*~*Dark Nightmares*~*
*~*Dark Nightmares*~*

Disclaimer… I don't own sailor moon, I have 3.75 now in the bank so like it'll do much to sue me… … So there! Sheesh…

"Go placidly amid the noise and haste, and remember what peace there may be in silence…."

-Excerpt from Desiderata

I really should say this now, I know NOTHING!!!!! Shona C: well, duh… *brandishes frying pan* uh oh…

Chapter 5:      Lost friends

Sailor Saturn looked around where the vortex had brought her. She was in a black area, and couldn't see anything around her. Slowly, things took form out of the blackness, things that seemed… familiar… where was this place? Was this… a blinding light flashed around her, and she blacked out.

Long lost screams filled my ears. Broken marble, shattered glass, uncontrolled fires blotted out the sky with pitch-black smoke. My home was no longer standing. I raced through the war that raged on, cutting down my enemies as I looked for the other Senshi - for my friends. Soon every sound of anguish fell on deaf ears. I could no longer hear the swipe of a blade; calling of a spell; scream of the dying.

 When I finally found them all, a few meters away a woman with long black hair was engaged in a heated battle with Sailor Pluto. At her feet I saw Sailor Moon, looking injured. I began to run towards the battle, ready to assist her. I became a distraction. Pluto turned her head to see me coming. At that moment the Witch let a smile creep across her dark purple lips. Victory was hers. Raising her weapon – a glaive - she let out a warrior's shriek before plunging the blade deep into Setsuna's chest. A look mixed with terror and disbelief shot through the eyes that had always been so noble. Setsuna did not make a sound, as the cold glaive was calmly un-sheathed from her body. Deep red blood dripped from the blade as her fragile body fell in a heap to the ground. The Evil cackled with satisfaction. Anger burned in me, her laughter fuelling the fire. Her victory was short lived as I whispered out the first words from my mouth, hot tears streaking my face …Silent Death Rebirth... The power surged through me, I was never one to hate until that moment. All my grief was released upon her. I did not even hear her screams, only the pulsing of my own blood, beating hard in my ears. It was over. The enemy retreated. More bodies than I cared to count were scattered across the ground. The stench of death was thick in the air. Overtaken with desperate sorrow I feel to my knees beside Setsuna-mama's and wept bitter tears. My body racked with every heaving sob. I am soo sorry. I was too late, but not all was lost. Death's hand was laid on my shoulder and I felt a new power overcome me. I felt something hard in my hand; I felt the energy being drained from me into everything around me. I knew that my attack would revive the other Senshi, but there were too many to help them as well as myself. I sat beside Setsuna-mama and felt for any sign of life. Tears flowed down my face as I felt a pulse and heard her take in a breath. Everything was getting darker, and I slowly slid down into darkness. At least the people I loved were safe…

I snapped out of it, noticing that I was kneeling on the ground. My hair stuck to my wet face, and I realized that I had been crying. I knew that someone had his or her hand on my shoulder. I would have attacked the person, but a warm, soothing feeling came out of the hand, flowing down to my soul. It eased some of the pain in my head and in my heart.  I slowly exhaled a shaky breath, still in the subconscious of my mind as I tried to regain control. That… what was it? A premonition? … had really shaken me up. I thought I knew whom the Evil One was, but couldn't place the face. I finally pulled myself out of my thoughts long enough to turn around and see who the silent stalker was. Setsuna! I pulled her in a hug and felt my eyes well up with newfound tears of sorrow and pain. Setsuna whispered soothing thoughts to me and I cried myself to sleep in her arms. For the first time since Chibi-Usa had left, I felt welcomed. Comforted. The last thoughts running through my mind were that I was finally home.

*****

Rei slowly got up and shook her head. She felt as if she had been hit over the back of the head, fuzzy and disoriented. She saw the others getting up, and looked around, searching for any clue as to where they were. They were surrounded with white marble walls, to the left there was a beautiful garden, filled with hundreds of different flowers, from roses to daisies to sunflowers, any kind imaginable. The sky was a light purple, streaked with blue clouds. Higher up, you could see rings of all the colour of the rainbow circling the sky, from horizon to horizon.

"Where are we?" Sailor Venus asked, rubbing her head and wincing.

"Wow… this place is beautiful… look at the sky, Haruka! " Neptune commented, looking in wonder at the sky.

"You're in the Kingdom of Saturn, located on the moon of Titan..." Someone said behind them, they turned around to see a beautiful woman with long black hair and a crown of purple amethysts, black pearls and light fluorite gems. She was wearing a long dark purple gown that was one shade lighter than black itself. "… Or what it used to look like."

"Hotaru?" Usagi asked, unsure of whom it was… it looked like Hotaru, right down to the dark, fathomless eyes; only… she looked older, by about 25 years. The woman smiled and blushed, a light tint appearing on her pale cheeks. Usagi couldn't help but smile. The queen had such a pleasant nature; it's hard not to smile around her.

"No… not exactly. I'm her mother…" she said, looking down at her feet. "This is Saturn as it used to be, before Queen Beryl destroyed it and the moon kingdom." She looked around and her eyes flashed a silvery colour. The whole scene changed to a dark, desolate place, a small wind blowing dust along the ground. "This is Saturn as it is now. I brought you here to ask for your help."

"Well… why do you need our help? What's the problem?" Mamoru asked.

"It's about Hotaru…tell me, how has she been recently? " The old Queen asked, worry and concern flashing in her eyes.

"Um… long story, actually…" Usagi started.

*****

Setsuna held the small frail girl in her arms, comforting the girl as Hotaru winced at an unknown fear hidden in her dreams. While Setsuna was away watching the Gates of Time, she had often worried about Hotaru, wondering if she was OK.  Hotaru was the only one who knew the loneliness of being an important Senshi, and she loved talking to the young firefly, even if she didn't get to do it much, always being away. Some things she had seen in the Gates of time worried her, though. Something evil was coming, and she knew that young Hotaru was going to be an important part of everything. The poor girl, she had been through enough already, let her rest.

Setsuna looked down as she felt Hotaru shift in her arms. Hotaru tucked her head into Setsuna's comforting arms. Setsuna thought she heard her say something, but forgot about it as Hotaru jumped up suddenly.

"Mamma!" Hotaru cried, sitting up quickly. She looked around, and remembered where she was.

"Hotaru, what's wrong?" Setsuna asked. Hotaru looked up at her, her eyes full of tears. She quickly threw her arms around the older woman and started telling her about the awful day she'd had. She quickly thought to leave out the dream… it might disturb her, and Hotaru didn't want Setsuna to help carry the burden.