Shadowed Love: Neo Soldiers

Chapter 3

Dream:

Buildings shattered and crumbled to dust; the ground shook and heaved as the sky seemed to be on fire. Sunlight hadn't shone in days, the flowers were dying, the trees were withering. Life was being sucked out of the Earth.

Thousands of screams filled the sky as silvery light of the moon flooded Crystal Tokyo. Darkness spilled over the city, as if to engulf the souls that remained. There was no stopping the coming darkness. No one would survive if they fought. The world was going to end and it would start with Crystal Tokyo.

The darkness was coming…they were all going to die.

Haruka held Frost in her arms; trying to sooth the woman from her nightmare.

"Frost, it's okay. I'm here." Haruka whispered softly. "I'm here."

Frost slowly opened her eyes; the clung to her mind, she was shaking with the effects of it.

"I saw it again." Frost whispered and struggled to breathe slowly. "The same dream."

"Did you see what was causing it?" Haruka asked.

"No. But whatever it is, we're all going to die." Frost whispered into her lover's arms. "Crystal Tokyo is going to fall."

Haruka rested her cheek on the top of Frost's head; they held one another in the silence.

Beneath the canopy of stars; Neocanus, Guardian of the Future, looked at the sky. He'd felt the presence for weeks; slowly it had been building, like a shadow. Now, he was certain of it, he knew they were here. They were just biding their time.

He looked at the palace to his left; the crystal surfaces winked and shimmered. He looked to the city stretched out below him. It slept peacefully.

This new world was not prepared for war; it was not trained or knowledgeable of it. The sailor scouts that had defended earth for so long, were nothing but fairy tales to the people.

Neo sighed as he looked back at the star-filled sky. "The peace has lasted too long." As he came to his feet she sighed, "I can only hope that those left to fight, remember how."

Frost was up at day break; she was dressed in black jeans and a black t-shirt. The air was cold as she walked the Venus Gardens. She knew this place, this city. She knew every route, every path, and every street. She knew that the Venus Crystal Point was the source of all beauty, harmony, love, and music for the city.

But what she didn't know, is what had her up at dawn, pacing. The dream had repeated for weeks. She was certain it was a premonition of the future; but she had no idea what events would trigger it. If she knew that, she might be able to warn someone. But who?

Neo Queen Serenity had no idea who Frost was. Nor did the other warriors of this place. They'd forgotten her; everyone had, except Neo and Haruka.

As if on cue the guardian of the Shadow Moon stepped out of the bushes. He looked as startled as Frost. After a moment he sat on his hunches and they stared at one another.

"The dream," He muttered, "You're trying to decipher it."

"I have to at least try to warn them."

"Frost, I mean Chandra, no one will listen. They don't even know of your presence here."

Frost sighed and hugged herself. "I know. But they have to be altered."

"You and I both knew this would happen one day. You saw it, back on the Moon."

"But I also saw myself with Haruka."

"And now you are." Neo reminded her gently.

"They can't die like this, not after all the sacrifices, the work, the tears." Frost sighed and rubbed her hands on her arms. She seemed to be bothered by the cold. "The Dark Moon is stronger then I remember."

Neo sighed, "They've had a few thousand years to hone their skills."

Frost would have been amused, but she was worried. "Neo, I have a feeling, these people of the Dark Moon. They will defeat the Queen and her people."

The Guardian was quiet, "Nothing is set in stone, there is always a ray of hope."

"There has to be something I can do."

Neo stared at the former Queen of the Shadow Moon and felt sorry for her. She was as old as he was and she was just as tired. But despite all that, she still wanted to help.

"Chandra, you cannot stop Destiny or Fate. They have conspired for this to happen."

Frost shook her head, "I created this city, Neo. I left it for them to have a future in, not for…Not for this."

"There is a source of hope, my queen." Neo whispered softly. "Meet with their Prince; they will not bring war to this city if you are protecting it."

Frost glanced at the Guardian and looked away, "I will not fight."

Neo frowned, "But, Chandra, you are the only solider strong enough."

"I won't do it."

He knew she wouldn't. Frost had never wanted to be senshi. She'd rejected her destiny back in the old world, she still didn't want it.

"Then Crystal Tokyo is without hope."

High above the world, floating in the dark of space, Prince Diamende watched the blue sphere of Earth. He waved a hand and the face of Neo Queen Serenity appeared.

Gently he touched the lines of her jaw; he touched her hair. Yes, she was worthy of him. Before this conquest was over, he would have her as his own.

"Prince Dimende," Esmerlde appeared to his left, "We are prepared to begin the assault."

"Give me a moment," Dimende whispered and she vanished. He smiled as his fingers curled into a fist. "It has been too long."

Frost woke from her sleep; even awake she could feel their presence. They were close, the new enemy. Behind her eyes, in her mind, she saw their ships, saw their faces. They were just above the world, hovering in space, waiting.

Frost blinked and found Haruka reading beside her. She stared up at the blonde woman; watching the way the sun fell around her. She was so beautiful.

"Haruka, if you had to fight to protect Tokyo, would you do it?" Frost asked

Haruka stared at her, "What?"

"IF you had to fight, one last time, would you do it?"

"Would you be with me at the end?"

"No, I won't fight anymore."

"Then no," Haruka shut her book and stood up, "I quit being senshi when you…after you left."

"Yes, but if I was back and they needed you."

Haruka walked to the window, looking out at the Venus Gardens, "What are you hinting at Frost? Are we going to be under attack soon?"

Frost was quiet; in her mind she saw the battles, the attack. She saw it all. "Perhaps."

Haruka turned to face her, "And you won't fight?'

"No, I won't."

"Then neither will I."

Frost rolled over and pretended to sleep. She heard Haruka leave the room and opened her eyes. She sat up and reached across the bed to the table. She opened the drawer. Taking out the leather box she lifted the lid.

The Universe Crystal was lit from within; shining brilliantly. The light danced and spun within the crystal; if one looked hard enough they could see planets, galaxies and endless stars and every color imaginable.

Tears blurred her vision and she shut the lid on the box. Taking in a deep breath, Frost had to force herself not to cry.

She had not sacrificed her self to have this city fall. She had to do something!

Rising from the bed, she dressed in the same clothes from the morning. Gently she removed the crystal from its box and held it tightly in her palm. She left the room and walked to the edge of the palace grounds.

Holding the crystal in her open palm, she spoke into it.

"Prince Dimende!"

A moment she felt something descend to Earth. She felt it wrap around her and her feet began to rise off the ground. She was sucked up into the sky and through space into a ship.

Frost staggered slightly as she touched ground. Her fingers closed tightly around the crystal as she looked around.

The interior of the ship was dark; but luxurious. Clearly this was a throne room; the throne though, was empty. She had no sense of people or anything; just empty darkness.

"Dimende!"

"I hear you, Shadow Queen." His voice came from everywhere at once. "It's been a long time since you visited the Dark Moon. What can we do for you?"

"You have to leave Earth."

"I am surprised at you, Shadow Queen." His voice focused to one area as he appeared from the darkness. "You, telling me, to give up what I want. When you would destroy a planet in punishment for a slight."

"That was a long time ago." She said coolly, "I've changed."

"Not really," He said in just as cool a tone. "You stood by when the White Moon Kingdom was destroyed by Beryl. Don't tell me you've changed."

"Dimende, why don't you tell me what you want?"

"Hmm, would you join us?"

"No, I don't take sides, remember?"

"You're the one who said you've changed." Dimende pointed out.

Frost closed her eyes for a moment. This is why she had avoided dealing with the Dark Moon, they were tedious.

"So what do you want?"

"That's my business."

"But this world is mine. I won't let you set one finger on it, without knowing why."

Dimende frowned, "Don't assume you can order me about, Shadow Queen. You're powerless here."

"Don't bet on it." She said icily.

"The Evil Black Crystal negates all others; you can do nothing."

Frost held up her hand and opened her fingers. The light of the Universe crystal filled the room. It was like a small sun had been turned on in the ship.

Dimende flinched and backed away from her, "The legendary Universe Crystal." His tone was hushed, awed. "So you are the owner."

"I am the master of it." She corrected, "It is you who are powerless here, Dimende. I came here only as a curtsey to you."

He looked at her and held a hand against the light. "Point taken, Shadow Queen, kindly turn that off."

Frost smiled softly as she closed her fingers around the crystal. The light vanished as she lowered her hand. "Now, what do you want?"

"I want her," Dimende waved a hand and the air shimmered as an image appeared.

Frost inhaled sharply, "Usagi!"

"Neo Queen Serenity." He whispered, "I want her with me."

Frost stared at the man, "The time in space really has gone to your head, Dimende. You're mad if you think you can have the Neo-Queen."

"I can have her and you're going to help me." He countered sharply, the image faded.

"I am?" Frost shook her head, "No, I don't think so."

"But I do."

Dimende strode to the centre of the room. "As powerful as you are and as powerful as that crystal is, that you command. The use of it is a death sentence. You will die, once and for all. There will be no rebirth, no coming back."

Frost swallowed as he talked.

"I know, as you do, that the use of the Universe Crystal takes everything you have. All your energy, power and memories." Dimende paused, watching her, "The crystal is your heart and soul, just at the Silver Crystal is tied to Serenity, so is the Universe Crystal tied to you."

"What's your point?" Frost snapped angrily.

"My point is, you could destroy us, you could do it easily. But you would die and when the next enemy comes, who will defend Crystal Tokyo?"

"The Rabbit of the Moon is powerful." Frost said.

"She is, yes, but they are fat on peace. No one here takes conflict seriously, Shadow Queen. The Rabbit is no warrior, she is strong and brave, but not a warrior."

"So what? You'd be gone."

Dimende nodded, "Yes, we would be. But we're not the only threat out there." He looked at Frost with a cool, steady eyes, "There are much worse things then us, Shadow Queen and they all want a piece of this paradise on Earth."

Frost swallowed again, but her throat was dry. "The only way to prevent a complete loss of the world is to allow this to happen." It was a statement.

"Even your sight, as powerful as it is, cannot see that far into the future. But yes, this city needs to be awakened from its slumber of peace."

Within her mind she saw the darkness over the city. The shattered buildings, the dead bodies, the dead grass and trees. Everything would die; everything.

"You'll kill everything." Frost whispered.

"It's what we do, Shadow Queen." Dimende gave a dark smile, "Once upon a time, you did too."

Frost knew he was right, she had destroyed worlds in the past. But never like this, never for something so foolish, so selfish.

"Dimende, you will never have the queen. Serenity is beyond your hold."

"We shall see; perhaps she will be less inclined to deny me at the cost of her beloved city."

Frost shook her head, "She will never be yours. That I can promise you."

Dimende waved a hand, "We're done here, Shadow Queen. Should you fight us, we will be defeated but you'll die. If not, you will abandon this city to it's fate. The choice is yours."

Frost felt the gravity press on her and she was falling through space. She landed on the space spot she'd left from. Opening her eyes she saw Neocanus waiting for her; his expression was blank.

"Well?" He asked.

"He hasn't changed."

"What are you going to do?"

"I'm not sure yet." Frost admitted.

She walked a little ways to a near by area and sat down. Neo joined her, he lay down at her feet, and she put a hand in his fur.

"I finally have the woman I want at my side." Frost muttered, "I have an opportunity to live out my life with love in it. I can take up the mantel and fight for Earth one last time; which will cost me everything, again; or I can walk away and leave this place to its fate, which we both know to be horrible."

"If you fight, you'll lose Haruka for ever, you won't come back. She'll be left here without you and when she is reborn, again, she'll still have to go on without you. If you don't fight, Haruka and the others will die; the city will fall to chaos and despair; but the hope for it will rest on the Rabbit of the Moon."

Frost nodded, "And I'll get to see Haruka again, just later."

Neo looked up at her, "The choice is yours."

"I know." She sighed heavily and closed her eyes. She lay back against the grass and tried not to think of anything. "But what if I make the wrong choice?"

"You can't," Neo muttered, "You know the future."