Sailor Moon: The Metal Age

PART ONE: INTRODUCTION

Part A

The Sailor Senshi had faced many villains in their years together. But even they had to admit; this one was the worst. Despite their best efforts and all their attacks; the enemy kept coming.

So they found themselves at Rei's temple; discussing it.

"Luna, are you sure this enemy was never faced on the Moon?" Rei asked.

The cat Guardian shook her head, "I have no memories of it."

"Perhaps it's from outer space, like Galaxia was." Mina offered, "Could they want the Star Seeds?"

Luna glanced at the Outer Senshi of their group, "What does the Future say about this?"

"There is no record of this enemy." Setsuna, Sailor Pluto, Guardian of Time, informed them. "This enemy is truly unique to this time."

Artemis sighed as he rested in Mina's arms. "So how do we defeat an enemy we don't know anything about?"

Luna looked to Michiru Kaioh, "Any suggestions?"

The senshi shook her head; the sunlight flared off her ocean-colored hair. "Sorry, I have no idea. My mirror isn't showing me anything."

Luna studied the group of senshi around her. They had never met an enemy like this. Not even the enemy's purpose was clear. It was frustrating to the say the least.

"Until we know more; everyone stay on guard. We might have to face this thing again." Artemis murmured. "Perhaps we'll learn something new next time."

"I hope so," Luna muttered, "Because we have nothing to go on."

Days later; with the sun cresting over the edge of the world, the city awoke as it always does.

And high above the city; in her apartment Mason Rogers stood watching the sun rise. She rested one arm against the window; her hand pressed to the cool glass. The slow change of colors across the sky helped to sooth her dark mood.

It had been another sleepless night; another lonely, quiet evening. This solitude was beginning to eat at her; beginning to strip away her personality. It never ceased to amazing her that she could be alone in a city of more then a million people.

For the past two years she'd lived in Tokyo Japan, teaching English. She didn't really have a class like some people. She worked for a company that offered lessons to whoever wanted them. She taught in a school during the evenings, four days a week for three hours a session.

The work paid well; her hours were reasonable and she loved this place. She loved Japan.

In the two years she'd lived here; she had traveled as much as she could through this wonderful country.

Despite the warm, welcoming people she found; she never made friends. But then, friends were something she'd never had a lot of. There was a time, a few years back where she had had friends. But she had left them all behind when she moved here.

Mason shook her head; leaving the window, she crossed to her kitchen. The smell of burnt toast scorched her nose and she sighed. Setting her coffee cup down; she peered at the blackened slices.

"I still can't cook."

Cooking was something she had never learned to do. Her cousin was the cook; her cousin was the one who did the laundry, made the grocery list, handled everything domestic.

But her cousin wasn't here and she had to eat. Mason tossed the burned toast into the garbage and retreated to her bedroom. She finished getting dressed in her running suit. Packed her gym back and left her apartment.

One thing that Mason did well was physical fitness. She'd been a gym attendee since she was a teenager. People would often comment that she was a health freak.

She was a freak; just not in that way.

The walk to the gym was refreshing in the crisp-post dawn morning. The city was starting to get busy; even at this hour. The gentle hum of activity kept her mind busy as she walked.

The health centre was state-of-the-art and she loved coming here. As so much was in Japan; the centre was built on the roof of a public shopping area. It had a fantastic swimming area; and a full fitness and training facility.

The elevator deposited her on the correct floor and she drew out her membership card. There was already staff in the center as she swiped her card at the desk.

"Good morning, Rogers-san." The desk personnel greeted.

She returned the greeting and swept into the change room. It was quiet; most people came after work.

The cardio and weight area had a sense of stillness to it. As if the room was holding it's breath. The soft whirring of the Sky-Runner 3000 added to the sense of mystery.

Mason liked the Sky Runner machine. It was like running on air. It made her feel free; light.

She wasn't a tall person; just barely five feet four inches. That was an average height until you met her cousin. Then Mason was short. Her cousin was a cool six feet tall.

Shaking the thoughts loose she turned on the radio that was built into the machine. It was satellite radio; which she loved. Commercial free music, 24/7. It was perfect. She selected the fast, pounding rhythm of trance/techno music and let the sounds take her away as she ran.

An hour later she was working her way through weightlifting. This was always hard work for her. It wasn't the weight she lifted or the moves she was doing; it was the pain.

The pain was a constant reminder of just how much of a freak she was. The pain came not from the physical work; but the past she had barely survived before coming to Japan.

Two years ago Mason Rogers had given up being a soldier. It wasn't the military kind. But the magical kind. She, Mason Rogers, was in fact an Elemental Soldier. Hers was the power of Titanium; the strength of metal. She was the Titanium Soldier of the Elemental Protectorate.

A fancy name for a bunch of magically gifted girls who had to save the earth.

It was a duty; a job, a destiny. It was her life.

A life she'd walked out on.

After all who wanted to spend their lives fighting enemies that only wanted to destroy them? Who wanted to die only to be brought back, time and again? Who wanted that?

She didn't.

Two years ago; she had committed the gravest of crimes. She had removed her ring of power; turned her back on her friends and walked away.

They had shouted for her to stop; to come back, to stop being a fool. But she had ignored them. The only one not to scream at her back was her cousin. Because her cousin was the only one who understood. The only one who knew her feelings.

Being the solider of Titanium wasn't that wonderful. Like the Element she commanded; she had become hard. Her emotional nature had disappeared behind her duty. She'd taken on the unyielding, unbreakable, indestructible qualities of her Element.

It had made her socially unacceptable. Her ability to communicate, to share, to feel…had disappeared. She'd been nothing more then the metal she commanded. It had been an empty way to live.

And so she had made the choice to leave.

She wasn't an emotionless being. She was human and she was a woman. Mason Rogers wasn't going to end up like her leader. The Elemental Soliders leader was so consumed by her duty; that her life had ceased to exist beyond it. And that was not a life Mason wanted.

So it was here, in Japan, amidst this technology-based world of old custom and new culture, she learned to feel again. It had come slowly and painfully; like a child relearning their world. There had been moments when she missed her powers. But those had become increasingly few as time went by.

It really wasn't her powers she missed. It was her cousin.

Raiden King had been the only family Mason had ever known. Both girls lost their parents the same day; both gained their powers at the same time. But it was Raiden who managed to balance the two worlds.

Yes, of all the things, Mason missed. She missed her cousin the most.

"Rogers-San?"

Mason blinked and focused on her surroundings. She was standing at the window; staring out at the city of Tokyo. It was pouring rain; a very strong storm. She smiled slightly; Raiden loved storms.

"Rogers-san?"

Mason looked over at the gentle voice. It was one of the gym trainers, "Yes?"

"I heard you were starting a new class this evening. Is that so?"

"Yes." She nodded.

The trainer nodded, "I wish you well with it."

She smiled softly, "Thank you."

He bowed slightly and left her alone.

Mason looked back at the storm beyond the window. "Raiden, I miss you." She turned away from the window and gathered her things.

Perhaps now she would be able to sleep. It would be best if she rested before work this evening. With a new class starting she needed to make a good impression on them.

As she dressed after her shower; Mason paused as she studied her reflection. People considered her pretty; perhaps she was. She honestly didn't know. Her hair had always been pure black; like coal. Her skin was pale despite her healthy lifestyle. Her eyes were a shining, luminescent silver color. The darkness of her hair combined with the pale skin color; made her eyes glow.

She'd never been one for colorful clothes; black and grey suited her just fine. It wasn't until the day Raiden had commented on them, that Mason noticed it. The only colors she wore were black or grey or a combination. Perhaps it was her Elemental influence or perhaps it was just her personality.

The thought made her frown at her self. But wasn't her personality and her Element one in the same? She shook her head; not any more they weren't.

Mason left the fitness center and made her way to the building lobby. She stood aside from the doors; holding her black gym bag in one hand. And watched the powerful storm; she smiled at the whips of powerful lightening and deep rumbles of thunder.

Raiden would have been thrilled at this storm. After all, she was the Elemental Solider of Lightening. Which included thunder, rain and storms in general. Yes, this was her kind of weather.

Mason let her self enjoy the storm. It was like having her cousin with her in a way. She let her mind conjure the image of Raiden and imagined they were watching the storm together.

This is a perfect day. Raiden would say.

It's wet, Mason would reply.

They would laugh together.

Mason found her self smiling at the imagined conversation. She missed their laughter; the two of them had shared a lot of happy times together.

Raiden was more passionate then Mason was. She was quick, bright and fast, like her Element. Mason was slower to become emotional; she was better with quiet strength.

The day their parents had died; it had been Raiden who fell to pieces. Mason had been the one to hold her and soothe her. She had dealt with the arrangements; the funerals, the selling of their homes. While Raiden let her grief consume her; Mason had maintained their lives.

But on the other hand; it was Raiden who encouraged Mason to leave the Soldiers. Her cousin knew that Mason was slipping away. It had been Raiden who had been the buffer between Aiden and Mason. The two of them had never gotten along well.

But that's what happens when you bring Fire and Titanium together. There's going to be conflict. Aiden was the Solider of Fire. All heat, passion and energy. She was hot tempered, quick to act and uncontrollable in nature. She was sometimes even reckless and at times unreasonable.

So when you bring the cool, resilient, indomitable Titanium together with scorching fire and unbridled heat, there's going to be sparks.

So it had fallen to Raiden and Ocean to calm the firestorm that Aiden and Mason created.

Mason shook her head again. Why was she suddenly thinking of Aiden? It made no sense to her and she wasn't about to wonder about it. Instead she zipped up her black track jacket and headed out into the deluge.

Across town; within their rented house; Raiden King smiled in satisfaction. She could still conjure the perfect day.

"Did you have to do that?" A voice whined behind her.

She turned her head, "Yes, actually I did."

The complainant glowered at her, "You're such a killjoy."

Raiden shrugged, "Someone has to be around you."

The girl flashed her a grin, "That is true."

Raiden shook her head in resignation as Crystal bounced out of the room. Her voice filled the house as she called for Aiden and Dylan.

Turning back to the window; Raiden closed her eyes. She reached out with her powers and felt the coolness of metal. She smiles softly as she sensed her cousin's presence. It would be impossible to get through Mason's shielding; but perhaps the storm would be enough to announce their presence.

"Trying to reach, Mason again?"

Raiden opened her eyes, staring at the Wind Solider in front of her. "Anila, I wish you would stomp your feet or something."

The blonde beauty smiled softly, "I would, but we have an emergency."

"Like what? You broke a nail?"

Anila smiled, "That would Crystal."

Raiden moved away from the blonde, searching for her jacket. She had to get out of this house, it was crowded.

"It's in the closet, Dylan hung it up." Anila told her.

"You're spooky sometimes," Raiden muttered as she left the living room. She found her coat in the front closet, just as Anila had said.

"Raiden," Anila appeared beside her, "The emergency."

Raiden shrugged on her rain coat, "I'll find you."

"Yes, but…"

She stepped around the wind solider and out the door.

Anila sighed in frustration, "Sometimes you're as stubborn as Mason."

She shook her head and went in search of the rest of them.

The energy blast didn't even phase the creature. As the colored light faded away; the Sailor senshi couldn't believe it.

"It should have worked," Sailor Moon looked at the rod in her hand. "Why isn't it working?"

The group surrounded her in a loose circle. "Perhaps if we all attacked at once?" Venus suggested; she looked to Mercury, "Would that work?"

Mercury studied the creature through her visor. She shook her head, "I'm not getting anything useful. It's beyond anything we've faced yet."

"We should at least try!" Mars told them, "We can't just stand here and do nothing."

"If we attack like that, we'll drain our powers and be defenseless." Jupiter retorted. "Uranus, Neptune should go first, Mars and I will follow. Venus, Mercury you next. Sailor Moon, you attack after them. At least that way we can recharge some before we have to think of the next plan."

Sailor Uranus felt the shift in the wind; the tingle of power up her spine. "Neptune?"

"I feel it too, but I have no idea what it is."

They weren't the only ones who felt it.

Tuxedo Kamen felt the tingle of power; it breathed over him like a warm gust of wind. He paused, looking around for the source of it. What an odd sensation amdist a downpour like this.

"You guys ready?" Jupiter asked the two outer scouts.

Neptune couldn't shake the sense of the ocean; it was so strong. She looked around. It had never felt so real before; as if the ocean itself was rushing toward them.

"What is that?" She asked.

"I have no idea; but it's like the sky is about to break apart." Uranus looked at her partner. "Something's wrong."

"Guys, look out!" Sailor Moon threw herself at the two scouts and knocked them down as the energy blast seared by them. "What is wrong with you two?" The blonde asked as she pushed herself off them. "It's not like you two to miss that."

Uranus got to her feet, "Something's wrong with the sky."

Sailor Moon looked up; it was raining but nothing else. She looked at the two out senshi, frowning. "What are you talking about?"

"Can't you feel it," Neptune asked. "It's like the ocean is rushing toward us; it's incredible."

"I don't feel anything but wet from the rain." Sailor Moon got to her feet, "Are you guys sick?"

"No." Uranus got to her feet and held out a hand to Neptune. "It's just a feeling."

"Sailor Moon!" Tuxedo Kamen sprang for his beloved and the managed to reach her. But the blast hit him full in the body and he fell to the ground.

"Tuxedo Kamen!" Sailor Moon went to her knees beside him. "Mamo-chan!"

He groaned as she rolled him over, "Usako."

Uranus moved to attack when the wind was thrown into chaos. She looked into the sky and it was like the world was shifting it's balance.

"Uranus!" Neptune caught her lover as the woman fell. "What's wrong?"

"The power is incredible." Uranus couldn't see anything but the sky. There was a figure in it; with long shining gold hair. Her eyes were pale blue like a spring sky. She wore a gold dress with blue ribbons.

"Who are you?" Uranus reached for her, "Who are you?"

Neptune had never seen her lover like this and it worried her. But as she stood up to attack; the world heaved around dher. She fell and was surrounded by the ocean. The deep, cool depths were everywhere and she saw a figure in the darkness. She had eyes the color of the water around them. Her hair was a rich brown with bronze highlights. She wore a simple outfit of jeans and a t-shirt. But there was something so powerful in that dainty looking figure.

"What's wrong with them?" Jupiter ran up. "They're acting strangely."

Sailor Moon studied the two outer scouts; she held Mamoru in her arms. "They both said something was happening."

Luna and Artemis ran up to the fallen outers scouts. Artemis checked on Tuxedo Kamen.

"They are the only ones affected?" Luna asked.

"So it would seem." Artemis stared at his partner, "What is it?"

Luna sat on her hunches; it was a vague memory. "I once heard mention on the Moon of the Earth Kingdom having a new warrior."

Sailor Moon watched her Guardian, "Isn't that Mamo-chan's job?"

"He's the Earth protector; but not its warrior." Luna shook her head, "I'm sorry, it's a very vague memory. I only heard it in passing. Queen Serenity never spoke of it to me."

Artemis looked over the outer scouts, "Why are they the only affected? Why not Mars or Venus?"

Luna sighed, "I don't know."