Sailor Moon Fan Fiction ❯ Awakening the Shadows ❯ Of Visions and Dreams ( Chapter 1 )

Disclaimer: I do not own Sailor Moon. As if you didn't already know =)

Author's Notes: Just for the record, Eclipse-Khamiya, Talis-Mayoko, Lythos-Keridwen, Phameris-Luriel, Andronica-Aria, Caleria-Nara.

~*~*~*~*~*~

Tangeria,Caleria/Dronian Galaxy

" Andronica...Reality...Distortion! "

The youma's enormous eyes glazed over as a raging inferno erupted all around her. She shrieked and jumped around trying to avoid the leaping flames, but there seemed to be no escape. She threw her furry arms around her head and cowered on the ground.

" NOW ! "

" Lunar....Eclipse...Annihilation!!! " The violet energy shot from her gloved hands and enveloped the demon which they had been fighting. The air filled with smoke and the scent of singed hair as the electricity consumed the flailing creature. " Finally, " Eclipse muttered as she moved to join the others.

It had been a long battle. Who knew that something as simple as fire would scare the pants off that Dark Kingdom drone? If they had only figured it out sooner, people's lives could have been saved. Her eyes narrowed as she turned to look at Andronica. If only the girl wasn't so reluctant to use her powers! It was sickening. She glanced around at the scattered bodies laying in the middle of Tangeria's main street. And this was the result of her fear.

" We did it! " Caleria squealed.

Lythos frowned assessing the scene, " This isn't exactly what I would call a victory. "

" B...but...we did the best we could. "

" It wasn't good enough! These people shouldn't have died! "

Andronica lowered her head. She knew that she was mostly to blame, but it was still hard for her to control her powers. Most of the time everything went fine, but there was a possibility that she would affect the wrong person and cause permanent mental damage. It was a game of chance every time she tried to mess with someone's head.

Phameris learned over to her best friend, " It's all right, " she whispered, " I understand. "

Just then a flash of light caught their attention. " Girls! " called a hazy image of an older woman with greying hair and wise green eyes, " Meokan wishes to speak to you. He says it is of the utmost importance. "

" Thank you, Brieah. Tell him that we will be there as soon as we can, " Phameris told her.

" I will. You girls be careful on the trip home. " With that she vanished from sight.

Andronica, Caleria, Lythos, Talis, and Eclipse rolled their eyes. They had just finished fighting one of the strongest youma they had ever encountered and Brieah was worried about their trip home.

" Let's blow this joint, " Talis grinned, " I think there's a ship leaving for Phameris in about fifteen minutes."

*~*~*~*~*~*

" It's Jaize! " Aria and Nara whispered excitedly.

Luriel wrinkled her nose at her two love struck friends, then glanced at her cousin. Jaize was good looking she supposed, but did those two always have to act like airheads when he walked into the room? She shook her head and pushed open the door to the inner sanctum where Meokan awaited them.

" Greetings, Luriel. Are the others here as well? "

" Yes, Father, " she replied with an exasperated sigh, " they are speaking with Jaize in the grande hall. "

Meokan laughed and folded his hands before him, " Should I, perhaps, move the meeting there? It may be more expedient than waiting for the others to come here. "

" Unnecessary, " Khamiya assured as she stepped into the room with Keridwen and Mayoko, " We were merely being polite. "

" Though you may have a bit of trouble tearing Aria and Nara away, " Mayoko grinned.

" It's shameful the way they behave, " Keridwen grumbled as she slipped into one of the room's tall chairs. And Aria almost screwed us during the fight today. You have got to talk to her about using her powers. "

Luriel was about to speak in defense of her friend, but Meokan intervened, " She is young yet and not fully in control of her powers. She fears the consequences if something goes awry, which is not an unfounded concern. Be patient with her. "

" Patient? " the black haired young woman retorted, " People are dying! Besides how is she ever going to learn to control her powers if she never uses them? "

Meokan arched a brow, " Perhaps it would be wise to watch your tone, child. "

Keridwen ducked her head to hide the blush that colored her cheeks, " I ask forgiveness, M' Lord. "

" Granted, " he turned to Mayoko, " Please be so kind as to fetch the others. "

" I'll give it my best shot. "

Ten minutes later Mayoko returned with the two younger girls in tow.

He smiled at me, " Nara giggled.

" No he didn't! He smiled at me, " Aria argued.

Meokan took a deep breath pressing the fingertips of one hand to his forehead. At times like these he questioned why the fates had chosen teenagers to wield the awesome power and responsibility that these girls held. But then, he reasoned, the fates must know what they're doing. " Take your seats, girls. I have something very important to tell you. "

They knew from the tone of his voice that they had better listen, so the two girls quickly took seats on the far wall. Meokan was a very kind and generous man, and he had put up with a lot from each one of them. But they knew better than to push him too far. After the first time the Phamerian High Priest lost his temper, no one wanted it to happen again.

The silence in the room weighed heavily on its occupants. It wasn't long before those six young women realized how grave the situation really was, for every one of them could sense the impending news without a spoken word. Meokan looked to each of them in turn, then cleared his throat, " I have called you here today because I have had a particularly disturbing vision, and we have a very limited amount of time before it manifests itself. "

Mayoko tossed one long, slender leg casually over the arm of her chair. " Hey, you know we're always ready for anything. Bring it on. " A couple of the others nodded enthusiastically in agreement.

The older man shook his head sadly, " I appreciate your willingness, but I fear it shall not be that simple this time. " Meokan stood from his seat kneading his hands nervously. Not one of the young women had ever seen the High Priest emit such uncertainty, and they looked to each other with a growing sense of dread.

" Father, what's going on? Please, the suspense is treacherous. Tell us quickly how we might stop the events you have foreseen."

" The youma that you have fought these last few months have been more than worthy adversaries, have they not? "

There were nods and words of confirmation all around. They knew that they were good, but they weren't too cocky admit that the battles of late had been more difficult than usual. " This is only the beginning. The creatures we have seen are only the weakest of the Dark Kingdom's current army. They will only increase in strength and number. "

" What are we supposed to do? " Keridwen exclaimed.

" I foresee only one possibility. "

" And that is? " asked Khamiya, staring at the man with an odd mixture of emotion in her violet eyes, " What is it that we must do, oh Wise One? "

A few of the others turned to see Meokan's reaction to Khamiya's sarcastically tainted question, but he did nothing. An almost pained expression crossed his face as he sighed deeply and began to explain, " Light years away is a galaxy known as the Milky Way. They are, as well. under constant attack by the Dark Kingdom. I believe that if you travel to the planet known as Earth and find its protectors we can obtain assistance from them. Together you may have a chance of saving both galaxies from otherwise certain destruction. "

" You're joking, right? "

" No, Keridwen. I'm afraid that I'm not. "

" But, Father, who will protect this galaxy while we are gone? "

" Our armies can hold them off for a short time, but, " he paused taking his seat once more and lowering his eyes to the table, " I have reason to believe that they will discontinue their attacks when you leave the galaxy. "

" What? " Mayoko, Keridwen and Luriel exclaimed simultaneously.

" What makes you think that, Meokan? " Nara questioned with a puzzled look. " Wouldn't that be the perfect opportunity for them "

" I can't explain, " he said slowly, " but that is what I believe. "

" When do you expect us to leave? "

The priest turned his gaze to Khamiya, studying the expression on her face. " Immediately."

" Let's get this over with then, " Keridwen sighed standing and heading towards the door.

" Don't we even have time to pack? "

" I'm afraid not, Aria. You must leave now. "

She frowned, but didn't argue. The remaining five girls stood and moved to follow Keridwen.

" Khamiya? "

The violet haired young woman turned to her guardian's brother, but she spoke not a word.

" Could I speak with you a moment? "

She gave a slight shrug and watched the others leave before returning to her chair.

" You know that I have always cared for you as one of my own, and my concern for you now is greater than it has ever been. I fear for you, child. And if there were any other way..."

She held up a hand to silence him. " Stop. Stop right there. "

" Can you handle this mission, Khamiya? "

The look in her eyes was impossible to distinguish, the violet orbs seemed to almost gleam with something between hatred and fear, " Do I have a choice? " she challenged, rising once more. It was a gesture of finality, she would discuss nothing further.

With a furrowed brow he watched her walk out the door. Meokan asked himself for the hundredth time since the previous night if he was doing the right thing, but the conclusion remained the same. There was no other option if their galaxy was to survive.