HEY LOOK! It's the (temporarily possibly) final part of the Eternal Senshi Series!
...at least till I get a new idea for the series...which actually RunningStorm and I have been working on...still working on in fact... We'll just have to wait and see though.
Moving on...or off...whatever...
Haruka: Carter's mind is fried...well...what's left of it...
Oh shut up. Here's the disclaimer and some shocking news...I don't own the canon characters at all! That makes me sad, but I do own all my own characters, but not Akira. He was made and stolen for the purposes of this series (by RunningStorm's request).
Now on with the fic!
A figure sat cross-legged in front of a large alter, a statue of a Guardian in the middle. The figure wore a pair of black baggy pants, a long sleeve black baggy shirt, a pair of black and silver bracers, and a pair of black leather boots with silver greaves. Tribal tattoos were etched into the greaves in black. A black mask covered the upper half of his face and black gloves covered his hands. A black sash and belt were wrapped around his waist. A thin bladed sword hung from his left hip.
The man's eyes were closed, a double bladed naginata sitting in front of him. His dirty blonde hair reached down an inch or two past his shoulders, but it was tied back. The man let out a slow, controlled breath as he meditated. A voice echoed in his mind…
Long ago, there was life on all the planets and moons of this system. In the center of this system was the last line of defense. The Kingdom of the Sun was filled with passionate warriors, the most powerful being Sailor Phoenix.
The wisest people of the Silver Millennium populated the Kingdom of Mercury. They learned how to master the element of ice so that they could continue to live on their planet despite how close it was to the sun.
The people of the Kingdom of Venus were the authority on love and caring for others. All who needed advice on love went to someone of Venus. Many of the inhabitants of Venus were also marriage priests and priestesses.
The spiritual authority of the Silver Millennium resided in the Kingdom of Mars. Mars was filled with powerful priests and priestesses who held the power to banish and seal evil, wherever it appeared.
Of the Inner Kingdoms the people of the Kingdom of Jupiter were the most powerful of the warriors. The people of Jupiter were fiercely loyal and protective of the Silver Millennium. Hardly anyone could best them in one on one battle.
The Outer Kingdoms held the most powerful of the Sailor Senshi. The leader of these Senshi and Kingdoms was the Kingdom of Uranus. They were the strongest of all the Senshi and the most determined to do what was necessary to keep the System safe.
The Kingdom of Neptune stood proudly next to the Kingdom of Uranus. The Senshi of Neptune was strong, graceful, and complimented the Senshi of Uranus better than anyone could have believed. So much so that the two souls of the Senshi became intertwined as did their destinies.
The most reclusive and mysterious of the Outer Senshi and Outer Kingdoms was the Kingdom of Pluto. They were the oldest of all the Kingdoms and the only ones trusted to watch the Time Gates.
Perhaps the most dangerous of all the Senshi and possibly the most powerful was the Senshi of Saturn from the Kingdom of Saturn. The other three Outer Senshi never allowed the Senshi of Destruction to be reborn unless otherwise commanded by Queen Serenity of the Moon Kingdom.
The Moon Kingdom was the capitol of the Silver Millennium. It was the pearl of the Solar System. Under Queen Serenity, the System enjoyed centuries of peace. Serenity also had her warriors protect the mortals of the Earth Kingdom. It was not until Beryl, the greedy noble from Earth, that the Silver Millennium fell.
Now, with the rise of Crystal Tokyo, peace has a chance to return to this System. However, evil may try to destroy everything that Arashi and the Senshi fought for. You must return and defend them. They will soon have desperate need of your help…
The man in black opened his teal eyes. He reached out and grabbed the naginata and rose to his feet. He turned from the alter and began walking for the large, wooden doors. He lowered the front of the naginata so that it rested against his arm, the back blade sticking up behind his head. As he did so, the doors opened and he vanished as he stepped through.
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Neptune knelt before the throne, her eyes lowered slightly out of respect. "I'm sorry Neo Queen Serenity, but the English government refuses to sign the treaty for some reason. They say that the next diplomat from Crystal Tokyo will be arrested for treason against the Crown."
Serenity sighed wearily. Six months had passed since Crystal Tokyo had formed. Nearly all the countries in the world had readily agreed to the treaty Serenity offered them. Only England and a few newly formed countries had refused, but the latter were beginning to see the benefits of joining Crystal Tokyo.
"Thank you Neptune. You may go," she said. The Sea Senshi bowed her head and rose to her feet. She turned and walked out of the throne room. The Queen watched her friend leave, sorrow in her eyes. Neptune had desperately searched for any clues for Haruka or Uranus' whereabouts, but found none. Serenity had also sent out the others to search for a way to revive Kaijin, Neptune's son, but none had been found.
It seemed that the Sea Senshi had given up on nearly everything. The only thing that kept her going was her daughter and her duty as a Senshi. It pained Serenity to see her friend in such torment.
Mars waddled in, her stomach giving away how late in pregnancy the Fire Senshi was. Serenity smiled and rose to her feet as her friend tried to kneel down. "Mars, how many times must I tell you that you don't have to bow while your pregnant?"
The Fire Senshi rose to her feet, thankfulness in her eyes. "How'd it go?"
Serenity sighed. "It appears that England won't accept anymore peace treaties or alliance offers."
"They still refuse to join?" Mars asked.
Serenity nodded. "I don't want to force them, but I can't stand to see the people of that country suffering."
An arrow suddenly flew by the two and implanted itself in the floor. Mars stood protectively in front of Serenity, hitting the alarm button on her communicator. An alarm began to blare through the palace.
A winged figure leapt down from the high windows and knocked another arrow to his black bow. He released the arrow and it flew straight at Mars. Before she could react a figure in black appeared from nowhere and grabbed the arrow mid-flight. He snapped the arrow in two and pulled his thin bladed sword free.
The winged assassin pulled his own sword free and charged in. The figure in black calmly caught the assassin's blade with a gloved hand and snapped the black blade. Without warning he swung his own sword and severed the assassin's head. He flicked the blood off the blade as the three Eternal Inner Senshi with Neo Mercury, Tempest, Kaze, Pluto, Neo Pluto, Neptune, and Phoenix rushed into the room. The figure sheathed his sword and watched as the Senshi surrounded him.
"How did you get in here?" Tempest demanded. "Who sent you?"
"Answer!" Jupiter ordered.
Teal eyes looked at the ten protectors of Neo Queen Serenity. His gaze rested on Serenity and he took a step forward, pulling his sword free. The Senshi tensed and were prepared to strike when the figure knelt down. He lifted the sword up to Serenity, his head bowed.
"I've come to offer my aid in protecting the Crystal Kingdom," he said in a soft, humble voice.
"Who are you?" Serenity asked.
"Kage," he replied. "Hogosha Kage."
"Who sent you?" Neptune demanded.
"The Guardian Spirits," Kage answered.
"Don't lie!" Tempest snapped. Since the death of her brother and the disappearance of Haruka, she had grown callous and cold. She leveled her sword at his back, her eyes hard.
"Majesty, if you believe me to be your enemy, then command me, and I will end my life," Kage said.
Serenity's eyes widened. "You'd…kill yourself?" she exclaimed in shock.
"If you asked it of me," he replied. "I was raised to protect and guard you and follow your orders."
"Stand Kage," Serenity said. He did so, his sword still out. "What is your real name?" she asked with a small smile.
He sheathed his blade and looked down. "Sumimasen, demo…that is the one thing I cannot do." (Sorry, but)
"Why not?" Venus asked.
"I wasn't told the reason. Only that it would be revealed when the time was right," he said.
"That's good enough for me," Serenity said. "The one thing I've learned is that things happen for a reason." She turned to Phoenix. "Can you show him a room please?" the Queen asked.
Phoenix nodded and motioned for Kage to follow. The others watched as they left the throne room. "Forgive me for being abrupt Serenity, but why are you trusting him so easily?" Neptune asked.
"If he is the real assassin, then him staying here is playing right into his hands," Pluto added.
"Keep your friends close and your enemies closer," Serenity said softly. "We do not yet know enough about him to pass any judgments. By him staying here, we will be able to learn more about him."
Kaze nodded. "Smart move Queen Serenity," he commented.
"There's no other reason?" Mars asked.
Serenity brought her right hand to her chin, a thoughtful expression on her face. "There's something about him…something familiar…I could see it in his eyes." She looked at her friends and protectors. "It was the same look you all have in your eyes whenever an enemy is threatening us." They nodded and began filtering out, Jupiter and Tempest dragging the headless body away. More than that, he reminds me of Uranus… so willing to do whatever was necessary… Serenity added silently. Especially his eyes…
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Kage followed Phoenix down the ornate hallway, amazed by everything he saw. He hadn't known what to expect upon arriving at the Crystal Palace, but he never expected what he was seeing.
They came to a halt outside of a door and Phoenix turned to him. "Here's your room," she said a little curtly.
His teal eyes looked into her golden eyes and he gave her a small bow. "Thank you Lady Phoenix," he said softly.
"How do you know my name?" she demanded warily.
"I'm a friend of Arashi's," Kage said softly.
"You…you knew him? How?" she demanded.
"He was one of the people who insisted I come to help you all," Kage said, looking away from her. "He spoke very highly of you."
"He was one of the spirits you talked to?" she inquired.
"No, not a spirit…" Kage said.
"Then how…" her eyes widened as she trailed off. "He…he's…he's alive?" she stammered, hope in her eyes.
"I don't know," Kage said. He turned to her. "I only heard his voice and his plea for me to come here."
"But…he could be…couldn't he?" she pleaded.
"Anything's possible Lady Phoenix."
She nodded, hope flaring in her heart. "If you need anything, let one of the servants know." She smiled softly at him and left.
Kage walked into the plush room and closed the door, locking it. His head was bowed and his eyes closed. He turned and walked to the doors that led to the balcony. He pushed them open and walked out into the cool dusk air. He lifted his gaze to the full moon, sea blue eyes shimmering with tears. He blinked them away and lowered his teal eyes to the garden below. He sighed heavily, knowing his task wouldn't be easy in any way, shape, or form.
Hmm...I wonder who Kage is...well...I don't wonder, I know. But I will take guesses as to who he is. The first three to get it right will be mentioned in the chapter when Kage's true identity is revealed (RunningStorm, you know who he is too so you can't say either, sorry). So click on that little button that says 'Submit Review'. All non-flame reviews are welcome.