Echoes of Darkness
Usagi looked from Haruka back to Kiyoko, anger all over her face, "You make this announcement about who may go and why…. And now you expect to just bring Uranus along? You can't be serious Kiyoko!"
Haruka reached the group and overheard Usagi. It was starting to irritate her that Usagi was suddenly so hostile toward her. But Kiyoko spoke before she could, "I am absolutely serious mother. I stand by what I said last night, however Haruka WILL be coming as well." It was as if her mother had created this dirty love triangle in her head and was NOT on her own daughter's side in it. As a matter of fact she could see her mother gearing up to argue with her and so she went on, "She is coming to offer her support at Seiya's request. So just stop right there, please. And if you don't believe me, ask Yaten."
Usagi looked at Yaten, who got this miserable look on her face. She loved her Queen, but all of this family drama wasn't her forte, "It's true. I spoke with Seiya yesterday and she was very specific about requesting Haruka accompany Queen Kiyoko in addition to myself."
Resignation registered on Usagi's face, relieving and annoying Kiyoko at the same time, and she spoke, "If Seiya requested it, than I suppose we can allow it. Any more surprises my dear daughter?"
Trying to center herself, Kiyoko replied, "No mother. No more surprises." She looked around at everyone assembled. Ami, Rei, Minako, Makoto, her mother, and Haruka all wore their Senshi Fuku. Yaten wore her Starlight uniform. Her sister wearing a thick white long sleeve dress with white gloves and lavender pink boots. She kissed Helios briefly and then looked to Kiyoko. Kiyoko smiled, "Are you ready to put that silver crystal to use once more?"
Serenity smiled, "Yes, dear sister, I believe that we are." She kissed Helios' cheek once more, "Take care of our kingdom my love." With that she came to stand with her mother and Kiyoko. Kiyoko felt so blessed to be able to embark on this journey with part of her family, the rest protecting both of the planets she loved. As they walked out to the launch pad she felt Haruka slip her hand into Kiyoko's. They shared a smile and in that moment she didn't care what anyone else thought, even her mother.
When they reached the pad Kiyoko turned to the others, "We can teleport to the pole, very near to the ruins. But because of the dark echoes there we'll have to travel on foot the rest of the way. I'm sorry." Everyone nodded and they all took hands. Kiyoko held Haruka's hand on one side and her sister's on the other. Everyone concentrated their energy and they were off in a flash of light, leaving beautiful Crystal Tokyo for a desolate wasteland filled with darkness and hope.
When the group materialized at their barren destination, the wind blew mercilessly and everyone began trudging towards the ruins they sought out. Haruka stayed close to Kiyoko, as did Yaten. The tiniest part of her wanted to giggle, but she stayed focused on their mission. She looked behind her and saw her mother and sister clinging together and the inner Senshi behind them. Kiyoko had never been here before but she was using her magic to let the stones be her guide.
The terrain was difficult. At one point her poor sister had tripped and nearly broken her ankle, but Kiyoko was quick to heal her. Serenity look up, "Thank you Kiyo-chan, but save your strength." She and her mother helped Serenity up and the troupe kept going, everyone being very careful as they did.
Finally the entrance to the old dark kingdom was in sight, even from this distance Kiyoko could feel the echoes left behind by Metalia and her darkness. Suddenly the silence was broken by Mars, who stopped dead in her tracks, "Kiyoko…. Are you sure about this? Is the chance to hope worth it?"
Kiyoko walked back to her friend, her fellow priestess, "Sailor Mars…. The chance at hope is worth everything." She took Mars hand and placed in on the pouch she wore, "Would you really want to stop now?"
Mars looked at her, conviction taking over her face, "No, I wouldn't. You're right. Let's go." She kept her hand there a moment longer and then closed her eyes, saying a prayer for their success. Kiyoko nodded and moved back to the front of the group, feeling like she needed to be the first line of defense against those echoes.
As they got closer the echoes felt stronger, and Kiyoko began to brace herself for impact. She knew they'd hit them soon enough. No one made a sound as they continued. It seemed everyone was either too tense or completely focused. When they'd reached roughly one thousand feet from the entrance she started feeling them. Kiyoko hadn't expected them quite this far out. She would've guessed half that distance. This meant they were stronger than she or Helios had realized.
Yaten was the first to say anything, clearly defensive, "What is that? Are those the dark echoes you spoke of?" She pulled her body posture in tighter against them.
Kiyoko concentrated and created a barrier that would lessen the disturbance. She replied to Yaten, "Yes they are. I hadn't expected them yet. Brace yourselves." She knew that she couldn't put enough energy to completely repel them and still do the spell.
As these thoughts ran through her mind Haruka took her hand once again, "This is why I'm here." She smiled tightly and stayed very close to Kiyoko. As the troupe continued to close the distance between themselves and the entrance the echoes began coming in waves and it was jarring for everyone, but they all kept moving.
About three hundred feet from the entrance something in the echoes changed. It was as if they were focusing, hitting Kiyoko almost exclusively. She knew there was no life here, no one directing them at her. She'd never been here. Why were they targeting her? It would make more sense to Kiyoko if they were targeting Serenity as well, attempting to repel the power of the crystals, but they weren't.
Another wave hit her, making her stumble, and the protective symbol on the pouch with the Shitenou's stones in it began to glow a faint green. Of course! It wasn't about her. It was them. It was booby-trapped to keep them from returning here to be reborn. However, before she could voice these thoughts Haruka spoke, "Why are they targeting you?"
Kiyoko shook her head, "It's not me, it's them!" She held up the pouch, revealing the green glow.
Sailor Moon caught sight of it and moved closer, "It's trying to keep them out, isn't it?" Kiyoko nodded and her mother continued, "Then you must have been right, about this being Matalia's final revenge. Let's keep going."
Admiring her mother's determination Kiyoko kept moving, holding tightly to Haruka's hand for strength. Kiyoko would have to thank her beloved later for putting her jealousy aside to protect her. They'd finally reached the entrance and were nearly to their destination when an extremely strong wave of darkness crashed into Kiyoko. It was trying to crush the stones with its force. Kiyoko threw up her arms and crossed them over the pouch, calling out Gado as she wrapped the pouch in more protective energy.
With great difficulty she pushed it back and turned toward the others, "It will continue once we're inside so we will have to work quickly! Here is what I need each of you to do…" She looked around at her companions, family, and knew exactly what she needed from each of them.