Sailor Moon Fan Fiction ❯ The Symbol of A Soldier ❯ ..and when there is no hope.. ( Chapter 2 )

[ T - Teen: Not suitable for readers under 13 ]

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Ami sighed, looking at the nervous faces gathered in the main lobby. People who were anxiously awaiting the outcome of their loved ones, the looks of pain, fear and regret centered in one solitary room. Her gaze focused on the far corner where a small group sat anxiously in wait. The group consisted of a girl, shortin hight with two double odongos in her long brown hair, an older man of short light tanned hair, clenching his hands together until the knuckles had turned ghost white. A tall girl who wore a ponytail in her long brown hair hung her head, focusing on who knew what. The last in the group was an older woman with long green hair held in a bun. She was the only one who refused to sit and instead chose to lean against the wall, staring down a can of soda in her hand.
Ami looked down, four people, three soldiers was all that could be spared to await the outcome of their comrade, the majority still searching for the last two monsters. Ami herself confined to the hospital, doing the best she could.
Makoto first noticed Ami's approach, standing in anticipation while Ami delievered the outcome.
"There was some internal bleeding, we managed to repair the damage but, it appears the object had splintered on entry. We were very thorough, but theres no telling whether or not we managed to get to it in time. She's in a coma, she might wake up in a few hours, or even a few weeks. All we can do now is hope."



Setsuna looked down at Pheobe, her eyes following the tubes in her arms before returning to the face. She looked so weak lying there, her face a sickly pale with her curls layed out on the pillow in a tangled mess.

"I know you can hear me Pheobe. I'm going to tell you the rest of the story. But you have to survive this, a Sailor Soldier isn't the kind who gives up easily. You know that as well as your great grandmother knew it."

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"If we are going to get anywhere we have to act now! We need to stop this before it spreads."

Jupiter looked at Mars. "And do what Mars, this phage caught us all off guard, we don't have the resources."

Neptune turned to Jupiter. "Since when did we name it? Did it give you it's title?"

Mercury spoke up. "This thing is spreading, it seems appropriate enough to name it as such."

Earth replied, adding her own voice to the council. "This is getting us nowhere, and we're lacking severely in soldiers, where is Uranus?"

Venus looked up from the table, she Clio and Parthenie had managed to reach the ship on time, barely escaping before the black phage had hit. Now the remaining Sailor Soldiers sat in council on the moon, deciding what was to be done about the threat. "Uranus is gone Earth, her planet was first to be taken."

"Destruction is our best option! If we eliminate the affected planets the phage will be unable to spread."

Earth glared at Saturn. "Thats your solution to everything, you can't find an answer so you just destroy it! People could still be alive on those planets, your speaking of mass murder!"

"Better a few die then watching the death of every single moon and planet. I see you offering no solution, I dare you to reveal another option!"

"We need more time!"

"We don't have that luxery!"

"Enough!" Venus stood from her seat, slamming her hands down on the table and commanding attention. She looked at Earth. "Right now destruction of the planets is the only solution we have, and unless we come up with another answer it will be our only action." She then looked at Saturn. "But we still have time, and Mercury has estimated we have at least six hours before the next planet falls. Until then we will sit here and work out some kind of solution that doesn't involve blowing things up."

"Why not ask Clio?" The young Astral looked up at the mention of her name, Mars continued. "Her planet is protected. Clios called up a protection shield just before the phage hit."

All eyes turned to Clio. "It's an anchient technique, very difficult to perform, expecially with one of such a magnetude. The entire effort takes a lot of discipline and is very difficult to perform, they must have felt they had no choice."

"But how convenient for you that your planet is safe. Why not show us this shielding technique?"

"Because I can't! Even if I could the technique would need thousands with enough power just to cover a small planet! With the eight of us we can only manage to cover this palace and even then we could do nothing else, our focus would remain in maintaining the shield, when we tire that would be it. So you see, Clios isn't safe, it's only prolonged the inevitable."

Earth looked at Clio, speaking again. "So in other words you don't want to help us."

"I didn't say that!"

"Your holding a grudge against us, holding us responsible for the death of your family."

Venus spoke up, trying to keep order. "Thats enough Earth."

"The affected planets should be destroyed!"

Neptune spoke. "Why didn't we detect this enemy?"

The voices rose higher as Jupiter made a desperate effort to be heard. "We need Phebe!"

"Theres no time to find her! we must act now!"





Clio rubbed her forhead, leaning aganst the wall, beside the double doors which held the shouts and arguments of the six sailor soldiers. She lifted the small chain around her neck, bringing the rainbow gem into the open.

"Are they still argueing?"

Clio looked up, letting the gem drop back against her chest. Her eyes recognized the attire the young girl wore, all the servants withen the palace were similarly clothed. She sighed. "If Phebe were here they'd be cooperating better."

"My lady said dogs will fight over a piece of meat but hunt in packs."

Clio nodded. "United by a common goul but lost in petty arguments." She looked at the hand maiden more closely. "Nahdine?"

The girl shifted nervously. "I don't know where she is, I told them that already, I never know where she is."

"She's done this before?"

Nahdine nodded. "It's been going on for 3 years. She takes off, doesn't tell anyone where she's going and comes back a few weeks later. Theres never been any danger before."

Clio frowned, glancing back at her gem. "But theres also never been a phage like this before." She winced as glass shattered against the door. "Clean that up as soon as it's less..violent in there." Tucking the gem back withen her dress she sighed. "It's amazing how a foundation can fall apart when the're leader vanishes.

"Charon hardly functions anymore."

She looked up at the girl. "What did you say?"

"Charon, it's been without a leader for seven years."

Clio nodded. "Ever since the passing of Sailor Charon.." Quickly she began to make her way down the hall.

"Where are you going?"

"To find The Queen."

"You don't know where she is!"

"I'll start in alphabetical order."







When she reached her room her eyes immediatly began to search the area. "Parthenie"

The young girl stepped out of her adjoining room. "Clio? Is the conferance over?"

"No, they're still argueing. I snuck out. That chest I brought with me, where is it?"

"I put it near the bed. Clio what are you doing?"

Without skipping a beat Clio went straight for the chest, placing her hands in position on the lid. "I'm going to find Phebe."

"What about the conference? We can't just leave."

"Your staying here Parthenie, I'm doing this alone." The chest gave a small click as it unlocked. Glancing at her attendant's shocked expression she smiled lightly and continued. "I know a little about flying ships, I'll be fine."

"Thats not what I meant, what if the phage consumes you?"

Clio lifted the top, sighing. "Then we'll be out of luck, I need you here Parthenie. Your going to teach the Sailor Soldiers how to create a shield."

"I can't go in there!"

"Its not as bad as it sounds in there."

"I'm not a royal Clio."

Clio sighed. "Would it make you feel better if I made you an heir? Go in there, teach the technique and pray to the stars I get back in time to make it uneccessary."

"Clio, they're not Astral."

Clio shook her head. "No, they're not. But they are Sailor Soldiers, they'll be able to manage it beyond the power of 12." She smirked. "If you can get them to listen long enough."

"My Lady."

"Spare the formalities Parthenie, just go."

Parthenie nodded, taking off down the hall just as Clio reached into the chest, pulling out the item she had been looking for. The uniform was brand new, it had never been worn before, there had never been a need. The simple garment of magenta skirt and purple bows, an item that was hard to imagine withstanding some of the most powerful blows. Three years ago Phebe had given the uniform to Clio as a gift, today it would get it's use.


She closed her eyes in meditation, the candles flickered around her, enclosing Clio in a circle as a small wooden bowl sat before her. Her tiara and gloves lay by her side while the rest of her uniform remained on her body. The entire outfit was surprisingly comfortable for armor.
Taking a deep breat she opened her eyes to the stars, her entire body lost in trance as she called upon a prayer.

"I am the guardian protection from death, fear and hate" Her hand reached into the bowl as her fingers began to make motions upon her forhead. "Celestial stars shall guide me, I will let myself be lead. Anger be stopped in my heart, evil halted on approach. For what fate has called me, I shall not ignore."

The candles began to burn high above her head before turning into magenta light which circled around her. Her hand returned to her side, the runic symbol of protection already vanishing on her forhead.




"This is ridiculous! We sit here discussing our problems when we should be out there fighting!"

"We can't just run head first into a fight, we have no idea what this thing wants!"

All heads turned as the doors opened as their eyes fell upon the young girl of ebony black hair and grey eyes. Parthenie looked nervously at the group, rubbing her hands together as she was stared down by 6 queens. "I was told to..I was told to..teach you the shield."

Jupitar looked at the girl. "Clio said it couldn't be done."

"Your Sailor Soldiers....She thinks..she..it can work."

Mars glanced around. "Wheres Clio?"

"She's gone."

"And left you to the instruction?She doesn't give us any respect, has her attendant bother with us. Just takes off when she wishes like a loose canon!"

"Thats enough Mars!"

Mars looked at Venus. "Don't deny it Venus, you know the only reason she's a soldier was an attempt to replace Charon."

Mercury stood up. "She's been dead 7 years mars! Why can't you let it go?"

"You may be willing to just forget her, but I won't dismiss her like you have!"

"So you take it out on someone whose only crime was giving her people a life?!"

"Don't glamorize her! She's done nothing for us, she has no idea what it's like!"

"What makes you the expert?!"

Parthenie shut her eyes, trying to close out the shouting voices that now filled the room. "Please." Her voice drowned out in the sound with barely an indication she had said anything. "Please." she spoke louder with the same effect.
Finally the young attendant clenched her fists, taking a deep breath before she shouted above the arguments. "Please Listen To Me!!!"
The room went silent as 6 pairs of eyes fell upon the young girl. "My mother was a shrine maiden, I know a lot more then Clio does about techniques, Techniques I was asked to teach you. If you will let me."

Venus nodded, glancing at Saturn. "You have five hours to show us."






Clio put her head in her hands, rubbing her face before glancing at the control panel. The journey had been rather uneventful, she knew how to stay under the radar, probably the only thing from being on the run she had gotten use from. The hours passed slowly, every minute precious and now only two remained before the next planet would be consumed by the black phage. She had chosen a relatively remote spot to land, the majority of the reason being that she had only landed once in her entire lifetime and that had been hardly decent. Luckely her second landing made it without incident. Pulling the gem from her chain she picked up the white wand that had been a gift from Phebe three years ago and put the gem into place.

Stepping onto the planet was an education in chaotic science. The paths remained cracked and chipped while weeds grew at every opening. The buildings around her condemned and run down while people gathered in the alleys huddling together for food and warmth. The entire situation was a shock that Charon had been ignored for so long, that the entire planet had been left and abandoned. It was around that time she felt cold steel being pressed against her throat.

"Don't move." The voice was rough, low, belonging to a man who was undoubtedly her senior. Powerful hands wrenched the wand from her grasp. "You've a lot of guts coming to a place like this, I'll give you that." Lifting up on the dagger he pushed her forward. "Move."

It was a fairly short walk she was forced to take. Although that did nothing to ease Clio, it made her wonder why he hadn't chosen to kill her. More questions filled her mind as she was pushed into a building and ordered to sit. Once she had done so the dagger was removed from her throat.

"Clio?"

Clio's head turned immediatly to the voice, her eyes falling upon first a yound boy of sand colored hair and soulful brown eyes. To his left was a taller figure, a white cloak covered most of her body, but it was when she removed her hood did Clio recognize the stranger. Her hair had grown longer since last time, silver locks now reaching her shoulders as the perfectly formed odongos rested on her head. Her silver eyes stared in confusion at Clio, questioning her pressence. So she had been here all this time and her voice did nothing to hide the shock of their unexpected meeting. "Phebe."

================End of Part 3======================

"Am I interupting?"

Setsuna looked up at the man in the doorway, hs light tan hair falling lightly over his deep blue eyes. Damien had been hurt the worst over Pheobe's injury. Once she had saved him from his dark prison and when she needed help there was nothing he could do. There was no disputing his love for the girl, an affection he always failed to admit in words, but his actions always managed to speak much louder then any word. Setsuna smiled softly. "No, I was just finishing for today."

Calmly the woman stood, preparing to leave the room. "Setsuna." Setsuna turned her head towards Damien as he spoke. "Do you know, will she wake up?"

Setsuna shook her head. "I don't know."
Quietly she continued walking, leaving Damien to watch the sleeping warrior.