Sailor Moon Fan Fiction / Vision Of Escaflowne Fan Fiction ❯ The Return of the Past ❯ Folken Returns ( Chapter 10 )

Disclaimer: I don't own Sailormoon or Escaflowne, so please don't sue.

 

Return of the Past Chapter10: Folken Returns

It's been peaceful for a few weeks now. Everyone was on edge because there hadn't been any attacks and they didn't know what the queen was up to. Currently they were in a meeting room sitting at a table discussing the current situation. The room wasn't very interesting as there weren't really any decorations. There was a large table for meetings with to her countries or the advisors an on the far wall to the right were large windows looking out into the world. The only decoration of sorts was a large banner with Fanalian crest and the family colors sitting on the wall behind the head of the table. The only people not present were Hitomi, Merle, and Allen. Hitomi was still asleep when van had checked on her and he didn't want to wake her up. Merle had made some kind of excuse that new dresses were needed for the girls, so she was out `shopping'. As for Allen, he had returned to Asturia to inform Dryden and Milerna of what's been happening.

"I say that we just go in there and blow the mother fuckers up," said Dilandau as he slammed his fists on the table.

"We can't do that!" shouted Van as he glared at Dilandau.

"Why? 'Cause you're a little baby chicken that doesn't want to get hurt," mocked Dilandau.

"Dilandau knock it off!" shouted Endymion.

"Why? What you gonna do? Threaten me with that big bad sword," he shot back mockingly.

"Will you all knock it off!" shouted a voice. The room quieted as everyone looked down the table to the person who had shouted. They were shocked to see that it was Usagi. She was now standing with her hand on her hips and a look of reprimanding anger on her face. "Your acting like a bunch of children, fighting over who should go first. This is not the time to act like children. We need to think this out and not act irrationally. If we attack head on without a plan or the information that we need, we'll end up getting ourselves killed! Do you want that Dilandau?" By the end of her speech she was livid.

The senshi all backed up, knowing that they should get out of the way. It was rare when Usagi got truly mad, and when she got angry you'd better get out of the way. Luna jumped up onto the table. Despite the fact that she was in enough shock over her wards current actions, she was proud. Though the others couldn't tell it, or so she thought, she could see the royalty in her shining outward at this moment. Only one other had noticed the slight change to the sound of her voice, the speech, and the slight commanding air that seemed to swirl about her in that very moment. His eyes narrowed slightly in thought as a couple strands of raven black hair fell into his face.

"Usagi is right," she said calmly, "We can't just charge in there with no information, and no training. It'd be like walking blindly into high traffic or a ragging stampede."

"Well then what do you suggest we do?" asked Van as he relaxed in his seat. Usagi having calmed slightly, sat back down in her seat and looked around the room. She noticed Endymion staring at her and ducked her head. A light blush began to form on her cheeks.

"I suggest that we watch our enemy carefully and come up with a plan. We should also hone our skills," replied Luna. “No matter how skilled a warrior you may be young king it is never wise to let your guard down.”

"I agree," said Ami, "I'll start running a surveillance program to monitor the activity of negative energy, and see if she's up to anything."

"Good idea Ami," replied Luna, "The rest of the senshi are to go to the training courtyard and begin sparring." Minako, Makoto, and Usagi left for the training courtyard but Rei stayed behind. Luna looked at her in curiosity as she turned to Van.

"Van-sama, Do you have any fire reading shrines?" Rei asked.

"What?" was in intelligent reply.

"Do you have a shrine with a sacred fire so that I can do a fire reading?" she asked with more of an explanation.

"We have a shrine here in the palace,” he replied, “but we don't have a sacred fire."

"Well, do you have some fire wood?" she then asked

"Yes," He replied as he stood.

"Then can you show me the shrine?” she asked “and bring some fire wood to it please."

"Of course," Van replied, "Dilandau, Endymion, could you please help."

"Yes," replied Endymion as he stood, "come on Dilandau, let's go get the wood." Dilandau stood and followed Endymion grudgingly.

"This way Rei," said Van as he started to leave the room. Rei followed him out of the room and down the hall.

"I guess we better train ourselves," said Kunzite. He turn and left the room. Zoecite, Jedite, and Nephrite followed after him. As they were leaving the room Artemis entered and hopped up onto the table next to Luna

"Luna can I speak with you outside?" he asked her. She looked at him seeing that there was something important that he wanted to tell her.

"Go ahead Luna, I can start the program on my own," said Ami as she pulled out her Henshin pen. Luna nodded, and hopped off of the table with Artemis following her, and together they left the room.

Ami transformed and pulled out her mini-computer. She reached up to her left ear and pressed the earring. A visor appeared, covering her eyes. She began to type into her mini computer and data started to appear on the visor and the small screen.

~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~

~In the hall~

"What is it Artemis?" asked Luna when they were a safe distance from the room.

"A few weeks ago I saw the outers." Luna's eyes widened in surprise before narrowing in anger.

"What? Why didn't you tell me sooner?" she asked.

"I didn't tell you because I wasn't sure if it was them, and I didn't want to worry you." He replied trying to calm her.

"Artemis,” she started, “if the outers are really hear than that must mean that we are dealing with just more than Queen Beryl." By the end she was hissing slightly.

"I know Luna, but we can't tell the inners yet." He replied. He nuzzled her cheek giving her a lick. Luna nodded in understanding as she calmed slightly. “I'm sorry for not telling you sooner.”

"It's ok,” she replied as she nuzzled him back, “I better get back to Ami. Why don't you go supervise the others in they're training." Artemis nodded his head and they both went their separate way

~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~

~The Shrine~

"I still don't see why I gotta do this," complained Dilandau. As he placed another small pile of wood on the floor in the shrine.

"Shut it Dilandau," said Van. Endymion just sighed and shook his head.

"Is this normal?" Rei asked him.

"Yes," replied Endymion, "They fight like this all of the time. They have a kind of sibling rivalry, even though they aren't even related." Rei laughed at this as she knew what that was like.

"Well they kind of act like Usagi and me," she said. Endymion looked at her questioningly. "What I mean is that Usagi and I are always fighting about something at one time or another, like those two" Endymion nodded.

"Well it seems that you have everything that you need so I'll just grab these two children and leave you to your peace," said Endymion as he grabbed Van and Dilandau by the scruffs of their necks. He chucked slightly as he dragged the both of them out of the room, and they were still fighting. Rei giggled at their antics and sighed; she had her work cut out for her. She turned to the pile of wood and began to set up a suitable fire pit. It took her about 10 minutes position the wood. She then stood before the square shaped stack of wood and called upon her powers of Mars. A small ball of fire began to form at her fingertips. She shot the fire into the stack of wood and watched as the wood instantly caught fire. In no time at all she had a great roaring fire. She knelt before the flames taking in the familiar smell as she closed her eyes and began to chant.

~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~

~Training courtyard~

A ball lighting shot forth from Sailor Jupiter's hands. Its target quickly dodged the attack and retaliated with her tiara. "Come on Sailor Moon, you can do better than that," said Jupiter as she easily dodged the discus of light. Sailor Moon growled in frustration as she concentrated on her tiara. Moving her hands she was able to make the tiara turn in a wide arc and come back towards her and Sailor Jupiter. Jupiter's eyes widened as she realized what her leader was trying to do. At the last moment she dropped to the ground to avoid the energy discus with a grin on her face. "That was close," she said. Sailor Moon smirked as she caught her tiara as put it back in its place.

"God job Sailor Moon your Tiara attack has improved but you still need to improve on your hand to hand combat skills," said Artemis from the sidelines. "I want you and Sailor Jupiter to continue with hand to hand combat." Sailor Moon groaned.

"Why do we have to do it now?" she whined in protest, "can't we take a small break?"

"Sailor Moon lets finish with the training first then we can go rest," said Sailor Jupiter. Sailor moon let out an exaggerated sigh as she got into a fighting position with barely enough time to dodge Jupiter's punch. Artemis stayed and watched them for a few minutes before going over to where Sailor Venus was currently learning to use a sword. He watched as she lunged towards her instructor with a seemingly perfect form. Unfortunately at the last second she tripped and lost her balance. Artemis sighed.

"This is going to be a long, long day," he said.

~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~

~Back in the meeting room~

"Luna come here and look at this," said Sailor Mercury as she brought up some newly found data.

"What is it Mercury?" she asked. She came over and looked at the small screen of the mini comp.

"A large amount of Negative energy is heading this way, and it appears that whatever it is, is not completely evil."

"What do you mean?" asked Luna brow furrowing in slight confusion and worry.

"Look here,” said Mercury as she pointed to something on the screen, “this large black mass on the screen is the negative energy, but there's a small amount of energy within it that is not negative. It's very faint but it's there." Mercury was just as confused as Luna however this mass of energy was moving fast and would be there soon.

"We better go warn the others," said Luna as she rushed out of the room. Mercury followed after her.

~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~

~In the shrine~

Rei's eyes were closed in concentration. She had been praying in front of the fire for over 15 minutes and she still had not gotten anything. She was getting tired but she wasn't going to give up. She gave a tired sigh and began another string of chants. Just then the Fire flared up only inches away from the ceiling. She opened her eyes and stared into the fire. She saw a man with short silvery light blue hair. He had a mechanical arm where his left arm used to be. On his left cheek just under his eye was a light violet teardrop tattoo. He was wearing black pants and black leather boots and he was covered in blood and numerous gashes. His eyes were a deep reddish brown and held sadness and remorse in them. Black Feathers started to rain from the sky around him, turning into ash as they hit the ground. Suddenly he disappeared and the silhouette of a large dark figure appeared. This figure was surrounded by a vast amount of negative energy. The energy seemed to almost suck the life out of the surrounding area. As suddenly as the vision began, it was done. The fire shrunk back to its original height and seemed to flicker almost innocently. Rei was now on her hands and knees panting, as perspiration dripped down her face. 'I need to warn the others,' she thought as she quickly got up and ran out the shrine, to the training courtyard. She didn't know how long she had been in that vision but she knew that something was coming.

~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~

~Training courtyard~

Sailor Venus quickly jumped to the side brining up her sword with both hands to block the incoming blow from her instructor. She panted and clenched her teeth as he put more pressure on the sword.

"Good job Sailor Venus," said Artemis. He had been watching her for the past twenty minutes, and he was pleased with her slow progress in sword fighting. He noticed that she had a natural grace with the sword, just as she did in the past, and wondered briefly if she was subconsciously accessing those memories of sword fighting.

"Can I stop now?" asked Venus asked through her clenched teeth.

"Yes you may," he replied. She gave a sigh of relief as her instructor backed away, and promptly plopped down on the ground. Unfortunately she wouldn't have much time to rest as, Luna and Mercury ran into the training grounds.

"Artemis, there's something heading this way," said Luna as she ran up to him.

"Yes and its emitting negative energy levels that my computer is incapable of calculating," said Mercury.

"How far away is it?" asked Artemis.

"It's about 5 miles away, and its moving fast," Replied Mercury.

"How long till it gets here?" Jupiter asked.

"At the rate it is moving, it will be here in about 10 to 20 minutes," replied Mercury as she typed furiously on her computer.

"Then why don't we go kick some Negaverse butt," said Jupiter as she pumped her fist. She was ready for a fight.

"Wait, Where's Sailor Mars?" asked Moon as she looked around..

"I'm right here Meatball brains," said Rei as she walked up to the group.

"Where have you been?" asked Sailor Venus.

"I was in the shrine doing a fire reading," replied Rei.

"Did you find out anything?" asked Luna.

"Not really," replied Rei, "I saw a man in my vision. He had one arm and he was covered in blood and wounds. Black feathers started to rain from the sky around him, and then he just disappeared. After he disappeared, and a large figure that was cloaked in shadows appeared. The Figure was giving off vast amounts of negative energy."

"I think what you saw is what is heading this way," said Artemis.

"Let's go than," said Sailor Moon.

"Rei you better transform," said Luna.

"You guys go on ahead.” Said Artemis, “I'll go and inform Van and the others.” Artemis ran off to do as he said.

"Mars Power, Make up!" shouted Rei. In a flash of red light and swirls of fire, she transformed into Sailor Mars. The others nodded and together they headed off the fight the creature that was coming.

~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~

~In the Field~

"How far away is it now?" Asked Venus.

"It's about a half mile away from us," replied Mercury.

"I feel the negative energy," said Mars as she got into fighting stance.

"Me too," said Sailor Moon.

"I can feel it too." Said Jupiter.

"Get ready scouts!" shouted Luna. The rest of the senshi got into fighting stances. They were tense as they waited for the creature to come. Suddenly there was a huge gust of wind the almost knocked the senshi off of their feet. They looked up to the sky to see what the cause was. Sailor Moon's eyes widened.

"It's a Dragon," she said. The now identified Dragon swooped downwards knocking the Senshi off of their feet with the wind that it kicked up. It swooped down again before it finally landed. Silky black feathers littered the sky, raining down around them.

"These are the same feathers from my vision," said Mars. She looked up at the dragon and gasped. The dragon was Pitch black. Obsidian scales covered its body. Its long neck was arched over and its head was facing downwards to look at them. Instead of the leathery Bat like wings that dragons had this one had Feather wings. The feathers were a cross between dark gray and black. But what really made Rei gasp were the dragon's eyes. They were the same deep reddish brown color as the man from her vision. They even held the same sadness and remorse, and something else that she couldn't make out. "Guys, this dragon isn't a normal dragon... I think he might actually be human."

"What?!" Sailor Moon half asked half shouted in shock.

"Stop shouting odango atama and let me tell you why!" Rei shouted at her.

"Stop it both of you!" shouted Luna, "now why do you think this dragon may be human?"

"It's his eyes," she replied, "they're the same as the man from my vision. I think that maybe Queen Beryl is using him."

"If Mars is right than how are we supposed to change him back," asked Jupiter as she looked at the dragon, which had yet to attack. Luna did a back flip, from the light that gathered a crescent wand was formed. Luna picked it up in her mouth and walked over to Sailor Moon. Sailor Moon took it from her, she stared at it with a slightly dazed look, almost as if she recognized it.

"That is the Crescent wand," said Luna, "Sailor moon this wand once belonged to the Queen of the Moon. It has the power to heal him." Sailor Moon nodded in understanding. "Usagi you must weaken him first, before you use the wand."

"What?" she asked.

"He is still very powerful. You must weaken him in order to heal him... the wands healing powers are less without the Ginzoshou," said Luna

"Right, then let's get to it," said Jupiter as she cracked her knuckles. The others quickly got back into their fighting stances. "Jupiter Thunder Crash!" she shouted, as electricity gathered in the antenna on her tiara before shooting out towards the dragon.

"Venus Crescent Beam Smash!" shouted Venus. A beam of orange colored light energy shot forth from her fingers. Venus' crescent beam combined with Jupiter's thunder. The combined attack of energies caught the Dragon off guard. He roared in pain and anger, as the lighting and energy beam struck his side. With a Flap of his wings he was air born again. He dived down towards them, fire shooting forth from his mouth.

"Move," shouted Luna, who was now a safe distance away. The scouts quickly jumped out of the way as a stream of fire collided with the earth. Debris flew everywhere.

"Damn," shouted Jupiter, "that attack barely even scratched him. Mercury we need you to put up your fog and find a weakness."

"Right," she replied, "Mercury Bubbles Blast!" Fog as cold as ice covered the area. Mercury then pulled out her computer, and began typing.

"Hurry," said Sailor Moon as she dodged the Dragon's tail and threw the tiara at it.

"Hold it off for a little bit longer, I've almost pinpointed his weakness." She said as she continued to type.

"Right, than its time to heat things up," said Sailor Mars, "Mars Fire Ignite!" A stream of Fire shot for from her index fingers. Her attack hit the dragon in his left wing. Sailor Moon decided to follow suit with another tiara attack.

"Moon Tiara Action!" she shouted. She threw the discus of light at his right wing. The Dragon screeched in pain and crashed into the ground.

"I found it," shouted Mercury, "it's in the violet tear drop crystal under his left eye."

"I'll get it," shouted Venus, "Venus Crescent Beam Smash!" The crescent beam smashed the crystal in an instant. The Dragon gave out another howl of pain. He hunched over as a black aura of energy surrounded his body. The energy shot up into the sky dissipating after a few minutes.

"Now Sailor Moon use the Crescent wand," said Luna. Sailor Moon nodded and held up the wand.

"Moon Healing Activation," she said pointing the wand at the Dragon. Golden light and pink energy surrounded the Dragon. The Senshi watched as, slowly the Dragon transformed back into a man. Rei gasped. He was the same man in her vision but his hair was now a messy shoulder length slivery light blue, and he didn't have a tear drop tattoo under is left eye. He was covered in gashes and blood was flowing freely from his wounds. "We better get him back to the Palace," said Sailor Moon. The all hurried over to the injured man.

About twenty minutes later they were standing in front of the palace door, the gate to the city closing behind them. The doors opened and Van, Dilandau, Endymion, Hitomi, and Merle ran out to greet them.

"Quick we need to get him to the infirmary," said Rei pointing to the man that Jupiter and Moon were supporting. Vans eyes widened in disbelief as he looked at the man.

"Folken," he whispered. The man slowly raised his head to look at Van. A small smile graced his lips despite the sadness in his eyes.

"It's good to see you too little brother," he said before passing out.