And here, ladies and gentlemen, is the newest istallment of the "Sailor
Moon Destiny" series. I plan to try and write some more this weekend,
so you might actually see two new chapters from me this week (figured
I'd warn everyone in advance so I don't cause any heart attacks if it
happens). As usual I would greatly appreciate any and all feedback.
Now without further ado, here's SMD chapter 7.
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Once More Into the Dark Kingdom! Another Knight Joins the Team!
� � � � � � � � � � � � � � � � 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
------------------------------------------------------------------
As Usagi approached the Hikawa shrine, she noticed Yuuichirou standing
near the corner of the temple watching something. Quietly she headed
toward him to see exactly what he was watching. Soon she noticed Rei
and Jadeite around the corner laughing and having fun like a couple of
long lost friends.
Yuuichirou turned away from the frolicking pair and noticed Usagi right
behind him, unable to hide his tears before she noticed.
{Poor Yuuichirou,} she thought sadly. {I've wanted him to win Rei's
heart ever since he showed up here, but I guess her and Jay are destined
for each other like me and Mamo-chan. I wish there was some way I could
cheer him up.}
As if reading her thoughts, Yuuichirou dried his tears and put a hand on
Usagi's shoulder. "Don't worry," he said in a courageous voice. "I'll
be okay."
"You're not going to try to run off or anything this time, are you?" she
asked worriedly. "Even if Rei is going to be inconsiderate and totally
disregard you, the rest of us still care."
Yuuichirou laughed reassuringly. "I can always count on you,
Tsukino-san. You're really a good friend." He smiled. "No, I'm not
going anywhere. There are still plenty of things I need to learn from
Ojiisan. Like I said, don't worry."
Usagi nodded sadly, still wishing she could do something to ease the
young man's suffering. Her thoughts were halted as Ami, Makoto, Minako,
Naru, and Masato walked up to them.
"Hey, Usagi-chan," Naru greeted. "Did you find Jay and Rei yet?"
"I should be going," Yuuichirou muttered as he collected himself and
started to rush away. "I have several chores to finish around here."
"What got into him all of a sudden?" Minako asked curiously.
Usagi simply pointed around the corner where Rei and Jadeite were still
acting like the perfect couple. "He says that he'll be okay, but I'm
worried about him."
"Unfortunately I don't know what to suggest," Ami replied sadly. "In a
way I guess you could say we're all spoken for now that the knights are
being revived. I..." A look of sadness crossed her features then
vanished as quickly as it appeared. "I almost forgot why we all came in
the first place."
Masato stepped around the corner without further delay. "Hello, Jay,"
he said. "You guys getting comfortable is all well and good, but we've
got some business to attend to first."
Jay nodded in response. "Shall we talk inside?"
***
"So who are we searching for next?" Mako inquired.
Ami considered as she entered data into her computer. "I think we
should probably try to bring back the others that the Dark Kingdom had
taken control of. I've been running probabilities on who the other two
knights might be and I haven't got anything very promising yet."
"Okay then," Minako responded. "Zoicite or Kunzite?"
"Do you two have any recommendations?" Ami inquired of Masato and Jay
who had been off to the side speaking amongst themselves.
Jay looked at the group of girls for a moment before joining them.
"Actually, yes we do," he replied.
"We've been talking about it for a while now and I think we can lead you
something belonging to Kunzite," explained Jay.
"And since he and Zoicite were rather close during our time with the
Dark Kingdom, he may very well remember something that could be used to
bring back Zoicite as well," Masato finished.
"Then why don't we get going?" Minako asked impatiently.
"I think we should take a little time to plan this out first," suggested
Ami. "Remember the Dark Senshi? They're sure to be watching for us."
Jay stood and faced Ami. "We'll be heading to Queen Beryl's palace
again. Specifically to Kunzite's quarters," he explained. "If we can
teleport to the palace like before we should be able to get his room and
teleport back before they can get there even if they do have someone
watching the palace."
"Okay," Rei interjected. "But we all saw what kind of shape Beryl's
palace was in. What makes you think there would be something left there
belonging to Kunzite after all this time?"
"I know about a hidden closet that he used to store things," Jay
explained simply. "Nobody would have found it without knowing it was
there. I only know because I saw him open it once when he didn't know I
was watching."
"Fine then," Minako chirped happily. "I'll call Haruka and Michiru and
let them know we're going again, then we can get on our way."
"Okay, Mamo-chan should be here by then," Usagi added. "He had some
things to take care of first, but he's probably about done by now."
***
"We'll be staying behind this time," Ceres explained as the girls
transformed.
Luna and Artemis both nodded in agreement. "There shouldn't be much
need for us this trip since it's just a matter of getting Kunzite's
stuff out of the closet," said Luna.
The Sailor Senshi finish their transformations then watched as Mamoru,
Masato, and Jay all transformed.
The now familiar transformations of Tuxedo Kamen and Starlight Knight
were mostly over-looked as all eyes turned to Jadeite clad in a golden
colored outfit styled the same as Starlight Knight's. His cape was held
in place by a clasp with an emblem depicting a sun; an emblem which
seemed to burn like a sun. Beneath the cape hung a bandoleer loaded
with shuriken shaped and colored the same as the sun emblem on his
clasp.
"So what do we call you?" Sailor Mars asked as she approached the
transformed Jay.
He momentarily considered before replying with what felt correct to him.
"I am the Sunlight Knight," he said simply. "And I think there was
something we needed to do, so why don't we get going?"
Everyone nodded together then got into position.
"SAILOR TELEPORT!!!" Artemis and Ceres called at the same time. The two
male cats exchanged dirty looks just as the group of senshi and
protectors disappeared.
***
Inside a throne room, a young woman in a black dress wearing her long
violet hair in twin odango and pony tails sat quietly trying to decide
something.
{The Sailor Senshi are indeed powerful,} she thought. {I can see how
they managed to defeat Queen Metalia-sama, but there has to be a way we
can stop them. If they can teleport to our world, there may be a way we
can teleport to their's and catch them unprepared...} She rose from her
seat and spoke aloud. "That's it! It will take some research to figure
out how to reach their world, but we have to become stronger first
and..."
Suddenly a beeping noise cut off the Dark Princess. She opened a small,
gray communicator and and listened.
"The Sailor Senshi have returned, Majesty," came a voice through the
device. "I was watching Beryl's palace as you ordered and they appeared
in the throne room. I think they said something about finding Kunzite's
quarters. There's also a new member with the group; a golden knight.
Shall I confront them?"
"Just slow them down, Ares," replied the violet tressed princess as she
stepped away from the throne and changed to what seemed to be a normal
teenage girl. "I can't afford to loose one of my strongest warriors
because she was careless or over-confident. Call the others then slow
them down."
"Yes, Majesty."
The girl closed the communicator and shouted, "LUNA CHAOS POWER, MAKE
UP!!!"
***
"ARES FLAME BURN!!!"
Tuxedo Kamen stopped where he was and jerked Sailor Moon backward just
before a dark colored flame passed dangerously close in front of them.
The flame caught like wild-fire in the ruins of Beryl's palace.
"Where did it come from?" Venus asked as she prepared for a fight.
Mercury brought down her visor and began searching the area through the
spreading flames. "I can't tell," she finally said. "Sailor Ares' fire
is blocking my scan somehow." She closed off her visor and slipped into
her attack stance. "SHABON SPRAY!!!"
Mist filled the immediate area and doused much of the fire.
With the obstructing flames gone, Mercury resumed her scan. She
suddenly pointed to a side hallway they had passed a few moments before.
"Down there! It looks like there's just one of them."
"I wouldn't count on it," Sunlight Knight replied coolly. "I've heard
that the Dark Senshi are very tricky. Let me." He removed three
shuriken from his bandoleer then slowly began to approach the corner.
Upon reaching his destination he dove into the hallway and tossed the
shuriken hoping to defeat or disable whatever may be present.
The group came around the corner to find a life-size doll of Sailor Ares
with three shuriken stuck in it.
"You're kidding, right?" Jupiter muttered aloud.
An amused laugh filled the hall. "Not at all, little girl. I'm quite
serious. ARES FLAME BURN!!!"
Again a string of fire came alarmingly near the group of sailor-suited
warriors.
"SHABON SPRAY!!!' Mercury immediately returned before the flames could
spread too far.
Another voice was heard; the voice seeming to come from everywhere and
nowhere at the same time. "Well done, Ares. Now we can all take care
of them together."
Sailor Luna and Sailor Ares came out of the shadows at the end of the
side hallway, Sailor Hermes and Sailor Aphrodite came from the hall
leading to the throne room, and Sailor Helios and Sailor Zeus came from
the hall which the Sailor Senshi had been heading down.
"My, my!" Sailor Luna said in mock-distress. "I do think we have you
cornered, Moon Child. whatever shall you do?"
"Be careful, majesty," cautioned Sailor Zeus. "Trapped rats can be
dangerous."
"That's it! I'll show you a trapped rat!" Jupiter shouted angrily.
"SUPREME THUNDER DRAGON!!!"
"ZEUS LIGHTNING CLASH!!!" called Sailor Zeus.
The electric dragon proceeded to devour the dark lightning attack and go
after Zeus, who was barely able to dodge.
Sailor Jupiter ran forward and met her opponent with a series of punches
and kicks which forced Sailor Zeus onto the defensive.
"You still think you're strong enough to beat us?" taunted the Sailor
Ares. "You guys just got lucky last time!"
"FIRE SOUL BIRD!!!" Mars called ignoring the other girl's words.
The flaming bird nearly hit Ares, but she dove aside at the last
possible second then rushed Sailor Mars.
"SHABON SPRAY FREEZING!!!" Mercury shouted as she cast a wall of
freezing bubbles toward her dark counter-part.
"HERMES RAINDROPS SPLASH!!!" Sailor Hermes retaliated as she moved in
for an attack while desperately trying to avoid being frozen.
"POETIC MELODY UNICORN!!!" Sailor Apollo yelled sending her attack
toward Sailor Helios.
Sailor Helios knew she wouldn't be able to dodge the attack so she tried
to stop it with her own. "HELIOS MUSICAL BLAST!!!"
The unicorn passed safely between the two notes of Helios' attack before
knocking Sailor Helios to the ground. She worked her way to her feet
and charged toward Apollo for a physical attack.
"You sure you want to do this?" Venus asked of Aphrodite.
The dark senshi replied with a look of absolute fury then charged to
attack. "APHRODITE LASER BEAM FLASH!!!"
"If you insist," Venus said with a shrug. "CRESCENT BEAM SHOWER!!!"
The shower of golden beams enveloped and absorbed the single beam
attack. Sailor Aphrodite evaded the attack and Venus met her in combat.
Starlight Knight and Sunlight Knight joined the battle as needed, paying
special care to Apollo and Mars respectively.
"Looks like Zeus was right," Sailor Luna commented. "I'll never
under-estimate a trapped rat again. In the mean time..." She pulled
out a black wand with a gray crescent moon on it.
Tuxedo Kamen charged the leader of the Dark Team and knocked the wand
away with his cane. He quickly moved behind the girl and held her in
place. "Now, Sailor Moon!"
Sailor Moon nodded in response as she readied the Moon Stick. "MOON
HEALING ESCALATION!!!"
Just as the positive energy reached Sailor Luna, Sailor Ares saw what
was happening to her princess and broke away from the fight with Mars.
She dove and knocked Sailor Luna out of Tuxedo Kamen's arms and away
from Sailor Moon's attack.
"Enough!" Sailor Luna said weakly as Ares helped her to her feet and
braced her in a standing position.
All present halted and faced the lead member of the Dark Senshi. It was
obvious to each person there that Sailor Luna had been severely weakened
by Sailor Moon's positive energy attack.
"You got lucky again, Moon Child!" she continued through gritted teeth.
"But just because you've won a second battle does _not_ mean the war is
yours! Dark Team, retreat and regroup!"
The Dark Senshi withdrew from the battle and vanished in the twists and
turns of the corridors in Beryl's palace before the Sailor Senshi could
react.
Sunlight Knight helped Tuxedo Kamen to his feet. "Come on," he said to
the others. "Kunzite's quarters are right down here."
***
Inside a rather small room, the Sailor Senshi watched as Starlight
Knight faced one wall. "It's in there," he said simply as he walked
forward and placed one hand on the seemless, flat surface then tried to
focus his energy.
"It must be sealed with dark energy." Sunlight Knight explained. "We
don't have the dark power any more so he can't open it."
"Allow me," Mars said. As she stepped forward she prepared a ward.
"Rin, pyou, tou, sha, kai, jin, retsu, sai, zen. AKURYO TAISAN!!!"
A section of the wall lit up and then opened revealing a space about a
foot high, a foot wide, and a foot deep. Inside this small closet was a
single long-stemmed red rose.
Sailor Moon stepped forward and picked up the rose, then noticed
something dried on the end. "Mamo-chan," she gasped. "Zoicite."
Tuxedo Kamen checked the magically preserved flower and noticed the
substance dried on the tip. "I think so."
"It's definitely blood," Mercury added as she completed an analysis and
closed off her visor.
"The day we found out I was the princess," Sailor Moon explained.
"Mamo-chan hit Zoicite with a rose. I think this is that rose. We
should be able to use this to bring back Zoicite, but not Kunzite."
"Well, let's get it home and revive _somebody_ already!" Venus chided.
***
That evening at the Hikawa Shrine, the girls sat more or less in a
circle as they recovered from the resurrection ceremony. It was
particularly draining for them now that one senshi was gone.
The group was pretty much divided into happy couples. First were Usagi
and Mamoru, to their right were Naru and Masato, next to them sat Rei
and Jay, then came Ami and Zoicite, and just right of them Haruka and
Michiru held the appearance of a little family along with Hotaru sitting
happily between them. Minako and Mako were the only exceptions.
Minako was staring off into nothing as she went through a mental rant.
{It's not fair! We were supposed to get something to bring Kunzite
back, not Zoicite!} she thought.
Makoto was also lost in thought, though not quite as forceful. {I guess
the new love is stronger than the old,} she thought as she looked at
Masato and Naru. {I want them both to be happy happy, but I don't want
to be alone. I don't know what to do.}
Everyone's thoughts were interrupted as Zoicite spoke up. "I can't
believe this!" he muttered in amazement. "I still remember everything I
knew and felt from the Dark Kingdom, but I also have all of my lost
memories of the Silver Millennium back."
"It is pretty amazing," said Masato. "The Ginzuishou has given us a
second chance and reminded us of who we're supposed to be."
Jay looked happily at Rei then added, "And who we're supposed to be
with."
Zoicite looked to Ami and felt happiness well up inside him but
something still felt wrong. He now remembered the feelings of love he'd
had for this girl, but he also remembered another.
{Kunzite...}
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Well, another chapter written (at last). I am pretty much over the
writer's block now, so I might actually be able to crank out another
chapter on my next day off (Saturday). I won't guarantee it since
reality has a tendency to sneak up on me at the most inopportune times,
but I will definitely try. As always, all C&Cs and MSTs are enjoyed and
appreciated. I hope you all enjoyed the story, thank you for reading!
Sincerely,
Akihiro
TendouNabiki@webtv.net
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