Chapter Six

Broken Dreams

Shade followed the distracted Janus, floating high above her, watching as she ran without direction or destination. She was talking to herself, shaking her head and clenching her hands into fists. Once or twice, she stopped and turned as if she were going to return to where the senshi had defeated his youma, but she always turned back and kept running. Shade was intrigued by her behaviour. It looked as if she were going insane.

He suspected this whole hero routine was a ruse to gain the senshi’s trust and slaughter them all. He knew he had to be rid of Janus once and for all to secure his place at the Boss’ right side. The fat man had a soft spot for Janus, and was likely to restore her to her former glory if she changed her mind and returned to him. Shade could not allow that.

When Janus stopped running, Shade descended to the ground. Holding out one gloved hand, he caused a shining sword to materialize. Knowing how powerful Janus could be, he created a shield on his other arm. Smiling confidently to himself, he strode forward to defeat his rival.

Janus was huddled on the ground like a child, rocking back and forth on the balls of her feet. She was staring at the ground, her hair partially obstructing her face, and muttering to herself. Shade didn’t care what she was saying, but advanced slowly and raised his sword to strike. One blow would take off her confused head and seal her betrayal permanently.

Suddenly, Janus looked up at him, her turquoise eyes defiant.

“Attack!” she cried in a loud voice. “Invasion! The army has arrived!”

Shade blinked in confusion, not expecting Janus to suddenly start yelling. The senshi rose quickly to her feet, fumbling at her waist for a weapon that was not there. She seemed surprised, and faced Shade.

“You won’t get past me, Negaverse villain!” she declared. “Your part in this war ends here.”

Again, Shade paused, clearly wondering what on earth Janus was talking about. He didn’t have time to ask, as the senshi charged at him. He held up his shield to deflect her fists, and swung with his sword towards her unprotected back. She managed to avoid his blow and spun around to face him again. She held out her hand flat in front of her, and Shade prepared himself for her assault.

Janus opened her mouth to speak the magical words, but her brow creased in confusion. She blinked a few times and looked at Shade as if seeing him for the first time. She relaxed her stance for a moment before noticing his sword and shield. She realized she was the intended target of his aggression and she took a few steps backwards. Shade smiled, happy that his victim was finally taking him seriously, and advanced with his sword.

“Aegyptus Sun Disc!” Janus called, launching a flaming ball of fire at her enemy.

Shade ducked behind his shield, noticing that the attack was far weaker than he had ever seen it before. Still, he waited until the flamed subsided before preparing to defeat his rival.

When he lowered his shield, Janus was gone.

*****

Rei and Minako set their bags down on the curb, taking a break from the long walk home. They had been shopping downtown almost all day, laughing and enjoying life as they had before the latest enemy had appeared. They had wandered further and further away from the Shrine until they were quite a far distance from home and without any bus money. The two girls had no choice but to walk.

“I’m exhausted,” Minako gasped, sitting down on the side of the road. “Why didn’t we save some bus money?”

Rei sat next to her and smiled. “At least it’s a nice, sunny day.”

Almost as if her words caused it, the sky suddenly became dark and it began to rain. Minako shot Rei an angry look, and the other girl shrugged and smiled sheepishly. Grabbing their purchases, they began to run in search of shelter from the sudden downpour.

They ran almost blindly, dodging the few remaining people on the street. Rei grabbed Minako by the sleeve and pulled her down a dark alleyway that was partially covered. Breathing hard and rubbing their arms for warmth, the two girls leaned against the brick wall and began to laugh. Rei squeezed the excess water from her long hair, when she heard a sound at the back of the alley. She paused, blinking in surprise, and listened carefully.

“What is it?” Minako asked.

“Shhh!” Rei hissed. “I hear something.”

“It’s probably a cat,” Minako replied, wringing out the sleeve of her jacket.

“No,” Rei disagreed. “It sounds like… crying.”

Curiousity overcame caution and the two girl crept deeper into the dark alley towards the muffled sound of sobs. The back of the alley was filled with boxes and Rei motioned for Minako to wait for her as she scrambled over the obstructions. She found a person, half buried under wet newspapers.

“Hello?” Rei asked softly. “Are you okay?”

The person turned, and Rei found herself staring into turquoise eyes. It took her only a moment to realize it was Sailor Janus who lay weeping on the ground. The senshi’s eyes widened in shock and she scrambled into a kneeling position facing Rei. Her fuku was dirty and torn in some places, and her hair was matted with dirt and wet from the rain. She looked horrible.

“My Lady Mars!” she gasped. “The Queen mustn’t find you out so late!”

Rei blinked in confusion. Minako came scrambling over the top of the boxes when she heard voices. Janus looked up at her and smiled.

“Lady Venus, you know better than to follow Lady Mars out at night,” she chided.

Minako looked at Rei, who shrugged. Janus shut her eyes closed and pressed her hands to the sides of her head. She muttered under her breath and when she opened her eyes to look at the girls again, she pushed herself back as far as she could go.

“Senshi! Get back! Stay away!” she hissed.

“What’s going on?” Minako asked.

“I don’t know,” Rei replied. “Maybe we should leave her alone.”

“No!” Janus exclaimed. “Please, don’t leave. You said we had to stick together, once. Please, she’s out there, looking for you. I can’t protect you if you leave,” She looked around, her voice full of worry.

“Minos?” Rei whispered, dreading what the answer might be.

Janus’ eyes hardened, and she laughed maliciously. “Still looking for your hero? Well, she’s gone forever now. No one left to save you!”

She lunged at Rei, reaching out with her torn gloves to grab the girl by the throat. Rei shrieked and pushed herself back, falling over the boxes and tumbling into the alley. Minako was right behind her, landing in a puddle as she tried to get away from Janus’ hands. Rei scrambled to her feet, pulling Minako to hers, and the two girls fled the alley.

Janus froze, one arm outstretched, her eyes filling with tears. “Please… I don’t want to be alone anymore…”

*****

“What’s the emergency?” Usagi demanded, closing her pink umbrella. “It’s pouring out there.”

Luna popped her head out of the front of Usagi’s rain coat, where she had hidden as Usagi walked through the storm. She squeezed her way free and landed gracefully on the ground, shaking the small amount of moisture that had leaked through the raincoat from her fur. She moved deeper into Rei’s room, hopping onto the bed and sitting down next to Artemis. The white cat was soaking wet and trying desperately to groom his matted fur. Luna smiled smugly at him before helping him clean his tail.

Mako was also seated in the room, her hair still damp from the weather. She was holding a cup of hot tea and smiled at Usagi as the blonde girl made her way into the room. Minako was sitting beside her at the small table, also drinking some tea, and Rei was seated on the bed next to the cats.

“It’s Janus,” Rei began.

Usagi immediately brightened. “Did you see her? Did the Crystal work? Is she on our side?”

Rei held up a hand against the barrage of questions and shook her head. “We saw her, but she’s not herself.”

“She’s insane,” Minako spoke up. “One second she was addressing us like royalty, the next she was trying to kill us.”

“Royalty?” Luna repeated.

Rei nodded. “She called me Lady Mars, and said the Queen would be upset to see I was out so late, and she called Minako Lady Venus.”

“Those were the titles you girls held at court during the Silver Millennium,” Artemis spoke up.

“But Calliste-san told us she had no memory of the Moon Kingdom,” Mako argued. “If Sailor Minos wasn’t there, why would Sailor Janus be there?”

Luna shook her head. “There’s so much about that time we’ve forgotten.”

Artemis sighed. “Maybe there was a Sailor Janus there, but I thought Queen Serenity only held court for the guardians of this solar system.”

“Does it matter?” Usagi asked. “Janus is obviously confused. We need to help her.”

“She’s gone crazy, Usagi-chan,” Rei said gently. “I don’t know what else we can do for her.”

“Maybe the Crystal didn’t work,” Usagi thought aloud. “Maybe I should try again.”

“That might revert her to her evil ways,” Mako spoke up. “Even if she is unpredictable now, at least she’s not attacking us.”

“But I can’t leave her like that!” Usagi wailed, tears welling up in her eyes. “It’s my fault she’s confused. She needs our help.”

The others looked at her sadly. Usagi glanced at each one imploringly.

“We failed Ami-chan, but we can help Janus. I know she’s not entirely evil. She just needs another chance.”

Luna smiled at her ward. “Maybe you’re right, Usagi-chan. We won’t know until we try.”

“And if it doesn’t work,” Rei began doubtfully.

“It will work,” Usagi told her. “I know it will.”

*****

Rei and Minako led the way down the wet streets. The storm had passed, and the senshi all agreed that if they wanted to try to help Janus, they should do it right away. No one knew where she would disappear to otherwise. Usagi followed, one hand holding her brooch nervously, but her face was set in a determined grin. Luna and Artemis were at her heels, and Makoto bringing up the rear. The group walked in relative silence, each wondering whether they were doing the right thing.

“Down there,” Minako pointed to the alley where they had taken shelter a few short hours ago.

Usagi glanced around their location, surprised to discover they were right next to Calliste’s shop. The store was dark and boarded up, with a ‘For Sale’ sign hanging in the window. The lifeless store dropped Usagi’s spirits slightly, and she felt a sharp pain of sadness for the protective senshi. The others were looking at her, and she nodded once. Following Rei, she went deeper down the alley. Since it was so narrow, Makoto, Minako, and the cats waited at the entrance.

There was a figure at the back of the alley, wrapped in newspapers, crying softly. Rei glanced at the form and nodded to Usagi. The blonde girl reached forward with one hand to gently touch the figure on the shoulder. Before her fingers brushed the person, a hand whipped out of the newspaper and grabbed her by the wrist. Usagi gasped in surprise and Rei stumbled backwards. The person sat up and smiled.

“Shade!” Usagi gasped.

“Sailor Moon,” Shade replied. “Nice to see you.”

*****

The whole place seemed different somehow. As she walked along the concrete pathways, she found she could barely recognize the Queen’s city. The people seemed to be strangers, giving her strange looks as she waved a greeting, or completely avoiding her by crossing the roads. There was a different feel to the air, a heavier atmosphere than she was used to, and she had yet to find a single familiar face.

She made a mental note to speak to her teammates when she returned. They were supposed to remain in constant contact while on duty. They all knew that and were well aware of the rules. Breaking the rules meant punishment, no matter how much she hated to discipline her friends. A part of her thought she should be punished as well for losing sight of her charge. The Queen would be kind, but she hated to disappoint …

Her mother. Her father too. Both were gone. A tear fell down her face, as it always did when she recalled her parents. She had to find the one who did this. She had to track her down and make her pay…

For the souls she carried. She was paying the price now, losing whatever was left of her sanity. She could feel them within her, torturing her for what she did to them. She deserved it. She could see it now, thanks to Sailor Moon…

Could never face them alone. She and her senshi were hardly a match for the Boss. Soon, all their powers would belong to her, and she would finally feel complete. She hungered for the power… the one power that was hers… the one power she already had…

A scream shattered the still air, bringing her back to reality, however momentarily. Leaping to the rooftops, she ran to the source, still confused over who she was and what she was sent to do.

*****

Sailor Moon cried out in a panicky voice as she dropped to the ground, narrowly missing Shade’s attack. Sailor Mars was sheltered behind a garbage bin, watching her opponent move. Jupiter and Venus remained at the mouth of the alley, waiting for an opportunity to lure Shade into the open.

Shade had already gained the high ground, standing on a pile of boxes, raining balls of fire down on the senshi. He was laughing, obviously enjoying himself as he watched the remaining four inner senshi scramble for safety. Sailor Moon glanced across the alley to Sailor Mars, but the dark haired senshi was staring intently at her opponent, waiting for an opening to attack.

“Come out, come out, wherever you are!” Shade called with a laugh. “I promise not to kill you as painfully as I could!”

Sailor Moon frowned, her blue eyes wide with fear. A fireball exploded near her shelter, and she cried out in surprise. A sudden blast of electricity soared down the alley, clearly from Sailor Jupiter, but it was too far to do any damage to Shade. Sailor Moon could hear both Jupiter and Venus expressing their frustration at not being able to help their trapped friends. She looked at Mars again, this time catching her friends’ eye.

“What do we do?” Sailor Moon whispered.

Mars pressed herself against the damp brick wall as another attack sailed past. “We wait, and hope we get a lucky shot,” she said bitterly, angry at herself for being in this position.

Shade laughed again, when suddenly another figured dropped from the rooftops to land between Shade and the two other senshi. The attacks ceased, and Sailor Moon peeked cautiously over the top of her barricade. Across the alley, Sailor Mars did the same. Shade was still smiling, but his attention had been turned to the girl standing fearlessly in front of him. It was Sailor Janus. Sailor Moon wasn’t sure whether to cheer or to hide again.

“Sister,” Shade said emotionlessly. “How nice to see you.”

“Can it,” Janus replied. “The senshi are mine. The Boss’ orders.”

Shade raised an eyebrow. “Really? Last I heard, you had betrayed us all and were banished from his sight. He was really quite shaken by your actions, sister. I think you hurt his feelings.”

Janus’ eyes narrowed. “Back off, Shade. These little ones are mine. I owe it to Minos.”

“Prove your loyalty,” Shade countered, crossing his hands over his chest.

Janus grinned and held out her hand. A small clay pot was resting on her palm. Spinning around, she held the pot so its mouth was facing the alley.

“All Evils Release!” she called.

The deadly black mist poured from the pot, engulfing the alley. Sailor Moon fell to her knees, one hand around her throat, choking against the fog. She could see Sailor Mars doing the same thing, and heard Jupiter and Venus retreated in spite of themselves. Shade was also coughing in the mist, Janus being the only one unaffected.

As the density of the fog increased, Shade found himself growing weaker. Taking a deep breath, he shot a look of pure hatred at Janus and vanished. When he was gone, the fog dispersed, and the cool, humid air returned to the alley. Sailor Moon was still on the ground, her strength having been absorbed by the vicious attack. Mars lay limply across the alley, her eyes open but her body unresponsive. Sailor Janus moved to stand over Sailor Moon, the clay jar still in her hands.

“Sailor Moon!” Mars protested weakly.

Janus knelt next to Sailor Moon and looked curiously at the girl. “What did you do?” she demanded.

Sailor Moon’s brow furrowed in confusion.

“What did you do?” Janus repeated more urgently. “You did something. I was lost, then you did something and now I’m still lost, but not as much as I was before. I know who I am – or who I was, or who I’m supposed to be. I’m not sure which one yet, but I need to know what you did!”

Sailor Moon managed to push herself upright. “I tried to heal you,” she said quietly.

Janus stood in stupefied silence for a moment. Jupiter and Venus returned, running down the alley in single file to join their friends. Jupiter looked ready to attack when she saw Mars lying weakly against the wall and Janus standing over an equally weakened Moon, but Sailor Moon held up her hand to stop them. The two senshi waited quietly to see what would develop, Venus going to Mars’ side and Jupiter standing protectively close to Sailor Moon.

“Heal me?” Janus repeated, her voice barely above a whisper. “Why?”

“I believe in second chances,” Sailor Moon told her, “and something about you changed that night Sailor Minos died. You looked… frightened.”

Janus sat down next to Sailor Moon, ignoring Jupiter completely. “Did it work?”

“You tell me,” Sailor Moon replied with a smile. She could feel some of her strength returning.

Janus shook her head. “No! No, this isn’t right. We should be fighting. It’s time to train. You need to be strong in case I’m not around to protect you!”

Sailor Moon reached out and took Janus by the hands. The dark haired senshi turned to look at the blue eyed girl. Sailor Moon smiled gently.

“Let me help,” she said.

Janus blinked and nodded slowly. Sailor Moon tried to get to her feet, but found that she was still too weak from the previous attack. Sailor Jupiter reached out to support her as Janus also stood. She fingered the clay pot.

“I’m sorry,” Janus whispered.

“No!” Jupiter exclaimed, half holding Sailor Moon as she tried to stop the other senshi.

Janus aimed the pot at Sailor Moon. “Last Hope!” she called.

A tiny spark of light leapt from the pot and landed on Sailor Moon’s chest, absorbing into her. Sailor Moon gasped and her body began to glow. Another spark danced across the alley to settle on Sailor Mars. The glow spread across the two senshi like sunlight breaking through clouds, then quickly faded. Sailor Moon opened her eyes and smiled, standing unaided as Janus’ power restored all her energy. Behind Janus, Mars also rose to her feet, amazed at what had just happened.

“Thank you,” Sailor Moon said. “Now, let me help you.”

Janus closed her eyes in anticipation. Removing the Silver Crystal from her brooch, Sailor Moon held it on the palm of her hand, facing Sailor Janus. Concentrating, the Crystal began to glow, and the light spread from Sailor Moon and onto Sailor Janus, as Janus’ power had done only seconds ago.

Completely engulfed in the silver light, Janus kept her eyes closed. She could feel the thoughts in her head becoming clearer, and she felt herself rising off the ground. As the inner senshi watched, the light became so intense that for a brief second they had to shield their eyes, before the glow faded and Janus sank to the ground.

The senshi had changed. She no longer wore the strange fuku she had been dressed in before, but now wore a uniform more like those of the senshi themselves. Her collar was silver, and her bows and skirt a sky blue. She wore a gold tiara on her head with a blue gem and a blue choker around her neck. The shoulders of her fuku stood out like armor, and were golden yellow. On her feet, she wore tall silver leg grieves that covered most of her legs and her feet. She had a thin rapier belted at her waist. As she lifted her head and opened her eyes, they were still a brilliant turquoise, but were much more clear and happier than they had ever been before.

“Thank you, Sailor Moon,” Sailor Janus said. “I am whole again.”