Notes, Dedications, and Nightbreak's Assorted Ramblings  [5]

Last serious chapter to do for a while.  As with the last one, the glory has to
go to my God and Saviour, Jesus of Nazareth.  Yes, call me whatever you
want, be it right-winged bigot (though I'm not) or fanatic (though I certainly
don't feel like one), but it's high time I give some credit where credit is due. 
And since I think that my writing talent came from Him, something's got to
go back.  I've stayed silent too long.

     Thanks go to all the folks at Shinji's Vault of Anime MSTings, of which I
am a proud member.  To Jamie Jeans who borrowed this little idea to use as
his MSTing format.  I'll MST with him, soon.  To Lynxara, who seems to
think she bears some responsibility for Part 7 for her creation of the AAA. 
The fault for last chapter is totally mine and the inspirations I had, Lynx.  Just
keep on doing what you do best: Writing.
     And to Greenbeans, the author of the "College Life" series, starring
Haruka and Michiru of "Sailor Moon".  I'm borrowing her idea of Haruka
from her fanfic "Distant" here because, hey, even the coolest of the Senshi
needs to lean on someone now and then.  
     Enjoy, anime lovers.  Enjoy, fanboys.  And enjoy, my friends.

     Oh, yeah.  Every character mentioned herein belongs to their creator. 
Samantha Jones belongs to Jamie Jeans, Tuxedo Chris belongs to Chris
Caldwell (hope I spelled that right), Selina belongs to my friend Sandy,
yadayadayada.  Any other self-insertion characters belong to their authors. 
"It's three in the morning, do you know where your writing characters are?"
     The name Anipike belongs to the owners of the Anime Turnpike.  I use it
without their permission, but I make no claim on it.
     Comments, suggestions, criticisms and plot hole notifications can be sent
to cadz0001@algonquinc.on.ca
     Flames will be responded to with genuine concern and tact. So watch out.
     For AAA fans, this takes place before the second Fight Scene.


                         CLUB ANIPIKE

- - - - -
Part 8
- - - - -
*She's diving down, gonna make her home now, the ocean
She's done with living her life on the ground. . . *
- - -

     In a darkened theatre, a single person sat on the floor in front of the large
screen, which was currently blank.  The overhead spotlights shone down
on them, occasionally glinting off a piece of bright metal.
     The figure shifted to a kneeling position and slung a long, oblong
object across their back.  At the side of each leg, more metal twinkled, then
vanished into the black folds of the clothes.
     A gloved hand reached down to a hip and came away with a small,
sharp, iron star.  With barely a flick of the wrist, the star vanished, only to
thunk deeply into the back wall less than a second later.
     Raising their head, the person fitted a black mask over their face,
threading a red ponytail through the back.  As they stepped back into the
shadows, all that could be seen was a pair of blazing white lights in the
eyeholes.
     "Soon, my enemies.  All of you will pay for this horror."
     The voice was feminine, but any emotion that it could have carried
was long gone.
     Reaching across the front row of seats, Samantha Jones picked up her
other katana.  She tilted it so that a spotlight kissed the tip of the blade.
     "To quote an old friend. . . "There's going to be a beheading. . ."  Or
two or three, if I have my way tonight."
     With a wicked slash, one of the seats collapsed into two halves.

- - - 
*She's sinking down, hands above her,
 held her nineteen years and now they're letting her go. . . *
- - - 

     Jonathan Brisby paced the floor of the apartment, waving his arms.  "I
still think you're crazy, Davy-boy!  You must be if you want to risk your neck
like this."
     "Davy-boy", otherwise known as David "Foxfire" Kintobor, sighed
and took his feet off his stool as he sat forward.  "We're going as a mark of
respect, Johnny.  I may have never worked with either of them, but that's not
going to stop me."
     "No, what's going to stop you is a big sword aimed at your neck," his
manager grumbled.  "You heard the rumours!  We show our faces today at
the Club, Jonesy-girl's going to mow us down like so much crabgrass!"
     Over by the window, David "Star Mech" Kronos cracked his knuckles
slowly.  "We'll just have to be faster than her, then.  That is, if she shows up. 
Maybe Misato will ban her from the bar today."
     "Nobody's listening to me, are they?" Brisby complained, coming to a
dead stop and looking at the rest of Team Foxfire.  "We're not going!"
     Kintobor looked up.  "Brisby, when we first started hanging out at
Club Anipike, which one of the Senshi helped keep Samantha and that creator
of hers, Jamie Jeans, off our case?"
     "Well, Michiru.  But . . ."
     "And who helped haul Soulstone off you after the first round of the
tournament, way back when?"
     "That other one. . . Haruka.  Still. . ."
     "And who didn't put Pippkin away when he should have?"
     "You're not laying that one on me!" Brisby stormed, "Those Powers
That Be weren't paying attention!  Dammit, Davy-boy, I _don't_ want to end
up sliced into little squishy bits and skewered!!"
     Kintobor held his hands up, palm out.  "Sorry.  I forgot.  You haven't
put your life on the line yet in this multiverse, unlike the rest of us."
     Brisby began turning bright red, a rather remarkable accomplishment
for a rat.  "Okay, fine!!  I don't know how I let you do this.  You want to go,
we'll go!  But if I see even a glimpse of red hair, I'll burn up the Turnpike
with my own two feet!"
     Reaching down, David Kintobor checked his Prism Rifle.  "Edward,
what's that Klingon phrase you're always spouting?  The one about dying?"
     "You mean, *ChegHchu djajVam djajKak*?  It means, "Today is a
good day to die"."
     Kintobor nodded.  "Okay.  Not that I really care that you know that
gibberish, but it sounds dramatic enough."
     "I just hope that we won't have to test that theory," Brisby
commented darkly.

- - -
*Tomorrow will be  round and everyone will see, no tragedy,
it's like it's over, but it's just begun.*
- - -

     Haruka's eyes opened slowly.  Wincing slightly at the light, she gave
herself a shake, loosening muscles that had stiffened as she had sat on the
floor of her home in deep prayer.
     Soon the guests would start arriving at Club Anipike for the funeral
ceremony.  Or, at least, the completion of it.  And she planned to see the
whole thing through to the end, grief aside.
     Giving a small sigh of effort, she raised her head and began to get up.
     Michiru smiled back at her.  "Look at what the guardian cats dragged
in.  Haruka, you've been staying up late again, haven't you?"
     Startled, Haruka lost her balance and sat back down suddenly.  Her
heartbeat thundered in her ears as she took in the apparition before her.  
     Michiru was dead.  What was happening?  If some obsessed godboy
had raised her from the dead, against her dear Neptune's express wishes, she
would demand the right to see blood outside their body.
     Or a ghost?  Even if it *was* Michiru, Haruka didn't feel like being
haunted for the rest of her life.  Then again, life with a ghost could be
interesting. . .   She wondered how one hugged a spirit.
     Michiru had a worried look on her face as she bent down to peer into
Haruka's eyes.  "Haruka?  Are you all right?  Say something!"
     Taking a second look, more objectively, her mind managed to catch
up with both her body and her heart.  This Michiru had her aquamarine hair
styled completely different.  And the attitude was off somewhat. . .
     "Michelle!" she scolded, scrambling back up. "For the love of. . .  I
thought you and Alex weren't coming!  [Baka], you scared me hard enough
to tie my stomach into ten different knots!"
     The fan-created Sailor Neptune crossed her arms over her black sweater.
  "We managed to secure time off from the fanfics for this.  There is no way
we're letting Michiru go without saying goodbye!"
     Haruka grinned sheepishly.  "That's what a lot of fan Senshi are saying." 
Holding out her arms, she wrapped her friend in a crushing hug.  "Oh God,
Michelle.  I can't believe she's gone," she whispered, feeling more tears sting
her eyelids.
     Michelle returned the hug without the slightest hesitation or awkwardness.
"I know.  How was the service this morning?"
     Wiping her cheeks, Haruka nodded.  "Private.  Just eleven of us attended.
I had our family's priest do the actual ceremony, just because I've known him
longer than anyone else."
     "Are they burying her?"
     "No.  Her will requested cremation.  That was done right after."  Letting
Michelle go, she went over to the table and picked up a small seedling in a
pot.  "At another one of Michiru's requests, each of us received one.  They're
planted amongst her ashes and supposed to grow even better than normal
bonsai trees.  I'm kind of glad, in a way, that they didn't give me an urn.  I 
can be clumsy at cleaning some days."
     Michelle smiled in understanding.  "Did you want us to give you a ride
to the Club?  We're heading there now."
     Haruka shook her head.  "Thanks, but no thanks.  Beans will be picking
me up soon.  I've got her own bonsai to give her, too."  She gave a wry
chuckle.  "That's my Michiru, never forgetting her friends, even in death."
     Michelle reached out and clasped Haruka's hands in her own.  "We'll
see you over there, then.  Be strong."  With a last quick hug, she left the
house.
     Haruka cocked an eyebrow towards the ceiling.  "Hear that?  "Be strong,"
she says.  I can't do that right now.  I really can't.  But You can.  Enough for
both of us."  Bowing her head, she heaved another sigh.  "Seeing them all
again today.  At once.  Ohhhhhhh God. . . .  Help."

- - -
*She's going off the deep end, breaking from the crowd
She's way in over her head, I think she's gonna drown.
She's going off the deep end, the search is over now.
She's falling into your hands
It's all or nothing, there's no guessing,
she's been lost and found.*
- - -

     Club Anipike was a riot of colour, mostly because of the influx of
Sailor Senshi.  They had come to pay tribute to one of their own and would
do it with all the style and love that she had given to them in her life.
     Not to be outdone, many authors and their characters had also come
to honour Michiru Kaioh.  Some were friends, others were opponents, but all
were in agreement that her death had been a tragedy.
     General Peterson, Lord General to the Royal Army of Crystal Tokyo,
Arch-Mage of Magic, "KING of the Imperial Government", (deep breath), 
and all-around annoying self-insertion author, was explaining to Sailor Nova
and Sailor Earth how his new training system would improve their powers
dramatically.
     As Ukyou from Ranma  walked by with a drink tray, he took one
and sipped it delicately.  Then he frowned, stared at the glass, and gestured
with one hand.  Immediately, the liquid changed from clear to green.  Taking
another drink, he smiled and resumed his pitch.
     Uneasily, Nova and Earth exchanged glances and began discreetly edging
away, leaving the General expounding his benefits to the empty air.
     In another part of the Club, Selina, a self-insertion character, and Sailor
Soulstone stood in front of Michiru's memorial, heads bowed in respect and
grief.
     A head and shoulders picture of the Senshi of Neptune leaned against the
wall, surrounded by candles and flowers.  Many of the fan-created Senshi had
left their suit bows scattered around it in her memory.
     Soulstone reached up and removed her Sailor Tiara, then laid it reverently
on the pile.  "This should never have happened," she growled, tears forming in
her own eyes.  "I should have taken Eternity to Pippkin when he first showed
up at the AAA!"
     Selina, dressed in her usual jeans and jean jacket, gave a last bow and
shook her red hair back.  "I'm just worried about Samantha.  Can you see her
anywhere?"
     Soulstone scanned the room.  "Nope.  I guess she didn't take the news too
well?"
     "That would be an understatement," Selina sighed.  "And just as I had
managed to talk her out of her guilt for the accident.  You'd think an Author
Avatar's power would have more kick, huh?"
     Moving aside to allow more people near the memorial, the two characters
found an empty table and ordered drinks from a nearby Shampoo, who, along
with the rest of the Ranma cast, was helping Misato run the Club that day.
     Soulstone motioned for Selina to continue.  "So?  What happened?"
     "Well, she had already gone to bed when Ami called from the hospital. 
Misato debated telling her in the morning, but Sam would never have forgiven
her for not waking her immediately.
     "So, we told her.  She took the short route out through the back
window.  I hear she went to the hospital, but I haven't seen her since.  I'd ask
Ami or one of the others, but. . ."  She waved a hand at the crowd of fukus. 
"You try finding a *real* Sailor Senshi in all this."
     Suddenly, the low murmur of voices that had filled the room died out
altogether.  People looked up from their conversations and their memories.
     Framed in the doorway of the Club Anipike was the original Haruka
Ten'oh.  She was in full Sailor mode, complete with the Space Sword
Talisman at her side.  Slightly behind her was her friend Beans from the
"College Life" fanfiction.
     Haruka walked slowly into the room.  Under one arm, she carried a
small, wrapped object.
     At one glance from her blue eyes, a path opened in the crowd.  She didn't
speak as she made her way to Michiru's shrine, although she reached out her
free hand as she passed, tapping palms with her friends.
     Coming to a halt, Haruka paused, then bowed deeply in front of her
partner's picture.  Then she unwrapped her bundle and raised it up in front of
her face.
     It was the Deep Aqua Mirror.  Michiru's Talisman.  The one that had
nearly cost her her life at one time.
     Gently, Haruka laid it face up on the pile of tiaras and bows.  Bending,
she kissed Michiru's forehead, then straightened up again and turned to face
the room.
     "Thank you, all of you, for coming," she said, giving a small smile to her
old acquaintances.  "Some of you I haven't seen for months, even years, but
you haven't forgotten.  Michiru. . . would have been overwhelmed at all this.
She was friends with many of you, but she never really knew how much she
was loved.  I can only hope that, somehow, she's seeing this.  And smiling that
killer smile of hers."
     A small laugh rolled through the room.
     "I know most of you have already paid your respects.  For those who
haven't, don't let me stop you."  With a sweeping, open-armed gesture that
encompassed the whole room, she bowed to everyone and moved off into the
crowd, exchanging handshakes and hugs with friends.
     As she made her rounds, two of the fan-created Senshi came to stand in
front of her.  One was in a turquoise fuku, the other in a white one with a pink
skirt.  Both their suit bows and tiaras were missing, obviously already in the
pile.
     Looking downcast, the one in turquoise bent her knee and lowered
herself to the ground. Her partner followed suit.  "Haruka-san, I am Sailor
Nereid, one of Neptune's Satellites.  This is Sailor FlowerPower, the Senshi of
Thalassa, another guardian of Neptune.  We have come to offer our regrets
for not being here when Neptune fell.  We failed you and ask your forgiveness."
     Haruka crouched down to look Nereid in the face.  Reaching out her
hands, she rested them on their heads.  "You didn't fail Michiru, girls.  It was
a horrible accident.  One that even I didn't see coming.  And if I couldn't have
saved Michiru, I doubt you could have.  But, if you feel that you need my
forgiveness, you have it.  Now, get up."
     Looking relieved, the two obeyed and bowed deeply to her.  "If you
ever need my help, Haruka-san," Nereid told her, "Just ask.  I'm in your debt."
     FlowerPower nodded.  "Me, too."
     Haruka smiled.  "Thank you.  That means a lot to me."

- - -
*She's diving down, scars on her elbows,
the wind blows, an old song spins around inside. . .*
- - - 

     Just off the main stage in Club Anipike, somewhere in the wings, the very
air began to shimmer as if superheated.  Two beings, human silhouettes, faded
into existence.  One assumed a male form, the other female.  The Powers That
Be, the watchers over the Author Avatar Arena, had arrived.
     The female shifted uneasily as she peeked out at the crowd.  "I still say it's
our fault."
     Her companion shook his head.  "It's not.  Haruka's already stated that she
blames no one but Pippkin for what happened.  I admit, we were lax in our
security, but this won't happen again.  Not to our friends.  Now, come on. 
Let's say goodbye to one brave Senshi."
     With a little more shimmering, the two took the physical appearances of
the MSTers Shinji and Lynxara.  Thankfully, the two were still out of sight of
the crowd.  If anyone hostile ever discovered who the Powers That Be really
were, they would never be safe again.
     Lynxara brushed her hands down her arms, adjusting the skin around the
bones.  A slight creaking sound could be heard as she twisted an elbow to a
better angle.   "Nice to know that it all still fits."
     Shinji grinned.  "Just don't let Jamie see you do that.  He'll freak."
     They quickly hurried around to the front of the Club, blending effortlessly
into the wit of MSTers (the proper term to describe such a group of wildlife)
that had come that day.  Most were fanfiction authors in their own right and
some had worked with Haruka and Michiru, or one of their fanfic equivalents.
     Lynxara grinned as she looked out over her companions.  Some were odd
looking, like the swirling dust cloud of Nightbreak, the shadowy figure of
Megane 6.7, or the mechanical nature of Dinobot.  Others were more
ordinary, like Susano, Lefty, and the elusive CGold.
     Then her gaze refastened on Jamie "Jolt" Jeans.  Something was wrong. 
He was extremely fidgety, continually glancing over his shoulder at the front
doors.  It was almost as if he was. . . afraid of something.
     "Jamie?" she asked, slipping through the wit to stand by his table. "What's
the matter?"
     He looked up, startled.  "Oh, hey.  You haven't seen Samantha anywhere,
have you?"
     "Not for ages."
     "Uh-oh.  This is not good."  He rested his head on his hands, looking tired. 
"No one's seen her since Michiru died.  I'm her creator and even I can't find
her.  But she sent me a message this morning.  And from the looks of it . . .  I
don't know.  Here.  You read it."  Fishing a folded piece of paper out of his
pocket, he handed it over to her.
     Lynxara frowned as she read the note, " "With the death of an innocent,
the reign of anarchy has come.  The one who released the evil among us must
pay the price.  But it is his who will forfeit their lives in his stead."  What? 
Jamie, this makes no sense!"
     "Tell me about it," he muttered glumly.  "Sam's trying to go for dramatic
impact, but I'm pretty sure that she's not thinking too clearly right now.  She's
got major revenge in mind."
     "For whom?  Pippkin's dead!"
     "Oh, yeah.  Psycho-bunny's gone.  But who created him?"
     "David Gonterman, as Jonathan Brisby's opponent, but. . . Oh no."
     "It's okay.  She's not after Davy-kins.  She can't reach him, thankfully.  But
she can reach Team Foxfire."  Taking the paper back from her, he tossed it on
the table.  "I already talked with Misato.  She's heard rumours, too.  If anyone
from Team Foxfire shows their face here today, *ssst!*"  He made a quick
slicing motion across his throat.  "I just wish I knew where. . ."
     Lynxara had stopped listening to him.  Her attention had been caught by
movement over by the front doors.  "Uh, Jamie?  Somehow, I don't think
you're going to have to look too much farther."

- - - 
*"How sweet the sound", to be living and dying,
looks like it's over, but it's just begun.*
- - - 

     As she had knelt by Michiru's bedside for the last time that night,
Samantha had cried until she was empty of emotion.  All the guilt had come
rushing back, poisoning her senses until a gray haze developed over her soul.
     It had been her hand that had thrown the water over Michiru, electrocuting
her.  It had been her mouth that had laughed at the pain of the Senshi as she
watched them rush Michiru to the hospital.  And it had been her body that had
fought her own creator as the girl she had attacked had fought for her life and
failed.
     She ignored the fact that she had been under Pippkin's control the whole
time, seeing only her own actions and their results.  The guilt was crushing
her, even though Haruka had forgiven her.  Samantha just found it impossible
to believe in that much compassion from someone whose life she had just
destroyed.
     In that hospital room, Samantha Jones had ceased to exist.  She was too
guilty to return and face her friends again.  Someone else would go.  That
someone was Silhouette, her vigilante alter-ego.  The avenger of evil and the
one who had always resisted the presence of Pippkin.  She was still pure.  She
would fight for Samantha.  
     Obsessively checking her equipment for the tenth time, her chi-enhanced
hearing picked up a conversation about her.  Her creator, Jamie, was worried
about her.  She had to go to him, reassure him of what she was doing!
     Then Silhouette reasserted herself.  First, revenge on the ones responsible
for Pippkin and his presence.  She could always see Jamie later. He would
understand.
     Another voice.  That of another MSTer, Lynxara.  Samantha knew her
well, too.
     Then. . . . over the crowd noise, the voices she'd been waiting for!
     They sounded cautious, worried about being seen by her.  She didn't have
to see them just yet.  She could hear them just fine.  Just a little bit closer . . . . 

- - - 
*She's going off the deep end, breaking from the crowd
She's way in over her head, I think she's gonna drown.
She's going off the deep end, the search is over now.
She's falling into your hands
It's all or nothing, there's no guessing,
she's been lost and found.*
- - -

     David Kintobor finished scanning the room, using the HUD in his eyes. 
"Looks clear.  She's not here, I think."
     "You think?" Jonathan Brisby growled from just outside the threshold. 
"Care to be more definite?  I like my head fine where it is."
     "Calm down, Captain.  There's no sign of her anywhere."
     The rest of Team Foxfire eased into the Club warily.  At their arrival,
more than a few people edged discreetly to the sides of the room.  They were
the ones who had heard the rumours of Samantha's threats against the
Gonterman creations.
     Jotarou Joestar, the bartender of the Club, came forward to meet with
Kintobor and Brisby.  "You all know that you're hunted men here?" he said,
"Misato and I cannot completely guarantee your safety while you're inside this
place."
     Kintobor hefted his Prism Rifle.  "I can take care of myself, thanks.  But
has anyone even seen that crazy red-head?"
     Jotarou shook his head.  The heavy chain attached to his collar clinked
loudly in the quiet atmosphere.  "No.  Not for the last four days.  However,
she could be anywhere.  You come in here, you take your lives into your own
hands.  Is that understood?"
     Brisby scowled.  "I don't like this, Davy.  Let's go!"
     "You can, if you want, Johnny.  I came to pay my respect to a fellow
warrior and I'm gonna do it!"  Kintobor glared at the rest of his team.  "And
that goes for the rest of you, as well.  You can do what you want.  I'm going
up there and I don't care who does what to stop me!"
     With a growl, he pumped his rifle and kept it at the ready as he moved
forward.
     Sensing trouble, the crowd began backing away again, most people
deciding to keep close to the ground just in case a shooting match broke out.
     Kintobor approached Haruka and lowered his gun to point at the floor. 
"Haruka Ten'oh, my condolences.  And my apologies for not stopping
Pippkin earlier."  Awkwardly, he bowed to her.
     Haruka nodded and lifted a hand to rest it on his shoulder.  "Thank
you.  You're brave to show up.  Foolish too, perhaps, but brave.  I wouldn't
have blamed you if you had stayed away, you know."
     David grimaced.  "And what do I say when I come back here?  You helped
us earlier in the year.  This is the least I can do for you."
     She smiled slightly.  "So, we're even, are we?  Good.  We'll see how long
that sentiment lasts."  Clapping him once more on the shoulder, she moved
on.
     Kintobor looked back at the rest of his team and scowled at them.  "See?"
     Just then, Star Mech, who had gone over to Michiru's shrine, passed a
little too close to the theatre.

- - -
*To take this step of faith, don't need to be scared,
turn worry into wonder, dissolve the fear. . . *
- - - 

     With a roar that shook the foundation of the Club, the theatre doors blew
off their hinges.  Only an incantation by Sailor Ceres prevented the debris from
landing on many of the Satellite Senshi.
     A flash of light caught everyone's eye, even through the resulting dust
cloud, as Samantha/Silhouette swung two katana blades at Kronos.
     His armour blocked the first slash.  The second was aimed at his neck and
only an instinctive duck kept his head from being permanently separated from
his shoulders.  As it was, a good part of his helmet was dented and Kronos was
knocked to the ground.
     Seeing Star Mech go down, Samantha immediately whirled and sparks flew
from her fingertips at other members of Team Foxfire.  Those behind Brisby
and the others threw themselves out of their chairs as the wildly thrown ninja
stars struck not only Foxfire members, but the walls and furniture as well.
     David Kintobor had so far been ignored, but he now had his Prism Rifle
at his shoulder and was tracking Samantha as she rushed over and laid into his
injured companions.
     A spinning heel kick threw Mech Tail back to slide down the wall.  Edward
attempted to throw a punch at her, but she slid inside his arm and tossed him
for distance across the room.
     With a hiss of breath, Samantha clashed her blades together and eyed
Grandpa Coyote and Jonathan Brisby.  "Next?" she inquired mockingly.
     Just then, Star Mech drove a armour-plated punch into the small of her back.
     Unfazed, Samantha turned to look at him, eyes blazing a cold white. 
"Hold on, boys!  You can't all die at once!"  Another double slash drove him
back, then a series of punches and kicks impacted against his armour.
     All this time, Kintobor had waited until Samantha moved into his line of
fire.  With a grunt of satisfaction, he squeezed the trigger.
     The bolt of Plasma energy soared across the room to hit squarely. . . 
     In the middle of Star Mech's shoulders, sending him flying onto Samantha
to land the both of them in an untidy heap.
     "Oops," David commented, shrugging blandly, "Missed."
     Samantha shrieked in anger and kicked the dazed Star Mech off her. 
Kintobor had used a lower-ranked setting against her.  She didn't know
whether to feel grateful or insulted.  But she did know one thing: He would
pay for trying to hit her.

     Haruka leapt up and started towards the combatants, both frightened
and angry, mostly at Samantha.  The vigilante would no doubt kill every
member of Team Foxfire unless someone did something.
     But before she could push through to the fight, her two Satellite Senshi
blocked her path, keeping themselves between her and Samantha.
     "Careful, Haruka-san," warned Sailor Oberon, "She could go after you
next!"
     "If she does," added Sailor Starlight, "We'll deal with things!"

     Jamming her katana blades into a nearby tabletop, Samantha brushed her
hands across her ankles and came away with two of her throwing knives. 
Giving them a ritual, graceful twirl, she sent them hissing across the Club at
Kintobor.
     "ELIMINATION . . . FORCE!"       
     A wave of powerful energy shot out from the crowd to sweep the knives off
track.  The two blades spun crazily as they clattered to the floor far across the 
room.
     In the middle of the stunned silence, a young woman in a light blue and white
fuku stepped out of the Senshi Pack.  "How dare you insult our remembrance
of Sailor Neptune!  I'm the Bishoujo Senshi Sailor Pallas.  In the name of 
Pallas, I'm gonna kick your spandex-tightened tail!"
     "YEAH!  Finally, someone had the guts to step forward!" Sailor Deimos
yelled, "I've got dibs on the fox-boy!  TELEFRMmmpphhhh!"
     Sailor Phobos quickly clapped her hand over her sister's mouth before she
could complete her telefrag attack, which would send Kintobor all over the
Club.  And in smaller pieces than Samantha had in mind.
     In response to the challenge, the red-head simply splayed her fingers, palm
out. Pallas stumbled backwards, clutching her left shoulder as blood trickled
through her fingers.  Other cuts bled from her legs and cheeks as the stars
stung her.
     "Samantha!" Haruka yelled, still trying to get past Starlight and Oberon. 
"Stop it!"
     The redhead glanced at her and seemed to hesitate for a few seconds.  Then
she saw Kintobor recharging his Rifle, upping the power.
     Flipping back, she snatched her katana from Edward's hands, fractured his
cheekbone with the hilt, and spun around to face the original Foxfire.
     Only to find herself encircled by sailor fukus as the fan-created Senshi
had seen all they could stand.  None of them knew who Samantha Jones or
David "Foxfire" Kintobor was.  And they didn't care.  All they knew was that
someone was dishonouring Michiru's memory.  Battle auras began lighting.
     "Hand over the steel," snapped Sailor Europa, "Or do you wanna feel another
little buzz?"  Lightning snapped and crackled around her body menacingly.
     "Out of my way!" Samantha snarled back, "Their creator killed Michiru!"
     Calmly, Phobos reached into Hammerspace to pull out her oversized
plasma cannon and pointed it in David Kintobor's general direction.  "Really?"
she inquired sweetly, ignoring the mad rush to get away from her line of fire.
     Most of the other Senshi turned to glare at the various members of Team
Foxfire.
     At the distraction, Samantha charged.  Sailors Fire and Heart both suffered
slashes to their arms before the other Sailor Elements pulled them back.
     "JUPITER LIGHTNING WHIP LASH!"
     She dodged Io's whip, kicked out at Juno, then she had cleared the circle
and was within striking distance of Kintobor.

- - - 
*She's steppin' out, and you drop the blame,
as she speaks the name above all other names. . . *
- - -

     Haruka took a few steps back, then ran and threw herself over Oberon's and
Starlight's arms.  She had to stop Samantha and she doubted the vigilante
would listen to anyone else.
     Out of the corner of her eye, she saw the black-suited blur that was her
friend batter her way through the barrier of fan-created Senshi.  Briefly,
Haruka cast her eyes skyward, praying that there wouldn't be any more serious
casualties among them.  
     To her other side, she could see David Kintobor raise his Prism Rifle. 
Unfortunately, there was no one near him to knock it out of his hands, since
Phobos had cleared the area with her plasma cannon threat.
     It was times like this that Haruka wished that she could tap into
Hammerspace like so many of the other fanfiction characters.  And what a time
to have to ban Nav from the proceedings.  She sighed.  Kintobor was really
*not* worth it.  But she had always been a believer in sacrificial acts.
     Lowering her head, she lunged at the self-insertion character, shoving him
out of Samantha's path of destruction.  Planting her feet, she gritted her teeth
as she watched the shining katana blades bear down on her.
     She saw Samantha's eyes widen behind her mask and realized that the
redhead was suddenly thinking clearly for the first time that night.  And knew
that she was unable to stop her attack.
     Her Satellites had been left behind.  Most of the others were down or
incapacitated.  There was no one left to save her own neck.
     ~Michiru, I'll be seeing you soon,~ she called inwardly, ~Hope you're ready
for company.~  Then she closed her eyes.
     And waited to die.
     The breeze ruffled her hair and she was thrown onto the floor on her right
side, banging her arm on the landing.  At the same time, another thud and a
clattering of metal came from in front of her.
     Her eyes opened from the shock and she could see a katana blade lying
inches from her nose.  The metal was wet with blood.  Strange.  She didn't
seem to feel any pain.
     She could hear a steady, menacing growling from ahead.  Deimos must
have pulled her chainsaw out.
     Then she felt a pair of hands on her side.  "Haruka?"
     "Tatewaki," she murmured.  Thank goodness for the Ranma cast.
     "Can you move?"
     "I don't know.  How badly am I hurt?"
     His voice sounded puzzled.  "I can't tell.  There's not a mark on you."
     Surprised, she lifted her head to look.  Both of Samantha's swords were on
the floor.  So was Samantha.  That explained the thud.  Crouched over her was
a large yellow tiger, paws on her shoulders, teeth bared.  That explained the
growling.
     Still slightly dazed, Haruka allowed Kunou to help her sit up.  "Is she. . ."
     "No.  Now, are you hurt?"
     "I'm okay, I think."  She felt her right arm, wondering if she had broken it
 in the fall.  She winced as a stabbing pain shot through it.
     Sailor Vesta knelt beside the two of them.  "Let me see," she said quietly,
 taking her arm and squeezing it gently.  "Not broken, only sprained.  Nothing
 any healer can't handle."  She began running her palm up and down Haruka's
 arm.
     Haruka closed her eyes and felt waves of warmth coming from Vesta's hand.
The pain in her arm dulled, becoming little more than a slight ache.  Then even
 that vanished.  Her thoughts suddenly turned back to Samantha.
     Ranma had already stripped her of her weapons, but all the fire seemed to
have gone out of the vigilante.  She lay pinned beneath the giant feline, not
even struggling.
     Using Kunou's arm as a ladder, Haruka heaved herself to her feet.  "Um, I
think you can let her up.  It's over."
     With a shrug, the tiger stepped back, letting Samantha slowly sit up.
     Kodachi appeared from the crowd, carrying a small pile of clothing and a
kettle.  As she poured it over the cat, the steaming hot water clouded
everyone's view for a few seconds.  And when the mist had dissipated,
Kasumi Tendo was calmly tying her kimono together once again.
     Haruka glanced at the bar, where Misato was leaning on a jug of water
with Chinese characters inscribed on it.  "Jusenkyou "Spring of Drowned
Yellow Tiger" water?  Quick thinking, Misato-san."
     The owner of the Club shrugged.  "Thank Kasumi for volunteering to be
cursed for the rest of her life."
     Nodding her thanks to the eldest of the Tendo sisters, Haruka knelt down
beside Samantha.  "Sam?"
     The girl blinked.  "Haruka, I. . . I almost killed you back there.  What was
I *thinking*?"
     Haruka sighed.  "Revenge.  It blinds you until it's too late and you've
ended up doing something that you really wish you hadn't.  It's happened to
me before."
     "I'm sorry.  I just felt that since Gonterman had created Pippkin. . . " 
Samantha looked around at the Senshi she'd injured.  "Is everyone going to
be all right?"
     Sailor Pallas looked up.  "They should be.  I can't say the same for
those Team Foxfire guys, though.  They've all vanished."
     "Not all of them," David Kintobor growled, moving forward.  "The
cowards deserve whatever they got."  He glanced at Haruka.  "Thanks,
Uranus.  You saved my butt again.  I guess this means I owe you again."  He
shouldered his Prism Rifle.  "Well, I think I've spread enough good will for
today.  See you all in the ring."  With those compassionate words, Kintobor
left the Anipike.
     Haruka helped Samantha back to her feet.  "Come on.  We can talk about
all of this later.  We've still got a remembrance to complete."

- - - 
*To be lost and found
her world has turned upside down,
her soul restored with salt like rain,
from all of the things that you forgave. . . *
- - - 

     Soon, with all explanations out of the way and peace fully restored to the
Anipike, the memorial to Michiru could finally begin.
     Many fan-created Senshi rose to speak.  They remembered her dedication
to the business of fanfiction, her unselfish nature, and the times she had spent
helping many of them outside of work.  Stories were told of dinners she had
invited them to and of her many random acts of kindness, even among the
self-insertion authors. 
     Then came her teammates.  The original Senshi and Tuxedo Mask offered
memories of one of their own.  Private moments that they had never told
others.  Humorous anecdotes that had almost been forgotten over the years. 
And, most of all, the overwhelming love she had had for all of them.  Through
illnesses, stormy relationships, and countless anti-fics, Michiru had never
turned her back on any of her friends.
     Michelle, who was the fan-created American version of Neptune, went up
to talk about her friendship with the true Senshi of that planet.  She had first
been afraid that Michiru would be jealous of another Neptune.  But that
jealousy had never come.  Instead, she found someone who would help her
share the load of what it meant to be Neptune.  She had never forgotten that.
      Beans, a self-insertion character and one of Haruka's and Michiru's best 
friends, spoke of all the fun times the three of them had shared during her
fanfic.  She stressed that, even though Michiru was gone, it would not halt her
author's writing.  Michelle would be more than able to fill Michiru's place
under her name for the rest of the series.  All the while, she clutched her new
bonsai seedling in the crook of her arm.
     Then Haruka got to her feet and took the podium.
     "There's nothing I can say that hasn't been said by any of you.  Oh, I could
tell many stories of Michiru, but most of them aren't really fit to be said in
public."  She grinned wryly.  "As Misato-san once said, we were not Haruka
*or* Michiru, but Haruka *and* Michiru.  You couldn't say one of our names
without the other.  Usually they had to be said in the same breath.  That is
how close we were.
     "I knew Michiru longer than anyone else in this room.  If you asked
me how we first met, I'd have to say that I can't remember.  But as for every
day after that one, I have nothing but the best of memories.  Because she was
beside me for nearly every single one of those days.  Now that she's no longer
able to be with me, I find myself wondering what I'm going to do for the rest
of my life. . . .   I don't know yet.  But I do know one thing."
     She raised her head and her blue eyes flashed.  "There is only *one*
Michiru Kaioh, despite however many Neptunes there may be or what others
may say.  And the memory of her will never die as long as all fanfic writers
out there continue to use her name.
     "I could go on and say many more things about my partner in both work
and play.  I could dig into the memory box for as long as you can stand to sit
there.  But there isn't time enough in the whole multiverse for me to say what
I think you ought to know about Michiru Kaioh.  So, I just have two things to
take care of."
     She reached down and picked up a slender object.  "Firstly, her henshin
stick.  According to the rules, when a Senshi dies, her stick is supposed to go
with her to prevent it from being used by another.  Well, unfortunately, this
one is impervious to the fire which Michiru entered last night.  So I have to
ask that it be destroyed by another Sen. .shi."  Her voice caught on the last
word.  "Jupiter?" she managed to get out.
     Makoto nodded and cupped a hand.  "SPARKLING WHITE HOT..."
     Haruka tossed the stick into the air and dove for the floor as everyone else
in the Club ducked.
     ". . . PRESSURE!!"
     The attack completely vaporized the henshin stick, leaving only an acrid
smoke that quickly drifted away.
     Haruka brushed her hands across her eyes as she got back up.  "And
secondly, the Deep Aqua Mirror.  That cannot be destroyed, but must be
given to another.  This person must be able to guard the Talisman with their
life, as decreed by our author Naoko Takeuchi.  And after the events of this
afternoon, I can think of no one better to guard the Talisman than Kasumi
Tendo."
     As murmurs ran through the crowd, Haruka picked the mirror up from
Michiru's memorial and made her way to Kasumi's side.  "Keep it safe," she
told the girl, "There's only one of them.  And if you break it, there'll be a
whole lot worse to deal with than seven years' bad luck."
     Kasumi smiled, then bowed deeply.  "I'm honoured, Haruka.  Thank you. 
I'll do my best."
     "That's all any of us ask."  Haruka turned around.  "As for everyone else
here, thank you for your compassion.  And I'm willing to bet Michiru thanks
you, too."
     The ensuing applause drowned out anything else she would have said.

- - - 
*And all the times she'd disobey,
she's diving in the ocean of your grace.*
- - -

     As the afternoon wore on into evening, the memorial service slowly
wound down.  And by the time dusk had fallen over the Anime Turnpike,
most of the participants had begun to make their way home.
     Sailor Air exchanged hugs with Haruka once more.  "See you at the
next Senshi reunion?"
     Haruka nodded.  "Count on it.  Where are we meeting this year?"
     "Somewhere in the state of Wyoming, United States of America.  You'll
have to ask Darien for all the details.  He's arranging hotels this year."  She
gestured at the box of suit bows that Haruka had been gathering.  "So, what
are you going to do with all of them?"
     "Beats me.  I'll think of something, though."  Picking up Michiru's picture,
she reached up and hung it on the wall.  "Misato wants this to stay here in the
Club.  Right over her favourite chair, too."
     Air grinned.  "Right.  See you in a few months, Haruka-san."  She went
and rejoined the rest of the Sailor Elements outside.
     With a deep sigh, Haruka bent down and tossed the rest of the suit bows
into the box.
     "Need a hand?" someone asked. Erica bent over and hefted the box in one
hand, then winked.  "Still got it, huh?"
     Haruka smiled wanly at one of her Americanized counterparts.  Alex, the
other one, had left already with Michelle.  "Yeah, you still got it.  You
heading all the way back home tonight?"
     "Mmmmm, probably not."
     "Then you can stay with me tonight.  I need to have someone else in the
house."
     "Need a hand going through the rest of Michiru's stuff?"
     "Yeah.  A few of us have to do that tomorrow.  You're welcome to join us."
Haruka stuffed the last few tiaras into the box that Erica was still holding.  "Are
you going to carry that out to the car for me?"
     "Well, since you asked so nicely. . . ." The two chuckled as they walked
outside.
     A half moon shone down on the nearly-empty parking lot as Erica dumped
the box into the back seat of the convertible.  "I'll follow you in," she said,
unlocking the door of her car in the next space.
     Haruka glanced back at the doors of the Club and saw Misato wave from
the front steps.  She waved back.  Then the Club owner pointed to the sky.
     Looking up, Haruka barely managed to spot her own planet, Uranus,
amongst all the stars.  Misato's message was clear.  Somewhere up there,
though unseen, was Neptune.  And the planet for which she was named after.

- - -
*She's going off the deep end, breaking from the crowd
She's way in over her head, I think she's gonna drown.
She's going off the deep end, the search is over now.
She's falling into your hands
It's all or nothing, there's no guessing,
she's been lost and found.*
- - -

Oh, man.  This took a lot longer than expected.  A lot of credit has to go to a
number of people.

     The Fan-created Senshi:
               Sailor Elements, by Sailor Heart.
               Sailors Deimos & Phobos, by Jaelle and Orla
               Satellite Senshi I,  by Beverly Alliss and Merlyn Baker
               Satellite Senshi II, by Dottie Wor
               Asteroid Senshi, warped by Dark Day For Anime :)
               Sailor Soulstone, by David Marts.

     Almost all of these authors can be found on the Sailor Moon Romance 
Archive.  David Marts can be found on Shinji's Vault of Anime MSTings,
 assuming he hasn't faked his death once again.
     The lyrics in the paragraph breaks are from the song "Deep End" by
the Newsboys, a Dove and Grammy-award winning Christian rock group out
of Australia.  It's from their latest album, "Step Up to the Microphone".
     And finally, this will be the Anipike's last visit to the AAA continuity
for a while.  Time to return to the reality of the Anime world.  But the Author
Avatar tournament will always go on.  Just stop by the Vault:
     http://www.geocities.com/Tokyo/Temple/4007
     For support, Lynxara, Jamie Jeans, Sandra, and Blazej.
     For love, Jo, Eden, Sandra (again!), and Aqua-chan.
     For ideas, Blazej, Lynxara, Jamie, and others.
     For anything else: All of you who read this.  Thank you.

     In Equinity,
               Nightbreak
