Note from the Author: Please note this story is part three in an ongoing saga. I will not ask you to go back through my previous works and for the most part will be making it possible to understand the current story by going backwards. However, there may be a significant amount of subtext in the story that will be missed. If you are interested in going back - 'One Way Or Another' is the first in this ongoing saga, followed by 'The Itawanabe Initiative.'
Standard Disclaimer: Sailor Moon and associated characters are the property of...someone else (is it still Toei?). In any case, I don't own the rights to Sailor Moon, I write this purely for entertainment purposes, as much my own as yours. Please don't sue, because I don't have anything to give you. Original characters such as Rosa Jyou and Matsui Chiyu are my own creations and any similarities to anyone real or fictional are purely co-incidental. Please don't use them without my permission, its not nice.
I also appreciate the irony of asking you not to plagiarise my creations whilst writing fanfic, but still, please don't.
The Zodiac Wars
Part One
By Ryan Bodle
Lacandon Jungle
Mexico
As head of security for a multi-national holdings company and personal bodyguard to its mysterious CEO, Mr Black had his fair share of unusual jobs. Delving into the depths of an Amazon rainforest for an ancient artefact was not one of them. His upper lip twitched into a minute snarl as he mused his current moniker. As an afro-Caribbean, it offended him to no end and his employer needed his previous life to cease to exist. Hence the codename. He constantly wished for a more inventive master.
"You know, we're probably about six hours from the border," Arturo his guide mentioned breaking his train of thought. Arturo was driving the 4x4 as far into the jungle as possible where they would rendezvous with an expedition team.
"What?"
"The border. We must be about six hours from Guatemala," the hispanic young man answered. "You wanted to know how far away it is."
"We have enough fuel to get there?" Mr Black asked as the jeep rocked from side to side.
"Probably. But not enough to get to the capital. Besides, we have better connections to Mexico City and a better international airport."
Arturo was a good guide. Cheap, local, attentive and smart. That possibly meant Mr Black would have to find his own back out of the jungle but as long as Arturo kept his nose out, it would be one less bullet spent.
"How much further?" Black asked monotonously.
"We're about twenty miles out, but the road only goes so far. It'll take a few hours to walk the rest of the way."
Hours. He wouldn't make it back to the town until nightfall and it was still morning. No doubt he wouldn't be able to sleep until back on the plane. Arturo drove for another half an hour before coming to a stop. "This is as far as the car can go," he explained and dismounted, fishing for his backpack.
Mr Black joined him, his pack was mostly empty ready to receive the artefact. Otherwise, he double checked the contents. Two bottles of water, energy bars, map and compass, rope, blanket and a belt that carried a handgun and a machete. He removed it and put it on then checked his gun. A round was chambered and the safety on. Arturo chose not to observe that. He carried a machete of his own.
When they met, Mr Black observed most locals wearing surprisingly long clothes for the weather. One night sleeping in the town and waking up covered in bites told him why. Arturo wore an unbuttoned shirt over a black vest with some long camo-shorts. Black chose a similar tact this time. Fortunately, he still had one of his shirts packed and wore it over his black base-layer; a constrictive top that did a better job of drawing sweat away from his body in the heat. Arturo thought they should get to camp a little under two hours. Mr Black intended to make it sooner and told him to set out fast. He would keep up.
Arturo had a good ten years on him and moved through the jungle like he was gliding. Black had to summon every inch of his agility and strength to keep up but he did. They made it to the camp a little over an hour. The twenty-something slowed down some fifty yards way from the clearing. "Here we are," he gestured. "There's a spring somewhere over there, I'll refill our water."
Mr Black removed one his bottles, it was barely opened. He took a long swing then held it over his head, allowed a splash to run down his face. It refreshed and cleansed him momentarily. Arturo took the bottles and left Black to his business.
Smart kid. Black thought and made his way to the camp. The camp itself was made up of just three tents. Two sleeping quarters with stores and another tent covering a set of cages used to secure and keep itinerary of the expeditions finds. About a hundred metres for the camp site, the entrance to an underground Aztec tomb was situated. A fresh discovery in Lacandon Jungle, it revealed secrets of a tribe whose way of life surrounded Tezacatlipoca, the first of many Aztec Sun Gods. The expedition was wholly funded by Mr Kairaishi, he was obsessed with ancient civilisations and their secrets.
The whole expedition were at camp, going over their finds and cataloguing each one with a fervent energy. They all looked like men and women who hadn't showered and bathed in days. Which was remarkable considering they had no running water for weeks. The lead archaeologist, Dr Scott spotted Mr Black as he came into the clearance. He was a short, round man. Completely unsuited to the untamed world. He had a near month's beard growth and his khakis were damp and probably starting to collect mould around the edges.
"We wasn't due for a re-supply until tomorrow," the doctor addressed.
"I'm not here for that man," Mr Black answered. "We have something in common, Dr Scott. An employer, he told me you found something important. I'm here to take it back ta the university." It had been a while since he had the liberty of talking English and his thick Jamaican accent cut through.
"You can't," Dr Scott stammered. "We've barely begun to decipher it."
"Doctor, having the Sunstone out here in the open is not in our employer's best interest, or anyone for that matter," Black reasoned. "Let me take it back to the university where it will be safe. Mr Kairaishi insists."
Dr Scott look set to argue but then decided against it. "This way," he shifted from side to side as he led Mr Black across the camp and to the storage tent. There was a series of cages inside stacked on top of each other, each one foot by one foot across. The central one was locked with a thick chain and padlock. Dr Scott removed a necklace from under his shirt and unlocked it removing a bundle covered in a brown cloth. The doctor looked at it, as if it was his most prized possession, running one hand over it tenderly.
"Doctor," Mr Black interrupted the scholar's thoughts, startling him. He looked at Black almost in abject fear and with shaking hands gave it to him. Black snatched it from him and the doctor almost cowered from the sudden bullying act.
"S-s-s-so, I'll see you back in Iowa in six or seven days, right?"
"Sure thing, doctor," Black said as he dismounted his backpack and put the Sunstone away. Dr Scott nodded to himself and walked away and once his back was turned, Mr Black removed his gun from the holster and put a bullet to the back of his head in one smooth motion. The archaeologist dropped to the floor almost instantly. Smoke whispered from the silencer as Mr Black searched out the rest of the group. All bunched together. Good.
Twenty minutes later, Mr Black rejoined Arturo where they separated. The Mexican guide handed him a freshly replenished bottle of water. They both took a second to drink before readying for the return journey.
"Got everything you need?" Arturo asked.
"Yeah man, lets get going."
Cherry Hill Temple
Tokyo
Matsui Chiyu stood at the bottom of the stone steps to the Cherry Hill Temple and stared at the climb with anxiety. Some ten days ago, he had an encounter with Tsukino Usagi that triggered a reaction in him. Memories of a forgotten life as a soldier and a knight. Moments later he had rushed to the aid of the infamous Sailor Senshi and wielded a power not seen in a millennia, ripping apart a demon by thought alone.
In the rapture of that night he was merely told to go home and wait to hear from them. So he waited, like a good soldier. And then he got a phone call from Chiba Mamoru, Endymion-dono reborn. He said to come to the temple tonight and he would get his chance to talk to Serenity-hime and her senshi. He was almost frozen to the pavement where he stood.
'Move,' he ordered himself and began the climb. When he got to the top, he found it mostly abandoned. Only a shrine maiden sweeping outside could be seen. He was sure he'd meet Endymion, no Mamoru-san here at the very least. He checked his watch just a couple of minutes early so he decided to wait. Suddenly aware the shrine maiden was watching him with a suspicious glare. He turned away from the raven-head girl and towards a small shrine in the square. A candle was still burning with incense sticks sat in a pot. He paid some yen, took some incense and burned it, offering a prayer to….whatever it was there.
The shrine maiden huffed her displeasure at his gesture loudly making him cringe. "She can tell you're faking it," a voice spoke behind Chiyu. He turned to see Chiba Mamoru.
"Endym-"
"Mamoru, please," the former prince interjected. He offered a handshake and Chiyu took it gratefully. "Its nice to meet you without being thrown around a hospital room."
Chiyu bowed his head. "I apologise for that. I was quite disorientated at the time. My memories had all returned at once."
"No harm done, and thankfully no one at the hospital was able to ID you, so you won't have to pay for the damages." Chiyu went wide-eyed as he remembered trashing a hospital room and smashing through the window in a fight with Mamoru. His memories had just overloaded his mind and upon awaking, saw the former prince of Earth an assassin. A brief exchange and Chiyu fled the hospital.
Mamoru smiled, bemused. "You're going to be fun to have around. Come on, I'll introduce you."
He led Chiyu away from the Temple and into the adjacent woods. Some hundred metres away a familiar sight welcomed him. Four senshi surrounding Sailor Moon. "Serenity-hime," Chiyu bowed.
"You know about the Princess of the Moon Kingdom, then?" Sailor Mercury probed.
Chiyu chided himself again. "I'm sorry, I forget there is no more Moon Kingdom. Should I call you Tsukino-san."
Sailor Moon laughed rather nervously and suddenly lost her posture at the use of her civilian name. It was quite a confusing situation for Chiyu.
Sailor Mercury spoke again. "How do you know Tsukino-san?"
"When Tsukino Usagi and I touched, I had an awakening of my memories. There was also a brief two way exchange of thoughts, I saw in her mind as she saw mine. Tsukino Usagi is the Moon Princess reborn here on Earth, she and her friends are the Sailor Senshi, protectors of humanity," he explained.
"Usa-chan never mentioned any such thing," Sailor Mars answered.
"Curious, maybe only I was aware of it," Chiyu thought to himself.
"You wouldn't happen to be in college, Mr Matsui?" Mercury asked.
"Yes. I'm studying History of Law, political sciences and mathematics," he answered.
Sailor Mercury looked to her fellow senshi. "Last week's history exam," she said as if explaining something. Sailor Venus, Jupiter and Mars sighed as if a penny had dropped.
"Wait! I studied for that!" Sailor Moon protested.
"You studied manga odango-atama!" Sailor Mars berated.
"Don't call me that!"
"Guys! Focus!" Venus interrupted.
Chiyu started to wonder if this was a really a debrief of any description. "I don't understand, what should I call you?"
"Sailor Moon will be fine for now," Mercury instructed. "So please, tell us who you are and what your connection to the Moon Kingdom is."
Chiyu nodded and bowed on one knee in front of them. "My name is Matsui Chiyu, Knight to the Moon Kingdom. Head of the Lunar Spear and General to the Knights of the Silver Millennium. It was I who commanded the armies of the Moon in the final battle and ultimately failed in its protection."
The senshi looked at him taken back a bit. "General?" Jupiter finally asked.
"He doesn't look like much of a soldier to me," Mars commented.
She was right. To look at him, Chiyu resembled nothing of the knight he was once. He was tall, lank and too skinny, his hair was a messy mop and he had a pale complexion that showed he didn't eat properly. In this life, he studied books not fighting.
"What does this have to do with being able to suddenly wake up his memories?" Venus pondered.
"Indeed," a black cat with a strange symbol on its made prowled to the front of the pack. "Sailor Moon bumps into several people every day, they don't remember their past life."
"Luna-san? You were sent forward as well?" Chiyu recognised the Queen's advisor immediately. "Uh, yes. The awakening. I think it may have something to do with my boon, coming into contact with someone who remembered the Silver Millennium, awoke my memories too. A complete accident."
"You mean your powers," Artemis joined Luna at the front.
"Yes. To make a long story short, I was one of four knights blessed with unique abilities. Champions of the Knights Corps of the Moon. A crest," he pulled it free from his shirt showing the senshi. "This crest of courage grants me powers of the mind. It gifts me telekinetic powers, and a limited telepathic capability as well."
The Sailors leaned in to inspect the crest of power. It was rather plain trinket, like sandstone with a symbol carved into it, two inverted v's. "It looks kind of ordinary," Sailor Venus commented without thinking, Jupiter elbowed her. "Oh, sorry."
"It wasn't meant to be anything ornate," Chiyu explained. "One part of four. When the new Moon Knight Academy was formally opened, Queen Serenity attended and made a blessing on the doors. It was meant to be all show but the Ginzinshou reacted unexpectedly and infused its power into the crest. It was quite a surprise. After the ceremony, the crest was removed and studied. Meanwhile the academy went on to train new knights to protect the Silver Millennium. Myself included."
"A remarkable story, but I don't remember any super knights existing in the Silver Millennium," Luna surmised. "We still can't be sure you are who you say you are."
Chiyu nodded. "Well, that makes sense. No one was sure what it meant when the silver crystal reacted with the crest. At least at first. When it's secrets were discovered, they weren't made public. Lunar Spear was born and the crest bearers were to be its tip."
"Lunar spear? You claimed to be the head of it, I never heard of it," Artemis pressed.
"The Lunar Spear was an operation carried out through the Knights Corps, the first line of defence against the Dark Kingdom. For years, we worked to prevent its invasion of the Moon Kingdom and the rest of the Silver Millennium. All for nought."
"This is all rather convenient, I'm not sure it counts as proof," Artemis continued.
Chiyu considered things a moment. His life in the past barely coincided with any of them. "How did you restore your memories of your previous lives?"
"Psychic projection," Luna answered. "Myself and Artemis-"
"Were the eyes and ears of Serenity, of course," Chiyu completed the sentence. "You have a unique talent. I don't have proof, but maybe I can show you. Between my re-awakened powers and your psychic projection, it may be possible to show you my memories."
"How do you mean?" Artemis cocked his head in question.
"We have two sets of talents that could be used in tandem, my telepathic powers granted by the crest and your psychic projection. I could relay my memories to you and you can project them to everyone here," Chiyu explained.
Luna furrowed her brow in concern "And you would show us your entire previous life?"
"No, the human mind could only take so much," Chiyu explained. "But I would consent to share with you anything that you ask. For now, I merely propose some of my life as a knight and what I can recount of the Dark Kingdom invasion. With your permission?"
The cats looked back to the senshi and the was a quick huddle among them. Chiyu waited patiently and respectfully. He suddenly wished he took up some of those invites to formal events, instead he stuck to his duties and away from the public eye. The huddle broke and Artemis walked forward.
"Show me," he instructed. "I'll decide what to show the others."
"Very well," the former knight sat down in front of Artemis, cross-legged and held on hand out. "I've not done this in a while, so it might start blurry at first."
"Anything else I should be wary of? Brain damage, maybe?" the white cat muttered.
"Come to think of it, I've never done this with a cat before, so I have no idea what to expect."
Artemis' hair stood on end at that. He looked worryingly at Luna. The black feline looked equally worried. Chiyu had never seen a cat shrug before, but he supposed the awkward gesture she made counted for one. Artemis turned back to Chiyu and shook his head of worry and looked at Chiyu with determination. "Do it."
Chiyu closed his eyes in concentration and then began to glow with a blue aura all over. After a minute of meditating, he extended his arm closer to Artemis. In anticipation, the white cat closed his eyes as Chiyu began.
The Lunar Palace
Lunar
The Moon Kingdom
As staff officer and protégé to the Knight General-Commander Val, Commander Matsui Chiyu followed his mentor closely. Today would be the first time he was admitted to the Royal Chamber for the War Council. Today, the worst case scenario had been realised. After years of fighting a secret war against the Dark Kingdom, they had established a foot hold in their reality. A Beach Head had been created on Earth and war was coming.
"There will be a lot of denial in this room, Chiyu," Val explained. "We must be headstrong and rational."
"Yes sir," Chiyu responded automatically.
The two men's boots clicked along the stone floor in harmony. Guards at several doors recognised them immediately and opened each checkpoint for them in recognition. They finally reach the inner sanctum of Queen Serenity. A round chamber hidden away from the throne room where the Queen took council. The round alcove was layered in a luxury red carpet and was covered in throws and paintings that dulled the cold and hard stone that the exterior was built from. Silver and gold linings lit up the room.
Queen Serenity sat on a comfortable armchair of solid oak and red furnish on top of a dais. Meanwhile the rest of her council were waiting around on similar, less lavish chairs and benches of their own. Some had tables pulled near, pouring over documents whilst others conversed among themselves. Chiyu couldn't help but note they stuck to their own. The Chief Officers of the Moon Knights Corps huddled about each other, some with defence placements marked out. Others with maps of the Earth and Moon, pin pointing locations of strategic value.
A handful of diplomats sat to one side rather casually and looked like they were discussing nothing in particular. The Master of Planetary Relations, sat on the edge saying nothing and paid half an ear to what his subordinates were saying. As Val and Chiyu entered, one diplomat looked surprised, Matsui Akio. Chiyu's father. Chiyu tried not to look at him.
Nearer the entrance and towards the back of the chamber, the city's administrators huddled together and grumbled continuously at being dragged to such a session without warning. Chiyu figured they would say little in this council, only to obey to the instructions of evacuating the city.
"General Val," Serenity addressed. "This calling for an emergency council is most unusual."
"Forgive the sudden summons, your majesty," Val crossed an arm across his chest and bowed, addressing his queen. "The Dark Kingdom have established a foothold on Terra. A Beach Head scenario is now in effect. We must make imminent preparations for an invasion of the Moon Kingdom."
"What proof have you of this?" Karaishi Shin, the Master of Planetary Relations demanded.
Val held out a silver crystal in his palm. It flickered a pure, white light before a holographic image leapt from it. A six foot orb shone above the General-Commander, it was Earth. "This image was caught by our seers, three hours ago. Somewhere several kilometres outside their capital, Terra, a surge in negative energy has been detected and its getting bigger."
Val swirled the crystal in his hand and the image enlarged over the Atlantic Ocean where a great city sat on top of the water. A glimmering marvel of technological accomplishment – Atlantis, the Gateway to the Silver Millennium. It played several images showing a stock animation of disaster as the city suffered multiple explosions and began to sink into the vast waters. "Not long after this increase in negative energy activity, the Atlantis Gateway was struck and sunk into the sea. We received no distress beacon or broadcast. Meanwhile pockets of energy influxes have been breaking out all over the planet, seeping the surface in energy of the Dark Kingdom. We have no idea what effect this will have on the general populace."
"This still does not count as proof," Shin protested. "We've observed these readings on Earth before when the Elysium gates collapsed. Who's to say they haven't found a way to re-open them?"
The Chief Diplomat referred to a catastrophe that happened on Earth almost three centuries earlier. The sacred garden on Earth, and natural spring of magiks closed its gates to the populace, ripping apart mystical portals that existed planet-wide. It was a sundering that shook the ground and caused the skies to rain for seven days and seven nights. In the end, only the guardians of Elysium, the descendants of the Royal Family were able to get back there using their own magic. A trait the current rulers possessed alone.
Val shook his head. "We've received no transmissions from Earth since. They've cut themselves off from the rest of the allied planets. We cannot be certain, but the energy fissures we've detected are filling the planet surface with a corruptive atmosphere, doing Ginzoushou knows what to the populace. Our best guess, it is corrupting them, turning them into an army for the Dark Kingdom."
"How certain of this can we be?" Serenity asked, concerned.
"We've been fighting invading forces from the Dark Kingdom for several years, trying to prevent this kind of scenario. The energy signatures cannot be mistaken," Val answered.
"Queen Serenity I must protest," Shin intruded. "As your senior relations minister, I have never been privy to such operations and a formal report from the military has never been filed on these so-called incursions. We cannot accept his word out of the blue like this. Increasing our defences so suddenly would cause mass panic amongst our kingdom. Not only that, it would be considered a sign of aggression to our neighbours and allies, Terra included. Allow me to send an envoy to Terra, we can re-establish contact with the capital for Lunar and the rest of the allied planets."
"Lunar Spear has been fighting this menace for nearly a decade Karaishi, I know what I am talking about!" Val growled.
"Lunar Spear? I thought that was a training program for elite knights!" the diplomat accused. "I see now you have been using it as an excuse to perform secret operations without her majesty's permission."
"I have complete approval, Karaishi!" Val defended. "We have been preparing for this threat and have credible intelligence of an impending threat to the Moon Kingdom, we must act now!"
"How far did your approval extend Val?"
"Gentlemen!" Serenity cut the arguing off with a single word. She turned to Val. "General, your edict was the special training of our knights to face the Dark Kingdom threat if it ever presented itself. I also gave permission to gather intelligence. I hope, for your sake, you have not operated outside of those boundaries."
Val bowed again. "I have reported to you directly on these matters, your highness. My bond is my word, knights have been dispatched on numerous occasions to Earth, Mars and Jupiter to determine a potential threat of the Dark Kingdom. Each time, we have not operated outside of our mandate."
The Queen turned to her chief diplomat. "Kairaishi-san, I would also thank you not to treat our army's commander as a common criminal."
Karaishi bowed his head. "Apologies Serenity no Kimi."
The Queen then bowed her head and closed her eyes in thought. Everyone in the room was dead silent. Waiting for her to speak. "I would like to determine the status on Terra before we take any action. What can we do to re-establish communications?"
"I can be on a shuttle in minutes, my Queen," Karaishi offered.
"No," Serenity shook her head. "I will not risk anyone without enough information."
"In that case, I may be able to communicate with some of my contacts in the capital," Karaishi mused. "Although, if there is an emergency, they may be unwilling to answer a direct communication."
"You have spies in the Terran capital?" Val asked. "Why am I not surprised."
"Please Val. We've already established here who operates in the shadows. I have the luxury of friends," Karaishi admonished. He pulled out a sleek opaque crystal.
"A CIC device? They're not permitted within the chamber!" Val accused.
"My apologies, it slipped my mind," Karaishi returned. "But if you'll permit me, I will try and talk to one of my contacts on Terra." He raised an eyebrow at Val. The General went to antagonise further but thought better of it and merely nodded. Karaishi activated the Crystal Image Capture device. A gadget born out of crystal technology that allowed two users to communicate anywhere in the solar system instantaneously. It glowed red and then white.
A holographic projection played in front of Karaishi and revealed only a silhouette. "Who is this?" A female voice demanded with a quiet, reserved malice. Karaishi went to address the speaker but was cut off by the Queen.
"This is Queen Serenity of the Moon Kingdom, whom am I addressing?" The queen descended from her dais to face the projection.
"I have nothing to say to you," the voice replied. "Queen." It spat the word.
"What is the meaning of this?"
"Awaken," the voice merely commanded and the projection cut out.
The room seemed visibly shaken by the encounter. No one seemed to know what to make of the exchange. Finally Val turned to Chiyu. "Did you recognise the voice?"
"It almost sounded like Morganna Le Fay," Chiyu answered distracted. "Why did she say awaken?"
"Matsui! To arms!" Val ordered. Chiyu looked up from his thoughts, half of the room's occupants began convulsing. Their clothes shredded as their bodies grew, skin changed colour and hair fell out. They were suddenly surrounded by a dozen youma, fangs and claws poised to kill. Panic in the remaining humans set it. Chiyu remembered screaming for the guards and was aware of the chamber doors opening. Gurgled cries rang out as unfortunate souls were cut down immediately. One youma jumped for the General-Commander before he could draw his sword.
Chiyu glowed blue and summoned his battle-staff. It whirled across the room at a deathly speed. It caught the assailant at the base of the skull and struck with such speed it's neck broke with a sickening crunch. Val looked at Chiyu now with his sword drawn. "Protect the Queen!" he ordered and charged down another.
Chiyu rushed to the Queen's side and stood defensively. A grey-skinned ogre charged them down. His power's still active, Chiyu used his telekinesis to push against it, stopping it dead a yard in front. He drew is sword and drove it into the thing's throat causing its bloody end. No time to consider his actions, another two bore down on the knight and his queen. He summoned his staff again, a deadly Catherine wheel, it ricocheted between them, breaking ribs and tripping them up.
Chiyu looked about, knights were now filling the room but it still took an average of three men to a demon to subdue them. His commanding officer was not among them. "General Val!" Chiyu called out. No answer. "General!"
He felt a hand on his shoulder, his Queen. He looked around and saw a sole surviving youma set upon someone, its jaw buried in someone's throat. A fountain of blood poured to the floor. Val's blood. "GENERAL!" Chiyu screamed and threw his sword with his mind. It flew across the room, like a spear and pierced the demon from the back, killing it. It let go of Val and slumped over his body. Chiyu threw the thing off his commander but he was dead before he hit the ground. Chiyu felt a surge of grief building up to breaking point in a split second but choked it off, bit his bottom lip and looked away.
"General Val!" A knight come bursting in looking for the commander of the Moon's armies. Chiyu looked around the room. Just two Generals had survived death but looked shell shocked by the sudden events. Chiyu's training kicked in. He activated his powers again and forced his mind to stop the adrenaline release.
"The General-Commander is slain corporal," Chiyu addressed. "What is your report?"
"Sir?" The knight's colour drained from his face at the revelation.
"Report!" Chiyu ordered. The corporal snapped back to reality, and to attention.
"Enemy forces have emerged through out the capital, sir. Civilian and knights alike have turned into youma across the kingdom and began rampaging. Response has been immediate but we've suffered heavy casualties."
"Tell section commanders to report in once they've confirmed all clear and prepare immediate defences for all out invasion," Chiyu ordered. "Our enemy is coming from Earth in greater numbers. Find the Captain-Major, Captain DeVries and Terran Knight Jennings and have them report here immediately," Chiyu ordered. The corporal saluted and disappeared. "Queen Serenity, we must evacuate the civilian population. The palace will soon become a battleground. You and the princess must leave."
Queen Serenity looked about at the massacre that had just occurred with such grief. "I-"
"Ma'am. We need to evacuate," Chiyu reiterated. "And I need you to order the immediate blockade of any Terran transport vessel. Anyone fleeing from Earth could be a demon waiting to transform."
The Queen looked to argue but Chiyu's tone was a voice of order in the chaos. She nodded in agreement. "The Dark Kingdom is coming, isn't it?"
"Yes, ma'am. We must prepare. I'll brief the remaining Generals when they recover from their ordeal."
Serenity looked at her remaining generals. If they weren't severely injured or dead, they were covered in blood and not necessarily their own. The survivors looked barely capable of forming a sentence. "Matsui Chiyu, you were General Val's senior officer of Lunar Spear all this time, were you not?"
"Since its inception, ma'am. I'm briefed and trained to combat this threat, we'll beat them," he re-assured her.
"Good. Then it is with my authority I promote you to the rank of General-Commander," she said with utmost authority. "You will lead the defences in our darkest hour." Chiyu bowed and made to protest but she cut him off. "Our generals are slain or not capable of command, Mr Matsui. Young as you are, you have the better credentials than any other option at this point. I put my faith in the task I see General Val was obviously preparing you for. Go now, you need to mount our defences, I will handle the evacuation of the palace."
Chiyu bowed again and left his grace's presence.
"Luna, Artemis!" Serenity summoned. "Sound the evacuation and find my daughter!"
Chiyu marched from the chamber. Two familiar figures were waiting for him outside. Captain-Major Joseph Cairns, his older ally and former teacher at the Moon Knight Academy. He was a mountain of a man. Over six foot, muscular and intimidating. His jet black hair kept short ran down the side of face where he kept a neatly trimmed beard, keeping to just his square jaw line. Cairns stood ready in his full knight battle dress. Steel chest plate and leggings both painted a dulled silver with knee-high black combat boots and his infamous halberd strapped to his back.
Captain Jesse De Vries made a stark contrast to the giant next to him. He boasted an athletic figure, sleek yet refined strength. He was a few inches shy of six foot and boasted chess nut bangs around a handsome face with sharp features and piercing green eyes that looked like they could pierce armour with a gaze. Unlike his fellow knight, he wore light-weight padded armour with a thin, steel inner-lining. He held a longbow in one hand and had fine sword strapped to his belt.
"Where's Jennings, the Terran?" Chiyu demanded.
Cairns shrugged as Jesse answered. "He took off during the outbreak, went looking for Endymion."
"Endymion is to be detained on sight, get the word out," Chiyu ordered. "The Dark Kingdom broke through on Earth and are turning their sights on the Moon."
"They did more than that, Chiyu" Jesse replied. "Something close to one in a hundred men and women throughout the Moon Kingdom turned into demons and began slaughtering anyone they could get their hands on. Military, police and government buildings and officials were targeted. The casualties are going to be huge. All the time we were shutting down their invasions, they were converting our people into sleeper cells. Right under our noses!"
"I know!" Chiyu snapped. Suddenly a dozen things in his head made sense. Odd behaviour in colleagues and civilians he had dealt with as part of Lunar Spear. "We never had intel to suggest something on this scale was even going on."
"No one could have predicted this. They've been preparing to tear us apart from the inside for years," Jesse concluded. "What are Val's orders?"
Chiyu sighed heavily. "He's dead. Killed by youma." Jesse gasped disbelievingly and even Cairns was roused into gasping audibly. "Serenity just promoted me to General-Commander. I'll be leading the defence and I need you two to get us all through this. I expect to hear from section commanders soon and then we'll get to raising the defences."
"Evacuating the civilians?"
"Is not a military priority, we'll seal off the city walls facing the invasion force and focus on the fighting," Cairns and De Vries nodded in determination and compliance. "Lets welcome Armageddon."
From the Author: To think originally, I was going to put Chiyu's origins into one chapter then I got to 5,000 words! I'll leave it here and make the rest the bulk of chapter 2. Please tell me what you think so far.