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 07 - Sailor Sun Appears Again! New Magical Transformation 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... *~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~* Tsukino Usagi and Taiyoukara Hogosha stood side by side. The Sunshine Sweets bakery, fully recovered from the strange occurances weeks before, stood shining in it's sugary glory. The girls stared into its clear window, entranced by a large chocolate cake. Both frantically searched their pockets and sighed in unison as neither found any money. The girls slumped to the ground forlornly. They were still sulking when they heard a familar male voice asking what was wrong. "Mamo-chan!" Usagi exclaimed delightedly. She and Hogosha sniffled together, "We want some cake, but we don't have any money." Mamoru smiled. "Cheer up! I'll treat you." Hogosha and Usagi jumped up, each of them grabbing one of Mamoru's arms. He nearly lost his balance as they pulled him into the shop. "Mamo-chan, you're the best," Usagi cooed as she found them an empty booth. Mamoru laughed gently as he left to purchase their food. He came back shortly with three pieces of cake. Each piece was beautifully laid out on a small white plate. He placed two of the plates in front of the girls and then sat down next to Usagi with the final plate set in front of him. "Mamoru-san, even you couldn't resist this wonderful cake!" Hogosha teased. "I have to admit, I'm a sucker for chocolate," he blushed. "Hey! Hogosha-chan, you did something different to your hair." She simply nodded, too busy stuffing her face to answer him. Seeing Usagi was doing the same, Mamoru gave up on starting a conversation until they were finished. When the girls were finished, they glanced up to see Mamoru was leaning back in a stretching motion. They marveled at his empty plate. He had finished before them. When the feasting was concluded, he leaned forward again, a deep seriousness in his inquiry. "Have either one of you talked to the other girls today?" The two looked at each other, then shook their heads. Usagi frowned, "I heard from Minako-chan and Ami-chan yesterday, but we didn't talk long." "The only time I see Rei-san," Hogosha said, "is when I tell it's time to eat or she barks at me for not doing my chores correctly. Other than that she stays in her room. She isn't even going to school anymore." Concern crossed Usagi's face. "I'm getting worried about her. Maybe we should get Rei-chan to see a doctor." "But she won't even go outside." Hogosha suddenly became excited, "Oh no! Speaking of Rei-san, I was supposed to be helping Yuuichirou-kun clean! I have to get back there. Thank you, Mamoru-san. See you around, Usagi." Hogosha leapt from her chair, bowed politely, and out the door. The couple smiled at her haste, then Usagi's face turned serious, "She doesn't remember a single thing she did as Solaris. I wish she could because then she might be able to tell us how to help the others." Mamoru placed his hand on his girlfriend's trembling arm. "I'm sure she'll get her memories back in time. It seems that none of us can forget the past long." ****************** In the Kingdom of the Eclipsed Sun, Dionysus spoke to his four followers, "The Sailor Soldiers must be eliminated. With all the trouble they are causing us, our Great Ruler may never gain full strength." Polaris stepped forward, then bowed. "We will defeat them, father." Vega joined his sister. "We have underestimated them in the past, but no longer." "Hmm... Yes, they are strong," Dionysus twirled his staff, deep in thought. "My King," Alpha-Centauri stated, "You look as if you might have a plan." "Perhaps I do." Leaving it at that, Dionysus gestured for them to leave with a wave of his hand. The four bowed and hurried out of the room silently. When they reached the outside hall, Sirius began to part from the group. Polaris quickly grabbed his hand. "Where are you off to Sirius-sama? Seeing as how you just got back, I was wondering if we could spend some time together." Sirius continued on his way with Polaris still attached to his hand. "You'll do whatever you want no matter what I say." "I don't like that man, not one bit," Vega grumbled under his breath. He tagged along behind his sister, leaving Alpha Centauri alone. Centauri watched them with a grim eye. His mind was alive with a thousand thoughts. He couldn't help but wonder what the king's plan was and prayed it had nothing to do with his princess. He whispered with a secret pain, "If only... if only I could see you once more." ****************** At the Hikawa shrine that night, Hogosha slept silently on a floor bed though her slumber was not peaceful. Dreams overwhelmed her, dreams of a beautifully decorated ballroom, filled with life. Couples seemed to blend together, as they swirled around the room. One pair stood out among the dancers. Although Hogosha's vision of the two was blurred, she felt a sense of familiarity. A voice broke into her trance. The same voice that had guided Hogosha through her transformation to Sailor Sun. "You have to protect the princess. Please, don't let the shadowed forces take her as--" The voice was drowned by screams as the walls of the room started to fall apart. Hogosha gasped in horror as a once lovely kingdom crumbled to ruin. Before slipping back into consciousness she beheld the fate of the familiar couple. They floated, with many, lifeless in the air. Hogosha's eyes flew open. She sat up, her breathing heavy. Realizing it was just a dream, she allowed her racing heart to calm. Sunlight poured into her room from the window. She smiled, loving the warmth on her skin and stretched her muscles. Then she jumped to her feet and moved to get dressed. Rei had lent her some of her clothes so she would have something to wear when she wasn't in school. It was Sunday, so the day was all hers to do with as she pleased. Hogosha pulled her hair up as she sat in front of her dresser mirror. It took some time, but she was finally able to duplicate the style she had grown to like. Finished, she grinned at her accomplishment. "This hair is no easy thing to tame," she admitted. All color drained from her face as her reflection distorted. Suddenly, Hogosha was no longer staring at herself, but the face of a child. The girl had pink hair fashioned into two pointed odango. She was small and in a sense seemed stuck that way. Hogosha slowly raised her hand to touch the mirror. The young girl, mimicking her movements, did the same. She recoiled when her fingers contacted the cool glass, but recovered, touching the image again. Hand to hand, Hogosha searched for an explanation of why she saw a child's image, but none came to her. A word materialized in her mind. The image did not copy as she spoke it. "Chibi Usa?" The girl's eyes widened, acknowledging the name. She cried in a very innocent and frightened manner, "Where am I?" Hogosha jumped up, fearfully. "No way!" The image cowered as Hogosha raised her arm. She was about to break the glass, but stopped when she heard a commotion outside. Her eyes moved to the door, then back to the mirror. Shocked, she found her reflection had returned to normal. "Where did she go?" Hogosha questioned as she examined the mirror. She shrugged then left to see what was happening. As she opened the door and peered out, she discovered Usagi banging on Rei's bedroom door. "Rei-chan, you can't stay in there forever!" "Usagi, leave me alone!" came a muffled reply. "No! You have to come outside. It's not good for you to stay cooped up all of the time. Besides everyone is here with me." "I can decide for myself what's good for me. Tell them to go home." Usagi's wails grew louder. "Please! Rei-chan, I'm just worried about you. Come outside." Usagi stood there for a short while, crying. She stopped when she heard the click of the door unlocking. Rei stepped out and was immediately enveloped in a hug. Rei gave a slight smile. "I'm only out for a few minutes, that's it." "Rei-chan. Thank you." ****************** Hogosha trailed behind Usagi and Rei, unnoticed. She followed them to where Ami, Makoto, and Minako waited. Artemis and Luna covered the shoulders of Minako as they also waited. The girls seemed worn down, no better off than Rei, but for Usagi's sake they were making an effort. Abruptly, the sunlight ceased as forming clouds hid the golden star. The odd change in weather caused the girls' friendly chat to end. All turned their heads toward the disturbance. "Funny," Makoto declared, "the sky was clear just a minute ago." Rei moved into a battle stance, as she warned, "I have a very bad feeling. Prepare!" Her caution came too late. A blue beam shot from where the sun had been, knocking the girls to the ground. "Damn! That hurt!" Minako cried. "Venus Star Power..." "Jupiter Star Power..." "Mars Star Power..." "Mercury Star Power..." "Moon Cosmic Power..." "MAKE UP!" they shouted in unison. Transformed, they looked back to the sky. The unmistakable figures of Vega and Polaris hovered above the girls. "Hello, Sailor Soldiers!" the twins called. "Are you prepared to die yet?" "Not on your life!" Sailor Jupiter returned, "Sparkling Wide Pres-- What the?!" Hearing Jupiter's distress, Sailor Moon whipped around to find her four friends trapped. A black orb surrounded them, lifting the girls into the air. "No!" Sailor Moon screamed. She turned to the twins. "Let them go! Moon Spiral Heart Attack!" Her attack bounced harmlessly off the two. "Watch, Sailor Moon, as we destroy your comrades." The soldiers screamed as blue electricity filled the orb. Sailor Moon fell to her knees in defeat. She covered her eyes as tears streamed down her cheeks. Through the noise, Sailor Moon clearly heard her name called. She lowered her hands in time to see Sailor Sun jump from the shrine's roof. "Sailor Moon, have faith in yourself. You're needed." "I can't beat them. They're too powerful for me!" Moon pounded the ground with her fist. The fiery-haired soldier offered her hand to Sailor Moon. "Have faith in yourself, princess. Please, don't let the darkness blind you or your friends will suffer a terrible fate." Sailor Moon gazed up at her new found partner, then took her hand. Sailor Sun wiped away moon soldier's tears. "Sadness was never meant for such an innocent and lovely face. Don't worry, I'll help you." Strong energy passed between the two as Sailor Sun called upon her power, harnessing it. "Golden Aura Power..." An updraft lifted their skirts and hair. Their skin glowed with an ethereal light and each of the girls' tiaras disappeared, revealing insignias on their foreheads. Blinding light emanated from the moon and sun shapes and the two lights joined together to form a golden sphere with a crescent moon locked around it. The two pieces broke apart flowing into their respective owners, then the light was gone. Sailor Moon stared in disbelief at her fuku. It had changed! She looked at Sailor Sun to discover hers was different as well. The twins, having seen enough, sent several ice shards towards Sailor Moon and Sailor Sun. A long staff appeared in Sailor Sun's palm. She held it high in the air. Its tiny ball slowly rose as she shouted, "Rising... Sun!" The ball enlarged and soared out of the staff. It ripped through the ice shards, then continued at Polaris and Vega. They gripped each other tightly as they were hit. Sailor Moon did a double take when a new Moon Rod floated in front of her. "What am I supposed to do with this?" she wondered out loud. "Listen deep inside yourself," Sailor Sun guided, "Hear your destiny call to you!" "Right!" Sailor Moon closed her eyes, concentrating. "Umm... I don't hear anything." "Concentrate!" Sailor Sun commanded. She did as she was told, but again Sailor Moon heard nothing. Her foot tapped impatiently. "Oh no," Sailor Sun thought, "What if she can't hear the voice. Maybe I'm the only one who can. I've go--" her pondering stopped when she saw the twins had recovered. Both Polaris and Vega charged toward the girls. "Sailor Moon, look out!" Sailor Sun ran to block the attack, but halted. She saw Sailor Moon's eyes open and determination was in them. She knew it was Sailor Moon's turn to fight now. "Everyone, I will be strong. I will save you," Sailor Moon promised her friends. She grabbed her new Rod, yelling, "Silver Moon Heart BREAK!" The attack hit Vega and Polaris dead on. Their control of the barrier holding the other soldiers weakened and dispursed as they fell to the ground with a thud. Polaris shook her brother. "Come on get up!" He shook his head. "We should go back. We--" "No! We can beat them," Polaris argued. Dionysus' voice sounded in their heads, "Stop your fight and return. Now!" Polaris glared at the soldiers then disappeared with Vega. "Next time..." she hissed. Sailor Moon hurried to her fellow soldiers. They thanked her, then their attention turned to Sailor Sun. Luna and Artemis came out of the shrine, gazing at the Soldier of the Sun as well. "Sailor Sun, what is your mission? Why have you come to us only now?" the black cat questioned her. "My coming forth was only just called upon. I must protect the princess from the evil that has befallen my star. It is my duty as a sailor soldier to do so." With that said she ran off. Sailor Moon reverted back into her regular outfit. She helped the others to their feet. ****************** In the Kingdom of the Eclipsed Sun, Dionysus bowed down before a glowing orb. He spoke in a subservient tone, "Erebus-sama, the Sailor Soldiers have been a horrible nuisance, but they are very strong. If we could bring them to our side, then they could prove to be a great asset." "So be it..." End Episode 07.