THE NIGHTMARE REALM,
CHAPTER 11: "The Hunt for Lady Echidna"
By Bill K.
"I'LL KILL YOU FOR THAT!" the lioness who had been Sailor Vesta roared. She pulled her head back, jaws open and teeth bared, prepared to plunge down and close around Sailor Moon's throat. Still dazed from expelling Echidna from her mind, Sailor Moon could only stare into the jaws of death.
"VESTA, NO!"
The thought exploded in Vesta's brain like a grenade. Time seemed to wink out for a moment. The next thing she knew, Vesta was sprawled face down on the floor of the temple, transformed back into a human. Her head rang. Her muscles were liquid. A sight registered with difficulty. It was Sailor Moon, on her side, pressed back against a wall and staring at Vesta with horror and betrayal.
Vesta felt something wet on her lip. Brushing a shaky hand over it, she found blood on her glove. Her nose was bleeding. Ceres was behind her saying something, but it didn't register. There was still an impression on her bruised and battered brain. Vesta tried to focus on it.
"Pallas?" Vesta asked. She didn't know if she'd asked verbally or mentally.
"Pallas is sorry," Vesta heard a weak voice in her mind. "She didn't mean . . . to shout. But you were going to do bad, Vesta. We can't . . . do that anymore."
"Pallas, what's wrong? You sound so weak!"
"Pallas is . . . so sleepy," she heard Pallas say in her head. "Listened . . . to the voices . . ."
"Pallas?" Vesta said out loud. "Pallas?!!"
Everyone stared at her, but Vesta didn't notice. She kept waiting for a response that wouldn't come.
And the tears came. Vesta curled up into a fetal ball and sobbed openly. Her chest shuddered as she hugged her legs and keened.
"Vesta?" Ceres pleaded, on the verge of tears herself. She placed a hand on Vesta's shoulder. It went unnoticed.
"Pallas," Vesta murmured between mournful sobs. "I'm so sorry. I did it again. I didn't mean it. Please believe me, I didn't. Please say something, Pallas. Please."
Having witnessed the tail end of what happened, Saturn circled around to Sailor Moon and crouched beside her. Sailor Moon accepted Saturn's attention gratefully.
"What happened?" Saturn asked. "She was trying to kill you!" Remembering her own nightmarish transformation, Saturn tensed. "Did Echidna get to her?"
Sailor Moon watched Helios limp over to Vesta. Her heart froze upon realizing he was injured, but she stayed back. She realized he was intent on something and gave him room to act. Helios knelt down to Vesta and placed a gentle hand on her head.
"Sleep," he urged, the horn on his forehead glowing, "and dream only happy dreams. They are under my power and my protection." Vesta calmed and her eyes closed.
"We need to find her," Sailor Moon told Saturn, her eyes on Vesta the entire time. "We need to stop her."
Once she was sure Helios was finished, Sailor Moon pulled away from Saturn and crossed over to him. Juno and Ceres were gathered around Vesta, worried looks etched on their faces. Sensing her approach, Helios turned to Sailor Moon and saw the look of distress on her face.
"Helios," she whimpered. "You're hurt."
"Few have come through this battle unscathed, Maiden," Helios replied. It seemed like he was looking into her heart and seeing everything she'd gone through while possessed by Echidna. Sailor Moon felt herself flush and shook it off.
"Well there's something I can do about this," she said and summoned the Crescent Moon Wand.
"Maiden, you need not," began Helios, but a stern look from Sailor Moon stopped him. "Very well," he sighed. "But do not strain yourself, I beg you. Your might may be needed against Echidna."
"Hush," Sailor Moon said. She pulled his shirt up and gasped. A huge, ugly bruise was swollen up on his side. Sailor Moon's lip trembled. Then she sobered and brought the wand near the injured side. "Moon Healing Escalation!"
Pink particles, moon dust if you will, flowed from the crescent of the wand and wafted down. When they landed on Helios they began to glow softly. The swelling started to recede. Discoloration in the skin faded. Everyone could see Helios begin to breathe easier. When Sailor Moon finished, Helios was healed. Smiling, he leaned over and gently kissed her on the lips.
"Thank you, Maiden," he said.
"Paid in full," Sailor Moon smirked.
The two rose. Sailor Moon sensed the presence of her father behind her and turned to him.
"I'm glad your safe, honey," Endymion told her. His hand gently caressed her cheek.
"Thanks to you and Mom," Sailor Moon said, looking down. "I-I, well, I guess I shouldn't have let her get the jump on me."
"It happens," Endymion said. "I know. You know all about my time with Queen Beryl. It's not like I can criticize you. And you fought your way out of it. Don't feel bad."
Sailor Moon swallowed. "Thanks, Pop," she whispered, hoping nobody else heard. Louder, she said, "We've got to find Echidna. She has to be stopped, now." The other senshi nodded while Vesta slept.
"I can find her," Helios proclaimed. "She can no more hide from me than I can from her. With your power, Your Majesty, we can - - put an end to this." He glanced over at Sailor Moon. Helios could see that she wanted to go with him, but didn't try to force his hand. "You may come as well, Maiden, if you wish."
"Do you think that's a good idea," Endymion ventured uneasily, "after what happened before?" Sailor Moon grimaced, but again said nothing.
"No," Helios replied bluntly, "but we may need her power. Echidna has proven before that she is capable of resisting your Golden Crystal."
"I was holding back before," Endymion replied.
"Dad, I won't get sucked in again!" Sailor Moon protested. He wanted to stay firm, but both she and Helios silently appealed to him.
"All right. But please, Sailor Moon, let ME handle it. Don't get involved unless you have to."
"Got it," she sighed reluctantly. Turning to the senshi, she said, "Maybe you three should stay behind and look after Vesta."
"Yes, Princess," Juno nodded.
"Princess?" Ceres added. "I know Vesta's sorry for what she did. You'd probably have to torture her to get her to admit it, but I know she is. She's not evil, Princess. Please don't hate her."
Sailor Moon looked down uncomfortably.
"Sure," she mumbled. "We've got to go." Sailor Moon quickly exited, followed by Helios and Endymion. Outside, Helios changed into his Pegasus form.
"I have sensed Echidna," he announced. Sailor Moon noticed his horn was glowing again. "Ride upon my back, Maiden."
Once she was aboard, Helios launched into the air while Endymion levitated beside them. Covering miles at a time, the trio flew toward a deep, dark cave set into a sharp, jagged mountain. The mountain was bare, with pointed outcroppings of rock seemingly poised to impale the unsuspecting. Long, deep black shadows hid entire portions of the mountain. Entire sections were recessed and draped, concealing any potential menace in black.
"Does everything in this place have to be creepy?" Sailor Moon asked.
"The denizens of this realm would be happy nowhere else," Helios replied. He dived down toward the cave. "She is in there."
The trio landed about twenty feet from the mouth of the cave. After Sailor Moon dismounted, Helios reverted to his humanoid form.
"It will be a perilous journey inside this cave," Helios warned. "Echidna will be at the advantage and she is yet very powerful. We must be alert to any potential threat."
"I've got a better way," Endymion said.
Standing erect, Endymion allowed an eerie calm to overtake his body. He began to glow with a golden aura and the others knew he was invoking the Golden Crystal again. For several moments he stood there, his glow building in brilliance. Helios and Sailor Moon stared in wonderment.
Then with a somnambulant motion Endymion reached under his breastplate with his hand. The gloved hand reappeared moments later holding a single red rose. Slowly, lazily he lifted the flower to his nose and partook of its bouquet.
Like a flash of light Endymion's hand snapped out, flinging the rose at the mountain. It struck the stone stem first. Instantly the mountain exploded outward. Rocks and gravel flew everywhere. Sailor Moon flinched into the arms of her lover. It was a moment before they both realized Endymion had erected a shield to protect them from the debris.
Sitting in the center of the blast, unscathed, was Echidna. She looked around her in confusion, sitting on the ground, hands braced on the ground and lower legs pointed north and south.
"Wasn't there a cave here a moment ago?" she wondered aloud. "I think there was a cave here. Oh why is it so hard for me to remember things?"
As Helios and Sailor Moon looked on in awe, Endymion purposefully strode toward her. His violet-black cape flowed behind him as he covered the distance between them a single step at a time. Echidna noticed him and shrank into herself.
"Y-You stay back!" she cried. "I'm queen here! This is my realm and these are my clutchy things and you HAVE TO DO WHAT I SAY!"
Undaunted, Endymion continued on.
"You have to! You have to do what I say!"
"I can't completely hate you," Endymion replied, his stride uninterrupted by his words or her threats. "You were given a terrible burden. You bore it well and with honor for as long as you could. Then you could bear it no longer and broke under its weight. I'm very, very sad for you."
Echidna looked up at him, her one visible eye large and moist.
"But you've thrown reality into chaos. You've disrupted everyone's life. You've caused immeasurable pain and suffering to so very many people." Endymion's jaw clenched. "And you threatened my daughter."
"Your Majesty," Helios warned.
"Don't worry, Helios," Endymion said, turning to him slightly. He was poised right over Echidna. "I know how much of a pointless and futile gesture killing her would be." He smiled wistfully. "I've been taught the quality of mercy by the best."
"OBEY ME!" spat Echidna suddenly. She shot her hands up and fired her black energy at Endymion point blank.
Endymion caught it effortlessly in his hand. Holding it out to her, he allowed the energy of the Golden Crystal to dissipate it.
"You've done enough," Endymion proclaimed. Pointing a finger at her, he hit Echidna between the eyes with a bolt of golden energy. Echidna sprawled onto her back and gazed sightlessly up into the air.
"Daddy?" Sailor Moon gasped softly. "Daddy, what did you do to her?"
"The only merciful thing within my power," Endymion answered, not looking at her. "I erased her mind. She won't threaten anyone again. Helios, if you would?"
Nodding, Helios crossed over and knelt down next to Echidna. His hand gently caressed her forehead.
"From this moment on, you will know only happy dreams," he said, his horn glowing. "I make this so by my power and my protection." They all noticed Echidna's blank stare turn into a happy one.
"Isn't there a way she could have been cured?" Sailor Moon asked. Both men noted the hint of betrayal in her tone.
"Echidna and I, we are not like humans," Helios said softly. "Once broken, there is no mending the thoughts and mind of one of the dream worlds. I'm sorry, Maiden. Would that I could tell you otherwise, for to so offend your idea of right and wrong pains me. It is the only thing the king and I could do to stop her."
"I'm not happy with what I did, honey," Endymion added. As he spoke, Helios once more took his Pegasus form. "If there was any other way - - but she was a danger to everyone and I had to think of them. She was too far gone to contain."
Sailor Moon looked down, her face pinched with sadness. It slashed both Endymion's heart and that of Helios. The king busied himself with levitating Echidna's sleeping form while Sailor Moon climbed up on Helios. The four travelers launched up into the air, headed for Echidna's temple to collect the Asteroid Senshi, then back to Elysian. Sailor Moon already noticed how somber the nightmare realm seemed, as if it were in mourning. It only served to make her feel worse.
"What happens now?" she asked timidly, almost dreading the answer.
"Echidna will return to Elysian where she will live out her days asleep and dreaming happy dreams," Helios thought to her. "Ironic, in that her fate would have been the fate of us all had she succeeded, save that our dreams would not have been happy ones."
"That doesn't make it any easier to take," Sailor Moon mumbled bitterly.
"I sympathize with your feelings, Maiden," Helios replied. "I never claimed this solution to be just - - merely necessary."
"Perhaps you'll understand better when you're older, honey," Endymion told her. "Or maybe you'll cling tenaciously to your optimism like your mother does." He grimaced to himself. "Try to think about how many were saved. Way back when, when I was a practicing doctor, we sometimes had to remove healthy tissue in order to halt the spread of diseased tissue. It wasn't an easy thing to do, but sometimes it was necessary."
Sailor Moon rode in silence.
Back at the temple, Saturn, Ceres and Juno had noticed the subtle shift in the environment of the nightmare realm. Before, the shadows seemed to twist and turn with a life of its own, a life unseen and suspiciously predatory. But now the darkness held only an eerie stillness.
"I don't like this at all," Ceres mumbled, clearly worried.
"You didn't like it before," Juno shot back, glancing around warily.
"So what," Ceres scowled. "I'm multi-dimensional. I can dislike several things at once." She glanced over at Saturn. "Are you sure those two creepy guys out there are taken care of?"
"I'm not sure of anything," Saturn replied. "But that hole I put them in was certainly deep enough. They won't get out of that for a while - - unless they can fly."
"Had to add that last part, didn't you," Juno grinned nervously. Saturn returned the expression.
"What do you suppose they're going to do to Vesta when we get back?" Ceres wondered aloud.
"I don't know," Juno answered. "But they're going to do something. They won't keep letting her slide. She lost her head, in battle, and attacked the princess. They can't ignore that."
"Doesn't the circumstances mean something?" Saturn offered. "I mean, I attacked you two. If they punish Vesta, wouldn't they have to punish me, too?"
"Vesta has a history," Juno said.
"I've got a bigger history than the four of you combined," Saturn answered. "Some of the others might want to punish her, but I don't think Queen Serenity will let them. She's very kind."
"Maybe you're right," Juno whispered, looking down at the sleeping Vesta. But she didn't believe it.
"What was that?" gasped Ceres, looking around suddenly. The three senshi fell into defensive postures. However, the sound proved to be the flap of Helios' wings on approach from the west. The three saw Helios, Sailor Moon, King Endymion and the rigid form of Echidna.
"I guess we won, huh?" Ceres ventured.
"We stopped her," Sailor Moon replied dourly. "I'm not going to claim it as a victory."
Vesta was draped across Helios. Endymion levitated the others and they were off toward Elysian. The procession traveled in silence, the others noting Sailor Moon's bleak mood and staying quiet. As they neared the Temple of Elysian, though, a sight was there to greet them that lifted everyone's spirits.
"You're back, you're back!" Sailor Pallas exclaimed gleefully as she sprinted from the temple. "You're all safe! Oh, Pallas was so very worried!"
Fisheye was behind her, happy to see everyone as well. Trailing them were Ravonna and Candide, walking at a dignified pace.
"Pallas, you're all right!" Juno gasped joyfully. When she touched down, she knelt and caught Pallas in her arms, giving the girl a big hug. "You got through it OK!"
"Because the king and the princess and the horsie-man stopped the bad voices," Pallas smiled. "Pallas ended up listening to them, but she's glad she didn't have to listen for very long."
"You sure you're all right?" Ceres asked.
"Pallas is fine, thank you," Pallas nodded. Then she noticed Sailor Moon and Sailor Saturn easing Vesta down. "Is Vesta hurt?"
"She's sleeping, Pallas," Juno told her.
"Pallas can tell now," Pallas nodded. "Vesta's so happy. That's good. She was so sad before, when she almost did the bad thing. Vesta feels so guilty. We should let her be happy as long as we can."
"Yeah," nodded Ceres sympathetically. "Might as well let her sleep. When she's asleep, she's not shooting her big mouth off."
Candide approached Helios, now humanoid again. Ravonna and Fisheye flanked her.
"Echidna?" Candide asked.
"She sleeps, Mother," Helios replied solemnly.
"Oh dear," Candid replied with a tone of dire finality.
"What is it, Helios?" Sailor Moon asked.
Helios bowed his head. Summoning strength to stand erect, he turned and faced Sailor Moon.
"The balance must be maintained, Maiden," Helios told her gravely. "The nightmare realms must have a guardian, just as Elysian must. As guardian of Elysian, the task falls to me to choose a successor for Echidna, as my mother once chose Echidna."
Turning away from her, Helios let his mind fan out over all of Elysian. Sailor Moon watched him as he stood motionless, his thoughts blanketing the realm of beautiful dreams. Then he winced and dropped his gaze.
"Ladon," he said and his voice seemed to echo over the hills. "You are summoned."
Within moments a male appeared. He was seventeen, with a lean, sturdy body, billowing shoulder length blond hair and soft, intelligent features. Sailor Moon heard Ceres suck in air behind her and understood.
"Ladon," Helios said, putting his hand on the youth's shoulder, "forgive me. I must charge you with being the guardian of the nightmare realms."
Ladon looked down with disappointment. "As you command, Lord Helios."
"Helios?" Sailor Moon interceded, desperation in her voice. "You can't send him into that! What if the same thing that happened to Echidna happens to him?"
"It shall happen, Maiden," Helios said with a heavy heart. "None can carry the terrible burden of violent and chaotic forces trapped within the nightmare realms and not break under the strain. This post has existed since the dawn of humanity and all who served have been broken sooner or later."
"That's barbaric!" Sailor Moon howled. "Helios, you can't do this! Please, if I mean anything to you, don't do this!"
Helios bowed his head. "As you wish, My Maiden. But the nightmare realms must have a guardian, else chaos and terror spill over the borders and into the waking world. If not Ladon," and he looked her squarely in the eye, "then the duty must fall to me."
Concluded in Chapter 12
CHAPTER 11: "The Hunt for Lady Echidna"
By Bill K.
"I'LL KILL YOU FOR THAT!" the lioness who had been Sailor Vesta roared. She pulled her head back, jaws open and teeth bared, prepared to plunge down and close around Sailor Moon's throat. Still dazed from expelling Echidna from her mind, Sailor Moon could only stare into the jaws of death.
"VESTA, NO!"
The thought exploded in Vesta's brain like a grenade. Time seemed to wink out for a moment. The next thing she knew, Vesta was sprawled face down on the floor of the temple, transformed back into a human. Her head rang. Her muscles were liquid. A sight registered with difficulty. It was Sailor Moon, on her side, pressed back against a wall and staring at Vesta with horror and betrayal.
Vesta felt something wet on her lip. Brushing a shaky hand over it, she found blood on her glove. Her nose was bleeding. Ceres was behind her saying something, but it didn't register. There was still an impression on her bruised and battered brain. Vesta tried to focus on it.
"Pallas?" Vesta asked. She didn't know if she'd asked verbally or mentally.
"Pallas is sorry," Vesta heard a weak voice in her mind. "She didn't mean . . . to shout. But you were going to do bad, Vesta. We can't . . . do that anymore."
"Pallas, what's wrong? You sound so weak!"
"Pallas is . . . so sleepy," she heard Pallas say in her head. "Listened . . . to the voices . . ."
"Pallas?" Vesta said out loud. "Pallas?!!"
Everyone stared at her, but Vesta didn't notice. She kept waiting for a response that wouldn't come.
And the tears came. Vesta curled up into a fetal ball and sobbed openly. Her chest shuddered as she hugged her legs and keened.
"Vesta?" Ceres pleaded, on the verge of tears herself. She placed a hand on Vesta's shoulder. It went unnoticed.
"Pallas," Vesta murmured between mournful sobs. "I'm so sorry. I did it again. I didn't mean it. Please believe me, I didn't. Please say something, Pallas. Please."
Having witnessed the tail end of what happened, Saturn circled around to Sailor Moon and crouched beside her. Sailor Moon accepted Saturn's attention gratefully.
"What happened?" Saturn asked. "She was trying to kill you!" Remembering her own nightmarish transformation, Saturn tensed. "Did Echidna get to her?"
Sailor Moon watched Helios limp over to Vesta. Her heart froze upon realizing he was injured, but she stayed back. She realized he was intent on something and gave him room to act. Helios knelt down to Vesta and placed a gentle hand on her head.
"Sleep," he urged, the horn on his forehead glowing, "and dream only happy dreams. They are under my power and my protection." Vesta calmed and her eyes closed.
"We need to find her," Sailor Moon told Saturn, her eyes on Vesta the entire time. "We need to stop her."
Once she was sure Helios was finished, Sailor Moon pulled away from Saturn and crossed over to him. Juno and Ceres were gathered around Vesta, worried looks etched on their faces. Sensing her approach, Helios turned to Sailor Moon and saw the look of distress on her face.
"Helios," she whimpered. "You're hurt."
"Few have come through this battle unscathed, Maiden," Helios replied. It seemed like he was looking into her heart and seeing everything she'd gone through while possessed by Echidna. Sailor Moon felt herself flush and shook it off.
"Well there's something I can do about this," she said and summoned the Crescent Moon Wand.
"Maiden, you need not," began Helios, but a stern look from Sailor Moon stopped him. "Very well," he sighed. "But do not strain yourself, I beg you. Your might may be needed against Echidna."
"Hush," Sailor Moon said. She pulled his shirt up and gasped. A huge, ugly bruise was swollen up on his side. Sailor Moon's lip trembled. Then she sobered and brought the wand near the injured side. "Moon Healing Escalation!"
Pink particles, moon dust if you will, flowed from the crescent of the wand and wafted down. When they landed on Helios they began to glow softly. The swelling started to recede. Discoloration in the skin faded. Everyone could see Helios begin to breathe easier. When Sailor Moon finished, Helios was healed. Smiling, he leaned over and gently kissed her on the lips.
"Thank you, Maiden," he said.
"Paid in full," Sailor Moon smirked.
The two rose. Sailor Moon sensed the presence of her father behind her and turned to him.
"I'm glad your safe, honey," Endymion told her. His hand gently caressed her cheek.
"Thanks to you and Mom," Sailor Moon said, looking down. "I-I, well, I guess I shouldn't have let her get the jump on me."
"It happens," Endymion said. "I know. You know all about my time with Queen Beryl. It's not like I can criticize you. And you fought your way out of it. Don't feel bad."
Sailor Moon swallowed. "Thanks, Pop," she whispered, hoping nobody else heard. Louder, she said, "We've got to find Echidna. She has to be stopped, now." The other senshi nodded while Vesta slept.
"I can find her," Helios proclaimed. "She can no more hide from me than I can from her. With your power, Your Majesty, we can - - put an end to this." He glanced over at Sailor Moon. Helios could see that she wanted to go with him, but didn't try to force his hand. "You may come as well, Maiden, if you wish."
"Do you think that's a good idea," Endymion ventured uneasily, "after what happened before?" Sailor Moon grimaced, but again said nothing.
"No," Helios replied bluntly, "but we may need her power. Echidna has proven before that she is capable of resisting your Golden Crystal."
"I was holding back before," Endymion replied.
"Dad, I won't get sucked in again!" Sailor Moon protested. He wanted to stay firm, but both she and Helios silently appealed to him.
"All right. But please, Sailor Moon, let ME handle it. Don't get involved unless you have to."
"Got it," she sighed reluctantly. Turning to the senshi, she said, "Maybe you three should stay behind and look after Vesta."
"Yes, Princess," Juno nodded.
"Princess?" Ceres added. "I know Vesta's sorry for what she did. You'd probably have to torture her to get her to admit it, but I know she is. She's not evil, Princess. Please don't hate her."
Sailor Moon looked down uncomfortably.
"Sure," she mumbled. "We've got to go." Sailor Moon quickly exited, followed by Helios and Endymion. Outside, Helios changed into his Pegasus form.
"I have sensed Echidna," he announced. Sailor Moon noticed his horn was glowing again. "Ride upon my back, Maiden."
Once she was aboard, Helios launched into the air while Endymion levitated beside them. Covering miles at a time, the trio flew toward a deep, dark cave set into a sharp, jagged mountain. The mountain was bare, with pointed outcroppings of rock seemingly poised to impale the unsuspecting. Long, deep black shadows hid entire portions of the mountain. Entire sections were recessed and draped, concealing any potential menace in black.
"Does everything in this place have to be creepy?" Sailor Moon asked.
"The denizens of this realm would be happy nowhere else," Helios replied. He dived down toward the cave. "She is in there."
The trio landed about twenty feet from the mouth of the cave. After Sailor Moon dismounted, Helios reverted to his humanoid form.
"It will be a perilous journey inside this cave," Helios warned. "Echidna will be at the advantage and she is yet very powerful. We must be alert to any potential threat."
"I've got a better way," Endymion said.
Standing erect, Endymion allowed an eerie calm to overtake his body. He began to glow with a golden aura and the others knew he was invoking the Golden Crystal again. For several moments he stood there, his glow building in brilliance. Helios and Sailor Moon stared in wonderment.
Then with a somnambulant motion Endymion reached under his breastplate with his hand. The gloved hand reappeared moments later holding a single red rose. Slowly, lazily he lifted the flower to his nose and partook of its bouquet.
Like a flash of light Endymion's hand snapped out, flinging the rose at the mountain. It struck the stone stem first. Instantly the mountain exploded outward. Rocks and gravel flew everywhere. Sailor Moon flinched into the arms of her lover. It was a moment before they both realized Endymion had erected a shield to protect them from the debris.
Sitting in the center of the blast, unscathed, was Echidna. She looked around her in confusion, sitting on the ground, hands braced on the ground and lower legs pointed north and south.
"Wasn't there a cave here a moment ago?" she wondered aloud. "I think there was a cave here. Oh why is it so hard for me to remember things?"
As Helios and Sailor Moon looked on in awe, Endymion purposefully strode toward her. His violet-black cape flowed behind him as he covered the distance between them a single step at a time. Echidna noticed him and shrank into herself.
"Y-You stay back!" she cried. "I'm queen here! This is my realm and these are my clutchy things and you HAVE TO DO WHAT I SAY!"
Undaunted, Endymion continued on.
"You have to! You have to do what I say!"
"I can't completely hate you," Endymion replied, his stride uninterrupted by his words or her threats. "You were given a terrible burden. You bore it well and with honor for as long as you could. Then you could bear it no longer and broke under its weight. I'm very, very sad for you."
Echidna looked up at him, her one visible eye large and moist.
"But you've thrown reality into chaos. You've disrupted everyone's life. You've caused immeasurable pain and suffering to so very many people." Endymion's jaw clenched. "And you threatened my daughter."
"Your Majesty," Helios warned.
"Don't worry, Helios," Endymion said, turning to him slightly. He was poised right over Echidna. "I know how much of a pointless and futile gesture killing her would be." He smiled wistfully. "I've been taught the quality of mercy by the best."
"OBEY ME!" spat Echidna suddenly. She shot her hands up and fired her black energy at Endymion point blank.
Endymion caught it effortlessly in his hand. Holding it out to her, he allowed the energy of the Golden Crystal to dissipate it.
"You've done enough," Endymion proclaimed. Pointing a finger at her, he hit Echidna between the eyes with a bolt of golden energy. Echidna sprawled onto her back and gazed sightlessly up into the air.
"Daddy?" Sailor Moon gasped softly. "Daddy, what did you do to her?"
"The only merciful thing within my power," Endymion answered, not looking at her. "I erased her mind. She won't threaten anyone again. Helios, if you would?"
Nodding, Helios crossed over and knelt down next to Echidna. His hand gently caressed her forehead.
"From this moment on, you will know only happy dreams," he said, his horn glowing. "I make this so by my power and my protection." They all noticed Echidna's blank stare turn into a happy one.
"Isn't there a way she could have been cured?" Sailor Moon asked. Both men noted the hint of betrayal in her tone.
"Echidna and I, we are not like humans," Helios said softly. "Once broken, there is no mending the thoughts and mind of one of the dream worlds. I'm sorry, Maiden. Would that I could tell you otherwise, for to so offend your idea of right and wrong pains me. It is the only thing the king and I could do to stop her."
"I'm not happy with what I did, honey," Endymion added. As he spoke, Helios once more took his Pegasus form. "If there was any other way - - but she was a danger to everyone and I had to think of them. She was too far gone to contain."
Sailor Moon looked down, her face pinched with sadness. It slashed both Endymion's heart and that of Helios. The king busied himself with levitating Echidna's sleeping form while Sailor Moon climbed up on Helios. The four travelers launched up into the air, headed for Echidna's temple to collect the Asteroid Senshi, then back to Elysian. Sailor Moon already noticed how somber the nightmare realm seemed, as if it were in mourning. It only served to make her feel worse.
"What happens now?" she asked timidly, almost dreading the answer.
"Echidna will return to Elysian where she will live out her days asleep and dreaming happy dreams," Helios thought to her. "Ironic, in that her fate would have been the fate of us all had she succeeded, save that our dreams would not have been happy ones."
"That doesn't make it any easier to take," Sailor Moon mumbled bitterly.
"I sympathize with your feelings, Maiden," Helios replied. "I never claimed this solution to be just - - merely necessary."
"Perhaps you'll understand better when you're older, honey," Endymion told her. "Or maybe you'll cling tenaciously to your optimism like your mother does." He grimaced to himself. "Try to think about how many were saved. Way back when, when I was a practicing doctor, we sometimes had to remove healthy tissue in order to halt the spread of diseased tissue. It wasn't an easy thing to do, but sometimes it was necessary."
Sailor Moon rode in silence.
Back at the temple, Saturn, Ceres and Juno had noticed the subtle shift in the environment of the nightmare realm. Before, the shadows seemed to twist and turn with a life of its own, a life unseen and suspiciously predatory. But now the darkness held only an eerie stillness.
"I don't like this at all," Ceres mumbled, clearly worried.
"You didn't like it before," Juno shot back, glancing around warily.
"So what," Ceres scowled. "I'm multi-dimensional. I can dislike several things at once." She glanced over at Saturn. "Are you sure those two creepy guys out there are taken care of?"
"I'm not sure of anything," Saturn replied. "But that hole I put them in was certainly deep enough. They won't get out of that for a while - - unless they can fly."
"Had to add that last part, didn't you," Juno grinned nervously. Saturn returned the expression.
"What do you suppose they're going to do to Vesta when we get back?" Ceres wondered aloud.
"I don't know," Juno answered. "But they're going to do something. They won't keep letting her slide. She lost her head, in battle, and attacked the princess. They can't ignore that."
"Doesn't the circumstances mean something?" Saturn offered. "I mean, I attacked you two. If they punish Vesta, wouldn't they have to punish me, too?"
"Vesta has a history," Juno said.
"I've got a bigger history than the four of you combined," Saturn answered. "Some of the others might want to punish her, but I don't think Queen Serenity will let them. She's very kind."
"Maybe you're right," Juno whispered, looking down at the sleeping Vesta. But she didn't believe it.
"What was that?" gasped Ceres, looking around suddenly. The three senshi fell into defensive postures. However, the sound proved to be the flap of Helios' wings on approach from the west. The three saw Helios, Sailor Moon, King Endymion and the rigid form of Echidna.
"I guess we won, huh?" Ceres ventured.
"We stopped her," Sailor Moon replied dourly. "I'm not going to claim it as a victory."
Vesta was draped across Helios. Endymion levitated the others and they were off toward Elysian. The procession traveled in silence, the others noting Sailor Moon's bleak mood and staying quiet. As they neared the Temple of Elysian, though, a sight was there to greet them that lifted everyone's spirits.
"You're back, you're back!" Sailor Pallas exclaimed gleefully as she sprinted from the temple. "You're all safe! Oh, Pallas was so very worried!"
Fisheye was behind her, happy to see everyone as well. Trailing them were Ravonna and Candide, walking at a dignified pace.
"Pallas, you're all right!" Juno gasped joyfully. When she touched down, she knelt and caught Pallas in her arms, giving the girl a big hug. "You got through it OK!"
"Because the king and the princess and the horsie-man stopped the bad voices," Pallas smiled. "Pallas ended up listening to them, but she's glad she didn't have to listen for very long."
"You sure you're all right?" Ceres asked.
"Pallas is fine, thank you," Pallas nodded. Then she noticed Sailor Moon and Sailor Saturn easing Vesta down. "Is Vesta hurt?"
"She's sleeping, Pallas," Juno told her.
"Pallas can tell now," Pallas nodded. "Vesta's so happy. That's good. She was so sad before, when she almost did the bad thing. Vesta feels so guilty. We should let her be happy as long as we can."
"Yeah," nodded Ceres sympathetically. "Might as well let her sleep. When she's asleep, she's not shooting her big mouth off."
Candide approached Helios, now humanoid again. Ravonna and Fisheye flanked her.
"Echidna?" Candide asked.
"She sleeps, Mother," Helios replied solemnly.
"Oh dear," Candid replied with a tone of dire finality.
"What is it, Helios?" Sailor Moon asked.
Helios bowed his head. Summoning strength to stand erect, he turned and faced Sailor Moon.
"The balance must be maintained, Maiden," Helios told her gravely. "The nightmare realms must have a guardian, just as Elysian must. As guardian of Elysian, the task falls to me to choose a successor for Echidna, as my mother once chose Echidna."
Turning away from her, Helios let his mind fan out over all of Elysian. Sailor Moon watched him as he stood motionless, his thoughts blanketing the realm of beautiful dreams. Then he winced and dropped his gaze.
"Ladon," he said and his voice seemed to echo over the hills. "You are summoned."
Within moments a male appeared. He was seventeen, with a lean, sturdy body, billowing shoulder length blond hair and soft, intelligent features. Sailor Moon heard Ceres suck in air behind her and understood.
"Ladon," Helios said, putting his hand on the youth's shoulder, "forgive me. I must charge you with being the guardian of the nightmare realms."
Ladon looked down with disappointment. "As you command, Lord Helios."
"Helios?" Sailor Moon interceded, desperation in her voice. "You can't send him into that! What if the same thing that happened to Echidna happens to him?"
"It shall happen, Maiden," Helios said with a heavy heart. "None can carry the terrible burden of violent and chaotic forces trapped within the nightmare realms and not break under the strain. This post has existed since the dawn of humanity and all who served have been broken sooner or later."
"That's barbaric!" Sailor Moon howled. "Helios, you can't do this! Please, if I mean anything to you, don't do this!"
Helios bowed his head. "As you wish, My Maiden. But the nightmare realms must have a guardian, else chaos and terror spill over the borders and into the waking world. If not Ladon," and he looked her squarely in the eye, "then the duty must fall to me."
Concluded in Chapter 12