The court yard of the Shinto Temple was filled with several young women. Four of the younger women stood in a semi-circle behind a girl with blond meatballs atop her head. The three oldest, near four years older than the rest, stood in a semi-circle behind another young woman with reddish-brown hair that brushed the ground behind her. The oldest three looked unhappy and upset, but the blond and brunette were grinning.
“Sophie,” the blond said to the brunette,“ do you swear to protect me and work with the other Senshi towards protecting Earth?”
“Yes, Usagi,” she said. “And I further vow to protect all the Senshi. The Mother promises that no Senshi shall have to fear any wild animals native to her surface.”
That statement got a startled look from the black cat, unnoticed until now. “You mean, the Earth is still awake?” the cat asked incredulously. The small creature was draped over Usagi’s shoulder, her claws suddenly digging painfully into Usagi’s flesh.
Sophie blinked.
“You mean the other planets aren’t awake, Luna?! How could that be?!”
The tall, aqua haired woman grabbed Sophie’s shoulder from behind. “Don’t move,” she snapped, letting Sophie know she had moved closer to Usagi and the other girls.
Suddenly, Sophie fell to her knees, clutching her stomach. Her hair fell forward to hide her face. But not before the others saw a look of surprise/shock/pain.
“Kitana! Kitana! What’s wrong? Please answer me!” Sailor Moon cried, gathering the shaking girl in her arms.
“Serenity,” Sophie whispered. “My Princess. The Mother is in pain. Please help us. Great energy is being stolen!”
“Where?!”
“The school!”
With that, Sophie went limp, falling into unconsciousness.
Sailor Moon gently laid the girl down, then faced the rest. “Transform,” she said grimly. “The enemy has attacked my school.”
The sudden transformations released enough energy to teleport them to the school. Even Sophie.
When they got there, a horrible scene met their eyes. Young adults lay everywhere, pale as ghosts. Trees drooped, shrubs withered, grass was dead. In the air, above the school, a man stood.
He wore a suit of armor like the captains did. Only his was a blood red. His long purple hair was held back in a ponytail. His face, visible because he wore a helm, was youthful, but harsh.
His eyes immediately went to the Senshi and Sophie’s prone figure. He seemed surprised as Sailor Moon started her speech.
“In the name of the Moon! I can’t let you destroy a place of learning! For that, I’ll punish you!”
She went through the motions, though they were a bit off too, indicating her anger.
The other Senshi were looking surprised. Sailor Moon NEVER skimped on her speeches!
The purple-haired man laughed and gestured, sending a huge ball of energy towards the Senshi. They all jumped out of the way.
The scream that followed reminded them that Sophie was still lying there. Sailor Moon ran back to the prone figure, pushing the scorched hair from the pale and scorched face. Her eyes were forced open and she trembled.
“Sailor Moon,” she whispered,“ Please stop him. He is hurting the Mother. I can not help. The bond is…” she went limp once more.
Sailor Moon stood, pulling her wand from her sub-space pocket and pointing it at the purple-haired man.
“Return the stolen energy,” she said calmly.
The man just laughed and, with a gesture, threw another ball of energy. Sailor Moon blocked with a strange shield from her wand with the words “MOON PROTECTION!”
Meanwhile, as Sailor Moon and the purple-haired man fight:
Sophie opened her eyes, only to find herself in the past. Older, stronger, and tightly linked to both Endymion and Earth. She let her mind open and wander down into the comfort Earth always offered.
“Mother, what should I do? I can’t help the others, the bond is just too strong with no shields.”
A gentle wave of laughter filled Sophie’s mind. “Then remember all of yourself, child.”
In a blink, the world moved faster than comprehensible as the life of Kitana, bastard child of Earth’s king, was revealed to Sophie.
Back in Tokyo:
Sailor Moon and the rest of the Senshi were covered in scorch marks and breathing hard. The purple-haired man had since come down to the ground. His blood-red armor bore a few scorches and his hair was slightly singed. He held a ball of energy ready to throw it at the weakened Senshi.
He whipped it forward just as a brown flash of light blinded everyone. Sailor Moon screamed.
When everyone could see again, Sailor Earth stood tall, her hands gently cupping a ball of energy.
“Cyric, I can’t let you hurt my world,” she said sadly. “I destroyed you in the Silver Millennium, but you’ve come back.”
The gathered energy took on a swirling green-color.
“Now I have to change tactics. Venus! NOW!”
“VENUS! LOVE AND BEAUTY SHOCK!”
The attack flew towards Cyric at the same time Earth threw the energy. Both attacks hit him squarely at the same instant, covering him in a shower of gold, brown, and green.
When the glitter and the flash died down, the plants started to regain their life force and the people started to stir. Cyric still stood in his armor, but now it was golden with an Earth sigil on its breast.
He shook his head dazedly before seeing the Senshi. His face blanked out before he fell to his knees, his head bowed.
“Princesses. Please forgive me and my soldiers,” Cyric pleaded. He raised his head and pierced Sailor Earth with his green eyes. “Sailor Earth. Forgive me for again falling under the influence of the Negaverse.”
Sailor Earth smiled faintly, then gestured for Cyric to stand. “You are forgiven. Just try to keep your heart in the right place, with Earth.”
Cyric smiled, then looked to the side of Sailor Earth, where Prince Endymion stood in his armor.
“Prince Endymion. Please accept my restatement of loyalty,” Cyric said.
Endymion smiled and offered his hand. “Always.”
The people around started to get up, sending the Senshi into their retreat back to the temple. Endymion and Cyric followed.
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Note: My sister typed this, so if you find any errors (or if you just want to send me some ideas) write to me at: nevyik@hotmail.com
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