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Diamohns are Forever	By : SailorSol Category: Sailor Moon > General Views: 22490 -:- Recommendations : 0 -:- Currently Reading : 0
Disclaimer: I do not own Sailor Moon, nor any of the characters from it. I do not make any money from the writing of this story.

Chapter List
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JANUS

Rei quietly led Ami and Hotaru through the paths of Hikawa Temple. The three of them had come in response to a phone call from Rei�s grandfather. He claimed that the beautiful man who had attacked him several years before was at the shrine, taking pictures of the red lotus flowers that grew only there. Hoping beyond hope, the three of them had come to confront him.

The three women came around a bend in the path and the pool where the lotuses grew lay before them. Kneeling next to the pool, focusing a camera on one perfect blossom, was the man they were seeking.

�It certainly looks like him,� Ami whispered.

�I can feel the Negaverse energy from here,� Rei agreed. �I�m sorry, Ami. It looks like its Zoisite after all, not Kishi Janus.�

�But what is he doing here, like this,� Ami asked. �Zoisite never disguised himself, except for the one time that he was dressed as Sailor Moon. That was a trap for Tuxedo Kamen, not an attempt to fool anyone else.�

�Let me,� Hotaru said, stepping forward. She walked forward, making no attempt to hide or to be quiet.

The man at the pool looked up as she approached, first with disappointment in his eyes, and then with growing delight.

�Hotaru!� he cried. �I didn�t dare hope that you would find me! You do remember me, don�t you?�

�I remember someone who looked like you,� she said. �I don�t know if it was you, or not.�

�You think I�m Zoisite,� he said, crestfallen, then determined. �I can prove my identity, Sailor Saturn, in a manner that should satisfy you.�

He stood up fully, allowing the camera to drop and hang from its strap. He reached up and pulled at the elongated earrings he wore. There was a blinding flash, and where the camera-carrying sightseer had been, now stood a knight in black and purple armor. A floor-length purple cape hung from his shoulders, the symbol of Saturn blazoned on it in black, with the Roman numeral IV in lavender superimposed over the planetary symbol. He carried a sai in each hand.

Kishi Janus dropped to one knee before the diminutive young woman.

�Take me to my Prince, Saturn,� he begged. �He needs to know what happened to us. I need his forgiveness for losing heart, and for what I have done because of that. I need Mercury�s forgiveness, for what I have done. Please, Hotaru, I need to do this.�

�What do you need my forgiveness for, Janus?� Ami asked, stepping out of her hiding place.

�It is a long story,� he said. �I would rather only tell it once.�

�Fair enough,� Rei said, stepping up behind Ami. �You can tell everyone at once. Well, all but two.�

�What do you mean?� Janus asked. He dropped the two sai from his hand and picked his earrings up off of the ground.

�Sailor Terra and Sailor Sol were kidnapped at a battle,� Rei said. �Most of the others are falling apart without them. I don�t feel so wonderful myself. Mamoru�s in really bad shape.�

�Perhaps this will help,� Ami said. �After all, now he will have almost all of the guard back.�

�The others are here?� Taro asked, his heart leaping at the thought.

�Now that you�re here, the only one missing is Atlas,� Hotaru said, taking Taro�s hand. �Come on, Janus. Let�s take you home.�

When they arrived at the compound, they were met by Sailor Moon and the other two inner scouts, determined to look Taro over before they allowed him anywhere near Mamoru.

�Well,� Sailor Moon finally said. �You certainly don�t act like Zoisite.�

�No,� Taro said. �But I do have some explaining to do.�

�All right,� she said, smiling at him. He remembered that smile. Even Sailor Sol didn�t have a smile that warm and welcoming.

�I�m pleased that you kept your smile, Princess,� he said. She giggled, and then turned to lead the way into the house.

In the entry of the house, they transformed back and Taro was encouraged to shed his shoes for one of the pairs of slippers that lined the area. After he selected and donned a pair, he was led to the den, where Mamoru was currently sitting with Masato and Toshio.

�Mamoru,� Usagi said, entering the room. �Someone is here to see you.�

�I don�t care,� he said dully. He didn�t bother to look up, even though Masato and Toshio both stood when Taro entered the room, surprise and delight all over their faces.

�You should, Cape Boy,� Taro said, speaking in the precise inflections that he had once used so effectively as Zoisite.

To his consternation and surprise, Mamoru did not even raise his head.

�Nice try, Sakura,� he said quietly. �You don�t fool me, though. Zoisite wouldn�t be here except to throw it in my face that he has my �Cinda, and I don�t.�

�Endymion!� Taro cried, throwing himself at the man�s feet.

�Endymion, it�s me, Janus!� he looked up at Mamoru�s unresponsive face, and deeply into his lackluster sapphire eyes.

�His reaction was the same, when I arrived,� Toshio said. �The only one of us who had a good reception was Masato.�

�Sol and Terra were kidnapped the next day,� Masato said. �He�s been like this ever since. If we didn�t make him eat, he would starve. It�s been worse since she reappeared in command of a youma, less than a week ago.

�She was calling herself Tanzanite,� Toshio said. �She looked right at him, and at Taiyono, and asked Zoisite if she could have them as pets.�

�Endymion,� Taro said, rising slightly and then slipping into Mamoru�s lap. He wound his arms around his prince and leaned his head on Mamoru�s shoulder.

�We�ll get her back,� Taro whispered. �We won�t let a copy of me keep her, will we?�

He knew that Mamoru had heard him, but he wasn�t certain that the sentiment had penetrated Mamoru�s despair until he felt the strong arms of his prince enfold him, then tighten until it was nearly painful.

Taro never thought to complain. This had always been his part of being one of Endymion�s advisors. He helped the prince over the emotional hurdles that would have crippled him without someone to sympathize with him. He was the shoulder to cry on, the sympathetic ear, and the compassionate adviser. He was a vicious fighter, who relied on dexterity and cunning to win in fights. On the battlefield, his split-second foresight could win fights that looked nearly impossible.

The last missing Guard, Atlas, was the most important of the four. He was the strategist, the leader, and the tower of strength that everyone relied on. More importantly, he was the General of the Satellites. He, Sailor Uranus, and Sailor Venus were the next commanders directly under Sailor Sol. To have both him and Sol missing at the same time put a tremendous burden on the other two Senshi. Atlas was the powerhouse in a fight. His strength was second only to another Saturnian satellite, Titan. The difference between them was that Atlas never lost his temper. His cool head had caused everyone to dub him �Snow King.�

Gradually, Taro noticed that Endymion�s grip had slackened, and that Endymion was running his hands all over him, as if to assure himself that Taro was real.

�Janus,� he whispered. �I missed you, Taro. I don�t know how I ever managed without you.�

�I have to beg your forgiveness, my Prince,� Taro said, perfectly conscious of the incongruity of making such a formal statement while he was cuddled on Endymion�s lap.

�For what?� Mamoru asked, looking at Taro in surprise. Taro lowered his face, but not before Mamoru saw something that gave him the vital clue.

Gently, Mamoru lifted Taro�s face, and then ran a finger along the narrow scar across Taro�s cheek.

�You were Zoisite,� Mamoru said softly. Taro nodded, bowing his head.

�Gomen nasai,� he said. Mamoru embraced him again.

�You can tell us after dinner,� Mamoru said. �I think I can smell it, and for the first time in a long time, I�m hungry.�

He let Taro up, and then led the three of them out into the main living room, where most of the others had gathered. Taro�s attention was immediately drawn to an infant in Hotaru�s arms, who was being hovered over by another bishonen, with long blue hair. Taro recognized him almost immediately.

�Prometheus,� he said, stepping forward. �Gomen nasai.�

�What?� Kishi Prometheus looked up, surprised, and then looked at Mamoru, as if for confirmation.

�It�s him, Oki,� Mamoru said. �He has a tale to tell, but after dinner.�

�You�ll want to meet her, then,� Prometheus said, gesturing at the baby Hotaru was holding.

�Yes,� Hotaru said, holding the baby up. Taro took her with the experience he had gained visiting Aster and her brothers. The baby gurgled in delight, and started reaching for his forehead. Taro was too curious to stop her, so he held her up to where she could put her warm little hand right on the center of his forehead. To his surprise, Taro felt the tingle that meant she had activated his planetary symbol, making it visible.

�Gah!� she said emphatically, as if she had discovered something. As Taro stared at her in surprise, she brought one hand up to her own forehead, to reveal a similar mark, but this one bearing the Roman numeral III.

�Pandora,� Taro murmured. She grinned toothlessly at him, pleased with herself.

�Now I have to share,� Prometheus said. �I don�t mind, though.�

�We always did share her,� Taro said. �I promise I won�t desert her again.�

�Or me,� another voice, deeper and smoother, spoke up. Taro looked up into amber colored eyes that regarded him appraisingly.

�Epimetheus,� Taro said. �I did not hope to see you.�

�Here I am,� he said. �I am sure that Atlas will be here soon. I�ll keep you company until then, Janus.�

�After my story is through,� Taro said. �After everyone forgives me, if they forgive me.�

�I already forgive you, Taro,� a sweet voice broke into Taro�s self-flagellation and he spun around to see Ami standing there.

�I saw the scar,� she said. �It didn�t take much thinking to realize that it was you we fought. They had Atlas, didn�t they?�

�Yes,� Taro whispered, astonished once again by the rapier sharp mind that had always been Sailor Mercury�s most evident asset.

�Aster and I thought so,� she said. �They could threaten him, and you would do anything. She and Lucinda would forgive you, too, if they were here.�

�They are not, though.� He pointed out.

�We�ll get them back,� Ami assured him. �Dinner�s almost ready. Why don�t you sit with me?� She gazed earnestly at him, and his eyes automatically sought out hers, green to blue. They almost felt an inaudible click as their guard bond once again became whole.

�Well,� Kojiro said, slipping an arm around Ami as she swayed, dizzy. �Nishi is whole again. Now all we lack is Kita.�

�He will come,� Minako said as she passed Taro, headed towards the source of the smells that were making his stomach growl. He gazed at her in surprise, and then followed Ami�s directions as if in a daze.

After an excellent dinner of Salisbury Steak with saut�ed onions and gravy, buttered rice, and stir-fried vegetables, Taro was led into the main room again, and encouraged to sit next to Endymion to tell his tale.

�They caught us completely by surprise,� Taro said hesitantly. �One moment, we were alone in one of the Silence Caves, and the next there were four hideous monsters, and Beryl. She didn�t even have to say anything. They grabbed us, and the next thing we knew, we were somewhere else. We couldn�t feel our satellites, our primaries, or our bonds. The only bond we could feel was one another.

�She used that against us,� he continued, tears streaming down his cheeks as he remembered. �She had some horrid creatures tie me down and torture me. She made Atlas watch. There was a wire around his neck to keep him still. I don�t even know how long it went on. I only know I heard this horrible sound, and I felt the bond start to fade. I opened my eyes, and I saw Atlas. His face was so pale it was white, like I�d never seen it. From the bottom of his neck, he was covered in blood. It started in a straight line across his neck. I couldn�t see the wire anymore.� His voice broke and he buried his face in his hands, sobbing brokenly as he dredged up memories that were ten thousand years old, but had lost none of their pain and horror.

�I was relieved,� he cried out after a while. �I thought he was going to be free! Then this woman we�d never seen before came in. She looked at him and smiled. �Stupid Kishi,� she said. �You cannot die unless it is my will that you do so. You are mine now, and you would do well to accept it, or your aisuru will suffer more.� She waved her hand and the blood stopped, and the wound healed itself. All that was left was a thin white line. Then she left the room, ordering Beryl to �put them in the chambers let them contemplate the alternatives before them�.

�The chambers put us to sleep,� he said. �Mamoru should remember that. Something tried to invade my mind. I kept thinking of Atlas, and Terra, and I kept it away. When I woke up, I knew that I was different, somehow. I was dragged before the Black Queen. I didn�t know who she was then, I only learned it later. She asked me where my loyalties lay. I told her that I was loyal to Endymion and Terra, and the Moon Queen. She got very angry.� He reached up and put his hand over his left shoulder, rubbing at the scar that was hidden under his shirt.

�She took flesh and bone from my arm,� he continued. �She made a copy of me, one that was loyal to her and unlike me in every way. She put me in a cell with a mirror. I realized that the mirror showed me what my copy was doing, as if I were right behind him.

�I saw him enter a large room,� he went on. �Atlas was there, but in a uniform like the copy�s. I didn�t understand. Atlas would never disavow Endymion, or Sol. As I watched, the copy approached him, and Atlas turned to face the copy. He scowled as the copy approached, as if he were angry about something. Nothing was said, but I could hear him growling. He spread his hands and made a long knife. He reached forward and grabbed the copy by the hair. I was happy. Atlas was alive and well, and he knew that the creature in front of him wasn�t me.

�I saw the blade flash,� Taro said, raising his eyes to meet those of Minako, Atlas� guard partner. �Just before it struck, though, the copy made a large ice shard. I saw it pierce Atlas in the chest. There was blood everywhere. I had the satisfaction of seeing the copy�s head roll across the floor before the screen went black.

�There was nothing left, after that. I had no one, no reason to live, and every reason to die. I made a sharp knife with the powers the Black Queen had given me.� Taro rolled up the sleeves of his shirt, and showed the thin white lines that ran up each forearm from wrist to elbow.

�I cut myself to the bone,� he said, gazing at the scars. �I wanted to make sure I would die. I blacked out. When I came to, I was before the Black Queen again. She reminded me of what she had said in the torture chamber. She said she had an offer for me.

�If I would swear to her,� he said, looking up at Mamoru. �If I would follow her orders, she would give me a copy of Atlas that I would never know was not the original. I had nothing else. Gomen nasai, Endymion-sama, I took her offer!� He threw himself to his knees in front of Mamoru, buried his head in Mamoru�s lap, wrenching sobs wracking his body.

Complete silence reigned in the room, except for his sobbing and the crying of some of the others.

The first person to move was Usagi. She knelt next to Taro and pulled him into her arms. She pressed her cheek against his and her tears mingled with his as she embraced him. ChibiUsa joined her moments later, and they helped Mamoru pull Taro into his lap so that he would know that his prince forgave him.

The next to approach were her four guards; Rei, Ami, Makoto, and Minako. They knelt around them and expanded the group hug, their own faces wet with tears.

Gradually, most of the others approached, leaving only Masato, Toshio, Setsuna, Takagi, and their satellites outside of the group. Takagi and Chimei both put an arm around Setsuna, and Takagi�s other arm slipped around Washino�s shoulders. Washino�s free arm slid around Celia�s waist. Masato and Toshio embraced one another; both wondering what would have happened if Metalia had made such an offer to them.

Masato knew that he would never have accepted a copy of Setsuna, but wondered what he would have done if he had been offered copies of Phobos and Ariel. Would he have done it?

Toshio examined his own heart, and realized that if he had been offered Titania and Deimos, he might have taken them. Still, there would have been the betrayal of his oath to Endymion, and that would still have been unforgivable.

Finally, Taro�s sobs ceased, as did the tears of the others. Tissues were passed around so that faces could be wiped and noses blown to clear them.

�So,� Mamoru said, his face once again devoid of hope. �Atlas is dead.�

�No,� Taro replied. �I thought so for years, even centuries. While we were fighting the Senshi, I discovered something that told me different.

�When Kunzite had the inners and Sailor Moon in the black energy bubble,� Taro said, glancing at Mamoru. �The day I was chasing you around. That was the day that Sailor Venus finally showed up. She cut Kunzite�s hands with a Crescent Beam attack. I didn�t get a good look at his hands until we had returned to the Dark Kingdom.

�The blood on his gloves was red,� Taro said. �He was not a creation of the Black Queen. He was my Yukio. After Beryl dismissed us, I tended the wounds, and then when we were in bed together, I told him the truth.

�He was so happy, he cried,� Taro said, remembering. �He thought all that time that I was a copy. He saw the same scene I did, from the other end. He thought that his copy had slain me. Instead, the copies killed one another.�

�I wonder why,� Usagi said. �Being exact copies of you, they should have loved one another.�

�Not exactly,� Ami said. Her hands were busy on her mini computer.

�A hastily made copy would reflect the influences of its environment,� she said. �In other words, it would physically be a perfect replica, but everything else would be exactly the opposite.�

�That�s why Nephrite bled green!� Rei said in sudden realization. �He was a copy!�

�Then that makes it easy,� Haruka said, her face determined. �When the Dark Kingdom attacks again, we make Kunzite bleed. If he bleeds red, then we rescue him along with Aster and Lucinda. If he bleeds green . . . .�

�We eliminate him along with the other copies,� Michiru said, her normally friendly face taking on a cold expression. �It�s the only way.�

�Not necessarily,� Taro said. �Nephrite and Jadeite have both exhibited traits of their originals. I believe that Metalia may have done too well in her copying.�

�Are you suggesting that we get them to join us?� Rei asked, incredulous.

�That may not be outside of the realm of possibility,� Toshio said. �I saw Jadeite with Yoshi and the girls. He was definitely feeling something, even if he didn�t recognize it.�

�Nephrite almost raped Setsuna!� Masato exploded. �Are you saying that was one of my traits?�

�In a manner of speaking,� Taro replied. �Masato, you saw what the Dark Kingdom is like. Love does not exist there, or partnership. There is only power and the search for it. There are the dominants and those dominated. If Nephrite feels something that he cannot explain, he may mistake a softer emotion for desire and act accordingly. He may believe he desired her because she was powerful. In a way, it is still an extension of your love for her. Nephrite just doesn�t know that.�

�He was confused about Naru,� Usagi said, her face full of sorrow. �He didn�t understand why he wanted to protect her, or why it bothered him to lie to her, or why he wanted to please her.�

�We need to teach the copies that love is not a liability, and that it is possible to have other feelings.� Taro said.

�Judging from Lucinda�s behavior, that�s not going to be an easy lesson to teach,� Rei said. �She was acting just like I�d seen Jadeite act.�

�True,� Minako said. �Until she looked at Zoisite, that is. Then she was very tender. Perhaps she�s found a halfway point?�

�Maybe,� Rei said. �If Lucinda�s changed that much, though, I wonder what Aster�s like.�

�She�s probably running the place, under Metalia,� Minako teased. �You know how take charge Aster is.�

�I don�t think so, Minako,� Ami said. �Given the changes in Lucinda�s behavior, I think Aster may end up more like Zoisite. Zoisite is completely dependent on Kunzite�s good opinion, and to please him, he will do anything.�

�We just have to wait until Aster resurfaces,� Minako said. �Then we take her back.�

TBC
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Diamohns are Forever