Stars in a New Sky

Chapter 28: Gallery of Lost Souls

Minako forced down the wave of nausea that threatened to overwhelm her. The moment they arrived in the Dark Kingdom, she could feel the undiluted malice radiating from every surface.  Steeling her nerves, she reminded herself why she was here. Her princess was in danger. Usagi needed her. She shuddered to think what Thyst could be doing to someone as pure and innocent as their moon princess. 

"Is this it?" Rei asked, looking around the dark narrow corridor. It didn't seem as if anyone had been there recently. Even so, she couldn't shake the feeling that they were being watched.

"This is the place." Takeshi replied coolly. Minako wasn't the only one suppressing nausea. For a moment, the past and present had overlapped. He remembered the unwarranted hatred he felt for Prince Endymion briefly slide into his heart. It was a memory, there and gone in a flash. Though he knew what it was, the feeling still left him unsteady.

"How do we find Usagi in this place?" Mako asked, a worried expression on her face. 

"Just a minute. I've picked up Usagi's signal. It'll just take me a few moments to narrow it down." Ami answered, typing on her handheld computer. 

"Signal?"

Ami looked up at Mamoru's question and blushed faintly. "I put a small tracking device on Usagi's wrist communicator a few weeks ago." When all eyes fell on Ami, she blushed harder. "Well it seemed like a good idea at the time with everything going on..." She trailed off.

"You didn't put a tracking device on any of us, did you?" Mako asked, nervously.

"No! I only had enough materials for one." 

"Does Usagi know that you put a tracker on her?" Minako asked, mildly surprised at Ami's boldness.

"Well...no." She raised her hand when the other guardians started to protest. "Look I know it wasn't the most honest move, but if I told Usagi to wear a tracking bracelet she would probably forget. Considering the predicament we find ourselves in, I don't think we're in a position to debate ethics."

Takeshi grinned in spite of himself. "And I always thought Sailor Mercury was such a fuddy-duddy."

Ami narrowed her eyes at him. "Desperate times. Ah, I found her! She's just south of us...down that corridor." She gestured to the hall to the right.

Takeshi winced. "I think I know where Thyst took her. Sadistic bastard. That's the Gallery of Lost Souls."

"Gallery of Lost Souls?" Mamoru replied in horror. 

"Yes. It's where Metalia imprisoned the souls of the citizens of the Moon Kingdom after she devoured them. Queen Serenity managed to save most of us and allowed us to reincarnate on Earth. The rest have been rotting in the Dark Kingdom ever since."

There was a quiet gasp from the Sailor Guardians as the full weight of his words settled on them. While they have been fortunate enough to be given a second chance at life, not all had be so lucky. Minako fought the sorrow that filled her chest. Now, was not the time to grieve for their past. Not when their present was in jeopardy. "We need to hurry before--"

"Before someone finds you?"

The group froze as a new voice echoed around them. Takeshi grit his teeth in frustration. He knew that voice. He turned his head to the darkest corner of the corridor. His stomach tied in knots as Balthus materialized from the shadows. If his memory served, Balthus was not one to be trifled with. Though he spent much of his time sucking up to Queen Metalia, he was no stranger to combat. He was a vicious opponent.

The Sailor Guardians barely had time to take cover before wickedly sharp daggers rained down on them. Minako cursed as she Mamoru and Takeshi were pinned down, separated from the others. They were closest to the corridor that led to the Gallery of Lost Souls. Her eyes strayed down the dark hall. Usagi was counting on them to rescue her. They couldn't afford to be delayed here.