Sērā-fuku de no gōsuto

セーラー服でのゴースト

Ghost in a Sailor Suit

Tarakus Deadmerit

Author's Note: Well folks, we're closing in on our final chapter in the Dark Kingdom Remnant Arc, and we've already seen drama, humor, and one active and intelligent Usagi. You're probably going what the hell? Usagi isn't like that at all! True, true. However...I wanted to make this Usagi way smarter and way more active than she usually is portrayed. If you noticed the Japanese above...that's what this story translates to in Japanese. Might seem like I've been delaying Chapter 10, but the truth is...I've had one helluva case of Writer's Block. I could just keep dragging this out...yada yada yada. But I have no time for that.

And now...my Disclaimer. I do not own Ghost in the Shell: Stand Alone Complex, or Sailor Moon, as those are the properties of the estates of Shirow Masamune and Naoko Takeuchi.

Chapter 10 – The Endgame approaches

Nothing seemed to make any sense to Usagi, or any of the other Senshi, minus Kusanagi, since she had no idea what they faced, personally. She had seen it on the news, but didn't actually get to fight Metallia up close. She had no idea what to expect. But then again, no one knew, now that the deadly Plasma Queen of Evil had returned. "Let's head back to HQ, people." Moon said, at the moment, snapping everyone out of their reverie.

Section 9 HQ

"It is apparent to me, that Queen Metallia has been released from her seal, once again. I will not lay any blame on you. You did spectacular in that bank heist, too. You have all proven that you can work together as a team." Aramaki said, even as Usagi, and the rest showed defeat. A small smile crossed his face.

"Usagi. Now might be a bad time to mention this, but there happens to be a legend that just goes to follow how good and bad a place like Eris can be. Dischord runs throughout history. It has taken down politicians...put new leaders on the chopping block...but Dischord has also placed new leaders at the top, led revolutions that succeded in their goals. Do not look upon this as defeat...think of it as a victory with grave consequences that you knew would exist from the get-go. Now, I think we all deserve some rest." Aramaki added, putting his glasses away, getting up and leaving the office. Batou looked up.

"For once I agree with the old ape. We'd all be better if we got some rest, from the Dark Kingdom Remnant. Let's head home, everyone." No one argued with him. Batou, Kusanagi, Usagi, and Kai left together.

"That was kind of a cryptic message that the Chief gave you, Usagi."

"I think He was channelling Setsuna, there." Usagi replied, to Kai's offhand remark on the chief. She gave a short snort of derisiveness, but other than that, left her unvented rage to dissipate overnight. Secretly, all the Senshi gathered at Usagi's place, to hold a meeting.

Currently, sitting around a massive round table, were Usagi, Mina, Ami, Mako, Rei, Hotaru, Haruka, Michiru, Setsuna, and Motoko. Chibi-Usa was sitting in a corner, by herself, and Batou was in the doorframe, just quietly listening, and smoking a cigarette. The only other smoker in the room, was Artemis, sitting with Chibi-Usa, in his human form.

"Just what are we looking at, now, with Metallia alive, and Kunzite feeding her almost limitless energy from the crime sprees he's organized under Dark Cycle?" Batou asked.

"We're looking at the possibility that Kunzite means to march into Niihama under the Dark Kingdom Banner, with full support of Metallia, draining all the energy from everyone who's not a cyborg, or not a complete cyborg." Haruka replied. Batou shook his head. That seemed like a pomp and arrogent thing to do...exactly what the bastard Kunzite would do. Jadeite had been too much of a coward to do such a thing, Nephrite a traitor, and Zoicite...too soft.

"Sounds like a waste of time and energy well spent, on Kunzite's part." Batou said, flicking his cigarette ashes off and taking another drag from it.

"Well, think of it this way, Batou. If Kunzite found a way to drain energy from cyborgs too, all mankind would be in trouble. As bad and grim as the situation looks right now, we may have a surprise advantage on our side. Something that Kunzite hadn't counted on, in his original plans." Ami replied.

"A Youma Rebellion?" Kusanagi spoke.

"Yeah. That's taken Kunzite by surprise." Setsuna said.

"I'm surprised Beryl hasn't woken up from her grave to shake the shit out of Kunzite for being so sloppy whenever we showed up." Usagi said, a look of contemplation etched into her features.

"That is true." Setsuna replied.

"Well, we need to put a plan together, and put it into action, if we're going to stop the Dark Kingdom Remnant from doing any more damage to us." Kusanagi said, taking advantage of a short silence.

"What are you suggesting, Major?" Batou asked, curious.

"There are a ton of possibilities to consider. One, Metallia is alive. Two, Kunzite has Metallia's leash. Three, Kunzite doesn't actually have very many resources at his disposal, at this time. Four, there's a Youma Rebellion that no one had counted on forming, when the Dark Kingdom resurged to the forefront. Put that all together, and you get what might be a recipie for disaster, on both sides." Kusanagi replied. Everyone nodded all around the table.

"I hate to say it, but the Major has a point." Hotaru pointed out.

"Gods...she actually said something." Artemis said, putting his cigarette out.

Chibi-Usa smacked the metal liquid across his face, for the comment. Artemis merely shrugged.

"So, we need to come up with a plan that accommodates all of those factors, appropriately." Mina said, getting everyone present to nod.

"Perhaps we can get Oeufcoque and Balot involved. They're an unpredictable card that can be thrown in the deck to confuse our enemies, further. Especially with Oeufcoque's ability to bend space." Ami said, thinking long and hard about what she said. Everyone turned their heads to Ami.

"Don't think anyone thought of that before now. We've almost forgotten about them." Rei gasped.

Usagi clapped her hands together, to get everyone's attention. "Ok. It's time to put Operation S2 together."

*/*/*/*/*/**/*/

It took several days, but as Section 9 continued to piece together a plan, either Ishikawa or Ami would spot another discrepency that would set them back another couple days, because they hadn't figured it into the equation. And the Dark Kingdom Remnant kept stringing Section 9 along. One day, the moment came, where it was finally time for Kunzite and Metallia to get their comeuppance. For good.

"I don't like this hairbrain plan, Usagi. You know I don't." Kusanagi said, looking at Usagi's idea.

"I know. I don't like it either, but we've got no other choice, do we?" Usagi stated, trying to convince Kusanagi of the limited options they had. This shut the Major up quickly.

*/*/*/*/*/*/*/*/*

Kunzite made the move, on a very critical day. It started out like any other day in August, with people going about their everyday business, when suddenly, a massive, dark cloud suddenly blotted out the sun. Kunzite went marching through New Port City, with his army of loyal Youma, blind to any opposition.

"Come on out, Public Security Section 9...come on out, Sailor Scouts. I'm waiting for you." Kunzite goaded. A gunshot rang out, from his left, and before Kunzite knew it, he was hit in the shoulder, from a massive bullet. The force of the impact sent the Dark Kingdom General flying into a shop window, in the Shopping District. When Kunzite rubbed his head to clear it, standing in front of him, was a young girl dressed in white, standing over him, with a .44 caliber revolver in her hand. Her hair was almost black, and she had very disturbing violet eyes. Kunzite was clearly not familiar with this girl.

"Uh...who are you?" Kunzite asked.

"Who am I you ask? I am someone who thinks justice should be carried out for all the crimes you have committed, General Kunzite, of the Dark Kingdom Remnant." A mechanized female voice responded.

What?! A throat mic? This girl cannot talk? It was then, that Kunzite noticed a scar on her throat, indicating that she had it slit, in an earlier time, and couldn't talk because of this wound. It took a few moments more for Kunzite to realize who the girl was. By then it was too late, as two more guns joined Rune Balot's, in Kunzite's face.

"She got you there, didn't she?" An all too familiar voice said, making Kunzite twist around to face the source. The .50 caliber Desert Eagle in his face ended with Sailor Moon at the end. A sweatdrop formed on Kunzite's forehead.

"Ahhh! Why did you call in a specialist such as Balot?!" Kunzite struggled to get out, as he tried, and failed to stand, with three guns pushing him back down to the ground.

"I don't know, but I'd call it justice, like Balot said." Charon replied, smirking. A quick flash of energy shoved Balot, Charon and Moon back, allowing Kunzite to stand, and examine the wound he got to the shoulder, where Balot had shot him.

"You have no idea, just how much prosthetic bodies cost, these days, do you?" Kunzite said, to Balot.

"I know full well, just how much they cost, moron."

"We all know." Moon backed Balot's statement.

"Did you forget me?" The chilling voice of Metallia rang out from outside.

"Damn. Forgot about her. Well, Kunzite...looks like you'll be paying for the rest of your life, as a cyborg, then." Moon replied, before stepping out. The gun disappeared, but she pressed her elbow, and her massive 203mm tank killer gun appeared.

"For every instance that you've appeared, Metallia, You have caused pain! I will not allow you to exist any further! In the name of the Moon, I, Neo Queen Serenity, and I, Sailor Moon, punish you, here and now! Silver Crystal 203 Tank Killer Special!"

A huge white beam shot out of the cannon, and struck Metallia, in a diamond shape hole in her head, causing her to crumble to dust, and fizzle away.

Batou, Mars, and Saito came up behind Moon, as she let the tank gun back into her arm.

"Well, I think this officially closes the Dark Kingdom Remnant Case, doesn't it?" Moon said, dropping her arm to the side.

Charon came up to her, and patted her niece on the back.

"I think it does." In her hands, figuratively, was Kunzite, a brain staple sticking out of his neck. He glared at Sailor Moon.

"I am not through with you, Sailor Moon! I will finish you off, one of these days!" Kunzite spat, before he was tossed carelessly into a squad car, and driven away.

Moon sighed. "I'm glad I don't need to see that dick again for a long time."

Batou chuckled. "You said it, Moon. A sissy dick at that."

Everyone laughed.

Ten Pillars Tavern

Everyone gathered in the tavern that night, celebrating the end of the Dark Kingdom Remnant.

"Here's to a job well done." Aramaki said, raising a glass of scotch.

"Here here." Everyone else shouted happily, clinking glasses, and drinking to their hearts' content.

"Well, I hope we have light case loads for now. I was really starting to lose it, towards the end, and Boiled didn't help either." Usagi said, rubbing her forehead, with a shot glass.

"I'm afraid I have some bad news for you, Usagi. We just got another case in...sounds pretty big. Do you remember Fem?"

"The Kanemoto Yokose case? Sure. What about it?" Usagi said.

"It appears that Fem was just arrested for a heist gone wrong. 20 billion Yen in jewels, and gold have disappeared, and 7 guards were severly injured, 3 killed. The guards that were interviewed, said that they thought they saw Fem doing it...but when we got our hands on Fem, she said that she's being framed."

Usagi shook her head. "Really, now? Ok...I'll take a look at it in the morning."

That's the end of the Dark Kingdom Remnant Arc. Thank the Force. Took me a long time to finish this out. Thanks to Ken28 for favoriting and following this piece! And now, a preview of the next Arc.

Jewels for Thought:

A Jewel heist gone wrong, has 3 guards dead, and 7 injured. 20 Billion Yen in jewels and gold goes missing...and all the clues point to a former assassin for the South Seas Maffia. A suspect that Secion 9 arrested, nearly 20 years ago: Fem! But when Fem claims she's being framed for the job, the trail of clues starts pointing towards another old enemy, in Sailor Moon's past. Can Section 9 and the Sailor Scouts put a stop to this jewel thief, before Fem is thrown back in prison? Or is Fem's shady past preventing the former assassin from redemption? Find out in Jewels for Thought.