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.
Now that there are three Shadows known, they get together and try to make themselves a team. But that means getting to know each other and it's not easy when you don't know what to say to those who would someday stand by you not as civilians but warriors.
And all the while, Void is somewhere hiding. Chances are, he's waiting for something to happen and only he knows what's going to happen. After all, he is Void.
Episode Eight: The Shadow Mars Is Here; The Three Points
Kaki's steps echoed onto the long, steep stairs. Her sister, Kashuryoku, her Kashu-chan as she called her, followed with a hop over two steps each passing time upward.
"Stop or you'll trip," Kaki stated dryly.
"I'm fine! Do we get to see that doggie? And that senshi?"
"Uh huh. But remember," Kaki pressed her finger to her lips. "It's a secret."
"Yea! I love secrets!"
"I know you do," She stopped just at the top of the stairs. There was a oversized group of young women and one man. She easily picked up on her two allies though.
"I'm sorry I'm late. Mother wanted me to watch my sister. And it's okay. She can keep a secret."
"DOGGIE! My shining doggie!" Kashu-chan hopped over with grin. "Kaki-chan! Lookie! His ears are so big! And he's fluffy!"
Apple's leg thumped when she scratched behind his left ear. She was enthralled and scratched again until he was panting.
"He's so cute!" Kashu-chan blinked. "Give me a ride!" She started to climb on but Kaki neatly tugged her away. "But why?"
"You're not little enough. You need a pony to ride, not a dog."
"Aww..." She stuck out her lower lip.
"You know, I have two crows that you could play with," Rei smiled. "Phobos! Deimos!"
The two black birds came willingly. She handed Kashu-chan a plastic arrow, numerous strings tied on. "Throw this and they'll catch it."
"Whee!" She took of running.
"Stay close!" Kaki shouted, watching worriedly for a moment. She noted the look on Rei's face. "What?"
"Nothing."
"We were discussing about Void here," Pom-Pom began.
"Uh, could I get introductions?" Kaki asked loudly. "I mean, I don't even know you let alone what's going on."
Pom-Pom frowned. "I thought Eizou and Kakure put you up to date."
"No, not really," Kaki shrugged.
"I'm Pom-Pom."
"Oh, those things cheerleaders dance around with?"
"Pomona is my full name," Pom-Pom glared at Kaki. "But Pom-Pom is a nickname."
"I'm Rei, this is Usagi, Minako, Makoto, Ami, Setsuna, Haruka, Michiru, Hotaru, and Mamoru."
"My, don't you feel lucky. Surrounded by all of these girls must give you a big head."
"KAKI!" Kakure was by her new friend's side. "What's wrong?"
"What?"
Kakure leaned over. "Something's wrong. What?"
"I don't like big crowds," She said it so inaudibly, so lowly Kakure almost didn't get it. She was silent for a moment.
"Don't mind her," She said finally after a moment. "Let's just continue on with whatever Pom-Pom was saying."
"Pom-Pom was discussing about Void. We all know that he's here somewhere. We know he's the enemy," She eyed Rei. "But we don't know why he's doing this."
"And he's after the Triad Moon, some kind of symbol, item..?" Minako paused.
"I don't know what it looks like. But we could ask Duchess Nerthus."
At that, Eizou's head snapped up. "I agree with that plan."
Everyone looked at her. "WHAT?"
"Do you KNOW Duchess Nerthus.."
"Um... I passed out a while ago and uh, I kind of ended up at her place. It's on the moon right?"
Kaki began to laugh. "What a ludicrous dream!" She slowly quieted as everyone merely stared at her. "You mean it was REAL? That's not possible. Scientifically.."
"Yea, yea. Ami already has explained all the problems about the moon situation," Makoto sighed. "But we can handle it."
"Oh.. Well, then, I want to go to the moon."
"You were just saying," Haruka began.
"I want to see what it's like too. Is that a crime?" She snipped.
"Well, if we're all in agreement, let's prepare," Usagi stated.
They all transformed. Kaki was the last one to do so. "What do I do?"
"Just shout out something," Kakure urged.
"Nepheline Shadowed Fire, Make Up!" She held up her gem, the light splaying out into heated waves that turned to fire as it spun around her, forming her fuku. She stood then, relaxed, her head slightly tilted down as she stared out forward for a moment. She then quickly assessed herself.
She wore a black strand for a choker, at the center a red orb with two small yellow gems at each side. Her collar was entirely red and her bodice was different. She wore a red sleeveless and shoulder-less dress but the top half was covered in a partial black corset, a huge gape down the front of her body to the waist. It was tied together by black string, making four x's along her breasts and stomach area. Her waistband started at the beginning of one end of the black corset at the front with a red orb. It had two stripes, the top yellow and the bottom one white. It wrapped around her hips to the other side. The two red orbs were connected by three loose black strands.
Her brooch was a red crescent moon, each side adorned in two yellow gems and attached from side to the other were three loose black threads. She wore seemingly detachable black sleeves, that covered three fourths of her arm but cut off at the fingers. At the backs of her hands were a red round gem outlined in yellow. She had a back bow, much like shoelace ribbon, that was a set of two bows, one white and the other yellow. Her boots were red with a black strap around the ankle that had a yellow oval gem at its center. Her tiara was a straight around yellow band, with a oversized red gem in its center.
"You five get in the middle," Pluto suggested. Tuxedo Kamen, Shadow Moon, Mars, and Jupiter as well as Pom-Pom followed orders and settled in a smaller circle inside the larger circle.
"Wait a minute! What about my sister!" Shadow Mars said suddenly.
"Tell her to go inside and watch television!" Mars called out. Shadow Mars turned and watched her sister give her the thumbs up before running inside.
"She'll be fine," Shadow Mars told herself.
"Neptune Star Power!"
"Saturn Star Power!"
"Pluto Star Power!"
"Uranus Star Power!"
"Mercury Star Power!"
"Mars Star Power!"
"Venus Star Power!"
"Jupiter Star Power!"
"Moon Eternal Power!"
"SAILOR TELEPORT!"
It was strange sensation for the Shadows but in a moment, they didn't have to worry about that as they landed down onto the moon. It was quiet as a slow cold wind drew across them.
"This is the moon? I was expecting something a little more.. alive." Shadow Mars looked over to the moving shadows. "Well, we have company."
It was another guard. He was tall and dark skinned, his red eyes staring hard at the group. His hair was a messy red, falling over his eyes. He was obviously young.
"Cola!" Pom-Pom pounced over. "I missed you! Did you miss me?"
Cola blinked before frowning. "No, not really. It was nice and quiet."
Pom-Pom grinned. "Aww, you're so sweet!"
Cola sighed as he rolled his eyes. "So what brings you and your friends to grace the Dead Moon?"
"Information seeking!"
"Don't you mean seeking information?"
"Yea, whatever! How's my father?"
"I wouldn't know. You're the only one who can handle him."
"That's not true!" Pom-Pom was willing to continue to argue but Cola turned away, disinterested. "Hey!"
"Argue with someone else who'll listen," Neptune suggested. "That way you'll have more fun." She grinned and winked at Uranus who rolled her eyes.
They walked together and soon passed through an oversized shadow to enter the Realm. It was colored brightly that day, the streets buzzing with people.
"It's market day," Cola explained. "We're all busy trading."
"Oh! I hope Mom trades in those clothes I gave her!"
"What clothes...Speaking of which," Cola fingered her dyed shirt. "What's this?"
"Earthling style clothes!"
"Yea, well, you want me to take you to Duchess Nerthus?"
"No, we got it all under control."
"Whatever," Cola passed them by without a second glance.
They walked down the other road, just off the opening of the town. "We want to stay away a bit. People are a bit scared of senshi," Pom-Pom explained.
"We remember," Uranus answered dryly.
Duchess Nerthus was waiting for them with a warm smile. "It's so nice to see you all again!"
"Hi!" Pom-Pom grinned.
"Pomona, show your respect," Njord pulled from the shadows, looking sterner than ever.
"Oh, fine," Pom-Pom grumbled. She bowed deeply. "Hello, my lady. I've missed you greatly."
"And I you. So how have you been? I see that you're mingling in well with this outfit," She studied the shirt. "It's colorful, very nice."
"Well, it's better than that outfit your mother made you," Njord commented.
"You mean my circus uniform? I thought you loved it!"
"When you were five. Now that you're becoming a young woman.."
Pom-Pom plugged her ears. "La la la, I don't hear you!"
Njord's eyebrows were twitching.
"Count to ten," Duchess Nerthus suggested.
"Nerthus.. I mean, your highness... ah..." Shadow Moon flushed.
"Eizou, I missed you very much," Her hands grasped the others. "How are you? You feel better?"
"I do a little bit. I made up with Henshou."
"Henshou?"
"Ah... I guess you could call him my boyfriend."
"Maybe one day I can meet him."
"And my family?"
Duchess Nerthus's smiled dimmed only slightly. "Yes, your family. I would be happy too.. is it big?"
"Well, I have three brothers. I wish I had a sister though," Shadow Moon admitted. She was starting to feel a little uncomfortable as Duchess Nerthus still held her hands.
"Oh, I'm sorry," Duchess Nerthus flushed as she sighed. "Well, what are you here for?"
"We want to know about the Triad Moon," Pluto spoke quietly.
"Oh, well..." She motioned for them to follow. "I have something written down on something.."
She lead them down into the castle, down a long winded corridor. The faces in the paintings were painted brightly and each seemed to be laughing.
"I can't help notice there's a circus theme going on here," Shadow Mars said finally. "It's disturbing."
"It's our way of life. Got a problem with that?" Njord said snidely.
"You don't look very clownish. Even know how to smile?"
"I could ask you the same thing."
"Stop fighting you two! Worse than when Pomona wants to argue!" Duchess Nerthus chuckled.
They came to a large room full to the brim with books. "How the hell are we supposed to find information?" Shadow Jupiter was pale. "I like reading just like the next guy.." She glanced as Shadow Moon.
"Don't look at me. I hate reading," Shadow Moon shrugged.
"Don't worry about it." She waved her hand and a book floated to her.
"I need that trick!" Shadow Moon grinned. "I could always get the soccer ball to me!"
"Or volleyball!" Venus agreed.
"Here," Duchess Nerthus opened it, flipping a few pages in silence before stopping. "It states here that the Triad Moon was once the headpiece worn upon the legendary Queen Nehellenia."
"That whole three crescent moons.." Pom-Pom trailed off.
"Yes but over the decades, it's been broken into three and three people were chosen to hold each item."
"Great! Who?" Shadow Jupiter asked brightly.
She shut the book with a shake of her head. "I don't know. This was before I was even born and I've been around for a while."
"Why not ask Charmer?" Pom-Pom asked.
"No way!" Njord glared at her. "You didn't treat him with any respect anytime you met!"
"He kept pulling tricks on me!"
"YOU THREW YOUR KNIFES AT HIM!"
"HE DESERVED IT!"
"That's it! I'm taking you over my knee! I'll teach you to sass me!"
Pom-Pom squealed as she took off to disappear, Njord following.
"Um..." Mercury glanced at the Duchess.
"Oh, don't worry. He won't actually do anything. He's just very happy to see her and since he's not comfortable with showing any emotion except rage." She didn't bother to finish the sentence as she shrugged.
"As for Charmer, he's very old but very much a trickster. He works with charms, hence he's named Charmer."
She move out of the room. "He lives here as he has no other place. He's a rare character. He has outlived all of his family and he has never settled with anyone so he is the last of his own bloodline."
"That's so sad.."
"Well, don't be. He's very happy."
She stopped at a door. "Pom-Pom?"
"WHY ME?"
"Pomona," Duchess Nerthus merely stared ahead, waiting.
"Why me.." She opened the door, took two steps and the bucket covered her head, slime dribbling down in a matted mess. "That's why!"
"You didn't knock," Charmer wore nothing but a fluffy white fabric, designed like a diaper. He was almost skin and bones but his eyes were bright and lively. He was also completely bald save for the hairs coming out of his ears.
"What ..is... this?"
"I don't know. I've had that about a year or so. Think it was milk."
Pom-Pom's face slowly turned green. "Excuse me!" She took off running.
"My Lady, may I help you?"
"We wanted to ask about the three holders of the Triad Moon."
"Aye, that subject. I haven't heard anyone speak of this in a very long time," He grinned, his gums ripen and pink.
"Do you know anything?"
But he tilted his head. "My, my, we have not just senshi but shadows as well. Such a privilege. An honor.. and short skirts!"
Sailor Mars sighed noisily. "He's my grandfather all over!"
"Charmer.." Duchess Nerthus began warningly.
"And.. who's this?" He pointed to Tuxedo Kamen. "I didn't know people like him existed!"
"CHARMER!"
"Let an old man have some fun!" Charmer chuckled. "I see you young ones have nerves of steel. Well, most of them."
He returned to his rocking chair. "The three holders.. Well, I do not know exactly who holds a piece but I do know this, two are linked by one."
"Excuse me?" Shadow Mars frowned. "Please explain."
"There is a central figure that these two know and are connected with."
"So a middle man?" Shadow Jupiter offered.
"What? No! A person who is the first embodiment of the Triad Moon."
"Could it be her?" Sailor Venus pointed to Sailor Moon.
"Why her?" Charmer asked confused.
"She's.. ah.. Princess Serenity."
He was quiet. "That's not funny."
"It wasn't.."
"A funny joke, right! The young Princess.." Duchess Nerthus's mouth had fallen open.
"I didn't know this!" She frowned. "The Princess did not have senshi powers!"
"Well, she's reincarnated!" Sailor Venus offered. She realized everyone was glaring at her. "What?"
"Well, I don't care who this Princess Serenity is," Shadow Moon pulled back. "We only wanted to know more about the Triad Moon," She took another step back.
"Ah, where are you going?" Uranus asked.
"Um... I just.. wanted... to look.. a little."
"We haven't time for that," Shadow Mars stated. "My sister will worry."
"But I..." Shadow Moon's shoulder fell down dejectedly. "Fine, fine. Not like any of my opinions mattered."
"We'll probably come back," Sailor Pluto said quietly. "You'll look around then, all right?"
"Sure, um, where's Pom-Pom?"
"WHEE!" She flew down the carpeted floor on some smooth item, much like a boogie board.
"GET OFF OF THAT!" Njord came to a sudden halt in front of the group. "What?" His face flushed. "I'm trying to catch her!"
"Poor, poor man! You must trick her!" Charmer grinned.
"Last time I did that, my wife got caught in the trap and she wouldn't let me near for a month!"
"Well, not all of us are good charmers."
"No, but I'm a damn good father!"
"MUAHAHAHAH!" Pom-Pom's smile faded as he crowded over her. "I was kidding!"
"You going back?"
"What?"
"You going back? Your mother needs you for a few things.." He trailed off. "You want to go back? This IS home."
"And I love home, Father. But this is a dream of mine. I always wanted to see what's beyond these shadows of ours. If I can see it, I can tell others and maybe we wouldn't be so fearful of what lay outside of our own small world."
He sighed. "Like some ambassador. Well," He looked to Duchess Nerthus who smiled and nodded. "Fine. Try to keep out of trouble."
"Can do!" She turned on her heel and smacked right into a pedestal, the vase falling to the floor. "Well, most of the time I can."
"Augh..."