But there is no life on Earth.

[waterfell]

Near the north pole of planet Mercury, there are signs of life, all enclosed in a thin, transparent dome that still allows a clear view of the heavens. Inside, the air is clean and breathable, and even stirs itself in artificial breezes.

The entire city is a mass of blue crystal, luminous with the glow of thousands of solar trees both within and without, their blue cels attached to silvery branches and trunks. It makes a striking contrast, and the structures provide the city's energy, veritable solar power farms, bustling and thriving like the city itself. . Everywhere, the roads lead inward towards a palace, attention drawn to it by its height, taller than any nearby building.

The lush sound of splashing water comes from a clear, ornamental pool in the entryway. Tropical fish swim contentedly there, glimmers of golden koi amid and around the stems of water lilies. There is greenery, too, and flowers provide a seasoning of color. Overhead, the ceiling is dizzyingly high, adding to the sense of open space.

Seated at the edge of the pool, dressed in an elegant gown and with the sigil of her planet showing proudly on her forehead, is the Princess Mercury, now queen of her reborn kingdom. She plays a simple, longing melody on the harp she holds in her lap.

Comments

[one_one_se7en]

"We all do."

He remembers telling Halsey that everyone makes their own luck. But even he knows external luck does play a lot on people's fates.

For all the fortune that has kept him alive... He knows it is not the same for everyone. May not be the same for everyone.

"How have things gone in your world?"

[waterfell]

"They've led to this." It's a somewhat cryptic answer; there are things here to be glad for, the fulfillment of deeply held wishes, but there is also the coldness, the starkness, the barren hush. But each choice, each consequence, in between is what marked out this path.

[one_one_se7en]

His head jolts towards her. Did she refer to this dream world, or her true one?

He remembers the princess... And the other senshi he met, along with the tales of both Nehelenia and Galaxia.

"What do you mean?"

[waterfell]

"This is the fate of my world, since my wish to revive the Mercury Kingdom." She does not shrink from whatever blame he might attach, or excuse herself or explain further. There is no need. This is the result of her desires - good and ill.

[one_one_se7en]

"At the cost of Earth."

They're involuntary words -- Either because of Ami's hatred of the Princess, or the sacrificed planet being the one the Master Chief swore to protect.

"You know better than the threats to it."

While his visor looks for her for a moment, his sight turns back down. This was only a dream. The consequences of Mercury's wishes would only be felt in here.

[waterfell]

Is he accusing her? Her eyes narrow slightly. She has no need to justify herself to him, and yet...

"That was not my doing." Nor had it been her wish.

[one_one_se7en]

He stays silent, partly berating himself for the words, and for recalling the cataclysms that doomed this Earth... This dream's Earth.

Sometimes, the things they wish for the most have higher prices than anyone would ever expect.

"There's some that are still out there in some worlds."

[waterfell]

"Let them come," Mercury says simply, still prideful. "We'll defend what's ours." She no longer says, what I love, but the things important to her are things she won't let go of easily.

[one_one_se7en]

A lot of worlds did, he thinks. While he didn't understand why Halsey wanted Spartans at Onyx during the battle of Earth, there are always other ways to defend what's theirs.

However, to not know of what may someday find their worlds would be far worse.

"Do you know of Galaxia?"

[waterfell]

Her eyes narrow, though she isn't quite looking at John; the gesture is meant for the topic, and the person of the so-called golden queen.

"I know her name," she says simply. "And her ambition."

[one_one_se7en]

He breathes. While the sigh is inaudible, there is already worry. Ami knows of the threat to her world. Her universe.

"She destroyed the Galaxy in another world." A warning of the things she'll face. "It all started when she faced a clump of Chaos. When she couldn't beat it, she sealed it inside of her, but after that... She started her rampage. Looking for star seeds."

"She had a lot of senshi under her hand. Under her threats. Her command."

[waterfell]

Something chills her deep enough to be the feeling of a nightmare. They've faced threats before, and another one...

They'll face it, too. They'll fight, as they always have. They'll defend what they've won. There's just one more thing she wants from John.

"How was she defeated?" After all, if there are people to tell of it, there are people who survived. And under Galaxia's rule, no one would.

[one_one_se7en]

He remembers Captain Keyes' lesson. Winning wasn't always the most important thing. Sometimes the only winning move was not to play.

"Sailor Moon." Even if it is from an old enemy... Or a deceased one. "She blasted the Chaos out of Galaxia. She cured her."

John had to fight beside the very commander that burned his home.

[waterfell]

It's the worst answer to the question, and for a moment she might almost be ready to turn on John for giving it.

Then she turns away abruptly instead. "Even if she existed, we don't have any need of her."

[one_one_se7en]

His sight remains on the environment in front of him. He wishes he could agree with Ami.

"I hope you're right." It was a being that annihilated a Galaxy. For all she thought of Mercury, she would need help. "The chaos wasn't destroyed when it happened, but it wasn't the huge clump it used to be. Galaxia rebuilt what she tore apart. But it took a lot of lives before it could happen."

A long, long time ago, there was a senshi of Mercury, who died, and was reborn as Mizuno Ami.

That Mizuno Ami died. When she was fourteen. In the line of duty. With her comrades in arms.

His fingers tighten with the memory of her words.

"She killed you."

[waterfell]

No. She's already decided that much. If Galaxia causes this, Galaxia will lose her life. There will be true justice, not the foolishness of hope or trust.

Then it occurs to her, and sharp suspicion settles in. There are only a handful of people in any world who could have known these things.

"How do you know all this?" The friend of her enemy is not her friend.

[one_one_se7en]

He recalls the years he spent thinking of Ami after they parted ways, and his encounter with the young girl.

Innocent. Naive. But also brilliant, brave, and compassionate. The traits he had always seen in her.

"It was a version of you."

[waterfell]

Of her. Her other self, the one they call out to because none of them ever wanted her in the first place, but only the soldier they could use. It's enough to distract her from the question of Galaxia.

"I don't need any words from her." Her voice is curt, and closed. There's a chill in the air suddenly, as if in response to her mood.

[one_one_se7en]

"It's intel."

He simply mutters... But he senses the chill in the air. The difference in her tone.

Suddenly, he feels as if the heads of ONI had interrogated him.

[waterfell]

It's such a simple reminder that it almost works, calling out to the part of her that's rational and methodical, and that will use any tool - even a distasteful one - for her purposes.

But it stings, in a way she can never admit, to think of someone she thought of as someone who wanted to be with her, wanting to be with her enemy instead.

In the end, 'intel' wins.

"Then go on." And, in a tiny rush of spite, "You'd better have enough to make it worth hearing."

[one_one_se7en]

His helmet turns slowly towards her, visor staring down at her, sensing the poison in her words.

"Galaxia was the most powerful senshi. She saw the Solar System as important. She beat the senshi even when they were together."

It's a warning. To try telling her what's more important. But he knows there is something truly off with what he told her.

Spiteful.

[waterfell]

"I surpassed the sailor senshi long ago. And they were never together to begin with!" She needs calm to think, but every word seems to erase the calm until she's threatened to be disturbed right out of the dream itself.

No. She can put it aside, take what she needs, and then - then - forget, erase, move away from any sting or barb.

"If Galaxia sets her sights on Earth, she'll find it has more powerful protectors than the sailor senshi she was hoping for."

[one_one_se7en]

"Power is not the only way to win." He warns her. For their enemies, it is -- For Spartans, it's never just physical power.

"She destroyed thousands of planets before it. She's going to have a lot of senshi under her command... If she doesn't come for you."

There is anger -- and worry. In his eyes, Ami is underestimating Galaxia.

Out of pride.

[waterfell]

Pride, and injured feelings she can't acknowledge. Mercury clings to the one constant she's had for the past years: that power.

"It's served me better than them until now," she reminds John coldly. "I tore them down with my own hands."

[one_one_se7en]

"They couldn't kill Galaxia." His visor glares at her. "You're facing something different. It took Sailor Moon to stop her. If you keep clinging to power like that, she'll only brush you away as she goes on to Earth."