season 2-part 46:an invitation from the princess

                       

Part 46: An Invitation from the Princess

The whole crowd cheered as Ami won the last event, and everyone was also surprised that it started to snow. Jerren ran over to where Ami was to check up on her.

“Are you okay?” worried Jerren, “Gosh, she tried to really kill you".

"I'm fine now,” replied Ami, “but yes, she did attempt to kill me in a way. But she’s done now, not dead, she’s just unconscious.”
The royal family checked her out and tried to unfreeze her, or try to chisel her out if possible.
Seto approached Ami through the now snow covered arena, and congratulated her, "My, my Ami, what a powerful comeback you had against my granddaughter.
“And that sign that appeared on your forehead. Are you sure you’re not one of those people?" she asked, examining her forehead as she made a thoughtful noise.

"I assure you neither me nor my partner, Jerren, are related to the people of Mercury,” assuring Ami, grinning. “Even though I have been developing techniques similar to them and my fictional counterpart that I acted out on earth, but other than that we’re acquaintances of them only."

"Well just to be sure, you two will have to take a blood test when we get back to Jurai,” told Seto, rubbing her chin, “other than that congratulations."

"Test accepted,” Ami said. She bowed her head down in respect. “I'm just glad to have this meaningless squabble put behind me finally. Jerren and I can finally get back to enjoying the rewards you granted us.”

As for Ayeka, she was taken to a hospital on Jurai were her injuries she received from Ami were being treated, mostly from hypothermia.
She remained there for about three months, and then returned to the castle by the escort of the guards. When she went to her room she dismissed the guards and closed the door behind her. She gazed at the ceiling for a past quarter hour while laying on her bed thinking about her defeat by the hands of Ami mizuno. The more she thought about it, the more irritated and frustrated she began. Then she snaps. She screamed loudly in her room and grew into a frenzy. She jumped off the bed and began vandalize her own room by ripping her stuffed animals apart with her bare hands; she took her little dresser where she kept most of her jewelry in it, and threw it outside where it landed in the watery moat. She grabbed for her chair and struck the surface of the mirror; pieces went flying. Ayeka violently slammed the chair onto the floor, and later threw it outside were it landed it the water with the dresser.
Sasami opened the door to check up on her, her eyes wide when she saw the room’s current condition, whimpering, "Ayeka, what is going on?”
Ayeka then turned her attention to the woman with a cold violent expression on her face. Sasami became afraid and closed the door quickly. Ayeka waited for the sounds of the woman’s frighten footsteps to fade away, and continued to her rage.
She started to bunch holes into the wall her Jurain strength. She ran to her window and yelled to the world: “AMI!”
She stood there breathing heavily as she calmed down, and then went back to her bed staring at the ceiling once more.

"That Earth girl really pushes my buttons,” she murmured to herself, “I'm the princess of Jurai for crying out loud the most powerful empire this galaxy that has ever known.
“So, why can't I have Jerren for myself, it would only make sense since he was my servant for a time. I have everything except him because of that Earth girl pal of his!”
Ayeka tried to control her breathing, and thought, ‘She is the reason why he has eluded my grasp for this long.”
She got up from her bed, and went backed to the window. She stared at the daylight, but had a cold expression on her face. “I have to find a way to get Jerren, and to be sure to keep him separated from Ami, but how?”
Then, she began to paced back in forth in her room and thought about it. ‘Maybe I can somehow make ami commit sedition under the Jurain law.’
She grinned madly but it faded away quickly. ‘But that will never work. She too respected, not only by my grandmother, but also by the people here on Jurai and everyone else in the galaxy.’
She stood in the middle of the wrecked room, and stared out to the opened window. ‘Or, maybe make her commit an act of treachery against Jerren, so that he will become to revile her!’
Ayeka was growing frustrated and made a small growl. ‘No, that won't work either, there bind is too strong, and Ami is enough smart to see through my plan…’
She went back to her window, resting her head the palm of her hand, and observed the sky. ‘What shall I do? There has to be something.’
While looking at the surrounding landscape, her eyes widen and a malicious smile formed.

The next morning, Jerren and Ami were awakened by a knock at the door. They got up, went through the short hallway, and downstairs to answer the front door. It was a Jurain soldier that was holding a note in his hand.

“Message for you ma’am,” he said as he gave the note to Ami.
She skimmed through the piece of parchment. "She invited me to a little tea party.”

"A tea party,” spoke Jerren, “was I invited too?"

"No,” replied Ami, “it says its girl’s only tea party. So no boys allowed.”

"So are you going to go, or what?" inquired Jerren.

"Even though I'm quite cynical of her intentions, and what she’s up to I'll accompany her.”
……………..
About 30 minutes had passed, and Ami arrived at the destination point where Ayeka was. It was nearby the castle of Azuza and Misaki. It was a huge garden with a wide arranges of flowers, and Ayeka was sitting under an umbrella drinking tea in her small cup, by a table with another chair reserved for Ami. There was a tea pot and cup of tea poured just for Ami.
"I don't know what you’re up to, or what kind of plan you have up your sleeve” Ami said with a suspicious look on her face. She took a seat and continued, “But whatever it is I'll make sure you’re...”
"Oh, silly little Ami,” Ayeka laughed, “I have no hidden agenda against you. just want to socialize with you is all. You know woman to woman, and finally bury the hatchet on this ridiculous feud.
She took a little sip of her tea, and grinned. “I actually came to respect your abilities to never give up over time while I was incarcerated in the hospital bed. But tell me what gave you your strength and what was that sign on your head?"
"Well, it's hard to explain,” replied Ami, “all I can say is while you used your feet to pin my head down to the ground. Something in me ticked. Repressed memories of me being harassed and tortured by people who I worked with came back and it just fueled my anger. It reminded me that I would never be anyone’s punching bag as long as I lived. It gave me the energy to get me of you and perhaps it unlocked that sign that you just said. I felt invincible; I felt the courage and endurance to stop you.
She paused for a second. “As for the sign again I haven't a got clue. I'm still trying to figure out how I got these powers in the first place.”
"Repressed memories huh.” mumbled Ayeka, and asked, “And, what are these repressed memories you talk about, you’ve got me interested."

"Well, I guess since were now conversing with each other,” told Ami, “I'll tell you. I guess it all started when I was an actor on earth.”
"So, you were an actor on earth; I see.” said Ayeka as she continued to drink her tea. “Were you rich and famous as you are now?”
"Not really,” sighed Ami, “it was a 200 episode live action series acted on in Japan, and the pay was average. It all started when I was 14, and I was still in school. My mom just picked me up from school; while we were driving home we saw an advertisement for a show called ‘Sailor moon’. They were hiring teenage girls and boys from ages 14 and up. I asked mom if can I try out, and she said, ‘yes’. We went to the place where they were holding auditions. When I entered there had to be hundreds trying out for the role of sailor mercury. Every other role male and female was already taken by six individuals. I wanted the last main role, but I had to prove myself. I waited at least it was my turn to go up, and they called me up. I was nervous at first, but after a few minutes I just acted natural, and became myself which stunned them surprisingly.
She continued, “The next day, I received a notice from the company which was called Kodnsha Studios by the way telling me I got the part of Mercury. I went to the studio and met the cast. Usagi was Sailor Moon, Rei Hino was Mars, Lita was Jupiter, Minako was Venus, and Darien was Tuxedo Mask. Shooting started that day, and they seemed friendly enough. I appeared in episode eight of the series which I made my debut in, and it was called: ‘Is the genius girl a monster? Brainwashing terror at school.’ I got my first taste of the spotlight when that episode was filmed. I was this intelligent computer loving genius girl that gets high grades at school, and was kind of to myself. Storyline wise, I was the first one to be found by Usagi/Sailor moon, and realized my Sailor-sensei powers. But fast forwarding a bit, the show was a rounding critical success, and rapidly gained a cult following over the past 2 years."

"Interesting, but where did the problems kick in? That’s what I want to hear.”
"I was about to get to that,” said Ami sipping her cup of tea. “With all the rousing success over the  two year period laid problems, but like I said the cast seemed friendly enough at first, but as time passed they got more ambitious, selfish, and even greedy. And, they became also more antagonistic when my popularity rose even though theirs were too. I started when the company took a popularity poll. It asked: ‘Who was your favorite character from sailor moon out of the top 20, and your favorite episode?’
“The polls showed that sailor mercury was in seventh, and my separate, and also real life, entitle which was ranked fourth. I was the most popular that year only second to sailor moon/Usagi. I was also the most popular female in the animated magazines popularity poll. Even some episodes that featured me as the main character like Ami's love, the boy who can predict the future and another one featuring me competing against sailor Neptune in a swimming contest also was popular.
“Some of the main cast was furious at me because of my growing popularity. They were popular in the polls too but not to the extent as Sailor moon or me. So, they retaliated by harassing me in the backstage in secret and bullying me.”
"Oh my,” spoke Ayeka, “that had to be hectic for you.
“Did you ever get out?”
"Eventually, after my contract expired,” said Ami. “But, by that time the harassment took its toll. At first the acting was fun and so was the storyline, but then it got to the point where it wasn't enjoyable anymore. There would be days where people would complain about their scripts and about the pay, too. Eventually, the formula for the series got so repetitive that even I myself got bored around season four; when we were fighting the dark moon circus. But, I was bound by my contract. I had my own short one hour movie. But above all that, after the show was done, I severed all ties with the company and never looked back.”
"Showbiz didn't give you any ounce of happiness, huh?” theorized Ayeka,” Even when you were atop at your game.”
"Not one bit,” said Ami, “the show to me was kind of boring after a while, and a waste of time with the same repetitive formula, fighting monsters, and looking for crystals mirrors, and so on and so forth. Even though the writers put an interesting subplot in all the sagas, but were blackened by the formula, and being surrounded by selfish people, especially the main cast, who whined about their status in the show every time. It made me disillusioned about show business. Something that started out as fun soon became bleak, and it made me feel all empty inside."

"So, what did you do afterwards?” questioned Ayeka. “I'm curious now.”
"Well, after the show was cancelled, I decided to do what my mother was doing and that was to become a doctor,” explained Ami. “I went to college get my PhD in becoming a doctor in America, and after four years I finally got it. I eventually became a doctor, and I was excited about my job! But, eventually like with the Sailor Moon TV series, I became disillusioned with it.”
"Hm, that too,” said Ayeka, “how?"
"Well over time, I came to realize that the people didn't really care for the patients. They did their job, but they were in it for the money.”
"Ooh, more drama,” Ayeka grinned as she was sipping her tea, “this is getting good."
"Also, the job became depressing as well, seeing people die when they don't make it, and also seeing them in agonizing pain when they have horrendous injuries. It just brought tears to my eyes. The toll the job took on me was stressful with the hectic work schedule; I’d almost no time to myself. So, I left that career, even though I got paid well, it just wasn't worth it".
"So, did you find another job,” asked Ayeka, “or no?"
"I worked part time as a nurse,” replied Ami, “and that was just as bad too. The doctor was in his early 30s that was impressed with my working skills.
“So, he appointed me to higher responsibilities like watching over the patients. But, the other nurses got jealous, so jealous that they persecuted me by treating me with needles and trying to put down different pills down my throat. So, I filed for workers harassment and resigned, even though it was a nice part time job at first.”
"Wow, Ami, that’s a nightmare right there.
“But tell me, how did you and Jerren meet?” inquired Ayeka, “I'm defiantly curious about that.”
"It’s an interesting story,” said Ami. “The day after I resigned, I was out of work and was just walking around the city. I bumped into him after he was talking to himself. He said he knew who I was since he saw me working at the hospital, since he didn't get to talk to me. And, he also said he saw me on the show Sailor Moon as Mercury. We started to walk together, and introduce ourselves, and started to chat a little bit. The socializing was fun, and we became friends over time. We talked about are struggles, and how our lives seems to have no sense of purpose, and we just connected. We later went to a space program where we’ve wanted to try out the new ships, and go to space. Later, we did, and we’ve ended up going to Mercury. The two of us met them, and we lived with them for a year until, of course, you came and took us all as exiles. And that’s how we met.”
"I see,” said Ayeka, “how do you like you status as noble of my family's house though? It has been a 3 months."

"Oh, it's wonderful,” replied Ami. “The political power we have is somewhat broad inscope, and we exercise that right respectively. We collect taxes, and give them to the royal families, and keep the peace. We also go to colonies who entered there space age, and tell them all about Jurai. It's fun!”
Ayeka finished her cup of tea, and tried to pour some more from the tea pot, but it was empty.
"Well, it seems I've emptied this pot,” said Ayeka, “I'm going to half to go into the castle and get some more. Is that ok with you?”

"Yeah sure,” assured Ami, “just don't keep me waiting for too long I'm actually enjoying talking with you.”
Ayeka then ran back inside the castle to make some more tea.
Just then a breeze came in, and Ami also heard some rustlings in the hedges.
Ami had a suspicious look on her face as she heard that noise. She got up from her chair, and generated a sword made of ice.
"Okay! Whoever you are,” said Ami, “you can come out now and face me like a man or a woman." As she finished, they came out of the bushes and the people in question was Ryoko with three of her space pirate goons.
"Ryoko, it's you!” yelled Ami, “and I see you brought some of your friends along with you. Of what business do you have being here?"

"Isn't it obvious little girl,” smirked Ryoko. “ I want  revenge for humiliating me a year ago!"
"You mean when we were facing Kagato,” Ami stated, letting her arms hang with the sword within her grasp. “You were under his control, plus he drained you of your powers not us.”
"Oh yeah,” acknowledged Ryoko, “well you cut off my hand! And, that wasn't easy to get over."
"It grew back though,” Ami, “so, why all the fuss now?"

"I just want revenge!” screamed Ryoko. “Plus, I want your blood plastered all over this beautiful little garden. After that I'll be gunning for your boyfriend too!”

"Not if I have anything to say about it!” Ami snapped, positioning her stands.
Ami charged towards Ryoko with her ice sword. Ryoko dodge the strike by jumping in the air while generating a sword out of her own energy. The pirates ganged up on Ami, and she retaliated by shooting bubbles out of her right hand.

All three of them were sent flying to the bushes. Ryoko then attacked from midair with her blade, and Ami countered with hers. The two were struggling as Ryoko tried to put pressure on her. Ami then shot bubbles out of her right hand, and sent her flying to the table.
She trapped inside the soapy prison, and growled.

"Now, whose blood you were going to plaster all over this field,” spat Ami, “because it's not going to happen!" Ryoko simply busted out of the bubble, and flew back into the air.

"Yours!” bellowed Ryoko. “And, now since I'm ticked, I'll make sure it's extra brutal!"
Ryoko then shot  energy blasts from the air, and Ami activated her bubble-like force field. It was holding out for a while until Ryoko continuously shoot at it with more force with every blast from her two hands.
The force field finally gave away, and so did her sword. Ami got up, and had a concerned look on her face.
"You seem to be a bit stronger than the last time. A year ago you couldn’t throw that much at that type of speed."

"You’re right little girl,” said Ryoko. “You see that scientist, Washu, gave me a new pair of gems after Kagato drained them from me. So now, I'm at full power!"
Then Ryoko started to shoot more rapidly, and Ami started to run. She then retaliated by shooting bubbles at her with both of her hands. Ryoko stopped and activated her own energy-like force field.
"Ha, little girl unlike yours, mine can hold out longer!" mocked Ryoko. “So, your little bubble attack is useless!" Ryoko then charged at Ami in midair. Ami aimed and shot out water, which sent her flying to the castle wall. Ami charged to her, but Ryoko got out of her spot. She tackled her to the ground hard, and made another sword out of her energy. She tried to strike down for Ami's chest with the plasma blade, but Ami kicked Ryoko off of her.Before Ryoko could get back up, Ami froze her with her breath of ice, and she was in a block of ice. Her body was covered except for her head.
"Are you finished with your blood lust?" Why search for vengeance?"
"No,” replied Ryoko, “mine is only starting!”
She then concentrated and broke out of the solid block of ice, and blasted her to the bushes. Ami got up slowly, and suddenly behind a bush, a person with a mask appeared.
"Do it now!” demanded Ryoko as the mysterious pirate goon took off the mask.
"NO IT CAN"T BE!” shouted Ami, “IT’S YOU, BUT HOW!?” Screams could be heard as the people around the area heard a loud shout of fear.
Ayeka came out of the castle with the tea pot in her hand, and ran backed to the garden.
"Ok, I have the tea so now we can-” Then she saw the garden destroyed, and the table ruined. She also saw Ami who looked like she passed out.
Meanwhile at the palace, Jerren was helping his Mercurian servants’ cleanup the place, and was actually having a good time with it. During that time, there was a knock on the door and one of the servants opened it. It was a Jurain royal guard at the door.
"What’s going on?” Jerren worriedly asked. “Is everything fine?”
The guard was silent for a moment to find his words, but he had a look of heartfelt sorrow. “Something happened to the princess at Azuza’s castle.”
Jerren followed the guard all the way to that very castle, and was taken to the scene were the incident happened. What he saw shocked him.
The person was Ami lying on the ground dead with a saber through her chest, and blood dripping down her mouth and on her shirt. She looked pale, and a blank look was all that was left. Ayeka was at the scene talking to the royal guards, and she saw Jerren. She went to him slowly, and tried to comfort him.

"She is dead,” told Ayeka, “whoever did this did a good job of racking up the place, and doing this to her.
“But, don't worry we rounded up all of the people who were knocked out, and they’re going to go under military investigation.
But, the only thing I can say is sorry, I’m so sorry. I couldn't come in time to stop this from happening.”
Jerren fell to his knees as he heard the news Ayeka gave him. He was shaking uncontrollably as he turned his attention back to the lifeless corpse, and slowly crawled to her. He put his head on her stomach, and started to burst into tears, stuttering, “No, how could this happen?”
He looked up to the sky and screamed: “AMI!"
………………………………..
The next morning, there was a funeral held for her with a estimate of 400,000 in attendance. It wasn't a bright morning though for the sky was a pale grey color as if it was about to rain. The royal Misaki family was resent with all family members of Azuza, Misaki, Sassami, and Ayeka, as well as the Kamiki family with Seto, and her secretaries Harada and Minaho, and her husband Utsutumi. Regular civilians of Jurai attended as well including the people of Mercury who went with them. And of course, there was Jerren who was there staring at her casket, depressed. He was about to give a speech.
Ayeka went up on the platform with him to also give a speech. Everyone was in a sad and a depressed mode, especially the people of Mercury who gave way to tears for Ami's death. Jerren then began to talk even though he was saddened.

"I want to thank you all for coming to my friend’s funeral even though you don't know her very well, and the fact she was a human like me. It just makes me grateful that she actually have people who care for her despite her background, and mines especially with the presence of the royal families both the Misakis and Kamikis.” Then he saw Sasmi in the audience bursting into tears crying.

"I know Sasami, I’m hurting badly inside too,” replied Jerren, “and I'll stay strong for you, and for everyone in this audience. You know when Ami and I came here as exiles, and we didn't know what would happen and what the future would hold.
“We were scared, but that was okay because we had each other. We encounter ruthless guards, and powerful monarchs most notably the Azuza and Misaki who split us up for a while to be sold by masters.
“We’ve encountered many interesting people on this planet, and abroad like the princess of Jurai who was standing before me, Lady Seto, the two cops: Mihoshi and Kiyone, a crazy and small scientist named Washu, and even villains who wanted to destroy the universe like Ryoko and Kagato.
“We didn't know that defeating them though would elevate us to royal status somewhat since were nobles, but it was fun until this tragedy happened."
Jerren then gave the microphone to Ayeka as she took the stand.

"My, my look at all this,” said Ayeka, “over 400,000 in attendance just to pay their respects to an female exile turn nobility surprises me. You know, when I first met Ami on Kagato's ship, and after I was rescued and Kagato himself was done away with ,Ami wanted me to shake her hand. I didn't know what to feel but I did it anyway. As time passed my love and affection for Jerren grew as my resentment for Ami grew as well because she was in conflict with me. I challenged her with various things like a beauty contest, or a duel and every time I seem to get the edge, she would always makes a comeback. She never gave up without a fight, and that is one quality I appreciate."
Then she went down the stand. Seto then walked to the stage and went to the platform.

"Well, the people of Jurai, this is indeed a travesty for all,” she said in a depressed matter. “She was indeed a prodigy, and one of my shining stars. She will be thoroughly missed. Now, the only thing left is to bury her next to the honorary burial grounds where the soldiers and heroes lay. She did rescue us from Kagato after all.”
Then Ayeka came up with another suggestion. “Actually grandmother, I was thinking of cremation. Then, we’ll spread her ashes around the fields, and she'll finally rest in peace."
"NO! Not like that!” yelled Jerren, “Not to Ami.”

"But, Jerren,” said Ayeka, “what if grave robbers try to steal her and...”
"I SAID NO PRINCESS, AND THAT IS FINAL!”
Then he calmed down, and left the stage crying a little bit.
"Okay then,” said Ayeka, “we’ll bury her”.

To be continued...........