Notes:
1) This is my first attempt at writing a fanfic. Actually, it's not, butit's the first that I've released and have hadread, so don't criticize me too much.
2) Most of the characters here are owned be Takeuchi Naoko, and they are being used without her permission. The other character and the whole story are MINE. Don't use them without my consent, OK?
3) If you think my story's pointless, boring, and full of crap, please seenote 4.
4)My E-mail address is: wchiang@mydoc.com
5) If I ever release my other fanfics, I just gave away someplace an important element or two to them. In other words, something you might have read might be in another one of my stories.
6) I decided to be a sheep. I did my title like many other Sailor Moon stuff. Notice a trend here? Sailor Moon R, Sailor Moon S, Sailor Moon SuperS, Sailor Moon F, Sailor Moon M, Sailor Moon Z, Sailor MoonV, etc. Anyway, you can interpret the A in different ways if you wish, but for my purposes, it stands for 'Alternate.' You figure that out.
7) I have tried, for the most part, to keep my facts straight, which is sort of hard to do, having not seen the last few R episodes. I may have gotten some names and spellings wrong, so please bear/bare with me.
8) The story is about Minako, but much of it is told by another. Minako is an interesting character for me to choose. I suppose she was picked because she is, in my opinion, a very vulnerable character who is often underestimated by others. She strikes me as a good subject to work with.On to the story.
Venus stood on the balcony staring out at the sea with deep blue eyes. She leaned against the rails while hugging her elbows tightly. Her long blond hair blew around her face gently in the breeze.
From inside, she heard Mercury reading aloud Shakespeare in her room to Saturn, who was listening, totally absorbed. Mars and Uranus were playing a lovely duet on the piano in the music room while Neptune accompanied them with the sweet strings of her violin. She could smell wonderful aromas coming from the kitchen where Jupiter was making dinner for everyone.
Laughter came to her ears by way of the wind...Serenity's honeyed laugh in harmony with Endymion's deep one, accompanied by Small Lady's.
As she watched the ships float by, she felt warm moisture on her face. She wiped the wetness from her face, but the drops continued their trek downwards. Tears?...Tears. She hadn't cried for such a long time...Not since she had left her childhood days and youth behind, becoming a member of
the protectors of the royal family of Crystal Tokyo. Not since that day...
The tears came faster, and she muffled the sound of her sobbing. They were so lucky..._She_ was so lucky. It killed Venus to know that she envied her queen, her dear friend, the one person who was so pure. But she did.Secretly, on nights like these, she hated Serenity so strongly that it frightened her.
Serenity would never understand what she felt. Venus herself did not understand the emotions raging inside of her. She truly loved Serenity and would give up her life for her. So, how _could_ she hate her?...Easily...Serenity had everything while Venus didn't. It was a love-hate relationship. She strongly loved Serenity as a friend, yet hated her passionately. Venus wondered about herself every night while she tossed andturned in bed. What was wrong with her? _Nobody_ hated the beloved leader
of the world. Only she did.
...Venus hated herself.
Why were her phases coming back now? Until only a few weeks ago, she had thought that everything was going to be fine again. She had thought that Mercury's medical treatments had helped her. She had thought that she was normal again. But she wasn't. She knew that she was slipping once more.
Venus fiddled with the ring on her finger. This was _his_ ring...The one he had given her before she had had to take her duty in the royal palace. She never took it off. It was the symbol of everything they had sharedtogether, their deep love for each other.
"Venus?" Mercury stood in the balcony door behind her.
"Dinner's ready. Jupiter made your favorite- curry rice."
Venus didn't turn around. " I'm not very hungry," she murmured disinterestedly.
Mercury frowned. "Are you OK, Minako?" she asked worriedly, calling her by her childhood name.
"Yeah, I'm just kind of tired. I think I'll go to bed early."
The blue haired genius noticed that she was playing with the ring on herfinger. "Minako-chan...You're still not thinking of that...?" Venus didn't answer. " You have to know that our duties as the Sailor Senshi are our destinies. You must try to become content with that..."
Venus looked down at the sea, the tears dripping from her face into the water. They made tiny ripples in the dark sea. Suddenly she spun around."Why?" she said, her voice low and intense.
Mercury blinked. She wasn't expecting that. "Why what?" she asked softly.
"Why must we give up our entire lives for destiny?" Venus's voice grew progressively louder until she was shouting. "Why must we give up all our friends, our families, our hopes and dreams for the future, everything we care about for destiny! I never _chose_ to be a Sailor Senshi! No one ever_asked_ me." She laughed bitterly. "The only one who has it made is
Serenity..." Realizing what she had just, she quickly shut up. She started crying again.
She didn't realize that the others had come out to see what was happening.
"Minako..." Serenity said softly. Venus looked up to see them all there.They were all watching her with shock on their faces. Venus was mortified and ran inside to her room..
Serenity looked down. " Is she still thinking about him, Ami?" she asked quietly. Mercury nodded. Serenity sighed.
It all started many years ago, right before I became Neo-Queen Serenity of Crystal Tokyo. Back then I was known as Tsukino Usagi, not Serenity, and lived in a city simply called Tokyo. We didn't know that it was almost time for my reign to start, save perhaps Pluto. Maybe not even her. The fateful
events that had been foretold had occurred, and Tokyo was soon to be in chaos. But we didn't know, and therefore were powerless to do anything to help or hinder the inevitable.
When we were in high school, almost all my friends were involved with someone else. Ami had Ryo who came to visit frequently. They were very happy together even though they grew embarrassed whenever I just 'happened' to pop in on their dates. Rei had Yuuichirou who was devoted to her. Rei
didn't treat him as badly anymore, even though she did give him a good whopping every once in a while. Haruka and Michiru were obviously in a close relationship, though they denied it fervently. Hotaru and Setsuna were content to not have any boyfriends. Hotaru was recovering from her increased developmental rate while Setsuna was somehow just like that. Mako wasn't attached to just one guy. She was dating many boys who she liked.I, of course, had Endymion, then known as Mamoru.
Minako was in a steady relationship for once. She was dating a boy named Hokato, a year or two older than she. They were very serious. I can't really say what attracted Minako to him, as I don't usually see past Mamoru.However, I suppose he was attractive with his black hair and green eyes. Minako told me confidentially that he remindedher of Alan, the boy she had
liked in England when she was Sailor V, even though they looked nothing alike.
Hokato and Minako went everywhere together and soon it became apparent to most that this was the real thing, but not to us. He had given her a ring that had been in his family for generations, a symbol of their love. We
didn't know of this token since Minako was unusually secretive and possessive of it, and we thought that Minako was merely experiencing an infatuation. And who can blame us? Minako had always been flighty and boy crazy, sometimes outshining myself in the flighty department and Mako-chan in the other. She fell in love with every cute boy she saw. However, we
should have realized that something was different about this relationship.
I often feel that I, most of all, should have been more understanding and empathetic with Minako, yet I wasn't. Sometimes even now, I wonder that if I had acted accordingly, the situation would have never happened, or have
not been as severe. But that question will never be answered.
As the Sailor Senshi, we were fighting our current enemies, the evil Sun Quintet, and we often had Sailor business, if you will. Minako resented being called away from Hokato all the time and eventually said so. Instead of tactfully handling the situation as leader, I acted careless, a trait that I possessed when I was younger. I told her that she was destined to be
a Sailor Senshi, and just because she didn't feel like being fighting didn't mean that she could stop being one.
Looking back after the fight, I realize that I myself was in that situation after I discovered that I was the Moon Princess. I didn'twant to be her, yet I had to be...and Minako was there to support me and cheer me up after I fell into depression.
As one can probably tell, Minako became angry at my insensitivity, and we had an enormous fight. I think that was when she first started to hate me. She consented to my authority, however, and later I apologized for my words.
She accepted my apology, yet there was a subtle change in our friendship from then on.
Life continued on as usual. Only once did anything serious happen immediately after the incident between Minako and myself. We noticed that Minako was spending a great deal of time with Hokato, and we told her that we wanted to see her too. Minako took this as a threat and claimed that
since we didn't like her boyfriend, we were trying to tear them apart. We immediately soothed her, reassuring her that she was wrong. Minako calmed down, yet we noticed that she still watched us suspiciously.
The years passed as they had before, and Rei, Ami, Mako, Minako, and I went to college. Ami was studying to become a doctor, Mako wanted to be a chef, Minako still hoped to become a gym teacher, and Rei majored in religion. I had not decided on what I had planned to do in the future, so I stuck safely
with becoming a chef like Mako. I really couldn't think of anything else I wanted to do. Since I had matured and cleaned up my act in the last two years of high school, I had been accepted to college. Ami had been accepted to Harvard in the United States, and was going to go later on. She never got the chance.
During this time, the period of unrest in Tokyo had come. It came in the form of an evil force so great that it took all of our power to defeat it,as well as the life of Mamoru's sister, Terra, Sailor Earth, and the ones of four other Sailor Senshi- Pallas, Ceres, Juno, and Vesta, formerly known as the Amazon Quartet. We were greatly devastated by these losses. Mamoru
took it especially hard. The only sister he had known for only several years had been taken away.
The world was in a panic and was unstable. Much of it had been destroyed, taking many lives with it. The world was put under a deep sleep, just like we had been warned. I knew the time had arrived to establish Crystal Tokyo and to awaken the people of Earth. I tried to deny its coming, but I realized that you cannot sway the inevitable from its path. Using the power of the ginzuishou, I purified the people and reconstructed the world as I knew I should. I used the power from inside of me to help my work.
All I remember is closing my eyes and straining to create what I wanted. I awoke several days later in a bed. The other Sailor Senshi and Endymion were there, by my side. At first I remembered little of what had happened, but the others explained what had happened Pluto explained to me that the pureness of my heart had resulted in Crystal Tokyo, as the main city was
named. She also said that it was fortunate that I had not been killed from using the ginzuishou; apparently, I had used much of its energy, but not the entire amount that was needed in order to kill me.
I felt relief go through me, yet I was consciously aware of a change that had taken place. I realized that never again would I be known as Tsukino Usagi; that part of my life was gone forever. I was Neo-Queen Serenity, Serenity to my friends. Their lives would be different too. From then on,in public they were to be called Sailor Mercury, Mars, Jupiter, Venus,Uranus, Neptune, Pluto and Saturn. I accepted this fate as best as I could;I understood that from that day forth, I was to be responsible for the safety and well being of Crystal Tokyo.
I must admit that we all adjusted remarkably well. I can honestly say that life was not as different from what it had previously been. We had more serious responsibilities, especially myself. However, we still could enjoy many of the pleasures that our other selves did. On days when I was not
busy, we often had picnics and parties. The others still went out on dates with their boyfriends, growing closer with each coming day.
Ami and Ryo went to museums together; Rei and Yuuichirou often took walks in the park and things. Haruka and Michiru went to hear the symphony or watch the cars race, they themselves often participating in those activities.
Minako and Hokato went together to many places, never separated.
I think that is where the problem lay. My friends were too much in love with their boyfriends. You see, the ginzuishou gives near eternal life to _some_ people, mainly the Sailor Senshi, Endymion, Small Lady, and myself. It could not accommodate our families or our friends, who originally came
from Old Tokyo, even though they had undergone the purification system. You can well imagine the pain we felt when we realized this. At first, the change was unnoticeable. Gradually, we could see that everyone around us showed the signs of old age , while we ourselves aged very slightly, almost not at all.
The feelings of anger, frustration, and intense sense of loss were unbearable. We watched our loved ones withering away before our eyes. The hopelessness we felt tore at our hearts, making life almost not worth living. Fortunately, I had Endymion to comfort me. Mercury, Mars, Jupiter,and Venus were not so lucky.
Their boyfriends, too, were leaving them. The Sailor Senshi would have married them had not their responsibility for Crystal Tokyo been too great. They did not have the time to settle down to have a family. In the end, the men were more understanding then the senshi about their fates. They accepted their deaths with unusual calmness. When they came, my friends locked themselves up in their rooms for several days.
It took a very long time for their wounds to heal. During that time, the city was most vulnerable to attacks and invasions. Fortunately, none came. The girls went through deep stages of depression and anger, Minako most of all. They raved and ranted, cried, and did nothing. Even Ami, who was sensible and strong, went through these phases, although she and Rei tried
not to show how they were feeling. At many times, they blamed fate, me, and themselves.
Gradually, the pain left, slowly, as they discovered that life must go on,through thick and thin, during loss and anger. Their work helped them continue, helped them live. It was therapeutic and helpful. They soon came to accept their fates and overcame their pain, or so I thought. Ami, Rei,and Makoto learned to accept death and adjusted accordingly.
Minako was different. Outwardly, she appeared to be fine, like she had come to terms with Hokato's death. Inwardly was another story. She became emotionally unstable, but hid the fact so well that no one, not even Ami,could tell anything was amiss. I think she even thought that nothing was wrong with her either.
Much later, it became apparent that something was wrong with her. Minako was apt to have fits of violence and depression where she would say and do horrible things. Sometimes, she would not come out of her room for days and let no one in. Whenever Haruka and Makoto finally forced their way into her
chamber, they found her to be sitting still, playing with the ring that she always wore on the ring finger of her left hand. At other times, she became rude and violent, throwing items, smashing things with her powers, and yelling terrible things at us. She would rant that she hated us and she wished we were dead. These things hurt.
When Minako finally came out of her phases, she tried to receive help from Ami. Ami was the best doctor in Crystal Tokyo and did her best for Minako.Finally after many years of programs and treatments, it seemed that all was well again. Minako no longer had spasms of intense emotions and was always happy and cheerful. We thought that the worst was over. Until recently...
Venus lay in bed, staring up at the ceiling. She could not sleep, not that she had in the past few nights. What is wrong with me? she asked herself.I should have gotten over him long ago...He's gone, dead. There, say it, Venus. Dead. He'll never come back. He's gone. Forever.
A tear dripped down her face. One tear only. For him. He's gone, Venus told herself. Why can't you except that? Why?
Suddenly a sharp sound pierced the air. Venus shot up. That sound could only mean one thing. An invasion on Crystal Tokyo. She quickly changed into her sailor fuku and ran out the door. The others were already there.
Serenity was next to the map of the world. "The invasion is coming from the north," she told the senshi, pointing to a small red dot. " It's the kingdom of Ithinsil from a planet in the Kutarian galaxy. Luna and Artemis have reported that they're sending their strongest monsters to attack us."
Uranus swore softly under her breath. Pulling her hand through her short hair, she spoke. "I guess there's no avoiding this. We have to attack directly, fast and quick."
Venus and the others nodded.
"I'm coming too," Serenity said softly.
The senshi all turned to look at her. Venus noted Serenity's appearance. Her eyes were determined and her posture was rigid.
"Mother," Sailor Moon said softly, her red eyes sad.
"Serenity," Mercury said grimly, "you're not coming. It's too dangerous.You're our queen and we can't risk having you killed."
"Ami," the queen answered, her voice soft but strong, " I must help too.This is my kingdom; I'm responsible for it."
Mars exploded. "Damnit, Serenity! you can't come. There's too much at stake to have you risk yourself like this." There was an undertone to her voice.
She was worried, Venus knew. They all were. We all love her too much to have her leave us, she thought.
"You can't stop me, Rei," Serenity said stubbornly, her eyes flashing. The others shook their heads. They knew that when she was like this, they couldn't change her mind.
"all right," Mars finally relented. " But we attack first. Got it?"
The queen nodded. She understood. Venus sighed inwardly with relief. The last thing any of them needed was to have Mars and Serenity arguing.
"OK," Uranus said, taking charge again, " everyone know your positions? Let's move out."
They ran out of the room, and headed towards the outskirts of the city. There were seven monsters destroying everything in sight. The people were running off, screaming and crying, while the huge creatures obliterated their homes. This was not like other attacks on Crystal Tokyo. There was no time for fancy speeches. Lives were on the line so the senshi attacked
immediately.
"Jupiter Oak Evolution!"
"World Shaking!"
Jupiter and Uranus combined their attacks against two ofthe things. The shot knocked them to the ground, but it only stunned them. They got up and soon the two senshi were using their other powers to destroy them.
Meanwhile, Mercury, Mars, and Neptune were attacking two other creatures.Mercury used her Mercury Aqua Rhapsody in combination with Neptune's Deep Submerge. The smaller monster, who was obviously the weakest of the seven,fell and did not get back up. Mars immediately used her Mars Flame Sniper to burn the other one to death.
Saturn and Sailor Moon were busy with two other monsters.
"Saturn Silence Shot!" Saturn shouted. Triplet chakras came flying out of her Silence Glaive. They slashed one of the black things until it was dead,blood streaming out of its cuts, its body fallen to the ground.
Sailor Moon was running around, jumping to avoid the beams of fire that the other thing shot at her. One of the beams shot her pink ponytails. "That's it!" she shouted. "You
chopped of part of my hair! Moon Beam Crash!" A white beam of light shot from her hands to the monster, disintegrating it instantly.
Venus was alone in the midst of a heated battle with the lead monster. She was getting severely beaten. None of her powers could affect it at all. She wished that she could say the same for its shots though. Her body was bruised and battered, blood coming from her wounds. She was so tired that she could barely stand up. Sweat dripped from her face into her eyes,blurring her vision. The monster was about to send a final blow to her whena sudden blast knocked it down. Venus looked to see Serenity standing a few feet away, holding her scepter.
Serenity ran up to Venus, who had fallen to the ground. "Are you allright?" Serenity asked worriedly. She kneeled down to the ground, soiling her dress, and put her hand on the girl's shoulder.
Venus nodded. She looked around wearily to notice that the other Sailor Senshi had finished defeating the monsters too. Jupiter and Uranus looked like hell, their bodies covered with scrapes and sweating like crazy, thoughthey looked wonderful compared to Venus. Sailor Moon had one of her ponytails partially cut off, and looked none too pleased. The other four
girls were tired and had a few cuts, but were otherwise fine. They all walked over towards Venus and Serenity.
Suddenly, a cold feeling of danger flashed through Venus's body. She looked over Serenity to see the lead monster wearily stand up. It moved to attacking position and aimed a shot right at Serenity.
"No!" Venus screamed, and pushed Serenity out of the way just in time. A split second later, the strong blast hit the weak girl, and she crumpled to the ground, not moving.
"Minako!!" all the others screamed at once.
"World Shaking!"
"Jupiter Oak Evolution!"
"Mars Flame Sniper!"
"Mercury Aqua Rhapsody!"
"Deep Submerge!"
"Saturn Silence Shot!'
"Moon Beam Crash!"
All the words were shouted in union immediately. Together, with Serenity's energy, the combined blast hit the monster, obliterating it to dust.
"Minako!" Serenity ran over to Venus's side. The girl wasn't moving. She carefully cradled her head in her lap, stroking her head, crying softly.Mercury quickly reached for Venus's wrist.
"Her pulse is too weak!" Mercury said. "She needs medical attention right away or she'll-"
Venus's eyes weakly fluttered open.
"Minako!"
The girl tried to smile, but it was weak. The others knelt around her.Everyone except Uranus and Mercury were outwardly crying; Uranus was tryingnot to because she wasn't used to doing that, and Mercury was trying to be the calm one. Both failed miserably.
"Minako," Mars said softly. " You'll be OK, you'll see. We'll get you to the hospital right away, and then you'll get better-"
Venus shook her head a little. " Rei," she said weakly. "Don't. Ami, don't try to help me...It's too late. Let me die."
Mercury looked at her, gripping her hand tightly, tears in her eyes. "I can't do that. You're my friend, and you need my help-"
"It's too late," Venus repeated softly. She gritted her teeth against the pain in her chest. She was oddly calm, like she excepted her fate with ease. " Ever since Hotako died, I've...changed. I realized that I can't live without him...I'm losing it. I'm going crazy, insane..."
Serenity interrupted. " We'll get you medical help, Minako!" she said.
Venus managed to smile, even though it caused waves of pain echoing throughout her body. "No, Serenity. Rei, Ami, Mako, Haruka, Michiru,Hotaru, and Small Lady...I love you all, but if I live on, I'll hurt you...I already have said and done things
that I haven't meant...Someday, I might completely crack and I might...do something that I don't want at all... It doesn't matter what you try to do; it's too late...You know it as well as I do."
Jupiter covered her face with her hands, sobs racking her body. Uranus was holding Neptune as the green haired girl cried on her shoulder. Mars was looking at the ground, tears falling onto the dirt. Sailor Moon and Saturn were crying hard, their faces twisted with anguish.
"Serenity..." the words were coming out fainter, "I don't hate you...You know that...I don't blame you...right?"
Serenity nodded, wiping the moisture off her face. "I know, Minako," she whispered. " I know."
Venus didn't answer, just smiled Her eyes slowly closed as the life left her body. Mercury felt her wrist again, waited a minute, then shook her head, her eyes closed even though the rain from them still fell.
Serenity looked on her lifeless friend's face, and saw that the faint smile was still on it, like she had been relieved of a great burden right before she died.
We had always thought to bury the Sailor Senshi much later on in a great tomb. But this seemed inappropriate for Minako. Instead, we buried her body next to her beloved Hokato in the cemetery. We had decided to keep the ring on her finger where it was...Minako would have wanted it that way.
We will always be saddened by the death of our dear friend, the one we shall always love. But in a way, we are happy that she has finally achieved the peace and happiness that she had always sought after Hotako's death. We truly believe that she is happy right now, wherever she and Hokato may be.
The End
Jackie Chiang | Invited by a new age, I'm *THE* Sailorneptune worshipper!
The Sailor Senshi Page: http://geocities.datacellar.net/Tokyo/3741/
My Fanfics: /Tokyo/Towers/2731 | Outer Shrine: /Tokyo/Towers/3027
Aka Michiru on Efnet; Alt nicks: Michiru_, S_Neptune, SlrNept, Haruka_
Author of SailorMoon A, Senshi Kurai, SMElemental, Outer Senshi series
