Disclaimer: I do not, in any manner whatsoever, lay claim to any of the characters etc. of Sailor Moon. I own only the characters that are my own and the plot.
Thank you again to the wonderful reviewers and readers! All I have to say is that I am a lucky author to have faithful people like you!
A Mission for Moonlight note: Tsukino Kousagidoes not belong to me, neither do any of the Inner Senshi's daughters, they rightfully belong to Takeuchi Naoko as well.
Chapter 10: A meeting with the Queen
Usagi smiled softly as she rolled onto her side, consciously, if only a little, aware of her mother that should have been there.
Pulling the blankets around her tightly she was slightly surprised to have them come to her upon command. That entire evening passed with fierce mutterings between all of them as they fought for the same covers.
"What are they doing?"
"It looks like they're training …"
Usagi's eyes flew open to find the entire bed cold and empty.
Sitting up she released a yawn as she stretched, her bleary eyes narrowing in the warm light that shafted in through her windows where six silhouettes stood.
"Mama? Mama what's wrong?" Usagi murmured as she slipped out of bed, her feet tingling upon contact with the cool floor as she moved to join her mother.
"I am not sure ChibiUsa," she responded as Usagi peered out of the open windows.
Beyond the balcony lay the familiar looking Palace fields, as she had been told by Kakuei. Those fields were impeccably green and stretched on for miles, leading into the Royal Forest represented by the dark shadow that lurked on the edges of the very fields.
At that moment, however, the field was flooded with many figures dressed in senshi-like costumes.
There were five mass groups spread out over the entire field, each differentiated by five colours. There was one group of ladies dressed in silver, another with ladies in red with the three other groups being ladies in blue, green and the last group dressed in a light blue.
"They are the Royal Celestial Army and they are preparing for war."
All 7 females turned simultaneously to greet the bowing Lady Seiko who straightened, lowering her eyes as she did so.
"Queen Celestin requests an audience with your highness Neo-Queen Serenity," she murmured as Serenity stepped forward.
"I grant the request, where are we to meet her?"
Seiko met her eyes.
"Follow me."
::X:X::
Her long fiery locks were pulled back into a elegant bun, her golden eyes hard as she watched her army prepare below.
Her long peach-coloured gown fell to the floor, billowing in the warm breeze as she lifted her eyes to the sky.
"Your Highness."
Celestin turned, her eyes moving to her servant who remained bowed before her.
"Your Highness the Starlights are here."
Celestin nodded as she entered her empty combat room swiftly.
"Send them in Lady Chiako, thank you for your service," she responded as Chiako bowed once more before leaving the room, the Starlights and Shigeru entering instead.
"Welcome to the Celestial Kingdom. Forgive me for your unofficial welcome but the current situation we are currently experiencing requires my utmost attention," she greeted as the four figures aligned themselves before her.
"Do not worry your Highness, we understand," Shigeru responded, Celestin smiling in response.
"Thank you Shigeru," she said softly as her eyes softened.
I do not want to tell him that Mei has disappeared …I do not have the heart to…
"I have called you here for an important meeting, we need only wait for one more party," she spoke as she turned her back to them once more.
"Your Highness, Neo-Queen Serenity and her party are here."
The Starlights turned, greeting Serenity and the Inners as well as Usagi and Pluto with warm smiles, the group sharing them back.
"Thank you Lady Seiko," she murmured as the maid bowed once more before hurrying out of the room.
"Welcome Neo-Queen Serenity, I am very honoured to have you here with us at the Eternal Palace … I only wish you had come on more cordial terms rather than at an impending threat on your daughter and the galaxy," Celestin murmured as Serenity nodded once.
"Do not worry Queen Celestin, a threat on the galaxy is a threat on us all," she responded.
Celestin smiled softly as she lowered her eyes.
"It is much graver than that, I assure you," she spoke as she looked over them all.
"You see as you are all aware, the Ancients have all been awakened … well all but one," Celestin began as she turned to glance outside, looking beyond her window to the army that stirred below.
"Until the last Ancient has been found and awakened, Sealight is but a grave threat. She can do damage, but without her weapons her damage is limited. However when Moonlight is finally awakened, all the Ancients must come together and whether we like it or not, Sealight will have her weapons returned to her, it has been prophesied and therefore it will happen," Celestin explained as she turned back to them.
"What do you mean by it has been prophesied? Your Highness with all due respect, the prophecy in the li-"
"The Prophecy in the library, Shigeru, is not of great significance. It states only that the Ancients' powers will be reborn and that an impending war will be waged. That Prophecy is almost fulfilled, however there is one last Prophecy, one that has been this Kingdom's secret for a long time," Celestin interrupted as she met Shigeru's gaze evenly.
Shigeru's brow furrowed, his eyes lowering.
All that time studying that prophecy was for nothing?
Celestin continued to watch the young male as she waved her hand in the air.
As she lowered her hand a small light began to appear before her, its beam widening. Those present watched the light materialize into a large marble slab covered in inscriptions that neither person could read.
"These are the ancient inscriptions written by Sunlight. It is said that these inscription will be readable to the eyes of the One who will awaken the sleeping one. There is one problem. We do not know who the "One" is or who the sleeping one is either. Without the information on these slabs, we can never really defeat Sealight..."
"So you really do believe that it is the Ancient Sailor Sealight that is doing all this damage?" Star-Fighter interrupted, Celestin's eyes swivelling over to meet her gaze.
"I know so Sailor Star-Fighter, it is not a statement but a fact. My soldiers are training as we speak, we must be as prepared as we can be," she responded.
"But your Highness, your senshi are powerless against the power of Ancients. Her black army negate any senshi transformations," Usagi murmured, gaining Celestin's instant attention.
"Very true Princess Usagi but we have calculated the radius that one must be in in order to lose ones power. Anyone within half a mile radius of an Ancient or anyone possessing the power of an Ancient will have their senshi powers immediately negated, unless…"
Star-Fighter, Star-Healer and Star-Maker all looked at her immediately, as did the other senshi present.
"It is an old saying here on our planet that if anyone can remain a senshi in the presence of an Ancient that you can face anything. It is very true. You see my mother told me what has been passed down in our family for many generations, a secret about the Ancients' power. A senshi can retain her form in the presence of an Ancient if she is able to face them without fear or reservation. Only those who face them with a pure heart can stand against them," Celestin explained as the door slammed open, making the entire room jump as four figures rushed in.
The Inner Senshi as well as Pluto recognized one immediately as being the senshi who had escorted Usagi to the Palace.
"Celestin … Celestin why is Mei not in her room?" Emerald demanded as they aligned themselves before their Queen.
Shigeru's eyes widened as he glanced at Usagi whose brow furrowed.
Celestin turned her back to them, her eyes low as she closed her eyes.
"She is gone, I am not sure where but I am not willing to lo-"
"What do you mean you are not willing to look for her?" another demanded as she lurched forward.
All four females were dressed identically, if not for their differing colours in uniform representing their differing properties with power.
The top halves of their costumes were completely black without sleeves or straps, their skirts black also. The only splashes of colour were the different coloured sashes that lined the tops of their dresses and the sashes that tied into a great bow that sat on the small of their backs. The colours of their heels agreed with the colour that represented their power as senshi.
Celestin released a sigh as she took in a deep breath, only to be interrupted once more.
This time the interruption came from the outside as a great shadow was cast into the combat room.
"I give you no permission whatsoever to enter my Palace, therefore you will leave," Celestin thundered, her voice strong as she rebuked the invading swarm.
"You have studied well little Queen. You know that, upon your say so, I am not allowed permission to enter the palace. Yet even you know that that petty rule is futile, in the end. You see my dear you probably already know that I have your brother…"
Celestin's eyes narrowed, their golden colour hardening against the morning glare.
"Where is he and why did you take him?" she simmered, her melodic voice assuming a cool edge.
"Well as long as Moonlight is not awake I cannot claim my full power. I am using him as ransom. You see when she finally does come onto the scene I will exchange him for my weapons. Until then, however, he is mine, along with his half of the Divine Star."
From the black swarm emerged a lone figure dressed entirely in blue-black.
Usagi's eyes widened as she assessed the female.
She had been beautiful once, her face ivory against her straight blue-black hair. Her eyes were large pools of endless sapphire, capable of losing anyone in their tempestuous depths. Her inhuman beauty was somewhat tainted with hard lines around her scarlet lips.
She smirked as she held up the other half of the Divine Star, now a swirling grey colour.
"Without the Divine Star the Celestial Kingdom will cease to exist … luckily for you I will not destroy it just yet. No, there will be a time for that soon enough, but for now it is in my safe keeping."
Celestin stepped forward, her long dress billowing in the sudden wind.
"Why did you come here? Why now? I demand that you give my brother bac-"
"You, Celestin, are in no condition to be making any demands. You will most certainly not get your brother back, not until I am done with my plan … I see your petty army is training. Why bother, you know you will not win …"
Celestin's eyes lowered as her fists clenched.
"Your kingdom is weak. You base your principles on kindness and love! Nothing can be achieved with such weakness. As a Queen you have fai-"
"You have no right to tell me what I should be doing as a Queen, afterall you were the one that was bani-"
"SILENCE!"
The windows shattered at the sound of the command, the entire room filled with cold wind as shards of glass flew past them all.
While all those present raised their arms up against the wind, Celestin merely looked straight ahead, her face impassive.
"You will see in the end Queen, when you die at my wrath. I look forward to the day," came Sealight's last remark as the swarm faded into the air.
Celestin turned to face them, her face hard.
"Sapphire, Emerald, Ruby and Topaz- return to the field and train our army, war is ever imminent now…"
"But, Celestin … Mei-"
"GO!" she snapped as Emerald lowered her eyes.
The four senshi saluted her as they departed quickly, leaving only Serenity with her ladies and Shigeru with his own group.
"What about Mei?" Shigeru wondered aloud as he looked to Celestin, whose entire demeanour had changed.
Her figure was erect and stiff, the grace gone. Her eyes were hard as they regarded Shigeru.
"I have a feeling that Mei is safe wherever she is. As for you you may do whatever you wish. If you leave then farewell, if you are staying then I suggest that you prepare for war. I do not mean to offend but my Kingdom is my main concern now. I suppose the main reason I called you all here today was to ask whether you wanted to leave or sta-"
"The Ancients have gifted us with their power, your Highness, therefore we cannot leave," Shigeru reminded.
Celestin's eyes softened momentarily as she regarded them all, even the nodding Serenity.
"My daughter is a part of this whether we like it or not, therefore we are more than obliged to help where we can," Serenity spoke as Usagi nodded her head along with her.
"Thank you friends," Celestin whispered.
::X:X::
"Moonlight, Moonlight, Moonlight … wherefore art thou Moonlight?" Sealight mused as she turned her gaze from the Celestial Kingdom to her prisoner who hung, bound by hand and foot to the wall above her throne.
"Oh my dear Hikaru! What a mess you are in!" she laughed as she looked up at him, her eyes softening.
"You know, in another life I believe that we could have been lovers … but alas, it is not to be!" she added as the hanging Hikaru failed to stir.
"Wakey WAKEY!" Sealight growled as she released a blast, forcing Hikaru's body against the stone wall behind him, sending a dull crack echoing throughout the room as the chains jingled fiercely.
Hikaru released a sigh as his eyes remained closed still.
"Do not worry Hikaru, we are going to have much fun you and I, especially when I bring your Kingdom to their knees!" she hissed as she glanced out the window, locating the familiar moons of the kingdom she had come to loathe.
What that idiot Queen does not know is that I know where their little heiress is.
Sealight smiled as she glanced at Hikaru.
Once she visits the dimension parallel to our own she will never return.
Sealight laughed at the thought.
::X:X::
His back throbbed as he hung forward, his wrists and ankles blistered and bleeding.
His body hurt, everywhere hurt but Hikaru knew better than to open his eyes.
As long as I am asleep I can find help … I will look for the Keeper of Dreams …
Forcing the pain to the back of his mind Hikaru floated into a unconscious sleep, his body floating in darkness.
"Where are you, keeper of dreams?"
The darkness was impenetrable, so much so that even his own hand was not visible before his eyes.
"You called?"
The soft voice called from ahead and lifting his eyes Hikaru made out a small beam of light that continually began to grow.
"Where have you been? I have been calling for a long time!" Hikaru growled as a young male appeared before him finally.
"Your dreams were filled with sadness and despair … I am attracted only to those who dream beautiful dreams," he replied as Hikaru's eyes hardened.
"As a direct descendant of Sunlight you are therefore my brother. I have been told about you all my life yet I did not believe that you existed. I thank you none the less for granting my call," Hikaru began as the male nodded.
"But of course, it is my duty," he responded as Hikaru nodded.
"I do not have much time Helios but I must ask a favour of you," HIkaru began as Helios continued to listen.
"My daughter Mei, I have a feeling that she has strayed far from the Kingdom. The link between my daughter and I is very strong, so much so that I can sense when she is in danger. Helios she is far away, very far away and I feel that she is headed for danger. I would appreciate it if you would find her for me or at least look out for her …"
Helios glanced over the man, his bruised body, his bleeding forehead.
"I will do my best Lord Hikaru."
Hikaru smiled as he felt himself beginning to fade.
"Thank you, Helios."
Helios nodded as he turned, returning in the light he had come in.
I must look out for his daughter, but how can I when I want to watch over ChibiUsa?
Helios shook his head as the light claimed him.
I will do both.
::X:X::
A/N: Kia ora koutou! Well friends it's the end of an uneventful chapter … I can only say that I promise the next instalments are more mentally stimulating!
Thanks for reading, please review and I'll catch up with you all later!
Lady Sapphira
::X:X::
A Mission for Moonlight: Part II
"AAAARRRGH!!" Mei screamed as she hung on the handle desperately, her foot on the wall as she applied all her weight on the door.
The snarling creature snapped at her once more, drooling on her hands as she slammed the door shut.
Releasing a heavy sigh she sank to her knees, wiping her brow with a weary hand.
Never again! Who knew that monsters like that still existed?
Her quick breathing finally regulating Mei stood, her knees shaky as she headed for the door behind her.
"Let's hope this dimension is much nicer to me …"
Throwing open the door Mei closed her eyes, allowing the light to claim her in the same manner it had with all the other doors she had opened.
::X:X::
"Hey guys … guys wait up!" the young female cried, her lavender coloured locks bouncing as she ran for her friends who had already bolted.
"Uh … Kousagi our mothers said we had to be home early today … homework and stuff!" the violet-haired one called as the other three nodded back at her before disappearing around a corner.
"But Rei … Mina … Ami … Mako …"
Kousagi's blue eyes lowered as they softened.
"Oh well!" she shrugged as she smiled slowly, her eyes moving forward to her favourite bakery store straight ahead.
ChibiUsa won't mind if she looks after the rabbits for a bit while I get a snack …
Her face burst into a watery smile as she dreamed of dumplings.
"Yum yu-"
"HELP! SOMEONE PLEASE STOP THAT MAN … HE HAS MY PURSE!"
"Wha?!" Kousagi cried as she turned in time to witness a man push past her while an elderly lady hobbled after him.
"That isn't very nice!" a cool voice called from somewhere above.
Kousagi placed her hand above her eyes, looking into the sunlight to make out tall silhouette of a slim female, her long hair lifting into the wind as she turned her shadowed face to look at the burglar who was about to turn a corner.
"Celestial Bind!" she cried as she her left arm forward, five lines of ribbon flying from her gloved hands headed directly for the male. Finding their target the ribbons bound themselves to the man.
Kousagi watched with wide eyes as the female lifted the man to land right before Kousagi and the elderly lady, her purse lying next to the man untouched.
The lady smiled as she retrieved her purse, looking to the sky for any sign of her saviour only to find the rooftop bare.
Kousagi looked from the rooftop to the old lady.
Who was she?
::X:X::
"Mama, papa I'm home!" Kousagi announced, closing the door behind her as she dropped her schoolbag onto the ground.
"Where have you been? Your sister has been looking everywhere for you!" a gentle male voice greeted.
A tall male entered the hallway, bending to kiss his youngest daughter on the cheek.
"Oh papa! You will never believe what I saw to-"
"Where have you been Chibi? I've been waiting for you to come home and help me feed the rabbits!"
Kousagi rubbed her chin as she reddened, her older sister marching into the hallway purposefully, her ruby-coloured eyes cold.
"I'm sorry ChibiUsa … you see there was this old lady, and this burg-"
"Save it for another time Chibi we have work to do!" ChibiUsa retorted as she snatched her sister's wrist.
"Bu-"
"Listen to your sister Chibi, you can tell me your story later," Mamoru responded as he waved the pair away.
Kousagi frowned as her sister towed her out of the hallway and into the back where the rabbits were kept.
"Those are my girls," Mamoru mused as he shook his head, bending over to retrieve Kousagi's schoolbag.
His lips curled upwards as he stroked his youngest daughter's bag.
By far the most creative of the ladies in my life. I wonder what story she has to tell me today.
::X:X::
Mei moved with the crowd of people without protest, her eyes glazed over as the crowd carried her along the street.
The air was thick with foreign smells, the streets becoming illuminated as the sky threatened to darken above. Strange vehicles she had seen in other dimensions moved along roads, with people riding other strange two-wheeled contraptions.
Every world she came across never failed to amaze her.
This world, however, was slightly different and even she could feel it.
I must find a secluded place where I can transform and do the Ancients' Chant. The faster that task is performed the faster I can move onto other worlds if Moonlight's power cannot be found here.
Mei stopped suddenly as she looked up to the sky in time to see a flash of bright light, the light evoking a cold feeling, one that chilled her to her spine.
"Hey keep moving!" a voice from behind her growled as the person barged past her, sending her sprawling to her knees.
Mei's eyes softened as she glanced at her grazed hands.
"Are you alright there?"
Mei's eyes lifted to see the speaker's hand offered to her.
"Thank you," she murmured as she grasped the person's palm, their touch warm and comforting.
The touch … the aura … it exudes power and compassion … and love…
Mei smiled as she nodded at her helper who looked to be a blonde male with dark eyes.
"Your aura is comforting and very powerful, like a bright star. Thank you once more for your help," Mei spoke as she bowed before moving past the female to continue walking.
"It is good to know that even in this dimension there are people whose light shine bright. We have that in common," she murmured as she disappeared into the crowd.
Haruka let her eyes linger over the crowd, half-expecting the female to reappear.
She glanced at her hand, stained a little by the strange female's blood.
What was it that I felt when I touched her? I have never experience a feeling like that before …
Closing her palm Haruka released a sigh as she turned and continued on her own way home.
::X:X::
"Welcome to the 6 o'clock news with Nakanishi Takeo."
Kousagi rolled her eyes as she glared at ChibiUsa on the couch, the remote firmly in the palms of her hand.
"Can't we watch something else?" Kousagi sighed as ChibiUsa glanced at her quickly.
"No, watch the news Chibi," she responded as she returned her attention to the screen.
"Heading our news tonight is the mystical Silver Lady. Nicknamed the Silver Lady by those who have been saved by this mysterious female, she has been seen by countless people throughout the city as a saviour. There have been reports flooding in about this very lady tying up burglars and other villains throughout the city. The police, however, have little information on her …"
Kousagi's eyes widened as they showed a single picture of the so-called Silver Lady.
It showed her side, her face concealed by her black hair while her silver outfit with white gloves and heels were prominently exposed.
"That's her ChibiUsa! That's her!" Kousagi cried as she glued her face to the screen.
"Chibi! Chibi get off the T.V!" ChibiUsa cried as she tugged on her sister.
"In other news this evening, the growing fishing dispute …"
Kousagi stepped willing away from the T.V.
"ChibiUsa, you remember when I was late today? Well I saw her! The Silver Lady! She stopped this man getting away with this old lady's purse…"
ChibiUsa studied her sister's face carefully as she listened silently.
How do we know if this Silver Lady is a friend or foe?
::X:X::
The moon cast the three shadows along the rooftop.
The three were dressed identically, one in dark blue, the other in a lighter blue and the last in white.
"I am Sailor Marine!" the one in blue announced as she threw her blue hair over one shoulder, her blue eyes hard.
"And I, Sailor Snow," the female dressed in a lighter blue announced, her light blue hair falling across her face as her light blue eyes lowered.
"And I am Sailor Ice," the white female concluded, her light eyes closed as her long white hair surrounded her like a cloud.
"Together we are the Daughters of Sealight! Even in then brightest of lights, darkness will still conquer. Sin is too great for purity to survive. In the name of darkness we will vow to plunge the world into eternal shadows!" the trio cried as they all smiled.
Mei can hide all she wants, but we will find her!
::X:X::