The screaming from outside was hard on my ears, but I did my best to ignore it. We all ran out in front of the Crystal Castle and watched helplessly as the mass infiltrated Crystal Tokyo. My parents stood in front of us, trying their best to keep their composure. Sailor Mercury was working on getting a better reading while the Inner and Asteroid senshi created a wall around us with their powers. I desperately wanted to help. My people were so terrified! They ran around the kingdom, begging for us to help them.
"Look!" Sailor PallaPalla called out, pointing into the distance. We all followed her direction and saw very thin strands of black falling from above. Louder screams were heard, and I gasped in horror as I saw people being pulled into the air, being engulfed into the mass.
"No!" My mother cried, holding the Silver Crystal in her hands. "I have to try again!" She coughed and held it out, closing her eyes and concentrating. "Please, Silver Crystal…I know it's been so long, but I beg of you to help me save my people once again! Silver Crystal Power!" I looked on, hoping it would work. Maybe before was just a fluke. Soft, pink light gleamed from within her hands. I saw my mother's face lighten up.
Yes! Work! My mind cried out. But the swift sense of security left as soon as it came. The pink light fizzled out, and my mother held her head in pain. My father grabbed her as she began to collapse.
"Queen!" Everyone yelled, but no one moved. I moved to her side, seeing how pale she had become.
"Mom! Are you alright?" I exclaimed. She turned her head and faced me, forcing a small smile.
"Yes…I'm alright…just tired…" She whispered. My father helped her back to her feet. Her face fell to her crystal. "This is it, then," she said. "I do not have the power anymore to protect everyone." Her voice cracked at the end of her statement.
"Maybe I do…" My father uttered, raising his silver staff into the air. Golden light sparkled at the top of it and a small crystal appeared. I was speechless for a second while I recognized the color. The golden sparkling crystal matched the eyes of that beautiful Pegasus!
"Golden Crystal Power!" My father voice sounded powerful and determined. It slightly reassured me. Bright beams of golden light seared through the air towards the mass. We watched as the energy shot through the mass, creating little holes. I could hear from cheers from other people. Maybe the golden crystal was powerful enough! "No!" My father growled in disbelief. I shuddered inside while seeing the holes reseal. As they did, I thought I heard faint laughter. The golden crystal on my father's staff faded away.
All the senshi proceeded with their own attack power, sending it at the unknown enemy. The mass only absorbed it. Sailor Mercury frowned.
"It's absorbing everything we send to it. And it's only getting stronger. It's feeding off the energy like a sponge. The golden crystal broke through it, but the mass absorbed that too, using the energy to regenerate itself. I've never seen anything like this; there's in record of it anywhere!" her voice made all of us shake.
"Use your crystal, Little Maiden!" That harmonious voice pierced through my mind. My eyes widened. "Hurry!"
I didn't have to think on the request. I held out my hands and closed my eyes. "Moon Crystal Power!" My voice chimed against the screaming of the people around us. A burst of pink light shot out from my chest towards the mass.
"No, Lady Serenity!" I heard my guardians scream. I opened my eyes to see if my powers did anything. The energy burned into the mass, and a strange howl bellowed from above us. Had I hurt the thing? My mind became heavy and I felt myself fall backwards, weak. Hands covered me. Before I closed my eyes, I saw whiteness in the distance. Golden eyes.
"Where are you?" I called out. I was on the glass again, in a deep crystalline forest. I was running again, trying to find the Pegasus. "Show yourself! Please!" I pleaded into the air around me. I was still in my senshi outfit, but even in my dram I felt weak. A neighing sound from behind stopped me in my tracks and I turned to see the wonderful creature standing in front of me. "Thank goodness!"I exclaimed with joy and ran to it. It whimpered somewhat as I reached out to touch it. "You came back…" I sighed, feeling its warmth again through my gloves.
"You called me back." I heard its velvety soft voice say. I thought I moment and shook my head.
"No I didn't."
"With your heart, you did. Your strong feelings to help your friends and family called out to me, and I came."
I gazed into its eyes and felt something tug at my heart. What it said sounded familiar. This happened before. Yes…a very long time ago.
"I'm so sorry, about before. I'm sorry I hurt you by forgetting whatever it is I forgot." My apology wasn't all that great, I knew that. But I desperately wanted to make it feel better. I rubbed against its nose gently.
Suddenly, the glass underneath us began to shake violently. I grabbed onto the Pegasus and held on tightly. It whined as its hooves slid along the glass frantically.
"Get on my back!" It cried. I was too scared to object, so I lunged myself on top of it and wrapped my arms around its neck. Its wings opened up and we took to the air. I looked down and saw the glass cracking.
"What's happening?" I asked, terrified.
"You are injured. The danger is trying to enter here. I'm so sorry I cannot protect you like I wish." It sounded pained. Then I remembered: I had used my crystal against the mass! Was I hurt in retaliation? What about mother and father?
"Do you know about what's attacking us?" I wished it knew what was going on. As worried as I was, my muscles relaxed as the cool air touched my skin while we flew.
"Not much, other than it came from far, far away."
"Did I hurt it with my crystal?"
"A little, yes. But you haven't achieved your greatness yet to defeat it."
"What do you mean?" I had to be the one to defeat it? We dipped in the air as it took me through the trees. They sparkled against the moonlight.
"You are much more powerful than you realize, Little Maiden. Of course, you didn't believe that back then, either. Always worrying about being a lady…" My eyes grew larger. I suddenly felt very naked. How did this animal know about me like this? Knew my desires of being a real lady?
"I…I um…" I stuttered. The animal made a noise similar to a chuckle, and I felt myself blush. We landed on a tall cliff. I slid off of the animal and stared blankly into its beautiful eyes.
"No need to worry, Little Maiden. You've become a lady. I guess I shouldn't call you little anymore." Something tugged at my heart again. A memory. Its voice. His voice.
"…Pegasus…?" I whispered, suddenly remembering his name. It neighed happily.
"You're beginning to remember! I'm so glad!" The animal pressed its head against my chest gently, and I rested my head against it.
"Bits and pieces…slowly….I remember this place a little. It's all like a dream I had a long time ago. A dream you were in quite a lot."
The ground shook again. No! My mind yelped. I didn't want to leave this wondrous place. Or leave Pegasus. I was remembering something important.
"You need to leave. It's becoming dangerous here. Do not worry; I'll always be with you. Just call me." I saw Pegasus open his wings and lift off into the air. My heart sank. But I knew he was right. I had to return home. "Be careful, Maiden. The enemy is very powerful. Don't let it fool you."
"Let it fool me?" I repeated, confused. Before I could ask what he meant, Pegasus was gone.