Act 39- Dream 6: New Soldier Dream

"Michiru.... Haruka..... Setsuna..... and Hotaru....... Yes....... What we have always yearned for is to have companions like you......"

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A mysterious girl is reading.

        Surely some revelation is at hand,
        Surely the Second Coming is at hand.
        The Second Coming! Hardly are those words out
        When a vast image out of Spiritus Mundi
        Troubles my sight: somewhere in the sands of the desert
        A shape with a lion body and the head of a man,
        A gaze black and pitiless as the sun,
        Is moving its slow thighs, while all about it
        Reel shadows of the indignant desert birds.....

Haruka [thinking of Usagi]: My dream.... is to bring up children with the one I love, in a place blooming with flowers, living happily ever after.....

Haruka: What is your dream? If I ask you, this might be your answer!

Haruka was on the streets, driving her Ferrari 512, shrugging off the attention of a pretender with style. Michiru was in a CD shop, being confronted by a fan of hers. Haruka arrived just in time to see off this charming young man. Haruka apologised for being late and gave Michiru a bunch of white roses, to mark the passing of 6 months since the start of their new life. As they paced out of the shop to the car, bystanders were gossiping about their intimacy the rings on their index fingers, speculating that the handsome and gifted speed racer might perhaps be married to the beautiful and talented violinist....

Haruka: Michiru! Look! Diapers and baby milk powder on sale! Very cheap!
Michiru: Haruka! Have you not gotten used to it? Our little princess no longer requires diapers and milk powder!

In a nice large house bounded by a blossoming garden, Setsuna was busily working in front of a computer. There was a loud crash, followed by the sound of wailing.

Setsuna: Oh no, it's the kitchen..... Just a moment ago, she was still behaving.... Please don't hurt yourself too badly before those two return.

In the kitchen, a little girl was crying on the floor, with a pile of broken dishes before her, and an ugly gash on her left arm. After a while, the gash magically healed and she soon stopped crying. Just then, the main door opened and two women walked in. Immediately, the little girl sprang on her feet and rushed to greet them.

Hotaru [looking about 5 years old]: Haruka papa! You're back! Let's continue yesterday's game!
Haruka: Today you have to practise the violin with Michiru mama, remember? No more from you. Hurry up and get changed!

Meanwhile, Michiru winced at the loss of her expensive porcelain plates.

Setsuna: I'm sorry. Just a moment ago, she was still quietly reading in the study.
Michiru: That's not hard to understand. She has already read everything there! She has even recited Wilkins' poetry by heart! It's so frightening!
Setsuna [dreamy look]: Yes, that's right. Hotaru has been growing at an alarming rate everyday. Looking after her is certainly no easy job.
Hotaru: [holding a checked dress] I'll wear this today!
Haruka: It's all like a dream.
Michiru: Yes, what a shock it was then! This child suddenly growing up at this rate. In just half a year, she has already grown so much. [helps Hotaru with her dress] There! It's done! We have already embarked on our new life for the last 6 months [puts the roses into a vase]. To me, it's all like a dream.
Haruka: To think that when she was such a good girl when she was still wearing diapers. But after her accelerated growth, she has become such a brat!

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It is worth mentioning here that the responsibilities of looking after Hotaru were divided as follows:

Setsuna = responsible for education
Michiru = responsible for food
Haruka = Hotaru's opponent for games

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Setsuna: That's right. Everyday was like a dream, even on the day of the eclipse....

[Flashback] A few weeks after the start of our new life, there was an eclipse. On that day, I was at the Observatory at Tokyo Bay making observations. At that time, I had a bad vibes about the whole thing, the first time I had felt thus since the start of our new life. As the eclipse started, I prayed that nothing untoward would happen. At the moment of the full eclipse, I felt a distortion of the space-time fabric. Fearing that it marked the invasion by new enemies, I tried to transform into Sailor Pluto to investigate. To my shock, I was unable to.....

[end of flashback, looks downcast]

Hotaru: [tugging at Setsuna, and looking at her with her big innocent eyes] Setsuna mama?
Setsuna: Sorry! I'm alright. It's been half a year.... Actually I understand that since the end of the last battle, we had made a choice. Our inability to transform could be the fact of our having accomplished our mission. Could be, but since the day of the eclipse, Hotaru has been growing at an alarming rate. Hotaru.... such powers that you exhibit, could it be an omen of your reawakening? What are you trying to tell us... what has happened?

Just then, Michiru's other violin students arrived and they started with the lesson. As Hotaru started to play, however, the apparition of a horned Pegasus appeared, just as it had the previous week. But this time, as the beast raced across the room, the apparition of a little girl also appeared and chased after it.

Michiru: That girl... it's the Small Lady!

Those words seemed to snap Hotaru out of her concentration and she too, chased after the apparitions. Finally, they came to a room where the horned Pegasus lay dead, and the little girl knelt by its side, weeping in sorrow. Hotaru stood silently at the door as she took in everything. After a while, the apparitions faded away.

Michiru: Hotaru is usually an inimaginablly lively girl.... but at that moment, her gaze appeared to freeze, becoming very cold.... just like Saturn.....
Hotaru: The girl just now.... I have seen her before. In pictures taken with Michiru mama. The girl was crying because the beast was dead. How pitiful......
Michiru: Could it be..... that the child is about to reawaken.....

The lesson soon ended and at dinner, everything seemed to be back to normal again. However, the Outer Senshi continued to be troubled.

Michiru: [doing the dishes] I wish the four of us can remain in this house....
Haruka: [gazing out a window] .... but..... I am unable to find peace......
Setsuna: [sitting before her computer, gazing at her ring].... the time that we awaken from our dream.... appears.....
Outer Senshi: to be nigh......

In the living room, Hotaru was playing a game of creation under the watchful eyes of Haruka. Hotaru had created the solar system as Michiru walked in with drinks.

Michiru: Is that Solar System creation game going well? What is your role, Haruka?
Haruka: If Hotaru was left alone, she might get out of control. My role is therefore damage control.
Michiru: Wow.... only yesterday, there weren't any celestial bodies.... but now there are so many. And even the gases have diminished.
Haruka: We are doing a high speed reconstruction of the past. We have already reached a point 4.5 billion years ago, upon the creation of the Solar System.
Michiru: There are some weak sources of light there. What are they?
Haruka: They are the little planets.... they are emitting lights of doubt..... because in this course of life which they are unable to control, they are uncertain of their fates.
Michiru: And that white light.... is moonlight? How beautiful! Just like a pearl....
Haruka: [with a tender look in her eyes] It's as though the light is surrounding the blue glass sphere (the Earth). [images of the carefree Usagi appear in Haruka's mind, calling her name, "Haruka....."] That is the type of light that surrounds that child....
Michiru: Haruka [lays her arms around Haruka's shoulders].... you wish to see her....
Haruka: They.... should be living quite contentedly....

As they speak, the night skies turn even darker as distant thunder announced the impending arrival of a storm.

Haruka: And now.... the recent eclipse has been completed.
Michiru: The Earth is slowly getting darker.....
Haruka: Hasn't the eclipse already passed....?
Together: The moon.... is gradually disappearing.....

Hotaru was snapped out of her concentration by Haruka. In a flash, the Solar System she had created disappeared. Obediently, Hotaru took her bath and prepared for bed. Meanwhile, it had started to rain heavily. The Outer Senshi were having a conference.

Setsuna: During the eclipse, the Earth and Moon were surrounded by darkness. That's the image that Hotaru saw. The warping of time above the skies of Tokyo, the unusually high rise in temperatures, the unexplained growth explosion of plants everywhere, the inexplicable desolation of the cities, all these have been the result of the new moon. And it all started after the eclipse. The enemy is among us.
Michiru (frustrated): We all know that, Setsuna, but... just as you did that day at the Tokyo Bay Observatory, and later myself at a performance in Vienna, and Haruka at her race in North Africa.... we had detected from the desolation and darkness of the cities and the people in the streets, the presence of the enemy. But we are all unable to transform! We are all unable to transform! We have lost our powers as Outer Senshi of the Solar System!
Haruka: Maybe there is already no need... our Princess no longer needs our protection. Come to think of it, even without us, they (the Inner Senshi) can use their own powers to protect the Princess. There is no need for us to do battle anymore. Our inability to transform: is that proof of our current state of affairs?

In the bathroom, Hotaru was frightened by the appearance of a mysterious reflection when she looked into the mirror. It was that of an older girl that looked like her.

Image: Do not be afraid....
Hotaru: Who are you.....
Saturn: I am your alter ego.... asleep within your body.
Hotaru: Asleep.... in my body?
Saturn: The time for awakening has come... now is the time to carry out your new duties.... Awaken! Thou spirit, slumbering within my guardian star.... awaken.....

As Hotaru lay in the bathtub, reading, images flashed across her mind.... images of the Inner Senshi doing battle.... images of Usagi and Mamoru, afraid.

Hotaru: What are all these... I see many different images.... I have to hurry!

Hotaru stepped out of the bathtub, put on a slip dress and took one last look at the image of her alter ego in the mirror. The book she had been reading was The Collected Poems of W B Yeats.

        .... The darkness drops again; but now I know
        That twenty centuries of stony sleep
        Were vexed to nightmare by a rocking cradle.....

The Outer Senshi were interrupted in their discussions by the opening door. They were all shocked at what they saw: a fully grown Hotaru, radiating a strange light, and the mark of Saturn was glowing on her forehead. Even full grown, Hotaru is still much shorter than the rest of the Outer Senshi.

Hotaru: When someone feels that he is living for the sake of matters beyond himself, a new life will commence.... those were the words of Albert Einstein.
Outer Senshi: Hotaru.... you.....
Hotaru: It is time for everyone to reawaken. No matter how many times we have to be reincarnated, who do we live for? Actually, the answer has already been provided.
Haruka: Hotaru.... this....
Setsuna: You have regained your former memories?
Hotaru: We are no longer the same as we were in the past, doing battle in our lonely places. At that moment, we had already been given new lives with our Princess. Now the time is right. [smiles happily] Thank you for the time you have looked after me, Haruka papa! Michiru mama! Setsuna mama! Now it's my turn to lead you! Let me bring you back to where everyone else is!

Hotaru then reached out her hand, and crystal hearts started to glow on the bosoms of the Outer Senshi.

Hotaru: These are the marks of the New Senshi! Our crystals!

Hotaru then summoned the Holy Grail. It opened to reveal images of Neo Queen Serenity and Prince Endymion in distress.

Michiru: They appear to be in trouble!
Haruka: Just what is going on!
Hotaru: [picking out a rose from a vase, which quickly wilted and turned black] That rose.... our Princess and Prince are in danger! We have to get them quickly!

The marks of their respective planets started glowing on the foreheads of the Outer Senshi. Led by Hotaru, the 4 of them raced out of the house.

Setsuna: To bring up Hotaru...
Haruka: .... we had made a vow....
Michiru: .... now these 3 symbolic rings.....
Together: .... have become meaningless.
Hotaru: Let's Go! To where we must! Because no matter when, that is where our dreams lie!

At the circus, Minako's was still hanging by a thread. Blood started to flow down her arm as the boulder struck where Artemis was.
Minako: [in tears] Artemis! I'm sorry, Artemis. All this time, I have often said unkind things about you, and even bullied you. But now I understand! Your suffering and pain is mine too! Artemis, we are one! You are my alter ego!

Then, to Minako's amazement, the paws that were holding her turned into human hands! Artemis had become human, and had pushed the boulder away!

Artemis: Now I understand why you are unable to transform, Mina. It's because as your partner, I am not powerful enough. [smiling]
Minako: Artemis..... I.... feel a certain power gushing forth in my body.... I feel that...... my relationship..... with Artemis is closer than ever.

Just then, the point where their hands are linked started to glow, as a heart-shaped crystal formed.

Artemis: Mina-chan! This is your Venus Crystal! Quick! Transform!

Minako immediately transformed into Sailor Venus and got herself out of trouble. She smiled briefly at Artemis, but turned her wrath on the Amazoness Quartet. She attacked with her Venus Love Me Chain, and after a brief battle, destroyed and saved the other Senshi. But it was not over yet. Palla Palla then summoned her magic tendrils, and soon all the Inner Senshi were caught and helpless.

JunJun: The four of us are the heirs to the most powerful Amazon warriors! We are the Amazoness Quartet!
CereCere: The jungles of the Amazon! The tropical nights of the Amazon! And the accursed Magic Stone of the Amazon! Now we will let you know the powers of the deepest sources of the Dark Moon!

The Senshi were suddenly attacked by the black balls. Soon, all of them except Venus had been affected and were losing their senses.

Venus: Everyone! Don't give up! Artemis!
Artemis: Is it true that by my powers are insufficient....
Venus: Are our powers not great enough? If we can have more strength, we can defeat the enemy and protect our loved ones..... Powers! Please gather!

At Mamoru's apartment, Chibi Usa was unable to sleep.

Chibi Usa: I'm disturbed. Tonight is also starless. Is that dark corner your place of abode? Is it the work of the enemy? The darkness is growing, so much so that even the stars are not visible? He's being imprisoned now. How I wish to meet him.... How I wish to rescue him.... Elios... where are you? Elios, where art thou?

Just then, there was the sound of the door closing. It was Usagi, who was coughing.

Chibi Usa: Usagi, how late you are. How's Mamoru?
Usagi [looking in difficulty]: He's fine..... he's feeling fine.... he's asleep...... [coughs some more, and the unmistakable image of the black roses appear]
Chibi Usa: Usagi......

At the circus, the Inner Senshi were slowly being drained by the attacks of the Amazoness Quartet. Just then, light from the outside poured in as the tent flap opened to reveal 4 figures.

Figure 1: How hot it is! Could we all be lost in the Amazon jungle?
Figure 2: Don't be silly! Compared to the 50 degree temperatures in race car driving, this jungle is just like an illusion!
Figure 3: That's right. This place doesn't belong here at all!
Figure 4: It must..... be destroyed! Amazoness Quartet: Who is it?!

To the surprise of all, the 4 figures quickly transformed into the 4 Outer Senshi. As they introduced themselves, their voices reflected a new found confidence and sense of purpose.

Sailor Neptune: With the Planet of the Deep Seas, Neptune as my guardian star, I am the senshi of embrace, Sailor Neptune!
Sailor Uranus: With the Planet of the Skies, Uranus as my guardian star, I am the Senshi of the wind, Sailor Uranus!
Sailor Pluto: With the Planet of Time, Pluto as my guardian star, I am the Senshi of change, Sailor Pluto!
Sailor Saturn: With the Planet of Silence, Saturn as my guardian star, I am the Senshi of destruction and creation, Sailor Saturn.
Outer Senshi: We have arrived!

Without waiting, Uranus unleashed her Earth Shaking and destroyed the plants that had entrapped the Inner Senshi. At the same time, Pluto attacked the Amazoness Quartet with her Dead Scream, but they somehow managed to escape. The emancipated Inner Senshi were amazed by the unexpected appearance of the Outer Senshi, but especially at the now mature and full-grown Sailor Saturn, who smiled silently at their reaction. Artemis had also reverted to his cat form.

Venus: We must contact Sailor Moon immediately and inform her!
Uranus: Inform her? I fear that your voices will not reach her.....

At Mamoru's apartment, Usagi continued to be in pain as Chibi Usa watched helplessly.

At the circus, the battle continued as the Amazoness Quartet returned fire. Both sides appeared evenly matched as the the 2 parties traded blow for blow.

Venus: Why are our voices unable to reach Sailor Moon!?
Mars: Uranus! Neptune! Pluto! Saturn! Why have all of you come to us here?
Neptune: A new danger is nearing our Princess and Prince.
Pluto: We have therefore gathered. This is all the inevitable wheels of fate, we must therefore protect them with all our strength. Accept fate and conquer it. And embark on our new destiny. Thus is the true mission of the 10 Senshi.
Uranus: But the most important thing now is to dispose of this lot! [draws her Space Sword] Space Sword Buster!

At Mamoru's apartment, a frantic Chibi Usa suddenly heard a voice calling out to her. Usagi could also sense the voice.

Voice: Small Lady..... Small Lady......
Chibi Usa: [running to her room] That voice... it can't be.... but it has to be!
Usagi: That voice.... I can feel it...... the three of them are in the midst of battle....!! Everyone has been assembled!

Chibi Usa noticed a bright glow emanating from her room. It was the Deep Sea Mirror! Looking into it, she saw an image of the Outer Senshi and recalled the words of Neptune: "...Little Princess.... we will definitely return to your side. This is the token of our promise..."

Chibi Usa: They have kept their promise.... they have returned?! [runs out of the room] Usagi!!
Usagi: [coughing] I know.... I have seen it.... the images of everyone!! Chibi Usa, you go ahead! I will catch up soon!

Chibi Usa transformed into Super Sailor Chibi Moon and was on her way. But before that, she sent the Deep Sea Mirror back to Uranus. Uranus, standing next to Saturn, smiled as she received the Mirror and saw the image of Chibi Moon on her way to join them. As Usagi rushed to join the battle, she was surprised to run into Mamoru on the streets.

Mamoru: Usagi! I heard your call. [holds her hand]) You don't have to worry about me, Usagi...? [Usagi falls onto her knees as images of the black roses appear] Usagi! Don't tell me.... your lungs have also been infected....?
Usagi: [steely glint in her eyes] I must go.... Everyone has assembled! I must go... it's my responsibility to defeat the enemy!

At the circus, Uranus was fending off the attacks of the Amazoness Quartet with the Sword, and explaining to the Inner Senshi of the danger faced by the Prince and Princess. But Venus almost distracted her with more questions, and was rebuked by Neptune, who intervened just in time. Using her Deep Sea Mirror, she destroyed more of the Quartet's henchmen. Just then the roof of the tent blew open, revealing a black moon in the dark skies. The Senshi realised that it came from the Black Moon dimension, and that the nightmares were emanating from it.

Venus: How could it be?! There was nothing when we stepped into the tent! No... this strange air and darkness had spread everywhere long ago.
Uranus and Neptune: Everyone in the world... the cities are being devoured by the nightmares under their control.
Pluto and Saturn: This planet has already been enshrouded by a strange darkness. Their aim is to conquer this planet and to transform it into a dead star.

As Chibi Moon ran on the streets of Tokyo, it was clear that the enemy had infiltrated the planet: there were scenes of senseless violence as everyone started turning against one another.

Chibi Moon: It's getting darker. Is the world really this dark.... Why are the people in the streets becoming so violent? Juuban is not like that! What is that? A completely blackened moon. It's just like a black hole!

SailorMoon and Tuxedo Kamen arrived presently at the battle scene, and was surprised to see the return of the Outer Senshi. She was greeted by Zirconia.

Zirconia: Greetings. I never thought that the people of the White Moon would be reborn on this planet. But you are too late. This planet is already in our hands, and under our control. [An apparition of Neherania looms behind Zirconia]
Neherania: This planet is so weak! The people have no resistance to nightmares! To think that the guardians of this planet have also been cursed! Destroying you is as easy as killing a babe!
Sailor Moon: [coughing] Despicable! Using others' weaknesses.....
Zirconia: [raising his staff] The White Moon Kingdom is no more. Begone you accursed!

As Zirconia spoke, a wave of light struck Sailor Moon and Tuxedo Kamen. In his cage, Helios felt the danger and appeared at the scene. Everyone watched helplessly as Sailor Moon and Tuxedo Kamen, became weaker, powered down, and started reverse aging, finally becoming little children.

Jupiter: Could this be what Helios called the second stage of the curse?
Chibi Moon: According to the curse, they will transform into Unicorns... This is too much! You will not be forgiven!
Amazoness Quartet: This planet now cannot be defended! Ha.....
Helios: They are getting weaker. If this goes on, their lives could be...

Immediately, Helios started using his powers, emitting a strange light on Usagi and Mamoru, who disappeared in a flash of light. Meanwhile, the Amazoness Quartet had taken the opportunity to escape, with Chibi Moon and Saturn in pursuit. Chibi Moon was still amazed that Saturn had grown up again as they renewed their ties in combat. Presently, they arrived at a huge tent and were greeted by the Quartet: VesVes riding a pack of horses, JunJun doing acrobatics, PallaPalla on a tightrope and CereCere on a trapeze. The 2 Senshi were quickly attacked by the Quartet.

CereCere: Ha... it's so laughable! Let us use the dark powers of the black Amazon stone to send you to hell!
Saturn: It's the dark magicks of that black stone that's binding you to hell! Wake up! [uses the Silent Wall to block another attack] Can't you understand? Actually your hearts are also being manipulated by nightmares!
Quartet: What are you talking about? Since starting at the Dead Moon Circus, we have been able to use the powes of the Dark Moon to freely control nightmares!
Saturn: They have merely twisted your latent powers to manipulate you! You must awaken to the truth! [used her Silent Glaive Surprise to return fire, but missed]
Quartet: The people of the Silver Millenium are detestable! Our objective is to take control of the White Moon and Blue Earth!

They showered Saturn and Chibi Moon with another round of nightmares. Chibi Moon was badly affected but within the nightmares, she realised a streak of sadness inherent, and realised that they might not be the Enemy. But standing tall, totally unaffected and holding the Silent Glaive majestically, was Sailor Saturn. She held out her hand and started walking gingerly towards the Quartet.

Saturn: Awaken to the truth, or death will be your only path! You have only been controlled by the dead spirits.

The Quartet seemed to be moved by Saturn's words and were hesitantly reaching out to her. Just as they were about to touch, Zirconia appeared and transformed the Quartet into 4 dark balls. Before Saturn and Chibi Moon could react, he used the Zircon to entrap them in 2 glass shards. Satisfied, Zirconia passed these 6 items into a large dark mirror, which housed the dark throne of Neherania.....