DISCLAIMERS:
All canon characters are (C) 1992 - whatever year it is Naoko Takeuchi and all other related parties. The Shadow senshi are (C) Wild Nature 2006 - 2007. This is a fanfic based upon the anime version and all written work that this consists of is (C) 2006 - 2007 Wild Nature.

Chapter Fifteen: A True Heir Stands in the Light

They followed her to the sanctuary, where the darken pillar lay barren. ⌠Just place it on there,■ Duchess Nerthus smiled encouragingly to Eizou.

She moved hesitantly, the others behind her waiting with bated breath. She watched the protective shield fall away, revealing the simple metal folded bars, to hold up the Solar Cross.

She placed it gently, almost lovingly as she stared into it. She wondered suddenly, since the Solar Cross had her henshin gem, that she would never be Shadow Moon again. She found that disheartening. She had just gotten familiar, and truly felt as if this was finally right for her.

Even if they were soldiers that existed in the shadows, they would protect no matter what. After all, they took their cues from the Sol Senshi.

She reached out, fidgeting with the item, cupping it in her hands gingerly. ▒Please... please...▓

She wasn▓t sure how to ask for she wasn▓t sure what she wanted to say in the first place. She moved closer, her eyes closing as they filled with slow falling tears.

Each one that fell, a spark of life, of a hot white light that throbbed. It wasn▓t until her eyes finally opened, her fingers tightening. ⌠Please... give my people what they need.■

She spoke simply, her eyes wet. It didn▓t matter if she were a senshi or not, she could do this at least for her people. She would give up everything.

It surprised her, that notion that filled her. Even though she had only been aware of this fantastical world for a short time, she had found herself attached from the first step. And she had fought that. She knew why now.

Because she just wasn▓t a part of this world but Earth too. It was the familiarity that kept her in, the insecurities of stepping out and finding herself lost. But what was worse was that her people were lost. She wasn▓t about to back out of a promise.

Her hands pulled away, the Solar Cross flickering before a single ring shot out, wrapping around her. The fire consumed her, entering her. It should▓ve been frightening but it was comforting for the fire felt as if it were accepting her.

And the light shot up high into the ceiling, through that single opening in the above, the light blinding them all.

⌠Eizou!■

⌠Eizou!■

The voices of her friends, Duchess Nerthus, and Njord echoed in the domed room. The crystals lit up, reflected light and fire spinning. And they heard it, shouts from the outside. Eizou turned and ran out, running, the others following close at her heels.

They exited a higher plane, overlooking the people of the Dead Moon Realm who looked suddenly fearful. The sight of Sailor Senshi, so many of them, must have been daunting to them.

⌠Duchess...■ Eizou began. But Duchess Nerthus slowly shook her head.

⌠Eizou.. my precious sister, you must reach out with all your being,■ She stood to the side, Njord with her as Pomona also joined them.

Eizou looked out at the people, seeing such fear and worry. What could she say that would make them feel better?

Then it came to her. That same song, that had brought people to light, to sing with the legendary Princess. The song of Nehellenia, in words she didn▓t know. But she heard it enough to know the words now.

She moved carefully to the front, all eyes on her. She slowly clasped her hands in front of her, as if in prayer and cleared her mind the best she could. The language was slightly coarse but the feeling behind it was warm and full of love.

⌠We are Night cast into Day by the Light.■

⌠Forever bound to these stars of Hope and Life.■

⌠We stand together, never giving up.■

⌠A path, a destiny we were meant for.■

⌠Cast no Nothingness in your Hearts, remember your Dreams.■

⌠Those feelings of Love, all that which is.■

⌠We are the shadowed of the Shadows.■

⌠Those who will never be forgotten.■

⌠For we live on, forever in the hearts of all...■

She never imagined she could sing but once she started, Duchess Nerthus, then Njord added their voices. At the second line, Pomona, Apple, and Jaro added theirs to the mix.

And the song began to grow in strength till the voices mingled, becoming a wave of beautiful sound. And the skies became lighted, the night breaking away as the blue skies filled the Dead Moon Realm.

And though she didn▓t begin the next verse, the people did so. And she realized what it meant, as they looked upon the group, no more the fear and doubts etched into the lines of their face.

She turned behind her slightly, the Shadows slowly moving forward till they stood in a slightly crooked line. She noted, in the back of her mind, none of them were in their senshi form.

She raised a hand, as the gem glittered into form, as her voice called out as the song came to its end. ⌠Nepheline Holy Light, Make Up!■

⌠Nepheline Holy Ice, Make Up!■

⌠Nepheline Holy Fire, Make Up!■

⌠Nepheline Holy Earth, Make Up!■

⌠Nepheline Holy Love, Make Up!■

⌠Nepheline Holy Sky, Make Up!■

⌠Nepheline Holy Ocean, Make Up!■

⌠Nepheline Holy Decay, Make Up!■

⌠Nepheline Holy Time, Make Up!■

And they became hues of a rainbow, the light from each going from them to spin around anything and everything. Each time it touched something, weaved through people, they would be overfilled with bright energy.

⌠We are the Shadows!■ Her voice carried over the skies. ⌠We are the protectors destined for this realm. No longer will you be alone, we will stand by you and for you! I am Shadow Moon!■

⌠I am Shadow Mercury!■

⌠I am Shadow Mars!■

⌠I am Shadow Jupiter!■

⌠I am Shadow Venus!■

⌠I am Shadow Pluto!■

⌠I am Shadow Saturn!■

⌠I am Shadow Uranus!■

⌠I am Shadow Neptune!■

And altogether, their voices reaching a crescendo, ⌠and in the name of the Dead Moon Realm, we will never give up!■

That▓s when the world broke out in wild cheers. Eizou knew that while most would be happy, there would eventually be those unhappy. But at least, she thought dizzily, they had something to hope for. The world spun and when she awoke, she was in her bed, at home, on Earth.

She took in a dragged breath, peeking over to see Jaro slumped in the chair, sleeping rather uncermoniously. She bit her lip, wanting to laugh at the slack jawed snore he was giving. She supposed she would just have to get used to it.

She got up, heading to the restroom. She washed her face, studying her bleary eyes. She wondered if it had all been a dream. But likely than not, it wasn▓t. It just still felt all surreal. Oh, no doubt she accepted her path as Shadow Moon, but she was allowed to have days where she felt a little off, right?

She did feel different, changed on the inside. She pulled her gem from her chest, noting the gleam within it. It was shimmering with hot energy, throbbing with the element of light.

She took to a shower, moving leisurely. She wondered why Kakushi hadn▓t bothered her in the least. She headed down the stairs, her hair still damp but placed up neatly. ⌠Kakushi?■

He was reading the newspaper. ⌠Where▓s Mom and Dad?■

⌠They went to get breakfast,■ he answered, ruffling the papers. She watched him for a moment, expectant. ⌠And your daughter is here,■ if anything, Kakushi▓s voice was off. It wasn▓t his usual tone, of mockery and sibling teasing, it was gruffer.

⌠Wait a minute.. do you already like Reisei?■ Eizou asked suspiciously.

He snorted. ⌠Takes after me.■

She thought about that. ⌠Ew..■

He glared at her, just over the top of the newspaper. ⌠Not. That. Way.■

⌠Then don▓t make it sound like it!■ Eizou quipped. ⌠Where is she?■

⌠I don▓t know, floating around somewhere here.■

Eizou found her outside, sitting next to Apple. She studied them for a moment, her gaze softening as Reisei was gently rubbing Apple▓s hair back, murmuring softly, deep in a confession.

⌠Reisei,■ Eizou didn▓t know what to say. She hadn▓t spent much time with the young girl, who had just seemed to wander around with no purpose. ⌠Why did you come here? To this time?■

⌠Because Mama said that this was the point where she felt the strongest,■ Reisei answered, hesitantly, keeping her face averted.

⌠But Reisei, I still don▓t understand.■

⌠Why do you transform?■ She asked suddenly, looking up. ⌠I have my own team but I▓m the only one who can▓t transform yet. Everyone laughs at me. Makes fun of me.■ Reisei fidgeted with her shirt. ⌠I mean, what purpose do I have? Why am I a Shadow? Why aren▓t I a SAILOR senshi?■

⌠Titles don▓t mean anything, Reisei,■ Eizou settled down, next to the other. ⌠We are sailor senshi but with a more different task. It▓s more easier for us, that▓s for sure but we serve what we need to do so.■

Reisei blinked. ⌠So why do you transform?■

Eizou blinked, wondering how to answer. ⌠When I first did so, I did it because I was afraid. Afraid of the darkness surrounding me. But there was a pinpoint of light, filling me more than the suffocating darkness. We were born in the shadows but like the Sol senshi, we have light inside of us, special energy that ties us to each other and our element. That was then. When I transform now...■

Her eyes softened. ⌠It▓s to serve and protect, to keep the balance of the world and Void.■ She reached out to rub Apple▓s head. ⌠It▓s a heavy load for Void and we must do all that we can so we will never regret any decisions.■

⌠I... I think I▓m regretting coming to the past. I▓ve just been running around, thinking I▓ll see something that ignite me but I feel more alone than ever,■ Reisei sniffled.

⌠Maybe you miss your friends? Your family? You▓re so far from home, Reisei. You didn▓t have to leave in order to find a way to transform. It comes from inside you, not from any outside source.■

⌠Tell me, do you want to be a Shadow? If you don▓t, that▓s fine too. You have the decision to be who you are and you shouldn▓t let others lead you to believe otherwise.■

⌠I want to be a Shadow!■ Reisei protested. ⌠But I want people to believe in me!■

⌠Reisei..■ Eizou looked up, Jaro blinking the last of his sleep from his eyes. ⌠There are people who do.■

He knelt down, next to Eizou as Apple▓s tail began to wag.

⌠See Reisei?■ Apple finally spoke. ⌠What are you so worried about? What would lead you to believe that people don▓t believe in you?■

⌠Everyone▓s always making fun of me! Even my friends!■ Reisei burst out. ⌠I want people to reach out to me and..■

Reisei watched the two sets of arms wrap around. Eizou and Jaro held her gently before Reisei▓s eyes closed.

⌠I▓m sorry,■ Reisei whispered. ⌠I just..■

⌠REISEI!■ Zenryoku glared. ⌠Enough already of this pity fest! Who cares if you can▓t transform yet! I mean, must you take teasing as an insult?■ She crossed her arms, her eyes narrowed.

⌠We make fun of you to make light of the situation, to show it▓s all right but you keep thinking it▓s so bad. You ARE a Shadow, you are a sailor senshi and when you▓re ready, you▓ll find the reason to transform!■

Reisei pulled herself to her feet. ⌠Oh really? And why did -YOU- transform?■ Reisei asked smartly, crossing her arms with the same glare as the other.

⌠Because my best friend needs someone to be by her side,■ Zen stated evenly, her nose slightly in the air.

⌠I.. what? I▓m your best.. friend?■

⌠Well, duh! Why else would I follow you here?■

⌠Oh Zen!■ Reisei slung her arms around the taller girl who looked very embarrassed.

⌠So now can we go home? I▓m getting homesick. Not to mention I▓m getting on certain people▓s nerves.■

⌠Well, at least my parents were more into me..■

Zen bristled. ⌠Hey, don▓t hit so below the belt!■