THE PERSON I LOOK UP TO

Chapter 9: "The Ghost Who Walks"
A Neo-Sailor Moon fanfic

By Bill K.

Shinrin's featured hardened. In response, she cupped her hands above and inches away from her chest. Space began to warp around her where her hands were cupped, then glow a brilliant emerald green. Sailor Moon saw an emerald crystal emerge from the warp and hover between her hands. From experience she knew what this meant.

Shinrin was bringing her crystal's power directly into play.

"Usa," Serenity whispered, Danro Ganjou's enchanted leaf sticking out of her chest. "Get away."

"I'm not leaving you!" Sailor Moon snarled. She brought the Crescent Moon Wand into play.

"I would have allowed you to share in the glory of the Mother Forest," Shinrin said bitterly. "But instead you ridiculed her holy ways. I would have granted you mercy because of your past service, but you choose to seek to harm me. You are little better than the corrupt and evil Torgus and you deserve their fate."

Shinrin's crystal began to glow emerald.

"Moon Healing Escalation!" Sailor Moon replied.

Waves of pink energy fanned out as the gathered clan members fell back in shock and awe. Instantly Danro moved to defend his queen, but Shinrin stopped him. Instead she took Sailor Moon's attack head on, deflecting the energy away with her crystal.

"You have surprising power for one so young," Shinrin said with disheartening confidence. "But I am the chosen holy vessel of the Mother Forest and she grants me power that you could never hope to possess."

With that, Shinrin's crystal began to glow more brightly. Instantly Sailor Moon felt the energy pushing against her own. It was all she could do not to be overwhelmed by it. Halting its relentless march toward her and her mother was another thing entirely, something that was clearly beyond her. It was her fear spoken only to Hotaru come true. What if she messed up? What if she wasn't good enough?

"Let me help," she heard Serenity whisper, her voice slurred and unsteady. The queen wrapped a shaky hand around the handle of the Crescent Moon Wand just above her hands. Sailor Moon felt Serenity's power flow into the wand and out, strengthening the pink barrier with silver threads.

But she also heard the grunt of exertion from her mother and glanced nervously to her.

"You can't focus your great power, Serenity," Shinrin warned her. "That is the spell of Danro's leaf attack. Perhaps someone of your knowledge and power could have defeated me, but not now. I give you one last chance, in the name of the friendship we once had, to renounce your betrayal and come to the light."

"I," grunted Serenity, her power unfocused and her body clearly straining, "can't do that, Shinrin. You're too much of a danger."

"I spread the way of the Great Forest! How does that make me a danger?"

Serenity gritted her teeth. "You refuse to consider that you could be wrong," Serenity gasped out. "With power like ours, that alone makes you dangerous."

The emerald power relentlessly neared Serenity and Sailor Moon, despite the queen's efforts to hold it back. Sailor Moon glanced again at her mother. The leaf in the woman's chest was sapping her strength. She knew her mother was capable of much more power than this with none of the clear stress on her body.

"We can't hold her back, can we?" Sailor Moon whispered to her mother.

"I told you to run," Serenity replied, fearing the worst.

"Were you planning to betray me all along, Serenity?" scowled Shinrin. "Or were you swayed by the seductive evil of the Torgus. I almost hope it's the latter. That way I could forgive you after I destroy you."

Serenity didn't reply. She was too busy trying to find some way to summon her great power to protect her child. And then, like a clarion call of rescue, she heard it.

"Moon Tiara Action!" Sailor Moon called out.

Before anyone could react, Sailor Moon's tiara, converted into an energy disk, arced down and struck Shinrin's crystal square and true. The tiara exploded on impact with its target. Though the emerald crystal remained unharmed, the energy feedback sent Shinrin recoiling backwards. She tumbled to the ground, Danro instantly by her side.

"Pull in tight, honey," Serenity whispered desperately. She grasped at Sailor Moon and, for once, her daughter didn't argue. Hugging the girl to her breast, Serenity managed to envelope them both in teleport energy and faded from view. The stem of a leaf pierced the last remnants of the energy.

"Are you all right, Shinrin?" Danro asked.

"Yes," the woman nodded, getting to her feet. "I was just momentarily stunned. It will not keep me from my mission."

"I'll track them down," Danro told her. "They can't hide from me forever. They won't ever threaten you again, Shinrin."

Shinrin leaned in and tenderly kissed her mate.

"Please be careful, Danro," she said. "I couldn't bear to lose you. I would die without you."

He smiled and patted her cheek with his hand.

"I will return," he said gently. "I have vowed to never cause you pain. I will be true to my vow"


On Earth, Endymion was meeting with Crystal Tokyo's ministers of energy, commerce and transportation. They were in the process of reviewing the quarterly reports on their various governmental domains. From there, any problems would be pinpointed and strategy planned for the coming months to meet and solve those problems. It was a necessary chore that Endymion took on because Serenity had little desire and less patience with such things. He was the administrator. She was the people person.

Things had been going routinely when Endymion suddenly stopped in mid-question and stared off into space. The three ministers looked at him uncomfortably, unsure of what was happening.

"Um, King Endymion?" Minister of Energy Tamahoma ventured.

The king rose from his chair and hurried for the door.

"I'm sorry," Endymion tossed over his shoulder. "We're going to have to pick this up later!"

"But King Endymion!" protested Minister of Transportation Azuma.

"LATER!" Endymion snapped as the door barely hissed open in time to accommodate him.

"Um, yes sir," whispered Azuma.

Flying past surprised palace workers, King Endymion raced down the corridor at top speed. As he passed Classroom One, Rei dashed out of the room following him. Behind her, Hotaru and the Asteroids peered out of the classroom door, perplexed.

"I felt you coming down the hall!" Rei yelled, chasing after him. "What's wrong? Is it Serenity? Is it Usa?"

"It's Serenity!" Endymion replied.

"I'm coming with you!" Rei demanded, knowing without asking what Endymion's next move would be.

"I travel faster alone," was his response.

"Endymion!" Rei snarled, her legendary temper flaring through her fearful desperation.

"STAY HERE!" Endymion demanded, whirling on the raven-haired priest. "I'll bring them back safe. I always have."

Endymion turned and headed at top speed for the aero-pad, leaving Rei to burn with fear and frustration behind him. The woman glared helplessly at his rapidly disappearing form, then sensed presences behind her. She turned and found Hotaru and the Asteroids behind her.

"Is Usa in trouble?" Hotaru asked.

"Not yet, apparently," Rei said through thinned lips. "But if Serenity's in danger, then she's probably not far behind." The priest's eyes flared and she took a belligerent step toward them. "And I know what you five are thinking. DON'T!"

"But Hino-sama," Jun-Jun began to protest.

"The King is going to handle this. We have to obey," Rei told them. Then she glanced to the side angrily. "No matter how much we might not like it."

"But . . .!" Hotaru began desperately.

"I MEAN IT! If any one of you so much as set foot out of this palace," Rei fumed, "don't bother coming back!"

The four Asteroids looked to Hotaru. Of them all, only Hotaru possessed the power to challenge an inner senshi. Hotaru stared at Rei and for a moment looked like she was going to do it. Rei held her ground and more than one of them wondered if she could take an enraged Sailor Saturn. Then the moment passed. Hotaru's shoulder's slumped in defeat and her gaze lowered, concealing the bitter scowl on her tiny mouth.

"If it helps any," Rei whispered hoarsely, "you can sit and wait with me on the aero-pad."

"How long are you going to wait?" Hotaru asked softly.

"Until I know they're safe."

Hotaru silently nodded. The pair walked in solemn procession to the aero-pad. With nothing else to do, the Asteroids followed.


Queen Serenity and Sailor Moon materialized in a dense patch of forest. Exactly where wasn't immediately known. That wasn't important to either of them at the moment. Serenity was dizzy from the energy expenditure and the effects of Danro's leaf still stuck in her chest just above her heart. Sailor Moon was trying to keep her head amid frantic worry over her mother's condition and their suddenly menacing situation and not entirely succeeding.

"Mom, how bad is it?" she demanded. "How are you doing?"

"My head's spinning," moaned Serenity. "Your Aunt Rei's always saying I'm dizzy . . ."

"MOM, DON'T JOKE AT A TIME LIKE THIS!" wailed Sailor Moon. "We've got to get that leaf out of your chest!"

The sixteen year old senshi grasped the seemingly harmless leaf with both hands and pulled.

"AAAAAAAAAAAAGGGHHH!" cried Serenity. Sailor Moon released the leaf as if it were radioactive.

"MOM?" she gasped.

"Hurts like anything when you pull on it," whimpered Serenity. The pain seemed to subside and with it the queen's flagging stoicism. "I guess it's not coming out that way."

"Are you strong enough to teleport back to Earth? I just know Aunt Ami can find a way to get that out of you."

The queen shook her head. "It was all I could do to get us this far," Serenity wheezed. "This leaf is sapping my strength and jumbling my thoughts. I can't focus enough to connect fully with the Silver Crystal and summon its power." She touched Sailor Moon's forearm. "But you can make it. You've traveled to Elysian on your own. Go. Please."

"I'm not leaving you!" fumed Sailor Moon.

"Usa, please," begged Queen Serenity. "There's no sense in both of us risking ourselves."

"You'd rather see me live as a coward?" Sailor Moon replied, stunned, angry and just a bit contemptuous. "You'd rather see me run away and leave you here to die? Sailor Moon wouldn't do that, and I AM Sailor Moon."

Serenity dropped her gaze before her daughter's withering glare, though she smiled faintly.

"Forgive me," she whispered. "I was just trying to protect you. It's a hard habit to break. You're my baby and I love you. But you're a big girl now and you can make decisions like this on your own." The Queen looked back up into her daughter's big red eyes. "What do you suggest we do - - Sailor Moon?"

Sailor Moon thought a moment.

"Maybe I can destroy it," she said, producing the Crescent Moon Wand. She held it directly over her mother's chest. "Moon Healing Escalation!"

Pink moon dust sprinkled down from the wand, occasionally catching the faint light of the glen and sparkling as they fell. As the particles touched down on Queen Serenity's chest and the green leaf sticking out of it, they began to glow on their own. Serenity's eyes closed and she arched up as the healing power of the wand spread through her. Her ruby lips parted, revealing pearl white teeth. The teeth parted, as if she were just on the verge of whispering something, perhaps "refresh".

But the word never came. Serenity grimaced and sagged back down, the pink glow around her dying. The leaf was still stuck stem first in her chest. Sailor Moon's shoulders slumped and she bowed her head.

"I couldn't do it," she muttered bitterly.

"Usa," Serenity said, seeking out her daughter's hand and grasping it tightly. "You have to learn to accept your limitations. Just because you failed doesn't make you a failure. No one can do everything, not even me. We all have limitations. The key is to learn to do your best within those limitations."

Her daughter didn't respond. She was too angry with herself.

"Look at me, honey," persisted Serenity. "I'm over a thousand years old. Yet I'm still horrible at math, I write like a five year old and the most basic scientific concept goes right over my head. I'm far from perfect, as you've loudly pointed out from time to time, but I've accepted my limitations and found a way around them so that I can use my strengths as best I can. And if I can do it, you can certainly do it. Stop punishing yourself for what you can't do. Instead, be proud of what you are and not envious of what you think you should be."

Her eyes stinging with tears, Sailor Moon softly nodded. Then suddenly she bent down and hugged her mother tightly. Serenity joyously returned the gesture.

"We need to do this more often," Serenity said. "I like hugging you."

"Mom," Sailor Moon sighed while still hugging her. "Don't go mental on me, huh?"

"Brat," Serenity smirked.

A sudden noise caught Sailor Moon's ear. Quickly she disengaged from her mother and was up, crouched defensively. The Crescent Moon Wand was in her right hand, ready to use at a moment's notice. Her eyes warily scanned the dense, dark forest around them in search of an enemy while her ears strained for some new sign of who or what was coming toward them through the underbrush. Serenity wondered what her daughter sensed, for she heard nothing and saw even less. But she was ready to lend whatever meager aid she could now muster to help her daughter fight.

From the dense shadows of the wooded area, a woman appeared. She was young, with pale yellow hair cut to shoulder length. She wore a woven cloth blouse, knit knee-length pants and crude leather boots. In a way she resembled someone from the Torgus rather than from Shinrin's clan. Serenity noticed above everything else the piercing look from violet eyes, a look that seemed to notice everything. The woman's gait was quick and sure, as if she were as at home in the forest as Shinrin or one of her number, but unhurried. As she approached, she looked them both over and seemed to analyze them instantly.

"That's far enough!" warned Sailor Moon, brandishing the Crescent Moon Wand. "What do you want?"

"I mean you no harm, warrior!" the strange woman said, showing her empty hands as a gesture of peace. "I heard the moans of pain from your fallen companion and wished to see if I could help. I can see now that she has run afoul of Danro Ganjou."

"How do you know him?" Sailor Moon demanded.

"I am quite familiar with Danro and his mate," she replied with some sadness. "If he pursues you, you will need shelter. I can give that to you. Can your companion walk?"

"We're just supposed to trust you like that?" Sailor Moon replied. "We don't know anything about you."

"Sailor Moon," Serenity interrupted. "I trust her."

"You trusted Shinrin, too," Sailor Moon shot back.

"Usa," Serenity persisted gently, "you have to give people a chance to be trustworthy. It's a leap of faith sometimes, but the alternative is being very lonely."

"Your companion is wise," the woman said. She glanced around warily. "And you must decide quickly. The longer we are exposed like this, the more likely Danro is to find you."

Torn, Sailor Moon remained indecisive. She wanted to trust the woman, but her mother's life might hang on a wrong decision. Then Serenity struggled to her feet, making the decision for her. Scowling, she propped her mother's arm over her shoulder and helped her along.

"Thank you for your kindness," Serenity said as they followed the stranger. "Allow me to introduce myself. I am Serenity of Earth and this is my daughter, Sailor Moon."

"Earth? I don't know this land you're from." The woman glanced back at Sailor Moon. "Is this a planet? Clearly from the looks of your daughter, you are not of this world."

"No, we're just," Serenity told her, "visiting."

"You can tell me as much or as little as you like when we reach my shelter," the woman told her. "You are on the run from Shinrin and Danro. That is enough for me." They continued on. "Forgive me. I haven't named myself. I am now known only as Shintoru."

"Now?"

"Once," the woman said, extracting a painful memory, "I was known by a different name: Sailor Eichi."

Continued in Chapter 10