I apologize most heartily for the delay...schoolwork has a 
tendency to get in the way of creative endeavours.  So, without 
further ado, here is the second part of "The Dark Shall Fall".  I can 
be contacted (and, I must add, enjoy being contacted) at my e-mail 
address: gramarye@rochester.rr.com.
	Standard disclaimers apply.  Sailormoon and all related products 
belong to Naoko Takeuchi, Kodansha, TOEI animation, and other 
companies I'm sure I'm forgetting at the moment.  Will Stanton and The 
Dark Is Rising series are copyright of the wonderful Susan Cooper.  
Susan Cooper and Naoko Takeuchi—I need to build a shrine.


Translations for Shadows Fall

Shibakouen Junior High School in Minato-ku – Minako's junior high 
school; she does not attend the same school as Usagi-tachi (according 
to Hitoshi Doi's excellent website)
Tsukemono – pickled vegetables
Dou shita no desu ka? – What's the matter?
Ima nan-ji desu ka? – What time is it?
----------------------------------------------------------------------

The Dark Shall Fall: A Sailormoon/The Dark Is Rising Crossover
By: Gramarye

Part the Second - Shadows Fall 

----------------------------------------------------------------------

Such is the power of love in gentle mind,
That it can alter all the course of kind.

	-- Edmund Spenser "My Love Is Like to Ice"


Then shall be brought to pass the saying that is written: Death is 
swallow'd up in victory.  O death, where is thy sting?  O grave, where 
is thy victory?

	-– 1 Corinthians xv:54

----------------------------------------------------------------------

	With a loud crash, the door to the apartment flung open.  With 
another, equally loud crash, it shut.
	Minako was home from school.
	"Stanton-ojisama?" she called out as she threw her schoolbooks 
on the floor by the door.
	"In here, Minako," Will replied from his study.  "And please put 
your books in your room."
	A few moments later, Minako stepped into the doorway, a small 
pout on her usually cheerful face.  "I didn't think you'd be as bad as 
my parents!  I should have stayed in England."  She picked her way 
through the organized piles of textbooks, journals, and papers that 
lay neatly around the room.  "It's a case of the pot calling the 
kettle to dinner, I see."
	"Never mind that now.  Sailor Moon has been active again, I 
see?" he said, opening a newspaper and pointing to a large article in 
the center.  A slightly grainy photograph showed a blurred figure in 
the act of saving a Tokyo citizen from almost certain death.
	Minako gasped.  "I saw that!  It *looked* like Sailor Moon.  But 
when I was turning away to leave, I saw a girl that looked like the 
Princess *and* like Sailor Moon...same hairstyle and everything."
	"How interesting."
	"Is that all you have to say?  'How interesting'?"
	"For the moment.  Now, I have several papers to grade, and you 
have homework, ne?"  Will folded the newspaper and set it aside.
	Minako's jaw dropped.  "But...but...."
	"We are going to be out late tonight."
	"But why...oh.  Hai."
	Will nodded.  "Be prepared, Minako." 
	"Hai.  Where's Artemis?"
	"Asleep in the living room, I expect.  That's where he was when 
I saw him last.  It must have been an hour ago."
	"Will you help me with my poetry assignment?  I understood most 
of it when you explained it to me last night, but when they talk about 
it at school I just get more confused."
	"Of course.  But read your science chapters first—you should 
have done that last night.  I'll be there as soon as I finish with 
these essays."
	Minako bounced out of the room, upsetting a large stack of 
anthropology textbooks and taking a pile of class notes along with 
them.  "Oops!  Gomen nasai!" she cried.  
	With a small sigh, Will returned to his papers.  He quickly 
checked his watch, then counted softly in English, "Five, four, three, 
two, one...."
	A deafening blast of the latest pop music erupted from two rooms 
away, followed by an equally ear-splitting feline howl of protest.
	"TURN THAT DOWN!!"
	Artemis had received a very rude awakening.

			*			*			*

	Will closed his eyes for a brief moment as he walked down the 
silent streets of Tokyo.  The meeting had gone according to plan, and 
the Sailor Senshi were reunited at last.  Sailor Venus had performed 
admirably, in his opinion.  Even he would have been hard pressed to 
break Kunzite's energy barrier——and her fast thinking had saved Tuxedo 
Kamen from Zoisite's coup de grace.
	Sailor Moon——how different she was from the princess he 
remembered.  
	Tuxedo Kamen——how different he was from the prince he once knew.
	And yet, perhaps, there might be a change still to come.
	Suddenly, he felt a jarring shock, like a dash of cold water, 
rush through his body.  It snapped him out of his quiet contemplation.  
Whirling around, he saw a dark-haired young man leaning against a 
wall, clinging to it for support.  His first instinct was to rush over 
and help him, but stopped as the light of a streetlamp fell upon the 
man's face, revealing the pain-wracked features of Chiba Mamoru.
	Will slipped quietly away, hoping that the young man had not 
seen him.  There was too much at stake to risk a chance meeting, 
especially at this time.  Besides, Minako would be home soon, and he 
did not want her to know that he had been watching her.

			*			*			*

	Mamoru raised his head, attempting to blink away the red miasma 
that swam in front of his burning eyes.  He thought he heard the faint 
sound of bells, but dismissed it as a ringing in his ears.  Slowly, 
very slowly, he made his way back to his apartment.

			*			*			*

	Minako ran lightly down the street toward the Hikawa Shrine.  
Will had told her to head over there as soon as school was over.  With 
one thing and another, she was running a little late.
	"You really should have left sooner, Minako-chan.  Stanton-san 
said that it was very important."  Artemis jumped onto her shoulder, 
pitching her forward slightly and nearly causing her to trip.
	"Can I help it if Tanaka-sensei was pestering me about the 
impossible math problems she assigned last night?  Now hush, Artemis.   
I can't run if you keep talking."
	They skidded to a stop in front of the shrine.  Minako looked 
around, but the place appeared to be deserted except for two large 
jet-black birds that stared at her with shining eyes.  A loud, 
exasperated voice cut through the peaceful silence. 
	"Even for Usagi, this is too much."
	Minako moved in the direction of the speaker.  She saw a group 
of girls seated on the ground, accompanied by a black cat with a 
crescent moon on its forehead.
	"But she's not home, Rei-chan," said a girl with short blue 
hair, absent-mindedly toying with a pencil.
	"She wasn't in school, either," added a tall girl with brown 
hair pulled back in a high ponytail.
	"And we can't raise her on the communicator.  There's something 
wrong."  This came from the black cat.
	"I have a bad feeling," the blue-haired girl said softly.
	Minako was about to walk up to them and introduce herself, but a 
voice stopped her.
	*"Minako, the princess is at the Starlight Tower.  You have to 
get the Senshi there."*  Will's voice echoed in her mind.
	*"Nani?  What is she doing there?"* Minako asked in the same 
silent manner.
	*"Walking into a trap,"* Will replied bitterly.
	*"But the others..."*
	*"Do it."*
	"Right," she said.  
	Artemis frowned.  "What's right?"  
	Minako didn't bother to answer.  She walked forward and 
addressed the three girls.  "She's at the Starlight Tower."
	They jumped, startled by her abrupt appearance.
	"Who...who are you?" asked the girl who had spoken first, 
tossing her long black hair to one side and smoothing her clothes. 
	"Did you forget us already?" Artemis said, figuring that Minako 
knew what she was doing.  
	"Artemis?"  The blue-haired girl stared at the cat, then turned 
her gaze to Minako.  "Does that mean you are Sailor Venus?
	Minako nodded.  "My real name is Aino Minako.  I'm in Grade 
Eight, just like you are.  I go to Shibakouen Junior High School in 
Minato-ku."  *I'll have to lead them to the princess,* she thought.  
*They called her Usagi, I think.  I hope they'll follow me.* 
	"As far as we can find out, the enemy's up to something at the 
Starlight Tower."  Artemis said with authority.  The black cat gave a 
slight cough, and Artemis flushed.
	"If you can't use the communicator," Minako said, half to 
herself, "there's no doubt about it."
	The black cat slowly shook her head.  "Usagi-chan went into the 
Starlight Tower by herself," she said.  "If she would do that 
voluntarily, I wouldn't have to suffer as much."
	"At any rate, let's head over there."  Minako turned and began 
to walk, leaving the rest to follow her with puzzled expressions.    

			*			*			*

	The princess was safe, at least for the moment.
	That was all Will cared about.  It didn't matter that Endymion 
was missing...though if Beryl wanted the nearly-dead prince badly 
enough to kill one of her subordinates, it figured that she had some 
ulterior motive.
	Kunzite would be a problem.  A General with a personal grievance 
posed a much greater threat than a General ordered to perform a 
routine task.  Will had a feeling that the Senshi had their work cut 
out for them.  Nevertheless, they appeared more than ready to handle 
the challenge.
	Sailor Mercury...a very resourceful girl.  One who didn't lose 
her head in a crisis situation.  That little computer of hers had 
proved most useful in escaping the enchanted tower, and Will sensed 
that logical thought was her best weapon.  Defensive powers coupled 
with cunning—that was an excellent combination.
	Sailor Mars...the enigma.  One moment she and Sailor Moon were 
at each other's throats, the next, they had attacked in perfect 
unison.  The link between them was unmistakable, however infrequently 
they showed it.  
	Sailor Jupiter...ready to act in any situation.  Granted, she 
tended to shoot first and ask questions later, but her devotion and 
strength were unshakable.    
	Sailor Venus...defied all explanation.  She had come quite a way 
since her early days, and with the added training he had given her, 
she was a formidable opponent.  Natural leadership skills shone 
through at the odd moment.
	Will had heard Minako speak of a Senshi meeting she planned to 
hold at their apartment in a few days.  That would be the best time to 
meet all the Senshi at once, and discuss their plans for the future.  
He also wanted to see them in civilian life, because it was crucial to 
know the girl as well as the sailor-suited warrior. 

			*			*			*

	Minako bounded to the door of the apartment as soon as she heard 
the bell ring.  She opened it, and smiled brightly at the four girls 
and the cat standing on the threshold. 
	"Minna!  Come in, come in!  Artemis, is the tea ready yet?"
	"In a moment, Minako-chan," the white cat replied.
	Minako ushered the girls into the living room.  Usagi quickly 
took a detour and headed for the kitchen.  "Oh, what smells so good 
here?"
	"Scones.  I acquired a taste for them in England," Minako said, 
proudly displaying the plate.
	"Don't let Usagi take them; we won't get a chance to have any."  
Rei grinned wickedly as Usagi turned on her with a snarl.
	"Oh, and *who* just 'happened' to eat all of the tsukemono that 
Mako-chan made for us last week?" she sneered, her long blonde hair 
whipping back and forth.
	"*You* did, baka!"
	Usagi's mouth opened and shut like a landed fish, but no sound 
came out.
	"Minako-chan, do you live here alone?" Makoto asked, quickly 
trying to change the subject.
	"Alone?  Iie.  My guardian is...well, he teaches at the 
University.  I think he has a late class today."
	"A professor?" asked Ami from her perch on the edge of the sofa.  
"What does he teach?"
	"Anthropology, whatever that is."
	"How interesting."  She accepted a scone from the plate that 
Minako passed to her.  "Arigatou."
	"He's very smart," Minako boasted.  "He even paid extra money to 
ship his book collection here from England."
	"Book collection?"  Ami's eyes lit up.  "May I see it?"
	"Of course."  Minako stood, and led Ami into Will's study.  She 
soon walked out, shaking her head.  "Is she always like that?"
	"Hai.  That's our Ami-chan," Makoto said.
	Minako picked up Artemis and sat on the sofa next to Usagi, who 
was cheerfully inhaling scones.  "Now, the reason I asked you here 
today was to discuss—"   
	"These books are wonderful!" Ami cried from within the study.  
"I've never see anything like them...such beautiful binding, gilt-
edged covers...."
	"Really?" Minako said, slightly miffed at the interruption.  
"I've never paid much attention to them.  Are they really that good?"
	Ami emerged from the study, a dazed look on her face and a thick 
leather volume in her hands.  "You don't know what I'd give to read 
some of these.  A first-edition of Wordsworth, 'Le Morte 
d'Arthur'...and this edition of Ivanhoe...."  Her fingers lovingly 
brushed over the leather spine, caressing the soft leather.  She sat 
on the floor, cradling the book with both hands, not daring to open 
it.
	"So, Minako-chan, does your guardian...*know*...about you?"  
Luna leapt onto Rei's lap, and frowned at the munching Usagi.
	"He does indeed, Luna," said a man's voice.
	"Stanton-ojisama!" Minako cried.  
	Luna's head snapped up, and she stared with wide eyes at the man 
who had abruptly appeared in the doorway.  
	Ami leapt to her feet, trying to hide the book behind her back.  
	Usagi started, and a large chunk of scone lodged itself in her 
throat.  Her face turned a frightening shade of bluish-purple, and she 
made frantic motions to her throat.  Makoto dashed over and performed 
a rather violent Heimlich maneuver, and the scone was freed.  
	Usagi coughed and smiled weakly.  "Arigato."  She collapsed into 
an overstuffed chair.
	Will gazed at Usagi for a brief moment, then strode forward.  He 
picked up her hand, and bowed deeply over it.  "Your Highness," he 
said solemly.
	Usagi looked as if she was about to cry.
	Will noticed this, and straightened up.  "Ah, forgive me.  Old 
habits die hard, if they ever die at all."  He smiled gently.  "And 
ladies," he said, addressing the rest of the girls, "allow me to 
introduce myself.  My name is Will Stanton, and I am Minako's guardian 
for the duration of her stay in Japan."
	"At least, that's the official story," Artemis said.  
	Rei nodded politely with the rest of the girls, but retreated to 
her inner thoughts.  She could feel power within this man, power 
stronger than she had come across in a long while.  It seemed 
impossible, coming from a man who looked as solid and reassuring as 
anyone she knew.  
	Slowly, delicately, she extended her mind outward, seeking any 
confirmation of her feelings from her psychic senses.  She nearly 
gasped as a wall rose up before her, blocking her mind and preventing 
her from penetrating the stranger's inner thoughts.  The force of the 
blocking was enough to make her reel back, dizzy and slightly 
breathless.
	*Rei, my dear, that isn't very polite.*
	The silent chastisement entered her mind, and she flushed 
deeply.
	"Rei-chan?  What's wrong?" asked Minako.
	"N-nothing.  Nothing.  I'm fine, Minako-chan," Rei said, with a 
mortified glance at Will.  "Now, why did you call us over here?"
	"Well, I wanted to talk about what happened last night at the 
Tower.  And now that Stanton-ojisama is here, maybe he can help us 
think of what to do."  Minako turned to Will, her eyes shining 
expectantly.
	The man shook his head.  "I can't do that, Minako."
	"Nani?"
	"I told you before.  I am here as a guardian, no more.  You five 
must decide what to do about Beryl."
	"Don't forget about Zoisite and Kunzite," Makoto added.
	"Makoto, you need not worry about Zoisite anymore.  He...will 
not trouble us again."
	Ami frowned at this comment.  She opened her mouth to question 
its validity, but quickly shut it.  Something about the tone of Will's 
voice, and the absolute finality of the statement, made her shiver. 
	"And Mamo—er, Endymion," said Usagi quietly.  
	Will's stern expression softened.  "You must have faith, Usagi.  
Mamoru can be freed from Beryl, but it will take all the courage you 
have."  
	"Hai."  Usagi stood and smoothed her skirt.
	"Ami-chan," Minako said, breaking the mood, "are you going to 
open that book, or drool all over it?"
	Ami's face turned a deep crimson.
	"It's all right, Ami.  You can borrow that, if you like.  I'll 
be happy knowing that someone else will enjoy the story as much as I 
do."  Will said gently.  Ami smiled timidly, and pressed the book 
closer to her chest.
	"When you ladies are finished, let me know.  I'll be in the 
study."  Will inclined his head in a slight bow, then left the room.
	"He's very nice," Ami said.
	"Is he always so formal?" Makoto asked.
	"Do you have anymore scones?"  The four girls groaned, and 
Usagi's innocent blue eyes widened.  "What's wrong?"
	"Usagi...." Rei said warningly.
	"I won't eat them all, I promise!  Besides, Mama said that we 
might be going on vacation, and I need all the energy I can get to 
carry my luggage!"
	"In the kitchen," Artemis said with a sigh.

			*			*			*

	Will uneasily prowled the shore of the lake.  He knew that 
something was not right, that forces dormant for centuries were 
stirring.  It didn't feel like the Dark, and it wasn't like the Wild 
Magic, but whatever it was, it had to be stopped.  If he could sense 
the energy shift in Tokyo, hundreds of miles away, then it was 
definitely something to watch.
	As he brushed a fallen leaf off his shoulder, he stiffened 
suddenly.  Unconsciously, he turned and began to run back in the 
direction he had come, leaping over gnarled tree roots and fighting 
the panic that was rising in his mind.
	Just before he had reached the water's edge near the resort, he 
skidded to a stop.  A figure dressed in black was standing on the edge 
of the lake.  Mamoru...no, Endymion raised his arms to the sky.  
"Mortified one sealed in the lake, I command you to resurrect!" he 
called.
	"Stop!" Will shouted, but Endymion was so engrossed in his task 
that he did not hear.
	"Arise, ancient spirit!" he commanded.
	The water began to churn.  Waves rocked its surface, slow at 
first, but increasing in intensity.  A strong wind gusted across the 
water, making Will's cloak billow like a child's flag in a gale.  With 
a sudden crash of waves and a howl of wind, the water spirit rose from 
the depths and breached the surface.  It screamed in the agony of 
release.
	Will watched in near horror as the spirit narrowed its eyes and 
swooped toward Endymion.  It circled him for a moment, then soared 
into the sky.  
	"I want him back!" it cried.
	Endymion swore under his breath.  He was about to turn and 
follow it, but a noise from behind him attracted his attention.  He 
looked back, and saw a tall man in a long dark cloak not unlike his 
own.  He was about to draw his sword and strike the intruder down, but 
the sight of the cold fury in the man's eyes was enough to stay his 
hand.
	"You fool," Will said furiously, lapsing into the Old Speech in 
his wrath.  He caught himself, then switched to Japanese.  "Baka.  You 
have no idea what you have just done.  That creature isn't one of your 
mindless youma—it has an agenda all its own.  What I could do to you 
at this moment would be merciful compared to what *will* happen to you 
if anything should harm one of the innocent people at this lake." 
	Endymion stood speechless, unable to do anything except listen 
to the torrent of wrath that the strange man released.
	"I do not know if I can stop it alone."  Will saw the scenery 
around him fade into a murky green-gray as his body vanished from 
Endymion's sight.  He had to bring the Senshi to the lake.  Their 
powers might not affect the lake spirit, but he knew that Usagi could 
not handle such a creature alone—especially with Endymion and the 
forces of the Dark Kingdom in close proximity.  He let a final warning 
whisper drift through the trees to reach Endymion's ears.
	*It will be on your head, Endymion.  Remember that, and beware.*

			*			*			*
 
	Makoto jumped as the communicator beeped loudly.  She still 
hadn't grown accustomed to having the gadget with her constantly.  At 
least she could explain it away as a pager in case it decided to go 
off in public.
	She set down her watering can and picked up the beeping device.
	"Jupiter here.  What's up?"
	"Mako-chan, I need you to come to my house.  It's urgent."  
Minako's voice was a little blurred with static, but her worried face 
was all Makoto needed to see.
	"Dou shita no desu ka?"
	"I'll tell you when you get here.  Ami-chan and Rei-chan are on 
their way."
	"Hai."  Makoto grabbed her housekeys and coat on her way out the 
door.
	She ran swiftly along the streets, drawing questioning glances 
from passers-by.  Sprinting the last few yards, she paused in front of 
Minako's apartment building, then dashed inside.
	The door to Minako's apartment was open, and Makoto stepped 
inside.  Sailor Venus slipped around behind her and locked the door.
	"Mars and Mercury are already here.  Henshin, and let's go," she 
said brusquely.  
	Without another word, Jupiter pulled out her henshin wand.  A 
quick "Jupiter Power, Make Up!" later, and the four Senshi were 
gathered in the living room.
	Minako nodded, and closed her eyes.  She lifted her hands to the 
ceiling, and spoke a few words in a language none of the others had 
ever heard before.  The room suddenly blurred and whirled around (or 
at least, that's what the Senshi saw), and when their vision cleared, 
they were standing in a large, almost cavernous stone hall.  
	"Stanton-ojisama?" Minako called out.  There was a rustle of 
movement from the far end of the hall, and a large candelabrum close 
to them abruptly ignited.  The flames flickered and cast dark shadows 
across their faces.
	"The Princess is in danger," echoed Will's deep voice.  It 
seemed to come from everywhere and nowhere, and the Senshi looked 
around in vain to find its source.  "I will take you to her."
	"Stanton-san...." Ami had to take a deep breath before 
continuing.  "What is this place?"
	"There is no time to explain now.  Exit through the doors, and 
you will find yourselves at the lake resort where Usagi and her family 
are staying.  Be careful—and keep a close eye on Prince Endymion.  He 
is there as well."
	"*Him?*" Makoto asked, surprise and scorn mingling in her voice.
	"Be on your guard...I wish you all the best."  With a great 
rumble, a pair of immense doors that the girls had not noticed until 
that moment swung open.  A high-pitched scream shot through the air, 
and the four Senshi were instantly alert.
	"That's Usagi!" Rei cried.
	In a flash, the Senshi were off and running in the direction of 
the scream.  They did not notice the doors slowly close, and then 
disappear.

			*			*			*

	The two cats paced nervously on the roof of Usagi's house.  They 
were obviously in pain, and every so often Luna would stop and lick 
one of the many wounds on her body.  Artemis shook his head.
	"I wish we could be there with them," he said.
	Luna frowned.  "We'd only be a burden.  Did you talk to Stanton-
san?"
	"He wasn't at home."
	"Do you think he went to the D-Point?"
	"I don't know, Luna."
	"Well, I hope he shows up soon," she said unhappily.  There was 
a soft thud on the roof behind them, and both cats smiled to see Will 
straighten from a crouching position.     
	"Luna, Artemis," Will said somberly.  "I'm getting too old to be 
jumping around on rooftops in the dead of night."
	"Stanton-san!" Luna exclaimed, wincing slightly at the pain that 
cut through her bruised ribs.  "I'm glad to see you.  The Senshi have 
gone to the D Point to battle Queen Beryl."
	"Yes, I know," he replied absently.  "Their battle...."
	"What, Stanton-san?  What's wrong?" asked Artemis.
	"Did something happen to the Senshi?"  Luna's voice quavered.
	Will shook his head, but his face was grim.  "No, they are fine 
for the moment.  But their adversaries are vicious, tough, and above 
all determined.  They will stop at nothing to get the ginzuishou from 
Sailor Moon, even at—" He broke off suddenly.  A spasm of pain shot 
across his face.
	"Something is wrong, I knew it!  You can see them, can't you.  
Tell me what you see!"  Luna snarled menacingly, and Artemis backed 
away from her.
	"Luna—"
	"TELL ME!" she cried.
	"Makoto is dead," Will said simply.
	There was a silence.  The two cats stared up at Will's frozen 
face with disbelieving and agonized eyes.
	"Nani?" whispered Artemis.
	Will's eyes were glazed over, opaque.  He seemed to be listening 
to something else, something only he could hear.  "Sailor Moon refuses 
to continue with the fight.  She tries to run away, but Mars and Venus 
catch her, and Sailor Mercury," he gingerly touched his cheek, 
"strikes her."
	"Ami-chan?" Luna could not absorb all of the information.
	"Quiet, Luna.  Let Will continue."  Artemis brushed his tail 
against hers.
	"It is very difficult to see.  The power of Metallia is blocking 
my sight."  After a short period of intense concentration, he dropped 
his head.  "It does not go well there, my friends."
	"Mako-chan.  Oh, Mako-chan."  Luna's voice could barely be 
heard.
	Will suddenly flinched, stiffening like a pointer dog.  
"Mercury."
	"Not Ami-chan, too?"
	"I'm sorry, Luna."
	Luna stood, tears falling like broken dreams.  "It's happening 
again.  The Senshi are dying at the hands of Beryl and her youma."  
Her legs failed her, and she collapsed onto her side.  "I saw it 
happen.  Each of them, placing the lives of Royal Family before her 
own.  They fought so well, but in the end...the end of everything...."
	"Stop it, Luna!  You can't talk like that.  They won't lose.  
They *can't* lose.  Not this time, and not ever again!"  Artemis' 
voice wavered only slightly.
	"Artemis...the tactics of Beryl's youma have changed.  They are 
not after the ginzuishou...." Will whispered.  The white cat whipped 
his head around to see Will staring off into space, his face deeply 
troubled.
	"Iie."
	"Sailor Venus is gone."
	Artemis looked around vaguely, almost as if he expected to see 
Minako sitting next to him.  He had a slightly drunken, glassy-eyed 
look, which soon gave way to confusion and then, heartbreakingly, 
realization.  He didn't speak, but placed his head on his paws and 
closed his eyes.  
	Luna moved toward him, then hesitated.  "If Mars dies, Sailor 
Moon will be the only one left," she said despondently.  Will and 
Artemis chose to overlook this rather obvious remark.
	"Sailor Mars is...no, wait."  Will paused.  Luna and Artemis 
raised their heads, the hope in their eyes painful to watch.  Will 
shook his head.  "All of the youma have been defeated."  The cats knew 
exactly what he wasn't saying.     
	"Then that's it.  Sailor Moon has to defeat Beryl and Metallia 
alone."  Luna's voice was dull, slow, thick.  She nudged Artemis, and 
together they walked to the edge of the roof and stared out at the 
city.  
	"It's so dark out...just like before...just like the last 
time...oh, Usagi-chan...." Luna began to weep quietly.  Artemis looked 
toward Will—only to discover that the man had vanished.

			*			*			*

	Will stared at the frozen, broken body of Sailor Jupiter that 
lay in the snow.
	Unbidden, a heart-wrenching vision swam before his eyes.  A 
little man in a fancy green velvet coat, nearly the same color green 
as Jupiter's fuku, lying twisted and broken in the cold like a 
discarded doll.  Bright eyes filled with pain, and confusion, and 
wonder.  A barely audible "Master..." whispered, and then the light in 
the eyes fading away....
	He gently brushed a stray piece of hair off her face, and turned 
away.
	A breathless second later, he knelt down next to Sailor Mercury.  
The pile of dust that had once been the illusion youma was not far 
away.  A flash of blue caught his eye, and he reached to one side and 
dug in the snow at Mercury's hand.  Her computer, the case chipped and 
charred, came free from the snow that covered it.
	It hadn't been easy, lying to Luna and Artemis as he had.  
Metallia hadn't blocked his vision—he had seen everything with cruel 
clarity.
	*'This may be the last time I use this....'* he heard her sad 
voice echo in his thoughts, each word deftly stabbing his heart.  It 
was times like this that he cursed his gifts as an Old One.  No one 
should be allowed to go through death second-hand, with all the 
emotions and pain but none of the finality.
	He forced his shaking body upright, pocketed the computer, and 
moved on....
	Sailor Venus' limp body, pinned on the tower of ice like a 
delicate butterfly on a card, proved to be even harder to look at than 
the first two.  He could feel her weight in his arms, a phantom 
reminder of the time he carried her away from the warehouse inferno.  
How hard it was to save someone once, and fail to save them the next 
time.
	Sailor Moon had offered to give up the ginzuishou to spare her 
comrade's life, and Venus had cried out, "'I'll never forgive you if 
you do that!'"  Ordering your own death sentence—that was unimaginable 
to him.  He doubted whether or not he would have done so, faced with 
Venus' Scylla and Charibdis situation.
	Venus, Sailor V, Aino Minako—the pretty child of love was no 
longer there.  He wrenched his thoughts away with the greatest 
difficulty, and let his feet fall heavily in the snow and ice....
	Sailor Mars—the fierce loyalty and devotion she tried her 
hardest not to show in daily life was all too apparent in death.  Her 
jet-black hair and blood-red fuku were a stark contrast to the 
impersonal white snow.
	He could still feel the raw power that had composed her final 
attack.  It had permeated the immediate atmosphere, and Will could 
*feel* it in the air he breathed, like a thick and heavy fog.  His 
senses were vibrating like a plucked bowstring, quivering in the cold 
air.  Sailor Mars possessed some of the power of the Wild Magic, the 
powerful force of nature, and he had only seldom experienced it in 
such a concentrated form.  
	Yet there was another feeling growing stronger within him.  
Sailor Moon, he knew, was in the hands of Beryl now.  With Endymion 
her slave in body and mind, there was no telling what could happen.
	He spoke rapidly the words of the Spell of Heledd, the power 
that would give him protection as he crossed the enemy's land.  He had 
to confront Beryl in person....

			*			*			*

	The first thing he saw upon arrival in Beryl's lair was a 
kneeling Endymion kissing the hand of the queen.  The warning bells 
should have sounded then and there, but a seething anger took control 
of his mind.  A single word later, and Endymion and Sailor Moon were 
frozen where they stood.
	Beryl's cruel smile faded.  "What is this?" she hissed.
	"You have done that which is forbidden, madam," Will said in the 
Old Speech, stepping forward in open challenge.  
	"Forbidden?  Forbidden to whom, Sign-Seeker?"  Beryl left her 
motionless slave and advanced, albeit warily, toward Will.  "There is 
no hope for the Light in this conflict.  Sailor Moon cannot defeat me 
this time, not with her Senshi dead and Endymion my willing servant."
	"The Dark is not permitted to kill mortals, Beryl.  Your youma 
have killed the Senshi, and for that you and the Dark Kingdom shall 
fall."
	"And who shall destroy me?  Sailor Moon?"  She laughed harshly.  
"The ginzuishou is useless against Metallia's power.  Serenity tried, 
and failed.  This child shall fail as well."
	"You know who she is, Beryl.  She has the right to a name, and 
with that name comes the revolution."
	"In my land, she has no rights.  I killed her once—I can easily 
do so a second time."
	Will barely managed to contain his burning desire to attack the 
queen.  "I warn you for the final time, Beryl.  You shall be defeated, 
and the Dark shall be vanquished on this earth for all time."
	"You cannot destroy me, Old One."
	"It will not differ greatly from destruction, Beryl.  *You know 
that.*"  Will's voice held no emotion, but his cold eyes gave the 
queen of the Dark Kingdom an appraising look that bordered on 
impertinence.
	"ENOUGH!" Beryl cried in a terrible voice.  "Leave this place, 
Stanton, or you will suffer the same fate as the Senshi brats.  Not 
the ginzuishou, not the Signs, not even your damned gift of Gramarye 
can stop the Dark.  For the last time, THE DARK IS RISING!"
	She waved her hand, and Sailor Moon and Endymion stirred from 
their frozen positions.
	The last thing Will heard before he vanished was Beryl's 
triumphant command:
	"Endymion, kill the Princess."

			*			*			*

	He found himself alone in the frigid desert of the D Point.  All 
of his options were exhausted—there was nothing he could do to help 
Sailor Moon now.
	He was powerless in this present time.  He could not take on 
Beryl by himself, for with the threat of ultimate conflict between 
Light and Dark there was the grim chance of annihilation for one of 
them.  In any case, Sailor Moon and Endymion would be destroyed in 
such a conflict; neither would survive, regardless of the outcome.  
And the Senshi, who had fought to the last to protect their princess, 
would have died in vain.
	But wait...was there a chance?
	*"For all times coexist, and the future can sometimes affect the 
past, even though the past is a road that leads to the future.*"
	"Merriman..." Will whispered, "what would you do in my place?" 
	He looked up at the sky, seeking some reassurance or guidance.  
Staring into the darkness that swirled around the frozen wasteland, he 
felt an odd, dizzy sensation.  
	*Perhaps....*
	His mind spun.  Queen Serenity had released a tremendous amount 
of energy when the Silver Millennium fell.  If he could tap into that 
energy, he could attempt to transfer it to the princess via the 
ginzuishou.
	But how?
	*What was the link?*
	The solution materialized in an instant, as if it had been 
waiting for him all the time.
	*The Senshi.*
	Four Senshi, spiritual ancestors of the present-day soldiers, 
had died in the first Rising of the Dark Kingdom in the Silver 
Millennium.  Their counterparts had died in the present Rising of the 
Dark Kingdom.  He could channel the power in the form of their bodies, 
and he was sure that their spirits would be more than happy to aid 
their princess for a final time.
	But how would that energy affect *him*, as the link?
	He wouldn't die, of course.  However, as he well knew, there was 
always a risk...and this risk was almost certainly the greatest he had 
ever faced.
	That didn't matter.  Nothing mattered, compared to the 
importance of this task.
	Will emptied his mind of all thought, and felt the dark energy 
gathering around him.  A sudden, painful jolt through his body 
confirmed his guess that Sailor Moon had defeated Endymion.  Whether 
she had healed him or not...that was anyone's guess.  What mattered 
was that Beryl had accepted the power of Metallia into her body; Beryl 
seeking resuscitation from near death, Metallia thinking to use Beryl 
as a physical shield against whatever Sailor Moon might attack with. 
	He reached out, into the depths, into the cold void that lay 
beyond Time.  The spirits of the Senshi, both past and present, 
drifted in this dark eternity.
	To the past, he spoke of the valiant battle that they had 
fought, how close they had come to victory.  The Princess was in 
danger again, and this time they could save her—and the future they 
had died to protect.
	To the present, he spoke of the happy lives they had led, the 
bond that tied them across centuries and through lifetimes.  They had 
done their duty, and now, even in death, could help restore the world.  
They had comforted Sailor Moon in her despair, and in her hour of 
need, they would be by her side and watch as the Dark was vanquished 
for the last time.
	*Jupiter?*
	*Of course, Stanton-san.*
	*Mercury?*
	*Anything to save the future.*
	*Venus?*
	*Nothing ventured, nothing gained.*
	*Mars?*
	*For my Princess, there is nothing too great.*
	He nodded.
	There was a great crackling of ice, and in the distance he saw a 
tall, menacing figure rise from the bare tundra.  A lone figure in 
pure white faced the nightmare.
	It was time.
	He screamed as the raw power flooded every nerve, smashing 
through him and building up strength as it gathered.  The pain was a 
hellish agony, but he held onto the shreds of sanity and forced still 
more energy into his shaking body.  Before it drove him over the edge, 
he thrust both arms forward and let the channeled power explode from 
his fingertips.
	
			*			*			*

	"Minna, I need your power!"
	Princess Serenity faced the behemoth, ginzuishou steadily 
draining her reserves.  She was losing faith, losing hope, losing 
courage....
	Suddenly, a ghostly hand wrapped itself around her fragile 
fingers.  It was followed by a second.  And a third.  And a fourth.
	The Senshi had returned.
	*Minna...my friends....* she thought.
	A burst of pure energy filled her body, and flowed into the 
ginzuishou.  Serenity gritted her teeth, and threw everything she had 
at Metallia.
	There was a blinding flare, then nothing.
	Darkness.
	Peace.
	*Arigatou, my good, good friends.*

			*			*			*

	The insistent chirping of the alarm clock roused Artemis from 
his doze.  He blinked at the bright sunlight, eyes narrowed to slits, 
then leapt to the floor.
	The alarm clock still beeped, an irritating sound.  After a few 
moments, a hand shot out from under the bedcovers and hit the clock.  
Silenced, it fell off the table, but was caught by the cord before it 
hit the floor and dangled crazily in mid-air.
	"Ima nan-ji desu ka?" said a sleepy voice.  "Ima nan-ji...oh, 
no!  I'm late!"
	The covers flew back and a blonde whirlwind catapulted out of 
bed.  
	"Artemis, why didn't you wake me up?  If I miss the bus...."  
Minako threw on her school uniform, fixed a red ribbon in her hair, 
grabbed her books, and bolted out of the room.
	She dashed down the hall, but paused briefly in front of the 
closed door close to the living room.  She pushed it open a crack and 
looked at the still figure on the bed.
	"I hope Stanton-san gets better, Artemis.  I had pneumonia once, 
and I was so sick...."  She closed the door gently, and ran out to 
catch the bus.
	Artemis silently watched her leave.
	*Minako-chan, I'm glad you can finally be happy,* he thought.  

----------------------------------------------------------------------

I'll keep working on this, I promise.  Please bear with me, minna-san.

Gramarye
December 3, 1999