Eternal Sailor Moon Chapter 5: A Stranger in Shadows, a sailor moon fanfic

Begin PARobot Block

AUTHOR: Shadow82

TITLE: Eternal Sailor Moon

PART: 5

PARTTITLE: A Stranger in Shadows

CATEGORY: Series

COMMENT: Taking place two years after Sailor Stars…

NOTES: The Japanese School year starts in April

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ETERNAL SAILOR MOON

CHAPTER 5: A Stranger In Shadows

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The final school bell rung throughout the halls of Juuban High and the students quickly rushed out of the school to do their daily routines of socialization and homework. Ami Mizuno was no exception to this, though she tended to focus on homework more often than socializing. Recent events, however, had forced her to divert from the normal.

She turned a corner in the crowded hallways of the school and quickly made her way to her locker. She opened it; grabbing all the books she felt she needed before closing it softly and making her way out the building to meet the others. As she moved through the halls, her mind shifted to the reason they were meeting today. Though it wasn't uncommon for them to meet after school, today's reason was one they hadn't used in nearly two years – since Galaxia nearly ended all life on the planet. Now they were meeting because a new enemy threatened the Earth, and they didn't know what it wanted.

She exited the building and caught sight of her new sensei and the transfer student talking with one another. They both turned their heads in her direction and nodded before continuing on their way. She couldn't help but smile in their direction. Her sensei had seemed like a nice person from what she had seen so far, though his teaching seemed a bit more withdrawn. Ironic she thought, that what I will learn in this class will probably be used sooner than either of them expects.

"AMI-CHAN!"

Ami's head turned to the direction of the voices and she saw Minako, Usagi, and Makoto waving her over. She sighed, shook her head, and made her way over to them.

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"So what do you think of the class?"

Ash's eyes glanced at Kage and he shook his head to that question. He slung his bag over his shoulder thinking for a moment as he continued his stride towards the parking lot. "Most of the class is female. Most…are only there to see you. The few that aren't there are either martial artists, forced to be there, or want to learn to kick the crap out of somebody."

Kage frowned. "and the Males?"

"They are there to either prove themselves better than you, because the generally respect you, or are forced to be there as well."

"I see. So a few egos will be bruised," Kage glanced back at him. "And of you?"

Ash's expression narrowed. "Most are disgusted, some it doesn't matter, and few are accepting. A few girls are interested in me and the guys are jealous of that. Generally, they don't feel a gaijin should be in the position I'm in. Petty racism for some."

"I see. So there are going to be seriously ticked when you plant them to the mat."

Ash shrugged. "Whatever, I have a job to do and I'm going to get it done. Just because I enjoy doing said job…"

Kage shook his head. "Well, have you found temporary housing yet? You know you're always welcomed at my place."

"I think not. Your place is too crowded for my tastes."

"What are you talking about? There is only myself and Shadow."

"You know what I mean." Ash sighed. "Either way, Ms. Meiou has set me up with a temporary family till the Trinity Star Corporation clears the housing and financial arrangements for my personal apartment."

"I see. So where will you be staying?"

Ash stopped in his movements and then motioned in a direction north of where they were standing. "The Hikawa Shrine on Cherri Hill."

Kage paused in his stride before stopping completely. A bemused look was attached to his face. "Interesting."

"Indeed."

Kage chuckled as he began moving towards the parking lot. "You know my first sensei was the caretaker and keeper of the shrine there. While I was there, I had the brief opportunity to meet his granddaughter. I remember she had a very fiery spirit back then. I believe her name was Rei…"

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The darkness.

IT surrounded her form, completely enveloping her, suffocating her. It felt like it was slowly draining the life from her body – in essence, killing her.

She then felt the bathing glow of the purest light was over her form. It seemed to fight against the darkness, all the while protecting her from its effects. The darkness and the light both battled for superiority, but neither gained nor lost any ground. They both seemed like they would remain locked this way for eternity. That though, changed as the darkness seemed to grow and become powerful. It was beginning to over power the light, and that was when she felt the third presence.

A gray form appeared from the empty void of nothingness that surrounded her and the combating forces. It seemed to be filled with conflicting energies, hypocritically held to together in perfect unity. It seemed to be the middle of everything. It seemed to be neutral. It seemed to be "Balanced."

The gray form slowly approached the dueling forces from the void. As it moved closer, it began to take on a shape, humanoid in form, and appeared to be watching them. Then it moved closer, it began to take on a shape, humanoid in form, and appeared to be watching them. Then it moved, raising both arms and pointing at the opposing forces. The forces of light and darkness appeared to be taking note of the new being present. The force of light appeared to step back and the gray form rushed forward attacking the force of darkness. As it battled the darkness, the force of light seemed to grow and a moment later they seemed equal on scale of power and strength. The gray form stepped back from the two, glancing at her and then at the two forces.

She stood there feeling a sudden speedy passage of time and watching the light grow larger than the darkness. That's when she saw the gray form move forward again, apparently joining the light and began to stomp out the darkness, but suddenly turned and begin to destroy the light, as the darkness grew stronger. However the light wasn't finished and it pierced the darkness, causing both to shrink away and become nothing more than specks of what they once were.

Suddenly, though, she felt her body rush forward. Then she saw a silver and black blur strike the form in gray and felt it shudder as it fell. That was when she felt something calming and soothing wash over…something she had felt before…that something being the ginzinshou.

As she felt herself slowly consumed in the light, she turned her eyes to the gray form, and saw it suddenly pull a piece of the darkness into itself and change, becoming black, not like the darkness, but still black, and with frightfully glowing red eyes. Those red eyes now focused on her were filled with an intense anger. In them, however, she saw something else, saw a reflection. A reflection, not of herself, but of another, in full senshi form. The form of the senshi of Saturn.

The light intervened, feeding the form briefly, and causing its eyes to change from the crimson red ones to bright golden ones. Those eyes glanced at the light compassionately…almost sadly. However those golden eyes soon turned back on her, and she felt it again, it washed over her with enough force that it forced her back in shock. She didn't even have time to scream as the form shot forth and pierced her through.

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Rei's eyes opened sharply, her breaths quick, and her heart pounding. Her priestess robes were covered in the soot of the prayer fire and soaked in her sweat from its heat. Her mind reeled from the force of the vision she had just received and which she didn't completely understand the meaning of what she saw.

She slowly began to recover herself, while struggling to regain her bearings, before standing and leaving the prayer room. Her legs felt weak and her body ached from the force of the vision. This new enemy, is powerful…but it hated and was harmed by Saturn. She thought to herself as she walked across the grounds of the temple. Saturn maybe the key to defeating this enemy.

She though was pulled out her thoughts as she felt a strange wave of energy pass over her. Her eyes did a quick scan of the grounds before they fell across a gentleman standing at the top of the shrine's stairway. The gentleman was dressed in a dark colored business suit and had an elderly appearance, looking about the age of her grandfather.

"Hello, may I help you?" Rei called out to the gentleman whom glanced in her direction, gave a warm smile, and walked over.

"Yes." The gentleman said approaching her. "I am looking for Mr. Hino. Is he available at the moment?"

"I'm sorry, he's not here. He went with another hand to get supplies for the temple. Is there anything I can help you with?"

"You, by chance, wouldn't be Rei Hino?" He asked.

Rei's eyes gained a curious expression before she nodded.

"Then he said it would be alright for me to hand this to you." She watched the gentleman smile before producing a small box and handing it to her. She opened the box before feeling a strange and powerful energy wash over her. In the box was a clear red orb that appears to have a flame set in the middle of it. A flame that seemed to be moving. The jewel seemed to be captivating her. So much so, she barely caught the words coming out of the gentleman's mouth.

"Could you tell Mr. Hino, that Mr. Asakari of the Tokyo National Museum thanks him for allowing us to use the Rage Orb for our exhibition on rare jewels?"

Rei's eyes glanced from the jewel to him as she nodded, before closing the box and feeling the energy from the jewel sealed again. She watched the gentleman bow before leaving. She turned herself heading back into the shrine and towards her room. Her eyes studied the intricate designs on the box and noticed that carved into the box itself seemed wards for protection.

As she entered the room, she glanced at the clock on the wall and frowned. She had lost complete track of time while in the prayer room and outside. The group had decided to meet after school here, but she had requested they give her a couple of hours before they arrived. That now put them off by about 30 minutes. She just had enough time for a quick bath.

She sighed aloud, setting the box on the table and rushing, gathered what she needed before running to the bath house.

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"You know, there was no need for you to give me a ride over here. I could have taken a taxi." The sound of Ash's voice carried up the stairs of the Hikawa Shrine.

"True, but I wanted to see my old sensei." Kage's voice followed.

"Quit lying, you and I both know the real reason you came. That is to see his granddaughter." A sandy blond head of hair suddenly appeared on the horizon of the stairway. A moment passed and Ash appeared, his hands shoved into his pockets. He got to the top of the steps before glancing back down and shaking his head.

"Hell no, man." A moment later, the silver and black hair that belonged to Kage Musha came up. "You know she was only eight when I left, and even before then, we didn't see much of each other. She probably doesn't remember who I am."

"Uh-huh…" Ash responded as he stood at the top of the stairs. He motioned towards the temple. "Well anyway, you know this place. Do you know where they maybe?"

Kage stood there and shrugged. "I don't know." His eyes narrowed as he glanced back at Ash. "But tell me something. Why am I carrying YOUR bags?"

Kage, now completely visible from the steps, had Ash's school and overnight bags in his hands. The young man smirked. "Well you pulled them out of the trunk of your car. Since you didn't hand them to me, I figured you wanted to carry them." He brought his hands up. "Who am I to stop you from doing something you want to do."

A large bead of sweat formed on Kage's head an instant after he finished.

"May I help you?"

Before Kage could say anything, a feminine voice interrupted his thoughts. He turned to stare into the dark purple eyes of a raven haired young woman dressed in the traditional garb of a Shinto priestess, about 17 years in age. He instantly recognized the young woman, though she didn't recognize him.

"Yes." Ash responded after noticing the dumbfounded look on Kage's face. "I'm here to see Mr. Hino. I'm the foreign exchange student he's housing here."

"Foreign exchange student?" Her eyes seemed to hold a bit of confusion. "Grandpa never mentioned a foreign exchange student…" She shook her head. "Though that does explain why the guest room is suddenly prepared and why Grandpa and Yuuchirou are both gone…" Her hand suddenly clenched into a fist. "GRANDPA…WHEN YOU RETURN…."

"Well…" Ash said, finding the scene amusing.

"Oh…I'm sorry…" Rei said as a small blush began to creep up on her face. She held her hand out. "I'm Rei Hino."

"Nice to meet you Rei, my name is Ashton Caerwyn. But you can call me Ash for short. My dumbfounded friend over here is Kage Musha." He took her hand before motioning to Kage.

Kage finally snapped out of his stupor and bowed. When he straightened he caught a curious look come across Rei's face.

"Do I know you?" she asked, "You seem familiar."

Kage shook his head. "Maybe, though I tend to just have one of those faces." He caught a raised eyebrow of Ash's form the corner of his vision before continuing. "You said your grandfather wasn't in."

She nodded. "He and Yuuchirou went out to gather some supplies."

"Yuuchirou?"

"Oh, he's a helper here at the shrine." Rei answered before turning to Ash. "if you'd like, I can show you to the guest bedroom till he returns."

Ash nodded. "I'd appreciate that. Plus since he's not here, that will give us an opportunity to get the rest of my things from the Shipping offices at Narita Airport."

"I agree." Kage responded. "However, while you show Ash where to place his things, do you mind if I look around the grounds?"

"Rei shook her head. "Not at all. Ash, if you'll follow me this way?"

Ash took his things from Kage before allowing Rei to lead him into the back of the shrine. Kage began to walk around the entrance of the shrine, studying the changes that had occurred over the past nine years. What he had noticed was that the shrine had undergone a lot of repairs that were obviously not mere maintenance.

"Musha-Sensei?"

Kage turned to the soft spoken voice and stared into the aqua blue eyes of one of his students.

"Mizuno-san" he answered as he looked upon the blue haired student standing before him. His eyes then fell on the three companions that were with her. One was a tall brunette, whom had pink rose shaped earrings and her hair tied with a green ball barrette. The other two were both blonde; however while one had her hair hanging loosely except for the red bow at top, the other had her hair in a peculiar hair style of two spherical buns and long tressels flowing from them. The three of them were staring back at him, studying him as he studied them.

The silence was finally broken when the tall brunette sighed. "He looks like my old boyfriend."

Kage blinked while everyone else produced huge beads of sweats on their forehead. Ami simply held her head in her hands.

"Oookay…" Kage exasperated as he glanced back at Ami. "Who are your friends Mizuno-san?"

"Oh, sorry," She paused before motioning towards the blond with two balls on her head. "This is Usagi," she then motioned to the tall brunette behind her, "this is Makoto," she then motioned to the blonde with the bow in her hair, "and this is…"

"Alright Kage, I'm ready to go…" Ash's eyes fell on the four girls standing near Kage. More specifically, they focused on the girl with blond hair held by a red bow.

Kage blinked, glancing at the girl. She held the same look in her eyes. In an instant, she had shoved past Kage and the other girls and was now standing in front of Ash, her hand outstretched to shake his. "My name is Minako Aino."

Everyone stared at Minako, blinking with huge sweat drops covering their heads. Ash shook out of it first, extending his hand and taking hers within it.

"Ash. A pleasure to meet you." He shook her hand. "I see you attend Juuban high as well."

"Yes. You're the new foreign exchange student. When did you get in?"

"A few nights ago. So, I'm still new to the area. Maybe you can show me around…"

"Yeah! We can go right now…"

At that moment both Kage and Rei cleared their throats, causing the pair to glance at each other and then at everyone else. An odd moment passed.

Kage turned towards the duo and was first to speak. "I'm sorry, he can't do it tonight. We still have to go get your things from the airport."

Rei nodded as well. "…AND we still have that 'study' group, remember?' she said adding emphasis to the word study. Something Kage caught but ignored.

Ash nodded, "Yeah…well let me take a rain check on that. How about we do this tomorrow, after school?"

Minako shook her head. "I can't. I have volleyball practice. But, I don't have anything to do after."

"Ok." Ash bowed before walking towards the stairs and near Kage. He stopped and turned back. "I'll see you around then." He shot a quick glance at Kage. "Let's go."

Kage glanced at the girls. "It was a pleasure meeting you ladies. I'll see you in class Ami. Laters."

Kage nodded his goodbyes and began his way down the stairs when he noticed two cats, one black and one white, both with what appeared to be crescent bald spots, watching them both. He would have ignored them if he hadn't felt something disturbing about them. He couldn't place it. He shook the thought and proceeded down to his car.

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"so what do you think your vision means?" Makoto asked from her spot at the table in Rei's room.

Rei shook her head. "I'm not sure, but it deals with Saturn. I think she is important in this upcoming battle.

As soon as Rei had finished, the black cat from outside suddenly leapt onto the top of the table. The gold crescent mark on its forehead shimmered briefly as it glanced at Rei and began to speak. "Rei is it possible that these forces could mean something else?"

Rei nodded. "It's possible…but I'd like to do more readings to be sure."

The cat nodded. "I see. Until you're more certain, we can't assume Saturn is the key to defeating the enemy. Your vision could mean that Saturn is the most endangered by this new enemy."

Ami nodded. "I agree with Luna, if we set Saturn out there, she may be destroyed by this enemy."

The cat, Luna, focused one Ami, "Have you been able to get any readings from the youma you've faced?"

"Ami shook her head. "No, I didn't get an opportunity to do so."

"Ok next time we face them I want you to get out the way and get a scan. Maybe that will give us better insight on what they are, why they are here, and how to defeat them."

Ami nodded. "I'll try Luna."

"We do have a new problem however." The white feline added in with an almost lazy drawl. He slowly walked onto the table. His crescent mark also shimmered as he spoke. "I felt something strange coming from the two of your guest earlier."

Luna glanced at the cat, wondering how he had picked that up when Rei began to speak.

"I felt something as well Artemis." Rei spoke in agreement. "But only coming from Ami's sensei. I felt an almost familiar presence from him."

"Well we might want to investigate this further." Luna began before turning to Rei and Ami. "Rei since Ash will be here, keep an eye on him and watch out for anything strange that might occur with him. Ami do the same thing with Kage Musha. Now that means..."

"OOOH, Rei what is this, it's beautiful." Usagi spoke aloud, causing the entire group to turn to her and the shimmering red orb in her hand.

"Odango-baka, put that…"

Rei was suddenly interrupted by a loud rumbling that began to shake the temple. A moment later, the sound of plaster and wood being torn through sent the group of girls into frenzy.

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Kage's eyes narrowed as he stood at a Terminal in Narita and waited for Ash to grab his things. A moment later and Ash turned towards him. "Kage, do me a favor and check to see if my other luggage has gotten through customs yet?"

Kage glanced at the young man with a curious expression. He glanced at Ash, who held out two baggage claim tickets before taking them. With a shrug, he walked off in another direction.

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Haruka and Michiru stood side by side, staring off into the clear blue sea, from a scenic view from a cliff. The only sounds coming from the area were the various calls of the wildlife around them. That tranquility was soon broken by Haruka.

"The wind seems disturbed."

"And the sea is restless." Michiru added.

"We are needed again." Haruka finished.

With a nod, they turned and left the tranquil scene behind.

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Mercury moaned in pain as body came to rest against the unyielding bark of a tree. She had been standing aside, following Luna's orders, attempting to get of the creature. A creature that was now attacking her fellow senshi again.

The creature was tall, standing at almost 6 feet in height. However, it wasn't its height that was intimidating. What was intimidating was the body itself. It appeared to look like a great white shark, but had arms, legs, and a tail resembling that of a rat, as well as two large distinguishing buck teeth. Both curved to match the shark persona and other rows of teeth. It released a hiss as it scrambled on all fours and ran at Sailor Moon.

The creature, upon arriving, had exploded into Rei's room and swatted them all aside before attacking Usagi, whom held the orb in her hand and effectively became the first target of the creature. She was taken out of it immediately. She and the other senshi had transformed instantly and began to attack it just as it was about to take the orb held by Usagi. To say the least, it wasn't too thrilled.

Now it was very close to the scene of the jewelry store. Mars was, at the moment, recovering from being thrown through a wall and into the prayer room. Jupiter was the next to be thrown out the room. Her temper at seeing her future queen being hurt got the best of her and she attacked without thinking. The creature, with the orb in hand, had then dove out the room, but she and Venus had followed while the cats looked after Usagi.

Venus had managed to get the orb out of the monsters hand with her Love-me chain. The creature angered charged them both. They managed to get out of it's way and she had started her scans as Venus began a one on one battle. She had only glanced at her mini computer for a moment before looking up to see Venus on the ground and it charging at her. She was conveniently right next to the orb it was after.

She had barely braced herself to being thrown and now found herself at her current position.

"MARS…FLAME SNIPER!"

"JUPITER…OAK EVOLUTION!"

She glanced up to see Jupiter and Mars having emerged from the hole in the shrine and releasing their most powerful attacks at the monster. The monster took them, shrugging them off before whipping it tail at them. Mars avoided it, but Jupiter took it grabbing it and trying to overpower the monster.

Mercury returned her eyes to her computer, taking in the data before glancing back up in time to see Jupiter whipped into Mars. They began to stand, but didn't have enough time as the tail of the youma was now wrapped around tree. It ripped it from the ground before using it like a bat and striking the two senshi, effectively taking them out the fight.

It glanced at Mercury before the black beady eyes noticed the orb. It rushed to it, ripping it from the ground before continuing its charge towards her. She sent her mini computer away before beginning the motions for an attack.

"MERCURY…AQUA RHAPSHODY!"

She launched her attack at the monster, which took it, slowed momentarily and then picked up the pace. She braced herself for pain. She felt something, noticed something from the shadows of the tree. Something, a black blur, dashing towards her. Felt a pair of arms wrap around her, scooping her from where she was. Then felt the both of them leaping upwards and away. Her eyes focused to where she was and spotted the tree that she had been against, had been ripped from the ground and torn apart.

They landed and she was set down to the ground, finally able to take in the full view of her savior. The being, whom appeared to be a male by the way his body was developed, was dressed in all black. He was tall, about as tall as the creature, and had on a long black hooded leathery overcoat. The coat had a long silver zipper which separated at his waist and appeared to allow him freedom of movement. The hood was connected by a silver chain and appeared to be able to be adjusted by silver drawstrings that hung from it. From the opening in the coat, he appeared to have on black trousers which were tucked into a pair of black boots and on his hands were a pair of fingerless biker gloves. She couldn't see inside the hood, as his face wasn't in her direction, only the back of his head.

The being turned completely away from her and appeared to be focused completely on the creature. The creature too, now seemed completely focused on him and appeared to have recognition in it's eyes.

"Baaaallllaaaannnnssseee." It hissed out in recognition. Mercury, took in the word. A word that she thought sounded like Balance. It howled and rushed forward towards them. The stranger did nothing for a moment, before holding his arm upward.

"DARK….." Mercury's eyes widened as the stranger in black held his palm towards the sky as the roll of thunder seemed to erupt from all around her. In his palm, a small ball of light began to gather into it before the orb began to quickly increase in size, till it reached the size of a large beach ball. That sphere however seemed to be suddenly choked to death as the shadows from all around began to wrap around, covering it, and shrinking it down to something the size of a grapefruit. "….LIGHTNING…." The sky seemed to scream as it released a black bolt of lightning, sending it into and through the orb, wrapping it in four black and silver rings of lightning bolts. "…BLAST!" His hand gripped the orb, dragging it from the air as he pulled it back before launching it towards the creature before them.

The creature was unable to move fast enough to avoid the attack and took it completely head on. The force of the attack had caused the orb in it's hand to be launched from it and land by her on the ground. It let out an unearthly cry as its body seemed to freeze and burn, before bolts erupted across it. A second before crumbling to dust as it was destroyed. From the dust, a single black orb rolled from it, before shattering to dust itself.

The stranger stood there, staring at the remains of the creature as Mercury studied him with a confused and curious expression on her face. She slowly stood up, debating on whether she was going to speak or not.

When she finally got the butterflies out her stomach, she began to speak. "Thank…."

He turned to her sharply, his glowing silver eyes focused directly on her, and causing her voice to catch in her throat. Even though he had saved her, the strange shadow concealing most of his face from within the hood of his coat, and along with his height, still left an opposing figure.

As he completed his turn and began to move towards her, she took an involuntary step backwards. He didn't even glance in her direction as he passed her, knelt, and picked up the red crystal orb with the white flame in the center of it that had belonged to Rei. He began to study it before tightening his fist around it and standing quickly. He made a sharp turn towards her, and then turned his gaze to all the unconscious girls, who were now slowly beginning to recover.

He began to move towards her, before stopping suddenly and leaping upwards, just as a planet shaped orange sphere of wind energy shot pass and through the area he was just in. He landed back on ground in a crouched position and turned his focus on the two new senshi now standing at the stairway leading from Hikawa.

Mercury's eyes widened as she noticed the stranger's hand began to spark and generate black bolts of electricity while he slowly stood and took a dangerous pose.

"Uranus, Neptune, stop! He saved…"

"That one was a warning." Uranus began, cutting Mercury's sentence off, and causing the figure's hood to turn and focus completely on her. His mouth, the only thing not shrouded by his hood, was twisted in an angered scowl. "The next one will not miss…." She paused.

"Outsider."

To Be Continued…..