Now that Vodka is out of the picture and I'll be continuing this alone,
I want to make a few minor changes to make things flow a little better
(not to mention correct my grammar and spelling errors). I finally set
my mind on how to re-work the original version so it fits better, not
just with Sailor Moon itself, but with what is happening right now (&
what will be happening soon) in SMD. I do hope yo enjoy theses
revisions, I plan to post 2 each night for the next 3 nights then I'll
post the new chapter 7 the following night. All C&C/C+C and MSTs are
greatly appreciated, on or off the list.
Also, Hair Care _will_ be starting a section for "Other People's
Stories" so if anyone is interested in having their fanfics hosted on
our page let us know (private replies only please unless giving C&C as
well). Just send a copy of the fanfic (or fanfics) you want us to put
up, then we'll read them and get back to you.
Well, that's all for my opening rant this time (there won't be one on
chapter 2 either). On with the fic, I hope you all enjoy the revisions.
NOTE: The revisions I'm posting tonight are already on the Hair Care
web site, but the other chapters are currently in and will remain in
their original form until I am ready to post the revisions to the list
so please don't e-mail me asking about it.
______________________________________
A New Evil Appears! A New Warrior Awakened to Aid in the Fight!
� � � � � � � � � � � � � � � � by
���������������������������������
� � � � � � � � � � �Akihiro
***Disclaimer: I hold no legal rights to any of the characters created
by Takeuchi Naoko. They are property of those persons/companies with
legal rights and no infringement is intended. No profit is being made
from their use.***
{...} Indicates character thoughts
---------------------------------------------------------------
It had been three months since the fall of Galaxia and life had returned
to a semblance of normality for the Sailor Senshi. They were confident
that the battle was over, for the time being at least, so they began to
move on with their lives, putting recent events out of there minds.
Tsukino Usagi ran through the streets of the Minato ward hoping to
arrive at school in time for her classes. As she entered her classroom,
she noticed Ami visiting with Naru and decided to join them for a while.
"Naru-chan! How have you been lately?" she called out happily.
Naru looked up from the notes she and Ami were reviewing for the days
exam, "Good morning Usagi, you ready for the test?" she inquired.
Usagi's face went from complete joy to sheer terror. "Test?! Today?!
Oh no, I'm doomed!!"
Ami glanced at Usagi with a slightly disapproving look. "You forgot
about another exam? After all of the time we spent studying at the
Hikawa shrine? How could you Usagi?"
"You mean I didn't go to Rei's just to read her manga?!?!" Usagi looked
truly confused.
The teacher looked up from his desk at the front of the room, his
concentration broken by the outburst. "Tsukino-san, please take your
seat so I may finish preparing the exams to be handed out."
"Yes sensei," Usagi replied sheepishly as she quickly sat at her own
desk.
"We'll visit after school," Usagi mouthed to Naru.
***
After school let out for the day, Naru walked up to Usagi. "So, do you
think you did okay on that test? she asked.
"No comment," came Usagi's irritated reply. "How about you?"
"I think I did pretty good, Umino has been helping me study." Naru's
face suddenly took on a saddened appearance.
"What's wrong, Naru-chan?" Usagi asked worriedly.
"It's just that his father has been offered a really good job in America
and he'll be moving soon. He's a little weird sometimes, but he really
has a tendency to grow on you," she noted sadly. "He's all I've had
since you and I have started drifting apart. And of course since..."
her words drifted off as painful memories flooded her mind.
Usagi realized where this was heading and scrambled through ideas of
what to change the subject to so her friend wouldn't be upset. "Well,
everything that was keeping me from spending time with you before is out
of the way now, why don't we go to the Crown or something?" she asked.
"It'll be my treat! I got my allowance today."
Naru nodded and the two girls began to walk away from the school.
{That is definitely her,} thought a form that had been watching from the
near-by shrubbery. {It's almost time, but how do I get to her?}
***
In a dark realm on a different plain of existence, a figure stood alone
in a room filled with blackness watching the scene between the two
friends as the image hovered in the air before it. "Sailor Moon. I have
seen you and your followers defeat the so-called opponents that have
come forth to challenge you. I have seen their plans fail and learned
from their mistakes. This time, Sailor Moon, you fall!"
The figure turned in the darkness as the floor began to open like a
giant shutter. As the opening increased in size, flames became evident
in the area below and the room appeared to go on infinitely. Even with
the light from the fires, all that could be seen of the figure aside
from his voluminous tattered black robes were crimson eyes that seemed
to glow. Eyes the color of freshly spilled blood.
The figure began chanting and a faint glow appeared in place of the
image it had been watching. "Go now, my oni, and claim the lights of
three humans. But avoid the Sailor Senshi at all cost. We are not yet
prepared for their interference," the figure spoke once the glow
appeared.
The shine immediately faded leaving the first being alone in the room.
"Now to sit back and observe." The figure raised one shrouded arm and a
large, black throne rose from the flames with a path extended directly
to his feet.
***
The next week passed uneventfully, Usagi failed her test as was expected
and life was normal. The Senshi were also relieved that no sort of
monster had been reported at the school or in the near area since before
Galaxia's defeat. The only strange occurrence in the news was the
unexplained death of an elderly man. Doctors were saying it was a case
where his heart ceased functioning, so even that seemed to be nothing
for the senshi to worry about.
At the Osaka home, Naru was about to fix herself a sandwich when she
hear her mother hang up the phone an call to her. "Naru, I need to run
down to the store. If anyone calls for me, have them call there."
"Alright!" she called back then turned to go back to the kitchen. As
she walked into the kitchen, she noticed the newspaper her mother had
been reading setting on the table As she approached she could see that
it was an article about the unexplained death. {A simple shut down of
the system. Well, I suppose that when the time comes that is better
than a lot of ways,} she thought as she poured herself a glass of juice.
Anything further was cut off as the phone began ringing and she
immediately answered it.
�
"Hello? Osaka-san?" asked a somewhat rough sounding male voice.
"You must want my mother, she's at the Osa*P. Would you like the number
or do you just want to leave a message?"
"No Naru, actually I am calling to talk to you," replied the voice.
Naru began to feel somewhat afraid. {Why would some weird guy want to
talk to me? Maybe I should humor him.} Still unsure she began to speak.
"Okay, who are you and what could I do for you?"
"I am called Ceres, but I can't say what I need on the phone, I have to
talk to you in person. It is very urgent and the time has come for you
to know the truth."
"What truth? Is this some kind of joke?"
"All of your questions will be answered when we meet. Can you be in
front of your high school in twenty minutes?"
"Why should I be?" Naru asked as her fear started to grow.
"All I can say is that it will protect millions of lives. The old man in
the news was no accident and it was not natural causes, if you show up
at the school to meet me you can help prevent further deaths of the
sort." The voice paused for a moment then continued, "You are in no
danger at present, but if you don't come you will be soon."
Naru couldn't explain why, but she somehow believed the man on the
phone. "Alright, I'll be there, but this better not be some sort of
trick."
***
Outside Juuban High School, Naru paced impatiently. {I can't believe I
agreed to come here! What's wrong with me?!}
"Osaka Naru! Thank you for your trust, I won't abuse it," called out the
voice from the phone.
"Where are you?" she asked looking quickly to all sides.
"Right here," came the voice from beside her right foot.
Naru jumped back several feet and noticed an average sized siamese cat.
"Ceres?" she asked as her fear turned into utter confusion.
The cat nodded then spoke. "Yes, I am Ceres, and no, you aren't
imagining this, I do talk."
She slowly moved toward the cat and noticed a crescent moon on its
forehead. "That mark is just like my friends cat..."
"Luna," he interrupted with a wistful look. "I know. I will explain it
later, right now you have a decision to make." Ceres walked to a nearby
bush and dragged a strange pen out out from under it. "Surely you've
heard of the Sailor Senshi?"
"Of course, they've saved me more times than I could ever repay, even if
I knew where to find them."
"Well that's where you're wrong. If you accept this," he pushed the pen
toward her. "I guarantee that you will repay the favor." Ceres looked
Naru over cautiously then added "Sailor Apollo."
Naru laughed trying to ignore the nagging feeling that the cat spoke the
truth, but failed miserably. "I'm a Sailor Senshi? Apollo you say? I
may not be an astrologer, but I know there is no planet Apollo and they
already have one for each planet."
"Astronomer," corrected Ceres.
"Excuse me?"
"I said 'astronomer," repeated the cat. "And as for Apollo, it was
destroyed centuries ago when Queen Beryl attacked at the end of the
Silver Millennium."
"What's a 'Silver Millennium?' And who is Queen Beryl?"
"The Silver Millennium was a time when the galaxy was at peace. All of
the planets worked together to keep it that way. You were princess of
the planet Apollo and member of the court of Princess Serenity of the
moon," explained Ceres.
"Beryl was a citizen of the Earth who discovered an ancient evil being
called Queen Metalia. Metalia deceived Beryl into believing she could
win the heart of Prince Endymion of Earth for Beryl. They started by
brain-washing most of the Earth Royal Guard. When Queen Beryl found
that Endymion had escaped to the moon where he was already in love with
Princess Serenity, she and her Four Kings- Jadeite, Nephrite, Zoicite,
and Kunzite; all brain-washed guards of Endymion's- launched an attack."
The cat stopped for a short breather and to gauge Naru's reaction.
"Nephrite..." she mumbled quietly. "He never told me."
Ceres gave Naru a soft, apologetic look before he continued. "Queen
Serenity managed to narrowly defeat Beryl by using the last of her life
energy while at the same time sending all remaining citizens of the
Silver Millennium to the future here on Earth. However, before Metalia
fell she managed to strike out with one final destructive attack.
Serenity's power deflected it from the moon and Earth, but couldn't stop
it. The blast instead struck and destroyed your home planet, Apollo.
All that is left of it is the asteroid belt which currently drifts in
the space between Mars and Jupiter."
Naru appeared to be shocked, "So I'm Sailor Apollo? Who are the other
Senshi?"
"Unfortunately we don't have time for that, your powers as Sailor Apollo
will be needed in exactly thirty-six minutes and the place is quite a
ways off. If you accept please take this and say 'Apollo Power, make
up!' One thing though, you can't tell anyone about this." Ceres
watched the girl in front of him waiting for an answer.
"And if I say no?" she asked.
"You still can't tell anyone," replied the cat.
"Oh, well I guess I should go for it." She silently added {At least I'll
get to repay the Senshi.} She started to raise the pen above her head
when another thought hit her. "I thought you said I won't be in any
danger now? And how do you know exactly how long it is until I'll be
needed and that sort of stuff?"
Ceres looked Naru in the eyes and told her "You won't be in danger, the
being responsible for the attack won't expect the Senshi yet and won't
expect you at all; he think that at least one of us died in the Silver
Millennium which would have made a Sailor Apollo here an impossibility.
As for the reason I know what I do, to say it simply, I have the gift of
foresight. That is one reason I waited until now to come forth, to
protect you."
"Protect me from what?"
"A spell being cast by this evil being who caused the last death and the
upcoming attack. He has begun preparations for it to affect the other
Senshi but it's too late for him to include you in it." Ceres saw the
concerned look on Naru's face and tried to settle her. "I couldn't do
anything to prevent it affecting them, but if you accept your duty as
Sailor Apollo you can save them from being destroyed."
"Alright, I'll do it!" Naru held the pen over her head and called out
"APOLLO POWER, MAKE UP!!!" Her body was immediately engulfed in
swirling colors as her clothing vanished and she spun in the air.
Several small musical notes surrounded her and formed a sailor fuku with
a white body and a skirt of light purple with a matching neck piece.
Pink bows formed on the outfit as long white gloves with purple bands at
the end formed on her arms. The usual bow in her hair was replaced with
one of purple as running shoes of the same shade appeared on her feet,
finally a gold tiara appeared on her forehead with a purple stone in the
center.
Sailor Apollo turned to her feline guardian. "Lead the way."
***
A couple sat alone on a park bench watching as the sun began to set.
The man faced the woman and looked deeply into her eyes and was about to
speak when he was lifted from his seat by a single hand wrapped around
his neck. He felt the hand change its position so that he faced the
monstrosity that held him.
The beast appeared to be a fifteen foot tall humanoid insect. On its
head were two horns, each one was three feet long which increased its
height all the more, and each ended in a perfect and deadly point. The
upper set of limbs looked almost like normal human arms while the lowest
set had the appearance of human legs. Each of the limbs in the center
came to a point just as sharp as those on its horns, it was these that
the creature sent forward next. One stabbed into each side of the mans
body just below the arms and held him in place like a pincer while being
careful not to puncture anything that would be fatal to it's victim.
After the tight grip on his neck was released, the man screamed out in
pain and fear. "Agh!!! Run, get help!!!" he called as the thing started
to slowly draw him closer.
The woman started to run toward the police box they had passed on the
way to the park. The insect raised the wings that had been hanging
loosely behind its back started to fly in the direction the woman was
running to cut off her path, she was next.
All present were halted as a voice was heard. "POETIC MELODY!!!" Two
large, pink musical notes flew through the air; one severed the wings of
the beast, the other cut through the limbs that held its captive in
place. As soon as the man hit the ground he pulled the sharp limbs from
his sides, the wounds closed and healed immediately, he then turned to
face his savior.
Having lost its prey, the monster faced the person responsible. Sailor
Apollo took a step back at the sight before her. "Are you sure I'm not
in danger? I mean, look at that thing!"
Ceres looked up at her from behind a near-by tree, "You aren't now, but
if you don't follow up that attack soon you will be."
The insect took advantage of her momentary inattention and began to
charge toward her, its horns pointed straight at her.� Apollo noticed
the rushing bug and immediately prepared for another attack. Both arms
went behind her back as her feet positioned themselves with the right
pointed forward and the left pointed to the side. "POETIC..." She
thrust both arms in front of her with her wrists together and palms
forward as she bent slightly at the waist. "MELODY!!!" A musical note
flew from each palm and rapidly grew as they approached the incoming
creature, each traveled in a downward arc that sent them through the
beasts horns then legs.
"Now what do I do with it? Even without the height those long legs and
horns provided it's still a little too big to just go step on." Sailor
Apollo looked expectantly at Ceres.
"I'll take care of it," came a voice from behind her. Apollo turned to
see Sailor Moon and the other inner senshi.
"How did you know to come here?" she asked the Senshi of the Moon.
"Mars had a vision of someone fighting a new evil so we had Mercury scan
with her computer to find out where and, well... Here we are!" Sailor
Moon looked at the downed monster then at Apollo. "You know, that's
quite an attack you've got there!"
Sailor Apollo blushed slightly. "Sorry, first night on the job. I'll
learn better control."
"First night?! Luna, I thought you said all of the senshi had been
awakened?"
{Luna?!?!} thought Apollo.
{Luna-chan?!?! I can't face her, not right now!!!} thought Ceres in a
panic. He proceeded to jump onto Sailor Apollo's shoulder and whispered
in her ear. "We have to go. Tell them we'll be at the Hikawa Shrine
tomorrow after school hours."
"Gomen, we have to get going now. We'll be at the Hikawa temple
tomorrow after school hours and we can talk more then." Sailor Apollo
turned to leave then paused. "You said you can finish that?" she
indicated the insect that was struggling to crawl away using what it had
left of its limbs. "The limbs vanished when they hit the ground, but
_that_ I don't know what to do with."
"Yeah, of course I can!" Moon said as she faced the thing. "But who are
you?"
Apollo started to answer but was cut off as Ceres hissed in her ear.
"Now!"
"Tomorrow," she stated, then walked off.
________________________________________
Well, I wanted to update a few things now that I'm going it alone, hope
you all liked it. I didn't change much, but enough for it to be
different. If you think it was better the way it was before, let me
know. In other words, I want C&C. MSTs are also welcome. Again, I hope
you enjoyed the story.
Sincerely,
Akihiro
TendouNabiki@webtv.net
-- HTML Attachment decoded to text by Listar --
-- Desc: signature
Hair Care Productions[1]
--- Links ---
1 http://community.webtv.net/TendouNabiki/HairCareProductions