Chapter 8
Usagi watched in horror as Tuxedo Kamen faced Sailor Moon in Mab's crystal. She trembled with the fear this nightmare always caused her, and knew he must feel the same. Steeling herself she looked away, and faced Mab.
"Mab, no, don't do this to him! He doesn't know it's not a dream!"
"He's a smart man. He'll figure it out, don't you think?"
"Don't, please! This is so cruel!" Usagi knelt before Queen Mab. "Do anything to me, but don't do this to him. Don't do this," she swept her hand to indicate the girls, "to any of them. Please, I offer myself to you! Do what you will to me!"
"Sailor Moon, my dear." Mab smiled almost kindly. "Don't you know? I already have you! I promised Mamoru, once when we met in a dream, that I would destroy you, and then I would drain him dry. I don't make promises I can't keep."
"What if he wins?"
"Will he?" Mab turned and looked at her, considering. "Do you think he can? We both know how strong he's been as a possessed puppet, but he wanted to kill you then because his possessors wanted you dead. Admit it, he doesn't want to kill you now, does he? And I have made my warrior strong; she wants to kill Tuxedo Kamen because I want him dead.
"Poor Mamoru," she continued, "unaware of his true powers as the prince of the earth, and unable to access them now. It will be years before he has attained his full capabilities, and yet, I would think he really needs them now! Besides, you have been willing to go to extreme measures to fight him. Is he able to do the same? This could prove quite exciting!"
Usagi beat her fists against the pillar, willing Mamoru to open his eyes, to just wake up!
~~~
Mab's laughter filled the chamber. Suddenly Mamoru found himself somewhere else, in an amphitheater? Somehow he had regained his cape and top hat, and his walking stick was still in his hand. Mab spoke from above.
"I'll observe from up here, if you don't mind. This could get quite messy."
Mamoru turned his back on Mab and shut out the sound of her ugly laughter. He looked at the silent figure across the way.
"Sailor Moon? Usagi?"
The still silent figure approached, her face hidden in darkness, her body silhouetted in light.
"Sweetheart? Are you all right?" Mamoru took another step towards her.
Sailor Moon stepped into the light. Mamoru gasped at her pupil-less eyes, dark blue holes in a face that stared at him with grim intention.
"Oh, no, Mab…" Mamoru straightened even as he felt his heart plummet. It was Usagi's nightmare, made especially for him.
Suddenly Sailor Moon spoke. "I recognize you," she intoned, her usually melodious voice low and monotone. "You tried to kill me. Now I will kill you." She smiled a humorless smile. "Sailor Moon kick!"
Mamoru swore and ducked as her booted foot grazed his cheek. Putting his hand to his face he grimaced as he felt a sticky gash. He looked at his bloody fingers. Apparently she meant business.
He blocked her next attempts with his walking stick, and used his superior height and reach effectively to throw her off. He quickly thought through his limited options. Fight? While he could stand up to her tiara attack, he didn't think he'd survive a full-out scepter attack. He could easily beat her at hand to hand, though. If he could bring himself to do it. What could he do that wouldn't hurt her?
Jumping to avoid another kick, he landed lightly atop a pillar. He watched as Sailor Moon retreated , waiting for him in the shadows.
"I can't hurt her," he thought in despair. "I just can't. But what if it's a dream? I could be asleep, and this might not be Usagi. But, God, what if it's real, and she's possessed?"
He leapt down. "Usagi? Remember me? It's Mamoru. Sweetheart?"
"You're Tuxedo Kamen," she said. "You tried to kill me. Now it's your turn!"
She swung at him again, and somehow kicked him in the head, knocking off his hat. He stumbled and winced in pain. Thinking fast, he pulled a rose from his vest. Gently he held it out to her.
"We fight together for love and justice," he said quietly. "We right wrongs and triumph over evil. That means Mab, not me. I refuse to fight against you, whether you're a dream or reality. I won't hurt you."
"Fine," she said, knocking the rose to the floor. She carefully placed her heel over it, and stepped down, grinding the tender bud into the ground. . "I respect your choice."
She attacked ferociously and with surprising strength. Mamoru dodged and deflected, protecting himself but not hurting her. Finally, out of breath, panting and dazed, he once again leapt to the top of the pillar. He went down on one knee. Tears of frustration filled his eyes.
"Stop!" he cried. "Stop!"
~~~
Luna and Artemis maintained their vigil over Mamoru and Usagi. As with the others, soon after entering the dream world they morphed back to themselves.
"They're so still," Artemis said.
"Yes, but I sense that they are in terrible trouble," Luna replied. "Can we get them to the temple?"
"Doesn't Mamoru have a cel phone?"
"You're right! If we could find it, we can call Chad and he could take them back!"
The cats searched through Mamoru's pockets, finally finding the phone. They found the number for the temple and dialed.
"Cherry Hill Temple, Chad speaking."
"Oh, good. Well, I am calling for Mamoru."
"Who is this?" Chad asked.
Artemis looked at Luna, who shrugged her shoulders.
"A friend of Mamoru and Usagi," Artemis said, rolling his eyes. "Look, I don't have much time, but I called to tell you that Mamoru and Usagi are in trouble and they need your help." Quickly he filled Chad in on all the details.
He disconnected and turned to Luna. "He's coming."
Luna had been checking on Usagi. Looking carefully into her face, Luna frowned. "Artemis, she's crying."
Returning the cel phone to Mamoru's pocket, Artemis looked in the sleeping man's face. "So is he, Luna."
"Oh, I wish I knew what was happening! How can we help them?"
~~~
They watched as Chad gently lifted Usagi up and carried her to his car. Something heavy fell from her jacket.
"The Moon Scepter!" Luna closed her eyes. "She can't fight Mab without it!"
Chad returned with a friend, and they slung Mamoru between the two of them. Carefully they maneuvered back up the trail.
"We have to get this back to Usagi," Luna cried. Picking up the heavy scepter with her teeth, she started after Chad.
"Let me help, Luna." Artemis grabbed the other end, and the two guardians made their way after their charges.