Between Light and Dark
-by: the Yarnspinner-
the_yarnspinner@yahoo.com
A Sekkushiaru Roman
featuring characters from the anime "Sailor Moon"> Part 6 - The Shadows Part <
Sailor Moon, Tuxedo Kamen, Sailor Venus, Chibi-Usa, Luna, and Artemis stood together on a flat, open plain. Lightning flashed overhead, but failed to overcome the pervading darkness within the dark crystal. They all drew closer together in the gloom. Another flash washed over them, again failing to reveal any surrounding detail.
"This is the dark crystal?" Venus asked.
"I think so," Luna answered quietly.
"It's scary," Chibi-Usa whispered, taking hold of Usagi's hand.
"You were supposed to stay with Pluto," Usagi said, bending down in front of her and giving her a hug. "But we're not going to let anything happen to you. OK?"
Chibi-Usa took a breath and nodded. "I just wanted to help," she said.
"How did you expect to be able to help?" Luna asked.
"I don't know," the little girl replied.
"Well, we still have to figure out how to stop the dark crystal, as well as locating and rescuing the other Senshi," Artemis said.
Usagi nodded, and they moved forward.
Suddenly, the ground flared beneath them, opening holes under their feet. They each dropped out of sight.- - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - -
Sailor Moon found herself floating in a void of utter darkness. Her hand found the ginzuishou in her brooch. The crystal flared, but its light was immediately swallowed up in the surrounding blackness.
She opened her mind, at first finding nothing, but gradually sensing Tuxedo Kamen's presence somewhere in the distance. They couldn't communicate, but she at least took comfort in knowing he was there. As she continued to reach out with her mind, she became aware of another presence, soon recognizing that it was Chibi-Usa. Knowing the girl was probably scared, she did her best to direct thoughts of comfort and reassurance toward her future daughter.
Her attention was drawn back to her surroundings as the ginzuishou began flickering, finally fading to only the faintest glow under the effects of the dark crystal. As the ginzuishou faded, she realized her fuku had faded away as well, leaving her naked.
The darkness began to dissolve, like the lifting of a thick fog. Objects took form, vague at first, then increasingly substantial. Her feet now touched solid ground and she could move. As her surroundings came into focus, she found herself in the ruins of a severely bombed out city. The air was cold and still, reeking with death and destruction. Only the reduced power of the ginzuishou kept her protected from the cold.
Ahead of her, Wiseman shimmered into view. In a flush of embarrassment, she attempted to cover herself with an arm across her breasts and a hand held down across her crotch.
"What is this?" she asked.
"This is your future," he said. "This is Crystal Tokyo."
"Why are we here?"
Ahead of her, a pillar of light rose into the still starless sky. At the center of the pillar stood an ebony sword. She moved closer, but stopped short of the illuminated area.
"You want to protect your friends," he said. "This will give you the means."
"What do you mean?" she asked.
"Take it, and you will have the power to prevent the attack from ever taking place," Wiseman said.
Suspicion welled within her. "Why would you want that? It would hardly serve your ends."
"You have no conception of my ends," he said. "We all respond to our own needs. You are no different."
"I am nothing like you!" she insisted.
"Indeed?" he asked. "Are you so sure? You want to create a peaceful world."
"Unlike you. You only want to destroy everything."
"We both seek to put an end to the chaos of this reality," he said. "In either case, it requires someone to make choices for others."
"How dare you?! I would never be a part of that!" she objected angrily.
"Really? I believe that Neo-Queen Serenity, your future self, made the decision to carry out a cleansing of the Earth on her own. She did not ask the people of this planet for their permission," he said.
"What?!" she sputtered indignantly. "I'm sure you're twisting the facts. That can't be all there is to it."
He floated silently in front of her, his glowing eyes staring at her. "Those who have certainty in their convictions don't have to labor for rationalizations. They just proceed with the blind faith that they are absolutely right."
"All we can do is follow our convictions," she replied. "If I make mistakes, at least I'm trying to help people, to protect them from those who would destroy their ability to live their own lives."
"And what of the Dark Moon family? Were they free to lead their own lives when they felt compelled to flee Earth?"
"Your question provides the answer," she said. "They were able to leave. Whatever may have happened, they didn't have to go, but they were not forced to submit to this cleansing."
"If you believe so firmly in your own righteousness, then you should have no hesitation in taking that sword and using its power for your cause," he said coldly.
She glanced at the sword.
"Take it," he repeated. "True power can only be wielded by one with certainty. Use it to fashion the world you want."
As her eyes lingered on the sword, her attention was drawn to its dark color and the faint air of menace that seemed to surround it. She turned her eyes back toward Wiseman and took a step away from the weapon. As she did so, the ginzuishou again glowed brightly, filling her with an incredible energy. The rose-hued silver glow enveloped her, clothing her in a flowing silver gown. She felt something on her head, reaching up to find a tiara.
"Damn you!" Wiseman cursed.
He back away from her, while the sword and the pillar of light vanished. His crystal ball flashed ominously, and he faded away. The ruins of Crystal Tokyo also melted away, proving to be nothing but an illusion. She found herself in an open room, and a burst of lightning flashed overhead. Involuntarily, she flinched as the sound of thunder crashed around her.
She focused herself on the ginzuishou, feeling her awareness expand outward. The dark crystal was still blocking her, but she could sense both Mamoru and Chibi-Usa in the distance. She concentrated on reaching out to them. In the back of her mind, a voice very much like her own whispered faintly. "Take care of them."- - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - -
Chibi-Usa clutched the Luna-P tightly, as tears streamed down her face. Trapped within the impenetrable darkness, unable to feel any ground beneath her, she was isolated and scared. From time to time, she felt a vague sensation that Mamoru or Usagi was close by, but she couldn't see anything, and her cries went unanswered.
Suddenly, her foot struck something and she tumbled forward, the Luna-P slipping from her grasp. Finding herself now on solid ground, she scrambled frantically after the ball, terrified of losing it as well. With the ball back in her embrace, she looked around. A faint illumination was coming from somewhere, although the sky was still completely black. Rubble was strewn everywhere. Ahead of her, she saw her swing, looking strangely out of place amidst the devastation.
"I'm home!" she gasped in shock.
As she reached the swing, Wiseman appeared several meters away. She stepped back in fright.
"Hello, rabbit. We meet again," he said.
She remained silent, clutching the Luna-P still closer.
"Everyone has left," Wiseman continued. "They've all abandoned you."
Blinking the tears from her eyes, she shook her head.
"They all blame you for this," he said, his voice ringing hypnotically. "They know what happened."
"No," she whimpered. "It wasn't my fault."
"You wanted them to treat you like a grown lady, with respect," he said.
Her head nodded slightly.
"We can make that happen, little rabbit. Your dream can come true."
She looked up at him, seeing a small, shining ebony globe drifting toward her, stopping only an arm's length away.
"Take it," he said. "Reach out and take it. Then you will be a lady, and they will respect you. They will have no choice."
Fear battled with her longing. She wanted to be a lady, but this was the evil ghost man who had tried to hurt her before.
"Take it," he repeated. "Everything you want will come to be."
Her mind was becoming foggy, and she again seemed to recall the Senshi of Crystal Tokyo rushing her from the palace, complaining that this was all her fault.
"Take it. Make them respect you," Wiseman said.
She seemed to remember being in a park with her parents, who refused to help her up after she had fallen. A warmth of love crept into her, changing the image to a different park, this time in Old Tokyo with Mamoru and Usagi. This memory was filled with love and happiness. Again she saw the image of her parents, but now they were hugging her and congratulating her for standing back up on her own.
The fogginess in her head seemed to be fading and she now clearly sensed the presence of Mamoru and Usagi. Her heart warmed as she felt how much they cared for her. Looking up at Wiseman again, she took a step back.
"I don't need that!" she cried. "I have people who love me right now!"
With a snarl, Wiseman lunged toward her. She fell back in fright, hitting the ground hard. As she did so, the crescent moon appeared on her forehead, and a brilliant beam of energy lanced outward. Wiseman screamed in pain and vanished.- - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - -
The flash of light penetrated the gloom surrounding Tuxedo Kamen, just as he heard Chibi-Usa's cry in his mind. Instantly, he found himself falling toward her, as if gravity had just been restored to his universe. In moments, he was alongside her. Her energy beam had dispelled the illusion of Crystal Tokyo, and they now saw it was an open room with dark, crystalline walls. As lightning flashed overhead, one of the facets on the wall flickered, and Usagi emerged, dressed as the queen of Crystal Tokyo.
"Mamo-chan! Chibi-Usa!" she cried, running to them.
"Usako," Mamoru called.
She threw her arms around both of them, kissing Mamoru passionately, then giving Chibi-Usa a soft kiss on the cheek.
"Thank you," Chibi-Usa whispered. "Thank you for your help."
"I couldn't let anything happen to you," Usagi replied, tears of joy filling her eyes.
"None of us could," Mamoru added, hugging them both.
While they embraced, another facet pulsed with light as Sailor Venus entered the room.
"Are you alright?" Venus asked them.
"Yes," Mamoru answered. "Where are Luna and Artemis?"
"Right here," Artemis answered as he and Luna entered from different facets.
"That leaves the other Senshi still unaccounted for," Venus pointed out.
"Yes," Usagi agreed. "And I'm sure we don't have much time before Wiseman can open the gate."
Usagi lifted the ginzuishou from her chest, letting its light pour out and take the place of Chibi-Usa's fading energy beam. In moments, energy coalesced into three separate columns, which faded to reveal crystalline pillars. Each contained one of the missing Senshi.
"I'll get them out," Venus said, her energy beam quickly breaking open the pillars.
Falling to the floor, Mercury, Mars, and Jupiter slowly regained consciousness.
"Are you alright?" Usagi asked them.
Mars sat up. "I think so," she answered weakly. "Just really stiff."
"Yeah," Jupiter agreed, flexing her legs tentatively. "Stiff is an understatement."
Ami stood up, but found herself very unsteady on her feet. Venus quickly took her arm.
"Easy there," Venus said.
"Thanks. I'll be alright," Mercury replied.
Just then, bright pulses of energy flashed through the dark crystal, accompanied by a low rumbling sound. The very air seemed to crackle.
"That must be it," Usagi said.
She activated the ginzuishou once more, flooding its power through the dark crystal, causing some of the facets in the walls to melt away. Gradually, the rumbling stopped. The ginzuishou's glow faded, and Usagi, reverting to Sailor Moon, sat down on the floor, looking tired.
"You will not interfere with me again!" Wiseman declared, appearing above them.
He hurled a blast of force at Sailor Moon, but Tuxedo Kamen shielded her, taking the blast himself. Venus immediately hurled her chain at the phantom, only to see it pass harmlessly through him.
Sailor Moon rose to her feet, the ginzuishou glowing brightly once more.
"Sailor Moon, no!" Luna protested. "You're too weak to use the ginzuishou again."
"There's no other choice," she replied, before hurling the ginzuishou's energy at Wiseman.
Wiseman parried with dark crystal energy released through his crystal ball, slowly gaining the upper hand.
Sailor Moon closed her eyes, opening herself still further to the ginzuishou's power. Once again a faint voice whispered in her mind. "Let me help."
The ginzuishou flared still brighter. Sailor Moon's fuku melted away, and waves of energy swirled over her naked form as her crescent moon shone on her forehead. The energy quickly formed into the gown and tiara of Neo-Queen Serenity, while the suddenly increased power coming from the ginzuishou threw Wiseman back.
The advantage proved only momentary, as Wiseman responded with still more power of his own. Usagi struggled to hold her own.
"Sailor Moon!" Luna cried.
"We have to do something!" Mars said.
Chibi-Usa huddled in Mamoru's arms. "This is all my fault," she sobbed.
As tears flowed down her cheeks, a bright glow emanated from within her. She looked up in surprise to see one of her tears glowing brightly. Energy emerged from her, collecting around the teardrop, and forming into the ginzuishou of the future.
"The crystal!" she gasped.
She reached out and took it in her hands, feeling its power running through her. Looking up, she saw Usagi being pushed back by Wiseman.
"I have to help," she declared.
"It's too dangerous," Luna said.
Chibi-Usa looked up at Mamoru, her large eyes both displaying conviction and pleading for permission. He thought for a moment, feeling his own conflicting emotions, then nodded.
She hugged him, then raced toward Usagi. Holding the crystal up, she let its energy wash over her, replacing her school uniform with a silver gown, while her crescent moon shone brightly. She floated up beside Usagi, who looked over at the younger girl in surprise. Chibi-Usa added the power of the future crystal to Usagi's.
"Moon... Crystal... Power!" they cried together.
A tremendous burst of silver-white energy, with a faint rose tint, slammed into Wiseman, completely overwhelming his defenses. The phantom screamed before being torn apart.
Their jaws grimly set, Usagi and Chibi-Usa let their power flood out into the dark crystal, slowly melting it away. The disruption caused the dark crystal to flare, pouring its energies back at them. It was no match for the combined power of two ginzuishous, however, and became increasingly unstable. Their power flared still more brightly, melting away the dark crystal. It exploded in a massive burst of remaining energy. The ginzuishous enveloped the others, holding them in safety.
After several minutes, the silver cocoon faded away, and the Senshi found themselves back on the street in Tokyo, where the first hint of dawn was beginning to brighten the eastern sky. A small crater in the street marked the place where the dark crystal had been. The glow from the two ginzuishous grew still weaker as Usagi and Chibi-Usa floated back down to the ground. Both unconscious, Usagi reverted to Sailor Moon, while Chibi-Usa reverted to her school uniform.
As Tuxedo Kamen and the Senshi gathered around Sailor Moon and Chibi-Usa, Demando, Safiel, and Pluto hurried to them.
"Is everyone alright?" Demando asked.
"I think so," Mercury answered.
"Wiseman is dead, and the dark crystal destroyed," Tuxedo Kamen added.
Demando nodded, a look of remorse flashing briefly across his face.
"Well, that is good news," Safiel said.
"Yes," Demando agreed. "But there will be much rebuilding to do."
"We'll do it," Safiel assured him.
Sailor Moon began to awaken.
"Usako," Tuxedo Kamen said softly, his voice full of emotion as he held her close.
"Mamo-chan," she whispered, feeling his lips on her cheek.
"I love you. So much," he told her. "And I am so very proud of you." He pressed his lips to hers, kissing her deeply.
Beside them, Chibi-Usa stirred. As she sat up, Mamoru pulled her into his lap.
"How are you feeling?" he asked.
"I'm doing alright," she answered softly.
Usagi leaned closer and embraced her. "I want to thank you for what you did," Usagi said.
"I need to thank you... Mommy," Chibi-Usa answered, hugging Usagi in return as tears welled up in the older girl's eyes.
Mamoru hugged both of them. "I am very proud of you both," he said.
Pluto knelt beside them and placed her hand on Chibi-Usa's shoulder. "You did very well, Small Lady," she said. "You parents will be very proud of you."
"They already are," Usagi said quietly.
With a smile, Pluto nodded.
Demando stepped forward. "I'm sorry to interrupt, but my brother and I must be going. We have a world to rebuild."
"It's your choice, Demando," Usagi said. "But please do consider returning to Earth. Just like the situation with Wiseman, the whole thing may prove to be just a tragic misunderstanding."
Demando looked at her. "I... I have my doubts on that, I'm afraid."
"Petz and her sisters are living here in Old Tokyo, and seem quite happy, brother," Safiel pointed out. "It might be something at least to consider."
"If it could be for the good of your people," Usagi suggested.
Demando thought for a moment. "I will give it some consideration. For many years my people have been taught that we were persecuted and then driven out from Earth. That will not be easy to overcome. But just now, we must see to Esmerodo."
"What about Petz and her sisters?" Mars asked.
"They appear to wish to remain here," Demando said. "I will not compel them to return if they do not wish to."
"Farewell, Prince Demando," Usagi said. "I wish you the best."
"And to you... your majesty," he replied with a bow.
Usagi blushed, while Mamoru slid his arm around her waist. Demando and Safiel turned and left.- - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - -
Mamoru and Usagi returned to his apartment with Chibi-Usa. The little girl lay down on the couch, where the excitement and her lack of sleep quickly caught up with her. Mamoru retrieved a blanket and an extra pillow from the closet.
"Are you sleepy?" Usagi asked, as she pulled the blanket up over her.
Chibi-Usa nodded, making herself comfortable.
"You certainly had a big day," Usagi told her. "I think we all could do with some sleep."
Mamoru switched off the phone, and he sat with Usagi, watching as Chibi-Usa drifted off to sleep. Usagi rested her head on his shoulder, finding her own eyes growing heavy.
"She's not the only one who's sleepy," Mamoru said softly.
"Very true," Usagi agreed.
"Do you want to go to bed?" he asked. "Just to sleep."
"Yes," she answered.
They could see that Chibi-Usa was now asleep, continuing to sit for several minutes watching her there. Finally, they stood up and quietly made their way back to his bedroom. She removed her clothes and slipped on one of his shirts, while he stripped down to his boxers, then pulled on a pair of sweat pants. They lay down together, pulling up the sheet.
"I love you, Usako," he whispered.
"And I love you," she replied softly, her eyes already drifting closed.
He leaned over and kissed her, soon falling asleep with a strong sense of contentment.- - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - -
Early afternoon found Mamoru, Usagi, and Chibi-Usa out in the park for a picnic lunch. They sat under the shade of a tree, looking down at the lake. Nearby was the dock where Chibi-Usa had first arrived.
"This was very good," Mamoru said. "My compliments to the chefs."
Usagi and Chibi-Usa, who had jointly prepared the food, each smiled.
"Thank you, Mamo-chan. I'm glad you liked it," Usagi said.
"Yes. Thank you," Chibi-Usa echoed.
She fell silent, looking down at the lake. Usagi snuggled close to Mamoru as they enjoyed this chance to be a family, knowing that very soon now, it would come to an end.
"I always thought I would be so happy to go home," Chibi-Usa said.
"But your parents are waiting for you," Mamoru said. "Now that the war with the Dark Moon is over."
"I know, and I really do want to go home," Chibi-Usa replied. "But I'm also going to miss you, and everyone here."
"Well, we're going to miss you," Usagi said, trying not to let the emotion show in her voice.
"That's right," Mamoru agreed.
"But it's not like you won't see us, since Mamoru and I in the future are your parents," Usagi added.
"I know," Chibi-Usa said. "But somehow it's different."
She moved closer to Mamoru and Usagi, resting her head in his lap. Mamoru looked over at Usagi and smiled.
They sat quietly for several minutes. Mamoru then reached down and started tickling Chibi-Usa.
"No!... No!... Mamo-chan!" she cried, squirming.
With a grin, Usagi joined in as Chibi-Usa rolled up in a fetal position, trying to protect herself. Mamoru slipped an arm around his future wife, his fingers dancing across her ribs.
"Mamo-chan!" she protested.
Usagi turned her attention to Mamoru. He squirmed to avoid her fingers while continuing to tickle her. Chibi-Usa saw what was happening and joined Usagi in tickling Mamoru.
"I think you're up against more than you can handle, Mamo-chan," Usagi giggled.
"Oh, really?" he asked, pulling Usagi into a tight embrace.
Chibi-Usa jumped on top of both of them. "Now I've got you both!" she cried happily.
She slid back off of them, and they sat together. Mamoru glanced at his watch.
"I think we should be going," he said.
"It's not time yet," Usagi objected.
"I wanted to buy ice cream for both of you," he replied.
"Ice cream! Oh, yeah!" Chibi-Usa exclaimed.
They packed up their picnic basket and walked out of the park.- - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - -
They returned to the lake half an hour later, Chibi-Usa and Usagi both happily munching on their ice cream cones. The other Senshi were already gathering at the dock. Chibi-Usa stepped forward to say good-bye to each.
Mamoru slipped his arm around Usagi, knowing they were both sad to see her leave. He leaned down and kissed Usagi's cheek.
Chibi-Usa moved back toward her future parents, wiping a tear from her eye. Usagi stepped toward her. They each hesitated for a moment, before Chibi-Usa rushed forward, throwing her arms around Usagi.
"Thank you... Mommy," Chibi-Usa whispered. "Thank you so much."
"I'll miss you," Usagi said. "I'm very proud of you. And though I may not have always shown it, I'm so happy to have had you here with us."
They held together in a long embrace. As they finally separated, Mamoru crouched down and hugged the little girl.
"Don't cry," he said. "You'll be back home before you know it."
She nodded her head, wiping away another tear.
"I have something for you," he told her, producing small figures of Sailor Moon and Tuxedo Kamen, each holding a rose.
"Thank you, Daddy," she said softly, tears again welling up in her eyes.
He stood up, holding her hand. He and Usagi walked her out onto the dock, where Sailor Pluto was waiting. The other Senshi stood behind them, again saying good-bye. Chibi-Usa smiled up at Mamoru and Usagi, then stepped toward Pluto.
"I love you both," Chibi-Usa whispered.
"Good-bye," Usagi replied, her voice too choked to say more.
"Farewell, Senshi," Pluto said, before vanishing with Chibi-Usa in a soft flash of light.
Usagi stood there, her eyes lingering on the now empty dock. She sniffed, wiping away a tear, as Mamoru's arm rested comfortingly across her shoulders.
"I would never have imagined it when she first showed up... but I'm really going to miss her," Usagi said.
Mamoru nodded. "But she's home now. She's back where she belongs."
Usagi threw her arms around him and pressed her face against his chest. He wrapped his arms around her, running a hand comfortingly over her back.
"Let's go home," he said. "We'll see her again. In due time."
She looked up into his face. "I love you so much, Mamo-chan."
"I love you, Usako," he said, bending down and kissing her.* * * * * * * * * * * *
NOTE: This brings to a close my revision of the R series. I want to thank everyone who has responded to my yarns, and of course, special thanks to Hopeless Romantic, my love and inspiration.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.
-06.30.2000