ONLY LOVE CAN CONQUER HATE
By SailorJane & Anonymous
CHAPTER 28
Outside the abandoned building, where the shoot-out had taken place, Roman soldiers lied defeated. There was still a cloud of dust and smoke magnifying the hot yellow sun. The mighty Sailor Jupiter had proven victorious and beaten her enemies, many burned from electrocution. Unfortunately, she too lied motionless outside the building, wounded from gunshot. It was quiet. The battle between Tiberius and Drusus in the distance could not be heard nor seen.
The only sound that echoed throughout the desert was the ringing of Amy’s phone. Of course, Jupiter did not react to the sound.
In the distance, dust picked up and a hazy figure materialized through the horizon. The sound of engines eventually revealed it to be a motorcycle, a big Harley. But the vehicle was not driven by some muscular Biker, or Hells Angel, or Terminator; it was a young girl in a Sailor Uniform and black hair.
Sailor Saturn immediately got off the bike and ran towards the source of the ringing phone. She found the scout of thunder lying in the desert. Hotaru dropped the phone she had dialed to find their location and immediately slid down on her knees next to Jupiter:
“Lita?” She shouted, hoping her friend would respond.
There was no response.
Hotaru turned Lita onto her back. She had been shot several times. Two only grazed her, but one bullet had seeped into her chest, much like Sailor Pluto had been wounded back at the comic-con.
She looked out to distance, and shouted, “Amy!”
No Answer.
“Raye?!”
Still no answer.
“MINA!!!” The last shout for Sailor Venus was so emotionally crippling, it sounded like her voice was going to crack into a million pieces.
There was still no answer. There was nothing in the distance to suggest that her fellow scouts were anywhere close.
Sailor Saturn shuttered looking down to her fallen friend. The sun was hot, but she felt cold as she had when her parents were attacked. Hotaru understandably hesitated looking at her lover like this. With all the blood-shed and intensity she had been dealing with in the past week or so, the soldier had almost become desensitized to it. She was still frightened to lose another one of her loved ones. But rather than weep or freak-out, the strong, composed Sailor Saturn looked up to the beating sun and took a long hard breath. She hadn’t forgotten what Sailor Jupiter had told her about being a healer. The image of Sailor Pluto being wounded outside the Comic-con mirrored Jupiter’s body before her. Back then, she had Mercury’s help and Lita’s strong arms on her shoulders to help guide her power.
She was on her own.
Sailor Saturn looked down at the wound without speaking so much as a peep. Her steady hands slowly made their way for Jupiter’s chest, hovering over the wound. Channeling the power of Saturn as she closed her eyes, the Saturnian waited, mediated. She focused her power.
The scene was silent, like that of a photograph.
Soon, a light of energy emerged from Hotaru’s hands. The light shined as bright as the sun. Within only a few seconds of the light’s energy, Sailor Jupiter let out a heavy breath and came back into consciousness. The brunette’s eyes looked like they were about to escape their sockets. Electricity began to accumulate in her hands.
Hotaru let out a deep sigh of relief, but she didn’t stop the healing process. Lita began to calm down, though her closed eyes and clenched teeth revealed her pain. Her hands began to shake coming closer to her wounded chest. They met with Hotaru’s gloved fingers.
“Take it easy Lita,” Hotaru spoke softly. She briefly considered stopping the healing process and kissing her tall lover, but she controlled her impulses: “You’re hurt bad, but I’m here.”
Lita struggled to raise her head up and look at her lover. She simply grasped her healing hands instead.
“You’d said I’d be the one to save you,” The young girl reminded her, “You didn’t contact me, so I came-“
“Sailor Venus!” Jupiter said in a commanding tone, shooting her eyes open. She tried to push herself up, but only recoiled in pain again.
“Easy,” Hotaru touched her girlfriend’s head, “It’s gonna take a little while to heal this gun-wound. And this weather isn’t helping much.” She looked up, cursing the hot sun in her mind. However, the light of her healing magic didn’t dissipate.
“Venus got shot,” Jupiter painfully explained. Saturn’s eyes widened. “Mars and Mercury escaped with her-“ She let out a painful scream feeling Saturn’s energy removing the bullet from her body.
Sailor Saturn was concerned. She looked off into the distance again. “Do you know which direction they went?”
Jupiter shook her head.
“Let’s get you healed first and then we’ll find them. I got wheels.”
Jupiter did manage to look off and see Hotaru’s motorcycle. Suddenly, she was talking like her old self, “Where the hell did you pick that up?”
Saturn tilted her head in an innocent fashion, “It belongs to that Eustace guy.”
Lita laughed, “You didn’t take in out in trade did you?”
Hotaru looked at her friend and chuckled, “No he was kind enough to let me borrow it… especially with my glaive in his face.”
“That’s my girl!” Lita smiled.
Drusus and Tiberius continued to wage war with their swords, dark energy igniting from the weapons. Both brothers were skilled in sword-fighting, although it seemed like Tiberius may have had a slight edge over his brother. Tiberius’ blows were fast and precise. Drusus was able to evade and block his brother’s moves. At one point, the taller Roman used his free hand to smack his wicked opponent in the face. Recoiling in pain, Tiberius still kept his guard up.
Amy had now resorted to slapping her girlfriend in the face to get her to wake up. She was beginning to shake off her injuries, though she still couldn’t move much. Occasionally, the blue-haired soldier looked back to the sword fight.
Whirling his sword around like a tornado, Tiberius slowly moved towards his brother. Drusus was cautious. Soon enough, Tiberius’ sword began to emit bolts of energy towards the taller opponent. Mercury’s Roman ally was able to deflect the jolting energy with his sword. Each jolt, one after another, bounced away. Drusus managed to deflect one bolt back at his attacker, but it did not cut through. Before the twirling instrument of death could hit Drusus in the chest, he sommorsalted down and attempted to slice his brother from the legs. But Tiberius was quick, he jumped far about the knife and landed at a fighter’s stance.
As soon as Drusus got up to attack, Tiberius swung his sword so powerfully, that he knocked his brother’s sword clear out of his hands, flying away from him. It ended up landing right next to Sailor Mercury. She looked away from her princess to examine the sword closer.
Meanwhile, Drusus was now powerless against his brother. He backed away, never keeping his eye off his opponent. Tiberius, with venom in his eyes, and his teeth in a grinding position, held his sword out for a mortal blow. He moved in between the fallen Sailor Senshi and his brother. The taller Roman looked beyond his attacker to the female soldier eyeing his lost weapon. She was trying to reach for it. Finally, a blast of negative energy ignited from Tiberius’ blade and enveloped Drusus. He yelled in pain and fell to his back. As soon as the shock of the move wore off, Drusus tried to shake off his pain. His vision of the bright yellow sun was interrupted as Tiberius stood over him.
Without wasting anytime, Tiberius quickly plunged his sword into Drusus’s chest. The sword was ignited with dark light.
The Roman brother did not yell in pain. He was silent as he felt the sword tear apart his insides. His mouth began to seep with blood. So this is how it ends, Drusus thought. His life, from the old days of Rome to his final battle to protect the female soldiers, flashed before his eyes.
Sailor Mercury’s eyes opened in shock. Their one hope for survival was gone. However, Mercury’s line of sight was still occupied by Drusus’ sword, lying not far from her. She looked back at Sailor Moon, and back at the sword.
Tiberius removed his sword and stood over his brother. Sheer disbelief. This man, who had grown up with, had died at his hand. The blond-haired Roman shook with grief. He threw his sword down to the ground in anger:
“DAMN YOU DRUSUS!” He shouted. Drusus simply stared up at his brother silently. “Damn you, you… you traitorous dog!”
Mercury grabbed the sword, and painfully tried to push herself up without much noise. She was basically crawling her way towards Tiberius.
“Had you stood there with Livia and I, this never would have happened. None of this would have come to pass!” He hesitated staring his wounded brother in the eyes. Drusus was shaking, his skin was white as a ghost. “Why Drusus?!”
Now finally on her own two feet, though hunching considerably, Amy held the sword up, Samurai style, and quietly inched her way towards Tiberius. Drusus eventually looked past his brother and saw the soldier coming towards them.
“And to think that you died,” Tiberius continued, “For NOTHING! This entire land will be covered in the Lunar princess’ blood!”
“Covered in your blood motherfucker!”
Tiberius turned to see Sailor Mercury holding up Drusus’ sword. He instinctively put his arm out, but his sword was on the ground. Before he had time to react, Sailor Mercury slashed Drusus’ sword across Tiberius’ chest leaving a huge burning red scar. The enemy roman screamed at the top of his lungs. Nearly collapsing to the dusty ground, he stumbled away from his attacker holding his wounded chest.
Amy now stood tall ready to plunge the sword into Tiberius’ heart, avenging the hearts of all her fallen senshi. Just as she plunged the sword towards him, Tiberius waved his arm. In a cloud of dust, his body disappeared. Amy was now pointing her sword into thin-air.
“No!” She shouted as she pulled her sword close to her; defending herself incase Tiberius should attack again. It didn’t seem logical for Tiberius to attack, wounded the way he was; but Amy didn’t take anything for granted. She did a full 360 degree turn searching for the asshole. Her eyes scanned the ground below her, and even looked up in the sky. Amy nearly lost balance; she was still wounded and without power. Where had Tiberius gone? She had him! “God-damned Coward!” Her screaming words echoed throughout the desert, seeming to make their way towards the mountains. Amy closed her eyes and sighed in disappointment, but she had won the battle. Her princess was safe. Speaking of which…
“Amy?”
The scout of water opened her eyes. That voice, that heavenly voice that spoke her name so melodiously that she no longer felt any pain… She recognized that voice anywhere. The battered scout turned around to see Sailor Moon pushing herself up from the dust.
“Serena!” Mercury dropped the sword and ran towards her girlfriend. She was limping badly, but she didn’t care. As the bluenette inched closer, she could see her lover’s beautiful eyes look up towards her. She practically slid down and grabbed hold of her. “Oh thank The Moon!” Amy was overcome by emotion as she held onto her precious Sailor Moon, both dropped to their knees. The princess looked like she was awaking from a coma. She looked her in the eye, “Are you all right?”
“Amy,” Serena’s voice sounded tired, “I knew you’d come.”
The sound of the Lunar Princess’ voice sent shivers down the Mercurian’s spine. With their arms wrapped around eachother, Amy kissed Serena deeply. The scout of wisdom could barely remember the last time she felt the soft touch of her girlfriend’s lips. Of course, it was the night before, but that now seemed so long ago.
Serena broke the embrace trying to examine Amy’s wounds: “Amy you’re hurt.”
“Don’t let go of me!” Amy pleaded.
“Okay okay,” Right away, Amy felt Serena’s arms around her again.
“I’m never letting you out of my sight again!” Amy sighed. “I love you.”
“I love you too,” Serena replied, “But let me look at your wounds.”
Amy reluctantly dropped her arms and allowed her girlfriend to feel her wounded chest. Her wounds were not fatal, but they were enough to worry her. “What happened to you?” With a spark of light, Sailor Moon’s wand appeared in her hands. The Mercurian could feel Sailor Moon performing therapy on her, though it wouldn’t completely heal her.
Mercury suddenly realized that there were others who needed healing much more than she: “Wait… Drusus,” Amy wasn’t speaking coherently.
“Drusus?” Sailor Moon repeated. What was she talking about?
Mercury pushed herself back up, but she let out a painful moan, falling back to the ground.
“Amy!” Sailor Moon rose up and held onto her girlfriend.
“I’m fine,” Mercury insisted, “But Drusus is not.”
“Drusus?” Sailor Moon remembered the name of Tiberius’ brother.
She pointed towards the wounded Roman lying a few yards away. “He’s over there.”
“Okay,” Sailor Moon held onto Mercury and walked her over. Amy knew there wasn’t much that could be done. Her powers were still non-existent, and Sailor Moon’s wand wouldn’t be enough to save him; much less Mina and Raye.
Mercury looked around. She knew exactly where the scouts of Mars and Venus lied, but there was no one in that direction. Where had they gone? They seemed to have disappeared. Or was Amy’s memory slipping? Affected by the heat or her injuries? They couldn’t find the bodies of the outer-scouts when their home exploded. Could that have anything to do with their disappearance?
As they slowly walked towards Tiberius, Sailor Moon repeated, “What happened exactly?”
“Tiberius,” Amy sighed heavily, “I had him, but he disappeared. Must have been when you woke up. If it weren’t for Drusus, you would have-“
Mercury stopped when she came To Drusus. His eyes were open, his body shook, his face was pale, but he was still alive. The Sailor Scout of water dropped down to his side. She examined his wound. It seemed like Tiberius’ sword had done more to his inside than any normal sword could have possible done. No medical attention could save his life.
“Can you heal him?” Sailor Moon put her arms on Amy’s shoulders.
“I have no power,” The weak Mercurian confessed.
Sailor Moon looked at her wand, pondering the Silver crystal.
Drusus managed to speak coherently, if not very softly, “It wouldn’t matter.” Speaking brought him pain but he continued. “My brother’s magic,” He grinded his teeth and closed his eyes, feeling his dying breath imminent. Mercury grabbed his hand. He managed to calm down and open his eyes, “Not even your magic can save me now. But-” He smiled, “At least I can die knowing it wasn’t in vain.”
“You saved our lives.” She looked back to her lover. “You saved her life.”
Drusus let go of Mercury’s hand and held it out, “My sword…”
Sailor Moon looked back and found two swords lying on the ground. Mercury turned her head but stayed to comfort their savior as the Princess grabbed both swords. She presented them to the dying Roman. They looked similar.
“The one on your right,” Drusus began slowly. Sailor Moon prepared to hand the sword in her right hand to him, until Drusus explained, “Is my brother’s sword.” Sailor Moon withdrew it. “Amy,” He looked in her eyes, “Its power will become yours. Wield it, with light magic, it will…” Drusus sounded like he was choking, but he continued, “It will take you to his lair.” Mercury looked at the sword in question.
Drusus held his hand out beckoning for his own sword. Sailor Moon handed it to him. He grabbed the handle as tightly as he could and brought it to his chest, to die as a Roman soldier. Sailor Moon and Mercury saluted him.
“You may,” Tiberius stammered out his last breath, “You may be able to… save…” He said nothing else. With his dying breath, Drusus’ body stopped shaking. He was gone.
Sailor Mercury closed her eyes. No matter how many times she had experienced a death, it was never easy. Sailor Moon picked her up and held her. The man had sacrificed himself to save the woman she loved. The two soldiers of the Moon looked down at Drusus. Indeed, it was the spitting image of a dying hero.
“I can’t believe,” Sailor Moon looked angry, “That monster killed his own brother.”
It’s worse than that, Mercury thought.
“Amy,” Sailor Moon asked, “Where’s everyone else?”
She closed her eyes and dropped her head into Sailor Moon’s soldier.
“No!” Sailor Moon realized what this meant. She tilted her head back and felt tears gathering in her eyes. There was a long silence as Sailor Moon and Mercury held each other. “Tell me…”
“Well,” Mercury explained, “Hotaru is safe, as far as I know. She stayed behind. But Mina was shot in the chest.” Sailor Moon’s eyes widened. Mercury began to feel tears in her own eyes, “I couldn’t save her. Lita sacrificed herself so we could escape.” Mercury felt guilty about her former girlfriend. “Raye was attacked by Tiberius.”
Hesitating with a heavy sigh, Sailor Moon looked around the long stretch of desert. “Where are they now?”
“Mars and Venus fell somewhere around here,” Mercury testified. She pointed to her left, “They were that way, but I don’t see them.”
Sailor Moon looked in the direction Amy was pointing but there was no one around. She began to cry heavily, “They were going to get married.”
“It’s just you and me now Serena,” Sailor Mercury hugged her. “For all our friends, for Drusus, and in the name of the Moon” Amy’s eyes turned violent, “Tiberius will be stopped once and for all.”
Amy tried to stand tall but she quickly fell limp again.
“Amy,” Sailor Moon caught her, “You’re still hurt.”
“Wait,” Amy asked, “Let me have the sword?” She held out her gloved hand.
The Lunar Princess silently handed her girlfriend Tiberius’ sword. Amy could feel a surge of negative energy.
“Will the Silver Crystal help?” Sailor Moon held out her wand.
Mercury pulled out her computer. Her goggles appeared over her eyes. A quick examination and Mercury nodded her head, “Affirmative.”
Sailor Moon was happy to hear her girlfriend use big words again. She held her wand against the sword. A surge of light ignited Tiberius’ sword. Mercury held the instrument up and felt a surge of magic envelop her body. Her legs began to drift up from the ground. Power and strength reanimated her. She felt her wounds healing up. As soon as her feet were back on the ground, in a strong fighting stance, she reached her sword and free hand out in front of her and yielded a powerful beam of ice and water. Her powers were back. Her uniform was no longer soiled in dirt.
“Should we go find Saturn first?” Sailor Moon looked around.
Mercury knew it would take too long to walk back the way they came, and her instincts told her that Tiberius needed to be confronted right away. He was most likely weak from Mercury’s attack: “No!” Sailor Mercury said with a strength and low timbre Sailor Moon had never really heard from her girlfriend, “I’m going to face Tiberius now!”
The Mercurian felt the soft touch of her lover’s gloved hand in her’s: “I’m with you.”
Sailor Mercury looked into Sailor Moon’s eyes. She considered leaving her behind, fearing it would be too dangerous, but then the blunette realized the safest place was by her side. They couldn’t be separated again. The two lovers kissed each other one more time. And then Sailor Mercury held her sword out.
“What do you remember,” Amy asked “When Tiberius captured you?”
“It’s kind of a blur,” Sailor Moon confessed, “Like I was asleep the whole time. I think I was in some cave.”
“Well then,” Sailor Mercury declared, “To the cave!”
The sword glowed with power. While holding onto Sailor Moon, Mercury and her were lifted off the ground. Dust began to gather below their feet. Suddenly, like a gun going off. Mercury and Moon shot into the air towards the mountains.
In the distance, Sailor Saturn stopped the motorcycle. Sailor Jupiter was holding onto her. They could both see a large puff of smoke and a powerful light of energy racing towards the mountains leaving a trail.
“What the hell is that?” Jupiter asked.
“I’m not sure,” Saturn confessed. She had a pretty good feeling it was their fellow soldiers. “But we’re about to find out!”
Sailor Saturn revved the accelerator and took her feet off the ground, but the bike didn’t move. Jupiter placed her legs down on the ground to avoid falling.
“Whoa!” She said, “Clutch, clutch!”
“Sorry,” Hotaru whimpered putting her feet down as well, “I guess I’m not as good on this thing as Amara.”
“Few are,” Lita reminded her, “You don’t want me to drive?”
“I’m fine,” Hotaru assured her.
She took a deep breath, clenched the clutch, put the bike in gear, and accelerated like the wind.