PHALANX - The series
Episode twenty-one: The Final Secrets
Revealed, part two.
When the five girls had done their story, Chibiusa
and Mamoru were in shock.
"I never knew anything about a Sailor Earth," Mamoru said.
"None of my flashbacks ever told me anything like that."
"None of us knew," Rei said. "If it weren't for the crystal
coming out, or for the transformation stick, I wouldn't believe it
either."
The conversation drew on, and the group talked about how to bring the news
to Uranus and Neptune. When they decided on just letting things play out,
Mamoru stood up, claiming that he had work to do for college. He offered to
bring Chibiusa home, an offer the girl more than
willingly accepted. The little girl adored 'Mamo-chan',
as she called him. Only she and Usagi called him that.
As soon as the two had left, the conversation turned to a whole different
topic. Next to being Sailor Senshi, the girls were still normal 15-year-olds.
And what did normal 15-year-old girls discuss? Boys, of
course. Even Ami, who usually kept out of such conversations, joined in.
"Too bad Frederic is married," Minako said, dreamily. "And he
looks good even as a woman," she added with a grin.
Usagi nodded, and added, "Daphnix is still single, and he looks just as
good."
Rei couldn't resist. "And what about Mamoru-chan?
Are you sure he's going to like you looking after other guys?"
"I'm just looking, Rei! It's not like I'm doing anything wrong!"
The rest sighed as Usagi and Rei started fighting once again. The
conversation resumed shortly after, the girls 'tuning out' the bickering
between Rei and Usagi.
"Usagi-chan does have a point," Makoto said. "Daphnix is
good-looking."
"And single," Minako added.
"And we don't have a chance," Ami said. Everyone stared at her.
"Think about it," Ami said. "He lives on a space-ship, and
has more money than we can dream about. And then there's the fact that he is
one of the strongest warriors in all the dimensions
they have come across. And, he's not only strong, rich, and good-looking, but
he has a very high intelligence as well."
There was a general face-fault among the girls when they realized that Ami
was right.
"But still…" Minako's voice trailed off. "What a
hunk," they all whispered at the same time. Even Ami, quiet and shy Ami,
admitted to herself that she was attracted to Daphnix.
Frederic and Jennifer disengaged their minds from one another. Then, it
happened. Jennifer's mind, strengthened, hardened, and equal to Frederic's
mind, resumed control over her body. Now that Frederic's enormous mental
strength no longer encompassed her own mind, her mind and body became one once
more. Only, the body no longer fit the mind.
Her mind had become one with Frederic's, had known what he knew, had learned what he had learned. She had become his equal in
a ritual that could have destroyed her mind, and destroyed his sanity.
Her body has no other choice but to adapt, evolve, to handle her mind. When
Frederic opened his eyes, he could see his wife's body engulfed in green ki
flames, and he could feel the drain on his own mind as Jennifer drew in raw
energy from the external Force as well as Frederic's Phalanx powers, to change
her body. He could see how her already tight muscles were tightening further,
and he could see how they became more pronounced. He could feel the raw power
radiating off her as she underwent in a few seconds what had taken Shadow 250
years to achieve.
Wind picked up, and dust and rubble flew around the couple as Jennifer's ki
erupted higher and higher, encompassing her body to force it higher on the
evolutionary ladder, higher and higher, closer and closer to Frederic, who was
reaching out for her. His own ki erupted, and he forced it through the link,
towards his wife, who was using every bit of energy she could lay her hands on.
Frederic changed. Shadow emerged, covered in red ki flames, her hair blowing
in the wind of the shared evolution. When Jennifer threw her head back, and
screamed, her chestnut brown hair got red streaks as
well. Her green ki turned red in accordance with Shadow's, and for a second,
the two women looked at each other, and shared a grin. Then, Jennifer had no
other choice but to go higher. Her body had not reached the right level yet,
and Jennifer could feel is disintegrating under the stress of going super.
Sorcerer almost hit the ceiling as he jumped up.
"Do you feel that?" he asked Jennifer.
"Yes, she said. "It feels like me…
only so much more powerful."
"She's becoming his EQUAL dammit! How is he
doing this??" Sorcerer yelled out, outraged. Another surge of power hit
him.
"She turned super…" Sorcerer whispered. "Two of
them… Jenny, we need to lay low until we can get our act
together."
"Yes," Jennifer responded. "There… it's gone."
"Not gone," Sorcerer said. "It was too sudden. She shrouded
herself, like my counterpart did. And like we did. We
need to train, Jenny. We need to reach magic augmentation level 5."
Jennifer just nodded, staring into infinity.
"How did he do that?" Jennifer asked. "Make her his
equal?"
"I don't KNOW!" Sorcerer said. "I don't have a clue as to how
to do this!
"Maybe they're linked somehow?" she suggested.
"Of course!" Sorcerer shouted out.
"They're probably married by the Gods of the Universe! Those marriages
create such a psychic bond! Unfortunately, there is no way of creating such a
bond without actually getting the Gods of the Universe to marry us.
"Which I doubt they'll do," Jennifer agreed.
Shadow powered higher, turning Super level 2, and boosting Jennifer higher.
Jennifer's muscles screamed, her lungs burned, and her heart raced as her body
was forced to grow faster, stronger, more enduring, and more cunning. Changes
that had taken 250 years were burned in Jennifer's body in this very small time
frame, and it was taking its toll.
Divine Speed…Supreme Divine Speed…Kao Ken, and the spirit
bomb…ki-blasts, and ki-techniques…the list went on. One by one, the
adaptations became more pronounced. Then, as soon as it had started, her body
stopped evolving, and her mind had no further outlet for the enormous power it
was gathering. Jennifer turned Super level 2 on the
spot, her brown and red hair growing in length, her red ki rising higher.
Super Shadow level 2 and Super Jennifer level 2 looked at each other. Then, a final power erupted in Jennifer’s mind. The Alter. The moment Shadow saw Jennifer’s eyes tighten in pain, she knew what was to happen. At a deep, subconscious level, Shadow knew that her wife was not done yet. Jennifer let out a scream of pain and passion, and four slabs of grass-covered earth disappeared from around them.
The rainbow-energy that covered Jennifer matched perfectly the rainbow-colored energy the displaced matter had turned into, before it finally settled into a robotic warrior of some kind. The robot sported a metallic gray fully body armor, and advanced weaponry that was strapped to its arms.
Shadow could feel a tug on her own Alter Ability through the link, and she realized that Jennifer couldn’t…under any circumstances… stop before they were complete equals. The robot shattered into Alter energy, which resettled into the second stage of Jennifer’s Alter. This time, the robot looked a poisonous green, the weapons had disappeared, and the head looked vicious. Blade talons erupted from the hands, and there was no doubt about the fact that most of its weaponry was still hidden inside of the robot’s body.
Finally, Jennifer opened her eyes once more. Her eyes locked with Shadow’s, and the Savior could read a deep pain in Jennifer’s blue eyes. A look of pain…and apology. Then, the Amazon couldn’t hold out much longer, her eyes clenched shut, and she screamed. Shadow screamed with her as she felt the brutal pull on her Alter Ability as it was forced to relay data in a way that it was never supposed to.
Shadow could feel the ground around her erupting as her Alter Ability tore into it, and she screamed in pain when it subsequently turned on her body. When she opened her eyes, her vision was overlaid with the readouts of the Alter Armor. She could read Jennifer’s power level perfectly, even through the Shroud. Her Alter Ability had its own ways of detecting energy, ways that were not blocked like conventional senses.
Jennifer’s second stage Alter disappeared, and she screamed louder. Shadow’s eyes and mouth fell open as she saw the woman break apart in Alter Energy, before coagulating with the Alter Energy that was still floating around. Finally, the scream died out, and Shadow could see Jennifer’s final Alter form: covered form head to toe in metallic green-brown viciously-looking armor.
The two women looked at each other, and smiled. Shadow’s mouth was
always visible in her Armor form. Jennifer’s wasn’t, yet her Armor
changed to indicate the smile as the piece of armor that covered her mouth
changed shape.
"How come your ki is purple?" Super Jennifer asked.
Super Shadow took out the Sailor Earth transformation stick. "I think it's
because this thing is purple as well. All the Senshi have their specific color,
and I think Earth's is purple. Yes, it's just thinking. I am NOT going to try
and see!" Shadow burst out.
"I didn't ask anything," Super Jennifer defended herself. She took
a few deep breaths, and allowed herself to calm down. As her ki subsided,
Jennifer first set back to level1, and finally returned to normal. Her green ki
completely died out. Then, her Alter disappeared as her mind grasped more of
the knowledge Shadow had poured into it. Super Shadow waited for Jennifer to
settle down before doing the same herself. She allowed herself to drop from
level2, from level1, back into Frederic's form.
"I think your Ki is green because we're linked," Frederic answered
the first question that he knew she was going to ask. "You and I are so
very much alike in our powers that our ki must resemble the other's
as well."
Daphnix and the kids were stunned. They had felt a strong power on the
planet, and had come to check it out. They had not expected to see Jennifer
turn Super, along with Frederic… and she had gone beyond Super not long
after. And whatever had happened, it had changed her. Daphnix, David, and
Jessica could see how Jennifer's body moved more like Frederic's did. Stronger, more agile. Faster. Totally invisible to ki-senses. Soon after Daphnix and the
kids arrived, Jennifer had incorporated the shrouding techniques.
"I evolved," Jennifer muttered. "Our minds merged…my
mind became as yours, and my body was forced to follow."
Frederic shook his head. "Your mind had little choice. It was adapt or die. And your body had the same choice. Your crawled through the eye of a needle both times, Love,"
Frederic said.
Daphnix was about to get up, and walk towards his friends, when he saw them
get up. Curiously, he sat back down, and motioned for the kids to do the same.
Frederic threw Jennifer a sword. Daphnix grew more curious.
"Your blade can't change its shape, love," Frederic said,
extending one Sword of the Phalanx "Use that one instead. The sheath is
already made from the poly-morphing material, so it'll change with the
blade."
"Thank you," Jennifer said. "Katana mode."
Her Sword of the Phalanx changed into the curved blade, taking the
poly-morphing sheath with it. Frederic mimicked her, his blade changing as
well.
They charged. And disappeared. Daphnix and the kids
could only gape as a blur was visible every now and then, but most of the time,
they just had to rely on the fact that grunts and battle cries were audible
every now and then.
Then, the two warriors became visible once more, standing on the exact same
spots they had occupied earlier. Both did one step back, away from each other.
Both got in the battou-jutsu stance.
Battou-jutsu? Daphnix thought. That's not such a strong
technique…dodge it, and your opponent is wide open to the attack.
Frederic and Jennifer disappeared.
Amakakeri Ryu no Hirmameki!
Daphnix's mind screamed. He looked on. For a few tenths of a second, he could
see the blades against one another. They're both equally fast! What happened
here?
Then, the blade-bearers moved forward. The two warriors kept on the
movement, both turned to their right, holding nothing more than a handle with a
small stump of blade.
Daphnix's mouth was wide open, but no sound was coming out. The tip of one
of the blades had embedded itself right next to his head, in a tree.
"We broke that which could not be broken," Frederic said, looking
at the handle. Both he and Jennifer were now facing each other, and each looked
at the ruined sword.
"We achieved that which no one person could achieve alone,"
Jennifer said, equally mysterious.
"We transcended our potentials, Love," Frederic said, looking deep
into his wife's eyes. Slowly, both raised the handles high above their heads.
The blade-tip next to Daphnix's head violently ripped itself from the tree, and
flew towards the couple.
The blades resealed themselves as Frederic and Jennifer let go of all
control over the weapons. The seams glowed in a bright green, and sealed shut.
The blades were back intact.
"Normal mode," Frederic whispered, sheathing his katana-form Sword
of the Phalanx. The blade changed, along with the scabbard. Jennifer's mimicked
her husband's.
"We're equals again," Frederic whispered, holding his wife in his
arms.
"Yes, Love. We are. Thank you for sharing it with me."
"Thank you for undergoing it all, Love," Frederic countered.
"I know it wasn't easy."
"It wasn't easy for you either," Jennifer said. "I could feel
you slipping towards insanity, just like I was slipping towards the destruction
of my mind."
Daphnix and the children got out of their hideout when they saw that
everything was over.
"How long have you three been here? And why did you come back
anyway?" Frederic asked, one arm still draped
over Jennifer's shoulders.
"We detected a very large power here, so we came to see if something
was wrong. Instead, we saw Mommy go Super,"
Jessica said. "So we stayed, and watched."
"We finally merged," Frederic said.
"And my mind became his equal," Jennifer told them. "When we
disengaged, my body was forced to adapt. It took enormous amounts of energy to
evolve my body like that, energy which, combined with the stress, made me turn Super. And when my body finished, the surplus energy pushed
me over the edge towards Super level 2. And then the Alter came… I was so
deeply linked that I had no other choice but to evolve."
"Cool," David said. "So you and Dad are just as strong?"
Frederic and Jennifer nodded. "Back to where we
started out. We are both equals."
As the small group walked, they ended up at a section of the park that was
set up like a stage, with a semi-circle of seats around a circular stage. The
seats went up towards the back, allowing quite a lot of people the opportunity
to witness the performance. Right now, the stage and the seats were deserted.
"When I got here in the afternoon, there was a boy playing a
cello," Frederic said. "This is a public stage. Anyone who wants can
come here and play. According to other things I have gathered, this place has a
lot of attraction."
"I can imagine. So, you can just go up there and do something?"
Jennifer asked.
"I think it's mostly for music, and then mostly for the enjoyment of
the player, because of the good acoustics of the stage. When there are some
people who listen, it's purely a bonus," Frederic said, and hopped on the
stage. Jennifer joined him.
"Linda, how about a violin?" Frederic
asked. There was no one around, and he found music would do a lot of good after
the stress both he and Jennifer had been under. The violin materialized in
Frederic's hands, along with the bow.
Daphnix and the kids took a seat.
"So, what'll it be?" Daphnix asked.
"Just some good old-fashioned fun," Frederic said. "I'll
start."
He set out a simple rhythm on the violin. Jennifer started singing. It was
one of their games, called 'improvisation'. One of them would take an
instrument, and make up a rhythm. The other would then sing to that.
When Frederic increased the rhythm, Jennifer halted for a moment, and struck
up an entirely different song. Daphnix and the kids were enjoying themselves by
shouting requests at genres at Frederic, and the two performers were enjoying
themselves playing and singing. The violin is actually a versatile instrument,
contrary to what some people think. A skilled violinist can play country, jazz,
and classical music. But even rock isn't out of the question, and with some
practice, one can set up a rhythm for disco.
When Frederic went over to disco, Jennifer let out a laugh at what seemed
like a contradiction. She did pick up, however, and started singing. Everyone
was laughing, and enjoying themselves.
A few minutes later, Frederic broke off. His eyes met hers. He set out a
rhythm. Slow, graceful…achingly familiar.
Jennifer asked for a second violin.
"Beethoven," David said. "Ninth
symphony."
"Fourth movement, Ode an die Freude," Jessie completed.
"I love this part," David said, getting up. He jumped up on the
stage.
<<Dad, can you give me an instrument? Please?>>
<<Which one?>>
<<Hm…clarinet?>>
<<You got it.>> Frederic responded.
David felt the knowledge being downloaded into his brain, and asked for a
clarinet from Linda. He got his wish, and started playing, joining in the
rhythm. It didn't take long before he got the instrument down perfectly, and
his performance was as beautiful as his parents'.
Michiru was on her way to play at the same place she liked to play
regularly, which was the reason for her carrying her violin. As usual, Haruka
accompanied her.
"Do you hear that, Haruka-chan?" Michiru asked, stopping to
listen more carefully.
"Music," Haruka responded.
"Beethoven," Michiru said. "Beautiful…
two violins and a clarinet." She started walking again, increasing
her step. Haruka followed. A few minutes later, they stopped on top of the
steps leading down to the stage.
"Are those…" Michiru's voice trailed off.
"Those are the same people," Haruka said.
"The adults are… but the children?" Michiru then asked.
"Musical family," Haruka muttered.
"Come on," Michiru urged, and walked down the stairs.
O Freunde, nicht diese Töne,
sondern lasst uns angenehmere
anstimmen, und freundenvollere.
(English translation)
(Oh friends, not these tones!
Let us raise our voices in more
pleasing and more joyful sounds!)
Jennifer stopped playing, and David introduced the next part of his father's
solo. Jennifer joined in when a quartet or a chorus was required. Because this
solo required a violin in the background, to add to the rhythm, she had some
problems combining the two. That was, until she got her eye on Michiru, who had
by now gotten very close to the stage, and her violin case was plainly visible.
Jennifer motioned for the girl to get up, which she did, albeit reluctantly.
"Do you know the piece?" Jennifer asked.
"Yes, I do," Michiru answered back, her heart doing not so good at
keeping calm.
"Then you're a life-saver," Jennifer said, now lowering her violin
completely, and backed up her husband when she needed to. Michiru took her
violin and her bow, and joined in eagerly.
Voices, used to singing opera, had no problems whatsoever in singing the
lyrics of this symphonic piece.
Freude, schöner Götterfunken,
Tochter aus Elysium,
wir betreten feuertrunken,
Himmlische, dein Heiligtum!
Deine Zauber binden wieder,
was die Mode streng geteilt:
alle Menschen werden Brüder,
wo dein snafter Flügel weilt.
(Joy, beautiful spark of the gods,
Daughter of Elysium,
We enter fire imbibed,
Heavenly, thy sanctuary.
Thy magic reunites those
Whom stern custom has parted;
All men will become brothers
Under thy gentle wing.)
Frederic and Jennifer repeated the last four sentences, a part normally
requiring a chorus, their voices rising to the skies. When the next part came,
requiring a quartet instead of the chorus, they didn't hesitate to sing
together. This was for fun after all. A symphonic piece played by three
violinists and a clarinetist couldn't be anything but fun.
Wem der grosse Wurf gelungen,
eines Freundes Freund zu sein,
wer ein holdes Weib errungen,
mische seinen Jubel ein!
Ja, wer auch nur eine Seele
sein nennt auf dem Erdenrund!
Und wer's nie gekonnt, der stehle
weinend sich aus diesem Bund!
(May he who has had the fortune
To gain a true friend
And he who has won a noble wife
Join in our jubilation!
Yes, even if he calls but one soul
His own in all the world.
But he who has failed in this
Must steal away alone and in tears.)
Again, the last four sentences were repeated, in a louder voice, indicating
the chorus. Both Frederic and Jennifer opened up completely, using the full
volume of their voices.
Haruka was fascinated when she saw how naturally these people improvised to
accommodate the piece's requirements.
Freude trinken alle Wesen
an den Brüsten der Natur,
alle Guten, alle Bösen
folgen ihrer Rosenspur.
Küsse gab sie uns und Reben,
einen Freund, geprüft im Tod;
Wollust ward dem Wurm gegeben,
und der Cherub steht vor Gott!
(All the world's creatures
Draw joy from nature's breast;
Both the good and the evil
Follow her rose-strewn path.
She gave us kisses and wine
And a friend loyal unto death;
She gave lust for life to the lowliest,
And the Cherub stands before God.)
As had become the habit, Frederic and Jennifer retook the last four
sentences in their louder voice. Only this time, the piece required for the
female voice to do a little solo, thus making it stand out. Jennifer's smile
grew as she got to do something original.
The need for song was over for now, and Frederic and Jennifer retook their
violins.
"This is stupid," Frederic grunted. "We have three violins,
while we need more diversity in our instruments."
Jennifer smiled, and pulled a triangle from out her pocket. It had been
beamed there just now, of course, as not to draw suspicion. She put her violin
in the case it had appeared in, and started tapping the triangle.
Frederic couldn't contain himself, and laughed. Jennifer laughed as well,
and shrugged.
"Hey, it's an added instrument," she defended.
"Yes, but not a leading instrument," Frederic said, retaking his
violin nonetheless. Both thought about where the others were at this moment,
and they joined in. It was not for long. A few minutes after they had last
sung, they had to again. This time, it was a full chorus, and an entire
symphonic orchestra would normally back it. Now, they had one clarinet, one
triangle, one violin, and two voices.
They didn't waver, and let their voices climb in volume once more,
simulating that there were more than two people singing. They sang the first
verse, and retook the four last sentences after they finished. Then, Frederic
went on alone, Jennifer retaking her triangle, which she had forgotten to use
during her song, and the improvised symphony
continued.
"Who would be playing so late?" Ami asked.
"Michiru plays sometimes at night," Usagi said.
"There is definitely a clarinet there as well," Ami said. "I
know that piece. Beethoven's ninth symphony."
"Come on, let's see who Michiru's playing with," Rei said, setting
a brisk running pace. The rest of the girls just said, "right!"
and ran after her.
After arriving on the exact same spot Michiru and Haruka had been, the girls
had to contain themselves from bursting out laughing.
"Should we introduce them?" Ami asked.
"We can do that later," Rei said, and calmly walked down the
stairs. She sat down right next to Haruka. The rest of the girls did the same.
"Usagi said Michiru sometimes plays at night," Rei said to Haruka.
"She didn't say she had company doing it."
"You DO know who they are, don't you?" Haruka burst out.
Rei smiled. "Of course. That's Frederic,
Jennifer, David, Jessica, and Daphnix," Rei said. "They're the people
who helped us out this afternoon. Frederic's also Sailor Earth."
The girls burst out laughing at Haruka's shocked expression.
"Sailor Earth's a myth," Haruka snorted.
On an impulse, Usagi jumped up, waving.
"Hey, Frederic-sama!"
Frederic just looked in her direction, and made a small bow while continuing
playing his violin.
Usagi tried to jump on the stage, slipped, and fell down, flat on her
behind. The girls laughed, the music faltered, then picked up again when Usagi
was diagnosed as alright. Frederic lifted one finger, indicating he would be
right back, and jumped off the stage.
"Are you alright?" he asked Usagi, after nodding a 'hello' to
Haruka. After all, he didn't know her.
"I'm fine," she said. "I want you to meet someone."
"Really? Who?"
Frederic said.
"Haruka-chan, this is Frederic. Sailor Earth."
Frederic looked at Usagi, confusion on his face.
"Frederic-sama, this is Haruka, Sailor Uranus. The girl onstage is
Michiru, Sailor Neptune," Usagi continued.
Frederic looked at Haruka, who looked shocked at Frederic. She jumped up.
Michiru, having seen her friend's sudden movement, stopped playing to assess
the situation. Jennifer and David, now alone, stopped playing as well.
Daphnix and Jessica got up, and joined the group.
"Alright," Frederic said. "Introduction time, I see… guys,
this is Haruka, Sailor Uranus. And this is Michiru, Sailor Neptune."
"And you're Sailor Earth," Haruka snorted. Michiru looked shocked.
After the round of introductions had passed, identifying everyone to Michiru,
Haruka and Michiru stared at Frederic.
"Yes, I am sailor Earth," Frederic said. "An unfortunate
conjunction of happenings, I'm afraid."
"Huh?" As usual, Usagi missed what was said.
"Baka!" Rei scolded. Idiot! "He said
that he became Sailor Earth by accident!"
"I am NOT an idiot!" Usagi yelled back at Rei.
"So, what were you doing here so late anyway?" Frederic asked Ami,
ignoring the bickering between Usagi and Rei.
"We were on our way home when we heard the music," Ami answered.
"Home? Oh no! I'm late!" Minako suddenly
burst out, after looking at her watch. The outburst stopped Rei's and Usagi's
fight.
"Oh no! Me too!"
Usagi shouted. Both girls started running.
"Hey, wait up!" Frederic shouted. "We'll give you a lift, if
you want one."
"Sure!" Both girls shouted. Frederic threw the keys to Jennifer.
"Who wants the car, and who wants the bike?" he asked. The two
blondes looked at each other.
"I'll take the bike," Usagi said.
"Alright," Frederic said. "You can come with me. Minako-chan,
Jennifer will drive you in the car."
"Thanks," Minako said as Frederic and Usagi ran off.
Somewhere in mid-run Frederic's clothes changed shape.
"How do you do that?" Usagi asked, while running.
"Poly-morph clothes," Frederic said. "They change shape when
I tell them to. Linda, can you get me Shadow's bike and two helmets?"
No problem.
"Thanks." By now, Frederic and Usagi had reached the street, where
shadow's bike was parked, the two helmets hanging from
the bike's handle.
"Get up, and hang on," Frederic said, giving the girl one of the
helmets. He put on the other one, and closed the visor.
"Ready?" he asked.
"Yes," Usagi responded, putting her arms around Frederic's waist.
He may be married, but at least I've gotten myself a feel…she
thought as her hands felt Frederic's strong muscles. The bike took off, with
Usagi hanging on for dear life. Frederic's driving style was identical to
Shadow's.
Jennifer, on the other hand, spurted with Minako to the APV. After they got
in, the car took off, with Minako bracing herself in the high-tech machine, as
to not allow herself to be trashed about.
"The rest go home as well?" Frederic asked when he got back. He
was still dressed in the heavy leather motorcycle outfit.
"Yes," Daphnix answered.
"So, what bike do you have?" Haruka asked suddenly.
"
"Nice machine," Haruka responded. "Can you drive it?"
"Never been beaten," Frederic answered.
"Is that so?" Haruka answered. "Care to be beaten?" she
asked.
"Haruka-chan!" Michiru warned.
"No, that's quite alright," Frederic responded. "Shadow never
backed down from a challenge like that. I won't either. Just say where and
when."
"Tomorrow," Haruka said. "The track.
At 10 in the morning."
"Fine," Frederic said. "I'll be there. Bring tissues. The
last one was crying like a child after I was through with him."
Haruka grunted, turned, and left. Michiru collected her violin, nodded a
goodbye, and left as well.
"Great work," Jennifer told Frederic. "Now what are you going
to do?"
"Win," Frederic answered. "I wasn't exaggerating. Shadow
never cheated, yet she always won. The little drive tonight has shown me that I
possess the same skills as she does. There is no doubt about the outcome. But,
I will give her the chance to back out."
"Oh, really?" Jennifer muttered.
"Yes, really," Frederic said back, grinning.
"Haruka-chan is a race-driver," Makoto said. "She's very
good."
"So am I," Frederic said, giving the girl a smile. "But,
we'll see what happens tomorrow. It's a Sunday, so I hope you're all going to
be there."
"Of course," Makoto said. "I'll call the others, to tell them
to meet us there."
"Maybe you better tell Minako and Usagi that the race is at 9.30,"
Daphnix suggested. "So they're not late."
Makoto and the others burst out laughing. "Maybe I should do
that," she said.
Frederic looked over the lake in the park.
"Linda, what's the time?" he asked.
Local time is 0630 hours, 25 seconds. 30. 32…
"Thank you Linda. Initiate a clothing beam on Vicky and Sarah. Get them
in work-out clothes, directly in front of my location."
Energizing.
The two sleeping girls appeared in front of Frederic. So gentle was the
transportation sequence it didn't even wake them up. Frederic took the bucket
of cold water he had gathered earlier. Smiling, he lifted the bucket, and
dumped the freezing water over the two girls. Shrieking, they jumped awake.
"Put on those backpacks," Frederic instructed.
"I thought you said at nine, sir?" Vicky asked her statement.
"Schedules change," Frederic shrugged. "Now take those packs,
and go. I don't have all day!"
Vicky and Sarah took the handles of the backpacks, and attempted to put them
on. They grunted as they got the loaded things on their backs.
"Sir, these must weigh…" Vicky began.
"Exactly 100 kilograms for you, and 50 for Sarah," Frederic
finished. "Of course, mine weights 250, but that's not important right
now. come on, let's go, girls."
Frederic started running. Fast. Vicky and Sarah grunted, and caught up with
Frederic, who was enjoying himself with his run. For him, anything out of the
gravity room was just fun. For the girls, this was… no fun.
The running was just the beginning. After an hour-long run, they sparred
with Frederic. After sparring for thirty minutes, both girls were put through
physical exercises that seemed to suck the very energy from their battered
muscles.
"We are strong," Vicky puffed. "For humans.
You are not human, sir."
"I'll take that as a compliment," Frederic said, his face stern.
"Now, give me 100 more, and you can return to the ship. I need some real
exercise after so much warming-up exercises."
Grunting, Vicky and Sarah continued. Their muscles screamed. Their hearts
raced, and their lungs ached. Screaming silently, Vicky and Sarah finished
their 100 additional pushups, and were allowed to beam back to the ship.
Frederic smiled. "That'll teach them," he said to himself. He
started running, the weighed pack still on his back. He sung silently to
himself. Freude, schöner
Götterfunken...
Five minutes to ten. Everyone was gathered at the racetrack, everyone,
except for Haruka, and Frederic. At precisely ten, Haruka arrived, dressed in a
red-and-white leather motorcycle outfit. Frederic was nowhere to be seen.
"So, he chickened out, did he?" Haruka snorted to Jennifer.
"Normally, he is never late," Jennifer said. "I don’t
know what could have caused this…"
As on cue, Shadow's black-and-silver bike screeched to a halt. Riding
it… was Shadow. Dressed in a white t-shirt, and white
sweatpants. She opened the visor on her black helmet.
"Sorry I'm late," she said. "I had a little argument with
myself about who would get to drive. Guess who won?" she said, giving a
curt laugh. "But first, I need to get to know this track. See you in a
couple of minutes, ok?" the visor closed, the bike started, and Shadow
roared off.
"Great," Jennifer said. "He gets challenged, and she
accepts it."
"I don't understand," Haruka said. "Who is that woman? And
where is Frederic?"
"That was Frederic," Jennifer said. "The woman is Shadow. She
is Fred's female form."
"I challenged Frederic, so I want Frederic," Haruka said.
"But fine, I'll humiliate her first."
"If you still can…" Jennifer muttered silently.
"What was that?" Haruka asked.
"Nothing," Jennifer said, turning her attention someplace else.
Like the group of six girls standing off to one side. The other side showed
Michiru, Daphnix, the kids, and Mamoru in conversation. She had no idea what
about. She was about to join them, when she picked up something from the group
of six girls.
"So, what are you talking about?" she asked, looking around thee
group of five 15-year olds, and the six-year old. "I don't believe I know
you," she added, looking at the six-year-old.
"That's Chibiusa," Usagi said.
"She's from the future."
"Really?" Jennifer said, looking at the
girl. "Interesting… why?" she asked.
"Because Mommy said I needed to learn to become a Sailor Senshi,"
the girl responded.
"Then you better train hard," Jennifer said, smiling at the girl.
"So you can go back. I'm sure she misses you."
The girl smiled. "Yes," she said.
"So, what was the earlier conversation?" Jennifer asked, feigning innocence.
Everyone looked at one another, trying to come up with something.
"I know what I would be talking about if I were in your place,"
Jennifer said, again, looking at the test-track, where Haruka and Michiru were
watching wide-eyed how Shadow flew across the asphalt of the track.
"Really?" Rei asked.
"What about, Jennifer-sama?" Ami asked.
"Well, if I were Usagi, I would be telling everyone about the
bike-ride," Jennifer said. "And I'd certainly be telling about the
person who was driving the bike." With that, she turned around, and walked
back to the track, where Shadow had come to a complete stop. The girls stared
at her retreating back.
Usagi was blushing tremendously, but hurriedly composed herself.
The girls ran to the track, where Haruka and Shadow were standing side-by-side,
the bikes ' engines roaring.
They took off, Shadow and Haruka lying side-by-side. They dove in the first
corner, with Shadow having the luck of the inside turn. Haruka was trailing
behind Shadow, who steered craftily into the second corner, hanging far outside
the bike to keep it in the turn. Haruka was right behind the short,
black-haired woman. The next turn was one to the right, and Haruka pushed her
way into the inside turn, overtaking Shadow.
Shadow smiled in her helmet. Finally a challenge.
Alright. I can finally go flat-out without appearing
TOO good. Shadow used her CIA- driving courses to the limit, and clung to
Haruka, like a shadow. Not threatening to overtake the woman once, Shadow clung
to Haruka, just her very presence making the other woman nervous. When they
entered the last corner, Shadow pushed her way inside, flattened the throttle,
and shot through it at full speed.
Shadow flashed across the finish line. First.
Haruka came second, at a full second behind Shadow.
"I told you I'd win," Shadow said to Jennifer.
"No," Jennifer said. "Fred said he'd win."
"We're one and the same," Shadow defended herself.
"Come on, humor an old woman." This caused the two of the to burst out laughing. Haruka was storming towards them,
angry.
"I want Fred!" she shouted. "I want to race him, not
this…nutcase!"
Shadow looked at Haruka, and sighed. "He told me you'd say this,"
she said. "And I wouldn’t listen. Oh well… alright, here he
comes."
Shadow shifted into Frederic, the poly-morphing clothes adapting
automatically. Haruka stared at him.
"Want to go now?" he asked, keying the engine to the bike. Haruka
snorted, got up on her own bike, and keyed her engine. The two sped off to the
start-line.
"Here we go again…" Jennifer said. Daphnix could only nod.
The kids just found it all fascinating. Usagi and the rest of the Senshi had no
idea what to think of this, except being excited about the fact that it was a
very interesting race.
The two blasted off, leaving smoke and rubber as they accelerated. To the
contrary of Shadow, Frederic went full power straight away. He took the first
corner at the limits of his abilities, and found himself running away from
Haruka. The second turn produced another couple of tenths of a second, as did
the third.
By the time Frederic just let go, and roared over the last straight, he had
10 seconds on Haruka.
Frederic pulled over into the pit lane, and cut the engine. He took of his
helmet, and hugged his wife. Michiru, very sportsmanlike, came to congratulate
Frederic, who smiled and was the good victor, not bragging about his victory.
Haruka, on the other hand, looked a lot less sportsmanlike than her friend.
"You did well," she said.
"Thank you," Frederic answered. "So did you."
"I lost," Haruka simply said.
"Yes, but you lost to someone who was trained by the CIA to operate any
vehicle on the planet to the best of human abilities." I can’t tell her who my real teachers
were… she would have me committed, Frederic’s mind noted.
"What?" she scowled. "And you never told me?"
"You never asked," Frederic said. "You just asked me if I
wanted to be beaten. That was a challenge. And I enjoy challenges."
"Hmpf," Haruka snorted. "You should
have told me."
"And you shouldn't have been so sure of yourself," Frederic said.
"Let's just say we were both wrong, and let's start fresh." He
extended his hand, forgetting about Japanese customs for the moment.
Haruka took it, albeit grouchily. Everyone cheered as Frederic and Haruka
shook hands. When Frederic gave a firm nod of his head Haruka actually gave a
small smile.
"Frederic-sama," Usagi said, "I have something else for
you." She extended a flat, rectangular box. When Frederic took it, he
noticed that it had a small circular screen in the upper right corner, as well
as a couple of buttons.
"Thanks. Uhm… What is it?"
Frederic asked.
"It's your communicator," Ami said. "It allows us to contact
you when we need your help… you know…with Sailor business."
Frederic looked at the box. It was small, rectangular,
… and pink.
"Thanks," Frederic said again. Shadow is going to KILL
me… oh well. I'll just spray it in black, and she'll be happy. He
held the small communicator in his left hand, and focused. Or I could…
The little communicator changed colors abruptly.
"That is incredible!" Rei shouted. "How did you do
that?"
"I used something called the ‘Alter Ability’. It allows to change matter into whatever form, shape, or color one
desires," Frederic explained.
"Amazing," Ami commented. "Well, welcome to the team. You're
now an official Sailor Senshi." she added.
"Just don't say that when Shadow's around," Frederic warned with
good humor. "She's still not happy with it, and totally refuses to change
into the Sailor uniform."
"Why is that?" Minako asked. "The uniforms aren't ugly or
anything."
"Shadow thinks the skirts are too short, she doesn't like the high
heels, and she thinks the uniform doesn't suit a 250-yeaar-old woman, even if
she doesn't look a day over 20," Frederic said. "If you ask me, she's
being a little child, but it is her body that's going to fit into the
uniform, so it is her choice. But, I think that she'll come around with the
next crisis or so. Shadow isn't the type to leave people stranded in problems
if she can help. Even if it means giving up some
beliefs."
Since Sorcerer was still playing the invisible man, the afternoon found the
entire family playing a game at Rei's temple. Frederic, Jennifer, Daphnix, David,
and Jessica were playing a game called 'catch the Super String', a game the
children invented.
David tapped a section on the board. 72 Linda answered.
"Too bad," Frederic said. "My turn."
He focused on the board. Various sections were already lit up, displaying
various numbers.
"182," he finally said, and tapped another section. 182
Linda answered.
"You got one," David said. "Does that mean you have the
equation, or is it a lucky guess?"
"For me to know, and for you to find out, "
Frederic smiled.
"1589," Jennifer said with a very convinced tone, and tapped a
section. 2854 Linda answered. "Damn," Jennifer muttered. The
others laughed.
"You have to think faster, Love," Frederic said, studying the
board. Damn, that last value has thrown my calculations off… it was
just a lucky guess, then.
"456," Daphnix said, tapping a section. 457 Linda answered.
"I'm coming closer," Daphnix said, smiling.
"125," Jessica said. 125 Linda agreed. "I have the
equation," Jessica answered, and tapped her console. Equation
confirmed. Winner Jessica. Shall we continue for
second place?
"YES!" Jessica shouted. "I win! I win! I win! Yes, I'm
good!!"
"Well done," Frederic said.
"Excuse me, but what are you playing?" Ami asked, walking up to
the group.
"It's called 'catch the Super String'," Jessica answered.
"8759.4," David said, tapping a section. 8759.4 Linda
agreed. David tapped his console, and got the response Equation confirmed.
David is second. Shall we continue for third place?
Jessica resumed her explanation. "The computer generates a completely
random super string equation, and displays ten results on the screen. Then, the
players take a turn each, trying to guess the correct equation. They do that by
thinking of an equation, thinking of possible outcomes, and then tapping the
section of the board that contains the start values. If the results of the
board are the same with what you first said aloud, then
you are close to the correct equation, you have the correct equation, or you
just landed a lucky hit. Anyway, when you think you have the correct equation,
you enter it into your console. Entering the wrong equation will get you
disqualified. That's why Dad didn't enter his solution a while back. He wasn't
sure."
"Sounds challenging," Ami said.
"450," Frederic said, tapping a section. 450 Linda agreed.
Frederic tapped his console. Equation confirmed. Frederic is third. Shall we
continue for fourth place?
"You want to try, Ami-chan?" Frederic asked. "Not on this
level, of course. We could try the easier levels. Who knows, you might have
talent for it."
"Damn!" Daphnix shouted. Equation not confirmed. Exit Daphnix.
Jennifer is fourth. Shall we play again? I like this game. Linda said.
"So, what about it, Ami-chan? Care to join us
for a game?"
"Okay. One game," she said, sitting down.
"Great!" Frederic said. "Linda, six
players. Level one."
The board lit up, and ten sections appeared, containing values.
"It's a simple third-grade equation," Frederic said.
"In a Cartesian axial system," David said.
"Why don't you start, Ami-chan?" Frederic asked.
"Thank you," Ami said, with a small bow. "So, I say what I
think the result will be of the point I tap?"
"Yes," Jessica said.
"Uhm… 15.6," Ami said, and tapped
a section. 15.6 Linda agreed. Everyone smiled along with Ami.
"2.3," Frederic said. 2.3 Linda agreed.
"This isn't really fair to Ami," Daphnix said. "We are used
to dealing with super string formulas and equations."
"I was just coming to the same conclusion," Frederic said.
"Kids, you designed this game. Isn't there a handicap setting?"
"Not yet," David said. "We designed this to keep ourselves
busy when we weren't working. How to implement a handicap
setting?"
"I could just withdraw," Ami said. "You shouldn’t go
through all the trouble for me."
"We invited you, we have to make it work," David said, shooting
her a smile. "Well, the easiest solution would of course be that Dad
empowers Ami for the duration of the game, but that wouldn't be really
fair."
"Empower me?" Ami asked, looking curious.
"Yes," David said. "Boost your IQ and your mathematical
abilities to match ours. Then you could play on the same level we do. But, as I
said, that isn't really fair."
"Why not?" Ami asked.
"Well, you wouldn't be playing with your abilities… it would
still be your mind that does the work, but your mind would be boosted, but then
again, none of us would have any problems with that, since we're all boosted
one way or another anyway…so, I guess the choice is up to you, Ami-chan.
Do you want to be boosted for the game?"
"Does it hurt?" Ami asked.
"No, of course not," Frederic said. "You will fade out, and
by the time you fade back in, you're boosted."
"Then I want to try. If only to see how your minds work," Ami
said, with a smile.
"Alright," Frederic said. He looked in the girl's blue eyes, and
his powers reached out. A small flame erupted as Frederic's powers were
violently cancelled out the moment they were about to fade Ami out.
"Wow!" Frederic said, pulling back immediately. "What was that?
Are you alright, Ami?"
"Yes, I'm fine… What happened?"
"I don't know," Frederic said. "Can I do a scan to determine
what happened?"
"Sure," Ami said.
Frederic closed his eyes, and felt his powers trail over the girl's body.
"You're protected. It looks to be by the magic of the Moon Crystal. I
could break through it, but it might interfere with you being Sailor Mercury.
I'd rather not take the chance."
"I don't understand… What does this mean?"
"It just means we can't alter you without running the risk of you
loosing the ability to become Sailor Mercury," Frederic said. Ami sighed
in relief.
"Don’t worry, it's nothing bad," Frederic said, reassuring
the girl. "Unfortunately, I also means we can't
help you and your friends to become Master Slayers. It would come down to the
choice, being Sailor Senshi or being Master Slayers. I think you and your
friends would have made the choice rather easily, right?"
"I think we all want to remain Sailor Senshi," Ami answered.
"I thought so," Frederic said. "So, let's not mention this to
your friends, ok? We don't want to scare them."
"Of course," Ami said, having regained her smile already.
"Now, back to the game," Frederic said. "Have you come up
with a solution yet?" he asked the children.
"Well, Linda can display 25%, 50%, or 75% of the equation on the
console. That way, Ami would have a distinct advantage over us."
"And since we don’t know what terms are already given, they're
just as advantageous, or disadvantageous, to us as the other results are."
David nodded.
"So, what do you think? Care to try a higher level?" Frederic
asked the blue-haired girl.
"Sure," she said, rejoining the people around the discarded game
board.
Sorcerer dumped some plans in front of Jennifer. "I've found a
weapon," he said. "There is only one problem."
Jennifer scanned the plans. She whistled. "An
adaptive robotic combat system? Impressive… how
do we power it?"
"That's the problem. No system is stable enough. And those that are,
are simply too bulky or don't generate enough power." Sorcerer took a
fumbled-up note from his pocket. "These are the requirements."
Jennifer looked at the piece of paper. Her eyes bulged out and her jaw
opened. She snapped her mouth shut. "I see what you mean… Only
zero-point comes close, but the generator's too big to use."
Professor Tomoe, who just happened to stroll by the table the two were
working on, cast a glance at the top note, the one with the energy
requirements.
"I know what can do this," he said. The two looked non-believingly
at him.
"A pure heart crystal," the professor continued. "Such a
crystal hold enormous amounts of power, and it's incredibly stable."
"And where do we gut such a crystal?" Sorcerer barked.
Tomoe shrugged. "Steal it. Where else?"
Sorcerer's visage turned pure evil. "Get one of those things you call a
daemon ready. I'm going to boost it a little. Jenny, how far are you with that
replicator?"
"Almost done," she said. "A few more hours, and we can
replicate the shell."
"Good. Tomoe, as soon as the daemon is ready, you deliver her the plans
for a generator to tap the power from a pure heart crystal. I want it to be
able to function the moment I steal a crystal."
"It will be done," the professor said, running off to build a
daemon. Jennifer and Sorcerer went to work on the replicator, until Tomoe
called them to say that the daemon was ready. Not long after, he delivered the
plans for a generator. Jennifer upgraded it as she implemented it into the
final designs.
"D, you come up with some way to counter them," Frederic said.
"We can't let this go on like this. Jenny, the Senshi and I will continue
to hunt them. Let's hope Sorcerer runs out before the entire city's gone."
"Sure," Daphnix said. "But, I will need one of the Senshi.
Maps are good, but first-hand knowledge is better."
"Ami, can you go with him?" Frederic asked. He knew that she was
the smartest of the bunch. If anyone could help D, she could.
"Sure," she said, shooting her characteristic small smile. The two
disappeared in the blue beam soon after. Frederic, Jennifer, and the Senshi
went after yet more daemons.
Frederic, Jennifer, and the remaining 8 Senshi (Venus, Moon, chibi-moon, Mars, Jupiter, Uranus, Neptune, and Pluto)
attacked the daemons full force, driving them back, when the report came in.
Daphnix and Sailor Mercury joined the fight, only to see it all go down the
drain by the report of Linda.
Sorcerer had appeared.
The entire group made short work of the remaining daemons; now that they no
longer reappeared it was almost too easy to dispose of them. It took them all
of five minutes to get rid of the plagues. Frederic
teleported the entire group to Sorcerer's location. As he had suspected,
the man had fully hidden himself, and the only reason Linda had known he was
here was because he had announced it himself.
Next to Sorcerer stood an android, and it look leeringly at Frederic.
"Sorcerer, I don’t know what you were planning with that little
stunt, but I can tell you it didn't work!" Frederic barked.
"Oh, but it did. You see, I kept you and the bitches you've befriended
busy while I stole a pure heart crystal for my new Wardroid here."
"A robot? You're going to sic a robot on
me?" Frederic almost burst out laughing.
"This is an adaptive robotic system. Don't underestimate him. Wardroid,
kill him."
The Wardroid disappeared. The next moment, it was right in front of
Frederic, who blocked its first strike.
"He's not fast enough," Frederic said.
"Wardroid hates loosing," it said. "Analyzing
technique complete. Countering."
The robot disappeared, and kicked Frederic in the back. Frederic was
catapulted forward. He landed on his feet. He powered up, and charged. The
robot countered. "Analyzing of technique complete.
Countering," it said. The next moment, the android broke through
Frederic's attack, and slammed both hands in Frederic's stomach. The warrior
was slammed into a wall.
Frederic got out of the hole in the wall, and looked at the Wardroid. He
crouched, and powered up. His ki leapt around him in angry green flames, making
the ground shake under the feet of the collective people. Frederic charged. The
Wardroid was catapulted backwards.
"Wardroid hates loosing," it said. "Adapting."
The Wardroid's appearance changed. It seemed larger. It charged. Frederic
countered by drawing his Swords, and changing them into katanas.
The two Swords slashed at the android, which evaded Frederic's attacks neatly.
"How does it do that?" Frederic grunted.
"I told you, it's adaptive," Sorcerer said. "It sees your
attacks, and counters them. Whatever you have, Wardroid can counter, and
return."
Frederic changed the two blades back to normal, and formed the Dual Blade.
His eyes flared an angry green, then red, and finally, black. The shine around
the blades changed to black. But, instead of just glowing, the color black was
welling around the blades as if they were flames. Frederic's eyes too seemed to
be black fires as he stared at the Wardroid.
Frederic charged, his Dual blade slashing through the air. Wardroid evaded
neatly. Then, it drew two swords of its own. And it formed them into Dual
Blade. Frederic, now forced to take on something with the same weapon, got
nothing through. The Wardroid charged. Frederic was driven backwards.
Frederic broke off the attack, and lifted into the air. Wardroid did the
same.
"Let's see you counter this," Frederic grinned.
"Multi-form!" he groaned as his body materialized four clones.
Wardroid looked perplexed.
"KAMEHAMEHA!" the four Frederic-clones and the original shouted. Five
blasts of ki-energy converged on Wardroid's location, creating a sphere of
yellow-white energy around the android. When it exploded, the ground shook,
buildings collapsed, and blinding white light forced everyone there to cover
their eyes. Frederic was just grateful that everyone had evacuated the
buildings earlier.
When the smoke cleared up, Wardroid was in bad state. It had fallen to the
ground.
"Wardroid hates loosing," it said. "Adapting."
The holes closed, and Wardroid got back up on its feet. "Technique
Analyzed. Counter available."
"Fuck," the four Frederic-clones and the original grunted at the
same time. Frederic deactivated his clones. He powered higher.
"Supercharging!" he yelled. The ground shook as loose rubble started
floating into the air. He didn’t care anymore. He turned into Shadow.
"Super-1!" she shouted. "Super-2!" she yelled as her red ki
turned purple. One thing hadn't changed, though: her purple pupils were now on
the black background of the same flaming black eyes Frederic had shown.
Shadow charged. "Multi-form!" four Shadow-clones appeared.
Wardroid looked unimpressed. As the Shadows attacked, Wardroid blocked.
"How can he do that? How can he be that fast?" the Shadows
grunted. "Let's turn up the heat."
"I can't wait," Sorcerer muttered.
The Shadows closed their eyes, and raised their hands to shoulder-height. "Kamehameha! Final Flash! Big Bang attack!
Masenko!" the four blasts merged in the five Shadows' hands. "Telekinetics!" they shouted. The ball's color changed
abruptly, from white to actually emitting light on its own. The Shadows threw
the ball towards the Wardroid.
"Countering," it said. It formed a ki-blast on its own, hitting
the ball back to Super-Shadow level 2. It connected with her ki-shields, but
burned right through them. Shadow could feel herself dropping out of
Super-level as consciousness left her.
Frederic hit the floor with all the grace of a sack of potatoes. His
immortal physiology healed him, and got him back, within seconds. The Wardroid,
just about to cut off Frederic's head, plunged his sword into concrete as
Frederic rolled aside.
Frederic turned to Jennifer, about to ask her to join in… when
Sorcerer raised a special-looking gun. He aimed, and shot. A black beam hit
Jennifer in the chest, and she collapsed as the heart-crystal materialized in
thin air, floating over Jennifer's body.
"No!" Frederic shouted. Sailor Mercury grabbed the crystal.
"I'll keep it safe," she promised. "I can't put it back yet,
because he'll just shoot it out again," she pointed to Sorcerer.
"You bet I will," he shouted. "I won't have the bitch
interfere!" Frederic nodded.
Jennifer was safe. Or as safe as could be expected. He
turned angrily towards the Wardroid, and balled his fists. Four slabs of
concrete disappeared from the street they were on. The next moment, Frederic
had shifted into Shadow, who, dressed in full Alter-Armor, balled her fists, and
powered herself to Super-2, the Alter Armor reconfiguring with each
transformation.
Wardroid looked impressed.
“Full Speed!” Shadow screamed. On the back
of the armor, six amber glowing slits appeared, three on each side of her spine.
The air behind them quivered with heat and energy. “Alter velocity!”
Mimicking the sped-technique she had witnessed from Kazuma, Shadow charged
the Wardroid, both her fists glowing with energy. She was charging her ki
directly in to her fists, using them as gathering spots to focus on. The moment
her fists contacted the Wardroid, it was blasted backwards in a dazzling
display of light and power.
The Wardroid got up, and there was almost no mark on him. It smirked at her.
“Analyzing new ability complete. Previous energy
discharge negated.”
It…it negated my KI?? What IS this thing? Shadow shouted
inwardly. What do I do NOW?
She felt the transformation rod in the secret compartment in her Alter
Armor. My energy is too close together. I
need something new. And I hate schoolgirl uniforms. Ever since…
No, I’m not going to think about it. Shadow took a deep breath. “I
will get you for this!” she promised the Wardroid. The transformation
stick Altered into her hand.
“Earth Star Power…!” Shadow yelled as if cursing the demon
to the ninth circle of Hell, “Make-Up!”
In a swirling kaleidoscope op energy, Shadow’s body was stripped of
its Alter Armor, only to reappear in the short-skirted Sailor Earth uniform,
contained a white bodysuit, but augmented by dark-purple skirt, choker, bow,
and dark-purple gem placed in a golden tiara.
There are worse colors. It could have
been pink, Shadow snarled at herself. I
HATE this! For a moment, she looked up, and focused all her rage on the
object that caused her into this predicament: the Wardroid.
The Wardroid was a robot. It didn’t have a particularly wide pallet of
emotions programmed into it, and fear definitely wasn’t one of those that
WERE. But it still shrunk back at the vicious look in the warrior’s eyes.
The next moment, Shadow’s face changed to one of confusion, and she
looked down. The uniform lit up in the rainbow-colored Alter Energy, before
seemingly liquefying and flowing around her body. When Shadow looked up, her face
held a viciously triumphant look.
“Neat…” she said.
Wardroid stared. Where Shadow had first been dressed in a uniform that
resembled the Sailor Senshi’s, she was now dressed in a black bodysuit
that was obviously armored, her skirt was a vicious purple that mimicked shadow’s
Super 2 – aura, and reached down to her knees. It, too, was armored.
Black boots reached up to the warrior’s knees. They appeared to be made
out of a skin-tight pliable sort of metal that flowed with the warrior’s
every move. Her gloves were black and armored as well, and reached down to her
elbows.
No more schoolgirl uniform, but a
real-life battle uniform, Shadow’s mind noted, pleased. I am beginning to like the Alter Ability
ever more.
“You cost me my harem,” Sorcerer noted. “How about we
start it up again, you and I? Your previous outfit was
just the right thing for it.”
Shadow’s gaze switched from the Wardroid to Sorcerer. Her gaze,
astonishingly, darkened even further. She jumped up, and launched at Sorcerer.
She flew right through him while he laughed.
“A hologram,” Shadow snarled as she landed back on the ground.
Sorcerer simply laughed louder. Shadow refocused on Wardroid, balled her fists,
and forced herself to Super-2. Okay, so
the Sailor Earth transformation gives me added power, Shadow’s mind
noted. It even boosts my Alter Armor.
Wardroid stared at the purple-aura-covered armor-clad red-purple-black
haired woman in obvious curiosity as to what she would pull out of her hat
next. Okay, so I have no other choice,
Shadow thought. I need to use my new
abilities, and I need to use them FAST.
"Go Sailor Earth!" Sailor Moon shouted. The other Senshi started
yelling encouragements as well.
"Earth…" Shadow began. Where are those words coming from?
She asked herself as she pushed her arms wide apart. "Nature…"
she said, pressing her hands together in front of her body.
"Consume!" she shouted, thrusting towards the Wardroid. A beam
of purple energy shot from her hands towards the creature. The end took the
appearance of a huge snakehead, and it opened its beak. The Wardroid was
crunched between the jaws of energy.
"Wardroid hates loosing," it grunted. "Adapting."
Not wanting to give the creature a chance to do just as it was advertising,
Shadow pressed her hands together. "Earth Polar Freeze!" she shouted.
The Wardroid, half-repaired, froze to the ground as snow, wind, and ice blew
over it. Not only the Wardroid was frozen, the surroundings were frozen as
well.
"Earth Rock Impale!" Shadow yelled. From under
the Wardroid's frozen form, a spike of rock shot into the air, shattering the
ice-statue. The Wardroid was thrown aside, minus two arms, a leg, and a
lot of material from its chest.
"Wardroid…hates…loosing," it grunted. "Adapting…"
its voice trailed off. Immediately, the arms and the leg started to grow back,
and the hole sealed itself.
"NO…" Shadow's voice trailed off. She jumped high into the
air, and started launching ki blasts, screaming loudly. The Wardroid had
already repaired itself too far, unfortunately. It shot straight up; avoiding
the barrage of ki blasts, and hit Shadow in the stomach. She was launched
higher into the air. The Wardroid appeared behind her back, kicked her in it,
slamming her straight down into the ground.
Shadow crawled out of the hole, her immortal physiology healing herself
fast. Sorcerer was laughing.
"Oh, my what a fight!" he said.
"Wardroid, finish her!"
The Wardroid launched at her. He smashed her three, four times in the
stomach, dealt her an uppercut, and kicked her in the back when the young woman
was about to come down from the uppercut. The Wardroid's sword came down.
Shadow let herself fall onto her back, and saw the trajectory change. She put
up her hands to block the downward stroke.
The sharp metal object dug into Shadow's hands as she did manage to block
the strike. The Wardroid pushed down further, Shadow's bleeding hands came
closer and closer to the young woman's body. She closed her eyes as more and
more pain swamped her system. Pain from the sharp sword
digging into her hands, pain from her arms, which strained against the downward
path of the sword and the hands.
"You!" Shadow shouted at the
figure.
"Yes, I," Frederic said. "It's good to see you, Shadow. We
need to talk."
"I agree," she said. “We can’t lose to some vile
create such as that…thing.”
"Exactly about that," Frederic said. "We can't go on like
this. We need to become a team, not two minds inhabiting a body."
"Meaning?" she asked.
"We both become full persons. We share most abilities. Of course,
you're the only one who can become Sailor Earth, and who can do the Dimension
Door, but all the rest would be shared."
"And what is to prevent you from being online full time?"
"I will be online full time. It is my body, and my life, after all.
But you will be able to come out when we both see it as necessary. Like when we
need Sailor Earth, or when we meet friends of yours, or for any number of
reasons," Frederic said.
"So, you'll be able to turn Super and use the Alter Armor without me
coming out, and I will be able to come out without having the need for you to
turn Super," Shadow said.
"And it would release who and what we are to the fullest. Our
strength would combine, my strong points, and yours," Frederic said.
Shadow nodded. Frederic smiled. "I know you'd see it my way. You
have always been smart, Shadow."
"Just don't make me regret it," Shadow said. Frederic extended
his arms
"Let our spirits merge," he said. Shadow looked at him with
dubious eyes. She extended her own arms. Slowly, the two spirits walked towards
one another. They hugged. They merged. The spiritual plain they had been one
shook on its foundations as the strongest coalition in any history was forged.
Forged in the heat of combat, tempered in the pain of loss, the coalition took
form.
Shadow opened her eyes, and stared into the Wardroid's eyes. She could feel
the blade almost touching her throat. "NOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOO!!" she
shouted. Her ki flared up. Red. Purple. Shadow yelled
further. Her hair grew three times in length, making it flow all the way down
to the middle of her back. Her muscles visibly enlarged as her purple aura
expanded in size.
Sorcerer's eyes threatened to pop out. Everyone stared in pure shock at the
woman, who pushed the Wardroid back. A sudden burst of strength pushed the
Wardroid into the air, forcing it to land well away from her. Before it could
charge her, Shadow took the initiative.
“Hyper Velocity!” Shadow shrieked, a dozen accelerator
slits lighting up on her back. The air behind her quivered with heat, and
entire sections of road were swept up in some sort of Alter-furnace.
"Spectral Annihilator Blast!" Super
Shadow level 3 shouted, and launched towards the Wardroid. For Shadow, time
seemed to slow down. She laid a shield of Mana around her, strengthened by the
Sailor Earth Armor she was still wearing. Her ki, the Force, her telekinetic
powers propelled her forwards, and last but certainly not least, her Alter
furnace blasted her forward. She drew one Sword of the Phalanx, and extended it
in front of her, tip facing the Wardroid.
"Temporal Acceleration!" she shouted, and shot forward. Her body
was wracked as it experienced tens of thousands of G's of acceleration. Shadow
reached 99.9% of lightspeed, the Doppler Effect making everything invisible,
and Einstein's General Theory of Relativity made her size almost non-existent.
All her power was located on a point that would fit a thousand times on the tip
of a needle at the moment she hit the Wardroid.
The next moment, Shadow slammed all her powers in reverse, slowing herself
down to zero speed. She was broken the moment she turned visible once again.
Blood flowed freely out of the very pores of her skin, every bone in her body
shattered because of the tremendous forces it had undergone. Her immortality
was working overtime. Shadow had dropped out of Super. Her Earth Armor had disappeared.
She sunk to her knees.
Before loosing consciousness, she saw the Wardroid being ripped apart by the
drag-vortex her body had created. It had literally created a vacuum when it had
traveled at impossible speeds for a human body, and the vacuum was moving at
the same speed she had been moving at: almost lightspeed. The hole she had made
wasn't much bigger than the tip of a needle, but the vortex inside, and
outside, of the Wardroid, had ripped it to sub-atomic particles.
"Suicide technique," she muttered. "Spectral Annihilator
Blast…" her eyes closed as her body shut down for regeneration.
Frederic opened his eyes. He looked around, and sat up straight in the bed. He
was in his own quarters.
"Well, that was something," he muttered. "Shadow, you and I
make a great team."
Oh, yeah.
Frederic's eyes opened wider momentarily, before resuming normal. "And
we can talk to each other," he concluded. "Maybe we should hold our
conversations only by thought… I wouldn't want people to start thinking
I've gone nuts and that I'm talking to myself."
He heard Shadow chuckle. Well, it’s
one way to spend a lot of time together. Locked in a padded room, we’re
sure to get to know each other very intimately, the warrior thought to
Frederic.
"Watch it, Shadow. I'll ask the Guardian to tell the anecdote of you
drunk and stoned begging for a story," Frederic retorted easily.
You wouldn't…
"Like Hell I won't!" Frederic returned. He walked out of the room,
to find Jennifer and the kids there.
"Honey!" Jennifer said. "Feeling
better?"
"I’m a fast healer," Frederic said. "And you? Are you
alright?"
"Ami returned my heart crystal. I was all right almost immediately
afterward. I am wondering why Sorcerer didn't shoot you, though."
"Once I knew what it was, I could have dodged it without problems.
Speaking of Sorcerer, where is he?" Frederic asked.
"He disappeared. Again," Jennifer answered, angry.
"Is he still here?" Frederic asked.
"Linda didn't see him leave the dimension," Jennifer responded.
"He has masked all his signs now, so there is no tracing him."
"As long as he's here he can't do much damage. We're monitoring the
entire planet. The moment he decides to do something, we've got him,"
David said. Jessica nodded. "He's lost his army, his technology, and his
equipment. He has to rebuild everything from nothing," she said.
"U-huh, and where did that Wardroid come from?"
"He built it. It's obvious it required enormous power and materiel to
build, or he would have attacked with multiple ones," David said.
"Or he would have attacked again by now," Jessica said.
"Uncle D said there was an 85% probability of Sorcerer having depleted all
his resources on this last-ditch attempt."
"And the other 15%?" Frederic asked.
"10% probability that Sorcerer required so much time to construct it
that he is now focusing on something else. There is a 4% probability that
Sorcerer has not exhausted all his resources, but is attempting to build a
permanent base on this planet. There is 0.75% chance that Sorcerer is
attempting to build a ship to call home. There is a 0.25% chance of unknown
scenarios," David reported.
"Where is D anyway?" Frederic asked.
"He's still down on the planet," Jennifer said. "Uranus and
Neptune left without saying a word, but the other Senshi needed someone to talk
to. Seeing you collapse definitely shook them up."
"I can believe that. It shook me up as well," Frederic
said. "I feel tired all of a sudden," he added. His voice grew
weaker.
"Your system has undergone a huge shock. Your muscles were ripped to
pieces, and your bones were almost pulverized. You were lucky that you're so strong,
or you would have undergone the same as the Wardroid."
Frederic shook his head. "Shadow was Sailor Earth," Frederic
whispered. "Because we are both so strong, the Sailor Earth transformation
is stronger than the other Senshi's transformation. And the Alter got into it
as well. That's what saved my life, no doubt."
Jennifer got up. "We'll let you get some rest," she said. Frederic
nodded, and shot her a smile. Jennifer bent over, gave him a kiss on his cheek,
and left the room, the kids trailing behind her.
Frederic was fully awake again. "Well, looks like things are definitely
better between us," he said. He lay down in the couch, and closed his
eyes. He slept in seconds.
It wouldn’t last. His eyes hot wide open as someone rang the chime.
"Enter," Frederic said, sitting up straight. Daphnix came in.
"So, how are you feeling?" Daphnix asked, dumping himself in the
opposite couch.
"I was fine," Frederic said. "And asleep,
too. Until someone woke me up by ringing my
doorbell."
Daphnix looked sheepishly. "Sorry," he said. "But I…uhm…I need some advice."
Frederic looked at his long friend. "What kind of advice?"
Frederic asked.
"Women," Daphnix said.
Frederic stared at his friend again. "Let me guess. The Sailor Senshi, and Sailor Mercury to be precise?"
Daphnix's mouth fell open. "How did you… never mind. Yes, her."
"When I asked you to come up with a plan against
Sorcerer's all-out attack, you asked for one of the Sailors to help you.
You should have seen the look on your face when I asked Ami to join you. I
don’t know Ami well enough to read her expression, but the least I can
say is she didn't mind helping you. So, what's the problem?"
"You don't mind?"
"Mind?" Frederic asked, perplexed. "No, of course not. If you like her, I'm happy for you
that you've finally found someone."
"I mean, her age…"
"Daphnix, you're my friend, but you're treading dangerously here. How
old were Jennifer and I when we first met?"
"Sixteen," Daphnix said.
"We were both barely 16. Ami is now 15, and she's way more mature than
we were at her age. When we were 15, all we could think about were grades, and
whether or not we'd ever loose or virginity. She's been fighting evil for over
a year. She's seen people get hurt. Daphnix, age does NOT matter. Within 20
years, six years of age difference won't make the slightest difference. Now,
what's the problem?"
"I don't want to spook her off. You know, come on too strong. I'm
afraid that, if I just walk up to her, say 'hey, Ami, wanna
go out with me?' she'll be spooked good."
Frederic thought that over for a wile. "I don’t think so,"
he said. "Ami looks like level-headed girl to me. But, if you don't want
to ask her out so directly, make up an excuse. Ask her to help you with
something."
Daphnix looked at his friend, and thought over the advice. "I could ask
her to help me with info about the Senshi," he said. "But
then what?"
"Well, that's a start. Ask her to help you complete a database on the
Sailor Senshi. Attacks and the likes. Ask for
anecdotes and things, ask for what she thinks. And, when everything's done, ask
her to join you for a bite to eat."
"Of course. Simple strategy," Daphnix
said, finally getting onto something he could sink his tactical mind into.
"If I ask her at the right time, it would be late by the time we're finished,
and I could ask her to join me. Say, you and Jenny go out all the time. Any recommendations?"
"I don’t know what Ami likes," Frederic said. "There
are quite a few places you could go to. A restaurant, a
picnic on a romantic spot, or try something original on the Holodeck.
The Ghriyad mountain range on the moon of Ketaria is a beautiful spot for a
picnic. Just make sure to ask Linda for the Forduk
time, so the two suns are both just above the horizon. It immerses the
landscape in a strange, purple light. Beautiful."
Daphnix stared at his friend. "I just told you I didn't want to spook
her off, and here you are, suggesting trips into outer space."
"Your choice," Frederic said. "But, a picnic is both light,
and there is not much you can do wrong with it. And just say you know a
beautiful spot on the Holodeck. Or you could go the real moon of Ketaria. Too
bad Ketaria itself isn't there anymore."
"Fred."
"Yeah?"
"Too much info," Daphnix said.
"Sorry," Frederic said. "Just trying to
make a suggestion. But, if you're totally unsure, just suggest you go
out for dinner, and ask her what she likes. I'll make a copy of our favorite
restaurants. Consult the list, and tell them Frederic Fromthefield sent you.
But please, behave yourselves," Fredric added with a grin.
"And Linda will take care of the clothes, and so on, right?"
Daphnix asked.
"Of course," Frederic said. "Now, go ask your girl to help
you and let me sleep."
Daphnix shot his friend a dangerous look. "She's not my girl yet,"
he shot. Then he smiled, said, "Thanks," and walked out of the room.
"No problem," Frederic said, dropped to one side, and went back to
sleep.
"So, Ami-chan, did you enjoy working with Daphnix on that huge
ship?" Usagi asked.
"Yeah, just you and him on that huge ship… all alone," Minako
added with a sly grin.
Ami sighed. "It was … nice," she said. "He has a great
mind."
"Come on Ami-chan! You should have seen the look on your face when
Frederic asked you to go with Daphnix to find a solution for the daemon
invasion," Rei said.
"He's…impressive," Ami allowed, looking at the floor, her
cheeks flushing a deep red.
"She's blushing!" Minako and Usagi said, causing Ami to bow her
head even deeper, her face growing even redder.
"Don't worry about those two idiots," Rei said. "There's nothing
wrong with liking Daphnix."
Ami just nodded.
"So, he's impressive," Rei said, repeating Ami's words.
"Yes," Ami said. "He possesses a great intellect. We could
talk… and he just understood what I was saying."
"Are you saying that we don't?" Usagi burst out.
"No, she's just saying that you're slow!" Rei scolded.
"Hey, then she called you slow, too!" Usagi shot back.
"Ignore them, Ami-chan," Makoto said. "If you like him, you
should go for it!"
The other Senshi just nodded wholeheartedly. Then they all started throwing
advice at Ami, each suggestion more useless than the others. It all turned into
a huge fight when the girls couldn't agree how Ami could get Daphnix's
attention the best.
Daphnix walked up to the temple where the girls were having their argument.
When he saw the four girls arguing, he saw Ami just looking at the mess of
arguing girls, and an involuntary smile came to his lips. He walked up to them.
He sat down next to Ami, and whispered in her ear, "How long do these
things usually take?"
When the others heard Daphnix's voice, they stopped arguing. When five girls
stared at him, Daphnix felt like he was being dissected. Ami looked at the
ground, her face flushed. Suddenly he knew how a lab rat must feel. On the
outside, though, he was calmness in persona, but on the inside, he felt like
nothing he had ever felt before.
This is fucking stupid, D! You've walked into the depths of Hell; you've
fought wars, carved up vampires, demons, and black mages. You're one of the
strongest fighters in all of the universes, and you're damn SCARED of asking
this girl to help you with a very simple thing?
Daphnix's own mind corrected him. You're about to ask her out, goofball!
Now, get yourself calmed down, and get your mind in gear!
"I came to ask for your help," Daphnix told Ami. "But if this
is a bad time, I can come back some other time."
Ami looked up at him. "I'll be glad to help," she said.
"Great!" his smile was no longer nervous now, even though the
Senshi never knew his smile was nervous. "So, when would be a good
time?"
"I can go now, if you want," she offered.
Great! Just according to plan!
"Alright," he said, standing up. He offered her his hand. She took
it, and he helped her upright.
Fuck. Not good. I tipped my hand! His mind screamed when he saw the
four girls stare at him with these really weird looks on their faces. Daphnix
called for transport just after Ami had said goodbye to her friends.
Stop this, right now! He commanded himself. You're acting like a
schoolboy! Maybe because I still am… I am only 21, dammit!
Not to mention that I haven't dated a girl since…well, ever! I got to
screw around, but I never had to ask a girl out before. STOP! He commanded
himself again. He raised a partial emotion inhibitor, one that would squelch
nervousness.
Little did he know that Ami was feeling similar things.
"I was creating a database," Daphnix said, trying to sound
professional. "On the Sailor Senshi. Since you're
the tactician of the team, I thought you might be able to help me with
it."
"Sure," she said, shooting her small smile at him. Daphnix felt
his heart skip a beat. He pulled up a second chair to the terminal, and sat
down.
"Have a seat," he said, motioning to the chair. Ami smiled, and
sat down.
"It's rather late," he said. "You know, how about a bite to
eat? To congratulate ourselves on a job well done."
Please say yes, his mind begged.
"Sure," Ami said shyly.
"Great!" Daphnix said, shooting a wide smile. "So, what do
you like? Any preferences to food?"
"Not really," Ami answered quietly.
"Come on, there must be something? Doesn't matter what it is, you can
tell me," Daphnix said. Down, boy! You're too eager to please! But then
again, a good friend would act the same way. Daphnix's heart calmed down
again.
"Well…" Ami said, staring at the floor. "This is
probably silly," she said.
Daphnix smiled. "Nothing's as silly as eating sandwiches with
chocolate-covered pickles."
Ami stared at him.
"Hey, I have eccentric tastes," Daphnix defended, raising his
hands. Ami laughed.
"I really like sandwiches too," she said. "They're the only
thing you can eat while reading," she added.
"Well, you can work on a computer too," Daphnix added. "So, how about a picnic? I know just the place…"
Damn you, Fred… how did you know? I am definitely in your debt this
time.
"Sure," Ami smiled.
"I'll be right back. I just have to go make a little trip to my home
universe… to pick up something I think you'll appreciate. If you want
something, ask Linda. She's a dear."
Daphnix bolted from the bridge. He breathed deeply as soon as the door had
locked. That went well…I hope the rest goes just as well.
Ami got up from the chair, smiling rather shyly.
"You do trust me, do you?" he asked. "I won't kidnap you, if
that's what you're thinking."
Ami smiled. "I trust you," she said.
Daphnix returned her smile. "This way," he said, pointing to the
door. Side by side, they walked off the bridge. They stopped in front of a
holodeck.
"This is a holodeck," Daphnix explained. "It can create any
environment you want. This scene doesn't exist anymore, unfortunately. But,
it's ideal for picnics such as these. Linda, the Ghriyad
mountain range on the katarian moon. Forduk time.
But please, make the air breathable for humans."
Ready.
"Thanks. Ami-chan, this is a mountain range on a moon of a destroyed planet.
What you're about to see is the only representation of it left."
Ami smiled. "Thank you for sharing it with me," she said, with a
small bow.
Daphnix smiled, and opened the doors. Frederic had been right. This was a
beautiful place, immersed in a deep bluish purple light as the two suns' light
was distorted by the unusual atmosphere of the moon. Right above their head was
Ketaria, in all its glory. Daphnix closed his eyes in memory of what happened
to the planet.
"How come this place doesn't exist anymore?' Ami asked.
"That planet is Ketaria," Daphnix explained. "It was
destroyed in the Ketari War."
Ami nodded. "I'm sorry. I didn't mean to drag up old memories."
Daphnix smiled at her. "It's nothing. Come on, let's eat. Oh, that
reminds me. Don’t you have to call home, to tell your parents you're not
coming to dinner?"
Ami's face registered shock. She had enjoyed herself so much she had
forgotten about time. She could curse herself. Now what would Daphnix
think?
"Hey, no problem," Daphnix said. "Linda, can you establish a
phone call? Ami-chan, what's the phone number?"
Ami told the number, and Linda dialed. The voice of Ami's mother came
through the holodeck sound system. After Ami told her mother she wouldn't be
home, the woman was surprisingly friendly. The connection terminated soon
after.
"That went easily," Daphnix said.
"My mother is very busy," Ami said. "She doesn't always have
time."
"And your father?" Daphnix asked,
spreading out the sheet.
"My parents are separated," Ami said quietly.
"I'm sorry," Daphnix said. You screwed up! You should have
checked! You IDIOT!
Ami smiled. "No problem. I have accepted it."
Daphnix unpacked the basket. Plates, utensils, cups, it was all placed on
the cloth. Daphnix motioned for Ami to have a seat. When she did, she looked at
the food. Potato salad, bread, and all kinds of things to put on the bread,
ranging from cheese to sliced meat, to various salads she had never seen
before.
"Isn't this too much?" Ami asked.
Daphnix smiled. "Whatever is left over will just be recycled into
energy. Don't worry about it. Just try anything you like. I didn't know what to
take, so I took a bit of everything.
Ami gave a small smile, and dug in.
"So, what do you want to drink?" Daphnix asked. "I have
lemonade, water, fruit juice…or wine."
"Wine?" Ami asked.
"Wine it is," Daphnix said, reaching into the basket, and
retrieved a bottle of wine, and two fine crystal glasses. The glasses were
packed into shock-absorbing containers, which were quickly discarded.
Ami looked aghast. "I didn't ask wine," she said. "I was
surprised you brought it."
"Oh," Daphnix said. "Well, it's a 1968
"Fruit juice, please," Ami said, extending her glass. Daphnix
popped the cap off the bottle, and filled the girl's glass. He looked at the
various bottles in the basket.
"I think I'll have the wine anyway," he said. "Too
bad that this one can't be recycled. Oh well, I'm sure Fred and Jenny
will enjoy a good glass with me tonight, then." He added with a smile
while uncorking the bottle. He smiled the aroma of the wine, and sighed.
"Oh, yeah," he grunted. He poured himself a glass, not filling it
to more than a quarter of the glass, just like wine was supposed to be drunk.
He took a sip, and sighed contently.
Ami was already enjoying a sandwich with an exotic salad made from various
shrimp and seafood.
"Are you sure you don't want to try a sip?" Daphnix asked.
Ami looked at the glass containing the ruby-red liquid. Thank to the purple
lighting, the liquid looked almost black. She relented, and took a sip from
Daphnix's glass.
"Mmm," she sighed. "That is
good."
"It's a smooth wine," Daphnix said. "It's a very friendly
one. Almost anyone can enjoy this wine, contrary to most other wines."
Ami finished her glass of fruit juice. "Too bad I already used the
glass," she said.
"Nonsense," Daphnix said, smiling. "This is a holodeck.
Linda, a bucket of water, please."
The bucket appeared. Daphnix took Ami's glass, submerged it, and pulled it
out. "Linda, remove bucket, and water, please."
The requested items disappeared, taking every last molecule of the fruit
juice with them. Daphnix handed Ami back the glass. He filled just the bottom
with the wine. Ami sipped it, her face flushing as she thought about what her
mother would say if she would see her like this. Sooner than she wanted, the
glass was empty.
"I don't want to drive you drunk, so one glass, ok?"
Daphnix said, smiling. Ami agreed, and Daphnix filled the glass to quarter
capacity. He also refilled his own glass. They toasted to their friendship,
neither realizing that the magical ways of the alcohol were already lowering
their inhibitions.
Not knowing quite how to proceed next, the two just enjoyed their food, and
looked at the stars above them. Ketaria itself was visible in its full splendor
in the center of the star field, giving the entire scenery that special
extra-terrestrial look.
Attempting to restart a conversation, Daphnix said, "You know, I never
thought this would be the kind of life I would be living. I was sixteen when
all of this started… it's been a hard and rough life, but it's also
brought many rewards. When you see the look of gratitude on the face of a
person you just saved from a bunch of vampires, it makes it all
worthwhile."
Ami nodded. "I know. We had to fight darkness as well, and every time
you save someone, it just warms you inside."
"Yes, exactly," Daphnix said, looking at the sky. "It even
makes all the pain we went through before this happened worth going
through."
"What do you mean?" Ami asked.
"Before all this, Fred and I were outcasts. We were picked on, bullied,
excluded. We never fit in anywhere, and us skipping
grades didn't make it any easier."
Ami's face got a sad look as well. "I know. I was always excluded too.
But now, I have friends, and they care for me, really me, not because I can do
their homework for them."
Daphnix smiled. "I was lucky I had Fred," Daphnix said. "It
all happened in first grade. I was being picked on, as usual. So, I sat there,
in a corner, crying. Fred walked up to me, gave me his handkerchief, and asked
me if I was all right. When the bullies reappeared, he stood up and told them
to leave me alone." Daphnix's eyes were brimming with tears. "He was
a friend to me from the start. We became brothers. Soul mates."
Ami looked at him. "I know," she said. "It was the same way
with me and Usagi-chan. I was alone, and she just reached out for me."
"To friends, and to the support and help they
so freely give." Daphnix said, raising his glass.
"And to the help and support we give them," she added, tapping her
glass to Daphnix's. Daphnix dipped his head in response. Both took another sip
of the smooth wine.
"You are not what I expected," Ami said, in an unusually bold
fashion for her. The wine was working its magic.
"Really?" Daphnix asked, raising an
eyebrow. "In a good or a bad way?" he asked.
"You're more… human than I thought. When we first met you, you
seemed so cold, almost without emotions."
Daphnix gave a smile. "That's because we were ready to fight," he
explained. "We were in 'war mode', so to speak. I have to admit, there is
more to you than I first thought as well."
Ami gave a small smile, and looked away.
"Why are you always doing that?" Daphnix asked. "When I pay
you a compliment, you just look away. Don’t be scared, I won't hut
you."
"I don’t know," Ami said, looking further away.
"I was the same way," Daphnix said, raising his eyes to look at
the planet Ketaria. "I was scared. No confidence. I didn't like to be the
center of attention, and whenever someone paid me a compliment, that's where I
would find myself. But, these last couple of years has taught me a few valuable
lessons. One of them is that everyone has something to contribute. Every person
is unique. Don't be afraid when you find yourself the center of attention. You
shouldn't be afraid of sharing your thoughts, and your ideas."
Ami looked at Daphnix, who was still looking at Ketaria and was now sipping
on his wine.
"I…" her voice trailed off.
Daphnix looked at Ami, and smiled at her. "Just tell what is on your
mind," Daphnix said friendly. "There are no stupid remarks, or stupid
questions. Only stupid answers."
Then, something caught Daphnix's eye. He moved over to Ami, and raised her
head. "Look at that," he said. He raised his arm, and pointed to a
certain spot in the sky.
"What is it?" Ami asked, peering at the point Daphnix was
indicating.
"Sol," Daphnix answered. "That is our solar system."
"You can see it from here?"
"The Ketari system isn't that far away from
Earth," Daphnix said. "But it's far enough away to create a nice,
different view of the stars on the sky."
Ami nodded, a rare smile on her face. Daphnix
smiled as well as Ami looked in wonder at the small speck of light that was the
solar system. He inhaled deep.
Shampoo, he thought. And just a touch of
perfume. Then he realized he was still holding onto Ami, and
that he was sitting closer than was commonly accepted. Carefully…
can't move away too fast.
"Everything is so different than on Earth," Ami said. Daphnix, who
was about to move away, didn't.
"Yes," he said. "The more distant stars look mostly the same,
but the nearby ones are quite different."
"How far are we from Earth?" Ami asked.
"The Ketari system is about 100 light years
from Earth," Daphnix said. "We're very close, yet very far at the
same time." He was still sitting close to her, his front almost touching
her back. He could smell the fragrance of her shampoo. Herbs… Daphnix
found it fitting. "It's a couple of days flying at maximum displacement.
At least, it used to be. Now, with our new drives, we'd be there in a matter of
hours.
Ami turned around, to look at him. "Thank you," she said.
Daphnix looked at her. "For what?" he asked, genuinely perplexed.
"For sharing this with me."
"No problem," Daphnix said with a smile. "I'm just glad
you're enjoying it."
Two sets of eyes locked. Blue ones met brown ones. So close…
both thought. Daphnix moved closer. His heart pounded. Hs brain
short-circuited, leaving him with instincts only. Two sets of lips met.
Electricity shot through their bodies as their lips touched.
When Daphnix and Ami parted, she looked away, blushing ferociously. Daphnix
only saw her looking away. He could kill himself.
"I'm sorry," he said. "I shouldn't have done that..."
his voice was close to breaking, and he stood up gently to go back to his
place. He took the glass of wine, emptied it in a single gulp, and didn't know
what else to do next. He felt so helpless. He thought he had spooked her.
"I'm sorry," he said again, and started walking to the exit.
Ami could believe what had happened. When she heard him say, "I'm
sorry," she flew around. She could see him leaving, head bent, his posture
sad.
"Wait," she said, flying after him.
Daphnix stopped, and looked at her in wonder. He was a great deal taller
then she was, and the difference became quite clear when she stopped right in
front of him.
"I…I mean…" Ami struggled with her brain, and her
emotions. Everything was on overload. "I…" Kiss him, you
dolt! Her brain scolded. Ami stood on her toes, and reached, and reached,
until their lips met.
Daphnix didn't know what to do. He had never felt like this. And certainly not when a girl was kissing him, on her own accord.
"Ami…" he whispered when they broke the kiss.
She hugged him. Whatever he had wanted to say, he forgot about it. His arms
wrapped themselves around the blue-haired girl, and he kissed her forehead.
"Do you want some more wine?" Daphnix asked. STUPID FUCK! She
kissed you back, and all you can think about is wine?
"I'd love some," she said.
"That would mean we have to let go of each other," Daphnix said.
Ami raised her head from his chest, and looked at him.
"Or are you trying to get me drunk?" she blurted out, blushing
immediately, and looking away. Now it was her turn to scold herself. To her
relief, she just heard him chuckle.
"No, Sweets. What would your mother and your friends think of me if I
drove you drunk?"
The wine she had drunk earlier was in full effect now. "I could always
stay here." When she saw the strange look in his eyes, she added,
"Not like that! In a separate room!"
Daphnix chuckled again. "You have to admit, that comment left room for
interpretation."
Ami's arms tightened. "At least it shows you don’t think I'm a
freak, like others boys do."
Daphnix's hold tightened around her. "Never, Sweets.
Never."
"Will you hold me?" she asked.
"Of course," Daphnix said. "Always."
Ami smiled. Daphnix closed his eyes, and rested his head on her forehead.