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 17 - Destiny of a Sailor Soldier! Sailor Sun's Last Stand 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... *~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~* Slowly, Dionysus' astonishment faded as he admired his youthful body. His lips curled into a wide grin as he was once again the man he remembered so many years ago. No longer did he have to depend on anyone. With the restored strength and vigor, Dionysus knew he would capture Hyperion easily. The princess would soon be under his control. His evil laugh echoed through the empty halls of the Eclipsed Sun Kingdom. ****************** A knock broke the silence of the Tsukino house and Usagi hurried to the front door, hoping to get there before her mother. On the other side of the door stood Minako, Artemis perched on her shoulder. The grim expressions on their faces was noted, as she let them in. Waving a small greeting to Ikuko, the three hurried up the steps to Usagi's room. It wasn't until they reached her room and the door was safely shut that anything was spoken between them. "What's wrong?" Usagi asked, fearing to hear an answer. Artemis leap from his buddy's shoulder, landing safely on the pink sheeted bed. "Between today and yesterday, there have been an increasing number of attack on schools in Tokyo." Usagi innocently questioned, "Like bombings?" Minako shook her head. "No, more like youma." "Youma? Really?" Luna popped into the room through the open bedroom window. "It's true. Creatures of all sorts have been showing up at schools and attacking the girls at each one. Two new instances were reported just over an hour ago." "The enemy is probably looking for Hogosha," Artemis commented. Seeing the sudden change on Usagi's face, Minako moved to comfort her. "Usagi, everything will be alright. The Sailor Soldiers will be there to protect her." All was silent. Usagi gave her friend a thankful smile. The communicator on her wrist began to beep and Minako flipped the cover open. Both girls peered at the tiny screen as they were met with an image of Ami. "Ami-chan, we were just filling Usagi-chan in on the situation. What's up?" Minako inquired. "We seem to have a new situation forming. Have you guys looked outside?" Ami answered. Usagi parted her curtains and together the girls and cats stared up at the sky. A deep shade of crimson colored the one pale blue of mid-day. A strong wind howled outside, sending a chill down the girls' spines. Ami continued, "That's not all. I took some readings and discovered a strange energy pattern forming near Juuban Junior High School." "It must be the enemy!" Artemis growled, still staring out the window. "But what are they doing at our school at this time? Why attack when nobody is there?" Usagi wondered outloud. The wavering image of Ami frowned. "I asked myself the same question. The best I can think of is all of these attacks were a sort of play. True, they may have been looking for Hogosha-chan at the same time, but they were also trying to catch our attention. Setting it up so we, or should I say, Sailor Sun, couldn't refuse this final meeting." "Well, we better go and put an end to their mischief, right now!" Minako declared. "Okay," Ami agreed. "I'll call the others and meet you there." They ended their transmission. Usagi and Minako rushed from the house. They stopped long enough to glance at the darkening sky, then continued to their destination. ****************** Hogosha sat alone on the Hikawa Shrine roof absorbed so completely in her thoughts, she didn't even notice the change in the sky's color. "It's all been like a dream, a wonderful dream. Taiyoukara Hogosha, grade nine and protector of Princess Serenity." A strong wind blew hair in her face. She brushed the fiery strands from her eyes absently. "This will be the last battle and the end of my mission. I will surely die. I'll never be with the Moon Princess or any of my new found friends. I've finally found the light and I'm going to have to give it up. I know it's selfish, but I don't want to. I want to keep this life and have everything stay the way it is! I don't want the dream to end!" Wind picked up as tears streamed down her cheeks. She smiled sadly. "I know this is my destiny, but what if..." Suddenly, the shrine doors burst open and Hino Rei ran out. She clutched to her chest a single item, the transformation pen she used time and again to become Sailor Mars. Hogosha watched her vanish into the red night. She whispered, "Rei-san." ****************** Ami, Makoto, Minako and Usagi had already gathered outside Juuban Junior High School by the time Rei arrived. A look of determination passed among them. They nodded as they their transformation pens into the air. A loud clash of thunder sounded just as the girls metamorphasis completed. A chariot pulled by four creatures, half men, half horse, appeared in the sky. It's silvery haired driver laughed as he steered the chariot in front of the sailor soldiers. "Your messanger of death is here tonight, Sailor Soldiers. Before greeting your graves, though, one of you will bring Hyperion to me." "Who do you think you are!?" Venus demanded, appalled by his suggestion. Dionysus' chest puffed up with pride. A black beam shot from his hand, knocking Venus down. "Impudent girl! You dare address a king in such a manner?" "No! How dare you hurt my friend?!" Jupiter barked as she charged at the chariot. The beast closest to her stepped into Jupiter's path, throwing her back next to Venus. The others ran to help their fallen friends. Dionysus laughed, enjoying a sense of superiority. "Please mind your manners. The Centaur can be extremely protective. They also follow orders quite well, so unless you return Princess Hyperion to me, I'll have them destroy Tokyo." He released the reins that bound the creatures. Free, the centaurs ran towards the sailor soldiers. The five girls managed to escape their attack, but inadvertantly caused the creatures to crash into the building behind them. The walls of the school began to crumble under the impact, concrete debris falling all around. Mercury gasped, then warned, "Watch it everyone! If we get hit by them it'll be the end of us." "Then let's take them out first!" Jupiter slammed her right fist into her open palm, then shouted, "Vibrant LIGHTENING!"> White lightening struck the man-creature with no effect. It served only to increase their anger. A great roar issued from all four centaurs as they stomped their hooves against the ground. "Damn!" Jupiter growled. "How can we stop those things?" A note of desperation had entered Venus' voice. "I'll try! Leave it to me," Mars said jumping into the air. Taking out several ofuda, she called "Rin, pyou, tou, sha, kai, jin, retsu, sai, zen! Evil spirits dispurse!" The attack was of no avail as each of the centaurs avoided the paper charms without trouble. Mars stared in amazement, "They're too fast!" "Everyone," Sailor Moon called, "we have to concentrate out energy!" Mercury caught on to Moon's meaning right away. "That's right! Sailor Sun said that we have only seen a glimpse of out true abilities. If we concentrate, maybe we can build up enough strength to defeat out opponent." "Then let's do it!" Mars yelled. The girls gathered side by side, then closing their eyes, focused on the power deep within themselves. Sensing trouble, Moon disengaged from the group. She opened her eyes in time to see the attack Dionysus had sent at them. She stepped in front of the other girls, hoping to block his power. She continued to struggle as the others called upon their powers. "Mercury Aura Power!" "Mars Aura Power!" "Jupiter Aura Power!" "Venus Aura Power!" Soft, glowing light, the aura of the power contained within themselves, glowed around each individual. Their uniforms began to change once more. Once again, they were dressed in the dazzling clothes that had materialized when they prayed for their power to enter Sailor Moon. The centaurs drew closer to the girls, only to be torn apart by the light of the soldiers. Slowly, the aura glows dimmed until finally disappearing. Each girl stood, radiating their raw strength. Dionysus howled in his outrage, as he rose from the chariot, into the air. Five yellow orbs formed near him, then sailed toward the sailor soldiers. All, except Moon, were encased by the golden prisons. Before the last one could reach her, a dark figure jumped in it's path. Instead of taking it's intended victim, the orb snatched up Tuxedo Kamen. All five rose, joining Dionysus in the air. The king stared at the blond soldier, "Who are you, Sailor Moon? You seem familiar to me." She gave him an odd look, "What?" "I know who you are! You're the princess and sole heir of the Moon Kingdom. It makes sense now that Hyperion has been foolishly trying to protect you. She always loved you and your despicable planet. How much do you care for your court, little princess? They will suffer if you do not tell me where Hyperion is hiding." To demonstrate he spoke the truth, Dionysus held out his open palm. A force of electricity encircled the orbs as he closed his hand. Sailor Moon tried to stop the sound of her friends' screams by covering her ears. "Don't!" she cried in panic. Dionysus laughed as he withdrew the electricity. "Well little princess, have you decided to reveal where she is?" "Usagiii! Don't you dare!" Mars yelled. "We're okay," Mercury assured though the pain in her voice was evident. Venus joined in, "Don't worry about us." "I think it's time for you to get rid of him," Jupiter called, winking. Tuxedo Kamen smiled at Moon, then urged, "Stay strong. Don't give in to him." Dionysus frowned as Sailor Moon lowered her head. Realizing she wouldn't yield, he screamed, "No? Then I will kill you now!" ****************** Another orb formed among the others and it flew down toward the moon soldier. Before it could hit Sailor Moon a husky voice called, "World SHAKING!" The orb shattered as it collided with the powerful attack. Everyone looked to the source, finding Sailor Neptune and Sailor Uranus back to back. Their suits, too, had changed into similar outfit the guardian soldiers had just acquired. Uranus spoke first, "I am the soldier of the sky, Sailor Uranus." "I am the soldier of the deep sea, Sailor Neptune." "Sailor Soldiers called by a new era and..." Uranus began. "..here we are!" They finished in unison. "Uranus! Neptune!" Moon exclaimed. "We thought you might need our help, Sailor Moon," the sandy-haired soldier grinned. Wasting no time, Sailor Neptune jumped forward. "Charging Aura Tide!" Although Dionysus easily blocked the tidal wave, it provided enough distraction for Uranus to withdraw her sword. Jumping high into the air, she aimed not for the king, but for the orb behind him. She yelled, "Rumbling Aura Hurricane!" The attack shattered the prison holding Tuxedo Kamen. He dropped to the ground, landing on his feet. Sailor Moon ran into his arms and was quickly embraced. Dionysus chuckled, "So you got one back. No matter." With a simple wave of his hand, a blast of energy knocked Neptune and Uranus into a wall several yards away. When they tried to rise, both were hit again. More and more shots were sent until the two girls were too weak to stand anymore. "Damn," Uranus thought, "who is this guy?" "Haruka," Neptune whispered "what can we do?" With the new distractions no longer in the way, Dionysus turned his attention back to Sailor Moon. He smirked, confidently questioning her. "Now tell me where Hyperion is!" With a defiant glare, Sailor Moon gave a negative shake of her head. Her heard jumped as she heard a voice behind her. "Here I am, Dionysus! Leave them alone!" "This is Dionysus?" Moon wondered, "But isn't he supposed to be old?" "I'm sorry, princess... for being late," Sailor Sun apologized. The angry king sent a storm of black energy swirling at Sailor Sun. Seeing this, she brought forth her weapon, then shouted, "Rising SUN!" Her power had little effect on the determined king. Immediately, he sent a blast which broke her staff in two. While she stared in horror at the useless weapon, he attacked again. The energy struck Sailor Sun hard in the chest, causing her sailor uniform to become a mass of flying yellow ribbons. "No! I can't let him defeat me," she said to herself. Eyes closed, Sailor Sun began to concentrate. Her brooch opened to reveal the small stone inside. She opened her eyes again and stared hard at her opponent. A yellow beam shot from the stone, towards Dionysus. "What's this?" he questioned as the light surrounded him. "The Golden Aura! This light... It's beautiful, so strong..." Consumed by the enveloping power, Dionysus' words ended as well as his life. The orbs disappeared along with the fallen king, releasing the four soldiers. Unconscious, they floated gently to the pavement. Sailor Moon and Tuxedo Kamen watched Sailor Sun. She turned her head toward them and smiled. A loud crash of thunder sounded, drawing the couple's attention to the sky. A scream filled the air and when the two turned back, they saw a black portal had appeared behind their friend and was quickly pulling her in. ****************** Sailor Moon tried to follow Sailor Sun, but a gloved hand grabbed her own. Ready to argue, she was surprised to see the reassuring smile on Tuxedo Kamen's face. "How about we go together?" he suggested. Moon nodded her head firmly. With a last loving gaze, they jumped into the darkness. "Sailor Moon!" Uranus and Neptune cried as the portal closed behind the couple. End Episode 17.