Peace, Perseverance, and Possibility: The Courageous Tale of Sailor Mars and Gellah

"Aaaaahhhhhh!"

The ravenous crowd on the opposite side of the ring, eager for blood and turmoil, responded to the shrill cry with a roar of their own.

Mars' exhausted hands clung desperately to the ropes enclosing the battlefield as she fought to regain her balance. But it was futile: Vegeta's fist had already connected with her abdomen, propelling her several feet away. Her forceful landing, face down, left her head spinning and her ears deafened. The cacophony of the audience seemed muffled and remote, as though emanating from another world.

"Oh no," Mars muttered, attempting to raise herself using her arms, but her strength ebbed away. "No... I can't..." Her body grew heavier until at last, with a despairing glance around, she resigned herself to her fate and closed her eyes.

Her head slumped downward, and she could feel her body surrendering to gravity to rest upon the cold ground beside her. The battle was lost. Nothing remained for her now but to await the end. She knew recovery would be impossible after Vegeta's vicious blow to the solar plexus, one of the most agonizing places to receive a strike. If he had damaged any organs in the process... Well, she preferred not to dwell on that at present.

Tears slid down her cheeks as the sound of Vegeta celebrating his victory reverberated throughout the entire arena. My life has never been easy or ordinary... but I didn't ask for this! All I ever desired was someone who cared about me, about my life! Someone to tell me it's okay to love whomever I wish, and that there's no need to abide by all these absurd rules in this wretched world! she thought bitterly, sorrowfully, feeling further tears wet the earth beneath her face.

"Mars!" Gellah's voice brought Mars back to the present, and she looked up to see her friend standing at their regular meeting spot in town. They would catch up there every morning after breakfast, then walk home hand-in-hand. Beaming, Gellah waved at Mars and inquired, "How did you fare yesterday? Did you win your fight?"

"No," Mars whispered, shaking her head sadly. "I actually lost yesterday." Sensing her own disappointment mirrored in Gellah's empathetic eyes, Mars divulged more about her unfortunate experience. "Somebody beat me up pretty badly. I had never fought anyone like him before," she admitted as they walked home together.

"He is so strong!" Mars exclaimed with genuine admiration, although she quickly lowered her voice just in case anyone overheard. "He could have killed me if he wanted, but he just kept attacking me until I passed out," she confessed, tears welling in her eyes once more. Offering Gellah a deeply grateful gaze, Mars added, "If it wasn't for you... I probably would have died yesterday." Then tenderly, she kissed Gellah's forehead, their connection providing solace after a grueling ordeal.