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Post by Sailor Mercury on Jun 29, 2007 2:38:36 GMT -5
Illyria could sense the uncertainty emanating from Veridian and tightened her grip on the Atlantean ever so slightly to help her along, and give her reassurance. It was strange, looking up, and noticing how everyone else was just standing still and watching them as they stopped at the tap. Mercury had a calm smile on her face as though she knew that she’d been in some way successful.
Luna tilted her head on one side as she watched the “twins”. She wasn’t quite sure what to make of it herself. She suddenly seemed to remember that Veridian hadn’t been the only one Mercury had directed her “magic” towards, and looked up at Umitaro. “How are you feeling?”
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Post by Zyppora on Jun 29, 2007 2:53:37 GMT -5
Umitaro just sat on the cold blacktop, holding his head in his hands. He didn't look up to meet the Mau's eyes. "Like a ton of bricks fell on top of me ... then got lifted off again." He was still exhausted from fighting Veridian earlier. He still remembered everything vividly though, even though he didn't feel any kind of hatred towards the created Atlantean at all. It confuzed him. How was it that he couldn't feel any kind of despise to the murderer of his family? It was beyond him. Then again, he couldn't really muster the strength to keep going along that thread anyway. He felt like he had been fighting a battle for centuries without a break.
Tarda turned to Luna, smiling a bit. "He'll be fine, Mau. He just needs some sleep." She gently picked him up again. During the conversion he had shaken free and fallen to the floor, but now that he was back to normal again, she could bring him back to the Senshi.
---
Veridian gently leaned in towards the spraying water, and as it began to shower her, she absorbed it, slowly regenerating her body into a perfect look-a-like for Illyria. She turned back and looked at her. "I'm sorry for everything I've done." She said remorsefully.
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Post by Sailor Mercury on Jun 29, 2007 2:59:53 GMT -5
Illyria’s strong sense of empathy allowed her to believe that Veridian was speaking the truth, and she smiled. “I know…” she said quietly.
After Veridian was finished with the water, Illyria led her back towards the Senshi group where Tarda had just moved with Umitaro.
“How about you two try talking things through this time?” Sailor Venus said with a small smile. “It’s much easier than fighting.”
“Well, sometimes,” Jupiter said with a slight smirk, letting out a quiet cry of protest at the kick in the shins she received from Mars.
Sailor Mercury turned to look at the Atlanteans. “I hope, that now, finally, we can all move on from this…” she looked around at the destruction surrounding them. “And work together to rebuild what has been lost.”
The others looked at her sharply. There was something so strangely regal in her tone, as though she was a queen or princess addressing her loyal subjects.
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Post by Zyppora on Jun 29, 2007 3:29:34 GMT -5
Veridian had stopped walking upon seeing Umitaro and Tarda. They had now locked eyes and Veridian looked surprised at most, if not just a little bit scared. Umitaro had narrowed his eyes somewhat, but couldn't help but remain passive. Veridian had watched him do so. She took a step backwards, not sure what to do anymore. All the memories she had, both the good ones and the bad, the love and hatred that she had felt for this man, they were clouding her mind now. Her turmoil was overwhelming. She hadn't anticipated this. She took another step back. 'I can't do this ...' She thought.
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Post by Sailor Mercury on Jun 30, 2007 2:05:20 GMT -5
Illyria tightened her grip on Veridian’s arm and pulled her forward slightly. “I know it’s hard,” she said quietly. “I know how hard it is to forgive something that you don’t feel you can. I felt the same way about my father, but the feeling of hatred is so much worse. I had to swallow my pride a lot but I did it anyway, I listened to what he had to say and he listened to me. And we worked it out. Just tell Umitaro what you’re feeling and why you feel it,” she smiled reassuringly. “That’s the thing about life. Bad things happen a lot, and people feel sad. But that just makes us appreciate all the good and happy things so much more. And that makes it worth while.”
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Post by Zyppora on Jul 6, 2007 2:27:26 GMT -5
Veridian shook her head. It wasn't exactly about forgiving. They had both done terrible things and forgiving was the first thing on her list. That wasn't the problem at all. Her eyes locked on Illyria's for a second, before flying over to Umitaro and Tarda again, still wide. It was hardly fear for being rejected that got to her. It was the fact that the past seemed to replay itself completely in her mind. She could see the traces laid out before her, etching her future. And it was a horrible one, the destruction she would cause over an unrequited love to be happened mirrored the destruction she saw around her right now to a very disturbing level of detail. She was no longer alive, and her new physique made her a godlike entity in a world where the living were made of flesh and bone, but the results of that, mixed in with watching Umitaro and Tarda live together happily, were explosive. She would be eaten alive by bitterness, with terrible consequences.
She turned to look at Illyria again, heaving a sigh. "I can't do this. I can live, but I can't do this to the world." She said with a slight tremble in her voice. "Besides that, only one of you is needed, and you're the original. I'm no longer necessary." She seemed to calm down a bit now, actually cracking a bit of a smile at Illyria. "Maybe, in another time and place ... there was a spot for me." She said softly, but without really being convinced herself.
"There are so many things I regret, yet I don't feel any sorrow. But you ..." She hesitated for a moment. "All of you Senshi, are doing a good job. What you do is right. Protect. Don't waste your time holding grudges, or feeling sadness or hatred, like I did with mine." It was a clear reference to how Illyria had felt about her father until not too long ago.
Her arm suddenly shot forwards, holding the pearl. She looked at it for a split second, before using a swift downwards motion, letting go of it. Her body instantly fell apart and in a splash hit the ground, just like any normal mass of water suspended in the air and then dropped would. The last thing she saw, was the pearl shattering into thousands of tiny pieces on the blacktop.
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Post by Sailor Mercury on Jul 6, 2007 3:14:47 GMT -5
Illyria just stared at the pearl in shock. It had all happened much too quickly, she hadn’t even been able to stop Veridian, or try talking to her again. It was a rather harrowing sight, like watching herself from afar, melting into a puddle of nothing. Or watching her reflection in a mirror being shattered, shards of glass falling to the ground. “No…” she whispered, feeling tears sting her eyes.
“Illyria… it was probably for the best anyway,” said Jupiter in a thin voice, clamping her hand on Illyria’s shoulder tightly.
The rest of the assembled Senshi stood back rather solemnly, unsure of what to say. Mercury stepped forward, looking down at the pearl then up into Illyria’s tearful emerald eyes. “I’m sorry I couldn’t help her,” she said softly.
Illyria just blinked, shaking her head. “N-no… Jupiter’s right. It was for the best…”
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Post by Zyppora on Jul 6, 2007 3:37:07 GMT -5
Umitaro and Tarda approached Illyria as well, expressions of mild shock on their faces. "I'm sorry." He said softly to Illyria. "I'm sorry for causing all this." He wasn't referring to Veridian in particular, but to the devastation surrounding them. He hadn't been able to properly apologize for causing such destruction in a once vibrant part of the city. With his feelings of hatred nullified by the power of the Caduceus, he found it hard to imagine that what he saw in front of him now, was what he really wanted. Taken in perspective, he could only agree with the Senshi trying to stop him.
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Post by Sailor Mercury on Jul 6, 2007 4:10:05 GMT -5
Illyria turned to face him, not bothering to wipe away her tears. She didn’t speak, however. She couldn’t find the words. Part of her was still raging from anger over the destruction Umitaro had caused, but Veridian’s last words were still echoing around in her mind. Don't waste your time holding grudges… It had been something she herself had tried to make Veridian understand, and in the end, she had managed to, at a cost.
“How are we gonna fix all of this?” Venus asked quietly, not aiming her question to anyone in particular.
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Post by Zyppora on Jul 6, 2007 5:34:31 GMT -5
"I think I have a solution for that. Or at least an answer." Umitaro spoke up, regaining some of the authority in his voice. He looked at Tarda, before turning to the Senshi again. "There are thousands of Atlanteans in the ocean. If we can somehow let them mix with the drywalkers, without raising alarm, they could definately help rebuild all this. Our knowledge will assist greatly in building more stable structures as well. I do believe that this city is near the edge of a tectonic plate?" He said, rather than asked.
"The only problem is having them infiltrate in the drywalker society. The culture shock would be quite high." Tarda spoke up. "I don't think nutrients will be a problem though."
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Post by Sailor Mercury on Jul 6, 2007 6:07:16 GMT -5
“We’ll do whatever it takes,” Sailor Mars said, determination in her voice. “I’ll contact the others, and let them know what’s going on.”
“Good idea,” Jupiter nodded.
Sailor Mercury turned her attention to Umitaro and Tarda. “I’ll go with you to bring the Atlanteans here, and speak with them about what needs to be done. Maybe that will help in some way.”
“I’ll come too,” Illyria spoke up.
“No, I think you should stay here for the time being,” Mercury replied with a smile. “Once Ross and your father find out that you’re ok, they’ll want to see you.”
Dad and Ross… Illyria thought, letting out a deep sigh. She couldn’t help but smile. It felt like it had been years since she’d seen them. “You’re right, I’ll stay.”
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Post by Zyppora on Aug 21, 2007 6:33:35 GMT -5
Sailor Mars opened up her communicator and contacted Sailor Moon. Once the connection was established, she noticed the angst on the blonde's face. She hoped her own expression was less grim. "It's over." She finally said. "Veridian is gone."
"What about Umitaro?" The blonde almost instantly replied. She hadn't been informed about his cure, and after Sailor Mars had told her what happened with the Caduceus, Sailor Moon sighed in relief. "That's great to hear. What about Illyria?"
Mars nodded once. "She's peachy. We'll rendezvous with you guys in a flash." After that, she cut off the connection. "Alright, let's get this show on the road."
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Post by Sailor Mercury on Aug 21, 2007 6:52:43 GMT -5
*
David, Ross and Mamoru had all overheard the conversation between Mars and Moon, all three sighing in unison, filled with relief.
“Thank god, that’s over, I thought we’d never see her again,” David said in a shaky tone, swallowing at the lump that had firmly affixed itself to his throat.
Ross remained silent, nodding slowly as the relief washed over him. He just wanted to see her, to hold her. Never let her go, after such a horrifying experience.
“Let’s go and help,” Mamoru said.
The others required no further prompting, and were quickly on their way to meet up with the others.
*
Jupiter turned to look at the Atlanteans and Sailor Mercury. “So, how is this all going to work?”
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Post by Zyppora on Aug 21, 2007 7:05:33 GMT -5
Tarda shrugged at Sailor Jupiter. "Me, Umitaro and Sailor Mercury will go into the Abyss and explain the situation to the Atlanteans. We'd like you guys to keep nosy drywalkers away from this part of town so we can at least enter the dry land and start cleaning up debris. We'll apply whatever architecture skills we have to rebuild more solid structures here. I'll trust Sailor Mercury will be able to explain to us the facilities that drywalkers need in their environments and buildings." (( ugh, shortness. That's what I get for killing off my most favoured character  )) |
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Post by Sailor Mercury on Aug 21, 2007 8:59:08 GMT -5
Jupiter nodded. “Sure, we can do that…” she looked around, letting out a heavy sigh. “I get a feeling we might not need to worry too much, everyone’s gone, they fled after the initial threat. But I guess there might be rescue crews turning up, and other people who are curious and everything…”
Sailor Mercury looked at the other Senshi, letting her focus fall on the extremely sullen looking Illyria. She approached her with a small, sympathetic smile. “It will be all right,” she murmured, resting a hand on the Earth Senshi’s shoulder.
Illyria’s eyes remained on the ground. Everything that had happened was finally catching up with her, and she was nearing breaking point. She looked up when distant voices became louder – the familiar tone of Sailor Moon accompanied by Artemis and Mamoru. I have a brother… she thought, for what must have been the thousandth time she’d discovered her unique abilities.
But what held the most meaning was that if Sailor Moon and Mamoru were on their way, that meant Ross and David would be as well. She felt her heart skip a beat when she saw the group coming into view. Sailor Moon; Mamoru; Artemis; Sailors Neptune, Uranus and Saturn. And slightly to the side…
David’s voice boomed through the silence. “Illyria!”
And suddenly she was being enveloped in one of the tightest hugs she’d ever received, times two with Ross joining in for good measure.
Illyria promptly burst into tears, overcome with such high emotion. And as soon as she’d begun crying, she stopped herself, feeling mortified for breaking down in front of the Senshi and Atlanteans.
“Don’t stop on our account,” David said thinly, smiling at her through his tear drenched face. He kissed her forehead and held her close.
Ross was just as tearful, leaning his head down on top of Illyria’s, his right hand resting on her back. “We thought we’d lost you,” he whispered.
Illyria looked up at them both, biting her lip. “You can’t get rid of me that easily,” she choked out, offering a lopsided smile.
Sailor Mercury stood back and smiled widely, then turned to look back at Tarda and Umitaro. “Let’s leave them to it, and start rebuilding this place. Work together, like we should have done, from the beginning.”
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))