Storms of Neptune

Ch.6

Ch.6

Geysers launch plumes of mist and other materials into the atmosphere.
Coming in for a landing upon the icy, rocky surface of Triton, Akira approaches a castle. Sailor Neptune puzzles a few moments and it dawns on her
"That's the same castle in my dreams! I knew I recognized it."
As they lower down to the ground a tall, pretty woman with long icy, platinum blue hair, smiles upon their arrival. Wearing something like a cross between a dress and a kimono,
A large white tiger stands beside her whom the woman ruffles up her face in excitement.
Sailor Neptune watches this display of affection in astonishment.
"That tiger must be really tame to let her do that."
"Oh, you mean Kiyoko, she is a kind and gentle spirit, I promise she won't bite."
"Thank you Akira for bringing my girl home to me."
"My pleasure!"
Akira looks up at Sailor Neptune.
"Neptune, allow me to help you, it's a long way down. Please stay calm while I levitate you."
Akira gently levitates her down to the ground.
"I'm still not used to that." She said as she pats down her skirt then looks up to meet the loving gaze of this mysterious woman.
"Welcome home my daughter. Princess Neptune. Or should I say Michiru Kaioh. That is your earthly name in this lifetime, right?"
"Yes mam you are correct."
"Oh why so formal? You can relax around your dearest mother. You may call me Shika."
Kiyoko nudges Shika's hand.
Shika bends down to hug the large tiger ruffing up the top of her head. Which Kiyoko soaks up with pride.
"And this is my best friend and partner in crime Kiyoko. Do you remember each other? Say hello, you may pet her if you'd like."
Sailor Neptune is taken aback.
"Are you sure about this?"
"Of course I trust Kiyoko with my life."
"Okay then."
Sailor Neptune slowly reaches out to let Kiyoko smell her. The breath of this majestic beast's warm strength bestows a sense of mystique. Kiyoko meets here halfway and rubs her head under her hand.
Sailor Neptune blushes with the dorkiest grin on her face.
"This is so cool. You are so soft, your coat is beautiful Kiyoko. Nice to meet you both."
Shika sighs.
"Seems it's been too long since you've come to live in your Earthy life. Come, no need to fear. We shall reacquaint and spend some quality time together tonight, before we get down to business.
I've been watching over you this entire time, no need to explain. I know this must all seem confusing but allow me to clear things up for you. Know that you make me proud every single day."
Sailor Neptune looks over at Akira.
"What will you do Akira?"
"Well obviously I can't go in but I'll be around. If you gals need me just call."
"Many thanks , Akira!" Shika waves him on.
"Now come on in my daughter. You are safe and you are welcomed here. After all it's your native home. You may transform back to normal if you'd like."
Shika and Kiyoko escort Sailor Neptune into the castle.
As they walk down the entrance hall, she transforms back to normal.
Observing the architecture in awe. A sensation of deja vu hits like her soul consciousness telling her this is right. Everything is exactly how it's supposed to be.
They walk into the main room where Sailor Neptune sees the exact water fountain her little sister sat upon in her dream playing her conch shell.
"So this is all real, the places and beings in my dreams are actually real. Can you explain why this is?"
"It's mostly your subconscious soul memory. Our spirits whisper truths we need to hear, guiding us along our paths. You know all about your intuition and I'm so glad you've never lost touch with it.
Other times it is us communicating to you directly through your dreams. It's one of the only ways to get through the vail.
You see, the earth is under a sinister curse. Cut off from the rest of the universe yet all is in plain sight. This is why majority of people on earth are out of tune and lack awareness of the greater universe around them. Why they struggle with their heads in the sand and their tails between their legs. Aimlessly going about their days trying so desperately to find meaning and some kind of salvation.
That's where things get dangerous. There are far too many evil things looking to take advantage of their blindness. But that's why good must stand up and fight against those forces.
Forgive me I didn't mean to get to the gravity of the situation so soon. However, we Neptunians have always had a rule that we must always be in tune and in touch with reality. To never shy away from the truth.
Come, allow me to give you the grand tour. Might be a good way to jog your memory and get reacquainted. Then how about we have some tea and talk things over shall we?"
Michiru nods. "Sounds like a plan."
Shika waves her arms out in a welcoming presenting fashion.
"My daughter, I present to you, here in the grand entrance we have our lovely lichen gardens, surrounding ponds with our divine sea koi in them. There are at least twenty species of lichen you see here before you.
"How unusual! It's unlike anything I've ever seen before."
Michiru walks over to the ponds, one on each side of the hall south of the fountain. She observes the sea koi swim graceful in their pure essence. The fish notice her and next thing she knows she sees their curious little faces splashing about.
"The fish! They're looking at me." She laughs gracefully, "They are so excited... it's a little scary."
"Interesting that you would sense such a thing, dearest Michiru. That is cause they can see into your soul. And good news is they like you so you have nothing to fear only to grow from. Plus they are happy to have their princess back. Those fish posses mysterious magic that even I have yet to completely understand. However, I can tell you they have the ability to see only truth and there for are good judges of character."
"Well then, that's a good thing. Glad I'm a soul of good character." Michiru smiles and shrugs in relief.
    "If you may please turn round, my dear. This majestic fountain you see here is very ancient, and it has been running since archaic times. This water contains memories. We also have coral gardens here at the entrance to the hub of the castle, the command center."
Michiru's eyes widen with delight at the little worlds of visual paradise.
"These corals are astounding, such an array of colors. The water is simply pristine. So beautiful."
She stands before them soaking in the peace they bring her.
"Would you like to go in and see the Command Center?"
As she stares before those doors a knot coils in her stomach but she could not place it as to why.
"Straight ahead this way."
Two doors slide open and Michiru follows Shika and Kiyoko into the room.
    "This is our helm, our eyes on the solar system, the Milky Way, and beyond."
    Michiru observes the water that surrounds a large square platform where four giant screens present themselves straight ahead on the north end of the room.
    "Shika, I kinda have a little stomach ache."
    Oh, why didn't you tell me sooner? I noticed you staring off into space and was starting to worry." She walks over to a medicine cabinet and pulls out what looks like a hard candy of some kind, handing it to Michiru.
    "Thank you, what is this exactly?"
    "It's a medicine drop that helps our bodies to cure common aliments, such as colds, stomach aches, and the like. It simply soothes symptoms without masking the bodies natural defenses and communication."
    "That's cool, thanks." Michiru unwraps and pops it in her mouth.
    They come out of the command center.
"Now which way do you want to go, left or right?"
"Hm, lets go right."
As they walk along, Michiru smells salty water in the air.
"Coming up on your right is one of two pools in the castle. It is a little smaller and more for fun while the other is part of a training facility.
Unlike pools you're used to back on earth we don't use chlorine or other chemicals. It's just good old fashion seawater."
They continue on turning the corner to face north.
"And here we have the east gallery near the stairwell.
To the back we have the auditorium."
Sailor Neptune notices the array of colors. "I see we have more coral gardens."
Shika nods. "Yep, and this is the northern fountain. The back entrance to the castle is right down the hall."
Carrying on heading west a little ways.
"Here is our sophisticated training pool and facility I was talking about earlier.
"Excuse me, Shika, sorry to interrupt but speaking of training. I was wondering if I could receive some kind of training while I'm here?"
"Of course, anything I can do to help you succeed as a senshi. We'll count on it tomorrow. For now just relax."
Moving on, they turn round the bend.
"Here is the west gallery and stairwell where we shall be heading up."
Shika leads them upstairs, climbing the spiral staircase.
      "These stairs kind of remind me of an ammonite shell."
"A very keen observation my daughter, you are right. Ammonite are a neptunian secret legend. They evolved into octopi of such a wide variety of species. They really are fascinating. If you ever find an ammonite shell it's considered good luck, especially to us. The magic in those shells can aid in tuning our vibrations and offers protection."
"Neat."
They get to the landing of the second floor. Michiru pans up to see that the stair case keeps going up.
"Shika, may I ask where the rest of the stairs go?"
"To the roof. It's a stunning view. I was saving that for last, it is the icing on the cake."
"Here on the upper floor are the sleeping quarters. Most activity happens downstairs or else where. First up on the right are the guest rooms. Further down is your sister's room. And across from her room belongs to Kiyoko and I."
She walks up to the first door on the left. "This is your old room ..."
The door swings open slowly as Michiru takes it all in. Decorated with sea shells and other ocean related vibes. She is drawn to a large full body mirror standing in the corner of the room. Her reflection shows off her stunning beauty.
"So does any of this resonate with you, Princess Neptune?"
    "I love it all, so it's speaking to me... I just can't help but be a bit frustrated with this heavy amnesia. It disturbs me. Even though I stand in the midst of it all right in front of my face. The heavy weight on my mind won't cease. My memories just haven't surfaced, I'm sorry If I disappoint you. There's so much I don't understand yet."
    "No worries, Whatever you do, though, don't force anything. Your Memories will surface when you need them most.
You said you were interested in some kind of official training, right? Well I know a few good exercises, I'm sure will help you to get in tune with your greater Neptunian conscious."
    They make their way back to the stairs and go up. Shika stops at the landing. "Here, let's do a little exercise right now. Cause for me to train you, I need you to trust me. Okay, so close your eyes and take my hand."
"Okay... eyes closed. I promise not to peak."
    Shika takes her hand and opens the door.
Michiru breathes in the fresh crisp atmosphere that wafts into her face like a winter breeze. Her other senses heighten while she walks in the dark, putting her trust in this strange and mysterious person. They come to a stop.
     "Okay, you can open them now!"
    Michiru opens her eyes to the sea of frost and ice as geysers shoot up like cannons.
    "What a sight!"
    "I thought you'd like it."
    Michiru wanders over to the east end of the roof.
    "What's on the other side of those mountains?"
    "The other side of Triton's planetary body is strictly your sister's territory. You must remember she is the ruling Senshi of this world. She has secrets that are even a mystery to me..." Shika lets out a heavy sigh.
    "Why don't we go have tea now. What do you say? Oh, and how could I forget the living room, dining room and kitchen. Well we are heading there anyway."
     After the glorious tour Shika takes Neptune to the living room.
"This is where we have our tea. You stay here with Kiyoko while I go to the kitchen, I won't be long."
Kiyoko lays down upon a fluffy cushion on the floor.
A few moments of quiet pass by.
Michiru sinks into the couch. Being alone with Kiyoko, Michiru works up the nerve to speak to her.
"I don't know, Kiyoko. My head is spinning." She leans forward placing her elbows on her knees, running her hands over her face. "I don't know what to think, it feels like I'm still dreaming. Someone pinch me."
Kiyoko gets up and walks over to her. Michiru tenses up as she approaches, doing her best to hide her fear. Despite that Kiyoko lays her head on Michiru's lap. Her loud big cat purr vibrates against her legs. Michiru pets her gently and as she does so finds it in herself to relax.
"Aww, thanks Kiyoko. You really are a gentle soul aren't you. You can sense my feelings."
Shika comes in with a cart carrying the tea and some neptunian treats.
"Well, I see you two are getting reacquainted. How nice."
Shika serves Michiru and herself. Giving Kiyoko a bowl of water.
"There's water on Triton?"
"Yes my dear only the finest fresh water from beneath the surface of our moon's inner waters. Satellites tend to be bigger on the inside."
"Wow, how fascinating."
They sat drinking their tea in a few moments of relaxation and reflection.
"Shika, I have a question."
"Go right on ahead and ask, I promise I don't bite."
"Upon that very water fountain in the front entrance way, in my dream. The conch shell playing little girl, who is apparently my sister, spoke to me. May I ask where she is? Is she here?
Shika frowns and sighs.
"She is about to incarnate on Earth to accomplish her mission and do her part to save the planet. Just as you have."
"Then how could she have been here in this place in my dreams? She said that Poseidon is hunting her to use her as a weapon for some endless fruitless war."
We have ways of communicating things on a spiritual level. Especially when it's vital information."
         A peculiar silence fills the air. Sailor Neptune looks at Shika in suspense.
"Is something wrong?"
"It's her karma and the fracture in her mind... emotionally, it's complicated."
Shika sniffles.
Neptune comforts Shika.
"Can you try to tell me the story? What do you mean by fracture? How can I help? Cause I sincerely want to help save her from Poseidon's cruel ambitions."
You might not recall what happened during the fall of Atlantis. How those fools sacrificed the one person who tried to save their wretched souls. For that Egypt is a forever cursed land for this is where the unspeakable crime was committed. Against a person so pure, time stood still as Gaia and her earth experienced the fabled great fall. This is how her mind became fractured. Fact is we almost lost her forever. Since the aftermath of that incident, your souls are bonded meaning you both swore a sacred oath that you would protect each other always. Break this promise and you both will suffer for it. Unless one of the two of you holds up their end of the deal, that is.
It was so long ago but it still seems like it was yesterday. This is because the karmic story has come back around again. Your sister, Sailor Triton, has been called by Gaia for a special secret mission. We all are being asked by the universe to face the ghosts of our archaic past. To answer for our baggage. To hopefully carve out a better future for us all.
Tears stream down Shika's face.
Michiru feels deep empathy, the gears turning in her head like unlocking a secret chamber in her soul where memories are starting to emerge. Something clicked only she can't quite put her finger on it or find the words to describe them.
"Shika... or mom, I should say... can you tell me more?"
Shika swallows her tears, swiftly changing the subject.
     "This brings us to our situation now. We have discovered a space-time rift that is causing major disturbances throughout the cosmos.
There is a special item, a relic that is causing it. Someone must retrieve it but to tamper with such a crucial fixed point in time is very dangerous."
"So you want me to go retrieve it, is that what you're saying?"
"But first you must pass a challenge. It will take place in the heartland of our beloved planet Neptune, The Astral Lagoon.
On the surface there are many shallower pools or atolls created by purple sand and bioluminescent corals. These corals keep this realm in balance for the powers of the imagination can get just a little overwhelming at times. The coral, in other words, are the referees. Keeping the heartland of Neptune sustainable.
Our planet is an entire universe contained within a planetary body. We specialize in the realms of dreams and imagination. We hold secrets that other star systems struggle to even grasp.
"So what am I supposed to do?" Sailor Neptune puzzles.
"Dive to the bottom of the largest atoll in the Astral Lagoon and find the Sanctum of the Sovereign. In there you must locate a powerful neptunian weapon that is only to be wielded in extreme cases.
If you are able to complete the challenge successfully I will take you up the peaks of the snowy ice-lands. There you will speak to a very special dragon. BlackIce is her name and she will give you, your mission and the lowdown on what to do to save your little sister. This dragon knows everything about your sister and I mean everything! She can tell you a lot more than I can about Sailor Triton."
Sailor Neptune casts a worried look on her face.
"Oh, Don't worry, sweetie, Akira can rescue you if something goes wrong. As we discussed, you will gain a weeks worth of training but this is your native home so if you just listen to your instincts I'm sure they'll instruct you on what to do. Your subconscious speaks volumes of useful information so listen to it. Remember this is for your own benefit, not to put you in harms way."
"A week? Isn't it a bit urgent to rescue my sister?"
Don't worry, Gaia is with her. Besides we can't go in unprepared now can we."
"Right..."
    Sailor Neptune peers into her reflection in her tea for a few moments and takes a sip.
    "I just, wish I could remember more so I can be of more use. By my spirit intuition I'm guided by a mysterious sense of duty and I'm intrigued by this but I don't really know what to think."
    Shika hugs her.
    "Please allow me to do everything in my power to help. I promise it'll all come back to you in due time. You're doing more than enough, remember that always.