Hello once again, minna-san.  Here begins the most involved fic 
I’ve ever written.  I appreciate any comments so please e-mail me at 
gramarye@rochester.rr.com.  Onegai?  Onegai?
	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 Break Their Sleep

Watashi no namae wa...desu = my name is...
	Do demo ii = it doesn’t matter
	sappari wakaranai = I don’t understand it
	Hajimemashite = How do you do?
	Taishita koto wa nai desu = it isn’t serious
	Domo arigato = thank you very much
	Oji-sama = uncle (very polite form)

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

The Dark Shall Fall – A Sailor Moon/The Dark Is Rising Crossover
By: Gramarye

Part the First –— Break Their Sleep

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

I am hunted by the future
Will the future be my past?
Or is time a fade-out picture
Of my everlasting cast?
Love is phasing
Love is moving
To the rhythm of your sight
I get closer 
To the crossing point of light.

	-- Enigma “Prism of Life”

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

The light of the roaring fire made the depths of the brandy 
shine like the facets of a precious jewel.  Or at least, that was what 
Will Stanton thought as he gazed at the full balloon glass he held in 
his right hand.  Every so often, he would swirl it around to release 
its fragrant bouquet before taking a tiny sip.  He had no plans to get 
drunk tonight.  Not when there were much more important things to do.
	He heard a faint noise behind him, but didn’t bother to turn 
around.  He knew exactly who it was.
	“So, Sailor Pluto, what brings you here at this time of the 
evening?” he asked, and waited for his visitor to emerge from the 
shadows behind him.
	“I must speak with you, Stanton-san.”  A striking woman with 
deep green hair, dressed in a sailor uniform and carrying a tall 
staff, stepped toward his high-backed chair.
	“Please, you know me far too well for those sort of formalities.  
It’s Will.  Now, are you going to stand around in your fuku all night, 
or do you plan to change into more comfortable clothing?”
	The woman smiled slightly, and quickly detransformed into a long 
gown the color of aged burgundy wine.  “Well, my friend, if we are 
dropping the honorifics, then feel free to call me Setsuna.  That is 
the name I use in this form.”
	“Take a seat, Setsuna.”  He made a brief wave in the general 
direction of the chair next to his.  Setsuna sat down, arranging her 
skirts as she did so.  Will reached for the brandy, but she shook her 
head.
	“I am here to discuss business, Will.  There is a grave 
disturbance in the time stream, and I need your help in this matter.”
	“The Guardian of the Gates of Time needs my assistance?  Ah, I 
wish Merriman could have heard that.”  He chuckled quietly, but there 
was a note of sadness in his laughter.  Setsuna’s eyes regarded him 
deep compassion.
	“You miss him, Will.  And the others.”
	“At times I do.  This happens to be one of those times.”  He 
shook his head to dispel the moody thoughts.   “Now, my friend, please 
explain to me exactly what must be done.”
	“Ever since the Circle and the Six vanquished the Dark, this 
planet has been safe from the concentrated essence of evil that 
plagued it for so long.  Now, there is a new evil on the rise, one 
that must be stopped at all costs.  The Dark Kingdom.”
	“The Dark Kingdom?  I thought that the Lady sealed it away for 
eternity when the Silver Millennium fell.”
	“That was true, but somehow Metallia and her minions managed to 
open a passageway to this world.  They have been dormant for so long, 
building power and creating reserves——it does not bode well, Will.”
	Will sighed and stood, setting his brandy glass down.  “Come to 
the point, Setsuna.  Why are you here telling me all this?  And what 
do you want me to do?”
	“The Senshi are to be awakened.  One has been found, and is 
training with her guardian, but the three others sleep, as well as Her 
Royal Highness.”
	“Her Royal Highness?  So the young Princess Serenity inhabits 
this time as well.”  Will paused thoughtfully.  “And Endymion?”
“He is here as well.  I can do nothing with them until the 
proper time.  I would like you to watch over the wakened one, help her 
if you can.  There is only so much a cat can do, and I think Artemis 
could use some assistance.”
	“So I am to do what Sailor Pluto is forbidden to do?  I know you 
need someone else to do your dirty work, but this....”
	“Will,” she interrupted, “You are the only one.” 
	“Setsuna—it has been some time since I used those powers.”
	She stood, and placed a hand on his shoulder.  “I wouldn’t ask 
you if I doubted you.”
	The corners of Will’s mouth twitched.  He turned around, giving 
a slight inclination of his head in a gesture of acceptance.
	“Madam, you always knew how to persuade me.”  He brought her 
right hand to his lips in a courtly, archaic motion.  “Go well, Meioh 
Setsuna, Sailor Pluto.”
	“Go well, Will Stanton, Sign-Seeker.  And I thank you for your 
help.”  In a sudden flash of light, she was once more robed in her 
uniform of her office, Time Staff in hand.  “You know, you looked 
exactly like Merriman when you kissed my hand.”  She stepped back into 
a time portal that had appeared behind her, and vanished.
	Will picked up his glass of brandy, raising it in a half-
jesting, half-serious salute.
	“‘When the Dark comes rising, six shall turn it back.’  A 
different Six, this time round.  Merriman, if you were here, you would 
be laughing your head off at this turn of events.”  Will’s round face 
suddenly sobered from its cheerful grin.  “I pray that laughter will 
be the only emotion I may use in this quest.”  
He took a deep draught of the brandy.
Perhaps...there would be time for him to get a wee bit tipsy.

		*			*			*

Sailor V, the daring and heroic crime-fighter, was not having a 
good day.  Even though she was fighting villains who had supernatural 
powers, her special attacks and skills usually were sufficient to deal 
with them.  On this occasion, however, nothing she attempted seemed to 
be working. 
It wasn’t fun being a soldier for love and justice.  It meant 
sneaking out of the house in the middle of the night to protect 
innocent people from the latest attacks of the Dark Agency.  It meant 
falling asleep in class after being awake during the ungodly hours 
after midnight.  It meant faking a smile during gym class when 
exercising muscles that screamed in agony.  Worst of all, it meat 
lying constantly to her parents—something that she did quite easily 
when she had to, but loathed herself afterwards.
She blocked a blow, and spun around to deliver a patented Sailor 
V Kick.  Unfortunately, one of the two creatures attacking her grabbed 
her foot as it came around and used the momentum she had created to 
send her flying through the musty air of the warehouse.  She crashed 
into a pile of boxes that were fortunately empty.
“You...you know you can’t...g-get...whoa...get away from m-m-me 
t-that...that easily, b-because...I...am...Sailor V!” she said as she 
attempted to get to her feet.  A badly scrambled inner ear made her 
stagger like a seasick passenger on a storm-tossed ship.  The demon 
that had flung her across the room laughed cruelly, and moved in for 
the final assault.
Suddenly, there was a flash of light so bright that the whole 
warehouse lit up like an exploding Christmas tree.  The two attackers 
screeched; their voices filled with pain.  Sailor V used their 
temporary distraction to her advantage, and knocked both of them down 
with a series of rapid kicks and jabs.  She expected them to get up 
and fight her, but they did not move from the floor.  Their cries grew 
louder and shriller, and without warning, they faded into nothing and 
were gone.
Sailor V blinked.
“Good evening, Sailor V,” said a deep voice.
The crime-fighter looked around, but saw no one.  The warehouse 
appeared to be deserted. 
“Who are you?” she cried, trying to mask her confusion.  “I, the 
beautiful sailor-suited fighter for love and justice, Sailor V, demand 
that you show yourself!”  She struck the pose that had made her famous 
around the world.  “Come out, if you dare!”
“Calm yourself, child.”
The voice came from not a foot behind her, making her leap away.  
She spun around in alarm, hands raised to defend herself. 
A tall figure, wrapped and muffled in a hooded dark cloak, 
appeared out of the dark corner of the warehouse.  Sailor V could not 
see his face, but she somehow knew that this person would not harm 
her.  She relaxed slightly, but left her hands where they were, just 
in case.
“Minako-chan!  Minako-chan, where are you?  We have to leave!” 
Artemis called out, his voice faint and far away.
She heard Artemis running lightly, jumping over crates and boxes 
as he searched for her.  There was a soft thud, and suddenly Artemis 
was by her side.
“Aino Minako, this is no time...” he trailed off, seeing the 
robed figure so close to them.  He slowly backed away, and Sailor V 
followed him, although she wasn’t sure if it was fear or uncertainty 
that made her retreat.
“Artemis, it really has been too long.  I wish I had looked you 
up long ago.”  The figure spoke, a note of jesting sadness in its 
baritone voice.  “Your protégée is doing remarkably well, I must say.”
“Artemis, who is this person?  How does he know who you are?” 
Sailor V was very perplexed.
“Child, if you are so desperate to know, use your compact.  That 
will give you more answers than I think you are prepared for.”
Sailor V gazed at Artemis in a mute, anguished appeal for an 
explanation.
“Do it, Sailor V,” Artemis said slowly.  “I think...I think 
everything will be fine.”
Sailor V quickly turned her compact toward the figure, making 
sure that she could still see the image in the glass.  
The hood was pushed back.  Fortunately, Sailor V had not been 
looking directly at the compact’s mirror—she would have been blinded 
by the sudden, brilliant blaze of light that was emitted from its 
surface.  As it was, she had to shield her eyes with one arm while she 
looked at what the mirror revealed.
A flurry of images dashed across the mirror.  Three children, 
two boys and a girl, standing in front of a group of large stones that 
reached to the sky like groping fingers.  A young boy with a thick 
thatch of brown hair holding a golden chain in his outstretched hands, 
with six multi-colored circles, each quartered with a cross, dangling 
from the chain.  The same girl from the first scene, now dressed in a 
long nightgown, staring in complete bewilderment at a small black case 
that rested in her hand.  A different boy, with strange white hair and 
even stranger golden-yellow eyes, brandishing a sword that glowed with 
ice-blue flickering fire.  And finally a tall, white-haired man, one 
arm raised in what appeared to be a farewell salute, outlined against 
a bright blue sky.
As the glaring light faded away, Sailor V let the compact fall 
to the cold warehouse floor.  It hit the concrete with a dull thud.  
Her head turned in an unconscious movement toward the once-hooded 
stranger, who had not moved throughout the entire course of events.
The stranger was a tall man, somewhere in his late thirties, 
with a head of untidy brown hair and eyes the turbulent blue-gray 
color of a stormy sea.  His floor-length cloak obscured the rest of 
his body.  And yet, somehow, Sailor V knew that he was the same person 
who had appeared in the compact, the one who held the linked chain of 
colorful circles.
“Artemis...sappari wakaranai,” Sailor V whispered to her 
guardian cat.  
“Do demo ii, Sailor V,” the man said in flawless Japanese.  
“Hajimemashite, watashi no onamae wa Will Stanton desu.”  Before 
Sailor V could become too flustered, he quickly added, “Would it be 
all right with you if I spoke in English?  The problem with being an 
Old One is that all languages come easily, but the mother tongue is by 
far the easiest.  And since you have done so well as the ‘beautiful 
sailor-suited fighter for love and justice’ in an English-speaking 
country, I think you have a better grasp of English than most girls 
your age.”
Sailor V was at a loss. Fortunately, Artemis decided to come to 
her rescue.
“Will Stanton?  The name sounds familiar, but I can’t seem to 
recall who you are.”
Will smiled, a brief, ironic smile.
“I would be honored if you and Sailor V would come with me.  It 
will not take long, since our illustrious crime-fighter,” this was 
said with a slight bow to Sailor V, “has school tomorrow.”
Sailor V gave Will a cold stare, then abruptly detransformed.
“There.  Now that I’m more comfortable, we can go.  Come on, 
Artemis.”  Will chuckled, then turned around, cloak billowing, and 
walked toward the service door.  Minako followed, with a wary Artemis 
trotting along at her heels.

		*			*			*

They walked in silence for a time, through the cold London 
streets and the dense fog that always seemed to drift in whenever 
there was a need for an ominous atmosphere.  Minako shivered in her 
thin school uniform, but she kept up with the dark cloaked man in 
front of her.
London is a very big city, with many sides to it that only 
appear at certain times to certain people.  Minako the schoolgirl trod 
a carefully set path: home to school, school to home, with an 
occasional foray to go shopping.  As Sailor V, however, she had lurked 
in the shadows, and quickly discovered the real London not seen by 
tourists.
To her surprise, Will seemed to be heading for Hyde Park.  She 
had been there only occasionally, maybe once or twice.  At this time 
of the night, the only people there would be characters of the most 
unsavory type.   Artemis brushed against her ankles, and she reached 
down and picked him up without breaking her stride.
“Artemis, what is it?” she whispered, holding him close to her 
face to prevent Will from hearing their conversation.
“Minako-chan, I have heard of him before, but I can’t seem to 
remember where.”
“I don’t really care at the moment,” she said as they passed the 
deserted walkway known as Speaker’s Corner.  “I’m cold, I’m tired, I’m 
hungry, I’m following a strange man who seems to have some kind of 
weird power, and I don’t even know why.  Let’s just get this over with 
as quickly as possible.”
By the time their conversation had finished, they were standing 
in an open clearing close to the center of the park.  Will suddenly 
stopped, tensing like a pointer dog.
A soft wind whistled across the grass and sang through the tree 
branches.  Minako heard the faint sound of a string of ringing bells 
that wafted past as if carried aloft on the wind.  It was hauntingly 
beautiful, and she turned her head from side to side to try to figure 
out where the musical tune came from.  As quickly as it had appeared, 
it died away.  In the center of the clearing there had appeared two 
massive doors.
Minako blinked.  There was no fade-in, no colored light show 
that accompanied the appearance of the doors—they were not there one 
moment and there the next.  Will walked forward, and as he moved the 
doors slowly opened inward.  He turned toward her, beckoning with a 
hand.  She pressed Artemis to her so tightly that he let out an 
outraged squeak, closed her eyes, and followed him through the doors.

		*			*			*
  
She had expected annihilation, or at least some fancy special 
effects, so Minako was very surprised when she opened her eyes and 
found herself in a large, high-ceilinged room.  The walls and floor 
were made of thick slabs of stone, with torches hung in sconces on 
either side.  There was a large fire in the fireplace at the other end 
of the room, flanked by two imposing carved chairs.  Between the 
torches on the walls hung a series of beautifully woven tapestries 
depicting idyllic scenes: a field of incredibly life-like red roses, a 
winged white unicorn, a golden sun that seemed to add light to the 
room.
“Have a seat, if you would like,” Will said.
Mina tentatively stepped forward, then made her way to the chair 
on the left.  Artemis nestled in her lap.  She absently petted him, 
not really sure of what she was doing.
“Something to drink?” Will asked.  “I’m having tea, but if you 
would like something else, I’ll see what I can do.”
“Tea is fine.”  Artemis cleared his throat, and Minako hastily 
added, “Artemis will have milk, but I don’t take anything in my tea.”
“I must warn you, though.  I prefer Lapsang Souchong, and if you 
aren’t accustomed to its taste, well, it can surprise you.”
At that point Minako would have accepted tea leaves filtered 
through dirty socks.  She smiled and said, lying through her teeth, 
“I’ve had it before, and I don’t mind the taste.”
Will produced a small saucer filled with milk, and set it on the 
floor.  Artemis jumped down and greedily lapped it up.  Minako 
gratefully accepted the cup of smoky-scented tea that Will handed to 
her.  He sat down in the chair opposite.
“So, Sailor V...or perhaps I should call you by your civilian 
name, Aino Minako.”  He smiled at Minako’s sudden intake of breath.  
“What shall it be?”
“I...I don’t know, Stanton-san.”
“May I call you Minako, then?  I don’t mind using the 
honorifics, but I see no reason to at the moment.”
“Hai, Stanton-san.  May I ask you a question, then?  What is 
this place?  And who are you?”
Will turned his gaze to the flickering fire.  “This hall has 
existed for centuries, for millennia.  It has been since the beginning 
of Time.  The only way I can explain it is to tell you that we are not 
within the flow of Time at the moment.
“As for me...I am Will Stanton.  I am a friend, and will help 
you in any way that I can.”
Minako was ready with a million other questions, but something 
in Will’s tone of voice told her that he would not answer any of her 
inquiries.  The subject, as far as he was concerned, was closed.
“Arigato, Stanton-san,” she said softly.
“Not at all, Minako.”  He sipped his tea, and set the cup in his 
lap.  “Now, I have something that I want you to do.  I am going to put 
a picture in your mind, and I want you to tell me what you see.”
“Nani?”
“Just close your eyes and wait.”
Minako did as she was told.  Within moments, a landscape began 
to form in her mind’s eye, almost as naturally as if she had decided 
to create it from scratch and was painting it in her thoughts.
“There’s a big, old house, with wreaths of smoke rising from the 
chimney.  A faded, battered, worm-eaten sign on the stone fence in the 
front says something that I can’t quite make out, but it starts with 
the letter V.  The barn in the back is shut tightly, because the snow 
on the ground is blowing around the house, making pretty floating 
patterns of frost against the glass.  Hedges and what look like rose 
bushes are covered in the soft white snow.  There are several people 
in the yard, two boys that look like twins, an older girl, and man 
with a kind smile.  They are throwing snowballs at each other, and 
laughing happily even when the snow gets in their mouths.  It’s a cozy 
home, and everything feels so warm, and...and...and you’re homesick, 
you miss this scene and these people.”  She opened her eyes.  “Where 
is it?”
“That will do, Minako,” Will said huskily, and cleared his 
throat.  “Now, try to think of something, anything.  Preferably, 
something not connected to your Sailor V life.”
Minako shut her eyes, and concentrated.  There was only one 
thing she could think of, one scene she was sure that this man could 
not possibly know.
“Ah.  Now I can see it.  It is very misty, this place, but the 
mist isn’t cold or chilling.  There is a lofty castle, a palace made 
out of either a highly polished marble or crystalline material.  It is 
very beautiful, with tall pointed spires reaching to the heavens, 
roofs like great domes, almost ethereal in a half-light that gives it 
a dream-like quality.  Around the outside of the palace there are many 
beds of flowers, well-tended and healthy, with some rosebushes in full 
bloom.  I can almost smell the soft, heady fragrance.  A large lake in 
front of the palace reflects the soft light, creating a rippling 
double image in the water.  There is a shadowy figure standing on a 
balcony at the front of the main palace hall, a woman, I think.  She 
is leaning over the glossy marble parapet, with one hand extended, her 
face concealed in darkness and mist.  You are very familiar with this 
place, and even more so with the beckoning woman, but there is 
something blocking your full recognition of this scene.  Whenever you 
see it, you feel an urgent need, a call that you can’t quite 
understand.”  Will paused, and then ended softly, “And you desperately 
want to understand it, Minako.”
“That’s...that’s amazing!  How do you do that?”
“You and I have more in common that you might think.  I am here 
to help you in your quest, Minako.”
“My quest, Stanton-san?  What quest?”
“What?  Hasn’t Artemis told you anything?”  Artemis looked up 
from his milk and glared at Will.
“Tell her what?  How can I explain anything to her when I can’t 
really recall what is going on myself!” the white cat snarled.
“It isn’t your fault, Artemis,” Will replied soothingly.  He 
sighed, and stared into the teacup in his lap.  “I had expected this.  
Unfortunately, I cannot tell you much at this time.  However, I can 
show you something that will help you, if not now, then later on.”
Will stood, and walked over to one of the wall sconces.  He 
lifted a torch from its holder, and turned around to face Minako.
“Now watch, child.  Remember these, for they will be a source of 
strength to you in times to come.”
He placed the torch behind each of the large wall tapestries, 
illuminating them from behind.  And Minako saw.
She saw a white winged horse standing in the center of a 
darkened forest glade, near a small pool of rippling water.  A young 
girl in a flowing white gown was kneeling at the horse’s feet, and 
reaching out to touch the majestic creature.
She saw three women facing each other, heads bowed and eyes 
closed.  A mirror, a sword, and a jewel hovered in midair, one in 
front of each woman.  There was a blinding flash, and a small golden 
chalice materialized from nowhere and glowed with a bright light.
She saw a baby with black hair and dark, sparkling eyes, gazing 
up at the white-haired man who held her.  She thought she could make 
out a faint purple glow around the child, but dismissed it as a trick 
of the light.
She saw a tall palace made entirely of crystal outlined against 
a radiant sunrise, the rays of light reflecting and refracting off the 
smooth facets in sparkling patterns that dazzled the eyes.  Three 
figures, a small one flanked by two taller ones, were standing on a 
grassy hill overlooking the palace.  The scene was tranquil, peaceful, 
and almost awe-inspiring.
Then suddenly, the scenes faded away.  Minako blinked quickly, 
and found herself staring at the tapestries with Artemis cradled in 
her arms.
“You must leave now, child,” Will said quietly.
“Hai, Stanton-san.”  The schoolgirl stood, and bowed to Will.  
Will returned the bow with a gentle smile, then resumed his 
contemplation of the fire.  Minako scooped up Artemis and walked 
slowly toward the large doors at the other end of the hall.  Suddenly, 
a flash of gold caught her eye.  She looked up, above the doors, and 
noticed a large circular golden shield hanging there.
“Stanton-san, what is this up here?” she asked, pointing to the 
shield.
“The shield, and another one similar to it, hangs in two very 
important places.  They may be used for defensive purposes, but if 
good fortune prevails they will never need to be used.” Will’s voice 
echoed in the great hall as he spoke, making ghostly whispers bounce 
off the hard stone walls.
“Goodbye, Stanton-san,” Minako said cheerfully.  “I hope I will 
see you again soon.”  The doors opened slowly, and the blonde girl and 
her cat vanished into the darkness beyond.
Will smiled ruefully.  “Does that bring back memories, Setsuna?” 
he asked the tall woman who had been concealed in the darkest corner 
of the room.
“It does, Will.  Little Minako-chan, the same as I remembered.  
So vibrant and alive——so determined,” she replied huskily.
“Not long now, my friend.”
“No.  But that can wait.”
“What has happened with the others?”
“Sailor Moon, Sailor Mercury, and Sailor Mars are now awake and 
in training with Luna.  Sailor Jupiter shall appear soon, once General 
Nephrite has been dealt with.”  Setsuna’s shoes clicked on the stone 
floor as she moved away from Will, toward the doors that Minako had 
passed through.
“‘Dealt with’?  Isn’t that rather a crude way of putting it?”
“Perhaps.  But none of that matters, compared to the urgency of 
this meeting.”
“Where have I heard that before?” Will said despondently.

		*			*			*

Sailor V dragged her bruised and bleeding body farther away from 
the wreckage of the burning building.
*Alan....*
*Katarina-oneesama...*  
*Together.*
Like two peas in a pot pie.
She suddenly felt very tired.
Artemis probably assumed she was dead.  Of course he would.  He 
never trusted her abilities completely.  The question was: would he 
tell her parents?  And how would they react if a talking cat told 
them, “Sorry, but your daughter was a magical crime fighter who just 
‘snuffed it’ in a high-intensity blast”?  They would keel over on the 
spot.  Her mother would scream; her father’s head would bounce when it 
hit the floor, along with the rest of his body. 
And her mask was gone.  That wouldn’t be good.  Her fuku would 
be good as new when she used it again, but would the mask reappear?  
And when she finally detransformed, would it disappear even if she 
wasn’t wearing it?  That would be funny.  Funny, funny, funny, funny, 
funny.  She giggled at the thought of a policeman, a “bobby” as they 
called them in this country, finding her charred mask, and being very 
surprised when it vanished in front of his eyes.
The giggle died a painful death in her throat.  
Laughing hurt too much.
*Katarina-oneesama.*
Her left ankle was throbbing.  It was badly sprained, if not 
broken.
*Alan.*
If her cuts didn’t stop bleeding soon, it would be time to 
worry.
Not yet.
*Oh, not yet.*
She heard footsteps ringing out on the pavement.  Lifting her 
head to see who it was would use up valuable energy, so she didn’t 
move as the sound drew closer and the tempo of the footsteps 
increased.
Left foot right foot left foot right foot.  Whoever it was moved 
very fast.
“Sailor V.”
The voice came from far away, but she couldn’t answer.  Her 
tongue felt like someone had coated it in lead.
“Sailor V.” 
Same voice, more urgent this time.
“Minako-chan!”
Different voice, one that came from closer to where she was 
lying.
“She’s over here, Stanton-san!  Sailor V, please, we have to get 
out of here.  This place isn’t safe.”
The second voice was almost on top of her.  She felt something 
fuzzy brush again her limp leg.  It felt like a powder puff. 
“Sailor V!  Minako, come on!  We have to leave!”
“Artemis.”
The first voice came back, much closer than it had been.  Out of 
the corner of her eye, she saw a dark shape move toward her.  There 
was the sound of cloth ripping, and deft hands began to wrap up her 
ankle.  She made no protest, not even when a skinny needle of pain 
shot up her leg and embedded itself firmly in her knee.
“Sailor V,” the first voice said, “I need to move you away from 
the building.  If I hurt you at anytime, don’t hesitate to yell.  Do 
you understand?”
Nodding was impossible.  She summoned up all her strength, 
gathering the shreds of her stamina to manage a weak “Hai.”
She felt herself being lifted off the ground.  The tight 
bandages on her ankle kept the pain down to a hollow ache.  The person 
who picked her up was being as gentle as possible, but her numerous 
cuts pulsed with the beating of her heart.
*Alan.*
*Katarina-oneesama.*
*Together.*
The tears she wanted to shed wouldn’t come.
From very far away, she heard a faint sound of silvery music.  
She felt something dark and warm being wrapped around her.
“Taishita koto wa nai desu,” she whispered.
“Don’t talk, child.  And it most certainly is serious.”  Will 
(was it Will?) didn’t break his stride as he spoke to her.
“Together....”  Her head sagged; her body went limp.
	Will continued to walk, but pressed her closer to his chest.
	“I know, child,” he said softly.  “I know.”

			*			*			*

	Minako drifted in a sea of darkness, where there was no pain, no 
noise, and no thought.  She enjoyed the peace that she had not felt 
for so long.  There was nothing to fear, no problems, just the music 
of everlasting silence and the enveloping darkness where all was 
serenity....
	*Serenity.*
	The echo of a voice broke the silence, an echo so faint that she 
had to strain to hear it.
	*“Venus, help me.”*
	She felt a gentle pull.  Something was forcing her to leave the 
wonderful darkness.  She resisted, not wanting to leave.
	*“Venus, please.  It is time.”*
	“No!” she whispered.  “I can’t!”
	*“It is time.”*
	The pull was growing stronger.  She cried out in alarm, 
struggling against the cruel pull that drew her away from the peace.
	*“Sailor V is gone, Minako.  The Circle shall be complete, for 
now and for all time.”*
	“I failed you once.  How can you trust me again?”  Minako clung 
desperately to the fading peace, knowing that she would have to leave, 
would have to return to the world of noise and light.
	*“Tell me your name.  Tell me who you are.”*
	“I....” she faltered.  The darkness rushed back at her, and she 
nearly sobbed in relief as she returned to the sweet silence.
	The silence did not last for long.  The whisper returned, with a 
command that resonated deep inside her.
*“Tell me and be free.”*
	Minako shuddered as a rush of adrenaline coursed through her 
body.  For one brief second, her mind was shattered with blind, 
screaming, animal panic, a panic that threatened to drive her insane.  
Then as soon as it had descended, it vanished, leaving her feeling 
stronger, better than before.  She had accepted the power, or whatever 
it was, and nothing would ever be the same.
	The dream scene appeared before her again, the palace shrouded 
in mist and mystery, the woman standing on the balcony.  As Minako 
watched in awe, the mist rolled back from the balcony to reveal a 
beautiful, sad faced young lady with an odd hairstyle leaning over the 
railing.
	The barrier against recognition melted away, leaving Minako 
speechless.  
	Princess Serenity smiled, her face lighting up with 
unadulterated joy.  “You have come back,” she said softly, happily.  
“I always knew you would.  We are waiting for you to join us.  Now, 
tell me your name and all shall be well again.”      
	Minako threw back her head and shouted to the heavens with a 
great voice that was hers and yet was not hers, power and freedom and 
anger and love all combining as one....
	“I AM SAILOR VENUS!!!!!!”  

			*			*			*

	Will winced at the cry.  He had been expecting it, of course, 
but the volume and magnitude of her voice surprised even him.  The 
walls of his London flat were thicker than the average, but he hoped 
that the temporary blocking spell he had cast muffled the sound.  He 
could feel the spell quiver as the echo reverberated.  *‘Hallo your 
name to the reverberate hills,’* he thought wrily.  *So the Circle is 
well and truly complete.*
	The cold cloth on Minako’s forehead had slipped off during her 
internal struggle.  He picked it up, dipped in the bowl again, and 
replaced it on her hot and sweaty face.  Minako moaned at the sudden 
temperature changed, and attempted to sit up.  Will slipped an arm 
behind her back and helped her rest on her elbows.
	“N-n-nani?”  Minako opened her eyes just as the cold cloth slid 
down her face, blocking her vision.  She heard a low chuckle, and the 
cloth was removed from her face.  Will’s smiling face was the first 
thing she saw.
	“Welcome back, child.”
	“Stanton-san!”  She wrapped her arms around him and buried her 
face in his chest.  Will was taken aback for a brief moment, then the 
smile on his face broadened and he returned her hug.  A sudden 
prickling on his back made him jump, but when a soft body landed on 
his shoulder he laughed.
	“Artemis, I get the point!  I didn’t mean to neglect you,” he 
said.
	“Well, it’s about time!” snarled the white cat.  “Oh, sure, I’m 
just a cat, don’t mind me.  I’ll find a mouse to kill in a dark, dusty 
corner somewhere—”  His voice was cut off as Minako grabbed him and 
hugged him violently.
	It took some time for Will to pry a gasping Artemis from 
Minako’s arms.
	“In case you were wondering, my dear, your parents know that you 
safe.  I brought you through the Doors to the great hall to treat the 
worst of your injuries.  Your ankle will hurt for a while, I fear, but 
I think that you will make a speedy recovery.”
	“Where am I now?” Minako asked.
	“My flat in Eaton Square.”
	“Can I go home soon?”
	“Of course.  We can leave right away, if you like.”
	“Oh!”  Minako smiled.  “Well, then, let’s go.”
	Will returned her smile.  He stood and turned to leave the room.
	“Stanton-san?”
	“Yes, child?”
	Minako bowed her head.  “Domo arigato, Stanton-ojisama.”
	Will knelt down beside the bed, and gently lifted Minako’s chin.  
	“Don’t mention it, Minako.  There will be time for that later.  
Now, I’d better take you home before your parents start to wonder 
about *me*.”

			*			*			*

	Minako stretched out on her bed with a glad sigh.  It felt 
wonderful to be back.
	Artemis leapt onto the bed as lightly as he could; trying to 
avoid the injured ankle propped up on a pile of pillows and stuffed 
animals.
	“Well, I’m surprised your parents didn’t chew you out worse than 
they did,” said Artemis sarcastically.
	“Are you serious?  That was one of the worst tongue lashings 
I’ve had since...since...oh, since I can’t remember when!”  Minako 
considered throwing a pillow at Artemis, but decided that her arms 
were too tired to move.  “What I want to know is how did Momma and 
Poppa know Stanton-ojisama?  I’ve never heard them mention him before, 
but they talked to each other like they were the best of friends.”
	“Your father said that Stanton-san taught several classes at 
Tokyo University about ten years ago.  Apparently, them met each other 
during that time.  Your mother, on the other hand, remarked that 
Stanton-san was a friend of her family, and had been for quite some 
time.  I’d accept both of those stories, but from what I remember....” 
Artemis trailed off.
	“‘From what you remember?’  Artemis, what are you holding back?”
	“My memory has been getting clearer ever since you awoke.  I can 
finally see enough to explain things to you properly.
	“Stanton-san is not properly human.  He belongs to a race of 
immortals called Old Ones, who dedicated their lives to eradicating 
the forces of evil known simply as the Dark.  There was a great battle 
shortly before you were born, about two decades ago, where the Dark 
was defeated and driven out of Time.  He was barely older than you are 
now.”  Artemis spoke with a grave respect that Minako had never heard 
him use before.
	“So how do you know about him?” she asked.
	“That’s the problem...I’m not sure.”  Before Minako could reply, 
he crept into her lap and looked up at her with sad eyes.  “Oh, 
Minako-chan, I really wish I could tell you what was going on, but 
there’s something...*preventing* me from being able to explain it.”
	“I understand, Artemis,” she said, stroking his fur 
absentmindedly.  “I really understand.  But the problem is—how do we 
find the Princess of the Moon?  Princess Serenity...I know who she is, 
but I don’t know *where* she is.”
	“I think I can help with that, Minako,” said a deep, disembodied 
voice.
	Minako gasped and tumbled off the bed, taking Artemis with her.  
“Stanton-ojisama?”  She looked around the room, but saw no one.
	“Hai.  Look in the mirror, Minako.”  
	Minako rushed to the full-length mirror that hung on her bedroom 
door.  She saw Will in the reflection, standing beside her bed, but 
when she turned around he wasn’t there.  The room was empty save for 
herself and Artemis.  She looked back in the mirror, and Will was 
still there.
	“Minako, I have come to inform you that your parents are sending 
you back to Japan.”
	“Nani yo?” she cried.
	“They want you to return home and attend school in Japan, where 
they think you will work harder under the stricter rules of the 
Japanese system of education.  And since your father’s work prevents 
them from going as well, your mother asked me if I would permit you to 
live in my flat in the Juuban district of Tokyo.”  Will smiled.  “And 
I graciously accepted.”
	“I don’t believe it!  When did they decide this?”
	“About ten seconds ago,” Will replied, “give or take.”
	“But you’re here...and say you’re downstairs...yet you’re 
here....”  Minako vainly tried to figure out exactly what was 
happening.
	“Stanton-san,” Artemis said as he stepped in front of Minako, 
“you think that the Moon Princess is in Tokyo.  That’s why we are 
going, ne?”
	Will’s eyes glazed over.  “Artemis, there is much work to be 
done.  I am here to provide any help you might need in your quest, no 
more.  If I may provide the means to your end, I will—but only to a 
point.  The quest is yours alone.  Do you understand?”  The white cat 
nodded solemnly.
	“Tokyo...Juuban....” whispered Minako.  She suddenly snapped out 
of her reverie, and dashed to the closet.
	“Minako-chan, what are you doing?” Artemis asked.
	“Packing, silly!  I can’t find anything I want to take!  Let’s 
see, I have to go to the mall and buy new clothes, then I have to tell 
all my friends and teachers, and then....”  Her final words were 
muffled underneath the pile of clothes at the bottom of her closet.
	Artemis shook his head sadly, and turned to the mirror to 
discuss the trip particulars with Will, only to discover that the tall 
man was gone.
	
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