On indirectly bringing Urawa/Greg into the AU

[waterfell]

He was speaking seriously. That boy would rather die than live like this.

And yet, even with his form already changed, he'd try to protect someone. His fate might not change, but somehow, I don't want to see him give up.

Comments

Have a Luceti Rei.

[faithfulflame]

Ami-chan, what's happening? Who's form is changing?

<3! much loved

[waterfell]

[For a moment, her eyes narrow; but there's something she needs to know. It overrides other concerns right now.]

Sailor Mars. Do you know a boy called Urawa Ryo?

[faithfulflame]

[Rei notes that look, brushing her hair away from the Charter mark on her forehead, her eyes concerned.]

No, I do not. Who is that?

[waterfell]

[That mark... It's not the sigil of Mars. Just what is it? Mercury's eyes stay on it.]

He's the one I was speaking about. The reincarnation of one of the Seven Great Youma.

[faithfulflame]

[The mark remains, glittering slightly]

Seven Great Youma? So, that means...he's changing into one? Shouldn't we be helping him?

[waterfell]

There's something sealed with the youma.

[The implication: sacrifice of the victim may be acceptable to get that thing. It's not a philosophy unknown to the senshi; but to hear it from Mercury instead of the Outers means something is not quite right.

Actually, Mercury's here because she's no longer sure she believes it herself. Someone told her that aside from battle, taking lives, saving lives was important, if she calls herself a soldier of her planet.]

[faithfulflame]

And? That means we should help him.

[She pauses, getting a very bad feeling about this]

Who are you?

[waterfell]

That's my intention this time. [This time. It won't change what's already happened, but there might be a different future, somewhere else.

Is that worthwhile in itself? Or is all of this empty?

Pushing that question away, Mercury's lips curve upward as she answers truthfully.]

As for me, don't you remember me? The soldier of Water and Knowledge: Mercury.

[faithfulflame]

No, there's something different about you. The Mercury I know wouldn't hesitate to help someone.

[Gears are turning in her head, remembering things she'd been told, and things she'd heard. This...is strange, and something clicks finally. A conversation had as they made dinner.]

No, there's something wrong with you.

[waterfell]

Is that what your spiritual sense tells you?

[It'd be hard to hide a change like this from Mars. Even now, there are traces of dark energy in her body.]

[faithfulflame]

That, and the Charter. And the magic I've learned on my own.

[Her eyes narrow]

And my heart.

[waterfell]

[Mercury's eyes find that mark on Mars' forehead again. Could she mean that?]

I want to know more about this Charter, and the magic you've learned. [She leaves out the 'heart'.]

[faithfulflame]

[She shakes her head]

The Charter is magic from another world. Sabriel-chan's world. I can't teach it to you. You...can't draw on the Charter like that.

[waterfell]

I'll become more powerful my own way.

[faithfulflame]

Not like this, you won't.

[Again, Rei shakes her head]

You've fallen down, you'll need to climb back up to get any stronger.

[waterfell]

You're mistaken. I awakened my true power when I went to the Dark Kingdom.

[faithfulflame]

So you are that Ami. From that short time.

I thought so.

[waterfell]

['That short time'?]

So you remember after all. It's been awhile!

[faithfulflame]

Its just what I was told in Luceti. Ami-chan said she'd gone over, and came back.

[waterfell]

[Came back. Even a year ago, she could have immediately snapped that her way is better and her alternate was a fool.

Came back to what? A lonely room at Crown? An empty apartment?]

Then you already know we're different.

[But isn't that part of why she's here, too? A boy who thought she could become better than she is, now? Like the girl he knew?]

[faithfulflame]

Yes. You are.

[Rei shakes her head, honestly disappointed in the other girl. She'd fallen FAR, and that gnawed at her.]

But its never too late.

[waterfell]

[Oh, but sometimes it is.]

And if I said it is?

[faithfulflame]

Then you'd be wrong. And foolish.

[And there's the harsh Rei she'd expect]

[waterfell]

And if I wanted to spare that boy?

[How?]

[faithfulflame]

Then you aren't too far gone to be saved.