I'm Kino Makoto. They claim I am the reincarnation of some Princess from Jupiter. I doubt a Princess would be as brutish and as aggressive as me. I've been expelled from two schools already for fighting. I don't have many friends. Most of my classmates fear me. Usagi was the first person that tried to befriend me. For that alone, she will forever hold a special place in my heart. I really don't know how to feel about being a Sailor Senshi, but one thing's for sure. I feel as if I'm finally doing something worthwhile for the first time in my life. By my powers as Sailor Jupiter, I will protect Usagi and this world.
Mirror of Reflections
By Alecto Perdita
Chapter 6
Reflections While It Storms - Sailor Jupiter
Rating: PG - PG 13
Email Alecto: [email protected]
Website: www.angelfire.com/anime2/sunrise
"We need haunt the hall of history and listen anew to the ancestors' wisdom."
- Maya Angelou
Platter platter, platter platter. Usagi sighed as she gazed gloomily out the window. It had been raining incessantly since she left the hospital yesterday afternoon. The sky was gray and dreary with storm clouds that were so dense, not even a single ray of sunlight could break through. The class was listless, even now during their break.
Makoto sat on the window ledge, watching as the tears fell from the sky. Ami sat in a desk nearby. Neither of them had talked about yesterday's events. Perhaps it was better this way. Usagi shifted restlessly in her own seat. The three friends remained silent along with the rest of the class.
"This is so depressing." Usagi moaned. She buried her face in her hands.
"The sky is crying." Makoto breathed. "She cries for our pain and guilt."
Ami glanced at Makoto out of the corner of her eyes. She caught the wistful expression on Makoto's face as she fingered the piece of nephrite in her hand.
~~~
I couldn't tear myself away from the rain. I longed to reach out the window and catch a few drops. I was a child of the storm but this was no storm. This was just the cleansing rain, the tears of the Mother to wash away our sins. How I longed to wash away the past transgressions that soiled my very soul.
~~~
They walked toward Rei's shrine and it continued to rain. The incessant platter of water against sidewalks, umbrellas, and cars was heard. They passed a small bookstore and Ami didn't even stop to take a look through the window. They passed a bakery and even Usagi didn't give it as much as a glance. They passed a flower shop and Makoto finally stopped.
Makoto glanced at her two friends, asking without words if they may go in for a second. The two nodded in assent. The bell jingled cheerfully and a wave of various senses slammed into them. The scent of fresh blooming flowers was revitalizing after such a morose day. It was a small and quaint shop with a smiling middle-aged woman behind the counter.
Usagi was immediately drawn to a display of roses. Ami browsed the more practical plants like ferns and flowering cactuses. Makoto took her time and explored the selection of numerous potted plants.
~~~
The flowers were stunning and I felt my heart lighten just a bit. Suddenly, the last few days didn't seem as terrible as they did before. Flowers were soothing to me, just like rain and storm. I guess I'm pretty strange in that way.
There were a few wilting plants hidden away in the back. Most of them were beyond the point of recovery and my heart ached slightly at that thought. Though there was one dying plant that drew me to it. I might be able to save it but through a lot of hard work only. I fingered onto of the wilting leaves and wondered what kind of flower it was.
"It's called the 'bleeding heart'." Someone informed me.
~~~
Makoto jumped and whirled around. She hadn't heard this person approach her. Her muscles tensed in preparation to attack. She was a soldier after all. She relaxed slightly when she saw it was an older woman with a bouquet of lilies in her arms. She relaxed slightly but her guard was still up.
The woman smiled benevolently at Makoto. The bouquet of white lilies accented her cream-colored business suit. She reached up and brushed back a few strands of red ginger. "They named after shape the flowers take when they bloom. You looked like you wanted to know."
"I'd love to see the flowers." Makoto whispered as she turned her attention back to the flowers.
"You can still save it." The woman watched Makoto with warm emerald eyes. "Plants like you." She stated it like it was some common known fact.
"I think I'll try." Makoto cradled the pot in her arms like a delicate newborn. The two returned to the counter where Usagi and Ami awaited them. As soon as the other woman laid her eyes on Usagi, her grin seemed to widen ten times more.
The owner had been chatting with Usagi and Ami. The owner turned and bowed to the other woman as she laid her flowers on the counter. "Galena-san, lilies again?" The owner greeted.
~~~
Galena, that name stuck a chord deep within me. It evoked all kinds of emotions from animosity to the utmost pity. That name came up in our conversation yesterday. The Duchess Galena of Terra, was this all some twisted coincidence? I saw Ami's eyes narrow and turn to ice. I had never her look at anyone so coldly, save maybe Zoisite. Galena, Galena, I struggled to remember.
~~~
Galena nodded. "Of course. My home has always been a little dreary. Lilies are my favorite flowers. They're so pure and innocent."
The owner turned to Makoto. She furrowed her brows as she gazed at the plant in Makoto's arm. "You want that? It's dying. I've done everything I could for it."
Makoto nodded. "I think I can save it. I'm positive I can."
"Then just take it. I only ask that you bring the flowers back for me to see if you can. I would love to see the flowers of the bleeding heart." The owner waved Makoto off casually as Makoto thanked her profusely.
The four left the shop together. It had finally stopped raining.
Usagi took in a deep breath and let out a loud hooray. She spun herself around in dizzying circles. Usagi misplaced her foot and began her downward descent.
Ami managed to grab Usagi's arm in time and hurled Usagi to her feet. She was a lot stronger than she appeared. Being a Sailor Senshi kept her in great shape. "Be careful, Usagi-chan. The sidewalk is still slippery."
"Arigato, Ami-chan!" Usagi beamed. She checked the time. "You should get to Rei-chan's soon."
Galena laughed softly. She reached into her bouquet and plucked out the most beautiful white lily. She presented it to Usagi. "For you, Hime. May you always be as beautiful and as pure as this flower."
Usagi accepted the flower in a dazed manner. "Arigato." Her reply was like a breath of wind.
Galena smiled but this time for Usagi alone. She turned and vanished into the throng of the afternoon crowd.
~~~
I set the plant on the window ledge of my apartment. It was raining once more. The meeting at Rei's had ended sooner than any of us has anticipated. Tranquility-sama had yet to resurface. I sighed. I was the only one yet to recover my past memories. I brushed the back of my hand against the leaves of the plant. When would I recall the memories of my supposed past life? What if I wasn't what they expected? I watered the plant and sat down to watch it for a while. I didn't want to disappoint them.
~~~
Makoto returned to that little flower shop the next day after school. She and the owner were discussing what Makoto could do for the plant when Galena came in to buy a bouquet of lilies as she did everyday. Galena stayed for a while and joined in on their discussion.
Makoto found that she liked Galena a lot. They both had an immense love for plants and flowers. They got along really well. It soon became a daily routine. The two always met at the flower shop at approximately three thirty everyday for the last week.
One particular conversation of theirs stuck out in Makoto's mind. They were walking through the park then. Galena seemed quieter than usual. Her mind was contemplating a difficult matter.
"Mako-chan," Galena asked. "How far must one be willing to go in order to protect the people one loves?"
"As far as one needs to go." Makoto replied without hesitation as she thought of Usagi and her fellow senshi. They were her newfound family.
A slightly wicked grin broke over the older woman's features. "I though you would say that, Mako-chan. You seem like the type." Galena stopped in front of a rosebush. "Roses are such beautiful flowers but they're as deadly as they are stunning. The thorns will cut you when you least expect it."
Makoto wondered if Galena was simply describing roses or was the woman referring to someone in particular?
"Roses are my daughter's favorite flower." Galena fingered the sun-kissed petals. "I always thought lilies suited her best though."
Makoto's eyes lit up. "You have a daughter? How old is she?"
Galena appeared thoughtful for a second. "She should be around your age now."
"You're not sure?" Makoto was puzzled.
"They took her away. They took her away from me. That wasn't enough though. They took her memories as well." Galena murmured. A dark cloud cast unknown shadows over her eyes.
Makoto thought back to the last senshi meeting. This Galena's story and the story the senshi were told were very similar. Her heartbeat quickened. It was only a coincidence, right?
"They'll pay." Galena mumbled as she squeezed the flowers in her hand. Thorns cut into her hands but she appeared to neither notice nor care. Blood ran down her hand and stained her perfect suit. "They'll pay for taking *my* daughter…"
~~~
I closed the apartment door gently behind myself. I placed my book bag on the sofa and rushed out to the window edge. My heart leapt into my throat. It was blooming! I stared in fascination at the buds. I had succeeded! The plant was striving now. A hint of red hidden behind green foliage caught my eye.
I turned the pot around. A flower had already opened. I touched it tentatively. The oddly shaped petal was soft against my fingertips. I could see why people called it the bleeding heart. The shape of the flower was like a miniature hanging heart with a teardrop shape protruding out of the bottom. The flower was a crimson red, almost as if someone had bled on it.
The piece of nephrite in my pocket felt warm all of a sudden. I pulled it out and stared at the spinach green stone with one hand still on the flower.
~ The bleeding heart, ~ A voice, a very familiar one, sighed. ~ How bitterly ironic and fitting. ~ Her tone matched her words.
That was my voice. I finally realized it but why? Why was this happening?
~ You're the last to remember. Minna has all their memories. ~
I remember Rei once saying memories would make us true Sailor Senshi.
~ To think the situation has deteriorated to this stage, ~ I could almost feel her shake her head. ~ Things are just spiraling out of control. ~
Are you her? I mean, are you the Princess Levina?
~ Very good, Kino Makoto. I am Taima Levina. ~
~~~
Makoto stepped back from the plant hastily, as if it had shocked her. This was not happening, as if being a Sailor Senshi wasn't hard enough. She really was the reincarnation of the Princess of Jupiter.
She collapsed onto her knees as the nephrite in her hand emitted even greater light. She could feel his energy wrap around her like a warm blanket. Nephrite was trying to comfort her.
She sank to the carpeted floor, for she could no longer hold back the memories that slammed into her like a great wave.
*Flash*
Levina peeked into Serenity's chamber. The Princess of the Moon just sat unmoving by the window. Her unraveled hair was like a waterfall of golden silk. Levina peered at her sister senshi with an uncertain expression. Was what they were about to do right?
Kallan closed the door gently for her. "We have to do this, Levina. It's what's best for Serenity-hime."
Atalanta nodded though one could see the spark of doubt in her violet eyes. "We're only going to suppress her memories for the time being."
"None of us can stand to see her like this." Their leader, Celeste, hung her head. She was trying to convince herself just as the rest of them were trying to.
Kallan led the group and swung open the door. Serenity turned to face them. It pained the senshi to see such a blank and unfeeling expression in her face and eyes.
Kallan took Serenity's hand gently. "Have you eaten anything, Serenity-hime? You're so thin. You're going to get really sick if this continues."
"Don't call me that," Serenity's words were barely above a whisper. "My name will always be Purity. Galena-okaa-san named me that."
"Do you miss Terra, Purity-hime?" Celeste took a seat opposite her Princess.
"Very much, Celeste. I want to see Jadeite, Nephrite, Zoisite, Kunzite, Gemma-sama, and most of all, Galena-okaa-san and Endymion." Serenity turned her attention back to the Earth that hung in the sky, just beyond her window. "I want to go back…"
Atalanta dropped to her knees and bowed her head to the floor. "Please forgive me for what I am about to do, Serenity-hime."
Levina, who was standing behind Serenity, laid her hands on the Princess's shoulders. "Please forgive all of us."
Serenity didn't struggle as Atalanta placed an odufa on the Princess's forehead. "Forget…" Atalanta whispered.
Serenity seemed to realize it a little too late. Her brilliant sapphire eyes widened in shock but she could do nothing with Levina holding her down. Her eyelids drooped and closed.
*Flash*
Makoto was gone as soon as the bell began to ring. Usagi and Ami stared strangely after their friend but they knew where she was going.
Makoto raced through the streets of Juuban. Everything past her in one colorful blur. It was almost as if she had transcended time. She could feel his hands offering her support and urging her to run faster.
Galena was waiting for her in front of the flower shop. Makoto barely managed to stop without crashing into the older woman.
"I knew you'd come." Galena whispered with a smug tone in her voice.
Makoto was acutely aware of the darkness within Galena she had always denied before. This was no coincidence. This woman was indeed Galena of Terra but how? Was she reborn with the rest of them? "Why?" It was the only question Makoto's feeble mind could voice at the moment.
"I'm sure you know why. You always did." Galena mumbled. "I really liked you, Levina. Out of all the Sailor Senshi, I like you best. You were always there to protect my daughter, even before you discovered she was your Princess. But in the end, you still betrayed her."
"Why are you releasing the Dark Kingdom upon the world once more?" Makoto asked desperately. "Serenity wouldn't want this. She wouldn't."
Galena glared at Makoto. She raised a hand as if to strike the girl before her. She held herself back and saved her rage for later. "What would you know about Purity's wants?" Her voice was deadly calm but Makoto felt her insides twist. "Fine, then tell me, Levina, did Purity want her memories stolen away? Did she want to be plucked from her simple life to be the heir to the entire solar system?"
"We didn't take her memories. We suppressed them, that's it!" Makoto clutched the nephrite in her pocket in her pocket for support. She felt herself relax slightly from its warmth.
Galena glared at Makoto's hand in her pocket. "You traitor, Nephrite. You betrayed Purity and me for this flagrant bitch. How dare you?!"
Makoto's grip on the stone tightened even more, to the point where it might cut into her hand. She could barely contain her anger and outrage. "Leave Nephrite out of this. Stop talking as if I'm not standing right in front of you."
"You are a traitor, a traitor to your Princess and my daughter. Everything I've done in the last thousand years has been for my daughter. I am the only one she can depend on now." Galena muttered brokenly. "She can only depend on me."
~~~
No! She's wrong! Serenity-hime has us, the senshi. She would always have us. Serenity would never side with the evil side.
"Stay away from Serenity. Your evil will only taint her." I warned. "Turn back now, Galena-san and we may be able to put this all behind us."
Galena's face twisted with anger and hatred. "I don't need your forgiveness. We are no longer friends, Taima Levina. I am Queen Beryl of the Dark Kingdom, loyal follower of the demon goddess, Metallia…"
If you want to see a picture of the bleeding heart flower, go to www.angelfire.com/anime2/sunrise/heart.jpg
Mirror of Reflections
By Alecto Perdita
Chapter 6
Reflections While It Storms - Sailor Jupiter
Rating: PG - PG 13
Email Alecto: [email protected]
Website: www.angelfire.com/anime2/sunrise
"We need haunt the hall of history and listen anew to the ancestors' wisdom."
- Maya Angelou
Platter platter, platter platter. Usagi sighed as she gazed gloomily out the window. It had been raining incessantly since she left the hospital yesterday afternoon. The sky was gray and dreary with storm clouds that were so dense, not even a single ray of sunlight could break through. The class was listless, even now during their break.
Makoto sat on the window ledge, watching as the tears fell from the sky. Ami sat in a desk nearby. Neither of them had talked about yesterday's events. Perhaps it was better this way. Usagi shifted restlessly in her own seat. The three friends remained silent along with the rest of the class.
"This is so depressing." Usagi moaned. She buried her face in her hands.
"The sky is crying." Makoto breathed. "She cries for our pain and guilt."
Ami glanced at Makoto out of the corner of her eyes. She caught the wistful expression on Makoto's face as she fingered the piece of nephrite in her hand.
~~~
I couldn't tear myself away from the rain. I longed to reach out the window and catch a few drops. I was a child of the storm but this was no storm. This was just the cleansing rain, the tears of the Mother to wash away our sins. How I longed to wash away the past transgressions that soiled my very soul.
~~~
They walked toward Rei's shrine and it continued to rain. The incessant platter of water against sidewalks, umbrellas, and cars was heard. They passed a small bookstore and Ami didn't even stop to take a look through the window. They passed a bakery and even Usagi didn't give it as much as a glance. They passed a flower shop and Makoto finally stopped.
Makoto glanced at her two friends, asking without words if they may go in for a second. The two nodded in assent. The bell jingled cheerfully and a wave of various senses slammed into them. The scent of fresh blooming flowers was revitalizing after such a morose day. It was a small and quaint shop with a smiling middle-aged woman behind the counter.
Usagi was immediately drawn to a display of roses. Ami browsed the more practical plants like ferns and flowering cactuses. Makoto took her time and explored the selection of numerous potted plants.
~~~
The flowers were stunning and I felt my heart lighten just a bit. Suddenly, the last few days didn't seem as terrible as they did before. Flowers were soothing to me, just like rain and storm. I guess I'm pretty strange in that way.
There were a few wilting plants hidden away in the back. Most of them were beyond the point of recovery and my heart ached slightly at that thought. Though there was one dying plant that drew me to it. I might be able to save it but through a lot of hard work only. I fingered onto of the wilting leaves and wondered what kind of flower it was.
"It's called the 'bleeding heart'." Someone informed me.
~~~
Makoto jumped and whirled around. She hadn't heard this person approach her. Her muscles tensed in preparation to attack. She was a soldier after all. She relaxed slightly when she saw it was an older woman with a bouquet of lilies in her arms. She relaxed slightly but her guard was still up.
The woman smiled benevolently at Makoto. The bouquet of white lilies accented her cream-colored business suit. She reached up and brushed back a few strands of red ginger. "They named after shape the flowers take when they bloom. You looked like you wanted to know."
"I'd love to see the flowers." Makoto whispered as she turned her attention back to the flowers.
"You can still save it." The woman watched Makoto with warm emerald eyes. "Plants like you." She stated it like it was some common known fact.
"I think I'll try." Makoto cradled the pot in her arms like a delicate newborn. The two returned to the counter where Usagi and Ami awaited them. As soon as the other woman laid her eyes on Usagi, her grin seemed to widen ten times more.
The owner had been chatting with Usagi and Ami. The owner turned and bowed to the other woman as she laid her flowers on the counter. "Galena-san, lilies again?" The owner greeted.
~~~
Galena, that name stuck a chord deep within me. It evoked all kinds of emotions from animosity to the utmost pity. That name came up in our conversation yesterday. The Duchess Galena of Terra, was this all some twisted coincidence? I saw Ami's eyes narrow and turn to ice. I had never her look at anyone so coldly, save maybe Zoisite. Galena, Galena, I struggled to remember.
~~~
Galena nodded. "Of course. My home has always been a little dreary. Lilies are my favorite flowers. They're so pure and innocent."
The owner turned to Makoto. She furrowed her brows as she gazed at the plant in Makoto's arm. "You want that? It's dying. I've done everything I could for it."
Makoto nodded. "I think I can save it. I'm positive I can."
"Then just take it. I only ask that you bring the flowers back for me to see if you can. I would love to see the flowers of the bleeding heart." The owner waved Makoto off casually as Makoto thanked her profusely.
The four left the shop together. It had finally stopped raining.
Usagi took in a deep breath and let out a loud hooray. She spun herself around in dizzying circles. Usagi misplaced her foot and began her downward descent.
Ami managed to grab Usagi's arm in time and hurled Usagi to her feet. She was a lot stronger than she appeared. Being a Sailor Senshi kept her in great shape. "Be careful, Usagi-chan. The sidewalk is still slippery."
"Arigato, Ami-chan!" Usagi beamed. She checked the time. "You should get to Rei-chan's soon."
Galena laughed softly. She reached into her bouquet and plucked out the most beautiful white lily. She presented it to Usagi. "For you, Hime. May you always be as beautiful and as pure as this flower."
Usagi accepted the flower in a dazed manner. "Arigato." Her reply was like a breath of wind.
Galena smiled but this time for Usagi alone. She turned and vanished into the throng of the afternoon crowd.
~~~
I set the plant on the window ledge of my apartment. It was raining once more. The meeting at Rei's had ended sooner than any of us has anticipated. Tranquility-sama had yet to resurface. I sighed. I was the only one yet to recover my past memories. I brushed the back of my hand against the leaves of the plant. When would I recall the memories of my supposed past life? What if I wasn't what they expected? I watered the plant and sat down to watch it for a while. I didn't want to disappoint them.
~~~
Makoto returned to that little flower shop the next day after school. She and the owner were discussing what Makoto could do for the plant when Galena came in to buy a bouquet of lilies as she did everyday. Galena stayed for a while and joined in on their discussion.
Makoto found that she liked Galena a lot. They both had an immense love for plants and flowers. They got along really well. It soon became a daily routine. The two always met at the flower shop at approximately three thirty everyday for the last week.
One particular conversation of theirs stuck out in Makoto's mind. They were walking through the park then. Galena seemed quieter than usual. Her mind was contemplating a difficult matter.
"Mako-chan," Galena asked. "How far must one be willing to go in order to protect the people one loves?"
"As far as one needs to go." Makoto replied without hesitation as she thought of Usagi and her fellow senshi. They were her newfound family.
A slightly wicked grin broke over the older woman's features. "I though you would say that, Mako-chan. You seem like the type." Galena stopped in front of a rosebush. "Roses are such beautiful flowers but they're as deadly as they are stunning. The thorns will cut you when you least expect it."
Makoto wondered if Galena was simply describing roses or was the woman referring to someone in particular?
"Roses are my daughter's favorite flower." Galena fingered the sun-kissed petals. "I always thought lilies suited her best though."
Makoto's eyes lit up. "You have a daughter? How old is she?"
Galena appeared thoughtful for a second. "She should be around your age now."
"You're not sure?" Makoto was puzzled.
"They took her away. They took her away from me. That wasn't enough though. They took her memories as well." Galena murmured. A dark cloud cast unknown shadows over her eyes.
Makoto thought back to the last senshi meeting. This Galena's story and the story the senshi were told were very similar. Her heartbeat quickened. It was only a coincidence, right?
"They'll pay." Galena mumbled as she squeezed the flowers in her hand. Thorns cut into her hands but she appeared to neither notice nor care. Blood ran down her hand and stained her perfect suit. "They'll pay for taking *my* daughter…"
~~~
I closed the apartment door gently behind myself. I placed my book bag on the sofa and rushed out to the window edge. My heart leapt into my throat. It was blooming! I stared in fascination at the buds. I had succeeded! The plant was striving now. A hint of red hidden behind green foliage caught my eye.
I turned the pot around. A flower had already opened. I touched it tentatively. The oddly shaped petal was soft against my fingertips. I could see why people called it the bleeding heart. The shape of the flower was like a miniature hanging heart with a teardrop shape protruding out of the bottom. The flower was a crimson red, almost as if someone had bled on it.
The piece of nephrite in my pocket felt warm all of a sudden. I pulled it out and stared at the spinach green stone with one hand still on the flower.
~ The bleeding heart, ~ A voice, a very familiar one, sighed. ~ How bitterly ironic and fitting. ~ Her tone matched her words.
That was my voice. I finally realized it but why? Why was this happening?
~ You're the last to remember. Minna has all their memories. ~
I remember Rei once saying memories would make us true Sailor Senshi.
~ To think the situation has deteriorated to this stage, ~ I could almost feel her shake her head. ~ Things are just spiraling out of control. ~
Are you her? I mean, are you the Princess Levina?
~ Very good, Kino Makoto. I am Taima Levina. ~
~~~
Makoto stepped back from the plant hastily, as if it had shocked her. This was not happening, as if being a Sailor Senshi wasn't hard enough. She really was the reincarnation of the Princess of Jupiter.
She collapsed onto her knees as the nephrite in her hand emitted even greater light. She could feel his energy wrap around her like a warm blanket. Nephrite was trying to comfort her.
She sank to the carpeted floor, for she could no longer hold back the memories that slammed into her like a great wave.
*Flash*
Levina peeked into Serenity's chamber. The Princess of the Moon just sat unmoving by the window. Her unraveled hair was like a waterfall of golden silk. Levina peered at her sister senshi with an uncertain expression. Was what they were about to do right?
Kallan closed the door gently for her. "We have to do this, Levina. It's what's best for Serenity-hime."
Atalanta nodded though one could see the spark of doubt in her violet eyes. "We're only going to suppress her memories for the time being."
"None of us can stand to see her like this." Their leader, Celeste, hung her head. She was trying to convince herself just as the rest of them were trying to.
Kallan led the group and swung open the door. Serenity turned to face them. It pained the senshi to see such a blank and unfeeling expression in her face and eyes.
Kallan took Serenity's hand gently. "Have you eaten anything, Serenity-hime? You're so thin. You're going to get really sick if this continues."
"Don't call me that," Serenity's words were barely above a whisper. "My name will always be Purity. Galena-okaa-san named me that."
"Do you miss Terra, Purity-hime?" Celeste took a seat opposite her Princess.
"Very much, Celeste. I want to see Jadeite, Nephrite, Zoisite, Kunzite, Gemma-sama, and most of all, Galena-okaa-san and Endymion." Serenity turned her attention back to the Earth that hung in the sky, just beyond her window. "I want to go back…"
Atalanta dropped to her knees and bowed her head to the floor. "Please forgive me for what I am about to do, Serenity-hime."
Levina, who was standing behind Serenity, laid her hands on the Princess's shoulders. "Please forgive all of us."
Serenity didn't struggle as Atalanta placed an odufa on the Princess's forehead. "Forget…" Atalanta whispered.
Serenity seemed to realize it a little too late. Her brilliant sapphire eyes widened in shock but she could do nothing with Levina holding her down. Her eyelids drooped and closed.
*Flash*
Makoto was gone as soon as the bell began to ring. Usagi and Ami stared strangely after their friend but they knew where she was going.
Makoto raced through the streets of Juuban. Everything past her in one colorful blur. It was almost as if she had transcended time. She could feel his hands offering her support and urging her to run faster.
Galena was waiting for her in front of the flower shop. Makoto barely managed to stop without crashing into the older woman.
"I knew you'd come." Galena whispered with a smug tone in her voice.
Makoto was acutely aware of the darkness within Galena she had always denied before. This was no coincidence. This woman was indeed Galena of Terra but how? Was she reborn with the rest of them? "Why?" It was the only question Makoto's feeble mind could voice at the moment.
"I'm sure you know why. You always did." Galena mumbled. "I really liked you, Levina. Out of all the Sailor Senshi, I like you best. You were always there to protect my daughter, even before you discovered she was your Princess. But in the end, you still betrayed her."
"Why are you releasing the Dark Kingdom upon the world once more?" Makoto asked desperately. "Serenity wouldn't want this. She wouldn't."
Galena glared at Makoto. She raised a hand as if to strike the girl before her. She held herself back and saved her rage for later. "What would you know about Purity's wants?" Her voice was deadly calm but Makoto felt her insides twist. "Fine, then tell me, Levina, did Purity want her memories stolen away? Did she want to be plucked from her simple life to be the heir to the entire solar system?"
"We didn't take her memories. We suppressed them, that's it!" Makoto clutched the nephrite in her pocket in her pocket for support. She felt herself relax slightly from its warmth.
Galena glared at Makoto's hand in her pocket. "You traitor, Nephrite. You betrayed Purity and me for this flagrant bitch. How dare you?!"
Makoto's grip on the stone tightened even more, to the point where it might cut into her hand. She could barely contain her anger and outrage. "Leave Nephrite out of this. Stop talking as if I'm not standing right in front of you."
"You are a traitor, a traitor to your Princess and my daughter. Everything I've done in the last thousand years has been for my daughter. I am the only one she can depend on now." Galena muttered brokenly. "She can only depend on me."
~~~
No! She's wrong! Serenity-hime has us, the senshi. She would always have us. Serenity would never side with the evil side.
"Stay away from Serenity. Your evil will only taint her." I warned. "Turn back now, Galena-san and we may be able to put this all behind us."
Galena's face twisted with anger and hatred. "I don't need your forgiveness. We are no longer friends, Taima Levina. I am Queen Beryl of the Dark Kingdom, loyal follower of the demon goddess, Metallia…"
If you want to see a picture of the bleeding heart flower, go to www.angelfire.com/anime2/sunrise/heart.jpg