Illusion of the Morning Star written by: Gina Biggs & A.N.Ferguson site: http://secondlight.animehunters.com/ contact: secondlight@animehunters.com date completed: 1997 (revised 02/2003) -------------------------------------------------------------------- Episode 05 - Three-way Battle! The True Birth of Taiyookara Hogosha Two coinciding Kingdoms, ruling side by side. The Moon and Sun forever there to shine on the earth with their eternal lights. What happens when the sun's light dies? Eclipsed with darkness, evil envelops the hearts of all who dwell there and chaos reigns... *~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~* Usagi watched as her brooch was placed into Solaris' hand. Weakly Usagi managed to scramble to her feet. More confused than ever she ran to her friends. They gathered around Mercury who had begun accessing her mini computer. Her dark blue eyes widened as she read the flashing data. She drew a sharp breath. "You're not going to believe this but Solaris is actually Hogosha-san." ****************** Before the sailor soldiers had time to react, two shapes formed in the sky. The twins, Polaris and Vega, hovered above Solaris. An icy chill entered the air. Polaris was the first to speak, "We've wasted enough time and energy on you, dear sister. You don't deserve to be counted among us if you can't even control your own self." "We're in charge of the mission now," Vega proclaimed as he clasped his twin's hand. A blinding blue light emitted from the two, striking their kindred. When its illumination died they discovered Solaris still stood her ground. A smile had spread across her face. Vega's mouth gaped open in shock. "She should be dead! Our attack should have killed her." "Fools," Solaris laughed. "You really thought you could defeat me? I'm far beyond your power now!" Fiery hair grabbed the twins and flung them into a nearby wall. Unconscious, both bodies crumpled to the ground. Usagi watched all this, horror struck, until she could take it no more."Solaris! No, Hogosha-san!" Hearing her name, Solaris turned towards Usagi. "Hogosha-san, I know you're not really evil in your heart. Please, let us help you," Usagi pleaded. Solaris only laughed, her crazed eyes glowing with delight. She charged into Usagi, slamming her against a mailbox. Usagi's world became fuzzy. She vaguely heard the calls of her friends, then the screams. "Hogosha-san!" Usagi croaked. She tried to raise to her feet, but felt something wrap around her torso. The haze had begun to subside as Usagi was lifted into the air. She saw all her comrades were sprawled out, unconscious. "With the bright energy from your body and this crystal I could become even more powerful," Solaris stated. "Hogosha-san, please... don't do this. I-- ahhhh!" Usagi's words were cut off; pain shot through her body. Usagi looked from underneath her loosened hair, at the monster before her. She didn't want to believe Hogosha was truly evil, so through her weakening state Usagi pleaded once again."Why are you doing this? I'm your friend." "Friend?" Solaris questioned, a slight sign of sanity returning. ****************** At that moment a rose was thrown between the two girls. It sliced Solaris' hair, freeing her captive. Tuxedo Kamen ran to the fallen Usagi and helped her up. Solaris watched in silence, she made no move. Behind her back Polaris and Vega had awakened. Distracted, she did not notice the blue beam of energy flying towards her. Usagi saw it and jumped into the beam's path. A shriek escaped her throat as she was hit. Struck again, Usagi collapsed into Solaris' arms. "Why are you protecting me?" Solaris demanded. Usagi raised her head, pain reflected in her eyes. Her response was hardly above a whisper, "Because you are my friend, Hogosha-san." Usagi's words echoed in Solaris' mind, as the twins shouted, "DOUBLE ICE STORM!!" Their fatal power sailed towards Usagi. Gathering her strength, she stood up. Her weakened body prepared to accept the attack. Usagi knew that without the Silver Crystal, she didn't have a chance. Her thoughts turned to how cruel she had been to Mamoru and Usagi wondered if she would see him again. She squeezed her eyes shut. ****************** Seconds ticked away, but the attack was never delivered to Usagi. Instead an odd weight landed against her. She opend her eyes to find Solaris had taken the blast and fallen against her. The twins remained long enough to see Solaris and Usagi descend to the pavement. Satisfied that their mission was complete, they disappeared. Usagi cradled the battered Solaris in her lap. Tuxedo Kamen rushed and knelt next to them. Solaris gazed at them, a tear ran down her cheek. "I'm so sorry..." she inhaled sharply as pain shot through her. "...for causing so much trouble between you, and for deceiving... the only two friends I've ever had." Usagi clutched her tightly."Hogosha-san, please, don't--" "Shhhh, it's okay." Solaris slowly wiped a tear from Usagi's face. Then she took Tuxedo Kamen's and Usagi's hands, placing them together. "Please, don't let me get in the way of your happiness. Make-up. I need to believe in it before I am gone." "It?" Usagi croaked out sadly. "Love and friendship," Solaris answered. "It is the only way you can bring about my happiness." Fresh tears drifted down Usagi's cheeks as she looked from Solaris to Tuxedo Kamen. She reached and took off Tuxedo Kamen's mask, revealing tears in his eyes as well. They smiled and gently kissed. When the couple pulled away, they saw Solaris smiling at them for the first time. "Here Usagi... I won't be needing this anymore." Solaris offered the brooch she had taken. Her consciousness faded out as Usagi took it from her outstretched hand. Both kissed the eclipsed sun on Solaris' forehead. Slowly, the dark insignia disappeared, replaced by a golden circle. Usagi's crescent birthright appeared as her brow furrowed. She opened her brooch and the Silver Crystal within glowed brightly. It came out of its holding place and into Usagi's hand. "I won't let it end this way," she said softly. The other soldiers awoke in time to see Usagi hold the crystal high. She called upon the healing powers of the ancient crystal. "Moon Healing Escalation!" Warmth entered Solaris as she regained her senses. She opened her eyes and for an instant she saw the vision of a young woman, her white dress billowing out. "Serenity..." she thought to herself as her vision blurred. ****************** Hogosha awoke the next day at the Hikawa Shrine. She quickly jumped out of bed when she realized what time it was. She threw on some clothes and hurried out of the room. She said goodbye to Rei and Yuuichirou as she whisked by them. Soon enough Hogosha reached her destination, outside of the Game Center Crown. She found Usagi and Mamoru already there waiting for her. She smiled her greeting and the couple agree to her suggestion they all go for ice cream. Hogosha smiled again. It was the start of a new day and the beginning of a new life. End Episode 05.