This story tries to imitate an actual episode of the Sailor Moon anime, be advised. Author's Notes at the end of the chapter.
Sailor Moon R+
Bi-weekly set #1
Episode #1
Today on "Sailor Moon" new creatures from the Dark Kingdom appear, but are they
friends or foes? Stay right there, and I'll show you.
FROM A FARAWAY
PLACE AND TIME
THE FINAL BATTLE
WITH THE DARK KINGDOM
IS ABOUT TO BEGIN
OUTCASTS
All is right with the world. The forces of the Dark Moon have been vanquished, destroyed during their last battle in the future. For the first period in a long while the Sailor Senshi have a chance to rest, to enjoy their victory; and enjoying it they are. Mamoru and Usagi are back together, all doubts gone. Rei is busy with temple upkeep, almost enjoying the opportunity to boss Yuichiro about. Ami has even found time away from her studies for Ryo. The others are as happy as they can be, chasing down men wherever and whenever they can find them.
Peace and tranquility are everywhere, but as often is the problem, it is hard to tell if peace is truly what you make of it, or just the calm before the storm. For even now, the dark forces gather.
They had finally found a home, a new world. The clouds were pink and the sky was blue mixed with mauve and red, giving daylight the effect of both sunrise and sunset at once. Their massive tree stood in the middle of a wide field, in a valley surrounded by red tinged mountains and filled with green grass. Covered with pods, it blended in smoothly with the surroundings, although it was the only thing of its like anywhere in the world.
The pair danced through the green fields and among the great roots under their giant protective tree. They were mirror images of each other, one female with a pink motif and blue highlights, the other male with blue motif and pink highlights. They looked as happy as they'd ever been, and their tree flourished in the light of their love.
The male sat on a tree root, the female lit upon his lap. They shared a passionate kiss, then both pulled away, smiling.
"It took us a while, didn't it?" said the green skinned girl, "But we're finally here. Fifty light years, but not a heartbeat away from our friends on Earth."
The smile of the green skinned male widened, he took his lover's cheek in his hand. His other hand now held an ornate flute.
"Come on En, we've barely just left and you already want to return," he said. "We have a lot to thank them for, but our own lives to lead."
"Oh, I know, Al." En replied, hugging him, "But we're also going to lead them together."
They were in the midst of their embrace when both felt the presence. It hit them like a shock, and they were quite surprised. Storm clouds brewed in the alien sky as a dark power descended on the valley. All was in shadow.
"How sweet," a dark voice chimed in from the deepest shadows, "Do I get to join in?"
Both En and Al parted and jumped up with a start. They wheeled towards the source of the noise to see a dark humanoid form leaning against one of the massive, house sized tree roots. The form tipped its head, nodding to the pair. The immediately went shoulder to shoulder, prepared to defend themselves. Though they had come over to the side of good, no amount of over-exuberant happiness could dull reflexes honed by a lifetime of fighting for their lives.
"Who are you?!" En gasped.
"What do you want?" Al growled, adding to the words of his other.
The form stepped from the shadows. It was a man, at least six feet tall with dark scowling features, dressed in dusky crystalline armor. He looked at the two before him, sizing both up before he spoke.
"I've come for the Cardians." he said, "Hand them over, and I will have no reason to harm you."
"The Cardians." Al responded. "And why would you want them?"
"And why should we give them to you?" En interjected.
"Oh, I really think you shouldn't, but that's not my choice." the dark one commented, "They're for the Sailor Senshi."
En was taken aback by the answer, but the same reaction in Al elicited a different response. Instead of remaining silent he asked the obvious question, "And why would they want them?"
"Oh, you silly child," the dark one laughed, "They're not to be used for them, they're to be used on them!"
En and Al had heard enough. Both floated ten feet into the air, taking themselves out of melee range. They stiffened into a back to back stance and stretched out their palms toward their adversary.
"You'll not be hurting our friends with our own defenses!" they both said in unison. The pair's outstretched hands took on an unearthly glow.
"I'm sorry," their foe replied, "But that's not your choice to make either."
In a flash the ex-monsters lashed out at their enemy, defending themselves the only way they knew how: with force. The area where the dark one had been standing suddenly lit up with the visible effects of their combined telekinetic power, but as was inferred, their opponent was no longer there. He leapt over the blast and soared twenty feet into the air. Calling upon his own powers he lashed out at them with a powerful energy beam. The pair had seen this though and their eyes grew wide, their pupils glowing as they projected an energy screen that the attack reflected off almost harmlessly. Not a trace of energy other than light reached them, but the pressure on their shield left the two quite groggy, and the light from looking into the impact left them quite dazzled. By the time they could see again their enemy was gone, teleported. They spun in opposite directions and reached out with their minds, searching the surrounding area trying to find their adversary.
They did, but a second too late. Their minds hadn't the chance to register the sudden grasp on their heads before they were slammed together in a true meeting of the minds. Before they had a chance to fall he was at them again. Still in the air he twisted them about and slammed them together, back to back, even harder. The heads of the two lovers whipped into each other, stunning them even further before the dark one began his final assault. Planting his feet on a platform of dark energy to hold himself in the air, he sent wave after wave of psychic power into his opponents, firing off and frying every nerve ending in their bodies at once. The two convulsed violently, then he let them go to drop to the ground with a thud.
The dark one smiled, though now mostly to himself. He dropped down to the side of the unconscious aliens and slipped quite a handful of cards, more than a regular deck, out from within Al's tight outfit. He spread them in a circle around his hand, looking a moment at each, then they disappeared into the recesses of his dark garb. The being then stooped down and picked the flute off the ground from where it lay beside Al. He let out a soft laugh, tossing the flute on top of them. The being then turned to leave, but a voice held him up.
"Why are you doing this?" a sorrowful voice boomed from the tree. "This is evil; it is not like you."
"Yes, great tree," said the dark one, sinking into the shadows. "It is evil."
He waited in the darkness of his own sanctuary, watching numbers and mysterious magical symbols flash green across the screen of his mystical computer. Three of the favors he was owed were finally done. He felt his old foe's presence behind him in the darkness.
"Ah." he said, turning. "I know you have them."
They looked into each other's eyes for a short time. Both were dark. The one standing wore dark armor, crystalline in form. The one who was sitting hid his features behind robe and cloak; only two green glowing slits showed in the place of eyes. Both found resentment and hatred in the other, but the one standing also had a stern look of resignation on his face.
The robed one extended his hand, his arm showing powerful muscles. Grimacing, the standing one handed over what he had gained from the Dark Kingdom. An impressive rod crafted of rock and topped by a glowing, swirling sphere; a smaller pink wand tipped by a crescent moon; a set of sixty Cardians.
The seated figure sifted through the hand of Cardians and handed a few back. "You know who to give these to." he remarked. "You should realize I can make these work without the flute."
"Of course." said the other with a sigh. The first ignored him, looking over the other prizes.
"You've done very well," said the robed one, "But of course you would. Your misplaced sense of honor is one of the few things I've ever had over you, that and being better than you are."
"Any time you wish to try your luck," the armored one spat back in hushed but harsh tones.
"Oh, I think I'll unfortunately have to skip your offer." the other said in a vicious sarcastic tone, "And I still have one more favor to ask."
"And what do you want this time?" the armored one retorted. "How much more power do you need? None of it will help you in the end anyway."
"Maybe so, maybe they will defeat me. But without your help."
The standing one stepped back with a shock, then understanding crept over his face, "That is a little large for a favor."
"You'll do it though, you'll never break your word," said the robed one. "If you did, you know I'd kill her."
"And then you would die."
"Oh, but not before lovey I think," the robed one cackled. "I do not want you interfering with me. You cannot tell them anything that might hurt my chances, you cannot win their fights against me for them, and you must stay neutral in our battles."
The armored one growled in the darkness, beginning to fade away. "I'll do what you ask," he said. "I'll follow your guidelines, to the letter."
And then he was gone. The hood of the dark one's robe could not hide the shine of a tiny bead of sweat on his forehead. He might have just underestimated his opponent. There was no telling in what ways a thousand years of life, over the three thousand his enemy had already had, could have improved his enemy. He quickly set about sealing Earth away, out of reach of dimensional travel, thereby keeping out unwelcome incursions from the dark realms, or other sources. He would cover himself well, as usual.
Tokyo was beautiful during this time of year. The late morning sunlight reflected and played off of the downtown skyscrapers, making the skyline look wonderful; and things did look wonderful, especially in the parks. The midsummer heat was abating to the point that a cool spell had started. The weather in the park nearest to the Hikawa Shrine was perfect for a picnic, and picnickers there were. The place was rather sparsely populated before lunchtime, but soon there would be more people there than ants. One group was taking advantage of the lull, looking for that perfect place to set up a picnic.
Bliss, pure bliss.
Usagi looked up into Mamoru's eyes and kissed him again. They were both holding each other as tightly as they could, unwilling to ever let go again.
"Please, guys!" Makoto gasped from behind them, "Any more and you'll be responsible for your own heat wave."
Usagi glanced past Mamoru's shoulder, giggling. Makoto, Rei and the others were standing behind them, fanning themselves to fight off the feigned heat. They all wore beaming smiles. Usagi's face flushed red. Mamoru glanced at the others and even his face blushed a little.
"Come on, plenty of time for that later," Makoto added, her head bouncing to the side with laughter. She shifted the weight of the picnic bag over her shoulder. Rei and Ami were together, mumbling something to each other while Mina stood back at a discreet distance, having her laugh privately. The young couple reluctantly separated themselves. Mamoru was rubbing the back of his neck with embarrassment, but he too was grinning.
"Oh please, Mako-chan, do you remember how long I've been trying to do that?!" Usagi groaned in mock sadness, her eyes to the ground.
"Oh, yes Usagi, we remember how long you had been trying to do that." Rei jibed, "And we also remember the fact that you haven't stopped since!"
"Jealous, Rei-chan?" Usagi shot back knowingly.
"N-No, but it's j-just the fact that you seem to be having all the f-fun lately." Rei stuttered, barely hiding the fact that she was too, extremely jealous.
"Well, I worked long and hard for this." said Usagi, latching on to Mamoru's arm and bringing a rather shocked look from him before she added matter of factly, "And I deserve it."
"Ahem," Mamoru interrupted, "Since when did I rate as an 'it' Usako?"
"Umm, well you know..." It was now Usagi's turn to stutter and Rei's turn to get out of the limelight quickly. "I didn't mean it like that, uh, I mean that like that, or do I?"
"Oh, Usako," Mamoru said, lifting her chin with his fingers, "Now I know why I stopped trying to understand girls a long time ago. Especially you, odango atama."
Makoto cut in before they had time to kiss again, before their lips could even move, she quickly said, "Hey guys, come on now, any more of this and I might be sick."
Mamoru and Usagi looked at her and were somewhat dismayed to find she was seriously turning pale. They both shrugged, turned and arm in arm started to continue their search for the perfect picnic spot.
Makoto let Rei and Ami pass on their way after the other to let Mina catch up. They gave each other an almost forced smile. Waiting a second, the final pair followed.
"So here we are at the back of the line again," Mina remarked. "The only single Sailors."
Makoto grimaced, nodding in agreement. "I'm just glad Luna and Artemis decided to take a vacation. I'm not sure I could take much of the ribbing Artemis usually gives us, not with those two lovebirds around anyway."
They both sighed, long and hard, dipped their eyes to the ground and followed. If Makoto's eyes had been more open she probably would have seen the small upturned piece of concrete between two slabs of the walk before them, and definitely wouldn't have tripped on it. As it was Makoto did an Usagi-esque swan dive face plant into the pavement. The picnic lunch she had prepared bounced away from her, mixing and crushing the contents, which would have brought them quite close to the point of inedibility if the package's final bounce hadn't taken it into one of the park's many fountains. Lunch was soaked.
"Makoto!" Rei exclaimed, "Great going!"
"Yow, Mako-chan," Usagi added, yet to have noticed her food sinking in about a foot of water, "And I thought I was supposed to be the klutzmeister."
"OWH!" Makoto groaned, peeling her face off the pavement, "I'm sorry, guys."
"Oh no!" Usagi screamed, making Makoto look over herself for some horrible injury she hadn't felt. "The food!"
The pig tailed one shot over to the fountain in a speed that defied normal logic. Snatching up the packaging she tried in vain to save the contents, which were now starting to float around.
"Stew anyone?" Makoto asked, rubbing the back of her head as she crawled to her knees.
"Well," Rei added in her normal, sarcastic tone, "If we can get those two to kiss again we could probably cook it."
All the others shot Rei a scalding look that could have done the job for them if it had been aimed in another direction. The raven-haired girl shrunk under the gaze.
"Come on guys," she added. "I was just joking."
"Maybe you should save your jokes for later, Rei." Ami chimed in, trying to be helpful.
"Not as if they're needed," Mamoru remarked softly. This remark had another girl rubbing the back of her head.
"Now let's stop it, guys," Ami scolded. "Just because we have no one else to fight doesn't mean we should start attacking each other. We are best friends."
The others nodded in agreement. All, that was, except Usagi who seemed to either be shaking violently or performing some weird memorial service for the wasted food. Mamoru looked around, seeing that the picnic lunch was a loss, no matter how much desperate scooping and rummaging Usagi was doing, he thought a second and suggested another option. "I have a friend who works at a new fast food restaurant near here," he said, perking up Usagi's ears, "I'm sure we can find something to eat there, though I guess it'll have to be my treat."
"Oh, Mamo-chan," Usagi cried, her hopes of filling her face finally regained, "You're wonderful."
Rei shot an aside to Ami, "I'm sure if Beryl came back from the dead and offered her a seven course dinner we'd get the same response."
Ami shot her friend a look as if she'd just swallowed a frog.
"Well, excuse me," said Rei in disbelief, "and who voted this 'Pick on Rei' day, or maybe 'don't get Rei's jokes day'?"
"You're just too jealous, Rei," Ami retorted. "That's all."
Mamoru was leading the others off in a new direction. Ami followed, but Rei just stood there for a second.
"I am not jealous," Rei said, as if she needed to convince herself. She looked toward Usagi and Mamoru. Old odango-atama had latched onto his arm again and he was leading her away. Rei couldn't fight back a smile before she too followed.
"Okay, well, maybe just a little."
The place was crowded. The new fast food restaurant was rumored to have the best burgers in town, and was living up to that expectation. Usagi was filling her face to the point of inhaling food. The others barely had time to duck and cover before the frenzy started. Mamoru was left to check his wallet, relegated to looking at the vanishing money wistfully. A thought slowly formed in his mind that losing his memory, or having his head played with by the future, might not have been pleasant but certainly was cheaper.
"I love her," Mamoru remarked to Ami, "But I sure hope I can afford her."
The short blue haired girl just tilted her head and giggled. She was nibbling on her own hamburger, more in the mood for Makoto's homemade sashimi herself, but making do. The others were somewhat more feisty. Sitting around the typical stool and table style arranged seating, and basking in the sunlight shining from the wide window next to them, they had already finished off a large percentage of the restaurant's hamburger and fry stock.
"I don't like having to go up to the counter for seconds," Usagi mumbled between bites, "But the food sure is good."
Rei couldn't resist a jibe, she rarely could. "Seconds? What about tenths?"
"Agreed," the others said in perfect four-way stereo-style unison, dropping their heads into their hands as one.
"Well, I'm cheap," Mina remarked. "I'm getting full just watching Usagi."
Makoto looked over to Mamoru and asked, "How's your bank account holding out?"
"It's holding," Mamoru replied, looking at the stars forming in Usagi's eyes. "Barely."
"Oh well, that's gone." Usagi had finished another couple of hamburgers, "Well, come on Mamo-chan, there's always room for more."
"Believe me, I've noticed." Mamoru said. They both stood up and went to the ordering counter. Fortunately for them the line had thinned and they got through quickly. As they reached it and started their order, a red haired man about Mamoru's age came out of the back and noticed him. The fellow was tall with a soft-edged but muscular build and striking features, dressed in the normal restaurant maroon and blue uniform.
He walked over, calling to Mamoru. "Hey bud. Long time no see."
"Hi, Kenny." Mamoru replied happily. "So you are working here now."
"Uh, working..." The red-haired fellow seemed not to know how to take that. He leaned over the counter and asked, "You do know I own the place, don't you?"
"Huh?!" Mamoru was taken aback, "How did you manage that?"
"I do well for myself." Kenny said, then looked down at Usagi. "And speaking of which, who is this shocking young beauty?"
Usagi almost giggled herself a conniption. Mamoru looked either rather embarrassed or rather put out; the expressions seemed to merge together. Kenny reached over and tickled Usagi under the chin.
"She's my girlfriend, Kenneth," Mamoru growled.
Kenny looked up, shocked. "Oh," he said, pulling away. "I didn't realize. She's a little young, I guess."
"Apology accepted," Mamoru responded.
Some of the people at the back of the line started to complain. Kenneth looked up; noticing the problem he told the cashier to ring up a round of hamburgers for Mamoru and his friends, on the house.
"Uh, sir," said the cashier, embarrassed. "You don't know how big a round is with that girl at the table."
"Do I care, Chuck?" Kenneth shot back. The cashier immediately punched in the order. When the manager happened to notice ten hamburgers being flipped onto the griddle for six people he looked back at Mamoru. Kenneth's eyebrows were slightly raised. Mamoru just shrugged.
The manager quickly headed out from the counter and motioned for the others to go back to their seats. When he was hidden temporarily from sight by a display he remarked to himself, "Body of an angel, eats like a horse; who would have guessed?"
As Mamoru and Usagi sat down Kenny appeared, carrying a tray full of hamburgers. He placed them down on the table and everyone that was still hungry dug in. Grabbing a free chair he sat at the end of the table and started talking.
"And you say I've done well for myself," he said with a laugh. "I'd be quite happy to be stuck at a table with this many pretty young ladies."
"We're all friends," Mamoru replied, then introduced Kenneth Braverman to the others.
"Ah, a whole lot of pretty friends," Kenny said. "It's just that I wasn't suspecting this level of success from the most boring guy in class."
"I wasn't boring." Mamoru defended his honor.
"Mamoru-kun, you're the only guy I know that skipped a stag party for study hall," said the manager with all sincerity. "I kind of call that boring."
Rei's eyes shot open wide and she spat her mouthful of milkshake across the table. This brought a few quietly-worded disparaging remarks from Mina, but no serious damage had resulted. She turned to Kenneth, amazed.
"He skipped a..." she began.
Kenny didn't let her finish. Easily anticipating her question he answered, "Yep, missed the best party of the year."
"But I needed the grade," Mamoru said bashfully.
"Oh Mamo-chan, don't worry about it," said Usagi, reapplying herself to her boyfriend's arm, "You're all the excitement I can handle."
Kenneth looked to them, one eyebrow raised. He laughed as he thought up his own private joke, then shook his head and stood up from the table. Smiling, he looked from one girl to another, making sure each was happy. He stopped for a second when he met Makoto's dazed gaze. He waved his hand in front of her face but got no response.
"What have they been putting in my burgers?" he mumbled, then said goodbye to everyone and walked away. With that, Mina looked to the starry eyed Makoto.
"Well, you don't look bored anymore," she remarked.
"He looks just like my old boyfriend," said Makoto, softly.
And with that everyone fell off their stools.
The fast food gang left later, after about an hour of conversation. Kenneth watched the group break up, filtering out one at a time. Rei and Ami first, then Makoto, Mina, and finally the young couple. When they at last were about to leave he came out from behind the counter again and greeted them just beyond the exit doors. Though the two were still talking on their way out Kenneth felt inclined to interject.
"Hey guys," he said, rubbing the back of his neck with embarrassment. "I hope I didn't insult anyone back there; I didn't mean to if I did."
Mamoru looked up. "Hey, don't worry about it, Kenny," he remarked, "The distraction was actually welcome."
Usagi added her two bits as well. "You're a really nice guy Kenneth-san, and thanks for the compliments," she said. "Too bad I didn't meet you before."
"Yeah," Kenny laughed. "Before Mamoru-kun."
Both of the fellows grinned this time, then clasped hands and nodded at each other. Usagi smiled and they started to leave.
"See you around, Kenny," Mamoru remarked as they left. Usagi just waved.
"Count on it," Kenneth replied, his grin seeming to turn a slight bit more devious. Neither of the leaving couple even noticed.
Usagi was the first to see Naru and Umino walking together across the street. Umino seemed to be engrossed in his own conversation, but Naru was obviously not listening. She stopped and leaned on the glass window of the store she was in front of, and Umino almost tripped trying to stop in time. Usagi thought that at least clutzing out had shut him up.
"Naru-chan!" she cried out to her friend, shocking Mamoru who was lost in his own memories back into a near-deafened reality. The little redhead looked up. Recognizing Usagi she waved somewhat bashfully as the dumpling-headed one crossed the street, and came to meet them.
"Hey Naru-chan," Usagi said, finally reaching conversation range, "Why so depressed, it's not Umino is it?"
"Hey, I haven't been doing anything wrong!" Umino cried defensively, sweat forming on his brow. "Naru wasn't even listening to me talk about my new sphagnum collection."
"Ah, it's not the dweebmiester's fault, Usagi," Naru replied, gazing at the ground, "It's just the anniversary of something that happened to me."
After a quick check of her memory the truth dawned on Usagi. Nephrite had died on this day. Usagi almost kicked herself. With so much that had happened afterward, the far worse things, the events that had shaped Naru's life had just slipped her mind. She could see that somewhere, deep inside, Naru still missed him. Usagi blushed, feeling quite ashamed. Choosing her words carefully she asked the obvious question. "It's about Masato Sanjouin, isn't it?"
Naru looked up. Usagi could see the touch of longing that was still in her eyes, but the redhead smiled and the sadness disappeared.
"Him again?" Umino groaned. "Oh, how can I compete with him, even when he's dead?"
Both Naru and Usagi shot Umino a look that could have burned through steel. The little fellow shrunk under the stare. He conveniently remembered a few chores he had to complete and started to walk away.
"Hold on, Umino." Naru called, putting a hand on his shoulder. "I'm just trying to remember him, but I'm with you now."
Umino was quite relieved, and he turned back to her saying in his normal high pitched tone, "Aw, Naru-chan, you're the greatest."
The redhead blushed to match her hair. She turned to Usagi, who was smiling. Letting Umino go, she waved him along.
"Usagi and I have got to talk, Umino," she told him, "You get on with what you were going to do, but be sure to meet me at Sankaku park tonight like we promised. No sleeping."
Umino blanched a little, probably thinking about how an eleven o'clock meeting would hurt his study time. But instead of saying anything he nodded happily and marched off down the street.
"Do you think that kid will ever take off his school uniform?"
The two girls turned to face Mamoru, who had walked up behind them. He fitted his shades over his eyes, trying very successfully to look cooler than Umino could ever hope.
"Oh, don't worry yourself about him, Mamoru-san," Naru responded. "He's a nice guy and he cares. I can't complain about his little... Uh, well..."
Usagi, noticing Naru was having a hard time finding an appropriate word, helpfully whispered "quirks" into Naru's ear which she used to finish her sentence, adding "Yeah, quirks, they aren't that bad."
"It takes some time getting used to, Mamo-chan," said Usagi, "but they are actually good together."
Mamoru just shrugged, letting the girls finish their conversation.
"Speaking about good together, Usagi," Naru got to her point, "Will you come with me? I'd like my closest friends there. I have no other way of remembering, uh, Masato, and well, I could use some support."
"Don't worry Naru-chan," Usagi said, waving her hand in reassurance, "I'll be there. Mamo-chan?"
Mamoru turned back, rubbing his neck, "Well, I'm not exactly one of Naru-san's close friends. By what time do you mean, tonight?"
"Oh, about eleven," Naru replied.
Mamoru blanched. He started rubbing the back of his neck even harder, now in disappointment. "I'm sorry, I've got big things to do to get ready for a play they're holding next Monday. Usako knows," he rattled, and the blonde nodded in compliance. "I just can't stay up very late."
"Oh well, it's good to know you would," Naru said. "Any friend of Usagi is a friend of mine. Eleven then, Usagi?"
Usagi nodded happily. Naru returned the gesture and they said their good-byes. They hugged and Naru chased after Umino.
"She really misses Nephrite, you know," Usagi said, looking downward, "It was really hard on her." Memories of Nephrite's last moments flashed through Usagi's mind, along with Naru's anguished wail. Mamoru embraced Usagi from behind as she sighed, empathizing with Naru. They watched her pass from sight, then continued off to wherever they were going. Again neither noticed Kenneth standing in the recesses of a dark storefront behind them. He grinned the same off-sided grin he had before, mumbling to himself.
"So, she's the one." he remarked to himself.
Night fell. In an upper-floor window of the building next to the OSA-P jewelry shop a light came on. Naru quickly dressed herself and tiptoed down the stairs, carrying a bundle, trying not to wake up her mother. She was almost down when a voice stopped her. Her mother appeared behind her, looking a little sad.
"So you're going," she said, giving Naru a start. "I wish one day you'll tell me what this is about."
"I will, mom," the younger redhead replied as she headed out the door. "I promise." Naru's mother saw her out. The young girl walked through the dark streets, only a bit frightened, but with far more purpose than she had shown in a long time.
Her resolve might have been shaken if she saw the being watching her house from a building along the T street across the way. It was on the roof, standing in front of a set of letter signs that spelled the word "HAPPY". Anyone who knew, anyone who was looking, could have recognized the styling of the grey suit it wore a mile away.
Naru reached Sankaku park before the scheduled time. She knew it was long before the time that Nephrite had actually died, but it was far easier to get her friends here now, and that would make all the difference to her. She had been surprised that she had gotten both Umino and Usagi to agree to come without even a question of why she had picked that location. Neither of them could have known that the small tree-surrounded glade she now sat in was the place that her first love had died in her arms, the place that she had lost a true friend. Naru found it disquieting that there was no marker of the spot, no remembrance of the battle, or of Nephrite's courage. Settling down for a long wait, Naru rolled out the blanket she had brought and repositioned herself onto it. Sighing she became lost in her own thoughts while she looked at the other thing she had brought, a bouquet of memorial flowers.
Umino rushed through the trails of Sankaku park. His night vision wasn't too good and he'd gotten lost. Disappointed that he wouldn't be able to greet Naru, who would be there before she arrived, he started down a new path toward Tokyo Tower. Maybe this would be the one to take him to the place Naru had described. He stopped short when he heard a quiet sobbing at the edge of his hearing. It was Naru, she'd gotten there first and was having a cry to get it over with before her friends arrived. This touched Umino's usually analytical heart. Whoever they were supposed to be remembering this evening, he'd heard Naru sometimes call him Masato, sometimes call him Nephrite; he had meant a lot to her. He started down the path towards the noise when a man stepped into his way.
"Hey!" Umino gasped, almost falling backwards.
"You should take better care of yourself," the person said as Umino staggered back to his feet. "These parks can get dangerous at night. If you weren't so obviously carrying no money you might have been robbed."
"Not likely, the crime rate in this area..." Umino started, then he caught sight of the person speaking to him in the lights of the tower beyond. He'd seen someone who resembled that before: Zoisite. He didn't know who he was looking at, or what, but he knew instinctively it was bad.
"I'm sorry I must skip a delightful conversation," the man interrupted, reaching toward Umino's forehead in a move too quick for him to even think of getting away from. "But I have an important meeting to attend, and no one can be allowed to get in my way."
And with that, the Dark General let fly into Umino's brain a wave that set off each and every synapse at once. The poor boy, unable to cry out, unable to do anything but make one quick, violent convulsion, toppled to the ground like a felled sapling.
Naru dropped back to from her knees to sit down. She was through crying, had purged everything she possibly could from her system, now she could only hope it was enough to stop her from breaking down when her friends arrived. Sniffing, she wiped the last tear from her cheek, flinging the sparkling droplet with some finality into the dark edge of the glade some ten feet away. There was a small splat as it struck a boot, not the ground. Naru looked up in time to hear the first words said to her from the new visitor.
"You really loved him, didn't you?"
"Huh, what?" Naru was somewhat shocked. She tipped to her side, away from the voice, whose source she did not see. "Who's there?"
"I asked a question," the voice scolded. "You did really love him, didn't you? Not that I really need an answer, I can tell."
"Uh, well..." Naru stuttered, unsure of herself. The voice seemed familiar in some way, though she'd never heard it before. "I'm sorry for not saying anything, I don't think I recognize your voice, but the answer is yes if you really need to know."
"It just does my heart some good," the voice replied with a deep confidence. "I never realized Sarnam had it in him."
"Uh, we must be talking about the wrong person," Naru corrected. "The person I'm here for wasn't named Sarnam, I don't even know any Sarnams."
"His name was Sarnam Neftlin originally." The voice added, "We are talking about the same person; you knew him as Nephrite."
Naru gasped and drew back a little more. "You're right," she said, "but who are you, and how would you know? Come out where I can see you."
"I wouldn't want to scare you," said the voice sorrowfully. "You've had far too much trouble from people like me; you don't need any more."
"Don't worry," Naru responded in her honest, inquisitive manner. "You sound like a nice enough person, I can't see how you could scare me."
"Oh, but I could. I shouldn't have come here," the voice said, quickly backing off. "I just wanted to see the young woman who finally brought my old friend to his senses."
"Oh, please," Naru cried, "Don't go! You sound like you knew Nephrite; we had so little time together, and I'd love to hear more about him."
"You'd pay a price for knowing, Naru," the voice said, "I don't want to hurt you; you'd have to be sure."
"Please," Naru said again. "I miss him, even though he's in my heart, I miss him so."
Finally the dark form emerged from the woods. Naru gasped, unsure whether to pull back further, to stand up, stay, or run. She had been unready for what she saw, thought it unthinkable, almost couldn't comprehend what she was seeing. Feelings rushed through her in a torrent, but that could be expected. Before her stood a tall man, a person who looked of only average build, but exceedingly strong for it. His face was unbelievably handsome, with deep blue eyes and a strong jaw line. He had blonde hair, cut short at the sides but extending in a ponytail that ended between his shoulders in the back.
Though impressive, these features were not what shocked her so, it was what he was wearing. He was in a grey wrap-around suit held together by a small red pin. The outfit had a high neck, was squared off at the shoulders, and seemed to hold its own prestige. It also seemed almost militarily starched and was likewise ornamented, with a thin strip of orange fabric lining each of its edges, leather knee-length boots, and a brown jewel fixed to a large gold epaulet on each shoulder. It was like Nephrite's clothing had been, the uniform of a high ranking Dark General. She realized what she had recognized in the voice: both of the other Dark Generals she had seen and heard, had the same odd reverberating quality. The effect made them sound so unnatural, frightening.
He stood there for a moment, looking down and off to the side, averting his gaze from Naru before he broke the silence, asking, "Are you so sure now?"
Naru was quivering, unsure of herself. She said the first thing that came to mind. "You're a Dark General."
"That much is obvious," he replied, sounding downhearted.
"But you're supposed to be..."
"Evil?" the Dark General finished Naru's sentence for her, "Is that what you were going to say? You of all people should know that we were not all evil, not always anyway."
"What's your name?" Naru asked, regaining some cautious confidence. "Another 'ite' I suppose."
The Dark General had to grin at this. He answered with one word, "Jelcite."
"I'd be pleased to meet you Jelcite, under different circumstances," the redhead spoke, "but you're right, I have had so much trouble. But I know you people aren't always what you seem."
"If I were you, I wouldn't trust me either," Jelcite scowled. "Myself, I know that I don't like lying. I find the truth much more satisfactory. But how would you know that, or trust my say-so? Do you think I'm trying to deceive you?"
Naru softened a little, but was still cautious. She answered, "No, I guess not, but it's hard to tell. I know you come from a place where lying is second nature."
Jelcite almost blanched, but remained cool. "So be it," he said. "You are as smart as I had hoped. I'm happy to find my friend didn't die for nothing."
Naru smiled and sat up straight. She caught Jelcite's eyes with her own and looked into them. She noticed either her own eyes or his were tearing a little, maybe both. The fellow didn't quite know whether to stay or go, and was teetering on the edge of disappearing. If he was lying, he was doing a good job of it, and had gone quite a bit out of his way to do so. Finally believing that even if he was lying, he was no apparent threat, and she relaxed. Jelcite picked up on this but his reaction was too minor for her to notice. Naru smiled at him slightly and he smiled back.
"You really knew Nephrite well?" she asked. The Dark General tuned back to her, seemingly satisfied.
He nodded slowly, answering, "We worked together for a time. I respected him, called him friend, but he never returned the sentiment. He was rather jaded; found people as things to be manipulated more than equals, or even worthy companionship."
"He changed," Naru added, pulling her knees to her chest.
"So he did," confirmed Jelcite, "And he was killed for it."
Naru noticed Jelcite's eyes turning downward in shame, so she tried to make him feel better. "You sound nice enough, that you would have done something if you could."
"I tried, but I couldn't get through to any of them. I wasn't allowed in their little circle," he explained, still looking downward. "If I hadn't have been forbidden to interfere..." The Dark General paused for a second, choosing his words carefully, then continued, "Let's just say that Zoisite would not have been in any condition to do any more harm, ever."
Naru was a little shocked by the malice Jelcite had put into the word "Zoisite". She believed him actually angry at the dead Dark General, maybe as angry as she had been. He and Nephrite probably were a little closer than he had let on. They certainly looked enough alike. The colors and styling of Jelcite's Dark uniform differed only in the border colors. They had similar facial features, but Jelcite's wider, stronger jaw and more masculine cheekbones made them easy to tell apart. He even was standing similarly to the way she'd seen Nephrite stand a few times, especially when her friend was upset or sad. Jelcite was more obviously emotional, though. One arm was down at his side, while the other was bent at the elbow and he had that fist tightly clenched. His white gloved hand was actually shaking. Naru found it strange that even though he seemed so angry, she was not afraid, for she could empathize. The redhead herself had gone straight after Zoisite the second she'd recognized him after the incident. Jelcite looked like he would have done the same.
"Maybe it was a mistake to come here," the Dark General said. "I've become too emotional; that's not good for me."
"Oh, don't worry about being too emotional." Naru scolded. "That will help you a lot more than you realize."
Jelcite looked to Naru again. He was thinking about leaving, but a small smile was playing on his lips at the same time. It would have been interesting to know if Naru had noticed the look that came to his eyes then, for they were almost hidden in shadow. But he sensed that someone else had arrived.
Usagi dropped the flowers she was carrying. They made a soft thud on the ground, the sound almost covering the small shocked squeak she made.
A few seconds ago she had been deep in thought, wondering whether Naru would keep her out to the actual time, whether Umino would or wouldn't be too much of a pest. She'd been going over the new pound cake her mom had made, following its every line and texture in her mind as she almost automatically walked down the path to where she knew Naru would be waiting. All of those thoughts were gone now, almost as if the blackboard of her mind had been wiped clean with a hail of thrown bricks. She saw a Dark General, a real, live, DARK GENERAL! standing just a few feet from Naru. He looked angry, had his head down and his fist clenched, but her friend seemed almost enrapt with his visage. When would these people leave Naru alone?!
"If you've hurt my friend." Usagi growled, though more to herself since both were out of ordinary earshot. With enraged purpose she grasped the locket at her collar and shouted, "MOON CRYSTAL POWER, MAKE UP!"
And she was surrounded in a blue dimensionless energy field. The surrounding scenery took on a soft glow as she was wrapped in the mystical garb, gloves, and boots of the mightiest of the Sailor Senshi. The field disappeared in a flash as the crescent moon blazing on her forehead was covered as the magic bejeweled her head with earrings, ornamental red hairpieces and a golden tiara.
Sailor Moon stepped onto the scene.
Jelcite did his best to look shocked when a high pitched voice called to him from beyond the trees on the other side of the glade. He had been expecting this to happen. What he had to do next would shape the course of the campaign.
"Hold it right there, Dark-trash!" shouted the voice as its bearer broke into view, "I am Sailor Moon!"
"Huh?!" Naru almost jumped. She hadn't heard Sailor Moon approach. She twisted about to see the female warrior, standing in a bright cone of light from a hidden street lamp. Naru could easily see the anger in Sailor Moon's eyes, mixed in with what she thought was a tinge of surprise.
The Sailor Senshi continued her spiel. "I am the guardian of love and justice! In the name of the moon..." the heroine pointed to Jelcite over her arm, "I will punish you!"
The Dark General scowled, though truth be told, inside he might actually have been laughing since most of his predecessors had found those lines quite silly and had to put some effort into keeping a straight face. He turned to leave, starting to sink back into the shadows.
"I was right," he murmured, "It was a mistake to come here."
Sailor Moon was shocked to see a Dark General start to vanish without even trying anything. "Stop right there!" she commanded.
Jelcite's response was cold enough to chill the warmest soul. "Why?" he asked. "So you can kill me just like you've done with everyone else I've ever cared about?"
"Uh, wha...?" Sailor Moon was shocked. The fact that she was looking at a Dark General, one of Queen Beryl's henchmen, someone who to her personified evil incarnate— and that he had the nerve, the gall to turn and call her a killer just had blown Usagi's mind. The sheer ludicrous way the situation was changing took her by surprise. He was turning her into the visage of a reactionary, overactive machine of vengeance with just one short phrase. He had her feeling like the villain! She looked at Naru, unsure of what to say. None of her routine lines could handle words like that.
The Dark General looked at Sailor Moon. He saw that she was no longer threatening, but rather looking confused. He started talking to relieve that pained anguish he saw forming in her eyes. "I'm sorry," he said as he halted in the shadows, sounding truly apologetic, "that was out of line. You were just protecting yourself. My friends put themselves in position for their own downfall."
"Huh, what?" Sailor Moon stuttered, collecting her thoughts. She turned to the dark form, a quizzical look on her face and asked, "Who are you?"
"I am, was, called Jelcite; now I am no one," the Dark General replied. "I was once a Shigetsuoh, one of the four moon regents, the Knight of Titan to be exact."
"I don't think he's a bad guy, Sailor Moon," Naru added, trying to help. "But you'd better be careful."
"Thank you, Naru," the Senshi replied. Now standing her ground, she challenged Jelcite, "And who are you now? Why didn't we see you before?"
"I was banished from Beryl's little fraternity," Jelcite answered in a sour tone. "I was in charge of holding the troops together. I made friends with those who became your enemies and tried keep the peace, but as you saw, without me they became engrossed in their own petty squabbles. One of them hurt this poor young girl, and for that I wished to apologize."
"Wow," Sailor Moon said, taken aback. "What you're saying sure doesn't match your uniform."
"I never fit the bill well anyway," remarked Jelcite. "I could never stand Beryl. We differed in policy, and when trying to hold her own forces together actually made me popular, she saw an imagined threat and banished me from the Dark Kingdom the first chance she got. To tell you the truth, I'm rather glad you won."
Usagi raised her eyebrows; she'd never expected this. She could hardly believe the Dark General was not lying, but judging by what he said, he sounded like a nice fellow! The Dark General stepped back into the light. Sailor Moon found this Dark General as quite handsome, as usual. But she'd found long ago that evil commonly wore an angel's face.
"Am I welcome?" he asked, almost bashfully. Naru looked to Sailor Moon. The Senshi looked quite impressed, now willing to drop her guard a bit and speak normally. The Dark General looked at her and actually smiled. "What, am I being too anticlimactic for you?" he asked, his mood a bit lighter. "I'm sure I could find something evil to say if I tried hard enough."
This had both Usagi and Naru giggling. Happy that his joke went over well, the Dark General chortled along with them, adding, "Well Sailor Moon, you're not so bad after all. I was expecting someone a little more gung-ho, but I like what I found."
"Why thank you," Usagi replied, "I think."
Jelcite bowed deeply, his arm across his waist in the standard Dark-salute. "My fate is at your disposal," he remarked with a grin. The girls looked at each other, rather convinced.
"Okay, Jelcite," Sailor Moon responded, "So maybe you're not such a bad guy, but what are you doing here?"
"He came here to meet me, Sailor Moon," Naru answered for him. "He said he wanted to meet the girl who softened Nephrite's heart."
"How romantic," Sailor moon exclaimed.
The grey-garbed one smiled again, nodding. "Oh, five years here has given me a touch of sentimental streak," he said.
"Five years?" Usagi and Naru asked in stereo.
Jelcite explained, "Beryl decided a fitting punishment for me was to send me a thousand years into the future, banishing me to a point where she believed the Dark Kingdom would have won, and where she could gloat that I had nothing to do with it. Being that way, I arrived just a few years before those Queen Serenity sent."
"But how have you survived?" the odango-atama gasped. This brought another smile from Jelcite, who seemed to now carry with him the air of a carnival magician.
"Can I tell you a secret?" he asked. Usagi nodded, and the form of Jelcite disappeared into pink smoke, from which emerged a more familiar red-headed fellow wearing a grey jacket, pants and an orange top. "I do quite well for myself."
"Kenneth-san?!" Sailor Moon was shocked, her eyes opening wide. A Dark General managing a fast food restaurant? "You're Mamo-chan's friend?"
"He doesn't know," Jelcite responded, then in a more cautious tone made his intentions clear, "And he mustn't ever know. I took a great risk showing myself to you. I didn't know how you'd respond, but the others? I've seen them in action; they'd never understand."
Usagi thought about what her friends' reactions would be. She could see Ami understanding, but Rei or Makoto, and especially Mamoru after all he'd been through... they probably would not. She was about to suggest some sort of compromise when Jelcite, in a move of utterly brilliant scheming, cut her off.
"Hey," he said, circling around Sailor Moon and wiggling his fingers as if he was trying to be scary, "I'll bet if I could guess something really important, make like I had something to hold over you, though not really— you could never refuse."
"Like what?" Usagi asked.
Jelcite continued his little dance. "Like your identity." He saw Sailor Moon's forehead begin to shine with nervous sweat. "I'd bet I can guess it."
"Uh, well..." she stammered.
Jelcite pressed, "Come on, what's it gonna hurt?" he asked as Naru looked rather expectant.
Sailor Moon glared back at him and gave the challenge, "You're on!"
Jelcite looked like a Dark General tickled pink. If he was an evil liar he would have to have been the best imaginable. He pulled a few little Dark-power shenanigans to give himself a little flair and recited a small rhyme. "Oh my, oh me, who could it be?" he said whimsically, sliding around the nervous looking heroine. He formed a little ring of light above her head with his hand as he continued, "Naru's there and it sure ain't me. How about..." With a flourish he whipped the shining ring down around her, appearing to undo her transformation, and he finished his rhyme by chiming, "the daughter of Queen Serenity!"
"USAGI?!" Naru gasped.
The odango-atama looked over to her friend bashfully. "Hi, Naru-chan."
Jelcite stopped, leaning over Usagi's shoulder, "Ooh, looks like someone has some explaining to do," he chortled. "How about over some hamburgers?"
From the darkness far beyond the glade, two figures watched. One male, one female. This wouldn't have been too unusual if they hadn't been floating a few feet over the underbrush.
The female looked to the other and remarked, "He's gone mad."
"Jelcite's always known what he's doing before," the male replied in a clipped British accent. "I have confidence in him."
The pair watched Usagi, Naru, and Kenneth walk off down the trail to the feeding ground of the latter. The taller redhead was happily gabbing away in both the girls' ears.
"Confidence?" the woman spat. "You have confidence in a person who stripped us of our identities, our powers, and rights as Dark Generals; who made us go on just being human like he seems so happy to do?!"
In the darkness the male cringed at the cutting words. He answered them without need of a second thought, "But we got our powers back; don't ask me how. Also, if we had known who we were, we would have been with Beryl and most likely be dead by now, instead of being in a perfect position to strike!"
"Strike? Do you think he's interested in striking? He has them at his mercy and he's doing nothing!" the female cried back. "He's gone mad, and I must do something about it!"
"Wait!" the male called as the other vanished in a haze of teleportation. "Oh girl, if you do something hasty and ruin his chances, he'll kill you no matter how much he cares for you!"
But the female was gone.
"Why didn't you tell me?!" Naru said in an annoyed growl. Usagi blushed and tried to hide under the restaurant table. The place was usually closed at this time of the night, but Kenneth had unlocked it and started the place up personally, just for them.
"But Naru-chan!" Usagi shot back, "I didn't want to put you in any more danger."
"Any more danger?" Naru glared at Usagi as if she had just said the dumbest thing imaginable. "How could I have gotten into any more danger?" The redhead didn't let Usagi answer but instead dropped her head on her hands, resting on her elbows. Then she continued, "Funny, I should have been the first to realize. I know you better than anyone; how did I miss it when you told me that Nephrite wasn't human, or when you knew his name before I told you, and how you always seemed to act like you had the inside track on everything Sailor Moon thought."
Usagi was mumbling about not using Nephrite's actual name before Naru had told her, when Kenny returned with a tray overflowing with hamburgers. He set them down between the two on the table and took a seat next to Naru.
"Hey, I didn't know how many you'd want, Usagi-san, but counting on the way you were eating this morning..." he remarked. Usagi took a hamburger, but didn't even bite into it. She just looked at it and sighed.
"Wow," Naru said, awed. "And I thought I was bummed."
"Oh, it's to be expected, after being caught not having told her best friend the truth and all," Kenneth said.
Usagi looked at him with a scowl, determined to put him in his place. "And talking about not telling the truth," she interjected, "I don't know why I should really trust you. Might you actually hold that knowledge you have over me?"
"Oh please," Kenneth groaned, leaning back. He reached into his jacket and pulled out what looked like a partial deck of about sixteen cards. He placed them on the table and slid them over to Usagi. She picked the top one up and looked at it.
"Funny, I've never seen this card in any deck before," she mumbled, then gasped with the realization that she did recognize it. "Cardians!"
"You wanted some nasty assurance," said the transformed Dark General. "I've kept those Cardians around, mostly for protection from other Dark Generals. Being the highest ranking one left, I guess they expected me to lead them but they got quite a disappointment. That's the strongest one you're holding at the moment."
Usagi looked up. "Other Dark Generals..." she started to ask. She never got to finish the sentence, as her question's answer became apparent in the next moment.
"Traitor!" screamed a powerful female voice. Everyone at the table looked over to their right. They couldn't see anything past the four-foot high brick dividing wall between them and the source of the shout, but didn't need to for long. Over the divider flashed a grey form. A white glove reached out and snatched the Cardians off the table.
What landed about five feet away on the other side of the table, didn't seem to shock Jelcite much, but Usagi again was rocked to the core. Another Dark General, this one a woman, was standing there. Her face reminded Usagi of Zoisite's but was framed by a veritable mane of curly, shoulder-spanning raven black hair. Her uniform differed from Jelcite's in its deep blue border and lack of epaulets. She had to be a lower rank than Jelcite, but it seemed to make no difference to him. She flourished the Cardians.
"Moricite?!" Kenny gasped, "What are you doing? How can you be here? I took your powers away for your own good; you couldn't get them back!"
"You disgusting traitor," the other Dark General growled, her deep, evil voice completely distinguishing her from Zoisite. "How dare you turn me into a human reporter! I'll never forgive you for that insult, and now that you obviously have gone mad, I don't have to listen to you any more!"
"Mad? Is it insanity to try to protect those you care for?" Kenneth retorted, standing. "You came with me in my banishment, and for that I am grateful; but can't you see, if you oppose the Sailor Senshi, you'll be destroyed!"
"We'll see who is destroyed!" Moricite growled then thrust her free hand out at Kenneth shouting, "MORI!"
Kenneth was blown back over his chair by the telekinetic wind produced by the other Dark General. He hit the floor hard and instantly reverted to Jelcite. As he changed, so did Usagi: with Jelcite's illusion broken she turned back to Sailor Moon and was ready for battle, though a little shocked by the sudden change of outfit.
"Oh no," Moricite said sarcastically, "does this mean I'll have to sit through that 'champion of justice' crap? I don't think so!" She raised her hand toward Usagi but then her attention was diverted. Jelcite had rushed over to Naru and laid his hand on her shoulder.
"No time to argue!" he said urgently. "I'm sending you home now, don't say anything to anyone!" He teleported her away.
"Don't worry!" Naru replied, her voice fading as she disappeared.
"How touching; save the humans but not your own people," the Dark-mistress sneered. "Don't worry, when I kill you I'll send her to meet her poor little Nephlite."
"No!" Sailor Moon shouted, whipping her Moon Scepter free of its trans-dimensional space. Moricite turned her sneer to the Sailor Senshi, telekinetically ripped the table she was standing before off its bolts, then rammed it into Usagi.
"Moricite, wait!" Jelcite cried, "It doesn't have to be this way!"
"Oh yes it does, traitor." Moricite turned on Jelcite, her free hand glowing. The more powerful Dark General would have none of it. Energy arced around him as his anger built. Moricite gasped as she realized Jelcite still had his powers. She reached into the hand of cards she was carrying and tossed one to the ground.
"Cardian Swordsmistress, protect me!" she screamed. From out of the card appeared a devilish apparition. The Cardian was a big one, female, as always, covered with hard boney spikes and plates. The creatures arms ended in a pair of vicious looking hooked and ridged swords.
"As you command, master!" the Cardian roared, leaping at Jelcite. The male Dark General leapt back barely in time to avoid the blades. One still caught him, ripping through his sleeve and leaving a red gash on his arm.
"Ha ha!" Moricite giggled. "Slowing down with your old age, Jelcite?"
The epauletted Dark General just smiled at her and began dodging the Cardian's attacks with a somewhat rusty, but efficient flair. He knew Moricite was about to get more fight than she bargained for.
"Forgetting about someone, Dark slime?" Sailor Moon shouted, catching Moricite by surprise and landing a solid kick across her jaw before the evil one could react. Moricite recoiled in fear, clearly outmatched by the two others in the room.
"I'll deal with you later, little Sailor punk," she replied, rubbing her jaw. She leapt backwards out one of the restaurant windows. "Have fun with your playmate! Kill the Senshi, Swordsmistress," she ordered before she disappeared into the night.
"As you command, master!" the Cardian repeated, breaking away from Jelcite. The creature leapt at Sailor Moon with blurring speed. The heroine could only scream; even her own agility was unable to take her out of the path of the leap in time.
Jelcite was incensed by the underhanded tactics of his opponent. Gripping the very rock that the restaurant stood on he shouted at the beast, "Did I say we were finished!?" and then brought a huge pillar of bedrock up through the floor and pancaked the Cardian on the solid ceiling. "Your scepter, Sailor Moon!" he cried.
Sailor Moon nodded. As the pillar retracted back into the floor revealing a groggy, slightly horizontally challenged Cardian, she drew forth her mystic scepter and channeled her powers into it. Calling the words "Moon Princess Halation!" she sent a crescent-shaped blast of power at the beast. It had only the chance to let out a pained scream before it was turned into moondust. The Cardian's focus card floated in the air for a second then fell to the ground, its edge sticking into the floor. The card faded to black.
Jelcite fell to the floor clutching, his arm. Sailor Moon rushed over to him.
"You're hurt!" she gasped. Jelcite looked up with a pained expression.
"It'll heal," he assured her, "but now do you see why I don't want the other Senshi to know about me? I don't want to be grouped in with misguided types like Moricite."
"Can you help?" Sailor Moon asked, tending to Jelcite's wound with some napkins. Jelcite grunted and struck the floor with his free hand.
"I'm sorry," he said regretfully. "I'm forbidden to interfere, just like I always have been. It's our law, and the only thing I have left. At least you still have the strongest Cardian; Moricite didn't do too much damage."
Usagi nodded in understanding as Jelcite looked around his mangled restaurant. He groaned, this time in mental pain. "What am I going to say happened to my shop?"
Later that night, a tiny eruption of magma drawn from deep beneath the ground burned a circle in a glade of Sankaku Park. In the centre of the circle rose a small monument, then the magma withdrew and the ground very quickly cooled. The how and why of it would baffle people for decades. But here sat a finely polished granite headstone streaked with obsidian. Words were carved onto its face:
SARNAM NEFTLIN
NEPHRITE
MASATO SANJOUIN
1205 - 1242
923 - 992
1990-1992
Sarnam
May your love prove you
The best of us
Well that's it for chapter 1. Slightly long for a chapter I know but when I wrote this back in the 90's I was dead set on making it as much like the anime as I could so the chapters are set up as full episodes.
Took me a little while and a few beta readers to rework this into a readable form. I thank them for their efforts. Finding people old enough to remember the first run of epps, usually played at 2 in the morning, was a challenge.
As always reviews are very welcome, even encouraged. This is an old old fic and I hope it holds up well. It has a few misconceptions in it, but I'll fix that as we go I hope you didn't cringe too often.
Thanks for reading this far.
SRO
Edit: Located the name of McKenna park from the dub as Sankaku park, fixed all references.
