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 to readers and reviewers! Much love to you all.
Chapter 11: The Insider
He stood alone, bathed in his own light as his brown eyes peered into his crystal.
I am afraid she has strayed far …
"You will not find her there, Helios."
His eyes widened as he lifted his gaze to meet a powerful silver stare.
"How did you …"
She smiled secretively as she touched her head.
"That is not important Helios, what is more important is that you help Hikaru's daughter. I can assist you with that," she spoke, her black locks brushing his shoulder as she moved around him.
"Bu-"
"There a many things, Helios, that you do not know. Luckily for you, however, that is not a problem. You need not be afraid for her safety for Hikaru's sake. She is the descendant of your Ancient bloodline. You are kin and it is therefore your duty to both her and her father to find her. She is safe but that is not my greatest concern…"
Helios watched the enchanting lady closely, his eyes following her every move.
"She is on an errand."
Helios watched her move to his crystal, watching her wave her hand across it, summoning a scene.
A female appeared, her green eyes vibrant, her long black hair glossy, accentuating the ivory tone of her skin. He witnessed her walking a long corridor, where she passed countless doors, as if purposefully led.
"Her errand involves the Dimensional Corridor. Each door leads to another world. This Corridor is sacred, embroiled in the tapestry of time. Each visitation she makes into any world will alter it somehow, yet again, that is not my greatest concern. Fortunately Mei is much more intelligent than that…"
Helios looked from the female in the image summoned by the lady to the lady herself, his brow knitted.
"Then what is your main concern?"
The female meet his eyes, her beauteous face assuming a blank expression.
"Without you, she will not be able to make it back to our own dimension. You see she is on a quest to find the vessel of my power. She lives somewhere in the past, in the far away past. The Dimensional Corridor controls both other worlds and time itself."
Helios' eyes widened as he glanced back at the image of Mei.
"You must find her so that she will return in one piece, for as an Ancient I may have the power to take her to the Dimensional Corridor, but I cannot bring her back. I am relying on you, Helios, to bring her home safely; otherwise I am afraid that she will have to spend the rest of eternity searching for the one door out of millions that will return her safely to this dimension."
Helios shook his head as he looked to the girl once more.
"How am I supposed to reach her?" Helios asked as he turned to the lady.
"I can show you the way, but because my power is restricted there I cannot accompany you. I must warn you though, the way is long."
Helios lowered his eyes.
"But what about my post?"
"Do not worry about your post. I will watch it while you retrieve Mei."
Helios opened his mouth slightly before he closed it once more as he nodded.
"I will watch over her especially," she added as she bowed.
"Thank you, Helios."
::X:X::
Usagi lent onto the balcony casually, her pink hair combed back by the wind as she watched the Celestial Army train below.
Inside her bed chamber was empty although in the neighbouring room her mother, her senshi and Shigeru along with the Starlights were gathered.
"We are obliged to stay now, especially since ChibiUsa and Shigeru have been gifted with the powers of Ancients," Serenity began as the Inners nodded.
"Does Endymion know about this?" Mars asked as they all glanced at Serenity.
She nodded, her eyes meeting every single pair of those who were present.
"I have already spoken to him. The Outers are more concerned than he is. They believe that we should not be here and that we should return immediately. They say the war is not ours to be fought…"
"Did you tell them about ChibiUsa as Sailor Sunlight?" Mercury inquired.
Serenity nodded once more.
"I have told them. They are still annoyed that we are here but at least they realize that we have to be here. They would rather it, however, that they be here in your place," she added as the Inners all frowned.
"It does not matter who is here and who is not Serenity, what matters now is knowing where we stand with Celestin. We are obviously allies," Star-Fighter spoke.
"We are allies, we might as well assist with her army then," Venus suggested.
"I do not think it wise for us to fight under Celestin, we are, after all, from our own respective kingdoms," Star-Healer responded.
Serenity locked eyes with Star-Fighter.
Usagi's combat room was warm, filled with sunlight seeping in from behind them. All aglow, in the room it was easy to forget about the issue of an oncoming war.
"Well whether we like it or not I think one way or another we have to fight. If we go to Celestin I am sure that she will not give us demeaning tasks. We must go and see where we can help her. Simply deciding for ourselves where we can help will not help this Kingdom," Serenity spoke as all the senshi nodded.
Shigeru grimaced.
"Back to Celestin's chambers then?" he offered.
"You will not find her there. She is below, with the troops," Usagi responded as she entered the room swiftly.
"To the Palace Fields then," Star-Maker corrected as they all nodded.
::X:X::
"Well, well, well … are you back for more news!"
The cloaked figure nodded as they bowed before the Queen, their eyes moving to the hanging figure of Lord Hikaru mounted on the wall.
The person lowered their eyes, goosebumps lacing their arms beneath the heavy cloak.
Even in darkness I cannot escape the cold …
"Your Highness, Queen Celestin has been busy preparing her troops for war. They are training as we speak. As you had guessed the Starlights and those from Crystal Tokyo have all decided to stay in order to assist Queen Celestin…"
"And my weapons?"
The stranger lifted their head to gaze upon the Ancient Sealight.
"They are in the Queen's private chambers."
Sealight smiled as she looked upon her servant.
"You have served me well. I will reward you with what you asked. Your kingdom will be spared once I conquer the galaxy."
The servant, however, remained silent.
Have I done the right thing?
"I have one last task for you, before all that has been sealed," Sealight spoke as she smiled, extending her finger to scratch her servant's cheek, liquid falling onto the black marble.
"What is it, your Highness?"
Sealight smiled.
"When the time comes I want you to kill Celestin."
The servant simply stared, eyes wide.
::X:X::
Kaede moved swiftly along the hallways, her mind reeling as she moved around corners carelessly, her shoulder throbbing from barging into walls.
What am I going to do …
"Kaede!"
Kaede froze as she turned, her eyes wide as she met a deep blue gaze.
"Kakuei? Oh! Where have you been?" she blurted, attempting to straighten her dress.
Kakuei's eyes narrowed as he moved closer to her.
"I was in my room actually, why? You look like you've seen a ghost…"
Kaede shrugged as she released a throaty giggle.
"Oh Kakuei, you're so funny! Well, I best be going, uh, see you 'round!" she called as she waved before dashing around the corner.
Kakuei shrugged as he continued on his own way.
I wonder what's wrong with her …
::X:X::
All the senshi blazed in their costumes, the sunlight kind to their slim figures as they all moved through their own specific routines.
The fields were filled with senshi, where some practised by blasting moving targets in the air, others trained in hand-to-hand combat while others battled with weaponry.
Something seemed to be happening wherever one looked.
"Where is Celestin?" Shigeru asked as they moved through the training masses.
"Celestin?"
The group turned to greet one of the females that had come to Celestin's chamber that morning, recognizing her as one of Celestin's personal senshi.
"I am Sailor Topaz … I do not think I introduced myself properly when we met earlier … we were in a rush!" she spoke as she smiled, her long light blue hair tying into two plaited pigtails that rested on her shoulders. Her pink eyes swivelled to glance behind them at the group dressed in light blue senshi uniforms.
"You see each of us here have our own Elite to look after. I look after the Topaz Elite. We professionalize in tactics. We plan the battles, my team and I. The others do other bits and pieces …"
Mercury nodded as she looked to Topaz.
"Interesting … what kind of equipment do you use…"
"No offence Mercury but we're here to find Celestin, remember?" Mars reminded as Mercury sweatdropped.
"Right … well Celestin is nearer to the front of the fields … just keep going until you see the silver army training. That is Celestin's own specialist army training. Mei should be leading them …"
Topaz lowered her eyes.
"Thank you Sailor Topaz," Serenity spoke as she touched her shoulder.
Topaz smiled slightly.
"No problem … come by again when you have the chance," Topaz responded as she nodded at Mercury who smiled back.
"This way," Star-Fighter led as she moved into the lead.
Sharing looks they all followed without protest.
"I hope we find Celestin soon … my heels are sinking into the grass," Mars muttered as Venus nodded, Mercury sweatdropped and Jupiter simply sighed.
Usagi giggled to herself as she looked into the sky. Even in the day the light blue could not shield the brighter stars that twinkled so far away.
One of those stars is home and one of those stars is Helios.
Usagi smiled contentedly at the thought.
::X:X::
Her hair hung loosely around her face, her brown eyes large and imploring, staring back at her.
Her dressing gown hung loosely around her frail figure where goosebumps could be traced along her arms and legs.
What am I going to do?
Kaede released a sigh as she sank to her knees, her eyes watering.
There is no escape…
::X:X::
A/N: Apologies about the short chapter! Mei's adventure is actually going to be quite long in this one … so I apologize for the length of the main story. It probably almost feels as though it is going nowhere. If I can get a lot of Mei's story out of the way here, the story should start rolling again!
Thanks again to readers and reviewers! Please review again and I will see you all soon!
Lady Sapphira
::X:X::
A Mission for Moonlight: Part IV
Mei held her breath, pressing her back against the tree.
Her green eyes moved up to the dark sky, unfamiliar stars twinkling at her as they watched, as if expecting something to happen.
All I have to do is wait for those people to go, then I can finally transform and get out of this dimension if it turns out that Moonlight is not here.
Mei peered around the tree, watching the three females bickering as they moved slowly along the path, their long shadows stretching in the lamplight.
"What makes you think that she is here?" a dark blue-haired female demanded as she stopped.
"Marine be patient, she is here somewhere. She knows better than to reveal herself in the day. She would search for somewhere secluded where no one would be able to see or find her …" a lady with white hair spoke as she stopped, turning to glare at her companions.
"Well if she is so smart than why is she all over the news? The Silver Lady … ooooh I'm shaking in my heels!" Marine retorted as the light-blue female rolled her eyes.
"We are here to do a job. Let's just get on with it," she spoke as the white-haired female nodded.
"I agree with Snow, now come. I can feel her presence nearby …"
"I have an idea!" Snow cried as she stopped again, the trio standing right in front of Mei who continued to listen carefully.
"If she really is the Silver Lady then we should draw her out! We will make her come to us," Snow spoke as her light blue eyes glowed.
"She has a point Ice, why should we endeavour to look for her when we can just force her to reveal herself … she will be ours for sure," Marine thought, her lazuli eyes swivelling to glance at Ice.
Ice smiled slowly.
"A good plan, a good plan indeed sisters. Come, the night is young!" Ice cried as the three disappeared into the air.
Mei remained behind the tree, her mind churning.
Whoever this Silver Lady is, she is in danger…
Mei's brow furrowed as she looked at her hands, scarred from when she fell onto the pavement.
I can transform now and do my chant and go … or I can help this Silver Lady who seems to be in danger …
Her fists closed as she looked to the stars above.
::X:X::
The trio hovered in the air, their eyes remaining on the bustling city below.
Vehicles moved to and fro below where even in the atmosphere the bright lights penetrated the air, along with the pollution.
"This is going to be fun," Sailor Snow murmured as she smiled slowly.
"Shall we sisters?" Sailor Marine probed as the other two nodded.
"Let us create havoc," Sailor Ice laughed as they all teleported into the middle of the city, car tires screeching as the three stood with wide smiles.
"Ice Barrage!" Sailor Ice cried as she crossed her fingers, summoning an icy breeze that tore through the thick traffic that had surrounded them.
"Snow Storm!" Sailor Snow announced as she clapped her hands dramatically before her, snow flakes falling around her as balls of snow flew at all those who stood by.
"Black Tsunami Rage!" Sailor Marine commanded as she rose into the air, a large wave rising from the ground, sweeping away any debris that lay in their path.
All three laughed to themselves as they flew from building to building, blasting windows and destroying everything and anything they came across.
Come out come out, wherever you are!
"Earth Shaking!"
The trio paused on the building they happened to be upon as the ground below them began to open up, buildings crumbling beneath them.
"What on ear-"
The three leapt off the building simultaneously, landing gracefully onto the quivering ground.
"Where did that come from?" Snow demanded as they looked around the deserted streets.
"Who are you and what are you doing to our city?"
The commanding voice came from above as the three females raised their eyes to the building opposite them where 11 shadows stood.
"You are not the Silver Lady, therefore we have no interest with you," Marine responded coolly as she flicked her long blue locks into the air.
"I suggest you go back home before things get a little out of hand for you," Snow smiled as she inspected her fingernails.
"Why don't you go back home before things get a little too out of hand for you," another voice called as she raised a finger, sending a blast that almost touched Ice's long hair as it hurtled past.
Ice's eyes narrowed as she lowered her hand.
"We are not interested," Ice repeated as they disappeared into the air.
Eternal Sailor Moon's eyes widened.
"We must find them, wherever they go they will reek havoc until they find the Silver Lady," Sailor Chibi Moon spoke.
Eternal Sailor Moon nodded slowly.
"We will split up. The Inners come with me, we will scour the north, the Outers will go with Sailor Chibi Moon and will do the same in the south-let's go!" Eternal Sailor Moon commanded as the team nodded.
::X:X::
Mei's wide eyes surveyed the barren streets.
Alarms sounded in her ears as she passed smoking vehicles, partly destroyed buildings.
What hap-
A gasp escaped from her lips as her foot slid from beneath her, sending her onto her backside, landing on the cold surface.
Brow furrowed she touched the shiny surface, noting its cool temperature.
Ice? In the middle of the street? What is going on he-
"We are not going to ask you again little girl, now I want you to tell me where she is!"
Mei stood silently, pressing herself against the wall as she listened in on the commotion that came from the nearby ally way.
"I don't know what you're talking about!" came a small voice.
"That's a shame, because we're going to hurt you when we really don't have to if you cooperate."
Mei's brow knitted as her fists tightened.
Mei peered around the corner, immediately recognizing the three females she had seen from the park.
Turning back she rested her head against the brick wall, her eyes lifting to the sky as her aunt's words floated to mind.
No matter where you are, as a senshi of compassion, love and justice you must help those who are in need, regardless of anything.
Mei straightened herself.
"Celestial Star Power Activate!" she commanded.
Lifting her head into the air, a small star-shaped crystal fell from the heavens to land on her forehead. Upon contact with her crown the crystal exploded into ribbons of light that wrapped themselves around her before releasing her as suddenly as they had claimed her.
"Let her go!" a familiar voice called.
Sailor Celeste let her eyes slide around the corner of the building, catching five shadows cast over the three shadows of the females who had captured the girl.
Celeste immediately raised her eyes to the building directly ahead, the origin of the five shadows.
Crowning the group was the smallest of all the females, her face shadowed by the full moon that lighted the black sky behind them.
"We'd like to come see you try, because like we said earlier we have no interest in any of you, we want the Silver Lady…" Ice began as Celeste finally saw a bound figure on the concrete, squirming.
"Kousagi!" the pink-haired female cried as the three females below began to laugh.
"I'm afraid you've just made it personal," a tall blonde spoke, running her hand through her short locks.
It is her … with the bright light …
Celeste watched her intently as she leapt off the building, sweeping the girl into her arms.
"That's a shame, you can take the girl but you can't get back up," Marine laughed as Uranus staggered backwards.
Kousagi's eyes widened as she buried her head into Uranus' fast fading bow.
"Mei."
The voice returned Celeste to reality, forcing her to turn to meet eyes identical to her own.
The female was a mirror image of herself, apart from the fact that their respective senshi uniforms were different.
The younger female wore the traditional senshi uniform with the scarf and the large bow on her back silver. The bow on her chest was black, held together by a silver star-shaped button, while her skirt was both black and silver. Her heels, however, were silver, while her arms bore white hand gloves with black bands that rested on her wrists. On her forehead lay the single insignia that united the pair completely. It was a crescent moon with three small glowing dots arranged in a triangle shape above the moon. Those three dots represented the three moons of the Celestial Kingdom.
"Mei you do not have much time! You came here to do an errand not to save the inhabitants of this dimension …" the younger began before Celeste held up a hand.
"Those females are not after you, I realize that now…"
"But they want the Silver Lady. I have been parading as the Silver Lady…"
Celeste shook her head as she rested her hands on the younger girl's shoulders.
"Sailor Chibi Dawn they are not of this world. They want me. You look like me, which is why they have probably been looking for you…"
"We look exactly alike, afterall I am Mei in this dimension," Chibi Dawn replied dryly as Celeste rolled her eyes.
"I know that those creeps want you and not me, that is the whole reason why I'm here," Chibi Dawn responded as Celeste closed her mouth.
"The Ancient Moonlight appeared to Aunt Celestin in this dimension many years ago, outlining what was to happen. Long story short our aunt brought me here to help distract those freaks while you did your thing," she responded as Celeste smiled slowly.
"That explains a lot then …"
Chibi Dawn smiled as she ran past her and into the ally way.
"Then go on and do the chant already!" she called.
Celeste ran after her, her eyes wide.
She can't do anything if she has no power!
::X:X::
Sailor Chibi Moon stared helplessly, confused at the sight below.
Uranus' uniform had completely faded in colour and not only that but her choker, tiara and earrings were completely gone.
"You lot are so annoying! Now watch yourselves die," Ice spat as she rose into the air.
"Ice Pillars … arise!" she commanded as huge spikes of ice rose from the ground, an ice pillar calculated to rise through Uranus.
"Uranus!" Neptune cried as she leapt for her, sweeping her out of the way just as the pillar meant for Uranus broke forth from the ground.
"Uranus …" Neptune murmured as she pulled her into her embrace, conscious of Kousagi who was nestled between them.
"Night must heed to the rise of the morning star. In the name of the Celestial Kingdom and the beauty of dawn, I, Sailor Chibi Dawn will punish you!"
"Well, well, well … look who it is! At long last the Silver Lady reveals herself!" Marine laughed as her attention switched immediately on to the newcomer.
Chibi Moon bit her lip as she glanced at Pluto and Saturn.
"We have to help her…" Chibi Moon spoke as she jumped off the building, landing lightly alongside Neptune, Uranus and her sister.
"Oh Kousagi! What part of "stay home and don't move" did you not understand?" Chibi Moon scolded as she tore the binds off her sister.
Kousagi reddened as her tummy grumbled.
"We were out of food at home…" she confessed as Chibi Moon smiled, shamedface.
"I'm okay now … but what are we going to do about the Silver Lady?" Kousagi demanded as the evil trio were fast advancing upon the unflinching girl.
"Nothing. They came for her and now they have her. It is not our battle … that force is something completely different. I had no power when I was in their presence …"
Kousagi's large blue eyes moved from Uranus to Chibi Moon who looked back at her.
"We must help her somehow …" Kousagi murmured as she stood.
Glancing back at Uranus who shook her head Chibi Moon stood along with her sister.
"Stay here Kou-"
"You both stay," another voice added from ahead.
A bright light bathed the entire ally way, exposing even the darkest shadows.
The light forced the three females to stagger backwards, their arms against their eyes in a pitiful attempt to shield the light.
"That light … so warm," Kousagi awed as she lifted her arms into it, her face bursting into a wide smile.
"So powerful," Pluto murmured.
"And bright," Saturn added.
Uranus stood in the light, looking immediately to her hand.
"So familiar," she spoke as the light continued to shine.
"Daughter to the Ancient Guardians of the Universe and eternal soldier of justice and hope, I am Sailor Celeste," the female cried as she appeared in the light.
"She looks exactly like the Silver Lady …" Kousagi murmured as Sailor Chibi Dawn appeared at her side.
"I believe you came for me, daughters of Sealight … well I am afraid to disappoint but you will be returning to your world much faster than what you intended," Celeste cried as Chibi Dawn moved ahead.
"Celestial Bind!" she cried as she released several ribbons into the air.
'How pathetic … have you forgotten Celeste that you do not have any powers in our presence?" Marine laughed.
Chibi Dawn smirked.
"Problem is, we're not afraid of you," she responded as the ribbons bound the trio, bringing them into a bundle.
"Go Celeste!" Chibi Dawn cried as Celeste nodded.
"In another world we are all friends, I only hope it will be the same in this world," Celeste spoke as she bowed at Chibi Moon, who watched her with wide eyes.
Celeste raised her arms into the sky, rising into the air as a star shape began to appear above her.
"Sunlight, Starlight, Firelight, Sealight … reveal yourself in your true light … MOONLIGHT!" Celeste cried as she looked to the star.
The fifth, unlit point still remained barren.
With all the bright light in this dimension I would have thought that I would find it here …
Celeste smiled despite herself as she began to fade along with the trio below her.
"Wherever great light burns, hope burns also," she called before fading completely into the sky.
Chibi Dawn smiled slowly as she turned to Chibi Moon who still seemed rather confused about the events.
"In another dimension we are friends. Perhaps one day we can be the same here," Chibi Moon spoke as she too disappeared.
Kousagi, however, was still searching for Celeste in the nightsky.
"The Silver Lady is cool, but she is much cooler," Kousagi spoke.
Chibi Moon rolled her eyes as she took her younger sister's hand.
"Come on, let's go home."
::X:X::
Mei threw the door open, pushing the huge bundle through the portal.
"Good riddance!" she spoke as she dusted her hands, sinking to her knees.
"I am so weary, so very weary … will I ever find her?" she whispered as her eyes stung.
Wiping her eyes she forced herself to stand.
I must keep going, for the sake of the kingdom and the galaxy I must.
Moving slowly along the corridor she had already entered many, marked with a red cross.
She stopped as she came to a blank door.
Remember Mei, where ever great light burns, hope burns also. Within you burns great light.
"And therefore burns hope," she affirmed as she pushed the door open.
::X:X::