Sailor Moon Fan Fiction ❯ Children of Darkness ❯ Earth ( Chapter 6 )

Children of Darkness

 

“Prepare to land! Brace yourselves!” Kari gritted her teeth as she closed her eyes, counting to herself inside of her head. She hated flying more than anything, especially in spacecrafts. It was a miracle she had survived the trip when she was fifteen from Dionysus to the Empress. Then again, Star had been with her, assuring Kari that nothing could go wrong.

 

Star wasn't really there today. Not in the sense that Kari needed. Her crimson eyes peeked at her twin for a moment, feeling her heart tug at the blank expression Star wore. It wasn't like her sister to be so forlorn, but Kari knew her heart was broken. Kari reached over to the seat next to her, taking her younger twin's hand as she gave it a light squeeze.

 

Earth loomed before them through the large front window. Kari took in a breath, gazing at what looked like a marble in space. It was beautiful and almost reminded her of home. But, then again, Dionysus wasn't really green anymore. Technology meant making more room for new things until all that had been there centuries before had been destroyed. Kari had never been within forests or swum in lakes, nor had she run in fields as a child. They were holograms she had played among, laughing at the world she would never know on Dionysus.

 

They were dressed as Earthlings were supposed to. Komeeko and Kari chose to wear jeans and simple shirts; Kari's a plain tank top of ebony coloring while Komeeko wore a white tee shirt. Sanyo had a jean skirt on that went past her knees, a bright yellow cardigan over a green tank top. And Star had chosen a sundress she had found among the clothing they could wear. It was a simple silver coloring, fitting her snugly in the right spots. It was what she wore around her neck that made Kari worry.

 

The ring they had found had been set through a silver chain, secured with a clasp behind her neck. The moonstone glittered in the light inside the ship. Kari had a feeling she would be seeing a lot of that ring in the months to come. Mourning for Star would last a lifetime.

 

The ship jerked again as it descended to the planet as Kari gripped the chair arm. Gods above, would they never land? She let out a long breath; trying to focus on anything but the fact they were landing. Her eyes moved to the few Knights who had come with them. There was one, a young Knight with orange hair, who kept speaking with Sanyo of somewhere. How did he know her? She frowned lightly, shrugging her shoulders. It wasn't her place to question and it didn't matter to her.

 

Not long now. Just breathe; we'll be on solid ground soon enough.

 

***

 

True enough, the ship landed not long after. Saying a prayer of thanks for reaching the ground in one piece, Kari stood, gathering her bag as she followed Star off the ship. Her legs felt wobbly as they connected with solid ground outside, crimson eyes squinting as the sun blinded her vision for a moment.

 

Earth.

 

She shot a glance to the others, eyes lingering on her companions in turn. Sanyo looked surprised, a joyous expression on her face; Komeeko seemed unimpressed, almost bored as she gazed around; Star was registering the place with a mixture of awe and uncertainty. Opale was the only one of them who looked calm as she moved towards a group Kari had just noticed. She followed, leading as the others followed, coming to a halt just behind the Empress.

 

“Welcome to Earth, Empress Opale,” A man wearing white robes spoke, inclining his head to her. He was different from the others, holding an importance about him that the one did not possess, not in such amounts as Kari was getting from him. His blue eyes were piercing and a golden mark was settled upon his forehead. “I am Priest Helios. The Queen sent me to greet you today,” He turned his attention to the other male with him. “Priest Kou is here to join me in welcoming you to our planet.”

 

Kou was different from Helios. He was younger, which was apparent with one glance. Brown locks were chopped off just below his chain, the same brown eyes curiously gazing at each of the party. His robes were brown, showing his stature as lower than the other priest.

 

His gaze lingered on Star a moment before she found herself staring back at the younger man. Crimson orbs narrowed as she turned away from the gaze, nodding lightly to Helios. There was silence for a moment before Opale spoke.

 

“We thank you for your hospitality. With me, I bring Kari and Star, Princesses of the Dionysus System, Lady Sanyo of Orion, and Komeeko. Star Knight Risou is also joining us, coming from Orion as well.” Each nodded lightly as their name was mentioned, the eyes of both priests following with the introductions.

 

“The Queen requests a dinner with all of you tonight,” Helios began as they started walking, the group following their guides. “Until then, you have some free time on your hands.”

 

“Wasn't there going to be a session of the Senshi Council today?” Opale inquired. Kari frowned lightly. She knew of this Senshi Council, made up of the Inner and Outer Senshi. Diplomats from other systems showed up to plead cases to the Queen and her Senshi, though it seemed far from fair to her.

 

“Yes,” Helios hesitated lightly but Opale jumped right back into conversation. “I would like to attend,” It wasn't a request, it was a demand.

 

There was silence before a brief nod from Helios granted her access to view the council. “I'm sure the rest of you would like to rest-”

 

“I would like to accompany Empress Opale to the council.” Kari's expression was set as she stared into the deep gaze of the High Priest. He hadn't been expecting someone to follow the Empress but, nonetheless, he nodded his head to her as well.

 

“For the rest of you, there are rooms for sleeping, if you need to. Or the streets of Crystal Tokyo are open for your pleasure,” He stopped before a large building made from alabaster stone. “Here is where you shall stay. If you please, Empress Opale,” He motioned for her to follow.

 

“I'll see you later,” Kari gave Star's shoulder a squeeze before she followed her Empress. It was, while walking, that she found herself falling into step alongside the younger priest. As the two in front conversed in soft whispers, Kari and Kou walked in silence for a good part of the way, winding along through a garden towards the main hall where the council was to be held.

 

“Do you like the flowers?” Kou's voice startled her as she found herself gazing longingly towards the acres of flowers that were spread from here. Her head snapped away, crimson eyes narrowed to the man.

 

“Maybe,” She shrugged, “I mean, they're pretty…” That was an understatement but it would have to do. He was a stranger and, unlike the others, Kari didn't mix well with others. Not if she wasn't with Star at least.

 

Kou's only response was a half smile as he came to a halt. The grand doors stood before them and, for a moment, Kari found it hard to breathe. Empress Opale and Helios had entered already and now it was their turn. As Kari moved to cross the threshold, Kou stopped her. “You must wear your fuku to the council- it is tradition.”

 

She fingered a pendant around her neck for a moment before she whispered, “ Dark Sun of Dionysus!” Cherry colored light burst from the sun that hung from her neck, the red gem holding her powers. She emerged as her alter ego, the infamous Dark Sun from the Dionysus system. The same talisman from her necklace sat in the middle of a black bow. Her skirt was a deep crimson as were the tops of her gloves. Yet, unlike the Senshi from the inner and outer systems, she had a black uniform rather than white.

 

Crimson boots clicked against the floor as she quirked a brow to Kou, who was staring. “What?” He shook his head, opening the door for them as they stepped into the council.