I doubt I have to introduce this chapter given the title – you think?
Sailor Moon is copyright © 1992 Naoko Takeuchi/Kodansha, TOEI Animation. English Language Adaptation © 1995 DiC Entertainment
Hearts and Hopes
Chapter Five
Bringing in the New Year and Dreams of What May Come
Molly and the baby were still asleep that early morning. Nephrite sat up in the bed and watched the pair. It was frightening how close he had come to not having all of this, but he was grateful for that very reason – because he almost died in his wife's loving arms. Here it was the morning of the last day of the best year of his life. Nephrite looked back on it and smiled.
He had become the King of his long dead Clan, and now knew his true name – on top of meeting and getting to know his parents. Molly had become his Queen and had bonded to him in a way no two people could bond (thanks to the gifts from his parents). All of his old comrades were finally married and either had children or were expecting. The four of them were returned to their former positions. The Prince … no now he was the King of Elysian, and she was the Queen of the Moon Kingdom … anyway, they were back together. In fact all of the Senshi Princesses … no, Queens … they were all with their loves. Venus was even married to the man who had once been her female lover a thousand years before. The entire group was betting on how soon she would be announcing that she was benched.
To top it all, there was little Desiree. A thousand years before they had lost her. She never had the chance to take her first breath before she and her dear mother were so cruelly killed. Almost as if she had read her father's thoughts, the babe shifted in her sleep, but decided to sleep on. Carefully, Nephrite laid back down beside his child and wife. This little girl was one of the children that were prophesized long before even Nephrite's Father's time – the children who spoke before they were seen who herald the new age of the System of Planetary Kingdoms once called the Silver Millennium.
What mattered most to the leader of the High Guardian Generals was that his daughter was born, alive, and well. In fact it was her one-week birthday according to all of the ladies. One week that little Desiree had been out of her mother's womb. One week he had been able to hold her … when one of the others wasn't that is. A week Nephrite was thankful to have lived.
He was also thankful not to be Kateri. The day after Desiree's birth was Christmas Day. Molly had healed fully by then, but everyone dotted on her as if she still needed time to rest. At one point while the gifts were being passed out, Kateri was holding Desiree and looking miserable. Nephrite knew that she was thinking about her lost families. For now, she could not even see her birth family. Any touch of the magick from the Triad Isles Kingdom would kill her. Malachite had to be careful about when he and his family used magick to not harm her.
Glorianna smiled as she took a gift over to the grieving young widow. Kateri gave Desiree over to Serena and took the gift from the child. "What is this?"
"I made it for you."
It was an envelope … no doubts a picture. Glorianna climbed into her lap as Kateri opened it to find a picture. On the bottom was 'MY FAMALEE'. There was seemingly everyone in the group in that living room exchanging, ripping open, and cooing over gifts. Glorianna grinned as she pointed out Kateri in the picture. Only then did the grieving woman see in the background faint figures. "Who are they?"
Glorianna smiled brightly up at her, as if glad to hear that question. "They are the people you're waiting to come back." Then the child whispered into Kateri's ear, "you won't have to wait for very long. I dreamed it last night. But if you want him you have to let him decide for himself."
Nephrite clearly saw the hope glow in the young woman's eyes again.
Now here it was the last day of the year – Omisoka. That week the group had been busy cleaning everyone's houses from top to bottom and the girls cooked for the celebrations. Molly helped, pointing out that times had changed and that she was fully healed, luckily the ladies saw things that way – or else there would have been a huge scandal. But, the little family was ready to stay at home by themselves that night – since it was not seen as proper to take their week-old daughter to the temple for the celebrations.
Nephrite looked over to see that his wife was awake and smiling at him. Yes, this had been an interesting year. And he would have not had it any other way. "Did you sleep well, Molly?"
"Yes. But it is tonight's dreams that count big. I wonder what she is dreaming about." Molly sighed, nodding her head toward their sleeping child.
Nephrite brushed one of his fingers down the sleeping infant's cheek, completely in love with her and her mother. "What is important is that her rest is peaceful. Shall we let her sleep?"
"Yeah. She's probably going to be up all night with us. It's best that she get her sleep in now. Hungry?"
She smiled when he nodded. This was her life, and Molly wasn't sorry for a single moment of it. When her love slid out of the bed and helped her out, Molly felt safe, loved, and at home. Carefully they made their way over to the door and turned back to see their newborn daughter had four youma watching over Desiree at each corner of the bed. Their beloved child was safe.
Molly sighed in her husband's arms as they walked down the hall quietly. But a soft giggle told them that they weren't the only ones up and about. With a wink, she softly spoke to her love. "I wonder what that was."
"What did you hear Molly?" Nephrite enjoyed this game. Especially how it made Molly's eyes light up with joy. Another giggle tinkled in the corridor. "Ah, I hear it too. I seem to recall it happening yesterday too."
"We seem to hear that sound nearly everyday now." Molly grinned beautifully up at him before looking expectantly ahead of them.
Nephrite was glad that they had sealed their room to keep things quiet for their sleeping child. "I can't seem to remember what caused it. Perhaps I should teleport us downstairs."
That was when the giggling was given a face. In fact it was the face of Glorianna. "It's me!"
Molly giggled at how Nephrite took up and cuddled the little girl. Then out from her own bedroom squealing in joy was Jayde. "Morning!"
Chuckling they joined the rest of their family downstairs for breakfast.
Nearly right after breakfast Zoicite had to lie down. She was still suffering from morning sickness, but it wasn't as often or as bad as it once was. Malachite tended to stay near her during this time, and was lying down with her. So long as Glorianna was at home and playing nicely with Jayde, neither of them worried.
However, when it came to Jedite and Brooke, the poor woman was in the bathroom again with her husband beside her. Each meal seemed to be a struggle for her. But all the ladies knew she wouldn't trade it, not with the gift she would be holding close when it was all over.
Luna was huge and a week late! She had taken to snuggling in Serena's closet in a box. Everyone was expecting the call that the kitten was on its way at any time. The wait was making Artemis nervous, who was staying with his love during the last days of her time. He hated to see her so uncomfortable, but both were excited at the baby coming all too soon.
Mina was enjoying being a wife. Bryan kept the blonde happy and feeling as if she was on cloud nine all of the time. It was a sight that was not only seen in Venus.
Mars, Jupiter, and Mercury all three were very much in love. Raye and Chad were working hard together to make this first New Year's they had together special, to her grandfather's glee. Lita was having fun with Ken all day before having dinner with his parents, while Amy and Greg had lunch with her mother and an early dinner with his parents – obviously things were serious in those pairings.
Serena and Darien were staying with her family. Darien was having the time of his life. Serena's folks were slyly hinting at the wedding plans. Sammy was fully acting the part of Darien's little brother.
In the name of letting their mothers rest, both Jayde and Glorianna went outside to play in the woods. If they only knew the evil that was about to wreck the extended family's all too precious peace. Two pairs of dark eyes glared and waited, now was the perfect time for their plans.
Yet in Tokyo, the spirit within Serena's mother felt the danger and sent the spell needed to overcome it. She smirked and muttered to herself. "So, the time has come for the two to become the soldiers I see them becoming."
Being near the same age Jayde and Glorianna were very close. Each holding the other close in confidence. They both had Generals for at least one parent, both were Crown Princesses, and both were talented with gymnastics and acting. Yet neither knew of the talents about to surface.
They were rushing through the woods, chasing after sylphs glimmering on the wind, when they noticed how cold and quiet the woods had become. The sylphs left, not knowing their Princess and her friend was in danger.
And then the area grew dark. Both girls were terrified, but both hid it as they back against one another – leaving no opening for an attack from behind. Their youmas came forward and surrounded the girls.
A sudden devil's wind twisted and gathered each youma until they were all piled into a dark energy dome!
"Glori?"
"Yeah, Jayde?"
"We are in deep trouble!"
Above them a cruel high-pitched woman's laughter filled the air. "Oh, two little girls alone in the woods. What a treat."
On the ground in front of them came a man's growl in reply. "A sweet treat that is cherry flavored no doubt."
Both girls glared at the tall, pale, thin man as he slid out of the shadows. His dark hair was pulled back in a ponytail and his dark eyes seemed to have a red glow within.
Instantly Jayde felt strange as she looked into those eyes. Not quite sleepy, but really off for sure. "Glori?"
Hearing her friend's slurred speech, Glorianna knew instantly what they were facing – a vampire! Like that woman who tried to kill her mommy and take her daddy … Jet. "Leave Jayde alone!"
The woman suddenly appeared in front of Glorianna, shocking the girl into showing her fear. "What fun would that be, pretty Glori? I like that name. You will be quite the daughter when we are done raising you."
Glorianna went wide-eyed and sent a message for her parents to come for her and Jayde, who was swaying against her back. The guy obviously had her under a spell! "Fight him Jayde!"
"Why?" The man's voice trickled like a stream. Glorianna fought hard against it, but it was hard – he was so strong, and the woman in front of her was obviously helping him.
With a sneering smile, the woman brushed her fingers down Glorianna's cheek. "Now we will have our child back, and have a sister for her as well. That will recompense the lost of our daughter, Jet, nicely."
The ground beneath them shook and cooled and the wind swirled and heated. It broke the pair's control on the girls enough to give them their freedom.
Both girls glared at the vampires. As the higher-ranking generals' child, Glorianna spat on the woman's face. "We have our families, and you are going to get what your brat got and more!"
"In the name of all children, we will punish the two of you!" Jayde shouted – like she had heard her family do just before a battle.
"YOU ARE OURS NOW!" the vampires roared as they moved to grab the girls.
Jayde and Glorianna leapt out of the way in time, but not by much. The man was able to grab Jayde's leg! "Glori! He's got me!"
From deep within her Glorianna felt a surge of power augment and spread from her core to the rest of her body. She was changing. Her eyes looked sharper and more stone like. Those eyes fell on the man who dared to hurt her very best friend! "Leave her alone."
It hadn't been a request, but a cold subdued order. Jayde was stunned to say the least. Glorianna was different, and it scared her. "Glori?"
"Make me, child." The man smirked.
But his smirk died when hers outdid his by a large margin, nearly matching her father's. "I was hoping you'd say that."
Without a second thought of how or why she knew, Glorianna created a dark crystal much like the ones her mother used, only this one had rainbows reflected in each facet. Like her mother, the child sent it hurtling at the woman telekinetically – who had started to grab her.
She shrieked as the crystal embedded itself into her shoulder. But, Glorianna wasn't done. She shoved her open palm out towards the man and felt tiny flecks of energy release from her palm as she screamed out, "Yah!"
The flecks turned into jasmine blossoms that shredded into its petals and sliced into the male vampire's face and upper body.
Jayde scooted away, only in time to see the danger. "Glori! Watch out behind you!"
Too late, the female had snatched Glorianna from behind when the girl started to turn and go for her friend. She pulled the child's head to the side so she could expose her neck to her fangs.
~Glori needs me; I can't let her down! But, the guy won't let me leave. Besides if I get away, no way will I get help back here in time.~ Jayde thought to herself.
When Glorianna cried out in pain from struggling to get away, it cracked something within Jayde. A force that had already been a part of her awakened.
The man grabbed her, but she only smirked. "My turn."
She was able to send the man flying with a burst of energy from her small palm. He hit a tree and was dazed long enough.
Turning to her friend, Jayde focused and did what she never knew she could outside of her parents. She contacted Glorianna with her mind! 'Glori?'
She could see her friend's shock. 'Jayde?'
'Call for the dragons and fae!'
With as much of a nod that she could give, Glorianna remembered what her parents had told her.
// "Glorianna, if you are ever in deep trouble and the youmas are not able to help you, the natives of our two kingdoms will come to your aide – call from your heart, and they will come." \\
Taking a breath, she focused on her new powers and on the love she knew she had from her family to give her strength. The called with the voice of her heart. Any who can hear my call … my friend and I need help!
A breath from being bitten, the vampire was distracted but the feeling of many small arrows hitting her legs and hips. The gnomes were closest so they were attacking first! But the woman snorted. "Pests."
Then came the sounds of great wings beating, and a roar that alerted the family at home of the danger. Zoicite warned that it was dragons, all of whom seemed enraged. The Generals (excluding Zoicite obviously) and the Scouts (including Molly this time) teleported. And what they saw on their arrival stunned them all!
Glorianna was attacking with beautiful crystals and jasmine petals. The dragons and fae were following her orders without question or comment. While Jayde was creating illusions and attacking with barriers very much like her father.
For a moment the adults stood there in awe, and the two fathers felt such pride in their young girls. Then the enemy spotted the group.
"Love look, more playthings."
The man smirked. "Fathers came to give the girls away."
Jedite growled, "OUR girls are going nowhere but home, Dowan!"
"And as for playthings, Samar, it seems you can't handle two girls and their protectors." Malachite smirked.
Then the battle went downhill. Both vampires took off the kid gloves that they had been using the entire time. First the fae were blown away, and too nearly were the dragons – but they dug into the earth and held tight. Then the vampire pair attacked the adults. The Generals and Tuxedo Mask were instantly trapped in a dark energy dome, like the youmas. The Scouts didn't have it any easier though.
Like with Jet, their attacks were easily deflected. But this time they were wise enough to get out of the way before being harmed. Suddenly Venus collapsed. Sailor Moon turned and was shocked. Had her friend been attacked from behind? "Venus!"
Mercury went to take care of their fallen friend. Jayde and Glorianna saw that either vampire controlled each dome. So, with a nod of agreement between the two girls, each sent an attack. Jayde sent an energy blast at Samar, while Glorianna sent a crystal shard at Dowan.
With each hit one dome and then the other was destroyed because the girls had shaken the vampires concentration just enough. But this put the pair in the line of fire again.
As the vampires started to attack the girls, all eight youmas surrounded their charges and created and energy bubble to fend off attack.
Samar sneered. "Think that we are alone? To bad you never know what hides among the shadows."
Suddenly, from every dark area at once, came demons and evils mankind feared most. While the girls were safe, the adults were taking a severe beating.
Nephrite fell hard, followed by Molly. Serena and Tuxedo Mask were barely holding their own. The rest were swaying from the forces bearing down on them. Each evil became the group's worse fears, sending the adults into fear that only weakened them and their attacks while it fed the minions.
Seeing their fathers and family hurting angered the two girls to a point they couldn't stand off to the side any longer. Nodding to each other, they grabbed each other's hands and focused all their love into a light that warmed and calmed them. That light spread fast until it filled the youmas and filtered into the barrier guarding the girls. Then the barrier turned into an amplifier – sending the warmth and light into the area in waves. It burned and froze the evils, along with their vampire masters as well. A blink of an eye later, only the vampires remained, and they seemed to be in pain.
"They will be ours." Samar growled.
Dowan's sneer slowly turned into a smirk. "You took our dark daughter, so we will take yours – all of yours."
After that they vanished. Both girls fainted. Venus slowly woke up. And the group was worried of what could happen next.
Once home, two women ran to the group in fear. Brooke and Zoicite clutched their daughters close for dear life. One of the youmas brought their baby to Molly and Nephrite. Bryan walked out and pulled Venus into a tight embrace. The others sat and rested.
Looking up after turning back to her usual self, Serena saw how tired Venus was. "You okay girl?"
"I'm just tired. Too much at once I guess." Venus muttered as she transformed back into Mina.
The others followed in suit. But Amy was wearing a strange look on her face. "Mina, I know why you are tired. You should not have been in that fight at all."
"Why not! I'm as good as any of the rest of us!" Mina screamed and then broke down into tears, stunning all but Amy – who was smiling.
Lita swallowed, "Ames, what do you mean Mina shouldn't have been in the fight?"
"Well, it wouldn't be fair that Molly then Zoicite and then Brooke and Luna were all benched but Mina isn't." Amy smiled cheerfully.
"BENCHED!" The entire group shouted as one.
Amy nodded. Mina looked down at and touched her flat belly. "I'm having a baby?"
"Yes, congratulations Mina." Amy chuckled.
Serena smirked. "Well then, Mina you are officially benched then."
"Oh, you are enjoying this! Wait until you're benched, girl!" Mina growled as she blushed. She was going to be a mother!
Bryan held her and rubbed her back as Mina wept with happiness. "You're going to be a great mom, love."
"Are you happy?" Mina's eyes showed how frightened she was inside.
Bryan beamed. "You kidding? I am ecstatic – and that really doesn't begin to cover how I feel."
Mina giggled and nuzzled his neck.
I know short and long awaited, but I have schoolwork right now people! Thanks to those who are still interested in this section of my remake of the show. Any ideas on where to go with H&H only?