Sailor Moon Stars: Heirs of Tomorrow
Disclaimer: I own nothing except my Zodiac Senshi and the new enemy, whose name is soon to be revealed. :D Then again, a lot has to be revealed before the story's over. (checks the list)
Heirs of Tomorrow: The Jovial Heir – Sagittarius (part 3)
"Mmmmm, ehehehe…chocolate candy, all for me!"
Usagi hit her bed as soon as she stepped into her room. Cocooned from head to toe in rabbit-spangled sheets, long golden hair spilling in a haphazard waterfall over the edge of her comforter, the girl grinned broadly as she rolled over, mind lost in dreams of luscious sweets. At least until a flashing glare of brilliant blue light blazed like the sun through her window panes and right into her face.
Usagi's blue eyes snapped open as she let out a shriek, diving off the bed to peer, squinting, outside. A small silhouette moved in front of the light, crouching on the little white sill. What in the world is going on? Usagi wondered in terror as she lifted a hand to her eyes to discern the shape before the light. Without warning, she heard a soft but crystal clear voice speaking:
"The eternal archer has found her target! At the park, the maiden of storms is in peril!"
At the end of those brief words, the light and figure vanished, leaving only a gleaming moon and twinkling stars in their wake. Usagi knelt by the edge of her bed, pondering what the mysterious figure had meant. Maiden of storms…target…MAKOTO! The words clicked in her head as she instinctively reached out for her brooch, rising from the floor.
Sailor Moon: Heirs of Tomorrow
At the sound of the scream, at the last second, Makoto's head snapped up and back. "Did you hear that?" she inquired urgently, eyes scanning all visible corners of the area in which the pair sat.
Shuichi too sat back and looked around, running a shaking hand through his unkempt hair. Suddenly, in his mind came a quick vision: a young woman was attempting to run down an alleyway in darkness about a block away. Behind her was a monstrous, horse-like creature with the back end of a giant fish. Scales threw back the moonlight as it panted with exertion, chasing its prey. The sky blue eyes closed as the boy let out a soundless sigh, I guess I should've set the timing till later. Oh, well, it can't be helped. I do have a mission to accomplish. He glanced quickly up at Makoto, who had risen, her jaw set with determination. A rapid dip of eyes to her lower legs, positioned slightly apart, told him all he needed to know. She's going to head right for it! Fast as a striking snake, Shuichi grabbed his date's wrist just as she was about take off towards the screams. Standing and whirling the girl in the same moment, he held Makoto in place before him. "Makoto, no. It might be dangerous!" Turquoise eyes clear as a December sky met with hard, fiery emerald. "Shuichi, someone might be in trouble!" Makoto said with rising alarm, her desire to head towards the source of the crisis never wavering. She struggled in his firm grip, but he held on. "I'll go. I'm not letting you get into any trouble if this is something serious." The bright, fearless smile returned as bright as ever. "Can't let my new girlfriend get hurt, can I?" Quickly winking an eye, before Makoto could protest, the auburn haired boy raced off into the night, open vest fluttering behind him.
I have to protect her. I want to find out anything I can about her, why I react like this to her. I can't let this girl die, no matter what the Emperor might want!
Makoto watched his retreated back, then reached into her pocket and pulled out an emerald, heart shaped crystal. Shuichi doesn't know what he's dealing with! If that's the enemy, he's only going to get himself badly hurt. Her eyes closed, expression grim. And I will never let the enemy hurt someone I care about! Dashing behind a tree, she lifted her arm and shouted, "Jupiter Crystal Power Make-Up!"
Sailor Moon: Heirs of Tomorrow
The youma drew a thick, dark tongue grotesquely across its salivating maw as it leered over the young woman, shivering and sobbing as she slid weakly to the ground, near the edge of consciousness.
"Y'know, Nisus, I thought you weren't supposed to emerge for another hour or so. You ruined my date."
The monster let out a neighing howl as it turned towards the clear, nonchalant alto voice of the young messy haired boy with azure blue eyes leaning calmly against the onyx bricks of the alley wall. Massive tongue lolling from its mouth, its started to advance towards the boy.
The boy, Shuichi, straightened, features melting into a cute pout. "Wow, I guess you don't recognize your master…" Putting a hand to his forehead, he lifted his right arm, raising the royal purple silk from his skin with his other hand. Gleaming like an illuminated river, a small, star-shaped charm inset with a dark purple gemstone hung from a thin silver thread. As the youma came closer and closer, Shuichi's forehead began to glow with purple light, coagulating into a prominent symbol which resembled a small arrow. Leaping out of Nisus's path, the boy shouted out, "Sagittarius Star Crystal Make Up!"
Violet flashes of lightning darted around the darkened area, striking randomly and causing Nisus to reel back roaring with fear as their radiance shone. As the bolts began to subside, in the midst of the final tiny flashes of electricity stood a Sailor Senshi garbed in royal purple, with a winged chest bow decorated with turquoise blue ribbons. Her violet cape swirled down to her sneaker-like boots, and in her left hand was a turquoise, intricate crossbow. Grinning, she posed, aiming her crossbow at the youma.
Nisus, finally realizing who was present, bent its shaggy forelegs in a small, but respectful bow. Chuckling, the Senshi, Sailor Sagittarius, walked over to the creature and patted its huge head. "Ah, now you remember, huh? Well, at least you were doing your work, trying to lure out the Sailor Senshi…"
"And you've got one!"
Sagittarius started and titled her head upwards, to the top of the alley where the shout had come from. A feminine shadow was framed by the moon, which then jumped down before Sagittarius. In the bright light caused by the silvery orb, Sagittarius was able to see another Senshi, dressed all in green with pink bows. It was Sailor Jupiter.
"Oh, hey there!" the purple clad Senshi beamed at the newcomer, as though they had been childhood friends and known each other for years. "I was worried you weren't going to show up." Nisus began to growl in Jupiter's direction.
"Of course I'd show up!" Jupiter replied in an angry tone, "You'd think I wouldn't after you attack innocent people? After you pose a threat to someone I care about?" She pointed a finger at the enemy Sailor Soldier, eyes bright as green flames. "I, Sailor Jupiter, will never forgive you!" She shouted, stretching out her hand. Green sparks formed a halo of light around her head, dissipating slowly into a verdant crown of oak leaves.
"I won't forgive you either!" A second figure landed next to the enraged Sailor Jupiter. It was Eternal Sailor Moon, looking somewhat miserable with dark circles under her eyes. "For love and justice – Pretty Soldier in a Sailor Suit! SAILOR MOON! In the name of the Moon, I'll punish you!" Sailor Jupiter's face lit up when she saw her comrade, then she moved closer to Sailor Moon's side, ready to fight.
"You know…"Sagittarius addressed the two Senshi, smiling with serenity, "As much as I'm beginning to like you guys, you really should pay more attention than give speeches, much as I appreciate the intro." Sagittarius, continuing to watch her opponents with pure glee, then held up one gloved hand, in which was clenched a sparkling green crown made of perfect oak leaves.
Sailor Jupiter instinctively reached up to stroke searching fingers against her hair. The crown that had just been present atop her dark brown hair was gone. "H-how?" She managed to choke out in shock.
Sagittarius twirled the crown on one finger, "Easy. I simply drew it to myself. You see, before you came into possession of it, Sailor Jupiter…" the wreath rested now against her palm, "This Oak Leaf Crown was mine. In fact, I made it." Broad, bright smile.
"You're lying! That never belonged to you!" Sailor Moon shouted back.
The purple Senshi just curled her fingers around the crown, "I speak only the truth, little side effect of being the former Senshi of Honesty. This beauty has more power to it than you probably realize." She held up the jade colored diadem, examining it closely. "Yes, you've only been able to use the Oak Evolution attack. Now watch closely, there's more to it than that!" Swinging the arm back without warning, the cheerful Senshi flung the crown towards the opposing pair like a bowling ball, shouting "Dodonna Leaf Storm!" A fury-filled rush of innumerable, shining green oak leaves hurtled towards Jupiter and Sailor Moon. The taller of the two quickly grabbed her princess and dived for cover behind a tin garbage bin. Whatever the leaves encountered was obliterated, completely shredded to ribbons. Jupiter peered around the metallic barrier and fingered a leaf. Hissing, she withdrew her now bleeding hand; the leaves were as keen as razor blades. Seeing Jupiter's soaking digit, Sailor Moon let out a yell of panic and scurried back against the wall.
"Whoa, I haven't used that move in ages! That felt awesome!" Sagittarius scratched her head, delight dancing in her eyes. "Okay, then!" She pointed at Jupiter who had emerged, severe glance etched into her face, "I made the first attack, so now you can show me what you've got! Let's enjoy this before I take your Sailor Crystal!" The crossbow in her other hand stayed at the ready, but was pointing towards the ground; Sagittarius didn't intend to use it just yet.
"What are you thinking? This isn't a game!" Jupiter yelled in disbelief as she leaped into the air, hand rising above her head as the tiny, gold antenna in her tiara extended. "Jupiter Coconuts Cyclone!" Raging, tornado-force winds and thunderbolts flew from the storm Senshi's hand and headed towards their target.
"Gee, you're a serious one, aren't you?" Sagittarius pouted before she too bounded off the ground to avoid the lightning and winds advancing for her. As Sailor Jupiter began to come down back to earth, Sailor Sagittarius raised her crossbow, taking careful aim. "Stampede Shockwave!" she hollered, letting loose a pale blue bolt which streaked towards Jupiter's left arm like ball lightning. Jupiter screamed out as the bolt struck her shoulder and caused her to stagger as she landed. She tumbled and fell over, clinging to the wounded limb which welled up with sticky, crimson fluid.
Sailor Moon raced over to her, "Jupiter, are you all right?" The blond Senshi propped the hurt girl up, holding her upright on her lap. "I'm fine, Sailor Moon," Jupiter managed to grit out from behind clenched teeth. Pounding a fist into the ground next to her, she forced herself to her knees, then dragged her body into standing. Sagittarius landed gracefully back on the ground, cape flowing as water behind her, "I'm glad to see such strength and determination in an opponent." Sagittarius nodded respectfully towards the bleeding warrior, "It will be an honor battling against you. However, I think two might be too much." She snapped her fingers. Nisus, who had until now remained relatively quiet, now rose and bellowed, launching its gigantic body towards Eternal Sailor Moon. Sailor Moon shrieked and scrambled frantically to avoid the youma, while Jupiter attempted to place herself in the sea horse's path.
"Intergalactic Tempest!"
Out of nowhere, a dark blue, sparkling swath of energy reached out and slammed into Nisus, knocking it to the side and forcing the monster to let out a harsh cry.
"I've seen that attack before!" Sailor Moon's eyes shifted in all directions, until finally spotting a familiar form dressed all in aqua blue. It was the masked Sailor Aquarius, who jumped down into the alley and stood beside Sailor Moon. "It looks like you might need my help again, Princess," the diminutive Senshi moved before Sailor Jupiter and Sailor Moon. Jupiter gave Sailor Moon a brief look of alarm; two wicked Senshi to fight in one night, plus a monster? The blond replied with confidence, "I know Sailor Aquarius! She's one of us!" Sailor Moon nodded, smiling at her companion.
Aquarius placed a hand on Jupiter's uninjured shoulder, "Let me fight this one." Bending her head in ascent, the tall brunette stepped back, eyes softening slightly.
"Well, well!" Sagittarius spoke with a tone or great surprise, and beamed at the newcomer, "If it isn't Sailor Aquarius! Where have you been all these years?" The purple fighter started forward, but the aqua Senshi took a step back, bringing her arm on level with her chest. Sagittarius paused in her stride.
"Sagittarius, I'm giving you a warning. Please stop what you are doing; you cannot have the Sailor Crystal." The youthful girl never took her gaze off of Sagittarius's face.
Sagittarius blinked, ever present smile losing some of its gleam, then shrugged. "Aw, c'mon, Aquarius! That Crystal, as well as the other Sailor Crystals, rightfully belongs to us, the Zodiac Senshi. We're just reclaiming what's ours. How come you're so set against it?" Azure irises eyed Aquarius with curiosity. "I'm so set against it because we bequeathed these Crystals to them for a reason. They are no longer ours."
"What do you mean 'bequeathed'?" Sailor Moon interjected, puzzled.
Sky blue eyes settled on the white winged Senshi, "Oh, Aquarius neglected to tell you guys, huh?" Chuckling, Sagittarius leaned back against the cold bricks and continued, "Well, it's kind of a long story…one that goes back pretty darn far. We used to be guardians of peace and justice, just like you guys. However, the Zodiac Senshi fought in a really big war long ago, but because our sacred crystals, which gave us our formidable strength, got stolen…" She sighed dramatically, raising her arms in resignation, "We lost. Luckily, our beloved Emperor found us and gave us a chance to get our power back. That's where you all come in." She leered wolfishly at Sailor Jupiter and Sailor Moon. "Your great ancestors, the ancestors of the Sailor Senshi, pilfered our holy crystals, including the two most powerful: the Silver Crystal and the Golden Crystal. Now we've come back to reclaim them."
Notes:
Okay, for anybody who was actually wondering. Sailor Sagittarius's first attack, "Dodonna Leaf Storm", is based on the mythological Greek oracle of Dodonna. At Dodonna was a shrine dedicated to the god Zeus (Jupiter in Roman mythology). The priests there would tell the future by listening to oak leaves rustling in the surrounding groves (the oak tree was one of Zeus's symbols). So, obviously, it kind of ties in with Sailor Jupiter's "Oak Evolution" move. All right, enough nonsense from me.