- The Dark Side of The Moon
Chapter Four – Fire Blazes and Love Shows Itself
By Crow Skywalker
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Disclaimer – Don't own Sailor Moon or it's characters. Just borrowing them for some fun ;)
Author's Notes – I was sick today. So that's why this chapter came out so fast. I also knew what was going to happen in this chapter, so that helped. What happened to all my reviewers? I'm afraid I lost them due to how slow I write. Oh well. At least I'm enjoying it. Reviews would be nice though. And I'd like to point out, yes, Sailor Venus uses her second season attacks, and I know this. But I've also stated that the girls are older in my fic, which means Venus was Sailor V for longer, and is the strongest out of them at the moment. Thanks for reading. Questions, ect.? You know what to do :P
Warnings/Pairings – PG-13 for swearing and evilness. Later pairings of Usagi/Mamoru (way later), and Senshi/Generals.
Series Summary – AU, where everyone's older. What if Queen Beryl had found Usagi before Luna? What if Beryl thought Usagi had good potential, and offered her a place at her side? The first season of Sailor Moon certainly would have been different. Sailor Moon done my way ^_~
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"Step foreword Jadeite. Tell me what news you have for me."
Jadeite did what he was told, bowing to his Queen. "All goes well. We have collected a lot of energy over the past week. Stupid humans don't even know what's happening to them."
Beryl looked pleased. "Very good Jadeite. See to it that things continue to go smoothly."
"As you wish, my Queen." He bowed once more. However, a flash of gold caught his eye and he looked up in time to see Usagi enter the room.
"Ah, Serenity. So good of you to join us." Beryl smiled.
Jadeite stared at Usagi for a moment. He hadn't seen her since she arrived here. He had been too busy with his plans, and she too busy getting settled in. She had also been receiving a lot of dark energy, to enhance her skills at training (which Kunzite was teaching her), and her powers. Now, looking at her, she looked like a totally different person from what he last saw. Her hair was the same, tied into two balls on top of her head, long golden strands hanging down her back, but her wardrobe had changed. She wore a long dressed that reached the floor, a shade of black that almost let her blend in with the darkness.
He watched as she walked, noticing the changes. She was no longer the ditzy crybaby he had brought back with him. She now walked as if she were royalty, and held herself high. She now looked more like a grownup than a silly teenager.
"Jadeite," She said, her lovely voice soft, "It's so good to see you again."
Jadeite stared at her, her eyes catching his and holding them. He shivered under her gaze. What once had been crystal blue were now dark and emotionless, and radiated evil, death and despair. The Queen of Darkness herself, he mused, taking her hand and lightly laying a kiss upon it.
"And you too." He answered as he let go of her hand. She smiled down at him, before turning her attention to Beryl.
"When will I be able to go to earth?" She asked, "I will be of great help."
"Serenity...you're not finished your training yet." Beryl sighed, "And you're not yet used to the dark energy. You need to give it some time."
"But –"
"No buts." Beryl cut her off. "You are not permitted to earth until I think you are ready."
Jadeite watched Usagi's expression from where he was. Her face never changed, but he could see a flash of anger in her eyes. They seemed to grow colder and more distant. The dark energy had really changed her.
"Now," Beryl continued, looking at her top general, "Return to work and collect more energy."
Jadeite nodded, glancing between the two women before he stepped back into the darkness of a portal.
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"Kunzite!" Serenity called as she stormed into the training room. "Where are you?"
There was no answer.
She silently cursed him. Where could he be off to?
A breeze behind her made her smile, and she turned to find the white haired man staring at her, a curious look on his face.
"You called?"
"Yes." She started, pacing back and forth. "I'm tired of being stuck in this dreary place when Jadeite's off having fun!" She fumed, and stopped her pacing to look at him, "How much training do we have left? How much more can you teach me? You've already taught me so much...and yet, Beryl do not think I'm ready to do her bidding."
He watched silently at her outrage, and how she ended in a small pout. He laughed, his laughter echoing around the darkness of the room. "Impatient aren't you Serenity?"
She glared up at him, arms crossed. "I just hate standing around doing nothing." She stated through clenched teeth.
He laid a hand on her shoulder and she relaxed slightly. "Well do not worry, my dear...you haven't much training left. A few weeks at the least."
She brightened at this.
"Do you miss your world?" He asked suddenly, catching her off guard.
"I...." She turned around so that she was not facing him, "I miss it sometimes. I miss the fresh air...and the wind. The sun too...it's so dark here."
"You'll get used to it."
"I suppose." She sighed.
"Is that all you miss?"
She turned to face him now, a questioning look in her gaze. "Of course."
"What about your family? Friends? Boyfriends?"
Her gaze immediately turned cold. "My family would never miss me," She stated, her memory going back to her last night on earth, "And I will never miss them. Nor my friends. I am not permitted to feel emotion." She said automatically, like she had been told so since she was a child. "And I never had a boyfriend." Her fists clenched at her sides, so tight that it actually hurt and a single drop of blood fell to the floor. "Who would love pitiful klutzy Usagi? The girl who couldn't even stand up straight...who failed all her tests and couldn't even wake up on time..."
Kunzite stared at her in silence, noting her growing anger with amusement.
"You pass."
She stopped rhyming things out and looked up at him in question. "What?"
"I said you pass."
"Pass what?" She asked, confused.
"Today's test."
"Test?"
"Our conversation...it was a test. I asked you if you missed your loved ones, and you truthfully said you didn't. It was all a test. If you had said yes, then Beryl would keep you here even longer. We cannot risk losing you. But since you have no attachments to these people, we have no worry of you turning against us or leaving us. It was a test..and you passed."
She stared at him speechless, and he smirked as it sunk in.
"Now," He started, "Are you ready for today's training?"
She nodded. "Ready to finally kick your ass."
"You wish." He grinned at her, and led her out onto the floor.
Today's lesson began.
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The sun was setting, casting the city into shadows. Jadeite smiled at this from his position. It was time to collect energy – he did this every day at the same time. Sunset. When the Arcade had stopped selling loads of ice cream, and he had the chance to carry out his mission.
Looking down from where he was perched upon the building, he smirked at the unknowing people below him as they ate their late afternoon ice cream and walked slowly down the street.
Stupid humans...can't even see what's going on around them. Can't they see that something is going on? Suddenly there are more and more people in the hospital, complaining that they have no energy. No, they'd never expect it was because of the ice cream. Such a stupid race. He thought, rising his hands above his head and preparing to collect their energy.
A swirl of colors rained down on the people, and all who had been eating ice cream started to glow as their energy seeped out of them, collecting in Jadeite's hands. One by one they fell, exhausted, and the street seemed to be littered with bodies.
"Mamoru!"
Jadeite's eyes instantly flicked to the owner of the voice, and he knew who the owner was even before he looked at her.
The girl...what is she doing here?The black haired man was now at her side, his hand on her shoulder as they watched the people faint. Jadeite clenched his teeth at this. Don't touch her! He stopped, eyes growing wide as he realized what had just gone through his mind. I have to stop this...I'll take their energy..
"Crembay!" He yelled, jumping to the ground to face them.
Motoki appeared by his side, and at once shed its skin, taking on its own appearance.
"You called?"
Jadeite stared at the two, who were staring back wide eyed.
"Destroy them."
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Destroy them...
Rei's eyes went wider. What was going on? What the hell was that thing? She had been out for a walk with Mamoru...and it had been such a nice day..and here she had stumbled upon a terrible monster, its victim's bodies littered the ground.
"Rei! Run!" Mamoru whispered forcefully in her ear, and she did what she was told to. Taking off down the street, she thought Mamoru was right behind her as she took shortcuts through alleyways trying to lose the monster. However, she not only lost the monster, but turning around, she found that she had lost Mamoru also. She was alone.
What if Mamoru's hurt?Making up her mind, she decided to retrace her steps to find Mamoru.
-----
Mamoru was indeed alive and well. He had stopped shortly after they had started running, making sure Rei was to safety. Then, hidden in the alleyway, he looked back out at the monster and strange man, coming up with a attack plan.
"Come out, come out wherever you arrree!" Called the monster as it flew through the air, looking for its victims. The other man stood motionless, his arms crossed.
It's him! The guy who took Usagi away! Mamoru realized, taking out his rose and transforming.
"Come out you coward!" The monster yelled, getting frustrated.
"You are the coward. Attacking innocent people and taking their energy." Came a voice, and both Jadeite and the monster, Crembay, looked up to find Tuxedo Kamen standing on the building across the street. His appearance now known, he jumped the distance and faced his enemies.
"You." Said Jadeite, recognizing him. "You were there that night."
"What have you done with Usagi?"
"That's none of your business." Jadeite smirked. "Crembay! Attack!"
The monster did as it was told, lunging at Tuxedo Kamen. He was faster than the last monster he'd faced, and Tuxedo Kamen barely made it out of the way before it zoomed past him, its long claw like hands extended.
Preparing for the next attack, Tuxedo Kamen tensed, ready for action. However, it did not come. The creature seemed to sense something, and a flash of long black hair caught its attention.
Rei stood staring at the scene, her hand raised to her mouth in fright, and a lost expression on her face.
With an attack cry, the monster lunged towards her, and Tuxedo Kamen ran towards her. But he knew he would never make it on time. The monster had had the head start, and he was too behind to catch up.
Rei fell to the ground, her arm raised in defense as time seemed to slow. She screamed as she pictured its claws ripping through her flesh, a red aura surrounding her causing her hair to whip wildly around her. A red symbol materialized on her forehead.
The monster's cry grew louder, but cut off just as it reached her. Something was holding onto one of the monster's arms – a golden chain of hearts. She blinked, following the link.
Tuxedo Kamen, who had stopped his running, stared also. A girl in orange fuku stood not far off, holding onto the chain with a determined look on her face. Beside her stood a white cat, the same glare and look on its face.
Luna, who had sensed the Dark Kingdom from not far away and had been watching from her hiding place, gasped in surprise. Not only had the raven haired girl showed signs of being one of the ones she was looking for, but now stood another senshi, ready to fight.
"Who are you?" Demanded Jadeite.
The blonde girl whipped back her chain, casing the monster to fly through the air and go head first into a nearby building. The chain dissolving, she faced the man who had questioned her.
"The girl who will bring you down," She smirked, "Sailor Venus!"
Venus? He eyed her warily, processing this information. He snorted in reply. "We'll see."
"Crembay!" He yelled to the monster who was just getting up, "Kill her!"
Luna took this opportunity to run to Rei's aid, who was now staring at the scene in bewilderment. The girl was shaken, but seemed to be fine.
"Rei!"
She looked down to find a black cat at her feet, staring up at her with wide red eyes. I could have sworn that cat just talked to me...
"Rei, listen to me –"
Oh God...She shook her head. First this...and now I'm seeing talking cats... She watched the cat do a flip, and an object appear in its mouth.
"Take this."
Rei stared at it, unsure of what to do. Should she take it from the talking cat? Maybe I'm dreaming...that's it...this is all a dream. Her courage returned to her. A dream! She stood, taking the red pen-like object from the cat. And if it's a dream, then I can beat this thing! She watched as the girl named Sailor Venus and the monster faced off, neither getting the upper hand.
"Rei!"
The cat got her attention, and she looked down at it.
"Hold it up and shout 'Mars power - make up!" It directed.
So did so, raising her hand with a new determination. "Mars power – make up!"
Jadeite had been concentrating on the fight at hand, but a blast of fire and swirls to his left made him look. The raven haired girl was changing somehow. Her clothes had disappeared, and were being replaced by an outfit much like the newcomer's, only a shade of red. He watched with interest, his eyes glued to her beautiful face.
Her transformation finished with a blaze of fire, and she too, stared down at herself in awe.
Well...this is different. She thought, but her newly found powers took over, and she stared up at the monster, a glare on her face. The monster had stopped its attack on Venus, and was now staring at her curiously.
"I am Sailor Mars!" She yelled, taking stance, "And I will punish you!" She brought her hands together, gathering her energy. A small fireball grew at the tips of her fingers, growing bigger and bigger as she chanted. Finally she released it, "Mars fire soul!"
It flew at the monster, and hit its target. It screamed as the flames engulfed it.
"Venus crescent beam shower!" Came Venus's attack at the same time. Both their attacks put together was enough to destroy the monster, and it gave one final scream before it dissolved into dust.
Jadeite growled, looking at the two girls before disappearing into one of his portals. "This isn't over yet!"
"We did it!" Mars grinned at the other girl, and she smiled back.
"Good job."
Rei looked down at the cat, who seemed to smile also.
"But...this isn't a dream is it? Its real, right?"
Luna nodded. "You're one of the chosen senshi to protect this planet from dark forces. It is your duty to protect it and its people...and to help find the Moon Princess."
"Moon Princess?" Rei asked curiously.
"Princess Serenity." Answered a male voice, and they both turned to look at the mysterious senshi and her white cat. However, the voice was not from the girl – rather, the cat.
"Artemis." Luna whispered, recognizing him.
"Luna...so you recognize me after all this time." He nodded with a smile.
"And Sailor Venus." She stated, looking up at the other girl. "Are you two the ones Control Center told me about? The ones who will help us?"
They both nodded, and she felt more eased. Now her job wouldn't be so hard. She had found two senshi and everything was going right for once.
"It's been so long Luna." Said Artemis, "We should meet somewhere and talk about future plans," He looked around cautiously, and Luna realized Tuxedo Kamen had disappeared, and people were starting to awaken. "But not here. It's not safe."
"Let's go to the Temple." Rei suggested, and they agreed. "I really want to know what the hell is going on!"
Luna nodded. "We'll talk once we get there."
Venus took Artemis into her arms.
"We'll meet you there."
"Oh, and Luna – bring Cape Boy." Added Artemis before they took to the sky, using rooftops for safe and fast transportation.
"Common, transform back before someone sees you. Then we'll meet them after we find Mamoru...he's gone and disappeared on us." Said Luna, starting to walk off.
Rei stared after her, confused. "Hey! Wait! How do I transform back?" She ran to catch up, "And what's this about Mamoru? Was he...was he that guy in the tux?"
Luna sighed. She had a lot of explaining to do.
To Be Continued...