Disclaimer: Sailor Moon does not belong to me, so PLEASE do not SUE!! THANK YOU VERY MUCH!!
Review Thanks:
Sparkling Moon PhoenixDon't mention it! I just like to let reviewers know that I do, actually care about the reviews I receive!! Thanks again … you only have two more years? You're lucky! I have four-five left after this … I'm just a smart cookie aren't I:) Oh well, thanks again for the review!
Tommy Oliver Brachio BlackI'm glad you've updated!! Alright as soon as this has been finished typing with I'm off to check it out … I'm glad you liked the chapter by the way!! I thought it was about time Usagi had some "family" around:) Alright, hope you like the next one friend!
Champion of JusticeYeah I have feeling that my story is not really related to the summary I have given, but apparently everyone on fanfiction lack summarising skills … I don't think so, I honestly think that I just suck full stop! Any who thank you for your review! I'm glad you like it and I hope you like this next chapter!
Eternal Cosmic Sailor Saturn: Thank you thank you thank you!! I'm glad you're still liking the story … I hope you'll get to liking this chapter as well mate! Thanks again!
Dark Angels Child: heya buddy! Thanks for the heads on the rushing thing … it's an issue for me in this story particularly just because there is so much detail that's needed but I'm a bit too rushed/busy to put it all in … I hope the next few chapters will be slightly better! Thanks again for the review and hope to see you once more!
Eternal Emi-Chan: don't be sorry for being at camp love, it's cool! I wish I still went to camp … lol anyways he's still lurking in the shadows, somewhere … not this chapter but perhaps we'll see him in the next instalment? We'll just have to see! Thanks again for the review, ja!
Roll on up:
Chapter 8: Old Friends
Shigeru watched the three figures fly past him with absolution in their grace.
My mother's senshi …. My senshi …
Shigeru looked out to the immaculate gardens, the tamed landscape in which beautiful flowers spawned and flourished. Roses grew alongside gardenias and other fragrant flowers, their sweet scent forever present in the Palace Gardens.
At the centre of it all, however, on the marble-stoned courtyard stood the five opposing senshi up against Mei in the form of Starlight.
Large marble pillars rose into the sky, these pillars placed in a sequential pattern around the grey coloured courtyard, a pattern that made out a star.
That courtyard had been there since Sunlight reigned as the first Celestial Queen.
Shigeru shook his head as he returned his gaze to his senshi, all of whom were almost at the battle ground.
I hope that they will be able to help Starlight …
Shigeru's eyes widened.
How can they help Starlight if they cannot retain their powers in the presence of an Ancient?
"WAIT! COME BACK!" Shigeru shouted, his knuckles white as he grasped onto the railing of the balcony on which he stood.
The three females dressed in black leather paused momentarily in mid-air as they all turned back.
"COME BACK!" he repeated as a stray blast from the Obsidian senshi barely missed the stationary trio.
The leader of the trio locked eyes with the Prince, her thoughts slightly muddled.
Why does he want us to retr-
Her blue eyes widened as she looked down at her shaking hands and to the courtyard beyond that was some hundred feet below.
"Our power …" the brunette began at her side as she glanced over to their leader. Her jewellery was beginning to fade.
"Oh no …" was all the silver-haired female could mutter before all three began to kneel to the bend of gravity.
All three were headed straight for the solid courtyard floor.
"Starlight … Starlight HELP THEM!" Shigeru cried as he pointed frantically at the quickly falling figures.
Mei risked a glance at Shigeru who seemed to be waving desperately at something to her right.
Mei's brow furrowed as she looked beyond her five opponents, her eyes narrowing in the sunlight as she fought to make out three figures headed directly for the courtyard.
Oh no I have to help th-
"Pay attention Ancient," a voice sneered as Mei turned in time to feel the full force of a black blast.
Those senshi …
She shut her eyes, crossing her arms before her in a pitiful attempt to halt the blast as it carried her across the courtyard, uniting her with marble pillar that cracked upon impact.
I …
Her thoughts faded as her limp body slid down the pillar, slumping onto the cold marble floor.
::X:X::
Sunlight blazed into Usagi's combat room, the rays lacing the white marble floor on which a long table was perched, laden with food and surrounded entirely by females.
Serenity sat at the head where to her left of the table sat Pluto, Jupiter and Mars. Opposing them was Usagi, Venus and Mercury, all of whom were contentedly devouring platefuls of food.
"So Usagi, how have you found your stay here?" Venus began as she took bite at her sandwich.
Usagi shrugged, unable to restrain herself from grinning.
They have no idea how happy they have made me just now! It's just as good as home …
Usagi's eyes lowered as she thought of her home, of Crystal Tokyo so far away.
"Well it is very different, for one I have to change clothing before every meal… the people here are nothing like the people at home, only because most of them are like me … princes and princesses," she responded as her grin faded slightly.
Serenity looked upon her daughter, her blue eyes warm.
She misses her father …
The mood was light in the room as the chatter continued amongst the females. For once in a very long time Usagi truly was happy.
The chatter was silenced momentarily as the seven females all paused to eat food.
The sight made all seven of them burst aloud in laughter. Even Pluto had to giggle.
Beneath their laughter, however, they all detected unfamiliar voices from somewhere nearby.
"Calm dow-"
"Where is Usagi?"
"Usagi is ins-"
"USAGI! USAGI CAN YOU HEAR ME? USAGI WE NEED YOUR HELP!"
The voices were concentrated outside the mahogany door that was shaking under the pressure of the knocker.
Usagi's brow furrowed as she stood.
"Wait Usagi, I will get it," Mars responded as she pushed her chair back, dabbing at her lips with a napkin as she moved to the door.
Without glancing backwards Mars straightened, reaching for the door handle.
Upon opening it, Mars felt a weight fall onto her, the pair falling to the ground in a muddle.
The Inners' eyes all widened.
Usagi ran forward, recognizing him immediately.
Serenity noted the boy carefully, his lazuli coloured eyes and brown hair. Her eyes remained on the pair as her daughter helped him to his feet.
"Usagi, there has been another attack on the Palace, this time in the Palace Gardens … we need your help! It's five against one …"
Usagi's brow furrowed as she met his eyes.
"And Mei is that one! Quickly, you must transform …"
Serenity straightened, sharing looks with the Inner Senshi. Pluto, however, remained placid.
Is there something she is not telling us?
Before her thoughts could go on any further, Serenity returned her attention to the pair only to find them already halfway out the door, led by the mysterious male.
"Now wait just a second there…" Jupiter began as she along with the rest of the table went to follow them out.
"In the name of Helios, the Sun, and Apollo, all light, I grant you Usagi, Sunlight's power and might!" he cried as Serenity noted the golden key that floated before him.
The key glowed brightly, revealing a shaft of light that beamed directly to Usagi's chest.
"I accept! Helios Fire Ignite!" she cried as she disappeared into ribbons of light that laced the entire hallway.
Serenity stood back, stunned along with her senshi as they all witnessed Usagi emerge from the light dressed completely different, in a manner that Serenity did not recognize.
"Where is my daughter?" Serenity demanded steadily as she moved forward to inspect the senshi.
She had Usagi's ruby eyes and long pink locks, but she was not Sailor Neo-Moon …
"Serenity … Serenity what is going on?" Venus cried from her side.
Serenity's brow furrowed as she turned to her friends, frowning slightly as she assessed them.
Their tiaras had all faded, as did their jewellery and their shoes. In fact, the colour of their costumes too seemed much paler.
Bare-foot and powerless the Inner Senshi looked accusingly toward the new senshi present.
"What have you done to us?" Mars demanded as she glanced over herself.
"Mars it is not me, it's the power of the Ancients! No senshi is able to keep their form in the presence of one …" Usagi began as she looked to her mother.
"So you are an Ancient using my daughter to store your power?" Serenity asked as her eyes hardened.
Usagi shook her head as she stepped to Serenity.
"Mama it is still I but in the form of Sailor Sunlight. I have been gifted with her power mama … please, can we talk about this after? Right now my friend needs my help …" Usagi murmured as she looked to the male.
"Kaku, where do we go?" Usagi asked as he jumped, straightening as he did so.
"Please forgive me your Highness but her assistance is desperately needed," Kaku spoke as he bowed.
Serenity nodded once as she bit her lip.
"I forgive you but right now you must go and help your friend if that is the case. We will come with you," Serenity decided as she glanced back at the senshi.
"Come along, we are needed," Serenity commanded as they group departed swiftly for the outer courtyard.
::X:X::
How are we going to survive the fall if our powers have deserted us?
The leader of the trio glanced at her comrades, her eyes watering as her hair flailed helplessly behind her.
I never thought it would end like this …
"CRIMSON RIBBON!"
Their breath was caught in their throats as the trio were bound together in mid-air at the waist.
The silver-haired female's eyes flew open as she looked around for any sight of their saviour.
Below stood a female in red and white, her long blonde hair hovering in the air as her brown eyes glowed.
"That girl … she is an Ancient too?" the brunette asked.
Landing, their feet made contact with the cool ground as their bindings dissolved, leaving the trio free.
"Than-"
The leader looked around to find her gone.
"Over there!" the brunette pointed, directing their gazes over to the far side of the courtyard where the orange ribbon of their rescuer was evident alongside the pink ribbon of who they guessed to be another Ancient.
"Come, let us return to Shigeru," the leader murmured as the trio began their retreat.
We will only get in the way if we tried to help. I am afraid that we cannot help at all.
::X:X::
"Well isn't it nice that you lot have come to join the festivities! We've already managed to knock one of your other Ancient friends out … who's next?" one challenged.
The five females all sneered simultaneously as they stood in a perfect line against both Usagi and Kaede.
"What happened to Mei? Where is she?" Usagi demanded, managing a sidelong glance at Kaede who remained impassive.
"Did you notice the broken pillar on your way here? You can thank Mei for that," she said simply as she began to rise into the air.
"We'll see how well you can really do!" Kaede teased as she threw her right arm into the air, her left arm rising half-way.
"Hephaestus' Spear!" she commanded as her eyes flew open, glowing red as fire erupted from her right palm, revealing a long spear.
"VERMILION REVENGE!" she called as the spear moved forward, landing right in front of the laughing senshi.
"It seems as though your spear fell a little short …"
Their laughter faded as the spear released five consecutive blasts, each hitting one of the opposing senshi.
"Go Sunlight!" Kaede commanded as Usagi nodded.
"Solar INFERNO!" Usagi commanded as she bought the palms of her hands together at her chest, summoning five separate balls of energy laced with lightening.
Opening her eyes her attack was released, the five Obsidian ladies releasing frantic cries as they all staggered backwards simultaneously.
"Now to finish it!" Kaede cried as she closed her eyes.
"No…"
Kaede paused as Usagi turned, her face lighting as Mei staggered forward.
"I will finish it," she whispered hoarsely as she straightened, her white uniform tainted with spots of dirt, her bow still smouldering on her back. Her bruised complexion began to glow as she closed her eyes.
"Sword of Astraeus!" she commanded as she raised her left arm to the side, a lightening bolt cracking in the palm of her open hand to present to her the long, slender weapon.
"Seal of Astraeus!" Mei cried as she began to float in the air, bringing the sword to point toward the ground.
"Sunrise to sunset, east to west, to infinite oblivion, where evil rests! Return to where you once came!" she spoke as the sword fell to sink through the grey marble of the courtyard.
From the sword came five cracks, each of which led to one of the Obsidian senshi who attempted to run from it.
"Once his seal has been summoned you cannot escape," Mei said as the cracks rose into the air in the form of long vines that attached themselves to them.
Their screams were drowned by the glowing vines that wrapped themselves around them entirely, pulling them into the ground.
With that Mei floated back to the ground, landing on her feet only to sink to her knees, releasing a sigh as she lay in a crumpled heap on ground.
::X:X::
Shigeru planted his face in his hands, shaking his head as his eyes began to sting.
It's all my fault … I told them to go out and try to help Mei when I knew that their powers would not work in the presence of an Ancient … I just wanted to help her …
"What's wrong Shige? It looks as though someone died."
Shigeru pulled his hands away from his face, afraid the voice he'd heard was but a cruel joke.
"You're ALIVE!" he cried as he flew into the arms of the leading senshi, bringing the trio into a hug.
"Come now Shigeru, you know the rules about public displays of affection," the silver-haired senshi pointed with a small smile.
"I thought … I …"
Shigeru grinned as he wiped his eyes.
"What did you think?" the brunette asked softly.
Shigeru shook his head as he hugged them again.
"Nothing," Shigeru whispered.
"Shigeru, Shigeru have you seen Mei?"
Shigeru turned to glance behind him where a tall male stood, his eyes bright as he met his gaze.
"Lord Hikaru … I … the last I saw Mei was …"
Shigeru's voice cracked as he turned out to the courtyard, his eyes widening as he made out both Usagi and Kaede within a group of females, all of whom were gathered around something.
Shigeru's heart sank as he glanced at Hikaru who had suddenly become stiff.
::X:X::
"She is simply exhausted," Mercury concluded as finished inspecting Mei who had returned to her normal form.
Usagi released a sigh of relief as she held her friend's cold hand.
You'll be better soon Mei, I promise.
She lay still on the marble floor, her hair a black cloak on the grey marble, her eyes closed.
"We need to get her to a bed, if we can fi-"
"Excuse me ladies, please."
The senshi all parted at the command of the deep, melodic voice.
Serenity moved aside upon command, witnessing a man move through them, his brown eyes soft as he beheld the scene before him.
"My dearest Mei … you will be fine now," he whispered as he lifted her into his arms.
From where she stood Pluto watched, her eyes slightly wide.
Usagi's eyes narrowed.
"Don't touch her!" she snapped as she latched onto her hand.
Hikaru smiled at her, his eyes dancing.
"I appreciate your help Princess Usagi but I think I m quite capable of caring for my daughter," he mused as he turned gracefully, Mei's hair moving seamlessly as he did so.
"You … you are Mei's father?" Kaede demanded as he glanced at her with a small smile.
"Indeed I am. I must thank all of you ladies for helping my daughter today, no doubt she will be wanting to thank you herself when she recovers … if you would excuse me," he spoke as he returned the way he had come.
Usagi shrugged as she glanced at Pluto whose eyes seemed glazed over.
"Usagi … Kaede … wait!"
Shigeru emerged from the crowd, his silver eyes warm as he regarded them both.
"Kaede … I have to thank you for saving my senshi … I don't know what I would have done if you hadn't saved them. Thank you," he murmured as he bowed before her, taking her hand and raising it to his lips.
"I f there is anything I can do for you, I would be glad to do so," he spoke as he released her hand; Kaede's cheeks a deep red.
"And as for you Usagi, you turned up right on time, as I knew you would!" he laughed as he embraced her.
All the Inner Senshi, including Pluto and Serenity watched the unlikely pair converse with one another, sharing looks with each other. They would save their questions for when they would be alone with the princess once more.
"Well I hate to break this heartfelt gathering up but I think it is safe to say that it is lunch time, no?" Kakuei interrupted.
The group became silent as they all looked in his direction, all suddenly aware of his presence.
"Your friend has a point Shigeru, we must retreat to your rooms …"
Shigeru nodded as his senshi came to his side.
What Shigeru did not notice was the sudden awkward silence between his senshi and those who had accompanied Usagi.
"Is there a problem mama?" Usagi murmured, she too noticing the tense air.
Serenity shook her head as she smiled.
"No Usagi, they are but some old friends," she grinned as the Inner Senshi all stumbled over each other, throwing themselves at the three females in an attempt to hug them all in one go.
Shigeru blinked several times.
How did they know his Starlights?
::X:X::
A/N: yes well study week begins this week and I'm not going to study … cough Anywho first of all, thanks again to my reviewers and readers … honestly you guys are awesome!! Secondly review again and tell me what you thought … I understand that my story seems really rushed … even I can sense it! Hopefully in the next few chapter I'll learn to slow it down a bit, I suppose it's just the exam stress!! Oh well, better go start my law essay!
From my heart to yours, (aw, doesn't that make you warm inside!?)
Lady Sapphira.