Sailor Cynic Chapter 7 by Beky NeRichnead, as always Disclaimer: Sailor Moon is the property of Naoko Takeuchi. However, Warrior Love is *mine*. Only I get to play with them! I don't like to share - unless you ask nice. But why would anyone want to steal these wacked characters anyway? * The Updated Theme Song St. Elmo's Fire - John Parr, 1985 [In their old uniforms, the heroes of this fic fight past enemies] Play the game, you know you can't quit until it's won Soldier on, only you can do what must be done [Jedaite receiving back his power, Malachite fighting the D&G girls] You know in some way you're a lot like me You're just a prisoner and you're tryin' to break free [Ryo's arrival, Akane's first fight] I can see a new horizon underneath the blazin' sky I'll be where the eagle's flying higher and higher [Ryo and Ami, Zoitan and Harley reuniting after a battle] Gonna be your man in motion, all I need is a pair of wheels Take me where my future's lyin', St. Elmo's Fire [Still in old uniform, fighting the Pocket monsters] Burning up, don't know just how far that I can go (just how far I go) [Harley steps into the 'meadow'] Soon be home, only just a few miles down the road I can make it, I know I can [Mamoru enters the meadow] You broke the boy in me, but you won't break the man [Akane transforms into Warrior Leo] I can climb the highest mountain, [Ami and Ryo transform into Warriors Herm and Aprhodite] cross the wildest sea [Rei transforms into Warrior Everywhere. As the fire subsides, we see Here and There by her side, transformed] I can feel St. Elmo's Fire burnin' in me, burnin' in me [Jedaite transforms into Warrior Yesterday] Just once in his life a man has his time, [Setsuna's transformation into Warrior Tomorrow] and my time is now, I'm coming alive [Minako and Makoto's transformations into V and Zap] I can hear the music playin', I can see the banners fly [Xalen, Saeblin, and Faolin walk out of the Time Warp, finally to rest] Feel like you're back again, and hope ridin' high [Zoitan and Harley take their vows] Gonna be your man in motion, all I need is a pair of wheels [Setsuna and Jedaite take their vows] Take me where my future's lyin', St. Elmo's Fire [The Warriors walk through a fire, transforming as they do, heading into the sunset] Burnin', burnin' in me, I can feel it burnin' Oooh, burnin' inside of me... (to fade) [A giant yellow Z, a la Zorro] * Ami yawned. It had been a long day. Now, here they were at school. A place that she usually found quite comfortable - but was awkward today. Perhaps it was the new uniform she was wearing. It wasn't familiar like a fuku. "Are you sure its here Harley? My computer shows nothing." Harley shrugged. "Its here. Lets go." She stepped into the grass, disappearing. Then she reappeared. "On the other hand, I think I'll just take Mamoru for now." She took his hand and they stepped in. She stepped out again. "Now we wait." Akane blinked. "For what?" Harley shrugged. "For Warrior Justice to have a nice talk with his dad." Usagi grinned. "Mam... Justice's father is here?" Harley rolled her eyes. "I believe that's what I said." Ami asked a more relevant question. "Why?" Rei smiled slowly. "Oh... so *that's* what I felt." Zoitan looked at her from behind Harley. "What are you talking about?" Rei brushed her hair out of her face, her whole demeanor becoming more mysterious. "Spirits have physical form in there." She pointed to the portal. Setsuna nodded. "I believe you're right." Makoto laughed. "Here, how are you always doing these things by accident?" Harley frowned. "I guess I overdid the power level a bit... but no harm done." The Warriors took more comfortable positions, awaiting Mamoru's return. * Mamoru blinked, surprised, as Harley dragged him through the invisible portal. Through it was a beautiful meadow, ringed by trees. In the center sat a man in armor resembling his Prince form. Harley bowed. "King Geond, may I present Warrior Justice, your son Endymion?" The man looked at him... and through him. "Thank you, Harliana... and I'm sorry." She sighed. "Water under a bridge. Mamoru, this is your father. You were looking for him, I seem to remember." She left. Mamoru looked at the man before him. He had long dark hair and a goatee. Not exactly how he had pictured his father... but the man did have a regal air about him. Geond looked at the spot Harley had disappeared from. "You are in the service of Harliana?" Mamoru nodded. "I am." The king smiled. "I'm glad to hear that. We of Earth owe her a great debt." Mamoru nodded again. "Yes. She protected our planet in times of great trouble... Father." Memories were beginning to return, of a crystal planet. Of this man, and a woman, his mother. His father sighed heavily. "Yes, and after we did her people a great disservice. You're probably wondering why I came out of the afterlife to speak to you." Mamoru chuckled. "Yes." "Endymion, what powers do you currently possess?" He blinked. "Well, I seem to be able to generate roses, and I seem to have telekinesis. I haven't discovered any new powers from being in Harley's service yet." His father laughed. "And you will not - not with your own crystal." "Earth has a crystal?" His father nodded, gesturing. In his palm appeared a rose made of crystal. "This is the Crystal Rose, and the focus of our powers. I meant to give it to you, but you left for the Moon too quickly." Mamoru blushed. "There was a special girl waiting." His father held out his hand. "This is yours, Endymion." Mamoru took the rose carefully from his father's hand, cradling it gently. "It's beautiful." "It isn't as frail as it seems, son. Try stomping on it." Mamoru put it under his foot reluctantly, and stamped weakly. His foot bounced off. He brought down his foot with more force, but it still bounced off. "I see." He picked it up. "Thank you." His father smiled. "I have left another part of your inheritance in your dimensional pocket. You will find it when you have need." Mamoru bowed. "I am grateful." He put the crystal rose in his pocket. His father strode over and embraced him. "So, that out of the way, how is your life in this time?" Mamoru smiled. "I have good friends... and Serenity and I are reunited." "Glad to hear it! She's a good girl... never give her up. Trust Harliana." He paused, tears in his eyes. "I have to go, the rules of the afterlife can only be stretched so long." Mamoru nodded and wiped a tear out of his eye. "Goodbye, Father." "Goodbye, son." His father turned around and walked towards the edge of the meadow, disappearing. "I love you." Mamoru nodded. "And I love you." The spirit disappeared entirely, and Mamoru sighed. To have parents he remembered... a great gift. He chuckled. The girls would probably be wondering what he was doing in here so long. * Harley watched proudly as her friends (now out of transformation) examined the meadow and surrounding forest. Mamoru and Usagi had wandered off to talk. Ami had just finished her scan. "Its five acres. Terrain types range from deciduous forest to plains." Makoto grinned. "You could play some awesome games here." "Or train privately," Akane added. Zoitan and Jedaite grinned at each other. Zoi's eyes glinted. "I won last time." Jedaite frowned. "I was distracted. You'll lose this time." Setsuna blinked. "What are you two babbling about?" Zoitan explained, "Whenever Jedaite and I found a really good spot, we had all out mage battle with lots of property damage. It was lots of fun. This place is *perfect*. The mana really flows." Ryo turned to Ami. "A nice place to, eh, study, huh?" She blushed a little. "Yes, its so quiet." Minako snickered. Rei was staring into space. "People approach." Harley looked around. "Where?" Rei pointed, and a the branches rustled. Two horses stepped out. The horses whinnied in surprise, and the humans blinked. The stallion, an arab palamino, nickered. In their minds, they heard a strong baritone voice. Harley laughed. "Actually, we're the ones who built it." The white mare laughed in their minds. The stallion bowed his huge head respectfully. Harley stifled a sarcastic comment about their names. She had to act like a leader now. "Well, there seems to be room enough for the both of us. I'm glad you were able to make good use of this place. Is it an ordinary traffic place of spirits?" Divinity shook her head. Harley grinned sardonically. "Good. Can't have spirits overrunning the neighborhood." The horses bowed, and Laughter Enshrined turned to his mare. He nuzzled her on the side. She nuzzled him back, and they galloped away together. Minako had hearts in her eyes. "Ooh! I *love* horses. They are *so* cool." "Yeah, if you don't count the names. Anyway, I don't have anything else for you guys today. Makoto, Akane - are we on for a beach jog this evening?" Harley asked. Makoto nodded. "Yeah. I'll call Ukyo. See you at five." "See you." Setsuna and Jedaite smiled at each other. They joined hands and headed into the woods, presumably to do something romantic. Ami and Ryo walked out, chatting about studying and quantum theory. She heard Rei's voice in her mind. Then Rei spoke aloud. "The work of a temple priestess is never done. I have chores. See you all tommorow." She stepped out. Minako went running off in the direction of the horses... it figured that she would be horse-crazy. Since Rei said they were okay, Harley wasn't worried. Akane looked at Zoitan. "Zoi, may I speak to Harley alone?" He frowned. "Oh, fine. But I want my wife back soon." She smiled. "Sure." Zoi looked at Harley. "See you later, hon. I'll be back at the apartment." He disappeared out the portal. Harley turned to Akane curiously. "What's up, Akane-chan?" Akane frowned. "I need your advice." "Sure, ask away." "Its about Ranma... and Shampoo." Harley nodded. "I see. You don't know what to do about her?" Akane frowned. "Do you think I can fight as well as she can?" Harley looked her over carefully. "Yes. You want to challenge her?" Akane nodded. "Yeah. But I don't want her to go back on the terms of the deal. She's sneaky." Harley nodded sadly. "She has to be." "What do you mean?" "If she gives up, she'll be punished by her tribe. Their honor is at stake, and that overwhelms the honor of the individual... hey, I have an idea." She frowned. "And don't you dare say, 'How novel'." Akane chuckled. "That's more your kind of comment. Anyway, what is your idea?" "Cologne takes the honor of her tribe very seriously, right? So what you need to do is involve the honor of her tribe to make sure she keeps the terms of the agreement." Akane nodded. "But how do we do that...? Hmm." She paused. "Would you say the Warriors could be called a tribe? With you as the leader?" Harley smiled. "Why not? I've got the perfect kind of agreement in mind. Its an ancient tradition of Jupiter. The only quirk is this... you have to reveal your identity and powers. Are you willing to risk it?" Akane considered. "Yes. I think my family is in as much danger as possible already." Harley nodded. "Then I will put the honor of the Warriors of Zephyr in your hands. Guard it well." "I will." At that point, Usagi and Mamoru walked out of the woods. Usagi squeaked, "Hey, we saw horses!" Harley laughed. "So did we. We'll tell you all about it later. I'm out of here." * Harley walked into her shabby apartment, remembering when she had first gotten it. That memory was still fresh... down to her exact thoughts on the matter. [flashback] I don't claim to know why the world works. Considering how many things foul up, you'd think that it would all fall apart. For instance, here I was, sitting back at the home after being adopted. That's right -I'd been a adopted, finally. Now where were these parents? No one knew. The director gulped nervously. "Harley, in light of your recent display of maturity, we've decided to give you a chance at living on your own." I blinked. I was thirteen. This COULDN'T be happening. Thirteen year olds simply didn't live on their own. You had to be at least sixteen to get placed outside. Of course, it would have been silly of me to mention this, so I instead expressed great enthusiasm. "Great! Where?" He smiled. "Garden Apartments. You'll be granted a spending allowance - guard it well. Consider yourself on probation. If you prove yourself able for a month, we'll permanently place you there." I grinned. "Understood. When can I move in?" "Immediately. Its technically on the border of Nerima and Juuban, but closer to Juuban Middle School. You'll probably do highschool at Furinkan High." I was thrilled. However, a doubt did cross my mind. Where was the money for this coming from? However, I (as aforementioned) don't mention troublesome details. Better if no one notices. * Garden Apartments is a somewhat run down apartment building. The carpets were frayed, the paint peeling in places, and the faucets dripped. None of this mattered. It was MINE. I hadn't needed a lot of help moving in. My material possessions are few. They filled two crates. Thankfully, the apartment had all the basic necessities - refrigerator, couches, chairs, tables, a bed supplied with sheets, pillows and blankets. As I unpacked, the silence echoed. It was novel, for I'd never truly had any space to myself. Growing up in an orphanage makes that tough. On the other hand, the sound was distinctly eerie. I reached into my boot and pulled out my bowie knife. Just holding it made me feel better. I've never used it in violence, but the feeling of security it generates has gotten me through many hard nights. Maybe that's because it was found next to me when I was taken in by the home. It is one of my only links to the past. The other link was a green stone that I wore on a necklace I never took off. None of the jewelers I've gone to could identify it. It generates a feeling of power and confidence. I do have a picture of my father. Its frayed, but recognizable. I wonder why my parents left me at the home. I wonder who they are. I was drawn out of my musing by a scratching on the door. I blinked and opened it. Outside stood a collie, tall enough to sniff my thigh. It seemed to grin at me. "Ruff!" I laughed. "Hi there, boy. Where did you come from?" He barked again. I kneeled down, noticing a collar around his throat. I took a look at the tags. I expected to find rabies shots markings or perhaps the identification of his owners. Instead, I found a note. "For you in your new place - a friend." Hmm. Well, this went along with the strangeness. First, I was living on my own at the tender age of thirteen. This living alone was supported by no obvious income. Then, someone gives me a dog. Why not? Well, I'm not one for tempting fate. If someone wants to play anonymous beneficiary you won't find me arguing. "Come on in." He happily trotted in. Mmm, smart dog. "What should I call you?" Scotty? Spot? Shelby? Nah. Despite all my searching, I couldn't think of a name that fit the dog now exploring my apartment. In desperation, I turned on the TV. Whichever name I heard first would be it. I was expecting something normal like Natsumi or Kei. Instead, this was what I heard, "Force it to so, Worfu." A bald man was speaking to a funny looking alien, who obediently began pushing buttons. Mmm, Star Trek. An interesting show, but it translated strangely sometimes. "Hey, Worf-u, come here." The dog obediently trotted in. "Ruff?" "Sit." He sat, evidently well trained. So it was that me and my dog sat down to watch some television. The next morning I found the Garden Apartments Rules of Pet Keeping slipped under my door. It seemed Worf would be with me for a while. [end flashback] The place had seemed more full after she had gotten Worf (Setsuna had later confessed to sending him), but something had still been missing. That missing element sat on the couch, reading a science book. She smiled and sat next to him, cuddling into his embrace. "Hi, 'Tan." He put an arm around her shoulders. "Welcome home." He paused. "Its really odd what the people of this time will believe... like space being made of vacuum. And they believe this despite the fact they've been there." She laughed. "Yeah. Then they invented 'dark matter' to explain the gravity of the universe. Have you found anything that will help you with your magic?" He nodded excitedly, his eyes lighting up. "Yes, actually. I've been studying this time's conception of electricity, and I've really souped up my lightning bolt and ball spells." She smiled. "I'm happy for you." He embraced her more. "Harley... how are you feeling, after last night?" She smiled. "It was special. Just as a marriage night should be." He frowned worriedly. "Then there was no problem with your physical youth?" She threw a pillow at him. "Of course not! Why do you think that medieval folks got married at sixteen!" She paused. "Do you know what I *really* think about last night?" He blinked. "What?" "This." She kissed him deeply. "Lets do it again." He chuckled, following her to the bedroom. "I could come to enjoy marriage." "You'd better!" * Usagi looked at Mamoru. He looked happy, like a hole in his heart had been filled. He gazed back at her. "Usako, what are your parents like?" Usagi smiled. "Well, Mom is really nice... er, except when my grades are bad. She can cook great and she always makes me feel better. But she is kinda strict about school. Dad - he's a little overprotective, but he really loves me. Why do you ask?" "I'd like to meet them." She gulped. "Um, I don't think Daddy will take the news of me having a boyfriend well... especially since you're older than me..." He laughed. "Understood. Maybe it would be better if they knew us as friends." She grinned. "Yeah! I can show you my newest video game! Come on!" * And the divergence continued. As it did, the timeline began to stabilize.