DISCLAIMERS:
All canon characters are (C) 1992 - whatever year it is Naoko Takeuchi and all other related parties. The Shadow senshi are (C) Wild Nature 2006. This is a fanfic based upon the anime version and all written work that this consists of is (C) 2006 Wild Nature.
Eizou's been discovered as a Shadow. But there's little more to go upon as Apple isn't even sure of who he is. And while they try to make due, more faceless enemies appear, fighting for their demon lord, the Void.
And Usagi and the others are just as perplexed. No one, even Setsuna, has heard about any Shadow senshi. But Setsuna makes an educated guess that if there's one of the moon, there might be eight others.
Episode Four: This Isn't Expected; Another Shadow Stirs
The senshi stood in the far back of the yard, hidden from the streets and life in general. They had all transformed and milled around into a somewhat circle, looking to each other for guidance.
"So? Should we just...?" Venus said finally.
"One of us has to begin," Jupiter pointed out.
"Fine, fine. Uranus Star Power!" Uranus called out.
"Neptune Star Power!"
"Saturn Star Power!"
"Pluto Star Power!"
"Mercury Star Power!"
"Mars Star Power!"
"Venus Star Power!"
"Jupiter Star Power!"
"Moon Eternal Power!"
"SAILOR TELEPORT!" They each grabbed their partner's hands as each became a pillar of colored lights. And in moments, they disappeared off the Earth.
They all reappeared, more or less together. "Aye.. that was intense," Jupiter groaned.
"I'm going to hurl..." Venus leaned over, gasping in air.
"Trespassers! How dare you enter the realms of the Dead Moon!" A scantily dressed man appeared, his top shirtless and he wore his silver pants loosely, billowing out to tuck into the heavy set boots. He had his pants tied with a heavy, thick brown sash. He had bracelets on each wrist and his right ear was pierced four times, the first two a golden loop and the third one a silver diamond and the fourth a round white gem.
He had eyes of violent burgundy, skin like a bronzed god, and his chocolate hair was spiked up but long at the back, trailing unevenly along his shoulders. He wielded a wooden staff but a sword was lounging on his hip, in case of a more serious threat.
"Wait!" Sailor Moon began. The man's eyes seemed to blaze with rage.
"Senshi! On these grounds! You bring upon to us a curse, foolish beings!" He pulled his sword from it's sheath, pointing it directly at Sailor Moon.
"Stop! Be at ease, Njord!" A young woman appeared from behind him, her gown trailing down over the ground and falling behind her as she moved forward. Upon her forehead she wore a red orb outlined in white that tied with two black strands to a clip, each end rounded and white. Her earrings were of a elongated violet crescent moon, a magenta round gem on each lower side of the crescent. She also had a set of four thin rings higher along her earlobe.
Her throat was clasped by something that looked like a upside down crown, the front lower part having a set of five points, the far sides going around the throat. The middle one at the center of her throat, resting along her chest, was the longest as the two, each beside the middle one, were the same length. This throat piece's top was edged in magenta but was studded just below and at each point with violet round gems.
Her shoulders were bare, revealing delicate porcelain skin. The breast piece had the left cup overpassing the right pass into a curved point. Each was edged in magenta and colored violet. Her shoulders had puffy violet bands that had magenta long sleeves, going to her wrists. The waist lead to a skirt, and all of this was black as night.
Her hair was nearly as long as her body, mahogany locks that was wavy beyond belief. Her deep glistening blue eyes stared forth, her soft magenta lips pressing together as she faced the group.
"My lady..." Njord began.
"You come seeking something, don't you?" She asked quietly.
"Yes, answers," Pluto answered.
"We didn't expect..." Mars said weakly.
"Survivors?" She smiled. "Yes but this is not what our world is like here. You must see the inside to know how our lives go on."
She nodded slightly. "I am the ruler of the Dead Moon realm, Duchess Nerthus. This is the Captain of the Guards, Njord."
Njord moved to the Duchess's side. "What do you want?" He asked, his voice clipped.
"Something strange is happening upon Earth and we need to know about something," Neptune said quietly.
"Then by all means, ask," Nerthus said very seriously.
"Do you have senshi?" Sailor Moon blurted.
Nerthus smiled. "We did, once. But they don't live here anymore."
"What happened to them?" Venus asked suspiciously.
"They were in danger. Many of my people believe that senshi are curses by the Gods. But I know the real story."
"I am the descendent of Nehellenia. It was said she once told stories of a dream she had, of a brilliant white light and nine soldiers who gave her a second chance. I follow by this only and know that senshi mean good. However, our senshi are much more different."
"They are senshi of Shadows, of the more darker side of elements. Not to say they are evil but rather, they have the ability to counterbalance the planetary soldiers."
"We found one, called Shadow Moon. Does that mean anything?" Mercury asked.
"Yes, very much so. She is the Moonlight of the Moon."
"And the others?" Jupiter asked next.
"There are eight others, each much like you. But instead of serving worlds, they serve the elements of energies."
"Elements? Such as Earth, Wind, Fire, and Air?"
"It's more like Fire, Ice, Lightning, Metal, Time, Decay, Sky, Ocean, and Light. They are the more wilder group. But when each were born, sixteen years ago, it was a disaster. A Lunarian by the name of Void, one of our great seers, told that they would lead to a downfall."
"Downfall? What downfall?"
"I don't know," Duchess Nerthus said quietly. "Void disappeared suddenly, as if plagued. But my people soon learned of what was said and since they already thought that senshi were curses..."
She cupped her face tiredly. "I am ashamed. I was merely a young girl myself and not in ruling. My mother and her court sentenced them all to death."
"You mean she killed them? Babies?" Jupiter breathed.
"Yes. Not one of our greatest moments but then, what could I do. I was barely ten."
"But they've been reborn then." Pluto said quietly.
"Please," Nerthus moved backwards quietly. "Follow me."
They moved all as one into the shadows. The world darkened into black before a single shine of light came from forward, spinning forward until it blossomed like a flower of eternal light, a world opening to the group.
It was a land of stone, the buildings small but widely spread, the market in the near center, close to the castle. The castle itself, was fashioned off a circus tent, with an eight pointed diamond for the top, the walls pressing outward to elongate into buttresses and long halls that opened to smaller parts of the castle. The earth was hard but there was dark green grass and light.
"Where is the light coming from?" Venus asked, her face straining to find the source.
"It's a spell. We use a certain item that casts the power of the sun in order to give us light," Duchess Nerthus smiled. "I will show it to you, if you like?"
"Sure..." They followed inside, the floors carpeted in red and the walls made of gray brick stones. It was furnished lightly but still has a homely feel to it.
They came to wide, high double doors. The symbol of three crescent moons, fashioned into a diamond, was etched deeply into the two doors. Duchess Nerthus pressed her hand lightly and it slowly opened soundlessly.
"Welcome," she smiled as she offered the room. The senshi gasped, seeing the brilliant whiteness of the crystallized room, the walls shining, reflecting upon the center of the room. A pedestal of pure crystal glass stood proudly, a item seen deep in its center.
"What is that?" Sailor Moon neared closer, her nose practically pressing into the pedestal. "It's pretty."
"It is the Solar Cross," Njord spoke, for the first time in a long while. He'd been watching them and had finally chosen to relax. "It is a shard of the Sunlight."
"Sunlight?"
"The solidified item of sunlight, enhanced with the ability to cast light. Our sorceresses created this ages ago." Njord moved to Sailor Moon's side. "Do you mind?"
She blushed as she pulled away. "I'm sorry."
"It can only be touched by the true Queen of the Dead Moon. All others will only incinerate," Njord pointed out.
"But it's in glass," Mercury mused.
"It can be used as a weapon. But much like the sun, it can burn out if overpowered. The glass keeps it a constant rate."
"So these shadows..." Uranus began, hoping to get back on topic.
"They are still senshi but they call themselves Shadows instead," Duchess Nerthus smiled. "I know someone who could tell you a lot more than me. After all, it was she who told me the most."
She moved out of the room, the door closing by her touch. Njord walked in step to the Duchess.
"Are you two a couple?" Sailor Moon asked with a grin.
"WHAT?" Njord frowned. "I am merely her Captain. I am happily married to another woman, thank you very much. Besides, the Duchess is nearly half my age."
"Really? You look rather nice if you're that old," Venus commented.
Duchess Nerthus tilted her head away from the flaming face of Njord. "Njord has been around for a very long time. He ages very slowly."
"Why?"
"Because my clan and most of the people here are true Lunarians. We were once blessed by the Moon Queen and granted longevity as well. However, we put our aging to good use. Most of us become socerers and sorceresses."
"When I was ten, he was married already and had two children. His daughter was around my age but since her aging process is so slow, she is younger than I."
"Are you, well, living long?"
"I have started aging rapidly after the deaths of my parents. I suspect I'll stop soon. I rather like being this way."
"But growing old is good for you," Sailor Moon hurriedly pointed out.
"Once I find a suitable husband and have children, I'll resume life. But being the sole ruler at the moment, I need to be at my best."
"POMONA!" Njord's voice shouted out, echoing in the halls.
"You needn't shout!" Duchess Nerthus unplugged her ears with a sigh.
A figure of orange appeared in the distance, running fast and hard. "Coming, my padre!"
She came to a skidding halt, her red orange eyes flaming with gusto. Her orange hair was pulled up into two long wraps, each pointing up and to the side slightly for several inches before the hair jutted out into a braid of three parts and was then tied white a yellow beaded hairtie and the rest of the hair was cast out, going to her shoulders.
She wore a orange leotard, with breast cups that was held up over her shoulder with a yellow round orb that held the breast cups and two red orange shoulder straps together. The breast cups pointed down into a yellow orb. The breast section was cut off with a red orange band and at the lower waist was a orb of yellow, outlined in white, that was hooked into the fabric and had two wraparound fabrics that hugged her thighs loosely.
Her forehead was adorned with a small yellow orb, outlined in white. A set of three black strands, hung loosely over her forehead and hair, wrapped around to the other side. From each connected strand to the orb were a set of three other strands that fell down between her eyes slightly. Her earrings were pierced by first a long yellow loop with a secondary smaller loop next to it. Around her throat, she wore a set of three black slender chains. Her wrists had yellow beaded bracelets. And her feet were orange high heels, the middle of the foot and the top of the heel part of the shoe edged in yellow. There was a orange diamond at the center of the ankle, outlined in yellow. Each point had a yellow strand to wrap around to their counterparts.
"Hi!" She grinned widely. "I am Pom-Pom!"
"Pomona," Njord corrected.
"Pom-Pom!"
"Pomona! That's the name your mother and I gave you!"
She was quiet for a moment. "Duchess, how may Pom-Pom be of help?"
Njord threw up his hands in defeat.
Eizou lay asleep, everything seemingly forgotten.
'Shadow...' A voice whispered. 'Shadow Moon?'
Eizou stirred and opened her eyes to darkness. She was still asleep but yet she could move as if she were awake. She looked around nervously.
"Who's there?" She spoke, but it was merely her thought that resonated outward. She flinched, holding her head carefully.
'I'm sorry.. that I cannot say yet. But I am an ally.'
"Sure, say that! How could I believe you!" Eizou snapped.
'You must find the others... they will help you find the Heir..'
"Heir to what?"
'The Dead Moon realm.. that of which consist of wild lights...of elementary pillars..'
"Who are you!"
'There are eight others... other Shadows, cast by the Planets.. find them... find ...'
And Eizou awoke to clanging, Boya peeking at her as he grinned goofily. "You need more sleep!" He stated.
"You little SNOT!" She threw her covers off and took off after him, screaming with gusto.
"EIZOU!" Kokei glared. "What kind of unholy yelling is that?"
"Your sons keep waking me up!"
"Sleep is for nighttime," Kokei began.
"Can't you people ever give me a break?" She turned and stomped off upstairs, her limp returning. The sleep had given her ankle more time to heal but it was still numb. It was late as well, she noted, looking outside, the sun gone and the moon barely rising.
"Tomorrow I get to meet up with Makoto," She told herself. "And I can tell her I almost got a date.. Huh, me, date?"
Morning came as her alarm shot off. Her hand brushed out and accidentally hit her necklace down. She yawned, turning the beep off and reached out to pluck it from the floor.
Kakushi gave her a ride to school, although her parents said she could stay home for that day. But she was excited. It wasn't often she got to be with others, much less be able to call them friends. The day lounged slowly until she was nearly ready to scream.
She ran out at the first bell and turned to head outside. She looked around and saw no one, not yet at least.
She decided to head to the park, thinking that was where they would meet. She sat down on the bench at the opening of the park, expecting them any moment. After all, most of them went to the same school she did.
A hour passed, then two. She fiddled with her hands, trying not to breath. One move and she would burst out crying, she knew that. It always happened when she became upset.
She finally started for home. As she neared the house, she saw a familiar car at the front.
Henshou was sitting on the porch, talking adamantly with Kakushi. "Yo!" Kakushi waved to her as she came face to face with them.
Her eyes were huge as she stared at him. Her lower lip began to tremble. "Hey, you alright, Zou-chan?" Kakushi began.
"You..actually..." She burst out crying as she fled inside.
"Eizou!" Kakushi was heard.
"Did I do something?" Henshou asked.
"No...Hold on a minute.." He found her in her bedroom. "What happened?"
"I was supposed to meet some friends but they never came by! I waited! WAITED! For two and half hours!"
"And then I come home and Henshou is here!"
"Is that a bad thing?" Kakushi blinked.
"He wasn't supposed to! I told myself he didn't like me and, and.. what do you know! Everyone loves you and I have nobody!" She glared at him.
"Gee, I love you," He scratched his nose. She burst out into louder wails. "WHAT!"
"You say that so superficious!" She snapped.
"I mean it! I'm YOUR BROTHER!"
"I know, I know.. I just.. wasn't having a good day."
"Apparently," He sat down next to her on the bed. "Now, take a deep breath, count to ten..." He patted her shoulders before shoving her off the bed. "And go talk to Henshou!"
"What was that for?" She glared at him from the floor.
"To get you to move! You're too shy so I have to push you!" He lightly kicked her buttocks. "Now move it!"
Eizou wiped her face and hoped she didn't look too bad. She walked down the stairs and peeked out the screen door. Henshou perked up, his back facing the door but his ears picked up on her noise. He turned and smiled widely.
"Hey beautiful!" He grinned. "Feeling better now?"
She stepped out, looking down at her feet. "Yea... just.. having ... bad day, that's all.."
He moved down, to meet her gaze. His back was bent in a very awkward sight but he merely smiled.
"Doesn't that hurt?" She smiled, her face lifting slightly.
"No, not really..." His voice was slightly strained. "I'm fine, really."
She looked up face to face as he straightened. "There! I said I would come back!" He grinned. "Your brother tells me you thought I was lying or something! Trust me," He beamed. "I don't lie or at least that selfishly!"
"I... sorry but I'm just not used to..." She trailed off, peeking up at him.
"So.." He blinked, thinking for a moment. "How about Friday afternoon we go and get us some lunch?"
"Really? Where would we meet?"
"Well, where do you go to school?"
"Juuban High," She looked up at him. "You go to school?"
"Yea. It's a small community college. I think I know what I want but sometimes, it doesn't all seem to fit, you know?" He turned, eyeing his watch. "Speaking of which, I need to head out. I'll come by Juuban High and we'll get some lunch! Maybe a movie if we're lucky!" He winked as he pranced off.
"He's...nice but strange," She commented to herself. She went through the house to get to the back, picking up the leash. "Apple?"
He lay there, looking as if he slept but one step out onto the back porch and he was up, his tail beating the ground. "Walk? Walk?" He asked excitedly as she clipped him.
"For a dog with a wider capacity of thought, you still act like dog," she told him.
He merely pulled forward, dragging her off to the park. There he could not stay still, his body moving back and forth until she was tired out beyond anything.
"And here I thought English was bad but you.. YOU! STOP THAT!" Apple looked up from cleaning himself.
"What? I'm just trying to.." His nose disappeared between his two lower legs.
"STOP THAT!"
"Excuse me, do you know the time?" A female voice, soft and velvety, spoke from behind.
"What? Oh..." Eizou patted her pockets. "I.. err, don't have a watch with me. SorRRY!" She felt her body move forward as Apple lunged at the girl, his tail wagging wildly.
She screamed and pulled back, Eizou struggling to stop him from jumping onto her. "APPLE! What's with you!"
"You crazy mutt!" The girl screamed. Her light green bob hair was flounced all over her face. Her green eyes stared hard at the dog. "Hey! His forehead..."
And something seemed to shoot out at her, right between her eyes. "OUCH!"
"She's another one!" Apple exclaimed. "Another Shadow! An ally! A friend! A.."
"SHUT UP!" Eizou screamed. She looked up at the girl, who was holding a six sided green gem.
"Why am I not surprised?" The girl asked herself. "I don't know but I knew this going to happen today! I FELT IT!" She studied the dog. "Did he just talk?"
"NO!"
"Yes!" Apple barked, grinning. "I'm Apple!"
"And yet.. I'm not surprised," She eyed the gem, studying it. She moved it at different angles but nothing seemed to happen so she pocketed it. "Apple huh? What kind of name is that for a dog like you?"
"Hey! He likes that name!" Eizou growled.
"And who are you?" She asked.
"Oh no! You go first!" She demanded.
"My name is Morino Kakure," Kakure bowed slightly. "Now, who are YOU?"
"Ginbano Eizou," Eizou gave her name through tight lips. "And why aren't you freaking out?"
"Because I find this rather.. familiar almost. Like it was meant to be, intuition, fate, something along those lines."
"What Shadow are you?" Eizou asked suspiciously.
"Uh...I don't know. Apple?
Apple's face fell. "I thought she'd figure that out."
"Apple?"
"Look! When I saw her, I knew, I felt, she was one of the Shadows. I just don't know which!"
"Liar!" She pulled at his face, glowering.
"I'm not lying!" He mumbled as Eizou gave up.
"Don't you go to Juuban High?" Kakure asked suddenly. "You're on the soccer team, the... what's it called? Goalie?"
"What? You go to Juuban High?"
"Yea, I do," She smiled. "And it's strange, I've never noticed you before."
"Well, not like I noticed you!" She quipped coldly.
"Do you take insult to everything?"
"NO!"
"Sure she does! All the time," Apple said happily. "But now that you're here, I won't have to worry about that!"
"What's THAT supposed to mean!"
"Nothing for your delicate ears," He snickered.
"Apple, come!" She tried to walk off but he planted his feet firmly on the ground. "Apple, come! COME ON! MOVE IT!"
"Not until... plan ...meeting.. Choking.."
She stopped and sighed. Apple shook his head and resettled himself next to her. "Are you free tomorrow afternoon. Perhaps some training will shed light upon your Shadow identity."
"Training! No way, what about some ice cream?" Eizou asked.
"I like that idea a lot more!" Kakure agreed.
"Great! Be outside the building, where I can see you..oh, and please, do show up. I was supposed to meet some 'friends' today but they never showed up."
"Oh... Don't worry, I'll be there!" She smiled at Eizou who nodded and she and Apple left.
"You're confusing. First you're obedient, now you want to usurp me?"
"No, I wanted you to be friends. Being allies doesn't mean anything unless you trust each other."
"We're.. allies, right?"
"Of course!"
"Then you'd tell me anything if you knew it?"
"Absolutely."
"So you're truly, completely clueless about me and others like me?"
"Yea, I am."
"Well, what about you?"
Apple was quiet.
"Apple?"
"I'm pretty sure I was born here. Either that or left here at a extremely young age. I don't remember much but I think I've been around for a long time."
"Old age will make you forgetful."
"I'm not THAT old!"