The Sun is the Moon - 18
The Sun is the Moon pt 18
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Chapter 18
James sat on the couch with his nephew and niece curled up at his sides the way they had when they were little. The twins, or rather Travis, seemed to have outgrown being held in such a fashion a couple of years before - Serena never seemed to outgrow the desire to be cuddled. Yet, from the moment they saw their uncle after their return, both of them knew the devastation he had felt when he thought them lost and neither of them objected to his need to hold them close. In truth his reaction had brought home to them how near a thing it had been and so all three were reluctant to let go of each other.
“-And when I woke up I just remembered,” Serena was telling her kin softly, “I don’t know why, maybe it was because of how drained I was, or how close I came to losing you, Twib. I just woke up knowing that I was Sailor Moon.”
“It might also be that you had another surge of growth in your powers and that knocked out Luna’s blocks,” James suggested, “You spent about what? A week, a week and a half, in there?”
“Eight days and fourteen hours,” she replied and Travis craned his neck around his uncle to stare at her.
“How can you be so precise?” he asked curiously.
She shrugged in response. “I know exactly how human I was when I woke up... this morning? Well before I went into the Grounds anyway, and I know how human I am now, not much by the way, and, since Darien has begun teaching me how to heal, I was able to figure out how fast I’m becoming Sol... Lunarian. Heh,” she paused for a moment to poke her uncle in the ribs affectionately before she finished, “I guess we don’t need to have that talk after all eh, ‘Uncle Quill’?”
“Thank god!” James murmured thankfully, “Some of the ideas you had were embarrassing. Do you remember the Silver Millennium? About your mother?”
Serena shook her head in regret, murmured, “No Terran told us about it,” and the three fell into a comfortable silence again.
Travis looked thoughtful for a moment and then said, slightly surprised, “Almost entirely!” He looked up at his uncle and repeated, “I think I’m almost all Solarian... Lunarian! Ah... which am I? If Twis is the moon princess that makes me-”
“Prince Tranquillity, her twin brother. You are Lunarian but you are also the Solar Knight,” James shrugged slightly, “Call yourself either or both depending on whether you’re referring to yourself as Tranq or Sol. There’s no real difference remember?”
Darien watched contentedly from his seat on the lounge chair opposite, satisfied to simply bask in the overflow of tenderness that was radiating out from the family. He stroked Terran’s head, which lay on his knees, and listened to their conversation peacefully. After a moment of quiet he frowned and asked, “Um, Twis? Twib?”
Travis and Serena looked at their friend in confusion and James smiled in understanding. “Twis or twin sister and Twib, twin brother, are what the rabbits call each other when their alone or with us. You should feel honoured that they’re at ease enough to use those names while you’re here.” James told him and both blondes frowned at him.
“Uncle Jimmy,” Serena complained.
Travis looked at Darien. “It’s not like that at all,” he tried to explain, “It’s just that’s how we see each other’s mental signatures and so are always calling each other that telepathically. People who don’t know we’re telepathic, don’t know we call each other that. It’s that simple.”
“It’s the same as when we reach for Uncle Jimmy’s mind,” Serena added, “We always called him ‘Uncle Quill’ because we thought of him as our uncle, though we didn’t know that he really was. Uncle Jimmy is just a name he uses for Earth now. He thinks of himself as Tranquillity and as Uncle Quill in relation to us. He thinks of us as rabbits and so he’s always calling us Bunny and Hare. When I think of Travis I think of him as my Twib.”
“I’ve heard Jim call the Meatball Head Bunny a hundred times, but I’ve never heard him call you Hare, Travis,” Darien objected.
Travis smiled wryly. “That because he knows what I’d do to him if he ever used it where anyone could overhear. Twis could get away with being named after a hopping ball of fluff, I couldn’t. It’s really only a mental name though, if he wants to reach out to me he does so using ‘Hare’ as the signature he searches for.”
“But Serena’s been talking in my mind during battle when she didn’t know who I was,” Darien objected.
“She was using the telepathic equivalent of a megaphone, everyone within ‘hearing’ distance picked up what she had to tell you,” James explained, “True telepathic communication is a lot more subtle. I guess it’s a little like using a phone, you need a number to ring, or in our case a name or mental signature which is a combination of how you see that person and how they see themself, which is unique to the person you’re trying to contact. That mental signature is even more important when you want to form a link with someone who is not a telepath themself. They can use your mental signature to catch your attention so that you know to form the link. If you’re the one wanting to make contact then you need their mental signature just to find them in the ocean of minds on Earth since they won’t ‘shine’ like a telepath would and that makes them very difficult to find.”
“Especially since there are six billion non-telepaths and only four active telepaths on Earth at the moment-” Travis started and Serena interrupted.
“You’ve forgotten Areyn’s people,” she told him.
“No I haven’t, I’m not counting them because they’re not human and so can’t talk to us-”
“They can so! You just can’t hear them!”
“You can, but you’re different, heck, you can talk to ducks so sending to Areyn and co should be easy, they’re intelligent.”
“Luna can as well,” she reminded him.
James leaned back in complete contentment and Darien knew that the argument reassured him that they were well more than any conscious messages on their part.
“Luna’s a cat, she’s not human-”
“Neither are the three of us if you want to get technical-”
The conversation was cut short when Terran lifted his head from Darien’s knee and looked at them all regretfully. “I’m sorry to cut your time short,” he apologised to the gathered group, “But I think that we have to start planning. Bunny, you said you think you might know how the Negaverse is tracking us, it’s time to spill. Besides I think Luna and Amon might be anxious to know that you’re both alive.”
“Omigosh!” Serena exclaimed in horror, “They must be feeling horrible!”
James slapped his own forehead in consternation. “I’ll call Amon back now, you call Luna, Bunny, and she can tell the scouts that Darien’s OK as well-”
“Wait Uncle,” Serena said and her face showed fierce concentration, “It might help us if the scouts aren’t told yet.”
“I don’t understand,” Darien said leaning forward.
Serena looked at him intently and his eyes widened when he realised that she was no longer hiding behind the facade of the Meatball Head. She, Serena Tsukino, was princess Serenity and it was her scouts, not his, that they were talking about. Knowing that she was the Silver Sun and Sailor Moon had not prepared him for the determination she exhibited. The Silver Sun was reserved and Sailor Moon was outgoing but not assertive yet at that moment Serena was a leader and it showed. Darien glanced quickly at her uncle and saw the expression of satisfied approval on his face. Travis’ was quickly changing from surprise to understanding as he realised why their uncle had tried so hard to force her into a role of responsibility.
“If the scouts don’t know anything then the Negaverse can’t use them to find information,” Serena told him shrugging and Darien realised that she knew what had gone through all of their minds in the last couple of minutes and was uncomfortable with it. “We’ve got Malachite and Zoisite and Beryl’s not going to take that lying down, there’ll be another attack within hours and we need to have neutralised their information source before then.”
“So what are you planning?” James asked.
“I have a couple of ideas but we’re going to have to get a lot of information from your prisoners... and we’re going to need both Luna and Artemis’ help.”
“Both of them?” Darien questioned uncertainly, “That’ll leave the scouts without anyone to give the orders.”
“Hotaru-” Travis started and Darien shook his head.
“They respect her but they won’t follow her. She’s a soldier not a leader and she knows it too.”
“Then Mina’s going to have to take up her old role again,” Serena told him.
“Why Mina?” Darien asked.
It was James who answered. “It used to be Venus who lead the inner scouts and when it was believed that there was no new moon senshi, she was trained to be my successor.”
“With Hota-chan’s aid she can get them ready to join us when we’ve done what we have too,” Serena finished.
*****
Luna watched as the five girls filed into the room and made themselves comfortable around Hotaru’s bed. Amy was up at last and, although she was limping, she was almost as good as new. Hotaru, on the other hand, had not recovered as quick as her friends had hoped and Luna thought it was as if the knowledge of the deaths of the twins and Darien had leeched her of her zest for life. The teen’s depression wasn’t a surprise to the Guardian as she was fighting her own battle against despair. Luna had loved the twins and Darien but so had Hotaru. While Darien was not especially close to her, Serena had been the other girl’s best friend and she and Travis had had a steadily blooming relationship that had been a delight to watch unfold.
Luna was held in Hotaru’s arms and Artemis sat close by their side as he had ever since Luna had told him what had happened. He had walked in on Luna and Hotaru weeping and they had told him everything, from the facts they had been hiding to the events which had occurred. The black Guardian was well aware that he still had many questions that he wished to ask her but he would wait and she was grateful of the support he offered. Now she had to tell the scouts of what had happened when all she wanted was to curl up and cry some more.
Luna opened her mouth to begin when a presence she had never though to feel again reached out and contacted her. Hotaru stiffened, revealing that she too felt the telepathic touch and then both of them were drawn into the mental rapport.
*Luna, Hota-chan!* came the clear and affectionate mind voice of Serena Tsukino.
Travis’ own contribution was not far behind. *Luna, Hota-love, we’re back!*
*Serena!* Luna screamed silently while Hotaru was too stunned to answer.
Serena’s love and reassurance flowed to both minds as did a sense of urgency. *We’re all fine, Darien’s with us... oh and Luna I’m a little miffed that you never told me that I was Sailor Moon-*
*Twis get a move on!* Travis interrupted his sister’s thoughts, *We don’t have much time.*
*I know Twib. Now Luna, Hota-chan, listen. Luna, you and Artemis need to get here as fast as you can. Uncle Tranq’ll teleport you as soon as you’re ready. Hota-chan you’ve gotta get all of the scouts ready for the move.*
A feeling of shocked inadequacy and denial came from the girl and both Serena and Travis send another wave of reassurance.
*Don’t worry Hota-chan, Luna’s going to put Mina in command and you make sure she does what needs to be done. We know the hows and whys of the Negaverse and as soon as we’ve taken care of the problem, we need to go into siege mode. One way or another this whole blasted war is going to be over within a week!* Serena’s mental tone was grim as was the undercurrents of Travis’.
*Hota-love you can’t let any of the scouts go off alone. If they need to fetch stuff then they have to go in groups-*
*You might be able to split up into two, inners and outers,* Serena suggested.
Hotaru’s thoughts floated in the ether and all three telepaths in the link picked them up.
*Raye should be able to contact me, give me a couple of seconds to confirm it-*
*****
Raye watched the blank expressions on both Luna and Hotaru’s faces thoughtfully. It seemed to her that that particular expression seemed to be very widespread of late for not only could she find it on their faces regularly but also on Serena or Travis’, not that it was unusual for the Tsukino twins to space out. The peculiarity that had caught her interest in this case was Artemis’ reaction. The white Guardian had also noticed his partner’s lack of attention and seemed a lot more interested in it that he should have been. Of course, Raye thought to herself, she could be barking up trees while she tried to get her mind off the queasy feeling that had been bothering her all day. A feeling that had vanished, now that she thought of it.
*Raye?*
The priestess shook her head and glanced to her side. The mobile scouts were standing in a rough semicircle and were all growing restless as they waited impatiently for Luna to begin.
*Raye? Please listen.*
Raye blinked in surprise, she could have sworn-
*Pyro, would you quit ignoring me?*
Raye jerked upright in shock as a very familiar voice sounded within her mind. Her training and natural talent allowed her to immediately identify it as coming from an outside source but nothing in her experience had prepared her for it. Not even the handful of occasions during battle which it had happened.
*Hmmm, Pyro it is then. Now I need to know if you could contact me if necessary. Don’t let on to anyone about what’s going on,* the mental voice of the warrior Raye knew as the Silver Sun whispered in the Martian scout’s mind.
Raye forced herself to relax and keep her mind clear, then she tried to project her interest and agreement.
*That’s perfect Pyro, you’re very good at that. Now, I need Luna and Artemis with me and that only leaves Hota-chan who can contact us with you.*
Raye was bewildered and she made sure that the distant woman was aware of it.
*It’s complicated but you’ll understand a bit more in a bit. Now if you need my attention then just project your perception of my mental signature and I’ll hear it.*
Frustration and irritation ran across the teen’s mind quickly but not fast enough for the telepath to miss.
*I know, you need to know who I am. You can look, just remember that you can’t say anything, and I mean anything, aloud until you’re here with me.*
Raye held her agreement at the forefront of her mind and then felt Sun bring their minds closer. For the second time that day Raye felt the awesome power of the Silver Sun and this time she was free to investigate it. The priestess identified the silver pool of power that she had previously touched and realised with a touch of awe that it was still growing. She reached further into the other warrior’s soul and found the warmth and light of the sun, not surprising for someone who was the twin sister of the Solarian senshi. What was surprising was that the golden warmth of the sun was only a mask for something deeper, something that shone silver-white and radiated with the cool essence of the Moon. Sun’s amusement touched Raye as did yet another revelation that shocked Raye speechless.
*Remember Pyro you can’t tell anyone. I’ll tell Hota-chan that you know but you must not speak of it. If everything goes well then I’ll see you in a few hours and you can yell at me in person!*
Raye’s eyes were wide as the presence of Serena Tsukino faded from her mind. She looked to where Hotaru and Luna were and saw both of them meet her eyes reflectively before they both returned to what she now knew was a telepathic communion with the Silver Sun. She shook her head in disbelief; Serena, the Meatball Head, was the Silver Sun and more, she was Sailor Moon and princess Serenity. It was something that she would never have swallowed had she not seen the truth in Serena’s own mind. Or rather she would never have believed Serena to be a warrior. That the angelic Meatball Head was the princess was something that Raye had unconsciously been considering ever since they had first met. The priestess realised that she was going to have to radically reconsider her world view. She had misjudged both Serena and Travis in a major way. True, they had both encouraged the scouts’ misjudgements, but that shouldn't have succeeded as long as it had. They were after all not only fellow senshi but the royal family that the scouts were supposed to protect.
Many of her questions were answered and many more found but at least two mysteries were solved and a half-credited suspicion confirmed. The first was the unlikely relationship between the Tsukino twins and Darien. Raye had known Darien for years and had not understood the attachment that he had formed for the both of them. She not only liked the ditzy siblings but loved them, yet could not grasp how they had attracted the sober Darien. True, one of Serena’s report cards was framed and hung in Darien’s apartment but that was as much for Luna as it was for Darien. Serena was just an object of teasing for the man. The past two weeks had changed Raye’s mind on that though. She had watched as Darien had not only become friends with the deadly duo but also begun to look at Serena with the eyes of someone who had more than friendship in mind. Raye had not been able to understand it, even if she had approved, yet the revelation of a few moments before had thrown everything into perspective.
The three were inextricably linked soul to soul, and of those soul bonds the one in place between Serena and Darien was of a depth and breadth that Raye had never before imagined. If she were ever to attempt to mentally call any of the three she would have to remember that to picture one was to picture all three. Absently Raye wondered how Mina would act when she tried to feel out the soul bonds for the first time but that image paled in light of the rest of the knowledge Raye had gained. It was something that Raye had found that Serena herself didn’t know, the location of the Imperium Silver Crystal.
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Chapter 18
James sat on the couch with his nephew and niece curled up at his sides the way they had when they were little. The twins, or rather Travis, seemed to have outgrown being held in such a fashion a couple of years before - Serena never seemed to outgrow the desire to be cuddled. Yet, from the moment they saw their uncle after their return, both of them knew the devastation he had felt when he thought them lost and neither of them objected to his need to hold them close. In truth his reaction had brought home to them how near a thing it had been and so all three were reluctant to let go of each other.
“-And when I woke up I just remembered,” Serena was telling her kin softly, “I don’t know why, maybe it was because of how drained I was, or how close I came to losing you, Twib. I just woke up knowing that I was Sailor Moon.”
“It might also be that you had another surge of growth in your powers and that knocked out Luna’s blocks,” James suggested, “You spent about what? A week, a week and a half, in there?”
“Eight days and fourteen hours,” she replied and Travis craned his neck around his uncle to stare at her.
“How can you be so precise?” he asked curiously.
She shrugged in response. “I know exactly how human I was when I woke up... this morning? Well before I went into the Grounds anyway, and I know how human I am now, not much by the way, and, since Darien has begun teaching me how to heal, I was able to figure out how fast I’m becoming Sol... Lunarian. Heh,” she paused for a moment to poke her uncle in the ribs affectionately before she finished, “I guess we don’t need to have that talk after all eh, ‘Uncle Quill’?”
“Thank god!” James murmured thankfully, “Some of the ideas you had were embarrassing. Do you remember the Silver Millennium? About your mother?”
Serena shook her head in regret, murmured, “No Terran told us about it,” and the three fell into a comfortable silence again.
Travis looked thoughtful for a moment and then said, slightly surprised, “Almost entirely!” He looked up at his uncle and repeated, “I think I’m almost all Solarian... Lunarian! Ah... which am I? If Twis is the moon princess that makes me-”
“Prince Tranquillity, her twin brother. You are Lunarian but you are also the Solar Knight,” James shrugged slightly, “Call yourself either or both depending on whether you’re referring to yourself as Tranq or Sol. There’s no real difference remember?”
Darien watched contentedly from his seat on the lounge chair opposite, satisfied to simply bask in the overflow of tenderness that was radiating out from the family. He stroked Terran’s head, which lay on his knees, and listened to their conversation peacefully. After a moment of quiet he frowned and asked, “Um, Twis? Twib?”
Travis and Serena looked at their friend in confusion and James smiled in understanding. “Twis or twin sister and Twib, twin brother, are what the rabbits call each other when their alone or with us. You should feel honoured that they’re at ease enough to use those names while you’re here.” James told him and both blondes frowned at him.
“Uncle Jimmy,” Serena complained.
Travis looked at Darien. “It’s not like that at all,” he tried to explain, “It’s just that’s how we see each other’s mental signatures and so are always calling each other that telepathically. People who don’t know we’re telepathic, don’t know we call each other that. It’s that simple.”
“It’s the same as when we reach for Uncle Jimmy’s mind,” Serena added, “We always called him ‘Uncle Quill’ because we thought of him as our uncle, though we didn’t know that he really was. Uncle Jimmy is just a name he uses for Earth now. He thinks of himself as Tranquillity and as Uncle Quill in relation to us. He thinks of us as rabbits and so he’s always calling us Bunny and Hare. When I think of Travis I think of him as my Twib.”
“I’ve heard Jim call the Meatball Head Bunny a hundred times, but I’ve never heard him call you Hare, Travis,” Darien objected.
Travis smiled wryly. “That because he knows what I’d do to him if he ever used it where anyone could overhear. Twis could get away with being named after a hopping ball of fluff, I couldn’t. It’s really only a mental name though, if he wants to reach out to me he does so using ‘Hare’ as the signature he searches for.”
“But Serena’s been talking in my mind during battle when she didn’t know who I was,” Darien objected.
“She was using the telepathic equivalent of a megaphone, everyone within ‘hearing’ distance picked up what she had to tell you,” James explained, “True telepathic communication is a lot more subtle. I guess it’s a little like using a phone, you need a number to ring, or in our case a name or mental signature which is a combination of how you see that person and how they see themself, which is unique to the person you’re trying to contact. That mental signature is even more important when you want to form a link with someone who is not a telepath themself. They can use your mental signature to catch your attention so that you know to form the link. If you’re the one wanting to make contact then you need their mental signature just to find them in the ocean of minds on Earth since they won’t ‘shine’ like a telepath would and that makes them very difficult to find.”
“Especially since there are six billion non-telepaths and only four active telepaths on Earth at the moment-” Travis started and Serena interrupted.
“You’ve forgotten Areyn’s people,” she told him.
“No I haven’t, I’m not counting them because they’re not human and so can’t talk to us-”
“They can so! You just can’t hear them!”
“You can, but you’re different, heck, you can talk to ducks so sending to Areyn and co should be easy, they’re intelligent.”
“Luna can as well,” she reminded him.
James leaned back in complete contentment and Darien knew that the argument reassured him that they were well more than any conscious messages on their part.
“Luna’s a cat, she’s not human-”
“Neither are the three of us if you want to get technical-”
The conversation was cut short when Terran lifted his head from Darien’s knee and looked at them all regretfully. “I’m sorry to cut your time short,” he apologised to the gathered group, “But I think that we have to start planning. Bunny, you said you think you might know how the Negaverse is tracking us, it’s time to spill. Besides I think Luna and Amon might be anxious to know that you’re both alive.”
“Omigosh!” Serena exclaimed in horror, “They must be feeling horrible!”
James slapped his own forehead in consternation. “I’ll call Amon back now, you call Luna, Bunny, and she can tell the scouts that Darien’s OK as well-”
“Wait Uncle,” Serena said and her face showed fierce concentration, “It might help us if the scouts aren’t told yet.”
“I don’t understand,” Darien said leaning forward.
Serena looked at him intently and his eyes widened when he realised that she was no longer hiding behind the facade of the Meatball Head. She, Serena Tsukino, was princess Serenity and it was her scouts, not his, that they were talking about. Knowing that she was the Silver Sun and Sailor Moon had not prepared him for the determination she exhibited. The Silver Sun was reserved and Sailor Moon was outgoing but not assertive yet at that moment Serena was a leader and it showed. Darien glanced quickly at her uncle and saw the expression of satisfied approval on his face. Travis’ was quickly changing from surprise to understanding as he realised why their uncle had tried so hard to force her into a role of responsibility.
“If the scouts don’t know anything then the Negaverse can’t use them to find information,” Serena told him shrugging and Darien realised that she knew what had gone through all of their minds in the last couple of minutes and was uncomfortable with it. “We’ve got Malachite and Zoisite and Beryl’s not going to take that lying down, there’ll be another attack within hours and we need to have neutralised their information source before then.”
“So what are you planning?” James asked.
“I have a couple of ideas but we’re going to have to get a lot of information from your prisoners... and we’re going to need both Luna and Artemis’ help.”
“Both of them?” Darien questioned uncertainly, “That’ll leave the scouts without anyone to give the orders.”
“Hotaru-” Travis started and Darien shook his head.
“They respect her but they won’t follow her. She’s a soldier not a leader and she knows it too.”
“Then Mina’s going to have to take up her old role again,” Serena told him.
“Why Mina?” Darien asked.
It was James who answered. “It used to be Venus who lead the inner scouts and when it was believed that there was no new moon senshi, she was trained to be my successor.”
“With Hota-chan’s aid she can get them ready to join us when we’ve done what we have too,” Serena finished.
*****
Luna watched as the five girls filed into the room and made themselves comfortable around Hotaru’s bed. Amy was up at last and, although she was limping, she was almost as good as new. Hotaru, on the other hand, had not recovered as quick as her friends had hoped and Luna thought it was as if the knowledge of the deaths of the twins and Darien had leeched her of her zest for life. The teen’s depression wasn’t a surprise to the Guardian as she was fighting her own battle against despair. Luna had loved the twins and Darien but so had Hotaru. While Darien was not especially close to her, Serena had been the other girl’s best friend and she and Travis had had a steadily blooming relationship that had been a delight to watch unfold.
Luna was held in Hotaru’s arms and Artemis sat close by their side as he had ever since Luna had told him what had happened. He had walked in on Luna and Hotaru weeping and they had told him everything, from the facts they had been hiding to the events which had occurred. The black Guardian was well aware that he still had many questions that he wished to ask her but he would wait and she was grateful of the support he offered. Now she had to tell the scouts of what had happened when all she wanted was to curl up and cry some more.
Luna opened her mouth to begin when a presence she had never though to feel again reached out and contacted her. Hotaru stiffened, revealing that she too felt the telepathic touch and then both of them were drawn into the mental rapport.
*Luna, Hota-chan!* came the clear and affectionate mind voice of Serena Tsukino.
Travis’ own contribution was not far behind. *Luna, Hota-love, we’re back!*
*Serena!* Luna screamed silently while Hotaru was too stunned to answer.
Serena’s love and reassurance flowed to both minds as did a sense of urgency. *We’re all fine, Darien’s with us... oh and Luna I’m a little miffed that you never told me that I was Sailor Moon-*
*Twis get a move on!* Travis interrupted his sister’s thoughts, *We don’t have much time.*
*I know Twib. Now Luna, Hota-chan, listen. Luna, you and Artemis need to get here as fast as you can. Uncle Tranq’ll teleport you as soon as you’re ready. Hota-chan you’ve gotta get all of the scouts ready for the move.*
A feeling of shocked inadequacy and denial came from the girl and both Serena and Travis send another wave of reassurance.
*Don’t worry Hota-chan, Luna’s going to put Mina in command and you make sure she does what needs to be done. We know the hows and whys of the Negaverse and as soon as we’ve taken care of the problem, we need to go into siege mode. One way or another this whole blasted war is going to be over within a week!* Serena’s mental tone was grim as was the undercurrents of Travis’.
*Hota-love you can’t let any of the scouts go off alone. If they need to fetch stuff then they have to go in groups-*
*You might be able to split up into two, inners and outers,* Serena suggested.
Hotaru’s thoughts floated in the ether and all three telepaths in the link picked them up.
*Raye should be able to contact me, give me a couple of seconds to confirm it-*
*****
Raye watched the blank expressions on both Luna and Hotaru’s faces thoughtfully. It seemed to her that that particular expression seemed to be very widespread of late for not only could she find it on their faces regularly but also on Serena or Travis’, not that it was unusual for the Tsukino twins to space out. The peculiarity that had caught her interest in this case was Artemis’ reaction. The white Guardian had also noticed his partner’s lack of attention and seemed a lot more interested in it that he should have been. Of course, Raye thought to herself, she could be barking up trees while she tried to get her mind off the queasy feeling that had been bothering her all day. A feeling that had vanished, now that she thought of it.
*Raye?*
The priestess shook her head and glanced to her side. The mobile scouts were standing in a rough semicircle and were all growing restless as they waited impatiently for Luna to begin.
*Raye? Please listen.*
Raye blinked in surprise, she could have sworn-
*Pyro, would you quit ignoring me?*
Raye jerked upright in shock as a very familiar voice sounded within her mind. Her training and natural talent allowed her to immediately identify it as coming from an outside source but nothing in her experience had prepared her for it. Not even the handful of occasions during battle which it had happened.
*Hmmm, Pyro it is then. Now I need to know if you could contact me if necessary. Don’t let on to anyone about what’s going on,* the mental voice of the warrior Raye knew as the Silver Sun whispered in the Martian scout’s mind.
Raye forced herself to relax and keep her mind clear, then she tried to project her interest and agreement.
*That’s perfect Pyro, you’re very good at that. Now, I need Luna and Artemis with me and that only leaves Hota-chan who can contact us with you.*
Raye was bewildered and she made sure that the distant woman was aware of it.
*It’s complicated but you’ll understand a bit more in a bit. Now if you need my attention then just project your perception of my mental signature and I’ll hear it.*
Frustration and irritation ran across the teen’s mind quickly but not fast enough for the telepath to miss.
*I know, you need to know who I am. You can look, just remember that you can’t say anything, and I mean anything, aloud until you’re here with me.*
Raye held her agreement at the forefront of her mind and then felt Sun bring their minds closer. For the second time that day Raye felt the awesome power of the Silver Sun and this time she was free to investigate it. The priestess identified the silver pool of power that she had previously touched and realised with a touch of awe that it was still growing. She reached further into the other warrior’s soul and found the warmth and light of the sun, not surprising for someone who was the twin sister of the Solarian senshi. What was surprising was that the golden warmth of the sun was only a mask for something deeper, something that shone silver-white and radiated with the cool essence of the Moon. Sun’s amusement touched Raye as did yet another revelation that shocked Raye speechless.
*Remember Pyro you can’t tell anyone. I’ll tell Hota-chan that you know but you must not speak of it. If everything goes well then I’ll see you in a few hours and you can yell at me in person!*
Raye’s eyes were wide as the presence of Serena Tsukino faded from her mind. She looked to where Hotaru and Luna were and saw both of them meet her eyes reflectively before they both returned to what she now knew was a telepathic communion with the Silver Sun. She shook her head in disbelief; Serena, the Meatball Head, was the Silver Sun and more, she was Sailor Moon and princess Serenity. It was something that she would never have swallowed had she not seen the truth in Serena’s own mind. Or rather she would never have believed Serena to be a warrior. That the angelic Meatball Head was the princess was something that Raye had unconsciously been considering ever since they had first met. The priestess realised that she was going to have to radically reconsider her world view. She had misjudged both Serena and Travis in a major way. True, they had both encouraged the scouts’ misjudgements, but that shouldn't have succeeded as long as it had. They were after all not only fellow senshi but the royal family that the scouts were supposed to protect.
Many of her questions were answered and many more found but at least two mysteries were solved and a half-credited suspicion confirmed. The first was the unlikely relationship between the Tsukino twins and Darien. Raye had known Darien for years and had not understood the attachment that he had formed for the both of them. She not only liked the ditzy siblings but loved them, yet could not grasp how they had attracted the sober Darien. True, one of Serena’s report cards was framed and hung in Darien’s apartment but that was as much for Luna as it was for Darien. Serena was just an object of teasing for the man. The past two weeks had changed Raye’s mind on that though. She had watched as Darien had not only become friends with the deadly duo but also begun to look at Serena with the eyes of someone who had more than friendship in mind. Raye had not been able to understand it, even if she had approved, yet the revelation of a few moments before had thrown everything into perspective.
The three were inextricably linked soul to soul, and of those soul bonds the one in place between Serena and Darien was of a depth and breadth that Raye had never before imagined. If she were ever to attempt to mentally call any of the three she would have to remember that to picture one was to picture all three. Absently Raye wondered how Mina would act when she tried to feel out the soul bonds for the first time but that image paled in light of the rest of the knowledge Raye had gained. It was something that Raye had found that Serena herself didn’t know, the location of the Imperium Silver Crystal.
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