A New Hope
Chapter ten: Sailor Neptune
Aya Matsuura worked as a musician in Sapphire Village. The village was small, compared to the other cities and towns in Crystal Tokyo. King Diamond's brother, whom the village was named after, lived in the largest house in the village, over looking the sea. As Aya was making her way home, she was walking through the park when she noticed a woman, pale and shaking lying on the ground. The woman had long wavy blue hair and ruby red lips. She was wearing a yellow dress that looked like it had seen better days. Her face was dirty and there were bruises all along her arms and a deep gash on her cheek. Her eyes were a deep shade of violet. Aya knelt beside the woman.
"Are you alright?" She asked. The woman reached up a shaky hand.
"Help me" She whispered. Aya helped the woman up and took her home to her apartment. As she laid the woman on the bed, she wondered what kind of trouble the woman might be in. Luckily, Aya had a first aid kit, and set about cleaning the cuts and bruises.
Early the next morning, Luna awoke with a start. She sat up quickly and looked around. She was in a strange room and noticed that she was wearing a fresh nightgown. The door opened and a young woman entered the room, carrying a cup of steaming coffee.
"I see you are awake" The woman smiled. "I am Aya Matsuura" She handed Luna the cup and Luna smiled gratefully.
"My name is Luna" She said, taking a sip of the coffee. "Thank you for helping me" Aya smiled and sat on the edge of the bed.
"Are you in trouble?" Aya asked, concerned. Luna sighed.
"Yes" She said. "Which is why I must leave. If they trace me here, you will be in trouble too" She tried to get out of bed, but Aya stopped her.
"I am not afraid" She said firmly. "Who is after you?" Luna sighed, unsure of whether or not Aya was a supporter for King Diamond.
"The royals" She whispered. Aya's eyes widened. Now she knew why Luna wanted to leave so badly. King Diamond was not a man to be trifled with. She took a deep breath.
"Why are they after you?" She asked. Luna shrugged.
"That's not important. Please, all I need is a change of clothes, then I will be out of your life and you won't have to worry" Aya grasped Luna's hand.
"I want to help" She said. "Diamond is ruthless. You can't go out there, not if he is after you" Her big blue eyes pleaded with Luna to stay. Luna sighed.
"Very well. But you must know what you are getting into" She warned. "I have been Diamond's prisoner for 400 long years" Aya gasped.
"Are you, a member of Serenity's court?" She asked, hand over her mouth. Luna didn't respond right away. "Sort of" She said finally. "When I was worth anything, I was chief advisor to royal family, and trainer of the Sailor scouts"
"Your the moon cat, aren't you?" Aya asked in disbelief. "It was thought that you and your husband died" Luna shrugged.
"I am not a moon cat any longer" She said. "I am fully human now, As was Artemis. We were both captured by Diamond and kept as prisoner, tortured for 400 long years. Sapphire created a machine to make us fully human. This was done to prevent Artemis and I from escaping. Artemis eventually died three days ago, and I knew it was only a matter of time before I died too. I used all my strength to get out of the dungeon and I fled Sapphire's mansion. It is only a matter of time before he realizes I am gone and contacts Diamond" Luna explained. Aya sighed.
"Is there anyplace you'd like me to take you?" She asked. Luna sighed.
"No" She said sadly. Suddenly there was a sharp knocking on the door. Luna gasped.
"They've found me" She whispered. Aya's eyes flashed.
"Not yet, they haven't" She said fiercely. She gestured toward the window. "Climb out onto the fire escape" She said urgently. "I'll go to the door" Luna nodded and hurriedly climbed out the window. Aya made her way to the door where the pounding continued. When she opened the door, there were three soldiers standing on her doorstep. "Can I help you gentlemen?" She asked. One of them handed her a flyer with Luna's picture on it.
"I am General Tsy. We have reason to believe that this woman is in this neighborhood. She is armed and dangerous and has escaped maximum security" Aya put a hand over her mouth.
"Oh no" She said. "Should I keep a look out for her?"
"Please do madame, but if you see her, contact us right away" General Tso said. "Make no contact with the fugitive, she has mysterious powers"
"Thank you general" Aya said. "I will let you know if I see anything" She closed the door and went back into the bedroom and poked her head out of the window. "It's safe" She told Luna. She grabbed Luna's hand and helped Luna back into the apartment. Luna felt a shock as Aya grabbed her hand. It was a jolt of magic, Aya was...a Sailor scout. Luna frowned to herself. 400 years ago she would have been able to tell just by being close to a scout. She wondered if she'd ever have her full abilities back. As she turned to look at Aya, it hit her who Aya was. Aya was Sailor Neptune. She smiled slightly.
"Aya, we need to talk" She said softly.
Sorry it's taken so long. I was on break and did not have access to a computer. I know I said that Diana was the last of the moon cats, but I decided to bring Luna back, and all things considering, Luna will never be a cat again, so Diana is the last, sort of. I hope you'all don't mind Luna coming back.