dotmoon.net
Directory

Blue Sky Pearl by Loki

previous  Chapter 7 A New Arrival  next

A NEW ARRIVAL!

ACT 5


The Shadows led by Akinari had ceased their brooding. They licked their wounds, and plotted once again against Sailor Moon and her valiant Senshi. The clouds gathered in anvils of threatening darkness above their icy mountain retreat where the Shadows chose to spend a week in intensive training.

Yaloto Pha, a senior dark mage of the Keeper of Night, Hecate’s superior dark warrior mage, entrusted with the task of making suitable warriors out of these new recruits was eager to whip them into shape. If the Lady was to realize her ambitions, she had to have a force capable of not only tracking down and claiming the golden crystal, but an army able to weald its immense power.

Sighing, having put them through their paces, he nodded as he left his charges in his wake that commanded awe and respect. His striking profile consisted of a neatly cut black beard, adding a frightening hue to his already gaunt features and hawkish dark eyes complementing his imperious attire -- the black silk robes and matching skullcap with their metallic gold dragon motifs made Akinari feel a little uneasy as the man left them. He sighed with relief as the formidable dark mage strode from the chamber in a flurry of dark silk.

“Okay. We have a new target. Who wants to take this one?” Akinari asked, his eyes feasting themselves on the newly acquired power staff fashioned from pure obsidian.

“ Leave it to me… I enjoy a little sport and the humans are most entertaining at play,“ Osan said, shaking loose her tumble of soft black waves that swept about her hips.

“I want this assignment over quickly and successfully,“ Akinari said, looking into Osan’s shimmering green eyes.

“It will be. Believe me, it will be.”

~*~

“Ice hockey tickets, anyone.”

“Cool.” Minako took one. “This is going to be great. I love ice hockey.”

“Me too,” Rei said, accepting one of the tickets. “I haven’t been to a game in ages.”

“Well, here is a perfect opportunity,” Scott put in. “Damien, a good friend of mine works at the ice rink, and he was able to pull this one off for me.” Damien, one of the first friends Scott made during his first weeks on earth. Now, the two were the best of friends. “So enjoy your game on me, girls. I’ll be working tonight, so I won’t be able to go, but Mamoru-san will be. I gave him his ticket on my way over here.”

“All right,” Usagi said, exultantly. “The Ice Leopards are gonna whip the Sea Lions for sure. I can see it now….”

“Go the Leopards!” Makoto chanted, and all echoed her sentiment enthusiastically.

~*~

The ice rink was packed that night, as eager Leopards fans, decked out in purple and gold, chanted their team’s slogan. Sea Lions fans, in their customary green and white, provided solid wedges amongst the purple and gold clad fans. The rival factions competed with each other, trying to outdo one another when it came to who were the loudest supporters.

Usagi and her friends sat in the front row, where they could see all the action unfold. Chibi-Usa munched happily on her popcorn, bought for her by Usagi. “I hope the Leopards win tonight,” she said, eagerly as Miranda gave her an impish smile.

“You bet they will,” she affirmed. “I guarantee it.”

“I’m holding you to that,” Chibi-Usa told her, and the others laughed.

Mamoru arrived, loaded with a round of popcorn, the girls delighted with the golden treat. “You’re the star of the show,” Usagi told him, as he quickly distributed the popcorn, and plopped beside his fiancé.

“Thank you for the compliment, my Usako,” he said, laughing. Usagi hooked her arm through his as she began munching on the contents of the huge box he had bought for them to share. “Did you study hard?” he asked, pulling her warm body closer to him.

She nodded, a tired smile indicating she had put in an all-nightter. “I was up all night last night,” she said, Mamoru smiled at her warmly, and he kissed the top of her head while stroking her plaits.

“That’s my girl,” he told her. “I’m really proud of you.”

“Thanks, Mamo-chan,” she said, looking up into his deep-blue eyes and snuggled under his chin.

~*~

The game was soon underway. The Leopards, as predicted, totally demoralized the Sea Lions, who were helpless in the face of the Leopards’ assault. Their losing streak, running several weeks since the first match of the season seemed destined to continue. The Sea Lions trailed the Leopards by twelve points at the end of the first half.

“That’s how the game should be played,” Makoto said, approvingly. “Anyone want drinks? It’s time someone else was the star of the show.”

“I’ll pay,” Mamoru offered, reaching into his wallet. “This should cover us all,” he said, handing her a note of currency.

“Consider the drinks a given,” Makoto said, as she clambered over Minako and Ami to get to the aisle. She soon returned with a round of soft drinks, and after distributing them, gave Mamoru the change. “There’s not much left,” the tall girl apologized, as she sat down.

“Don’t sweat it,” Mamoru told her.

The second half went pretty much the same way as the first; and when the final siren sounded, the Leopards fans erupted in a wild wave of jubilation.

Usagi, Mamoru, Miranda, Chibi-Usa and their friends joined in the victory celebrations.

“We did it!” the blonde girl cried, leaping to her feet. “All right! Go the Leopards!”

“Now ‘that’ was a win,” Rei said, her face flushed with excitement. “I knew we’d win.”

“Yay, Leopards,” Chibi-Usa said happily. “I told you they’d win,” Miranda told her sister, beaming from ear to ear.

~*~

Osan watched number 3 with a cruel smile on her face. Cody Thomas was the best point scorer for the Leopards, and she now judged her moment right as the excited fans began leaving the stadium. She rose and made a gesture with her hand. The ice under Cody Thomas’ feet came to life, and he cried out in alarm, his feet trapped, rendering him helpless. No one else seemed to notice his predicament, and he turned ashen with fear as Osan stepped onto the ice. Skates had materialized upon her feet, the dark haired vixen clad in a short red-silk skirt, and top -- looking every part the professional ice-skater – as she glided towards him with flawless ease.

He shrank back from her, a deadly red flower, though beautiful, he sensed something evil in those piercing dark eyes as she drew closer. “What do you want?” he demanded, in almost a whisper.

“I want a look at your beautiful dreams, of course, gorgeous!” she teased, brushing his cheek with a long silk scarf, that despite himself, made him warm to this most thorny of roses. A blood-red swirl of light enveloped her loveliness and the only change to her attire, once the red halo dissipated, was the addition of a red silk cape and the elaborately carved crystal staff. Its crimson translucence made him gasp in awe. “Now for the main event,” she declared, as she gestured with her staff. Cody Thomas, couldn’t believe his eyes as the riving staff turned into a crystal serpent with blazing green eyes. He stared at it mesmerized as the creature began wrapping itself around Osan’s slender arm and slid over her neck and shoulder luxuriating in the warmth of her body and spiraled about her waist and down her right leg over her boot to the ice and moved menacingly towards him. He screamed, but no sound came out. The creature coiled itself before him, seemingly studying him, then struck and an explosion of bright light brought his dream mirror of emerald before them and a wave from the woman’s staff and an emerald-green arch appeared of which she entered, piercing the thin membrane that separated the phenomenal world from that of dream. He screamed, and this time found his voice. Osan laughed as she conducted her search. Then found herself pulled out of the arch, barely able to remain on her feet and glowered at the eight figures standing a short distance away.

“Hold it right there!”

“Huh?” The Red Shadow turned to find the entire inner Senshi standing at the top of the steps, arms folded with stern expressions on their faces. “Not you again,” she said crossly. “I thought I’d seen the last of you when last we met.”

Then Tuxedo Kamen stood atop a landing a short distance away and she turned furious eyes upon him and threw him a dark stare. “I’m not the one you should be worrying about,” Kamen told her, as he leapt. His cloak swept aside, and the Red Shadow was surprised at the sight of Sailor Moon, cradled in his arms. Osan was less than impressed as they landed upon the ice.

“Did you forget about me?” she asked sweetly, and the Red Shadow glared at her as Moon joined her daughter and friends. “Shame on you, I’m going to have to refresh your memory. I stand for love and justice, and I live to dump trash like you! I am Sailor Moon!”

“I am Sailor Chibi-Moon!”

“And I am Sailor Dark Moon!” The Senshi, led by the irrepressible Sailor Moon recited their introductory refrain and were more than ready to do battle.

Then Osan whispered an incantation into the staff and it throbbed to life once again. But this time, a dragon appeared, sounding its eerie cry. The youma was airborne and instantly in a volley of fire had disintegrated the domed roof of the stadium. The creature chose that moment to fly right at the Senshi, who leapt clear as the youma descended.

“I’ll try and freeze it,” Mercury said, as she spun to confront the beast. “Shining Aqua Illusion!” She flung a wave of ice water at the dragon, but it countered with a stream of black-ice spears that formed a circle of frozen rods about her and she was unable to break free. Then a shard of ice splintered off the last spear that clipped the makeshift ice cage and she cried out in pain as the sub-zero fragment sliced her cheek. Jupiter tore off one of the trails of ribbon on the back of her skirt, using a thunder attack having blasted the cage of ice open after warning Mercury to turn her back, and crouch low, which she was more than happy to do under the circumstances and seconds later, Jupiter held it to Mercury’s bleeding cheek. “That Youma’s mean,” the taller Senshi growled, as she stared at Osan with a deadly glare.

“I’ll give it a taste of fire,” Mars declared, tracing a ring of flames around herself. “Burning Mandala!” Eight rings of fire surged towards the mighty dragon youma, but it beat its huge wings, sending a wave of searing heat back at Mars, following up with a breath of ice, neutralizing her attack. “Damn!” Mars cried in frustration.

“Let’s see how it likes this! Venus Love-me Chain!” Venus launched her attack at the dragon youma, but its body was impervious to her assault, and the chain shattered from the force of the blow.

Jupiter tried next. “Sparkling Wide Pressure!” she cried, as she launched a projectile of lightning at the dragon. She scored a direct hit, and the dragon howled in pain. “Bingo!” Jupiter said exultantly.

But her attack only succeeded in making the youma mad, and it unleashed a thunderous cry as a wall of icy ninja stars spun toward them at incredible speed. Sailor Moon lifted the Ginzuishou and a shield of silvery light repulsed the attack. Unfortunately, this briefest of reprieves was followed by a sudden drop in temperature as Sailor Moon lay cradled in Tuxedo Kamen’s arms recovering from the use of the crystal. They shivered as ice began forming upon the stadium walls and the stands. Ice was beginning to form upon their fukus, hair and skin.

“We have to shut that damn thing down somehow!” Dark Moon cried urgently, as she tried to shield Chibi-Moon. “Or we’re going to become Senshi ice-blocks!”

Kamen flung a rose at the dragon youma, and struck it right between the eyes. It howled with the pain as its spell broke, and the arctic cold vanished.

“Finally,” Moon cried, having recovered her strength as Dark Moon helped her to her feet.

Dark Moon held her scythe in front of her. The creature bellowed once more, and at that moment, Kantaro bounded into the stadium. Dark Moon leapt onto his back, and the giant panther charged at the wildly thrashing dragon. Then he leapt, and Dark Moon lifted her scythe, which began glowing. “Dark Moon Crystal Eclipse!”

Dark Moon and Kantaro continued their advance -- the mighty panther’s heart pounded as the power surge within his chest and his paws carried him and the majestic Dark Moon towards their common enemy. Tearing the dragon’s flesh with his claws rendering it paralyzed, Dark Moon chose that moment to thrust the scythe into its back and Kantaro jumped clear of the riving youma as it roared furiously, as a rush of flames set the outer stand alight.

Mercury directed an ice blast towards the hungry inferno and the fire was out in seconds.

“Pegasus,” Chibi-Moon cried, holding the talisman before her. “Guardian of dreams… We need your help!” she said, holding her bell. “Crystal Twinkle Bell!”

”Moon gorgeous meditation!”

At that moment, a fountain of golden light heralded the arrival of Pegasus, he stood before them; horn ablaze with golden fire as a sustained harmonic note issued from the beautiful winged creature as Moon and Chibi-Moon directed a fatal attack on the dragon youma, destroying it.

With this, Osan shook her fist before her red clad form began swirling within a vortex of orange flame and she was gone.

~*~

The group emerged from the stadium into a chilly night. “For all that strife, I had a pretty good night,” Minako, grinned, and everyone laughed, their mirth at their reprieve clearly evident.

“You said it, girlfriend,” Makoto responded. “How’s the cheek?” she asked Ami.

“I’ll live, I think,” the blue-haired girl said. “Thanks for helping me out there, Mako-chan.”

At that moment, Artemis and Luna came to meet them. “How did it go?” the white cat asked, a look of concern on his feline face.

“Well, apart from some freaky weirdo trying to crash the show, we had a good time,” Usagi replied, stifling a yawn.

“It’s nice to know you enjoyed yourselves despite that brief unpleasantness,” Luna said, leaping into Usagi’s arms and purred softly, nuzzling her charge under the chin. “Artemis and I had a nice walk tonight, and we were just going home when we saw you.”

“Let’s all go back to my place,” Makoto suggested. “We can have hot chocolate and muffins.”

“As much as I appreciate the offer,” Ami said, “I have to go home and brush up for my medical exam.”

“Good luck, Ami-chan,” Usagi said, as Luna poured herself from Usagi’s arms to stand by Artemis once again. Ami crouched to stroke the Moon Cats, and told them goodnight. She straightened then said her goodnights to everybody else, waving as she reached the corner.

“Let’s go, then,” Rei suggested, and they started walking. Both Mauans cradled in the arms of their respective owners, and Usagi smiled down at her cat. “Did you and Artemis enjoy yourselves?” she asked, as Luna looked up at Usagi.

“We did,” the black cat replied. “We haven’t had an opportunity like this for quite a while, so we decided that we would take it tonight.”

“I thought so too,” Artemis put in. But he wouldn’t say any more.

At that moment, they heard a very tiny, high-pitched meow, and then a kitten, purplish grey in color, with a collar and bell around its neck, bounded onto the sidewalk. “Daddy, Mommy!” it cried, and the group stopped, staring in shock at it. Then all noticed the golden crescent moon on its brow.

“That cat just talked!” Minako exclaimed.

“Daddy, Mommy!” the kitten said, once again. Artemis and Luna looked at each other in shock. “Did that kitten just call us--” Artemis began.

“Daddy and Mommy?” Luna finished. They approached the kitten.

“Can we help you, dear?” Artemis asked.

“I sure hope so,” it replied, “else I would’ve come all this way for….”

“What’s your name?” Usagi asked, eyes bright with excitement.

The kitten approached her and inclined its head regally. “My name is Diana, and I’m very honored to serve you, Serenity-hime.”

“Diana!” Chibi-Usa cried in delight. “Now I remember you! You’re going to be my cat in the future when I’m a moon princess!”

“And we’re your parents?” Luna asked her, emotion catching in her throat.

“It looks like you and Artemis are going to be a lot more than friends in the future,” Minako teased, and Artemis turned the brightest shade of red imaginable.

“Can we please not talk about it?” he asked, looking very embarrassed. Artemis felt himself growing redder by the moment. But having come this far, he decided to jump in -- all paws – inspired by Mamoru and Usagi’s engagement. “Aishiteru, Luna. I know you rag on me for fun…, and we’ve stood against Beryl and countless other dark beings to defend Queen Serenity and the Senshi and continue to serve Mamo-chan and Usagi-chan, and probably always will, I guess… What I am trying to say, Luna, is you and I have known each other a long time. And in all that time, in my heart, I have felt an undying love for you. But just couldn’t tell you… what with everything that has happened, we never got the chance and I never had the courage to tell you until now. But seeing Diana tonight was what gave me the nerve, and I want to spend the rest of my life with you,” he hesitated for a moment, and then pressed on, “Luna, will you marry me?”

Luna stared at him for a long moment, her eyes wide and disbelieving, and her loving orbs shone as they filled with tears. “Artemis,” she said, her voice quavering. “Of course I’ll marry you. I’d be very honored.”

He looked at her, his heart revealed in his expression. Then they rubbed noses, purring all the while. Tears in their eyes.

“That is so sweet,” Minako said, dabbing at her own eyes. “Congratulations, Diana. You’ve just ensured these two will be together forever.”

Diana gave a happy little mew. Minako would call Rei, arrange for a Mauan joining at the Cherry Hill Temple, and plan a reception that would be truly beautiful and memorable.


previous  Back to Summary Page  next

The dotmoon.net community was founded in 2005. It is currently a static archive.
The current design and source code were created by Dejana Talis.
All works in the archive are copyrighted to their respective creators.