Full Moon written by: Gina Biggs (aka bunny aka haruka) site: http://secondlight.animehunters.com/ contact: secondlight@animehunters.com date completed: August 25, 2002 -------------------------------------------------------------------- Episode 15 - The dawn's rosy fingers. Resurrection of the light! The empress stood silently for some time as she stared out from the walls of Obsidian to the blue planet far in the distance. A new shine had emerged on it only moments before and deep within her, she knew what it was. ****************** "The Yoakezuishou," Sailor Moon whispered in awe. The light from the crystal grew intense and the Sailor Soldiers could no longer look directly at it. Everything around them was colored in the cream-white light, save the blood trickling from the bodies of Sailor Balder and her lover. Tiny particles resembling glittering stars began to gather from all the places that the light had touched. The tiny light particles began to take shape around the Yoakezuishou, forming the mold of a woman. When the body had been completed it glowed with the same brilliance as from the crystal itself. Suddenly, the light vanished and in it's place stood a woman. She looked no older than the Earth's queen, and yet she reflected a certain air of age and wisdom. Even standing perfectly still, her royal bearing was evident. Her body was adorned with a dress colored in the hues of the dawn, starting at the bottom with dark pink, then slowly fading into a soft golden yellow glow. The shape of the bodice resembled a blooming lily around her and underneath flowered her long skirts. Sailor Ran and Sailor Tyr, overcome with strong emotions, only managed to step forward to greet the lady, tears streamed down their faces. Finally, Tyr managed to speak, but only briefly, and only one word. "Eos-sama...." A gentle smile reflected on the woman's face, though she remained silent. With that, the two alien soldiers fell to their knees in reverence and their tears intensified. Eos approached the women and raised her hand in front of them, motioning for them to rise. They did so on her command, but they did not touch her, as if this delicate flower before them would wilt if they soiled her with their hands. She might once again disappear and they would be empty without her once again. Sailor Moon felt a hard nudge on her side. She turned slightly to find Vesta poking at her ribs with a few strong elbow jabs. The princess, realizing her rudeness made her way toward the beautiful woman. She bowed to Eos and greeted her kindly, but she was surprised when the queen bowed back to her. "Serenity of the Solar System, thank you for watching over my soldiers." "S-sure!" Moon answered, unsure of how to respond. "This war has been painful for the entire galaxy, and it saddens me that it has already reached as far as this system. Here where light is ever flowing and the strongest Sailor Crystal in the galaxy resides. All life, whether good or evil, is drawn to this power. The final battle will always be here." "Always....." Moon echoed. In her mind, she continued her thoughts. "Shall we always be made to fight?" "I, myself am only a tool for the enemy. The Yoakezuishou is the key to the light of the universe. With it's power, it ensures the light will always be there to counter the dark. Opalite..." Eos hesitated, "she wishes to extinguish this power. Her soul is calling to the dark." There was a cold quiet hovering over the soldiers. Suddenly, Pallas' voice sprouted out of the silence. "Ah! Calcite-san tried to help the sailor soldiers. She...!" Pallas quieted as Eos looked to her. The petite, blue soldier's face began to crumble at the thought of the scene that had played out only minutes previous. "Little one, don't cry," Eos comforted. The queen turned her head to her guardian soldier. There, with her lover resting on her breast, laid Sailor Balder, the white of her uniform saturated in a deep red color. "...But then, that uniform has always been tarnished with blood," Eos commented. ****************** "The traitor, Commander Calcite, is no more," a cold voice reported. "And Tektites? Why is he not here?" the empress questioned. Rhodonite looked to his empress with what some might describe as the twinkling eyes of a devil. A small smile appeared on his face. "He betrayed us for the sake of that woman." "So, it's all taken care of?" "...." Rhodonite was dumbfounded. The thought of his hasty retreat reentered his mind. He could find no words to voice this disgrace to his leader. "As I thought, you allowed the Yoakezuishou to slip from your hands. Even you have failed me, Rhodonite." "My empress, forgive me!" Rhodonite called out desperately. Her eyebrow raised as she turned to face her warrior for the first time. A single word, harsh and painful, fell from her mouth. "Why?" The warrior before her turned his head to the ground. "I only wish to serve you and be by your side. My life is to fight for you. If you are not able to forgive me, I cannot..." "I see," Opalite smiled. "So, this is why you have chosen to follow me for all these years. Does your heart feel that strongly to me, even though I wish to end everything?" Rhodonite reached out and held onto the woman's pale white hand. "I would have my only wish be to die for you, my empress." "Such boldness... I suppose that I can forgive you this one time." ****************** The beautiful queen kneeled before the lovers. In a whispering voice, she spoke to them, though she was unsure if either was capable of hearing her now. "Thank you. Balder, your painful mission to protect me is something I will never be able to repay. You endured the pain of exile from your loved ones and gave up everything for me. And you," she said, turning her eyes to Tektites, "your gentle face must have always warmed her heart when she was in despair. Thank you for supporting her when she was all alone." Eos reached out and brushed her rosy fingers across their foreheads. Her voice, sweeter than honeysuckle, began pouring out an eerie chant. The words were indecipherable to those around her, probably magic words of her native language. As she came to the end of her chant, the others around her understood what she said. "Heaven Gate." Now silent, the woman closed her eyes and a faint glow transferred from her fingers to the bodies of Balder and Tektites. As the light passed from her, Eos seemed to loose her composure for a moment only. She then stood to her feet, allowing Ran and Tyr to approach her. She said nothing, but they nodded and each took one of the fallen lovers in their arms. "Sailor Moon, we must get them to your doctor fast," Ran loudly called. ****************** Hours had gone by, but Dr. Mizuno had not yet come out to say anything, nor had Eos or the others began to explain anything of what was going on. The Sailor Quartetto said around Serenity, trying to be of some comfort to each other. Serenity looked down the hall. She wanted to see Helios and have him hold her, tell her everything was going to turn out well, but he was not there. He had his own duties to perform, namely keeping a spiritual link with her father, keeping him from falling further into the darkness. A tear escaped from her eye, but Ceres' finger captured it before it had a chance to fall. She caressed the princess' cheek and Serenity leaned on Ceres shoulder. Finally, the doors opened and a dark haired woman with glasses emerged. Her face seemed puzzled, but not grim. She looked first to Eos, then to the princess. "I don't know how, but both of them are going to be just fine. Their wounds have started to heal and their pulses have stabilized. Neither are awake yet, but at the rate they're going, they'll be up and about in the next day or so. I just can't believe it." End Episode 15. Episode Notes: There isn't really much to talk about in this chapter. Since the graphic novel has been completed, I have had more time to put into the story. Hope everyone enjoyed!