CHAPTER 13
"So like a doll" thought Mika as she silently watch Adelaide
sobbing. She dare not approach her friend. It was another of those
nightmares again. Last time, Mika nearly was killed trying to wake
Adelaide up.
Soon Adelaide's sobs quieten down and she dozed off into another
unfitful slumber. Mika padded over to her friend and knelt beside
her. She stared at her pale countenance before lightly patting
Adelaide's cheek.
"Sweet dreams, Your Majesty." whispered Mika.
==================================
"You look ill." commented Minako. Adelaide returned a wan smile
and shifted through the papers in her hand. Minako's surprise visit
had interuppted her daily studies of the newspaper. Not that she
minded much.
"I had a bad dream."
"Anything to do with us?"
"Not really, just my own mind playing tricks on me again."
"Oh." A sudden beeping filled the room. Adelaide dropped the papers
and turn to stare at a chess set in the middle of the room. Minako
watch in amazement as a hazy mist appeared over the set. The view of
the middle of town appeared. Adelaide half-drag, half-pull Minako to the
door.
"Hey!"
"Your friends are in danger!"
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Sailor Mercury stood in the middle of chaos. Glass was littered
everywhere and she was bleeding in several places. The monster in
front of her reared its head and roared.
"Aqua...Rhapsody...Illusion!" Mercury released another series of
attacks. The monster growled its annoyance as the water pushed it
back, the force of it only peeling of the outer skin which grew back
almost immediately.
"Me..Mercury!!!" Sailor Jupiter's voice broke into Mercury's throbbing
mind. She turned to see her friend running towards her. The monster took
that second to launch its attack.
"Mercury! LOOK OUT!!!" Jupiter yelled too late as a ball of black
fire surrounded the now exhausted Mercury. Mercury struggled weakly
and cried out in pain as the hungry flames burned her body.
"Jupiter Oak Revolution!" The monster yowled as its arm was ripped
off, but the fire around Mercury only grew bigger. Mercury's cries grew
even more shrill as her skin began to dry up. A popping sound was heard.
Jupiter desperately attacked the monster, wanting to rescue her dying
friend.
"Venus Love and Beauty Shock! Eat this, you asshole!" a chain of
light sliced the roaring monster in half. The monster let out a faint
gurgle as it thudded to the floor. Sailor Venus jumped back as the
monster's blood sprayed, burning everything it came in contact with.
"Water, Rage thy fill!" a luminiscent shower suddenly came down
apon them. The black fire hissed its fury as it was stamped out by
the water. Sailor Cosmo Eos picked up a nearby sheet and covered the
blacken body that was once Mercury. She turned and raised her head at
the sky. The rain stopped as suddenly as it had started. The other two
senshis knelt beside their deceased friend and hugged each other in
their grief.
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The one known as the Shadow King sat on his throne, his face shrouded
by the shadows that were his faithful companions. He was shuddering as he
fought a deadly battle within himself. Sweats stood on his brow and he
clutched the ornate arms of his throne tightly. Memories, painful in their
clarity, flashed through his mind, making him moan his anguish.
A girl with long dark hair and a vibrant laugh...the kisses they shared
...the happiness...a deep and shared love...Vortex...whispering voices...
the secret...anger and betrayal...the lure of the shadows...finally,
destruction!
The Shadow King wept in remorse. He did all he could but still it was
too late. No longer could he and his true love be together, for another
would take her place. A stray light shone in and he raised his head. His
eyes were blue as the summer sky but was stark in its horror.
Then a great shudder came over him. 'Ahhh' he thought regretfully, I
too will become another. He bowed his head in sorrow. A few seconds later,
he straighten and laughed maniacally. His eyes had changed to fire red,
and the gentle regret on his face was replace by a cold and cruel mask.
He was the Shadow King, leader of the shadows. Death to all those who opposed
him!
He flick his wrist and a small snivelling shadow appeared and bowed
before him. Quickly it hissed out its report. The Shadow King nodded with
satisfaction, Cerebrus was a mindless brute but he fulfilled the required
expectation.
The Shadow King stood and flung his dark cloak outwards. Whether by trick
of light or mind, his cloak appeared to have stars on them. The snivelling
shadow squeaked in fear and ran away. The Shadow King stroded to another
chamber and stood staring at a beautiful lady whose eyes were as red as his.
He touched the portrait and a sharp pain stabbed his heart. Then by great
effort he stood and rammed his fist into a nearby pillar. The sharp pain
and the tang of blood enclosed his senses.
The Shadow King grimly stared at his bleeding fist. Soon, he with his
queen by his side, they would be invincible!
==================================
Hades was dressed as one of the humans. He ignored the stares he drew
as he strode through the crowd. Under a strange desire, he had sneaked to
Earth.
Suddenly he jerked his head and stared through narrowed eyes. The senshis
were there. Huddled together like frightened mice, they walked towards the
park. Hades silently follwed them.
"Here would do." commented Adelaide. The full moon bathed the park with
a silver light. Yet there was a tense atmosphere present. Tuxedo Mask gently
squeezed his wife shoulder as Sailor Cosmo Eos began to glow with an unearthly
light.
"She always seem to do that." muttered Cosmo Gaia to no one in particular.
Sailor Cosmo Eos turned her palm upward and a portal opened before their
eyes. She slowly stopped shimmering and turned towards the others.
"Let's go." They all joined hands as the portal swirled larger. In a few
seconds, it devoured them....
On to Chapter 14
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