That Special Magic
-by: the Yarnspinner-
the_yarnspinner@yahoo.com
http://strands-of-moonlight.my3gb.com
-or- http://strands-of-moonlight.6te.net
A Sekkushiaru Roman
featuring characters from the anime "Sailor Moon"> Chapter 50 - Confrontation <
Tsukino Kenji sat at his desk, reviewing his email. As he sat there, his fingers drummed impatiently on the desk. Just then, his phone beeped. He turned toward it. "Yes?"
"Your attorney calling for you, Tsukino-san," his secretary announced over the intercom.
"Thank you, Nakamura-san," Kenji said. He picked up the handset and pressed the button. "Watanabe-san?... Yes. Thank you for returning my call. I hope my message made sense." Kenji flipped to a blank page of the notebook he kept next to his phone and began to scribble notes. "I'm well aware it's an unusual request. That's why I need to make sure it's done correctly... No. We haven't made a decision on that yet. I just want to have everything in place..." He shook his head and scowled, growing increasingly uncomfortable as he made more notes. "Watanabe-san," he sighed, interrupting. "The financial side of it is definitely not an issue in this. I need to know about the more... technical questions. Who will be responsible for what. That sort of thing... Yes, that's right... I'm well aware of that, but this situation isn't exactly that clear cut..." He frowned and removed his glasses, sighing and shaking his head again while rubbing a hand over his eyes. "I see... Well... OK. Put something together and let me see it."
A faint tremor was suddenly felt through the building and the lights flickered. The motion increased and a siren sounded. It felt and sounded like a train was passing through the building. Kenji dropped his pen, grabbing first for his glasses and then the television remote on his desk, switching on the news channel.
"I'll have to call you back, Watanabe-san," Kenji declared, hurriedly hanging up the phone.
The lights flickered again, and a series of loud explosions split the air. The motion grew still more severe. Kenji dove under his heavy wood desk just in time to avoid several ceiling tiles which were knocked loose. The power failed completely this time, while he could hear the sound of breaking glass. Finally, the tremor stopped. He remained still for a moment, then pushed aside a fallen tile and climbed out from under his desk. The office remained dark. As he looked outside, he was shocked to see the city now covered in a thick blanket of low-hanging dark clouds, which had turned early morning almost into night. In the distance, he could see the glow of several fires.
"Tsukino-san?" Nakamura called, her voice ringing with both concern and residual fright. She pushed hard on the door, which finally burst open. "Tsukino-san? Are you alright?"
"Yes, Nakamura-san," he said, turning back to face her. "Just a little shaken... Are you alright?"
"Yes, sir. I'm fine... But what happened? Was that an earthquake?"
"It certainly felt like one," Kenji said. "But I've never heard of an earthquake being accompanied by such heavy clouds as this." He stepped back to his desk and picked up his phone. Pressing several buttons, however, he found the phone system was dead. "The phones are out." He pulled his cell phone from his pocket and pressed the speed-dial for his home. There was a moment's silence, then the phone beeped, indicating it could not complete the call. "Even my cellular network is out... or overloaded." He returned to the window and gazed to the south toward Juuban, hoping that Ikuko and Shingo were both safe, while thankful that Usagi was safely out of the city.- - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - -
The television in Atana's living room was on and the young people sat there, watching the news reports of the Tokyo earthquake with obvious concern. Mamoru hung up the phone and sat down next to Usagi.
"I managed to get through to a Chiba office in Kobe," Mamoru said. "The phone networks in and around Tokyo have been restricted to emergency services use only, where they're working at all."
The news network switched to a view from a helicopter flying low over Tokyo Bay. The city was shrouded in low, dark clouds.
"As we look at this view of Tokyo, we want to repeat that what you are seeing is just unusually heavy cloud cover," the network anchor reported. "There are reports coming out of the city of some scattered fires, but nothing that would cover the city so completely."
"That's a very good point," the co-anchor said. "Tokyo was virtually destroyed by a major earthquake and subsequent fire in 1923, in much the way San Francisco was in 1906... and the region around Tokyo is considered overdue for a 'big one', but this one was nowhere near the caliber of the 1923 quake..."
Atana turned the volume down. "My sensors are picking up Dark Kingdom energy coming from the Tokyo area."
"Is this the beginning of their attack?" Makoto asked.
"I'm not sure, but I would doubt it," Atana said. "The energy levels spiked with the earthquake, then have dropped off since."
"It sounds like they're making another effort to draw out the Senshi," Artemis said.
Usagi nodded, coming to the same conclusion. "I think we need to finish this," she said softly. "Before more people get hurt."
"Are you sure?" Luna asked. "Fighting them on their own ground will be exceedingly dangerous."
"I know," Usagi replied, her fingers tightening on Mamoru's hand. "But who knows what they'll do next... And in any case, we have to strike them before they're ready to launch their attack."
Luna nodded reluctantly in agreement.- - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - -
"I'm coming with you," Ryo said softly but firmly to Ami.
"No!" she declared. "That's out of the question. It's much too dangerous."
He shook his head, drawing her into his arms. "I know I can't fight, but you're going to need every advantage you can get, and that includes my psychic senses."
She held him close and kissed his cheek. "That's very sweet, but I can't let you do it. I'd never forgive myself if you got hurt."
"How do you think I feel? The girl I love is going into danger. I want to do something, and this time I feel certain I really can help," Ryo said.
"There's no need for you to do this," she said. "You don't have to prove anything to me."
"I'm not trying to prove anything," he protested. "I'm just convinced you're going to need my help this time."
She looked into his eyes, seeing that he was serious. As she tightened her embrace of him, she was torn, still frightened at the thought of him being put at danger, yet recognizing that he was determined to go. Furthermore, she had to admit that he did have a point. His psychic ability might actually prove helpful to them. Finally, she kissed him desperately, praying that they would both come out of this safely, then nodded. "I love you so much," she whispered. "I couldn't bear to lose you."
"I couldn't bear to lose you," he agreed. "I want to be with you forever."
She kissed him again. "Just be careful... please."
"I intend to," he said.- - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - -
In the cave, Kara clung to both Rei and Atana. "Can't I come too? Please?" she cried.
"No, honey. You cannot come," Atana said. He had wrestled long and hard with his own conscience, finally deciding that this time he would stand with the young woman he loved. Even so, it was still no easy thing to leave his daughter behind.
"You have to stay here where it is safe, honey," Rei added, giving the little girl a hug.
"But Mommy..." Kara protested.
"No buts," Atana said sternly.
Kara frowned and fell silent, tears beginning to form in her eyes.
Atana crouched alongside Rei as she began to wipe Kara's eyes. He leaned closer and kissed his daughter's cheek. "I need you to be brave, honey, for all of us," he said softly. "We both love you very much, and we have to do this to make sure the bad monsters never come back."
"That's right," Rei agreed.
"Really?" Kara asked.
Rei nodded. "Your daddy and I want you to be safe."
Kara sniffled slightly and wiped her eyes, then threw her arms around Rei. "I love you, Mommy."
"I love you, honey," Rei said softly.
Atana embraced both of them. "And I love my two favorite women," he said, once more fully aware of just how happy he was now that his family was again complete.- - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - -
"Be careful," Shinozaki whispered to Makoto. He was the only one, aside from Kara, Luna, and Artemis, who wasn't going.
"I will," she said, kissing him. "I love you, more than anything."
"And I love you, Mako-chan," he said, kissing her in return. "Just make sure you come back."
She nodded and smiled.
He leaned closer. "There's something I'll want to ask you someday, you know."
She grinned happily, tightening her embrace of him and kissing him again. "I think you already know what my answer will be."
"But you have to come back," he said again. "So I can ask you when we're both ready."
"I'll be back, my love," she said. "With you is the only place I want to be."
"I couldn't agree more," he said.- - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - -
Mamoru kissed Usagi, holding her firmly in his arms. Her large blue eyes sparkled at him. He smiled, then kissed her again. "Are you ready for this, my princess?"
She nodded, pressing herself still closer to him. "As long as I have my wonderful, handsome prince with me..."
"There's no place else I would ever want to be," he said.
She smiled up at him. "I love you so much, Mamo-chan," she sighed. "And I want to be with you forever. You, me, and our baby."
Their lips brushed once more. "That's just what I want, Usako," he said.- - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - -
The candles burned in Atana's cave and the rings of energy spun, forming a sphere which showed the snowfield where they had identified the emanations of dark energy. Kara sat on a seat, watching her father as Atana adjusted the sphere. Traces of energy swirled around the little girl as well.
Luna and Artemis sat next to Kara.
"Is everything alright, Atana?" Artemis asked.
"Yes. There doesn't appear to be any change in the energy emissions," Atana said.
"Are you sure I have to stay, Daddy?" Kara asked.
"Yes, you do, honey," Atana said firmly.
Rei, now in the form of Sailor Mars, embraced the little girl and kissed her. "Remember, your daddy and I need you to be brave," she said softly.
Kara nodded, still looking unhappy.
Shinozaki stood behind Kara's seat. "Besides, you are the only one of us not going who can keep your daddy's sphere going," he reminded her.
"That's right, honey," Atana said, crouching next to Rei. "You have the necessary magic skills. Luna, Artemis, and Shinozaki don't. We're counting on you to keep the sphere going for us."
Kara nodded again, embracing both Atana and Rei. "I don't want you to go," she whispered, struggling to hold back tears. "I'm scared."
Atana kissed his daughter. "I know you are... but your mommy and I are counting on you, honey."
Rei glanced at Atana, then back to Kara. "Yes, we are," she agreed.
As Kara sat back, she let the energy from the sphere flow through her, focusing it as her father had taught her.
"You're doing great," Atana said softly, kissing Kara's cheek again.
"We're very proud of you," Rei added.
"I love you," Kara whispered.
Rei leaned forward and kissed the little girl. As more energy flowed through Kara, Rei noticed something very faint on Kara's forehead, stifling a gasp as she realized it was the sign of Mars. "I love you, honey... Your daddy and I will be back. I promise."
"Thank you, Mommy. I love you," Kara said.
Atana stood up and joined the others. "The sphere will serve as our anchor," he said.
"Yes," Usagi agreed, in her princess form. "I've already attuned my crystal to it... But now, we should be going."
Rei gave Kara one more kiss before they all moved toward the opening of the cave, where Geoff and Minako were waiting. The Senshi and their companions gathered around Tuxedo Kamen and Princess Serenity.
"Good luck," Luna called.
"All we all ready?" Serenity asked. Seeing only nods from the others, she raised her hands and the ginzuishou flared, its brilliant glow enveloping them all. In only a moment, they all faded away.
"Daddy! Mommy!" Kara cried.
"They'll be alright," Artemis reassured her.- - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - -
An icy wind whipped across the open plain, making a sharp contrast from the warmth of Hawaii. As they huddled together, doing their best to shield themselves from the cold, Ami already had her computer out and was scanning the area.
"There's a small cave over there," Ami said, pointing. "Almost in the center of the energy field area."
"That explains why we didn't see it with the sphere," Atana said with a nod.
"Well, let's head that way," Serenity said. "At least we'll have shelter from the wind."
They started moving, the snow crunching under their feet. The sense of menace in the air was growing stronger as they moved forward. With hardly a thought, several of them found themselves drifting closer to Geoff, feeling the sensation fading around him. Ryo held Ami's arm, letting her lead him as he kept his eyes tightly closed.
Just then, two large dark forms loomed up from the cave entrance and drifted forward.
"Who dares approach?" one of the youma challanged.
The Senshi tensed and, except for Ami, moved forward.
"What do you see?" Ryo asked Ami softly.
"Two youma. Dark and shadowy. Each about three-and-a-half meters tall," she said. "They're between us and the cave."
Ryo shook his head. "It's a trick... There's something small, next to the cave opening."
Ami hurriedly reset her computer, scanning the area immediately around the cave. "Don't attack the youma!" she called to the others. As they stepped back, Ami quickly found what she was looking for. "Venus. The left side of the cave, about thirty centimeters from the edge, and about halfway up."
"I got it," Minako said, stepping away from Geoff and raising her arm. "Crescent... Beam!" An intense beam of energy lashed out, sweeping up along the edge of the cave. In just a moment, there was a sudden flash as the beam struck a magic black crystal hidden in the snow. As the crystal exploded, both youma vanished.
"Good shot, Venus," Serenity said.
"Well, that was certainly easy," Sailor Jupiter said. "I wonder when the real fight begins."
"Soon enough, I'm sure," Tuxedo Kamen said quietly.
"It's clear at least until we get into the cave," Ryo said, still keeping his eyes closed.
"Let's get moving," Serenity directed.
They stepped inside, relieved to be out of the wind, but still able to feel the menace around them. The cave remained comfortably wide for them to walk, and sloped gently downward. Serenity let the ginzuishou glow to provide them with illumination.
"Careful," Ami whispered to Ryo as they crossed some uneven ground. "Are you sure you want to keep your eyes closed?"
Ryo nodded. "They can hopelessly confuse the physical senses. I need to rely on my psychic sight."
"Alright," Ami said softly, leaning closer to kiss his cheek. "I love you."
"I love you," Ryo whispered in reply.
"I see a light ahead," Venus said.
"Yes. And I can sense powerful magic," Atana agreed, immediately feeling Rei's fingers tighten around his.
"This could be it," Sailor Mars said.
"Or another trick," Serenity said. "Geoff, I must ask you and Venus to take the lead. If it really is a magic source ahead of us..."
"I understand. I'll be the least vulnerable," Geoff agreed.
Venus remained close to Geoff as they moved forward, her senses straining for the slightest sign of an attack. She was ready to jump aside and fire at any moment, knowing that Geoff's ability would largely neutralize even her powers. Only Serenity's crystal displayed any immunity to his talent.
They came to the end of the passage, emerging into light and finding themselves standing on level ground. The sight ahead of them seemed totally out of place. It was a large, gently arched covered bridge with a birds-head motif carved at the end of the roof-peak, and ornately carved runes along the opening. The bridge spanned a broad river, and a dark, hooded figure stood before the bridge.
"What is it?" Mars asked, glancing around.
"I don't believe it," Geoff exclaimed. "Apparently the Dark Kingdom knows more than a little about Norse mythology. The bridge is Gjallerbru, crossing the river Gjoll, the Norse equivalent of the river Styx. The river is the boundary of the realm of the dead, and the figure at the bridge is Modgud. Her job is keep the living from going in, and the dead from coming out."
"Gates of Hell," Atana muttered. "I don't think I like the sound of that."
"If it's real," Serenity said.
Ryo shook his head. "I don't see the bridge. And the youma doesn't fit the classic descriptions of Modgud, at least not to my sight."
Geoff nodded. "I'll handle this one," he said, stepping forward. "But I would appreciate a little backup, in case this thing can slug it out."
Venus stepped to one side, taking care to keep a clear shot at the youma.
"You shall not pass," the youma growled as Geoff moved forward. It suddenly raised a bony hand and gestured.
A rushing sound filled the air, and ghastly figures began to rise out of the ground on either side of the youma, gradually taking the form of partially decomposed Viking warriors, wielding heavy swords. One of the warriors jumped forward, lunging at Geoff. Suddenly, it lost its footing and stumbled as its strength seemed to fail. Still more than two meters from Geoff, the warrior fell, crumbling into dust even before it hit the ground.
Even as a second warrior rushed forward to meet the same fate, the ersatz Modgud began to fall back, recognizing the unique threat the New Zealander posed.
"Fire... soul!" Sailor Mars cried, sweeping a powerful fire-blast behind the youma.
As the youma flinched away from the fire, Geoff dove forward, tackling the robed figure. The youma screamed as it struggled desperately, but in only a moment, it too collapsed into dust.
With the youma's passing, so too did the illusion of the bridge and the river. The Senshi and their companions now found themselves standing in a large, spacious cavern. Ahead of them loomed an enormous dark mass. As they moved closer, they began to see it was a huge palace. The exterior was dark and unpolished. Soon, they could see that the outer walls were pitted and scarred.
"It's huge," Jupiter exclaimed.
"But it doesn't look to be in very good shape," Venus said. "The walls are really battered."
"Is that an illusion as well?" Tuxedo Kamen asked.
"I don't think so," Ryo said. "It looks pretty beat up to my sight as well."
"Any immediate threats?" Serenity asked.
"Not until we get inside," Ryo answered.
They stopped at the steps that led up to the opening where the main doors should have been.
"I think a magic shield might serve us better right now," Atana suggested.
Mars produced several of her warding charms. "I agree."
"Can you make a shield when Geoff is with us, Atana-san?" Jupiter asked.
"I can only try," Atana said.
"Do what you can," Serenity said.
Geoff nodded, focusing his concentration to narrow the reach of his power as much as possible.
Mars kissed Atana then moved away from him. She handed a charm to Jupiter, and another to Venus. "The three of us and Atana need to form a perimeter around the others," she said.
After Mars, Jupiter, and Venus had taken their positions, Atana began to work his shield spell. The charms pulsed with energy, and he could feel the powers of the three Senshi being added to his own. An energy field swirled around them, flickering as Geoff's presence interfered with the direct flow of energy across the group. Atana worked to compensate, making all the shield energy rotate. As he did so, he found the shield was actually stronger. "Alright," he said.
They climbed the steps and walked inside. Two torches cast a flicking illumination in the main foyer, which looked to be in as much disrepair as the outside.
"What a mess," Rei muttered.
Suddenly, they heard a creaking sound from behind them, turning to find large, heavy doors had appeared in the previously empty frame. The doors slammed loudly shut. At that moment, the torches went out, plunging the foyer into darkness. Serenity began to raise her crystal.
"No. Don't," Ryo said, his voice hushed but urgent. "There are youma out there, waiting for the energy flare from your crystal."
Atana nodded in understanding. "I think I can arrange a decoy for them." He focused his concentration, preparing a spell. With a gesture, a pulse of energy burst out from his hand. The pulse passed unhindered through the shield, then exploded into a brightly flaring ball.
At once, there was a rushing sound as two youma with insect-like wings raced forward, crashing into the ball and each other. Powerful waves of energy surged out from the youma.
"Supreme... thunder!" Jupiter cried.
"Crescent... beam!"
The combined attack of the two Senshi sent both youma tumbling to the floor, where they exploded in a brilliant flash.
"Damn!" Geoff cursed, rubbing his eyes. "I can't see anything but spots."
"Same here," Tuxedo Kamen agreed.
"Ryo. Can you 'see' them?" Serenity asked.
"There's one to the left... over there," Ryo said, gesturing.
"Fire... soul!" Mars cried, sweeping a fire blast in that direction.
By the light of Mars' fire, they could see the youma flinching back, seared and in pain.
"Nice try, Sailor Senshi!" a voice declared, as two more youma approached. "You may have killed two of our sisters, but that's not good enough."
"The shield won't hold against more than one of them," Ryo said quietly.
Atana started to object, but his comments remained unspoken as the three remaining youma rushed forward. Tuxedo Kamen hurled a handful of glowing roses at one of them, while Atana dropped into a crouched and fired an energy blast at another. Struck by the roses, the one youma screamed, then vanished in a bright flash. The second fell back under the force of Atana's attack, but painfully struggled back to its feet. The third youma, already burned by Sailor Mars' fire, slammed into the shield, which pulsed and flared under the impact. As Atana and Mars struggled to stabilize the shield, Geoff leaped forward. The shield immediately failed as he passed through it, but he grabbed the youma, instantly disrupting it in an intense flash.
"There's still one left," Mercury said, a note of urgency in her voice.
"Venus! Let's double team!" Jupiter called.
Venus nodded, already raising her arm.
Intense lighting and a powerful energy beam struck the one remaining youma, already injured by Atana's attack, destroying it in a flash.
"We did it!" Venus cried, slapping Jupiter's hand triumphantly.
"Yes!" Jupiter agreed.
Venus quickly turned to Geoff. "Are you alright, my love?" she asked, embracing him.
"I'm fine," he said. "I'm still seeing spots... but I can also see the matchless beauty of my Venus."
She grinned and kissed him. "Well, I can see there's nothing wrong with you."
"Nothing serious," he agreed.
Mars slipped her arms around Atana. "Are you OK?"
"Of course I am... Mrs Magi," Atana said softly.
A blush spread across her cheeks as she smiled. "I love you so much," she whispered.
"And I love you," he said, pressing his lips softly to hers.- - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - -
"Yaaayyyy!" Kara cheered, seeing the events displayed in the sphere. "My mommy and daddy are alright!"
Shinozaki nodded. "They told you they would come back to you," he said, patting the girl's shoulder reassuringly. As he did so, he too was watching the sphere closely, filled with tension and concern as the young woman he loved put herself in harm's way.
Artemis sighed. He and Luna had both been deeply concerned as the attack began. "They're doing well," he said softly.
"Yes," Luna agreed. "But they still have to face Beryl yet."
"I know," Artemis said. "But it's very encouraging how readily Atana and Geoff are working with them as a team. Geoff in particular is a factor the Dark Kingdom cannot have prepared for."
Luna nodded, deciding her lingering concerns weren't worth sharing. She turned away from the sphere, now seeing energy glowing softly around young Kara. Luna's eyes widened as she looked closely at the little girl, the sign of Mars plainly visible on her forehead. "Artemis," she whispered. "Look at Kara."
"What about her?" the white cat asked, turning. "Oh, wow... Like mother, like daughter, I guess."
"Yes," Luna agreed. "But it's not supposed to surface so young."
"That's true," Artemis conceded. "But if I remember correctly, Princess Rei of Mars starting coming into her abilities quite young."
"That was because her mother died so soon after Princess Rei was born," Luna said.
"I don't think that was ever definitively established," Artemis replied. "And there is Atana's influence to be considered as well, remember. No Senshi had ever had a child with an Earth wizard before."
"And Princess Rei always did have a remarkably high magic quotient," Luna recalled.- - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - -
The Senshi moved out of the foyer, finding themselves in a broad hallway lined with statues. At the far end stood one nearly twice life-size of a woman with long hair, attired in a long strapless dress, holding an enormous scepter.
"Queen Beryl, I presume," Tuxedo Kamen said.
"I think so," Serenity agreed.
Mercury was running a scan, while Ryo held her arm, his eyes still closed.
"Something's going on, but I'm starting to have trouble making out details," Ryo said. "They may be on to me."
"There's a lot of general interference in here," Mercury said, studying her scanner. "The readings are spiking!"
"Everyone cluster around Geoff," Serenity directed, even as a powerful wind began to sweep through the hallway.
Geoff let his cancellation field spread out, feeling the magic wind sweeping powerfully around it. The wind only grew stronger, filling the hall with a loud roar, but continuing to flow harmlessly around his field.
"They must think Geoff's using some sort of shield spell," Atana yelled over the roar.
Just then, one of the statues broke loose and hurtled toward them. Serenity raised her crystal, which flared brightly, and deflected it away. A second statue was already moving, but Serenity spotted it, steering the first one into it with a terrific crash. The remaining statues, except for the large one of Beryl, were also beginning to move. The other Senshi held still, knowing they could not act while within the range of Geoff's ability. Serenity's eyes fixed on the enormous statue of Beryl. With only a moment's thought, she unleashed a powerful blast. Beryl's statue shattered, and the magic sweeping the hallway immediately vanished.
"Great shot!" Geoff exclaimed.
"Yes," Atana agreed. "How did you know that statue was the focal point? I completely missed that."
"That was a guess, actually," Serenity admitted. "But it seemed like the most likely possibility... and of course hers was the only statue that wasn't moving."
"Don't feel too bad, Atana-san," Mercury said. "That interference was undoubtedly intended to cloud the perceptions of you, Mars, and Ryo."
Atana nodded slowly in understanding, while Mars tightened her embrace of him.
"We're all OK. That's what matters the most," Mars said. "And I have the man I love."
Atana smiled at her and kissed her. "I have the woman I love."
Geoff once more reduced the reach of his own ability as much as he could to enable the Senshi to again utilize their powers.
Sensing that his own powers were no longer being neutralized, Mamoru focused his concentration. Energy swirled around him, quickly transforming him from Tuxedo Kamen into Prince Endymion. He then took Serenity's hand. She smiled up at him and pressed herself against him, reaching up to let her lips brush his.
"I love you, my prince," Serenity whispered.
"I love you, my princess," Endymion replied softly. "More than anything."
"Uhm, I hate to interrupt... but we need to get out of here," Ryo said. "Now!"
"That side door!" Jupiter cried, motioning.
They all rushed for through the door, slamming it behind them, just as they felt a tremendous flash of heat sweeping the hallway. Atana and Mars hurriedly reinforced the magic of the door to hold back the heat.
"That was close," Venus exclaimed.
"It's not over yet," Serenity reminded them.
"No. I think they're testing our abilities, and trying to make us tire ourselves out," Ryo said.
Venus nodded, a grim expression forming on her face. "Ryo's right. And that means the rest of us have to take the lead."
"What are you talking about?" Geoff asked.
"There's only one of us who can face Beryl, and that's Serenity," Venus said. "The rest of use are here for just one reason, I'm afraid; to make sure Serenity safely gets to Beryl."
The other Senshi looked at each other, then nodded.
"Pawns on a chessboard," Mercury said softly.
"Don't say that!" Serenity objected. "You all have just as much reason to want to get home safely as I do."
"But we're your protectors," Jupiter said. "It's our duty to protect you. It always has been."
"Protectors, yes," Serenity replied. "But that doesn't mean throwing your lives away. I need live protectors, not dead ones."
"We all died the last time," Mars reminded them.
"Yes, but things are different now," Serenity said.
"She's right," Endymion agreed. "Last time, Earth had been overrun and much of the magical harmony of the worlds had been disrupted. It was a last stand and everyone knew it. But that's not the case this time."
Suddenly, a maniacal laughter filled the room, seeming to come from everywhere at once. "Don't be too sure!" a female voice cackled. "This fight is already over!"
As the laughter continued, globes of energy surrounded each of them, forcing them apart. The ginzuishou flared, shattering the ones attempting to envelope Serenity and Endymion, while the globe around Geoff melted away almost as soon as it formed. Before any of them could react further, the others vanished.
"Minako!" Geoff cried, diving into the now empty space where her globe had been.- - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - -
"Daddy!! Mommy!!" Kara cried in anguish, as the image in the sphere dissolved just after she had seen them vanish. She started to burst out of her seat.
"Hold it, Kara!" Shinozaki said, struggling to grab hold of her even as his own heart was in his throat. Kara's energy burned at him as he pulled her back. "Your daddy is counting on you to keep the sphere going," he said. "Maybe you can't see him, but he's still out there somewhere, and he's probably depending on this sphere to help him escape that trap and rescue everyone."
Artemis looked up at the teenager and the young girl, knowing Shinozaki was making this up as he went. Kara, however, seemed at least to be considering it.
"You... you think so?" she asked softly, tears in her eyes.
"Of course," Shinozaki said, nodding his head. "Why else would he have said it was so important to keep the sphere going? Your daddy needs you to keep this thing going."
Kara sniffled, while Shinozaki wiped away her tears. She nodded, turning her attention back to the sphere. "I love you, Mommy and Daddy," she whispered. "Please come back. Please."
Luna looked up at the now blank sphere, silently praying for them all to come back safely.- - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - -
"Where is she?" Geoff cried. "We have to find them!"
"Yes, and we will," Serenity agreed.
"Perhaps sooner than you think!" the voice laughed evilly.
Just then, the floor opened beneath Geoff, and with a cry he dropped out of sight. Almost at once, intense bursts of magic energy pelted Serenity and Endymion, sending each tumbling down separate holes in the floor. As they dropped away, the maniacal cackling only grew louder.< To be continued >
* * * * * * * * * * * *
NOTE: A terrible cliffhanger, I know, but this was getting too long to finish in one installment. More to come.Hopeless Romantic and I now have a message group to notify our readers when we post new stories/chapters. Those who are interested can sign up at http://groups.yahoo.com/group/strands_of_moonlight/ .
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.
-11.24.2002