Full Moon written by: Gina Biggs (aka bunny aka haruka) site: http://secondlight.animehunters.com/ contact: secondlight@animehunters.com date completed: Oct. 26, 2002 -------------------------------------------------------------------- Episode 17 - Black Hole approaches! The soldiers make their stand. Sunset was quickly approaching and those who would be going on to battle were preparing. Lady Serenity emerged from her bedroom, followed by the white haired priest, their hands clasped together. He tugged on her arm gently and she turned to face him. She was met with his warm embrace and it charged her with hope. They would all return and he would be waiting for her with open arms. The young woman pulled away slightly as she heard footsteps growing ever louder. Without warning, he pulled her closer and placed his lips upon hers. Shivers ran down her spine. Even the soft giggling did not interrupt their moment. Finally, the lovers parted from their passionate kiss, leaving both quite breathless. "Helios," she cooed. "I shall be praying for your safety, my beautiful maiden," he assured. Reluctantly, he released her and proceeded down the hall. When he was out of sight, Serenity finally come out of her daze to find herself surrounded by her four best friends. Persistent teasing was soon to follow. "You two were in there together since last night! What have you been doing?" Juno smiled. "Something good, I'd imagine," Vesta added. The princess blushed deeply and the other girls became suddenly quiet. "N-no way! You didn't!" Ceres stuttered in disbelief. A far off look entered Serenity's eyes and her cheeks reddened as she spoke. "He took me in his arms," she started. The others leaned in closer, their eyes wide with anticipation. The princess continued, "Then he took me over to the bed and held me all night long. I fell asleep in his arms with him whispering stories to me of Elysion." "Huh?" The colorful girls said in unison. Obviously they had been expecting much more to the story. "That was so anti-climactic!" Vesta shouted, pounding on Serenity's head. "Was it?" Serenity playful inquired as she rubbed the new lump Vesta had managed to give her. "It was more than I could have ever asked for. He stayed with me all this time, just the two of us together. I have been wishing for this moment for so many years. I am glad to have been able to have this one thing before we left." She paused for a moment and her expression became grim. "It's possible that this will be our last few hours together. This enemy is stronger than anything we have ever faced. I want to be with you all forever, but...." she trailed off, holding back tears. Pallas placed her hand on the princess's bare shoulder. "Pallas knows everything will be okay. Everyone will return together." "That's right!" Juno exclaimed. "We'll all come back and cook together and have lots of hotcakes!" "And I'll fix your hair again," Ceres added. "Hmmmm....." Vesta pondered for a moment. "Ah! And I'll help you to be a little more bold! That way maybe next time you and Helios can--" her words cut short as Juno laid a well earned punch in her arm. "Everyone! Thank you!" Serenity beamed, wiping the tears from her eyes. "Yes, we will all come back and be together. It's a promise! Let's protect this Earth together." ****************** The orange haired woman sat quietly by a window in the hospital ward, listening to the enemy trying to break through the barrier. There were many things she wished to say and do before this moment, but she had yet to accomplish any of them. One of those which weighed most on her mind was the wished to speak to her friends and tell them she was sorry for all she had done. She hid her face in her hands as she fell deeper into her thoughts, hoping against hope that they would be strong enough to win. Soon, she found herself thinking of that day of the final attack on Delos. It was the hour just before the dawn and Astraeus Castle was on fire. Balder had snatched the queen from the blazing red walls and led her to the translucent mountains in the distance. There was a small lull in the battle as the enemy was regrouping for the final attack and she knew this was her only chance to help Eos escape. As she dragged the fragile woman behind her, she could hear her sobbing for her people and for the man she loved. "Orion! Everyone!" was all she repeated as they fled. The orange-haired sailor soldier bit her lip as she heard the enemy coming down upon the sandy shores and the slaughter began again. Soon they would be upon them. In her hand, she held tight the Sword of Orion which the queen had handed her when she could fight no longer. It was raised high as Balder awaited their attack. "Balder!" the queen sobbed. "It is no use, we are lost." Lowering her weapon slightly, she turned her head to the woman who's beauty radiated even in this death and sadness. "My lady, we may be lost, but I shall help you to escape. If only you survive there is hope for the future!" "Balder!" her voice was desperate. "The enemy cannot be allowed to take hold of the Yoakezuishou! If I flee, they will surely find me. Only you can guard it. Please...." she paused, "kill me!" The soldier's eyes widened in horror. "I cannot do such a thing!" Eos stood before her with pleading eyes, her hands clasped together as if in prayer as she begged her guardian and friend. "Balder, you alone can protect me. Please! Hide the Yoakezuishou and flee. When the time comes that we have a chance to defeat this foe, you may release the crystal and.... Hurry! There is no time!" Sailor Balder could see the woman's lip quiver. She raised her sword once more, though her arms shook with fear. She wondered to herself if this was truly the only path left to them. "Hurry!" Eos screamed, squeezing her eyes shut. With one swift motion her weapon fell down up on the queen. Blood trickled from the blade of the weapon and stained the white of Balder's fuku. Her eyes were wild and a slightly deranged expression was on her face. She screamed in horror as she fell to her knees and cradled the woman she loved so dearly. As the woman began to dematerialize, the Sailor Crystal she held within her breast absorbed into the soldier. Then, the queen was gone and Balder was left cradling her own body. Screams were all she could muster in her cracked voice. Sailor Ran and Sailor Tyr had come only to find the last of their queen vanish and her blood on Balder's weapon and clothes. Her face reflected her sin, but there was no time before the two soldiers were run through, attacked from behind. It was then the enemy found her and it was then she joined them, with the hope that in this way she would survive and find a planet that could bring down these empty creatures. A familiar voice brought her wandering mind back to where she was. "Calcite," the voice meekly called. Calcite did not answer, nor did she move even when the two figures entered the room. She could not face them, no matter how much her heart longed to do so. "It.... it's time," the other voice faltered. "We've all been ordered to assemble in front of the castle." "I'll be there," Calcite assured. There was a long silence after that moment. Both Grenat and Shinju looked to each other for advice on their next move. "Calcite," Grenat started. "It was not you who should feel ashamed. We did not believe in you and... we are the ones not worth of a soldier's title." "The light of Balder should shine once more," Shinju finished. The two women bowed to her, then turned and exited the room. Calcite had been watching from the corner of her eye and a small smile fell upon her lips. At least, this one thing would be granted to her before the end. ****************** It was dark in the royal bed chambers. Neo Queen Serenity sat at her husband's beside, clenching on to his bare hand. Her prayers were still going unanswered as she wished for his wellness. He had only gotten worse as the attacks on their world continued. The charon were eating up all of the life on the planet and Endymion's close connection to the Earth was showing. If the enemy was not defeated soon, he would perish. Tears fell down Serenity's cheeks as she damned her inability to do anything. If she was still Sailor Moon she might be able to stop them, or at the very least, die trying. A world without her beloved was too much to ask of her. "Endymion," her voice cracked, similar only to the days when she was still so young. "I love you. Your pain is mine. I will be with you when you and I come to our end. But that time is surely not now. We..." she paused, trying to not break down completely, "we'll walk in the garden of roses again, you and I. Together.... together we'll..." There was a weak squeeze on her hand and she gasped in surprise. He was still with her though he had no strength left to speak. She missed his deep, rich voice. The voice that would whisper to her until she fell asleep at night, the one that woke her in the morning, that voice she longed to hear again. ****************** Luna and Artemis stood in front of the crystal castle, their human bodies shivering slightly from the cold air. The sun had just slipped below the horizon and the Sailor Soldiers had assembled. Grenat, Shinju, and their queen stood waiting for the final member to appear. "The black hole has come very close to the Earth and we must act now," Luna asserted. Artemis clasped the black-haired woman's hand. He silently prayed for the safety of those who would soon be departing from them. Sailor Moon watched the couple and smiled sadly. A small hand tapped her shoulder and she whirled around to find the source. There, dressed in a playful gray dress was Diana. It had been a long time since she had chosen to take a human form and it surprised the soldier. The girl ignored her parents who's voices scolded her for leaving the safety of the castle walls. She said nothing, but instead embraced the pink princess, her friend and companion since her birth. When she pulled away, there were tears forming in her eyes, but she simply smiled and ran back toward the castle. Over her shoulder she called out to her friend, "Stand strong, Sailor Moon!" Coming toward the group now was the orange-haired woman who was to lead them to the center of the enemy's lair. Her face reflected a strength only seen before in the days before Opalite attacked their planet. With her was Tektites, in better shape than before, but still not altogether recovered. Before they reached the group, she placed a hand on his chest and stopped him from proceeding. "This is as far as we can go together." He tried to protest, but she simply smiled and looked deeply into his eyes. "This planet needs protection. To be a strong soldier worthy of honor one must sometimes fight the smaller battles..." She stated. Then, her voice lowered to a whisper, "which sometimes proves to be the battle that wins the war." Calcite clasped the man's hands. "When I return, nothing will ever separate us again," she assured as she kissed his forehead. Then she ran and joined the friends that were waiting for her. When she was with them, Shinju and Grenat each revealed a small golden brooch, as did Calcite. The queen gently touched the Dawn Drop, the necklace she wore. "Ran Moon Power! Make Up!" "Tyr Moon Power! Make Up!" "Balder Moon Power! Make Up!" "Rising Sun! Make Up!" As they transformed, each emitted the color of their aura and the Earth soldiers marveled at the sight. Ran's deep blue melded into Tyr's dark red, then to Balder's orange beauty and finally to the white yellow light of Eos. Even with the sun set, the soldiers thought it looked as though dawn was rising over them and they felt, for the first time in what felt like ages, hope. The soldiers of the dawn stood before them and with Sailor Moon and the Sailor Quartetto they ran through the barrier. The moment they emerged from the sanctuary of the castle grounds, the charon pummeled down upon them without mercy. Sailor Balder held out her fists and shouted out "Zeste Pastille!" As she opened her fists a deep yellow mist fell on them and the faint scent of oranges entered their nostrils. The charon could no longer find them. "Now is our chance! We must hurry!" As they ran, the mist widened, allowing them to make their way through the onslaught unseen and unharmed. "A wonderful trick, little soldier, but not good enough to keep us at bay forever," a frigid voice laughed. The citrus scented fog suddenly dissipated and before them stood two figures. Their auras felt cold and empty, yet each of the Sailor Soldiers felt a horrible dread fill their hearts. "Empress Opalite," the soldiers whispered in horror. A laugh was their only answer. The empress stood before them, her long lavender hair trailing behind her on the ground. Rhodonite stood beside her, his emotionless expression unchanging. Opalite raised her hand and the charon they had though finally avoided came pouring down on them. A regal voice echoed in the night air. "Wind Wrath!" Either pushed back or ripped apart completely, the charon who had attacked them were gone. Only the two figures of Opalite and Rhodonite stood, unmoved. "Ah," Opalite playfully chimed. "Queen Eos, no, Sailor Yoake, you finally come out of hiding." Sailor Yoake stepped from behind her guardian soldiers, her face serious and determined. "So, rather that dying on your home world with your own people, you will die on an alien planet? How noble of you," the empress mocked. The soldier of the dawn prepared for an attack, but the empress disappeared, leaving Rhodonite to deal with what was left to him. But even as the soldiers prepared for his attack, they could never have been prepared for what he did next. "I am sorry, ladies, but I have no time for you. You are a mere distraction of my true mission. Farewell!" Without another word, he flew past them and headed toward the crystal castle, many charon following close behind him. The Sailor Quartetto gave their leader one nod of their intentions and followed after the arrogant enemy. He turned to them and smiled. They had not made it out of sight from the rest of the group when four charon circled behind them and stole the sylphs within them. Sailor Moon screamed in horror as she watched them fall. "Everyone! Everyone, NOOO!" She tried to go after them, to save them, but Ran and Tyr held on to her. "We have to-- we have to go and help them! Please!" Moon sobbed. "It's no use, Sailor Moon," Tyr answered. "We said we'd all come back together," the princess choked out. "You promised! Juno, didn't you say it? 'We'll all come back and cook together and have lots of hotcakes!' Didn't you, Juno? JUNO!! Everyone..." Her legs buckled and she could only fall to her knees. Her cries continued and the others only stood silently, unsure of how to comfort her. There was no comfort in losing loved ones. Finally, Sailor Balder kneeled beside the princess. "We must move on, princess." "I can't," the pink haired woman sobbed. "Serenity-sama... Sailor Moon! Stand strong! Your friends are depending on you alone now. If you wish to save them we must move on. Only the defeat of the Black Hole, of Obsidian, and Empress Opalite will save them now." Realizing the truth in her friend's words, she stood to her feet and wiped the salty tears from her face. She turned her eyes to her comrades, lying silently in the distance. "Ceres, Vesta, Juno, Pallas, I have to go. I'm counting on your strength. Please see me through this! I promise, we'll all be together again." Then she smiled sadly, and turned back to the others. ****************** Luna and Artemis stood with Tektites. They watched as an army of charon fell against the barrier, clawing and ripping, determined to break through. Those that could not find space on the barrier began to destroy all building and life still standing around them. The earth trembled with pain. Not far behind them was Rhodonite and he commanded the charon to made way for him. He squinted to see past the barrier and a hearty laugh escaped him. "I should have known... if that stupid soldier was still alive, surely you could not be far behind." Rhodonite continued to laugh out loud. "Of course she would leave you here, protected from any harm. Its nice to see a man still willing to have his girlfriend fight for him!" Tektites' eyes narrowed and he bit his lip in anger. "Senpai!" he growled. Both Luna and Artemis tried to dissuade him from leaving the confines of the barrier, but he would not listen. ****************** Sailor Moon and the soldiers of the dawn had been running for only a short time when they approached a large crater. As they stood before it, the princess wondered what might have once been there, maybe some shops, a bakery? Houses? But now it was gone, all of it, and it would never be there again. Her thoughts were interrupted as Sailor Balder called out. "This is the place. From here I can open the worm hole that will lead up to Obsidian." "This place?" Moon echoed. "It's so chilly here." "There's enough distortion in this place, enough of their energy remaining that I may call upon to open the way," the orange clad soldier answered. There was hardly a moment to think as Balder did not waste any time in summoning this power. Possibly, she was fearful the last of that power was growing further from her reach. It was only moment later that they had arrived at their destination. They might not have even noticed the trip had taken place had it not been been for the nauseating feeling it had produced in their stomachs. The five women were surrounded in absolute darkness. When their eyes adjusted, they still could find only their voices in the pitch black, and even that was almost completely swallowed up. Sailor Moon managed to bring the five together and hand in hand they moved on, with Sailor Balder in the lead. Sailor Ran yelped as something pelted her forehead. Before there was time to inquire, the others were feeling the same on their arms, legs, and just about anywhere else that was not shielded. It felt like tiny stings. Sailor Yoake, daring to find the source of attack, removed one of her dangling earrings, and held it above her. The delicate jewelry began to emit a faint glow. The group stared in horror at the sight before them. They had been walking through a swarm of sylphs, their translucent, black bodies moving about aimlessly in the darkness. "Sylphs!" Tyr whispered. Sailor Balder averted her eyes from the sight. "Their light, their sparkle has been destroyed and now they fly alone in disarray." Sailor Moon looked upon them, her eyes still taking in the horror. "If they have no more light then..." but before she could finish her sentence, the tiny figures turned toward them, suddenly attentive. They were all pointing toward Yoake and the light. Their tiny bodies humming with excitement and greed. The soldier took a step back, lowering her earring slightly. "Yoake-sama! The light! Turn it off quickly!" Ran shouted. Too late! The field of creatures were flying for them at an alarming rate. They did not even have time to turn and run. The women wrapped their arms and hands about their heads for cover, but it was no use. In the commotion, the earring was dropped and the sylphs began to hover and dance over it, leaving the soldiers alone. In the darkness, they ran from the tainted creatures. It was not very far into their run when they halted at the sound of a voice. "You have disturbed the Sylph Graveyard. A deed punishable by death!" "There shouldn't be anyone else here other than Empress Opalite," Balder stated. "Who are you?!" A small giggle was heard before it was lost in the thick dark. "I am the soldier created by a little bit of everything and nothing, Schorl," the voice answered. "Schorl?" Balder questioned. "I have never heard of you!" The masculine female voice laughed deeply in contentment, though it now seemed to be coming from another direction. "Then my job was accomplished! Only Empress Opalite-sama and intruders ever hear my voice. I am the unseen sentry, sworn to guard the gates of Obsidian." "Then if we must, we shall defeat you!" Ran called out. "You may try!" Taunted the voice. ****************** On the outside of the barrier, Tektites stood before Rhodonite. Though he felt searing pains running down his back, he stood his ground. His aggravation only strengthened the burning sensation. The older man chuckled as he watched his opponent swell with anger. Tektites attempted to lunge at his senpai, but it was no use in his condition. Rhodonite easily dodged his attacks. Finally, the black haired man was brought to the ground, his body sore and worn. Rhodonite offered out his hand to the fallen man before him. "Come now, Tektites-kun, let's stop this childishness. Return to my side and I will teach you great things! We shall start by destroying this world." "I will not allow you to destroy this planet!" Tektites growled, smacking away his opponent's hand. "You do not wish to have me as your enemy, Tektites-kun," Rhodonite scowled, stepping back a few paces. His palm raised in front of him, Rhodonite began to channel his energy. Then, those two fearful words fell from his lips, "Void Pierce." With no chance of escape, Tektites instead decided to give it all he had, and lunged at the man. From his lowered position, he managed to knock into his enemy unharmed by the blast. The man's knees buckled under the pressure of the assault and fell back. He pushed the other man off of him and quickly levitated high into the air. "That was a cheap move, Tektites-kun, even for you! I would have killed you quickly since I am so fond of you, but now...." his words trailed off as he began to summon his strength. Tektites could feel the surge of energy in the air. It made his heart skip a beat as he awaited the inevitable. He closed his eyes and raised his head. This time he would surely die. There was no one to bring him back from the brink this time. The dark haired man tuned out the cries of two feline-humans beyond the barrier as well as the noises made by the charon that were still eating away at the castle's protection. It was in that instant when everything fell silent that he heard a voice in the back of his mind, a familiar, soothing voice. "Tektites..." the voice paused. He flinched slightly. "Tektites, become a great soldier worthy of honor. Fight on, beloved!" His eyes still closed, Tektites raised his hand in front of his chest. His hand was open and outstretched, as if he wanted to catch something. The pain from his back increased, but now it was traveling to his palm and resting only there. When his eyelids flung open he was staring straight into the eyes of his senpai who still hovered in the air. There was no hesitation as he shouted out loudly, his voice unwavering. "Meteor debris Pierce!!" Rhodonite's concentration was broken as he heard a deafening rumble from high above. Suddenly, hundreds of sharp, heated fragments came down upon him. They cut into the man, tearing at his clothes and skin. Although he tried to protect himself, he could not dodge the attack. A larger meteor piece hurdled toward him and impacted with the back of his head as he tried to protect himself. He was once again on the ground, but this time there was no chance of his floating out of harm's way. When the fragments stopped falling from the sky, Tektites ran to his enemy's side. Rhodonite lie bleeding and gasping for breath, but he turned away from the other's sympathy when he approached. "Rhodonite-senpai..." "LEAVE.... leave me be...." "Rhodonite-senpai, I can't do that. Although you and I became enemies...." his words trailed off. Even he could not explain what brought him here beside the man he had just fatally wounded. Tektites was silent for a long while. Rhodonite only became aggravated and tried with the little strength he had left to push away the other man. "This world has the shining hope that the rest of the galaxy only dreams of possessing. They believe in each other. I had always prayed I would find such a place. That was what led me to join Opalite-sama. That hope was something I longed to find. I could not allow this planet to perish. It has proven itself to be strong and beautiful." "Perhaps you are right, Tektites-kun," the man agreed through bloody coughs, "but I love her. I die happy knowing that I served her to my end. Now leave me be. I wish for my final thoughts to be of her." Tektites nodded and stepped away from the man. The small light that was released from his body as he disappeared was swallowed up by the remaining charon around him. Tektites returned to the safety of the barrier and prayed for the success of those now in Obsidian. ****************** The five Sailor Soldiers were not faring so well. Every attack they performed was swallowed up by the enemy and they were shook around violently. The women found it especially hard since they could not see the form they were attempting to attack. "Sailor Yoake, can't you make more light?" Moon cried out. "But...!" she protested, "then she'll be able to see us as well." The same arrogant laugh rolled toward them. "Little ones, unless you stop breathing I can hear you! I have no need to see you." Schorl taunted. Frustrated, Ran and Tyr once again tried their attacks, but it was to no avail. They felt themselves hurled to the ground in an earthquake-like manner. Bruised and humiliated, they found each other in the dark and made their way back to the group. "We've got to do something!" "There's nothing you can do to harm the unseen sentry! Continue this foolishness and I shall feed your souls to the Graveyard's twisted sprites. They shall joyously feast on your remains." The presence came flying past them, knocking them to the ground and bruising their already aching bodies. "What can we do?" Tyr pondered out loud as she wiped the blood from her mouth. Had they been able to see her face, they would have seen the sparkle of an idea in Balder's eyes. "Yoake-sama, you need to produce the light again, but not until I give the order. We're gonna shake this sentry up a bit. Sailor Moon, we'll use your weapon as the conductor." Schorl quieted as she listened for the soldiers' next move. There was no sound from the women, only the gentle hum of what sounded like electricity. Impatient, the enemy called out to them, but no answer came to her. "Hiding are you? You can't hold your breath forever!" The constant curious inquiries from Schorl was what they needed to target her, or at least her general direction. They stood at arm's length of each other, two soldiers on either side of the pink haired soldier. Sailor Moon held the Starlit Heart Rod in front of her. In unison, the soldiers shouted. "Electrical Vibration Attack!!" Electrical energy from the soldiers hit the weapon and flew forth. The sentry screamed out as she shook violently under the power of the attack. "What iiiiiis thhhhiiiiiis?!?" she screeched. Given her signal, Sailor Yoake stepped forward and called upon her remaining earring to glow brightly. It was then they finally saw their enemy. She was a strange creature indeed. Her hair was unruly and a dimmed rainbow colored it. Diamond shapes trailed down her bare legs and stripes down her long arms and cheek. She wore a speckled suit reminiscent of a bathing suit. Armor covered her breast and wrists, high-heels on her feet and a strange metal weapon on her hip. Yoake threw her earring and it hooked on to the back Schorl's attire. No matter how hard she tried, she could not reach the small piece of jewlrey. Then they all heard the sound. It was like a swarm of angry bees were coming closer. Schorl pulled the small metal weapon from her side. It resembled the handle of a sword and as she held it in front of her, a black blade emerged. The soldiers did not wait to see what would happen next though they cringed at the chilling screams behind them. The sylphs from the Graveyard were upon her and there would be no escape. It was not long before they came to the doors of Obsidian. "This is finally it," Sailor Moon breathed. End Episode 17. Episode Notes: Schorl is 'black tourmaline' which is a mineral nicknamed the "garbage can" mineral due to its complex chemical formula- a "little bit of everything thrown in". There are many unique properties of tourmalines. First, they are piezoelectric which means that when a crystal is heated or compressed (or vibrated) a different electrical charge will form at opposite ends of the crystal (an electrical potential). Conversely if an electrical potential is applied to the crystal, it will vibrate.