I do not own Sailor Moon, but this story is most certainly mine. ^__^ enjoy!

Falling Stars


Chapter 16

Usagi stopped dead in her tracks as soon as she reached the surface, her eyes growing wide. Her cerulean gaze surveyed the land, and inwardly she cringed as she realized how much worse it was since she had arrived months before. She suddenly felt entirely uneasy and came to doubt the lessons she had been taught that were meant to help her survive. Just then she was fearful they weren't enough.

Her fingers unconsciously found the switch upon the walkie-talkie, immediately opening up the communication link back to the shelter below. "Derek, do you read me? Over."

The static crackled for a moment before his solemn reply came. "I'm here, Usagi-san. Over." Usagi tilted her head back, suddenly overcome with a distinct pressure. Her limbs fell limp and the communicator slid from her grip to the firm ground with a small clunk. She could feel something...it was burning in her chest...

Her heart?

"My gift," she whispered slowly, blinking her eyes with realization. Usagi slumped to the ground after a moment, her chest heaving and heavy. Leaning against her hip, Usagi's arms shot out before her for support, and then she began to comprehend how weak she had become. She'd spent weeks in bed, totally debilitated, and all of a sudden she was out and about, prepared to launch a full-fledged attack on the hellmouth that had become her sister's world. Again the burning sensation persisted, and with a small cry Usagi's hand shot to her chest and she fell backwards. After a moment, it immediately subsided and such a sensation was felt no more. Instantly, a vision of Hinotama filled her thoughts, and with it she could see how ultimately disoriented and mission-bent her sister had become.

'My gift...it has awakened...' she thought, slightly elated. Finally, her tool had sprung forth in her soul with a fervent light!

"Usa? Usagi, what's going on? Over!" Cody's voice exclaimed out of the blue, slicing through the dirty, silent air. The blonde's ponytail of gold sprayed out behind her like a bright fan and Usagi quickly reached over to retrieve the now-bleeping object.

"Cody, Derek...it's alright. She knows--Hinotama knows that I'm awake." She could just envision the two young men glancing over at one another nervously that very moment. "I can see a fallen demon in the distance...Hino's been on a killing streak and she's out for blood. Somehow I know where she's going...and I aim to save her, and all of us. Over."

The dead air crackled again for a few moments before anyone else replied. "Usagi, listen to me. You're going to get yourself killed!" Jerrid's voice came through, a bit more shaken than anything else.

"Not now!" Usagi interjected, about ready to discard the blasted object. "Our lives are all on the line and I'm not going to sit on the sidelines waiting for the apocalypse. Now help me or stay the hell out of my way!"

Another moment of silence. "Over," she added, softly this time.

"Usagi-hime, is there any way we can assist you? Over." Jerrid offered, finally caving. Usagi clambered to her feet, deep eyes cautious as she tried to keep the volume to a minimum. Her blonde ponytail floated behind her like a golden ghost upon the filthy wind.

"Yes. Hinotama is heading deep within the confines of the darkness, and now that my calling has finally awakened, I believe I can keep a close eye on her. She's trying to save us, meanwhile endangering her own life. This hell cannot be stopped without the both of us. I need for you to keep open communications and prepare the cavalry. I can feel the demon legions, and they're headed here. I can deter them, but not for long. I just..." She cut off, overcome by tears. "I don't know what I'm doing...I'm afraid I'm going to fail you..."

Her sobs alarmed the three boys back underground, and before she could regain her senses, Jerrid and Cody were already off like shots, ready to help her. They barreled through the shelter door, their expressions soft. "Usagi-chan, we're coming with you," Cody said with a small smile, touching her arms lightly. Both were already well-endowed with weaponry and the three, with somber expressions, went off in search of their beloved Hinotama.

*~*~*

"Lilith-hime," a raspy voice echoed throughout the dimly lit cathedral-like structure. "Lilith-hime." The altar, which in its place remained a large, velvet-covered, ruby throne beneath the soft light of a candle-lit chandelier, was situated in the center of the grand hall. A halo of light seemed to form around the immense throne, that was draped in dark shades of blood-red, jade, and deep navy. That halo was the only source of light within the enormous, silent, and otherwise pitch-black room.

"What is it, Merph?" an annoyed, feminine voice snapped in reply. A pair of impossibly long, slim, and delicate legs were hung lazily over one arm of such a throne, adorned by a pair gleaming, high-heeled black sandals.

"M'Lady, if you'd excuse the interruption," the raspy voice continued, and the bearer of such a throaty tone entered the small halo that acted almost as a spotlight above the throne. The person to which the bearer's words were to directed, however, remained conveniently shadowed.

An irritated sigh followed the bearer's words. "Yes, if you must..." the feminine snap echoed again.

"She's on her way," the voice answered, eyes averted from the more dominant figure in the scene. The bearer was actually a female, one graced with a pair of black dragonfly's wings and a sweeping black tail, both that touched the floor. Her hair--or what would have been considered it--draped over her shoulders in a waterfall of periwinkle, glistening beneath the light of the chandelier.

"Raise your eyes, Merph," the other female instructed, suddenly calm. "Those pretty lavender eyes."

"Yes, my Princess?" Merpha said quietly, obeying. Lilith's eyes suddenly lit aflame beneath the light. Their hue flickered with every second, their color always changing. At this very moment, a vivid crimson burned through the amber that had been the second before.

"Allow her entrance...let nothing disturb my fun," Lilith laughed. The spotlight suddenly seemed to swing and instantly it highlighted the brilliantly satanic young woman. Locks of glossy midnight spilled down her shoulders and back, running off of the large throne's arms. Clothed in a revealing black gown that was cut above her knees, she tossed the insect-like faery a look of elation. Merpha nodded vigorously and jumped back, her wings beating fiercely as she propelled herself away and into the air.

Once left to herself, Lilith stretched her arms and legs, nearly mimicking a lazy cat. Flexing her feet and ankles, she finally swung her legs over the arm of the chair and planted them firmly on the ground. Her well-tanned skin seemed to glow beneath the light as she raised her hands. Within them materialized a small ball of writhing ebony. "Come my fair, fiery Princess...no longer shall your brilliant light shine. I will soon have the pleasure of devouring everything with my darkness."

*~*~*

Hinotama launched herself behind a large mass of rock just as the dark beam of energy shot past her, just barely missing its mark. Her chest heaved as she glanced to the side, back pressed against the mass. Her hands began to scramble amongst her weapons, frantic in deciding which would best suit her situation. "Well, Mr. Morpha...should I fill you with lead, or let you suck down a blast of energy?" She pondered this for a moment, smiling inwardly at her humor.

She could sense the built and cat-like creature stalking forward, its nose upturned as it sniffed the air for her scent. With such a distraction, Hinotama burst out from behind the rockmass and let loose a discus of blue light, that easily sliced through the large, feral monstrosity. With a low cry it recoiled, but apparently the blow was not enough. It cowered its head, and rubbed at it with its front paw. Flicking its tail warily, it approached, its stance low to the ground. Exposing its retractable black claws, the Morpha snarled like a cougar and leapt forward, slamming Hinotama against the ground--hard. It was nearly hard enough for her to lose consciousness as her head knocked back against a slab of concrete. Blood pouring from her temple area, she let out a scream, kicking her legs up to fend off the beast. Obviously, persistence was its strong suit.

It emitted another roar and extended its jaws, launching them at the furious girl beneath. She kept her hands pressed against its neck, forcing away the monster as it remained on the offensive. Teeth, like razors, came close to hooking into her each moment, and with a roar of anger equal to the cat's, Hinotama continued her fight. Its breath was hot and nauseating, and smelled of fresh blood. Hinotama gave it a final, determined kick that struck the beast in its throat, temporarily suffocating it. It stepped away, whining and choking. The young Princess rolled away, body shaking, and pulled the long dagger from her boot. In a fluid motion, she chucked it at the Morpha with a cry and it conveniently buried itself deep within the beast's neck.

A gleam of pure, cold-blooded rage filled the blue eyes of the Morpha, and quickly it set to mutating itself into a large creature. Hinotama realized with a look of horror that it was no longer the catlike Morpha, but a Gemini. It's tan, griffin's wings and tail flashed in the air wildly, as a call--much resembling a bird's--echoed from it's reptilian head. Standing firmly on four, clawed legs, the Gemini glared down upon Hinotama with a look that could have passed for a smirk.

Another cry echoed on the air, and Hinotama hoisted herself from the ground, refusing to give up. She knew by doing what she was prepared to do could possibly end her life, and endanger the other's. But in this way, if she were lucky, the others would be spared and she could continue on her quest. There wasn't an alternative. She had once told Usagi that using your gift and your power by birthright could easily kill you--not because of your power, but because the demons would sense it. At this point, Hinotama cared little if they found her or not. She welcomed their presence and was eager to finally avenge her homeworld--to once again bestow life in her dead world. "Blessed fire, dancing flame, crimson blood of tainted name," Hinotama began, closing her eyes and lifting her arms up, palms facing the sky. "Dillute the vision, enslave the heart, light of my will..."

Her shout sliced through the silence and from her hands flashed a brilliant, burning light. Her Prussian-eyes shot open, and her hair flapped behind her on an unfelt wind. A blazing flame burst forth from her palms, quickly mounting and growing to assemble an enormous fireball. "Dispell the dark!" With this, she ripped her hands from the ball, and immediately it exploded forth. Quickly catching upon the skin of the Gemini, it tore through its flesh and within seconds, beneath the roaring of both the creature and the flames, nothing was left but a smoldering pile of ashses.

Hinotama let out a gulp before moving on, and once she did, her thoughts kept reverting back to Usagi. Finally awake...her dear sister. Though her mind was at war with her heart, inwardly, both prayed that the beloved Moon Princess was safe.












The character Lilith used in this story, is not apart of any other in which she might have been mentioned. Thanks and please review!!