FROM "ANGEL OF MERCY" A SAILORMOON FANFICTION Taiki's Description of his Dream By: Immicolia I watched them as I had always been forced to watch them. My dreams constantly haunted by the battle I hadn't been there to fight. I could see them, trying their hardest to protect our world without me. Struggling against a creature with no mercy. Continually being knocked back but continually pushing forward again. The shouts of their attacks ringing out over the otherwise silent courtyard. Suddenly it rushed forward, claws extended. The two of them scattered and I tried to look away, knowing what was coming next. But I couldn't move. I was riveted to the spot. Forced to stand there and watch them slowly being maimed to death. My punishment for not being there for them. The creature whirled around again, sweeping its paw, and Healer was caught off guard by it. The claws raking against her shoulder, knocking her aside. She let out a small strangled sound as she hit the ground and clutched at the wound, trying her hardest to halt the flow of blood. She struggled back to her feet, her face drawn in pain, and took a few shaky steps forward, trying to stay on her feet. Fighter stepped out in front of her and motioned for her to stay back, squaring her body between Healer and the monster. I could see her mouth moving as she said something, probably something threatening, to the beast but from where I was standing I couldn't hear it. Which always seemed odd to me. In dreams all things are possible, yet this one wouldn't let me hear what my friends had to say. It only let me hear their shouts and screams of pain. Once again I tried to look away. I couldn't watch anymore of this. I couldn't see them die again. I didn't want to see this thing tear my best friends to shreds. But the dream wouldn't let me be a coward. My eyes were locked on the horrifying scene in front of me. Fighter lifted her arm, preparing to attack the thing once more. But before she could even open her mouth to start a dart came out of nowhere, driving itself through her raised hand. Immediately her arm fell numbly to her side and the shout that she was going to let out to start her attack fell away into a scream. I hated the sound. I couldn't take it. And things were only going to get worse. She looked up at it with pain filled eyes and let out a grunt as she was casually batted aside. The beast didn't want to deal with her yet. I knew that. I had seen this scene played out so many times now. It wanted to go after Healer first. It enjoyed causing pain, and the pain that Fighter would feel from failing as a leader would be like a drug to it. I swallowed hard, trying my best not to be sick as I watched it close in on Healer. She fell back a few steps, unsure of what to do momentarily. Finally she stopped. Her hand fell away from the gaping wound on her shoulder, which immediately began oozing blood again, and she prepared herself to begin her attack. Just as when Fighter had attempted to attack it, another dart came out of nowhere. But this one was a little more deadly in its mark. Healer fell back another step, her eyes wide, as one hand clutched at the spike now protruding from her throat. Finally she got a grip on it and pulled it out with agonizing slowness, letting it clatter to the ground as it slid free. Her gaze began to loose focus as she wavered on her feet, her hand pressed against the hole in her neck now. The hole that her lifeblood was slowly pulsing through in short bursts. She opened her mouth, as if to say something, but only a trickle of blood and a small gurgle came out. That sound it let me hear. That tiny, pathetic, last sound that she made before she hit the ground. I shivered, feeling nauseated by the sight. I didn't want to see anymore. I knew this was my fault. Why was I forced to endure this nightmare every night? Fighter slowly got to her feet, shaking off her stun and clutching her wounded hand. I felt my jaw clench as I watched her, saw the expression on her face as she spotted Healer's body just a few feet away. Saw her cover her mouth in horror as she looked into those wide green eyes. Those staring, sightless eyes that would never see again. She began to shake, trying her best to hold back her rage, her pain, everything. Finally she turned to face the creature, who just stared at her like you would stare at a bug about to be swatted. Fighter dashed forwards, and was immediately smacked back again the beast obviously not interested in destroying her yet.... ...Not when there was someone even more important to destroy first. It lurched towards the palace but didn't have to go far to find what it was looking for. Kakyuu had already ran out through the doors. Not caring what might happen to herself, but wanting to be there for her friends. The creature's paw darted out and grabbed her up, catching her by the neck. She let out a tiny helpless squeal and began to struggle in it's grip, fighting for her life. It regarded her flatly for a moment before twisting it's fingers slightly, easily snapping her neck. I shuddered at the dry cracking sound. Another noise the dream decided to let me hear. Why was it all the things I'd prefer not to hear came to me so clearly? It flung her body aside and finally turned it's attention back to Fighter, who was staring at it with a look of angry horror on her face. She threw herself at the beast again and was once more thrown back. Yet again she struggled to her feet, tears rolling down her cheeks. She wanted revenge. It was written on her face so clearly. She wanted revenge for everything that had happened here. She didn't care if she lived or died as long as this thing paid. She ran at it, letting out a barely human yell as she went. Finally tiring of their game the monster batted her aside for a last time, this time using its claws instead of the back of its paw. A scream of pain was torn from Fighter's lips as they raked harshly against her face and she fell to the ground, lying there in shock. The creature stood over her still form. And, not taking any chances, swung its paw down again, the claws cutting deep into her back. Another scream was torn from her and I winced, feeling like I was going to be sick. This was far too much for me. I couldn't take it anymore. I wanted out! But it wasn't over. Not yet. I watched as the beast turned and walked away, probably intent on causing more destruction somewhere else. But there was nothing I could do about it. I hadn't been there and now I was forced to endure watching the damage done over and over again. My gaze returned to what was left of my friends and every muscle in my body tensed, knowing what was coming next.... "Maker... where are you? Why aren't you here...?" A weak whisper before death. A simple question, and one that I'll never forget. One that I'll be forced to listen to in my dreams over and over again for the rest of my life. I wasn't there when they needed me. I failed them. That creature did nothing to them... _I'm_ the one who killed them. And now I must live with my guilt.... ----------------------------------------------------------------------------- -Immicolia... immicolia@hotmail.com The Nebula http://www.geocities.com/Tokyo/Temple/8671 -----------------------------------------------------------------------------