Episode 10 - A surprise! An attack! And a new ally!

Her eyelashes fluttered as she slowly ascended into consciousness and awaited for her shining red eyes to adjust to the light. Even from the black-sheeted bed the rising sun over the Earth touched her cream-colored skin and make her hair sparkle in a golden-orange light. For a moment she mirrored the warrior she once was, glowing in etherial beauty. Then, her eyes dulled as she stared longingly at the blue planet, and once again felt herself become ugly with darkness. Calcite gently slipped from her lover's embrace so as not to wake him. In quiet she gathered her clothing and slipped it on, armor, cloak and all. She claimed a few trifle items from a drawer in her room and slipped them in the confines of her pockets. As she was finally attaching her weapon, a shining white and gold sword of extraordinary craftsmanship, she turned to the man still in silent slumber in her bed. A gentle smile appeared on Calcite's lips, her eyes were sad with loss, and she spoke in a whispering voice. "Fate dealt us an unfair hand, my love." Then she entered the wormhole and was gone.

The sun was positioned high over Tokyo, shedding both light and hope over the land as it sparkled on the white-blue crystal buildings. Small echoes of peace flew from civilian lips as they exhaled in relief. Between nightfall and the present moment they had been safe from the terror that had been falling upon them. And within the command center of the Crystal Palace all was silent. Fifteen soldiers, either sitting in chairs or backed against the wall, slept soundly; Not even the cats in the room stirred. One by one the previous night, sick with worry and anticipation, the fatigued women could no longer fight themselves or the sleep that battled within them.

A soft noise repeatedly echoed in the ears of a small black cat, causing her ears to inadvertently twitch. As awareness crept upon her the sound grew louder and louder until she realized what it was. Luna's alertness finally was revived and she suddenly jumped to all four feet, thinking repremandingly to herself, "I can't believe even I had fallen to sleep! It is well past noon!"

"Emergency! Emergency!" she shouted to the others.

Rubbing the sleep from their eyes each of the women had the same feeling of personal reprimand for haven falling asleep. They arose swiftly and joined Luna and Artemis at the control panel. The screen's beeping ceased as a black paw typed in a command. A view from the palace appeared on the screen and they could see a single figure, distinguishable only as a woman's body, walking toward the front gates. "The person is not recognized by the computer as a being from this planet. It must be the enemy!"

"But they weren't counting on this!" Jupiter smiled, smacking her right fist into her other hand." "We've had time to recover. They will not be able to defeat us this day."

"Right!" shouted the others. Before long, the women had made their way to the outside of the palace and awaited for the figure to present itself.

Through the rubble and dust orange hair caught the light of the sun. Finally emerging for the crystal ruins around her, Calcite stopped and stared at her enemy. A kind breeze cooled her heated skin, as being in space for so long, there wasn't much sun to be used to. Eyeing each of the women carefully, she decided that she would let them make the first move. The four guardians of the queen moved forward first and the red clad woman spoke demandingly. "What do you want here?!"

Her face was not angry, more amused and a twisted little smirk was the only answer that came from Calcite. When more questions were shouted and no answers came to them the women were taken aback. The wondered what was going on and what the woman could be planning that she made no move and no sound.

Suddenly, bursting from the back of the crowd of sailor soldiers, Ran and Tyr emerged, The Sailor Quartetto trying to hold them back to no avail. "Murderer!" shouted Tyr. Ran followed suit in her anger calling out "traitor" and what came out of the mouths of the two were unmentionable words, some in their native tongue.

No longer being able to contain their rage, the two flew forward and attacked. For each punch or kick that was thrown there was a highly skilled block saving Calcite. She spoke with anger in her voice, "You will NEVER understand the sacrifice I made and the burden I carry in my heart!"

"You are not capable of feeling anything!" screamed Tyr.

This continued for several minutes and the others only watched, fearful to get in the middle of such a fight. The keen eyes of Uranus and Neptune narrowed at a strange realization, the enemy was not launching any sort of attack. "Stop!" Neptune shouted, "She's not here to fight!"

The others watched and realized it was the truth, Calcite was only playing defense. Ran and Tyr did not heed the warnings of their fellow soldiers. They had been completely engulfed in their rage and hate for this woman that they could no longer stop. Tyr moved her clenched fist toward the enemy but her eyes grew wide in surprise. Instead of hitting the commander her attack fell upon the princess soldiers who had been trying to stop her. Sailor Moon hunched over and held her stomach with one hand, using her other hand to grab onto Tyr's shoulder for support. "Princess!" was all she could manage in her delayed response.

"Please, stop," Moon coughed out softly. Her eyes met the dark skinned soldier's eyes and Tyr quickly became herself again. She calmed as did Ran. One menacing glare was aimed at Calcite before they completely backed away.

Before long, the queen of the palace emerged, meetings them. Calcite, in both respect and awe, bowed low before Neo Queen Serenity. Her splendor was much to behold, almost too much for Calcite, and she dared not to raise her head. Her heart felt like it might explode from the shining brilliance of the woman before her even though she did not look at her, only felt her overwhelming presence. "My Queen," she finally said, "I am at your service!"

Every last soldier stood with silently, disbelievingly repeating in their heads the woman's words trying to make sure they heard correctly. Serenity's eyes became soft and the staff she carried with her lowered slightly as though she was lowering her guard. Still, she questioned in a commanding, yet melodic voice, "Why have you chosen to betray your people?"

"They were never mine to betray, my lady. I am only now returning to the ones that I was meant to stand beside." Calcite slowly rose from her bowing and faced the woman but refrained from looking her in the eye. Then she continued, "Still, if you wish to know the reasoning behind this, it is because I have seen that there is still hope on this planet, shining through the darkness like a silver rose blooming to the light. There is yet a chance that hovers before us. We may still set things right and protect this universe from being swallowed up forever. I am aware that I seem not to be trusted, but I ask you who embraces everything, the queen of the gentle and powerful Moon Kingdom, to believe me."

Untrusting scowls were felt on her back. She knew it was her one time companions, Tyr and Ran who pushed this feeling on her. With much effort she ignored them and focused on the warm kindness that emanated in front of her. An smile came to the lips of Serenity, not a forced gesture as she was genuinely happy inside her heart for this blessing given to them.

Calcite's eyes narrowed as she heard the cold laughter of a familiar voice. It was low at first, too low for the others to hear. It danced in the shadows, unknown to the sailor soldiers, as they did not know evil in their hearts. Then it came to them top as a figure appeared high above them. The man sneered down at the group and Calcite took a step back. "I knew you would do something like this, Calcite-kun. Thank you, for bringing out the queen of this planet." His arm reached out from high above and a light began to gather before it.

Betrayed faces stared in horror as the scene before them fell into slow motion. They had realized that the commander had planned to draw out Serenity, to silence the powerful queen who bore the Silver Crystal. The gathered energy finally flew from his opened hand. The soldiers could not move fast enough to stop the attack. It was as if every step they took to move forward, to protect their queen, was slowed by feet stuck to molasses. "Rhodonite-san, no!" Calcite cried.

Faster than the others, Calcite threw herself in the path of the blast, taking the hit full on. She faltered for a moment only, then regained her composure, standing tall in defiance against her one time comrade. A second blast came pummeling down upon them but Calcite was ready and held the hilt of her sword tight as she deflected the attack. Rhodonite stopped and Calcite lowered her weapon to await the enemy's next move. He spoke, almost laughing at the situation. "The urge to return to them was just too much for you. The light beckons you to it even though you wish for the darkness. Alas, to have faith in this backwater little planet is stupid and a waste of time."

"There is a strength here that you are not capable of understanding. It is something you will never be able to understand."

Rhodonite's face fell for a moment only. Then he closed his eyes and when he opened them once more the cold emptiness was once again there. He bowed sarcastically. "As you wish, Calcite-kun. However, who will you leave to care for Tektites? Shall I do it for you?" He laughed as he vanished from sight. A chill ran down Calcite's spine.

The throne room was darker than usual as Tektites and Rhodonite kneeled before the Empress Opalite. "What news do you bring me of the Earth situation?"

Rhodonite spoke in a voice void of emotion. "The commander, Calcite-kun, has taken her place at the enemy's side. I am afraid she has defected."

Tektites suddenly felt sick to his stomach and a small breath of disbelief escaped from his lips. Rhodonite's eyes turned to look at him though he did not move otherwise. He remained unnoticed by the younger, black haired man. The older man's attention moved back to the empress as she spoke. Her voice echoed with annoyance. "This situation could not have become any worse. We have lost hold of all three of the Dawn planet's soldiers. Quickly, you must go and seek out the Yoakezuishou! Calcite must be the key to finding it otherwise she would not have made this move. We shall yet possess what we desire!"

End Episode 10.