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 10 - Aura of the Sun and Moon! New Transformations Occur 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-chan!" Luna yelled. "Transform!" "Moon Cosmic Power, MAKE UP!" The others then followed suit. "Mercury Star Power,..." "Jupiter Star Power,..." "Venus Star Power,..." "MAKE UP!" To their horror, Minako, Ami, and Makoto did not change. A black haired girl hovered above them. She gave the girls an evil grin as she growled, "Sailor Soldiers... Die!" The Soldier Mars drifted to the ground. Her pupil-less, purple eyes glared at the girls and bent down on one knee. "Piercing Fury...BLAZE!" As she touched her right index finger to the pavemen flames encircled Mars, then toward the girls. Sailor Moon and the others managed to move from the fire's path before getting singed. "What are we going to do?" Minako called as they dodged another attack. Makoto suddenly changed her course and charged at Mars. They both crashed into a nearby building. "Snap out of it!" Makoto yelled at her. Mars responded with a single grin, then pushed Makoto back with great force. "Mako-chan!" Sailor Moon cried as the girl impacted with the pavement. Mars, about to finish off the injured Makoto, decided to turn her attention to the only one in the group who posed any threat to her. Sailor Moon moved to run away, but succeeded only in tripping. Mars towered over her and growled, "Sailor Moon." ****************** Hogosha sat on the steps of the Hikawa shrine with Yuuichirou. She tried desperately to comfort the sobbing man. "Where could she be? Rei-san!" Yuuichirou groaned. "Don't worry. I'm sure she'll be..." A sudden dizziness hit her and Hogosha let the sentence trail off as she tried to steady herself. She placed her forehead in her hands. A sense of foreboding filled her and her mind screamed, "Something's wrong with the princess. I know it!" "Is anything wrong?" Yuuichirou inquired. "E...excuse me, please. I gotta go!" Hogosha jumped from her seat beside the teary-eyed man and hurried around the side of the shrine. Out of sight, she transformed into Sailor Sun. She continued running until she reached her destination. An apartment building towered in front of her and she gazed up to a single balcony window. She prayed she would be in time. Inside the building, she took the elevator and ran to a familiar door. Other than her loud pounding with her fist, she was silent and hopeful. When the door finally opened, Mamoru stood on the other side, a look of shock crossed his face. "Sailor Sun?" "C'mon, the princess needs us," she reached for his arms. "What?" "She needs you, Tuxedo Kamen. Now, transform!" Sailor Sun urged. Mamoru stared at her for a short while. He didn't know why, but he felt she was telling the truth. Taking out a rose, Mamoru transformed. He led the way to his motorcycle and they sped off into the direction Sailor Sun told him to go. "How could she have known who I was?" Tuxedo Kamen wondered to himself. "How would she have known Usako was a princess unless she was from out of our past?" He gritted his teeth, "It doesn't matter now. I have to get to Usako!" Sailor Sun hollered over the roar of the engine, "Can't this thing go any faster?" "We're almost there," Tuxedo answered. ****************** Mars' hands wrapped around Sailor Moon's throat. The two raised high into the air. "Rei-chan... stop this, please," she begged. "Hmmph... Sailor Moon, DIE!" Fire burned behind Mars' eyes. "Piercing Fury..." Before she could finish her chant, a golden ball of light hit Mars, causing her to drop her victim. Sailor Moon made her descent downwards, finally landing in the arms of her love. "Tuxedo Kamen-sama!" She hugged him tightly. Soldier Mars recovered quickly and this time she directed her attack at Sailor Sun, "Piercing Fury BLAZE!" "No! Look out!" Sailor Moon warned, too late. The fire struck Sailor Sun, singeing her clothes and rendering her unconscious. Mars chuckled, then moved her vacant gaze back to the others. Vega, Polaris, and Sirius manifested beside her. "Drain all the energy from the Sailor Soldiers! Now!" Vega commanded. "Wait, I am in charge of this mission. Soldier Mars, kill Sailor Moon! Leave the others to me. They cannot transform any longer. As they are now, they are no immediate threat." Vega stared vengefully at Sirius, as Mars obeyed the blonde man's order. Tuxedo Kamen gasped as red light pulsed on Sailor Moon's skin. Then she was gone from his arms, only to reappear suspended in the air near Mars. "Sailor Moon!" he called, panic in his voice. Ami stared into the sky at Mars and Sailor Moon. "There has to be something we can do to help her." Minako dropped to her knees. "Damn! Why can't we transform?" "Fools," Sirius chuckled. "Do you really want to know why you can't transform?" "You better explain what's happening," growled Makoto. "Oh, I'm just so frightened," Sirius jested. Sailor Moon's cries of pain could be heard in the background as she struggled with Mars. Sirius seemed unmoved with either pleasure or discomfort at the shrill sounds filling the air. "Have you taken a good look at your transformation pens lately? If you did, you would have found something has been added to them." The girls took out their pens and saw what he said was true. Located at the base of each handle was the symbol of the Eclipsed Sun. "Your hearts have placed a lock on them. Sealed away forever is your power as a Sailor Soldier. You are useless now... Unless, of course, you pledge your allegiance to our Ruler and once again become members of the Dark Planet Soldiers. Our master will grant you power beyong imagining." "Never!" They answered in unison. "Then watch your friend die!" Sirius gestured to Sailor Moon. Sailor Moon clutched her chest. Taking short breaths, she spoke to the girls, "I... it's okay... everyone. Don't worry." Then she raised her eyes to Mars, "I understand, Rei-chan. You're... still my friend. No matter what happens, you'll always be..." Sailor Moon's vision grew hazy as darkness consumed her. For a moment, silence fell upon the dark girl. The hissing noise of the power that held the now unconscious soldier in the air was all that was heard. Mars gasped, "Oh, no... Sailor Moon! What have I done?" A burning blast hit Mars in the back. She could feel the energy she had just taken from Sailor Moon being drained from her. She turned to her assailant, finding Sirius' deadpan face staring at her. The attack continued, even when Mars fell to the ground. A rose sailed at Sirius, breaking his concentration. Angered that her beloved's grant performance had been interrupted, Polaris sent forth a blast that knocked Tuxedo Kamen off his feet. ****************** Sailor Sun awoke to find Sailor Moon floating lifeless. "Sailor Moon! No!" she cried. "What have I done? How could I have... my friend." When Mars completely realized what she had, the possession in her eyes was replaced by tears. Her outfit reverted to her clothes she had worn the day she was taken. She watched as Sailor Moon's body drifted to the pavement. She ran with the others to the motionless soldier. Rei took Sailor Moon's hand. "I'm sorry. I'm so sorry, Usagi." Sailor Sun approached the group. Looking on them through her own tears she thought, "Is there nothing I can do?"

The same voice which she had heard time and again echoed in her ears, "You can help her. Use the strength from within yourself. Help the princess." Sailor Sun straightened her stance. "Yes, I will." She called to the others, "Soldiers of the planets, help me." They hesitated for a moment, confused, then understanding registered on their faces. They moved to Sailor Sun's side. A golden glow began to emit from them. Sailor Sun knelt, then folded her hands as if in prayer. She pleaded, "Bright Aura, lend us your power. Give us the power to bring her back to us. Please, let her brilliant life shine once more!" The glow around the girls intensified. Sailor Sun's outfit changed into her Aura suit. The others each held up their transformation pens. A loud clink could be heard as the locks on them were broken, and the girls each transformed without words into a new uniform. Unphased by the transformations, each one concentrated her energy, allowing it to enter Sailor Moon. Sailor Moon's outfit changed into her Aura fuku, but her body remained still. "It's not enough!" Sailor Sun looked at Tuxedo Kamen, who held Sailor Moon. "Soldier and prince of Earth, lend her your strength." Closing his eyes, he too concentrated his energy on Sailor Moon. Tuxedo felt her flinch slightly in his arms and he gazed at her. Her lashes fluttered, then finally opened. She smiled sweetly at him, then began to rise. The soldiers quickly joined her. "Sailor Moon!" Mars tried to push her down. "You shouldn't get up. You should rest." Sailor Moon shrugged off their concerns, with a simple look. On her feet, she faced Sirius and the twins. Sailor Moon's weapon, the Silver Moon Heart Rod, appeared in front of her. She grabbed it and held the rod toward the sky. "How dare you use the pure heart of young girl for evil. I am the pretty suited sailor soldier, who fights for Love and Justice, Sailor Moon. In the name of the moon, I will punish you!" A fierce blast of energy issued from Sirius' hands. "Go ahead and try!" Sailor Moon struggled to counteract with her own power, but his attack was still too strong for her. "I don't know how long I'll be able to keep this up," she thought. Seeing Sailor Moon weakening, Venus yelled to the soldiers, "Come on, everyone!" The others nodded their compliance, then stood side by side. They called out their powers... "Venus Aura Power!" "Mercury Aura Power!" "Jupiter Aura Power!" "Mars Aura Power!" "Golden Aura Power!" Sailor Moon could sense the energy of her friends, but still she felt as if she might fail. Then a haunting voice sounded in her head, "Princess Serenity, daughter of the Silver Millennium, you have the strength to push back this foe. Believe in your power!" She couldn't believe what she had just heard. "Queen Serenity! Mother!" She called out, "Silver Aura POWER!" Their combined powers ripped through Sirius' attack. The three villains were knocked back by the force, but not injured. Immediately, Polaris started to charge at the soldiers, wishing to savagely tear them apart. "Leave it be, Polaris," Sirius voiced coldly. "But... but, Sirius-sama, that humiliation cannot be tolerated! I'll put them in their place." "No! We must return before wasting any more energy." ****************** All three disappeared at the same time and the sailor soldiers jumped for joy. Sailor Moon gave them an odd look as she eyed their clothes. "What happened to your suits?" "Huh?" They glanced down and took notice of their changed outfits for the first time. Double skirts danced about their hips and heart brooches decorated the bows on their now sleeveless uniforms. A golden circle found on the chokers, belt, and boots was the finishing touch. While the soldiers ponder over their attire, Tuxedo stepped next to Sailor Moon. He whispered in her ear, "I thought I'd lost you, Usako." "Never," she replied. Not being able to contain himself, he leaned down embraced her gently. A strange sensation passed through his body. When Tuxedo Kamen pulled away, he noticed a few subtle changes in his outfit had occurred. His once white vest had turned red. Red also trimmed his mask and now hanging beneath his bow-tie was an ornate cross. "Oh my gosh! Check out Tuxedo Kamen-sama!" Venus gasped. Mercury studied him before speaking. "Sailor Sun must be a very powerful soldier to have caused this difference in not only our suits, but in our powers." Sailor Sun shook her head. "You have seen the hidden power within yourselves and opened the door. I was only a path leading you there. Sailor Moon, your aura shines bright, and with that glow your loved ones have found strength." She bowed to Sailor Moon. "Your heart is bright with its regal nature, princess." Surprised, Sailor Moon inquired, "Who are you, Sailor Sun?" "I'm not even sure I know that answer, but I must keep what I do know to myself so that I may protect you the way I always have..." Sailor Sun began to walk away. Without turning back to them she finished her sentence, "...from the shadows." ****************** In the Eclipsed Sun Kingdom, Sirius sat alone in a dark room. He thought angrily to himself, "How could those children have broken through my attack? It just isn't possible. Or is it? This Sailor Sun may play a bigger part than I first suspected." The sound of the door opening broke into his pondering. Vega entered the room. "That was some show today, Sirius-san. I must admit, you really took care of those cute soldiers." The sarcasm in Vega's voice could not be mistaken. "My sister could have done better than that." "Too bad she won't live long enough to get the chance," Sirius returned. "What!?" "She is worthless, so weak in battle. I'm afraid something may end up happening to her," Sirius hinted. A slight smile could be seen on his lips, even though the room was dark. "You have no heart," Vega hissed. "If that is the price to get to the top, then who cares?" Vega stormed out of the room, with Sirius' laughter following him. He knew he was no physical match for that man. The only thing he could hope for was that Sirius would someday get what was coming to him. Vega walked through the kingdom, finally stopping outside his sister's door. He heard her talking and peeked in the room. He saw she sat alone, brushing her gray and white hair. "Sirius-sama," Polaris sighed. "I will make you proud of me. No matter how hard a task it may be, no matter what I must do, I will prove myself to you and make you mine, my love." "No matter what he says, you aren't worthless. You've just proven that but why are you so blinded? Why don't you just forget him?" Vega wondered to himself. "He is a cold-hearted monster that you don't need. He will be your death." ****************** On Earth, the girls had all returned home. When Rei walked through the doors of the Hikawa shrine, she was greeted by an overly excited Yuuichirou. Her grandfather and Hogosha soon joined them. "Oh, Rei," her grandfather cried, "I'm so glad you're home! Where have you been?" "Well, um... There will be plenty of time to explain later," Rei answered, giving him a silly grin. "Welcome back," Hogosha said calmly as she smiled at her. Rei sensed an air of knowledge around Hogosha, but said nothing, enjoying the happiness of her reunion too much. ****************** At the Tsukino house, Ikuko waited outside for her daughter to return. She breathed a sigh of relief when she saw Usagi and Mamoru approaching the house together. "Oh, you've had me so worried," Ikuko embraced Usagi. "With all the stuff on the new about those girls going missing, I thought.... "I'm sorry mama," she said. She turned her head toward Mamoru. "Good night, Usako," He smiled, then nodded to her mother, "good night." "G'Night, Mamo-chan," Usagi waved at him as she and her mother walked into the house. In the kitchen, Ikuko prepared some hot cocoa for her daughter. Usagi was searching for a clean mug when she came across the one with pink writing on it. In English letters, it read: "Chibi Usa." She carried the cup with her to the table and sat down. She gently kissed it. "Chibi Usa," she whispered, "I'll find you and then we can argue over who has more marshmallows. I promise, I'll get you back." End Episode 10.