Act Eleven - Music of the Night

Realizing that there was no way they were going to reach Queen Jade's lair that night, the Sailor Neo-Soldiers set up camp, seeking safety in the Shadows. Katsuna managed to find a few pieces of wood along the way and had built a small fire, which Amaya was now using to make her mother's famous vegetable soup. The aroma of steaming vegetables made Chibi-Usa's mouth water with hunger.

"Do you think this is a good idea, Chibi-Usa-chan?" Shizu asked, peeling potatoes for the soup. "I mean, what if the Dark Kingdom stages an attack on us while we're sleeping in our civilian identities?"

"You worry too much, Shizu-chan. Even villains have to sleep sometimes. Besides, we have to reserve our energy if we are to have any hope of defeating Queen Jade and getting back the Silver Crystal."

"I know, but perhaps somebody should act as a lookout. We could all work in shifts, and the lookout can hold off any monsters until the rest of us transform."

Tomoko, who had overheard their conversation, walked over to the fire and dumped a bowl of chopped onions in the cauldron. "Actually, that's not a bad idea, Shizu-chan," she remarked. "It's better to be safe than sorry. I'll volunteer for the first shift."

"And I'll take the next," Masago offered.

After a few minutes of deliberation, the Neo-Soldiers settled on a schedule. They would each work an hour shift, then wake up the next person when it was over. Personally, Chibi-Usa was relieved, because despite what she told Shizu, she had been worried.

"Hey, guys," Amaya exclaimed a few minutes later. "I think the soup's done. How does this taste, Nagisa-chan?"

She poured some of the scalding hot soup into a large bowl and handed it to Nagisa, who daintily blew on the liquid before taking a sip. "Amaya-chan, this is delicious!" Nagisa complimented. "You're turning out to be quite a chef. You must have inherited your mother's cooking genes."

Embarrassed by the flattery, Amaya began blushing brightly. "I'm not that good. My mom is the best cook in the entire galaxy. I still have a lot to learn before I can consider myself truly worthy of your praise."

"Well, I know what I like, and I absolutely love this vegetable soup," Katsuna said. "You must give me the recipe."

The other scouts nodded their agreement, causing Amaya's face to glow even more brightly, if that was possible. It didn't take very long for the pot to empty. Everybody had seconds and thirds, and Goku was actually working on his sixth bowl.

"You're a pig, Goku!" Anzura teased as she poured another bowl. "You can't possibly be hungry still."

"I'm a growing boy, my love," he replied, weakly flexing his muscles. "Feel this. These are the product of eating right and training hard."

She rolled her eyes as she raised the spoon to his lips. Anzura rather liked nursing her man back to health. If made her feel needed, and Goku was obviously enjoying her undivided attention.

"I say we nominate Goku to do the dishes tonight," Anzura suggested, winking at Nagisa. "It's only fair since he ate most of the soup, don't you think, girls?"

"I for one, would love to see my brother up to his elbows in dishwashing liquid."

"Nagisa, Anzura… you are both too cruel."

Tomoko stood up and began collecting everybody's bowls. "Don't worry about the dishes, guys. I'll do them while I'm on duty, so why don't you all go to bed? We have a big day ahead of us tomorrow. I checked the map and if we get an early start, I'm sure we will reach the lair by noon."

There was no argument from the other Neo-Soldiers. It had been an exhausting day and everybody was anxious to get some much need sleep. As everyone bundled up in their sleeping bags, Tomoko
transformed back into Sailor Mercury and took a seat by the fire.

"Are you going to be alright?" Chibi-Usa, whose sleeping bag was closest to her, asked in a whisper. "If you want, I'll stay up and keep you company."

"Thanks for the offer, Chibi-Usa-chan, but I'll be fine. Now go to bed. You needed your rest."

"Are you sure?"

"Goodnight, Chibi-Usa-chan!"

"Goodnight, Mercury," Chibi-Usa said, closing her eyes.

Helios awoke a couple of hours later in a dimly let room, illuminated only by a single flickering light bulb dangling from the ceiling that looked like it could burn out at any minute. The air was freezing cold, causing him to shiver like a leaf blowing in the wind.

"Where am I?" he asked himself as he weakly sat up. His head felt so fuzzy.

The memories were slowly coming back to him. Battling with Damian in the prayer room… Aurora blocking him from Damian's attack… Holding her lifeless body in his arms. But everything after that was a blank.

Was he dead? Was he trapped in this frigid inferno for all eternity in punishment for his sins?

The door opened, letting in a flood of light. Helios shielded his eyes from the intense brightness. The dark outline of a man stood in the doorway, laughing loudly.

"Looks like I got what I wanted after all, Priest Helios," the man said.

Helios stood up and squinted into the light, trying to discern the identity of the man. That gravelly voice sounded familiar.

"Damian?" he asked. "Where am I? What have you done to me?"

"Allow me to welcome you to my humble home, the planet Hades," Damian replied, smiling at the irony. "Bet you never expected to end up here, eh, old man?"

Rage filled his heart as he stared into the heartless green eyes of Aurora's murderer. "Have you no remorse for what you've done? That heart of yours must be made of stone!"

"The only thing I regret is that she got in the way before I finished you off," Damian growled, sending a blast of energy toward him. "I'm afraid you have more pressing matters to contend with, Priest Helios."

With those words, the devil left the room, slamming the iron door behind him. Once again, Helios was enveloped in a cover of darkness, alone with his thoughts.

Damian had won after all. Aurora had sacrificed her life for nothing, and it was all his fault. He should have surrendered to Damian at the very beginning. She would still be alive if he hadn't been so stupid.

Frozen half to death, Helios pulled his knees up to his chest, curling into a tight ball in a futile attempt to keep warm. Above his head, the light bulb buzzed lightly before finally giving up its fight for life.

Helios began searching his pockets for his pocket knife, thinking that the light bulb had the right idea. What was the purpose of living? He would rather die than be a pawn for the Dark Kingdom.

The more Helios thought about it, the more appealing the idea of suicide became. There was nothing left to live for. He would eventually die anyway in this arctic prison anyway, so why not end this torture right now?

But instead of the knife, his hand wrapped around a small, oddly shaped object. Helios pulled the item from his pocket and traced it outline on his palm, unable to actually see it without the light from the bulb.

It was a star-shaped locket. Serenity's locket. Aurora's last words echoed in his head as he rubbed the cool metal with his thumb. I want you to be happy, Helios. Promise me something… Don't let your pride keep you away from true happiness. You love her so very much…

"But does she still love me?" he wondered aloud.

The locket had not played since that day in Elysion when he first heard its secret melody. Perhaps it was a sign that Serenity no longer loved him. He wouldn't blame her if she never wanted to see his face again. He had been a complete jerk, brushing her off like that, just because he was scared about what people might think about the age difference.

But even if she hated his guts, Helios was still madly in love with her. He had found his reason to live in this ancient locket, and her name was Princess Lady Serenity.

"I will protect her from Damian," he vowed, clutching the necklace to his breast. "No matter what, I won't allow her beautiful dreams to die!"

As he said those words, Helios could feel some kind of heat generating from his hand. He unfurled his fist and saw that the locket had begun to glow brightly. With trembling fingers, he carefully opened the locket.

Music filled the barren cell and chased away the cold. It was the same song he heard in Elysion, yet this time it sounded even more magical. Helios sobbed at the sheer beauty of the melody.

Serenity still loved him.

Chibi-Usa woke up about ten minutes before her shift began after two hours of an unsettling rest. Sailor Pluto, who was still on duty, was sitting by the fire, staring down at a small golden picture frame she held in her hands and crying softly.

"Is something wrong, Pluto?" Chibi-Usa asked, sitting beside her friend.

Pluto, surprised to see her, quickly wiped away her tears and glanced down at her watch. "Chibi-Usa-chan, why are you awake? According to my watch, your shift doesn't begin for another eight minutes, unless my clock is running slow."

"I highly doubt that your watch, of all people's, would show the wrong time," Chibi-Usa chuckled. "I just can't seem to fall asleep. Every time I close my eyes, I end up thinking about my parents and everybody at home counting on us to bring the crystal back to Crystal Tokyo."

"I know what you mean," Pluto replied. "I miss Kado like crazy. Today would have been our two year anniversary, and I wish I could be there to celebrate."

"Oh, is that why you were so upset?" she asked, picking up the picture Pluto had placed facedown on the floor.

She thought it was a picture of Kado, but when she looked at the photo, it was not his face she saw staring up at her, as she expected. Instead, it was an old snapshot of her, Masago, and Setsuna in front of the Gate of Time.

When she was younger, Chibi-Usa used to love to go to Charon Castle and visit with Masago and her mother. In fact, she came to regard Setsuna as her second mother, and Masago as the sister she had always wanted. Setsuna's death had affected them both very deeply, but especially Masago, who was by all means an orphan.

"I remember when this picture was taken," Chibi-Usa said softly. "It was right before the Black Moon began their attacks. Even now, after all this time, I find it hard to believe she's not here with us."

"Chibi-Usa-chan, I miss her so much, especially now," she admitted. "I just feel so alone sometimes. Kado's great, but there's always been this hole in my heart that I can't seem to fill. You're so lucky to have two parents who love you with all their hearts. I would give anything to have what you have."

"Really?"

Pluto nodded her head as a fresh set of tears streaked down her face. Surprised at her sudden outburst, Chibi-Usa handed her a handkerchief and gave her friend a small hug. She had never seen Pluto so upset before. Masago always tried to hide her emotions. Even at Setsuna's funeral, she never shed a tear, which was okay because Chibi-Usa had cried enough for the both of them.

"I'm sorry about burdening you with my problems, Chibi-Usa-chan," Pluto apologized. "Thanks for being so understanding. You're a true friend."

"Hey, I'm more than just your friend," Chibi-Usa said. "Remember, we're soul sisters, always and forever."

"Always and forever."

By the end of their conversation, it was about time for Chibi-Usa to take over as lookout. She transformed into Sailor Moon as Masago snuggled in her sleeping bag and closed her eyes.

The one good thing about talking with Masago was that it allowed Sailor Moon to forget about her own problems for a while, but her thoughts inevitably turned to Helios. It seemed no matter how hard she tried, Sailor Moon couldn't get him out of her mind and her heart. Every time she closed her eyes, she could see his face, so proud and handsome, as if he was standing right in front of her. Despite what she had told Masago, Helios was the real reason she couldn't sleep.

"Forget about Helios," she ordered herself. "He made it perfectly clear that he had no interest in pursuing a relationship with you that day in Elysion."

Maiden, I wish things were different, but I'm afraid that is impossible. You're so young and innocent, Serenity. I'm much more experienced than you are when it comes to matters of the heart. You've probably never even been properly kissed by a man, have you?

His words from that day were permanently engraved in her heart. She never would never forget the pain he caused that day. Yes, she was only sixteen years old, but she had the heart of a mature woman, far beyond her years. For the first time in her short life, she had experienced true love. There was no other way to describe it. She had plenty of crushes over the years, but she had never felt this way about anybody else.

If only Helios could only understand the way she felt about him. There had to be some way to prove to him that this was more than a silly schoolgirl crush.

Hungry for a midnight snack, Sailor Moon placed a large, fluffy marshmallow on the end of a nearby stick and held it over the fire, toasting it to a nice golden brown. Then she pulled out a half-eaten candy bar and a couple of graham crackers to make a s'more.

The rich chocolate melted in her mouth as she stared into the dying flames. Chocolate was definitely the ultimate comfort food. When she finished eating, she stood up to throw away her candy wrapper, but something stopped Sailor Moon from dumping the paper in the trash.

She instead smoothed the wrinkled wrapper and held it to the light. The words FANTASY CHOCOLATES jumped out in bold gold letters. That was the same brand of chocolate Helios had given her when they were in the cave, waiting for the rain to stop.

There was something about that wrapper that made her feel unbelievable sadness. She quickly tossed it into the fire, wanting it completely out of her sight. This was ridiculous, getting teary-eyed over a dumb piece of paper.

As she wiped away the tear that had managed to roll down her cheek, a beautiful sound reached her ears. It was the most gorgeous melody she had ever heard in her life.

Sailor Moon looked around at the other Neo-Soldiers, expecting them to wake up, but strangely, nobody else appeared to have hear the song but her. It was if the music was giving a private concert just for her.

She closed her eyes and let the heavenly music wash over her like ocean waves crashing against the seashore. The melody had cast a spell over her, and she was entranced.

"Where is this music coming from?" Sailor Moon asked herself as she stood up and began walking toward the direction the sound was coming. She knew that she had to find the source of the song that had touched her heart, no matter what.