Between Light and Dark
-by: the Yarnspinner-
the_yarnspinner@yahoo.com
A Sekkushiaru Roman
featuring characters from the anime "Sailor Moon"> Part 5 - Disappearances <
With a roar, the old warehouse erupted in flames, sending a column of dark smoke climbing into the late afternoon sky. Minutes later, the first units of the fire department arrived to begin battling the blaze.
At the Temple, Rei felt a strong sense of unease. She rushed to the sacred fire and began opening her senses, quickly being met with powerful images of dark energy. Coming out of her meditation, she reached for her communicator.- - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - -
The next morning, Ami stood across the street from the burned out shell of the warehouse, taking readings with her scanner, while Makoto and Luna waited beside her.
"Anything?" Makoto asked.
Ami frowned, her fingers dancing over the keyboard of her computer. "There are some very strange energy readings here."
"Is it connected with the dark crystal?" Luna asked.
"Yes, I think so," Ami answered.
"Wiseman is trying again," Makoto said quietly.
Luna nodded. "And we have to be on our guard until we know what he's planning."- - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - -
Later that afternoon, Pluto arrived at Juuban Junior High, in civilian dress, with Luna. Makoto caught site of her, quickly signaling to Ami and Usagi.
"What's happened?" Usagi asked, as they walked along the street.
"There've been three more fires," Luna said.
Pluto nodded. "Wiseman is behind them all."
Ami quickly opened her computer and activated the scanner. "Maybe we can identify a pattern to where the fires are happening."
"And then we'll be ready for the next one," Usagi said.
Ami's computer displayed a map of the city, with the locations of the fires. She frowned, then typed in some more information. "The fires are all centered around one location," she said. "They're almost exactly the same distance from it."
Pluto looked over Ami's shoulder. "That's the center of Crystal Tokyo."
"Then Wiseman must plan to open the Black Gate on that point," Usagi suggested.
"Sailor Pluto, is that a place of strong magic?" Luna asked.
"Yes. Very strong," Pluto answered.
"How many more points does he need?" Makoto asked.
"Based on what we know from Esmerodo's plan, I'd say he needs only four or five more," Ami replied.
"And at the rate he's going, he could be ready as soon as tomorrow," Luna pointed out.
"Ami, do you have any idea of where the next target is?" Usagi asked.
She tapped at her computer some more. "Well, he seems to be targeting warehouses, and there are only a few that are in the right area."
"I'll contact Minako and Rei," Usagi said, opening her communicator.
"Minako here," she answered. "Any more news?"
"Yes," Usagi answered, waiting for Rei to answer but met only with silence. "Rei? Rei, are you there?"
The others looked up, concern evident in their faces.
Usagi looked over at Ami. "Was one of those fires near her school?"
Ami was already consulting her computer. "The last one. Just a few blocks."
"Artemis and I will meet you there," Minako said, switching off her communicator.
"Let's hurry," Usagi told the others.- - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - -
The charred remains of the building still smoked as the Senshi arrived, finding a small crowd already present. Uniformed police officers and fire inspectors moved in and out of the building.
"Minako!" Usagi called, catching sight of the other girl. "Any sign of Rei?"
"No. Not yet, I'm afraid," Minako answered.
"What's happening here?" Makoto asked.
Artemis came running up, being lifted onto Minako's shoulder.
"The police are concerned about terrorists, since there have been so many fires in such a short time," Artemis explained.
"Did you find out anything about Rei?" Usagi asked.
"No," he answered. "The initial blast seems to have been in a back part of the building. Everyone got out safely, and the only people injured were some of the firefighters. I didn't hear any mention of Sailor Mars, or a junior high school girl, going into the building."
"Then where is she?" Minako wondered aloud.
Just then, their communicators beeped. Minako had hers open first.
"Sorry. Just me," Ami said, holding her communicator next to her computer. "I was trying to get Rei's communicator to respond so that I could possibly trace it."
"Any luck?" Minako asked.
Ami shook her head. "No. I have clear signatures from each of your communicators, but no response from Rei's."
"What does that mean?" Makoto asked.
"All we can say for certain is that she's probably out of range," Luna said. "And since this may be connected with Wiseman's efforts to open the Black Gate, I think we need to focus on that."
"I agree," said Usagi.
"Perhaps Wiseman is also looking to go after Senshi on an individual basis," Pluto suggested.
"A very good thought," Luna agreed. "And if that's the case, we should stick together."
Usagi remained silent. "No," she finally said. "We need information. Without it, we won't be able to stop him in time." She paused again, meeting the eyes of the others. "We have to check out each of these possible targets, which means splitting up, but I don't want any unnecessary risks."
They all nodded.- - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - -
Mamoru and Usagi sat on the edge of the park as the sky darkened into evening. Usagi was talking into her communicator.
"I'm picking up some very clear readings here," Ami said over the communicator.
"Be careful," Usagi cautioned. "We still haven't heard anything from Makoto."
"Yes, I know," Ami replied. "This is definitely dark crystal energy... It looks like it's starting to surge..."
The transmission wavered in static.
"Ami?" Usagi called, seeing the image stabilize. "I think you'd better get out of there."
"Just a moment," she replied, the signal quality deteriorating again. "I think I've just about..." The signal cut out completely.
"Ami!" Usagi called with alarm "Ami?!... Sailor Mercury, can you hear me?"
As Mamoru leaned closer, Usagi set the page function for Ami's communicator.
"Nothing," she said, her voice a soft whisper. "She's gone too."
He slipped an arm around her waist. "Don't blame yourself, Usako."
"But it is my fault," she insisted. "I was the one who said we should split up."
"Yes. And you told them all to be careful," he reminded her. "Makoto and Ami both must have thought they were being careful, just as Rei must have earlier. They want to get to the bottom of this as much as you do."
"We have to do something," she said, jumping to her feet.
He held her arm firmly. "What would you do?"
"I... I don't know... but we have to do something!"
"Usako." He pulled her back down beside him. "To just run off like that right now would be the worst thing possible. You would be taking far fewer precautions than the others did, and you would just wind up in the same circumstances."
"So we should do nothing?" she asked, her emotions showing in her face and her voice.
"No," he answered. "But we need to do something that will be more effective, something that has been calmly thought through, and perhaps something that Wiseman won't expect."
She stared at him for a moment, the fire of impulse fading before calm reason, then snuggled closer to him. "Oh, Mamo-chan," she sighed.
He leaned down and kissed her. "I love you, Usako," he said, running his fingers over her back.
She nodded, continuing to lean against him. "I want to go check on Chibi-Usa once more," she said.
"Pluto and Luna would have called if there was any trouble," he reminded her.
"I know. But the walk will give me time to think," she said. "Because right now, I have no idea what to do."- - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - -
Sailor Venus slipped into the old building. Long abandoned, its boarded up windows left it pitch black inside. A small flashlight was her only source of illumination. Hearing a noise, she quickly switched it off, and crept forward as silently as possible.
Relying on her peripheral vision, which is more sensitive in lower light, she made out a shape. She quickly hurled her lovely chain, its glow softly lighting up the room. To her surprise, the chain fell harmlessly to the floor and faded away when it reached the figure in front of her. She immediately dropped into a crouch and switched on her flashlight, directing its beam into the figure's face.
"Hey!" he protested in English, his hands covering his eyes.
"Who are you?" she asked, also in English.
"My name's Geoff Kelley," he answered. "You're one of the Sailor Soldiers, aren't you?"
Her English failing her, Venus switched back to Japanese. "I'm Sailor Venus. You helped protect the girl, Chibi-Usa, didn't you?"
"That's right," he said, also in Japanese. "Do you mind moving that light out of my eyes?"
"Oh! Sorry." She aimed the beam toward the floor. "What are you doing here? And how did you deflect my chain?"
"Well, I'm here because there seems to be something strange going on," he said. "As for your chain, I don't know what happened. I didn't do anything."
Just then, an explosion shook the building, throwing them both to the floor. Fire erupted from some old storage drums, quickly spreading through scattered debris and up the walls.
Her ears were ringing from the blast, and she was vaguely aware of a pulsating energy closing in on her. Suddenly, Geoff was beside her, trying to drag her to her feet. The energy fell away from him just as her chain had. She shook her head, trying to clear it, and groaned.
"Come on!" he yelled. "We're going to get barbecued if we stay in here much longer."
Nodding, she struggled to get her balance, letting him steer her toward the door. Outside, they sat on a bench across the street.
"Are you alright?" he asked.
"Yes, I think so," she answered. "Thank you."
"I'm sure the police and the fire department will be here any moment, and it would probably be easier for everyone concerned if this was just another random arson, rather than something involving one of the Sailor Senshi," he said.
"You're right," she agreed, rising to her feet. "Thank you again."- - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - -
"But I want to come too!" Chibi-Usa said.
"No," Usagi declared. "It's too dangerous. You need to stay here with Pluto."
They were at Mamoru's apartment.
"But this has to do with when I can go home," the younger girl persisted.
"Only after we've stopped Wiseman," Mamoru said quietly.
Just then, the phone rang.
"Moshi, moshi," he said into the handset.
"Mamoru-san, this is Petz."
"Yes, Petz. Is anything wrong?" he asked.
"Safiel and Demando have gone to the focal point," she said. "They seemed convinced something was about to happen."
"I understand. We're about to head there ourselves," he told her.
"I'm very worried," she said.
"We'll do everything we can," he assured her. "We have to go now."
"Right. Take care," she said, hanging up.
He replaced the phone, then turned back to face the others.
"Demando and Safiel?" Usagi asked.
He nodded. "They're heading for the focal point."
"We have to get going. We can't let them face that alone," she said. "Minako, you're with us. Pluto, I need you to watch Chibi-Usa."
Pluto nodded.
"But I want to come!" Chibi-Usa said again.
Usagi crouched in front of her, her face stern. "That's enough. You would only be in danger. You're staying here with Pluto."
With a pout, Chibi-Usa turned away.
"Pluto, call us if anything happens here," Usagi said.
"Of course," Pluto replied.
A bright flash of lightning lit up the sky with a dark lavender color, followed by a loud clap of thunder. Usagi felt a knot forming in the pit of her stomach.
"It's really looking nasty out there," Minako said.
"I don't think this is natural," Mamoru said.
Several bright flashes burst across the sky.
"It's all coming from the direction of the focal point," Artemis observed.
"We're out of time," Usagi said. "Wiseman's already started."
Pluto held Chibi-Usa with a restraining hand as the others rushed out the door.- - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - -
The dark crystal glowed in the middle of the street, already the size of a small van, and still growing. Bursts of lightning flared out toward the dark energy points Wiseman had established.
"Demando, I believe we have only a few hours before it reaches its critical mass," Safiel said.
Demando nodded. "Then we must try to disrupt it before that can happen."
The prince of the Dark Moon hurled an energy blast at the dark crystal, which flared. Safiel added his own power. The energy around the crystal pulsed and flickered.
Overhead, Wiseman shimmered into view, hurling a blast of force, sending Demando and Safiel sprawling. "You will not stop me," he declared.
Demando's only response was to unleash a blast at Wiseman. As the phantom vanished to avoid the attack, Safiel resumed his assault on the dark crystal.
Wiseman reappeared, this time just above the crystal. The dark crystal flared, releasing a massive pulse and throwing Demando and Safiel to the ground. Wiseman promptly blasted them both once more, only to be struck by a glowing red rose. As Wiseman gasped in pain and vanished, Sailor Moon and Sailor Venus moved closer to check on Demando and Safiel.
"Are you alright?" Sailor Moon asked Demando.
"Not entirely," he groaned, climbing painfully to his feet.
"What have you been able to find out?" she asked.
"The dark crystal is rapidly expanding into this time," Demando said. "In just a matter of hours it will be large enough to open the Black Gate. Safiel and I have managed to slow it down, but only slightly I'm afraid."
"What's the best way to stop it?" she asked.
"From within," Safiel answered, battered and bruised like his brother. "The energy is coming from the dark crystal on the Dark Moon. We have to cause a major feedback that will disrupt that crystal. It's the only way to deprive Wiseman of his power."
Sailor Venus stared at the crystal. "With the other Senshi missing, we can't use the sailor teleport to get inside it."
Sailor Moon nodded.- - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - -
Pluto stood in Mamoru's kitchen, preparing herself some tea, when she heard a faint noise.
"Small Lady?" she called.
Receiving no answer, she stepped into the living room, where she found the doorwall open onto the balcony. Hurrying out to the rail, she caught sight of a parachute descending to the street, her senses immediately recognizing the magic of the Luna-P. Pluto rushed back inside, taking only a moment to turn off the stove, then raced out the door.- - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - -
Sailor Moon stood before the dark crystal, which had more than doubled in size since she first saw it, letting the energy of the ginzuishou wash over it.
"Anything?" Tuxedo Kamen asked.
She shook her head. "Safiel's right. We can't do enough just from here."
"So what do we do?" Venus asked.
"We have to get inside somehow," Luna said.
"I think I can help with that," Demando said. "Safiel and I can teleport you inside."
"You're still injured," Sailor Moon pointed out. "It would be too dangerous for you."
"I'm aware of that, but my world is as much in danger as yours," he replied. "I have a duty to my people."
"Yes, of course," she agreed. "How soon can you be ready?"
"Almost immediately," Safiel answered.
The two princes stood together, waves of energy forming around them, gradually coming together in a large disc.
"Now," Demando said. "Go. And good luck."
"Thank you," Sailor Moon responded.
Tuxedo Kamen took her hand and they rushed forward, plunging into the disc, with Venus, Luna, and Artemis right behind them. As they vanished into the disc, Demando and Safiel continued to hold the portal stable. They became vaguely aware of the sound of running feet. Safiel turned to look.
"The rabbit!" he exclaimed, seeing Chibi-Usa.
"What?" Demando turned just in time to see the little girl dive into the disc, vanishing into the dark crystal. The portal flicked, then closed.
"What was she doing?" Safiel wondered.
"Small Lady!" Pluto called, once more in her sailor fuku. "Where has she gone?"
"She went through the portal, into the crystal," Safiel said.
"She's now with Sailor Moon," Demando added.
Pluto looked at the ominously flaring dark crystal, saying a silent prayer.< To be continued >
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NOTE: Once again, I've found it necessary to leave out the steamy stuff to focus on advancing the story. More to come in the next installment.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.
-06.22.2000