Once again, I did not write this, a talented author named Daniel Harrison
did. Daniel also wrote "Summer Cruise" which is a KOR fanfic, I recommend
you to check it out if you are a KOR fan, it is very good. Now this is a
Sailor Moon fic by him, I find it very good, but I don't know how it
compares with other Sailor Moon fics since I read only two. You can C &C
him directly at this address: Skyhawk%aurora@dranch.wolfenet.com
Or you can give me the C&C directly and I will see it he sees it.
Oh, there are many grammar errors in this fic, I fixed four or five of them
since they were bugging the heck out of me. Just to let you know, I didn't
covert this from non word wrapped text, so some lines will be cut off ,
just ignore that.
===begin====
Dark Fire!
By Daniel C. Harrison
Chapter One: Deception!
"Aino-chan..where are you going?"
"Uhmm." Minako looked up at Meyo-chan. Meyo was looking back at her
expectantly.
Minako gathered her things together. "I have to go see a friend,
Meyo-chan."
"You are always taking off, Minako. You always spend time with one
group of people. Why don't you come with me to Sugi-chan's party?"
"Gomen nasai. I can't Meyo-chan."
Meyo glared at her. "You're going up to that temple again, aren't
you?"
"Hai." Minako stood up from the bench and turned to look at Meyo.
Other then the Sailor Senshi, Meyo was one of her close friends she went to
school with. And, she was popular.
Meyo looked at her. "You know Minako who you remind me of?"
Minako felt a sudden shiver up her spine. "hmm...who?"
Meyo grinned. "Sailor V. You look like her."
Minako took a step back. "Baka! Why would I look like Sailor V! I'm no
crime fighter!"
Meyo laughed. It didn't sound like the laugh of her
friend. "You look like you could be to me, Aino-chan. Why don't you come
with me to the party? That way we could all joke about this?"
Minako felt sick to her stomach. What was wrong with Meyo. "I...I have
to go Meyo. I'll see you later."
"Okay...see you later....Sailor V!"
Minako stopped dead in her tracks. She turned to face her friend who
was grinning mischieviously. "Don't start rumors please, Meyo-chan."
"But the truth isn't rumors, Aino-chan. You showed up in Japan about
the same time that it's rumored Sailor V disappeared from Europe. She was a
really famous person too."
"Didn't you hear the reports? Sailor V was killed in an explosion."
Meyo looked at her friend's face and smiled. "That's what the news
said, yes. But, her body was never found."
Minako's fear grew. "Maybe there was nothing left to find. The past is
dead and so is Sailor V! Leave it alone! Why are you doing this to me?"
Meyo shrugged. "Gomen. I was just trying to see what kind of reaction
I could get out of you. The new Sailor V movie is going to be out soon.
Want
to come see it with me?"
"If I have time." Minako's heart was pounding. Why the hell was she
afraid? "I really have to get going, Meyo-chan. I'll see you in school
tomorrow."
Meyo nodded. "Hai, Aino-chan."
Minako turned and started to run. Her blood ran cold as Meyo shouted.
"By the way...say hi to Sailor Moon for me okay?"
She stopped and turned to look. Meyo was still standing there. "I
don't know Sailor Moon."
"No..but Sailor Venus does! She appeared the same time that Sailor V
disappeared. Weird isn't it?"
"Hai...very weird." Minako didn't wait. She turned and ran hard up the
street.
Her legs pumping she increased her speed as her adrenaline flowed.
How? How did Meyo know who she was? And, what had brought this on? Meyo in
all
the time she had known her had never treated her this way. It was almost as
if she was probing for information! Had Minako's fear been broadcast? Why
was she so scared? She fought back the fear as she ran onward....
Meyo grinned as Minako disappeared from sight. She laughed and turned
as a shadowy form took shape. "Well done, my servant."
Meyo's face went blank and, the woman smiled. "Now that I have an idea
this person is indeed Sailor Venus, I will follow her. She will lead me to
the others and, I can take them out with one swift stroke."
"You need to do more then that, Nadi."
Sorcerress Nadi looked up as a taller woman appeared. She was dressed
in green and purple, a huge silver staff in her hand. Her hair of blue and
silver constrasted with Nadi's simple brown short hair. "Sorcerress
Vindala. I have accomplished your wishes. After searching every blonde
bimbo in Japan, I believe I have located Sailor Venu."
Vindalla laughed. "Excellent. I really believe that Beryl was a fool.
She never even tried a plan of this simplicity. No wonder the senshi
defeated her. It's a simple matter of demographics. We know that Sailor
Venus was the last scout to join the team. Comparing that to the time that
Sailor V disappeared from Europe, we can conclude from this that, Sailor V
came to Japan shortly after. She would have to enroll in the local middle
school to keep up her personna and not be discovered. That narrows our
search down to a very short period of time. Sailor V and Venus are both
blonde...and the names are similar. Same height..build..everything
matches. Now that we have rather alarmed this Aino Minako, I feel sure you
are correct. I want you to follow her, Nadi. Find out where she lives. Who
she has as friends. Everything. From there, we will build a permanent plan
how to destroy the Sailor Senshi. With them eliminated, we can go on to
other plans.
"The Dark Kingdom will rule again." Nadi siled evilly.
"The Dark Kindgom is dead." Vindalla laughed. "There
will be a new kingdom and, it will be based on this world. I want you to
get the information on this girl was quickly as possible. Go now!"
"At once, my Queen." Nadi saluted Vindalla and faded out.
Vindalla looked at Meyo. "Arigatto, Meyo-chan. You have been very
useful to us. Now, you will return home. You will remember nothing of this.
If Aino Minako asks what you were doing, you will tell her you were joking
around. If I need you later, I will call again."
"Yes, Sorcerress." Meyo turned and walked away as if in a trance.
Vindalla smiled. It was too simple. What had caused Beryl and even
Queen Metallia to fail? They had been fools. All of them. Fighting the
Senshi on their terms was not the way to win. Subterfuge..undermining your
enemy.. that was the way to win and destroy them. And, that was how
Vindalla would win. She felt more confident. Her thoughts went back...
"Vindalla, this plan of yours o destroy the Senshi is useless. They
are far too powerful to fall for this."
"But, Queen Beryl. It hasn't been tried. Not this way. The key is to
find out who the Senshi are, and attack them from within. Earn their trust
then, destroy them."
"It's not what I want." Beryl laughed. "Besides, I have someone else
in mind that will accomplish what I want. You Vindalla, you have your own
agenda! Do not think to usurp me! Do as you're told and, I may let you
live!"
Vindalla looked down. Beryl was a fool. But, the fool was in charge.
And with her as Queen, the Dark Kingdom would never win! "As you wish, my
Queen." she answered. "I will do as you ask..."
Vindalla's thoughts returned to the present. Beryl was dead. Killed by
Sailor Moon at the height of her power. Even when Empress Metallia had come
from the Kingdom itself to increase Beryl's power, Sailor Moon had still
won. Princess Serenity. She was as formidable as her mother had been.
Vindalla remembered that day. The day she ad others had attacked and
destroyed the Moon Kingdom. It had been an easy victory..and a devastating
defeat. But, Queen Serenity wasn't here now. And neither was Beryl. This
was her hour. When it had become clear that Beryl and Metallia were
defeated,
Vindalla fled with her closest supporters. There would be another time....
And, that time was now! She was in charge now! Her
plans would be the ones carried out. Cold and calculating, she considered
her options. Once she knew who the Senshi were, she would earn their trust.
That would be easy.
"Ember, come forth!"
Sorcerress Ember appeared. "You summoned me, Vindalla?"
"I did. Sailor Mars is adept in the ways of fire. So are you. I want
you to develop a kinship with her once we know who she is. Find out all you
can. She appears to be a sensitive. Someone who can detect evil. Be very
careful."
"I shall not fail, Vindalla. If it's fire, I can control it. Sailor
Mars and I will become close friends."
"Excellent. Wait unil I summon you."
Ember faded out. Vindalla laughed. "All too easy." Her insane laughter
filled the air as she faded out.....
Minako out of breath stopped for a moment at the bottom of the hill before
sighing and climbed to the top where Cherry Temple awaited. She could see
Rei-chan out front raking leaves. "Rei-chan!" she shouted.
Rei looked up. "Hi, Minako-chan! How was you're day today?"
"Oh, school was the same as every day. Tiring. I have so much homework
that, I really don't think I'll be going to do much of anything this
weekend. Is anyone else here yet?"
Rei glared. "Hai. Usagi-chan is inside slobbering over my comics again.
She really makes me mad, Minako-chan! I wish she'd buy more of her own!"
"Now, now, temper, temper!" Minako smiled. "I really think you and her
should fight less. It would help all of us out."
Rei shook her head tossing her raven dark hair."I would argue less with
her if she would grow up more! I really can't believe she is our leader! A
Princess! Her of all people. Still...there have been times that she has
shown a different side of herself. More adult and not so scatterbrained."
Rei looked thoughtful.
Minako giggled uncontrollably. "I guess I should help you rake some
leaves or something. I wouldn't want to make you mad and just go read all
your comics instead."
Rei laughed. "That's okay. I'm almost done anyway. Why don't you go see
if you can get her mind into a serious mode for our meeting?"
Minako nodded. "I'm surprised Luna and Artemis aren't here. They're
usually the first ones to show."
"They've been spending a lot of time together by themselves." Rei
grinned. "I think it's love."
"NO WAY!" Minako shouted. She blushed and then looked up. "Really? I
know Artemis has been in love with her for a long time. Maybe even since
the Moon Kingdom days. But, she has never shown much feeling for him other
then afriend."
"Well, I think it's changing." Rei smiled again. "I'm about done. Go on
inside, I'll be in after I get this last bit raked up. Ojiichan would have
a fit if I didn't."
"Okay, I'll see you in a bit then." Minako walked past
Rei and went inside.
Rei continued to work when, she heard a noise. Looking up, she saw a
little girl crying. "Huh?"
The girl continued to cry. Rei walked over to her. "Hey there, what's
wrong?"
"I'm lost!" the girl cried. "I need my Mommy!"
"Well, where is she?" Rei asked.
"If I knew that, I wouldn't be asking!" the girl broke into tears
again.
Rei sighed embaressed. "Okay uhmm why don't you come inside? I'll get
you some ramen or something to eat and then we can try to find you're Mom.
I'm sure she can't be too far away."
"I WANT MOMMY NOW" The girl screamed.
Rei looked around. "Okay, okay, just relax. Come on, I'll get you some
ice cream instead of the ramen. You can pig out or something."
"YEAH!" the girl laughed an hugged Rei. "Then we can find Mommy?"
"Then we can find you're Mommy." Rei took her hand and led her toward
the temple. "What's you're name?"
"Amber." the girl answered.
"Amber-chan? Okay. My name is Rei, Amber. Nice to meet you. I'll do all
I can to help."
"Arigatoo, Rei-chan. I like you. Can we be friends?"
"Sure." Rei smiled. Suddenly she felt something. Something strange. She
looked around.
"What's wrong?" Amber asked.
"I...I don't know. I'm not sure but..." She smiled and shook her head.
"It doesn't matter. Come on, I'll get you a treat. I have some friends I
have to talk to really quick then, we can all try to find you're Mommy."
"Yea!" The girl giggled and they went inside.
As they entered the temple, Rei could hear incessant giggling from her
room. Oh no! Minako was supposed to calm Usagi down not get her wound up
more! Sometimes, Minako could be as scatterbrained as Usagi!
Rei led Amber back to her room. "Hey Dumpling Head! Haven't you
drooledall over my comics enough?"
Usagi giggling on the floor suddenly stopped and looked at Rei. "Why
did you call me that? I'm just trying to read the ones I haven't bought
yet!
You are always so mean to me Rei-chan!"
"Only when you deserve it!" Rei said acidly.
"Well, if you only had more personality and you weren't
so stubborn all the time!" Usagi glared at Rei.
Minako sighed. "Oh boy. Here we go again!"
"Well if your baka dumpling brain wasn't the size of you're dumpling
head you'd have an ounce of sense to know, I don't like you
reading all my stuff all the time! Go buy your own!"
Usagi got up and stuck her tongue out at Rei "Bleahhhh!"
"Oh yeah? Blehhhhh!" Rei stuck hers out and almost spit.
Usagi surprised noticed Amber for the first time. "Huh? Who are you?"
"I'm Amber." The litle girl giggled again.
"She's lost her mother." Rei explained. "After our meeting, I'm going
to help her find her. If you guys want to help, it'd be appreciated."
"Sure will." Minako smiled. "We'll find your Mom, Amber-chan, don't
worry. What's your last name?"
"Tishobi." Amber grinned.
Rei took her hand. "I was going to give her some ice cream while we
took care of things."
"ICE CREAM??" Usagi shouted. "And you didn't even ask me! You are so
mean to me Rei-chan!"
"Oh no." Minako slapped her head.
Just then the front door opened and, Makoto, and Ami walked in. Ami
laughed. "Sorry were late. Makoto was helping an old woman and I just
finished an extra credit project I was working on. I need to spend more
time in the library I think."
The girls all hung their heads. Makoto looked up. "Ami-chan, you
already spend more time there then anywhere else. Why don't we all go see
the new
Sailor V movie together?"
Minako looked down. "I don't think I want to."
The girls all stared at her. "Why not?" Usagi asked.
Minako was about to answer then saw Amber looking at her. "I don't
know. I just don't feel like it. I'll talk to you laterabout it."
Ami looked at Makoto and, she shrugged.
"Why don't we all have ice cream together?" Usagi suggested. "Rei was
just about to feed some to Amber-chan."
"Amber-chan?" Makoto asked.
Rei explained Amber's predicament to Ami and Makoto and, Ami sighed.
"Oh, you poor little thing. We'll help you, don't worry. Why don't you go
in the next room for now and, we'll be with you in a little bit?"
Amber looked at each of them and nodded silently. Then, Rei led her
back into the dining room.
Minako looked at Usagi. "Why don't you and Rei-chan get along better? "
"Cause she is always trying to make me look like a baka!" Usagi sighed.
"Usagi-chan..she doesn't have to most of the time." Makoto giggled.
Usagi glared at her. "I don't want to talk about it."
The girls all giggled. The door opened and, Rei walked in. "Okay, she's
happily eating. Now, we can discuss anything we need to."
They all looked at each other. Silence filled the room. Ami sighed.
"Theres nothing to talk about?"
"Well..." Minako began.
They all looked at her. She looked away quickly. "My friend Meyo-chan
was acting really strange today. I thought she was kidding but, I'm not so
sure now. I got a really creepy feeling."
"Creepy?" Usagi bit her hand.
"Hai." Minako leaned back. "She kept calling me Sailor
V and then called me Sailor Venus. She asked me to say hello to Sailor Moon
too."
"Agh!" Usagi looked scared.
Ami leaned forward. "This isn't anything too major to be concerned
about. What made her come to this conclusion, Minako-chan?"
"She said I looked like her. I didn't want to tell her how close she
was. I denied everything and laughed it off."
Makoto sighed. "Well, who cares what she thinks? We can deal with it
and, we haven't kicked anyone since we finished off that ice witch months
ago! I'm itching for a good fight!"
Rei laughed. "You're always itching for a fight Makoto-chan. Except
when you find another guy to cook for who looks lie your old boyfriend."
The girls all burst into uncontrollable laughter and, Makoto blushed.
"Well...what do you guys know anyway?"
They all laughed again. Ami sat up. "Seriously though, we should look
into this. Why don't you watch your friend carefully and, the rest of us
will also be careful. Rei-chan, have you sensed anything strange?"
Rei looked thoughtful. "Just a little bit ago, I
thought I sensed something but, I'm not sure what it was. Maybe we're all
getting edgy or something. We need to get out together I think."
"Hai!" Usagi grinned. "I think for once I agree with you, Rei-chan!
Let's go see the Sailor V movie!"
"I told you, I didn't want to." Minako glared at her. "I..I don't know
it just brings back bad memories."
"But Sailor V is sooo cool!" Usagi laughed. "I really love the
situations she gets into."
Minako sighed and Ami looked at Usagi. "Usagi-chan, maybe some other
time. I think we all need a break. Let's all go downtown and maybe do some
shopping"
"That's a good idea!" Minako brightened up. "Hey, we can't do that
though. We need to find Amber-chan's Mom!"
"Oh yeah! I forgot!" Usagi slapped her head.
"You'd forget your dumpling head if it wasn't attached." Rei said.
"See? She starts it all the time!" Usagi whined. "She
is sooo mean to me!!"
Ami shook her head. "We're getting off track here. And, has anyone seen
Luna or Artemis yet?"
"They're off somewhere playing lovey dovey." Makoto grinned.
Ami blushed. "Really?"
"Hai, you didn't know?" Minako grinned. "Artemis and Luna have really
gotten close lately. I don't see much of him anymore."
"I don't see much of Luna either." Usagi grinned. "I think it's
wonderful they finally admitted their feelings for each other."
Suddenly, an explosion outside startled the girls! Ami jumped up and
ran to the window. A car had crashed across the street and, the building
was on fire! People were screaming!
Makoto leaped up and stared out the window. "Oh crap! here's people
trapped up there! How fast can the fire department get here, Rei-chan?"
"Not fast enough!" Rei took out her power stick. "We have to do
something now!"
Minako nodded. She put up her wand. "VENUS STAR POWER..MAKE UP!!"
Strands of light came forth and enclosed her in a warm aura as her
clothes transformed into her Sailor Venus garb.
Makoto put forth her wand. "JUPITER STAR POWER..MAKE UP!"
Jupiter felt herself spinning faster and faster as her blue jeans and
yellow shirt disappeared to be replaced by her Sailor Jupiter outfit.
Rei put forth her wand. "MARS STAR POWER.. MAKE UP!"
Fire surrounded her and, the strands of energy in her clothes
transformed her priestess shinto dress into her Sailor Mars uniform!
Ami nodded. "MERCURY STAR POWER..MAKE UP!"
Strands of energy that resembled water surrounded Mercury and she felt
her clothes slowly change from her pink dress to her Sailor Mercury outfit.
Usagi looked at them and grit her teeth! "But I dn't like this!"
"Transform!" Mars glared at her.
"OH alright." MOON CRYSTAL POWER..MAKE UP!"
Usagi spun faster and faster like a helicopter as her
clothes were replaced by strands of energy and, her Sailor Moon uniform
appeared. She felt herself being lowered to the floor and, she blinked a
couple of times.
"Okay...let's save those people!" Jupiter opened the
window and leaped out.
Venus went next followed by Mars and Mercury. Moon hesitated a second
then followed them.
As they exited, the door opened behind them. Amber entered and walked
over to the window. She smiled. "Perfect! I knew I was right! Ember, come
forth!"
Sorceress Ember appeared. The little girl transformed into Sorcerress
Nadi. "Nice job Ember. You're little diversion did exactly what I hoped it
would do. Reveal once and for all who the Sailor Senshi are."
"Not all of them." Ember laughed. "We still have to find the outer
senshi. Vindalla's plan is working perfectly so far. We're going to have to
e careful now though, because, they will be on their guard."
"But they will be so concerned about helping the innocent that, they
wont have time to think about themselves. Until it's too late!" Nadi
laughed. "Time for us to switch roles. I have laid the groundwork for the
friendship between you and Mars. Now that you know which one she is, it
will be that much simpler. Look for a way to destroy them from within.
We're all
counting on you."
"I won't fail." Ember smiled confidently. "The Earth will be ours once
the Senshi are eliminated. Vindalla will make an excellent ruler. And, we
will be given great reward for supporting her." Sorcerress Ember's shape
changed and, the little girl Amber stood in her place. She made a face. "I
want my Mommy!"
Nadi laughed. "Good luck, Ember. I'll see you soon" she laughed again
and faded from sight.
Ember walked over and looked out the window. She could see Sailor
Mercury using her powers to douse the flames. What did she call that?
Shining Aqua Illusion was it? Such a simple thing compared to Ember's own
powers. She watched Sailor Mars creating a firewall across the roof
cutting off the flames from the rest of the roof. Controlling the
temperature, Mars carefully pushed back the flames that Mercury hadn't
doused yet. Sailor Jupiter had climbed up on the other side of the roof and
was helping people down to Sailor Venus who stood on a ladder. Sailor Moon
was on the bottom supporting the ladder.
Ember grinned as she heard sirens. Fire trucks were finally coming
which means, the Senshi would be returning soon. She laughed and walked
back into
the next room and sat down in the chair. She took a bite of the ice cream.
"Hmm not bad. I guess humans don't have all bad tastes."
She looked up as she heard voices approaching. Smiling, she lowered her
head on the table pretending to be asleep....
Dark Fire!
By Daniel C. Harrison
Chapter Two: Bonding!
"Amber-chan. Amber-chan, wake up." Rei said.
Amber lay there silently,looking as if she were asleep. Minako smiled.
"Poor little girl. She must be scared to death. We've really got to do
something to help her. Where should we begin?"
Ami went over to Rei's phone. "We should be able to use the phone book
as a start. She said her last name was Tishobi. How many can
there be in the phone book? Of course, if it's unlisted or she's out of
town, it will really be difficult. Maybe we should take her to the police
if we can't find her Mom."
"That sounds like the best thing we can do." Makoto sat down and
sighed. "Are we going to call every Tishobi in the book then?"
"Unless we have any better ideas, yes." Ami picked up the phone book
and opened it. She found four Tishobis. "Only four. This won't
be very hard, if she is local. After that, we can go to the police."
Usagi reached across and pulled the ice cream toward her. Rei looked
over and glared at her. "Hey! That's for Amber-chan!"
"Well, she's asleep and, I can't see it going to waste, can you? It'll
melt before she wakes up."
"You are the most inconsiderate baka I ever met in my life!" Rei's
face turned bright red.
Usagi grinned. "Waste not want not ne? " She took a
bite of the ice cream.
The other girls sighed and hung their heads. Rei looked away. "Any
luck Ami?"
Ami had dialed three in the book while this went on. "No, I'm afraid
not. If this last one isn't it, we'll have to go to the police."
They all waited as Ami dialed. She spoke quickly to someone then hung
up. She hung her head and turned back. "Nothing. None of the Tishobis in
the phone book knows her. We'll have to go to the police."
Minako looked down at Amber. "Do we have to? I mean, I think she might
get scared if we do that. Why don't we wait a day and see if her Mom shows
up or word gets out over television about her missing."
"Yeah, that's a little better I think." Makoto laughed. "We can take
her with us downtown tomorrow. Maybe we could buy her a toy to cheer her up
and take her to the video arcade."
Usagi nodded. "That's a great idea, Makoto-chan. I could bring
Chibi-Usa over to meet her too."
Rei smiled. "That's great, it would give her someone close to her own
age to play with. I wonder how old she is, I never asked her."
Silence filled the room and, they all looked down at the little girl.
Minako sighed. "Maybe we should let her sleep tonight and take her around
tomorrow. If we're lucky by then, her mother will show up."
"But where is she going to stay?" Usagi asked. "Here?"
Everyone looked at Rei. Rei shrugged. "Why not? Ojiichan is out and
won't be home till later tonight. I'm sure she'll wake up in a little bit
ad, I can entertain her for awhile. It's getting late and, we all have
homework to do. We better break this up."
They all got up and, Usagi started to pick up some comics. Rei glared
at her. "What do you think you're doing, Usagi-chan?"
"Well, I thought since I hadn't finished reading these I'd just borrow
them, if you don't mind."
"I DO MIND!" Rei shouted. "When you are going to learn I don't like
you going through MY things!"
Ami looked at each of them. "I think that we all need
to get along better. Rei, Usagi, please don't fight."
"She irritates me!" Usagi turned away.
"She has no consideration for others!" Rei turned the other direction.
The other girls looked down. Ami shook her head. "Well, you two settle
your differences alright! We're supposed to be a team! And despite the fact
you two fight, you are friends! Right?"
Everyone stared at Ami. It was rare for her to be this forceful.
Minako grinned. "Wow Ami-chan, your really coming out of your shell! I'm
impressed!"
"So am I!" Makoto laughed. "Come on Rei-chan,it wont hurt to let
Usagi-chan borrow a few comics." She smiled at Rei.
"Oh alright." Rei sighed and handed Usagi the comics. "Here, take
them. Just please don't spill food or drink all over them when your
stuffing your
face okay?"
"I'm always careful when I borrow peoples things!" Usagi glared at
her. "Why don't you try trusting people more?"
"THAT'S ENOUGH!" Ami shouted.
The room went dead silent. They saw Amber stir. Ami blushed. "I have
to get going. Please settle your differences. See you later." She turned
and
walked out of the room.
"Ami-chan, wait up, I'll walk with you." Minako waved and went after
her.
Makoto shook her head. "You two need to quit this.
Your really starting to get to Ami-chan. I've never seen her like this. It
must be all the stress she is under. She's always studying and, being a
Senshi on top of that, she doesn't need you two fighting."
Rei looked down at Amber. "Be careful what you say, Makoto-chan."
Makoto nodded and turned to leave. She looked back. "Don't rip the
comics apart fighting over them. Bye!" She smiled and left.
Rei looked over at Usagi who stood there quietly. "Uhmm gomen nasai
Usagi-chan. Makoto-chan is right. We really need to get along better. I
don't know what got into me just now."
Usagi nodded. "Gomen, Rei-chan. I..I wasn't thinking either. We really
upset Ami-chan. Let's not fight anymore, okay?"
Rei smiled. "Okay." She reached down and handed Usagi a larger stack
of comics. "Here, take these too. You haven't even seen them yet."
Usagi's eyes went wide. "Arigatoo, Rei-chan! I'll take care of them.
See you in school Monday if not tomorrow."
"Hai." Rei watched Usagi leave then sat down exhausted.
She looked over at the sleeping child. Amber Tishobi. There were no
Tishobi's that claimed to know her in town so, that meant she was really
lost. No telling where her mother was. Rei got up and sat down besde her.
She smiled and pushed the hair away from her brow. "Poor little girl. Your
mother must be worried sick about you. I'll take care of you. I promise."
Amber stirred again and opened her eyes. "Ohh, Rei-chan!" She sat up
and looked around. "Where is everyone?"
Rei smiled. "They all had to leave. We tried to find your Mommy but,
she wasn't in the phone book. Are you from out of town?"
Amber nodded. "Yes but, I don't remember the town name."
Rei sat up. "You don't? How old are you?"
"I'm seven." Amber smiled. "And, my Mommy doesn't have a phone."
"Oh. That explains things then." Rei looked thoughful. "How exactly
did you get lost anyway?"
Amber looked at the table. "I don't know. I think I got off at the
wrong bus stop. We were visiting this city. My Mom is probably worried
about me."
Rei nodded. "Would you like me to take you to the police? Maybe they
can help."
"NO!" Amber suddenly looked terrified. "I don't want to see any
police!
I'm scared ei-chan! You said you were my friend! Please take care of me and
don't leave me."
Rei put her hand on Amber's shoulder. "I won't leave you. I know how
scared you must be. The last thing you need is to be stuck
someplace where your not very important. Besides, by tomorrow, your Mom
will probably show up looking for you or, it will be on the news. We'll
find her."
"Arigatoo!" Amber hugged Rei tight. "Your the best friend I ever had,
Rei-chan! You'll be my friend forever won't you?"
Rei looked confused a moment then smiled. "You bet! I need to find you
a place to sleep then, I must attend to my Priestess duties."
Amber smiled. "What kind of Priestess duties?"
"Well," Rei got up and took her hand, "the normal things. I pray and I
look for things in the sacred fire that may help guide my path. It's a very
important part of my life."
Amber giggled. "That sounds neat. Can I see where you pray?"
Rei got a funny feeling. She looked down at the child's smiling face
and for a moment, a dark cloud seemed to pass before her eyes. She
dismissed it and nodded. "Sure, why not."
She led the little child into the temple area where the sacred fire
awaited. As she did so, Amber's face contorted into a grin of pure evil....
Rei failed to notice Amber's evil smile and opened the door to the temple
room. "Here we are, Amber-chan."
Amber smiled innocently and stepped through the doorway. "Wow! This is
really great Rei-chan! I like it!"
"I'm glad. Ojiichan has spent his life making it beautiful. Most people
though don't see this room."
Amber pointed at the alter. "Is that the sacred fire you told me
about?"
"That's it." Rei went and knelt down before the fire. "Why don't you go
sit in the back of the room. You can watch me from there and, I'll answer
any questions you have afterward."
"Okay." Amber grinned and did as she was told. She watched Rei pick up
a
stick with special charms on it.
Rei begin waving the charms back and forth befoe the fire. "Oh sacred
fire, please help me. Show me those who are most in need of my help. Show
me
what I must do to protect myself and others against any evil I may
encounter. I implore you, sacred fire, why do I feel such tension in the
air?"
Behind Rei, Amber's face changed to a wicked grin. Her eyes glowed a
bright green and, she lifted her hands toward the fire.
Rei gasped as the fire changed. A vision came forth. She could see
Amber
crying and the little girl was lost. She needed friends and hope. She
needed
to know she was loved. She had no one. Rei leaned closer to the fire, drawn
in by it. The vision shifted. She could see something else now. Sailor Moon
lying on the ground somewhere. She was bleeding and appeared to be dead!
Rei
let out a sharp cry as, she saw another Sailor Moon standing over her, a
look of pure evil on her face! "Nooo." Rei gasped and fell back.
She continued to stare at the flames. They changed again and, she saw
Sailor Jupiter being slammed into a wall Her head was bleeding and, the
vision shifted. She could see Sailor Venus but, it wasn't the Venus Rei
knew. This Venus was laughing maniacally. "Prepare to die, Sailor Jupiter!"
she shouted.
"NOOOOO!" Rei fell backwards, the vision fading. She gasped and behind
her she heard a whimper. Turning, she saw Amber crying. "Amber-chan!"
"Rei...Rei-chan!" Amber sobbed. "Why are you so scared? What did you
see
in the fire that frightened you so?"
Rei got off the floor and went to Amber. She hugged her close. "It's
alright, Amber-chan. I'm fine. I...I just got a little shaken by what I
saw."
Amber held her close. "Rei-chan. Does..does you're fire always show the
truth?"
"It has in the past." Rei whispered.
Amber hugged her again. "I'm scared Rei-chan! What did you see that was
so scary? Please, don't ever leave me! Even when we find my Mom, will you
be
my friend please?"
Rei remembered the vision she saw of the lost Amber. She smiled. "I'll
always be your friend, Amber-cha. I promise you that. No matter what
happens."
Amber hugged her again. "Are you done with the scary fire now,
Rei-chan?"
"Hai, for now." Rei got up and reached down to Amber. "Let's get some
more of that ice cream okay?"
"Hai!" Amber giggled excitedly. Rei took her into the next room and
fixed them both some ice cream from the kitchen. AS she sat down to eat,
Amber looked at her. "Rei-chan..what did you see in the fire? Did it have
anything to do with me?"
Rei looked at Amber. Suddenly, she got that feeling again. A feeling
that, all was not right. Quickly, she looked around but, no one was there.
She turned back and, Amber was smiling. "Uhmmm no..it didn't really have
much to do with you, Amber-chan. I receive impressions through the fire
and,
sometimes I just have to refocus and try to understand what's going on."
Amber ate her ice cream quickly and yawned. "Can I have another bowl,
Rei-chan?" she smiled sleepily.
Rei laughed. "I think little girls need to go to bed. We'll have
tomorrow to do that and, hopefully your mother will show up. We can go
shopping too. My friend Usagi-chan has a cousin just a little older than
you are. I think you two would be great friends."
Amber frowned. "I don't need any other friends. I have you, Rei-chan!
You're the best friend in the whole world!"
Rei smiled and nodded. "I like you too, Amber-chan. But, it's time for
bed now."
Amber got out of her chair and, Rei led her to a guest room in the back
of the temple. She pulled back the covers and helped the little girl into
bed. "There we go, all nice and snug. I know you miss your Mommy but,
tomorrow things will be better, Amber-chan. You'll see."
I love you, Rei-chan. Please don't ever leave me."
Rei hugged Amber close. "I love you too Amber-chan. I'll see you
tomorrow. Good night."
Rei shut the door and sighed. Amber was a nice kid. She hoped she could
help her.
Her thoughts returned to that disturbing vision she had seen. She had
to
know! She retrned to the temple room. As she entered, for the first time in
her life, she hesitated. She wanted to know how to interpret this vision
but, her fear was growing! What was going on...
In the darkness of the bedroom, Amber smiled. Her form changed and, the
adult form of Sorcerress Ember appeared. Standing up, Ember stretched and
walked over to the window. This was too easy! Vindalla was a genius! Her
plan had been well thought out and carefully planned. Nothing could go
wrong. She would convince Rei that, Sailor Moon and Sailor Venus could not
be trusted! The fact that Moon and Mars already seemed to fight would make
it that much easier! From there, internal torment would destroy the Senshi
from within. They would be so confused by what was happening that, before
they could act, Vindalla's final plan would be in motion. By then, it would
be too late!
Ember smiled and went back to the bed. She reverted back to her
Amber form and opened her mind. She could see Rei in the Temple Room.
The boding between them was complete! Now, the real fun would begin.....
Dark Fire!
By Daniel C. Harrison
Chapter Three: Dark Chess
Minako sighed as she walked down the sidewalk with Ami by her side. "I
don't think their fighting was anything to be concerned about Ami-chan.
It's just normal for them."
Ami shook her head. "No, Minako-chan. I don't know what it is but, they
were really going at it this time. More than usual. There was more tension
in the air then in the past. Did you feel it?"
Minako shrugged. "I don't know. I didn't want to get in the middle. You
were doing a good enough job of that." Minako giggled.
Ami blushed. "I just got tired of it, that's all. Maybe the stress of
being a Senshi plus taking those tests I have coming up made me lose my
patience. I'm usually not like that. I have to get to the library tomorrow
and do some extra studying that way I can.."
"Oh no you don't!" Minako put up her hand. "You're not going anywhere
tomorrow except for a day out with the girls! Hey, maybe we can make it an
all day thing too. Have dinner together. Maybe that's what Usagi-chan and
Rei-chan need."
"The way they were going at it, it looked like they wanted to be
apart."
Ami looked down.
Minako was concerned. Ami seemed very depressed over this. "Hey, maybe
we'll meet some good looking guys! We're not in high school yet but, it's
about time we did!"
Ami shrugged. "I'm more concerned with my studies then getting a
boyfriend right now. I have to work harder if I want to be a doctor."
"Your working plenty hard already." Minako laughed. "You bury everyone
in class! You need to relax more, Ami-chan. And, you are going out with us
tomorrow! No getting out of it, okay? We'll show Amber-chan a good time
and,
maybe we'll get lucky and her Mom will show up. That would be good to see."
Ami shrugged again. "I guess. I kind of think we should have gone to
the
police with her. Her Mom may have already been there worried about her."
Minako nodded. "True. But, what's a day? We'll stop by there tomorrow
while were out. Maybe the police will give us some good advice. And, if her
Mom hasn't shown up, we can leave word with them that we are taking care of
Amber-chan. That way, the police will have a contact when her Mother does
show up."
Ami grinned. "That's a good idea. I guess you're right, I need to relax
more. Want to come over to my house for some dual studying? I can help you
with your homework if you want?"
Minako laughed. "I could sure use that, Ami-chan. Arigatoo."
"Sure." Ami seemed to be herself again and, that was a relief for
Minako. She had rarely seen Ami get so upset over Rei and Usagi
fighting....
Sorcerress Vindalla watched the two girls walk off from her invisible
position on the wall above them. "A boyfriend eh? This will be easier then
I
thought!" She smiled wickedly. Sorcerror Jikell...come forth!"
The air shimmered in front of her and, a man hovered in the air dressed
in a black and white robe. "You summoned me, Vindalla?"
"Of course. Our plan is in motion and going rather well. Sorcerress
Ember has put phase one of our plan into operation. We will now proceed
with phase two. I want you to enroll in the local school where Sailor
Mercury is. Your unique knowledge of the scientific aspects of this society
will prove useful in undermining her. It is very important that you occupy
her so much that, she has little time for anything else."
"That will be easy enough." Jikell laughed. "When will the main
operation begin?"
"When all the players are in position. We have already set up things to
put doubt within the Senshi. Your part will be to so occupy Mercury, she
wont be able to suspect anything wrong. Make no mistake, Jikell" Vindalla
locked her gaze with his. "The Senshi are not stupid! They are powerful,
and, Mercury is the brains behind them! Saw first hand what they did to
many of our kind when Beryl was stupid enough to go against them! You must
be very careful!"
"Understood. What of the Outer Senshi? Have we determined their
identities as of yet?"
"No, we have not." Vindalla swore. "That is the one hole in this entire
plan and, that is why every other aspect of it must be accomplished with
accurate precision! Let me worry about the other Senshi, Jikell. You
concentrate on Mercury. Romance her. Spend time with her. Give her whatever
she wants. Make her feel...special."
Jikell laughed. "I'm very good at such things."
"I know I can count on you, Jikell. Mercury and Venus are on their way
toyour soon to be girlfriend's house right now. Why don't you put in an
appearance before they get there? Maybe she will even ask you inside."
Vindalla grinned.
"Excellent suggestion, Vindalla. You are indeed a master of control. I
look forward to receiving great reward from assisting you with your
conquests."
"With all four conquests, Jikell. I am not Queen Beryl. I don't have a
god complex. If you stick with me, we all gain reward.
"As you wish, my Queen." Jikell laughed and faded out.
Vindalla smiled. It was going perfectly! Nothing would go wrong. She
had
only one thing left to do. "Sorcerress Nadi...come forth."
Sorcerress Nadi appeared. "I am here, Vindalla."
"Good. I want you to watch Sailor Moon. Eventually, she will go to
Tuxedo Mask, whoever he is. Once we know that, we will work on a way to
neutralize him."
"But, didn't Queen Beryl tell you that?" Nadi asked.
"Queen Beryl knew but died with that information. We will have to
regain it. Your job will be to undermine Sailor Moon. She already is a
blithering
idiot but, we need to increase that. I want you to make her feel like such
a klutz that she has absolutely no confidence in herself! I want her to be
afraid to get out of bed in the morning!"
Nadi snickered. "She's already half way there. I thought my talents
might be used for something more substantial. I could assist you in
locating the Outer Senshi for example?"
"They are my problem, Nadi. Your task is more important than you think.
Sailor Moon despite her appearance is the leader of the Sailor Senshi. And
even though her and Sailor Mars fight, the other Senshi will quickly move
to
protect her. They listen to her. Sailor Venus may be a problem too so,
watch
her as well."
"What of Sailor Jupiter?"
Vindalla laughed. "Jupiter is the easiest one of all. If things go the
way I predict, Mercury and Jupiter will hate each other. Fighting over the
same guy." Vindalla winked at her.
"And the Senshi will be destroyed then. Reduced to a bunch of school
girls bickering pointlessly while we accomplish our final plans! Sheer
brilliance, Vindalla."
"I won't call it that till I see the final results, Nadi. But, it does
appear to be a very promising plan. Go now and, keep Sailor Moon in your
sights at all times, unless I summon you."
"A pleasure, indalla." Nadi faded out.
Vindalla rose off the wall and watched at a distance as she saw Jikell
change form and walk down the road toward Mercury and Venus. It was like
Chess. Position your pieces..plan your attack. When it was time..strike!
Vindalla laughed and flew away into the night.....
Dark Fire!
By Daniel C. Harrison
Chapter Three: Dark Chess cont...
"So anyway, that's how you work that problem, Minako-chan. It just
takes looking at the whole thing as a logical question and breaking it down
into
parts. That's what I do to make it easier."
Minako smiled at Ami and nodded. "You sure are good at math, Ami-chan."
"I'll show you in more detail when we get to my house." Ami grinned.
Both of them looked up as a young man approached them. His blonde hair
blew softly in the wind and he looked confused. He stopped just
in front of them and looked up and down the street. As they approached, he
turned to them and smiled. "Good evening."
"Good evening." Ami answered shyly.
"Uhmmm...I'm afraid I'm lost, girls. I'm new to the neighborhood. I
just
moved here from France."
"From France?" Minako smiled. "Welcome to Tokyo. I'm Aino Minako-chan
and this is my friend, Mizuno Ami-chan."
Ami looked at Minako and blushed. Minako giggled.
The boy nodded. "It's a pleasure to make your acquaintance. I'm King
Joquiam-san. Is it possible for you two girls to direct me to a good place
to eat? If you do, I'll be glad to treat you to something."
"Uhmm," Ami began, "I don't know if that would be proper seeming as how
we just met but..."
"But what she means King-san is, we accept!" Minako smiled at Ami.
Ami stared at Minako who shrugged. She nodded slowly. "I guess that's
okay. But we were going to do homework."
"I need to enroll in school tomorrow." Joquiam smiled.
"Maybe I can look at the homework and see how tough it is?"
Minako grinned. "You're going to be new in school? What school?"
Joquiam gave the name of a school and, Minako sighed. "That's
Ami-chan's
school. Mine is a different one. Too bad."
Joquiam shrugged. "Then perhaps I should be talking more about it to
you
Mizuno-san?"
Ami nodded. "I guess so. Let's go to the burger place near here,
Minako-chan. It won't be very much money for him."
Joquiam grinned. "I'm glad to see you don't want to break my wallet.
When I lived in Paris, things were different there. Getting used to this
town is a whole new ball game."
"It won't be difficult." Minako grinned. "There are lot's of friendly
people here. You won't have any trouble making friends."
"I hope not." Joquiam grinned. "I just met you two and, I consider you
friends already."
Ami blushed and looked away. "Well, one step at a time, King-san."
The three stopped in front of a popular hamburger place
and, Joquiam opened the door. "Ladies first?"
Minako giggled. "Such a gentlemen. There are guys around here who could
learn a thing or two from you."
"Perhaps it takes the talent of a former frenchman to show them?"
Joquiam winked at her.
Minako sighed and almost blushed herself. Ami looked down and smiled.
"Arigatto, King-san."
The three sat together and, Joquiam bought them huge burgers with all
the trimmings. For the next two hours, they conversed. Ami was amazed at
how much math Joquiam knew. It seemed incredible but, the boy knew just as
much as her. When the conversation turned to other things, he was
knowledgeable about astronomy and also medicine! Ami began to feel
comfortable with him and, the more they talked, the more Minako realized,
she was a fifth wheel.
Minako sighed and got up. "Well, it's been great meeting you, King-san.
Thanks for helping me with my homework. Amichan is really good but, I have
to admit, you might be better." She winked at Ami. "I have to go Ami-chan.
Good luck and, don't stay out too late."
Ami smiled and waved. "Okay Minako-chan. I'll see you tomorrow?"
"Of course. I would never let you get out of that. You're too much of a
bookworm." She giggled.
Ami watched Minako leave and, she noticed Joquiam staring at her.
Looking down, she blushed. "Uhmmm..there's no school tomorrow."
"I know." Joquiam grinned. "Tomorrow is Sunday."
"Uh huh." Ami looked at the table afraid to meet his piercing eyes. "I
really appreciate you treating me like this, King-san."
"My pleasure, Mizuno-san. I have a favor to ask of you."
Ami looked up and gasped as she saw how truly handsome
he was. "Uhmm...what is it?"
"Would you call me, King-kun? I think we might know each other well
enough now for that."
Ami smiled and blushed again. "I...I suppose so, King-kun." She looked
up and giggled.
"Arigatoo, Mizuno-chan."
Sience fell between them as neither seemed to know what to say. Then,
Joquiam sighed. "I...I haven't known you very long Mizuno-chan. But...may I
walk you home?"
Ami looked up and nodded eagarly. "Arigatoo, King-kun. I'd like that."
"Great. We can talk about all sorts of things. Please tell me all you
can about this city. Perhaps we can go out and, you can show a new person
the sights?"
"Perhaps." Ami smiled again.
Ami felt as if she were in a dream as she walked home with this
handsome young man. He talked about Paris..how beautful it was. He was so
cultured
that, she couldn't help herself bring drawn to him. When they finally
reached her home, she was sorry the walk had ended.
"Well, it's been great meeting you, King-kun." she looked down again.
"Mizuno-chan, may I see you tomorrow?"
Ami smiled. "Well, I have a lot of work to get done and, if I didn't go
out with my friends, they would kill me. So, tomorrow isn't a good day.
Maybe we can eat lunch together at school? I can help you get enrolled, I
know all the teachers pretty well."
Joquiam nodded. "I understand. I'll see you on Monday then,
Mizuno-chan.
You've been very kind to me. I think I'm going to like this city."
Ami giggled. "Arigatoo. I'll see you on Monday. Bye now." She turned
and went into her house. Just before she shut the door, she looked back at
him
and blushed.
Joquiam gave her a final wave and watched the door shut. As soon as it
shut, he walked away and, a wicked smile came to his face. "Vindalla was
right! This is too easy!" He laughed and, the man Jikell stood in his
place. Raising his hands, he flew into the air and was gone....
Dark Fire!
By Daniel C, Harrison
Chapter Four: Indecision!
Usagi smiled at Makoto as she arrived at her house. "Well, I'll see
you
later, Makoto-chan. Arigatoo. Thanks for waiting for me."
Makoto nodded. "I'm glad you and Rei-chan got everything sorted out,
Usagi-chan. I think we all need to quit bickering. It brings down the
team."
Usagi waved at her friend and watched Makoto walk off. She sighed and
opened the door.
"Why isn't the house clean?" she heard her father shouting.
"Because, I was out all day and didn't have time to clean it!" Her
mother shot back. "I don't get much help around here!"
Usagi's eyes went wide. "Mom? Dad? What's going on?"
Her mother glared at her. "Nevermind! If you have homework to do,
you'd
better get on it now! I don't want to see you fail again, you hear me?"
"Don't yell at her because your angry with me!" Usagi's father glared
at his wife. "You shouldn't take out your incompetence on the kids!"
Usagi looked behind her and saw her brother cowering around the
corner.
She stepped out of the room. "What's going on?"
"Mom and Dad just started laying in to each other a few hours ago. For
no reason either! It's been really bad too. I'm scared, Usagi!"
Usagi bit her lip and listened to the arguing. It was completely
unlike
her parents to do this. They rarely fought. When they did, it wasn't even
close to the insane adults before her now. Their eyes were almost wild!
Her father shook his head. "We can't go on like this!
I'm going to go to a hotel tonight! Maybe in the morning, you'll come to
your senses! If not, perhaps there is nothing between us anymore! You never
do a thing to please this family!"
"I work just as hard as you do!" Her mother's voice was rising. "Fine!
Get out! I don't want to see you anyway!"
Usagi ran into the room. "NO! Mom, Dad, please stop this! You've never
fought this way before! What is going on?"
"Get out of here Usagi!" Her mother glared at her. "GO to your room!
Both of you kids, go to your room! NOW!"
Usagi trembling backed away in fear. Her mother was out of control.
She felt tears come to her eyes and, she screamed and ran up the stairs. As
she
ran into her room, she slammed the door and heard her parents continuing
the fight.
"Usagi-chan, are you okay?"
Usagi looked up and saw Chibi-Usa on her bed. "No. None of us are.
This
family is in terrible trouble! What happened, Chibi-Usa? Do you know
anything?"
Chibi-Usa shook her head. "I was upstairs reading and, I heard your
father come home. All of a sudden, he started yelling. Your Mom started
yelling back and, it just got worse. It looked like at one point, your Dad
was going to hit her!"
"NO!" Usagi sobbed into her pillow. "This can't be happening! It can't
be! Where's Luna? I need to see Luna!"
"I think she's still out with Artemis, Usagi-chan. What are you going
to do?"
Usagi was trembling badly. "I don't know! I don't know! I've never had
to go through this before! If...if Luna isn't around, I need to talk to
Mamo-chan! Mamo-chan can help! He's got to!"
Chibi-Usa nodded. "I know. I thought of that too. But, I didn't want
to
just take off without letting someone know. I still haven't gotten my
school
work done."
"Neither have I. I'm not going to now! This is terrible!" Usagi burst
into tears again.
Suddenly, the screaming from below hit a fevered pitch. Her mother
screamed out. "I WANT A DIVORCE!! I HATE YOU!"
"NOOOOO!" Usagi screamed and leaped off the bed.
"Usagi-chan!" Chibi-Usa shouted. She watched Usagi yank open the door
and run downstairs. "NOOOO!"
Both her parents stared as she ran past her Dad and out into the
night.
"USAGI!" her Dad shouted. "GET BACK HERE NOW!"
Usagi ignored his shouts and ran on into the night. So much
indecision! If her parents broke up, what would she do? She felt lost
inside. She had to see Mamoru.
Usagi ran for several blocks feeling lost inside. At last she reached
Mamoru's apartment complex and ran inside. She pounded up the stairs and
reached the familiar door. She beat on it screaming. "MAMO-CHAN! MAMO-CHAN!
Please help me!!!"
The sound of running feet from inside made her look up and, the door
opened. She stared through tear filled eyes into the face of the only man
she loved. Chiba Mamoru.
Mamoru stared at her in shock. "Usako! What..what's wrong?"
"Hold me! Please hold me, Mamo-chan! I need you!"
Mamoru brought her inside and sat her on the couch. He hugged Usagi
close to him and stroked her hair. "Usako, what's wrong?"
"My...my parents had a horrible fight! The worst I've ever seen! My
Mom said she wanted a divorce!" Usagi burst into tears again and, Mamoru
sighed.
Mamoru held her for a few minutes then, he got up and opened the
refrigerator. He brought Usagi a soda and smiled. "Drink this, Usako.
You'll feel better."
"Do you love me, Mamo-chan?"
The question took Mamoru off guard. "Eh? Of course I do! I always
have!
Why would you ask such a thing?"
"Because... because, right now, I'm not very sure of myself! I'm a
klutz, I'm no good in school! I always fight with Rei! My parents never
fought like this before! It must be my fault. I went to a Senshi meeting
and, I got home a little later then I should. I must be the cause of it
all!"
Mamoru held her as she sobbed against him. "Of course not, Usako. You
could never be the cause of something like that. There must have been other
reasons."
"I don't know. I don't know, I don't know!" Usagi's tears fell against
him staining his shirt. "I wish we could get married now, Mamo-chan! I wish
you could just take me away from all this! I wish we could have lived happy
in the Moon Kingdom! Why did it all have to end?"
Mamoru nodded. "We can't always have what we want, Usako. We have to
make the most of our lives and, despite the fact you think less of
yourself, I love you more than anything! I always have, and I always will."
Usagi smiled through her tears and closed her eyes. Mamoru bent down
and kissed her tenderly.....
The air shimmered behind Mamoru's apartment complex and, two figures
appeared. Sorcerress Nadi laughed. "Hmmm look at the way he holds her. Want
to bet that he's Tuxedo Kamen?"
Sorcerror Jikell grinned. "Seems to fit the pattern of what we know.
Sailor Moon has a special relationship with Tuxedo Kamen. The same sort of
relationship, Princess Serenity shared with Prince Edymion."
Nadi nodded. "Exactly. Now that we are fairly sure who Tuxedo Kamen
is, we need to come up with a way to eliminate him."
"True. By the way, Nadi, taking control of her parents was a brilliant
idea. You can effectively destroy Sailor Moon's home life thus rendering
her
useless. Her emotions will be her ruin."
Nadi sighed. "Except for this anchor she is currently clinging to. We
must remove Tuxedo Kamen. We must make sure the Senshi do not have his
wisdom to draw from. The same with the Outer Senshi. Vindalla is handling
that."
"We could capture him." Jikell said thoughtfully.
"No." Nadi continued to watch the two. "That would reveal our
intentions before we were ready. I have no doubt even if Vindalla is being
careful that, our combined powers could easily destroy the Senshi. But,
this is Vindalla's plan. She has reasons why she does things and, I have
learned to trust her wisdom."
"As have I." Jikell grinned. "I must say, Sailor Mercury is most
charming. I enjoyed her company."
Nadi looked at him. "You just remember she is the enemy, Jikell! Don't
do anything stupid or, you'll end up dead!"
"Not to worry, Nadi. I know who's side I'm on. What shall we do about
Tuxedo Kamen?"
"It would be interesting to test his power. I have never gone against
him in battle directly. A brief brush once. Perhaps we can see how he and
Sailor Moon react while under this kind of pressure?"
Jikell laughed. "I have just the thing. Allow me?"
Nadi laughed. "But of course, Jikell. Let's see what you can do."
She smiled wickedly.
JIkell raised his hands outward toward the city and laughed
maniacally...
Dark Fire!
By Daniel C. Harrison
Chapter Four: Indecision! cont...
Mamoru hugged Usagi close gently trying to calm her. "Feel better now,
Usako?"
Usagi nodded. "Hai. But, I don't want to go back home. You can't
believe how terrible it was! But, I left Chibi-Usa and Shingo my brother
there to deal with it. I'm a coward." She sobbed again.
Mamoru pulled her gently away and looked at her. "Usako, I love you.
It
doesn't matter to me how much you think you mess up or if you fail a test.
I
love you for what you are. No one will ever keep us apart again."
"You promise?" Usagi looked up at him.
"I promise." He smiled at her.
Suddenly, screams came from outside. A horrible roar came next and, a
loud crash.
"What the?" Mamoru stood up and pulled back the curtains. People were
running in the streets down below and, he could see some sort of huge
creature throwing things. Two cars were slammed into each other as it
pushed them aside like toys! The creature was almost twenty feet high! "Oh
no! Usako, it's a huge Youma!"
"No....No, not now! NO!" Usagi stood up and came to the window. She
gasped in fear as she saw the huge creature. "This can't be happening to
me! Please Mamo-chan, wake me up!"
"We have to help!" He moved away from her. Smiling, he pulled a rose
from his jacket pocket. Colors surrounded him suddenly and, his clothes
changed from jeans and a light jacket to the familiar garb of Tuxedo Kamen!
He smiled at her. "I need Sailor Moon's help!"
She nodded and reached down for her locket. "Twice in one day! What is
going on here? MOON CRYSTAL POWER!"
Tuxedo Kamen watched as, Usagi was bathed in a rainbow of colors and
spun so fast the eye couldn't see. Her clothes slowly changed from her
school uniform to the colorful costume of Sailor Moon! She felt herself
lowered and, she blinked twice smiling. "Let's go, Tuxedo Kamen!"
Tuxedo Kamen opened the back window of his apartment,
made sure no one was watching, then dove out! Sailor Moon watched him glide
downward then with a shout she leaped after him!
Sailor Moon hit the ground with a thud that knocked her on her
bottom. She gasped and looked over to see a huge creature throwing broken
parking meters through shop windows. Getting up, she saw Tuxedo Kamen nod
and the two ran together as one force toward the creature.
"Hey you!" she shouted. "For love and justice, I am the Pretty Sailor
Suited Soldier..Sailor Moon! In the name of the Moon, I will punish you!"
The creature looked at her with it's burning red eyes and made what
sounded like a horrible laugh. Then, it let go with a blast of fire and
Sailor Moon leaped out of the way screaming.
People nearby watched in awe as Tuxedo Kamen leaped on the creature's
back and slammed it several times with his staff. It turned trying to
remove him. "Sailor Moon!" he shouted. "Use your healing power now!"
Sailor Moon nodded. She pulled forth her wand. "MOOOOON HEALING
ESCALATIOOON!!!!" She waved it several times as she spun and, Tuxedo Kamen
jumped clear as her wand cut loose and slammed a piercing force of energy
at the creature. It screamed several times and then shrank down to the size
of a mouse. It's shape changed to reveal an ordinary rat. "EWWWW" Sailor
Moon said.
Tuxedo Kamen walked over to her and hugged her as cheers came from
around them. "SAILOR MOON! SAILOR MOON!" the crowd shouted.
She smiled shyly and, Tuxedo Kamen chuckled. "See? Despite all your
troubles, your still loved."
Sailor Moon hugged Tuxedo Kamen and, the two walked down the street
together.....
Nadi swore several times. "She's better than I thought. I was hoping
that this mess with her family would so upset her, she couldn't even fight!
That is something I am going to have to work on!" Nadi swore again.
"You heard Vindalla." Jikell laughed. "Don't underestimate the Senshi.
I didn't expect that creation of mine to win. I just wanted to see how
effective as fighters they are. Without Tuxedo Kamen, she would be
confused. He was telling her what to do."
Nadi smiled slowly. "You're right of course. We must take him out.
Perhaps if we disable him badly, she will be so distraught with everything
else that, she will have nowhere to turn to." Nadi laughed.
"Yes, with the other Senshi wrapped up in their own troubles, they
won't even have time for her. If Ember plays her role correctly, Sailor
Mars soon won't trust anyone!" Jikell grinned at her.
"You return to Vindalla, Jikell. Tell her what we have accomplished. I
will continue to shadow Sailor Moon and make sure her life is a living
hell!" She laughed evilly.
Jikell grinned and flew upward waving a final farewell to Nadi as he
faded into the night.....
Dark Fire!
By Daniel C. Harrison
Chapter Five: The Noose Tightens!
Rei awoke on the floor of the temple room still in her clothes. She
had
fallen asleep in there apparently while trying to gain more clarification
on
her terrifying vision. The fire was never wrong. In all the time she had
used it to guide her in her search for knowledge, it had shown her the
truth. Yet, what it was showing her now each time she tried to use it was
more terrifying than anything she had experienced. No Youma or evil she had
faced in the past had prepared her for this! Sailor Moon was dead. The
Usagi she had argued with was a fake! Probably some new dark threat. But,
if Moon was dead, what had happened to the Crystal? That was important!
Also, apparently Venus had been replaced or somehow taken over. But if this
was all true, why hadn't Venus and Moon killed the Senshi already?
Rei looked back toward the doorway. Amber! It had to be! Something was
special about Amber! The fact her fire told her that the child needed
friends and needed to be protected proved it! It reminded her of when
Chibi-Usa first arrived. But now, Rei didn't know what to do. For the first
time in her life, she felt doubt with her teamates!
She got off the floor and prayed searching for an answer. None came.
She sighed and walked out of the room down the hallway to the room where
Amber slept. As she paused at the door, she thought she heard something.
Slowly, she opened the door and, her eyes fell on Amber who was still
sleeping. She looked up quickly as, she thought she sensed a precense.
Slowly, Rei moved into the room. She was dead tired, but alert.
She heard a noise and turned quickly, ready to attack! There was no
one
there. Rei was feeling sick. Lack of sleep and fear over what these visions
revealed was wearing her down. She looked down at the sleeping child.
Amber stirred and opened her eyes. "Uhmmm, Rei-chan? Is that you?"
Rei nodded. "Hai. Ohayoo Amber-chan. It's still too early for you to
get up. Go back to sleep."
Amber smiled and closed her eyes rolling over in bed.
Rei closed the door.
Rei went back to the temple room. For what felt like the hundredth
time, she picked up her charms and kneeled down. "Please....oh please,
Sacred Fire! You have never lied to me before! Please..show me the truth! I
must know the truth!"
The fire parted and, Rei beheld Sailor Jupiter being slammed over and
over. Then, she tried to get up as a beam of light tore into her. Rei
gasped in fear as once again she beheld Jupiter being torn to shreds! On a
hilltop
nearby, she could see an evil Sailor Venus using her powers without mercy.
The vision widened and, it now included Sailor Moon. Sailor Moon had her
sceptre and was using it to inflict severe pain on some poor soul that was
screaming in agony. Rei tried to see who it was and, she gasped as she
realized, it was Tuxedo Kamen! "NOOOOO!" Rei almost fell over but, she
stopped herself. She would endure this horror because, the fire gave her
the
impressions she needed. It revealed the truth. She saw Tuxedo Kamen being
tortured as he begged this Sailor Moon to stop. She laughed and fired one
last time blowing a hole right through him! "But...but the sceptre doesn't
work that way!" she said aloud. "This isn't Sailor Moon!"
The vision faded and, she collapsed. Breathing very fast almost
hyperventilating, Rei considered her options. Could she trust Ami? How
could
she warn Makoto? She had to get the others together without Minako and
Usagi or whatever they were finding out! But no! They were all supposed to
get together today for a day out and maybe the night! Rei shuddered. Would
those two use this opportunity to destroy the Senshi then? But, from her
vision, they would be torturing to get information. Perhaps Usagi as baka
as
she sometimes was had indeed outsmarted this new threat and hidden the
Crystal someplace. Or, did this evil Usagi already have it? Rei had to
know!
She heard the door open and, she saw Ojiichan enter. "Ohayoo,
Ojiichan."
Ojiichan looked at her. "Rei, what are you doing up this early? You
usually sleep till ten on Sunday's. Are you having trouble sleeping?"
"I had a nightmare. And I came to consult the fire to open my mind and
show me the truth." She looked at him. "Ojiichan, I have a serious question
to ask. In our faith, we use the Sacred Fire to open our mind and show us
the best ways to live. Is that correct?"
Ojiichan nodded. "Of course, Rei. You know that. I've taught you all I
know."
Rei turned away and looked at the fire. "Has the fire ever lied to us
Ojiichan? Has it ever given a wrong impression?"
Silence filled the room for several minutes. Ojiichan sighed. "No,
Rei. It has always helped me open my mind and find the truth. Why do you
ask me this? Have you seen something that greatly disturbs you in the
flames?"
Rei continued to stare at the fire. "It's nothing that concerns you,
Ojiichan. I need to try to sleep. If anyone calls for me, tell them I'll
meet them in front of the mall with Amber-chan at noon. Arigatoo."
Ojiichan smiled and left the room. Rei sighed and got up from the
alter. It was confirmd. Both Ojiichan and her visions showed her the
nightmare was true. Usagi was dead. This evil Sailor Moon must be
destroyed! And, if this evil Sailor Venus was not Minako taken over..she
must die as well. But the biggest thing in Rei's mind as she went to her
room and tried to sleep was, she must try to warn the remaining Senshi of
this evil duo. And above all, she must protect Amber-chan! Rei wiped the
tears from her eyes remembering all the arguments she and Usagi had been
involved with. It was over. She would never argue with Usagi again.....
In the darkness of the bedroom at the end of the hall, Ember smiled as
the form of Vindalla took shape. "Ember, I'm very pleased with you.
Everyone is doing a wonderful job."
Ember nodded. "Thank you, Vindalla. I am here to serve. It's a pity
Queen Beryl didn't listen to me and gain the use of my special talents."
"That fool is dead. We are the new rulers. We are partners, Ember. All
of us. I am just the brains trying to bring us victory. You have Sailor
Mars
around your little finger. Play it up with her."
"Oh I plan to, Vindalla. I plan to have her ready to destroy the
Senshi
should they even attempt to harm me. And the way she feels now, she will be
looking for a way to destroy Sailor Moon." Ember grinned.
"Excellent. I'm still trying to locate who the Outer Senshi are. I'll
be in touch." Vindalla faded out.
Ember assumed her Amber form and laid down to relax. She would let
Rei's feelings play on her now. She would let the fire do it's work. It
would be interesting to see how Sailor Mars would treat the others now that
the noose was being tightened...
Rei awoke with a start and looked at the clock. Had it all been a dream?
It was eleven thirty in the morning. She was supposed to meet her friends
at
noon in front of the mall. Climbing out of bed, she sighed and moved to her
clothes closet and put on a light blue dress. Normally happy about shopping
with the others, she was now filled with fear.
"Rei-chan?" a voice said behind her.
Rei turned and smiled at Amber. It wasn't a dream. It was terribly
real. She knew one thing she had to do. Get Makoto alone and talk to her!
"I'm going to meet friends today at the mall, Amber-chan. While down
there, we can stop in at the local police station and see if there's any
word about your missing mother. Are you alright?"
Amber was trembling. "I don't want to go to the police. They scare me,
Rei-chan! Please oh please, don't make me go!"
Rei sighed and zipped up her dress. Smoothing it, she sat down in a
chair at her dresser and brushed her hair. "But Amber-chan, you're Mom has
probably left word about you! Aren't you anxious to see her again?"
"No, Rei-chan. My...my parents are mean to me."
Rei stared at her. "What? What do you mean?"
"They treat me bad. I never get to have any friends! I never get to do
anything I want! They aren't as nice as you are Rei-chan! You're the best
friend I ever had."
Rei giggled. "Amber-chan, arigatoo. But, I just met you yesterday. You
must have other friends? Can you even give me an idea what town you live
in?
"I don't remember." Amber started sobbing and, Rei held her.
"Don't worry, Amber-chan. I'll take care of you. I'll find your
parents. But yesterday, you kept screaming for your Mommy. Now you suddenly
tell me she's mean? Why is that?"
Amber looked confused. "I...I don't know. I was scared. If I had
known you, I would have never yelled for her."
Rei smiled. "Well, when we find your Mommy, maybe I can talk to her
about staying in touch with you. Maybe you can come over here and visit me
all the time unless you live too far away."
"I want to stay with you Rei-chan."
Rei nodded. "Well, we'll see, Amber-chan. We have to get going and
meet my friends. Come on." She smiled.
As Rei got up, she felt a sudden dizziness. Grabbing the edge of the
dresser, she steadied herself. For a second, a dark cloud was in front of
her and, she thought she saw someone else instead of Amber.
"Amber-chan..I feel tired." Rei sat down again and, when she looked, she
saw the concerned face of Amber.
The little girl looked like she was going to cry. "Rei-chan...are you
sick? I'm scared! Does this have anything to do with what you saw in the
fire?"
Rei stared at the floor. "I don't want you to worry, Amber-chan.
Let's go." Rei got up and took the child's hand leading Amber from the
room....
Twenty minutes later, Rei and Amber stepped off a bus in downtown
Tokyo and, she saw all her friends waving. Her eyes fell on Usagi. She
looked the same. There was nothing to indicate anything wrong. But, the
fire didn't lie. And evil did. As she held Amber's hand and crossed the
street, her gaze turned to Minako. Her smile certainly didn't betray
anything wrong. But again, the fire never lied!
Rei smiled as she stepped up on the curb to join them. "Well, I can
see you guys started the shopping trip without me."
Minako giggled. "Well, you didn't expect us to wait for you to show up
if you're going to be late did you? You need to be on time, Rei-chan."
Rei shrugged. "I was up late last night doing some work in the
temple."
"Well, let's go back in the mall then. "Makoto grinned. "They have
this really neat store where you can buy new cooking stuff and, I want to
check it out."
"That sounds good." Minako grinned. "After that, I want to check out
the new dress shop."
Ami looked down at Amber. "Hello again, Amber-chan. I think before we
do any of that, we should stop by the local police station and see if
there's been any word from your Mom."
"NO!" Amber shouted. "I'M NOT GOING TO A POLICE STATION! I WANT TO
STAY WITH REI-CHAN!"
Ami stepped back surprised. "But, I thought you wanted to be with
your mother! Are you okay?"
Rei stepped in front of Amber. "It's rather complicated to explain
right now so, I'll do it later. Why don't we go ahead with the shopping
trip anyway but, while were at it, can I talk to you about something Ami?"
Ami was silent a moment while the others looked on. Then, she nodded.
"Okay, Rei-chan." She turned to the others. "We'll be along in a moment."
Makoto shrugged. "Okay. We'll meet you guys over by the dress shop
then."
"Fine, see you then." Rei watched the others leave keeping a close eye
on Usagi and Minako.
"What did you want to talk about that's so important, Rei-chan?" Ami's
face showed her concern.
Rei looked to make sure the others were out of earshot. She turned
back to Ami and observed her closely. Could she really trust Ami? If Ami
was evil as well, she would be trapped before she was ready to defend
herself. Yet, the fire had not shown anything evil with Ami. That had to
mean she was okay.
"Uhmmm Ami-chan, this is very important. Have you noticed anything
strange with Usagi-chan or Minako-chan?"
Ami blinked surprised. "In what way? I can tell you, we're all a
little
worried about Usagi-chan. She showed up today with Mamoru."
"What do you mean?" Rei felt her fear rising. The scene of the evil
Sailor Moon blasting a hole in Tuxedo Kamen was fresh in her memory.
"Usagi-chan's parents had a terrible fight last night. They are
talking
divorce. She lost control and ran to Mamoru because, she didn't know where
to go. While there, some sort of Youma appeared in the streets and, they
both transformed and fought it off. She stayed the night with him."
"Stayed the night?" Rei's eyes went wide. "But, how is he? Did he look
normal?"
Ami's vision narrowed. "What do you mean by that, Rei-chan? Mamoru
isn't stupid enough to do anything with Usagi-chan."
Rei's face turned bright red. "Uhmm no I didn't mean THAT Ami-chan.
I...I have to tell you something. I don't trust Usagi-chan or Minako-chan."
Ami stared at her. "You don't trust them! But why, Rei-chan? They're
your friends! I..I know we argue sometimes and, you and Usagi are the
worst! But, what gives you a reason for not trusting them!"
I...I feel it, okay? It's just something I know. I don't know how to
say it to you."
Ami sat down on a bench pulling Rei down next to her. She looked
quickly at Amber who stood watching. "We're your friends, Rei-chan. They're
your friends! We...weve been together for a long time. At least talk to
them about whatever is bothering you. Usagi's life is in a shambles right
now. Losing your friendship would only make things more difficult for her."
Rei remained silent and looked at Amber. Ami turned and did the same.
Amber's face changed and, she began to cry. She clung to Rei and, Rei
hugged her. "It's okay, Amber-chan. I'm not mad at you."
Ami shook her head. "You need to find this girl's mother. I really
think we should go over to the police station now."
Rei looked at Amber and, the girl shook her head emphatically.
"I don't think she's ready for that yet, Ami-chan. Her mother isn't as nice
to her as we first thought."
Ami sighed. "I see. Well, nice or not, when she shows up, something
will have to be done. You can't keep this child Rei-chan! What's wrong with
you today? You don't trust two of your best friends and now you
wont give up a lost child! You're not telling me everything!"
Rei nodded. Before she could speak, Amber glared at Ami.
"Why don't you leave Rei-chan and I alone! She's my best friend and, I'm
not going to let you take me away from her!"
Ami sighed and looked down. "I want to help you Rei but, you need to
tell me what's going on!"
Suddenly, a voice behind Ami said softly. "Mizuno-chan. I didn't
expect to see you here. Hello."
Ami startled looked up into the eyes of Joquiam. Not expecting to see
him, she felt her heart's pace quicken. "King-kun! What are you doing
here?"
"I was doing some shopping of my own and, I happened to see you
sitting here with your friend. May I buy you lunch?"
Rei looked up and saw this handsome boy smiling at Ami. She looked at
Ami and saw instantly there was something between them.
"I'll see you later Ami-chan. Amber and I have things to do. Tell
everyone I'll see them later. Will you tell Makoto to stop by later?"
Ami sighed. "Hai. See you later, Rei-chan."
Rei turned and walked away, Amber at her side laughing....
Dark Fire!
By Daniel C. Harrison
Chapter Six: Testing Process
Ami watched Rei and Amber walk off down the street. What was the
matter with her? She was so...distant. Realizing Joquiam was still there,
she
looked up at him and smiled. "It's good to see you again, King-kun. I'd
love to have lunch with you but, I'm out with my friends right now."
"I see." Joquiam grinned. "May I see you tonight? We can go out to
dinner."
Ami blushed and giggled. "Uhmmm King-kun this is happening way to fast
for me. In France this type of thing may be the norm but, here in Japan it
isn't that way. At least, not at my age."
"Perhaps we can bend the rules on that, Mizuno-chan? I don't know what
it is but, I feel a connection to you. It's hard to explain. It's very rare
I meet anyone close to my intellect."
Ami looked down and tried to find the words to express herself. She
sighed. "I..I have to go. But, I guess it's okay. Why don't I meet you at
that same restaurant we were at before this evening around seven?"
"It will be my pleasure, Mizuno-chan. Arigatoo. I'll see you later
tonight." He smiled and waved goodbye.
Ami watched him walk off then ran through the mall feeling like she
was on Cloud Nine. She had never felt this way about anyone since her first
boyfriend..and that had been brief at best. Joquiam was so suave, so
sophisticated! It was almost as if, he knew what she wanted in a man! His
intellect was every bit as intelligent as her's! Ami felt like her life was
beautiful.
"Look at her face...she looks so happy." Socerress Nadi sneered.
Vindalla watched Ami run through the mall with a cold calculating
stare. "Jikell is doing very well. He is distracting her but, not
enough. If we aren't careful, Sailor Mercury will become wise to us before
we are ready."
"Well, you sent Jikell down to distract her and, he did. So, what's
the problem?" Nadi laughed.
"You're taking this far too lightly." Vindalla watched Ami rejoin the
other girls. "With Mars feeling the way she is, that will deprive them of
her abilities.. hopefully. We must increase the feelings of hopelessness on
Sailor Moon. Her friends are helping her to deal with her current troubles.
And, I have yet to locate the Outer Senshi! This is very serious, Nadi! If
we don't find them, they could surprise us when we aren't ready."
"Vindalla, relax. Things are going perfectly. In fact, I'd like to go
to Egypt and see how things are progressing there..."
"Let me worry about our agents in Egypt, Nadi!" Vindalla turned and
glared at her. "Do as you're told! The only way this operation is going to
succeed is if there are no screw up's! I want you to put more pressure on
Sailor Moon! Breaking up her parent's is not enough!"
Nadi nodded. "My apologies. But, do I have to watch her every minute?
She is the least trouble of any of them!"
"Don't underestimate her! She took out Queen Beryl!" Vindalla swore.
"It's time to see how effective we have been in damaging the Senshi. Go
visit the Pet Store, Nadi. See if you can create a few problems for the
Sailor Senshi they have to deal with. This will be good observation."
"It's a pleasure to serve you, Vindalla." Nadi faded out....
"Come on Usagi-chan, cheer up! It's not the end of the world. Maybe
your parents won't get divorced. We're supposed to be out having fun."
Usagi sighed and nodded. "I'll try, Makoto-chan. Arigatoo. I..I just
wish all this wasn't happening! I don't know why it is! It's like things
are coming apart for me."
Ami looked at her. "Yes, and not only for you. Rei- chan has developed
some sort of a fixation on Amber-chan. I just mentioned taking the child to
the police and, she got real quiet. Then, Amber-chan went into a fit.
There's something else too that seems odd."
Everyone looked at Ami. She sighed. "I don't know what it is but,
Rei-chan has feelings of mistrust. I shouldn't be telling you this but,
we're all friends and, I feel something is wrong with her. Usagi-chan, what
was the last thing you said to her before today?"
Usagi thought a moment. "We parted on good terms. She even loaned me
extra comic books to read."
Makoto shrugged. "So why is she acting weird?"
Ami looked at Minako. "Minako-chan, did you say anything to her
recently that would upset her?"
"Of course not. I don't know what the problem is."
Ami nodded. "Brace yourselves for a shock. Rei said she can't trust
Usagi-chan or Minako-chan. I tried to reason with her but, she was adamant
on this."
Minako stared at her. "That's ridiculous! Why would she think that?
What have we done?"
"I wish I knew." Ami looked at each of them as she spoke. "I almost
feel like she is latching onto Amber-chan and pushing everyone else away.
Makoto-chan, you're the exception. She asked me to tell you to come by the
temple tonight."
"Just me?" Makoto shook her head. "I don't get any of this. But, I'll
be there to find out what the hell is going on. I'll let you all know once
I do know. Ami-chan, would you come along too?"
Ami smiled and blushed. "Uhmm I can't. I have a date tonight." She
giggled.
The girls all stared at her and, Usagi's mouth fell open. "A DATE!!!
YOU AMI-CHAN?"
Ami looked at her. "Well, you have Mamoru. Why shouldn't I be able to
go out too?"
"It's just that, you hardly ever have time for anything but books!"
Minako laughed and smiled at Usagi. "Until now, Usagi- chan." She
turned to Ami. "Tell me, I wouldn't know this handsome young guy would I,
Ami-chan?"
Ami blushed and nodded.
"Oh my! Ami-chan, he's so cute!"
"Who? Who is?" Makoto looked from one to the other.
Ami laughed. "His name is King Joquiam. Of course, we're getting
almost
close enough for first names. Not yet though." She giggled.
"I would of." Minako grinned. "He sure is cute. Congratulations,
Ami-chan. I hope it all works out for you."
Ami nodded. "I hope so too. I haven't felt this way about anyone in a
long time. I was so giddy when I saw him that, I almost forgot about
Rei-chan! I hope she doesn't think I don't care."
Minako laughed. "You need to get your head out of the books now and
then, Ami-chan. Maybe King-san will do that for you."
Usagi smiled. "I'm happy for you Ami-chan. At least your life is going
good for you. About the only thing I have right now is all of you here and,
Mamo-chan."
"Hey by the way, where's Chibi-Usa?" Makoto asked.
"She's at a friend's house. I feel like I ran out on her last night.
But, she says right after I left, things calmed down. Dad stormed out and,
that was it. But, this morning before I left, Mom started screaming
at me for no reason I feel like a total failure!" She looked down and tears
fell.
Ami leaned forward and gave her a hug. "Usagi-chan, we're all here for
you."
Usagi hugged Ami then jumped back as a huge roar sounded. People
suddenly began screaming and ran through the mall past them.
"What the hell is this?" Makoto grabbed a man. "Hey you! What's going
on?
"RUN!" he shouted. "There's some sort of horrible youma and their
moving this way!"
"Youma! Here? OH crap!" Makoto let him go and grabbed
Ami's hand. "Come on everyone, we have to do something!"
Usagi being pulled by Minako cried. "Oh no...no! NO!!! I don't need
this right now! I don't want it!"
They stared at her. Minako let go and drew out her wand. "VENUS STAR
POWER!!"
Minako spun upward and transformed quickly into Sailor Venus with a
shower of stars. As she landed, she turned to Usagi. "Usagi-chan! No time
to feel sorry for yourself! Transform now!"
"JUPITER STAR POWER!!!"
Makoto with a hail of lightning transformed herself and landed next to
Minako. "Now's the time to fight! Let's go!"
Usagi with tears in her eyes looked at them. "But, Rei-chan isn't
here."
"MERCURY STAR POWER!!"
Ami swept into an array of colors and bubbles came flying down and
smiled at Usagi. "Come on Usagi-chan! We need Sailor Moon!"
Usagi wept and fell down against the wall. "I can't! I don't want to
deal with this right now!"
Makoto looked back behind her as she heard an explosion. "Crap! We
don't have time for this damn it! Quit feeling sorry for yourself,
Usagi-chan! We're a team!"
Reluctantly, Usagi got up and pulled out her locket. "I..I can't. I'm
too upset for this."
"The hell with it then!" Makoto shoved past her and ran out into the
center of the mall.
Usagi watched as her friend leaped and was gone. She turned to
Minako. "I'm sorry! I can't do this I..."
"YES YOU CAN!" Minako sighed. "WE NEED YOU! TRANSFORM!"
Usagi held up her locket. "UHmm Moon Crystal Power."
Ami watched as nothing happened. "You've lost your faith! This is
serious Usagi-chan! We're all counting on you!"
A scream made them all gasp and they watched in horror as Sailor
Jupiter came crashing to the mall floor near them.
Ami leaped outward. "DOUBLE SHABON SPRAY...FREEZING!!
A hail of cold came from her as she leaped barely clear of the youma's
giant paw!.... Usagi gasped in horror as she saw two giant youma which
resembled dogs. Their eyes were red and, their heads almost touched the top
of the mall roof.
Sailor Mercury got up off the floor and stared at her. "TRANSFORM
NOW!"
Minako nodded to her and dashed forward. "VENUSSS LOVE ME...CHAAIN!!!"
A blast of energy in the form of a chain fired from her finger and, it
swept around the youma encircling them. An explosion followed and, Venus
gasped as the two youma roared and moved toward her. "LOOK OUT!"
She dived clear as it tried to stomp her.
Sailor Jupiter got up. "I'll get em! HIYAAAAAA!" She leaped with all
her strength into the air and onto one of youma's head. It snarled and
tried to throw her off and, Mercury gasped as she watched her friend ride
it like a bucking bronco! "Be careful Jupiter!"
"I got it!" Jupiter shouted. She suddenly gasped as, the youma next to
it fired a beam of light from it's eyes striking her. "AGHHHHH! I can't
see!" GOD!!!!" Jupiter fell from the Youma and hit the floor.
"JUPITER!!" Venus ran forward and covered her. She looked up as the
Youma approached. "Oh damn it! HELP!" She grabbed Jupiter's limp body and
pulled them both to safety.
Usagi shook her head. "OH dear god. Please help me. "MOON CRYSTAL
POWER..MAKE UP!!!!"
The locket began glowing and, Usagi found herself swept into blazing
colors as her clothes changed to become her Sailor Moon uniform. She landed
in the same place feeling drained.
"HELP US!!!" Sailor Mercury screamed and darted to the right. She
looked up at the two youma. "SHINING AQUA....ILLUSION!!!"
A huge blast of water poured forth from Mercury's outstretched arms and
the wave struck one of the youma sending it crashing into several stores
where people were hiding. Several screamed and ran for their lives.
Jupiter shook her head and tried to get up. "Damn it!." She stood up.
"I'm gonna kill this bastard!"
"Be careful." Venus said behind her.
Jupiter still groggy glared at the creature coming toward her.
THUNDER....DRAGON!!!!!"
Hot lightning leaped from her in the shape of a terrible dragon and
slammed into the thing. It screamed and fell back. Behind it, the other one
got to it's feet and, it's eyes fired a broad beam directly at Venus!
"LOOK OUT!" Sailor Moon shouted.
Venus tried to get clear but screamed as the beam enveloped her. She
cried out in agony and collapsed.
"NOOOOO!" Sailor Moon leaped forward. "MOOON
PRINCESSSS...HALATION!!!!"
Waving her sceptre all watched as she spun around several times and
launched a stream of energy at the two youma! They screamed as it bathed
them in it's golden light and, one collapsed into an ordinary dog.
"SHABON...SPRAY!!!" Mercury shouted.
Her attack flew past Usagi and struck the remaining youma which
collapsed.
Moon Pointed her sceptre again. "MOOON HEALING....ESCALATION!!!
The second youma howled in a terrible scream and changed back to a
small dog. It lay down unconscious.
Sailor Moon still panting from exhaustion looked over at Sailor
Jupiter
who shook her head then ran to Venus. Sailor Mercury was cradling Venus in
her arms. "Venus? Are you alright?"
Sailor Venus opened her eyes. "I...I don't know. I hurt all over."
"Damn it! You could have been killed!" Jupiter swore and got up. She
sighed and moved over next to Sailor Moon. "We have a problem. And that
problem right now is you! Sailor Moon, you can't hesitate like
that! You can't let your personal fears interefere with what we have to do!
If you had transformed sooner, Venus might not of been hit at all!"
Sailor Moon stared at the ground and let her sceptre drop. The sound
of
it echoed through the wreckage of the mall. "Gomen nasai." she whispered.
Sailor Mercury had out her computer and was using it to check Sailor
Venus. She then held it up and frowned. "This is strange. I've detected
readings like this before. But, it can't be!"
Jupiter bent down and looked at the computer. "What does it say?"
Mercury adjusted the computer. The readings I'm getting off these two
dogs is consistent with the same ones I got from when we were fighting evil
from the Dark Kingdom!"
Sailor Moon looked up and gasped. "NO! Queen Beryl isn't dead! Oh my
god! But..but I thought we killed her!"
Jupiter swore repeatedly. "Not well enough I guess. WE need to figure
this out and fast! NO wonder so many youma have been popping up lately."
"I suspected as much." a voice said.
They all turned to see Tuxedo Kamen. Sailor Moon smiled and, he gave
her a hug. "Tuxedo Kamen. Thank god your here."
Tuxedo Kamen looked at them. "I was about to jump in the fight but,
you
managed to take them out before I had to. Nice job."
Sailor Mercury nodded. "Next time though, we need to be faster." She
nodded to Sailor Moon. "Every moment counts."
"How did you know the Dark Kingdom was back?" Sailor Moon looked up at
Tuxedo Kamen.
"I didn't know but, from what I've seen, I was beginning to suspect.
The pattern of the youma was similar. I need to do some more research to
determine anything else of use. Sailor Moon, you look exhausted."
Sailor Moon nodded. "I can't do anything right. My life is falling
apart."
Jupiter swore and turned away. Mercury looked down at Venus and
brushed
the hair from her eyes. Tuxedo Kamen smiled. "Sailor Moon, if that was the
case, the two youma would still be here. You just need a break." He bent
down and whispered. "Come over later. I'll make some dinner for us."
Sailor Moon's eyes lit up. "Tuxedo Kamen...Arigatoo."
He nodded and suddenly leaped upward. "I have to go. I hope Sailor
Venus is alright. If you need help, call me!" He jumped through an upper
window and was gone.
Mercury sighed and shook Venus gently. "Sailor Venus...are you okay?"
Venus nodded and sat up. "I just got the hell shocked out of me." She
grinned. "You're NOT missing that date tonight on account of me."
Sailor Moon wiped the tears from her eyes. "I love you guys. I'll try
to be faster next time." She looked up at Jupiter. "Please forgive me."
Jupiter sighed and sat down. "I forgive you. Just please don't freak
out like that again. WE can't afford it. The Dark KIngdom! Damn it! And I
thought things were going to be normal someday. Oh well. Kicking them
around
will be fun!" She laughed.
Above them, Sorcerress Vindalla glared at the window where Tuxedo
Kamen
had been. "You wanted another assigment Nadi other than following Sailor
Moon?"
Nadi nodded eagarly. "I'm ready."
"Sailor Moon's about to lose her anchor. I want you to take out Tuxedo
Kamen. Do it tonight before she get's to his apartment. Make sure it looks
like an accident. I'll follow her for awhile. I'm enjoying watching her
suffer. Once you take him out, resume shadowing her. I'll go after Sailor
Venus from there."
"How do you feel this went?" Nadi sighed.
"I see the seeds of doubt in Jupiter. Once Mars tells her what she
fears is true, I think they may bear some fruit. Deadly fruit." She
laughed.
"Mercury is showing minor irritation. But, we just need to distract her.
I'll make sure Jikell has nothing but eyes for her tonight. He'll spoil her
so rotten, she'll be smitten with him instantly..if she isn't already."
"We still have the problem of the Outer Senshi." Nadi continued to
watch Sailor Moon as she spoke.
"You needn't remind me. I am beginning to get more than frustrated
with
it. They haven't shown themselves as of yet. Also, those misfit cats are
gone. Another big concern."
"Cats? How can cats be any concern, Vindalla?"
"Once again Nadi, you underestimate. Leave all of this to me. Go
accomplish your mission and get rid of Tuxedo Kamen. If I'm right, Sailor
Moon will go completely over the edge". She laughed wickedly.
"As you order, My Queen,." Nadi grinned and faded out.
Vindalla swore. Nadi was a fool! She was surrounded by fools. If they
didn't work better as a team, it would all be over. Vindalla didn't show it
but, she was now greatly concerned that Sailor Mercury had discovered it
was Dark Kingdom elements at work. She smiled. Let them think they were
deaing with Queen Beryl again. She was far worse. The test had been a
success. The unity of the Senshi was crumbling! Vindalla laughed again and
was gone.....
Dark Fire!
By Daniel C. Harrison
Chapter Seven: Dissolution
Rei sighed and put more wood on the fire. She stepped back and looked
into it. It's glow was intoxicating. She wiped the tears from her eyes. Her
day had completely fallen apart. Now, she wasn't even sure if she could
trust Ami-chan. Even if she could, Ami appeared to have a new boyfriend
and, she would want to spend time with him. But, this was serious! If the
fire was giving her true impressions and, trhe real Sailor Moon was dead,
she would have to do all she could to defend herself. If in fact the real
Sailor Venus was taken out, was the Minako she had seen laughing today her
friend, or an expert copy? There was nothing at all to indicate they were
evil. When Rei had tried to open her mind and understand, all she could see
was a blankness. Amber's welfare was formost in her mind. She wished she
could talk to someone.
"Are you going to add more wood to the fire, Rei-chan?"
Rei turned and looked at Amber. For a brief second, she felt dizzy
then, it passed. "I must be getting tired, Amber-chan. No, it has enough
wood now."
"Are you going to do another fire reading?" Amber giggled.
"No..I don't feel like it right now." Rei got up from the floor and
picked up a broom. Slowly, the begamn sweeping as she spoke. "I'm almost
afraid to use the Sacred Fire anymore. I'm afraid of what I will see."
"But didn't you tell me you use the fire to help you understand your
life and how to help people?" Amber looked at her questioningly.
Rei nodded. "I used to think that. Now, I'm not so sure."
Amber smiled and took her hand. "Rei-chan, I really appreciate you
being here for me. I don't have any friends and, I need one. I don't know
if my Mom is going to show up for me. And, I don't think I want her to. I
want to stay here with you, Rei-chan. I want to be with you always."
Rei hugged Amber close to her. "You musn't think that. I'm sure your
mother cares for you. She just doesn't know how to express it maybe. I used
to be very closed in too. But, I found friends to help me become more
open." Rei suddenly felt a wrenching in her heart. "And, now I'll never see
them again."
Amber pulled away and looked at her. "Rei-chan, what friends are
these?"
Rei bowed her head and felt the tears roll down her cheek. "I...I had
two good friends, Amber-chan. But now, I think they are dead. I
want you to make me a promise."
Amber blinked. "Promise, Rei-chan?"
"Hai." Rei looked into the child's eyes. "Whatever happens in the next
few hours or days, always remember I'm you're friend. I want you to remain
safe in case of trouble."
Amber nodded and the room fell quiet. "Uhmm, Rei-chan?"
"Hai."
"Rei-chan...why do you care about me so much? Why do you care about
others?"
"Because, it's the right thing to do. Even those we sometimes hate, we
must learn to forgive someday, in our own way. I need to ask you something
too Amber-chan. Are you and your mother running from someone?"
Amber bowed her head and nodded. "I...I didn't want to scare you off,
Rei-chan. You're my friend."
"Is that why your mother hasn't come to find you?"
"Hai, Rei-chan. I don't even know if she is alive."
Rei gasped and hugged Amber close to her again. "I'm with you,
Amber-chan. I promise, I'll take care of you. I'll make sure nothing
happens to you. I love you!"
Amber hugged Rei back and, she smiled.....
Sorcerress Ember stared at the wall as she hugged Rei in her child
form. Sailor Mars was a fool! She had completely fallen for this
child form! If Ember wanted to, it would be pitifully easy now to snap her
neck and kill her. Mars would have no clue what to expect. But..but why was
she feeling this way? Why did Ember, fire warrior of the Dark Kingdom, feel
almost compassion toward Sailor Mars? She forced this feeling out of her.
The plan! That's all that mattered was, Vindalla's plan! She would do her
part and not let these feelings disuade her.
"I love you too...Rei-chan." the child Amber sighed and closed her
eyes....
Makoto looked at the dark clouds as she climbed Cherry Hill to the
temple. She was feeling more then a little apprehensive about this meeting
and wished Ami was here. Reaching the front door, she knocked loudly and
waited till she heard footsteps. The door opened and, Rei stood there. But,
Rei didn't look like herself. Her eyes were bleary and she had the wrong
skin tone. She looked as if she hadn't slept in weeks!
"Hi, Rei-chan! I heard you wanted to see me?"
Rei nodded and opened the door wider. "Please come in Makoto-chan. We
need to talk....
Rei told Makoto everything. Her feelings, the fire impressions, the
fact Amber had someone after her. Her fears that two members of the Sailor
Team had been replaced by evil duplicates...
Makoto listened quietly to all of it. When Rei finished she took a
long
drink and coughed. "Damn it! Rei-chan, why didn't you tell any of us this
sooner? What makes you think this is right?"
"I told you. The Sacred Fire never lies. It has never lied to me in
the
past and, you know from our fire readings that, it has aided us in fighting
evil. I don't like it anymore then you do. I want to believe it is wrong."
Makoto sighed. "Could it be wrong? Maybe you're interpreting
something the wrong way. My god Rei-chan! This is serious! You're talking
about the end of the Sailor Team. Dissolution! If we can trust Ami-chan,
that leaves the three of us. But, what about the Silver Crystal?"
"If this fake Usagi has it, I don't know why she hasn't used it. My
guess is, the real Usagi hid it before she died. But your wrong. We aren't
the only ones."
Makoto looked up. "The Outer Senshi. I forgot about them. We rarely
see
them cause, they keep to themselves a lot."
Rei nodded. "We must contact them and get them to help. And, we must
find the Silver Crystal."
Makoto shook her head. "This is crap! I can't believe any of it! The
Sailor Moon who panicked today and didn't transform immediately mirrored
Usagi completely! Your getting something wrong! You have to be!"
Rei glared at her. "Fine! I'll do another damn fire reading right now!
I wish you could see it too, Makoto-chan! But, you have to trust me! If you
don't who will you trust?"
"I would hope we could all trust each other."
Rei got up and moved to the fire. "Amber-chan is asleep. I'm almost
afraid to leave her. There is evil. You said it yourself. The Dark Kingdom
is back. And, for some weird reason they must be after Amber-chan.
Very soon, I may have to fight to defend her." She looked at Makoto. "I
want to believe my friends are themselves, Makoto-chan. But, do you
remember when
Mamoru was taken over by Queen Beryl the first time?"
Makoto nodded solmnely. "Hai. I remember."
"This is far worse. Usagi-chan is dead. I saw her die! I saw the
vision in the Sacred Fire! I saw Minako-chan kill you! She had a look of
evil on her face that terrified me!" Rei began pacing. "Look at me
Makoto-chan! I'm a nervous wreck! Do you think if I didn't care I'd have
you come here
and babble all this to you? Don't trust either of them! Don't turn your
back on either of them!"
Makoto nodded. "And Ami-chan?"
"I haven't seen anything at all to indicate we can't trust her. She
needs to be made aware of how important this is though."
Makoto looked up at Rei. "Okay. I'll talk to her. This is insane.
Usagi-chan's home life is a disaster right now. If she's not really
Usagi-chan, why would she be so torn up?"
"Because it's an act!" Rei glared at her. "The Dark Kingdom are doing
everything they can to make us trust her! They're trying to make us feel
sympathy for her and bring down our guard."
Makoto took another stiff drink. "I wish this was sake. I feel like
getting drunk right now. How can we prove this?"
"Help me." Rei bent down and took her friend's hands. "Help me to
protect Amber-chan from them. Luna and Artemis are missing. They may
already be dead. I haven't confirmed it yet. I'm afraid to look into the
fire again. But, I know I will have to."
Makoto stood up. "Okay. I'll try to reach Haruka tonight and let the
Outer Senshi know what's going on. Rei-chan, please be sure on this. We're
talking about the end of the Sailor Team as we know it!
Rei felt tears come to her eyes and she fell forward crying on
Makoto's shoulder. "I...I'm not wrong. The fire never lies."
"What are you thinking about Mizuno-chan?"
Ami looked up startled. She had lost track and been thinking about how
different things had gotten over the last two days. The appearance of the
youma, Usagi's home problems, Minako's troubles at school. Rei's weird
attitude. They were all adding up to something. But what?"
"I'm sorry, King-kun. I was just thinking about my friends."
Joquiam smiled. "You're friends are very important to you aren't they?
I hope that someday I might be considered as such."
Ami blushed and giggled. "You are important to me King-kun. In the
short time I have gotten to know you, I feel very close to you. We have a
lot in common. Do you play Chess?"
"All the time, Mizuno-chan. But, I rarely find others who can give me
an enjoyable game. I imagine though you would not only play well but, you
would probably beat me. I have heard of your chess record."
"I'm not that good." Ami blushed again.
"Not from what I heard Mizuno-chan. But somehow, that name doesn't fit
you anymore. It seems to formal."
Ami looked up and met his eyes. "King-kun..I..I don't know..."
"Please..." he leaned forward and gazed into her eyes.
"Please give me the honor of calling you by your given name...Ami-chan." He
smiled.
Ami giggled and nodded slowly. "Very well...Joquiam- chan. Arigatoo.
You're showing me something I haven't seen in a long time. I can't describe
it but, this feeling I have is very warm inside. I find myself wanting to
see you more."
Joquiam nodded. "I want to see you too, Ami-chan. Let's walk around
the
lake."
"I'd like that." Ami smiled and took his proferred arm and, they left
the restaurant and began walking around the lake. Ami looked up at him. He
was perfect. In every way, he was anything she could have wanted. She felt
like a princess. Maybe she had known Joquiam before. Maybe in her past in
the Moon Kingdom, she had been with him. "Joquiam-chan, are you looking
forward to school tomorrow?"
Joquiam sighed. "If I can be in the same class as you, Ami-chan." He
winked at her.
Ami felt herself being drawn closer to him. Slowly she felt him reach
down and take her hand. She didn't want to object. She wanted to hold hands
with him. Her life was so perfect now! "If you want during lunch, I'll show
you around tomorrow. Maybe we could even play some chess?"
"Ami-chan as long as I can be with you, I don't care what we do. I
have
not been this happy in years."
Ami sighed and leaned against him.....
Vindalla looked up as she noticed a form taking shape next to her.
"What the? Ember! What the hell are you doing here? Get back to your post!"
"I had to see you Vindalla. I think we need to further convince Sailor
Mars and Jupiter that Amber must be protected."
Vindalla snickered. "You really are getting into this dual role
aren't you Amber-chan?" She laughed. "What do you have in mind?"
"I think Sailor Mars would go ballistic if Sailor Moon and Venus
showed up and tried to take me away from her."
Vindalla considered this. "I don't want to remove you too soon. And,
it
would look implausible if they were defeated too easy. I think you better
get back and further use your fire abilities."
"She is getting suspicious I think." Ember sighed. "And, I'm not too
sure about it either."
Vindalla stared at her. "You're not sure? What are you saying Ember!
Are you planning on turning traitor?"
"Of course not, Vindalla! My loyalty is beyond challenge!"
Vindalla nodded. "You are having thoughts of compassion for Sailor
Mars
aren't you? Do not be taken in and fooled by the Senshi! Follow the plan
and do what I ask. It's the only way we will succeed. If you turn on me
Ember, I'll blow you out of existence! Don't forget that!"
"I thought we were friends." Ember said quietly.
"We are. But, I am also your Commander. We are all that is left of the
Dark Kingdom. If we blow this, there won't be another chance. We have a
strategic advantage right now. If Beryl had listened to me from the
beginning, we would all be reaping great rewards. But, she was a fool."
Ember watched Ami and Joquiam walking. "So is she so in love with him
now, she is blinded to what is happening?"
"I don't know. Return to your post Ember. I'll come see you if I need
to. I'll consider your idea but, it's too soon."
"Very well, Vindalla." Ember faded out.
Damn her! Vindalla watched the two below as her thoughts consumed her.
What was happening? Why couldn't they follow the plan without question?
They
had never questioned her before. She led the elite. The Special Forces of
the Dark Kingdom. Why Beryl had been stupid enough not to use them was
still a mystery. Unless it was because Beryl felt so threatened that
Vindalla would usurp her that, she did all she could to undermine the
Sorcerress power.. and any that had suppoerted her.
But Beryl was dead. The plan would succeed. So far, it was working
beautifully. Ember needed to concentrate more. She needed to put any
feelings of compassion aside. She had always been the one that Vindalla had
felt uncertain of. Yet, her job in this operation was everything. Her
special ability to control fire was what was making this all
possible. If Ember failed, they would all fail. Vindalla was determined
that they would not fail!
She noticed Ami and Joquiam were walking back. He had matters well in
hand. She knew she could depend on Jikell. Only a few more days. They only
had to blind Sailor Mercury a few more days. By then, it would be too late.
Vindalla smiled and flew upward. It was time for her to deal with
Sailor Venus. But first, she would watch how Nadi would finish off Tuxedo
Kamen! Nadi was a great warrior. But, like Ember, she had flaws. It would
be
interesting to observe how well she fulfilled her mission....
Dark Fire!
By Daniel C. Harrison
Chapter Eight: Elimination!
Chiba Mamoru sighed as he checked his bag and made sure all his books
were there. He was running late for his evening class and, getting Usagi to
leave had been harder than normal due to her home problems. It didn't make
sense. With the reemergence of the Dark Kingdom, he was now more on guard
then ever. No youma had appeared since that afternoon. Usagi was terrified.
With all the pressure she was under, he was glad he was there to help her.
Mamoru climbed on his motorcycle and fired it into life. After revving
the engine a few times, he pulled the clutch in and put the bike in gear
heading it down the road. He would really have to move fast if he was going
to make this class! Normally he was earlier then this. He shifted through
the gears glancing in his mirrors for traffic. He increased speed looking
quickly at his watch. It was later than he thought.
Turning right onto the highway that would take him to the "Azabu
Institute of Technology" his college, Mamoru's thoughts returned to
the earlier encounter of that day. What was the Dark Kingdom's plan now? He
hadn't noticed any of the youma trying to steal energy. That was obviously
not what they had in mind. So, what was their plan? It frustrated him and,
with Usgi's life coming apart, the frustration was now increased. From what
he had heard, Rei wasn't acting like herself either. Was something
happening to the Senshi? Maybe he should investigate further for the
answer. Mamoru thought about it as he steered the bike down the road.
As he turned into a right hand curve, he downshifted slightly. Coming
toward him on the other side was a huge semi tractor trailer. Mamoru leaned
toward the inside to give it plenty of room to pass.
Sudenly, he saw a flash and a woman laughed. "Surprise Tuxedo Kamen!
Prepare to die!"
"What?" He stared at a woman flying beside him he had never seen
before. Before he could respond, she waved her hands and the motorcycle
jerked into the path of the oncoming semi! Before he could jump off, he
slammed into it! Mamoru felt severe pain and, his thoughts turned to Usagi
before he lost all consciousness.....
Sorcerress Nadi laughed with glee as she watched the motorcycle fly
apart and it's rider flew off spinning through the air. His limp body fell
over the cliff and down the ravine. The semi slammed on it's brakes and
jackknifed spilling it's trailer contents everywhere. Nadi snickered. "Bye
bye, Tuxedo Kamen. That was too easy."
"Make sure he's dead." a voice said beside her. She looked and saw
Vindalla smiling. "Nicely done."
Nadi flew down and stood over the body lying face down, it's leather
riding outfit torn. She reached down and checked his pulse at the neck.
After several minutes, she laughed wickedly. "He's dead. Tuxedo Kamen is no
more."
"Excellent." Vindalla smiled. "Now go watch Sailor Moon. I'll deal
with
Sailor Venus soon. Our plan is coming quickly into fruition, Nadi. We will
soon rule supreme!"
Nadi raised her hand in salute and was gone...
"GET OUT OF BED!"
Usagi pulled the covers over he head. She gasped as she felt a rough
hand grab her and throw her on the floor. She stared in fear at her mother
who was giving her such a terrifying look, it made Usagi cringe. "I SAID
GET OUT OF BED! YOU ARE THE MOST WORTHLESS LITTLE WORM I'VE EVER SEEN! WHY
THE HELL DID I EVEN HAVE YOU?"
Usagi closed her eyes and kept trying to wish this terrible nightmare
away. But, it wasn't. It was real. "I...gomen nasai, Mom."
"GET YOUR LAZY CARCASS UP AND GET READY FOR SCHOOL! NEXT TIME I'M NOT
GOING TO ASK, I WILL JUST POUND THE DAYLIGHTS OUT OF YOU!"
Usagi glanced quickly at Chibi-Usa who had already leaped out of bed
and was getting dressed. She noticed her brother was running too. What had
happened to their mother? Why was she so uncaring now. "Mom, why.. why are
you being soon mean to us?"
"YOU DARE TO QUESTION ME!" Usagi cried out as her mother slapped her
face hard. She fell on the floor and put her hand to her face. Looking up,
she saw her mother was furious. "GET OUT OF HERE USAGI! GET YOUR THINGS AND
GO TO SCHOOL NOW! GET OUT OF MY SIGHT!"
Usagi now crying quickly threw on her school uniform from the day
before and grabbed her books. As she ran down the stairs, she saw her
brother at the bottom. Fear was in his eyes.
As she reached the front door still crying, she head her mother
scream.
"AND IF YOU FAIL A TEST, DON'T BOTHER COMING HOME YOU WORTHLESS BAKA!"
Usagi lost it. She broke into full hysterics and ran toward the only
safety she now knew. School was unimportant. She had to be with Mamoru!
She ran for blocks until she reached the familiar apartment building.
Hitting the stairs at top speed, she ran up and pounded on the door.
"Mamo-chan! Mamo-chan! Please, answer me! Mamo-chan."
A door opened on the other side and, a man came out. "Don't you have
to be at school?"
"I need to see Mamo-chan, gomen nasai. Is he here?"
The man bowed his head. "I'm sorry. You haven't seen this morning's
paper have you?"
"Paper?" She took the paper he handed her with trembling hands. She
noticed his head was bowed.
Slowly she opened it and beheld her worst nightmare on the front page.
Tears filled her eyes even more and, her body was wretched with deep sobs.
"No! NO! This isn't true! This can't be true! Oh god PLEASE DONT LET THIS
BE TRUE!!! MAAAAMOOO_CHAAAAN!" She screamed hysterically and ran almost
falling down the stairs. In her wake she left the paper still open..
"LOCAL SCHOOL BOY KILLED IN BIKE ACCIDENT!
Last night, Chiba Mamoru was killed by a
Semi tractor trailer when he lost control on
the Kambishiy Hwy. Doctors said he was killed
instantly......
Usagi had lost track of time. She ran onward refusing to accept this
nightmare which had been thrust upon her. Mamoru dead? No! He couldn't die!
Tuxedo Kamen couldn't die! Prince Edymion couldn't die! She couldn't live
without him!
She finally reached the hospital and ran panting up to the front desk.
"Excuse me. I'm here to inquire about that local boy who was killed last
night?"
The nurse checked records. She smiled. "The paper exagerrated a
little.
He is alive but barely. He won't last the day. I'm sorry, Miss."
"Can I please see him? If he's going to die, I need to see him!"
The nurse looked at the poor sobbing girl before her and nodded
reluctantly. "Since he has no family, alright. Are you family?"
"His...fiance." Usagi said hesitantly.
"I see." The nurse stood up. "Follow me, please."
Usagi still wracked in mental turmoil followed the nurse into an
elevator and on the third floor, she was led to a dark room. Medical
equipment was in operation and, laying there bandaged and unconscious was
Chiba Momoru.
Usagi covered her eyes and stepped forward hesitantly. "Mamo-chan?
Mamo-chan, can you hear me? Please answer."
"He can't." The nurse sighed. "He's not even breathing on his own.
I'll
leave you alone with him... Gomen nasai." She stepped out and shut the
door.
For several moments, Usagi wept over him. She sat up and drew out the
Silver Crystal. "I won't let you die, Mamo-chan! You can't die! We have our
whole lives ahead of us! We have our future! YOu can't die!"
She held aloft the Crystal. "MOON CRYSTAL POWER...MAKE UP!!!"
Usagi felt herself changing in an array of colors to her Sailor Moon
uniform. As the transformation finished, she put the Crystal on Mamoru's
heart. "Please...please...let me...bring him back to me! OH PLEASE!!!!"
For a moment, there was nothing. Then, the Silver Crystal began to
glow
and it's glow spread outward. It fully bathed her and Mamoru in it's power
and, the room grew brighter with each passing second!
Sailor Moon gasped and smiled with joy as, Mamoru suddenly moved and,
his breathing became more regular. His eyes flickered open.
"Usagi...chan.." he whispered.
"It's going to be okay, Mamo-chan. We're together now." She hugged him
close....
Dark Fire!
By Daniel C. Harrison
Chapter Eight: Elimination cont..
For several minutes, Usagi held Mamoru close to her as his raspy
breathing filled the silence. Slowly as she wept, she changed back from
Sailor Moon to her original form. The light in the room from the crystal
died away.
"Usako..." Mamoru said whispering.
"Mamo-chan. It's okay. Don't try to talk."
"Usako..you must..must listen to me..."
"I'm listening my darling. What is it?"
"The..the accident..not..not an accident..." He closed his eyes.
"Not an accident?" She hugged him closer and put her ear down to his
mouth. "What do you mean, Mamo-chan?"
"I...I was riding and..and.."
"Hai?" Usagi felt funny about this. "Tell me Mamo-chan! Why wasn't
what
happened to you an accident?"
Suddenly, Mamoru made a gasping sound and, he fell into a sleep. Usagi
stared at him for several moments. "Mamo-chan? Mamo-chan, are you awake?"
She received only silence as her answer. Suddenly, the door opened
and,
the nurse came in. She walked quickly over and looked at the readings on
the
machines. "My god! He's breathing! How..how did this happen! He was dying!"
Usagi pulled away and the nurse hit a button.Instantly several people
filled the room. One man pushed past her. "Hmmm, looks like he's going to
make it after all. Better tell that stupid newspaper to retract their
story. I want him in OR stat!"
Before Usagi could say anything, they quickly moved Mamoru out of the
room and down the hall. "Ma..Mamo-chan."
The nurse who had first come in smiled and hugged her. "It's okay,
honey. You're fiance is in good hands. He's going to make it now."
Usagi nodded. "I want to wait for him."
"Of course." The nurse led her down to a large waiting room and, Usagi
collapsed in a chair.
Usagi was exhausted. She didn't even think of the fact she was missing
school. She wouldn't of been able to concentrate anyway. What had Mamoru
meant by "not an accident?" What was he trying to tell her? Had someone
tried to kill him?.....
Sorcerress Nadi angrily flew over the hospital watching. "I killed
him!
Damn it! I killed him and, the little brat brought him back! How can that
be?" Nadi knew that, trying to kill Tuxedo Kamen now would be too risky.
She could always make it look like an operation error. But, Sailor Moon
would probably bring him back even then. No... there was no answer but the
obvious one. The one which Queen Beryl had even seen. They must have the
Silver
Crystal! If they had it, Vindalla could use it against the Senshi.
Nadi began plotting how she would take it....
Dark Fire!
By Daniel C. Harrison
Chapter Nine: A Secret Meeting!
Usagi awoke from a troubled sleep suddenly. It had been a dream. A
dream of terror where she watched Tuxedo Kamen killed by someone she
couldn't see. Her mind was clouded with doubts and she was emotionally
shot. What was happening? No youma had appeared in the last several hours.
Did this have something to do with the Dark Kingdom?
Usagi sat up as she heard her name paged over the intercom. Surprised,
she went to the front desk. "Hello?"
"Listen to me." a voice said that was female and very low. "Leave
there
and go to the park in central downtown... the one which has all the jogging
trails. Don't tell anyone."
"Who is this?" Usagi asked.
"Shut up and listen! When you reach the park, begin jogging along the
south trail. Do you understand?"
"Hai, I do. Who is this?"
"Keep jogging until your told otherwise." the voice went on. "This is
life and death."
"How can jogging be life and death! My boyfriend is in the operating
room, I'm not leaving here!" Usagi was getting angry.
"If you care about your boyfriend and your life, you'll do what I tell
you! Move now, Usagi-chan!"
"How do you know my name?"
The phone hung up.
Usagi stared at it for several moments. She had a choice. She could
check this out and maybe walk into a trap... or she could stay here and
ignore it. For several minutes, Usagi sat and thought it over. Maybe this
situation would shed some light on what was happening. She decided to go.
Usagi left the hospital and caught a bus for downtown...
Sorcerress Nadi watched her closely. "Now, where is she going? And,
what was that phone call she got? I'd better follow her. If I'm lucky,
Tuxedo Kamen will die anyway and Vindalla won't be angry with me." Nadi
flew over the bus watching where it would go...
The bus pulled up in front of the park Usagi has been told of. As
instructed, she joined many other joggers and began running along the south
trail. It was a beautiful day but, she felt somewhat out of place running
in
her school uniform. She was supposed to be in school. The looks she got
from
other people seemed to confirm that. She looked away and kept running.
After several minutes, she noticed a female jogger with short blonde
hair and a red hat wearing a yellow shirt and blue shorts, began moving up
behind her. The woman began to pass and was running beside her. Usagi
looked over at her and saw she was wearing sunglasses.
As the two ran, they crossed a large wooded area. Usagi was thinking
of if she should say something when suddenly, a tremendous tidal wave came
flying over the top of here completely obscuring her and the other runner
from view!
She gasped as, the other woman suddenly grabbed her and pulled her
into
the woods. "Dont talk!" the woman said.
Several seconds later, they emerged on the other side where a yellow
sport car sat. The woman opened her door and shoved Usagi inside then
jumped in and fired the car into life! Driving like a maniac, she ran
through two lights and maneuvered her way around traffic, the whole time
checking her mirrors as if looking for something. Usagi in a frightened
voice stared
at her. "Hi..Haruka?"
"Yeah, it's me. Don't say anything else, I have to get you out of the
city as quickly as possible!"
Usagi stared at Haruka who she knew as Sailor Uranus. "Why are you
driving so fast?"
"To get away from whoever the hell is shadowing you!"
Usagi glanced around. "Shadowing me? What are you talking about.
Where's Michiru?"
"Covering our escape, Usagi-chan." Haruka turned hard onto a highway
and slammed the acelerator to the floor. The sport car jumped in speed
forcing Usagi back into her seat.
Usagi looked quickly at Haruka. "Will she be alright? What's
happening?"
"She's a tough girl. She'll be okay.." Haruka's voice fell. "I
hope...."
Sorcerress Nadi screamed as a sudden tidal wave of water came at her.
She leaped clear and saw it crash into some trees on the other side of the
road. Quickly, she looked downward. Sailor Moon was gone! "Damn it! Where
is she?" Desperately, Nadi began scanning the park searching for the
familiar long pigtails.
"HEY YOU! LOOKING FOR ME???" a voice called out.
"Huh?" Nadi looked in the direction of the voice.
"DEEEEEP SUBMEEERRGE!!!!!" the voice shouted!
Nadi felt herself slammed with a force such as she had never
experienced. It forced her downward and she was plowed into the ground
coming to rest in a group of thistles. Screaming from the pain, she jumped
up. She looked upward and saw a woman in green and white laughing at her.
"Sai..Sailor Neptune?" Nadi gasped out.
Sailor Neptune laughed and nodded. "Stupid fool! Tell your boss
whoever
he is that we're aware of what you're doing! You won't win, evil never
does!"
Sorcerress Nadi still groggy tried to get up. Sailor Neptune grabbed
her and slammed her hard to the ground. She smirked. "You won't be
following me for awhile." She jumped and ran quickly away....
Nadi after a time managed to get up. She flew over the park but, there
was no sign of Sailor Neptune or Sailor Moon. She had failed. She silently
wondered if Vindalla would have her head for this foul up.....
Dark Fire!
BY Daniel C. Harrison
Chapter Nine: A Secret Meeting cont...
Usagi sat in silence as Haruka continued to drive the sport car south
along the highway. Eventually, they had left Tokyo proper far behind and
entered into a small country area. Usagi could see rice fields in the
distance. Haruka said nothing driving the whole time. She continued to look
in her mirrors frequently for any sign of pursuit.
After a time, she slowed down then did a U turn and went back two
miles. She turned left and went down a long dirt road to an old traditional
style japanese house. Haruka pulled into the driveway and shut off the
engine. "We're safe I think. Let's go inside, the others are waiting."
Usagi out out and followed Haruka. As they opened the door, Usagi
gasped and cried with relief as Luna came running up to her. "LUNA!"
Luna nuzzled Usagi and rubbed against her. Usagi picked her up and
sighed. Luna smiled. "Usagi-chan, how are you holding up?"
"My life is over! Everything is falling apart! My parents hate me, my
friends are upset with me, Mamo-chan almost got killed but, I brought him
back! I'm so scared Luna!"
"There's a reason for all this, Usagi-chan." a voice said.
Usagi looked up and saw Meiou Setsuna smiling. "Setsuna-chan." she
whispered.
Setsuna walked up to her and hugged her and Luna. Then, she led Usagi
back to a well furnished room. Artemis sat there by the fire smiling. "It's
good to see you again Usagi-chan." he nodded.
Usagi looked at each of them. "This is where you have all been. Has
Michiru been here as well?"
"Hai." Setsuna led Usagi to a chair and sat down opposite her. "Tell
me
everything that has gone on in the past few days Usagi-chan. Everything!
Don't leave out a single detail."
Luna sighed. "With Usagi-chan that's going to be difficult. She can't
even remember to do her homework half the time!"
"Hey!" Usagi glared at her. "I remember it, I just don't like to do
it!"
Setsuna glared at both of them. "We don't have time for this! Tell me
Usagi-chan..everything!"
Usagi for the next hour related her experiences of the past few days.
Setsuna and the others listened intently. When she finished with Mamoru's
accident and what he had said to her, Setsuna nodded. "I agree with Mamoru.
It was no accident."
Haruka sighed. "So what is going on then? Is it true what you said and
why you asked Michiru and I to come here?"
Setsuna nodded. "Exactly." She looked at Usagi. "Usagi-chan, are you
familiar with the term, "psychological warfare?"
Usagi thought a moment. "I..I think I read about a situation like that
in a Sailor V comic book once."
Luna sighed. "Oh brother!"
Setsuna smiled. "Usagi-chan, please listen to what I'm about to say.
Psychological warfare is when your enemy uses what appear to be
circumstances against you to completely undermine your emotions. For the
last few days, perhaps longer, the Sailor Senshi have been under
psychological attack! The incident with your parents..does it not surprise
you that they would be so violent now when they have never been before? The
fact Rei-chan seems to mistrust almost everyone now? The fact Minako is
possibly facing being exposed as Sailor Venus at school? All of these
things Usagi-chan lead to a pattern. It's a deadly one that can mean only
one thing. Our new enemies who are from the Dark Kingdom know who you are.
They know your identities!"
Usagi gasped. "All of us?"
"Well.." Setsuna looked at Haruka. "Fortunately, no. When Luna told me
she felt evil upon returning home, she and Artemis came to see me. It
confirmed feelings of unrest I have had the last few days. I immediately
contacted Haruka and Michiru and had them come here to stay with me. This
is the one advantage we have over our enemies. They do not know who we
are...yet."
Haruka nodded. "It's important that we remain unknown. We decided
after
seeing Mamoru's accident in the paper that, we would try to contact you. It
was a good bet if they knew your identities, they would be watching you.
So,
Michiru and I thought up that little plan to get you away from them."
Luna smiled. "It's a good thing it worked too. The night I came home,
I
could hear Usagi-chan's parents screaming. I have never heard such hatred.
I
felt such negative energy in that house, I dared not go inside. I saw
Usagi-chan suddenly run out the door and, before I could call to her, I
thought I saw someone on the roof. It was a woman. She followed
Usagi-chan."
Setsuna nodded. "That's why we didn't contact Mamoru. You had already
led them to him and, we dared not show ourselves."
"OH my god!" Usagi bowed her head and wept. "I led them to him! I
exposed who he is! If..if it wasn't for me, he would still be safe! OH
GOD!" She bent over bawling.
Luna jumped into her lap and nuzzled her. "Usagi-chan! This is not
your
fault! We are dealing with an enemy that is both powerful and very clever.
You can't blame yourself for this!"
"Nor should you Usagi-chan." Setsuna took a handkerchief and wiped
Usagi's eyes. "Whoever this is, they are diabolically clever. They must
have been planning this for a very long time. I do not know how they
learned your
identities. The most likely scenario would be to learn one then follow that
person secretly to the others. Just like they did with you and Mamoru. The
important thing to do now is find a way to defeat them. We must reverse
this
destructive situation by narrowing down who our real enemies are."
Usagi nodded. "I understand, Setsuna-chan. But, how do we do that?"
"I would start by looking closely at this child that has so infatuated
Rei-chan. Was she in the room when you all transformed to help with that
fire?"
"Of course not! She was in the other room."
Haruka nodded. "What was to stop her from coming in after you
transformed. Setsuna thinks, and I agree, this Amber-chan is one of their
agents. We must get her away from Rei-chan and convince Rei-chan what is
really going on."
Luna nodded. "Poor Rei-chan. What else can we do?"
Setsuna sighed. "That is the only clear evidence that they might have
an agent undermining us. The fact Ami-chan has a boyfriend may be nothing.
Although, she seems very pre-occupied now."
"Minako's friend Meyo-chan appears to be controlled as well, just like
Usagi-chan's parents." Artemis commented. "Perhaps we can break the spell
and lessen that problem."
Setsuna shook her head. "If we do that too soon, they will know we are
onto them. We must play the same game with them that they are with us. We
must move slowly but efficiently. Usagi-chan, you will need to return.
Somehow you're going to have to let Ami-chan know what's going on. She
would be the best to help you get around this situation. If you're parents
scream at you, ignore it and o what you are asked. I know you are upset
but, you must be brave." Setsuna smiled. "Princess Serenity...we need you
now!"
Haruka nodded. "We'll be there to help you soon. We're trying to learn
how many there might be and what their final plans are. Till then, you are
all a good smokescreen. While they stalk you, we'll be trying to stalk
them."
Suddenly, the door opened and, Michiru walked in. Haruka got up and
they hugged each other. "Michiru-chan! Thank god your safe!"
Michiru giggled. "I saw one of them. I made her eat water and dirt. It
was fun."
"Don't get careless." Setsuna said sternly. "You caught her off guard.
Next time, she may get the upper hand."
Michiru nodded. "I understand, Setsuna. Now what?"
"Now.." Setsuna looked at everyone.."Now we find a way to turn the
tables on our attackers!....
Dark Fire!
By Daniel C. Harrison
Chapter Ten: Expose!
"Oh no! I'm going to be late!" Minako struggled into her fuku as she
looked up at the clock. She was so used to having Artemis wake her up, she
had forgotten to set the alarm! As she put her shoes on, she grabbed her
books and ran downstairs to the refrigerator. Grabbing a quick sandwich,
she threw open the door and ran hard down the road.
Arriving, she looked up at the clock tower and smiled. "Hmmm I'm
actually ten minutes early. Guess things aren't so bad after all." Humming
to herself, her thoughts turned to Ami. She wondered how Ami's date with
Joquiam had gone last night. It was times like this, Minako wished she went
to the same school as the others. She felt happy for Ami. But, at the same
time, Minako wished she had a boyfriend herself. She was always thinking of
when she was back in Europe..her Sailor V days."
"Ohayoo...Sailor Venus."
Minako stopped in mid-step and turned. She saw Meyo her friend and two
other girls grinning at her. "Ummm, Ohayoo." She felt herself feeling cold
inside. "Would you please stop calling me that, Meyo-chan?"
Meyo laughed and, Minako felt her fear return as the three girls
approached her. Meyo snickered. "Oh come on, Minako-chan! It's something to
be proud of! You know how popular Sailor V is! Sailor Venus is too close to
her in looks to not be her. Take away the mask, alter the uniform a
little..and you have Sailor Venus!"
Minako blinked. "So? What does that prove? And, why do you keep
bothering me with it?"
One of the other girls smiled. "Because Sailor Venus is our hero,
Minako-chan! She's even better than Sailor Moon! If it turned out that you
were Sailor Venus, we would be so honored to have you in our school!"
Minako felt chills go down her spine. "Umm, Sigiyama...I really think
we should get inside, it's time for school."
The girl laughed. "Of course. But, if you are Sailor Venus, I want you
to know I really respect you."
Meyo grinned. "She is! And, I'm, going to prove it! In front of the
whole school, I'm going to prove it!"
Minako shrugged. "You're welcome to try. But, I'm no super hero."
The other two girls smiled and ran off. Meyo shook her head and moved
till she was directly in Minako's face. "Oh, I'm going to prove it,
Minako-chan. Trust me. And when I do, you're going to owe me."
Minako glared at her. "What the hell is this? You're my friend! I
thought you we're my friend!"
"Friendship parts where fame is involved, Minako-chan. You know I have
great aspirations to be a famous reporter. What better way then to start
with a scoop unveiling who the great Sailor V was...and who the incredible
Sailor Venus is? If I'm lucky, maybe I'll learn the other senshis
identities as well."
Minako looked at the clock. "Stop this! Stop it now! I'm really
getting
angry and, we're going to be late for school!"
Minako tried to push past Meyo but, Meyo held her with an unusual
strength. "When the times comes, Minako-chan, you won't have any choice. I
know how Sailor Venus thinks."
"Leave me alone!" Minako broke away from Meyo and ran hard for the
front door. Tears were coming to her eyes and, she tried to force
them back. What was with Meyo? Was this..she stopped and stared at Meyo. Oh
no! Was this a trap by the Dark Kingdom? Was Meyo one of their agents? That
would explain a lot! Minako turned and ran for her class....
Mid-afternoon, Minako was deep in her studies trying to conjugate
english verbs. This was actually very easy for her as, she already knew
english. She just had to define the proper nuances of it. She could hear
people whispering around her and, several times, she saw boys looking at
her that had never looked her way before. What was this?
As she finished up, the sensei came back in. "Alright everyone..lunch
time. Stand. Bow! Dismissed!"
Minako watched as everyone got up. There were eyes on her and, as she
exited the classroom into the hallway, she saw even more people staring at
her. She stopped and looked at everyone. "What is this? What are you all
staring at me for?"
One of the boys nodded to another and they looked at a magazine then
back at her. Minako glared at him and stepped forward. "What the hell is so
entertaining!"
Minako grabbed the magazine and pulled it away from him. It fell to
the
floor revealing it as a hentai book with a half naked anime drawing of
Sailor V giving a salute. Minako stared at it then back at the boys. They
were turning red with embaressment. Minako glared at them then at everyone
else. "Your all bakas! Every one of you! Leave me the hell alone!"
Minako ran down the hallway feeling like she was under a microscope!
She rounded the corner and ran down the stairs. As she hit bottom, she
turned quickly as she thought she heard an explosion!
Running back up, she looked out the window. People were screaming and,
fire was coming from four of the windows in the building that housed the
chem labs. "What's going on?" she said aloud.
She looked around her. There was no one. She could hear people
screaming from inside that building.
She had to help! She drew out her transformation wand. "VENUS STAR..."
She stopped herself and lowered the wand. Like a thunderbolt it hit her!
This was a trap! This was an obvious trap to get her to reveal she was
Sailor Venus! But..but if she didn't help..people might die!
She could hear fire trucks in the distance. But, would they get here
in
time? What was she to do? Minako stared out the window noticing the flames
were getting higher. People were screaming more for help. And,
some of them might be friends. And..and Meyo wasn't evil. Even if this was
a Dark Kingdom trap, she had to save them! Minako raised her wand. "VENUS
STAR POWER...MAKE UP!!"
The familiar glow surrounded her and she spun faster and faster as her
clothes changed. Strands of energy flowed to join together as her Sailor
Venus costume. Her transformation now complete, Sailor Venus stood on the
edge of the window. Looking down she could see the opposite building
totally in flames!
With great strength she leaped the distance from where she was to the
enflamed building. Landing on the roof, she rolled to absorb the impact.
She
aimed her finger at the doors. "VENUS LOVE ME...CHAAAAAIN!!"
The energy blasted the door open and, she coughed from the smoke.
Forcing herself to go on, she made it down to the next floor where the the
chem labs were. She could hear people crying inside. "HEY! COME OUT HERE!"
she shouted.
"We're trapped!" a voice shouted.
Minako forced her way through the smoke covering her mouth. It was
getting harder to breathe, if she hadn't transformed, she would already be
overcome. She reached the first classroom. Several students were cowering
in a corner from the heat and, two looked almost overcome. Sailor Venus
aimed at the flames and shouted. "GET DOWN!" She watched as the students
obeyed then she shouted. "VEEEEENUS LOOVE AND BEEAUTTY....SHOOOOOCK!"
The explosion of energy that leaped forth from her was magnified by
her
feelings of desperation to save these people. The energy impacted with the
flames and blew them apart forming a corridor for the students. She looked
at them. "NOW! RUN, GET OUT OF HERE!!"
The students still coughing and barely able to stand stood up and
moved
through the corridor she had created. She moved to help them into the
hallway. It was a mass of flame. She turned to one of the boy's. "Is there
anyone else up here?"
"No, Sailor Venus. Just us." The boy looked as if he were going to
pass
out! She had to get them out fast!"
She aimed at the fire now consuming the corridor. Dark Kingdom trap or
not, she had to save these people. Two of the girls had passed out and were
being held by the boys. "VEEEENUSSS LOOOOVE MEEE....CHAAAAIN!!"
The chain of energy ripped through the flames blowing them apart as
Minako ran into it dragging the two boys and carrying the two girls! Minako
untransformed could have never accomplished this. But, as Sailor Venus, she
had more then enough strength.
She reached the stairs but, again they were cut off by flames. She
turned to the right and kicked a door open. Paydirt! There was no flame
here yet. Quickly, she ushered everyone inside and closed the door. She
winced as she realized, the smoke was getting to her. She moved to the
window. They were three flights up but, it was their only chance!
Sailor Venus turned to the tallest boy who seemed to be the most
coherent. "Alright, listen to me! I'm going to jump down first. Then, I'm
going to catch each person. You're going to have to throw them down to me!
You got that? Then you jump yourself!"
"You'll never be able to do it!" He stared at her.
"Let me worry about that! Just do what I said!" Sailor Venus leaped
from the window and landed on the ground hard, absorbing the shock. She
felt minor pain. Looking for something to cushion the impact, she saw the
gym buildingnearby. She looked up. "Wait! Don't do it yet!"
The boy nodded. "HURRY! THE FIRE IS AT THE DOOR!"
Sailor Venus ran hard now noticing the hundreds of students staring at
her along with others. She didn't care. She couldn't let it interefere in
what she had to do. Breaking a window in the gym, she dived through and
grabbed a large mat. Pulling it behind her, she dragged it through the
window and ran hard as she could for the flaming building....
Dark Fire!
BY Daniel C. Harrison
Chapter Ten: Expose!
Sailor Venus laid out the mat on the ground as hundreds of people
watched. She could hear the fire trucks getting closer. Damn them for
taking so long! She looked upward. "Alright! Throw them down to me!"
The boy nodded and pushed out the first unconscious girl. Sailor Venus
watched her fall then caught her, gasping from the impact. She was getting
tired. "Next one!" she shouted.
The boy continued to do this until three had been safely caught and,
he
and another boy were the only ones left. The other boy looked down. "I
can't do it! I'm scared!"
"I'll catch you!" Venus nodded. "Jump!"
The boy grit his teeth and jumped screaming. Sailor Venus caught him
with growing pain to her shoulders and then looked upward at the last boy.
"Okay...now you!"
The last boy jumped and, she caught him, feeling her legs give out.
She
fell backward still holding him. She cried out in pain as her back felt
like it had been pierced with a knife!
The boy got off her and, she sat up slowly. Several people ran to
encircle her while, senseis tried to push students back away from the
burning building. Sailor Venus rubbed her right shoulder and looked up as
the first fire truck pulled in.
She stood up trying not to scream from the pain. All eyes were on her.
"I..I'm okay." she managed to gasp out.
The crowd parted as she walked out. Two of the senseis came forward
and, the oldest boy she had received help from. She recognized the first
sensei as Mr. Yakamoto. Her last year sensei. "Sailor Venus,
arigatoo! We are so thankful that you happened by and were able to save our
students!"
The boy nodded. "Arigatoo, Sailor Venus. Gomen nasai. We we're doing
an
extra credit experiment in the lab when all of a sudden, it just blew up
for no reason. I've never seen anything like it."
"Have the fire department look into the cause." Sailor Venus felt more
pain in her back. This was serious! "I have to go. I hope everyone is
alright." She started to walk away..
"Minako-chan?"
Tired and without thinking, she turned and answered, "Yes?"
Her eyes grew wide as she saw Meyo and the two other girls grinning.
OH NO! She saw everyone look at each other. People began talking and boys
were staring at her in disbelief. Senseis wordlessly looked at her.
"I...I have to go." she said quickly and ran hard as she could for the
opposite side of the school.
"Sailor Venus! Sailor Venus, please wait!" she heard the older boy she
had saved running after her.
She continued running and, as she ran, she jumped in the alley of the
first building she came to. Breaking into sobs, she felt herself transform
back and, immediately the pain increased in her back. She would have to go
to a doctor or something.
"Sailor Venus?" she heard his voice.
Looking up still in tears, she saw the boy smiling at her. He stepped
forward cautiously. "Aino, Minako-chan? Is it really you? I...I always
thought you we're cute but, this too?"
Minako too upset to care looked at him. "Who are you? Leave me alone!"
He smiled. "Gomen nasai, Aino-chan. My name is Tukumara Seisa."
She wiped the tears from her eyes. "Tukumara-san. I've heard of you.
You're the Captain of the Tennis Club."
"Hai." he smiled. "I knew your name but, you always seemed to keep to
yourself and, I never knew how to approach you. I can't believe you're
Sailor Venus! We're you Sailor V as well?"
Minako put her head down. "It doesn't really matter anymore does it?
Too many people know, I'll probably have to leave."
Seisa shook his head. "I don't want you to go, Minako-chan. Please
stay. So what if your Sailor Venus? Who's going to care? Your popularity is
going to be incredible! And, you saved my life and the lives of everyone in
the building. Not to mention all the other stuff I have heard you do with
the Sailor Senshi."
Minako stood up. "I have to go. I can't stay here now. Gomen nasai,
Tukumara-san."
"Please wait, Aino-chan!" He stepped in front of her. "I'll help you.
I'll try to help you discredit your enemies! Those girls that made you
reveal who you are when you were tired and weren't thinking. I owe you my
life! I'd do anything for you!"
"Please leave me alone then!" Minako burst into fresh tears and ran
out of the alley and down the street. It was over. She was exposed! Given
away by a Dark KIngdom trap and her own stupidity for not thinking when she
was tired and in pain. The pain! Her back felt like it was on fire. She
needed help. She needed to talk to someone too. But, school wasn't out for
another few hours. Silently, she wondered where Artemis was. He had always
been there for her, now he was missing. In defeat she walked home.....
Sorcerress Vindalla smiled. "And that's how it's done, Nadi. You see?
Sailor Venus exposed and emotionally destroyed. She will be of little use
to
the Senshi now. Also, her physical injuries will magnify her
vulnerabilities."
Nadi nodded. "I understand, Vindalla."
Vindalla smiled. "Now then. What we're you going to say?"
Nadi bowed her head. "I don't know how to say this. Tuxedo Kamen is
still alive. Sailor Moon used the Silver Crystal to revive him."
Vindalla sighed. "Well, I can't blame you for that. It's quite simple.
We will have to get the crystal from her. A minor setback. The time is soon
coming where we will confront the senshi directly. The operation is going
perfectly. If only we could pinpoint the Outer Senshi. But, it won't matter
soon. You'd better get back to watching Sailor Moon, Nadi. Don't leave
her alone too long."
"Uhmmm, Vindalla...my Queen. I...I lost her."
Vindalla stared at her and, her anger rose. "YOU WHAT???" HOW COULD
YOU
LOSE A SNIVELLING BRAT LIKE HER??"
Nadi moved away as Vindalla glared at her. "I...I was ambushed.
By...Sailor Neptune."
"SAILOR NEPTUNE!!!!" Vindalla screamed. She grabbed Nadi.
YOU...You...a
warrior of the Dark Kingdom.. one of my strongest...you were ambushed??"
"I'm sorry." Nadi bowed her head.
Vindalla grabbed her and forced her to look up. "This is a serious
mistake Nadi! This is the type of foul up that Beryl would have imprisoned
you forever for! You would have joined Jedite and all the other Generals
who were failures!"
Nadi cowered and silently prepared to meet her doom. Vindalla was
extremely powerful and could easily destroy her. She listened to the sounds
of the city below her, feeling as if she were in a shell.
Vindalla turned away. "Major foul up! This changes things drastically!
I have to assume now that, Sailor Moon and the Outer Senshi have contacted
each other and are working together. Since we have no idea what their plans
are, we must assume the worst. I must see Ember! I want you to scour this
city for Sailor Moon! When you find her, don't leave her side! For
anything! You got that?"
"I understand, Vindalla. Thank you for your patience with my
incompetence."
"Incompetence is the word that fits you best right now, Nadi! I'm
badly
disappointed in you! After talking with Ember, I must go to Egypt to make
sure things are ready there. We have two days left before we must make our
move."
"It would help if we knew the entire plan, My Queen." Nadi waited for
an answer.
Vindalla swore and glared at her. "Do you really think after the screw
up you just did I owe you anything??? YOU'RE LUCKY TO BE ALIVE!!!!"
Nadi cowered again. "I...I thought it might be helpful if we knew.."
"You'll find out when I tell you. This is an operation of the highest
secrecy. We don't depart from that! The fewer that know the whole plan, the
less that can be said should one of you be captured! NOW GO!!! FIND SAILOR
MOON!!!"
Nadi's look of fear returned and, she faded out.
Vindalla swore again. She had to hold them together. NO matter what
the
cost, she had to, or it was all over!
Amber looked up from her bed as a light filled the room. She saw the
transparent form of Vindalla. "Yes, Vindalla. I am here."
Vindalla solidified and smiled. "Where is Sailor Mars?"
"Asleep I think. She checked on me a little bit ago. I've been bored."
"I can see that." Vindalla smiled. "I've thought about your earlier
plan and, I find it has merit. Make sure Sailor Mars and you are here
tomorrow. There will be a "visit" by Sailor Moon and Sailor Venus to
collect
Amber-chan." She laughed.
Amber grinned wickedly and, her eyes glowed. "I will be ready. The
time
has come to turn Sailor Mars completely against them?"
"Hopefully. If we're lucky, maybe even Sailor Jupiter." Vindalla
laughed.
"I will be honored to serve you, My Queen." Amber saluted Vindalla.
VIndalla nodded and faded out.....
Dark Fire!
By Daniel C. Harrison
Chapter Eleven: Betrayal!
"Oh damn it! I forgot my homework! Argghhh!" Makoto grumbled as she
entered the school grounds and realized her mistake. Great! She jumped as
she heard the clock tower. "OH NO!" She ran hard realizing she was going to
be late for class.
As she reached the front door, she saw she was too late. Sighing, she
accepted defeat and went to the office before reporting to her classroom.
As
she entered the office, she saw several students sitting there waiting to
be
served. "Oh well. At least I'm not the only one." She stepped forward and
took a seat.
"Ohayoo." a voice said to her.
Makoto turned and about fainted. Staring her in the face was the most
handsome guy she had ever seen. "Uhmmm oh my..I mean, Ohayoo."
"I'm new here." he smiled. "My name is King Joquiam-san."
"Oh. Uhmm, Kino Makoto-san." she answered dreamily
staring at him. Wow! He looks just like my old boyfriend!
The boy nodded. "It's a pleasure to meet you, Kino-san. I just moved
here from France."
"Oh." Makoto thought a moment. The name was familiar to her. Where had
she heard his name before?
"Well, welcome to Juuban Junior High School, King-san. I hope you feel
comfortable here."
He smiled. "I already do. I met you didn't I?"
Makoto blushed. "Uhmmm yeah I guess so."
"Would you do a new student the honor of showing him around school so
he doesn't get lost?"
Makoto felt like she was going to fly! "I'd love that King-san! You
seem very nice. I can show you pretty much everything here. Do you know
anyone else?"
"Well, I did meet one girl who might go here. She was very nice but,
looking at you, I think you're much nicer." He smiled capturing her heart
instantly.
Makoto nodded. "Uh huh. I...I really appreciate the compliment."
"The truth is the truth. You're very beautiful, Kino-san."
Makoto felt funny. "This girl.. does.. does she mean anything to you?"
Joquiam shrugged. "I have to admit, she might be reading into it more
than I think. She is a very nice girl but, somewhat too quiet for me. I
could never get serious about her. Now you however.." He grinned. "I'll bet
you could cook up a storm!"
"I sure can! I'm great at cooking and, I'd love to cook something for
you!"
"King Joquiam-san!" a woman's voice said from the front desk.
"Hai!" Joquiam got up and spoke to her. He looked at his schedule and
showed it to Makoto. "Are you in any of these classes?"
"Yes pretty much all of them! This is great! I can show you the whole
school and, we can eat lunch together!" Makoto's face was almost glowing.
Joquiam nodded and sat down. "I'll wait for you then."
"Kino Makoto-san!" the woman said.
"Hai!" She went to the desk.
"You're late again, Kino-san! You need to learn to be on time more.
Your sensei will decide your punishment. Go to your class now. Since
King-san appears to have the same classes, you may get a lesser punishment
for helping him get acclimated."
"I'll do that, Sensei! Arigatoo!" Makoto took the late slip and nodded
to Joquiam. "Shall we go?"
"I'd like nothing better." He followed her out into the hallway. As
they walked, he turned to her. "Do you have a lot of friends in this
school,
Makoto-san?"
She nodded. "I know quite a few people, King-san. I'll introduce you
to my friends."
"Excellent." He smiled again. "May I call you Makoto-chan?"
Makoto immediately blushed. "I...I guess so." She giggled. He was
incredible! He was so suave, so debonair! Better than her old boyfriend by
far! "May I call you, Joquiam-chan?"
"Of course, my lady." he winked at her.
Makoto felt as if she were in a dream. She didn't want it to end. At
last, they reached the classroom. "Uhmmm..." she hesitated. "This is
homeroom for us."
He nodded. "I see."
Silence fell between them then, she blushed and turned away. Opening
the door, she saw all eyes turn to her. Miss Haruna looked up from her
desk.
"Kino-san! You're late. Invite the new student in, please."
Makoto entered and, she walked to the front of the class. All eyes
were
on her and Joquiam.
Miss Haruna got up. "Class, I'd like you to meet a new student who was
just enrolled here." She took his admission slip and read it. "Please
welcome, King Joquiam-san....from France!"
Makoto heard a gasp at the left side of the room and, she turned to
look. Was she still blushing? Her eyes grew wide as she saw Ami staring at
her!
Joquiam nodded. "It's a pleasure to be going to school with everyone.
I
hope to bring a uniqueness to this place. And, I hope to get to know some
of
you very well." He turned to Makoto. "Arigatoo, Makoto-chan! I appreciate
you're assistance." He smiled a her.
Everyone stared at them and, Miss Haruna sighed. "Alright, save any of
that stuff for you're own time. Right now, you're on mine."
The class went back to normal as Makoto and Joquiam took their seats.
Makoto watched as he easily picked up on the math being discussed and, she
had to force herself not to look at him.
Joquiam looked at her and smiled. Makoto failed to notice the shocked
and betrayed look on Ami's face as she forced herself to look away and into
her books....
The lunch bell rang. Everyone rose and bowed then was dismissed. As
the
classroom emptied, Makoto smiled at Joquiam and went over to him. "How
about
lunch now?"
Before he could answer, a voice very quietly said behind her.
Joquiam-chan! What...what's going on? I thought we were going to have lunch
and I was going to show you around?"
Makoto turned and stared into the face of Ami! "Ami-chan? Do you know
him?"
Joquiam shrugged. "Hai, she does. This is the girl that I met the
other
day. She showed me some of the town."
Ami glared at him. "THAT'S ALL??? IS THAT ALL YOU HAVE TO SAY!!"
Makoto looked at one then the other. "Uhmm what's going on? I thought
you said nothing was going on between you two?"
"There isn't!" Joquiam said flatly.
Makoto noticed there were several students in the area. This wasn't
good!
"Maybe we should take this conversation to another place."
Ami was staring in disbelief at her. "What is going on here? I told
you
yesterday I was looking forward to going out with him! What are you trying
to do Makoto-chan?"
Joquiam looked at her. "Don't blame yourself, Ami-chan. I...I just
thought that you understood things between us weren't that serious."
Ami felt the tears come to her eyes and, she choked back a sob. "YOU
THOUGHT? I cared for you! I allowed you to call me by my first name on our
second date!"
Makoto looked at her. "Date?"
"YES!" Ami glared at her. "Why did you do this to me, Makoto-chan? How
could you!"
Makoto felt angry. "Wait a minute, Ami-chan! I didn't do anything! We
just met in the office. I asked him if he was serious with anyone and, he
said no."
Ami stared at Joquiam. "I....I can't...can't believe you! How could
you be so cruel to me?"
Joquiam shrugged. "You read into it, I'm afraid. Gomen nasai."
Ami took a step back. "So what now Makoto-chan? Are...are you planning
on seeing him?"
Makoto looked at Joquiam. God he was cute! There was something about
him she had never felt before. "I wouldn't normally Ami-chan but, I guess
you thought it was more serious then it really was. I don't see the harm in
dating him."
Ami gasped and tears came from her eyes. "YOU...YOU BETRAYED ME! BOTH
OF YOU!"
Makoto shook her head. "Ami-chan, be reasonable! You're making this
into too much I think."
"YEAH RIGHT!" Ami glared at both of them. "Have fun you two. I hope
you're very happy together. Don't talk to me, either of you! I need to be
alone!" Ami tore herself away and ran from the room.
Joquiam shrugged. "Gomen nasai. I didn't mean to hurt her. Honestly.
She just thought it was more than it was. She'll get over it."
Makoto looked at the empty doorway that Ami had just run through.
"I...I guess so. I hope she'll be okay."
"Please show me around, Makoto-chan. I'm sure she'll get over it." He
offered his arm.
Makoto sighed and took it. He was so dreamy! She found it hard not to
like him. She could see why Ami was hurt. But, she obviously had made more
of a situation then there really was. Makoto shrugged it off....
Jikell in his Joquiam form smiled wickedly! Vindalla would be pleased.
Sailor Mercury was so upset at Sailor Jupiter, she wouldn't even talk to
her! With any luck it would continue to add to the total destruction of the
Senshi. He wondered how the others were doing....
Dark Fire!
By Daniel C. Harrison
Chapter Eleven: Betrayal Cont...
Makoto looked from the roof and pointed out over the city. "You can
get a pretty good view from here."
"I can see that." Joquiam grinned. "Looks like the fire department is
going to be busy today."
"Huh?" Makoto looked where he was pointing. "Yeah, looks like a
building on fire quite a ways off. That end of town is where a friend of
mine lives."
"I see." He sighed. "Makoto-chan, I kind of feel bad about Ami-chan. I
never really meant to hurt her. Perhaps we should go and see if we can
reason with her."
"I don't think that's a good idea." Makoto looked at him. "She needs
time alone I think. But, I do need to talk to her anyway. I'll try later on
after she's had time to cool off."
"Understandable. Well then, I'll leave it up to you for now. Shall we
go? Class will be starting soon."
Makoto smiled and giggled, taking his arm. He led her from the roof as
dark clouds began to roll in....
Late afternoon, Ami sat on a bench during one of her study periods
looking out over the school grounds. She felt someone behind her. "Hi...can
I sit down?"
Ami looked up at Makoto and sighed. "I guess so. But, I don't have a
lot to say to you right now."
"This is Senshi buisness I need to discuss. I meant to talk to you
about it sooner before this mess with Joquiam-san developed."
Ami looked away as if seeing something that wasn't there. "I should
have known it wouldn't work out. It didn't before, why should it now?" She
bent over and sobbed.
"Gomen nasai, Ami-chan. I didn't mean for this either.
But, I need to talk to you about Rei-chan."
Ami looked up and wiped her tears away. "What about Rei-chan? Did you
find out what was troubling her?"
"Hai. She told me the whole reason. Listen closely...."
Ami listened intently with growing alarm as Makoto related the
information she had received. She pushed thoughts of Joquiam out of her
head. "This is the strangest thing. She thinks Usagi-chan and Minako-chan
are dead and replaced by evil duplicates? And she is basing all this on a
fire vision she had?"
"That's the bottom line, Ami-chan. She has other feelings too but,
she's more worried about Amber-chan than anything else right now."
"That child." Ami thought a second and looked at Makoto. "Suppose...
suppose there was something strange about her?"
Makoto sighed. "I'm not sure what to think anymore. I know her health
looks terrible."
Ami now undistracted by thoughts of Joquiam continued. "All this weird
stuff started when Amber-chan appeared. What other events have occured
since
then?"
Makoto shrugged. "Usagi-chan's homelife being a mess. Minako-chan
being
afraid of exposure at school. Luna and Artemis disappearing. This..." her
voice fell. "this dark cloud between us regarding Joquiam-san."
Ami nodded. "Exactly. Makoto-chan, I'm noticing something here. All of
us are experiencing a series of events. Most seem to be bad. But, until
today, I had only wonderful feelings for Joquiam. I didn't see these things
before. I was so distracted, I never took the time to examine them the way
I do a math problem. In math I break down a problem and look at it
logically. Doing the same with this, I'm getting a very bad feeling!"
Makoto looked at her. "Ami-chan...are you saying someone is planning
all this out?"
Ami smiled slowly. "That's exactly what I'm saying. Since I didn't
even think to suspect this because I was so in love with Joquiam..." her
voice trailed off. "Joquiam-chan. Oh my god!"
Makoto backed up. "What? What is it?"
"He showed up right about the time all this started happening. The
same time Amber-chan showed up. What if..."
"What if...?" Makoto encouraged her.
"What if there were a group of people working together doing
different things. It makes a weird sort of sense."
"I don't follow you." Makoto scratched her head.
Ami took out her computer and began scanning. "Makoto-chan..I'm
getting
something very odd here. The same type of life energy put out by the Dark
Kingdom...on this campus!"
Makoto gasped. "Joquiam-chan!"
Ami nodded. "We've been betrayed! We've been set up all along! He's
played us both for prize fools! This has to be more than him! Amber-chan
must be one as well. We have to get to Rei-chan! We have to convince her,
this is all a plot! If Joquiam-chan talks to either of us, we'll pretend
like we don't know anything." She giggled. "If he hadn't pulled this
jealousy act to hurt me and destroy our friendship, I still would have been
blinded! That's what it's been all along. Whoever is behind this is very
clever! It must be Dark Kingdom warriors. But, how they could manipulate
Usagi-chan's homelife, I couldn't imagine. Unless...."
Makoto swore. "Damn it! They must know who we are! This makes them our
deadliest enemies ever! They can strike at us individually or as a group.
Rei-chan must be completely won over somehow!"
"We have to get to her Makoto-chan. Right after school, we'll head
over
there. Don't even hint to Joquiam-chan that he overplayed his hand. This is
terrifying. Usagi-chan wasn't in school today. I wonder where she is?" . .
.. . .
Dark Fire!
By Daniel C. Harrison
Chapter Twelve: Turning the Tables!
Usagi stood up and waited for the bus to come to a complete stop. As
the doors opened, she thanked the driver and walked the short distance to
Minako's house. It had been a long day! She desperately wanted to get back
to the hospital to make sure Mamoru was alright. But, the urgency of the
plan that Setsuna had laid out to her was clear. Since school was out, she
had a good chance at catching Minako home. It would have been easier to
contact Ami but, knowing that Ami might be with her new boyfriend, she had
opted to talk to Minako first.
The meeting had been long. Both Luna and Setsuna felt that, the time
had come to flush out their enemies. Although everyone felt it was
necessary to keep up the illusion of ignorance, that did not mean they had
to endanger
themselves anymore. Artemis had suggested that they stay in at least groups
of two. This would give them a better chance to defend themselves should
they be attacked directly. Since Usagi had no idea if she was
currently being followed, she knew being with Minako was a good idea.
She knocked on the door and there was no answer at first. She tried
again. She heard what sounded like soft footfalls and, the door opened. She
stared at Minako who's face was stained. Her normally happy look was gone.
"Minako-chan? What...what's wrong?"
Minako grit her teeth and fell forward on Usagi crying. "I...I've
failed Usagi-chan! I was outwitted today by the Dark Kingdom. There was a
fire at my school and, there were people trapped."
Usagi nodded. "You turned into Sailor Venus to save them. Did
something
else happen?"
"My friend Meyo-chan..she..she turned on me! She waited till after I
had saved everyone and wasn't thinking. Then, I answered when she called me
by my name...in front of the whole school! I was a total baka! I could have
played it off but, I got upset and ran! Everyone must know Aino Minako-chan
is Sailor Venus now...and was Sailor V! I'm useless to the team now,
Usagi-chan! Everyone knows who I am! It'll be all over the papers soon!"
She
cried harder and, Usagi held her tight.
"Minako-chan." she whispered. "We need to go someplace...noisy."
Minako looked up. "Noisy? I..I don't understand.."
"Let's go to the Sailor V movie! It has lots of explosions and people
screaming..it'll be fun!"
Minako was about to say no but saw something in Usagi's face that was
different. Usagi was acting goofy but, she was also serious. Only someone
close to Usagi would know. She smiled. "Okay, sounds good. Let me get my
money." Minako giggled and came back moments later. "I'm ready, let's go
have fun."
Sorcerress Nadi watched Usagi and Minako closely as they left. It had
taken her hours to pick up the trail again but, now that she had, she was
not about to let them out of her sight. She strained to hear what they were
saying but could only catch fragments. Something about the Sailor V movie?
Wonderful! How was she to hear and see what was going on in there? Nadi
grumbled to herself and silently followed them to a local theater. It would
be hard to observe them in the dark with all the noise. But, she had to
try...
Usagi waited until most people had gone in then, she smiled at Minako
and the two bought their tickets. Taking the chance to load up on popcorn,
she laughed. "See? I did get you to go to a Sailor V movie!"
Minako shrugged. "I guess you did." She laughed. "Just this once
though. I'm not the Sailor V fan that you are. The actress isn't as good as
the real thing." She winked.
They took their seats and, the movie began. Usagi waited until Sailor
V
appeared on the screen and, everyone in the theater cheered. She bent over
to Minako. "Listen to me closely Minako-chan. We have someone from the Dark
Kingdom watching us. That's why I asked you to come here."
Minako smiled. "Someplace noisy. I understand. Go ahead."
"I met with Setsuna, Haruka, and Michiru today. Luna and Artemis were
there too."
Minako turned to her excitedly. "Artemis!" she whispered. "Is he
alright? Where are they?"
"I can't say. But here's the plan....listen closely."
Minako bent closer as explosions on the screen grew louder and Sailor
V
began shooting villians....
Sorcerress Nadi strained to hear but, there was so much noise, she
couldn't get a word. She saw the two in the darkness in the middle of all
the din laughing and whispering to each other. Sailor Moon was such a
scatterbrain, it was probably nothing important. Perhaps the time she was
missing was nothing to be concerned about. Vindalla was wrong. Even though
Jikell was with Mercury, her time would have been better spent helping him
watch her. Or keeping an eye on Jupiter. Sailor Moon was the least trouble.
Nadi sighed and continued to watch the two giggle and scream with delight,
occasionally whispering to each other......
Dark Fire!
By Daniel C. Harrison
Chapter Twelve: Turning the Tables cont...
After a time, the Sailor V movie ended and, everyone began filing out.
Sorcerress Nadi watched with anticipation as Usagi and Minako emerged. But,
as they came out into the bright sunlight, Usagi looked upset. Minako had
her head slightly down and sighed. "I was meaning to tell you guys this
earlier but, I just haven't had the courage. Seeing that movie kind of
reminded me."
Usagi looked up and nodded. "I don't understand why though,
Minako-chan? We need you! The Senshi need you! Please reconsider."
Minako shook her head. "I've thought about this for a long time,
Usagi-chan. Talking with King-san about Europe the other day just made me
more homesick. I'm going to return there to live with old friends. I'm
going to resume my career as Sailor V."
"But what about the youma that have attacked, Minako-chan? We're a
team! Please stay! We'll get through this!"
Minako shook her head. "No, it's better if I go. Sailor V is thought
to be dead. It will be fun resurrecting her again and seeing everyone.
Maybe if my best friend and my old boyfriend broke up, I can get him back.
Besides, you four are tough. You can handle any youma without me. I'll
write okay?"
"Is this because everyone in your school knows who you are now?" Usagi
looked as if she were going to cry.
"Partly. But also, it's because, I want to be on my own again. It was
more of a challenge then being a team." Minako laughed. "To be quite
honest,
Usagi-chan, I don't need you! I don't need any of you! I'll ask Artemis to
stay though if he ever shows up. You guys could use his help."
"YOU THINK YOU'RE BETTER THAN US??" Usagi shouted angrily.
"In many ways, yes." Minako said calmly. "You and Rei-chan constantly
bicker, you act like little children! It's very annoying. Makoto-chan acts
like a baka everytime she see's any guy...very childish...and Ami-chan is
to me quite honestly, a stuck up snob! She always thinks she knows more
then
everyone. And finally, Usagi-chan, I'm tired of you. I'm tired of your
annoying habit of gobbling food and acting ridiculous. To have you as
leader of the Sailor Senshi is laughable. I suggest you step down and let
Rei-chan lead. I would but, I'm going to return to Europe."
Usagi's face was red with anger. "OKAY FINE THEN! LEAVE! WE DON'T NEED
YOU! And, by the way Minako-chan...I think your stuck up because, you can't
have your way. You think you should lead just because you were Sailor V!
Now
you're running away!"
"I'm not going to justify myself to you Usagi-chan! It's over! With my
identity revealed here, I no longer wish to be a member of the Senshi. I'll
leave and make my own destiny. Sayonarra. I'll write you a letter."
Minako turned and started walking off. Usagi gasped and ran in front
of
her. "You...you're not serious? You meant all that?"
Minako glared at her. "I'd like to part as friends, Usagi-chan. Please
don't try to stop me. Tell the others for me okay? I won't be around much
longer."
Usagi bowed her head. "Fine. Go ahead and leave. I don't care
anymore."
Minako sighed. "It's best this way. I have a feeling with Mamorou in
the hospital and maybe dying, the Senshi will never be the same anyway.
Sayonarra, Usagi-chan."
Minako pushed her way past and walked off down the street....
Sorcerress Nadi watched with glee as Usagi fell to the sidewalk and
started crying as Minako walked away. Sailor Venus was leaving! The
destruction of the Senshi had begun! She frowned. It seemed very sudden.
They had been friendly before going into the theater. Now this. But, Venus
had said she was trying to figure out how to tell Moon. Maybe it was true.
No! It had to be true! This was the beginning! Vindalla's plan was working
perfectly! Nadi laughed and faded out as she rushed off to find her
leader....
Usagi stared at the sidewalk and tried to see over her shoulder. She
couldn't see anyone watching her but, the "act" she and Minako had just put
on would certainly get the attention of someone. It was an enormous gamble!
Usagi hoped what Setsuna said was true. If they could fool their enemies
into thinking the Senshi were indeed disbanding, then perhaps they would
reveal their true plans prematurely before they were ready. In the
meantime, the Outer Senshi and Luna and Artemis would be trying to learn
more using other methods.
Usagi got up and, with fake tears ran hard as she could for Rei's. The
time had come to confront her. Turning the tables and defeating this
deception had begun.....
Dark Fire!
By Daniel C. Harrison
Chapter Thirteen: Sailor VS Sailor!
Rei sighed and watched the fire before her. Amber was asleep, or she
hoped she was. The little girl was so frightened. Rei had made her a
promise that she would take care of her. And, she knew she would. If
necessary, she would die to protect the little girl. For some unknown
reason, she had developed a strong bonding to Amber. Her mother had yet to
show. But, that no longer mattered to Rei. She would take care of Amber as
long as was needed. She would be her friend forever.
Rei tried to concentrate. "Oh Sacred Fire...show me what evil may be
coming. Show me how to protect myself from it! Help me to protect
Amber-chan! Show me who I can even trust now!"
The fire flickered brightly. A vision appeared. Rei gasped as she saw
Mamorou lying in a hospital bed. He was dying! NO!!! She was too late.
Somehow the evil that was manifesting itself as Sailor Moon had gotten to
him!
Rei wanted to leave at once. She wanted to see if he was alright. But,
she knew if she left the safety of the temple, her and Amber may very well
face attack. Rei had put special charms up around the perimeter hoping that
it would keep some youma out. She pushed away those thoughts and dried her
tears that now fell.
"Show me Sacred Fire! Show me my enemies! I trust you!"
The fire flickered again. This time, she saw what appeared to be two
shadowy forms on a roof. NO! IT WAS HER ROOF!
Rei jumped back and looked upward. Quickly, she ran down the hall to
Amber's room. Throwing open the door, she saw Amber still sleeping. But,
the
noise of someone on the roof was unmistakable now!
Rei listened to Amber's soft breathing. Slowly she turned as she heard
a knock at the front door! Picking up the sleeping child, she carried her
to the temple room and sealed the doors. Rei quickly put a special charm on
the doors and said a hurried blessing. The knocking continued.
Rei moved slowly to the door. "Who is it?"
"Rei-chan, it's me, Usagi-chan! I wanted to know if I
could borrow some of your comic books! I brought back the ones you loaned
me!"
"I'm sick right now, Usagi-chan. Leave them on the doorstep and, I'll
get them after you've gone."
A silence followed then, Usagi's voice answered. "Rei-chan, we're
getting a little worried about you. You left so suddenly the other day and
didn't even say anything. Please open the door and show me you're alright."
Rei looked through the peephole and saw Usagi's smiling face on the
other side. There was no sign of Minako. "I'm just a little sick right
now." Rei said feeling more apprehensive by the minute.
"Is Amber-chan alright? Can I see her?"
Rei glared at the door. "Why do you want to see her, Usagi-chan? She's
fine! Leave me alone please. I'll see you later."
"Rei-chan...I want to see Amber-chan! I need to talk to you both!"
Rei stepped back. "I said go away dumpling head! What part of no don't
you understand?" Rei looked up as she heard another noise. Turning quickly,
she spun around and saw Sailor Venus at the window!
Rei stepped back. "What are you doing Minako-chan?"
Sailor Venus made a smirk and dropped from the window ledge onto the
floor. She nodded. "Why don't you let Usagi-chan in so we can discuss
this?"
Rei looked at the front door then back at Sailor Venus. "I didn't ask
you to come in, Sailor Venus! You're being very rude don't you think?"
Sailor Venus began walking toward her, a wicked gleam in her eyes. "So
formal Rei-chan. But, I guess that's the way it may be from now on. Why
haven't you talked to anyone lately?"
"I haven't felt like it!" Rei backed up to the temple doors. She could
feel the evil in the room. "Please leave Minako-chan!"
Suddenly, the front door blew open and slammed off it's hinges. Sailor
Moon stood there smiling. "Knock knock...anybody home?" She giggled then
stepped inside. "This place is going to need a major cleaning when we get
through!"
Rei reached inside her temple dress. She felt her hand close around
the
transformation wand. "What do you two want? Look what you did to my front
door! Usagi-chan, have you gone insane?"
Sailor Venus laughed. "Let's cut to the chase shall we Rei-chan? We
found Amber-chan's mother. We thought it would be good publicity if we took
her back to her."
"Since when are the Sailor Senshi interested in publicity!" Rei began
to pull her wand out.
"We want Amber-chan, Rei-chan! Now!" Sailor Moon smiled so evilly
that,
Rei knew now beyond a shadow of a doubt this was not Usagi!
"Never!" she declared. She held up her wand. "You're not touching her!
MARS STAR POWER...MAKE UP!!"
Within moments, fire and strands of energy surrounded Rei
transforming her into Sailor Mars. Calmly, Sailor Moon and Sailor Venus
watched and waited for her to finish. As Rei came down and faced them in
a fighting stance, Sailor Venus laughed. "You can't possibly stop us!
We're taking Amber-chan and, there's nothing you can do to prevent it!"
"Just try me!" Sailor Mars pointed her finger together at Venus.
"FIIIIIIIIRE!!!! SOUUUUUL!!!!"
Sailor Venus and Sailor Moon jumped clear as an explosion of fire
erupted from Mars and flew past them out the door. Sailor Mars turned to
face them. "Get out! Get out of my temple!"
Sailor Venus got off the floor. "This is not the end of this,
Rei-chan! We're taking that child! Why don't you come outside and we'll
see who is the better Sailor!"
Rei felt dizzy for a moment. In that instant, she thought she saw
someone else standing where Moon and Venus now were. This confirmed it!
They were indeed enemies! "I'm not leaving this place! Amber-chan will be
safe and, I'll see to it."
"You can't hide in this temple forever, Rei-chan!" Sailor Moon
laughed.
"You have to come out sometime. Either fight now or, we'll blow this place
up around you. Save us a lot of trouble and give us the child!"
Rei grit her teeth. "I'd sooner see this all destroyed then give her
up! You can go die Usagi-chan or whatever the hell you are!"
Sailor Venus smiled and walked out the door. "We'll be back,
Rei-chan. Trust me. We'll be back soon."
Rei watched them walk out. She was frightened! She needed help badly.
But from whom?
Rei gasped as suddenly, Sailor Venus turned and leaped at her! She
felt herself being slammed to the floor. Venus put a finger to her
forehead. "Prepare to die Sailor Mars!"
"VEEEEENUSSSS CRESCENT......"
Sailor Venus screamed in agony as a burst of energy slammed into her
side. She rolled across the floor and, Rei turned to see who had saved
her!
"YOU'RE NOTHING BUT DARK KINGDOM SCUM! I AM THE PREETY SOLDIER SAILOR
CHIBI-MOON! IN THE NAME OF THE MOON, AND ALL THINGS GOOD AND TASTY, I
WILL PUNISH YOU!!"
Sailor Mars smiled. "Sailor Chibi-Moon! Where did you come from?"
"I came over to see you and Amber-chan. But, I can see that you had
a bit of trouble! I'm ready to fight!"
Sailor Moon stepped forward. "Get out of here Chibi-Moon. If you
leave now, you won't get hurt!"
Chibi-Moon glared at Sailor Moon. "You aren't Sailor Moon! You
couldn't be! There's no love in your heart or soul anywhere! Who are
you?"
Sailor Venus stood up. "She's someone who's going to blast you off
the face of this planet. AND SO AM I!!!!!"
Venus pointed her finger and fired a broad beam of light forcing
Chibi-Moon to jump clear. Sailor Moon rushed past her and slammed into
Sailor Mars forcing her into the wall. "This is for calling me dumpling
head you little witch!"
Rei forced herself away from the wall and slammed into Sailor Moon.
"YOU'RE NOT USAGI! YOU COULD NEVER BE! AND I'LL KILL YOU FOR KILLING
HER!"
Sailor Moon gasped as she found herself being thrown like a rag doll
across the room and hit the floor. Sailor Mars approached her. "I don't
know who the hell you are but, you're never getting your hands on
Amber-chan! We'll defeat you like the scum you are!" She spun her arms,
"BURRRRRNING...MANDALA!"
Sailor Moon barely leaped clear in time as balls of flame shot past
her and into the living room. The drapes caught fire.
"OH NO!" Sailor Mars shouted.
A scream caught Sailor Moon's attention and, she saw Sailor Venus
come flying past her. Venus crashed into a table and fell over. Chibi-
Moon walked up. "And don't mess with me again!"
Before Sailor Moon could react, Sailor Mars grabbed her and slammed
her into the wall. "Look what you did! My living room is on fire! I'm
gonna kill you!" Sailors Mars punched Sailor Moon hard in the face. "I've
always wanted to do this when you pissed me off! Now I'm really gonna
slam you!"
Sailor Moon shoved her back. "I don't think so Rei-chan! We'll be
back! Venus, let's go!"
Mars and Chibi-Moon watched as the two leaped out the opposite
window and were gone.....
Sailor Chibi-Moon stared at the window while Sailor Mars rushed into
the kitchen and grabbed a fire extinguisher. "I could sure use Sailor
Mercury about now."
Rei aimed the extinguiser at the fire and pulled the handle filling
the
room with foam as she put the fire out. Fortunately, it had been a small
one. Rei sighed and collapsed on the couch reverting back to her
own form. Chibi-Usa did the same. Suddenly, Rei jumped up. "Amber-chan!"
She
ran quickly and opened the temple doors. "NOOOOOOO!" Amber was gone.....
Usagi ran hurriedly down the street. She looked warily around her.
Something didn't feel right. Crossing the street, she gasped as suddenly a
strange woman appeared in the air. "Hello.....Sailor Moon!"
Usagi backed up slowly. "Who...who are you?"
The woman laughed. "My name is not important. Only my purpose. Soon,
very soon, you will all be destroyed. I don't know the final plan but, your
destruction is part of it. Already you are not trusting each other. Do not
go to the Cherry Temple. If you do, you may die! Rei-chan hates you with a
passion now. She will be out to destroy you and Minako-chan."
"How do you know our names?" Usagi looked about her nervously.
The woman continued as if she hadn't heard. "You have one chance. You
will have to stop the plot before it begins. Look to the country of Egypt.
Tell Sailor Mercury to use her computer to look for a great source of
energy there. Let the Outer Senshi know that, we are very poweful."
"If your on the side of evil..why are you telling me this? Who are
you?" Usagi was flabbergasted.
The woman smiled. "Someone who has reconsidered her position. I was
shown by one of you what love is. What true friendship is. Something I have
never known. I cannot stay longer, I will be missed."
Usagi nodded slightly. "Will you tell me your name?"
The woman closed her eyes. "When the time comes, you will know." She
faded out...
Usagi thought a minute. This could be a trap. But somehow, she felt it
wasn't. Perhaps just like what had happened with Nephrite, one of these new
enemy warriors was actually good inside. She turned around and ran toward
Ami's house....
Rei ran through the temple screaming. "AMBER-CHAN! Amber-chan, where
are you? Amber-chan! Oh damn it, they got her! I'll kill them!"
Chibi-Usa moved about the temple looking for the child. Hearing a
noise, she opened the door to a closet and felt a wave of energy hit her.
Just for a brief instant, she thought she saw someone else. Then, her eyes
blinked and she saw a child sitting on the closet floor just a little
younger than herself. "Rei-chan! I found her!"
Rei rushed up and hugged Amber close. "Oh dear Amber, I was so worried
about you! How did you get out of the temple room? I know I sealed it."
Amber smiled and nodded. "I'm okay, Rei-chan. I was scared cause I
heard a lot of noise. But now, I'm fine."
Rei hugged her again and, Chibi-Usa noticed the child had dodged the
question. "Hey, you're a little younger then me. I'm Chibi-Usa, nice to
meet
you."
The little girl grinned. "Tishobi Amber-san. Nice to meet you too."
She
turned back to Rei. "Rei-chan, I want you to know, I really like you.
And...and if those bad people who are after me come back, I'll do all
I can to fight them off."
Rei sighed. "Amber-chan, you're very special. But, you're just a
little
girl. I don't want anything to happen to you ever. Promise me the next time
I put you somewhere you will stay."
Amber was about to answer when, suddenly the room filled with an evil
green light. Rei jumped back as, a man she had never seen before was
standing in the air. He looked at Amber. "You little bitch! Traitor! You
tried to tell our plans didn't you?"
The child stepped back slowly. "Keep away from me."
Both Rei and Chibi-Usa stepped in front of her. "GET AWAY FROM HER!"
Rei shouted.
The man laughed. "Do you realize what you are protecting? Stupid
girls! She's one of us! And now, she will die for trying to tell Sailor
Moon our plans!"
Rei confused looked quickly at Amber. "She's an innocent child! Keep
away from her or, I'll hurt you bad!"
"I'm Sorcerror Kandow! You couldnt hurt me if you tried. Thousands of
years ago, I defeated you and your kind on the Moon Kingdom! I also battled
Sailor Neptune and, I defeated her. You're no threat to me. But before you
try to protect this child, you'd better see her for what she really is!"
Chibi-Usa looked at Amber. "She's a child..isn't she?"
Sorcerror Kandow nodded at Amber. "Vindalla is aware of your
treachery. Because of you, this masquerade must end! Just when Sailor Venus
left too. Oh well. At least the Senshi when they finally battle us will be
short one warrior. And you'll be dead!"
Before Rei could stop him, he fired a deadly green fireball into
Amber's chest! The child screamed and, Rei gasped as she beheld a
metamorphosis from child to adult! The adult woman dressed in green and
gold screamed on the ground and forced herself up. "You won't kill me
Kandow! You can tell Vindalla, her plans are over! I don't know them but,
they won't succeed!"
Rei confused looked from one to the other. "This has all been a
deception!" She stared at the woman. "Am...Amber-chan?"
The woman hung her head. "No Rei-chan...Ember. Sorcerress Ember. Fire
Warrior of the Dark Kingdom."
Sorceror Kandow laughed. "And now a dying traitor! Goodbye Ember!!!"
The blast he sent forth was enough to blow Rei and Chibi-Usa
backward.
Ember screamed as the deadly energy snaked around her body and drained her
life essence!
Rei forced herself up. "You..leave...her alone!" she gasped.
"Save yourself, Sailor fool." Kandow laughed again. "You've yet to
meet
your destiny. We will destroy you without a second thought!"
Dark Fire!
By Daniel C. Harrison
Chapter Fourteen: Unmasking!
"I don't want to see you Joquaim-chan! You've hurt my friend! I think
it's best if we break off any plans of getting together. I think that you
and Ami-chan are much better suited for each other anyway."
Joquiam nodded. "I understand, Makoto-chan. May we at least be friends?
I can't undo the hurt I have done to Ami-chan but, perhaps in
time we can all get along."
Makoto smiled. "Of course, Joquiam-san. I'll still be happy to be your
friend. I'm sure Ami-chan will too. It may take some time but, I want you
to
know that I forgive you and, I know she will too. What you did was rotten
but, it was perfectly natural for any male! You're all a bunch of jerks! In
fact, your no different from my ex-boyfriend!"
Joquiam laughed. "I don't think I should feel good about that. But, I
understand your feelings. Is Ami-chan around?"
"She left school already. I have to meet with her later. I'll tell her
you want to talk. Maybe if she forgives you, you two can get together
anyway." Makoto winked at him.
"Perhaps. Arigatoo, Makoto-chan. I'll see you later." He turned and
walked down the sidewalk.
Makoto walked the opposite direction and went around a wall. She smiled
as she saw Ami still scanning with the computer. "Well? Is he one of them?"
"Most definitely, Makoto-chan. Now, we follow him! We see who he really
is."
The two girls cautiously watched Joquiam go into an alley and moving
quickly, they shadowed him. For a few moments, he stood quietly then,
his form changed to a man with blonde hair and a black and white robe.
Makoto grit her teeth and prepared to dive in but, Ami held up her hand and
shook her head. He seemed to be waiting for something.
An instant later, a pale green light appeared and, a strange woman with
short brown hair appeared. "Jikell, things have changed,"
"So I gathered from your message you sent to me. Shall I assume that
Vindalla needs my services elsewhere?"
"Ember has betrayed us! The little witch has gone soft from her
connection with Sailor Mars! Vindalla sent me to tell you to proceed to
Egypt. Join the others there. Those of us left here will destroy most of
the Senshi and deal with the others later."
"Understood. But..." he hesitated.
"But what?" Nadi glared at Jikell impatiently.
Jikell was silent a moment. "Is there a way we can brainwash Sailor
Mercury and spare her? She..she could be useful."
Nadi laughed harshly. "Stupid fool! Have you gone soft on Sailor
Mercury? Don't make the foolish mistake that Ember has! She will die for it
as a traitor! Do you wish to join her? You know my powers outmatch yours!"
Jikell shook his head. "No. You are correct. Vindalla's plan must be
fulfilled. For the good of us all."
"Go to Egypt at once! That's an order!"
Jikell watched as Nadi faded out and lowered his head.
Ami stared at him, her mouth almost gaping. Makoto looked at her then
pulled out her transformation wand. "We have to take care of this guy! He's
definitely going down! Right?"
Ami looked at her and nodded sadly.
"MERCURY STAR POWER..MAKE UP!!
"JUPITER STAR POWERR..MAKE UP!!!
Jikell turned as he heard shouts and a rush of energy. A huge lightning
bolt flew past him and slammed into the opposite wall. He swore as he
beheld
Sailor Jupiter and Sailor Mercury!
"That was to get your attention!" Jupiter said smiling. She stepped
forward. "Making a little trip to Egypt are we, Joquiam-chan? I don't think
so! What's there waiting for you? Another Dark Kingdom? Who the hell is
Vindalla!"
Jikell sighed. "Don't try to stop me. I see you figured out who I am.
Now we're even. I have to go."
Sailor Mercury moved past Jupiter. "Not before we end your little plot!
You have a lot of explaining to do! If you don't tell us now, we'll be
forced to make you talk!"
"If I talk, Vindalla will destroy me. I don't want to hurt you,
Ami-chan. In the short time I have known you I..."
"STOP IT!" Sailor Mercury glared at him. "YOU HAVE NO RIGHT! YOU HURT
ME! YOU STOMPED ON MY HEART!"
Jikell looked down. "I am a servant of the Dark Kingdom."
"You're nothing but a servant!" Jupiter swore repeatedly. "Who's
Vindalla? You better tell us!"
"I have to go." Jikell started to fade...
"MERCURY ICE STORM....FREEEEEZE!!!!!!"
Jikell gasped in horrible pain as an unbearable cold hit him stopping
him in mid transformation. As he grit his teeth and fell on the ground,
Sailor Jupiter approached him. "I'll die before I tell you anything!"
"That can be arranged, you dark scum! Time to warm you up!"
"SUPREME THUNDER....."
"NO!" Mercury dove in front of him.
Jupiter stopped and stepped back. "What the hell are you doing
Ami-chan?
He's the enemy!"
Ami turned and looked at Jikell trying to get up. "Please talk to me. I
can help you, Joquiam-chan."
Jikell nodded. "The name is Jikell...Sorcerror Jikell, Ami-chan. I'm
your enemy. And, I won't talk. You'll either have to destroy me. Or let me
go."
Jupiter nodded. "Fine! I've killed dark scum and other youma far worse
than you!"
Jikell laughed. "Are you so sure? You notice, I haven't even tried to
fight you yet, I don't think you have a chance!"
"I'm ready! An evil scum like you that treats women like what you did
to me and poor Ami-chan! That alone deserves payment!"
Jikell held up his hand and, suddenly Jupiter was thrown back by an
incredible wind. Everything in her path blew backward at hurricane force
and, she herself was hurtled into a telephone pole. She groaned and tried
to get up.
Mercury gasped as he turned to her. "You see? You can't win. I care for
you, Ami-chan. I never wanted to hurt you." He stood up and held out his
hand. "Come with me. I can show you a new life."
"A new life." Sailor Mercury fought back the tears. "A new life where
my
friends are my enemies. A new life where I'm a slave to some witch from
hell? Never! I would rather die!"
"Then you must die. But, it won't be from me, my dear. I could never
hurt you!"
"YOU ALREADY HAVE!" Mercury stood up, the tears flowing down her
cheeks.
"YOU ALREADY BROKE MY HEART! YOU ALREADY ATTACKED MY FRIENDS! WHAT MORE
CAN YOU DO TO ME? YOU'RE NOT GOING ANYWHERE!"
"Then kill me." Jikell said quietly. "If you don't I'm going to leave.
And next time we meet, I will be forced to fight your friends. Our little
game of deception is over. And though I care for you, I could never be a
traitor. I'm sorry."
He began to fade. Mercury stood up and pointed her hands. The tears
still flowing from her eyes, she shouted, "SHIIIIING AQUA ILUUUUSION!!!!!!"
Jikell screamed as a wave of ice cold water and energy slammed into him
and formed an ice block around him. He grit his teeth and, the ice exploded
outward sending fragments everywhere.
He turned to her weakened. "Is that the best you can do? It isn't good
enough. Not nearly!"
Suddenly a wind began blowing. A voice seemed to echo from all
directions and Jikell looked up. "What the..?"
"DEAD SCREAM!"
The whisper crescendoed to almost a roar and a sudden burst of energy
slammed into Jikell from the building above. It bored into him and, he
screamed feeling his body being burned from within. Still screaming, he
writhed on the ground staring at Sailor Mercury with a look of horror on
his face.
A woman with long green hair dropped from above. In her hand, she held
a
staff with an orb on the end. She turned to Sailor Mercury. "You should
never hesitate when it comes to your enemies. Not even when you think they
may turn to good." She turned to Jikell. "Who is your master? Talk now or
die!"
Jikell gasped in agony as, Sailor Pluto dispassionately pointed her
staff at him. "I will not hesistate to kill you, dark fool! Talk now or
die!"
"Vindalla..." gasped Jikell. "Vindalla of the..." he closed his eyes.
"TALK!" Pluto waited for an instant then, she pointed the staff,
uttered a single word and blew Jikell to pieces. Flesh littered the alley
and, Mercury turned her head feeling sick.
"Stupid fool." Pluto sighed. She looked up as Jupiter approached. "Are
you both alright?"
Jupiter nodded. "Did you find out anything?"
"Vindalla." Pluto seemed to be thinking. "Vindalla...of the Fedkel
Umi!"
"The what?" Jupiter blinked. Mercury was wordless, still numb from the
attack she had witnessed.
"The Fedkel Umi were from what I have gathered, the elite "special
forces" of the Dark Kingdom. Sailor Neptune battled one and was
soundly beaten. We were close to being destroyed when, Queen Serenity used
the Silver Crystal. I was unaffected of course being the keeper of the
gateway of time."
"So who is Vindalla?" Mercury asked quietly.
"The Commander of the Fedkel Umi. I often wondered why you never dealt
with them when Beryl and her generals returned. It might have been that
Beryl feared Vindalla. She is by reputation a very cunning warrior. I can
see now what has been happening. If we don't figure out her plot soon, we
may never. For now, we have to get to Rei-chan. From listening to your
conversation, I am afraid that Cherry Hill is about to become a major
battleground if it hasn't already!"
They began running. As they ran, Pluto continued. "I briefly met
Vindalla but, we have never battled. It will be interesting to see the
results. I see now why she did not attack directly. She may not have all
her forces and, by undermining us, it gave her an enormous advantage. Now
that we have unmasked her plot and killed one of her lackeys, she will be
forced to deal with us directly. The Fedkel Umi are deadly." She looked at
Mercury. "We will need to be a team and fight as one! Are you up to it?"
Ami wiped her tears as she ran and nodded. "I'm ready. Let's get them!"
Setsuna continued to look at her for a few moments then smiled. "You're
going to be alright, Ami-chan. Broken hearts mend. This situation is more
under control than it appears. If the Fedkel Umi try to steal the Silver
Crystal, we have already planned for that eventuality."
"Where are Uranus and Neptune?" Jupiter asked.
"They should be at Cherry Hill now. Sailor Venus will be arriving as
well but, we are holding her in reserve to make them think we are one
less." Pluto laughed. "They are fooled too easily..except for Vindalla. She
is deadly."
They continued to run, increasing speed....
Dark Fire!
By Daniel C. Harrison
Chapter Fifteen: Battleground!
Michiru expertly maneuvered the sport car around the truck in front of
her, narrowly missing the car in the oncoming lane. Usagi gripped her seat
and glanced at the speedometer seeing they were going well over the speed
limit. She gasped as Michiru punched the accelerator as they came
to a light and drove through causing two cars in the intersection to slam
on their brakes!
Michiru looked at her. "Listen to me, Usagi-chan! This is very
important! Setsuna devised a plan how to protect the Silver Crystal! It's
very important that these Dark Kingdom warriors don't get it! We must
protect you at all costs!"
"I'm scared, Michiru-chan. But, I won't run away either! I almost did
that a few days ago in the mall when we were attacked. I let my feelings
overcome my better sense of judgement. My friends are important to me!"
"You are what's important!" Michiru smiled. "We are guessing that they
will try to attack you the moment you appear and destroy you because, it
was
you Princess who defeated Queen Beryl. If they take you out, they can get
the Silver Crystal! If that happens, we are all lost."
"What are you planning to do?" Usagi asked concerned.
"Listen..this is the plan...."
Usagi listened with growing fear as the plan was laid out to her. She
didn't like it. But, she could see it was necesarry......
"Oh my god! The temple is on fire!" Sailor Mercury shouted.
Sailor Pluto swore. "Damn it! We're too late! Come on, we have to
help!"
Sailor Jupiter nodded. "I'm ready! I'm gonna kill those bastards! I
want a piece of this Vindalla witch!"
"Don't get cocky and irrational!" Pluto warned. "You're fighting
warriors of the Dark Kingdom you've never encountered before! And these
warriors are deadly!"
"I'm ready!" Jupiter smiled. "Let's get em!"
They began running up the hill. Ami puffed, tired from running. But,
they had little time left. Her thoughts returned briefly to the horrified
look on Joquiam's face. No...not Joquiam. Jikell he had said his name was.
She knew he had loved her even though he wouldn't betray his people. But
now, he was dead. Tears began to fall down her cheeks as they topped the
hill. The burning temple was in front of them!
"Sailor Mercury!" Pluto grabbed her and looked at her. "You must bury
your feelings! The man you loved was an enemy! Now, we must destroy his
people! Unlike enemies you have fought in the past, these warriors
know who you are! If we don't stop them, they can strike at us unopposed
day or night! We need you and, we must fight as a team! Are you alright?"
Mercury noticed Jupiter looking at her and nodded. "I'm ready! Let's
show them what the Senshi can do!"
Pluto smiled then turned quickly running forward. She
aimed her staff.....
"We're trapped!" Ember gritted her teeth through the pain as the
deadly
purple bubble enclosed around them. "I don't have enough strength to get us
out!"
Rei felt the burning of the energy from the bubble pouring through.
She
gasped for air realizing, she had never felt anything so painful. "I can't
move! I feel like I have no will to move!"
Sailor Uranus looked through the bubble up at Kandow. "You're going to
die when I get out of here you dark devil!"
Kandow laughed. "I told you I was not so easy to defeat! And, there's
no way to escape! This is the great Senshi warriors? I expected more of a
threat! You will die either from excrutiating pain, or lack of air! Either
way, you will no longer be a threat! In fact, you never never a threat!
Merely...a nuisance while we go on to greater glory!"
Uranus swore and concentrated her power. "We'll die anyway! What have
we got to lose? Sailor Mars, strike now!!!"
"FIIIIIIIIREEEE.....SOUUUUULLLLL!!!!"
"CRYSSSSTALLLL.....SWORD!!!!!"
The explosion of fire ripped into the ball, burning into Mars! She
cried out and poured on the energy! Uranus sword appeared and, she swung
hard into the fire impacting the energy!
The ball exploded outward sending Chibi-Moon into a nearby bush. Ember
rolled and gasped as she stared up at Kandow. "We're free!"
"You're going to die Ember!!!" Kandow waved his hands together.
"I'LL TAKE YOU WITH ME!!!!!" Ember flew upward with the last of her
strength and, the two met in the air just as Kandow fired! The explosion
sounded like a thunderclap and, the impact rent the sky with a terrible
flash!
"EMBER!!!!!" Rei shouted. She forced herself up.
The two warriors struggled together now creating great heat as they
fought. The evil auras of purple and green energy intermixed lighting the
twilight sky as darkness fell.
Sailor Uranus stood up. "We have to destroy them Rei-chan! They are
evil and, they know who you are!"
"Not Ember!" Rei glared at her. "You don't know her the way I do! We
have to help her!"
"YOU CAN'T TAKE THE RISK!!" Uranus shouted. "SHE'LL BETRAY US LATER!"
"NO SHE WON'T!!" Rei shook her head. "I KNOW HER!!" Her voice fell. "I
know her. She isn't a child anymore but, her heart is what I feel! She has
seen the light and wants nothing more to do with evil!" Rei looked upward.
"I have to help her!"
Suddenly, the sky filled with an evil aura and, Chibi-Moon pointed
upward. "LOOK OUT!!!!"
Four women and two men appeared hovering in the air above them! The
tallest woman flew downward and pointed a large silver staff at the two
combatants. "Time to end this petty struggle!" She fired and, a huge
explosion blew the two apart. Kandow crashed into the ground and stood up
shaking his head. Ember fell and hit the ground near Rei. Rei shouted and
ran to her, covering her.
"Get...get out of here...Rei-chan!" Ember choked out the words in
agony.
The woman smiled. "Sailor Mars! I have to congratulate you! No one has
ever been an elite member of my Fedkel Umi and betrayed me..until now!"
Ember looked up at her. "You're plan is going to fail!"
"Shall I be the judge of that? You're days as a warrior are finisheed
Ember!"
Rei stared at the woman. "You're Vindalla aren't you? What are you
trying to do! You've hurt my friends! You tried to turn us against each
other! You've burned my temple! I can't forgive that!"
"I wouldn't expect you to...Sailor fool! However, I don't think you
know who we are. Allow we to introduce us. I am Commander Vindalla...soon
to be Queen of this entire world! Above me here you see, the elite warriors
of the Dark Kingdom! The Dark Kingdom is no more because, Queen Beryl was a
fool! I however am not! And, my first act as Queen of this world and one
day the universe is to sentence the Sailor Senshi to death! Over a thousand
years ago, Beryl failed to listen to me when I gave her the ultimate plans
to capture and destroy the Moon Kingdom! She again failed to listen to me,
and use my forces when she went against you! Now, she is gone...and you
will deal with me!"
"And we'll destroy you!" Sailor Uranus glared at Vindalla.
"Oh? Shall we see who is the stronger?" Vindalla fired a burst of
energy which blew Uranus off her feet. She laughed. "No contest. You're not
even worth my time."
The wind suddenly picked up and, a whisper filled the air. Vindalla
looked behind her quickly. "What..?"
"DEAD SCREAM!!"
Vindalla cried out in pain as a sudden blast hit her from behind and
almost forced her from the sky!
Sorcerress Nadi turned quickly. "Damn it! It's the others!"
"SHIIINNNNGGGG AQUA ILUUUUSION!!!!!!"
Nadi screamed as a huge vortex of water and energy slammed into her
and
forced her out of the sky directly toward the burning temple! Creating a
shield, she stopped herself just before entering the flames!
Vindalla glared at Sailor Pluto. "So at last we meet, Sailor Pluto! I
have heard of you. I've heard your intellect and strategic mind my come
close to my own! I will look forward to destroying you!"
"SUUUUUUPREEMEEE....THUNDER!!!!!"
The remaining four warriors shouted and scattered as a sudden blast of
lightning tore through the sky directly at them. Vindalla looked downward.
"Sailor Jupiter! Now nice to see you. Did you enjoy your brief love
affair?"
She looked at Mercury. "Or did you? Where is my humble servant, Jikell! Or
did you yet know, we played you both for prize fools!"
"Your servant is dead!" Pluto smiled. "They discovered him and I
destroyed him."
Vindalla shrugged. "A pity. He was but a servant."
Mercury glared at Vindalla. "YOU HAD NO RIGHT! HE WAS A GOOD
PERSON!!!"
"Precisely why I used him! But, the time for chat is over!" Vindalla
nodded to the other warriors. "SAILOR SENSHI....DIEEEE!!!!"
Dark Fire!
By Daniel C. Harrison
Chapter Fifteen: Battleground! cont...
Sailor Mars leaped clear as four of the Dark Kingdom Warriors fired
simultaneously! Sailor Mercury not so lucky let out a scream as she was
caught in the blast. "MERCURY!" Jupiter shouted. Jupiter ran to Mercury's
side and, prepared to meet the attack.
Two of the warriors swooped down and one pulled an energy sword out of
the air. "I'm Sorcerror Telchin," he smiled evilly. "And you two are
finished!"
Jupiter screamed as Telchin swung his energy blade downward but, a
sudden push from behind knocked her away from it. She looked up and, Sailor
Uranus stood with her own sword.
"Come on you scum! Let's see what you got!" Uranus swore at him.
"A challenge...I hope it's a worthy one!"
Uranus swung her sword and, the two energy weapons slammed together in
a
brilliant flash! Vindalla laughed. "Teach this amature what fighting is all
about!"
Telchin continued to press the attack and, Uranus swore as she realized
she was losing....
Chibi-Moon screamed as one of the warriors made for her. "PIIIIINKKK
SUGGARRR HEEEART...." she gasped as she was hit before she could finish and
hit the ground. The warrior laughed. "I'm Sorcerress Aubel, little child. I
think you'll make a valuable asset to us." She picked up Chibi-Moon. "I'll
take her to Egypt, my Queen."
"Excellent." Vindalla nodded. "Go prepare the way for us." She turned
to
Sailor Pluto. "I've heard your a great warrior! Let's find out how great!"
Sailor Pluto pointed her staff upward and Vindalla pointed her's at the
exact same moment. The two staffs fired and, both combatants were blown
backward. Vindalla shook her head trying to get her bearings as Pluto got
off the ground.
Sailor Pluto looked quickly as she realized Chibi-Moon was gone! "SMALL
LADY!" She glared at Vindalla. "DAMN YOU! WHERE DID YOU TAKE HER?"
"TO HELL!" Vindalla shouted. She flew down and, Pluto tore into her.
The two struggled hand to hand slamming their staffs together! Vindalla put
forth her hand and blew Pluto backward! "Enough of this! You're defeated,
admit it!"
Sailor Pluto stood defiantly. She waved her staff. "DEAD SCREAM!"
Vindalla shrieked as she was thrown backward into the dirt. Pluto moved
forward and jammed Vindalla hard with her staff. "You're going to pay for
this!"
Suddenly, Pluto screamed as she was hit from behind! She fell and tried
to get up. Vindalla arose and kicked her hard in the face causing blood to
flow from her mouth. Pluto dazed tried to get up.
Another warrior hit her with his own staff. "DIE SENSHI!"
Vindalla smiled. "Well done, Rokin! Now, go kill Sailor
Mercury! After all, your powers are similar."
Sailor Jupiter turned to meet the warrior coming toward her.
"THUUUUUNDER....DRAGON!!!!"
The warrior tried to dodge but ran headlong into Jupiter's attack! He
shouted and was thrown back into the burning temple! His screams filled the
air!
"BACAL!!!! DAMN YOU SAILOR JUPITER!!!"
Jupiter turned and was hit hard by another warrior. She waved her hands
and, Jupiter was forced to the ground by an immense heat blast! "YOU KILLED
MY BROTHER!!" The woman continued to pound on Jupiter with an insanity!
"YOU
KILLED BACAL!"
"HE HAD IT COMING!!" Jupiter with new strength leaped off the ground
and
grabbed the warrior by her hair. "AND SO DO YOU!" She slammed the woman
hard
into the ground and kicked her. "SUUUUUPREMME....THUUUUNDER!!!!"
The woman screamed as she was incinerated into ashes!
Sailor Mercury still dazed tried to climb to her feet when, she was hit
from behind. Still trying to remain standing, she felt herself being lifted
into the sky and a man laughed. "Farewell Sailor Mercury! Too bad Jikell
can't see this!" He flew higher until he was over the burning
temple and dropped her!
Sailor Mercury screamed as she realized what was happening. She saw the
temple below being incinerated when, there was a flash of black and red!
Someone caught her! She gasped and looked up into the
face of Tuxedo Kamen!
"Sailor Mercury, fire doesn't suit you. Time for a comeback, don't you
think?"
He landed on the other side of the temple and turned to face the
devastation.
Sailor Pluto was trying to struggle to her feet and, another warrior
was
behind her. Vindalla was in front laughing. Tuxedo Kamen pulled forth a
rose
and threw with deadly accuracy!
"NADI! LOOK OUT!!!"
Nadi hearing Vindalla's warning too late screamed in mortal pain as the
rose missile stabbed into her. She screamed again as two more hit and, she
felt her body losing strength. "Oh...I....H...Help me..."
Vindalla caught her and glared at Tuxedo Kamen. "YOU! YOU'LL DIE FOR
THAT!"
"You already tried to kill me once!" Tuxedo Kamen swung his cane and
pointed it. "Idle threats do little for your already ugly disposition!"
Vindalla seething slammed Sailor Pluto but, Pluto dodged and struck
Vindalla hard in the face. Vindalla swore and flew upward....
Sailor Mars found herself Sorcerror Rokin. She looked down at Ember who
was barely conscious. "NO! YOU'RE NOT TOUCHING HER!! BUUUURNINGGG...
MANNNDALLAAAA!!!"
Rokin dodged to the right then slammed into Mars with a powerful blast.
Mars shook her head and tried to get up. Rokin picked up Ember. "It's time
for us to go."
"NOOOO!" Mars leaped with a fury she had never known and grabbed Rokin
around the throat. Ember fell out of his arms and, the two struggled and
fell to the ground. Rokin punched Mars hard in her face forcing her to cry
out. Quickly he got up and picked up Ember. "Goodbye Sailor Mars! She will
die in agony!"
Suddenly a noise grew closer. It sounded like an engine. Without
warning, a yellow sport car leaped over the hill and bore down on Rokin!
"DAMN IT!!!"
Rokin rose upward but, Mars pointed her fingers. "DROP HER NOW!!"
"DIEEE!!!!" Rokin fired! Mars screamed as she was thrown back.
The car slammed to a stop. Sailor Neptune leaped out. She looked
quickly
and saw Sailor Uranus in sword combat. She spun her arms and shouted,
"DEEEEEEP SUBMEEEEERGE!!!!"
A tidal wave of water flew upward and slammed into Sorcerror Telchin
knocking him off his feet. The water continued and hit the temple
extinguishing the fire! Great clouds of steam and smoke arose from it.
Vindalla turned as she heard a shout. She looked and saw Sailor Moon!
"YOU'VE GONE TOO FAR VINDALLA! YOUR EVIL PLAN WILL NEVER COME TO PASS!!
WE ARE THE PREETY SUITED SOLDIER SENSHI! DEFENDERS OF LOVE AND JUSTICE!!!
I'M SAILOR MOON! IN THE NAME OF THE MOON I'LL PUNISH YOU!!!!"
"Sailor Moon...at last!" Vindalla looked at Pluto and grinned. "Now we
are all here. LET THE REAL BATTLE BEGIN!!!!" Vindalla suddenly threw a wave
of energy at Sailor Moon and, Moon dove for cover screaming.
"SAILOR MOON!" Jupiter ran toward her. She glared at Vindalla. "Let's
trash these devils!"
Vindalla smiled as Jupiter was hit from behind and fell. Sorcerror
Kandow laughed. "Look behind you next time, Jupiter!" He looked and saw
Sailor Neptune. "So....we meet again!"
Sailor Neptune turned to face him. "I don't know you."
"NO...but I know you! I almost killed you before!!!" Kandow fired a
burst of light and, Neptune jumped upward. "DEEEEEEP SUBMEEEEERGE!!!"
The wave of water barely missed Kandow and, the two joined with a
cracking sound.
Vindalla looked and saw Sailor Moon pull forth her Tiara. "MOOOOON
TIAARA ACTIIIIION!!!!"
The tiara flew toward her! Vindalla ducked and watched it fly past.
"Stupid fool! Do you really think that..." she suddenly cried out in pain
as the tiara turned and hit her! Gasping in pain, she pointed her staff at
Sailor Moon. "Two can play that game! DODGE THIS!"
Sailor Moon screamed as the blast slammed into her and she felt her
stength leave. Someone caught her and, she fell back behind a wall. "Sailor
Moon, it's okay. I'm here."
"Who...?" she whispered. She opened her eyes and beheld Tuxedo Kamen!
"Tuxedo Kamen...you're really here? I'm not imagining this?"
"I'm here." He smiled.
"AND SO AM I!!! DIE!!!" Sorcerress Nadi shouted.
Tuxedo Kamen barely leaped clear as a sudden blast flew toward them.
Nadi laughed. "I'm going to finish what I started masked man! If a semi
truck wont do you in then, I will!"
"MY roses weren't enough to take you down?" Tuxedo Kamen stepped back.
"We're tougher then we look fool! We're not the warriors you fought in
the past. We're Fedkel Umi! The elite! Now die!!!!!!"
She aimed her arms and fired! Tuxedo Kamen cried out and fell down.
Sailor Moon gasped as Nadi pointed at her. "NOW YOU SAILOR FOOL!!!"
Before Nadi could fire, she was hit in the chest by a linked energy
chain accompanied with a shout, VEEEEEENUUUSSS... LOVEELLYYYY...
CHAAAAAAIN!!!!!"
Nadi coughed and tried to get up as Sailor Venus appeared. Venus helped
Sailor Moon up and, she ran to Tuxedo Kamen. Venus turned to Nadi. "Time
for
you to learn how to really fight!"
Sailor Neptune groaned as she was hit again trying to block Kandow's
attack. Sailor Uranus was fighting Rokin and was unable to help. She saw
the
wall Sailor Moon had fallen behind and dove for it. Tumbling over, she saw
Venus and nodded. "Take him on!"
Venus leaped over the wall, "VEEEEEENUUUS LOOOOVE AND BEAUUUUTY...
SHOOOOCKKK!!!!"
Kandow was thrown back by the unexpected attack!
Tuxedo Kamen nodded to Sailor Moon having recovered and followed after
her.
Neptune looked at Nadi lying on the ground where she had landed after
being hit by Venus. Nadi was almost unconscious. But, Neptune could tell
by the way Pluto and Vindalla were fighting and the fact, half the Senshi
were losing strength, they were losing. She turned to Sailor Moon. "It's
time for the plan. Just in case Setsuna is right."
Sailor Moon nodded reluctantly.....
Sailor Moon leaped from behind the wall. She shouted to Vindalla. "I'M
GOING TO PUNISH YOU VINDALLA! IN THE NAME OF THE MOON, I WILL USE THE
SILVER
CRYSTAL!!!!!"
Vindalla ducked Sailor Pluto's staff and nodded to Kandow. "TAKE
HER!!!"
Kandow fired a blast and hit Tuxedo Mask. He waved his arms and, a
purple ball formed around Sailor Moon making her scream!
Sailor Mercury still weak shouted. "USAGI!!!!"
The ball began to fade away. Kandow laughed and looked for Neptune. She
was nowhere to be seen. "We'll destroy you later!" He saluted Vindalla and
faded out.
The other Dark Kingdom Warriors as if on a prearranged signal withdrew
and faded out. Vindalla laughed. "You're all pitiful! But, it was a good
fight. I salute you as worthy adversaries! But, you are beaten! We have
Sailor Moon! We have the little Princess! And, I have my traitor!"
Sailor Mars ran forward. "NO! EMBERRRR! USAGIIII!!
"SMALL LADY" Uranus swore. "Damn you!"
"If you feel your able to take us on, come to Egypt...and watch our
triumph!" Vindalla turned to Sailor Pluto. "You have a keen mind. But, it
doesn't come close to my intelligence! I hold the high cards now fools!"
She flew upward."I shall enjoy torturing Ember, Sailor Mars! She will
die knowing she could have been a great warrior but, she chose to befriend
you! What a waste....until next time, Sailor fools!"
Vindalla faded away and, Sailor Mars collapsed sobbing. Sailor Mercury
struggled over to her and, the two held each other.
Pluto looked upward at the sky and nodded toward the wall. "They took
the bait. Sailor Moon, come out."
Everyone stared as, Sailor Moon stepped out of the shadows into the
moonlight. Her head was downcast and, she looked up with tears in her eyes.
"Was that really necessary, Setsuna?"
"Hai." Setsuna stepped forward. "Now we know fully who our enemies are.
And, they think they have the Crystal. They will now be concerned with
their
plan and not us. We must devise a way to forever destroy them."
Sailor Uranus stared at Sailor Moon then looked around. "Where's
Michiru-chan?"
Sailor Moon hung her head and, Pluto nodded. "Michiru has been
captured.
She used the Luna Pen to make them think she was Sailor Moon."
"NOOOOOOO" Uranus swore and stared at the rising moon......
Dark Fire!
By Daniel C. Harrison
Chapter Sixteen: Reverse Deception
The wind blew across the desert as the afternoon sun beat down on the
dunes. There was a low sound which filled the air almost like a humming
then, two figures appeared. Both held unconscious females which lay in
their arms.
Sorcerress Aubel laughed. "They weren't much of a challenge were they
Rokin?"
Rokin looked down at Ember. "She was a fool to believe in them. I'm
almost going to be sorry to see her die."
"Vindalla knows what she is doing. Let's get things set up."
They flew toward the low hills and into the old tomb which had been
trashed by thieves and treasure hunters thousands of years ago. Aubel held
up her hand and, a wall opened to reveal a hidden chamber filled with
riches. "Why do humans put so much effort into these baubles? Absorbing
energy is much more efficient."
"Perhaps. But you have to admit, the properties of this chamber make it
an excellent location."
Aubel grinned at Rokin and put Chibi-Moon down. "So do you think we
have
enough energy?"
"Vindalla was quite specific as to what was needed. She is known for
her
attention to detail and, I do not think she would make an error. She has
been an excellent tactician. I fully believe that, if she had been in
command instead of Queen Beryl, things would have been much differerent
with the Senshi the first time."
Aubel laughed. "They were different this time! Even with the Outer
Senshi present, there was no contest. The others will be joining us soon."
Rokin nodded and closed his eyes. "Yes, the room is full of dark
energy. I made sure that we were close enough to a major city that we could
steal
whatever was needed in a pinch. Cairo is a good source. There is much
conflict going on."
"What do you think Vindalla's full plan is?" Aubel wondered.
"She is being very tight lipped. I suspect because, she wants to make
sure we have no more traitors." He looked down at Ember who groaned. "She
seems to be waking up. Shall I put her back to sleep?"
Aubel laughed. "No. Let her see where her foolish path has led her. Can
you imagine? A friend to Sailor Mars? The very idea is laughable." Aubel
snickered wickedly.
The room suddenly grew brighter and, Vindalla appeared followed by
Kandow and Telchin. The purple ball of energy containing Sailor Moon
lowered to theground and disappeared.
Sailor Moon opened her eyes and stood up. "Where..where am I?"
Vindalla smiled at her. "Welcome to Egypt..and your tomb." She nodded
to
the others and, Kandow waved his hands. Sailor Moon felt herself being held
by an unseen force. Chibi-Moon and Ember floated over to stand by her. Both
stirred and opened their eyes.
"Agh! Where am I?" Chibi-Moon looked around at the huge statues on
either side of her.
Vindalla lowered herself to the ground and walked over to them. She
stopped in front of Chibi-Moon and grabbed her chin. Forcing the child to
look up she nodded. "Little Child. You have no idea how sorry your
going to be." She turned to Sailor Moon.
"Give me the Silver Crystal. If you don't I'll kill her in front of
you!"
NO!" Ember shouted.
Vindalla looked at Ember and slapped her hard across the face. "I want
to know something Ember. When you were getting close to Sailor Mars and
realizing you wanted to be a traitor, did you ever think about all I had
done for you? Did you remember the young warrior who wanted to serve and
gain honors but no one would even look at her? I took you under my wing,
you little bitch! I trained you! I encouraged you to gain control of your
power! LOOK AT YOU NOW!"
Ember nodded. "I remember. But, you need to understand something,
Vindalla. You taught me to use my powers for evil! To spread fear and
hatred! I no longer wish to hurt anyone. And, although I don't know your
plan, I fear it will kill my new friends as well as others."
Vindalla slapped her again. "YOUR BRAINWASHED! Sailor Mars has found a
weak spot in you. I will take pity on your miserable life and ask you to
turn away from this path! If you do, I will never trust you but, I will
allow you to live! You are Fedkel Umi! An elite warrior! I offer you this
mission...I want you to leave here with Kandow and kill Sailor Mars!"
"That is something I could never do. My feelings for her are..."
Vindalla fired an energy bolt into Ember's chest making her cry out and
spit up blood. "Fine. Then, die like the traitor you are! I will waste no
more time on you!"
Vindalla turned to Sailor Moon. "Last time. Give me the Crystal or
Chibi-Moon dies!"
Sailor Moon with tears in her eyes reached down and unhooked the large
brooch containing the crystal. "I...surrender." She handed Vindalla the
brooch.
Vindalla laughed and held it up. "AT LAST!!! IT'S MINE!!! THE LAST PART
OF THE PLAN FULFILLED!" She smiled and turned to her warriors. "Now you
will
proceed to the next location. Kandow, you will remain here. Make sure this
trap does not fail. We are only hours away from total rule of this world!"
"Trap?" Sailor Moon gasped.
"Of course." Vindalla laughed wickedly. "Do you think I would be so
foolish as to divulge even a hint as to my real plan? Even the location is
secret. I only recently told those I could trust. You will all die here and
you won't be alone. I have spent much time and effort planning and
directing this whole operation. Nothing can go wrong. The Senshi will
arrive to save you but, they will die with you!"
Vindalla rose upward. "It's time for me to leave you now to your
deserved deaths. I salute you Sailor Moon. Ember....you will die as you
deserve. You will learn what it means to feel a universe of pain! Chibi-
Moon....enjoy what's left of your short life!"
"I shall complete preparations here and join you my Queen." Kandow
bowed.
Vindalla looked at the others. "Follow me. I will lead you to a new
Dark
Kingdom! Ultimate Power is ours!!!"
Kandow watched as the dark warriors faded out. He laughed and walked up
to Sailor Moon. "You surrendered very quickly. I knew you were a coward
but, I didn't realize how much."
"I couldn't bear to see anyone else hurt." Sailor Moon looked down.
Kandow smiled then, his eyes narrowed. "Wait a minute...there's
something strange here. You seem...different."
Chibi-Moon looked quickly at Sailor Moon and, Moon turned away. "I'm
afraid that's all. What are you planning?"
Kandow walked away and spread his arms. "This entire room is infused
with rich amounts of negative energy. When discharged, this energy will
react with positive energy or even neutral in a very painful way. You
feel as if your skin is on fire. Also, a protective shield is in place...so
the moment your friends appear, they will all be trapped. Vindalla has
planned it so, the pain will be so intense, you will lose all reasoning.
Primal anger will take over and...."
"And...." Sailor Moon gasped. "We'll destroy each other! NO! I can't
let
you!"
"You can't stop us!" Kandow suddenly opened his palm and, a huge bubble
formed around the three. "Enjoy being the bait!"
Ember gasped as she felt her body growing weaker. "I...I've got to
help."
"You can do nothing you little traitor, other then die the painful
death
you have earned. The trap is set. Farewell...."
Kandow faded out and, Chibi-Moon looked at Sailor Moon. "What are we
going to do?"
"Blast our way out!" Sailor Moon suddenly looked determined. "DEEEEEEP
SUUUUUBMEERGE!!!!!"
Chibi-Moon gasped as Sailor Moon faded away and Sailor Neptune
appeared!
The blast of water slammed into the bubble but bounced back forcing Neptune
to the other side. the water and energy drenched Chibi-Moon and Ember and,
Neptune watched it evaporate. "Gomen nasai. I guess that isn't going to
work."
"YOU ALMOST DROWNED US!" Chibi-Moon shook her head. "You used the Luna
Pen? Why? Where's the real Sailor Moon?"
"Walking into a trap along with everyone else! But, Vindalla took the
bait. She has the fake crystal."
Chibi-Moon looked confused. "What are we going to do about this trap?
We
have to do something before they get here!"
"I don't know." Neptune looked distrustfully at Ember. "This better not
be a set up. I don't trust you!"
"I'm not the one to fear." Ember felt weaker now. "I have seen the
benefits of being good and noble even if I die because of it. Kandow was
correct in saying, the negative energy will force the others to fight.
They will be unable to control themselves. We have to warn them!"
Sailor Neptune swore as she realized time was running out.....
Dark Fire!
By Daniel C. Harrison
Chapter Sixteen: Reverse Deception cont.....
Sailor Uranus turned and stared at Pluto. "You planned this didn't you?
You planned to have her do this! What the hell were you thinking
Setsuna-chan?"
Sailor Pluto remained unperturbed. She stood silently as Sailor Moon
helped Jupiter up from where she had fallen.
"ANSWER ME!!" Uranus shouted.
"It wasn't all her fault. We both had a hand in it as well."
Uranus looked and saw Luna and Artemis come out of the bushes. Luna
sighed and stepped forward. "We had no idea who our enemies were. We needed
to throw them off."
"We could tell by the way things were going, we needed an edge."
Artemis
continued, "Just trying to fight them isn't going to be enough. These
warriors have already worn us down. None of you are at peak strength."
"And they obviously planned this." Pluto looked at everyone. "Listen to
me, all of you. We are still being manipulated. By striking at us the way
they have and capturing Small Lady, we are again at a disadvantage.
Our only choice was a pre-arranged plan that Luna and I discussed earlier."
"WITHOUT ME!" Uranus shouted. Her anger was evident.
Pluto sighed. "Haruka-chan. We both knew that you would never allow
Michiru-chan to put herself in such danger. She agreed with us on this.
Gomen nasai. We did not mean to hurt you."
"You should have consulted with me. We're a team."
"True. But, we weren't sure how you would react and, Michiru-chan
agreed
with us. She chose to put herself in this situation should it be needed. We
were losing. We needed to end the battle and put the situation back under
our control. By making them think they have Sailor Moon and the Silver
Crystal, they are less likley to worry about us. This will hopefully bring
their guard down." Pluto shook her head. "There is no easy solution to any
of this. The worst battle is yet to come."
"What do you mean?" Jupiter looked surprised. "I took two of them out
by
myself! They aren't that tough!"
"You were very lucky." Luna said. "You threw one in the fire and, the
other was too angry to think straight."
"Next time Makoto-chan, you will not be so lucky. You must watch your
temper." Pluto glared at her.
Jupiter swore. "Look Setsuna-chan, just because you weren't winning
your
fight doesn't mean..."
"You were hit too, Makoto-chan." Mercury smiled thinly.
"Well, true..." Jupiter sighed, "But, I was doing pretty well."
Sailor Moon hugged Tuxedo Kamen. "Mamo-chan...what do we do now?"
Tuxedo Kamen winced in pain and she pulled away frightened. "I'm okay."
he said.
"You're still hurt aren't you?" she began to cry. "Mamo-chan, you
shouldn't be here! You should be resting.
"I'm where I'm needed most." Tuxedo Kamen smiled. "I'm glad I'm here
with you. But, Sailor Pluto is right. We were losing that fight. And the
fact they have Chibi-Moon and Sailor Neptune now, we have no choice but to
go to Egypt and confront them."
"Precisely what Vindalla had planned all along." Pluto looked at Luna
and she nodded.
"Vindalla obviously has been setting us all up for some time. It shows
in the way you were all psychologically weakened. They followed it up with
this physical attack. We are not dealing with normal enemies. Sailor Moon,
you must be stronger! We must find out what they are planning and stop it!"
"I'll try Luna. But, I'm scared. I'm really scared. Poor Chibi-Usa."
She
buried her face in Tuxedo Kamen's shoulder.
Sailor Mars looked around. "Don't forget Ember. We have to save her
too."
Uranus looked at her. "You have to be joking! Rei-chan, hasn't it yet
become obvious to you that, she is just like the rest of them? She used you
to play on your emotions and turn you against us. Now, you're ready to help
her?"
"She isn't like that!" Rei insisted. "She's changed! I know she has! I
have faith in her."
Everyone fell quiet. Rei looked around feeling desperate. "Doesn't
anyone believe me? Nephrite changed! Why couldn't she?"
Sailor Moon looked up. She wiped her tears. "She did try to warn me.
She
was the one that appeared to me."
"You see?" Mars glared at Uranus. "She's good now."
"I'm not going to be taken in by her or any of them!" Uranus swore
repeatedly. "From here on out, it's war! If any of them even touch
Michiru-chan I'll kill them! In fact, since they know your identities, we
have to kill them! Even her!"
"NO!" Mars grew angrier. "I tell you, she has changed! And if you try
to
hurt her, you'll have to come through me!"
THATS ENOUGH! Luna shouted. "WE DON'T HAVE TIME FOR THIS!"
Sailor Venus nodded. "We really have got to get going. We need to
teleport to Egypt and save our friends. There's no telling what kind
of trouble they are in."
Pluto nodded. "Precisely why we must make sure we know what we are
doing. Think about it. Vindalla has gone out of her way to lure us to
Egypt. This has got to be a trap!"
Artemis turned to Sailor Moon. "Usagi-chan, you're our leader. Although
we don't always treat you like it, this is your decision."
Sailor Moon looked at everyone. "I...I haven't been this frightened in
a
long time. But, if we don't go, we won't be able to save our friends. I
know
Haruka-chan doesn't trust Rei-chan's friend and, Setsuna-chan is afraid
this is a trap. But, how else can we save them?"
"We have no choice." Pluto nodded. "We have to try. I suggest that
Sailor Mercury use her computer to scan for anything that might be a danger
to us. It's our only protection."
"I hope it's enough." Sailor Mercury opened up her computer and began
scanning. "The problem is, I think the range is limited. I'm not picking up
any disturbances although, the magnetic field of the earth appears to be
slightly different. Nothing significant though. I'll keep an eye on it."
"We should all go on this mission." Artemis said. He
smiled at Luna. "Maybe we can help."
Luna nodded. "I think so too." She looked at each of them. "We need to
teleport. It will further weaken us but, that can't be helped. Tuxedo
Kamen,
please come with us."
Tuxedo Kamen took Sailor Moon's hand and smiled at her. "I'm here to
protect you all."
They all gathered together in a circle. Luna sat on Sailor Moon's
shoulder while Artemis sat on Venus's shoulder. Tuxedo Kamen stood by
Sailor Moon and they all concentrated.
Artemis looked up as clouds in the sky parted. "SAILORS...TELEPORT!!!!"
The air filled with a shimmering as all of the Senshi concentrated
their
powers together. Stones began moving near them and, a wind came up. Then,
in a flash of colors, they lifted off the ground and were gone.....
Unnoticed, Sorcerress Nadi looked from behind the wall where they had
forgotten about her. She smiled. The fools. They were headed into a trap
but, even if they figured it out, they would never escape. For unknown to
them, the trap was designed specifically to turn them against each other!
And after what she had noticed between Mars and Uranus, it was a sure bet
those two would be the beginning of the end for the Sailor Senshi!
Dark Fire!
By Daniel C. Harrison
Chapter Seventeen: Mind Trap!
"It's no use. I can't get us out." Sailor Neptune swore. "We don't
appear to be in any immediate danger except, our air will run out soon."
"This bubble isn't supposed to do anything but keep us secured, Sailor
Neptune." Ember tried to concentrate. "We have to get out of here and warn
our friends before they arrive. I don't know how powerful Kandow has made
this trap but, you can be sure it is designed to destroy us."
"And you were part of this plot!" Neptune glared at her. "How can I
trust you? This could all be a ploy to lure us into an even greater trap."
"I think she's nice." Chibi-Moon smiled. "I don't get the same bad
feelings from her I do the others."
"Arigatoo, Chibi-Moon." Ember felt weak. "I don't think we have much
time. But, I appreciate your faith. I don't expect either of you to trust
me. It was a terrible thing what I did to Rei-chan. I can only try to atone
for it now by doing what I can to escape. I have been disowned by my
people. If I can't earn your friendship, I have nothing."
Neptune stared at Ember for a few minutes. "If you were generating this
bubble, how would you defeat it?"
"This bubble was made with negative energy. However, it has to be a low
level because, we are not being harmed by it."
"It repelled my attack." Neptune looked down. "How do we overcome it?"
"Maybe..." Ember pushed against the dense energy and felt it give a
prickling sensation against her fingers. "Maybe if we can block out all
negative thoughts, that would deprive it of it's power."
"Only thoughts about good things?" Chibi-Moon laughed. "I think I can
do
that."
"I'll try." Neptune sighed. "It's going to be hard given everything
that
has happened. It's going to require me to trust you, Ember. If I don't
those
negative feelings will remain."
"True." Ember grinned. "Let's try it."
The three closed their eyes and concentrated trying to think only good
thoughts. Neptune smiled as she remembered happy moments with Haruka.
A smile crept to Chibi-Moon's face as she thought of having ice cream with
all her friends. Ember remembered being in the temple and talking with Rei.
The feeling she remembered was so warm. The way Rei hugged her and soothed
her, she was just like a mother.
Ember had never known her mother. Family relationships such as existed
on Earth had been unheard of in the Dark Kingdom. It was closer to being in
cliques..the more powerful survived. Thoughts of Vindalla and the others
crept in and, Ember forced them out. Rei-chan! Think only of Rei-chan! How
kind she was how trusting! Yes...Rei was just like a mother to her!
"I feel something." Neptune said. "It feels like the energy is not as
thick when I push against the bubble."
Ember experimented. "It's working! Keep thinking only positive
thoughts!"
But suddenly, there was a flash and, a teleport bubble appeared! Ember
looked quickly at it. "NOOOOOO! DON'T COME IN HERE!!!!!"
The teleport ended abruptly as, the Senshi and Tuxedo Kamen appeared
over a vast desert. Luna turned to Mercury. "Ami-chan. Use your
computer to see if you can detect anything that may lead us to them."
Mercury scanned. "We're about fifty miles from Cairo now but, I'm
picking up strange trace elements of energy that I've used to identify Dark
Kingdom warriors. It's coming from some hills south of here about thirty
miles away."
"Let's get there then!" Jupiter growled. "I want a piece of Vindalla!"
"I warned you not to be overconfident!" Pluto chastised her. "We may be
watched as we approach. I am sure this is a trap."
"Trap or no, we have to save our friends." Sailor Venus replied. Let's
get there!"
The Senshi flew in their teleport bubble over the desert and covered
the
distance quickly. Soon, they could see some low hills in front of them.
Mercury used her VR visor. "I see what looks like the entrance of a tomb!
There appear to be trace elements of energy around it but, I can't tell for
sure what's going on."
"We must be very cautious." Artemis warned.
Slowly they approached the entrance. Sailor Mars looked at it keeping
watch for anything unusual. "I don't feel anything bad right now. I think I
would if there was a trap."
"They've deceived you already, Rei-chan." Pluto glared at her. "Do not
think they won't be able to again! It is very important that we are not
surprised this time. Every one of us must be prepared to fight the second
we
arrive. Ami-chan, what do you see now?"
Mercury looked down the dark corridor. "There's a hidden entrance at
the
end of this. I think we should teleport beyond it and surprise them."
"Good idea." Jupiter grinned. "Since we won't be opening any doors, we
can do just what Setsuna suggests and get the drop on them."
"I advise caution." Setsuna warned.
Uranus shook her head. "Let's do it! If we just crash in on them and
hit
them hard and fast, they wont even see us coming! Michiru-chan is in danger
and, I'm going to get her out of there!"
"We can't even tell if they are in there." Mercury answered. "I can
only
get limited readings from the computer."
"Well, we aren't going to find out anything just sitting here." Venus
sighed. "Let's do it!"
Sailor Moon looked at Tuxedo Kamen. "I'm scared, Tuxedo Kamen. I hope
we'll be okay."
"Sailor Moon, we're all with you. Every one of us will protect you the
way you have protected us in the past."
Sailor Moon smiled and nodded. "Okay. Let's go."
Together the Senshi concentrated and, the bubble faded out. They found
themselves appearing in a large room with many statues and ancient writing
on the walls of many colors.
"There they are!" Artemis said." He pointed at a purple bubble in the
center of the room that held three females. "Let's get them out of there!"
Just as the Senshi lowered themselves and began to drop the bubble,
Sailor Mars looked up. She could see Ember screaming something but,
couldn't hear it.
The next thing Rei knew was a world of pain! She screamed and fell over
as what felt like a thousand needles was stinging her body all over. The
other Senshi did the same and, Tuxedo Kamen stood for a moment before he
too cried out and fell over gasping!
Luna and Artemis looked around. "ARTEMIS!" Luna shouted. "THERE'S
SOMETHING IN HERE! WE HAVE TO GET THEM OUT!"
Artemis ran over and jumped on Sailor Venus who was crying in pain.
"MINAKO-CHAN! MINAKO_CHAN! LISTEN TO ME!!!"
Suddenly Sailor Venus turned over with a wild look in her eyes. She
glared at him. "DON'T TELL ME WHAT TO DO!!" She slammed Artemis hard and,
he found himself flying into a wall!
"ARTEMIS!!" Luna screamed.
Sailor Uranus had gotten up and was staring at Sailor Mars. "IT'S YOUR
FAULT! YOU TOOK MICHIRU FROM ME!!"
"WHAT HAVE YOU DONE WITH AMBER-CHAN??" Rei shouted back.
Luna looked quickly at the bubble nearby. She could see Ember trying to
scream through it. Luna ran quickly over. Sailor Neptune crouched down and
tried to shout at her but, there was too much noise.
Uranus slammed into Mars as the two pulled each other's hair and
crashed to the ground fighting. "What have you done with Michiru?" Uranus
voice grated.
Sailor Pluto got up and turned to Sailor Moon. "Why won't you take more
responsibility?"
Sailor Moon glared at her. "What are you talking about!"
"Your supposed to be a Princess! A Queen! Your nothing like you used to
be! You don't know what it means to rule a kingdom!""
"DONT TALK TO HER LIKE THAT!" Tuxedo Kamen leaped in front of Sailor
Moon.
"Why? What are you going to do about it?" Pluto said acidly.
Artemis shook his head and turned just in time to see Pluto swing her
staff at Tuxedo Kamen. He blocked it with his cane and, the two went down.
Sailor Mercury glared at Sailor Jupiter. She threw down her computer.
"IT'S YOUR FAULT! IT'S YOUR FAULT THAT JOQUIAM-CHAN DIED!"
"THE HELL WITH YOU!" Jupiter returned. "HE WAS THE ENEMY ANYWAY! HE WAS
JUST USING YOU!"
"LIAR!!!!!" Mercury dove at Jupiter and the two struggled as Mercury
tried to choke her! "YOU CAN'T TALK THAT WAY ABOUT HIM!!"
Jupiter slammed her across the mouth. "I just did! GET OFF ME!!!" She
shoved Mecury back and, lightning sparkled from her tiara.
"SUUUUUPREEMEE....."
"NO!!" Artemis dove at Mercury barely knocking her clear as Jupiter
fired!
"ATTACKKK!!!" The lightning flew forth and slammed into the wall. The
aftermath took Mars and Uranus down.
Sailor Uranus got up and shook her head. "YOU STUPID BIMBO!!" She
raised
her hand. "WOOOOOOORLD...."
"DEAR GOD!!!" Luna screamed. She and Artemis both dove and shoved
Jupiter back as Uranus launched her own attack.
"SHAAAAAKINGGG!!!!" The ball ripped forth from her and tore through the
ground flying upward. It slammed into the opposite wall and, two statues
cracked and began to fall! One came crashing down barely missing Venus!
Sailor Venus glared at Uranus. "YOU TRIED TO KILL ME!!!!"
"STOP THIS!!!!" Artemis yelled. He leaped on her. "Clear the anger from
your mind Minako-chan! This is a mind trap! It'll destroy us!!!"
Sailor Venus grabbed Artemis by the neck and threw him down. "GET AWAY
FROM ME!!!" She pointed her finger at him. "CREEEEESCEENTTTT...."
Artemis dove for cover as Venus let loose, "BEEEEEEAAAAMMM!!!!" The
beam
shot forth and cut through a column in the far section of the room. It
collapse and, the roof cracked.
"ARTEMIS!" Luna shouted. "IF WE CAN'T STOP THIS THEY'RE DOOMED!!"
Sailor Neptune, Chibi-Moon and Ember screamed and watched helplessly as
their friends in their madness began to tear each other apart. Ember felt
tears come to her eyes. "Damn you Vindalla! This is your fault! We have to
help them!"
Sailor Neptune shoved against the bubble. "NOO! Haruka-chan! Don't
fight! Don't do this! Listen to me!"
"USAGI-CHAN!!!!" Chibi-Moon shouted. She stared up at Neptune with
tears in
her eyes. "WE HAVE TO HELP THEM!!!"
Ember swore. "Even if we manage to eliminate this bubble, we'll be
effected by the same negative energy that is torturing them!" She gasped as
she saw Sailor Mars grab Uranus around the throat and choke her. "NOOOO!
REEEEIII-CHAAAN!"
Artemis leaped clear as a blast from Jupiter almost hit him. He gasped
as Tuxedo Kamen fell backward and almost hit Luna. Sailor Pluto glared at
him and swung her staff. "I'll finish you!" she said wickedly. "DEAD....."
"NOOOOO!!!!" Sailor Moon slammed into Pluto from the rear knocking her
off her feet. She picked up a rock and began beating Pluto in the head with
barbaric ferocity. "DON'T YOU TOUCH MY MAMO-CHAN!!!!"
Luna crawled out from under a fallen column and ran over to Artemis.
"Artemis! Sailor Moon's healing! It's our only chance!"
"The mind meld!" Artemis smiled. "Let's hope we can reach her."
Uranus and Mars were rolling on the floor pulling at each others hair.
Mars shoved her off. "I'M SICK OF YOU!!! FIIIIIIIIREE...."
Uranus gasped as a ball of flame began to form at Mars fingertips.
"RUN!!!!" Luna shouted slamming to Mars.
"SOOOOOOOULLLLL" The ball of flame thrown off course by Luna flew
straight at Sailor Venus who screamed as it hit her! She fell over rolling
trying to douse the flames!
"NOOO!" Artemis ran over to Venus who was crying and gasping on the
ground. Her skin was reddened. Artemis suddenly felt great anger. He turned
to Mars. "YOOOOU!! AGHHHHHHH!!!!" Running, Artemis dove at Mars face with
his claws extended.
"ARTEMIS NO!!!!"
Luna's screams went unheard as Artemis now seized by the negative
energy
tore at Mars face. Mars screamed trying to cover herself and shoved him
away.
Mars tried to get up but, Uranus grabbed her and choked her. "THIS
TIME YOU DIE!!!" Uranus shouted.
Luna ran quickly over to Sailor Moon as Pluto shoved her back and
slammed Moon in the face with her staff. Pluto aimed her staff. "You're no
Princess! You're going to die as an impersonator should!"
Luna shouted as Pluto aimed her staff. "DEAD SCREAM!!!!!"
"NOOOOOOOO!!!!" Luna dove at Sailor Moon just as Pluto fired!! The
blast tore through the air and, a blinding explosion erupted blinding
everything....
Dark Fire!
By Daniel C. Harrison
Chapter Seventeen: Mind Trap! cont...
Luna gasped as the ceiling began to collapse. She saw she had barely
shoved Sailor Moon out of the way in time. Pluto's blast had rent a deep
hole where Moon had been.
Luna took her paws and pulled Moon's head around to face her.
"Usagi-Chan! Usagi-chan! Snap out of this! We have to stop it!"
Sailor Pluto shook her head from the shock of the explosion and
prepared
to advance. Tuxedo Mask suddenly threw a rose barely missing her! He dove
into her and, they both fell over a pile of stones!
Luna slapped Sailor Moon's face. "WE NEED YOU!! LOOK AT ME!!"
Sailor Moon opened her eyes and Luna concentrated. "That's it. The Luna
mind meld. Feel me, Usagi-chan!"
Luna concentrated with all her power trying to get past the angry
energy
that was clouding Usagi's mind. She could feel Usagi's fear underneath. It
was that fear that had made her vulnerable. "Come on Sailor Moon! Princess
Serenity! WE NEED YOU NOW!!!"
Sailor Mercury slammed into Jupiter and drove her head into a wall.
"YOU
TRIED TO TAKE JOQUIAM-CHAN FROM ME!!" She stepped back. "SHIIIIING AQUA
ILLLLUSION!!!!!"
Jupiter screamed as the ice cold attack hit her and she went down
shivering! Mercury wild eyed stood over her. "NOW I'M GOING TO FINISH
YOU!!"
Mercury shouted.
"NOOO! AMI-CHAN!!!" Luna shouted. She tore herself away and
concentrated on Sailor Moon! No matter what happened, Usagi was their only
chance! Luna linked again ignoring the pain and anger she was trying to
fight against. "Usagi-chan! Listen to me! Concentrate on my voice!"
"Lu...Luna?" Usagi whispered. Her eyes blinked. "What's happening to me
Luna?"
"You're being subjected to a mind attack! Negative energy is very
strong in this room and, it's being used to prey upon anything you are
feeling that will react to it. Fear, anger, anything that isn't positive!
Usagi-chan, we need you to use your healing power! You must transform!"
Sailor Moon sat up and gasped as she saw the evil around her. Venus was
lying gasping and injured on the ground. Mercury was pounding on Jupiter
with a large rock! Mars and Uranus were locked in deadly combat as Rei
threw ofuda'sand, Haruka tried to kill Rei with her sword! Tuxedo Mask and
Sailor Pluto were punching each other and, Mamoru had Setsuna on the ground
and was choking her Artemis was even affected trying to scratch at Mars as
she dodged Uranus efforts.
"NOOO!" Sailor Moon pulled forth her sceptre. "CRISIS...MAKE-UP!!!!"
The air shimmered and, Sailor Moon's uniform changed to her Super
Sailor
Moon garb. Her golden crown circlet belt almost glowed as she completed the
transformation.
Luna nodded. "NOW! Heal them quickly and rid this room of this energy!"
Sailor Moon swung her sceptre around and felt the energy grow within
her. She pointed it outward to encompass everyone..."MOOOOOOONN
HEEEEEEAAALINGGG....ESSSSSCAAAAALLAAAATIOOOOOONNNNN!!!!!!!"
The wave of power erupted forth from her sceptre and struck everyone in
the room. The Senshi gasped as their energy was taken from them and they
all
collapsed. Tuxedo Kamen fell over and lay still next to Pluto. Artemis in
mid attack suddenly shook his head and fell into a pile of stones. He came
out covered in dirt his white fur now gray.
Luna nodded. "WELL DONE!!! Now, free our friends."
Sailor Moon saw the bubble with her friends and aimed
her sceptre. "MOOOOON SCEPTREEEEEEEE.....ELIIIIIMINAAAATION!!!!"
Once again the energy erupted forth and slammed into the bubble
containing her trapped friends. The bubble glowed as if fighting the attack
but, it soon began to shatter. A small explosion rent the air and, Sailor
Neptune, Chibi-Moon and Ember fell to the ground.
"CHIBI-USA!!" Moon shouted and ran to her.
Sailor Neptune ran to Uranus side. "Haruka-chan!" She held Uranus in her
arms and wept.
Sailor Moon after making sure Chibi-Moon was alright ran to Tuxedo
Kamen.
"MAMO-CHAN!!" She hugged him and pulled his head off the ground.
Ember feeling almost drained forced herself to get up and walked slowly
over to Sailor Mars. "Rei-chan?" She bent down almost collapsing.
"Rei-chan,
please answer me!" Tears fell from her eyes. "REI-CHAN!!"
Sailor Mars moved slightly and she raised her head. The smiling face of
Ember looked down at her. "Ember-chan." she whispered.
"Don't try to talk." Ember whispered and held Rei close to her. "It's
going to be alright. I promise."
Sailor Pluto raised her head and blinked trying to focus. "Dear god. We
almost killed each other. Usagi-chan, you saved us all."
Sailor Mercury winced in pain as she saw Jupiter laying motionless.
"Makoto-chan?" Her eyes grew wide as she realized Jupiter wasn't moving.
"OH NO!! MAKOTO-CHAN!!!" Mercury crawled over to Jupiter and tried to wake
her.
"This is all my fault!"
"No it isn't." Luna said. "We've got to pull together. How badly is
everyone hurt?"
Artemis with a look of shock on his face nudged Sailor Venus who was
burned and unconscious. "Oh no...Minako-chan! Minako!!!" He wept and tried
to get Venus to move. Venus remained motionless.
Sailor Pluto struggled to her feet and looked at the devastation. "We
have to get out of this room. The ceiling could collapse any second."
Sailor Moon and Chibi-Moon pulled at Tuxedo Kamen. "Mamo-chan, wake
up!" Chibi-Moon wept.
"This is very bad." Pluto swore. "In one stroke, Vindalla has rendered
our fighting ability useless! If they were to attack now, we wouldn't have
a chance!"
Mercury pulled at Jupiter trying to wake her up. "It's no use! She's
hurt badly! Oh dear god, it's all my fault!" Mercury burst into tears and
hung her head.
"Don't blame yourself." Luna turned to Pluto. "We have to get everyone
out. We're going to have to carry those who aren't able to walk."
Sailor Uranus shook her head and struggled to her feet. "I...I'm okay
now."
She hugged Neptune and turned to Sailor Mars. "Rei-chan can you stand?"
Sailor Mars assisted by Ember climbed to her feet and swore as she felt
pain in her back. "I'm hurt. But, I can walk."
"Forgive me!" Uranus bowed her head. "I cannot begin to atone for what
I
did to you."
"It wasn't your fault." Rei smiled at Ember. "Ember-chan, I'm glad your
safe."
Ember nodded and ignored her own weakened body as she helped Mars
toward
the doorway. "We have to get everyone out."
As if in answer, the ceiling suddenly began to crack. Quickly, Pluto
picked up Tuxedo Kamen and, Uranus grabbed Venus. Neptune threw Jupiter
over her shoulder and, the Senshi struggled out just as the ceiling
collapsed and tons of rock fell nearly burying them as they left.
The group struggled out of the tomb into the heat of the burning
desert.
The injured were laid in the shade of the hillside as the others sat down
exhausted.
Pluto looked at everyone. "We are in a crisis situation. Without
Jupiter, Venus, or Tuxedo Kamen, we are greatly reduced in strength.
Furthermore, none of us are in any shape to fight. We are drained and we
need a rest. The problem is, knowing what was happened thus far, it won't
be long before Vindalla strikes again! Next time, the Fedkel Umi may
destroy us."
The silence filled the air as the desert wind blew past them. Luna
sighed. "We can't return to Japan and wait for an attack. Who knows what
Vindalla's grand scheme is. I think it's safe to assume it's something far
greater than our deaths."
"Hai." Uranus bowed her head. "I don't have much strength left. I know
that I couldn't fight on my own. This is just perfect! What the hell do we
do now?"
"Fight." Neptune whispered.
Everyone turned and stared at her in amazement. Neptune looked at
Sailor
Moon. "Princess Serenity, Vindalla will stop at nothing until she has
established a new and more terrifying Dark Kingdom once again. If we don't
fight, there will be nothing to stop her! You and the inner Senshi defeated
Queen Beryl and stopped them before. Vindalla with no one opposing her will
be even more evil. She was shown no regard for life and, she even
sacrifices her own people!"
Sailor Mercury nodded. "Jikell. She might have tried to save him if she
even cared. I agree. We can't let her get away with whatever she is
planning! Despite the fact we are injured and weak in strength, we have to
continue."
"She is evil." Ember answered.
Sailor Mars looked at her. "Ember....how do we fight them? With our
strength reduced, is there any weakness we can use?"
Ember bowed her head and stared at the sand. "Nothing. I can think of
nothing you haven't tried to stop them. Worse yet, I don't know what
Vindalla's plan is. She anticipated I might betray her and didn't reveal it
to me. They could be anywhere in the world now."
Sailor Moon looked over at Tuxedo Kamen who lay motionless. Chibi-Moon
was beside him. "What can we do then? Even if we could fight them, we have
no idea where they are! Ami-chan, can your computer scan the whole world?"
"Not without something specific." Mercury sighed.
"But there is." Pluto smiled slowly. "The fake crystal."
"Fake crystal?" Sailor Moon blinked.
"When Sailor Neptune used the Luna Pen to look like you, I had already
given her a crystal to fool Vindalla with. This crystal is made of a
substance from when the Silver Imperium was at the height of it's power. I
don't think it's a substance found anywhere on this planet."
Sailor Mercury pulled out her computer. "I'm glad I didn't damage this
when I threw it down. What is it made of?"
Sailor Pluto quickly told Mercury the composition of the crystal which
Vindalla had taken. Once she had the information, Mercury turned the
computer to maximum scan and slowly moved it in a circular direction. "I'm
picking up coordinates! They're being relayed now to the library section."
Everyone watched with fascination as the computer began to give Mercury
the answers. "According to the coordinates, this places the crystal's
current position as in the country of Peru...South America!"
"Peru?" Pluto looked at the computer. "She is definitely plotting
something. We need answers. I am beginning to suspect this
tomb was not just to be used as a trap for us. She was probably looking for
information and after she found it, she thought of using this as a trap."
"We have to go back inside and see if we can find out anything!" Uranus
got up. "The problem is, what are we looking for?"
Mercury continued her scan. A dark shadow seemed to cross her face. "I
don't know. But, whatever it is we better find it soon. Remember when I
said
that the magnetic field of the earth had some sort of variation? It's
increasing!"
Sailor Moon looked at her. "But, what would cause the earth to do
that?"
Pluto stared straight ahead into the desert as if seeing eternity. "A
manipulation of powerful forces. Matter and energy. Somehow, Vindalla is
controlling vast amounts of power! If we don't stop her soon, we never
will!"
"How can you be so sure it is her doing it?" Chibi-Moon asked.
Ember looked over and nodded. "Our time has run out. She's preparing to
do exactly what she said to me. The creation of a new Dark Kingdom on this
world."
Dark Fire!
By Daniel C. Harrison
Chapter Eighteen:
Battle From a Thousand Years!
Chibi-Usa looked up as a sudden groaning noise caught her attention.
Tuxedo Kamen opened his eyes. "Ch..Chibi-Moon?"
"Tuxedo-Kamen!" She smiled and looked at Sailor Moon. "He's waking up
Usagi-chan!"
Sailor Moon moved quickly to his side. "Mamo-chan." she whispered. "How
are you feeling?"
"Like I hit another semi truck. I feel weak inside. And, I'm afraid my
injuries that were healed have been aggravated. I'm not sure I can fight."
"Just rest, Mamo-chan." Sailor Moon bent down and held Tuxedo Kamen
close to her. "You don't have to fight anymore."
Sailor Pluto looked at him and nodded. "It's as I feared. He's hurt too
badly to fight. If he hadn't been hurt before he might be able to. But, his
injury from before plus this attack have been rendered him powerless."
Sailor Neptune moved over to Jupiter and turned her head. "She's still
unconscious. Ami-chan really laid into her."
Sailor Mercury bowed her head. Pluto nodded. "Hell hath no fury like a
woman scorned." She saw Mercury look up and smiled. "You're negative
feelings were magnified, as were we all. It wasn't your fault, Ami-chan."
A gasping sound caught everyones attention and, Sailor Uranus moved to
Sailor Venus. "She's awake! Minako-chan, can you hear me?"
Sailor Mars looked at Ember then moved to Venus side. "Minako-chan,
please wake up. I didn't mean to hurt you."
Venus coughed and opened her eyes slowly. "You're fire hurts Rei-chan!
But, I'm pretty tough." She smiled and tried to sit up.
"Don't try to move." Uranus said.
"If I don't move, we'll fry out here." Venus forced herself up and
cried
out in pain. "My back still hurts from when I injured it at school. I think
I damaged it even worse fighting."
"THAT'S TOO BAD...." a voice boomed, "BECAUSE YOUR GOING TO FIGHT OR
DIE!!!"
They all turned and saw Sorcerror Kandow above them. "How did you
escape a foolproof trap?" His tone was furious.
Sailor Moon stood up. "YOUR TRAP HAS FAILED! YOU AND VINDALLA WILL
NEVER
WIN! SURRENDER NOW! WE ARE THE CHAMPIONS OF JUSTICE...THE PRETTY SUITED
SOLDIER SENSHI...TOGETHER WE WILL PUNISH YOU!!" She suddenly gasped
and fell backwards.
Kandow laughed. "It's a good thing I did come back and check. Now I
will
have the privilege of personally destroying you!"
Sailor Uranus glared at him. "Sailor Moon is right! You're the one
that's going to die!" She winced and shook her head as if in pain.
"Feeling remnants of negative energy are we Senshi? Perhaps I didn't
use
enough! No matter. If I can't get you to kill each other, I'll destroy you
myself!"
Mercury jumped as Kandow launched an energy blast where she had been
sitting. Uranus swore and reached her hand up. "WOOOOOOR..." she coughed
and
gasped falling down in the sand. "Oh no! I...I don't have any power!"
Pluto looked at her. "This is very bad." She concentrated and swung her
staff around..."COME ON KANDOW! TAKE ME ON!"
"As you wish!" Kandow laughed.
Pluto tried to jump as a blast of fire came at her. She felt the
weakness in her body take hold. "What...what's happening?" She avoided the
attack but fell breathing heavily on the ground.
"You're energy is drained." Kandow smiled. "When you fought each other,
you used up your own power. I don't know how you got out of that trap but I
assure you, this is the end!"
The Senshi watched as he rose his hands and prepared to destroy them.
Sailor Neptune stood up. She spun her hands and screamed, "DEEEEEEP
SUUUUUBMEEERGE!!!!"
A sudden blast of water forming a tidal wave came from her and slammed
into Kandow. With a look of shock on his face, she tumbled back and rolled
on the sand!
"She can fight!" Sailor Moon shouted surprised.
"She was in the energy bubble!" Pluto looked at Kandow. "Now Neptune
while he's down, get him!"
Kandow turned and gasped as Sailor Neptune slammed into him! She
quickly followed it up kicking him hard. Kandow groaned and started to get
up. Again Neptune was there kicking him in the chest.
Kandow swore and looked up. "Trying to finish the fight we began over a
thousand years ago? You won't win Sailor fool!"
Neptune grabbed him by the neck. "There's one difference!" her voice
said dangerously. "THIS TIME I'M NOT GOING TO LOOOOOOOOSE!!!!"
Kandow screamed as she put her hands directly in his face and shouted.
"DEEEP SUUUUUBMEEERGE!!!!"
His head was snapped back by the full force impact of the wave and, he
spun crazily like a rag doll away from her. The impact slammed him into the
hillside and he fell crashing down.
"DON'T LET UP!" Uranus shouted.
Neptune trying to maintain strength ran quickly over as Kandow began to
get up. As she reached him, he suddenly rose his hands and, a tremendous
blast sent her backward!
"You caught me with my guard down." he said seething as he approached
her. "Now, I'm going to destroy you. You and all your friends!"
Kandow in his rage fired blind missing Neptune. Michiru grabbed his
hair
and threw Kandow hard into the rock hillside. Blood poured from his head
and, she slammed him again!
Kandow gasping fell down. Neptune raised her hands. "This is for what
you and all your dark friends have done! HIIIIIYYAAAAAAA!!!!!" Michiru with
all her strength poured her power into a tremendous blast...."DEEEEEEEPPP
SUUUUBMEEERGEE!!!!!!!"
Kandow's life ended instantly as the impact of water and energy tore
into his body and the last thing his eyes saw was Sailor Neptune standing
over him.
"SHE DID IT!!" Chibi-Usa shouted.
Sailor Pluto nodded. "We have come full circle. Sailor Neptune has
avenged her defeat while trying to defend the Silver Imperium. Now we must
all somehow regain our strength. And, although it may very well mean
our deaths, we must go to Peru. We must combine what's left of our strength
to stop Vindalla!"
"Not...not without me." a voice said weakly.
"MAKO-CHAN!" Mars shouted. She made room as Mercury came over.
"Mako-chan, are you alright?"
Jupiter smiled. "I...I take back what I said about you needing to be
tougher Ami-chan. You really tore me up."
"Can you sit up?" Pluto asked. "We need all our strength."
Jupiter rubbed the back of her head and shivered slightly. "This heat
feels good. Ami-chan's power about froze me to death!"
"Gomen nasai." Mercury bowed her head.
"You must have really loved Jikell to feel like that." Makoto smiled.
"Hai." Ami wiped the tears from her eyes. She quickly looked at her
computer. "The magnetic field has changed again. I don't think we have a
lot of time!"
Sailor Uranus flexed her fingers and looked up. "This is strange. I
don't feel as weak as I did. Is it possible Kandow was doing something to
us?"
Sailor Mars looked at Ember. "Can your people do that?"
"There are some that can drain energy without touching you. I have that
ability but, I would never use it unless I had to."
"If you touch me, I'll pound you!" Uranus said.
Sailor Mars glared at her. "Ember has proven herself. I think you can
be a little nicer to her."
Sailor Neptune nodded. "She has been kind so far. I attribute that to
you Rei-chan. I will trust her." She looked at Uranus. "I ask you to do the
same, Haruka-chan."
"We have to move now." Pluto sighed. "Can we all travel?"
Sailor Venus gritting her teeth in pain nodded. "I can fight. It's
going to hurt me but, I can."
"We're all hurting." Makoto said. She rubbed her arm. "I think I'm
thawed out enough now."
Tuxedo Kamen sat up weakly. "I'll do what I can. But, I don't have any
strength left."
Sailor Moon's eyes filled with tears. "Mamo-chan. I'm worried something
will happen to you."
"I'm with you Usako." Mamoru smiled. "As long as I'm with you, we'll
always be together. No matter what happens."
Luna looked at Artemis. "I'm afraid we won't have much of a future,
Artemis. I want you to know, I'll always love you."
Artemis smiled and nuzzled Luna. "You talk like we've already been
defeated. I have faith that our Senshi will triumph. I have faith that you
and I will be together."
Luna kissed him and nodded. She turned to Sailor Moon. "Usagi-chan,
it's time to face Vindalla. Are you up to it?"
Sailor Moon looked at everyone. "As long as I have my friends and my
family, I'll be alright. We can't let Vindalla win...we have to try!"
Uranus nodded. "We'll defeat her!"
Sailor Venus and Jupiter supported each other and, Sailor Moon held
onto Tuxedo Kamen. Pluto looked at everyone. "Remember...this battle we
must
win! Even if it means our lives!" She looked at Mercury. "What does your
computer show?"
"I'm getting these really crazy readings...it's almost like...they are
there and then they are gone."
Luna stared at her. "There and then gone?"
"Hai." Ami frowned. "If I didn't know better, I'd say it resembled one
magnetic field over another. Almost as if two worlds were trying to occupy
the same space."
"There and gone.." Artemis whispered. "A doorway!"
Pluto stared at him in fear. "She's opening a portal! But, where does
it lead?"
Sailor Moon looked up at the sky as the wind picked up and gasped. The
Senshi all turned to see why she had shown such fear. The sky which had
been a deep blue was turning into a soft purple..it seemed to be in state
of fluctuation. The purple then changed to black. The black was like an
empty
void with no stars. It gave off a chilling appearance!
"Her doorway is opening." Sailor Neptune said.
"And if we don't close it, it will mean the end of all humanity!" Pluto
stared upward.
Ember looked at Sailor Mars and felt terrifying fear. Fear as she
realized Vindalla's plan was coming to pass!....
Dark Fire!
By Daniel C. Harrison
Chapter Eighteen:
Battle of a Thousand Years! cont..
"Ember take my hand."
Ember looked up and saw Rei looking at her expectantly. All of the
Senshi had gathered together in a circle once again to teleport. Tuxedo
Kamen looked tired but was standing on his own. Sailors Venus and Jupiter
although injured were ready. Ember smiled as she admired their spirit.
She took Rei's hand and, Chibi-Usa took her other hand. She noticed
despite all that had happened, Sailor Uranus was keeping a
watchful eye on her.
"Mercury, were you able to determine from the computer what the
coordinates were?"
Mercury nodded to Artemis. "I'll lead the teleport. Everyone
concentrate together."
Pluto looked at everyone. "Remember. As soon as we come out of this
transport, we hit them hard and we hit them fast! It'll be our only chance
because, our strength is limited."
All the Senshi nodded. Mercury closed her eyes. "Concentrate
everyone."
Once again the wind picked up and, rocks began to move around them. A
flash of colors flew up from the circle and, there was a flash as the
Senshi
lifted into the unknown.
Jungle birds that were usually prevalent had ceased. All wildlife in
the area of the ancient temple had been extinguished. A great darkness
filled the sky surrounded by what appeared to be a purple dark fire!
Vindalla smiled as she watched the gateway to the ancient dimension
open! It had been a long search. Through ancient records she had managed
to obtain, Vindalla had determined that, the "dark pathway" used by the
Egyptian magicians and the Mayan Priests was one and the same. Whenever
this gateway was opened, it had enabled the magicians and priests to
obtain great power. But, they had never been able to maintain it! From
this and reading the hyroglyphics on the tomb of the Pharoah Amgomsis,
she recognized the potential for a completely untapped power! Power that
if used properly could control a world! Queen Beryl being the fool she was
had never considered this. She had never studied or become familiar with
certain aspects of human history.
Vindalla being a student of the "dark power" saw these things! And
now, they were within her reach. Opening a path to what was left of the
"Dark Kingdom" was foolish. This new path that would enable her to control
all was the way!
"Concentrate!" she directed her Fedkel Umi. "Maintain the portal. The
dark energy will flow on it's own and, we will be the benefactors!"
Nadi nodded. "And when the Sailor Senshi come?"
"They are doomed." Vindalla laughed. "They have no idea what they are
walking into. If Kandow fails and they do come, it will all be for
nothing."
"The great battle to destroy the Silver Imperium revisited." Nadi
grinned wickedly.
"Yes, but this time, it isn't the Silver Imperium we're after. With
the
conquering of this world and the fragile humans as our slaves, we will
build a new dynasty...and we will take the universe!"
"HAIL QUEEN VINDALLA!" Sorceror Rokin shouted. The other Fedkel Umi
echoed his praises.
"A NEW DARKNESS SHALL RULE!" Vindalla shouted. "WATCH NOW AS THE
PORTAL
GROWS! THE BATTLE OF A THOUSAND YEARS IS OVER! AND WE ARE THE VICTORS!!!"
A sudden flash caught Nadi's attention. "VINDALLA! THEY'RE HERE!"
Vindalla smiled as she watched the teleport bubble form. "Excellent.
As
soon as they have completed transport...destroy them!"
Sailor Mercury using her VR visor watched as the transport completed.
"I think we're here. Let's land and, I'll scan for any....OH NO!!!!"
Pluto gasped as a sudden energy blast slammed into the teleport bubble
and, the Senshi caught off guard were thrown apart.
"AHHHHHH!" Sailor Jupiter fell and crashed into a tree. She watched as
the others thrown different directions landed in various positions.
Sailor Venus fell into a river and coughing up water pulled herself
out. She stared as she saw Sorcerres Nadi. Behind Nadi,. the sky was filld
with a purple and black nothingness that seemed to swallow up the sky.
"You surprised me at our first battle Sailor Venus. Now, it's my
turn!"
Venus threw up her hands to protect herself as Nadi threw her backward
with a wave of her hand. Suddenly, the jungle became alive and, vines
gripped
themselves around her. Nadi laughed. "I hope you like plants. I'm sure they
will enjoy digesting you!"
Tuxedo Kamen and Sailor Moon crashed together into a tree. Sailor Moon
groaned and started to move.
"Don't get up on my account." a voice said.
Tuxedo Kamen looked quickly and saw Sorcerress Aubel over them. "Damn!
Sailor Moon look out!"
Sailor Moon screamed and, Aubel fired a blast into the tree. It caught
fire and Tuxedo Kamen grabbed Sailor Moon. As the fire reached them, he
leaped to the ground.
"NO SAFETY HERE!!" Aubel shouted. Tuxedo Kamen cried out in pain as
what appeared to be a giant beetle with huge pinchers caught him.
"AGHHHHHH!" Tuxedo Kamen tried to force the insect to open but, it
held him fast. Taking a rose, he threw it with all his strength into the
thing's
eye!"
Screaming, the insect dropped him and, Mamoru rolled to safety. He
gasped as he realized he was in serious pain.
"COME HERE SAILOR FOOL!" Aubel screamed.
Sailor Moon darted inside the jungle and pulled off her tiara. She
tried to look through the trees. Seeing Aubel above, she grit her
teeth and threw it!
"MOOOOOOON TIIIIARRAAAA....ACCCTIIIIOOOON!!!!!"
The tiara flew upward and Aubel gasped. Trying to escape, she screamed
as it struck her. Golden light surrounded her. Struggling, Aubel gasped as
she realized she was doomed. The tiara cut through her depleting precious
life energy and, returned to Sailor Moon.
"NOOOOOOO!" Aubel screamed and, blew apart in a puff of smoke.
"DUSTED!!" Sailor Moon shouted. She looked for Tuxedo Kamen.
"Mamo-chan!"
Running quickly to him, she avoided the dead insect that lay
nearby....
Sailors Uranus, Pluto, and Neptune stood back to back in what appeared
to be the center of an ancient city. Around them were what appeared to be
living plants snarling as they approached.
"I..I'm getting weak!" Neptune gasped. "Those plants are giving off
some sort of energy draining effect!"
"Stand ready!" Pluto ordered.
With a sudden roar, the plants attacked. Uranus raised her hand.
"WOOOOOORLD.....SHAKING!!!!"
The golden energy ball she created ripped from the earth and tore
through the plants that faced her.
A laugh filled the air. "STUPID SAILOR SENSHI!!"
Pluto looked up and saw Vindalla above them. "VINDALLA!" she shouted.
"Your wasting your energy." Vindalla pointed upward.
The Outer Senshi looked and beheld the growing maelstrom above.
"The portal is opened. The portal to the ancient darkness that was
once
used by magicians and priests to maintain their power. They could never
keep
the portal open! But now, I have achieved the ultimate!" Vindalla laughed.
"The dark energy that is now filling this world will be a double edged
sword. It will enslave every living human on this planet. And, it's dark
energy will destroy you! The end has come and I have won!"
As if in answer, lightning with no clouds flashed across the sky and,
thunder rolled.
Vindalla laughed insanely. "YES! THE END IS HERE! AND I AM NOW YOUR
MASTER!!!!!!"
Dark Fire!
By Daniel C. Harrison
Chapter Nineteen: Orb of Light!
Sailor Jupiter leaped from the trees down into the center just as
plants began to attack Chibi-Moon. "SUUUUUUPRRREEEEMEE.....ATTTACK!!!!!"
"Mako-chan!" Chibi-Moon cried out and ran to her.
"Let's finish em!" Jupiter shouted.
"PIIIIIIINK SUUUUUUGARRRRR....HEEEEEEARRRRRT...ATTACK!!!!"
Chibi-Moon waved her sceptre and, the attack leaped forth ripping
through the plants as the two warriors advanced.
"Let's find the others!" Jupiter grabbed Chibi-Moon and they ran...
"AGHHHH!" Sailor Venus screamed as the felt the plants cutting off
vital air.
"You're dead!" Nadi smiled. "I'm going to squash you like a grape!"
"FIIIIIIIIIIREE......SOOOOOOOUL!!!!!"
Nadi screamed as a sudden blast of flame ripped into her back. Crying
out, she flew upward and turned. Below, she could see Sailor Mars and
Ember.
"So..the two fire warriors together! DIEEEEE!"
Mars and Ember leaped back as her attack blew a huge hole in the
earth.
Nadi laughed. "Your of no account! We have already won!"
Mars looked upward and saw the sky becoming a black void. The blue
atmosphere was being swallowed up by the second!
Ember bowed her head. "They've done it. We're too late to stop them!"
"Yes, and you'll die knowing you could have tasted victory with us you
little witch!" Nadi laughed. "How does it feel to be a traitor?"
"Anything's better then being a part of this!" Ember tried to send an
attack but, her weakened body failed her. Breathing hard, she fell on the
ground.
"VEEEEEENUUUS LOOOOOOVEEE MEEEEEE....CHAAAAAIN!!!"
Sailor Venus with her last ounce of strength summoned her power and,
plants flew apart as the energy chain tore her free. Crying out, she fell
to
the ground.
"So your free." Nadi grinned. "Come to the center of the city. Watch
our triumph!"
Sailor Mars and Ember helped Venus up as they saw Nadi fly off.
"We've got to stop them!" Venus said trying to still breathe from
being
crushed.
"It's too late." Ember's eyes were filling with tears. "If we had only
gotten here sooner."
"There's a way." the voice of Sailor Moon said behind them.
They turned to see her and a hurt Tuxedo Kamen. Rei reached over and
helped her. "Can you stop this thing Usagi-chan?"
"I don't know. But, we have to try. Let's go, Rei-chan."
Together, the warriors moved slowly through the jungle until they came
to a clearing. Within the clearing, they beheld an ancient city. Before
them was what appeared to be a strangely shaped pyramid. At the base of it,
the Outer Senshi were locked in deadly combat with two Fedkel Umi above
them!
From the opposite side, Luna and Artemis appeared. Behind them,
Jupiter
and Chibi-Moon entered the clearing.
Vindalla looked up. "Well, isn't this perfect! We have almost everyone
in one place now." She glared at Pluto. "It was very clever of you to
substitute Sailor Neptune for Sailor Moon. By giving me a fake crystal, you
only increased my anger!"
"SHIIIIIIINGGGG AQUUUUAAA....ILLLUUUUUUSIIION!!!"
The sudden blast of ice water slammed Vindalla hard and, she hit the
earth like a bomb! Swearing she forced herself up and turned to see Sailor
Mercury.
"So...the little bitch who lost her boyfriend wants to play. How nice.
Do you miss him?"
"YOUR GOING TO PAY FOR USING HIM!!!" Mercury shouted.
Vindalla shouted and raised her hands. Ami felt some sort of energy
slam into her and she flew upward from the shock.
"MERCURY!!!!!" Pluto shouted.
Mercury felt herself descending and came crashing down into the
jungle.
Dazed, she tried to get her bearings.
Someone gripped her throat. "NOW YOU DIE SAILOR MERCURY!"
She tried to see through the haze as her air was cut
off but, her strength failed her and, she felt what was an ocean of
oblivion take her. Realizing she was dying, she thought she heard a voice.
In her mind's eye, Ami turned and beheld a figure of light.
"Ami-chan, I'm with you."
Squinting through what looked like a fog, Ami saw a man. Then, the
vision cleared and, Jikell was before her. "Jikell..." she whispered.
"Ami-chan. I love you. I'll always love you. Take my strength. Feel my
power. Show Vindalla you can't be defeated!"
"Jikell...I...I love you...I wish we could have been together."
"Be with me now." He reached out his hand. "Use my
power to destroy them!"
Ami took his hand and felt a new strength. The
oblivion that had taken her faded and, she felt pain in her back as her
vision cleared. She looked up into the face of Sorcerror Rokin trying to
kill her.
With a sudden strength she had never known, Ami grabbed Rokin's hands
and forced them away!
Rokin leaped back. "Still alive! Impossible!"
"THIS IS FOR JIKELL!!! MERCURY ICE STORM.....FREEEEEEZE!!!!!"
AGGHHHHHHHHHHHHH!!!!" Rokin's screams of terror filled the jungle as
the ice storm ripped through him! Gasping, he fell down and his eyes grew
wide. Mercury watched as he shivered uncontrollably and disappeared from
sight....
Sailor Moon reached down and opened her locket. "I'm going to try to
close the gateway!"
The other Senshi looked at her quickly. Vindalla laughed. "You're
Silver Crystal might have worked in the beginning. But, it's too late!"
Sailor Moon held aloft the crystal and, it began to
glow. She concentrated feeling it's power. "I won't let you destroy this
world! I won't let you enslave it!"
"Pretty speech!" Vindalla snickered. "Let's see you do it!"
Still concentrating, Sailor Moon suddenly heard what she thought were
shouts. Suddenly, someone hit her and, she felt the locket leave her hands.
"NOOOOOO!" Falling, she hit the ground and looked upward to see
Sorcerress Nadi laughing.
"STUPID FOOL!! NOW WE HAVE THE CRYSTAL!!!"
Sailor Pluto swung her staff. "There is only one way to reverse this!
I
hesistated doing it now, I have no choice!" She held aloft her staff.
"DARK DOME.....CLO...AGHHHHHHH!!!!"
Sailor Neptune screamed as Vindalla's blast slammed
into the Outer Senshi. Nadi quickly flew down and shoved Pluto back taking
her staff.
"NO!" Pluto swore and tried to get up. Her body weakening, she fell to
her knees.
Vindalla smiled. "Do you really think I would let you use such a
command? I did my research well, Sailor Pluto! I know your attacks! I know
you are the guardian of the gateway to time. And, I know that particular
command you were about to utter would undo all I have done! YOU HAVE
FAILED! ALL OF YOU HAVE FAILED!"
"DAMN YOU!!!!" Jupiter shouted. Leaping she dove at Vindalla.
"SUUUUUPREEEMEE THUUUUNDER....DRAAAAAAGOOON!!!"
Vindalla watched as the lightning dragon came toward her and raised
her hands. It turned one hundred eighty degrees and Jupiter's eyes grew
wide
with fear as she watched her own attack slam into her!
MAKO-CHAN!!!!" Chibi-Moon shouted.
Jupiter crying and in pain came crashing down.
Nadi held aloft Pluto's staff. "YOU SEE YOU FOOLS? YOU CAN'T STOP
US!!!!"
Sailor Mars looked at everyone. "Dear god. We have to stop them!
Somehow, we have to stop them! I'll try!"
"Rei-chan wait!" Ember grabbed her. "If you do, you'll be hurt just as
bad. You don't have enough power!"
Sailor Uranus struggled off the ground and glared up at Vindalla. I'm
going to kill you!"
"YOu don't have the strength." Vindalla laughed. "Didn't you fools
listen to what I said? The energy now pouring through the gateway is making
us stronger. It is also counteracting your energy. In short you are getting
weaker! THERE IS NOTHING LEFT YOU CAN DO!!!"
Ember stared at the blackness that filled the sky and saw the errie
purple with it. She saw the Senshi trying to stand but, with each passing
second, the energy was depleted. Fear took her as she realized the end was
at hand....
Dark Fire!
By Daniel C. Harrison
Chapter Nineteen: Orb of Light! cont..
Sailor Moon turned to Tuxedo Kamen. "Mamo-chan! What can we do?"
Tuxedo Kamen looked upward and grit his teeth through his pain. "They
have the Silver Crystal. Without it, there's no way we can close the
portal! I have to try!"
"NO! Mamo-chan, if you do, she'll kill you!"
He smiled down at her. "Usagi-chan, if we don't, we're all dead
anyway.
I'm not losing strength the way you and the other Senshi are. I'm hurt but,
I can fight."
Nadi nodded amused. "Let's go then masked fool! Let's you and I finish
what we started!"
Tuxedo Kamen reached inside and drew out a rose. Leaping upward, he
threw it barely missing Nadi. He swore as his arm hurt.
"Don't you see what this has all been about?" Vindalla laughed evilly.
"By wearing you down both physically and in the beginning psychologically,
I have ensured you're too weak to fight!"
"That was your plan all along." Pluto glared up at her. "WE aren't
going down without a fight! You'll have to kill every one of us!"
"That will be my pleasure!" Vindalla launched a huge energy bolt that
slammed into the Outer Senshi. Neptune fell backward unconscious.
"NOOOO! MICHIRU!!!!" Uranus bent down and held her. "YOUR GOING TO DIE
YOU WITCH!!"
Uranus leaped upward and screamed as Vindalla met her attack. The ball
of fire surrounded her and Uranus crashed to the ground helpless.
Sailor Mars stood up. "I have to try! I have to!"
Ember watched as she saw Neptune and Pluto badly injured She saw
Tuxedo
Kamen collapsed in agony being held by Sailor Moon. She saw Sailor Jupiter
laying burnt and barely breathing with Chibi-Moon trying to help her. Her
own life energy was depleted. But, Vindalla had to be stopped. Then,
Ember...fire warrior of the Dark Kingdom...knew what she had to do!
"Rei-chan..."
Sailor Mars preparing to attack stopped. "Ember?"
"Arigatoo Rei-chan. You've been so good to me. You and the Senshi have
been the best friends I have ever known."
Sailor Mars bent down and took Ember's hands. "Ember, it's okay."
"I deceived you. I lied to you. You thought I was a child in distress
and, you gave your love to me. You treated me with a love and a caring such
as I have never known. Rei-chan, you've been more then a friend to me.
You've been like a mother."
Rei felt tears come to her eyes and she smiled. "Ember..."
Ember felt a smile slowly creep to her lips. "Rei-chan...Amber-chan
never found her Mom....but now I think that she has."
Sailor Moon stared in wonder at Ember. She nodded.
Sailor Mercury came out of the jungle and saw Mars and Ember together.
She ran over to them. Above them, Vindalla and Nadi had turned to face the
black portal now no longer considering the Senshi as a threat.
Suddenly, Rei's eyes grew wide with wonder as the adult woman before
her turned into Amber the child. "Amber-chan." she whispered.
"I love you Mommy." Amber smiled and tears fell from her eyes. "I will
always love you. You taught me how to love. You taught me how to care. You
showed me what it's like to belong. Now let me show you how well your
little
girl has learned."
Rei felt Amber pull away. "Amber...what?" Suddenly Amber leaped into
the sky and flew straight at Vindalla! As she flew, he form changed to that
of an adult woman! "COME AND GET ME VINDALLA!"
Vindalla turned and smiled. "FOOL! DIIIIIIIE!!!!!!"
Mars screamed as she saw Vindalla fire a huge energy blast and, it
consumed Ember within. Then, suddenly, the blast changed shape and, it
became the shape of a ball!
Sailor Pluto's stared in disbelief. "What?"
Vindalla gasped as the ball grew in shape. "What's going on?"
"She's coming straight at us!" Nadi said in fear.
The energy ball increased in size and changed shape to become a net!
Vindalla and Nadi tried to fly upward but, the net caught them and changed
shape again trapping them inside!
Sailor Mercury scanning with her computer turned to Rei. "It's her!
It's Ember! Somehow, she's used her fire ability to change form and trap
them!"
EMBER!!" Rei shouted.
A voice boomed out of the heavens....
"FOR MY FRIENDS!!"
EMMMMMBEEER!!!" Vindalla shouted.
"FOR REI-CHAN, MY MOTHER!!!"
"BLAST OUT OF THIS!" Vindalla screamed.
Vindalla and Nadi using their full power attacked their prison with a
vengeance,.. Ember could feel her life energy ebbing away with each strke!
"FOR THE WOOOOOOORLD!!!"
With her last shout, Ember now a ball of pure energy carrying Vindalla
and Nadi shot upward at incredible speed straight for the mouth of the
portal!
"EMBER!!!!" Vindalla shouted. "If you take us through there, we'll be
trapped! We'll never get out! You'll be trapped with us!"
"FOR MY MOTHER!" Ember repeated.
"EMMMMBERR!!!!" Nadi shouted.
SAILOR MOON..." the voice boomed from the energy ball. "ONCE I PASS
THROUGH THE PORTAL.....SEAL AWAY THE EVIL! SEAL IT FOREVER!!!!"
The ball suddenly electrified with a horrible intensity and, Vindalla
dropped the Silver Crystal locket. Nadi felt Pluto's staff leave her
fingers. Both were thrust out of the bubble and fell to earth.
Pluto reached up and caught her staff. Mercury caught the Silver
Crystal and gave it to Sailor Moon.
"EMMMMMMBER!!! NOOOOO!" Rei shouted as tears flowed from her eyes. The
ball which was now Ember hesitated for a second at the portal. Then, it
disappeared into oblivion beyond....
Sailor Moon looked at everyone. "I NEED EVERYONE'S HELP!"
Holding aloft the locket she felt the power grow within her. It began
to glow and, the glow encompassed the air around her. A halo formed and, as
she increased strength, her uniform disappeared to be replaced by the white
dress of Princess Serenity.
Tuxedo Kamen forced himself to his feet and stood with her. Sailor
Jupiter in terrible pain walked over to join them helped by Venus. Sailor
Mercury helped Neptune and Uranus. Chibi-Moon stood by Jupiter. Sailor Mars
stood on Princess Serenity's other side with Pluto. Luna and Artemis stood
on each side of the Senshi. Princess Serenity concentrated the crystal's
energy toward the dark opening that was pouring negativ energy into the
earth.
"I won't let her sacrifice be for nothing! Give me more strength!"
Princess Serenity concentrated harder as she crystal's energy flowed forth.
"NOW EVERYONE!!!" she shouted.
"MOOOON COOOOOOSMIC POOOOOOOOWERRRRR!!!!
The Senshi shouted with one voice combining what was left of their
strength with Princess Serenity's. A great white light suddenly erupted
forth with incredible power brighter then the sun. The Senshi all watched
in wonder as the light slammed into the opening of the dimensional doorway.
Rei felt the tears pour from her eyes as slowly the darkness began to
fade. Princess Serenity continued the assault until there was a loud crash
of thunder and, like the slamming of a door, the blackness was removed from
the sky! Just before the blackness disppeared, Rei felt what she thought
was a voice in her head. "Sayonarra....Mother. I will always love you...."
The blackness was gone, the crystal's power faded. As one the Senshi
all collapsed and, Princess Serenity faded to be replaced by Sailor Moon.
She lay gasping on the ground.
Sailor Venus panting turned quickly as she thought she heard a voice
in her head. Sailor Venus...don't worry about having to leave Japan. Your
fears of your identity haveing been revealed were already settled..
Venus looked around but saw no one but her friends. Sailor Moon hugged
Tuxedo Kamen close to her and closed her eyes.
Sailor Mars her strength spent lay sobbing on the ground staring up at
the beautiful blue sky. Somewhere on the other side of that void was Ember.
If she had survived, she was trapped...trapped for all eternity. Rei choked
on her tears. "Sayonarra....my daughter."
Dark Fire
By Daniel C. Harrison
Chapter Twenty: Eternal Love
"I think it was Jikell." Minako said looking at everyone. A day had
passed since they had returned to Japan after defeating the Fedkel Umi and
Vindalla. "It felt like his voice but, I'm not sure."
"So when you went to school today what happened?" Michiru asked.
"It was strange..." Minako smiled. As she related the experience, her
thoughts went back....
Minako sighed as she approached the entrance to Shibakouen Junior High.
Even after hearing the voice, she was prepared to withdraw and leave Japan
now that the whole school knew she was Sailor Venus.
"Minako-chan!" a voice said.
Turning, Minako saw Meyo and several other girls. "Ohayoo, Meyo-chan."
"You were really something yesterday Minako-chan! You're the hero of
the
school!"
Minako looked over and saw the burned building. They still knew. Her
identity was compromised. She sighed. "I just did what I had to Meyo-chan."
"But helping Sailor Venus the way you did was great! I mean, she's
fantastic and all but, you we're right there helping to catch people. You
were the one who went to the gym and got the mat! I'll bet Sailor Venus
couldn't have done as well without you!"
"Huh?" Minako stared at Meyo in shock. "Helping Sailor Venus!"
"You don't remember?" Meyo asked surprised. "I know you
took an awful knock on the head and had to go home early but, you're still
great!"
Minako smiled to herself. That voice! Had it been Jikell or Ember?
Something told her, it was Jikell. Somehow, his power had been used to
change the thoughts of everyone in the school. Her identity was safe! She
would not have to leave Japan after all. "Hai. I remember now." Minako
laughed.
"Aino-chan?"
The voice surprised her and, Minako turned to see Tukumara Seisa
smiling. "Tukumara-san?"
"You're were incredible the other day! I...I wanted to ask you.
Would...would you please eat lunch with me? I'd like to get to know you
better."
Minako looked at Meyo and the other girls giggled. Meyo winked and
nodded toward Tukumara.
"Hai. I'd love to have lunch with you, Tukumara-san."
"Arigatoo. I'll see you here then." He smiled and walked off. Minako
thought she was going to fly and ran to class......
"So you have a boyfriend now?" Usagi grinned.
Minako's thoughts faded as she came back to reality. The wind across
the
lake made her think of the darkness being blown away. "I hope so,
Usagi-chan. We really seem to like each other."
"Congratulations." Michiru smiled. "I'd love to stay longer but, Haruka
is waiting for me. She said to say hello and we'll try to catch up with you
some other time."
Minako and Usagi waved goodbye and Michiru walked away. Minako looked
over and saw Rei and Ami sitting on a bench across the park. "Do you think
Rei-chan will be alright?"
Usagi sighed. "She's been awful quiet since we came back. Both her and
Ami-chan will need our support. I'm glad that Mamo-chan is okay too. He
left
the hospital this morning but, they said he was okay. They called it a
miraculous recovery." Usagi giggled. "How's your back?"
"It's better now." Minako smiled. "The whole thing is like waking up
from a bad dream. Looking at how pretty this park is and the beauty within
it, it's hard to believe Vindalla was ever real."
Usagi nodded and looked over at Rei....
"Sometimes I feel like she's still with me." Rei whispered. She turned
and nodded to Ami. "You understand what I mean don't you?"
Ami looked down. "Hai, Rei-chan. I saw Jikell in my mind when Rokin was
trying to kill me. Somehow he gave me his strength and that's how I was
suddenly able to fight and defeat Rokin. Setsuna told me if she had known
what he was really like, she would have tried to sway him."
"Do you feel anger toward Setsuna for what she did to him?"
Ami shook her head. "No. I think that at the time, it was the only
course of action. Jikell loved me very much. I could see it in his eyes.
The way he spoke to me...in his smile. But, he couldn't turn against his
people the way Ember did. I don't blame him for that. I loved him too
much."
"I don't think I'll ever be able to look at another little girl without
thinking of Ember." Rei sighed. "Someday if I have children of my own, I'm
going to name my first daughter Amber. Even though I feel like I have a
daughter already."
The two girls fell silent and Ami looked upward. "Do you think she's
thinking of you right now?"
Rei felt a tear roll down her cheek. "Hai. And I'll always be thinking
of her. Every time I use the Sacred Fire....she'll be with me."
A sudden wind came up and Ami smiled as she looked upward. "I don't
think any of us will ever be alone again...as long as we have each other."
The two girls looked across the water as she evening deepened and a new
moon rose in the heavens.......
The End!
Authors Note: "Dark Fire!" was written for the enjoyment of Sailor Moon
fans everywhere. Since this is my second attempt at a fanfic and I am
relatively new to fanfics, please feel free to send me comments either over
Fidonet Anime echo or Sailor Moon Animenet. I can also be reached for
personal mail at Skyhawk%aurora@dranch.wolfenet.com
Although the fanfic has quite a few errors, they are easy to correct.
If anybody wants to take the time to do this, feel free. I also encourage
anyone who wishes to upload the story to any bbs or on any website over the
internet.
All I ask is that I get credit for writing it.
Thanks to all who encouraged me while I was writing it. May the love of
Ember and Rei shine within your lives....
Daniel Harrison
Nov 1, 1996