Between Light and Dark
-by: the Yarnspinner-
the_yarnspinner@yahoo.com
A Sekkushiaru Roman
featuring characters from the anime "Sailor Moon"> Part 3 - Dark Moon Full <
Mamoru and Usagi arrived at the Temple. Except for Rei, the other Senshi had already left to search for the missing Chibi-Usa.
"Sorry we couldn't wait for you to get here," Rei said. "But we have a new problem."
"The Dark Moon?" Usagi asked.
Rei nodded. "Another dark energy point has appeared, but it's also clear they're aware that Chibi-Usa is out in the open."
Usagi shook her head, the concern clear in her expression.
"Any leads on where to search?" Mamoru asked.
"Yes. We're looking at the area around the park," Rei answered.
"Where she first appeared," he recalled.
"Let's get going," Usagi said. "We have to find her."
"Don't worry, Usako," he said reassuringly.
Minutes later, Mamoru pulled his car into a parking lot near the park. He and Usagi made their way toward the lake, while Rei headed for the playground.
As they walked, he noticed Usagi looking down at her brooch.
"What are you thinking about?" he asked softly, slipping his arm around her.
"I was wondering if I could find her with the ginzuishou," she said. "But at the same time, I don't want to risk tipping off the Dark Moon..., especially if she should have the future crystal."
He nodded. "Yes. We'll just have to do it the old-fashioned way, I'm afraid."
"I feel terrible about all this," Usagi said. "A girl her age shouldn't have to be going through such things."
"Nor should a girl your age," he told her. "None of us should. But it is happening and we have the ability, and thus the responsibility, to do something about it."
She stopped and pressed herself against him, hugging him tightly. Feeling her trembling, he gently brushed away a strand of hair from her face, then leaned down and kissed her.
"I love you so much, Mamo-chan," she sighed.
"And I love you, Usako."
They kissed once more, then resumed walking toward the lake.- - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - -
Artemis crept through the bushes, hearing noises ahead of him. From his concealment, he saw Chibi-Usa sitting on a bench beneath a tree, sobbing softly as she clutched the Luna-P in her hands.
"Luna-P, I want to go home. I want to go home!" she cried.
The ball offered no response. In frustration, she hurled it away. The ball bounced once, floated gently to a stop, then slowly drifted back to her.
Artemis was about to approach her when he heard footsteps on the path. He saw a tall man whom he vaguely recognized as a foreign student who Mamoru knew at the university. The man stopped well away from Chibi-Usa. He was slightly taller than Mamoru, with sandy brown hair, and broad shoulders.
"Is anything wrong?" he asked.
She looked up at him, clutching her ball once more, and simply shook her head.
"Let me guess," he said. "Your mommy and daddy taught you not to talk with strangers."
Chibi-Usa nodded hesitantly.
"That's very good advice," he told her. "And I certainly don't want you to disobey your parents. I was only going to offer to call a police officer for you if you were lost. I'm certainly not going to come any closer."
She simply stared down at the Luna-P. Artemis watched closely, but detected no signs of a threat from the young man.
"Say, I think I've seen you before," the man said. "I've seen you with Chiba-san, haven't I?"
She glanced at him once more, but said nothing.
"Yes. I'm sure I have. You must be related to his girlfriend."
She nodded.
"Mamoru and I attend the same university, but I'm sure you can tell I'm not from around here."
Once more she nodded, recognizing his plainly Western features.
"I live in New Zealand," he told her, still keeping his distance. "Do you know where that is?"
She shook her head.
"It's far away to the south of here, out across the ocean and on the other side of the equator. It's an island country, like Japan, but in New Zealand the people are outnumbered by sheep. About ten to one. Baaaahh."
She giggled softly. "Do you mind being away from home?" she asked quietly.
"Well, it gets me away from the sheep. They can get to smelling pretty bad. But seriously, it isn't like there's sheep everywhere," he said. "And yes, I do get to missing it sometimes. All my family and longtime friends are there."
"Why did you come here?" she asked. "Aren't there universities in New Zealand?"
"Certainly there are. Some pretty good ones. But sometimes you can learn more by being away from home. There's a lot more to the world that I want to learn than I could do by staying home," he told her. "You're away from home too, aren't you."
She nodded. "I want to go home."
"I can understand that. I had to spend a summer away from home when I was about your age, and I remember being really homesick to start with," he said, leaning against another tree. "Anyway, my name's Geoff Kelley. Oops. That would be Kelley Geoff in the Japanese style. I know, both names are a little awkward. You don't have to tell me your name if you're not comfortable with that. I grew up being taught that it was rude not to introduce myself, so that's why I do."
She nodded again. "I'm called Chibi-Usa."
"Little bunny?" He saw her expression harden. "Sorry. I wasn't trying to be rude."
Artemis continued to watch them. The New Zealander kept his distance, while continuing an innocuous dialogue with Chibi-Usa. The cat hoped that this would keep the little girl seated there until one of the Senshi reached this part of the park. Suddenly the fur on his back stood up as he sensed evil nearby.
"Hello, rabbit," Wiseman's voice boomed. "At last, I've found you."
Her eyes wide with fright, Chibi-Usa jumped to her feet, holding the Luna-P in front of her.
Wiseman, floating in midair, drifted closer, reaching for her.
"You leave her alone!" Geoff shouted, jumping forward.
He passed right through Wiseman, but the phantom figure cried out in pain. In anger, Wiseman lashed out. Geoff hit the ground and immediately started rolling, offering as difficult a target as possible. Finally, Wiseman's energy blast connected, knocking him senseless.
"Now, rabbit," Wiseman said. "I am not here to threaten you. On the contrary, I am here because everyone else blames you."
Her lower lip trembled in fear as she looked up at him.
"They all blame you for what has happened. If they ever said they loved you, it was a lie. There is no such thing as love," Wiseman intoned, his voice deep and hypnotic.
"That's garbage!" Geoff yelled, already back on his feet. "Maybe you don't know love, but don't you be telling a little girl that she doesn't."
As Wiseman turned in surprise, Geoff once more hurled himself at him, inflicting pain as he passed through the phantom.
"Damn you!" Wiseman cursed. "You have no concept of what you are dealing with."
"Then enlighten me," Geoff suggested, with far more bravado then he actually felt.
Artemis saw the young man jump back toward the figure of Wiseman. Initially shocked, the cat quickly saw that for some reason Geoff Kelley's presence was painful to Wiseman, and that Wiseman apparently couldn't attack him that close.
"When my master, the Death Phantom, awakes, the entire universe will be plunged into darkness. You and every other insignificant mortal will die!" Wiseman proclaimed in a voice colder than ice.- - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - -
Nearby, Safiel and Esmerodo sat concealed in the branches of a tree. In his hand, Safiel held a small recording device.
"You see? I told you he was betraying us," he said.
She nodded. "That must be why he objected to my tapping into dark crystal energy."
"Yes," he agreed. "Wiseman's using it to awaken some demon, and we're just pawns in his game, to be discarded when we are no longer useful."
"We must tell Demando," she said. "But will he believe us? He is so blinded by his infatuation for that damnable witch, Neo-Queen Serenity..."
"I know," Safiel answered. "That is why I brought this recorder along. My brother will have no choice but to accept the evidence of his own eyes and ears."- - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - -
Geoff lost his footing and fell hard to the ground. Just as Wiseman prepared to strike, a red rose flew at him, releasing an intense burst of energy as it passed through the phantom. While Wiseman screamed in pain, Geoff scrambled to his feet and raced for Chibi-Usa.
"Come on. I think we'd both be a lot better off by getting away from this whacko," he said, hurrying her away.
"One who threatens small children cannot be tolerated!" Tuxedo Kamen told Wiseman.
"What you can tolerate is no concern of mine," Wiseman replied.
Wiseman swung his hand, unleashing an intense blast of force, sending Tuxedo Kamen sprawling.
"Well, it is a concern of mine," Sailor Moon declared. "And you have to deal with me!"
Wiseman laughed contemptuously, striking her with a force blast before she could attack.
Tuxedo Kamen climbed to his feet, another rose at the ready. Suddenly, Wiseman's crystal ball glowed with intense energy. In a bright flash, he vanished, taking Sailor Moon and Chibi-Usa with him.
Mamoru felt his heart turn to ice and his chest tighten as if caught in an enormous vice.
Sailor Mars and Sailor Jupiter came running up.
"Ma..., uh, Tuxedo Kamen," Mars called, correcting herself as she caught sight of Geoff. "What happened?"
"A new adversary from the Dark Moon," he said, his voice choked with emotion. "He disappeared with both of them."- - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - -
Once more in their normal forms, Mamoru and the Senshi returned to the Temple.
"Do you have any idea why this young man's presence should have that sort of effect on the Dark Moon agent?" Artemis asked.
Mamoru shook his head. "Geoff is a year ahead of me. I know him primarily from a very dynamic study group he helped organize. I know very little of his background, I'm afraid."
"Well, there are still people in the world with unusual abilities, and strong magic," Rei said. "He could be one."
"Yes. And he might not even know it," Luna added. "It would be nice to learn more about him, but just now I think we have a more immediate concern."
"Right," Minako agreed. "With both Usagi and Chibi-Usa, the Dark Moon could be much more dangerous."
As they reached the top of the steps, they saw a woman standing near the shrine. Rei quickly stepped forward.
"Welcome to Hickawa Temple. May I help you?" Rei asked.
As the woman turned to face Rei, her appearance which only moments before had seemed unremarkable now became clear. Tall, with dark hair of a greenish tint, and dark, impenetrable eyes, she was dressed as a Sailor Senshi, holding a large, vaguely key-shaped staff. They looked at her in surprise.
"Actually, I believe I can assist you," she said.
"Are you Sailor Pluto, the guardian of time?" Mamoru asked.
"Yes, your highness," she answered, offering a slight bow.
"Usagi... Sailor Moon... has been captured," he said.
"Yes, I know. Along with the Small Lady," Pluto replied. "That is why I am here."
"Small Lady? You mean Chibi-Usa?" Minako asked.
Pluto nodded.
"Are they alright?" Makoto asked.
"I do not know," Pluto said. "But if either were seriously harmed, I would feel the effects in time. I have reason to believe the leader of the Dark Moon is a bit overconfident just at the moment."
"Perhaps we can use that to our advantage," Rei suggested.
"We must rescue Usagi and Chibi-Usa," Mamoru declared.
"Don't worry, Mamoru. We will," Minako assured him.
"Yes. Very soon now, I must take you to the Dark Moon," Pluto said.- - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - -
"Damn it all!" Safiel cursed.
A barrier of dark energy enclosed much of the Dark Moon palace, cutting him off from his brother. He slammed his fist against the barrier in frustration.
"We should have expected something like this," Esmerodo said. "No doubt Wiseman has already deemed us expendable."
"But that monster is in there with my brother," Safiel said.
"Demando is a very extraordinary man, Safiel," she replied. "Wiseman may yet find himself in for more than he bargained for."
He looked at her for a moment. "Esmerodo, is it my brother you love, or his throne?"
"My, my. Aren't we blunt today."
"I can't afford to be anything else just now," he said. "And however capable my brother is of defending himself, we still have a duty to him."
"Very true, Safiel."
He thought for a moment. "We must return to old Tokyo. Wiseman will try to open the Black Gate."
"With the dark energy points I've established," she realized, completing his thought.
"Yes. It's the only way he can possibly accomplish his plan. We have to destroy them."
His jaw set with grim determination. She looked at him, then nodded her reluctant agreement. They promptly vanished.- - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - -
Usagi awoke, finding herself on a large bed, wearing a fabulous silver-white strapless gown that was a bit too big for her. Next to her was her brooch. Inside, she found the ginzuishou only glowing faintly. She heard a noise, turning to find a man in a white suit staring at her. On his forehead was the symbol of the Dark Moon.
"Who are you?" she asked.
"I am Demando, prince of the Dark Moon, Nemesis," he answered. "And you shall be my queen."
"Your queen?" she asked. "And if I refuse?"
He stepped closer, the intensity of his gaze burning into her.
"You will not refuse," he said.
The room blurred and she found her thoughts confused. She struggled for something to anchor her mind to. A memory stirred of a rose being placed in her hand. In her mind she found herself as Princess Serenity looking into the eyes of Prince Endymion. She embraced him tightly.
Demando's voice intruded, although she no longer comprehended what he was saying. The deep tones swept hypnotically through her.
She seemed to be falling to the ground, a dark figure in front of her, moving ever closer. Its only discernable features were the two brightly burning points of its eyes. Before it could reach her, a red rose struck it. Tuxedo Kamen smiled down at her, offering her his hand and drawing her into his arms.
Again the sound of Demando's voice rung in her thoughts, seeking to penetrate deep into her soul.
A new image formed. Standing at the edge of a park, she felt someone take hold of her hand. She looked down to see Chibi-Usa smiling up at her. Holding the little girl's other hand was Mamoru. The image warmed her heart with love, something that Demando, she knew instinctively, could never provide.- - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - -
Demando growled in frustration as Usagi fell back on the bed, unconscious. Immediately, he turned and walked out of the room.
"Her resistance is formidable," he muttered.
Wiseman appeared alongside him. "Soon, your highness, all things will be as they should."
"Really?" he snapped. "You say that my own brother has now turned against me. Is that as it should be?"
"I told you that he was weak, your highness."
Demando's expression grew cold. "And what of the rabbit?"
"I am taking care of her," Wiseman said.
"I shall see for myself, Wiseman."
"No, your highness. That would not be a good idea."
Wiseman vanished before Demando could say anything more.- - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - -
Chibi-Usa found herself among the ruins of Crystal Tokyo once more. She immediately looked for the Senshi, who were standing nearby, with stern expressions.
"This wouldn't have happened if you hadn't tried to play with the crystal," Mars said.
"And now your mother may die because of it," Venus added.
"You are a princess. That means you must act like one," said Mercury. "A princess can't be wasting her time in childish nonsense."
"Mommy! Daddy!" Chibi-Usa cried.
"Your daddy has quite a lot to do right now, thanks to you," Jupiter said. "He can't afford to waste time on you."
"No! Mommy and Daddy love me!" she said.
"There is no such thing as love," a deep voice declared.
"That's garbage!" another voice responded.
Chibi-Usa clenched her eyes shut and covered her ears with her hands. She felt a hand on her shoulder. Opening her eyes, she saw Usagi standing there, with Mamoru right behind her. They were in a Tokyo park.
"Did you hurt yourself?" Usagi asked, helping her to her feet.
"No," she answered.
"That's good, because I was planning to treat my two favorite women to ice cream," Mamoru said.
"Do you want some?" Usagi asked.
"Yes, please," Chibi-Usa responded exuberantly.
Standing between Mamoru and Usagi, she felt happy, and the warmth spread through her as she clearly recognized in them her future parents.- - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - -
Mamoru knelt in a quiet corner at the Temple, meditating. In his hand, he held a small picture of himself with Usagi that he kept in his wallet. He worked to picture in his mind every detail of her face, her large, expressive blue eyes, and her long, silky blond hair. His love for her swelled in his heart, along with the ache that came from her being gone. He let his mind drift open, and gradually found himself flooded with strong emotions from both Usagi and Chibi-Usa. As these grew stronger, he gasped and slumped forward.
"Are you alright," Rei asked.
He nodded. "Something's happening to them both, and it reminds me very much of what Beryl put me through."
"Oh, gods!" Rei exclaimed.
"Pluto! How much longer do we have to wait?" Minako demanded.
"Some people are coming," Makoto called, before Pluto could answer.
Moving out to the front of the building, they saw Petz and Cooan at the top of the steps, accompanied by Esmerodo and a dark-haired man.
"What's she doing here?" Rei wondered anxiously.
"Maybe Esmerodo forced our identities out of the sisters. Afterall, they did lose their powers when Usagi healed them," Ami suggested.
"Hello," Petz called. "I think we need to come inside."
"Alright," Rei agreed.
After they had all sat down, Petz began with introductions.
"I understand you already know Esmerodo," she said, being met with nods. "And this is Prince Safiel. His brother, Prince Demando, is the ruler of the Dark Moon."
"And what brings them here?" Minako asked Petz.
"I think I can best answer that," Safiel said. "At the beginning of the age of Crystal Tokyo, the entire Earth underwent what some termed a cleansing. Not everyone viewed it that way, and some resisted. Violence broke out. Those opposed to the cleansing lost. Some say they fled. Others say they were driven out. They found their way to a small planet, called Nemesis, or the Dark Moon. It was a hard life, but it is on our terms. Many, including my brother, still hold a grudge for being made to leave Earth, and longed for the day when they could settle the score."
"So your people attacked Crystal Tokyo," Makoto said.
"Eventually, yes," Safiel replied. "But to begin with, that was impossible. We developed powerful magic of our own. It was enough to keep us hidden and to protect ourselves from an attack, but not enough to overwhelm the power of Earth's rulers, Neo-Queen Serenity and King Endymion."
The Senshi looked at each other.
"But through our magic, we developed the dark crystal, which was our version of the ginzuishou," Safiel continued. "We also encountered a being called Wiseman, the one who captured Sailor Moon and the little girl. It was Wiseman who helped us create our warps in time and space, and who predicted the precise moment when Earth would be defenseless. With the knowledge Wiseman provided, my brother ordered the attack. Unfortunately, at least from our perspective, we completely underestimated the combined power of the royal guard, the Sailor Senshi of Crystal Tokyo. They kept us from capturing the palace and securing our ultimate victory."
"Well, isn't that just too bad," Makoto muttered.
"Please, allow me to finish," Safiel said. "When the attack stalled, Wiseman suggested trying to conquer Earth in the past, that is to say in your time. But as we worked to do this, Wiseman's behavior became increasingly suspicious. My brother had too many concerns pressing on him to notice, so I pursued an investigation of my own. I discovered that Wiseman has been using us as pawns for his own ends."
"And what are those?" Mamoru asked.
"He intends to awaken a demon he calls the Death Phantom, who would then destroy all life in the universe," Safiel told them. "He wants to capture the ginzuishou only to insure that its power cannot be used to interfere with his plans."
"So, how can he be stopped?" Minako asked.
"My turn," Esmerodo said. "After our first few encounters, Senshi, I began pursuing a two-pronged strategy. While you invariably turned up to interfere with my droids, I took advantage of that to set up dark energy points elsewhere in the city."
"Yes. We know," Rei answered.
Esmerodo looked a bit surprised. "Really? Well, my plan was to have a alternate means of opening the Black Gate, through which the dark crystal energy would flood into your world, contaminating it so that Crystal Tokyo could never come into existence."
"At least, that was our plan," Safiel said. "It was never Wiseman's. He planned, and still plans, to use the Black Gate to awaken his demon."
"Why didn't you tell your brother?" Rei asked him.
"I tried. Esmerodo and I watched as Wiseman trapped Sailor Moon. He even bragged of his plan to the young man who attempted to protect the little girl. I was recording him, and intended to present that evidence to my brother. But Wiseman outsmarted us. The Dark Moon palace is completely sealed off. I couldn't get in, and I can only presume that Wiseman has told Demando that I am either a casualty of war or a traitor," Safiel said, shaking his head.
"So, how we figure into all this?" Makoto asked.
"The immediate objective has to be to destroy the dark energy points Esmerodo set up," Safiel told them. "That will buy us some time. But there are too many for the two of us to destroy before Wiseman caught on and activated the Black Gate. On returning to your time, I approached Petz. She immediately insisted that you might be able to help."
"You want us to help destroy these dark energy points," Rei said.
"Yes. It is not that difficult. It is just a matter of destroying enough of them in a short enough time that Wiseman cannot open the gate," Safiel said.
"And what about Sailor Moon and Chibi-Usa?" Minako asked.
"We must rescue them as well," Safiel answered. "With the power of the dark crystal behind him, only Sailor Moon's ginzuishou has any prospect of defeating Wiseman."
Ami was already at work on her computer. "I think I may have a solution to the dark energy points," she said. "Esmerodo, do you have any more of the devices you used to establish these points?"
Esmerodo hesitated. "Yes," she answered.
"Good." Ami entered some more information into the computer and waited for the response. "If Esmerodo releases a pulse of energy through a modified device at just the right location, it should disrupt the points she's already created."
"You mean, instantaneously?" Safiel asked.
Ami nodded.
"Then we could already be in the Dark Moon palace, to rescue Chibi-Usa and Sailor Moon," Minako said.
"That's right," Ami confirmed.
"There's just one problem," Safiel said. "Wiseman will detect you traveling through time."
"No. He will not," Pluto answered. "My abilities in time far exceed his."- - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - -
Mamoru sat out on the porch, looking up at the moon. Inside the arrangements were nearly complete, and soon Pluto would take them to the palace of the Dark Moon.
Deep within himself, he could still sense both Usagi and Chibi-Usa. He clung to both, offering repeated prayers that they would come out of this safely. Unbidden, tears formed once more in his eyes. He formed a rose in his hand, spinning it slowly in his fingers. Memories of two lifetimes drifted through his mind, always centering on his love for Usagi.
He brought the flower up and kissed its soft petals, trying to imagine they were her lips. His heart ached with the uncertainty, and with her gone, it felt like a part of himself had been torn away as well. Yet their love had survived many threats before, even overcoming death. His eyes drifted up to the moon, its light shining down for its now missing princess.
"I love you, Usako, my princess," he whispered. "You are everything to me. May the gods grant that I never lose you again."< To be continued >
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NOTE: This installment is devoted more to advancing the plot. We can't have the steamy stuff all the time.You can now find all my yarns at http://strands-of-moonlight.my3gb.com and http://strands-of-moonlight.6te.net.
Always remember, good gentles, that a yarnspinner works from and within existing legends and stories. The characters of "Sailor Moon" belong to others. In spinning my yarns, I do not seek to infringe on their rights of ownership, but merely to join with other fans to spread the legend still further. "The moonlight carries a message of love." Enjoy.
-06.09.2000