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Melantha the Ultimate Nemesis by Loki

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Beyond the Point of No Return


If I am victorious this day,

And when, upon the second journey to the depths of Hades’ realm,

I fought, won, and broke the chains that bound you,

It was for you, my Goddess of the hearth of my soul,

Your love lending me strength and courage,

I carried you, princess of the pomegranate and bloom of the fields of spring, into the light of day and into my life,

Where we lay upon the cushiony grass,

The dew kissing the grass beneath our hungry bodies,

A kiss from you and one from me,

A gift exchanged as our hearts sang an ancient refrain,

We gave ourselves to the little death,

The blooming flower,

The fire and the water,

The earth and air breathing life through your lithe body,

This moment we took to plant the seed of a precious dawn child,

Our sacrifice to the paradox of loving,

A prize indeed bestowed by the Great Ones of Olympus –ambrosia,

My sweetest love,


The Celestial Dreamer


Somewhere over the Chinese lands 2043 CE


Mamoru and Usagi sat on the plush leather sofa looking at one another, smiling. They had talked through everything that had happened during the after their abduction including Chibi-Chibi. Only the hum of the space plane as it carried them to Tokyo washed over their senses as they sat in the officer’s lounge holding hands in companionable silence.

After a time, she pulled
Free and grabbed a sandwich. After examining it as if it were a rare crystal, she bit into it with unbridled enthusiasm. Her expression making Mamoru chuckle.

“I’m glad you’ve got your appetite back, Usagi!”

“After all that trekking through that dystopian world, a girl’s got to keep up her strength you know,” she giggled, as Mamoru rolled his eyes and grinned from ear to ear. Usagi giggled again and elbowed him in the ribs. “You know, I thought we were history for a while there!” she said, biting into the thick slices of multi-grain bread and the delicious smoked ham, cheese and dressing comprising the sandwich that Mamoru thought would be devoured in one single mouthful.

Seeing the look on his face only made her giggle once more . She turned a little red, her cute cheeks filled with sandwich, this making Mamoru laugh. “I can see you’re enjoying that, but save some for me Odango Atama!”

“She mumbled something that sounded like she was swallowing wads of cotton wool and gargling at the same time, while gesticulating like a traffic cop as she protested the pet name he’d wanted to call her for so long.

After washing down the food with some orange juice, she pouted, all the while Mamoru staring at the vivacious blonde, spellbound by her antics. She reached for another sandwich. Mamoru’s lips curling into a smile, as he knew just how much she love cheese and ham sandwiches. He took a piece of garlic bread and ate happily as Usagi closed her eyes, munching away oblivious of how cute she looked.

“I’m so glad you’re all right, Mamoru, I mean, you could have died out there if not for…what does she want to be called again?” Usagi furrowed her brow, tugging unconsciously on the hem of her yellow dress and chewing her lower lip.

Mamoru was in a momentary daze whilst staring at her and coughed before he gave his answer, “Chibi-Chibi, kind of an endearing complement to you Usa-chan. She changed her eye color to emerald green, her skin tone is a lot darker, a dusky shade, and she’s wearing her hair in a single pigtail. I’d say she looks more like your cousin now than a doppelganger. I suppose I find it hard to imagine all she’s done while she was that weird psychopath, Seiya,” he said, then went on, “You know, Mercury and Umino said her neural pathways were clean, I mean, she is a new person. When Seiya tried to kill you all, and yeah, I know all this sounds pretty weird, he more or less executed himself by destroying the power core. And by taking out the crew, it was in that state that he was acting out a kind of melt down. He knew he was ‘dying’ if I can use that term loosely here.”

Usagi smiled and nodded, it seemed the rapport had strengthened between them despite the Beryl incident. Mamoru’s eyes lit up in pleasant surprise as her soft warm fingertips caressed his palm and he responded by gripping her hand and it was understood. Something had shifted in their relationship and both knew it and they were more at home with one another than ever before.

Usagi smiled and continued, “You see, he…err, she thought the crew had conspired with Beryl to kill him/her. But he couldn’t hurt Beryl. He was in awe of her and terrified of her at the same time. Araya and Umino accessed the data stream from the coded messages that held the bio-energetic signature of the… old Seiya, and how I am relating this detailed account to you now.” She released a sigh of satisfaction and smiled, and she blushed. “You know, I realized something else through out all this.”

“Yeah?” he said, arching a dark brow.

“I mean, I was so afraid and after all we’d seen in that horrid place; the chimera monsters and the plants and all those mutating things,” she shuddered and snuggled up to Mamoru as he reached out to comfort her. She relaxed and felt so safe and… loved. She lifted her eyes and looked at him then, and caught his brimming ocean-blue gaze.

“I’m so glad you’re okay, I…” He leaned down and kissed her. A brief encounter that set her heart racing, made her palms wet with perspiration, her legs shake and breathing ragged.

Usagi had never felt this with anyone before. Her body had suddenly decided it was going to do things without her, as if she too had mutated, but in a beautiful and most desirable way. She touched his cheek and returned the kiss. She snuggled closer and he kissed the top of her head.

“You know, right now, I don’t want to think about monsters, or cyborgs or anything, only you, Usagi,” he whispered and she squeezed him tight and fell asleep in his arms.

She looked so cute with her pretty face and long lashes of gold, the odangos pouring over her chest and pooling in her lap. He gasped at the lovely form of her, her soft body melting into his. As he continued to admire her, he too fell asleep.

~*~

“Wakey, wakey guys!” Minako had a cheesy grin on her face as she sat like the Cheshire cat upon the sofa opposite, ”We are about to land in Tokyo, and you’re both needed at the palace.”

“I knew it was too good to be true. I was just getting used to spending time with my husband,” Usagi said, her eyes filled with amusement and something else, love.

Minako beamed, “Okay, I best let you spend a little more time alone before we touch down, the inertial dampeners will make the landing almost impossible to pick up. I will be back in ten minutes, so freshen up and we’ll see you in the ready room when the announcement is made from the helm.”

“She got up then, all wet leather and curves, her clicking heels of her military boots sounding like fashion accessories, her gate and grace accentuating her sensual demeanor as she left the two grinning people in her wake with only eyes for one another.

“Mamoru, I want to do it again,” she blushed. And like a little girl, pouted.

Mamoru smiled and brought her closer to him, feeling the curve of her breasts pressing against his chest, her tiny hands resting upon his broad shoulders. This time, they each brought their lips to one another’s and kissed. Soon, her kitten-like tongue, nervous at first, but growing ever more confident, was probing between his lips. Mamoru opened his mouth and tasted hers. As she wrapped her arms about his neck, he deepened the kiss, it was long, sweet, so much of Usagi’s love poured into it, that he thought he might burst.


The Palace


“How the hell could you not have told us!” Minako growled, her hair whipping about her body as she paced up and down the platform where the holo-imager was displaying the battle in Beijing. ”They just get back to Tokyo after surviving a psychopath and a place that makes Stephen King’s horror novels tame by comparison, and to this… Oh, by the Kamis, how am I going to tell him this, that the same people who built Seiya assassinated his father, I mean, Chibi-Chibi… Yatan and Taiki and who is the third?”

“Tin Nyanko, Mina-chan, but we’ve-“

“I don’t wanna hear it Artemis, why didn’t you tell me this had happened?” she snapped, tears in her eyes at the fact she had to deliver the shattering news to Mamoru. “Not only do I have to be the bearer of dark tidings, but also, on top of that, I got to tell Mamoru and Usagi that Aiko and Rei are in Beijing, in the war zone! What was Aiko thinking!”

“Yes, I’m afraid there you have your answer. Aiko didn’t wish Usagi and Mamoru to find out until they were rested and that was that,” he said, a little testily.

“I don’t know, but it has the hallmark of a MFU to me!” she shouted and stomped out of the throne room to speak to Mamoru and Usagi, a task she dreaded and knew what she had to tell them would break their hearts.

Artemis stepped up to the console and hit the combination of keys on the touchpad and soon Aiko’s image assumed its three-dimensional form on the holo-platform. Her expression, one of pensiveness and there were circles under her eyes. From crying, fatigue, or lack of sleep, Artemis couldn’t be sure.

But the situation in Beijing was tense, though the new shields were holding up and Federation warships were patrolling the other major cities, hunting the dreaded high-tech AUV. But now these drones were capable of landing and assuming humanoid form.

Aiko found it disconcerting to think they had to scan everyone on the perimeter of the city and do this again before people were granted passage into the compound. But she knew it was all part of the necessary process of staying alive and fighting a high tech regional conflict. The new scanning regimes would look for items such as micro-phasic charges to cyborgs and Kamis knew what else. Resources, mostly time, were stretched to the very limit. But what made things worse, were the reports of animals such as mice, birds and insects that in reality were much smaller cyborgs created by the Dragon Kingdom’s scientists to break down resistance throughout the country. These were responsible for taking out infrastructure in the major cities: interrupting communications, power, contaminating water supply and food production and damaging industry. It was all they could do to maintain the security around these essential services while dealing with the enemy and juggling the struggles of the civilian population. Keeping them alive and well fed was proving to be a most difficult task.

Of China’s super cities, only three had survived the onslaught of the mutated bird flu strain and the ravages of the Millennium War of 2009/2014. A handful of Chinese cities were hit by fusion-blasts that had taken out seven major urban centers in all, most running the length of the western border with India, but losing Hong Kong to an unprovoked fusion attack by North Korea, were on top of the millions dying from the pandemic all but breaking the spirit of its people. The devastation only paled when measured against the apocalyptic nightmare that was the Eastern Inferno, the result of the loss of central and eastern Europe and the Middle East, parts of Russia, India and other countries on the sub-continent there . It was horrible, and the whole world mourned the loss of these great nations now wiped off the face of the Earth.

But in the last quarter of a century, two new cities had sprung up amidst China's regenerating provinces and of course, there was New Hong Kong. Though nowhere near its former splendor and international standing, the new metropolis was nonetheless, a vibrant place to live and visit. Its population of 2.07 million was industrious and optimistic by nature. Their music, culture and way of life were an inspiration to everyone throughout Asia and the new territories and those of the old world that managed to remain in tact, as few of these as there might be. These latter nations too, were experiencing somewhat of a renaissance.

The shield technology was effective, but only Beijing, New Shanghai and Zhengzhou, the capital of Henan Province, was able to take full advantage of these.

Aside from this, the death toll amongst civilians had crept to well over 1.05 million throughout the region.

~*~

The ZP weapon was ticking like the proverbial time bomb it was, neutralizing it would be a challenge, but they were up to the task. Luna and Artemis allowed Aiko to complete her report to the Shitennou and Senshi task forces and some of these were to be deployed in China, with the bulk of these elite forces remaining at home in Japan.

“All right, the business of war aside, have you broached the subject of Hu’s assassination? Mamoru has to know, and you may not agree with the delay, I know Mina certainly has reservations.”

“You could…put it that way, majesty, but its been very painful holding this in. She has left to talk to Usagi and Mamoru now. I think despite all of this, they’re closer and I think they’re falling in love, I mean really in love. Despite our charade and contrived arranged marriage Lady Aiko, they’ve found each other for the right reasons and this has us all elated and there is something we can be glad about and so not all the news is bad.”

“Artemis, you best attend Luna and be at Usagi and Mamoru’s side, the next few days are going to be difficult for them both and they’ll need their friends and Rei and I are doing okay. By the way, we just got the codes for the insect and bird drones, so we’re shutting these down as we speak. Take care of yourselves and I will report back in the morning. That is, if Mamoru doesn’t do so first…and Artemis?”

“Yes Lady,” he said, bowing once more.

“If Mamoru or Usagi, wish to call me, please allow them access, doesn’t matter what time it is. I will be here for them. It is the least I can do considering I had been the one to keep the news of Rei’s father and his assassination to myself for so long.”

“Very well, Lady, as you command,” Artemis, agreed.

“Oh, by the way, how is Luna? I want to hear wedding news and plans for how many children. You will have…ne? Aiko grinned, a mischievous look coming over her face.

Artemis chuckled, “Majesty, when we decide on that matter, I promise you will be the first to know. But I can tell you it won’t be too long now,” he grinned and Aiko smiled at her friend and courtier.

“Give my love to Luna and keep an eye on that daughter of mine and tell her I love her.”

“Your wish is my command, Lady, please try and get some sleep if I may be so bold.”

“I will. Take care, my old friend. I will speak with you again soon.”

~*~

Minako stood in the doorway to the lounge feeling a wave of anxiety wash over her. Usagi and Mamoru were still asleep in one another’s arms, and she couldn’t help but smile at the gorgeous sight. “You guys have so much to bear, I love you both dearly, not just because you’re my sovereigns, but because you’re my dearest friends,” she said in a low whisper, her soft expression turning to one of sadness and concern as Mamoru stirred as did Usagi. “Mamoru, Usagi, I have something to tell you and I apologize, but you need to hear this.”

“What is it Mina-chan?” Usagi asked, gripping Mamoru’s hands.

“M-Mamo-chan, there is no easy way to tell you this,” she said, tears beginning to trickle down her beautiful face as she sat on the other side of Mamoru and made him look at her, she sensed he was realizing it was bad news and was bracing himself. She hated this part of her job. But nothing quite like this had she ever told anyone like Mamoru, and she hoped she’d never have to do this again.

“I know its serious, Mina-chan, I know its going to be painful…please, tell me.”

“Its your father, he was assassinated a few hours after you and Usagi, Jad and Umino were abducted. I’m so, so very sorry!”

Mamoru turned ghostly white and began to shake. Usagi too was crying, as she blinked away tears. Grief, guilt, sorrow and pain was etched upon Mamoru’s face. He was consumed by his loss. A torrent of mixed emotions of pain and regret assailed him, the watershed had broken its banks.

“That stupid man. He never would talk to me. I wanted to tell him so many things: how much I wanted to have him proud of me, and how my dreams, not all that different to his, he felt, just as important. He wouldn’t listen, I wanted him to be proud of me. I wanted to tell him I was sorry for disappointing him. But I knew despite his stubborn streak, he loved me. I just hadn’t had the opportunity to tell him…father… I love you, Why couldn’t he say it, why couldn’t I!”

With the shock of loss and the profusion of emotion that exploded in that moment, Mamoru howled. The force of his emotions stunning both women as his tears and shattered heart made both Usagi and Minako weep for the young man now grief-stricken.

“Oh my dearest love, I am so sorry,” Usagi croaked as she rocked him in her arms. She stroked his soft black curls and looked at Mina who was herself stroking Mamoru’s back as Luna and Reika knelt before the crying young man. Shingo and Ikuko were making up some green tea and Ami added a natural sedative and knelt on the floor before Mamoru, waiting for the sobbing to subside, his body quivering with the pain of his bereavement.

Soon, exhausted, he quieted and lifted his haggard face to Usagi and she kissed him, he was so vulnerable in that moment and she was there for him, she always be there for him, she knew that now, with absolute certainty.

“Drink, Mamo-chan, you’ll feel a little better. Nothing can soothe the pain you’re feeling right now, but this might make it a little more bearable,” she said , holding the bowl to his lips and he nodded his gratitude and sipped the welcome brew. Soon he’d finished a second and lay on the couch; Usagi pressing her head to his chest and hugging him. He stroked her hair and sighed as the sedative began to take affect.

“You should go to bed now and get some rest, Mamoru-chan. I and Artemis will help you to your bedchamber,” Ami said, her tone firm but gentle.

Usagi then looked at Ami, “I’ll help and stay with him tonight. He will need me through the night.”

Ami smiled and Artemis was relieved as Usagi assisted Mamoru to his feet and he placed an arm about her shoulders with Artemis making sure Usagi was able to manage. Usagi asked a palace made to fetch a heated water bottle and this she told Mamoru to place at his feet.

As she slipped off her clothes in the bathroom and in her underwear and chemise, she returned to see Mamoru smiling at her with love in his eyes, she crawled onto the bed and helped him out of his shirt.

“No, I don’t want you feeling you can’t be yourself around me when you’re undressing. You need me and I need you. You’ve been through a lot, we both have. But this, well, words won’t be enough. But, I hope I will,” she said, hugging him as he sat in his boxers, remembering the time she was in the swimming pool and he had approached her, and how frightened she was and now, he was the one afraid. He wasn’t afraid of Usagi, of course not, but of himself. He loved her, he had no doubt of that as she kissed him and drew him to her. He was grateful for her tenderness.

“I love you, Chiba Mamoru, my Endymion… I’m no longer scared of being close and I’m here for you.”

She snuggled up beside him and he smiled wryly, “Thanks for being there my Usako, I love you, too and you’re the only thing preventing me from falling into a state of oblivion.”

“Oh Mamo-chan…”

She pressed herself against his warm body and Mamoru cradled her in his arms and again he wept, as kissing him, she sighed with resolve to be his support and soon they’d fallen asleep in one another’s embrace.

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