Sailor Cynic 9
by Beky NeRichnead

Hi all!

This Beky again, with the next chapter. However, this one is a
bit... different.

I noticed I had barely discussed the relationship between Ami and
Ryo, and I had a powerful change planned for them. So this shortie
is devoted to them and that change.

It is in the form of a song fic, sort of, based on the song "Total
Eclipse of the Heart".

Neither Sailor Moon or the song is of my creation or ownership. I
just alter them to make literature.

Please let me know what you think... this is a very experimental
piece for me.
                                 *

Harley

   I knew what I was offering them... the post of garbage man.
After all, that's what it really was. But I needed them... and so
did the Universe. Someone has to take out the trash.

   What would they choose? Pain together, or to stay shy? To take
care of the universe or let it burn?

   You know what? Having this stupid crystal can be damn annoying
at times.

   I can't even tell them what I'm asking them... I can only ask
them if they wish to life bond. Anything else would violate their
free will... their last act of free will, if they agree.

   I'm going to hurt one of my oldest best friends. If
successful, I'm going to condemn two of my closest friends to a
prison of secrets, lies, and knowledge.

   I know this... and I'm going to do it anyway.

                            *
Ami

   I nearly passed out in surprise... why was Harley asking this
*now*?

   It wasn't as if it were urgent, after all. Ryo and I have
years to make up our minds.... what if we didn't? What if Harley
knew something we didn't?

   I don't even know if Ryo likes me... right now, he's examining
the other wall.

   /Turn around.../

   Please... I need to know what you think.

   /Every now and then I get a little bit lonely, and if you
never come around.../

   Without him, I'll be alone. What if was too shy to ever admit
his own feelings for me?

   Was I any better?

   /Turn around... every now and then I get a little bit tired
of listening to sound of my tears.../

   I can't forget the times I've cried... I'm alone. I have
friends, but no one to be *mine*. Of course, chasing boys like
Makoto and Minako do is so undignified...

                            *
Ryo
   /Turn around.../

   Why can't I turn and look at her? What holds me back?

   /Every now and then I get a little bit nervous that the best
of all the years have gone by./

   I wonder about the future... I can see so little, like driving
in the dark. Are our joyful years all past us? Have I lost any
chance with Ami?

   /Turn around... Every now and then I get a little bit
terrified and then I see the look in your eyes./

   I peek behind me... I'm so scared of her expression... my god,
its tears! She's crying!

   /Turn around...  bright eyes./

   If I turn around, maybe she'll see...

   /Every now and then I fall apart.../

   But then she'll know that I'm so fallible, and so weak... with
her looks, she could have any man. I don't even deserve her.

                            *
Ami

   /But I need you now tonight! And I need you more than ever./

   I saw him look at me... he probably thinks me a fool. I hold
out my hand, praying he'll take it. Then I'll know if he really
loves me.

   /And if you'll only hold my hand... we'll be holding on
forever./

                            *
Ryo

   I see her hand... she's reaching for me! Maybe we belong
together...

   /And we'll only be making it right, cuz we'll never be wrong
together!/


   /Turn around.../

   I have to do it! I turn around and take her hand hesitantly.
Am I the one she truly wants?

                            *
Ami

   He holds my hand, and electricity zings through me. I look at
him through new eyes that glisten with tears.

   /Every now and then I know you'll never be the boy you've
pretended to be.../

   No, he is a man. He has seen the future.

   /Every now and then I know you'll always be the only boy who
wanted me the way that I am./

   He loved me despite my intelligence... no, he loved me *for*
it. He loved *me*, not my face or my body.

                            *
Ryo

   She accepted it! *Now* I know!

   /Every now and then I know there's no one in the universe as
magical and wondrous as you./

                            *
Ami

   /Every now and then I know there's nothing any better, there's
nothing that I just wouldn't do./

                            *
Ryo

   /Every now and then I know there's nothing any better, there's
nothing that I just wouldn't do./

                            *
Harley


   /Turn around... bright eyes./

   Amira's smile lights up the room... she and Ryo have made the
choice. I turn to them, hiding the pain that courses through me,
because...

   /I need you both tonight! And I'll need you both forever./

   A job that never ends... can I do it to them? They made their
choice... and when the hard times come....

   /I'll need you more than ever./

   They made their choice... a simple gesture, but what it meant
for the world...

   /And since you'll always hold her tight... you'll be holding
on forever./

   Its happened... now the universe will shake, and time will
stabilize, but oh, what a cost!

                            *
Rei

   I can feel my sister's pain... she hurts terribly. I asked
her, but she couldn't tell me.

   Why was she cursed to be queen?

   The floor tremors... whatever was supposed to happen, it has.
I must find Harley.
                            *
Ami

   I find myself blinded by a blue light... and I touch Ryo's
mind!

   He's just as scared as I am... and he's suddenly confident,
for in our love we are strong.

   Images flood my mind, of a hundred different futures... what
is this all about?

   And then I see... the question that Harley was really asking.
And our answer.

   I am no longer Warrior Mercury.

   <No, we aren't. We are the Shamans.>

   His voice is beautiful music to my mental ear, and together
we can "stand up" against the memories of the future. <Ryo, I love
you.>

   <And I love you. We are one, and we are this.>

   /And we'll only be making it right, cuz we'll never be wrong
together./

                                 *
Ryo

   I smile. <I knew there was a chance I may get this job...
Setsuna-chan has served long enough. But to know we can do it
together... I'm not alone.>

   /Together we can take it to the end of all time./

   <No, Ryo. We are together, forever and a day.... thank you.>

   <Thank you!>

                                 *
Ami

   I wake up, and I can see Luna looking down at me, worried.
"Ami, what's happened?"

   Harley is nowhere to be seen, but I don't even have to search
for Ryo. He is in my mind now.

   /Your love is like a shadow with me all of the time./

   We are part of it now - destiny, fate.

   /Forever has started tonight./

   Forever is a long time.

                                 *
Rei

   I hold her... she is sobbing, and I'm sorry. Zoitan is here
too, and together we support her.

   The pain washes through my mind like a song.

   /Once upon a time there was light in my life... now there's
only rule and its dark./

   Then I hear an new voice... it is my brother in law. <No,
love. There is more. You are not the lonely queen Xalen was.>

   I reassure her. <I am here, Harli-chan. I'm here.>

   She nods quietly. "Thank you." She stands shakily, but
maintains her perch. "Sorry to be a bother."

   Zoitan smiles, and I follow suit, not sure of what to do. He
chuckles. "No bother, dear. I read about this in the 'How to Be a
Good Husband' book. You comfort your wife and reassure her of your
love and presence."

   She laughs... a wonderful sound. "I guess they have a book for
sister too, huh, Rei?"

   I nod. "I guess they do." All will be well.

                            *
Harley

   I'm glad they got their choice... even if it was risky.

   For the free choice of one friend is more important than the
future existence of the world.

                            *
Setsuna

   He holds my hand, and I'm grateful. This transformation is...
painful. I feel turned inside out, like I am losing something and
gaining something.

   I should understand the process... I sat with Jade-chan
throughout, and he told me.

   But this cannot be described adequately.

   My mind is filled now not with possibilities, as it was in my
time as a Time Walker. Now I can see the infinite variations and
scopes of things.

   A chair... it looks so different in other dimensions.

   It seems odd that after wearing the mantle so long, I have
been released from it. Usually people only leave Time with their
staff or on it. But Harley has released both of us.

   He was with my through the Lost Millennium. The others do not
know, but I do. It is one of the beauties of being "masters" of
Time.

   Now my brother and Ami are to be the sacrifices to Time... but
Harley promised to give them the decision. That was more than was
give to me.

   My sight returns to the third dimension, and a smiled weakly.
Jedaite squeezes my hand. "Are you done?"

   I nod. "Yes. And now we shall begin our new life." I reach up
and kiss him fiercely on the lips.

   He returns, and I learn what it is to be a person again.

______________________________________________________
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