Full Moon written by: Gina Biggs (aka bunny aka haruka) site: http://secondlight.animehunters.com/ contact: secondlight@animehunters.com date completed: 2001 -------------------------------------------------------------------- Episode 02 - They came from the woods! Juno unleashes her power. The dense woods surrounded her. As she ran through the thickness, the hanging leaves grabbed at her skin like the fingers of a grasping child. Her heart was pounding fiercely as she quickened her already speedy pace. Loose strands of her green hair were glued to her face from her perspiration. "These new enemies," she thought, "where have they come from? Why have they come to our planet and why to Elysion?" Quickly, she leapt into the air as a fallen branch came into view. Landing safely after a somersault, she continued on her path. The castle of the old Golden Kingdom was in sight and she slowed her pace to a fast walk. "Lady, I'll become even stronger so that I can protect you with all that I am!" ****************** Hidden in the darkness of the trees, two feral eyes peered out. When she saw that the woman was out of site she smiled and leaned further into the light. "The sylph will be bright with this one," she thought to herself. "Jasper," a male voice called out, "have you found the next target?" "Lapis-sama, of course." ****************** Screams echoed throughout the white walls of the castle. Without hesitation, the green haired woman sprinted down the corridor. The sound became louder and louder until she finally reached the kitchen. Thick, black smoke filled the room, blinding her from the situation. "Juno! Is that you?" a familiar voice called out. "Ceres? Wha-what's going on?" "Nevermind that! Find the fire extinguisher!" Vesta shouted. "Right!" she called back. Juno's movements blurred with her speed. With the extinguisher in hand she pulled the pin and leapt into the air. She safely landed in front of the stove and squeezed the extinguisher's handle. A white powdery smoke encompassed the flames and soon the fire was completely gone. When the smoke settled minutes later she looked at the room. Around her stood four figured, gray in color. The smoke had covered them completely. Everyone stood frozen, wide-eyed with shock. Suddenly, Juno burst out laughing. She couldn't help it at that point. The scare had been so bad, but seeing that no one was hurt and how ridiculous her friends looked, she just couldn't help herself. If she could have gotten away with it she would be rolling on the floor. After a few minutes she managed to calm herself and again ask what had happened. The girls started brushing themselves off a little even though it wasn't much help. "Serenity thought it would be a good idea to try to cook pancakes for everyone on her own," Vesta grumbled. "Pallas was scared!" Pallas cried out. "It was a lovely gesture anyway," Ceres said trying to comfort the princess. "Heheh.... I guess we can't go out to eat, huh?" the princess said laughing off the situation. ****************** A couple hours later, Juno stood outside taking in the fresh air. She became alert to a presence coming up behind her. She turned in time to see Serenity --dressed in a pink gym suit-- coming in for a tackle. With no time to react she was knocked to the ground with the princess. She sat up rubbing her head. "What was that for?" "Cleaning's no fun. I'm in the mood to play!" she replied excitedly. "The girls let you skip out on cleaning the mess?" Juno said suspiciously, her eyebrow raised. Lady smiled innocently. "They said I could do less damage out here." The green haired girl let out a long sigh, then smiled. "Alright. I feel like going for another run. Let's go." Juno took hold of the princess' hand and helped her to her feet. She gave Lady one quick glance behind her, winking, before she took off. The princess soon followed after her. Soon enough they had entered the woods and the sky above was covered in a canopy of leaves. Lady observed her surrounds and her pace slowed slightly. Instead of a bright green glow, the trees seemed to be frosted with crystal. When she realized she was falling behind she quickened her pace and was once again close to Juno. "Say, Juno," Lady called out between breaths, "do you run out here all the time?" "I guess so. I like to run and keep myself in shape. I have to be able to protect you, ya know?" she called back. "What do you like to do for yourself?" "Gymnastics! I would love to be able to compete someday." The princess smiled but realized that she was running short on breath and called for Juno to stop for a break. They shared a seat on a large rock. Juno watched her princess panting heavily. She realized that Lady had not been exercising as much since she had been here and had lost some of her normal stamina. "Serenity, I think you should start running more." "I'm fine," she wheezed. The green-haired woman only rolled her eyes. The princess stood to her feet and stretched her limbs. Sweat trickled down her neck and back. She shivered from the tickle it caused. She whirled around feeling refreshed. "Juno, I'm ready to g--" She stopped in mid-sentence as she saw her friend covered in vines. They had gathered from underneath the rock and lifted her high in the air. Juno's arms where bound above her head and she struggled fiercely, trying to break free. "Juno! JUNNNNO!" Lady cried out. The princess ran toward the vines and started ripping at them in hopes of freeing her friend. Suddenly the large rock underneath Juno began to shake. The vines binding the girl suddenly lifted high in the air and the rock with her. From the shadow of the rock a charon appeared, cloaked in a dark green cape. "Charon Chrysoprase!" it screeched. Serenity wasted no time in reacting to the situation as she pulled out her star shaped broach. "Moon Star Power! Make Up!" Sailor Moon ran toward the charon hoping to hit it with her powers at point-blank range. "Pink Lady's Fre--" Before she could complete her attack, the cloaked creature swung it's arm outward. It's hand let forth a group of vines. Moon felt herself go flying back against a tree. She coughed hard from the impact. "Chrysoprase!" the charon said victoriously. Once again the charon turned its attention back to her chosen prey. From under it's cloak, the creature revealed a dull obolus. Carefully, it flipped the coin high into the air and called out, "obolus." Translucent wings sprouted from Juno's back, almost two times her body length. A light from her chest shone through the vines and from the light appeared her shining Sailor Crystal. The charon lifted itself with it's vine-like limbs and reached for the Crystal. The wings disappeared from Juno's back and the light disbursed from her chest. Deciding it's victory was evident, it lowered itself to the ground and ran deeper into the woods. Sailor Moon's screams could be heard below as she struggled for freedom. She lowered her head in defeat, tears streaming from her eyes. The other girls came running toward her and she lifted her head once more. Vesta managed to rip the girl free but she could offer no thanks, only cries for her friend. "Juno! Juno!" The girls looked up to see their comrade unconscious and her body starting to become translucent. The princess, now free, sprinted away from her friends. She was lost in the dark woods before they could even react. "Pallas, Vesta, follow her. I'll stay with Juno," Ceres called to the others. "Right!" Pallas and Vesta agreed before running off. ****************** Her heart pounded fiercely as she gasped for air. Serenity began to regret becoming lazy in her training. The sweat stung her eyes as it fell from her forehead. She was beginning to tire already and her pace began to slow. Somewhere in her mind she heard her mother's voice. "Small Lady, you have to be more than just a sailor soldier to be a true warrior. These four girls will always protect you but you need to do the same for them without hesitation. Don't give into the darkness, the fear, or the weaknesses of yourself. Push yourself forward. Never give up on them!" "Mama..." she whispered. Sailor Moon started to stabilize her breathing and felt herself reenergized. Her pace began to pick up once again. When she concentrated on her surroundings again she caught sight of the charon and pushed herself. "Stop right there!" she yelled. Charon Chrysoprase stopped and turned to face the girl in shock. Sailor Moon, however, did not slow her speed as she called out her introduction. "I am the soldier for Love and Justice. The pretty suited sailor soldier, Sailor Moon! In the name of the moon, I will punish you." As she finished her final word she rammed into her opponent, pummeling it to the ground. From it's hand the Sailor Crystal fell but it did not reach the ground, or shatter. Instead, butterfly wings sprouted from it and it disappeared back into the forest. Moon tried to grab the charon but the cloak fell to the ground void of its wearer. Suddenly, from all angles vines flew from the trees clinging onto the soldier. The monster appeared once again from the ground. She could not see that it's entire body was made of plant material. Two hollow eyes could be seen but no other features of a humanoid being were discovered. Frightened by the vision in front of her she struggled for freedom. "Help..." she called in a low whisper. As if in answer to her prayers, she heard a familiar attack call from behind her. "Amazones Peacock Diadem!" A feathered tiara flew through the air, ripping apart the vines that held the princess. Before it circled back in its boomerang motion, it tore the charon's body in half. Moon looked behind her to see Juno standing tall. Moments later, Ceres, Vesta, and Pallas came running up. "The Sailor Quartetto has arrived," they shouted in unison. "Juno! You're okay!" "Of course, Serenity," the green-clad soldier said cheerfully. "Sailor Moon! Now!" Ceres called out. "Right! Pink Lady's Freezing Kiss!" Whatever was left of the creature ripped away leaving only for an instant a dark blackness. Then the light of the forest around them filled it with it's energy again. Moon ran to Juno and embraced her. Juno looked to the space where the creature once stood. "These creatures, charons, are trying to steal our Sailor Crystals. Why? What do these enemies want from us?" End Episode 02. Episode Notes: Today's notes are about the name of the Charon. Chrysoprase is a bright apple green translucent chalcedony. It was a particular favorite of Frederick The Great of Prussia, who loved its bright green color. It can be seen today decorating many buildings in beautiful Prague, including the Chapel of St Wencelas. Chrysoprase is found today mostly in Australia. Unlike most other green stones, which owe their color to chromium or vanadium, chrysoprase derives its color from nickel. Its bright even color and texture lends itself well to beads, cabochons, and carvings. - http://www.gemstone.org/