Bishoujo Senshi Sailor Moon Crystal Tokyo
Chapter Two: Reverting to Old Plans of Energy
The hallway was darkened to a near pitch-black as the blonde man walked in near silence, the only sound that exacerbated from the clip of his heavy boots. His hair, pulled back into a long tail, had taken years to grow. His eyes glinted blue as his smile slowly stretched across his lean face.
Glad in his old General uniform, complete with a clasped white cape, Jadeite now ruled the Dark Kingdom. Hidden from all, including Elysion as well as Crystal Tokyo. He planned everything down to the letter.
He pushed the door open, the light, though bare, filtering through as he came upon Beryl's old room, now his own. Inside, his three subordinates stood at rigid attention. All three stood straighter as their King settled onto his throne.
"Well, the attempt at the water reservoir was certainly interesting," King Jadeite slowly focused his gaze upon the three. "Serpentine stayed as she should have. But you, Aragonite, you left at the beginning," His gaze turned steely.
Aragonite was a rather tall man, with long firebrick-colored hair with most of it pulled behind his ears save a strand or two. His outfit was gray with cadet green accents that matched his eyes. He stood straighter, looking serious.
"Sire, I was not to blame. Serpentine was certain she could handle everything," His voice was low with a snaky undertone to it.
Serpentine bristled, her blonde hair fluttering as she opened her mouth, shutting it as Jadeite raised a hand to halt her.
"Did I say you could leave?" His voice was softer than Aragonite who rightfully dropped his eyes. But Jadeite thought he could detect a hint of rebellion. His jaw tightened as he looked to the side of his throne chair, the black orb resting on its pillow.
He picked it up and rubbed on it, the aura turning blacker than the orb. Its darkness spread across the way and struck the three as their gazes dulled for only a moment.
"Do not disobey me again. You are not to work against each other," Jadeite warned them. "You are together for a reason."
"Yes, Sire," All bowed deeply.
"Now," Jadeite straightened. "Obviously, we have been noticed by these new Senshi as well as Sailor Mercury," He paused, rubbing his chin. "Hmm… after that event, she should be dead."
"Sire?" Lawsonite was very similar to his King, having idolized him from the beginning. His wheat hair was stylized into nearly Jadeite's old hair style, save that the hair was just a touch longer. Clothed in the General uniform of gray and steel blue accents to match his eyes, he was just a few years older than Serpentine.
"Nothing," Jadeite refocused on the three. "We need energy. More energy. The bits we have are far too small if we have to anticipate the return of the Sailor Senshi and any spawn they may have. It's time to set our second plan in motion - energy stealing."
"However," He stood up fluidly, putting back the black orb. "We won't be doing things carelessly. We need to target groups, gatherings, and easy ways to gain this energy."
He rubbed his chin in thought. "Draw out the Sailor Senshi," He spoke slowly. "In all my time here in the Dark Kingdom, we targeted these puny humans for meager energy. If we can target a Senshi, we can gather immense power as well as…" His gaze turned sinister. "Take them out in the process."
He sat back down with a dark laugh. "Lawsonite!"
"Sire!"
"Find out how many Senshi there are in Crystal Tokyo and report back to me. I want every single one catalogued. If you can, bring back any information on the elder Senshi as well."
He rubbed his chin again, thinking to himself. 'Those other Senshi from the outer realm of the Solar System, how could they have been so easily forgotten?' He shrugged then. "Go!"
"Yes, Sire," Lawsonite bowed deeply and teleported away.
"Aragonite, you may go to the database and start a search for any Gates." Jadeite watched his subordinate teleport away before refocusing on Serpentine.
"And you will keep me company," His hand wove as a lower chair formed at his feet. "I want to talk to you about the history of the Dark Kingdom."
Serpentine's face crinkled with a smile as she took her place.
The group had gathered outside the palace, located in the spacious lawn behind everything and blocked off from the sounds of the city. The Senshi had gathered with their families as well as a few familiar faces.
The four sisters, now running three successful beauty shops stemmed from their vendor, had been graciously invited. With them, they had brought their children.
Beruche's daughter Himizu, the youngest of the four cousins, was like a clone of her mother with the same colored eyes and bright light blue hair. She wore a dainty, frilly dress of pastel coloring and wore her long braid over her shoulder as she grasped her gloved hands together, looking quite prim and proper as she stood with her cousins.
Hiyako, Cooan's daughter and the eldest of the four, wore her hair like her mother, only colored a lighter purple shade than her mother's near black hair. She wore an outfit she made herself, with a lot of bling and dark colors. She was talking adamantly to Senden.
Senden wore revealing clothes, to bring out her sexiness as she picked it. She was Petz's and Sapphire's daughter, with the same colored hair and eyes as her mother but she wore hers rather boyishly, in a layered cut that lingered to her shoulders by bare touches. She was listening to her cousin as they discussed, naturally, make up to enhance their looks and attractiveness.
The last one, Kanawa, who was the youngest cousin and Calaveras' daughter, had run into the game of soccer as Zenshin, Chiyuu, Puroko, Mitsu, and Raijin, who was refereeing the small game, played for shots for scoring. Her two braids flopped in the air with her energetic movements as her brown eyes gleamed with delight. She wore a casual look leaning toward sports-enthusiasm.
As known to the elder Senshi, the four cousins had been blessed or in the views of their mothers, cursed, with the remnant powers of their once younger selves, from when they served Nemesis before being reverting into normal, living humans. Though small, they could be depended on for some help with things around the city.
The four sisters hung around the Queen, talking proudly about their flourishing business, their children, and how well everything was looking.
"Yes, but we're anticipating trouble," Neo Queen Serenity sighed. "It always seems that peace can never linger."
"Something about the water source, am I right, your Majesty?" Beruche asked. She sniffed. "It tasted so awful but watching everyone change was frightening."
"I agree," Cooan nodded. "It's hard enough to see Calaveras' tongue sharpen more."
"Funny, very funny," Calaveras sipped on her water. "Is there anything we can do, your Majesty?" She directed to Neo Queen Serenity.
"No. At the moment, we're keeping a low profile."
There was the sound of laughter as the kids playing soccer piled together in an vain attempt to steal the ball. Kanawa popped up with a howl, stealing off with the ball.
"Kanawa!" Calaveras burst out laughing.
"I win! I win!" Kanawa howled before being tackled by at least four bodies. "OUCH!"
Setsuko watched the sisters talk to the Queen as she tapped her chin. She glanced over at Sansai, who had joined Senden and Hiyako to talk about makeup. She sighed, feeling uneasy.
"Something wrong?" Raijin approached casually.
"Something in the air," Setsuko murmured. "It's dangerous, don't you think?"
"You should have seen Chiyuu this morning," Raijin thumbed the girl, who was currently wrestling with Zenshin.
"They get along so well," Setsuko was distracted before she refocused. "A vision?"
"She was talking pretty loud about it with the younger kids. A dream about a blonde girl and two others and a shadow behind a cloaked figure."
"A shadow…" Raijin shuddered suddenly.
"Exactly!" Setsuko pointed at him. "She said she awoke feeling terror. Not from the figure but from the shadow. She thought it was growing."
Raijin's eyes narrowed. "It sounds like a familiar story."
"What does?" Jun approached, her glasses, much like her father's Umino's style, balanced precariously on her nose. A long-haired, wavy blonde with, though you couldn't see it, deep red-brown eyes, she was petite and was a good friend of the next generation. Of course, being the surprise in the group, aside from Hinata's own awakening, she was training with the others to being a better Senshi.
It was Naru, Umino's wife, who brought her daughter to the Queen and King, adamant about her feelings. And a mother's instinct was right - Jun was a full-blown sailor Senshi, a very devoted one and well-equipped as a healer. At the young age of ten, Jun had been able to locate her world. Based upon her faith upon her mother and her loyalty to the royal family, she had chosen an name in relation to the Earth, Pankeia.
"Oh, Chiyuu's vision," Raijin waved at the girl, who was now storming away from Zenshin, who looked lost and upset. "I wonder what he said?"
"Something stupid, no doubt," Jun pushed her glasses from her nose. "Geez. I can't wait till I'm sixteen!"
"For what?" Raijin elbowed her. "A marriage proposal?"
Jun turned beet red. "For contacts!"
"Oh." Raijin snapped his fingers. "Well, there goes my idea."
"Cute," Setsuko patted him on the head.
"Hey!"
"You have two years anyways," Setsuko pointed out with a smirk. "By then, I'll be taken."
"Ohhhh… by who?" Jun grinned.
"Oh, I haven't met him yet but I'm sure it'll be soon," Setsuko winked at her.
"So is Chiyuu better?" Jun continued.
"Well, aside from Zenshin hurting her feelings," Raijin pointed as Chiyuu was held to her mother who talked soothingly to her. Zenshin was with his mother, Minako who was trying to get the whole story.
"They'll make a cute couple," Setsuko surprised them by saying that.
"Oh?"
"It's obvious," Setsuko smiled. "Just like Ru-kun and Keika."
The two in mention were sitting on the lawn, playing with some stuffed animals and children's toys that their parents brought for them to entertain them. Keika moved suddenly and smacked her lips on Mamoru's cheek in a obvious kiss.
Mamoru blinked widely before his huge eyes filled with tears. He let out a wail as Keika's own filled with tears at the not-so-subtle insult. He got up and took off running toward his mother.
Neo Queen Serenity knelt and picked him with a soothing noise. Haruka had reached to Keika, since Hotaru was too heavy to go running to her daughter. Keika was sniffling as Haruka made for the Queen.
"Mamoru, apologize for hurting Keika's feelings," Neo Queen Serenity said sternly, lifting his face gently. She then set him down as Haruka, guided by Hotaru, lowered the young girl to her feet as well.
Both children shuffled, looking at their feet before Mamoru tapped on her arm. And like that, they tore off in a run into the lawn, as the other children's voices called out, blending into the air.
"Well, at least they're playing again," Hotaru said cheerfully. She let out a low sigh.
Haruka snapped her fingers to a servant. "A seat for the lady!"
Hinata sat with Usagi, who leaned back and forth worriedly. She had dressed in her best and done up her face. Hinata studied her sister under lowered lids.
"Usagi?" Hinata leaned close. "Umm… is there someone coming?"
Usagi beamed at her. "Yes!"
Hinata blinked as there was a sound of sweet-sounding rings. A servant walked in front of a familiar figure.
Helios stood tall, clad in his uniform as he bowed first to the King and then the Queen. Usagi tore off from the table, prancing behind her parents, waving wildly.
"I wonder where my daughter is?" Neo Queen Serenity didn't need to look behind her as Helios' gaze lighting up said it all. "Serenity."
Usagi blinked and tried to look dignified.
"Stay in view," King Endymion whispered in her ear as his eldest walked past him. She gave him a wink as the two lovers linked arms.
Hinata watched from a distance and folded her arms on the table, lowering her head on her bent arms, looking lost.
"May I join you?" Diamond smiled down at her as Hinata turned a bright red. "Princess Felicity?"
She nodded mutely as he settled before she cleared her throat. "Please, Sir Diamond, call me Hinata."
"If you call me Diamond," He leaned back on the chair. "It's a beautiful day. I was glad to get away from my brother, though."
"Oh?"
"Yes," He pointed as Sapphire and Petz were talking hotly. "They'll make up but that's only worse to be around."
Hinata covered her mouth as a giggle came out.
"Oh? I made you laugh," Diamond smiled warmly.
Hinata, unused to the attention, let alone from someone she treasured, turned red and stared at her hands, mute once more.
Diamond continued to watch the group. "I have been talking with your parents about the current troubles," He said very quietly, serious. "If there is any thing that I can do.."
"Don't worry," Hinata looked up. "We're all in this together. If we can be like our parents," Her gaze drifted over the large group. "We are all for peace. We cannot lose it so easily."
"Yes, but I don't want you in danger."
Hinata turned and gave him a tremendously bright smile. He blinked in surprise. "Diamond. Remember what you saw. I can do things I thought I could only dream about. I was so worried.." Her gaze lowered as she blinked at her hand. Just barely touching his arm, she couldn't remember when she had moved. "I.. I'm sorry." She started to pull her hand away.
Fingers grasped hers in a tight grip. "I am still eternally grateful for your help. You are so like your mother…"
She looked away at that before he continued. "But yet, you're not." He smiled at her innocent stare. "You have a warrior's heart. A need to protect. Actually, if I may be so bold, it's a lot like a mother's love."
"Really?"
"Not wanting what's yours to be hurt," Diamond explained.
"I see," Hinata smiled up at him.
"May we join?" Setsuko asked, Raijin behind her. "My feet are killing me."
"Well, you're the one who decided to wear heels." Raijin got a dirty look in response. "What'd I say?"
Both of them paused and did a quick bow to the young princess. Setsuko sat with a long sigh. "I was crazy to wear them," She studied her feet. "I'm tall enough already."
Hinata studied her own outfit, a smile floral dress with flat-heeled sandals.
"So how have you been.. Uh… Diamond, am I right?" Raijin unconsciously copied the older man's pose, leaning back nonchalantly.
"I've been good. I should be returning to Nemesis but…" He glanced back at his brother who was enveloping his wife. "Nothing's like being a third wheel."
"Try being a twin," Raijin said cheerfully. "Is she behind me yet? I can feel her inching toward me!"
Sansai was indeed making her way. She tugged a chair and sat down on the opposite end of Setsuko before she frowned at her brother, leaning over Setsuko in the process. "Were you talking about me?"
"No, why would I do that?" Raijin leaned toward her. Setsuko's head turned side to side before she used both hands to push them away from her.
"No breathing on me," She instructed them.
"Funny," Sansai turned and a smile blossomed on her face. "Ah, Mr. Diamond, I remember you from the ball. You dance divinely. Perhaps you'll hold a dance for me next time?" She winked at him.
Setsuko elbowed her abruptly. Hinata barely raised her voice as she excused herself and walked off rather in a hurry. "Nice, really nice." Setsuko frowned at Sansai. Diamond didn't bother excusing himself as he followed her.
"What?" Sansai asked crossly.
"Is he and Princess Felicity.. but he's OLD!" Raijin hissed to Setsuko.
"Eternal youth, does that mean nothing?" Setsuko leaned on her palm as she rested her elbow on the table. "You are so romantic."
"He thinks fixing machinery is romantic," Sansai muttered.
"I do not! I just think it's a sign of 'hey, I'm working for the family' kind of thing."
"So romantic," Sansai snorted, still quite sarcastic.
The party closed with everyone eager to head on home. Cooan walked with Rei and Yuuichiro as Hiyako batted eyes at Maku. Maku did his best to ignore her but as they walked side to side, he had no choice but to eventually engage in conversation, if to get her to stop her flirtatious winking.
"So," Maku started with a shrug, looking sideways at the purple-haired girl. "Anything new with you?"
"Nope," She giggled as Maku rolled his eyes. She had two years on him but he clearly felt he was the more adult of the two. He wished his mother had left with someone else, actually but he was not going to be saying that out loud. So he had to tolerate the very feminine girl next to him.
"It's so cute," She said cheerfully.
Maku blinked at her, confused.
"The goatee. Totally charming," She patted his cheek as his eyelids lowered. While it was more along of a bland gaze, inside he was getting angry.
Rei felt something prick on her senses and saw her son's jaw tighten. She moved forward as Yuuichiro listened to Cooan's insistent talking.
"Maku…" It was the only thing she got out before her head snapped up in shock.
"Jadeite!" She hissed, moving forward as she pulled her henshin stick.
He watched her with hooded eyes as Yuuichiro's jaw dropped. "YOU!" His normally soft voice echoed down the street. He moved forward with a growl, completely unlike the man he was.
Jadeite's cape fluttered as he smiled slowly. "So nice to see you after all these years, am I right - Sailor Mars?"
Rei raised her hand. "Mars Power, MAKE UP!" In seconds, she had transformed into Sailor Mars and stood poised in front of the group to defend.
"If we had only known that you had civilian forms," Jadeite slowly landed. The cape fluttered away from his body as it revealed his hands, holding a black orb. "You've made quite a life for yourself," He continued.
Maku had been tensing, concentrating on Jadeite. He wasn't about to let his mother take full charge. Not if he couldn't help. Cooan was holding back Yuuichiro as Hiyako moved to stand next to the raven-haired woman.
"Stand back," Mars said lowly. The two teenagers hesitated a moment longer. "Move it!"
Both slowly stepped back.
"You think you can just show up?" Mars hissed. "You attacked our city! We know what you want, Jadeite! And you won't be getting in!"
"You don't know what I want at all," His smile turned to a sneer. "Oh, no, it's not what you think at all."
He snapped his fingers as the black orb was enveloped in its dark aura. Shadows danced on the ground as Sailor Mars moved for an attack.
"Mars Fire Soul!" Sailor Mars lunged forth with her attack, intent on a full strike.
Jadeite's hands moved fluidly. The orb warped and then stretched as a surreal twist of space and time. Her attack was sucked into it as it turned brilliant fiery red before the orb reformed back into its pristine circular form.
He moved his hands again, the orb forming into long, black whip. "I've made a few changes to MY Kingdom. You should be assured that your pathetic humans aren't the target this time."
His sneer darkened. "It's you."
The whip flew high and elongated, slinking out into separate lines as they fell toward the group. Maku rushed forward, summoning all his strength to his hands as they alit in fire.
He froze at the scream of his mother. "Mom!" Yuuichiro was already attempting to tug off the two whiplashes that were glowing in hot fire. Maku grasped it as Hiyako ran toward Jadeite. His voice rose in pain as the fire laced against his hands.
"Hiyako! NO!" Cooan screamed as Hiyako used her element of metal to burst open the water hydrant. She grabbed a piece of the hydrant as a weapon as the water soaked Jadeite, who had flung his cloak to protect him.
Mars untransformed, falling to her knees. She had turned white as the bright fire of the whips started to turn a dull black color. Jadeite gave a twist as the two lines were pulled back. The other lines were tugged back as the orb reformed. It glowed a hot red as Jadeite smiled at its sudden birth of warmth.
"Mom!" Maku was staring at his burnt hands as his mother passed out. Yuuichiro broke from Cooan who was distraught as her daughter attempted to fight. Yuuichiro grabbed at the cloak and did a wild punch.
He found himself flying into Hiyako as they both tumbled into the fast forming puddles as the hydrant blazed with water. He staggered to his feet, slipping and sliding in the wetness as he yelled incoherently.
"This will be sufficient enough," Jadeite smiled with glee as he teleported away.
"Coward!" Hiyako pushed herself up, glaring at the empty spot. She and Yuuichiro made their way to Rei, who had collapsed into what they thought was a faint.
"Mars!" Sailor Mercury, Venus, and Jupiter arrived, too late to be any help. Mercury spoke worriedly. "There was such a huge burst of energy!"
"Rei!" Venus checked Rei out. "She's.. out cold. I can't get her to respond!"
"Back to the palace, now," Mercury ordered. Yuuichiro lifted his limp wife in his arms with a grunt. "Maku!"
Maku stilled as Mercury gingerly touched his hands. "You'll need treatment as well. Anyone else hurt?"
"Just scrapes and bruises," Hiyako waved off Mercury's worry as her mother fussed over her.
They arrived with great speed as Neo Queen Serenity's eyes filled with tears at her fallen friend. "Rei-chan.."
"What happened?" King Endymion directed himself to Cooan. She was flushed, unsure of how to answer. "Cooan!"
"He.. Was called Jadeite."
"Again!?" Mercury turned sharply before King Endymion gestured for her to go with Rei and Yuuichiro.
"He had an orb but.. He could warp it. He took in the Fire Soul attack and then changed the orb to become…" Maku halted, trying to think of how best to explain it. "Like an IV line; instead of feeding, it was draining her. It was a black whip that glowed with red fire."
"He knew who she was?" Setsuna approached. Her daughter and she had stayed behind to study the Time Gate and it's enchanted protections cast over it as Setsuna seemed worried about it.
"Yes, he did," Hiyako was floundering. "He could fly! Since when can people fly?"
"Let's not lose focus here," King Endymion was stern. "He knew who she was.. He might know who we all are save the children and the outers. That means that your Guardians could be in distress," He addressed Neo Queen Serenity.
Her eyes blinked, the tears slipping out. "Rei….the others, no, what did he do to her?"
Ami was busy over Rei, who looked as if she slept deeply. "She's in a coma. Almost like she self-induced it."
"How can she do that?" Yuuichiro asked wildly. "She'll wake up right? When she feels better?"
"I don't know. Serenity.." Ami looked at her Queen. "Remember when you were attacked during the Black Moon Wars? Your powers were automatically charged with creating that protection over you."
"Yes, I do," Neo Queen Serenity lowered her head slightly.
"I think that's what happened here," Ami studied the computer screen flashing with information about Rei as well as her current condition and tangents. "It must be instinctive. It wasn't as well as your own reaction but it was enough. Her powers must've shut down the drain somehow but it wasn't enough to stabilize her hence the coma."
"Will she awaken?" Yuuichiro asked tightly.
"I don't know. Something was stolen from her." Ami shook her head. "We all have star seeds but only certain people have Sailor Crystals. I've learned to distinguish the two and right now, the Mars Crystal.. It… it isn't there."
"If she's not there, then she should be dead," King Endymion said flatly.
"No.. there's a star seed still present."
"He took her powers?" Neo Queen Serenity asked incredulously.
"Power, soul, right now Rei is alive but if she awoke…" Ami shook her head. "Like the Ginzuishou is for you, Serenity, the Mars Crystal is the same for her. Without it, you're both powerless and well, in the wrong hands, could perish from the evil actions against it. He stole her existence, leaving her a shell. She lives because there's still something of her left but she wouldn't be the same."
Cooan rubbed her head tiredly. Maku was listening with rabid attention as the nurse tended to his wounded hands. "I don't understand," Cooan said finally. "What is this man going to do with Rei?"
"What if it's not just Rei?" Setsuna spoke from behind. "He knew who she was," She said quietly. "What else did he say?"
Yuuichiro's voice was low. "That humans weren't the target anymore. That 'they' were." He gestured to Rei. "About her as Sailor Mars; that's what he means, right?"
"Then you're right," Neo Queen Serenity's gaze lowered as she touched her husband's arm. "We have to protect the others."
"I think that's a bit extreme," Minako spoke from behind, entering with Makoto. "We're big girls now, we can fight for ourselves."
Makoto hit her fist in her palm, looking fierce. "I'm going to get a piece of that bastard."
"No," Neo Queen Serenity stared at Rei's limp form. "I will not have anyone hurt. Ami, try to come up with a solution. If we have to confront Jadeite, we will do so. Until then, none of you are allowed off the property."
All three protested. Ami was easily drowned out by Minako though Makoto's tone drilled up in anger.
"Usagi, listen to me," Makoto began heatedly. "We are to protect you! We've been doing that since God knows when and I sure as hell can take care of myself. I will not be caged!"
"You could be targeted!"
"If he can do this to any Sailor Senshi then we are all in trouble. We need to find that damn base," Minako muttered darkly.
"We'll get on that," Setsuna offered as she approached Rei. She studied her sadly. "At least she's moderately safe."
"Safe? She's in a coma!" Yuuichiro hissed.
"Dad…" Maku clumsily clapped his father's shoulders. His father glanced at his hands and then let out a long sigh.
"We're going home," He kissed his wife's forehead gently. "I love you." His smile was wobbly as he walked out the door.
Maku stared down at his mother, his jaw tightened as he turned slowly. "When you find that base, I'm going."
"Of course," Minako nodded.
Cooan nodded as she led Hiyako out.
"We can't keep them here," King Endymion murmured gently to Neo Queen Serenity. "They might not be the only targets."
"But if we're separated… we have to stay together." Neo Queen Serenity shook her head. "It's almost like Galaxia all over again. Only this time we can't find the damn place!"
She fled in tears as King Endymion went after her.
Ami glanced at Makoto and Minako. There was a long pause before they, too, left in silence.
Setsuna walked to Ami. "Are you all right?"
"Should we do as she asked, stay here? Would that keep us safer?" Ami looked at Setsuna.
"No. Makoto is right, we would all be caged. If we can just get to Jadeite first before he gets to us, we're safe."
"How can we get to someone we can't find?" Ami shook her head. "We should be able to find the Dark Kingdom."
"We will, don't worry." Setsuna gently touched Ami's shoulder. "We just need to keep our focus and remember.."
"You're not alone anymore." She smiled warmly at the other woman who smiled back at her. Ami felt a little better, having known that fact.
She only hoped that they could prevent this from ever happening again.