Finally Chapter nine! I'm rounding off my 2nd busiest time of the year by getting this Chapter posted. When last we left, Hotaru was in quite a pickle, and this will continue for some time. I thought this chapter was a filter, but a lot of stuff does happen. Read and enjoy. Hope you like.
~Dreams under the Crescent Moon
9 ~sway of clouded crescent
Sailor Chibi Moon transformed as she ran from her hut to Hotaru's. She could hear Pegasus' bleats as the battle came to full view. Hedera was leading the charge; a mass of hideous plant women had Hotaru, now Salior Saturn cornered. She twirled the Silence Glaive in both hands, slicing down the dozens of thorny vines that clawed at her. Pegasus flew above, shooting powerful lights from the Golden crystal, hitting the plant women, knocking them down, sometimes completely out. Hedera cackled, and threw her large body at Pegasus. He charged at her, his head forward, slashing her across the chest. She twisted away, fluttering her webbed wings furiously. They squared off. Chibi Moon started after them when Diana leaped in front of her.
"No, Sailor Chibi Moon. Sailor Saturn needs your help!" Chibi Moon turned back to Saturn. She saw that while she struggled against the crowd of plant women, behind her the hut was moving. Chibi Moon could see wooden panels breaking off beams, creaking loudly, buckling underneath the structure. One of the longer beams grounding the hut was trembling, about to toppled over Saturn. Chibi Moon clutched the centre of her tiara with her fore finger and thumb. Channelling all her power to her fore head she pulled the tiara from her head, turning it into a glowing discus of light. She aimed and shouted "Moon Tiara magic!" and threw it, aiming for the beam. Her Tiara smashed into it, splitting it into two pieces. She had aimed so the pieces would fall back, towards the shattering hut. When Chibi Moon turned to Saturn, her Tiara reappeared on her forehead. She pulled out her wand and began shooting hearts of pink light at the plant women surrounding Saturn. She noticed some of the plant women were more advanced. Vines grew from their knotted hair. Some shot vines from their mouths. One of these plant women snarled and drooled at Chibi Moon, running straight at her. Chibi Moon spun around and kicked the plant woman in the face. She then aimed her wand at another plant woman. Saturn began work through the crowd, cutting down the women, not just their vines. She held on to her Glaive tightly and spun it hard, knocking four women down. She then kicked off the ground and floated above the enemies. Angry silver winds surrounded Saturn as she twirled the Silence Glaive above her body.
"Silence Glaive Surprise!" She shouted. She swung her Glaive across of four plant women, slicing them into pieces. They wailed as they crumbled into silver light and dust.
"Moon Gorgeous Meditation!" Chibi Moon yelled. She twirled her wand, sending ribbons and shining red hearts in all directions, hitting as many of the plant women as possible. The two Senshi battled in this way, till all the plant women where nothing but heaps of silver and green dust on the ground. Chibi Moon immediately looked up, searching for Pegasus. Hedera had him in a bloody, fist. Her hand was enlarged with horrible, wooden root claws. He neighed loudly, thrashing his head this way and that. Chibi Moon narrowed her eyes. She grabbed her Tiara again, summoning the discus of light. She threw it at Hedera's wrist. It broke through, severing Hedera from her hellish hand. She spun backwards, wailing. Pegasus fell to the ground. Chibi Moon rushed to him. She fell onto her knees at his side, grabbing a hold of the huge root hand wrapped around his upper body.
"Silence Glaive Surprise!" Chibi Moon closed her eyes and looked away; her face and arms were hit with sharp pieces of wood. When she opened her eyes and looked back, Pegasus was free. Saturn had cut the roots away.
"Pegasus!" Chibi Moon cried as she wrapped her arm around the white Unicorn's head. He was scarred, bleeding and bruised.
"I'm okay." Chibi Moon could hear his gasps in her mind as he spoke. He blinked back tears and turned to Hedera. Hedera held her bleeding hand and glared at Chibi Moon with glowing red eyes.
"Curse you." She snarled. "How long do you think you can resist my queen's claim over these lands?"
"As long as it takes." Chibi Moon answered. She raised her wand and Saturn held her Glaive forward, bracing for an attack. Neither of them noticed a red figure that hid behind the ruins of the hut. Pegasus, weak from his injuries could not move from where he fell. Through blurry, watery eyes he saw the red figure. Pegasus tried to lift his head, clear his vision. Instead only he heard the figure speak.
"That's enough, Hedera." the figure ordered. It was a male voice.
Hedera hissed and twirled, disappearing it a tornado of dying leaves. Pegasus watched helplessly in a haze as the red figure vanished in a red glowing light.
"Wait!" Pegasus moaned. Chibi Moon ran to his side. She watched him struggling to lift his head up. He gasped as his head hit the ground. Chibi Moon's Sailor suit burst away as she knelt down and took his head into her lap. His eye rolled into the back of his head, fainting.
"Pegasus!" Rini cried. She trembled, sobbing as the winged horse's body began to softly glow. There was burst of light and Rini heard an awful crackling sound as his wings seem to crumble and their feathers spread all over Pegasus' body. Soon, Helios' head rested on her lap as his human body materialized. Hotaru walked around Helios to his other side. Her clothes were torn and tattered. She knelt on the ground and took his arm, draping it over her shoulders. Rini did the same thing with his other arm. The two girls lifted Helios of the ground. They moved him to the nearest, standing hut, carefully carried his limp body up the wooden steps. They entered the room, and carefully laid his body on the straw bed. Rini sat beside him while Hotaru and Diana went to get wood for fire and water for the kettle. Minutes later Rini was placing a warm, wet towel, on Helios' forehead, Hotaru used the remaining water in the kettle to make tea.
"What happened?' Rini finally asked, satisfied that Helios was asleep. His chest rose and fell softly, and in a slow, relaxed pace.
"It was a rustle that woke me." Hotaru explained. "As soon as my eyes opened, I looked around and suddenly, she was there, Hedera."
Hotaru placed a stone mug in Rini's hands, and sat in a stool across from Rini with her drink.
"She ambushed me, set my hut on fire. Everything else is just a blur until you showed up." She admitted.
"And Helios instantly sensed or heard something he just rushed in." Rini sighed.
"I'm sorry I didn't come sooner." said Rini. She sipped her tea, groaning as she burnt her tongue. She grumbled and put the mug to a sign, and held Helios hand tightly.
"I think it's time to search for these plant enemies." Rini said. "We can't go on like this, waiting for them to spring an attack on us."
"We've already tried searching for them. They've managed to stay hidden in Elysium." Diana pointed out. Rini sighed, remembering the red mount on the communicator's screen. But when they went to look for the mount, they were ambushed by the plant women, and there was no mound of red pulse to be found. Yet, the area was surrounded by dry, parasite infected trees and foliage.
"We need to search Elysium itself. It's the core of the planet but exists on a different plane." said Rini.
"You think that's how the enemy has hidden itself?" Hotaru asked.
"No," Rini sighed. "This place is sacred, not physical, not a realm like the moon or the other planets. It's the earth centre, a netherworld."
"Minus the dead people." Diana added.
"No, the dead are here. They make up the realm." Hotaru answered. "I see what you're saying Rini. The enemy knows about this place, meaning they know how to use its properties to their advantage."
Rini stared hard at Hotaru. She hated that her special place with Helios was being invaded once more. The powers lay dormant but the enemy didn't need it. Which also meant they were dealing with either an enemy with connections to those of the past, before or during the silver millennium. Or, they were there themselves, making them ancient enemies.
"Diana," Rini turn to the lavender cat. "You need to contact Setsuna and Ami."
"What for?"
"To figure out who this enemy really is." Rini answered. "My parents don't know, but probably because they don't remember. There is going to be a record of them though. Or Setsuna can trace them."
"I see. Leave it to me." Diana nodded.
"Can you watch over Helios?" Rini asked. "Hotaru and I are going to start searching now."
"How? Without the information on the enemy?" Diana asked.
"I have an idea about where to start looking for them. Please?"
"Of course," Diana jumped from the floor to Helios' chest. She stared intently at his face. The golden crescent moon mark on her forehead began to glow. A glittering, swirling light from her forehead showered over Helios' body. The light formed a cocoon around Helios. When she was satisfied, Diana shook her head, and her crescent moon mark stopped shining.
"When he regains consciousness, he won't wake up till you come back." She said. "Till then, I'll keep him safe under the Luna mind beam."
"Thanks." Rini smiled.
Sailor Chibi Moon and Sailor Saturn ran through the forest towards the ruins of the old Earth Palace. They jogged under the arch way, made of white carved stone. A grey and ivory cobble stone path led the Senshi to a large building, also made of white stone. Several, curved arches, positioned into the shape of a five pointed star. Large held up six pillars that made a U shape, like in "Upsilon". Lush, green lines Moon could see a faint, flickering light in the shadowy opening between the pillars. This was the temple of Elysium, the heart of the once great Golden kingdom of Earth.
Chibi Moon slowed down and halted in front of the steps that led upwards to the dark entrance. She exhaled in a gasp, hunched forward, resting her hand as her knees. She breathed deeply. Saturn huffed hoarsely, staring at the temple. She inhaled loudly, about to ask Chibi Moon why they were at the temple, when she sucked in a gulp of air and dashed up the steps. Saturn flailed behind her.
Chibi Moon tripped and nearly fell head first at the left last step. She flung and waved her arms above her head and hopped, landing on both feet. Here she slowed down completely and began to walk slowly and flat footed, to make as little noise as possible. Saturn arrived at the entrance as well and followed suit. They now were entering the most sacred of buildings in all Elysium, and it was here that Chibi Moon knew she would find a power able to thwart their enemy and give them the advantage.
"How can we be here without Helios?" Saturn whispered, staring at Chibi Moon's swaying arms.
"Right now, we don't need his help." Chibi Moon whispered softly. The Senshi walked down the dark corridor. The inside walls of the temple were made of large white bricks. Delicate lanterns of crystal with gold rims hung on copper stands on the walls. Glowing sparks of yellow flames burned in each lantern, each shedding just a touch of light. Enough for the Senshi to see the large room at the centre of the temple. There stood a carpet four step star case and on top the sacred altar of the late Golden kingdom. A globe of the earth shimmer on the pearl velvet table clothed altar, surrounded by tall, lit white candles. Chibi Moon approached the steps and saw two white figures, draped in white robes and scarves, knelt at the bottom step in front of the globe. The two figures stood up, hearing the Senshi's approached and turned around, revealing themselves as the maenads, Priestesses of the temple o f Elysium. Like Helios, they were ancient inhabitants of earth, the only surviving members of the Golden Kingdom aside from Helios. They processed special holy powers and helped him carry the duties of protecting the earth by watching over and protecting its centre, and origin.
Both had the appearance of young women, with soft ashen hair, with two little round buns on either side on the top of the head, their wavy hair flowing down their backs. They wore a tear drop forehead gem in the same pale blue of their loose, flowing dresses. They knelt on one knee slowly, bowing gracefully before Chibi Moon and Saturn.
"Welcome, Princess SL Serenity and Princess of Saturn." The Maenads said in unison. "Welcome to the Temple of Elysion, the Sanctuary."
"Thank you." Chibi Moon said softly, waving the girls to stand.
"It feels like it's been eternity," she continued, as they both stood up with their hands clasped together. "How have you been?"
"The peace you and your court brought filled our days with great joy. It is only as of late that our smiles have flattered."
"I know and I'm sorry." Chibi Moon said. "That's why we're here."
Saturn walked up to the altar. She noticed the candles were arranged in a circle. There was a different colour for each planet in the Milky Way Sagittarius solar system, their solar system.
"This table sits right beneath the tower of prayer." Sailor Saturn commented.
"Yes," one of the Maenads replied.
"When we pray, it is to bless each star, each satellite, and each planet so dear, strong yet fragile."
"The good of one world depends on the good of every world."
Chibi Moon stared at the girl. They both walked as if they floated on air. True, they were human but they had powers, blessing from those of the past that held the power of the stars.
"We've never actually really met," Chibi Moon said. "You know my name; I'd like it to go both ways."
One priestess walked to the Altar, and took a candle from it.
You honor us, Princess," she said holding the candle in both hands. "We are sisters, born together. When I was ordained, I took the name Cephei. My eyes are blue."
"I am Lyrae," said the other sister, smiling sweetly at the Senshi. "My eyes are green."
Being able to tell them apart, Chibi Moon grinned back.
"It's wonderful to meet you both."
Saturn moved away from the altar and addressed the sisters.
"We're sorry but this isn't a simple visit, we need your help."
"We'll do what can," Cephei nodded. "But where is Helios? I'm surprised he's not here."
"He's hurt," Chibi Moon said sadly. "But he's going to be ok."
"You stopped my heart for a moment," Cephei said. "We used to watch Helios protect the land each day, with a diminutive smile. Ever since he heard you were coming, his grin is wide, his eyes shine brightly."
Chibi Moon blushed. "In the meantime we were hoping you could show us something he can't."
"What is it princess?" they ask asked.
"We know that each world is sectioned off into realms." Saturn said. "Earth has at least four, an underworld of death and darkness, Elysium, the physical planet, and an upper realm.
"Whoever this enemy is, they came into Elysium through a realm that has been bridge to this one, possibly the negaverse, or someplace similar."
We think the reason why they keep attacking us in surprise, and we can't pin point their hiding place is because their hidden in the spiritual world, within Elysion. Since you are in tuned to that world, maybe you can find them."
The twins looked at each other, then one lifted a candle up.
"Follow us."
The senshi were led to a stone staircase that led to a room beneath the temple. The stone in this room was a shimmering dark stone, inspired by the night sky. There was no furniture in the room, only dozens of candles, and carefully placed stones, amethyst, jade, sun stone, moon stone, agate, fluoride. Chibi Moon watched the priestesses softly chant. Sailor Saturn knelt on one knee, and turned her weapon so the blade faced the ground. She closed her eyes and added her energy to the Maenad's growing power. The stone began to shine brightly; the light began to rise between the priests, twisting and spinning, turning into a cloudy land, a map of Elysium.
Chibi moon consider it to be similar, spiritual form of the grid map they had on their communicator system. This map was different however because it did not map the land. Chibi Moon discovered that the Light mapped out energies. The land of was filled of a pale grey energy, patches of arms over the circle.
"It seems this energy has been here for some time," Lyrae said.
"Why do you say that?" Saturn asked.
The sisters raised their hand and the globe turned into a section of land. The energy were enhanced and appeared larger. There were patch of soft greens, yellow, blues and white, and beneath a large section of emerald green was a glowing, angry red patch that seemed to be growing and spewing at the sides, spilling out bit by bit.
"This mass is nestling beneath and below, but did not just appear. It continues to grow, even now."
Chibi Moon stepped forward and stared at the growing mass, like a cancer. The evil that threatens Elysion was coming from there.
"Does this show how we can get to this place?" Chibi Moon asked.
"Sadly, the mass is between a portal between Elysium and its world. It may be too unstable to go in now. " said Cephei.
"Helios may know how to get there, but we'll have to ask him when he wakes." Lyrae added.
"It's not a physical place that I can transport to then." Chibi Moon sighed.
"We're sorry Princess, but this battle will not be easily won." The twin lowers this arms and the mists began to slowly fade and disperse.
Chibi Moon glared at the red cloud as it evaporated, like her enemy, always moving further beyond her reach the more she learned about them.
We'll keep searching for a way princess." Lyrae said, placing a candle back on the altar.
"Thank you," Chibi moon sighed. "I'm starting to think I reacted out of outrage over Helios' injuries, the destruction of Hotaru's hut."
Saturn stood up and sighed.
"Don't be sorry." She said to her friend. You're instincts were right. Look how far we've gotten. We know where they are, how their attacking. We can stop them."
"Yes," Chibi Moon nodded. "But to stop them, we're going to need Helios, and I don't know if I can let him."
"It has always been his duty to protect this land." Cephei said. "As it has been ours,"
"Well then, it's my duty to protect him." Chibi Moon replied. "That's how we're going to save Elysion."
Chibi Moon took the hands of the Maenads, thanking them for their work. Both women promised to monitor the energies and begin trying to find a way to the portal between the realms and maintain a presence there long enough to eliminate the source of the enemy.
After some tender good byes and hugs, Chibi Moon and Saturn walked out of the temple and down the steps.
"I'm starting to think we might not be strong enough to find this enemy on own." Saturn said when they began to descend the stairs.
"I know," Chibi Moon groaned. "But, I don't want to call for help, not yet. Not until we're sure."
"Sure about what?" Saturn asked.
Chibi Moon began to walk quickly, almost in mid-jog. She continued to speak, but was in a hurry now to get back to the huts.
"Remember when I thought this new enemy might be connected to someone from my parent's past, an enemy,"
"Yeah,"
"Well, now I'm sure it's someone from my parent's past. Someone ancient, like Helios, the maenads,"
"Queen Nehelenia?" Saturn gave Chibi Moon a concerned look.
"I'm serious," Chibi Moon said. "Think about it. A spiritual base, a spiritual attack, growing inside Elysium, a non-physical world within Earth. Only someone who was around during time when powers was all humanity had. This enemy would know how to tap into that. Use it."
Saturn's expression changed from worry to amazement. "My God, how'd you get to be so smart?" she gasped, grinning.
"In brains, I take after my dad." Chibi Moon answered with a smirk.
In love, I'm exactly like my mother.
This Chapter helped me realize why fillers are tough on both reader and writer, but really necessary. But now that that's out of the way a lot is about to unfold. Thank you readers and Sailor Chibi Moon fans alike. Drop by again soon.
