A PITTED ASTEROID ORBITING THE EARTH'S TALE
Chapter 6: Discoveries
A Sailor Moon/Lord of the Rings crossover… and perhaps a bit stereotypical?
SUMMARY: Serena Usagi Tsukino is tired with the plans of Fate and Destiny and rebels, paving a path of her own filled with many uncertainties. A SM/LOTR Xover
DISCLAIMER: I do not own Sailor Moon or Lord of the Rings. I hope this is clear. I expect no threats of bodily harm or any other such verbal attacks on these grounds as I have made this excruciatingly clear. These are the products of the ingenious and diabolical Naeko Takeuchi of Sailor Moon and J.R.R. Tolkien of Lord of the Rings. *sigh* Life is SOO unfair. So please, enjoy this little piece of my version of a brainchild of SM and LotR, which would exist had I truly owned the two. Unfortunately, I do not, so I make do. Read on, faithful readers, read on.
LAST TIME ON PITTED ASTEROID:
There were three polaroid pictures.
One was of her mother at the supermarket, paying for groceries; the time: 5:37 pm.
The second was of her father, talking on his cell phone while walking out of the office building he worked in; the time: 6:02 pm.
The third polaroid was of her brother, Shingo, playing in his friend's pool; the time: 6: 19 pm.
Each was taken today, naught but a few hours ago.
Usagi began to shake uncontrollably. Trembling, she turned each picture over, seeing the same message scrawled on the back of each picture, three times total:
YOU ARE WATCHED. BEWARE, PRINCESS.
Usagi promptly fainted, seemingly dead to the world, the polaroids fluttering down to the floor.
*a pink roly poly takes center stage, spotlight trained squarely on its pink back.* Welcome to the sixth installment of A Pitted Asteroid Orbiting the Earth's Tale. Please be reminded that all cell phones, pagers, beepy watches, and other miscellaneous noise makers be turned off as this shall require and DEMAND your absolute and undivided attention, as usual. I give you CHAPTER 6!!!!!!!!!! *insert booming music and theatrical display of fire* That is all. *pink roly poly slithers UNDER the now azure colored curtains, flashing the sign my feet have purple hairs in blue lights and neon sparkles.*
A Pitted Asteroid Orbiting the Earth's Tale
Chapter 6: Discoveries
A lone figure robed in white stood proudly against the night stained sky. His figure spoke of prominence, power, prestige… and unspeakable evil.
He represented a corrupted mind, one that had long crossed the paths of wickedness and had long forgotten the light.
After all, darkness is merely an absence of light, nothing more, and nothing less.
The moon lay shrouded amidst the clouds, encased in a hazy envelope of fog.
"You have done well, and retrieved your findings safely. For that you shall be justly rewarded," spoke the figure. The moonlight glimmered through a parting in the clouds, and fell upon a foul creature, one robed in equal darkness of his master – a shadow of hate and deceit. It lay bowed before the white robed figure, prostrated in complete subservience.
"Many thanksss, masssterrr… I live to ssserrve yourr grrraciosssnesss, I do," it slithered.
"Of course, and I would expect no less. Return now to your post, and keep watching. You shall know when the time comes of what to do. Remember now that everything we have been working for is dependent on the success of your current assignment. Do not fail me, Dotulrtug, and the rewards shall be equally great," the white figure tersely said.
With that, the Dotulrtug bowed out of existence, disappearing quietly into the haze of evil that surrounded the castle of residence.
"And so it begins," thought the figure out loud, as his voice faded into the darkened sky.
***
"Usagi? Doko desuka? Usagi? [Where are you?]" came a distant voice.
Usagi came to slowly, blinking into the world like she had the day she was born. She had only been out for a few moments, and as she picked herself off from the floor, she absently wondered what had just happened. Who was calling out to her? She groggily stood up and then noticed the three polaroids on the floor.
Catching herself, before she fainted again, Usagi collapsed on a nearby futon, and looked around for the voice. Blindly shoving the pictures away, she called out, "Okaasan? [Mom?]"
"Minna wa doko desuka? [Where is everybody?]" she trembled in the darkness of her home.
Why did it seem like her whole world had tumbled into shadow?
"Usagi? Usagi you little prankster! Come out right now young lady or you'll be in big trouble! I need some help!"
"Okaasan? OKAASAN!!!" jumping up with renewed energy, Usagi burst in the direction of the voice, and flung herself at her mother, enveloping her in one of those traditional, Usagi-hugs.
"Don't – leave me! Don't go! I thought – gone forever! Worried, scared, nothing –" Usagi was barely able to speak, much less string together words to form coherent sentences.
Startled at the attitude of her youngest daughter, Ikuko dropped the groceries she had been carrying, and gently soothed her now sobbing daughter. What was going on? Why was Usagi acting as if she had died?
"There, there, Usagi. Sshh, your okaasan is here, don't worry,"
Usagi clutched at her mother's jacket, and buried herself in her mother's embrace, as if it were the last time she would be able to do so. "Okaasan," she began to choke out, "Okaasan, I thought … gone! Lost forever!"
Ikuko wrinkled her brow as she tried to make out what her distressed daughter was trying to say. "Gone dearest? Forever?" Usagi only sobbed harder and tightened her grip around her mother, as if to never let go.
Ikuko sighed worriedly, and brought a hand to smooth Usagi's blonde hair away from her pale face. "Shush, dear heart. Calm down, everything will be okay, I promise." She maneuvered the two of them to a nearby sofa and patted her daughters back as Usagi snuggled into her lap.
A thought occurred to her.
"Usagi, didn't you get the note?" Usagi stiffened, and then looked up warily at her mother.
"A-a no-note?" she sniffed out.
"Yes sweetie, I left a note saying that I had gone over to the Yamamotos' to pick up some homegrown herbs for that new recipe, and then would head over to the grocery store. Your father had a late business meeting and your brother is sleeping over at his friend's house, because it is so late. I posted it on the door of the fridge. Surely you couldn't have missed it! You always open the fridge to eat an afternoon snack!"
Usagi deadpanned. "You … left a note?"
"Yes dearest. You're sure you didn't see it?" Getting up and walking over to the kitchen, Ikuko plucked the brief message that was held in place by a magnet Usagi had made for her on Parent's Day in the second grade and came back to sit, "See, here it is Usagi."
"Oh," suddenly, Usagi felt quite foolish. Her family had been all right all along! Of course, the polaroid incident was a threat that needed to be taken care of, but at least her family was unaware of it all for now, and they were here, or would be in any case.
"Was that what this is all about? You thought something had happened to us?"
Usagi nodded to her mother, Well something like that anyway. I'm just glad you're all right.
Ikuko couldn't help but smile at her daughter's impulsiveness. It was a bit irritating to have the hyper teen jump to conclusions so fast, but at the same time, it was nevertheless endearing to know that she cared so much about them. Thinking that was that, Ikuko stood up abruptly, causing a very disgruntled blonde to tumble to the floor.
"If everything's is all hunky dory, I think we have some dinner to make before your very tired and cranky father comes home, ne?"
Usagi giggled a bit at her mother's 'hunky dory' from her position on the floor. What a ridiculous American phrase. Shaking her head, Usagi grinned at her mother's antics, trusting her to cheer her up when she was down. Nodding enthusiastically, she hopped after her mother, eager to please, relishing everything around her.
It had all come so close to going away, even if it was just in her mind. It had felt real enough, and Usagi wasn't willing to let that happen in real life, and regret not appreciating her family more.
Usagi sighed happily as she watched her mother bustle around the kitchen, fussing over dinner. Swinging herself onto a bar stool, she hummed a little tune while swinging her legs merrily. She felt so normal.
Almost, anyway.
***
*On another plane of existence, between the fabric of time and space…*
***
"You cannot. I forbid you."
"I'm afraid you have no say in the matter, Guardian. These orders come from Chronos himself."
"From Chronos?"
"Yes. Now hand them over!"
"NO! You shall not have it while I still stand! Chronos would never demand such a thing! You lie!"
"How dare you accuse a loyal servant of Chronos such as myself, to be a traitor! Did you not pledge your allegiance to Chronos? To go back on your word would be to commit treason. You owe him your fealty. To do otherwise would be a foolish decision indeed."
"… I swore no oath to none save the princess of the white moon! It is to her, and to her only that I pledge my loyalty to! Now be gone wretched servant! Your foul tongue and vile demeanor are no longer welcome here!"
"You know not what you speak, Watcher. Hand over the keys, NOW!"
"Who do you come from, scoundrel? Which master's foot do you so obediently follow?" the figure slammed her long staff against the floor three times and a rush of magical energy was thrown at the opposing stranger, who let out a strangled curse upon impact.
"Curse you Guardian! You shall regret not following my most *humble* request later, when all that you hold dear is at stake. It matters not, Guardian of Time. But be patient, all shall be revealed."
"You shall never have the Keys as long as I stand to guard these ancient doors, villain! Begone! By the powers vested in me, I call upon the Paladins of Time and Space! Lend me your aid to rid the gates of this fell creature!" Strands of power gathered around the Guardian of Time, wrapping themselves around her staff and swirling about her figure, encasing her in a purple haze of light.
"You shall not ensnare me now, Watcher! Our battle shall not be fought at this time and on this plane. I would advise you to be ever observant through your Orb of Time for when you least expect it, all shall be taken."
The figure vanished, leaving a very furious of Guardian of Time.
"I shall watch, servant of darkness. And you shall rue the day you dared to mess with the Guardian of Time!" Three clanks of the metal staff were heard as the Gates of Time slid into place, locking themselves from all else save it's warden.
The Guardian of Time resumed her solitary watch, observing all, yet partaking in none.
*~*~*~*~*~
AUTHOR'S NOTE: Yes, this was shorter, no need to gripe! I know! But I am now several chapters ahead, and this is all very planned out for the next three chapters. (Hence the delay in posting). Hopefully you can see that the quality has improved, due to the extensive planning. This would have been up about a week earlier, however, certain reviewers had VERY helpful suggestions about adding in bits of LOTR to keep people engaged, which wasn't a bad idea. I actually had that planned for later in the story, but hey, why not! This chapter was originally about 1000 words longer, but then I figured, this was the more appropriate ending.
And lastly, thanks to all for your splendid reviews! We broke a record! Woohoo! 12 reviews for chapter 5! I'm so proud of you! *sniff* thanks guys! I'm glad most of you take the time to read through my author's notes and I was so happy to see that so many supported the fact that Usagi may take awhile to go to Middle Earth. Thanks! Now for some personal comments:
Cassie: What does it have to do with LotR? Well, the exact crossover has yet to happen, but if you read the story carefully enough, there are a few hints… like an elf in chapter 3! Keep reviewing!
Callisto Star: Thanks of the messageboard info! Notice, I did follow your suggestion.. who do you suppose the figure in *cough, cough* WHITE, could be hmm? I DON'T KNOW!! *giggle* As for the asteroid.. it doesn't really have so much to do with the story itself. Just look at the title in general. Let me know if it clicks! Oh! And who do you think the man could be? If it sounds good enough, I might just make it so! (of course, I know who he is, but if your idea works better, then hey! Why not, right?) I'm glad you like this story. It really means a lot to me! Keep reviewing! (btw, I LOVE LOVE LOVE your story Niirer en Ithil-Quessir! It's a great mesh of SM and LotR… ahem, anyway! Thanks for the review!
Shinia: Soon, young jedi, soon. Review again!
ElvenSailorGirl: What TV show does this remind you of? I'd like to know please. And no offense taken. It was good constructive criticism, which I would like to explain to you a bit. First off, I rechecked my chapter and all the apostrophes were in place… even online, so perhaps it is your browser? I run through spell check several times, and proof read EVERYTHING at least three times. But stuff like apostrophe's I do get… (and I just finished a twenty page critical analysis of Crime and Punishment) so grammar shouldn't be a problem… Second, as I mentioned in my last note in chapter 5, the crossover is in due time, but you can see bits of it in chapter 3 and in this chapter. There are several other hints that will be obvious later on! So read carefully! Hehe! Lastly, Usagi gets mad at Shingo ALL the time, and literally blows up at him. She does get pissed off easily in the anime, especially at Chibiusa and Rei. And in the American dubbed version, she easily gets annoyed at several of the bad guys she fights. She's a champion of justice, and can't stand that being infringed upon. Usagi also, as I said in chapter one, puts on a façade for others, and isn't quite so immature on the inside. But that side of her has yet to be revealed. Notice she does come to swear a bit as she gets mad. In the manga, she swore, but in the American dubbed version, the mulled it over with more 'polite' words. Anyway, hope that clears it up. Thanks fore reading so carefully though. I will try to make her temper seem more true to Usagi in the future though. Keep reading and reviewing!
Guju-girl: Cool, glad it's all good. Review please!
PrincessSerenaXavior: I'm not sure yet, I haven't planned that all out. But it definitely will be different and unique from most fics. I know how she should enter, just not where, and with or without who. And by who. Ahh, so many questions! Patience is a virtue *wink*! Review!
Tschubi-chan: Thank you SOO much for understanding. You are 100% right, of course. As I read your review (which is currently my most favorite review) I was all, Darn tootin! This person GETS IT! Lol. I'm thoroughly enthused that you will bear with me and my wacky tendencies. Hope you don't get too bored waiting! Haha… it's for readers like you that I try to make each chapter better and more engaging. So THANKS! And I agree, I really dislike screams for pairings, but it's good to see what the interest is. Unfortunately the main one is always usa/leggy, but if I do end up doing that, it WILL be unique and unprecedented. You have my word. I'm really glad you noticed the whole inner thoughts thing and picked up on it. Somebody is reading carefully! This is really important to me as it gives you, the reader, perspective on how Usagi is according to me, even if she isn't like her manga self, ya know? Anyway, I look forward to reading another review from you! (hint hint,!) THANKS!
Devine-desire: Glad for your support! Keep reviewing!
Rose: Glad you think I'm 'pulling this off.' Hehe! I really hope so! Glad you like the guy too, he kinda evolved unexpectedly as I wrote the story… And as for Mamoru, no, I can safely say she will NOT be with him, kinda. Not romantically anyway. You'll see. I, for one, am thoroughly pleased with the random idea I thunked up for that scenario. Anyway, review!
TO ALL: thanks for reviewing! I love reading it!
The pale, blue colored button blinks adoringly at the little arrow directing the mouse pleading, click me, click me!
Flames are welcome, they keep my and my two cent for sale lint quite warm.
*squiggly pink roly poly comes out and says* YOUR PREVIOUS COMMANDER IS INDISPOSED, I AM NOW YOUR COMMANDER PRO TEMP! REVIEW REVIEW REVIEW! NOW RETURN TO YOUR REGUALRLY SCHEDULED PROGRAMMING! *pink roly poly squirms back under the azure colored curtains that have the slogan my feet have purple hairs in blue lights and neon sparkles scrawled over it. The curtains now sport a strangely orcish odor. How odd.*