Title: The chakram flies at moonlight Chapter: 6 Authors: Eike (josecar@erols.com) and Jagz (lunacyo@hotmail.com) --------------------------------------------------------------------- This story was written as a crossover. Each chapter is written from a specific point of view. For instance, all of my esteemed partner, Jagz's chapters are written from Usagi's party's pov. All of my chapters were written from Xena's pov of one of her group. Beginning with the prologue, I wrote all of the even chapters, and Jagz wrote all of the odd chapters, beginning with chapter one. Disclaimer: Sailor Moon belongs to Naoko Takeuchi, Kodansha, Toei, and a lot of other companies. Xena: Warrior Princess belongs to USA studios and lots of other companies. I've put together this useful list of the Roman/Greek gods/goddesses Jupiter/Zeus: King of the gods, God of the Sky Mars/Aries: God of War Mercury/Hermes: God of travelers, inventor of the lyre Venus/Aphrodite: Goddess of love Pluto/Hades: God of the dead Neptune/Poseidon: God of the Seas Saturn/Cronus: Ruled Italy, ruler of the Golden Age; God of sowing and seed. Mostly only worshipped by Romans Uranus: God of the Heavens; worshipped by early Greeks, later never worshipped Diana/Artemis (tee hee;): Goddess of Hunt and the Moon Selene: Goddess of the moon; she fell in love with Endymion, a shepherd (or prince) E-mail us your comments at lunacyo@hotmail.com (Jagz) and josecar@erols.com (Eike) ******************************************************** * The Chakram Flies at Moonlight * * Chapter 6 * * by Eike and Jagz * ******************************************************** "I can't believe Endymion kidnapped Usagi!" Xena cried. "Well, he is an evil person, Xena. Isn't that something an evil person does?" Autolycus asked, with only a slight hint of worry. "Autolycus, you don't sound very worried. Usagi's life is at stake here!!" Gabrielle said, angry at Autolycus for having so little concern. "I'm not worried because she's in no danger," he retorted. "What do you mean?" Hercules asked. His voice was very serious, and Iolas wondered what had his friend so worried. "I'm a thief. You can't really trick me. It was so obvious that Usagi was in no actual danger. In fact, if you looked real closely, you could almost see the smile on Endymion's face. And haven't you noticed that Usagi didn't scream or yell for help, as most would have done?" Everyone thought about it in silence. "You know, you're right. She was awfully quiet for someone in pain," Gabrielle wondered if Usagi was on the enemy's side. As if reading her thoughts, Xena said, "But I know she isn't with the enemy. She was far too emotional for that. Her tears were real, and she really was lost and confused. That leaves only a couple of options left..." "Endymion's actually good?" Iolas regretted saying that. It was obvious he wasn't, at least the last time they met him with Jupiter. Hercules seemed to be on a completely different subject. "What do you make of this?" he picked up the red rose, the one that used to be black. "You know, I've been wondering about that. Why did it change colors?" Gabrielle asked. "I don't think we'll get an answer today. Let's try to find Usagi first," Xena took Argo (her horse), and started marching off towards Endymion's castle. ******* Xena and her group arrived at another village. A hestian temple was in the middle, and they found a lot of taverns, all possible places to spend the night. "How about that one?" Hercules looked where Gabrielle pointed. 'The Moonlight Tavern' was painted above the door, and the smells coming from the place where heavenly. Very inviting for the weary travelers. "I don't care. I'm hungry, let's go," Xena stomped into the place, and immediatly noticed the amount of men circling a certain area. She elbowed her way through the crowd, and saw a young blond in an extremly unmodest dress standing in the middle. "Please, sirs, I'm busy. Please let me serve the customers," she tried to tell the men. They just all ignored her, moving in closer to her. "But I am a customer. How's about a dinner for two?" one man said. "Leave her alone!" Xena yelled, trying to distract the men. "Why should we?" "You will if you know what's good for you!" Hercules's voice came from behind. The men looked over the girl once again, and decided facing both Xena and Hercules was just not worth it. They quickly left the tavern, most not bothering to pay for what they had eaten. "Are you alright, miss...." Iolas asked the girl. "Yes, I'm fine. My name is Minako. Pleased to meet you um.." "I'm Xena, this is Gabrielle, Hercules, and Iolas. We were wondering if we could stay the night here?" Xena asked, although something told her not to trust this girl. "Oh! Hercules and Xena! It's a pleasure to meet you!" Minako started bowing, but stopped herself, and instead shook their hands. "Hello! Who are you.... oh, hello, Hercules, Xena," A new voice greeted, not nearly as friendly as before. The group turned around and saw a tall brunette, with a liking to green, as her robes were in that color. She had green eyes, and seemed like the total opposite to the blond. She was carrying a steaming plate on her hands, and the smells wafting from it captivated the travelers. Autolycus was the first to request some. --- Several hours later, they were all well fed and familiar with their hosts. Minako served the people, and Makoto cooked and cleaned. Xena could swear she had seen Makoto somewhere before, but she couldn't quite place where. "Doesn't Makoto seem familiar?" Xena asked Gabrielle. She was sitting cross-legged on her bed, writing something down on a scroll. "Yes, but I'm sure I've never met anyone by that name," Gabrielle wondered how that could be, but quickly just let it slide. "Yes... let's ask the guys in the morning," Xena rolled over, letting sleep overtake her. Gabrielle blew out the candle and followed suit. --- "Autolycus, stop cheating!" Iolas threw down his cards. Hercules chuckled, and said it was only a game. "Not just any game Hercules, the biggest gambling game known to us: Poker!" Autolycus reached for the water on the other end of the table, and in the process cards came out of his sleeve. "See, I told you he cheats," Iolas muttered. "Well, let's call it a night. We have to reach the castle soon, and we'll have to get up early," Hercules said. Autolycus said something about getting a drink, and went downstairs. He noticed most of the candles off, with the exeption of the one in Makoto's and Minako's room. He turned to the bar, and fixed himself a drink. Maybe he could convince Hercules or Xena to let him keep more of the treasure. He wanted another glass, but realised if he got drunk, the chances of keeping Xena's trust would be weakened. He was about halfway up the stairs when he heard the door creak open. He looked, and he saw a dark haired man with a blond girl asleep in his arms step in. He looked a bit closer and realised... it was Usagi!! "Mako-chan, Mina-chan, come here!" the man called out. Makoto stepped out of the room, her eyes drooping slightly. "What do you want, Mamoru-sama? You actually have the nerve to come so late? And who's that?" Makoto looked angry, Autolycus noted. "This is that girl you tried to kill the last time. Her name is Usagi. I've captured her. She's bait for Hercules and Xena." Autolycus' eyes went wide. This must be Endymion... but last time, he couldn't understand him. What had happened? Sure, Endymion had an accent, but he was speaking fairly good for someone who learned overnight. "Usagi? That sounds familiar... but why do we need bait for Hercules and Xena? If we want to, we can finish them off now. Their upstairs, along with some of their friends," Minako came into the room. She was rubbing her eyes, obviously trying to fend off sleep. "What!!! HERE!! I have to get out of here... Why didn't you tell me they were here!?" Endymion asked. "Yeah, well, they just came in this afternoon. Whatever. Bye Mamoru-sama, I wanna get some sleep." Minako walked into her room again, and a thump noise was heard, followed by a soft snoring. "Minako-san has the right idea. G'bye, I'm tired. Get rid of them your- self. G'night," Makoto followed Minako, and soon the candle in that room went out. "Damn! I have to get out of here. I need some more time! Don't worry Usako, I'm going to help you regain your memory," with that he left the tavern, the sleeping girl still in his arms. **** "Hercules, what do you make of Usagi?" Autolycus asked. He was still slightly disturbed about the scene last night. The way Endymion was carrying Usagi, it seemed there was more to him than met the eye. And he was going to find out what. "Well, she's a confused girl in a world completely strange to her. I don't know all that much about her. Ask Xena, she'll know." Hercules wondered why Autolycus was so curios about Usagi all of a sudden. He seemed to be pretty distant to the girl... then again, they all did, since Xena was the only one that could communicate with her, and she wasn't too good making new friends. Autolycus left the room, and ran straight into Xena. "I'm so sorry Xena! But actually, I was looking for you," Autolycus apologized. "Funny, I wanted to talk to Hercules. But I'll guess you'll have to do," Xena had a slight smile on her face. "You know, there was a guest here last night. He left several minutes after he came, but I think you would be interested in him. He was carrying Usagi, and you wouldn't believe this, she had her head rested against his chest, and she looked perfectly content where she was!" Autolycus continued to tell Xena what happened, who was quiet through most of it, until he mentioned that the girls had called him 'Mamoru'. "Mamoru... you're sure it was Endymion? Then... Mamoru and Endymion are the same person... she said she loves Mamoru... so... that means... damn, if it's what I think it is, we need to talk about it. Come on Autolycus, get the others!" Within a matter of minutes, everyone was gathered around a table. After ordering a few drinks the discussion began. "So, let me get this straight. Usagi loves Mamoru. Mamoru is Endymion. Endymion is the enemy, who 'kidnapped' her. Ok this makes absolutely no sense whatsoever. Someone care to explain?" Gabrielle wondered how all this actually fit together. What really bothered her was that Minako and Makoto were with Endymion. They seemed so nice! And Makoto's cooking was SO good! "Well, we've already established that all the people Usagi has memories of are the enemy. So, unless she's part of them, they used to be good. I doubt she used to be evil. So there has got to be something more than we know about. Obviously, you don't just turn evil overnight. Something has gone wrong with her life. We just have to figure out what," everyone stared in awe as Xena rattled down the facts. Finally Iolas spoke. "How are you so sure? She might be evil, and when she lost her memories, her personality completly changed!" "Yes, like the time Joxer was with me when I went to the goddess of memories, and was temporarily without them. I was doing exactly as he told me. He said he was a great hero, so I thought he was. He said I was in love with him, so I believed him. What if the Usagi with amneasia was taken in by some nice old lady, and she taught her how to be good, but underneath it all she's actually working for Ares, or Endymion, or whoever is in charge?" Gabrielle added to the discussion. "You thought you were in love with Joxer?" the thought made Autolycus want to laugh. "That's beside the point. What I've noticed about Usagi is she has a lot of bottled up power. She has great potential in magic, but doesn't use it. Perhaps she's part god?" Hercules said. As a half god, he could sometimes recognise those also part god. "You know what I think? I think she's a princess," Autolycus stated. Everyone stared at him. "A princess?" they all said at once. "Yes. See, she didn't complain once when she was traveling, and it was obvious that she had trouble with carrying all those loads. A well-bred princess doesn't complain doing tasks that are necessary. And did you see her earings? Pearl... and that ring on her hand... gold and diamand.... I think it was an engagement ring though... she's probably engaged to someone rich... when this is all over, she might give me a reward... I wonder where she's from. Probably that place she said she came from, To-kee-yo. It sounds a lot like something the kingdom of Chin (AN: that's china), don't you think?" Autolycus explained his reasons, and after he was done, all of the others were staring at him, not at all suprised at what he said. "Of course Autolycus would think of the money. Pears, diamands, gold, the only thing Autolycus can think of," Gabrielle said in a monotone voice. "Well, whoever she is, we have to find her." "Yes. She'll be with Endymion, and his castle is in the next city over." They quickly went over the facts on finding Usagi, and then decided it would be a good time to leave. --- "Great. It's almost dark, and we aren't even halfway to the village. I was hoping we would be at least close enough to manage within two days, but I guess I was too optimistic." Xena cursed under her breath. Nothing was going the way she planned. They were already behind schedule, the entire Usagi/Endymion thing was totally uncalled for, and a lot of other small details were getting on her nerves. "I guess we'll have to camp out. Althoug I was hoping for a soft bed, like the last place. Those were so comfortable," Gabrielle babbled on, trying to lift the mood, even if just a little. "Hey, do you hear that?" Iolas listened carefully, and noticed the sound of a strange melody, played by an instrument he didn't recognise. "Yes... it's coming from over there," Hercules veered to the left, and all the others followed. After some time walking, they found where the music was coming from. It was a comfortable looking house, painted white, with waves of turquoise and yellow showing here and there. Xena knocked on the door, which opened immediatly. A girl around thirteen stood there, her purple eyes drinking in their presences. She had a slight smile, and welcomed them in. "Hello, I'm Xena and these are my travel companions, Hercules, Gabrielle, Autolycus, and Iolas. We're looking for a place to spend the night..." "And you came across this place. That's strange, most people hear Michiru's music, but can't find it. This place is very well hidden. However, you must admit, the melody is just beautiful," the girl said, closing her eyes and listening to the melody. Gabrielle listened closely to the music. It reminded her of the ocean, for some unknown reason. "Miss, what's your name?" Iolas asked. This girl was strange. Something told her she was dangerous, but she was just a child, right? "Oh! I've been so rude! My name is Hotaru. We'll meet up with Haruka and Michiru shortly." Hotaru led them into the main chamber, where a turqoise-haired girl was playing the strange music, and a blond man was listening to her, obviosly captivated by the melody and the girls beauty. "Michiru, Haruka, I'm sorry to interrupt, but we have guests." Michiru stopped playing, and Haruka stood up and put his arm around her shoulder. "Who are they? How did they find us?" the girl asked. She was staring at Xena intently, as was the man. It gave Xena an uneasy feeling. "This is Xena, Hercules, Iolas, Gabrielle, and Autolycus. Haruka," she pointed to the man, "and Michiru." "Alright, we're sorry to intrude, but we would prefer spending the night here than out in the forest. We're not very familiar with this area, and I think it would be safer here than out there," Hercules explained. Haruka and Michiru whispered a bit, and then Haruka said: "Alright, you can stay. But only for one night. We already have a visitor, and I don't think he'll appreciate if others are there." Hotaru smiled, and led Xena and co. to their rooms. ---- Everyone was gathered in the main chamber, playing games. Michiru was playing Chess against Iolas, and she was winning. Haruka was playing poker with Xena, Hercules, and Autolycus. Hotaru and Gabrielle had settled and were having a conversation. "Michiru, I think she's waking up, do you think...." the voice trailed off, and everyone turned to see who spoke. Endymion stood in the doorway. Xena lept and grabbed her sword, ready to strike. "Alright, were's Usagi! Tell me, before you get a sword through your stomach!" she threatened. By this time everyone had grabbed their weapons, and the hosts had pulled out brooches. "That's a nice bluff Xena. As it is, I'm not willing to let her go! Especially not with them," he pointed to Haruka, Michiru, and Hotaru, "around. So forget about it!" Xena glared angrily. He was good. Most warlords cared only for their own life. He, apperantly, was thinking as well. Just then, Haruka, Michiru, and Hotaru yelled something out. "Uranus Planet Power, Make Up!" "Neptune Planet Power, Make Up!" "Saturn Planet Power, Make Up!" There was a bright flash of light, and instead of Haruka, Michiru, and Hotaru, three of the 'Sailor' girls stood there.