Ohayo, troops. Its late so I'm making this short.
I'd love to thank all of you who wrote to me with your
comments. I took into consideration everything that I could
remember. Really. Because some of you are so incredibly
eager to get to the plot, I've given you a bit. However; because
you rushed me, I've added several more twists! Ha! Take that.
SD apply: The dog and the bird are still up for grabs if you
lawyer types are feeling ambitious.
Now have fun, and don't get lost!
*^*^*^*^*^*^*^*^*^*^*^*^*^*^*^*^*^*^*^*^*^*^*^*^*
Labyrinth Square
Chapter 5
By Phoenix Cubed
Moonlight, moonbright
Pretty planet I see tonight.
I wish I may, I wish I might,
Guide me on my way this night.
"Do you think we lost them?" Serena's voice sounded
somewhere to his left.
"No, but I think we lost ourselves." Darien replied, "we can
probably turn on the flashlight though."
"So turn it on."
There was a sound of rustling and a few muffled, 'uh-oh's.
"Uh, Meatball Head, do you have the flashlight?"
"Would I be telling you to turn it on if I had it?"
"We have a problem then."
"Don't tell me you dropped the flashlight!" Serena's voice held
a quaver. She had never been fond of darkness.
"How about I just don't tell you then."
"Darien!"
"Keep the decibels down, Meatball. Do you want them to find us?"
Darien began to fumble around in his pockets again. "Hold on, I
should have a smaller flashlight or some matches in one of my
pockets."
Even through the darkness, Darien could feel Serena's hard stare.
"You might want to look for your sense in those pockets as well."
"You're one to talk Meatball Head."
"Why you--"
"Cool it, I found a little flashlight." Darien was quickly learning
the fastest way to avoid an argument was not to let her get started.
"Ooh!" Serena reached through the darkness and managed to
grab the flashlight. "Light, yes. I'm so sick of the dark."
Darien could hear the girl jumping around excitedly while trying to
turn on the flashlight. But after a moment she stopped jumping,
and frantic clicking filled the air.
"Oh, stupid flashlight. It won't turn on!" In an act of frustration,
Serena wailed and threw the flashlight as hard as she could. The
unlucky projectile whipped through the air, whistling as it went until
it hit the wall with a resounding smack. Suddenly, a slight whirring
sound could be heard, and lights began to flicker.
Startled by the sudden lights, Serena let out a small shriek and
Darien whipped about until the lights flickered once more, then
stayed on. Looking to the walls, gaps between the vines revealed
torches that apparently were run by electricity. The flames that
sparkled and cracked gave no heat, only light.
Blue met blue as the two looked at each other. Darien's face held
a slightly shocked, but amused, expression. Serena's expression
held no amusement, however. Surprise was easily readable,
along with a tinge of fear and feigned innocence.
"Did I do that?"
Darien couldn't help it, he laughed. The way she said it, mixed
with her almost innocent expression; it was so comical!
Serena seemed insulted by his laughter. "And what's so funny?"
Darien just shook his head, laughter dying down to earnest
chuckles. "Never change, Serena, never change."
*^*^*^*^*^*^*^*^*^*^*^*^*^*^*^*^*^*^*^*^*^*^*^*^*^*^*^*^*^*
"*That's* your idea?"
"Are you crazy?"
"What's wrong with it?"
"Its suicidal."
"Its nuts."
"Its-"
Jupiter grinned, "its beautiful, isn't it?"
"Lita, as fun as it is to take on half of the dark forces army before
lunchtime; I would really like to be around to eat my lunch come
noon."
"Actually guys," Mercury interrupted, typing furiously on her
computer, "her plan is really quite feasible."
Mars stared at Mercury, "you're kidding."
The water scout blinked. "With modifications, of course."
"Go on, Mercury." Luna jumped on her shoulders to get a better
look at the computer screen. "Modify."
"Well," she began. "First off, you and Artemis will be the initial
diversions. Being the smallest, you should be able to avoid the
guards better."
Artemis paled slightly under his white fur. "I don't think I'm going
to like these changes."
Sailor Venus picked up her guardian and clamped a gloved hand
over his mouth, "quiet Arty, let her finish."
"While they're drawing them away, Jupiter and Mars should
clear a path *past* the entrance. Then, once the entrance is clear,
I'll create a fog, which will be the cue to stop fighting and high
tail it to the entrance. Venus, make sure you grab Luna and Artemis,
get them in, then wrap one of your energy chains around the doorway.
It won't last long, but it should provide enough time for us to get
a fair distance into the maze."
"Right," Luna nodded. "Everyone got that?"
Mars and Jupiter nodded, "got it," replied Jupiter, cracking her
knuckles.
"No prob," said Venus, setting down Artemis.
"Just make sure you don't forget us, Venus."
"Would I do something like that? Ah, don't answer that."
Luna and Artemis exchanged meaningful looks before sighing in
unison. "We're doomed."
Sailor Mars closed her eyes for a moment, listening to a
conversation only she seemed to hear. "better do it now, guys.
They're coming back."
The cats nodded, "we're off," and scampered under the tables to
put Jupiter's modified plan in action.
A moment later, exclamations of surprise could be heard, punctuated
by cries of "get them!" The floor trembled as hordes of monsters
and droids performed undignified maneuvers to catch two of the animal
kingdom's most agile creatures.
Jupiter grinned as she watched the commotion, "that was fast. Come on,
Mars!"
"They won't know what burned them!" Mars said, catching Jupiter's
unharnassed enthusiasm.
Venus shook her head. "Eager, aren't they?" she commented to
Mercury.
Sailor Mercury watched the foray intently. "Its working. The two
factions of monsters won't coordinate themselves--get ready, Venus!"
"Roger will-go Mercury. Just give us the signal!"
Taking a deep breath, Mercury shot out of her hiding place and
landed atop a permanently fixed island counter-top with a perfectly
executed flip. In a pattern of graceful, practiced maneuvers,
Mercury set her arms and called forth her unique ability.
"Mercury Bubbles . . . " She spun around, letting the energy gather
more fully within her. Giving way to a tiny smile, she aimed.
"BLAST!"
Instantly, the air dropped in temperature, set on by the
concentrated hydra-spheres she had just created. Focusing, she
allowed the spheres to loosen, and a heavy fog set in, penetrable
only by her fellow Sailor Scouts. The howls and screams of
frustrations that filled the air told Mercury she had been
successful.
A golden shape whizzed by her. "Let's go Mercury, Rubeus is
coming!"
Spurred into action, Sailor Mercury ran after Sailor Venus, who
she saw had a furry bundle tucked under each arm. Sailor Mars
and Sailor Jupiter were just inside the entrance, panting from their
efforts. Mercury was pleased to see that no new marks had been
added to their collections of hits and bruises.
"Mars, Mercury, take 'em and go. It's my turn to show these
creeps the power of Love!" Venus handed off the cats and turned
to the entrance. "Jupiter, hold on, you need to make me some
grips."
"Righto, boss. How big?"
"Four fist sizes, please."
The large maze door closed. Sailor Jupiter went to the frame and
stopped. Her energy would blow the door away, so lightning was
out of the question. But it had been a while since old-fashioned
brute forced had been used. Pulling her foot back, she prayed
that the sharpened steel toes and heel of her boots would break
enough of a hole without doing the same to her foot. She kicked;
her boot went straight through. Turning to Venus, she gave a
thumbs up sign and moved to make the next three holes,
performing a few small air borne feats to secure the top holes.
"Excellent Jupiter. Now shoo the others back. I'll catch up."
Sailor Jupiter nodded and the scouts and cats began to move
deeper into the maze. Sailor Venus was about to perform a new
trick, and she didn't want her friends getting hurt if it didn't work.
Like Mercury had done earlier, Venus took a deep breath and
began to gather her strength. "Venus!" She cried, and her energy
began to swirl around her. "Love Chain . . . " She imagined a
sturdy chain forming out of her energy. She lifted her arm and
called the heart cut links to her hand, "Encircle!"
The now solid chain shot from her imagination and straight into the
holes Jupiter had made, wrapping around the massive door and
shutting it completely, locking off the entrance with the power she
had just created. "Cool," she said, looking at the golden door
before speeding off to join her team, leaving two generals and
hordes of monsters howling in frustration.
*****************************
A comfortable silence had descended upon the two travelers.
There were no monsters to hurry them along their way, and there
was plenty of light to show which passages were available and
which weren't. Serena had time to inspect the pictures, or in some
cases, carvings, along the walls where vines were thin. She was
strangely attracted to the odd pictographs, especially when Darien
had told her that their original purpose was to tell a story of some
type. Serena loved stories. It didn't matter if she was listening or
telling, they were wonderful all the same. So while Darien concentrated
on finding the correct route and guiding them through as far as he
knew, Serena imagined she really did know what the strange drawings
meant. Picking out a carving, she would let her thoughts run wild. A
shooting star would be an Arabian Night. A cloud could be a transport
to a wondrous place. Sometimes the objects, though, were strangely
familiar. There was a rose, bright in color, as if the artist had
finished it only yesterday. A small cat stood out between the vines
almost like a kitten. Serena stopped and peered closely. Was that a
crescent moon?
"Meatball Head, let's go. We can't stop yet."
"But-"
"Come on, we don't have time to look at pictures."
Serena sighed and caught up to Darien. He was right, of course,
but he could have been nicer about it.
"Not too much farther Serena. There's a door up a little way--we
can rest on the other side of it."
"How deep have you gone through the Labyrinth?"
"To the door."
"So after that its 'good luck' and 'don't get lost' huh?"
He tossed her a smile. "We'll manage."
"Such confidence," she grumbled. But in a way, she did feel
better. Darien had said *we,* as in both of them. He wasn't going
to abandon her just yet. Her spirits picked up, and a smile found
its way to her face. If there hadn't been such a need for silence,
she would have started humming, or taken out her locket. It was
such a beautiful melody, she was sure that not even Darien would
mind the soft tune playing.
Up ahead the lights weren't so bright, but the dim outline of a
doorway could be seen. Coming closer, Serena and Darien
noticed the outline of a sign, coated by years worth of dust.
Darien took his coat sleeve and dusted off the sign. "Congratu-
lations," he read, "you have reached the first Checkpoint. If
you wish to turn back now, please take the elevator located to
your left."
"Elevator?" Serena looked about. Sure enough, though rusted
and covered with vines, was a unique set of doors that could only
be an elevator.
"They don't work Meatball Head, Andrew and I already tried."
"Fine fine, I was just looking."
Darien continued reading. "To reach the second checkpoint, feel
free to enter this room and rest before continuing on your journey."
"Well, that's a friendly sign. Do we go in then?"
"I guess that's why we're here." He clutched the knob to open it,
then stopped. "We should leave a sign. Scouts might wonder
where we went."
"Hmm." Casting about, Serena found a sharp shard of wall debris and
proceeded to sketch a crescent moon into the door. Faint enough
not to be immediately detectable, but deep enough not to be
missed by those who were searching for it.
Darien raised an eyebrow, but merely opened the door without
commenting.
Inside was even dustier than the maze halls outside. The only
thing that made it bearable was the possibility of chairs or benches
under the dirty sheets that were strewn like clouds in a sky about
the room.
Serena looked around slowly. "Not exactly the Ritz, is it?"
"We don't have much choice, Serena." Darien walked to one of the
longer bench like forms and lifted off the light sheet in a great rush
of dust and soot. "I'm hoping we're far enough ahead of everyone
else for at least a half hour's rest."
Serena let out a round of coughs and sneezes as she tried to clear
her system of the flying particles. "Definitely not the Ritz."
Darien removed other sheets, fighting off his own round of fits.
"And the princess emerges."
Serena looked at him sharply, "why do you say that?"
"Besides the fact that all the monsters are chasing after a girl with
high tastes they happen to be calling a princess?" Darien cocked
an eyebrow, "which reason would you like?"
"Umm . . ."
"Or didn't you notice what they were calling you?"
"I noticed," Serena retorted irritably. "Them coming out of
nowhere, shouting 'catch the princess!' All I wanted was a
peaceful day at the arcade. Just some friends, milkshakes, and
me." Serena sighed dispiritedly, "no such luck."
"From the way you talk, it sounds as if you don't get many
peaceful days."
Serena fidgeted slightly, "well, you know. Us Junior Highers don't
get much of anything."
"I can imagine," Darien rolled up one of the cleaner sheets and
wiped off a wooden bench. "Especially when you're a friend of the
Sailor Scouts."
Serena didn't trust herself to answer that, so she let out a
noncommittal sigh. Darien could interpret that however he chose.
"That should do it," Darien stood up and motioned to Serena, "go
ahead and try it. I think this is as close as you're going to get
to a bed, for tonight at least."
Serena yawned, suddenly realizing how tired she actually was.
"What about you?"
He gave her a half smile, "I'm going to stand watch. No point in
letting those goons get the better of our little lead."
Serena nodded and slid onto the bench. She stretched out and
yawned again. Closing her eyes, she thought to herself that the
bench really wasn't that uncomfortable. Then again, as the aches
and pains of the day slowly caught up to her, she would have
settled for a thorn bed if it had meant lying down.
The echoing sound of a door closing indicated Darien had gone to
take watch. Serena's eyes opened briefly to ascertain that Darien
had truly left before closing sleepily once more. A soft smile crept
to her, resting gently on her lips. He was being so nice. Those
monsters wanted to kill him, but he still stuck by her and saw to her
safety. It was far too late for either of them to back out of this
venture, but he somehow managed to carry her through it all as if
it were routine. Cool and anticipating, but also . . . nice. Maybe,
just maybe, Darien wasn't so bad. Perhaps, if they got out of this
maze alive, well, and free of pursuers; he and she could become
friends. The smile widened, wouldn't THAT end the world.
The door shut again, breaking Serena from her reverie. Darien
came trudging over, "sorry," he muttered, "didn't mean to wake
you."
"Its all right," she said softly. Taking a look at him in the light,
she noticed that he looked just as tired and beaten as she did. Grime
and cobwebs mixed with his hair to give him a lighter hair color than
normal. Bruises were beginning to appear on his tanned skin--many in
the same places she had them. He needed to rest as much as she did.
"See anything?"
Darien shook his head, "nothing."
Serena sat up on the bench and scooted over, preparing to make
room. "Come sit down for a while then, before your legs fall off."
"I just came in to check on you, I'm going out to make a few false
trails."
"Rest first." Serena crossed her arms in front of her and put on a
mock serious expression. "Don't tell me the great Darien Chiba is
afraid of cooties."
"I guess I've never heard someone catching cooties from a
meatball." Darien let out a watery chuckle as Serena tried to glare
at him, but ended up giggling instead.
She patted the bench with her hand, "then sit."
He sank down, "just for a few moments." Darien closed his eyes
and leaned back until his head rested against the bench. From
somewhere in the surrounding darkness he heard a quiet, "of
course," and a faint movement before his senses shut down
completely and unbiddened. Somewhere, his fading hearing
caught the faintest hint of a melody, and with a smile, he took
it with him to his dreams.
^~^~^~^~^~^~^~^~^~^~^~^~^~^~^~^~^~^~^~^~^~^~^~^~^~^
Sapphire walked swiftly, his blood beating out a staccato tempo that
matched perfectly with his angry stride. That incompetent bungler
of a General, he was going to ruin everything! No sooner had
Sapphire left Rubeus when he had been sent right back again. He
should have never left that post in the first place!
Sapphire stopped his tempied walking and rammed his fist into a
pillar. Would nothing go right? That binding energy spell he had
had to break for Rubeus was strong, too strong. Somehow those
mettlesome guardians were gaining strength. Diamond would
want to know that, along with why and how. Sapphire ground his
teeth in frustration and lashed his other fist out. Perhaps that
serpentine queen would know. This was her territory after all.
Taking his fists from the pillar, Sapphire began to walk again, but
not before witnessing the pillar fade from view. Another reason
why he hated this place: nothing was real. Objects were only as
substantial as a person wanted them to be. He sighed and continued
walking towards the throne room. He had needed that pillar to be real,
if only to take out his frustrations. He knew from experience that it
didn't pay to vent his feelings in court. In private, he and Diamond
could be what they truly were; brothers. Sharing hopes and fears as
well as comforting each other and offering support in a time where
there was none.
The angry beat began to pulse through his veins again. Not that
they did that anymore. Not since breaking free of Queen Serenity's
shackles and setting adrift, only to end up in the same place once
again. Earth--a stinking planet. World of pollution and home of
the heartless.
Sapphire reached the throne room and walked up to the chairs
held high. He kneeled in greeting. "Majesties."
Pale eyes looked lazily over a red wine glass, evenly mixing the
liquid before taking a measured sip. "You may finish your report,
Sapphire."
"Thank you, your highness." Sapphire stood from his kneel. "As I
was saying, Sailor Moon was found and confirmed as the princess--"
"Tell me," the high, commanding voice of Queen Beryl cut in. She
was a very rude queen. "How do you know that Sailor Moon is the
princess, and not just another guardian without the crystal?"
"We were banished from the Silver Millennium, not reborn. We
know because the knowledge was never taken from us."
"I see." The queen had not been happy about her subsequent
memory loss, but she chose to let it slide, motioning with her hand
for him to continue. Sapphire smirked inwardly, the snake queen
suspected nothing.
"We were ready to capture the princess, but the Sailor Scouts
interceded and she got away. She is now under the protection of
a dark haired youth, currently unidentified. Though none of the
generals have seen him, the droids claim he is a mere human with
no other capabilities save luck. I agree."
Half closed eyes opened fully as Diamond turned his attention to
his first general. "Do you now?"
Sapphire swallowed. Perhaps he shouldn't have said that.
"Forgive me, highness, for seeming out of place."
The pale prince waved his hand. "You should be more careful, my
brother, that you do not underestimate our opponents, lest we
grow careless. Continue."
Sapphire bowed. "The princess and the stranger managed to escape
with the help of the Sailors. Their trail disappeared for a time.
Special searcher droids were brought out and their trail was picked
up." The general paused for a breath. "Confirmation has been gained,
Prince Diamond, they're in the Labyrinth."
Finally, a reaction. The wine glass nearly fell from Diamond's
trembling fingers as he straightened suddenly on his cushioned
embroidery throne. "You're sure."
"As positive as I can be without actually entering."
"Amazing, this changes things." The prince settled into his chair.
A smile pulled his lips, accenting a beautiful face, "yes. Greatly
changes."
Beryl, who had been nearly quiet the entire report, spoke.
"Diamond, tell me, you seem to be keeping secrets."
The high prince gave the queen a disarming smile. "I assure you,
my dear, not intentionally kept secrets."
"Then you wouldn't mind telling me?"
"Of course." Diamond took another sip of his red wine, rolling it on
his tongue and savoring what he could before letting it slide down
his throat. "Before your conquest of the moon, did you by chance
ever visit their gardens?"
A look of distaste passed over the queen's face. "No. I visited the
palace only once, and that was when I destroyed it."
"A pity." Diamond refilled his glass. "They had a beautiful garden
there, very extensive."
Beryl was growing impatient. "My dear Diamond, so what?"
"The garden was the entrance to an extensive maze in the royal
grounds. A favorite daytime activity was to navigate the gardens
or venture the maze. Of course, very few could do it, much like
today."
Beryl nodded. Much of her memory had yet to be restored from
the cursed Moon Queen's spell. When she was fortunate, words
or small events could trigger her mind. But how did this deep-
space traveling prince know that? It couldn't be just because he
was banished. One thing her mind did remember quite clearly
was the rumors. Could they be true? Something called the Laby-
rinth was behind Diamond's banishment. Did she dare ask for the
truth? Perhaps she didn't have to, the prince was continuing
all in his own.
Something in Diamond's eyes flashed, but it was quickly replaced
by his usual, passive glance. "I was, for a time, a suitor for the
princess Serenity, competing with that blasted Endymion for her
hand." The passive look was rapidly vanishing. Prince Diamond
obviously didn't take negative answers well. "Serenity often
wandered about the maze, it was her favorite activity, as well as
the best time for a suitor to catch her, if they could. There were
only five who could truly complete the maze--Endymion and I
were two of the five."
Sapphire cleared his throat, taking his prince from a setting dark
mood. "As you ordered, Queen Beryl, General Zoicite has gone
into the maze to retrieve the droid who carries Sailor Moon's
brooch. Rubeus still stands at the doors, awaiting orders."
"And the princess's guards?"
Sapphire winced, "in the maze, majesties."
"What!?" Beryl's voice had such a range of octaves.
"In pursuit of the droid that carries the brooch."
"How was that managed?" Prince Diamond's voice held an
underlying edge.
"I am not sure, your highness. Rubeus holds the details."
Beryl rounded on Diamond. "Your subordinate could very well
cost us everything! Sailor Moon alone and without the Crystal is a
dangerous force. But with her guards--"
"Still defeatable." Diamond cut off the queen, his irritation hidden
well. "They are still separate with half a dozen droids between them.
Your general is not more than an hour behind them. Surely you don't
doubt your own men?"
Sapphire looked expectantly at Queen Beryl, waiting for her reply
to Diamond's challenge in authority.
"I am the Queen of the Negaverse!" Beryl roared out in a voice
that echoed about the unseen shadow walls. "I will doubt who I
want, when I want! You would do well to remember that I am the
only force who has matched and defeated the Silver Millennium.
You need my power to combat that of the Royal Lunar Line."
"And now, Queen Beryl, you would do well to remember that you
need my help in guidance of the Labyrinth. If the princess were to
remember the way through the maze, both of our ideals shall fail.
The princess Serenity shall slip through our fingers and disappear
forever. You will never hold the Silver Imperium Crystal, and I will
not hold--" Prince Diamond stood, "I think, perhaps, that we
should part for a while. Our time is short, our tempers are high,
and we are forgetting that we are both needed. Come Sapphire."
With that, Diamond faded from the dais, Sapphire just behind him.
Queen Beryl's glare was set to kill. "We shall see, little prince,
who truly needs who. We shall see."
*^*^*^*^*^*^*^*^*^*^*^*^*^*^*^*^*^*^*^*^*^*^*^*^*^*^*^*^*
Big breath, long stride. Pump the arms, concentrate.
"Which way, Mercury?"
"Left at the next bend!"
Concentrate, focus, find the princess.
"Can't be much further now!"
Breath again, don't forget. One foot at a time, keep it going.
"Take a right, here!"
"Keep us going, Mercury!"
Concentrate; no more dying, no more crying, just concentrate.
"We can do it guys!"
"For Serena!"
Pump. Go, go. Can't fail, too much at stake.
We run as fast as we can.
*^*^*^*^*^*^*^*^*^*^*^*^*^*^*^*^*^*^*
Tada! The latest installment. Just what the obsession ordered.
Phoenix_cubed@hotmail.com if you feel like ranting.
I'd love to thank all of you who wrote to me with your
comments. I took into consideration everything that I could
remember. Really. Because some of you are so incredibly
eager to get to the plot, I've given you a bit. However; because
you rushed me, I've added several more twists! Ha! Take that.
SD apply: The dog and the bird are still up for grabs if you
lawyer types are feeling ambitious.
Now have fun, and don't get lost!
*^*^*^*^*^*^*^*^*^*^*^*^*^*^*^*^*^*^*^*^*^*^*^*^*
Labyrinth Square
Chapter 5
By Phoenix Cubed
Moonlight, moonbright
Pretty planet I see tonight.
I wish I may, I wish I might,
Guide me on my way this night.
"Do you think we lost them?" Serena's voice sounded
somewhere to his left.
"No, but I think we lost ourselves." Darien replied, "we can
probably turn on the flashlight though."
"So turn it on."
There was a sound of rustling and a few muffled, 'uh-oh's.
"Uh, Meatball Head, do you have the flashlight?"
"Would I be telling you to turn it on if I had it?"
"We have a problem then."
"Don't tell me you dropped the flashlight!" Serena's voice held
a quaver. She had never been fond of darkness.
"How about I just don't tell you then."
"Darien!"
"Keep the decibels down, Meatball. Do you want them to find us?"
Darien began to fumble around in his pockets again. "Hold on, I
should have a smaller flashlight or some matches in one of my
pockets."
Even through the darkness, Darien could feel Serena's hard stare.
"You might want to look for your sense in those pockets as well."
"You're one to talk Meatball Head."
"Why you--"
"Cool it, I found a little flashlight." Darien was quickly learning
the fastest way to avoid an argument was not to let her get started.
"Ooh!" Serena reached through the darkness and managed to
grab the flashlight. "Light, yes. I'm so sick of the dark."
Darien could hear the girl jumping around excitedly while trying to
turn on the flashlight. But after a moment she stopped jumping,
and frantic clicking filled the air.
"Oh, stupid flashlight. It won't turn on!" In an act of frustration,
Serena wailed and threw the flashlight as hard as she could. The
unlucky projectile whipped through the air, whistling as it went until
it hit the wall with a resounding smack. Suddenly, a slight whirring
sound could be heard, and lights began to flicker.
Startled by the sudden lights, Serena let out a small shriek and
Darien whipped about until the lights flickered once more, then
stayed on. Looking to the walls, gaps between the vines revealed
torches that apparently were run by electricity. The flames that
sparkled and cracked gave no heat, only light.
Blue met blue as the two looked at each other. Darien's face held
a slightly shocked, but amused, expression. Serena's expression
held no amusement, however. Surprise was easily readable,
along with a tinge of fear and feigned innocence.
"Did I do that?"
Darien couldn't help it, he laughed. The way she said it, mixed
with her almost innocent expression; it was so comical!
Serena seemed insulted by his laughter. "And what's so funny?"
Darien just shook his head, laughter dying down to earnest
chuckles. "Never change, Serena, never change."
*^*^*^*^*^*^*^*^*^*^*^*^*^*^*^*^*^*^*^*^*^*^*^*^*^*^*^*^*^*
"*That's* your idea?"
"Are you crazy?"
"What's wrong with it?"
"Its suicidal."
"Its nuts."
"Its-"
Jupiter grinned, "its beautiful, isn't it?"
"Lita, as fun as it is to take on half of the dark forces army before
lunchtime; I would really like to be around to eat my lunch come
noon."
"Actually guys," Mercury interrupted, typing furiously on her
computer, "her plan is really quite feasible."
Mars stared at Mercury, "you're kidding."
The water scout blinked. "With modifications, of course."
"Go on, Mercury." Luna jumped on her shoulders to get a better
look at the computer screen. "Modify."
"Well," she began. "First off, you and Artemis will be the initial
diversions. Being the smallest, you should be able to avoid the
guards better."
Artemis paled slightly under his white fur. "I don't think I'm going
to like these changes."
Sailor Venus picked up her guardian and clamped a gloved hand
over his mouth, "quiet Arty, let her finish."
"While they're drawing them away, Jupiter and Mars should
clear a path *past* the entrance. Then, once the entrance is clear,
I'll create a fog, which will be the cue to stop fighting and high
tail it to the entrance. Venus, make sure you grab Luna and Artemis,
get them in, then wrap one of your energy chains around the doorway.
It won't last long, but it should provide enough time for us to get
a fair distance into the maze."
"Right," Luna nodded. "Everyone got that?"
Mars and Jupiter nodded, "got it," replied Jupiter, cracking her
knuckles.
"No prob," said Venus, setting down Artemis.
"Just make sure you don't forget us, Venus."
"Would I do something like that? Ah, don't answer that."
Luna and Artemis exchanged meaningful looks before sighing in
unison. "We're doomed."
Sailor Mars closed her eyes for a moment, listening to a
conversation only she seemed to hear. "better do it now, guys.
They're coming back."
The cats nodded, "we're off," and scampered under the tables to
put Jupiter's modified plan in action.
A moment later, exclamations of surprise could be heard, punctuated
by cries of "get them!" The floor trembled as hordes of monsters
and droids performed undignified maneuvers to catch two of the animal
kingdom's most agile creatures.
Jupiter grinned as she watched the commotion, "that was fast. Come on,
Mars!"
"They won't know what burned them!" Mars said, catching Jupiter's
unharnassed enthusiasm.
Venus shook her head. "Eager, aren't they?" she commented to
Mercury.
Sailor Mercury watched the foray intently. "Its working. The two
factions of monsters won't coordinate themselves--get ready, Venus!"
"Roger will-go Mercury. Just give us the signal!"
Taking a deep breath, Mercury shot out of her hiding place and
landed atop a permanently fixed island counter-top with a perfectly
executed flip. In a pattern of graceful, practiced maneuvers,
Mercury set her arms and called forth her unique ability.
"Mercury Bubbles . . . " She spun around, letting the energy gather
more fully within her. Giving way to a tiny smile, she aimed.
"BLAST!"
Instantly, the air dropped in temperature, set on by the
concentrated hydra-spheres she had just created. Focusing, she
allowed the spheres to loosen, and a heavy fog set in, penetrable
only by her fellow Sailor Scouts. The howls and screams of
frustrations that filled the air told Mercury she had been
successful.
A golden shape whizzed by her. "Let's go Mercury, Rubeus is
coming!"
Spurred into action, Sailor Mercury ran after Sailor Venus, who
she saw had a furry bundle tucked under each arm. Sailor Mars
and Sailor Jupiter were just inside the entrance, panting from their
efforts. Mercury was pleased to see that no new marks had been
added to their collections of hits and bruises.
"Mars, Mercury, take 'em and go. It's my turn to show these
creeps the power of Love!" Venus handed off the cats and turned
to the entrance. "Jupiter, hold on, you need to make me some
grips."
"Righto, boss. How big?"
"Four fist sizes, please."
The large maze door closed. Sailor Jupiter went to the frame and
stopped. Her energy would blow the door away, so lightning was
out of the question. But it had been a while since old-fashioned
brute forced had been used. Pulling her foot back, she prayed
that the sharpened steel toes and heel of her boots would break
enough of a hole without doing the same to her foot. She kicked;
her boot went straight through. Turning to Venus, she gave a
thumbs up sign and moved to make the next three holes,
performing a few small air borne feats to secure the top holes.
"Excellent Jupiter. Now shoo the others back. I'll catch up."
Sailor Jupiter nodded and the scouts and cats began to move
deeper into the maze. Sailor Venus was about to perform a new
trick, and she didn't want her friends getting hurt if it didn't work.
Like Mercury had done earlier, Venus took a deep breath and
began to gather her strength. "Venus!" She cried, and her energy
began to swirl around her. "Love Chain . . . " She imagined a
sturdy chain forming out of her energy. She lifted her arm and
called the heart cut links to her hand, "Encircle!"
The now solid chain shot from her imagination and straight into the
holes Jupiter had made, wrapping around the massive door and
shutting it completely, locking off the entrance with the power she
had just created. "Cool," she said, looking at the golden door
before speeding off to join her team, leaving two generals and
hordes of monsters howling in frustration.
*****************************
A comfortable silence had descended upon the two travelers.
There were no monsters to hurry them along their way, and there
was plenty of light to show which passages were available and
which weren't. Serena had time to inspect the pictures, or in some
cases, carvings, along the walls where vines were thin. She was
strangely attracted to the odd pictographs, especially when Darien
had told her that their original purpose was to tell a story of some
type. Serena loved stories. It didn't matter if she was listening or
telling, they were wonderful all the same. So while Darien concentrated
on finding the correct route and guiding them through as far as he
knew, Serena imagined she really did know what the strange drawings
meant. Picking out a carving, she would let her thoughts run wild. A
shooting star would be an Arabian Night. A cloud could be a transport
to a wondrous place. Sometimes the objects, though, were strangely
familiar. There was a rose, bright in color, as if the artist had
finished it only yesterday. A small cat stood out between the vines
almost like a kitten. Serena stopped and peered closely. Was that a
crescent moon?
"Meatball Head, let's go. We can't stop yet."
"But-"
"Come on, we don't have time to look at pictures."
Serena sighed and caught up to Darien. He was right, of course,
but he could have been nicer about it.
"Not too much farther Serena. There's a door up a little way--we
can rest on the other side of it."
"How deep have you gone through the Labyrinth?"
"To the door."
"So after that its 'good luck' and 'don't get lost' huh?"
He tossed her a smile. "We'll manage."
"Such confidence," she grumbled. But in a way, she did feel
better. Darien had said *we,* as in both of them. He wasn't going
to abandon her just yet. Her spirits picked up, and a smile found
its way to her face. If there hadn't been such a need for silence,
she would have started humming, or taken out her locket. It was
such a beautiful melody, she was sure that not even Darien would
mind the soft tune playing.
Up ahead the lights weren't so bright, but the dim outline of a
doorway could be seen. Coming closer, Serena and Darien
noticed the outline of a sign, coated by years worth of dust.
Darien took his coat sleeve and dusted off the sign. "Congratu-
lations," he read, "you have reached the first Checkpoint. If
you wish to turn back now, please take the elevator located to
your left."
"Elevator?" Serena looked about. Sure enough, though rusted
and covered with vines, was a unique set of doors that could only
be an elevator.
"They don't work Meatball Head, Andrew and I already tried."
"Fine fine, I was just looking."
Darien continued reading. "To reach the second checkpoint, feel
free to enter this room and rest before continuing on your journey."
"Well, that's a friendly sign. Do we go in then?"
"I guess that's why we're here." He clutched the knob to open it,
then stopped. "We should leave a sign. Scouts might wonder
where we went."
"Hmm." Casting about, Serena found a sharp shard of wall debris and
proceeded to sketch a crescent moon into the door. Faint enough
not to be immediately detectable, but deep enough not to be
missed by those who were searching for it.
Darien raised an eyebrow, but merely opened the door without
commenting.
Inside was even dustier than the maze halls outside. The only
thing that made it bearable was the possibility of chairs or benches
under the dirty sheets that were strewn like clouds in a sky about
the room.
Serena looked around slowly. "Not exactly the Ritz, is it?"
"We don't have much choice, Serena." Darien walked to one of the
longer bench like forms and lifted off the light sheet in a great rush
of dust and soot. "I'm hoping we're far enough ahead of everyone
else for at least a half hour's rest."
Serena let out a round of coughs and sneezes as she tried to clear
her system of the flying particles. "Definitely not the Ritz."
Darien removed other sheets, fighting off his own round of fits.
"And the princess emerges."
Serena looked at him sharply, "why do you say that?"
"Besides the fact that all the monsters are chasing after a girl with
high tastes they happen to be calling a princess?" Darien cocked
an eyebrow, "which reason would you like?"
"Umm . . ."
"Or didn't you notice what they were calling you?"
"I noticed," Serena retorted irritably. "Them coming out of
nowhere, shouting 'catch the princess!' All I wanted was a
peaceful day at the arcade. Just some friends, milkshakes, and
me." Serena sighed dispiritedly, "no such luck."
"From the way you talk, it sounds as if you don't get many
peaceful days."
Serena fidgeted slightly, "well, you know. Us Junior Highers don't
get much of anything."
"I can imagine," Darien rolled up one of the cleaner sheets and
wiped off a wooden bench. "Especially when you're a friend of the
Sailor Scouts."
Serena didn't trust herself to answer that, so she let out a
noncommittal sigh. Darien could interpret that however he chose.
"That should do it," Darien stood up and motioned to Serena, "go
ahead and try it. I think this is as close as you're going to get
to a bed, for tonight at least."
Serena yawned, suddenly realizing how tired she actually was.
"What about you?"
He gave her a half smile, "I'm going to stand watch. No point in
letting those goons get the better of our little lead."
Serena nodded and slid onto the bench. She stretched out and
yawned again. Closing her eyes, she thought to herself that the
bench really wasn't that uncomfortable. Then again, as the aches
and pains of the day slowly caught up to her, she would have
settled for a thorn bed if it had meant lying down.
The echoing sound of a door closing indicated Darien had gone to
take watch. Serena's eyes opened briefly to ascertain that Darien
had truly left before closing sleepily once more. A soft smile crept
to her, resting gently on her lips. He was being so nice. Those
monsters wanted to kill him, but he still stuck by her and saw to her
safety. It was far too late for either of them to back out of this
venture, but he somehow managed to carry her through it all as if
it were routine. Cool and anticipating, but also . . . nice. Maybe,
just maybe, Darien wasn't so bad. Perhaps, if they got out of this
maze alive, well, and free of pursuers; he and she could become
friends. The smile widened, wouldn't THAT end the world.
The door shut again, breaking Serena from her reverie. Darien
came trudging over, "sorry," he muttered, "didn't mean to wake
you."
"Its all right," she said softly. Taking a look at him in the light,
she noticed that he looked just as tired and beaten as she did. Grime
and cobwebs mixed with his hair to give him a lighter hair color than
normal. Bruises were beginning to appear on his tanned skin--many in
the same places she had them. He needed to rest as much as she did.
"See anything?"
Darien shook his head, "nothing."
Serena sat up on the bench and scooted over, preparing to make
room. "Come sit down for a while then, before your legs fall off."
"I just came in to check on you, I'm going out to make a few false
trails."
"Rest first." Serena crossed her arms in front of her and put on a
mock serious expression. "Don't tell me the great Darien Chiba is
afraid of cooties."
"I guess I've never heard someone catching cooties from a
meatball." Darien let out a watery chuckle as Serena tried to glare
at him, but ended up giggling instead.
She patted the bench with her hand, "then sit."
He sank down, "just for a few moments." Darien closed his eyes
and leaned back until his head rested against the bench. From
somewhere in the surrounding darkness he heard a quiet, "of
course," and a faint movement before his senses shut down
completely and unbiddened. Somewhere, his fading hearing
caught the faintest hint of a melody, and with a smile, he took
it with him to his dreams.
^~^~^~^~^~^~^~^~^~^~^~^~^~^~^~^~^~^~^~^~^~^~^~^~^~^
Sapphire walked swiftly, his blood beating out a staccato tempo that
matched perfectly with his angry stride. That incompetent bungler
of a General, he was going to ruin everything! No sooner had
Sapphire left Rubeus when he had been sent right back again. He
should have never left that post in the first place!
Sapphire stopped his tempied walking and rammed his fist into a
pillar. Would nothing go right? That binding energy spell he had
had to break for Rubeus was strong, too strong. Somehow those
mettlesome guardians were gaining strength. Diamond would
want to know that, along with why and how. Sapphire ground his
teeth in frustration and lashed his other fist out. Perhaps that
serpentine queen would know. This was her territory after all.
Taking his fists from the pillar, Sapphire began to walk again, but
not before witnessing the pillar fade from view. Another reason
why he hated this place: nothing was real. Objects were only as
substantial as a person wanted them to be. He sighed and continued
walking towards the throne room. He had needed that pillar to be real,
if only to take out his frustrations. He knew from experience that it
didn't pay to vent his feelings in court. In private, he and Diamond
could be what they truly were; brothers. Sharing hopes and fears as
well as comforting each other and offering support in a time where
there was none.
The angry beat began to pulse through his veins again. Not that
they did that anymore. Not since breaking free of Queen Serenity's
shackles and setting adrift, only to end up in the same place once
again. Earth--a stinking planet. World of pollution and home of
the heartless.
Sapphire reached the throne room and walked up to the chairs
held high. He kneeled in greeting. "Majesties."
Pale eyes looked lazily over a red wine glass, evenly mixing the
liquid before taking a measured sip. "You may finish your report,
Sapphire."
"Thank you, your highness." Sapphire stood from his kneel. "As I
was saying, Sailor Moon was found and confirmed as the princess--"
"Tell me," the high, commanding voice of Queen Beryl cut in. She
was a very rude queen. "How do you know that Sailor Moon is the
princess, and not just another guardian without the crystal?"
"We were banished from the Silver Millennium, not reborn. We
know because the knowledge was never taken from us."
"I see." The queen had not been happy about her subsequent
memory loss, but she chose to let it slide, motioning with her hand
for him to continue. Sapphire smirked inwardly, the snake queen
suspected nothing.
"We were ready to capture the princess, but the Sailor Scouts
interceded and she got away. She is now under the protection of
a dark haired youth, currently unidentified. Though none of the
generals have seen him, the droids claim he is a mere human with
no other capabilities save luck. I agree."
Half closed eyes opened fully as Diamond turned his attention to
his first general. "Do you now?"
Sapphire swallowed. Perhaps he shouldn't have said that.
"Forgive me, highness, for seeming out of place."
The pale prince waved his hand. "You should be more careful, my
brother, that you do not underestimate our opponents, lest we
grow careless. Continue."
Sapphire bowed. "The princess and the stranger managed to escape
with the help of the Sailors. Their trail disappeared for a time.
Special searcher droids were brought out and their trail was picked
up." The general paused for a breath. "Confirmation has been gained,
Prince Diamond, they're in the Labyrinth."
Finally, a reaction. The wine glass nearly fell from Diamond's
trembling fingers as he straightened suddenly on his cushioned
embroidery throne. "You're sure."
"As positive as I can be without actually entering."
"Amazing, this changes things." The prince settled into his chair.
A smile pulled his lips, accenting a beautiful face, "yes. Greatly
changes."
Beryl, who had been nearly quiet the entire report, spoke.
"Diamond, tell me, you seem to be keeping secrets."
The high prince gave the queen a disarming smile. "I assure you,
my dear, not intentionally kept secrets."
"Then you wouldn't mind telling me?"
"Of course." Diamond took another sip of his red wine, rolling it on
his tongue and savoring what he could before letting it slide down
his throat. "Before your conquest of the moon, did you by chance
ever visit their gardens?"
A look of distaste passed over the queen's face. "No. I visited the
palace only once, and that was when I destroyed it."
"A pity." Diamond refilled his glass. "They had a beautiful garden
there, very extensive."
Beryl was growing impatient. "My dear Diamond, so what?"
"The garden was the entrance to an extensive maze in the royal
grounds. A favorite daytime activity was to navigate the gardens
or venture the maze. Of course, very few could do it, much like
today."
Beryl nodded. Much of her memory had yet to be restored from
the cursed Moon Queen's spell. When she was fortunate, words
or small events could trigger her mind. But how did this deep-
space traveling prince know that? It couldn't be just because he
was banished. One thing her mind did remember quite clearly
was the rumors. Could they be true? Something called the Laby-
rinth was behind Diamond's banishment. Did she dare ask for the
truth? Perhaps she didn't have to, the prince was continuing
all in his own.
Something in Diamond's eyes flashed, but it was quickly replaced
by his usual, passive glance. "I was, for a time, a suitor for the
princess Serenity, competing with that blasted Endymion for her
hand." The passive look was rapidly vanishing. Prince Diamond
obviously didn't take negative answers well. "Serenity often
wandered about the maze, it was her favorite activity, as well as
the best time for a suitor to catch her, if they could. There were
only five who could truly complete the maze--Endymion and I
were two of the five."
Sapphire cleared his throat, taking his prince from a setting dark
mood. "As you ordered, Queen Beryl, General Zoicite has gone
into the maze to retrieve the droid who carries Sailor Moon's
brooch. Rubeus still stands at the doors, awaiting orders."
"And the princess's guards?"
Sapphire winced, "in the maze, majesties."
"What!?" Beryl's voice had such a range of octaves.
"In pursuit of the droid that carries the brooch."
"How was that managed?" Prince Diamond's voice held an
underlying edge.
"I am not sure, your highness. Rubeus holds the details."
Beryl rounded on Diamond. "Your subordinate could very well
cost us everything! Sailor Moon alone and without the Crystal is a
dangerous force. But with her guards--"
"Still defeatable." Diamond cut off the queen, his irritation hidden
well. "They are still separate with half a dozen droids between them.
Your general is not more than an hour behind them. Surely you don't
doubt your own men?"
Sapphire looked expectantly at Queen Beryl, waiting for her reply
to Diamond's challenge in authority.
"I am the Queen of the Negaverse!" Beryl roared out in a voice
that echoed about the unseen shadow walls. "I will doubt who I
want, when I want! You would do well to remember that I am the
only force who has matched and defeated the Silver Millennium.
You need my power to combat that of the Royal Lunar Line."
"And now, Queen Beryl, you would do well to remember that you
need my help in guidance of the Labyrinth. If the princess were to
remember the way through the maze, both of our ideals shall fail.
The princess Serenity shall slip through our fingers and disappear
forever. You will never hold the Silver Imperium Crystal, and I will
not hold--" Prince Diamond stood, "I think, perhaps, that we
should part for a while. Our time is short, our tempers are high,
and we are forgetting that we are both needed. Come Sapphire."
With that, Diamond faded from the dais, Sapphire just behind him.
Queen Beryl's glare was set to kill. "We shall see, little prince,
who truly needs who. We shall see."
*^*^*^*^*^*^*^*^*^*^*^*^*^*^*^*^*^*^*^*^*^*^*^*^*^*^*^*^*
Big breath, long stride. Pump the arms, concentrate.
"Which way, Mercury?"
"Left at the next bend!"
Concentrate, focus, find the princess.
"Can't be much further now!"
Breath again, don't forget. One foot at a time, keep it going.
"Take a right, here!"
"Keep us going, Mercury!"
Concentrate; no more dying, no more crying, just concentrate.
"We can do it guys!"
"For Serena!"
Pump. Go, go. Can't fail, too much at stake.
We run as fast as we can.
*^*^*^*^*^*^*^*^*^*^*^*^*^*^*^*^*^*^*
Tada! The latest installment. Just what the obsession ordered.
Phoenix_cubed@hotmail.com if you feel like ranting.
