(no subject)
Title: Painful Awakening
Author: Raya
Theme: Cats / Optional: Elijah Day by *BellZ
Genre: Drama
Version: Manga (Crystal Tokyo)
Rating: PG
Word Count: ~2,468 (ED)
Disclaimer: Diana, Lady, and King Endymion were created by Takeuchi Naoko who still owns them heart, body, and soul. I have merely recaptured Morgana, forced her into her Diana costume, and made her play with my niece's Sailor Moon dolls for a while.
Canon, spelling, grammar, and punctuation corrections are appreciated. So is constructive criticism and general comments. Please let me know if you see something that you like or that should be corrected. Thanks! - Raya
Painful Awakening
"So, did you like my present?"
Diana looked coyly out of the corner of her eye at the tall, good looking, blond haired man walking next to her, and then raised the perfectly shaped pink rose to her nose for another smell. "I suppose it will do," she replied airily.
His lips quirked at the teasing tone in her voice. "Well, I would have made it red, but you would never have accepted it then." He watched as the cold sea breeze tossed her long grey hair around her face, alternately hiding and revealing her smile. He sighed dramatically. "What do you see in Orion-san, anyway? I'm much better looking than he is." He posed dramatically, and reveled in her amused laughter.
"Vanity," she chided gently as she shook her head. She laughed again as he deflated and gave her a pouting, chastised look. Something about his eyes made her skin prickle, but she dismissed the feeling, turned towards the ocean, and closed her eyes to savor the sun and wind.
When Lady had suggested that she take a long vacation to recuperate from a stressful year of politics, Diana had been reluctant. What would she do by herself at a beach resort, especially in the winter? She liked sleep as much as any Mauan, but there were only so many catnaps one could take in the sun. And, she did not like getting sand in her paws or salt in her fur. Then there was the fact that she would be alone. Most people did not listen to cats, much less expect them to talk.
Lady had agreed thoughtfully, and then pulled out her Pink Moon Crystal. Before Diana had known what she intended, the princess had used it to transform her into her human form, and then refused to change her back. An hour later, the young, grey haired Mauan had found herself bundled into a small air car by her five charges with three suitcases and orders to have fun. She had been whisked away before she could protest.
It had been a good vacation, though, even though she was alone. The warm sun had melted away knots she had not even known she had. She received calls every day from either Lady or one of the senshi so she did not worry about what she was missing at home. And despite her shyness, shortly after arriving at the resort she had made friends with several other visitors including Orion and Beli, the young man at her side.
Beli studied her peaceful face with cold eyes, and then glanced up the beach. It was almost time. Despite the secrecy and air of mystery that she tried to maintain, he knew very well that she was an important advisor to the rulers of this planet which meant that she was a senshi. If he could get some sort of hold over her, Lady Geist would reward him handsomely. Maybe the Emperor's Right Hand would even let him keep Diana. She was pretty enough to be a worthy prize.
He glanced up the beach again, and then nodded coolly to himself as he saw the dark haired youth walking towards them. There was the trap. Now to spring it.
He twitched his fingers slightly, and the rose in Diana's hand began to glow softly. He waited another moment for the spell to take effect, and then spoke. "Hey," he asked nervously, "what's that?"
Diana started, drawn out of her thoughts by his light tenor voice. She opened her eyes, glanced at him curiously, and then followed his gaze up the beach. She felt herself pale as she saw the large, shuffling monster headed their way. 'A youma?! Here?' she thought in surprise. Suddenly, she wished Sailor Mars were close by.
"Maybe we should head back to the hotel," she said nervously as she reached out and grasped his arm. She tried to draw him back, but Beli refused to move. "Beli-san? Hurry!"
"Too late," he replied as he shook off her hand and stepped forward to swing a fist at the creature. He smirked as the dark haired man gave him a look of surprise and dodged.
Diana watched anxiously as Beli battled the strange creature. She should do something! She was not a senshi, but she was battle trained. She looked around for something to use as a weapon, and then jerked her eyes back to the fight as her friend screamed in pain. She watched him fly through the air and collapse a short distance away.
Slowly, she backed away. "Leave... Leave me alone," she said shakily wishing desperately that she was in her normal form. It was much more suited for battle. She dodged as the creature reached for her. "Go away!"
From his prone position, Beli watched the fight for several long moments with a frown. Surely she could do more than dodge and run! Why did she not fight? He twitched his fingers and increased the power of the spell again. This time, he also triggered the panic spell he had hidden in it just in case.
Diana dodged another swipe from the monster, and then felt her heart speed into overdrive. That had been close. Too close. She began to sob in fear as she turned to run. 'What's wrong with me?' she thought frantically as she tripped over a ripple in the sand. Somehow, she managed to protect the rose that Beli had given her as she fell. 'Why am I so scared? What's happening to me?' She squeaked and kicked out futilely as the monster leaned over her.
Beli smiled with satisfaction as a grey light suddenly began to glow around the small woman. "It's about time," he muttered to himself as it brightened to a flash. He raised an arm to block the bright light, and turned away squeezing his eyes shut. When he could look again, his smile returned and grew.
On her rear in the sand, a pretty senshi sat holding a pink rose. Her long, grey hair still fell in waves to her waist, but now it sparkled as if little jewel chips had been added to it. Her fuku was white with a metallic grey skirt. The same shade of grey edged her long white gloves and boots, and dark red ribbons fluttered at her breast and the small of her back.
"Hebe Arrow!" she cried, throwing her hands out in front of her. A thin bar of light formed between them and shaped itself into an arrow. It showered sparks to the sand as it flew towards the monster's heart.
The creature screamed in pain as it clasped the arrow piercing it. Sailor Hebe prepared another arrow, and then froze wide eyed as the monster began to fall backwards. It reached out frantically and grabbed the rose that she was still holding.
As the petals ripped free from the flower, the spell that Beli had placed on it faded away. Sailor Hebe gasped in shock and let her arrow melt away as the creature's monstrous form faded to reveal the dark haired man she had been fighting. "Or... Orion-san?" she said tremulously.
She stared at him in shock for a long moment, studying his distinctive blue and black checkered scarf and the velvety soft pink petals that drifted from his limp hand. "Orion-san?" she called again as she began to shake.
"You killed him," she heard Beli say. Slowly, she turned to look at her blond companion. "For shame. I thought senshi were supposed to protect the people, not kill them."
As her eyes slowly focused on him, he pushed himself up from the sand and began to walk towards her. "Don't worry," he said reassuringly, trying to keep the triumph out of his voice. Her well-trained ear caught it anyway. "I won't tell anyone. Your secret is safe with me."
She shuddered, and turned back towards Orion. The rose petals fluttering in the wind caught her attention, and suddenly her brain began to make connections. Beli had given her that rose. He had been the one to first spot Orion. The first one to attack. And now, he was trying not to smirk as he offered her his false platitudes. For some reason, she had done her best to protect the flower during her attempts to flee and fight. And when it had been damaged, she had been able to see that the monster was actually Orion.
“You,” she whispered as she stared at the petals. “Why? Why did you make me kill him?”
“Make you kill him? You did that all on your own,” Beli replied with a shake of his head. “I told you to run, but you insisted on attacking him.”
Her dark pink eyes flashed angrily at the lie, and she slowly pushed herself up from the sand. “What is it you want?” she asked softly.
“Want? Diana-san, you wound me! I thought we were friends,” he replied. Although he tried, he was not able to keep the mocking tone out of his voice.
“Hebe... Arrow,” she said coldly.
Beli froze, suddenly afraid as the small bar of light formed between her hands. “Diana-san... What are you doing? Will you kill me, too? Just because I saw what you did? How will you explain two dead humans, both of them known friends of yours?”
Sailor Hebe caught the one word she needed to hear. “Two humans? Interesting choice of words... For a human,” she said as she raised her cold gaze to his. “A real human would have said two people or two men.” She smiled faintly as a flash of anger crossed her enemy's face, and imagined the names he was calling himself. “Who are you? Where are you from?”
Realizing that his carefully crafted plan had somehow gone awry, Beli growled and leaped forward. He swung his fists, the first one aiming the little arrow of light sparkling between her hands, and the second one for her jaw. He screamed in pain as sparks from the shattered arrow bathed his hand with the white hot light. Adroitly, Sailor Hebe dodged the second fist.
“Answer me,” she demanded as she summoned a fourth arrow. “Who sent you?”
Beli cradled his burned fist to his chest and glared at her. “You stupid woman. You will regret that!” He lunged at her again.
Quickly, she let her arrow fly, and he screamed in pain as she pinned his foot to the ground. “You can answer me, or you can answer King Endymion-sama. Which will it be?” she asked as she summoned another arrow.
Desperately, he reached for the arrow that was burning its way through his foot. He had to escape! If they caught him, his life would be worthless.
Before he could do more than touch it, a well aimed white boot caught him in the chin and threw him sideways. He collapsed to the sand once more, still pinned by the foot, and did not move. Sailor Hebe studied him for a long moment, and then dismissed her unused arrow. She had to find a better way to bind him until he could be transported to the Palace for questioning, but first...
She turned towards Orion once more. She fell to her knees beside him, and then reached out to gently brush his dark hair. “I'm sorry,” she whispered as the tears finally began to work their way through her shock and anger. “I'm so sorry!” She covered her face and began to rock slowly.
“Well you should be,” a baritone voice grumbled back at her. “First you fall for his stupid trick, and then you dance around protecting his rose like it's something precious. Couldn't you tell it was enchanted? Then, when you finally do get around to attacking, you kick like a little girl! I'm going to have to teach you how to hit properly! You can use your nails in human form, too, you know.”
Sailor Hebe gasped, drew her hands away from her eyes, and looked down. Orion's golden eyes glared up at her hotly. A smile was twitching at the corner of his mouth, but she did not notice that in her joy. “You're alive!” she cried as she threw herself down on him.
“Ooomph!” he gasped. “Ouch! Hey watch it! My chest is still sore.” In spite of his words, however, he wrapped his arms gently but firmly around her and held her close. “I'm alive,” he said more soothingly. “Your attack just knocked me out for a little bit. It's all right. It's all right now,” he soothed as she began to cry once more.
He brushed her hair out of his face, wincing as the grey crystals in it scratched him a little, and then turned to keep an eye on their enemy as he let her cry herself out. When she stirred and tried to sit up, he quickly released her and returned his gaze to her. He smiled at her embarrassed expression as she brushed at her tears. “What are you going to do about him?” he asked as he slowly sat up. He grimaced as he tried to shake the sand off of his back.
Grateful for the distraction, Sailor Hebe turned her attention to her prisoner who was fortunately right where she left him. “I'll turn him over to the senshi for questioning,” she said softly as she helped Orion to stand up and brush off.
“Aren't you a senshi?” he asked her teasingly as he glanced at her out of the corner of his eye. He bit back a chuckle as her face suddenly grew bright pink.
“I... I am...” she said uncertainly as she suddenly looked down at her gloves and fuku. “I am.”
He shook his head gently, and reached out to touch her arm. “Perhaps you should get some help,” he said quietly. “I think that fight took more out of you than you realize.”
Abruptly, she straightened up and raised her head. “No, I can do it,” she said with sudden confidence. “I will take him to the Palace right now.” She turned and gave him a concerned look. “But... What about you? Are you sure you're all right?”
He smiled. “I'm tough. It will take more than a wimpy little arrow to hurt me.”
She studied him a moment longer, then grabbed his hand and dragged him over to Beli's side. “Mercury will know,” he heard her mutter. Before he could free himself or ask her what she meant, she closed her eyes and took a deep breath. With one foot touching her unconscious prisoner and one hand grasping Orion's wrist, she released the power she had built up. “Sailor Teleport!”
Author: Raya
Theme: Cats / Optional: Elijah Day by *BellZ
Genre: Drama
Version: Manga (Crystal Tokyo)
Rating: PG
Word Count: ~2,468 (ED)
Disclaimer: Diana, Lady, and King Endymion were created by Takeuchi Naoko who still owns them heart, body, and soul. I have merely recaptured Morgana, forced her into her Diana costume, and made her play with my niece's Sailor Moon dolls for a while.
Canon, spelling, grammar, and punctuation corrections are appreciated. So is constructive criticism and general comments. Please let me know if you see something that you like or that should be corrected. Thanks! - Raya
Painful Awakening
"So, did you like my present?"
Diana looked coyly out of the corner of her eye at the tall, good looking, blond haired man walking next to her, and then raised the perfectly shaped pink rose to her nose for another smell. "I suppose it will do," she replied airily.
His lips quirked at the teasing tone in her voice. "Well, I would have made it red, but you would never have accepted it then." He watched as the cold sea breeze tossed her long grey hair around her face, alternately hiding and revealing her smile. He sighed dramatically. "What do you see in Orion-san, anyway? I'm much better looking than he is." He posed dramatically, and reveled in her amused laughter.
"Vanity," she chided gently as she shook her head. She laughed again as he deflated and gave her a pouting, chastised look. Something about his eyes made her skin prickle, but she dismissed the feeling, turned towards the ocean, and closed her eyes to savor the sun and wind.
When Lady had suggested that she take a long vacation to recuperate from a stressful year of politics, Diana had been reluctant. What would she do by herself at a beach resort, especially in the winter? She liked sleep as much as any Mauan, but there were only so many catnaps one could take in the sun. And, she did not like getting sand in her paws or salt in her fur. Then there was the fact that she would be alone. Most people did not listen to cats, much less expect them to talk.
Lady had agreed thoughtfully, and then pulled out her Pink Moon Crystal. Before Diana had known what she intended, the princess had used it to transform her into her human form, and then refused to change her back. An hour later, the young, grey haired Mauan had found herself bundled into a small air car by her five charges with three suitcases and orders to have fun. She had been whisked away before she could protest.
It had been a good vacation, though, even though she was alone. The warm sun had melted away knots she had not even known she had. She received calls every day from either Lady or one of the senshi so she did not worry about what she was missing at home. And despite her shyness, shortly after arriving at the resort she had made friends with several other visitors including Orion and Beli, the young man at her side.
Beli studied her peaceful face with cold eyes, and then glanced up the beach. It was almost time. Despite the secrecy and air of mystery that she tried to maintain, he knew very well that she was an important advisor to the rulers of this planet which meant that she was a senshi. If he could get some sort of hold over her, Lady Geist would reward him handsomely. Maybe the Emperor's Right Hand would even let him keep Diana. She was pretty enough to be a worthy prize.
He glanced up the beach again, and then nodded coolly to himself as he saw the dark haired youth walking towards them. There was the trap. Now to spring it.
He twitched his fingers slightly, and the rose in Diana's hand began to glow softly. He waited another moment for the spell to take effect, and then spoke. "Hey," he asked nervously, "what's that?"
Diana started, drawn out of her thoughts by his light tenor voice. She opened her eyes, glanced at him curiously, and then followed his gaze up the beach. She felt herself pale as she saw the large, shuffling monster headed their way. 'A youma?! Here?' she thought in surprise. Suddenly, she wished Sailor Mars were close by.
"Maybe we should head back to the hotel," she said nervously as she reached out and grasped his arm. She tried to draw him back, but Beli refused to move. "Beli-san? Hurry!"
"Too late," he replied as he shook off her hand and stepped forward to swing a fist at the creature. He smirked as the dark haired man gave him a look of surprise and dodged.
Diana watched anxiously as Beli battled the strange creature. She should do something! She was not a senshi, but she was battle trained. She looked around for something to use as a weapon, and then jerked her eyes back to the fight as her friend screamed in pain. She watched him fly through the air and collapse a short distance away.
Slowly, she backed away. "Leave... Leave me alone," she said shakily wishing desperately that she was in her normal form. It was much more suited for battle. She dodged as the creature reached for her. "Go away!"
From his prone position, Beli watched the fight for several long moments with a frown. Surely she could do more than dodge and run! Why did she not fight? He twitched his fingers and increased the power of the spell again. This time, he also triggered the panic spell he had hidden in it just in case.
Diana dodged another swipe from the monster, and then felt her heart speed into overdrive. That had been close. Too close. She began to sob in fear as she turned to run. 'What's wrong with me?' she thought frantically as she tripped over a ripple in the sand. Somehow, she managed to protect the rose that Beli had given her as she fell. 'Why am I so scared? What's happening to me?' She squeaked and kicked out futilely as the monster leaned over her.
Beli smiled with satisfaction as a grey light suddenly began to glow around the small woman. "It's about time," he muttered to himself as it brightened to a flash. He raised an arm to block the bright light, and turned away squeezing his eyes shut. When he could look again, his smile returned and grew.
On her rear in the sand, a pretty senshi sat holding a pink rose. Her long, grey hair still fell in waves to her waist, but now it sparkled as if little jewel chips had been added to it. Her fuku was white with a metallic grey skirt. The same shade of grey edged her long white gloves and boots, and dark red ribbons fluttered at her breast and the small of her back.
"Hebe Arrow!" she cried, throwing her hands out in front of her. A thin bar of light formed between them and shaped itself into an arrow. It showered sparks to the sand as it flew towards the monster's heart.
The creature screamed in pain as it clasped the arrow piercing it. Sailor Hebe prepared another arrow, and then froze wide eyed as the monster began to fall backwards. It reached out frantically and grabbed the rose that she was still holding.
As the petals ripped free from the flower, the spell that Beli had placed on it faded away. Sailor Hebe gasped in shock and let her arrow melt away as the creature's monstrous form faded to reveal the dark haired man she had been fighting. "Or... Orion-san?" she said tremulously.
She stared at him in shock for a long moment, studying his distinctive blue and black checkered scarf and the velvety soft pink petals that drifted from his limp hand. "Orion-san?" she called again as she began to shake.
"You killed him," she heard Beli say. Slowly, she turned to look at her blond companion. "For shame. I thought senshi were supposed to protect the people, not kill them."
As her eyes slowly focused on him, he pushed himself up from the sand and began to walk towards her. "Don't worry," he said reassuringly, trying to keep the triumph out of his voice. Her well-trained ear caught it anyway. "I won't tell anyone. Your secret is safe with me."
She shuddered, and turned back towards Orion. The rose petals fluttering in the wind caught her attention, and suddenly her brain began to make connections. Beli had given her that rose. He had been the one to first spot Orion. The first one to attack. And now, he was trying not to smirk as he offered her his false platitudes. For some reason, she had done her best to protect the flower during her attempts to flee and fight. And when it had been damaged, she had been able to see that the monster was actually Orion.
“You,” she whispered as she stared at the petals. “Why? Why did you make me kill him?”
“Make you kill him? You did that all on your own,” Beli replied with a shake of his head. “I told you to run, but you insisted on attacking him.”
Her dark pink eyes flashed angrily at the lie, and she slowly pushed herself up from the sand. “What is it you want?” she asked softly.
“Want? Diana-san, you wound me! I thought we were friends,” he replied. Although he tried, he was not able to keep the mocking tone out of his voice.
“Hebe... Arrow,” she said coldly.
Beli froze, suddenly afraid as the small bar of light formed between her hands. “Diana-san... What are you doing? Will you kill me, too? Just because I saw what you did? How will you explain two dead humans, both of them known friends of yours?”
Sailor Hebe caught the one word she needed to hear. “Two humans? Interesting choice of words... For a human,” she said as she raised her cold gaze to his. “A real human would have said two people or two men.” She smiled faintly as a flash of anger crossed her enemy's face, and imagined the names he was calling himself. “Who are you? Where are you from?”
Realizing that his carefully crafted plan had somehow gone awry, Beli growled and leaped forward. He swung his fists, the first one aiming the little arrow of light sparkling between her hands, and the second one for her jaw. He screamed in pain as sparks from the shattered arrow bathed his hand with the white hot light. Adroitly, Sailor Hebe dodged the second fist.
“Answer me,” she demanded as she summoned a fourth arrow. “Who sent you?”
Beli cradled his burned fist to his chest and glared at her. “You stupid woman. You will regret that!” He lunged at her again.
Quickly, she let her arrow fly, and he screamed in pain as she pinned his foot to the ground. “You can answer me, or you can answer King Endymion-sama. Which will it be?” she asked as she summoned another arrow.
Desperately, he reached for the arrow that was burning its way through his foot. He had to escape! If they caught him, his life would be worthless.
Before he could do more than touch it, a well aimed white boot caught him in the chin and threw him sideways. He collapsed to the sand once more, still pinned by the foot, and did not move. Sailor Hebe studied him for a long moment, and then dismissed her unused arrow. She had to find a better way to bind him until he could be transported to the Palace for questioning, but first...
She turned towards Orion once more. She fell to her knees beside him, and then reached out to gently brush his dark hair. “I'm sorry,” she whispered as the tears finally began to work their way through her shock and anger. “I'm so sorry!” She covered her face and began to rock slowly.
“Well you should be,” a baritone voice grumbled back at her. “First you fall for his stupid trick, and then you dance around protecting his rose like it's something precious. Couldn't you tell it was enchanted? Then, when you finally do get around to attacking, you kick like a little girl! I'm going to have to teach you how to hit properly! You can use your nails in human form, too, you know.”
Sailor Hebe gasped, drew her hands away from her eyes, and looked down. Orion's golden eyes glared up at her hotly. A smile was twitching at the corner of his mouth, but she did not notice that in her joy. “You're alive!” she cried as she threw herself down on him.
“Ooomph!” he gasped. “Ouch! Hey watch it! My chest is still sore.” In spite of his words, however, he wrapped his arms gently but firmly around her and held her close. “I'm alive,” he said more soothingly. “Your attack just knocked me out for a little bit. It's all right. It's all right now,” he soothed as she began to cry once more.
He brushed her hair out of his face, wincing as the grey crystals in it scratched him a little, and then turned to keep an eye on their enemy as he let her cry herself out. When she stirred and tried to sit up, he quickly released her and returned his gaze to her. He smiled at her embarrassed expression as she brushed at her tears. “What are you going to do about him?” he asked as he slowly sat up. He grimaced as he tried to shake the sand off of his back.
Grateful for the distraction, Sailor Hebe turned her attention to her prisoner who was fortunately right where she left him. “I'll turn him over to the senshi for questioning,” she said softly as she helped Orion to stand up and brush off.
“Aren't you a senshi?” he asked her teasingly as he glanced at her out of the corner of his eye. He bit back a chuckle as her face suddenly grew bright pink.
“I... I am...” she said uncertainly as she suddenly looked down at her gloves and fuku. “I am.”
He shook his head gently, and reached out to touch her arm. “Perhaps you should get some help,” he said quietly. “I think that fight took more out of you than you realize.”
Abruptly, she straightened up and raised her head. “No, I can do it,” she said with sudden confidence. “I will take him to the Palace right now.” She turned and gave him a concerned look. “But... What about you? Are you sure you're all right?”
He smiled. “I'm tough. It will take more than a wimpy little arrow to hurt me.”
She studied him a moment longer, then grabbed his hand and dragged him over to Beli's side. “Mercury will know,” he heard her mutter. Before he could free himself or ask her what she meant, she closed her eyes and took a deep breath. With one foot touching her unconscious prisoner and one hand grasping Orion's wrist, she released the power she had built up. “Sailor Teleport!”