Sailormoon Zodiac: #19 - Meikyuu // The Labyrinth By: Janelle J. (janelle@sailormoon-millennia.net) Official Webpage: http://www.sailormoon-millennia.net/ "So you see, they say the entire castle was carved with the light of Caelestis Evia." Tenjilan explained as he answered Minako's question as to how an entire palace could have been built out of a mountain. Sailormoon asked as she threw a glance to Sailorpluto. The same name was mentioned in passing by Sailoraries, who unfortunately was not in their group to help explain. Sailormoon stopped herself just short of asking, 'Who is that?' For all she knew, everyone in the Black Star Galaxy knew who she was and saying otherwise would raise suspicion. "Yes, the Goddess Caelestis Evia," he said and glanced at Sailormoon cautiously. "Anyways, it's just a legend." he added hastily. Sailorpluto gave Sailormoon a worried look--what was it about that name and the other name 'Tenebrae' that seemed to bring such a reaction from people? "Um, Tenji-kun," Sailorvenus began, eager to break the uncomfortable tension that had formed.” Do you suppose that we could enter the Palace the way you do and not through, you know, the main gate?" she asked. Tenjilan tilted his head slightly and looked at Venus with confusion. "That's right," Sailormars chimed in, "We want to surprise the Princesses. They don't know we've traveled so far to see them," she added. Sailorvenus gave Sailormars a thankful look. "Oh..." Tenjilan murmured, his face moved from looking cautious to nervous. "I...I couldn't do such a thing," he said and gave Sailorvenus a look that seemed to plead with her for understanding. "I'm sorry, I just couldn't let you...I'm sorry, I just can't." he said with a heavy sigh as his emerald eyes stared off in the distance. The group was quiet as Pluto watched Tenjilan suspiciously. Nevertheless, she refrained from taking any action or demanding answers, Sailormoon and the others followed her lead and remained quiet. They were in a particularly uncompromising situation, but as long as he didn't suspect anything, which he didn't seem to, they were safe. As they neared the gates of the Black Castle, Sailormoon felt her heart tighten. The situation was potentially suicidal, she knew that. They were putting an awful lot of trust and faith into a man they had just met less than half an hour earlier. Furthermore, they were walking straight into a fortress defended by guards and expecting no one to notice. But this wouldn't be the first time that she and the Sailor Senshi had thrown themselves head first into a dangerous situation. Looking back, she supposed the things she had done in the past might have been viewed as foolish and naive, but they always prevailed because goodness always won in the end. Sailormoon could not afford to have doubts in herself or in her mission, everything she did was for the protection of love, justice, and the innocent. She had learned long ago that doubting oneself would lead to defeat. As they walked in silence, Tenjilan stole a glance at Sailorvenus. He sighed as he saw her lovely face marred with an unhappy look. He stopped walking, the Senshi, now somewhat alarmed, eyed him to gauge his next move. However, instead of attacking or calling the guards he reached for Sailorvenus' hand and squeezed it lightly. "I cannot bear to see you look so troubled," he said to Sailorvenus. "I know I've known you for but half an hour, yet there's something about you. Something about all of you. You all seem so earnest and serious," he murmured. "I simply cannot allow myself to be so selfish. If you wish to surprise the Princesses, I must let you. I'm sorry--I let my pride get in the way." Sailorvenus stared at Tenjilan, unable to decide if he was being sincere or not. He then flashed the same devilish smile he gave them when he first met them. "Will you forgive me for being prideful?" he asked. It was enough to melt Venus' suspicions, though not everyone else's. His words were cryptic, purposefully shrouded with mystery. Sailorpluto could do nothing but raise an eyebrow at his 'explanation' and see what would happen next. "Of course!" Sailorvenus said with excitement, "So will you let us in the side so we might, um, surprise the Princesses?" Tenjilan nodded and smiled warmly, "Yes, your sad face told me that surprising them was very important to you. You must be very close to the Princesses." * * * * * "Okay, try visualizing that rock over there like it’s on a blanket and if you lift the corners up, the rock will go up too." Pisces suggested helpfully as she watched Virgo concentrate on a large boulder. The group had decided it would simply be too risky to try and depend on Virgo to lift them all up to the top of the building. They had tried walking around the mountain to find alternate ways inside, but thus far it looked impenetrable. They had encountered several other Death Knights and some obnoxiously large rats with sharp teeth, but nothing difficult. The other Senshi were resting, it was just Pisces and Virgo keeping watch now. In a couple of hours they had to be ready to try and get to the top of the castle. "I'm trying..." Virgo said as she tried to imagine it as Pisces suggested. It was easier when she thought she could move things with her mind, granted she could never move anything very far or with precision. It was too much to try and understand the mechanics of controlling gravity. How was it even possible? It went against logic and everything her physics textbook said. "Hmm, let's take a break. You might get tired." Pisces said kindly as she patted a rock next to her and threw a glance at the Senshi who were sleeping a few yards away. They were far enough that they could have a conversation, but close enough that any shouting would be heard instantly. Virgo took the seat next to Pisces and the two sat quietly together, neither of them the sort to strike up conversation. While they sat, Pisces idly began to stretch her legs. "Are you a dancer?" Virgo asked awkwardly, taking note of Pisces' strong, muscular legs. It wasn't so much that Virgo was a shy person as much as it was that she simply never knew what sort of comments might offend. Afterall, she barely knew this girl. In fact, Virgo barely knew anyone on her group: Aries and Pisces were new, and beyond the fact they were both Zodiac Senshi, Virgo had nothing in common with Gemini. They couldn't even make small talk, though Gemini had valiantly tried to be friendly. Gemini was a pop star with all of Japan knowing her name, the teen idol of the year, her image plastered over every billboard in Tokyo, her exploits chronicled religiously in the media--and unfortunately, Virgo was just out of the loop enough to know almost nothing about her. 'So how is um, Ka~mi doing?' Virgo had asked earlier, recalling the last bit of gossip news she remembered. 'Well, we broke up two years ago and he's in rehab for alcohol abuse.' Gemini had answered. 'Oh...I'm sorry, I didn't know...' Virgo had apologized. Gemini was kind and told her not to worry about it, but that was the last faux-pas that Virgo wanted to make. It didn't help that Aries seemed fascinated by the seedy underworld of the pop industry. Virgo had always thought Niko-chan was pure and innocent. The fact that the real girl behind Niko-chan wasn't pure as snow didn't bother Virgo that much. The fact that now they had even less in common was the part that bothered her. 'People my age do THAT?' She didn't judge them, but what was she supposed to say to people who were doing things she had never dreamt of? She felt like a child talking to them. It didn't embarrass her, she just couldn't relate to their lives and they probably couldn't relate to hers. She just didn't want to bother them. "Yes, I dance." Pisces replied, bringing Virgo back from her thoughts. "Wow, that's really impressive. It must be a lot of hard work." Virgo said with a small nod. She admired the athletic, partially because she was so unathletic herself. "I play volleyball...but..." she began, then slowly trailed off. “Well, I guess I'm not really playing. I discovered my powers when I was very young, I've been using it to help me since." she whispered. Pisces smiled softly, "So you cheat?" Pisces asked playfully. Virgo blushed, aghast at the bluntness. Pisces then giggled gently and touched Virgo lightly on the arm, "I'm just kidding, of course you don't really cheat. I know you don't mean any harm. I also wonder if my talent comes from the fact I am a Zodiac Senshi. We're not normal humans, but one can't live their life living like they're anything more than a normal human. Wouldn't that just be dreadfully lonely?" Pisces said with a sigh. Virgo nodded in agreement, Pisces spoke so dramatically when she was excited, she was not such soft-spoken girl when she had something to say it seemed. "But I find that in Japan, it would be better for us to be normal anyways. The exceptional people are looked on a strange and unusual..." "That's true." Virgo agreed, nodding her head. She was never bothered by the push for conformity, though she wondered how her life might have been if she had been more 'normal.' "Being smart and a star volleyball player must have been difficult. I think many people are suspicious of anyone who's anything more than ordinary." Pisces said quietly. Virgo nodded again. Her closest friends fellow Zodiac Senshi, a group of unusual people who she only recently had just met. "I think it would be terrible if someone suspected you. It doesn't have to make rational sense to people, girls can simply be cruel when they're full of jealousy." Pisces commented. Virgo remained silent, she was amazed that without belittling her Pisces had managed to convince her never to use her powers for frivolous reasons again. Pisces had always had an air around her that made her seem wise beyond her years. Virgo had thought it limited to the secrets of the Golden Millennium, but now she understood that Pisces' wisdom also applied to things that Virgo didn't understand in the more mundane world of high school. The two girls remained silent and Pisces glanced over at the sleeping girls once again. The sky was the same crimson color it was when they first landed, so it was difficult to judge how much time had passed. Virgo's mind briefly began to wonder about the structure of the planet. It was seemingly cloudless, but perhaps the sky itself was cloud cover that defused the light and kept the sky perpetually bright. She had watched the lights darken in the small villages below and she wondered if it was now bedtime for the inhabitants of the strange planet. 'I'm on an alien world. Yet, they all live so similarly to us... I wonder why.' "I think we should wake them up for rotations..." Pisces said softly, interrupting Virgo's thoughts. Virgo stood up with Pisces and then lightly touched Pisces' hand, "Thank you..." she said shyly, "I mean, for talking to me. I guess I just wanted to have friends so much that my emotions took over my brain and deluded me into thinking what I was doing wasn't cheating." Pisces smiled gently at Tenshi, "You know, there's nothing wrong with letting your emotions take over your brain. Sometimes thinking too much is counterproductive." * * * * * Sailorscorpio stalked down the hallway quietly. After leaving Arseniru's quarters she immediately headed away from the main corridor to the servants' hallway. The last thing she wanted was for the guards to capture her after one of Arseniru's useless "maids" found the bastard bleeding to death on his bed. Here she could hide in the shadows, using her skills as an assassin to their full potential. Despite the pain in her body, she couldn't help but smirk as dozens of servants scurried past her--never noticing they were passing less than a few feet from the estranged former captain. Finally she found the door she was looking for and opened it swiftly. Her sanctuary. Leadan's quarters. She called for him softly, but it was clear he was not there. Her red eyes scanned the workshop until they settled upon a figure sitting in an ornate chair near his desk. Methania. Swiftly, she descended upon the robot. Scorpio straddled the robot and placed her hands tightly around its wrists--just in case. Arseniru's cruel words entered Scorpia's mind as she stared into Methania's dead, emotionless eyes. 'His little doll that he touched and played with since you left him...I couldn't bear to see my brother reduced to physically loving a replica of you...' "Is that true?" she whispered to the lifeless figure. Although she knew the accusations were false, she couldn't help but feel intense anger and jealousy at the thought of Leadan with this...soul-less look-alike. "Mistress, the Master is not here. He left approximately an hour ago." Methania suddenly said in a dull, emotionless voice. Scorpio's heart fluttered with the realization that Arseniru's words weren't just another cruel trick--Leadan *was* alive, Methania just proved it...right? Unless this was also a joke. "Where did he go?" Scorpio asked, "He went to Lord Arseniru's quarters," the lifeless thing answered, eyes unblinking. Scorpio felt her heart stop at this revelation, 'had he seen?' No, he couldn't have, if he had then he would have saved her, she rationalized. Unless he had seen her 'enjoying' Arseniru. Scorpio jumped away from Methania, her hands instinctively moving to finger the red pendant around her neck. She felt a powerful emotion rising within her for one of the first times in millennia: Fear. "Oh god no..." she whispered and stepped back. Methania gave Scorpio a dull stare. Scorpio felt her stomach turn, she felt sick. The entire gravity of the situation finally hit her. She retched at the thought of Arseniru's touch, her heart tearing over the even worse possibility that Leadan had seen it all. She couldn't bear to look at Methania: the jealousy she felt when she thought of Arseniru's ridiculous accusations could not be compared to what Leadan must have felt when he saw her and Arseniru together. She had to find him and explain everything before it was too late. She whirled around to leave the room when she bumped straight into a large mass. Her heart pounded as she slowly stared at the man's chest, "Scorpia," said the man's voice, the head of the Black Star Royal Guard. Before she could do anything else the men with him had seized her. "Princess Lithia will be very pleased," one of the guards said as he prodded her in the back with the end of his sword. "Methania! Do something, tell Leadan!" Scorpio cried as the guards dragged her out of the room. Methania simply stared back silently with green emotionless eyes. * * * * * "I'm so sorry!" Virgo exclaimed as she rushed to Sailoruranus who was busily rubbing her backside after she fell in an undignified heap from about four feet above ground. "Well, you tried, I'll give you that," Uranus said with a grimace as she stood up. "I don't know what's wrong..." Virgo sighed as she looked down at her hands. "I just can't do this, it doesn't make sense. How can I control gravity? I mean, that means everything I learned in physics is wrong, but it can't be wrong--" "Hey 'Angel', ever try to STOP thinking?" Aries cut in. Virgo was stunned and Pisces' words from the night before resonated in her mind: 'Sometimes thinking too much is really counterproductive.' "Yeah really, I mean, does it make sense at all that I can do this?" Gemini asked as a stream of water and ice flew from her fingertips and struck a nearby rock and encased it in ice. "I know, but that's different. The ability to control gravity? How can I control one of the most fundamental forces of the universe? How can a small person like me have such strength?" Virgo asked. Aries rolled her eyes slightly, she seemed to be instinctively looking for her pack of cigarettes--when she realized she didn't have them (and in fact wasn't even wearing the pants that would have had the pocket containing the pack) she threw her hands up in exasperation. "I don't know what you're talkin' about anyways," Aries grumbled, "When I took physics I almost failed the damn class. I mean, half that stuff doesn't make sense anyways. Okay, look, if gravity is so powerful and so strong and keeps us stuck on planet Earth then how come I can break the massive forces of gravity just by lifting my hand? How come magnets seem to be able to completely fight the earth's massive gravity?" Aries asked. Virgo was silent, but blushed. These were obviously questions she couldn't answer, questions that scientists didn't really have an easy answer for either. "I know, you're right..." she said quietly. Aries seemed so harsh and she didn't like being scolded. It was especially difficult being scolded by someone who looked exactly like the girl who had treated her so kindly hours before. "How come you're so thinky anyways?" Aries asked with a glint in her eyes, "Don't you just memorize the formulas like a *normal* person?" she asked with a devious smile before winking at Pisces. "Just close your eyes and stop thinking." Aries said. Virgo blushed again, "Don't think about how it works, you just have to have faith in your abilities." Sailorneptune said with a soft smile. Virgo nodded her head and did as Aries suggested, closing her eyes and began to tell herself to raise them all up, like they were flying. 'Remember when you helped poor Hotaru-san?' Virgo told herself, 'You didn't think, you just acted. You wanted to help.' 'Remember when you saved Ameko-chan? You weren't thinking then either...you just did it. You *wanted* to help her.' 'I want us to save Sailorscorpio and the Golden Millennium.' "Hey, you're doing it, Virgo!" she heard Gemini squeal excitedly. Virgo cautiously opened her eyes and sure enough, they were floating in the air like they were in some giant invisible elevator. 'I can do it!' "We're almost there, just drop us off over there. It looks like a guard tower," Pisces said as she pointed to a tall spire near them, there was a small door which presumably lead down to the castle. Virgo nodded and imagined moving them over to the small spire, within minutes they had safely landed on the stone spire. "Good job, Angel!" Uranus said as she gave Virgo a rough pat on the shoulder. * * * * * "So, our beloved Scorpia has returned to us," Princess Lithia declared, her yellow eyes staring at Scorpia with intense hatred. "And in such a state, too!" she said with a cruel laugh, gesturing at the visibly bruised female who stood before the throne defiantly. Lithia slinked from her throne and slid over to Scorpio, "How was your time with Arseniru? He can be a bit rough, can't he?" she whispered in her ear. Scorpio's eyes flared and she turned her head just enough to spit in Lithia's face. Lithia wiped her face with the back of her hand and then struck Scorpio with such force that Scorpio fell to the ground. "I was going to offer you a chance to return to us, after a bit of mind condition of course--but now I've changed my mind," Lithia scoffed, "Guards, take her to the dungeon while I think of suitable punishment." "Now, don't be so hasty, sister," Sulfiria said from her throne. Lithia could be so rash sometimes. "Allow yourself to suffer the indignity of being spat on by Scorpia. She is much more useful to us alive than she is wasting away in the Burned Lands." Lithia straightened her back and glared at her older sister. She hated being reprimanded in front of the guards and the rest of the court. They were equal rulers, but for some reason Sulfiria thought that because she was older, Sulfiria had the right to veto anything Lithia wanted to do. Ridiculous really, since Sulfiria's status as the older daughter of Hydraja meant that she was the one who was less perfect. As far as Lithia was concerned, Sulfiria was nothing more than a trial attempt, version one, a mistake. However, instead of arguing with her sister a wicked smile crossed Lithia's lips. "Oh, yes. I am simply too compulsive. Scorpia, I suppose nothing in the world would get you to come back to us, right?" Lithia asked as she looked down at the crumpled figure at her feet. "What if I said, we would allow your lover Leadan to go free in return for you?" Sulfiria jumped to her feet in shock and protested, "That's preposterous! We need Leadan to--" "For what, dear sister?" Lithia asked in a thinly veiled sneer. Everyone knew about Sulfiria's infatuation with Leadan, but everyone else also knew that if Sulfiria made any attempts to keep Leadan she would lose her throne. "Leadan has never been much of a warrior. Isn't that why you made him our inventor? Well, he has certainly done well the past. Just not lately," Lithia said dramatically, she then turned to Sulfiria. "Back when he could actually think and feel. Unfortunately, when Arseniru erased his emotions it sort of, oh, extinguished his artistic spark as well. What a tragedy," she said in a quiet hiss so Scorpio wouldn't hear her. There was nothing more entertaining that watching the traitor continue to suffer mentally. She then turned back around to face Scorpia and the rest of the court, "Surely, Scorpia the Conqueror of Worlds and Silent Assassin would be a more than fair trade, don't you think?" she declared. There was a murmur of agreement from the guards around her. "Well, Scorpia, what do you think of this?" Lithia asked as she kicked the woman slightly with her foot. She then crouched down to Scorpio's level and grabbed her air, pulling Scorpio's face to her own. "You should be glad I am this generous considering what you did to Arseniru, you filthy whore." she spat and threw Scorpio's head back down. "Guards, take her to the dungeon until we can recondition her mind." * * * * * "Well, here it is," Tenjilan said as they stopped in front of a small unmanned door at the side of the castle. Even from the outside they could hear the bustling of what sounded like a kitchen--well, it could have been anything really, but the sounds of chopping and banging of metal pots about suggested a kitchen--or perhaps a torture chamber. Tenjilan looked nervous again, but he regained his composure. "Follow me and try to look as inconspicuous as possible. Which, I guess is a ridiculous thing to ask given your dress," he said as he gestured hopelessly at their uniforms. He smiled reassuringly, but Sailorpluto was beginning to greatly distrust the man. Tenjilan opened the door and sure enough, the Senshi saw a bustling scene of men and women dressed in white clothes. There were two women hunched over a pot, both with giant wooden spoons stirring in what looked to be an absurdly painstaking manner. Another cook in the corner was busy spooning a blue cream sauce onto filets of some animal. Despite the unusual appearance of the food, it smelled delicious. Sailormoon felt her mouth salivating as she tried to forget just how long it had been since they had eaten. Thankfully, the men and women in the kitchen were simply too busy preparing to even notice that a group of people had just entered from the side door. They seemed oblivious to traffic as it became obvious that people were rushing in and out of the kitchen at all times. In fact, moments after they came in, a cook barged in from the door they had just entered. He was holding a very heavy pot of boiling liquid. "Hurry, get out of the way! You don't want the kasyji to curdle do you?!" he exclaimed and almost pushed the Senshi aside. "Come this way, follow me," Tenjilan beckoned, he was already several meters ahead of them at the foot of a staircase leading upwards. The Senshi stopped their gawking and obediently followed, but not before Sailormars slapped Sailormoon's hand from grabbing one of the beautiful golden brown bread rolls left to steam away pleasantly in a basket. "Not now, Usagi!" she whispered. Sailormoon drew her hand back as Sailormars followed Tenjilan, but then sneakily grabbed one of the rolls from the basket. When she rejoined the group, Tenjilan was explaining how to get to the throne room from where they currently were. "What about Scorpia, do you know where she stays?" Sailorpluto asked speaking up. Tenjilan's eyes widened slightly as he stared at Pluto, "She... she betrayed us and went missing," he replied, "I, I do not know the details--" "Nevermind the details, we are well aware of them. The Princesses have informed us," Pluto said matter-of-factly. "Can you tell us where her quarters are?" "Of course, My Lady. I apologize for being so presumptuous," Tenjilan said as he lowered his green eyes. Sailorvenus stared at him carefully; his entire manner had changed once they had entered the palace. He seemed much more subservient now--much less the devilishly flirtatious man he was when they met him. Without further comment, Tenjilan explained which turns to take to reach her quarters. But before he could finish his explanation, the sound of clinking metal moving in a timed and rhythmic fashion wafted down the halls. "The guards!" Tenjilan exclaimed, he looked extremely nervous all of a sudden. "Quick, get in here!" he said as he practically herded the group into a door he opened. Venus held the door open with her body, "But wait--what about Scorpia's room--how will we meet up with you again? What will we--" Tenjilan lowered his eyes for a moment then looked up at Sailorvenus with an earnest look. "I'm sorry my lady. We'll meet again! I promise--but please, get in here." he said as he all but shoved her inside the room. He gave Sailorvenus one last longing gaze as if he wanted to tell her something, but he said nothing and shut the door behind him. In his heart he believed he would never see them again. * * * * * "This place gives me the creeps..." Sailortaurus whispered as she wrapped her arms protectively around her. They were in what they she could only assume was an ancient dungeon, though 'catacomb' would have also been a decent guess as well. As they walked down the long dank corridor, Taurus kept her eyes averted from the small cells lining the walls, fearful of what she might see through the darkness. Sailormercury, on the other hand, VR visor in place, was peering into each and every decrepit cell for any sign of weakness. Though she appeared strong and in control, in reality she was doing her best to not retch every time she came across the remains of some long-dead prisoner still locked in manacles. "Well, this is good news," Sailorleo said as she and Sailorcancer lead the group forward for what seemed to be an eternity. "How do you figure that being stuck in an old prison is good news?" Capricorn asked sarcastically. "Since we haven't come across a dead end yet, I'd suggest saving your criticism for when we actually have a problem to keep from sounding like an idiot," Sailorleo snapped. Sailorcancer touched Leo's arm lightly, "The reason why it's good news, Sailorcapricorn, is that it is highly unlikely that this dungeon is completely separated from the main castle. There must be a passage from his dungeon to the main castle." Sailorcancer said calmly. Leo grit her teeth and said nothing more. And while she didn't particularly like Sailorcancer touching her, she didn't shake her off either. "Sorry," Sailorcapricorn muttered. This time, Sailorjupiter gave her a reassuring pat on the shoulder. "Don't worry, we're all in this together. I know you're probably scared to death--Mercury and I are too, but the only thing we can do in a time like this is trust one another and depend on one another," she whispered. Capricorn was surprised by these words. 'Trust one another' and 'depend on one another?' She almost wanted to retort that if Sailorjupiter had been trapped with Sailorleo as a leader then she'd be tense too. But Capricorn bit her tongue back. She supposed saying something like that would just prove that she wasn't very trusting and couldn't really depend on her team. She knew what Jupiter had said was right, and deep down she knew that Leo was right most of the time. But that didn't mean that Sailorleo was right in being elitist and unforgiving. It certainly didn't mean that Capricorn had to be sycophantic like she believed the other Zodiac Senshi to be. Maybe it was just her Western nature, but the fact that the other Senshi were so quick to follow a self-proclaimed leader without any sort of democracy was really irritating. Maybe more irritating since Jessica was American. But mostly, Capricorn hated the thought that the Sailor Senshi probably found her to be whiny and uncooperative when it wasn't her fault. "I think we have something!" Sailormercury exclaimed with excitement as she paused at a bit of wall ominously missing a cell and a rusting iron gate. "Yes, the bricks look newer than over here," Cancer said as she noted the differences between the square of bricks with sloppy mortar pushed out from in between compared to the relative smoothness of the surrounding area. "Apparently this is a relatively thin layer. According to the level of hardening on the cement, it can't be more than a few decades old. Behind this wall is apparently a very large room...with water," Mercury said as she stared at the wall and did calculations. "An underground lake?" Sailorleo asked. "Sort of. Perhaps more like a flooded old mine. Perhaps they chose this site for a castle because previous people had already carved their way into the rock," Mercury suggested as she pushed on the large bricks. "Sailorcapricorn do you think you can try and break this wall down?" Nodding, Sailorcapricorn sent a small shockwave through the wall which cracked the mortar and rock. Sailorjupiter pushed on the brick, and when that didn't work, kicked it. A portion of brick large enough for them to crawl through gave away as a rush of cool, stinking air filled the corridor. Sailorjupiter pulled back in disgust, but then turned to Sailorcapricorn and smiled. "Thanks." she said, "What would we do without you?" she asked as she took the initiative and stepped through the newly made hole. 'Thanks?' Capricorn thought. That was a word she had never heard Sailorleo say, her so called leader and here was a former enemy and stranger being more grateful to her. Though Sailorcapricorn might have normally been beaming from happiness, instead she felt even more negative inside. The Sailor Senshi were obviously friends, partners who supported one another. Not at all like the polarization in the Zodiac Senshi. It wasn't fair. 'What would I have been like if I were in a *real* team?' * * * * * "When do you think it's safe to go back outside?" Sailormoon asked. Venus shrugged, her ear was against the door and she was trying vainly to hear if the guards had passed, but heard nothing. "What are we going to do? We're stuck here and we don't have a guide anymore," Mars said. "Not that we could necessarily trust the guide we had before," Sailorpluto added cautiously. "Don't say that!" Venus exclaimed turning away from the door, "Can't you see he has a good heart?" she protested, though perhaps she was also trying to convince herself of her own declaration. "Oh no..." Aquarius whispered suddenly. Her hand reached out and grabbed the nearest person for support. "Over there, in the corner. Isn't that... Methania?" she whispered to Sailorpluto. Pluto's eyes went directly to where Aquarius was pointing and sure enough, a few meters away was the Scorpio-double, sitting blankly in a chair illuminated by an overhead lantern. The Senshi froze instantly, waiting for Methania to strike, but nothing happened. The assassin sat lifelessly in the chair giving them a dull stare, her body rigid as a mannequin. Slowly, the tension level dropped as the Senshi began to realize that it had apparently no intention of attacking them. In fact, it didn't even look alive. Sailormoon sighed and turned away from the being, knowing she had to think of a way to rejoin the others and find Scorpio-- she knew the others were watching Methania for the slightest movement. "If she was kidnapped, where do you think she would be taken?" Sailormoon asked as she thought aloud. "To the Princesses?" Sagittarius suggested. Moon nodded in agreement, but if that's where she really was it wouldn't be prudent to go storming in there alone. "But after that..." she wondered, "What about the dungeon, or something like that?" she said after a few moments. "That's an excellent idea, Princess. However, how will we find the dungeon?" Sailorpluto asked. Before Moon had the chance to respond, the candles in the room suddenly sprung to life. The Senshi found themselves in a room filled with strange objects, medieval looking machines, and vials filled with all manner of liquids. Standing near Methania was a tall man who stared at them for a moment before speaking up, "So, you are looking for Scorpia." he said, his voice was deep and sonorous. The Senshi turned to look at him. The man was dressed in silver armor with pointed shoulders. He had long silver hair and grey eyes which watched them without emotion. It was exactly how she always described him. Sailoraquarius' jaw dropped in shock as realization washed over her, "You must be... Leadan." * * * * * "How should we get across?" Neo Sailormoon asked as they watched the disgusting water lap against the crumbling floor. Sailorleo looked over to the other side of the large lake of filth, it was certainly not something any of them wanted to swim or wade through. She didn't need Sailormercury to analyze the chemical compositions to know they were either standing on the banks of a great lake of sewage or a great lake of methane and other hazardous chemicals. After a quick analysis, Sailormercury proclaimed it was in fact largely sewage and there were human remains at the bottom--as well as some creatures that she could not quite tell were aquatic rodents with large teeth or carnivorous fish with mammalian heads. "Too bad there isn't a bridge," Sailortaurus sighed hopelessly. "Why don't you use your Sun Rise and carry us across?" Sailorcapricorn asked with her arms crossed. "That cannot be done, there would be an explosion. There are too many chemicals." Cancer said solemnly before Leo could make some sort of caustic retort. "Wait, Taurus had a good point about a bridge," Sailorleo said as she had an idea, "Sailormercury, do you suppose you could freeze the lake over so we could walk on it?" Sailormercury looked up from her calculations to evaluate the possibility, finally she nodded carefully. "Yes, I believe so. I've frozen lava before, but the existence of other chemicals...I don't know how well they'll freeze," she said as she shot Sailorjupiter a look. That was ages ago, during their first major battle as Sailor Senshi, but even as an amateur she had been able to do it. "But this is quite a large body of water. Perhaps instead of the entire lake, I could just freeze a portion. As Sailortaurus said, a bridge," she replied as she put away her computer. She calmed herself and began to concentrate on the expanse of water just in front of them. As she closed her eyes, a bright blue sign began to shine on her forehead and her body were enveloped in a shimmering blue aura. Sailorcapricorn watched the entire thing in stunned shock; she was amazed over their control over their powers. Even Sailorcancer looked dumb-founded at Sailormercury's ability to call up inner reserves of power. To make the scene even more humbling for the Zodiac Senshi, a bright green glow soon seemed to emanate from Sailorjupiter as her power flowed from her and to Sailormercury, strengthening her and making the water freeze that much faster. Neo Sailormoon watched Jupiter and then followed suit, sending a rush of pink energy to Sailormercury. Sailorsaturn then stepped up, the violet light on her forehead shining with such intensity it hurt Sailorcancer's eyes. Her glowing aura seemed to fill the onlookers with energy as she focused it on Sailormercury as well. "Amazing," Sailorleo whispered under her breath as she watched the swirl of green, blue, and violet auras all merging onto Sailormercury. In their battles with the Sailor Senshi she would have been hard pressed to say she was impressed or even respected their abilities, but after seeing the level of control and faith in each other she felt otherwise. "You've done it!" Sailortaurus exclaimed with delight as she clapped her hands together and stared at the frozen pathway that lay before them to the shore on the other side. She squeezed Sailormercury's hand excitedly, "That was really amazing to see you do that. Just like in comic books!" she said with a beaming smile. Sailormercury smiled in return and blushed, "I'm glad we could do it." she said as she smiled thankfully at Sailorjupiter. "Well, enough celebrating, let's go!" Sailorleo said, despite her words her tone had more of a congenial air as her normally icy blue eyes shone with admiration and respect towards her new team-mates. Bravely, she took the first step onto the ice and, after seeing it was firmly solid, carefully but quickly began to make her way across the frozen waste. One by one, the Senshi followed suit with Sailormercury following last to patch up any cracks that might form beneath their weight. When she arrived on the opposite shore, the Senshi were busy staring at a great wooden door they had discovered. There was a tiny line of light shining through the small space beneath the door and the stone floor. Sailorjupiter gave the large metal ring a cautious tug and to her surprise the door budged ever so slightly. Sailorleo stepped up and put her hands on the ring and the two tugged together, forcing the door to pull out even more. "Oh, just move aside." Sailorcancer ordered as she closed her eyes, "Wind Flash!" she shouted as a roaring wind swirled around her and blast its way at the door and splintering it into a thousand pieces. "Very... subtle," Sailorleo said dryly as the group stepped forward and found themselves in yet another dungeon. This one had more of a fresh smell of rotting, not like the stale scent in the abandoned dungeon they were just in. "Shh..." Sailorcapricorn hushed as she perked her ears. "I thought I heard someone cry out," she said as she looked around. The group was quiet and sure enough they heard a slight groaning sound. Sailorsaturn furrowed her brows and began to follow the sound until she came upon one of the prison cells, she gasped suddenly and began rattling on the bars. "Sailorscorpio!" she shouted and without a moment's hesitation, she sent the Silence Glaive fiercely against the lock on the gate. Sailorcancer threw the door open and rushed in. She knelt down beside Scorpio who was huddled in a corner, covered with the fragments of the door that Cancer had previously destroyed. "Oh my god, what have they done to you?" Cancer whispered as she looked down at horror at the many bruises over Sailorscorpio's body. From the location of some of the bruises, she was afraid to hear what Scorpio's answer might be. Sailorsaturn came towards the two girls and knelt down besides them. Scorpio's blood red eyes stared at Saturn, her eyes filled with fear suddenly. "I killed you." Scorpio whispered to Sailorsaturn. Sailorleo stopped a few feet away and looked at Sailorscorpio and Sailorsaturn, her mind going back to that terrible day when they were attacked by Scorpio while playing volleyball. Sailormercury's eyes looked bright with tears as she looked away, how many nights had she worried over whether or not she was the cause of Hotaru's death? "She's losing her mind," Sailorleo whispered. "Be still," Saturn hushed, her purple eyes showed not a trace of malice, but empathy instead. "We all have done terrible things when we are not in control of our minds." she said with a small, sad smile. "I am glad my friends and family were able to forgive me when I was not in control of my own," she soothed. Gently, Saturn placed her hands on Scorpio's body. Scorpio felt warmth emanating from Saturn's hands and spreading over her body, healing the broken parts and erasing the bruises. Scorpio stared up at Saturn in amazement, 'Forgiveness? Do I deserve such a thing?' * * * * * "The dungeon is this way," Leadan said with a cool voice as he led the group down through a downward spiral of molding steps. There was something about his disposition that bothered Sailorsagittarius. He certainly fit the handsome description that Scorpio had often painted of him, but the warmth she described was missing. There was something deeply troubling and strange about him. Something that reminded her of something, but she simply couldn't put her finger on it. Her thoughts were put to a stop as the group stopped in front of a large wooden door. Leadan produced a ring of keys and fit a large iron key into the lock which produced sort an ominous clicking sound. He pushed open the door and the Senshi practically jumped in surprise when they saw other Senshi standing before them, poised to attack. "Mercury! Jupiter! Chibiusa-chan!" Sailormoon exclaimed tearfully as she hurried into the room and embraced them tightly. "I knew I'd see you again," she said, though she actually thought 'I thought I'd never see you again.' "Have you found her? Have you found Sailorscorpio?" she asked. "Yes." Mercury replied solemnly, a slight tilting of her head made Sailormoon look to her left and see what appeared to be Sailorsaturn cradling a body in her arms. She gasped and went into the room. Saturn had clearly healed Scorpio, and Sailormoon shook her head furiously as she imagined the damage that had previously marked Scorpio's body. The tears in her clothing and the dirt on her body were enough to bring the most vivid images into her head. "Sailorscorpio, look who we've brought with us." Sailormoon said proudly as she gestured to the tall man who had entered the cell after her. Scorpio's eyes gazed upwards, and as she did they widened with instant recognition. But the man was silent, defying the expectations of a passionate reunion that the other Senshi were expecting. "Leadan," she whispered hoarsely, "He told me you were dead." she murmured, a tear spilled from an eye and stained her already dirty face, but he was motionless and his eyes stared down at her without any glint of emotion, "No, he was right," he said coldly, "I am dead."