Sailor Moon: On The Edge Of Yesterday
Chapter Fourteen: Backlash
Serena cried out as a tendril of black snaked out at her, from the
inside of the dome. Somehow, though, she managed to drive it away, the
energy from her Crystal, and from Pluto's staff, growing brighter all
the time. She was beginning to tremble, however, and whimper, as the
strain grew greater as well. The sheer power that she was weilding was
making her hair whip about her wildly, and the other Scouts were
finding it hard to look at the blinding intensity of the light.
Mercury looked down at her computer. "Maybe the rest of us can
join with our counterparts, too..." She said. She began typing commands
into her computer. "If I can network all my computers together, maybe
we can scan the time stream... find that Planetary Attack that was lost
in there."
"Well, I don't know what else *I* can do," Sailor Jupiter said,
"but if it's my strength she needs, then I'll give it to her." She
closed her eyes, concentrating, and outside, her counterpart did the
same. The glow that enveloped Luna brightened, and her link to Serena
grew wider.
Venus and Mars both nodded. "We're with you!" And next to the
Princess, Darien transformed into the Prince, and placed a hand on her
shoulder. He, Serena, and Sailor Pluto now seemed to be glowing with
the sheer intensity of the power flowing through them.
Outside, Artemis gritted his teeth. The power using his body and
Luna's as a conduit was almost too much for him to stand. Every nerve
in his body felt like it was on fire, and he could feel his fur
standing on end, from the static charge he was building up.
*Don't give up!* A voice said in his mind. *We are with you.* He
felt his strength returning, even as he recognized the voice as his
own.
*I'm tempted to ask you for next week's lottery numbers...* He
quipped. A ripple of quiet chuckles returned to him through the link.
"WE CAN'T TAKE THIS MUCH LONGER!!!" Sailor Pluto called out, as
the Dominator directed the full force of its energy at them. "Even with
the power of Queen Serenity on our side, and all of the Sailor Scouts
through time, the Dominator is STILL drawing HIS power from time
itself!"
"Then there's one more card to play!" Readouts flickered across
Mercury's visor, some so complex that the display was beginning to turn
red from the overload signals. "I'll have to fill in the gaps in the
equations in my head..." she muttered, then keyed a sequence into her
computer.
"MERCURY!" She yelled to herself, forgetting in the heat of the
moment both Artemis's link, and the computer. "SAILOR PLANETARY ATTACK!
NOW!"
The Dominator's glowing eyes turned to look at them, as the future
Sailor Scouts all joined hands. The power built up around them, as the
Princess's daughter took her place at their head, and intoned the phrase
Serena herself had used moments before:
"MOON! CRYSTAL! POWER!"
A tendril of energy diverted itself from the Dark Dome, as the
Dominator readied itself for the attack, but before the Sailor Scouts
could even move, a blast of intense white energy suddenly poured forth
from the portal.
"WHAT????" The Dominator turned, then roared in agony as the lost
Planetary Attack leaped from the portal, and smashed into it. The demon
reeled back from the force of the assault, its Dark Dome flickering
slightly.
"SAILOR! PLANET! POWER!!!!!"
Distracted by the attack from behind, the Dominator had dropped
its guard, and the second Planetary Attack struck it dead center. The
Dark Dome flickered again, and then faded, as the Dominator crashed to
the ground, its roiling form beginning to waver.
A beam of pink energy shot out of Serena, and smashed into the
portal. The Dominator screamed, as if in horrible pain, and began to
shrink dramatically.
* * * * *
In 1969, Sailor Pluto cowered against a wall, as the Mystic
Shadows closed in on her. She brandished her scepter in front of her,
determined to take at least some of them down with her, but she knew
that she had no chance. She looked up at the spot where the portal had
vanished. At least the other Sailor Scouts were safe...
To her amazement, the portal suddenly snapped open again. Sailor
Moon leaped from it, the other Sailor Scouts at her side... including
Sailor Pluto! Pluto smiled as her rescuers tore into the Shadows, their
attacks now working all too well against the shadowy demons.
* * * * *
In ancient Japan, Sailor Mars stumbled through the hallways of the
palace of Shogun Takuji, grunting at the pain, as she made her way
towards the throne room. She suddenly stepped back, stunned, as a
portal of light formed in front of her. The Sailor Scouts leaped from
it, led by a small child that looked like a younger, pink-haired
version of Serena!
As the Scouts raced down the passage to face the Shadow, one of
them stopped to help. To her shock, Mars realized that the person who
was helping her was HERSELF! "One of these days," the black-haired lady
said with a grin, "You'll realize that you push yourself too hard..."
* * * * *
In 24th Century Crystal Tokyo, Sailor Pluto stared at the gateway
of time. There was a strange energy at work... something she had never
seen before. Just as she prepared to open the gate, however, just as it
opened by the tiniest amount, a telepathic call stopped her.
It was if a thousand voices, all at once, were calling out to her,
warning her of a great danger.
She quickly closed the portal, and grabbing her scepter, ran down
the hallway to Neo-Queen Serenity's throne room.
* * * * *
Serena cried out in pain as her Crystal flared, with a light so
intense that no one could stand to look at it. The light swept over the
Dominator, now back to his normal size, and picked him up. The energy
wrapped around him like a shell, pinning him, and although the mass of
darkness struggled and tried to break free, it could not escape.
The demon was flung into the time stream, and the Princess could
see him, as he was drawn back to the extradimensional gateway that he
had come through. She saw forced back through the doorway, along with
several more of his kind. The doors then slammed shut, and were sealed
behind him.
The brilliant light then returned, pouring out of the gateway with
a brightness ten times what it had been before. It quickly swept over
the future Scouts, wiping them out of existance, and then rolling on,
towards their younger selves.
"NOW, EVERYTHING WILL BE SET TO RIGHT!" Serena called out, over
the din of the approaching energy wave.
"THAT'S RIGHT!" Mars answered. "YOU DID IT, SAILOR MOON!"
"*WE* DID IT!" Mercury countered. "WE DID IT TOGETHER!!!"
But just before the light overwhelmed her, Mercury blinked away an
unexpected tear. "Kei..." she whispered. "I won't be able to keep my
promise not to forget you..."
* * * * *
Five young girls stood on the deck of a small boat, looking out
over a peaceful blue sea. Darien blinked, putting up a hand to shield
his eyes from the sun. For a moment, he thought he saw a shape on the
water. Something like a... dinosaur? He laughed. No, that couldn't
be...
"Did... anyone... feel something?" Raye asked. She looked out over
the water, as well. Mina came up behind her, and peered out in the
direction the others were looking, but she could see nothing.
"Do you sense something?" Amy asked her.
"Mmmm..." Raye frowned for a moment. "No. No, I guess not."
"Come on, Raye, we're supposed to be on holiday!" Mina put in, as
Amy pulled out her computer. "... Going to Hokkiado, remember? You're
bringing us down!"
"Sorry. I didn't mean to spoil the mood."
"Well, there's nothing around," Amy said, studying her computer.
"Although... My computer seems to be running a little faster. Like its
had an upgrade or something."
"Maybe the vacation did it good, too," Lita suggested. Amy
giggled.
"Well, since I brought us all down, I think I need to get this
party going again. I'll fire up the old boom box..." Raye started up
the ladder to the upper deck.
Serena gave a sigh of satisfaction, leaning against Darien's arm.
"I'm glad you invited us on this trip," she said. "I wish it could be
calm and peaceful like this ALL the time..."
* * * * *
In 24th Century Crystal Tokyo, Sailor Pluto stared at the image of
a small boat in the ocean, through the portal of her Time Gate. She
smiled at Serena's happy comment. "I hope you get that wish, Princess,"
she said. "You'll never know how much you did for us... How close we
came to seeing the end of everything."
She smiled, and closed the gate.
As she walked into the throne room, Serena sat on her throne,
holding her daughter close to her, in her lap. Darien stood close by,
and the Sailor Scouts chatted happily on one side of the room. Pluto
joined her Queen at the throne, as Serena gestured for her to join
them.
"They are fine, my Queen." She said. "Happy."
"Good," Serenity said with a smile. "We have much to thank them
for. I wish them a bright and happy future."
"But... if they're you... can't you just thank yourselves?" Reeny
looked up at her mother, confused.
Darien laughed. "Not really. After all, we don't know that their
future is the same as ours..."
"I don't understand."
"Don't worry about it, dear." Serena gave her daughter a hug.
"Just be happy."
* * * * *
On the American submarine "Hunter", patrolling the waters off
Japan, in 1945, Ensign Bell took a few moments to update his journal.
They'd just finished investigating a Japanese base on Hokkiado, where
they had heard a secret base was hidden. But it turned out to be only a
rumor.
"I had dream..." he wrote, "about a dark-haired woman that I
loved. But I guess it was just that... a dream."
He closed his journal. Their patrol would end in a few weeks, and
then he could get some needed R&R. And maybe this war would end soon
after that.
* * * * *
In sixth century Japan warlord Togonara Kei stood on the walls of
Kyoto, and stared out at the moon. The battlefield below was quiet now,
but the forces of Shogun Takuji had won this fight, and the Emperor's
men were driven away from the city. Someday, they would overthrow the
Emperor, and lead Japan into a new age.
"So, why do I feel... so alone?" He asked himself. "Why do I feel
as if a part of me is missing?" He wiped away a tear, then gazed back
up at the moon, as it shone coldly over the parapets of his city.
* * * * *
Lieutenant Kelley flung his dufflebag over his shoulder and
stepped towards the platform. He didn't know why he was still alive.
His entire platoon had died at Vicksburg, and yet he had survived. He
never considered himself a coward, or a deserter, and yet, he couldn't
escape the feeling that he'd been given a second chance at life.
His attention was drawn to the sound of crying, off to one side of
the station. He jumped off the platform, and found a young oriental
girl, crouched in the grass by the tracks. It was clear that she had
been crying for some time.
"What's wrong?" He asked, in Chinese.
She looked up at him. She had gorgeous green eyes, and long brown
hair, that somehow reminded him of someone. He couldn't think who. "You
speak my language?" she asked, a bit stunned.
Kelley nodded. "What's wrong?" he asked her again.
"I don't have any money," she answered him. "I want to go home...
My husband brought me here when he came to work on the railroad. But he
was killed..."
She broke down sobbing again, and Kelley knelt at her side,
putting an arm around her. "I'll tell you what... I've been trying to
decide where I want to go. What say I help you get back to China?"
"You'd do that for me?"
"Why not? You can tell I know some about your country... I've
always wanted to visit there. And I have no reason to stay here. Maybe
I'll decide I want to live there... who knows?"
He put his arm around the Chinese woman and helped her to her
feet. They climbed back onto the platform together, and waited there
for their train.
* * * * *
Serena and Darian held each other, looking out at the sea. On the
deck behind them, the other Sailor Scouts relaxed, enjoying the sun,
and the beautiful day. "What a great trip!" Serena said contentedly. "I
really needed a vacation!"
"A vacation from what?" Raye answered her back. "It's not like you
ever do any studying!"
Serena stuck her tongue out at her, and Raye quickly followed
suit. Mina and Leta glanced at each other, rolling their eyes
heavenward.
"Hey... there's someone who's studying..." Mina commented. She
pointed at Amy, who was sitting on a deck chair, with a book in her
lap.
Amy was not studying, however. She was drawing in a sketchbook.
Before the little genius could look up, Mina had grabbed the book. A
mischievous smile spread over her face at she looked over the picture
Amy had been working on.
"Oo! It's a guy!" As Amy leapt to her feet, protesting, and
turning a vivid shade of red, Mina showed the picture to her friends.
Leta chuckled. "I wish MY schoolwork looked like that."
"He's cute!" Mina added.
"Amy's got a boyfriend!" Serena sang out, from the railing, and
Darian laughed.
"Oh, cut it out..." Amy muttered. She reached for the sketchpad,
but Mina was already passing it on to Raye. "Give me that back!"
"This is pretty good," Raye said. "I didn't know you could
draw..."
Amy looked down at her feet. "Oh, I just get the urge to draw
something, every now and then. I'm not all that good."
"Oh, I think it's pretty good, too," Leta put in. "Is it anybody
we know?"
Amy's blush returned. "No... no. I've never seen him before... In
a dream, maybe..."
"Oooo..." Mina giggled. "It's Amy's dream guy..."
Incredibly, Amy turned even redder. "It's nothing like that. He's
just... somebody I felt like drawing..."
"Well, you're really good," Raye said with a smile. "You should
draw more often!"
"Do you think so?" Raye nodded, and Amy looked down at her pad.
She stared at the picture of Togonara Kei for a few more moments, then
closed the book.
"Maybe I will..." she said. "But right now, I have more important
things to do..."
"Like studying, right?" Serena guessed, with an exaggerated sigh.
Amy put her arms around her friends, and led them all over to join
Serena. "RIGHT!"
The five young girls stood together at the railing, joking and
laughing -- happy -- just because they were all together.
Chapter Fourteen: Backlash
Serena cried out as a tendril of black snaked out at her, from the
inside of the dome. Somehow, though, she managed to drive it away, the
energy from her Crystal, and from Pluto's staff, growing brighter all
the time. She was beginning to tremble, however, and whimper, as the
strain grew greater as well. The sheer power that she was weilding was
making her hair whip about her wildly, and the other Scouts were
finding it hard to look at the blinding intensity of the light.
Mercury looked down at her computer. "Maybe the rest of us can
join with our counterparts, too..." She said. She began typing commands
into her computer. "If I can network all my computers together, maybe
we can scan the time stream... find that Planetary Attack that was lost
in there."
"Well, I don't know what else *I* can do," Sailor Jupiter said,
"but if it's my strength she needs, then I'll give it to her." She
closed her eyes, concentrating, and outside, her counterpart did the
same. The glow that enveloped Luna brightened, and her link to Serena
grew wider.
Venus and Mars both nodded. "We're with you!" And next to the
Princess, Darien transformed into the Prince, and placed a hand on her
shoulder. He, Serena, and Sailor Pluto now seemed to be glowing with
the sheer intensity of the power flowing through them.
Outside, Artemis gritted his teeth. The power using his body and
Luna's as a conduit was almost too much for him to stand. Every nerve
in his body felt like it was on fire, and he could feel his fur
standing on end, from the static charge he was building up.
*Don't give up!* A voice said in his mind. *We are with you.* He
felt his strength returning, even as he recognized the voice as his
own.
*I'm tempted to ask you for next week's lottery numbers...* He
quipped. A ripple of quiet chuckles returned to him through the link.
"WE CAN'T TAKE THIS MUCH LONGER!!!" Sailor Pluto called out, as
the Dominator directed the full force of its energy at them. "Even with
the power of Queen Serenity on our side, and all of the Sailor Scouts
through time, the Dominator is STILL drawing HIS power from time
itself!"
"Then there's one more card to play!" Readouts flickered across
Mercury's visor, some so complex that the display was beginning to turn
red from the overload signals. "I'll have to fill in the gaps in the
equations in my head..." she muttered, then keyed a sequence into her
computer.
"MERCURY!" She yelled to herself, forgetting in the heat of the
moment both Artemis's link, and the computer. "SAILOR PLANETARY ATTACK!
NOW!"
The Dominator's glowing eyes turned to look at them, as the future
Sailor Scouts all joined hands. The power built up around them, as the
Princess's daughter took her place at their head, and intoned the phrase
Serena herself had used moments before:
"MOON! CRYSTAL! POWER!"
A tendril of energy diverted itself from the Dark Dome, as the
Dominator readied itself for the attack, but before the Sailor Scouts
could even move, a blast of intense white energy suddenly poured forth
from the portal.
"WHAT????" The Dominator turned, then roared in agony as the lost
Planetary Attack leaped from the portal, and smashed into it. The demon
reeled back from the force of the assault, its Dark Dome flickering
slightly.
"SAILOR! PLANET! POWER!!!!!"
Distracted by the attack from behind, the Dominator had dropped
its guard, and the second Planetary Attack struck it dead center. The
Dark Dome flickered again, and then faded, as the Dominator crashed to
the ground, its roiling form beginning to waver.
A beam of pink energy shot out of Serena, and smashed into the
portal. The Dominator screamed, as if in horrible pain, and began to
shrink dramatically.
* * * * *
In 1969, Sailor Pluto cowered against a wall, as the Mystic
Shadows closed in on her. She brandished her scepter in front of her,
determined to take at least some of them down with her, but she knew
that she had no chance. She looked up at the spot where the portal had
vanished. At least the other Sailor Scouts were safe...
To her amazement, the portal suddenly snapped open again. Sailor
Moon leaped from it, the other Sailor Scouts at her side... including
Sailor Pluto! Pluto smiled as her rescuers tore into the Shadows, their
attacks now working all too well against the shadowy demons.
* * * * *
In ancient Japan, Sailor Mars stumbled through the hallways of the
palace of Shogun Takuji, grunting at the pain, as she made her way
towards the throne room. She suddenly stepped back, stunned, as a
portal of light formed in front of her. The Sailor Scouts leaped from
it, led by a small child that looked like a younger, pink-haired
version of Serena!
As the Scouts raced down the passage to face the Shadow, one of
them stopped to help. To her shock, Mars realized that the person who
was helping her was HERSELF! "One of these days," the black-haired lady
said with a grin, "You'll realize that you push yourself too hard..."
* * * * *
In 24th Century Crystal Tokyo, Sailor Pluto stared at the gateway
of time. There was a strange energy at work... something she had never
seen before. Just as she prepared to open the gate, however, just as it
opened by the tiniest amount, a telepathic call stopped her.
It was if a thousand voices, all at once, were calling out to her,
warning her of a great danger.
She quickly closed the portal, and grabbing her scepter, ran down
the hallway to Neo-Queen Serenity's throne room.
* * * * *
Serena cried out in pain as her Crystal flared, with a light so
intense that no one could stand to look at it. The light swept over the
Dominator, now back to his normal size, and picked him up. The energy
wrapped around him like a shell, pinning him, and although the mass of
darkness struggled and tried to break free, it could not escape.
The demon was flung into the time stream, and the Princess could
see him, as he was drawn back to the extradimensional gateway that he
had come through. She saw forced back through the doorway, along with
several more of his kind. The doors then slammed shut, and were sealed
behind him.
The brilliant light then returned, pouring out of the gateway with
a brightness ten times what it had been before. It quickly swept over
the future Scouts, wiping them out of existance, and then rolling on,
towards their younger selves.
"NOW, EVERYTHING WILL BE SET TO RIGHT!" Serena called out, over
the din of the approaching energy wave.
"THAT'S RIGHT!" Mars answered. "YOU DID IT, SAILOR MOON!"
"*WE* DID IT!" Mercury countered. "WE DID IT TOGETHER!!!"
But just before the light overwhelmed her, Mercury blinked away an
unexpected tear. "Kei..." she whispered. "I won't be able to keep my
promise not to forget you..."
* * * * *
Five young girls stood on the deck of a small boat, looking out
over a peaceful blue sea. Darien blinked, putting up a hand to shield
his eyes from the sun. For a moment, he thought he saw a shape on the
water. Something like a... dinosaur? He laughed. No, that couldn't
be...
"Did... anyone... feel something?" Raye asked. She looked out over
the water, as well. Mina came up behind her, and peered out in the
direction the others were looking, but she could see nothing.
"Do you sense something?" Amy asked her.
"Mmmm..." Raye frowned for a moment. "No. No, I guess not."
"Come on, Raye, we're supposed to be on holiday!" Mina put in, as
Amy pulled out her computer. "... Going to Hokkiado, remember? You're
bringing us down!"
"Sorry. I didn't mean to spoil the mood."
"Well, there's nothing around," Amy said, studying her computer.
"Although... My computer seems to be running a little faster. Like its
had an upgrade or something."
"Maybe the vacation did it good, too," Lita suggested. Amy
giggled.
"Well, since I brought us all down, I think I need to get this
party going again. I'll fire up the old boom box..." Raye started up
the ladder to the upper deck.
Serena gave a sigh of satisfaction, leaning against Darien's arm.
"I'm glad you invited us on this trip," she said. "I wish it could be
calm and peaceful like this ALL the time..."
* * * * *
In 24th Century Crystal Tokyo, Sailor Pluto stared at the image of
a small boat in the ocean, through the portal of her Time Gate. She
smiled at Serena's happy comment. "I hope you get that wish, Princess,"
she said. "You'll never know how much you did for us... How close we
came to seeing the end of everything."
She smiled, and closed the gate.
As she walked into the throne room, Serena sat on her throne,
holding her daughter close to her, in her lap. Darien stood close by,
and the Sailor Scouts chatted happily on one side of the room. Pluto
joined her Queen at the throne, as Serena gestured for her to join
them.
"They are fine, my Queen." She said. "Happy."
"Good," Serenity said with a smile. "We have much to thank them
for. I wish them a bright and happy future."
"But... if they're you... can't you just thank yourselves?" Reeny
looked up at her mother, confused.
Darien laughed. "Not really. After all, we don't know that their
future is the same as ours..."
"I don't understand."
"Don't worry about it, dear." Serena gave her daughter a hug.
"Just be happy."
* * * * *
On the American submarine "Hunter", patrolling the waters off
Japan, in 1945, Ensign Bell took a few moments to update his journal.
They'd just finished investigating a Japanese base on Hokkiado, where
they had heard a secret base was hidden. But it turned out to be only a
rumor.
"I had dream..." he wrote, "about a dark-haired woman that I
loved. But I guess it was just that... a dream."
He closed his journal. Their patrol would end in a few weeks, and
then he could get some needed R&R. And maybe this war would end soon
after that.
* * * * *
In sixth century Japan warlord Togonara Kei stood on the walls of
Kyoto, and stared out at the moon. The battlefield below was quiet now,
but the forces of Shogun Takuji had won this fight, and the Emperor's
men were driven away from the city. Someday, they would overthrow the
Emperor, and lead Japan into a new age.
"So, why do I feel... so alone?" He asked himself. "Why do I feel
as if a part of me is missing?" He wiped away a tear, then gazed back
up at the moon, as it shone coldly over the parapets of his city.
* * * * *
Lieutenant Kelley flung his dufflebag over his shoulder and
stepped towards the platform. He didn't know why he was still alive.
His entire platoon had died at Vicksburg, and yet he had survived. He
never considered himself a coward, or a deserter, and yet, he couldn't
escape the feeling that he'd been given a second chance at life.
His attention was drawn to the sound of crying, off to one side of
the station. He jumped off the platform, and found a young oriental
girl, crouched in the grass by the tracks. It was clear that she had
been crying for some time.
"What's wrong?" He asked, in Chinese.
She looked up at him. She had gorgeous green eyes, and long brown
hair, that somehow reminded him of someone. He couldn't think who. "You
speak my language?" she asked, a bit stunned.
Kelley nodded. "What's wrong?" he asked her again.
"I don't have any money," she answered him. "I want to go home...
My husband brought me here when he came to work on the railroad. But he
was killed..."
She broke down sobbing again, and Kelley knelt at her side,
putting an arm around her. "I'll tell you what... I've been trying to
decide where I want to go. What say I help you get back to China?"
"You'd do that for me?"
"Why not? You can tell I know some about your country... I've
always wanted to visit there. And I have no reason to stay here. Maybe
I'll decide I want to live there... who knows?"
He put his arm around the Chinese woman and helped her to her
feet. They climbed back onto the platform together, and waited there
for their train.
* * * * *
Serena and Darian held each other, looking out at the sea. On the
deck behind them, the other Sailor Scouts relaxed, enjoying the sun,
and the beautiful day. "What a great trip!" Serena said contentedly. "I
really needed a vacation!"
"A vacation from what?" Raye answered her back. "It's not like you
ever do any studying!"
Serena stuck her tongue out at her, and Raye quickly followed
suit. Mina and Leta glanced at each other, rolling their eyes
heavenward.
"Hey... there's someone who's studying..." Mina commented. She
pointed at Amy, who was sitting on a deck chair, with a book in her
lap.
Amy was not studying, however. She was drawing in a sketchbook.
Before the little genius could look up, Mina had grabbed the book. A
mischievous smile spread over her face at she looked over the picture
Amy had been working on.
"Oo! It's a guy!" As Amy leapt to her feet, protesting, and
turning a vivid shade of red, Mina showed the picture to her friends.
Leta chuckled. "I wish MY schoolwork looked like that."
"He's cute!" Mina added.
"Amy's got a boyfriend!" Serena sang out, from the railing, and
Darian laughed.
"Oh, cut it out..." Amy muttered. She reached for the sketchpad,
but Mina was already passing it on to Raye. "Give me that back!"
"This is pretty good," Raye said. "I didn't know you could
draw..."
Amy looked down at her feet. "Oh, I just get the urge to draw
something, every now and then. I'm not all that good."
"Oh, I think it's pretty good, too," Leta put in. "Is it anybody
we know?"
Amy's blush returned. "No... no. I've never seen him before... In
a dream, maybe..."
"Oooo..." Mina giggled. "It's Amy's dream guy..."
Incredibly, Amy turned even redder. "It's nothing like that. He's
just... somebody I felt like drawing..."
"Well, you're really good," Raye said with a smile. "You should
draw more often!"
"Do you think so?" Raye nodded, and Amy looked down at her pad.
She stared at the picture of Togonara Kei for a few more moments, then
closed the book.
"Maybe I will..." she said. "But right now, I have more important
things to do..."
"Like studying, right?" Serena guessed, with an exaggerated sigh.
Amy put her arms around her friends, and led them all over to join
Serena. "RIGHT!"
The five young girls stood together at the railing, joking and
laughing -- happy -- just because they were all together.