The Dawn of Serenity by Jessica Pendragon

Chapter Ten

"Luna! You guys! It's the enemy! Look! The city is packed in ice!"+

+++

"What does this mean for humanity?"

"Over one hundred of these beings have been identified. Who knows if there are more, and what they are planning to do?"

"Authorities say they are hesitant to investigate these beings, as these have given no cause for concern."

"Here in Tokyo, we are used to these strange events, but the rest of the world is hurtling out of control. If something isn't done soon..."

"Reported estimates thus far come to around 230 beings, five of them recently found in our own city of New York."

"Some seem to exhibit strange powers, relative to the Sailor Senshi, who yesterday voiced their concerns about the treatment of these extraterrestrials. Could they be related in some way?"

"We need to do something about these people. They are a threat to our national security, to our livelihoods. There can't be people in our neighborhoods with strange powers. It's not natural. It will ruin this great country. Too long, the world allowed this 'supernatural explosion' to reign. We must investigate these aliens and find out their true methods by any means at our disposal. We should also investigate that Sailor Senshi in Japan. This must end."

"The polls show that 73% of those living in the city of London think something should be done about these extraterrestrials."

"I just want my husband back, no matter what he is."

"Family members of these unveiled Extraterrestrials have suffered persecutions, abused on the streets and also their houses vandalized and ransacked. Police are uncertain how to handle this situation."

"The Japanese government remains deadlocked as to what to do regarding the Sailor Senshi's offer. They have been in debate for the past two days after Sailor Venus' speech."

"If we don't do something soon, this growing tension is going to destroy us all."

"In a matter of five short days, chaos has erupted all over the globe. Today at noon, in the small town of Mars, Pennsylvania, while a group of Extraterrestrials was being taken away, some of them retaliated against the authorities. One of them seemed to have greater powers than the others we have seen, and emitted a powerful energy. It expanded to a radius of about forty feet, killing the police and nearby spectators. The death toll has reached fifty, and among the dead were three children. The individual responsible for these fatalities could not be found, along with a second man. The rest of the Extraterrestrials were treated with no remorse by the remaining crowd, and were executed right there in the street by the angry mob..."

"I've never seen so much blood in all my life! All-all those people slaughtered!"

"The Mars Massacre has been the last straw with anti-extraterrestrial factions, and an all out witch-hunt has been declared. Authorities seem overwhelmed by the growing mass of this opposition. You are advised not to leave your homes..."

"Where is the Sailor Senshi?"

"Armageddon is upon us all."

+++

Night clung tenaciously to the hard stone of the ancient structure within the vibrant city of Paris-France. It had stood the test of time, and had seen its fair share of history. Colossal armies had marched beneath this mighty edifice, ushering in the greatest empires the world had ever seen. Now, beneath the Arc de Triumph, an army of another sort finally assembled-four powerful people who should never have been together again. In their hands, the world would change more than any man with a vision before them ever had. Those before them could never imagine their devious plan for taking over this Earth.

They were condemned with the rest of those poor souls caught between one world and another, finding themselves a public threat for being suddenly and frighteningly different. Yet these four people wore their symbols with pride, and did not hide or cower in fear at what might happen to them. They did not fear the mortals around them, and were glad to be freed of this life and awoken to one they had forgotten for so long.

The gentle breeze played with the ancient siren’s hair as she gazed at the men standing rank upon rank before her. Destiny had brought them together again. Her search had ended; they were finally together as it should be. No words were spoken between them, but as one, they turned and passed through the arch, ghosts of powerful armies but fallen following at their heels. As the world around them grew dark with chaos and despair, a bright light flashed, and they were gone.

+++

The woman and her male companions reappeared in a hostile, vicious world. A bleak and white wasteland of the Artic, a home nobody deserved, except those who felt at home in such a harsh environment. The cold didn't bother them, however. They were wrapped in a smoldering blanket of hatred and vengeance. Quickly they reached their destination, and the leader of the dark forces crouched down to the snowy ground. He placed his hand upon the packed ice, and closed his blue eyes. There were not strong enough to take over this planet alone, even with all the chaos running rampant. There was only one they knew who could wield so much power.

Those around him could feel the energy he poured into the ground below and soon the others began to add their own force to the pool of power. Unannounced, a golden ring began to show through the packed snow like lights through a fog, and he stood up. They watched as the white ice quickly melted, revealing their prize. The silver seal lay before them, hidden away from any one’s sight for the past few years.

“Maybe we don’t have to do this, this time,” the youngest said quietly, his dark blue eyes searching his old friend’s face. “Maybe things have changed.”

"Don’t be foolish; this is the only way, and nothing changes. Hurry, break it," she urged their leader, her eyes resting upon his form with unbridled adoration. He knelt down before it again and slowly, reverently, extended his hand. It would take everything they had to free the soul locked within. A glow engulfed his body as his ancient powers intensified. Slowly, the seal began to glow, until all at once it exploded in a golden fountain of light. It soared miles into the sky and its beam could be seen extending into space to be seen by anyone that was looking. It only lasted a few seconds before it returned and the seal was no more. They stared in shock at what, or who, now took its place.

She was not as they remembered her from long ago. Her skin had taken on a strange blue tint, and her eyes shone with red fury. Her flowing scarlet hair replaced by a head of dark teal, her ears pointed like her deathly fangs. She gazed at the silent group and allowed her eyes to settle on their leader.

At last, the white haired man managed to find his voice. "Queen Beryl, you've awakened once more."

"I am no longer simply Beryl. In the last moments of our existence, Metallia fused herself with this body when she was defeated, saving both of us from destruction. We have lain in wait ever since, recovering while trapped by the Lunarian curse."

"Why did you not awaken us the first time?" he asked.

"I was the only one my servant had the power to awaken. She found the Shitennou easily enough, but you were another matter. The cloak of the Moon Kingdom concealed you well enough, for you have Moon blood in your veins. Fancy that, the kingdom you betrayed still trying to protect you. I sent Danburite to locate you while we gathered power, but he was cut down by his own princess, that Venusian whore who stabbed us with her sword. We ran out of time, and could no longer waste our efforts. We needed the Silver Crystal."

"Why awaken us now?"

The evil, ancient entity laughed. "You are mistaken, my dear. It was not I. It was the Moon Princess herself."

"Serenity...? Why would she do such a thing?" he said, almost whispering that name heavy with meaning.

"She has no idea the power she wields. She does not deserve it," Beryl, or something once like her, mocked.

"We will gladly take it from her," a dark voice said from amongst the gathering, belonging to the long haired woman who searched for her comrades.

Beryl smirked, looking up into the sky. Her eyes began to burn brighter, and they felt the Earth shift beneath them. Moans and cries echoed from beneath her feet where she hovered over the shattered seal, and the horizon grew dark around them, the perpetual sunshine of this ice world giving way to something dangerous.

"Father Chaos was here, his mark and blessing is soaked into this world. Many of his creations, many of my brothers and sisters, have graced this place with their evils since we've been dormant. The Earth is rank and ripe for the taking. We are as strong as we were in the beginning, stronger even. Yes, finally this is our time. We will not fail, we cannot."

"How can we service you best, your majesty?" he asked.

"Find the rest of our friends. And find me the Moon Princess and her Sailor Senshi."

+++

The horror of the Mars Massacre having only happened within the last few hours had finally reached Tokyo, jolting the city from its slumber. Panic was beginning to sweep across the globe like a deadly tidal wave, and now crashed upon their shores. Everyone cried out for the Sailor Senshi, but they were nowhere to be found. Rumors began to spread that they were the ones responsible for the mayhem, and the city grew ever more malicious in its fearful confusion in respect to their attitudes towards the Sailor Senshi were concerned.

The sky boomed with dark intent and the Senshi, hidden and hesitant, could do nothing but wait in the shrine for the storm to hit.

Umino’s legs shook violently as he hid himself from sight just outside that historical structure. He could see them gathered in the safety of the shrine, hidden from the chaos that now overtook the city. Since the announcement, a constant loop of angry sirens rang out in the city, sporadic shouts and cries rising into an endless crescendo.

He had heard the news of what had happened in America on his way here, and knew what it meant for his good friend. In his panic he had turned around before he reached the shrine and made for the outskirts. He had lost himself in the angry mob of people swarming towards the Extraterrestrials encampment outside the city, and watched as the guards kept the angry rioters from breaking down the gates. He pictured her inside, afraid and alone in this misery, and did not leave until he knew the furious people were not going to get inside.

After that, he again made his way here, the place where many destinies were decided. He needed help, she needed help, and he was unsure as to where else to turn. They would help him, he was sure of it. After all, she was their friend, and he knew Usagi would never turn her back on a friend. This was the last thing he heard coming from Molly’s lips -- Usagi.

Umino's nervous and fearful mind began to work against him, however. He envisioned his reception by cold faces, nervous eyes and callous words. If they refused him, he would take his plea to the police; bargain their identities in return for Naru’s freedom. Then they could disappear forever, and finally live happily. Umino shook his head free of such dark thoughts. Over the past few hours a dark, troubling cloud seemed to have settled over him, and angry thoughts flew through his mind. It was becoming even gloomier outside, the heat seemingly being sucked out of the air. It was hard to hope.

As he nervously shook with indecision, he failed to notice the figure that slowly crept in the shadows near his vantage point. It was seeking a hiding place of its own, searching for its prey. For a moment, it ignored the worthless human, and focused its emerald eyes on the shrine.

A sinister smirk played on her lips as she reached inside her mind, easily finding her mistress' energy.

'Have you found them?'

'Yes my mistress. They are at the Hikawa shrine. Their energy was easy to pick up. Someone else is here that you might find interesting.'

'Is that a fact?'

'Yes, the Shitennou.' She could feel her queen’s grin within her mind.

'Excellent. We may begin.'

'There is a human here, spying on them as well.'

'Show me.'

She turned her eyes towards Umino, and for a moment, they pulsed red.

'He is someone they know, and he knows their identities. His heart is filled with indecision and worry; another example of a weak minded human. Take him; he might be of some use. Luck, it seems, is on our side this time.'

'As you wish...'

With the connection broken, she silently made her way towards him.

+++

"What are we going to do now?" The question had raced through their minds more than once since the news of Usagi's pregnancy and that of the Mars Massacre. They were overwhelmed, the fear slowly leaking its way from outside their enclosure into each of them.

"I don't know what to think anymore," Makoto moaned and placed her head in her hands.

"Everything is falling apart," Hotaru added.

"Don't say that," Haruka wrapped her arm around the teenager. "There's still hope."

But Hotaru could see much farther than them all, far into the dark places of this world.

"Death is coming." At Hotaru's morbid proclamation, the room fell silent, each of them retreating into themselves to nurse their sober thoughts -- Usagi and Mamoru most of all. The two sitting side-by-side, but not close enough to touch. They were dazed, confused, seemingly afraid to move, afraid to make a change that would throw off their already warped future. They were trying to hold on, they all were.

Minako watched her prince and princess with glazed eyes. It pained her to see Usagi suffer, but she could not bring herself to think clearly as to what to do. Usagi was their leader -- Minako's leader. Without her, Minako had nothing. If only she could do something, say something. Her eyes scanned the faces of her friends, only to discover they were as lost as she. Her eyes then sought out his.

The Shitennou were not immune to their melancholy it seemed. Their prince's grief was not understood, but nonetheless they were highly affected by it. They looked at one another, passing whispered words between them. They were every bit as frustrated as Minako. She could tell Kunzite also wished to comfort his friend as much as she.

Suddenly, a large boom shook the shrine, the walls shuddering from a forceful weight. Immediately Senshi and Shitennou rose to their feet, moving to stand guard over Usagi and Mamoru.

"What the hell was that?" Haruka exclaimed. Loud crackling replaced the aftermath of the thunderous boom, and above it all, they heard the jaded rhapsody of human screams and shouts.

"Outside...!" Everybody followed in the wake of Minako's clicking heels, but stopped dead in their tracks by what had met their eyes when the door was pushed open.

Tokyo was gradually being transformed into an arctic tundra. They watched in shock as an icy wave enveloped one building after the next. Below, citizens rushed chaotically in all directions, some being devoured by the rapacious ice wave.

Amongst all the uproar, a huge, crackling red light shot up from the center of the city. The clouds aloft had been turned jet-black by its evil, and now the whole world seemed to moan as it was pulled into this beacon of death and disaster.

"How could we have not sensed this coming?" Makoto shouted.

"This power..." Jadeite muttered. "It seems familiar."

"Yes, I've seen this before," Ami added. “Somewhere…sometime…”

"Come on! We can't just stand here!" Minako's commanding voice broke through their staring torpors. "We have to go help! Everybody transform, quickly! Usagi come with me."

As Minako firmly led Usagi back into the shrine, the others did as they were told, and Ami was analyzing the situation with her computer. "Usagi, you have to stay here. Artemis, Luna, make sure nothing and no one but us comes through here," Minako said.

The moon princess turned and gawked at her friend. "I can't stay here like this…I have to help!"

"You can't Usagi!" argued Minako.

"She's right, Usako," Mamoru shouted as he charged back into the shrine, his armor shining in the surreal light.

"Mamo-chan-" She opened her mouth to object, but he put a gentle finger to her lips.

"Go, Minako, transform and get everyone ready."

"Right…."

As the world shook beneath them, the two lovers stood in silence. Usagi found his eyes burning into hers, and the look he now gave her stole every objection and word from her lips. They were filled with purpose, a determination and drive like she had never seen from her closest protector before this day. Unexpectedly, he grasped her warm hands, holding her close to him. She could feel his heart beating, and marveled at how he always managed to keep it steady in such moments heightened with danger. It never failed to calm her.

"I believe it's her, Usako. With everything I am. I believe it's her." Usagi gasped softly at his proclamation. "Something is making us all believe in the darkest of our thoughts; something is trying to break us down. We can't let that happen. All right, Usako?"

He pulled her away gently, and she wept at the look of devotion for her that shone within his sparkling eyes.

"No," she sniffed. "I won't let it happen."

"We need you to be strong. I need you to be strong. I won't give up hope. I can still feel her, Usako, can't you?"

For a brief moment, she shut her eyes, before opening them with the same determination she had seen in his. "Yes." They smiled happily at one another, and for a moment, the outside world disappeared. They shared a kiss full of promise, hope and love that not even in the darkest of times could dim after all these years.

"I love you, Usako -- forever."

"I know. I love you, too Mamo-chan. Come back to me."

"Luna, Artemis-"

"We know. We won't let you down," the felines swore. A final chaste kiss and goodbye as the door shut soundly, leaving Usagi behind, her hands raised in a prayer-like gesture for her friends and world she could not save this time.

+++

"The source of all this madness is obviously at the center of the city," Mercury said as they bolted through Tokyo’s disheveled streets. "I'm getting particularly disturbing readings."

"What particular readings?" Jupiter asked.

"This energy pattern is very familiar. The computer is having a hard time getting a precise lock on it with all the electromagnetic disturbances in the air."

"Keep at it, Mercury. If it's something familiar, we might already know its weakness," Uranus put in.

They watched the crowds as they rushed quickly past. They were becoming violent as chaos descended upon them and gave way to their fear. Angry shouts rang out as punches were thrown blindly -- some of these attempting to throttle their once adored protectors. All this confusion struck a cord in their memories, but they pressed on.

"This evil, it's strong," Mars commented. "All that time we were in the shrine it was masking itself from us, especially me. That must mean it knows who we are, what we can do. I can't even penetrate its barrier in the slightest."

"Whoever they are, they obviously mean business. I guess the game of discretion has played out for our enemies now. They're getting bolder. This could get ugly," Jupiter added.

"Haruka..."

"I know Michiru, only one more street to go!" Uranus announced, as she easily made her way to the lead with her quick long strides.

"Shitennou, you don't have-"

"Please Endymion, do not even insult us by finishing that sentence," Jadeite shook his head.

"We have waited too long to have the opportunity to protect you once again," Zoicite put in.

"We will gladly go into battle with you, no matter what," Nephrite finished, and Endymion smiled.

"Thank you."

Kunzite was about to comment, but in surprise he was pulled away, stopped almost dead in his tracks. He was abruptly enveloped by the darkness of a nearby alley, the only light being a bright flash of gold.

Before he could even maintain his center, he felt soft lips collapse onto his. He hardly had to focus his eyes to see who his assailant was now. He could never forget her. For a moment, amongst the thundering destruction and shaking buildings, they stole a kiss as passionate as was fit for the Senshi of Venus.

He was speechless, and she smiled at him sadly. "We might be destined for other things, and chosen our paths, but -- I don't know what's going to happen today and I wanted a moment with you just in case."

"Minako..."

"Come on!"

She grabbed his hand before he could utter another word, and they quickly turned the corner to join their comrades.

+++

As soon as the Senshi had left, he crept out of the shadows and slowly made his way towards the shrine. The recently deposited snow softly crunched beneath his heels, but he could no longer hear what was going on around him. His whole being was focused on one dark goal.

Usagi paced nervously, just as she had done a few hours before. This time, her thoughts were quite different, but her anxiety still pounded against her chest. Luna and Artemis did their best to console her, even if they were apprehensive themselves.

"It will be okay, Usagi-chan," Artemis said reassuringly.

"I hate leaving them to fight this battle alone," Usagi told her guardians.

"They're trained soldiers. It's what they were born to do."

"No Luna, we were reborn to be happy, to lead normal lives," Usagi sighed and finally sat down. She looked at her hands, counting on each finger those she loved and had yet to love. Where was fate taking them this time? "This is not the peace we were supposed to find."

Luna and Artemis looked at each other and for a moment, the three could do nothing but listen to the constant rumble from outside.

"Usagi-"

Luna was interrupted as the shrine's door was thrown wide open. Lightning and thunder crashed outside, and a strong, icy wind rushed inside. Luna and Artemis clung as hard as they could to the carpet beneath them, but Usagi was caught and flung hard against the far wall.

"Usagi...!" Artemis exclaimed.

The wind died down and slowly Usagi propped herself up, grasping her bruised head with her free hand. She looked up and found a dark outline set against an even darker sky.

"Who are you?" Artemis demanded. Slowly the shadows fell away, and Usagi gasped.

"Umino…!" Usagi rose to her feet shakily, stepped forward to see her friend more clearly and was surprised at what she found. It was Umino all right, but not as she remembered him. His glasses revealed eyes filled with a cold dark light, and his face no longer held its energetic luster. "Umino...?"

"Usagi...." His voice was deep and monotone, and Artemis and Luna stepped closer. "You have to come with me."

"I don't understand, Umino. What's wrong?"

"Please Usagi, please just come." His hands began to shake at his side.

"Umino-"

"I'm sorry, Usagi!" he yelled as a red, electric fire engulfed him.

"Usagi…no…!" Luna and Artemis screamed.

+++

They finally faced their opposition. The red light had engulfed Tokyo Tower, and they didn't have to wait long to see what had become of it. The light flickered twice in a sporadic manner, before all at once vanishing as if it was merely a beacon to attract their attention. Once it was gone, the dark night revealed the mound of rubble of the once proud tower.

"It's completely destroyed!"

"What's going on?" The world fell into a deathly silence around them, quiet enough that they could hear her sinister laugh melted out of the night. Beryl watched them with amusement.

"You followed my sign. How brave of you," the voice echoed around them, and the Shitennou shivered.

"That voice..." Kunzite whispered.

They watched as she melted into existence before them, standing proudly upon the wreckage. It only took a moment for everyone to recognize their old foe.

"You...!"


+++

Author’s Notes:

The quote in the beginning was the whole spark that got this fan fiction kicking. As you can now guess the one anime theme that I've adopted is the great freeze. Everyone always theorizes what occurred to make it happen, and thus, this plot came into being! If you are wondering, that quote is from Ami in the first arc of the Manga.

Next is the last chapter of this part in the epic! So keep reading! And oh crap, Beryl’s been brought back by four mysterious people from the Senshi’s past. This can’t be good...

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