Revised Version
Act 5 "Reappearance of the dream guardian! The truth about the nightmare revealed!"
A slight rustle echoed through the pitch-dark room of Bellona. The masked queen stood before a large oval mirror, her ivory mask covered in shadows by the brim of her hood. She waved her hand gently over the smooth surface, which began to ripple.
"Come to me princess…" Bellona's voice beckoned.
In Tokyo it was a cool autumn night. The tall skyward buildings hid away the moon, like a shy nymph concealing herself in a vast forest of gray. The brilliant Tokyo Tower stood out amidst the forest of gray concrete, acting like a beacon in the night. The moonlight gently reached out and illuminated the sleepy city. However, the silver beams found one sleeper in agony.
Chibi Usa's breath was quick and harsh. Her eyes closed tightly, trails of tears clearly marked on her pale face as the ever-haunting dream visited her once again. This time she was trapped in a corner, the voices all around her, taunting her.
"You almost killed your parents when you stole the crystal! Selfish girl!"
"Stupid!"
"Powerless to help your friend! Hahaha!"
This time Chibi Usa didn't cry, for her tears had been used up. She stared blankly into the dark oblivion. Chibi Usa's mind and body were numb as she gentle rocked back and forth, trying to hold herself together.
This time the voice did not come, instead, the pair of arms reached out from nowhere and sinisterly lowered itself toward the stunned girl.
Bellona grinned as she watched the mirror, she arms inside as she reached ever closer toward Chibi Usa. "Yes…yes…" she chanted longingly. Suddenly a golden flash of light appeared in the mirror. An intense burning sensation shot up Bellona's arms, forcing her to retract them from the mirror.
"NOOO!" Bellona bellowed in rage. The mirror cracked and the image of Chibi Usa disappeared, leaving the enraged queen in a cold fury. Bellona clutched her fist, her voice hoarse "I was so close! So close!" She turned and stormed toward her throne.
"Why is it that every time I am inches from grasping her I am thrown out of the dreamscape?" Bellona screamed in frustration.
"Perhaps I can be of some assistance my queen…" a voice offered from the dark. Bellona turned to face the sea of ghostly light beams. As she watched, Wise Man materialized before her, his crystal ball floating in between his hands. Wise Man continued, "There is a very simple solution to your plight your majesty."
Bellona approached Wise Man. Her pearly mask concealing all emotion except that of zealous eagerness. "How? Do you know why this has been happening?" Wise Man chuckled faintly, his crystal ball moved toward Bellona and stopped before the masked ruler's face.
"There is a guardian…" Wise Man began.
Bellona looked pass the crystal ball at Wise Man "A guardian?"
The crystal ball began to produce an image of a peaceful forest. As the image shifted, an ancient temple came to view. An image of a human boy emerged. The boy's eyes were bright like golden amber and had an air of solemnity and wisdom within their depth. His hair was whiter then the purest snow, giving away the slightest shade of blue in its wavy strands. Two crystal earrings dangle from each ear while a small, ruby, tear-shaped jewel rested upon his forehead. He wore a pure white robe with navy-blue tassels in a V-shaped formation on his chest. The most noticeable thing about him was the single glistening horn resting atop his head as it glittered majestically in the sun.
"You see before you the priest of the dream realm and guardian of the royal prince: Helios."
Bellona studied the person in the crystal ball in disbelief. "He is but a mere boy! How is it possible that he is the guardian of a whole realm?"
Wise Man acknowledged Bellona's amazement by confirming her doubt "It is true. Not many know of the realm in which he lives, much less his very existence. Myself included did not know until only recently." Wise Man moved closer to Bellona and said in a lower voice, "It is he who has been interfering with your plans."
Bellona swiftly turned to look at Wise Man "What!"
Wise Man chuckled and continued, "As priest of the dream world his duty is to protect the humans with pure dreams, including the future princess' dreams. Sensing our powers, it is only natural that he would attempt to stop your approaches toward her."
Intrigued, Bellona focused her attention on Wise Man "What do you have in mind then?"
The image faded from the crystal ball and flew back to its master. Wise Man's voice turned sinister and cold as a slight glint could been seen under his faceless hood.
"Leave it to me…"
Chibi Usa scratched her head as she dragged herself out of bed. She grudgingly changed and headed toward the bathroom. Most of the other inhabitants of the house were already up and about. Ikuko, as usual, was cooking breakfast while Kenji and Shingo ate.
Chibi Usa brushed her teeth and splashed her face with cold water, failing to wash away the bags under her blood shot eyes. She looked up at her reflection. Her hair was disheveled and her eyes looked horrible. Disgusted, she looked away and was about to reach for the door when it suddenly slammed open, hitting her right on the face.
"Chibi Usa are you done yet?" Usagi stepped through the door and looked bewildered after seeing no one around. She looked down and saw a groaning Chibi Usa clutching her nose.
"Stupid Usagi! Knock before you come in!" yelled an infuriated Chibi Usa.
Usagi giggled as she apologized, "Sorry! I didn't hear anyone in here so I thought you were done." Chibi Usa glared at Usagi as she picked herself up. When Chibi Usa glanced at the mirror she saw that her nose was bleeding, so she quickly turned and ran toward her room, leaving a puzzled Usagi standing by the bathroom.
Usagi watched as the pink one disappeared up the stairs leading to her room. That's strange…she usually yelled at me a lot more over something like this… Usagi thought to herself when she remembered something. She followed Chibi Usa toward the attic and shouted when she reached the foot of the stairs.
"Hey Chibi Usa, don't forget we're meeting the girls at the park today!"
After a few minutes Chibi Usa's exhausted voice came down from the attic. "I know…"
Usagi watched the small opening, thinking Chibi Usa might have cleaned up her bloody nose and was ready for a fight with her over the bathroom door incident. However there wasn't a sound from Chibi Usa's room. Usagi sighed and walked away reluctantly, her blue eyes filled with worry. She's been acting strangely each morning…something's not right…
Up stairs in her room Chibi Usa sat mournfully on her bed, even the cute Luna-P patterned blanket seemed to lose its sense of cheerfulness. She tilted her head down and waited until her nose was no longer bleeding, then wiped her nose with white tissue paper. Chibi Usa picked up her brooch and ran her hand over the smooth surface of her pink transformation brooch, then gently flipped the lid open. The silver crystal appeared a dull silver color while Chibi Usa sat with her back to the window. The injury to her nose wasn't so much unpleasant pain to her body, for she was used to that as a senshi. It was what amounted to her spirit. After compounding painful injuries to her esteem during her dreams, she simply couldn't take no more of this. Sighing heavily, Chibi Usa closed the brooch and placed it on the table. She threw away the soiled tissue and looked out the window.
It was an ordinary autumn day in Tokyo. The red and gold colored tree leaves were rustling softly in the cool breeze. Gray building reached toward the horizon, with Tokyo Tower standing prominently in the midst. The sky was a joyful blue with birds chirping away in the distant trees. The sounds of city life were reduced to a murmur by the closed windows.
Chibi Usa took out the Time Key which hung on a chain around her neck. She stared blankly at the object as she contemplated what to do.
Maybe I should go back…What good am I here; I'll only be a drag…Chibi Usa nodded in agreement with her thoughts and began to pick up her belongings, packing them into her backpack. Just then Diana appeared above the trap door and watched in surprise as her mistress pushed a notebook into the bunny shaped backpack.
"Small Lady…where are you going?"
Chibi Usa replied with out looking up "I'm going home Diana…"
"What! Why didn't you tell me?" the gray cat ran across the room and placed her front paws on the backpack.
Chibi Usa looked up and said to the astonished cat "I have to go back… there's no point of me being here…I'll only get in the way."
Diana's whiskers drooped. The cat looked at her mistress determinedly, "I'm going back with you."
Chibi Usa shook her head. "Luna and Artemis will miss you. You can stay here for a little while longer."
Diana shook her head, the bell on her collar jingled. "What about Mamoru-sama and Usagi-sama and the others? Don't you think this is too abrupt?"
Chibi Usa picked Diana up and placed the anxious cat in her lap, her slim legs curled up on the soft carpet. "I'm going to tell them today at the park..." The teenage girl's ruby eyes closed partially, gloom and sadness filled her spirit. "I'm no use here…"
Later that day, Chibi Usa and Usagi left the house. Even though Diana wanted to come, Chibi Usa insisted that she stayed. Thus, the gray cat watched as her mistress left the house, meowing mournfully from the window. The girls met Luna who had been out exploring during the morning. Usagi walked slowly behind Chibi Usa, her eyes focused on the filled backpack that Chibi Usa carried. Usagi's attention was suddenly redirected when she heard a car approaching them from the distance. A red racecar stopped gracefully beside the two as the driver side window rolled down.
"Will the young ladies be needing a ride?" Mamoru asked with a smile.
Usagi grinned and nodded "Thank you Prince Charming!" Mamoru turned to greet Chibi Usa who only smiled in response and got in the car after Usagi.
After the car was on the road again, none of the passengers spoke. There was a heavy silence between the two Tsukino girls in the back. Mamoru watched from his rare-view mirror as the two girls looked out separate windows.
"Chibi Usa… are you going back home?" Usagi said abruptly. Mamoru raised an eyebrow in surprise but said nothing as he continued to observe the two girls. Luna stared wide-eyed at the news.
Chibi Usa paused, her head nodded slowly. Usagi turned toward her and looked at her with a blend of surprise and concern in her deep blue eyes. "But why! You've been here for only a month or so…" Then a thought hit her. Usagi backed away slightly, her eyes widened "It's because of your crystal…isn't it?" Chibi Usa didn't reply, silently confirming Usagi's suspicions.
Chibi Usa turned from the window, her head slightly tilted as she said half-heartedly, "Usagi, you know as well as I do that I'm no use here…" Chibi Usa swallowed. "There's nothing I can do until we figure something out, and with the new enemy I'll only be a burden to you and the others…" the teenager summoned up a smile as tears slid down her cheeks. She looked down at the car floor and said in a broken voice "I've decided to return to the 30th century…"
A deafening silence filled the car as it shot down the road. The only audible sounds were that of the passing cars and the soft, weeping sounds of a young woman. Usagi moved closer and hugged the younger girl in her arms. Luna placed her front paws on Chibi Usa's hands, trying to comfort her.
"It's okay Chibi Usa…It's okay…" Usagi tried to mollify Chibi Usa as she sobbed. After a few moments of silent, Chibi Usa sniffed and wiped her tears on her sleeve.
The pink teen inhaled a deep breath before she whispered briskly, "Thanks Usagi…" Chibi Usa inhaled another shaky breath and felt her heart beat steadily return to normal. "I didn't want to leave at first because I…I didn't want to be seen as a coward, but now…" Chibi Usa gulped as she forced the harsh truth out of her mouth. "I can't even protect my friends! My best friend was being attacked while I was trapped like an animal!" Her eyes flashed in anguish as she felt another round of tears gathering strength in her eyes. "I'm no good to anyone under my present condition. Leaving is my only option." Chibi Usa breathed deeply for a few second before continuing, "Maybe Mama, Papa and the senshis in the future can help me figure something out. Maybe they can help me…do you understand?" Chibi Usa looked toward Usagi, hoping her life long idle would comprehend her dilemma.
The blonde woman smiled softly and nodded "Don't worry Chibi Usa." Usagi took Chibi Usa's hands and squeezed them gently "I never thought of you as a coward. After all we've been through, after all the battles how could I?"
Luna nodded, her whiskers bouncing up and down "You are a brave girl, being alone in a different time period all by yourself isn't easy."
Usagi patted the teenager's hands and said reassuringly "I'm sure the others are as much aware of that fact as I am."
"She's right." Mamoru said for the first time "You are a great senshi Chibi Usa-chan, and no one can deny that. There is no shame in not being able to transform; it's not your fault."
Usagi nodded in agreement and comforted Chibi Usa with a pat on the back. "Just make sure you get home safely and get some rest before you tackle this problem. Even Sailor Moon can't fight without rest!" Usagi added jokingly.
Chibi Usa laughed, feeling a great burden had been lifted off her shoulders. "Don't worry, I will. I just hope whatever the reason is, I can get my powers back soon." Chibi Usa eyed Usagi and for the first time in weeks, a mischievous glint returned in her eyes. "I just hope you can handle it without me Usagi. You might end up falling asleep while fighting the enemy!"
Usagi laughed and put the pink-headed girl in a headlock while she gave her a nuggy. "You little brat!" Usagi cried as both of them laughed.
At the park the other girls were already there, waiting for the future royal family.
"Hi guys!" shouted Usagi as she ran toward the group. "I hope you guys didn't have to wait too long." Usagi laughed bashfully.
Ami shook her head "Not at all. In fact we just got here about five minutes ago."
Makoto winked "It's not often that you arrive on time Usagi-chan. What's the rush?"
Rei grinned deviously "She probably has work at home, that's why." Usagi glared at Rei, and Rei glared back. Soon there were sparks flying between them.
The other girls sweat dropped when they noticed Mamoru and Chibi Usa coming toward them. "Oh Mamoru-san, Chibi Usa-chan, you guys are here too!" Makoto smiled as she greeted the two with a wave.
After the exchange of greetings the group went to sit down on top a near by hill. The hill raised over the skyline and the city below looked like a giant sea of gray and colorful billboard signs.
"So what's up?" asked Minako as she sat comfortably on the green grass.
Usagi looked at Chibi Usa and said hesitantly "Chibi Usa has an announcement to make…" the group looked surprised, everyone's eyes suddenly adverted to the quiet girl sitting beside Usagi and Mamoru.
Chibi Usa took a deep breath and looked around at her fellow senshis. "I have made a decision…" she began, but a loud boom from above interrupted her.
"What the hell was that!" cried Makoto as the girls stood up and watched the sky suddenly turn gray and black. Lightning flashed and thunders crackled as wind started to pick up. Leaves were stripped from their branches and animals ducked for cover as the sudden storm exploded in the skies above Tokyo.
"I don't remember a storm warning on the weather report this morning!" Ami shouted at the top of her lungs as the ragging wind roared.
Rei's eyes narrowed suspiciously as she watched the sudden storm unleash its fury upon the unprepared city. I sense a strong evil force in this storm…it's definitely not natural!
Just then, amidst the crashing thunder and glaring lightning, a speck of golden light appeared in the blackened skies above. The light grew into a brilliant ball of as it maneuvered through the stormy weather. Soon a ball of black mist appeared behind it, quickly pursuing the other sphere as they flew down to earth.
As the two spheres approached the skies above the park, Chibi Usa gasped. The golden light from the first sphere started to fade, revealing the shape of a white winged horse in the distance.
"Pegasus!" Chibi Usa cried in utter astonishment.
Pegasus flew this way and that as it tried to avoid the black sphere behind it. Suddenly the sphere began to augment and it quickly shifted into the form of a part human, part eagle and part lion Sphinx. Its fur was a rumpled hazel brown; its large wings were twice the lengths of its body. The prodigious Sphinx cruised effortlessly in the stormy wind, it's golden eyes locked onto the defenseless Pegasus.
Usagi turned toward the others and said urgently, "We have to help Pegasus and stop that monster! Transform everyone!"
Chibi Usa nodded and automatically reached for her brooch. Her hand stopped short of the brooch, she turned her face away and dropped her hand back to her side, her face crestfallen.
"Chibi Usa you'd better hide behind the tree line. You might get hurt!" shouted a transformed Sailor Moon. Hard pressed, Chibi Usa had no other choice but to follow Sailor Moon's words.
The deafening noise of thunders rolled on as the two creatures continue to play a game of cat and mouse high in the sky. The Sphinx suddenly sped forth and pounced toward the white equine from behind. Pegasus saw the sphinx out from the corner of his eyes and barely had enough time to dodge the attack, receiving three ugly gashes across his right front leg.
"Uhhh!" Pegasus responded in pain as he back away from the sphinx. Like a true wild cat, the human face on the Sphinx grinned savagely, as it grew increasingly excited by the chase. Now the sight of blood made it even more eager to dig its sharp claws into the Pegasus' flesh.
"Pegasus!" Chibi Usa screamed, helpless as she watched droplets of warm, red blood dripped from her friend.
"We have to distract it, and try to get it onto the ground where we may have the advantage!" shouted Mercury. Mars nodded and kept a keen eye on the Sphinx before she locked onto the monster and unleashed her arrow.
"Mars Flame Sniper!"
Despite the fierce wind, the arrow flew directly at the monster, striking it in the flank. The Sphinx screeched in pain, momentarily distracted from the chase by the pain of the burn. Pegasus wasted no time in taking advantage of the Sphinx's momentary distraction, diving as fast as he could down toward the ground.
Chibi Usa watched as Pegasus dived toward the trees. Desperation and concern over took her as she forgot all about Sailor Moon's words of warning. Chibi Usa picked herself up and ran, following the white blur above. Pegasus' wings flapped wearisomely as he landed in a small clearing in the woods. The equine's legs buckled just as Chibi Usa appeared in the clearing. His front leg was bloody and his breath was laborious. A flurry of white feathers changed Pegasus back into his human form. Helios grasped his right arm as blood trickled down and knelt down atop the grass, his body too drained to support himself on two legs.
"Helios!" Chibi Usa rushed to the priest's side and supported him in her arms. "Helios are you all right?" Chibi Usa felt stupid for asking such a redundant question but a weary smile from Helios quenched the question of any serious injury. On closer inspection Chibi Usa noticed that Helios's breath was shallow and his forehead was dotted with sweat.
"I will be all right…I'm just drained from using the Golden Crystal…" Helios comforted Chibi Usa while she helped him stood up.
A shriek from above confirmed the fact that the Sphinx was mobile again. Helios turned toward Chibi Usa and said with great urgency in his voice, "We had better stay hidden or else it may find us." Chibi Usa nodded and the two hid under a large oak tree, concealing them from being seen from above.
Listening closely, Chibi Usa couldn't pick up any voices. I must not have noticed how far I ran. I'm too deep inside the woods… Chibi Usa looked back at Helios who was resting against the tree trunk. She sat down beside the boy with the snow-white hair and began treating his injured arm. The cuts weren't deep but they were long and gruesome to look at. Chibi Usa ripped off a part of her skirt and tied a piece just above the wound. Then she tightly wrapped the remaining strip of cloth around the wound itself.
"This is the best I can do without any proper first aid supplies. The bleeding should stop soon," said Chibi Usa as she put in the last touches to the crude bandage. When she looked up she surprised to find Helios smiling back at her.
Helios spoke in a soft but firm voice, his eyes focused on the princess-turned-nurse. "Once again you have saved me Maiden," Helios smile deepened, gratitude clearly shown on his tired face "Thank You."
Chibi Usa couldn't help but blush at his words. It was true that she had saved him from the clutches of the Dead Moon Circus. The reason for their fated meeting in the first place was due to the invasion of Queen Nehellenia. But after four years of separation both of them have changed, though to different degrees. Unlike Chibi Usa, Helios did not grow much taller, possibly no more than half a head taller than herself. However his warm amber eyes and calm demeanor were still as Chibi Usa remembered them. Not knowing what to say, Chibi Usa only responded by smiling back coyly. A long silence broke over them as the forest rustled from the wind. The gale force wind outside seemed to have no effect on this hidden oasis. Trying to break the awkward silence, Chibi Usa decided to ask the foremost question on her mind.
"Helios, what happened in Elysian? Why are you here and why is that thing after you?"
Chibi Usa noticed Helios's eyes dropped as he began to answer her questions.
"I'm not sure, but…" Helios looked at Chibi Usa, amber eyes met ruby eyes. "Have you been having certain disturbing nightmares lately?"
Startled and horrified, Chibi Usa's mouth let out a small gasp before she turned her eyes away from those of Helios. That was all the confirmation Helios needed in place of a yes.
"Lately I have noticed that a considerable number of your dreams were nightmares, in fact the same dream over and over again." Helios turned to look out across the endless sea of red and golden, his voice hush.
"Those were no ordinary nightmares."
Chibi Usa slowly turned back to look at him, her eyes wide.
"I felt an unnatural dark energy inside your dreams, and I think someone is trying to manipulate them." Helios's eyes darkened. "Whoever it is was trying to reach you through your dreams. Luckily each time I was able to intercept and end the dreams before they did any further damage."
Chibi Usa's heart almost skipped a beat. She looked at the dream guardian and whispered "The voice I heard before…it was you…"
Helios smiled. "It is my duty as the guardian of Elysian…" He explained "I believe whoever sent you those disturbing dreams does not wish for me to interfere any longer. That is why that monster was sent after me, to eliminate me." Looking up at the patches of blue sky above the aged oak tree, Helios's eyes suddenly seemed far off as he began reciting his escape.
"I was in Elysian when this happened. The sky suddenly turned gray like it did here when a portal opened. I didn't know what was happening but the next thing I knew that monster was coming towards me." Helios took a deep breath before continuing, his wounds once again causing him pain.
"I ran…"
Chibi Usa noticed a tone of shame in Helios' voice with those two particular words as he continued his narrative. "The dark energy from it was damaging Elysian. Wherever it followed me the trees and plants welted and died…it was like the Dead Moon Circus all over again…" Helios's amber eyes dimmed, the corner of his eyes narrowed as the horrific memory came flooding back to him. The pink princess could almost sense the horror, fear, frustration, and anger that washed over the priest, especially when his beloved land had only recently recovered from the poisonous grasp of the Dead Moon Circus. "I had to get it away from Elysian before it did any further damage, so I changed into Pegasus and tried my best to lead it away from Elysian. At that time the senshis were the only ones I knew who could help me so I came here. I'm sorry I have once again caused you so much trouble."
Chibi Usa shook her head, a slight smile on her lips. However, the rest of her expression betrayed her worry. "But what are you going to do? They-whoever they are-might not give up on you so easily."
Helios nodded in agreement "True. I must return to Elysian as soon as possible; I can't stay here for long."
"Oh…"
Chibi Usa remembered that Helios belonged in the dream world. What's more, he's the guardian of a very important realm, one in which if evil penetrated will spell disaster for all of humanity. That made it even more crucial for Helios to return at the first opportunity. Chibi Usa's heart sank. She knew there was nothing she could do about it, perhaps they were never meet to see each other once again. Chibi Usa looked up again when Helios spoke to her.
"Chibi Usa-chan," Helios began gently "I think you must tell the others about this dream of yours. It is an important clue to the perpetrator who had been causing you so much pain."
Helios was surprised when Chibi Usa grasped his hand and shook her head; her eyes frightened with a touch of near hysteria at the suggestion. "Please Helios, don't tell the others!" she begged. "I don't want the others to know how weak I feel…I have lost enough of my dignity as a senshi as it is! If they knew how I behaved, in a dream to say the least, then…I'm just can't!" Chibi Usa couldn't go on as she felt tears once again beckoning to be released.
"Chibi Usa-chan…" Helios wanted to say something, but the look on Chibi Usa's face deterred him, his hand pressed against the frightened teen's as a heavy gloom befallen the two while a cool breeze sent autumn leaves floated down to the ground.
Just then, a noise from behind the trees caught the their attention. "Did you hear that?" Chibi Usa whispered to Helios. She carefully pushed herself off the ground and slowly stood up.
Helios nodded and watched the woods around them nervously. In the dense forest the sound of the wind had died down. The noise grew closer until it seemed it was only inches away from them.
Chibi Usa's muscles tensed and stiffened as she anticipated the Sphinx leaping out of the bushes to attack them.
Instead it was Tuxedo Kamen who popped out from behind the bushes. Kamen breathed a sigh of relief as he rushed toward the two spooked teenagers, his black cape rippling in the warm sun.
"Tuxedo Kamen, it's you…we thought you were the monster and have followed us here." Chibi Usa sighed and almost laughed in relief at the sight of her rescuer.
"Sorry Chibi Usa-chan," Tuxedo Kamen smiled in apology before his face became serious once again. "We saw Pegasus land in the forest and then you ran after him." Kamen turned to look at Chibi Usa, "I came after you to make sure the two of you were all right."
Chibi Usa nodded, but inside she felt useless once again. It was obvious to her that her own father doesn't trust in her ability to protect herself. "What about the others?" Chibi Usa said, trying to draw her mind away from her previous thoughts.
Tuxedo Kamen shook his head "The monster was still in the air when I left. The senshis should be able to hold it off…"
Just then the three of them heard a loud crashing sound coming from above them.
"GET DOWN!"
Tuxedo Kamen pushed Chibi Usa and Helios to the ground without thinking. A roar came booming into their ears as the Sphinx crashed through the canopy that had once shielded the pair, leaving broken branches and torn leaves in its path of destruction.
The senshis and the cats soon appeared in the clearing with Sailor Moon in the lead. "Chibi Usa!" Sailor Moon screamed and felt slightly relieved when Chibi Usa and Helios lifted up their heads, proving that they were not seriously injured.
The senshis formed a protective wall before the two vulnerable teenagers. Kamen shot a glance at Mars who was standing near him. Mars answered without letting her eyes wonder from the Sphinx "After you left, it got the idea to follow you. We followed after it, hoping we'll reach you guys before it did." Kamen nodded and turned to look at the Sphinx, which was growling and snarling at the senshis.
"It's time we teach this over-grown cat a lesson!" said Jupiter as she raised her arms into the air.
"Jupiter Oak Evolution!"
The flying leaves exploded upon impact with the Sphinx, forcing it back a few steps away from the senshis.
The human face of the Sphinx growled fiercely at the senshis. It flapped its monstrous wings repeatedly, creating a miniature tornado. The fall leaves traced the path of the wind as it carried branches and twigs into the air.
The senshis had to shield their eyes from the dust the monster up lifted. Once the Sphinx saw that the senshis were distracted, it leaped into the air and pounced toward Helios and Chibi Usa. Tuxedo Kamen stood protectively before the two, his cane raised, ready to fight.
"Venus!" Artemis shouted at his partner.
"Oh no you don't!" Venus pointed her finger at the Sphinx.
"Venus Love Me Chain!"
The heart shaped lasso wrapped itself around the Sphinx's enormous head. Venus gripped the lasso with her other hand and held the Sphinx back, just out of reach from its targets.
Mercury ran up against the dying wind and called upon her planetary power.
"Mercury Aqua Rhapsody!"
The chilling water froze the monster in its place. Covered from head to toe in blue ice, the once fierce Sphinx stood motionless as the senshis closed in around it.
Sailor Moon responded by raising her gold and silver wand high into the air.
"Silver Moon Crystal Power Kiss!"
Instantly the monster was smashed to pieces. The broken pieces of ice evaporated into whiffs of smoke as the last of the monster disappeared.
Later at Rei's house everyone was seated around the table in her living room while Ami dressed Helios' wounds. Rei had prepared some tea and tea cookies for everyone. However, Usagi was the only one who seemed interested in them as everyone else's attention was focused on Helios, who was telling them what had happened.
After finishing his story, Helios smiled weakly and said apologetically "And that's why I entered into this world. I'm sorry for all the trouble I make for all of you."
Makoto shook her head, a bright smile on her face "Don't worry about it! We're the Sailor Senshis after all. It's our job to protect people." She turned to look at Ami as the future doctor packed away the first aid kite. "How's his wounds Ami-chan?"
Ami looked up from her work, her hand still holding a roll of gauze. "The wound isn't deep, but it was sever and could have caused serious bleeding. However…" Ami smiled proudly at Chibi Usa "If it weren't for Chibi Usa-chan's quick actions it might have been worse then it is now."
Chibi Usa blushed from Ami's praise.
"I don't get it. Why would the enemy sent a monster after you? Unless it had something to do with Elysian or dreams right?" Wondered Artemis, who was sitting on Minako's lap.
Chibi Usa's muscles tensed up as she watched Helios intensely. Helios paused for a moment and glanced over at the nervous teenager. He saw the look on Chibi Usa's face, wordlessly begging him not to tell them about her dream. Helios complied with a slight nod, but his brows betrayed the discomfort at lying to the senshis.
"I…I don't know…" he stuttered.
"So the plot thickens…" pondered Rei, her elbows resting on the table "That adds one more mystery to our new enemy."
Helios glanced at Chibi Usa who sighed softly in relief. A saddened look appeared on the boy priest's face when Mamoru's voice returned his attention to the matter at hand.
"Helios are you going to be all right? I thought you can't be away from Elysian for long?"
The dream guardian nodded, his left hand resting against his injured arm "As long as Elysian is not in any danger and the Golden Crystal is safe then I will be all right. Nevertheless, I wish to return to Elysian as soon as I can. My duty rests within the land of dreams."
Chibi Usa looked away from the groups and out at the waving sea of fiery red leaves. She felt kindred to the falling leaves as her own heart fell. She wanted Helios to stay but he had made it clear before that he must return to Elysian. It was his duty as priest, just as her duty as princess; they were bound by their own separate destinies.
Later the group exited the building and walked into the open back yard. There was no one there but the trees and small woodland creatures. Rei motioned with her hand "There's nobody here today. Grandpa and Yuuichirou are out of town for some sort of 'training' today so you don't have to worry that someone might see you."
Helios bowed in gratitude "Thank you Rei-san." As he walked past he shot a glance at the pink haired maiden. He could tell that there was something that Chibi Usa wanted to tell him, but with all the commotion and tied up feelings, they never got a chance to sit down and talk. Her face was gloomy, not like the little girl he once knew.
The truth was that Helios did not wish to return to Elysian so soon after being reunited with her. He can't quite place this feeling but he wanted to comfort her and reassure her, just like he did in the old days. As devoted as Helios was to protecting Elysian, at this moment he simply wanted to protect her dream. Chibi Usa was the maiden with the beautiful dream that had protected both their worlds from eternal nightmare, the maiden who set him free from the grip of evil. And yet here he was, deserting her when she needed him during a time of inner doubt and uncertainty.
Just then Chibi Usa looked directly at him. The two of them made eye contact and in that moment a silent conversation seemed to pass between them.
Good bye, Helios… thought Chibi Usa sadly.
Forgive me for leaving you Maiden. Please understand… Helios thought before turning to the others.
"I'll be going now. Take care everyone, and thank you for all the help you had given me…" said Helios. He then looked at Chibi Usa who was standing at the very front of the group, her eyes sad "…Good Bye… Maiden" Helios whispered to himself as he closed his eyes and concentrated on opening a portal to Elysian.
The air began to buzz with an invisible energy. The horn atop Helios' head began to glow a radiant yellow. In a flash of golden fire, the Golden Crystal appeared before the priest; its light seemed to out shinned those of the late evening sun. The shifting light from the sacred flame danced against the shadow of the group as they watched in silence.
Slowly, a black oval-shaped hole appeared began to appear, stretching out like an ameba. The hole grew bigger and bigger when it suddenly froze. Helios opened his eyes in disbelieve and a sharp gasp escaped his lips. With in seconds, the portal snapped shut, leaving only a quiet forest scene and a group of astonished people.
The Golden Crystal vanished. Helios's knees suddenly give way as before, causing him to collapse to the floor. Chibi Usa gasped and rushed to support her weakened friend.
Helios shook his head, and slowly stood up by himself. His breath was shallow as if he'd been running "How could this be! The Golden Crystal can't open the portal to Elysian." He asked in astonishment.
Rei crossed her brows "That's strange, I felt a chill just before the portal snapped shut." She turned to Ami "Ami-chan, can you do a reading of the area with you computer?"
Ami nodded and began to enter data into her mini laptop. Whatever it was that Ami found, it made her gasp which was something that the blue-haired genius doesn't do every often.
"What is it?" Usagi asked, her hand readily on her brooch.
Ami gulped. Her voice slightly shaky, "It seemed…that this space time dimension had been enclosed by some sort of force field." Ami looked at Helios and Chibi Usa "In other words, I'm afraid Helios won't be able to return to Elysian."
Hearing this, a thought entered Usagi's head. "Ami-chan, does that also means that space travel is not possible either?" she asked softly.
"Yes. Apparently this 'lid'-if you will-covered this entire space time dimension. So it would make sense if space travel is now impossible as well."
Chibi Usa's eyes dropped, knowing her way back home had just been shut off. She was now trapped within this harsh reality.
Rei's eye narrowed. Her mind deep in thought "Will we be able to destroy this 'lid', whatever it is?"
"I'm afraid not." replied Ami as she closed her computer and tucked it away in her skirt pocket "If something as powerful as the Golden Crystal cannot penetrate it then I highly doubt that we will be able to do anything. We'll just have to wait and see."
Usagi turned to look at Chibi Usa who had an extremely mixed expression on her face. She walked toward the two confused teenagers and rested her hand on their shoulders.
"Don't worry. Helios, you'll be all right if you stay here for a bit won't you?" Helios nodded, bewilderment still lingered in his amber colored eyes.
"As long as I do not use the Golden Crystal and Elysian is safe." Helios replied slowly.
"Good. Chibi Usa-" Usagi smiled but Rei interrupted her
Rei looked at Chibi Usa, as if she suddenly remembered something "Speaking of which, Chibi Usa-chan didn't you say you had something to tell us earlier?"
Chibi Usa shook her head. Her voice uncertain "Uh, it was nothing Rei-chan…"
Minako glanced up and looked toward the setting sun "Wow, it's getting late. We'll need to get home soon."
The others nodded when Makoto popped a question "Um, who is Helios going to stay with? We can't let him go into public like this and whoever or whatever attacked us earlier may try something while he's here."
Rei nodded in agreement "Mako-chan's right. I would gladly offer Helios a room at the temple but after Yuuichirou's performance when Mamoru-san was here, well…" Rei blushed and twirled her hair uneasily as she remembered the embarrassing moment she had with Mamoru in the bathhouse. Usagi shot her a deathly glare, evidently still mad about the incident.
"Maybe Helios can stay with us at home?" Chibi Usa offered hopefully, her cheeks a light shade of pink.
Usagi shook her head, Her hand still on her future daughter's shoulder "Can't. How are we going to explain Helios to Mom and Dad?" Chibi Usa's shoulders slumped in disappointment.
Seeing how everyone had difficulties with the whole matter, Helios was about to comment when Mamoru suddenly said, "He can stay with me."
The others all stared at him in surprise while Mamoru continued "The apartment might not be big but it can certainly accommodate two people. I'm sure the landlord has a spare bed and I have some extra cloth for Helios to change into. Plus, with all the medical supplies from my university classes I could look after his wound."
"But Prince Endymion I -"
Helios was about to protest but Mamoru silenced him with a smile. "It's alright Helios." Mamoru turned and placed his hand firmly on Helios shoulder "You've saved me and the senshis from the Dead Moon Circus, which we may not have known anything about if it weren't for you. It's the least I could do to repay you. No matter if I'm your prince or not." Rendered speechless, the priest closed his eyes and smiled back in acceptance.
"Well, we'd better get going. See you guys later!" shouted Minako as the group dispersed. Usagi, Chibi Usa and Helios all went inside Mamoru's car as he took the Tsukino girls home.
Later, as the car stopped in front of Usagi's house, Usagi happily thanked Mamoru for the ride. Chibi Usa sneaked toward the back window and whispered to Helios "Helios, please don't tell Mamoru anything about the Dream." Chibi Usa backed away and looked earnestly toward Helios. After a moments hesitation Helios nodded. Chibi Usa breathed a sigh of relief and smiled before she turned for the house.
Helios watched as the two pig-tailed girls disappeared behind the closed door. As the car stared off again, his white hair waved gently in the night breeze. The unfamiliar city scene passed before the wondering eyes of the boy when Mamoru's voice suddenly broke the silence. "What did Chibi Usa say to you back there? She seemed pretty concerned about something." Mamoru inquired.
Helios looked startled, but he shook his head and replied without meeting Mamoru's eyes "Nothing…"
"Wise Man!" Bellona roared angrily down at the cloaked man below. She slammed her fist into her throne; the tension in the room was high.
"I thought you were going to get rid of him! Why is he still alive!"
The faceless voice answered in a calm tone "Do not worry Bellona-sama. Anger will get us no where."
Bellona stood up to her full height, her fists quivering with anger. "How am I suppose to relax? With the dream guardian alive our plan had all but failed!"
Wise Man chuckled, "This is only a minor setback. In fact, we might have gained something in the long run."
"What do you mean?" Bellona asked suspiciously
"I mean to say that the priest may be of more value to us if he lives." Wise Man inched closer, his hands passing above the sparkling crystal ball. "The princess is confused and doubtful. If we play our cards right we will be able to reach our goal, and the priest may be the key which we will need."
The crystal ball produced a picture of Helios looking out toward the city streets. "You see, now that I've sealed off the way back into Elysian, he cannot interfere with the princess' dreams. But that does not matter any more as the princess had grown aware of our intentions, we'll have to change tactics. But the boy…"
Wise Man suddenly laughed softly, a cold chill seemed to flow from his silent laughter. "He is like a fish trapped inside a pond! He may be able to survive but he is powerless now; use his crystal and he will risk severing his last lifeline in this world. And if I'm not mistaken, the princess has a certain fondness for the boy. By including him as part of our scheme-though he may not know it-we will succeed. For he is our advantage."
Bellona still seemed a bit uncertain " My patience and time are limited, but I'll trust you and gave you another chance. Let us just hope that you are right…" she said silently before fading into a patch of shadows.
Left alone in the gloomy room, Wise Man said silently "Of course Bellona–sama, of course I will…"Wise Man turned around and thought secretly to himself, After all, your interest is not the only one weighing upon the success of this plan…
A/N Hello everyone! The long awaited chapter is here! I hope you've all enjoyed it. I had quite a bit of a hard time writing this chapter since I had a bad case of writer's block. Thankfully it went away quickly. As for what Rei said about the little "incident" with Mamoru and Yuuichirou, that was an episode from the SuperS season when Mamoru's apartment ended up in runes after the girls panicked during a fails fire alarm from Diana. He had to live at Rei's place and Yuuichirou got jealous. After that chaos ensued as Usagi tried to 'protect' her Mamo-chan from 'the clutches of Evil Rei-chan'.