they still stabbed at her heart. Mihana noticed Hikari's crumpled face and instantly felt sorry for the girl. She knew that Hikari was desperately hoping that Jessica would remember her and love her once more. She also knew that Jessica apparently had no feelings for Hikari. Well, either that or she was denying them to herself. Despite her dislike for Jessica, Mihana wanted her to be happy. Perhaps loving someone would make her warm up a bit. "What are you suggesting, Jessica-san?" Estrella asked. "We should go to the past and fight the Black Star Galaxy when they invade." she said. "I think that's very dangerous...what if our past selves see us?" Joanna asked. "*I* think we should go to the Black Star Galaxy and defeat them before they can even invade the Golden Millennium. Afterall, you have me. I know exactly where to go and who to attack." Shikami said, and I can see Leadan too, she added in her mind. "There's no way we can defeat the Black Star Galaxy alone!" Mihana exclaimed. "I mean, it's just nine of us, if Ameko decides to be Sailoraquarius again. How could we possibly defeat them when we can't even defeat Arseniru?" "We can certainly defeat Arseniru, we're just not trying hard enough." Shikami flared, "But you're right. We cannot do it alone." she added. "What if we had help? We should ask the Sailor Senshi to come with us..." Natalia suggested. Jessica gave Natalia a cold glare, "No. I rather do this ourselves...this absolutely does not concern them." Shikami snorted loudly, "Arseniru practically killed you the other day. Get over your pride and ask them for help." "Why do *I* have to be the one to ask for their help? You're the one who wants to work with them." Jessica retorted. "Because *you* are our *leader*." Shikami said mockingly. "I don't have time to play your games." Jessica said as she stood up, her eyes like daggers. "I have other duties to attend to, Natalia, let's go." "Oh! Isn't today the T*A Private Academy school festival? I want to go too!" Mihana exclaimed, "No, Mihana, you stay here. Jessica and Natalia can go, people might wonder where they are if they don't show up. The rest of us will stay here and discuss what to do." Estrella commanded. Jessica tossed her hair over her shoulder and smirked slightly, "Have fun." she snickered as she left Joanna's room. "Don't worry, we will." Joanna called out her door. She rolled her eyes and fell back into her bed, "That girl..." "She wasn't like that before..." Hikari said with a heavy sigh. She looked down at her hands as her lip trembled gently. She felt warm tears in her eyes. Shikami glanced at Hikari, there was a strange feeling inside of her. One of those feelings she hadn't felt for thousands of years. What was this feeling? Ah yes, sympathy was it? What would I do if Leadan forgot me? Shikami wondered, How would I feel? I would feel..."heartbroken" too, right? "What was Jessica like in the Golden Millennium?" Tenshi asked curiously. "Well...she was always quick-tempered and feisty..." Hikari said, a soft smile forming on her lips as she recalled a past which wasn't so long ago to her. "But she was never mean-spirited as she is now...Seeing her like this, it's so shocking." "The Golden Millennium..." Shikami murmured, "I remember it of course, in images in my head. But I can't remember what it was like..." "The Golden Millennium was a truly beautiful time. No one knew evil, or unhappiness, or illness.." Hikari began. "The Palace of the Gold was also extraordinary. We were protectors of Queen Selestia and her three daughters..." "It shoulds beautiful..." Tenshi sighed. "Protecting people? That sounds alot more honorable than whatever it is we do now." Joanna replied. "I know it seems what Jessica has made you do was dishonorable and wrong..." Hikari began, "But in a way, you are protecting people. You're still trying to protect the Golden Millennium, even though it's been destroyed. Don't you see? With the help of the Sailor Senshi, we'll be able to destroy the Black Star Galaxy so that the Golden Millennium will never have been ruined..." * * * * * "I was born in such a day and age, but somehow I've managed to get this far..." Ako sang as she danced about on stage. Minako clapped her hands wildly, "Wow! She's going to be the next Niko-chan!" Minako shouted over to Ami. "I think Miraino-san's music is a little bit...edgier than Niko-chan's!" Ami said loudly. She looked over to Ako who had changed and cleaned up since they last saw her. She was wearing her hair down and holding a blue guitar. She was also dressed like a rock star--black fishnet tights, a short black skirt, and a small black top. It was certainly not something one normally would see at T*A Private Academy. "I think she has a chance of winning the talent show!" Usagi said as she tip-toed to peer over the crowd. She spotted Rei at the judges table and took note of her smile and bobbing head. "I think Rei-chan likes the music!" "Thanks everyone! That song was called Evolution, I hope you enjoyed it. My name is Miraino Ako and we're The Fates...Have a nice festival, everyone!" Ako called out politely as she and her band finished their act. They bowed to the crowd and walked off stage. "From the looks of the crowd reaction, it seems like she's going to win." Makoto noted. "Well, it's certainly better than the girl who did that horrible rendition of a Niko-chan song. Not only was it unoriginal, but she was obviously trying to kiss up to Niko-chan." Minako declared. Usagi giggled, "Minako-chan, you're not the judge, Rei is. Oh look, she's on stage again!" she pointed as Rei got on stage to announce the next contestant. Usagi and the rest of the girls cheered wildly as Rei smiled at the microphone. "Okay, our next contestant for the talent show is second year student Mukai Ryoko from class A singing one of her own enka songs." "Oh god..." Minako muttered as she slumped down in her seat. "Minako-chan, you're being so horrible! Maybe it won't be that bad..." Ami soothed as the familiar enka-sound of the guitar wafted through the speakers. On stage the girl dressed in a kimono held the microphone to her mouth, "The tears of the woman are like the dew on a flower..." the girl crooned. All four of the girls winced simultaneously. "See, it's not so bad." Ami said politely. "Hey, one of the judges is leaving." Makoto pointed out. Minako peered downards, "It's Niko-chan! Hmph, I guess she couldn't stand it either." Minako smirked. "You know, but isn't it odd that she's leaving in the middle of a performance? It's awfully rude, and I know she isn't rude. Maybe there's something wrong." Ami murmured. "Oh, that's so true. You're right Ami-chan. Maybe we should go down there and see what's wrong..." Minako nodded in agreement as the four of them stood up and tried their best to step over people as inconspiciously as possible. Minako glanced to the girl on stage who was continuing her sad song, "You know, I hope that Mukai-san doesn't think we're all leaving because of her. She's really not *that* horrible." * * * * * Natalia walked out into the darkness, away from the lights and mayhem at the concert. She knew he was out there, she just hoped that others would be able to help her if things got out of hand. "Arseniru...I know you're here." she whispered, "What are you doing here?" "I was waiting for you, I wanted to see you so badly." he whispered in a sensuous voice. Natalia felt her heart jump slightly, he's the enemy Natalia, don't let him tempt you. Just remember, he can't hurt you, but you can hurt him. Your attacks will harm him, she thought to herself. "Arseniru, your words won't affect me." she said firmly. He walked towards her and put a cold hand on her chin, "Ah, your skin is so warm. It must feel nice to kiss." he murmured. Natalia backed away from him. "Leave, Arseniru. You won't win, you know it. Don't cause a scene here, there's too many innocents here." she said slowly. Reasoning with the Devil? she thought to herself, this is insanity. "Innocent, the best kind." he smirked, amused at Natalia's obvious disgust at his words. He loved when women played hard to get. "What if I told you I wasn't here to fight? What if I said the real reason was to see you? I miss you, my little Niko-chan." "Stay away from me, Arseniru." "Don't call me that, I like it better when you called me Aya." he said cruelly, making Natalia instantly recall a memory she was trying desperately to forget. "I...that was different then. I didn't know your true nature." "What does my true nature matter? You certainly didn't care what I was when you decided to give yourself to me." "How dare you!" Natalia shouted, "You of all people can't make judgements about me!" she raged. She reached into her pocket and removed a wand with the sign of Gemini engraved upon it. "Gemini Cosmic Star Power, Make Up!" she cried out as braiding beams of silver and blue energy twisted around her body like a helix turning her from Natalia to Sailorgemini. "You're so beautiful, Ni--I mean, Gemini. I've made you mine before, can't I do so again?" Arseniru asked innocently. "Double Ice, Freeze!" Sailorgemini shouted sending ribbons of ice and water towards Arseniru. He smiled as the attack flew towards him and struck him directly in the chest. There was no sign of damage on him, no sign that he even felt pain. Not even a wince. "How--how can that be?" she whispered. Arseniru held up his hand to reveal a large ruby colored ring around his pinky finger. "This was given to me by my brother Leadan, it doubles my strength two-fold." he said coyly, "Which means, although I might normally not be able to handle you myself... I'll be able to do it with ease, this time." he whispered as he took a step towards her. Gemini, helpless, began backing away slowly. "I think, this is going to be quite fun, how I've missed the company of a real woman." "Please, Arseniru. Don't make me laugh, you're not man enough for her." cried out a voice. Gemini turned around to see the Sailor Senshi standing atop the roof of one of the school buildings. "For love and justice, I am the Pretty Sailor-suited Soldier, Princess Sailormoon! In the name of the Moon, I will punish you!" Sailormoon cried out as she and the other Senshi jumped down from the roof. Arseniru simply smirked, "Mars, you're looking well, have the burns healed?" he cooed. "Fire Soul!" Mars shouted without a second thought, sending a blaze of flame towards him. Once again he let it strike him. Mercury, knowing that a fire attack would not work on him followed Mars with her own attacks. However, much to their surprise, it also had no effect on him. "Its no use!" Gemini cried, "He has some sort of special ring to protect him. We're not enough to defeat him." "True, six Senshi can't defeat Arseniru. However, can he defeat eight more?" said the memorable voice of Sailorleo. "Probably not, Leo." Sailorsagittarius nodded. "Ah, I love how all of you appear at the same time. Its so charming. How do you do it?" Arseniru asked, no signs of fear showing from his face. "So you have a special ring, Arseniru? Did Lithia give her favorite toy a little gift?" Scorpio jeered. "Actually, funny that you mention it, it was a gift from Leadan. Isn't it beautiful, Scorpio? Why, how interesting, the color is the same as your eyes!" Arseniru exclaimed. Scorpio's eyes narrowed as she stared at the ring on his finger. "Leadan...would have never given...my ring to you." she said calmly, keeping her rage within her so she could tap it at a later moment. "Unfortunately for your naive heart, Leadan's loyalty to family is stronger than his loyalty to HIS favorite toy." Arseniru smirked. Scorpio was taken aback, it wouldn't be true, could it? she thought desperately. Arseniru took her distraction as a perfect time to attack. He raised his fist to the sky and suddenly a dome of fire surrounded the Senshi and began to close in. "Mercury Aqua Rhapsody!" Mercury shouted and sent the ice towards the fiery walls, but there was no effect. The flames singed their uniforms and hair and the ones closest to the edge began to scream out in pain. Suddenly, the dome walls collapsed and a fiery mist surrounded all the Senshi. This time, none of them where spared, regardless of their element. The pain swept to every Senshi, the screams thickening the air. Arseniru smirked. "Keep screaming, your cries excite me." he laughed and kissed the ring. He raised his fist to the sky, "Thank you brother! I knew you were useful for something!" Arseniru called out. "He who plays with fire will surely be burned." a voice whispered. It was a chilling voice that cut through the air, over the screams. Arseniru's head snapped to the orgin of the whisper. He looked into the firey mist, admist the fallen Senshi a siloutte was walking forward. It was that of a girl surrounded by a blue aura. As she walked forward, the aura dissolved the mist until finally it cleared. The girl stared at Arseniru, she was just inches away from him. He created a ball of fire in his hands and raised his arms, the girl quickly grabbed his wrist, the fire disappeared. Arseniru stared at the girl in horror. There was something strange about her eyes, so bright and burning. Her face so full of a strange passionate determination to prove herself. "Sailoraquarius!" Sailorvirgo cried out, her words mixed with pain and elation. The girl turned around and gave Virgo a small smile. "Aquarius, hmm?" Arseniru smirked as he tore her hand away from his wrist, "That's funny, I thought you had killed yourself by now." Aquarius' eyes looked visibly hurt as he said these words, which only urged Arseniru to continue his verbal abuse. "Oh, you're still weak afterall! I thought maybe you'd gone through a little more training so you could be as strong as your teammates." he cooed, "Your cute little tricks might dissolve my magic, but you are not a physical match for me." he added with a cruel glint in his eyes. With a quick movement, Arseniru struck Aquarius across the face with such force she was sent reeling to the ground. She stared at him with flashing eyes, her tears welling around those blue orbs. He stood over Aquarius threateningly, "Why, you're almost attractive when you're beaten down." he laughed. "Get away from her, you disgusting pervert!" a voice cried out from behind him, Arseniru felt a sharp kick to his legs which caused him to trip backwards and fall to the ground. A long staff with some sort of blade at the end was thrust under his chin, the sharp point of it just inches away from his throat. All eyes turned to the stranger, it was hard to see her through the brightness of the red aura which surrounded her, however it was clear she was a Sailor Senshi. "I should end your disgusting life right here." she muttered, she glanced down his body slightly, "Or at least put an end to your vile perversions...ah, too bad for fate." "Let...let go of me.." Arseniru demanded, fear was overwhelming him. It was embarassing him, all this terror coming from a woman, a single woman. Strangely, the girl followed his command and removed the staff from his throat. Arseniru, deciding this girl was a fool, quickly created another fireball and directed it at the girl, but she merely tossed it aside with her staff as if it were an insect. Arseniru stared at her in shock and wisely disappeared in a burst of flame. "Why did you let him go?" Sailorcancer demanded. She peered at the girl, but her face was hard to see through the blazing glow of the aura surrounding her. The girl watched as Sailorcancer painfully stood up and gazed at sympathy at the others. "If only she were here with me, we could help you." the girl whispered. "Answer me, why did you let him go! You overpowered him, why...I don't understand." Cancer said, her voice full of confusion. "I had to." she whispered, "The future of the Earth depends on you all. If you defeat Arseniru now, then what needs to be accomplished will never be accomplished." The girl replied. Sailormars stared at the girl intently, she looks very familiar, she thought to herself. "Who are you?" Scorpio demanded, brushing the dirt off her red skirt. "The Future." "The Future, huh? Interesting, I didn't know people could embody concepts of time." Sailorleo retorted. "Amazing, Leo, you're a bitch here AND in the past." the girl frowned, "Anyway, tomorrow, two stars will rise into the night. They will shine the light of truth and knowledge upon those who seek it. Their arrival will mark the start of a new Millennium." the girl replied. "Ugh, and that stupid bastard Arseniru ruined the effect of the prophecy." she added under her breath. Sailorcancer looked at her quizzically, "That's an ancient Golden Millennium Prophecy. How did you know it?" she asked. "The Golden Millennium was my home." she replied, stepping into the darkness, the aura around her dimming as her body was shrouded in shadow. "But...that passage, how do you know it? The prophecy was secret, only a few people knew it and could understand it. Where did you hear it?" Cancer questioned. The girl was silent for a moment. "I think you know." she seemed to smile, "The Flame That Never Dies.." the girl answered quietly. Sailorcancer was suddenly hit with a realization, "The Water That Never Dries.." Cancer whispered in response. The girl remained quiet and faded into the darkness. "That was...Do you know who that was?" Cancer exclaimed in excitement. "The Future?" Leo replied caustically. "No, Sailoraries. We've found two of the last remaining Sailor Senshi!" "Two? But there was only one." Capricorn said. "The Flame That Never Dies, The Water That Never Dries. The heralds used to cry that when they arrived at important functions. That girl, she was talking about herself and Sailorpisces--The Twin Zodiac Senshi." Cancer replied. "That's wonderful, that means we have all the Zodiac Senshi, except for Libra, right?" Sagittarius said as she carefully stood up, she held her hand out to Aquarius, "Thank you so much, Aquarius...you really saved our lives back then." "I...I wanted to show you that I wasn't weak...but I failed." Aquarius said softly. "Aquarius, no one ever thought you were weak." Capricorn replied, throwing Leo a glance. "You didn't fail either, don't let that Arseniru bring your spirits down. If you're weak, we're all weak--he damaged and bruised us, but you were invincible to him. He hit you, that wasn't fair. None of us could handle a physical attack from him." Leo, who was weakly rising to her feet, made a small snort of protest but said nothing. This brought a small smile to Virgo's face, who could see the appreciation in Leo's eyes. Too much pride to say thank you, Virgo thought in her head. Aquarius glanced towards Leo, their eyes meeting briefly and for a moment Aquarius thought she saw respect in Leo's hard blue eyes. That was all the reassurance Aquarius ever needed. She smiled slightly, I did it. I beat her, without revenge. I won. I was the stronger one.