Chapter 2
Gem stands in the garden and stares out the gate. She knows it is open, but today she has no heart to use it. Over the last three years, she has used it to look after Usagi's friends as she had been asked. Some days that is far harder then Gem would have ever thought possible.
"They miss her so much." She whispers as a tear runs down her cheek. "Does she even know?"
"Yes, I think she did. That is why she asked us to watch over them." Gideon replies to her. "It was not her intention to be caught in the void. I believe she truly thought she could make it back here safely."
"I hate going and seeing all the pain. I would have thought that they would have gotten on with their lives and forgotten her." Gem walks to the fountain and sits on the edge.
"I don't think they ever will, Gem." Gideon says.
Gem stares into the waters of the fountain. A dark shadow covers the garden. Gem looks up from the water and sees a dark figure passing by the gate. As the dark figure disappears, so does the dark shadow over the garden. "Gideon?" She asks softly.
"It is one of the creator's creations." Gideon answers before the question is asked.
Gem stands and runs for the gate. As she reaches the gate, she looks back toward the fountain. "Gideon, I will be back as soon as I can. I have to keep my promise to Usagi."
She walks out the gate and disappears.
*****
Mamoru walks toward the park. He and Usagi had always spent a lot of time there, and he could always find time to think. He had quietly left the apartment before anyone else was up. He needed some time alone.
As he walks, he comes across the place that he had last kissed Usagi. He remembers that night very well. It was the same night he had driven her away. The words he spoke that night still echo in his mind. "The string of destiny has been cut."
"Usako, I am so sorry." He whispers as a tear falls down his cheek.
"You must care for her a lot. Most men will not cry in public."
Mamoru turns and sees a young woman in a pale blue dress standing there. Her long hair is pulled into a braid that runs down the middle of her back. "Excuse me?" He asks.
"I am sorry. Let me introduce myself. My name is Gem." She looks at Mamoru and smiles a sad smile. "I was walking by and I had this strange feeling that you miss someone very dear to you."
Mamoru sits down on the bench and looks at this strange young woman. He does not feel any thing evil about this woman. "Yes, I loved her so much that I drove her away." He says as he stares into her pale green eyes. "I learned too late that I should have told her the truth."
She smiles sadly at him. "Come." She says gently. "I have not seen the sunrise in a long time. We can talk. You seem like you need a friend and it is very near sunrise."
"No, I can't go with you. My sisters will worry about me if I am gone much longer." He says as he stands. He turns and begins to walk away.
Gem grabs Mamoru's hand as he begins to walk away. He feels a strange energy from her and turns to look at her. "Usagi still loves you, Mamoru. Always remember your princess." She releases his hand and begins to walk away.
"Who are you?" He asks as he turns to watch Gem.
Gem turns and looks at Mamoru and smiles. "A dying friend asked me to watch over you and the others." She lets the smile drop from her face. "I am also here to warn you. There is an evil force moving toward the Earth. Be careful, Endymion. We will meet soon." She disappears from where she is standing.
"Gem!" He yells.
"Wake up, Endymion." He hears her say even though she is already gone.
Mamoru sits straight up in bed. He feels the sweat that runs down his face. "No, not dreams again." He whispers.
He feels something soft and furry rubbing on his arm. He looks down and sees Luna there trying to comfort him. "Mamoru?" She whispers.
"Luna, I think that there is someone watching over us." He says as he rubs the cat's head. "We need to go see Raye, Old Friend." He says as he gets out of bed.
*****
A woman with long dark hair walks through the park. She wears a pair of tight black jeans, a pair of black ankle high boots, and a black slightly baggy T-shirt. Her skin looks very pale, almost white in color. She stops to watch some children play in a nearby sandbox. She scans each person her eyes fall upon.
"This is the pathetic world that no one can conquer for my master?" She asks herself. "This world is full of weaklings. There are no great powers among any of these creatures. I will conquer this world for you, Master." She whispers.