HI all! Well, its been about a week, and I hope to start getting these out
quicker. I really appreciate all those reviews you all have sent to me, I
love them!!!!
OK, moving onwards and upwards, here is the standard disclaimer. I don't own sailor moon, or DBZ, you all know the drill... ect..
This is going to be an action packed chapter, probably a little longer than the norm, I hope you all like it!!!!!!
CHAPTER TEN: ICE, HEART, CRYSTAL, AND FIRE
Ami and Gohan flew for the docks, dropping to the ground a mile away. They approached quietly on foot, quickly. Like shadows, they leapt from rooftop to rooftop, using fire escapes or whatever means were available to avoid detection. Finally, after a few minutes, they were there, just two buildings away from the docks. Eyeing it from a distance, it was clear it was heavily guarded.
Taking out her mini-computer, Ami scanned the area. 'Dark energy all over the place, and droids enough to choke Goku. So much for sneaking in, no place is unguarded.' With a sigh she lowered it, looking over to Gohan. "No back door, this place is sealed tight, would make Fort Knox proud."
Gohan gave her a grim smile, raising his power lever. "Then I guess we should knock."
Ami nodded in resignation, and together they stood, their new link ringing as their power levels rose. Almost immediately they were spotted, powers soaring, as they leaped headfirst into battle. Within moments of even seeing the threat, they were swarmed by it.
Without her recent training, the sheer numbers would have overwhelmed Ami, but with it serving her well, and Gohan watching her back, matching her blow for blow, attacks and strikes flew like blasts of the iciest artic blasts over the frozen tundra. Minutes later, it was over. No really strong attacks had been used yet, both heroes were saving their strength for later, when the real fight against whoever had been controlling these droids and was holding Sammy would begin. The last droid crumbled to dust at Mercury's feet, and all was still.
The wind stopped, and the waves seemed to still, an almost eerie silence falling over the field. The world seemed to be holding its breath, waiting for the next incident, the true foe to appear. It did not have to wait long.
Maniacal laughter floated down to Mercury and Gohan from above and to their right. Whirling, they spotted the woman that Serena had described to them, her long green hair blowing behind her in a faint breeze. She made a slight, almost casual gesture and a dark but faintly transparent bubble formed behind her, containing the body of Sammy Tuksino, bruised, bloodied, but alive.
"So, Mercury, I see why you and your fellow brats have been able to keep the palace shielded from us for so long in our time, you are stronger than you seem, though still weak to us of the negamoon." An evil smile flitted over her features. "I had almost hoped that your princess, the true coward, would have come. She is, after all, the one I truly wish to deal with...no matter, after you are dealt with, I will hunt her down like the dog she is and kill her myself."
Mercury tensed, insults were bad enough, but no one threatened her princess, not if she could help it. Gohan stepped minutely closer to her, preparing to follow whatever direction she chose. "Why do you want Serenity, she has done nothing to you." Her voice had lowered, gone defensive, and Gohan almost blinked from the shock, he had never heard that tone from her, but he was damn glad he was not on the receiving end of it.
"Nothing?" A demented chuckle rose from the woman's throat. "She stole the one thing I loved, she took my Prince Diamond from me, and I am going to kill her for it."
'There's that name, Diamond again. Figures. Well, the poet did say that "Hell hath no fury as a woman scorned." But why in the.....' Mercury actually frowned for a moment, deep in thought. "Why would Serenity care about some nega scum when she has Endymion?"
The woman was ranting now, not paying attention to anything but her twisted reality. "He wishes her to be his dark queen instead of I, Emerald, who was born for it, and now SHE WILL PAY!"
'Finally, a name to go to face.' "Emerald, from the words, go blame him, not her. Now, release the boy, and I will let you go." Gohan tensed at her words, not at all liking the idea of an enemy at their back. Fortunately or unfortunately, he would have a different worry soon enough.
"I think not, sailor twerp. Better yet, I will kill you, and the boy, and take from you want she took from me."
That was all it took. Ami was level headed, but not that level headed. She blasted from the ground, flying straight for the hovering, smirking, Emerald. 'No way, NO WAY! No one will hurt Serenity or Gohan, not while I still live.'
The smirk suddenly turned predatory on Emerald's face, and she hurled a dark energy blast at Mercury as battle was joined. Mercury blocked the blast, reflecting it off and towards the ground as she charged, power level spiking rapidly. She pulled back, hauling off and delivering a punch right at Emerald's face. It never hit home. Emerald laughed, Mercury's blow deflecting off a dark energy force field she created at the last moment. Enraged, Mercury threw punch after kick after punch, nothing got through. Suddenly, Emerald buried her fist into Mercury's gut, making her back off a bit. 'Come on, Ami, try something better!'
Bracing herself, Mercury began to really concentrate her power. "Mercury Artic BLIZZARD!" Ice and snow flew around her and then at Emerald, sharp spikes of ice and freezing cold snow blasted her from all sides seemingly.
"Augh!" Emerald cried out, surprised, hurt, but not badly. However, it was all the opening needed.
"MASENKO....HA!!!" A golden blast of ki energy hit Emerald hard, her concentration was broken enough where the energy bubble around Sammy vanished and he began to fall towards the ice cold waters of the bay. Gohan was there in an instant, catching him gently as he would his own daughter, resting him on the ground as he looked him over quickly, checking for any major injuries even as he kept half an eye on the battle above him. 'I can't leave him on the chance she would make another grab for him, and we don't need a human shield. Come on Ami, make her pay.'
Having lost her advantage, Emerald was forced to resort to fighting for real. Blasts of dark energy darted from her hands, at Mercury. Mercury, reassuring herself that Sammy would be ok by looking down for an instant, took two blasts head on. They rocked her back, stunning her for a moment, but in that moment, Emerald was upon her, delivering attacks which would have broken a normal human's skull into dust particles. Battle was joined. Rallying, Mercury began to block and counter, pushing Emerald back, regaining ground every moment. The two almost seemed even, then the two fighters broke apart, hovering feet from each other, both breathing a little harder.
"Not bad, Sailor Brat, but not enough." Cupping her hands over her head, she gathered a massive energy blast into a large black ball of crackling energy over her head.
Mercury backed up a bit, uncertain. 'If that thing isn't stopped, it might take out half the block along with me!' She pivoted, putting her side to Emerald and putting her hands together in an open clam shape at her hip. 'I hope this works and doesn't kill me in the process. Gohan, you and Serena better have told me everything about this.' Taking a deep breath, she began. "Ka..."
Gohan straightened suddenly, feeling the buildup of power and hearing the tell-tale beginning. Looking up, he saw her beginning the Kamehameha attack, but also saw the huge dark energy ball forming and growing above Emerald. 'Oh Ami, for Dende's sake, be careful.'
"Me..." A small ball of blue energy formed in Mercury's hands.
"Ha..." Emerald raised an eyebrow. To her knowledge, the Mercury in her time had not successfully unleashed a Kamehameha wave. 'OK, twerp, give me your best shot.'
"ME..." The ball grew in size and brilliance, shining like a white dwarf star, Mercury tensing to control it. Gohan raised his head, staring in wonder at the power behind the blast, mentally begging her to be careful, not to leave him, sending her as much strength as he could through their link.
"HAAAAAAA!!!!!" Gohan's strength supported her as she fired her attack, aiming for Emerald's huge energy blast. Just as Mercury fired, Emerald also threw her attack, dark sparking energy heading directly for the shining beam of light.
Time seemed to dilate for the three people intricately involved in the battle. The blasts collided with each other, each combatant trying to push theirs through the others to cancel it out. Both Mercury and Emerald were straining, putting all their energy into the attack. Gohan kept sending any energy to her he could. In the end, it made all the difference.
Mercury's blast strengthened, slowly overpowering Emerald's attack. With Gohan's love, strength, and energy flowing through her, she put everything into one final shove. The princess gown of Mercury flowed around her like cool water, she scout uniform vanishing and replaced by it. Below her, Gohan was girded in his armor, their link reinforced by the new transformations. Along the now stronger link, Gohan sent more energy and reassurance, even as Mercury's own strength increased. Her stance firmed and she looked more determined than ever.
"EMERALD! You will not harm another soul! Not Sammy, not Gohan, and certainly not Serenity. In the name of Mercury...I, its heir, will stop you!" Princess Ami of Mercury screamed, unleashing all the power she had gained from Gohan and her own transformation. Emerald screamed a denial in shock and disbelief as the Kamehameha double in size and power, slamming through the dark energy attack, disintegrating it, and streaked for Emerald who was still screeching her disbelief. It hit her head on and blew her away, not even a strand of green hair remaining.
Ami slowly returned to herself, feeling drained and tired, that blast having taken everything she had. The first thing she noticed was Gohan's arms around her, the chest plate of his armor pressed against her back. Slowly, her dress faded, and her uniform returned, even as his armor vanished, replaced by his gi. She leaned her head back against his shoulder, looking up at him wearily.
Gohan smiled down at her in reassurance and no small amount of pride. "I left Sammy as soon at your blast hit her, I knew she could not come after him then."
Smiling, Ami closed her eye for a second. "Thank you, Gohan."
Instead of replying he brushed his lips over hers. Together, they dropped to the ground where Gohan easily lifted Sammy. Slowly, they flew for the temple, both a little weakened from the energy it took to beat Emerald. It was a good thing they had pleanty of Senzu beans at the temple, even Sammy would need one, it looked like he had taken quite a beating.
While Ami, Princess of Mercury, and her Soul mate, Gohan, had been dealing with the threat of Emerald and rescuing Sammy, the others had not been idle. Across the city, in the park and downtown districts, Lita and Rei, with Piccolo and Goten, had been busy battling the bulk of the droids.
Lita and Piccolo took the park, and were waiting when the droids appeared. There were dozens of them, enough to wipe out half the city if they weren't stopped. The droids spotted the duo immediately, Piccolo's green skin an immediate notice that he was not one of the normal human sheep they were sent to drain and kill. En masse, the droids charged the two brave protectors. Piccolo and Lita, in her uniform of Jupiter, exchanged a glance and their power shot through the roof as they prepared for battle. In seconds it was joined, the numbers making it hard to miss a single blow. Ki blasts flew as fast as punches and kicks, covering the entire battle in smoke, dust, and the noise of a deadly conflict. After the first few droids were destroyed, their remains turning to dust, wafted away on the wind, the others pulled back, regrouping. Exchanging a look, Jupiter and Piccolo also pulled together, adopting a back to back posture, their sides to the enemy, waiting for the next attack. It was not a long wait, and the near predatory smirks on the faces for the two fighters grew as the droids charged in a broiling wave. A wave that was about to meet a big wall.
"Jupiter Supreme Thunder!!"
"SCATTER Shot!"
It was going to be a fun day.
Blocks away, Rei and Goten faced their own battle against a horde of droids. They had powered up as soon as they arrived, power levels at a high pitch if not fevered yet. When the droids appeared, they didn't give them time to coordinate, they just waded in. For a moment, the droids didn't seem to know where their danger emanated from, they were just attacked by something fast and dangerous. Once they found their attackers, five of their number had already been destroyed, piles of dust attributing to the deadly accuracy and seriousness of their aggressors. As a unit, they grouped and attacked. Goten and Rei exchanged a dry grin, ready and waiting for the predictable attack.
"Mars Celestial Fire, SURROUND!!"
Fire flew from Rei in deadly arches as Goten fired ki blast after blast of supercharged energy. Two more droids in the front went to dust before the main force attacked, and blasts flew like the wind.
It was going to be a long day.
Trunks and Mina, in her guise as Sailor Venus, were in the old warehouse district, casing the building that housed the enemy. The whole area was dangerously quiet, not even a bird was heard in the still breeze. So quiet. Too quite.
Glancing over, Trunks narrowed his eyes. "I don't like it."
"Who does. Either way, we don't have a choice, Bra is in there."
Trunks growled low under his breath. "For this and all the pain thee have caused Rena and you, they die. No second chances, no holding back."
Mina looked at him, aghast. "Trunks, that's not the right way to handle this!"
"Maybe not, but it is my way."
Dropping the subject, Venus looked around the structure. "Only obvious way in is the front door, and they are expecting us."
"Then we make another door." Powering up, Trunks walked boldly towards the building, Venus in his wake, raising her power level as well. His hand rose from his side and the palm faced the nearest wall. With the smallest bit of his power, he blasted, a hole in the wall and strode through.
Venus followed him an eyebrow raised. "Does no one in your family believe in knocking?"
"No."
Together they walked through the silent building, finding nothing on the ground floor. It was deserted, covered with years of dust and cobwebs. Deciding that the elevator would be a far to obvious trap, and that blasting holes through the ceiling would only destabilize the already tenuous building, therefore, they hiked up the stairs. The second floor was much the same as the first, but with one important difference...the dust was disturbed but decidedly nonhuman foot prints. Time to get to work.
At the top of the stairway to the third floor, they were ambushed by three droids. The droids were no match for them, even not fully powered up. Within seconds, their remains were blowing in the wind.
Trunks and Venus exchanged a look. His was grim. "Advance guard."
"Yeah, good bet that they, whoever they really are, know we are here."
Closing his eyes, Trunks concentrated. "I can sense Bra's energy, but its faint." His face darkened forbiddingly. "Like she's hurt."
"Don't worry, Trunks, she will be ok, she is strong, like you." Venus lightly rested her hand on his arm, comforting him before they continued on. Both knew that if three droids were only the advance guard, there would be ten times that as the main force. Trunks seemed to regain himself, straightening and gathering his energy around himself. His power level spiked sharply, raising with his barely contained anger. Venus pushed her power higher as well, knowing that the big fights would be just ahead.
The fourth floor was quiet as a tomb, leaving only two more in the building. It was certain from Bra's location that she was at the top, along with the largest power level, presumable the enemy. Below their energy was that of easily thirty droids, maybe more. Slowly, they made their way to the stairs, the last thing between them and the monsters above.
"Trunks...."
Trunks turned, surprised by the sudden voice, as they had said almost nothing to this point except about the enemy, and her tone was definitely not in battle mode, but softer, almost timid. "What's wrong, Mina?" Her face was troubled, her eyes downcast.
She suddenly stared right into his eyes, blue meeting his dark eyes. "We both know we might not come back."
This statement threw Trunks, putting him off balance. "There is that chance in every battle, Mina. We both accepted this when we took on these roles. What's wrong?" He walked the two paces back to her, standing right in front of her, eyes clashing with each other.
Without warning, Mina reached up and grabbed his neck, pulling him down into a deep, passionate kiss, all thoughts of the enemy or death gone for that split moment. A second later, she pulled away from him, staring into his confused eyes. "Be careful, I don't want to lose you here." She stepped around him and headed for the stairs, almost making it to the base when he grabbed her arm and spun her around.
"Listen to me, Mina. You won't lose me, ever." He crushed her to him for a brief moment before turning and jumping up the stairs.
Behind him, Venus started up as well, frowning as she watched his back a step ahead of her. "Damn, I hate it when he gets the last word."
The fifth floor was eerily silent, the power levels of monsters subdued but close, hard to locate. The two walked back to back through the isles, checking each deserted office cubicle as they went. Half way across the floor, sixty feet from the next stairway, they attacked. For a moment it almost looked like some grotesque umbrella above them, writhing and screaming in various tones and voices. Venus and Trunks had only a moment to take defensive stances before they were besieged, attacked on every side. Locks and counter strikes began the battle on their side while weapons and appendages from at them from the enemy. No blow could miss from either of the two super heroes as they were almost encased by their attackers, not even breathing room left. Slowly, the crowd of monsters started to thin, their own numbers getting in their way, cutting their effectiveness as the ones in back surged forward over the ones in front, trampling their own underfoot, claw, etcetera.
After ten minutes of rapid fire blasts, punches, and blocks, all the droids had been destroyed. There was a cut above Venus's left eye and a nasty bruise forming on Trunks's neck where a rope of some kind had nearly cut off his air. Remarkable, the two grinned, breathing heavily, and slowly straightened, squaring shoulders and advancing towards the stairs. One more foe to take on, and it would not be a pleasant battle.
As soon as they exited the stair well, a horrible sight greeted them. Rubius stood before them, waiting, looking bigger than before, more formidable, almost bulked up. Behind him and to his right hung Bra, suspended by four dark energy ropes. Two help her arms above her head and two more held her legs below her, stretching her body taunt. She was out cold, she hair hanging in disarray around her bruised face. As the two rescuers stared in horrified astonishment, Rubius began to laugh.
"You should have seen her when we first got her, she fought us, like she had a chance."
Trunks's eyes darkened, his muscles tightening, tensing, Venus was in much the same shape, glaring daggers at Rubius as he continued the narrative, goading the two teens.
"She fought well, for a child. Prince Diamond gave me this harness for her. It doubled every ounce of energy she used trying to escape it and fed it right back into her, the more she fought, the more it hurt."
Trunks would have charged right there had Venus not held him back, restrained him gently, recognizing Rubius's tactics. Mentally, through their bond, she tried to reason with Trunks. 'He's goading us, Love, it's a trap. We will get him for this, I swear, but wait for the right time.' Unnoticed by anyone but Venus, he nodded so slightly.
"You know, she was the strongest of the four, she tried to even protect the others, but you see how well she succeeded. Even the boy tried to fight, but we took care of that very quickly. And once we got her here, she tried to escape, but the harness kept pouring more and more energy into her and finally, she just passed out, like a weakling, even screamed."
Rubius leered at Trunks and Venus, obviously enjoying how he was affecting them. He focused on Trunks before he began again. "Tell you what, boy. I bet you are as weak as she was. How about I trade you, your weakling sister for that brat beside you?"
Trunks's only answer was a growl and his eyes flashed a dangerous green color, but Rubius was too caught up in his tirade to bother noticing the warning.
Next he focused on Venus, giving her a look that made her skin crawl in disgust. "How about you, Sailor brat? Want to be tied to a weakling like him forever, I bet I can do SO much more for you."
Venus had reached the breaking point, she was ready to attack at one more provocation. "There are not enough letters in the word 'no' to express how positively sure I am that there is no way in hell."
Rubius laughed scornfully at them. "Fine then. You know, brat, after you and your friends hurt me so badly last time, they had to infuse me with more dark energy, heal me, make me stronger....here, try some!" With that his hands threw strikes of dark energy at Venus. She dodged two, but a third and fourth got through, tossing her back into the wall.
Before Rubius could gloat much on his minor victory, Trunks was on him, attacking with ferocity. At first Rubius held him off, goading him further, dangerously. "After you are dead, half breed, your sister will be next, and Venus there, I will be sure to tell her how you died." Trunks roared, his hair stiffening, turning a bright golden color as his eyes flashed into a green they had displayed momentarily earlier. He battered Rubius, beating down his defenses, determined to crush the life out of him, one way or the other.
Rubius began drawing deeply on his energy reserves, just to keep up with Trunks and not be killed. And his day was about to get a whole lot worse. Just as he was beginning to hold the Super Saiyan Trunks at bay, Venus joined the fray, announcing her presence with a kick to Rubius's groin and a shot to his nose that sent him stumbling back. Together, the hero and heroine launched themselves at him, dodging the dark energy spheres he threw at them and heading directly for him. For a few seconds they fought, punches, kicks, blocks, counters, right crosses, uppercuts, and elbow shots flew madly as the fray moved around the room.
Finally, the three combatants broke apart, Venus and trunks on either side of the room, with Rubius pinned between them. Rubius, knowing he was fighting a losing battle, drew on his last bit of energy, throwing everything he had in to one last, suicidal attempt to destroy them. Putting his arms straight out from his sides, aiming one palm at each, he fired a massive dark energy blast at each. Trunks and Venus fired twin counter blasts, energy streaming from their hands. The blasts held each other at bay, evenly matched for a while before the dark energy began pushing the ki blasts back, nearing Trunks on one side, and Venus on the other. Both were pushing themselves to their limits, straining to stop the negaenergy from forcing them back, both trying to stop Rubius who had caused them so much pain and grief once and for all. As they both weakened against the barrage of energy, their bond strengthened, sending energy coursing through them. Armor materialized over Trunks and a princess gown flowed over Mina's form. Digging deep, their blasts intensified forcing the dark energy back to its owner. Rubius screamed in pain and shock as first his own blasts then those of his enemies hit him. His body held together at first, the pain tremendous, before disintegrating, molecules of the being once called Rubius mixing with the air and vanishing.
The two soul mates collapsed to the floor, armor and dress vanishing to be replaced with normal clothes in Trunks's case and a scout uniform in Mina's. Weakly they climbed to their feet, freeing Bra from her bonds. Trunks carried her gently, protecting his little sister with his life. Together, Venus and Trunks, with the hurt and unconscious Bra headed back for the temple, hoping the others were all right and would be waiting.
About the time Mina and Trunks entered the office building and Ami and Gohan leapt into battle, Serena, Darien, and Vegeta had arrived at Tokyo Tower. The tall radio tower in the center of town held bad memories for both Serena and Darien, and gave each pause when they arrived. Vegeta headed straight for the door, not hesitating for a moment, and Serena, in costume as Sailor Moon, and Darien, in his Tuxedo Mask form, was right behind him.
Inside, they found destruction. A guard and two other humans lay dead by a counter, the guard in front, obviously trying to protect the other two from whatever it was that had caused their death. Blood surrounded the scene, and their limbs were at odd angles, looking like they had been beaten to death. Serena, or Sailor Moon, closed her eyes and a single tear fell in mourning of there innocents, caught in a battle they didn't know or understand. Tuxedo Mask put a reassuring hand on her shoulder, squeezing slightly. Her head raised and eyes opened, a resolve setting in. Determination and rage burned in her eyes and when she spoke, her voice was hard, unyielding. "Father, Darien."
Both looked at her, slightly startled by the tone of voice, cold and harsh. Her voice spoke of how much pain was to be inflicted on whoever had done this. "Father, Darien, whoever did this, they die. No second chances, no forgiveness. They have hunted us, toyed with us, and then they took our family, now they have KILLED INNOCENTS! These people were no threat to them. For this, they die."
Darien stepped beside her, looking around at the scene once more in rage. He was heir to this planet, these were HIS PEOPLE! 'Mine to protect, not to let die like this.' He knelt beside the bodies, saying a short prayer and making a silent vow. 'You will be avenged, rest easy.' He stood and took his place at Sailor Moon's side, any doubt of possible outcomes erased form his mind.
Vegeta clenched and unclenched his fists. When they had taken his wife, daughter, and granddaughter captive, they had sealed their fate. 'For that alone they would die, but this...for this and taking my family, they will burn in hell, I hope they find Cell, Babidi, and Buu amusing.'
As a group they headed up the stairs, taking it cautiously, stupidity didn't need to claim one of them before the real battle even begun. The three of them encountered little resistance, two droids tried to stop them early. The first was destroyed by a ki blast from Vegeta, energy crackling dangerously around him as they advanced, his rage growing, even as he began to get a sense of Bulma back. She was in pain, and it enraged him. They went faster. The second droid was destroyed by a rose infused with energy, penetrating deeply into its body and exploding, reducing it to ashes. Sailor Moon never slowed for an instant, striding forward, alert and ready to battle.
Only three more droids appeared to stop them before they reached the top. All were armored, heavily armed. Vegeta stunned one with a blast before he physically ripped through the armor and tore out the creature's heart. It and the body turned to dust, blowing into the breeze. Tuxedo Mask took on the next, ramming his cane into a joint between armor plates and ripping the armor off, blasting the vulnerable body beneath. More ash joined the air.
The final one was disposed of by Sailor Moon, quickly and without fanfare. "Masenko, HA!" It was a mild blast as far as major attacks went, but the black monstrosity was gone almost instantly, withstanding the attack for less than a second.
As one, the three advanced to the top levels of the tower, looking for and finding their enemy. A man with white hair and a white state uniform on stood before them, arms crossed, an evil smile twisting his features. Behind him in a cage of dark energy was Bulma and Reenie. Both were battered and bruised, but alive. Reenie was out of it, out cold or close to it, it was hard to tell from this distance. Bulma was conscious, if barely. She turned her head with an effort, locking her gaze with Vegeta's. His face was anguished, seeing her like this. She almost smiled and whispered his name. "Vegeta..."
The white haired man laughed, narrowing his eyes at the trio. "Well, well, well, looks like I have caught a king, prince, and princess with my bait. They kept saying you would come, especially the blue haired one. It got so annoying that I finally had to shut them up." He gestured and the cage sparked ominously. :Attack me, and I will hurt them, as weak as they are, it might even kill them."
Knowing that he could and probably would make good on his threat was the only thing that kept the three fighters in check as they spread out slightly, giving each other more room to maneuver. Sailor Moon stayed in the middle, facing this man head on while Tuxedo Mask and Vegeta circled slightly to the sides, looking for a hole, anything, that would take this guy down fast. Vegeta quickly felt his power level and almost gasped. 'He is almost as strong as Buu was!! We really have to be careful with this one.'
Sailor Moon, not one to be hesitant when those she loved were in danger, got to the point quickly. "Who are you and what do you want with us?"
The man performed a sardonic bow before her. "I, Princess Serenity," he sneered, "am Prince Diamond of the Negamoon. What I want, basically, is you and this planet." Tuxedo Mask and Vegeta both tensed, protectively, ready to stop this guy at a moment's notice.
Sailor Moon's already cold gaze narrowed. From her look, it was amazing that Diamond didn't drop where he stood. "What do you want, with me OR the planet.?"
He laughed again, sneering at Tuxedo Mask briefly before returning his gaze to her, looking at her as one might look at a horse one wished to purchase. "Well, Princess, one would think it would be obvious what I want with you...." He sneered at the low growl from Tuxedo Mask, not truly bothered. "From the moment I saw you in our future, I loved you, wanted you. But you scorned me, and went to him!" He gestured angrily at Darien. "I grew angry, and you haunted my dreams nightly, I could not rid my thoughts of you. Earth is so much nicer than our poor planet, and you and your people had the full benefit of it! So, when Wiseman came to me, I decided to take you AND the Earth, by force if I had to." Vegeta was near snarling now, Tuxedo Mask's growl a constant threat in the air. "In our time, we managed to incapacitate you, Princess, but the rest still held us at bay. Wiseman found a way for us to come here, the past and take you one now, when your are weaker, defeat you here to claim you in the future." Diamond took one step closer, looking into Serena's eyes. "And I will claim you, one way or another, Princess."
Sailor Moon never wavered or flinched, glaring back up at Diamond with al the hatred she had in her. "You kill innocents, steal my family, hunt me, hurt those I love, and now wish to take me? Never."
Diamond shrugged, laughing at her response. "Very well, Princess." His hand gestured once more, and the cage with Bulma and Reenie trapped inside it lit up, dark lightning jumping on it.
Even hurting and weak, Bulma tried to protect Reenie. She took the brunt of the energy full out, and screamed in pain. Vegeta was incensed. He transformed into a Super Saiyan and charged the cage, trying to rip it apart with his bare hands. He strained, ignoring Diamond's laughter, ignoring the sound of Serena and Darien moving cautiously to help him, he ignored everything except for the fact that his wife was crying out for him in pain. The cage would not budge, the dark material of the bars not moving an inch, and his power leer soared, hitting the next level, Super Saiyan two. Now the bars moved, but only slightly, bending from the force he was putting on them. Behind him, Diamond laughed again and gestured. The energy in the cage grew stronger. Bulma uttered one more cry of pain and passed out, half covering Reenie with her body as she fell. Vegeta roared in rage, his body tensing, straining. Suddenly, it was like a floodgate opened inside him. He grew stronger, muscles bulging. His hair lengthened and spiked further, growing back to his waist level. With one more burst or energy and strength, the cage shattered, pieces of metal showering the room.
Once the cage was gone, the energy feed stopped, releasing the two captives. Immediately, Vegeta dropped to his knees, reaching out carefully for Bulma. Gently, he felt at her throat for a pulse and found it. Weak, thready, but there. 'She's alive. She's alive!' Moving her like he would fine china, he then checked Reenie. 'Alive as well. Thank Dende.'
While Vegeta checked on the prisoners, Sailor Moon and Tuxedo Mask moved in on Diamond. He was still overconfident, sneering at them. Together, the pair powered up further, and with a touch of her crystal, they became Princess Serenity and Prince Endymion. Serenity gazed at Diamond with ice in her eyes, out of patience and mercy with this killer.
"Diamond, as heir to the kingdom of the Moon, I sentence you to death, for murder, kidnapping, and assault on the royal family."
"Diamond, as Prince of the Earth, I too, sentence you to death, for assault, kidnapping, and murder."
Around the two of them, their power aura flared, his a golden brown color while hers was that of sterling silver. Diamond scoffed at them. "If you couldn't kill me in the future, why could you here?" His own power rose, a dark nimbus of energy around him.
Prince Endymion took up his sword, leveling it at Diamond while Serenity braced, preparing for an energy attack. Endymion charged first, swinging at Diamond with his Earth Sword. The initial blow was defected and the two battled head to head. Soon, it became clear that Diamond had the upper hand and Endymion broke away, rejoining with Serenity. Diamond was arrogantly chortling at Endymion's failed attempt. He abruptly stopped laughing and stumbled forward when Vegeta slammed into him from behind. Vegeta and Diamond fought like elements of nature, all rage and fury. After half a moment, Endymion was back into the fray, and Serenity began to power up for a huge attack, just in case she needed to finish him off. Seconds later, all three broke apart, panting. Diamond actually held even with the two determined fighters and was grinning cheekily at all three of them, taunting them. One glance at Bulma and Reenie convinced Serenity that they had to finish this NOW. 'Those two are hurt bad, we need to get them out of here and a senzu.' Taking a deep breath and focusing all her energy into a single spot, she began her attack. "FINAL.........."
Endymion immediately adopted an aggressive fighting stance, beginning his own attack. "EARTH FISSURE...."
Vegeta moved, his movements made jerky with rage. "BIG BANG........"
Diamond was boxed in, one on all sides of him ,but he kept an arrogant look on his face, unconvinced of the combined power facing him from a Princess Serenity, Prince Endymion, and a Super Saiyan level three Vegeta. That is, until it was too late.
"FLASH!!!"
"ANNIAHLATION!!"
"ATTACK!!"
Three massive attacks buffeted Diamond from all sides. He withstood the combined attacks for several moments, but their rage and purpose was not to be denied. Slowly, they overpowered him, and as the attacks faded, he sank to his knees then dropped to the floor totally, gasping for enough air to speak one last time. "You finally defeated me, Serenity...but Wiseman is still out there, he will avenge me." With a sigh, Prince Diamond of the Negamoon died.
Powering down to his normal mode, Vegeta lifted Bulma delicately into his arms, cradling her close, muttering to her quietly. Endymion, now Darien once more carefully lifted Reenie into his arms, holding his future daughter close. Serena, Darien, and Vegeta, the latter two bearing precious burdens, quickly flew for the temple's refuge, and the restorative senzu beans.
The last team to return from their mission was Serena's. Sammy had already been given half of a senzu bean, enough to heal, but not enough to restore his energy. The sleeping boy had been returned to his home and put in bed, no one other than those there and those dead would ever know anything had happened. Bra had also been given a senzu, but a whole one, and she was fully recovered and anxious for her mother and niece. Vegeta sprinted through the temple doors, heading for the room where the others waited. Piccolo immediately handed him a senzu bean when he entered and he slowly, carefully, fed it to the now semi-conscious Bulma. Moments later, Darien rushed in with Reenie, and the other half of the earlier senzu was fed to her.
Minutes passed, and finally Bulma stirred and sat up. Quickly she glanced around, and seeing Reenie safe and unhurt, she slumped against Vegeta, closing her eyes in relief. "I told them you would come for us."
Vegeta hushed her, allowing the side of his nature that only she had ever seen heretofore come out. "Quiet, woman. All are safe, even Bra is back and fine. Rest now." A protective and comforting arm went around Bulma from behind and she sighed contently, relaxing against Vegeta's broad chest.
Reenie awakened shortly thereafter, still cradled in her father's arms. "Daddy?"
Serena and Darien both leaned over her smiling, Serena speaking quietly to the brave child. "Shhh, Sweetie, everything is going to be ok. You're safe now, and we won't let anything happen. See, Bulma is right there, and Bra and Sammy are fine too. Just rest for now, ok?"
Reenie barely got out a responding "OK." Almost instantly she was asleep again, safe in Darien's arms, with Serena stroking her bangs out of her face.
For a moment in that quiet temple, all was right with the world. Ami relaxed in Gohan's arms, kissing him in relief and so much more. Piccolo and Lita held each other, more reserved than the others and slightly aloof. Goten and Rei were locked together in a rather close embrace while Mina leaned back into Trunks's arms, the two of them making cat calls at Rei and Goten. Yes, all was right for the moment.
Then the moment passed.
A black and purple portal formed in the center of the room and a battered Pluto stumbled out, exhausted and bleeding. They were not through with this fight yet.
OK, moving onwards and upwards, here is the standard disclaimer. I don't own sailor moon, or DBZ, you all know the drill... ect..
This is going to be an action packed chapter, probably a little longer than the norm, I hope you all like it!!!!!!
CHAPTER TEN: ICE, HEART, CRYSTAL, AND FIRE
Ami and Gohan flew for the docks, dropping to the ground a mile away. They approached quietly on foot, quickly. Like shadows, they leapt from rooftop to rooftop, using fire escapes or whatever means were available to avoid detection. Finally, after a few minutes, they were there, just two buildings away from the docks. Eyeing it from a distance, it was clear it was heavily guarded.
Taking out her mini-computer, Ami scanned the area. 'Dark energy all over the place, and droids enough to choke Goku. So much for sneaking in, no place is unguarded.' With a sigh she lowered it, looking over to Gohan. "No back door, this place is sealed tight, would make Fort Knox proud."
Gohan gave her a grim smile, raising his power lever. "Then I guess we should knock."
Ami nodded in resignation, and together they stood, their new link ringing as their power levels rose. Almost immediately they were spotted, powers soaring, as they leaped headfirst into battle. Within moments of even seeing the threat, they were swarmed by it.
Without her recent training, the sheer numbers would have overwhelmed Ami, but with it serving her well, and Gohan watching her back, matching her blow for blow, attacks and strikes flew like blasts of the iciest artic blasts over the frozen tundra. Minutes later, it was over. No really strong attacks had been used yet, both heroes were saving their strength for later, when the real fight against whoever had been controlling these droids and was holding Sammy would begin. The last droid crumbled to dust at Mercury's feet, and all was still.
The wind stopped, and the waves seemed to still, an almost eerie silence falling over the field. The world seemed to be holding its breath, waiting for the next incident, the true foe to appear. It did not have to wait long.
Maniacal laughter floated down to Mercury and Gohan from above and to their right. Whirling, they spotted the woman that Serena had described to them, her long green hair blowing behind her in a faint breeze. She made a slight, almost casual gesture and a dark but faintly transparent bubble formed behind her, containing the body of Sammy Tuksino, bruised, bloodied, but alive.
"So, Mercury, I see why you and your fellow brats have been able to keep the palace shielded from us for so long in our time, you are stronger than you seem, though still weak to us of the negamoon." An evil smile flitted over her features. "I had almost hoped that your princess, the true coward, would have come. She is, after all, the one I truly wish to deal with...no matter, after you are dealt with, I will hunt her down like the dog she is and kill her myself."
Mercury tensed, insults were bad enough, but no one threatened her princess, not if she could help it. Gohan stepped minutely closer to her, preparing to follow whatever direction she chose. "Why do you want Serenity, she has done nothing to you." Her voice had lowered, gone defensive, and Gohan almost blinked from the shock, he had never heard that tone from her, but he was damn glad he was not on the receiving end of it.
"Nothing?" A demented chuckle rose from the woman's throat. "She stole the one thing I loved, she took my Prince Diamond from me, and I am going to kill her for it."
'There's that name, Diamond again. Figures. Well, the poet did say that "Hell hath no fury as a woman scorned." But why in the.....' Mercury actually frowned for a moment, deep in thought. "Why would Serenity care about some nega scum when she has Endymion?"
The woman was ranting now, not paying attention to anything but her twisted reality. "He wishes her to be his dark queen instead of I, Emerald, who was born for it, and now SHE WILL PAY!"
'Finally, a name to go to face.' "Emerald, from the words, go blame him, not her. Now, release the boy, and I will let you go." Gohan tensed at her words, not at all liking the idea of an enemy at their back. Fortunately or unfortunately, he would have a different worry soon enough.
"I think not, sailor twerp. Better yet, I will kill you, and the boy, and take from you want she took from me."
That was all it took. Ami was level headed, but not that level headed. She blasted from the ground, flying straight for the hovering, smirking, Emerald. 'No way, NO WAY! No one will hurt Serenity or Gohan, not while I still live.'
The smirk suddenly turned predatory on Emerald's face, and she hurled a dark energy blast at Mercury as battle was joined. Mercury blocked the blast, reflecting it off and towards the ground as she charged, power level spiking rapidly. She pulled back, hauling off and delivering a punch right at Emerald's face. It never hit home. Emerald laughed, Mercury's blow deflecting off a dark energy force field she created at the last moment. Enraged, Mercury threw punch after kick after punch, nothing got through. Suddenly, Emerald buried her fist into Mercury's gut, making her back off a bit. 'Come on, Ami, try something better!'
Bracing herself, Mercury began to really concentrate her power. "Mercury Artic BLIZZARD!" Ice and snow flew around her and then at Emerald, sharp spikes of ice and freezing cold snow blasted her from all sides seemingly.
"Augh!" Emerald cried out, surprised, hurt, but not badly. However, it was all the opening needed.
"MASENKO....HA!!!" A golden blast of ki energy hit Emerald hard, her concentration was broken enough where the energy bubble around Sammy vanished and he began to fall towards the ice cold waters of the bay. Gohan was there in an instant, catching him gently as he would his own daughter, resting him on the ground as he looked him over quickly, checking for any major injuries even as he kept half an eye on the battle above him. 'I can't leave him on the chance she would make another grab for him, and we don't need a human shield. Come on Ami, make her pay.'
Having lost her advantage, Emerald was forced to resort to fighting for real. Blasts of dark energy darted from her hands, at Mercury. Mercury, reassuring herself that Sammy would be ok by looking down for an instant, took two blasts head on. They rocked her back, stunning her for a moment, but in that moment, Emerald was upon her, delivering attacks which would have broken a normal human's skull into dust particles. Battle was joined. Rallying, Mercury began to block and counter, pushing Emerald back, regaining ground every moment. The two almost seemed even, then the two fighters broke apart, hovering feet from each other, both breathing a little harder.
"Not bad, Sailor Brat, but not enough." Cupping her hands over her head, she gathered a massive energy blast into a large black ball of crackling energy over her head.
Mercury backed up a bit, uncertain. 'If that thing isn't stopped, it might take out half the block along with me!' She pivoted, putting her side to Emerald and putting her hands together in an open clam shape at her hip. 'I hope this works and doesn't kill me in the process. Gohan, you and Serena better have told me everything about this.' Taking a deep breath, she began. "Ka..."
Gohan straightened suddenly, feeling the buildup of power and hearing the tell-tale beginning. Looking up, he saw her beginning the Kamehameha attack, but also saw the huge dark energy ball forming and growing above Emerald. 'Oh Ami, for Dende's sake, be careful.'
"Me..." A small ball of blue energy formed in Mercury's hands.
"Ha..." Emerald raised an eyebrow. To her knowledge, the Mercury in her time had not successfully unleashed a Kamehameha wave. 'OK, twerp, give me your best shot.'
"ME..." The ball grew in size and brilliance, shining like a white dwarf star, Mercury tensing to control it. Gohan raised his head, staring in wonder at the power behind the blast, mentally begging her to be careful, not to leave him, sending her as much strength as he could through their link.
"HAAAAAAA!!!!!" Gohan's strength supported her as she fired her attack, aiming for Emerald's huge energy blast. Just as Mercury fired, Emerald also threw her attack, dark sparking energy heading directly for the shining beam of light.
Time seemed to dilate for the three people intricately involved in the battle. The blasts collided with each other, each combatant trying to push theirs through the others to cancel it out. Both Mercury and Emerald were straining, putting all their energy into the attack. Gohan kept sending any energy to her he could. In the end, it made all the difference.
Mercury's blast strengthened, slowly overpowering Emerald's attack. With Gohan's love, strength, and energy flowing through her, she put everything into one final shove. The princess gown of Mercury flowed around her like cool water, she scout uniform vanishing and replaced by it. Below her, Gohan was girded in his armor, their link reinforced by the new transformations. Along the now stronger link, Gohan sent more energy and reassurance, even as Mercury's own strength increased. Her stance firmed and she looked more determined than ever.
"EMERALD! You will not harm another soul! Not Sammy, not Gohan, and certainly not Serenity. In the name of Mercury...I, its heir, will stop you!" Princess Ami of Mercury screamed, unleashing all the power she had gained from Gohan and her own transformation. Emerald screamed a denial in shock and disbelief as the Kamehameha double in size and power, slamming through the dark energy attack, disintegrating it, and streaked for Emerald who was still screeching her disbelief. It hit her head on and blew her away, not even a strand of green hair remaining.
Ami slowly returned to herself, feeling drained and tired, that blast having taken everything she had. The first thing she noticed was Gohan's arms around her, the chest plate of his armor pressed against her back. Slowly, her dress faded, and her uniform returned, even as his armor vanished, replaced by his gi. She leaned her head back against his shoulder, looking up at him wearily.
Gohan smiled down at her in reassurance and no small amount of pride. "I left Sammy as soon at your blast hit her, I knew she could not come after him then."
Smiling, Ami closed her eye for a second. "Thank you, Gohan."
Instead of replying he brushed his lips over hers. Together, they dropped to the ground where Gohan easily lifted Sammy. Slowly, they flew for the temple, both a little weakened from the energy it took to beat Emerald. It was a good thing they had pleanty of Senzu beans at the temple, even Sammy would need one, it looked like he had taken quite a beating.
While Ami, Princess of Mercury, and her Soul mate, Gohan, had been dealing with the threat of Emerald and rescuing Sammy, the others had not been idle. Across the city, in the park and downtown districts, Lita and Rei, with Piccolo and Goten, had been busy battling the bulk of the droids.
Lita and Piccolo took the park, and were waiting when the droids appeared. There were dozens of them, enough to wipe out half the city if they weren't stopped. The droids spotted the duo immediately, Piccolo's green skin an immediate notice that he was not one of the normal human sheep they were sent to drain and kill. En masse, the droids charged the two brave protectors. Piccolo and Lita, in her uniform of Jupiter, exchanged a glance and their power shot through the roof as they prepared for battle. In seconds it was joined, the numbers making it hard to miss a single blow. Ki blasts flew as fast as punches and kicks, covering the entire battle in smoke, dust, and the noise of a deadly conflict. After the first few droids were destroyed, their remains turning to dust, wafted away on the wind, the others pulled back, regrouping. Exchanging a look, Jupiter and Piccolo also pulled together, adopting a back to back posture, their sides to the enemy, waiting for the next attack. It was not a long wait, and the near predatory smirks on the faces for the two fighters grew as the droids charged in a broiling wave. A wave that was about to meet a big wall.
"Jupiter Supreme Thunder!!"
"SCATTER Shot!"
It was going to be a fun day.
Blocks away, Rei and Goten faced their own battle against a horde of droids. They had powered up as soon as they arrived, power levels at a high pitch if not fevered yet. When the droids appeared, they didn't give them time to coordinate, they just waded in. For a moment, the droids didn't seem to know where their danger emanated from, they were just attacked by something fast and dangerous. Once they found their attackers, five of their number had already been destroyed, piles of dust attributing to the deadly accuracy and seriousness of their aggressors. As a unit, they grouped and attacked. Goten and Rei exchanged a dry grin, ready and waiting for the predictable attack.
"Mars Celestial Fire, SURROUND!!"
Fire flew from Rei in deadly arches as Goten fired ki blast after blast of supercharged energy. Two more droids in the front went to dust before the main force attacked, and blasts flew like the wind.
It was going to be a long day.
Trunks and Mina, in her guise as Sailor Venus, were in the old warehouse district, casing the building that housed the enemy. The whole area was dangerously quiet, not even a bird was heard in the still breeze. So quiet. Too quite.
Glancing over, Trunks narrowed his eyes. "I don't like it."
"Who does. Either way, we don't have a choice, Bra is in there."
Trunks growled low under his breath. "For this and all the pain thee have caused Rena and you, they die. No second chances, no holding back."
Mina looked at him, aghast. "Trunks, that's not the right way to handle this!"
"Maybe not, but it is my way."
Dropping the subject, Venus looked around the structure. "Only obvious way in is the front door, and they are expecting us."
"Then we make another door." Powering up, Trunks walked boldly towards the building, Venus in his wake, raising her power level as well. His hand rose from his side and the palm faced the nearest wall. With the smallest bit of his power, he blasted, a hole in the wall and strode through.
Venus followed him an eyebrow raised. "Does no one in your family believe in knocking?"
"No."
Together they walked through the silent building, finding nothing on the ground floor. It was deserted, covered with years of dust and cobwebs. Deciding that the elevator would be a far to obvious trap, and that blasting holes through the ceiling would only destabilize the already tenuous building, therefore, they hiked up the stairs. The second floor was much the same as the first, but with one important difference...the dust was disturbed but decidedly nonhuman foot prints. Time to get to work.
At the top of the stairway to the third floor, they were ambushed by three droids. The droids were no match for them, even not fully powered up. Within seconds, their remains were blowing in the wind.
Trunks and Venus exchanged a look. His was grim. "Advance guard."
"Yeah, good bet that they, whoever they really are, know we are here."
Closing his eyes, Trunks concentrated. "I can sense Bra's energy, but its faint." His face darkened forbiddingly. "Like she's hurt."
"Don't worry, Trunks, she will be ok, she is strong, like you." Venus lightly rested her hand on his arm, comforting him before they continued on. Both knew that if three droids were only the advance guard, there would be ten times that as the main force. Trunks seemed to regain himself, straightening and gathering his energy around himself. His power level spiked sharply, raising with his barely contained anger. Venus pushed her power higher as well, knowing that the big fights would be just ahead.
The fourth floor was quiet as a tomb, leaving only two more in the building. It was certain from Bra's location that she was at the top, along with the largest power level, presumable the enemy. Below their energy was that of easily thirty droids, maybe more. Slowly, they made their way to the stairs, the last thing between them and the monsters above.
"Trunks...."
Trunks turned, surprised by the sudden voice, as they had said almost nothing to this point except about the enemy, and her tone was definitely not in battle mode, but softer, almost timid. "What's wrong, Mina?" Her face was troubled, her eyes downcast.
She suddenly stared right into his eyes, blue meeting his dark eyes. "We both know we might not come back."
This statement threw Trunks, putting him off balance. "There is that chance in every battle, Mina. We both accepted this when we took on these roles. What's wrong?" He walked the two paces back to her, standing right in front of her, eyes clashing with each other.
Without warning, Mina reached up and grabbed his neck, pulling him down into a deep, passionate kiss, all thoughts of the enemy or death gone for that split moment. A second later, she pulled away from him, staring into his confused eyes. "Be careful, I don't want to lose you here." She stepped around him and headed for the stairs, almost making it to the base when he grabbed her arm and spun her around.
"Listen to me, Mina. You won't lose me, ever." He crushed her to him for a brief moment before turning and jumping up the stairs.
Behind him, Venus started up as well, frowning as she watched his back a step ahead of her. "Damn, I hate it when he gets the last word."
The fifth floor was eerily silent, the power levels of monsters subdued but close, hard to locate. The two walked back to back through the isles, checking each deserted office cubicle as they went. Half way across the floor, sixty feet from the next stairway, they attacked. For a moment it almost looked like some grotesque umbrella above them, writhing and screaming in various tones and voices. Venus and Trunks had only a moment to take defensive stances before they were besieged, attacked on every side. Locks and counter strikes began the battle on their side while weapons and appendages from at them from the enemy. No blow could miss from either of the two super heroes as they were almost encased by their attackers, not even breathing room left. Slowly, the crowd of monsters started to thin, their own numbers getting in their way, cutting their effectiveness as the ones in back surged forward over the ones in front, trampling their own underfoot, claw, etcetera.
After ten minutes of rapid fire blasts, punches, and blocks, all the droids had been destroyed. There was a cut above Venus's left eye and a nasty bruise forming on Trunks's neck where a rope of some kind had nearly cut off his air. Remarkable, the two grinned, breathing heavily, and slowly straightened, squaring shoulders and advancing towards the stairs. One more foe to take on, and it would not be a pleasant battle.
As soon as they exited the stair well, a horrible sight greeted them. Rubius stood before them, waiting, looking bigger than before, more formidable, almost bulked up. Behind him and to his right hung Bra, suspended by four dark energy ropes. Two help her arms above her head and two more held her legs below her, stretching her body taunt. She was out cold, she hair hanging in disarray around her bruised face. As the two rescuers stared in horrified astonishment, Rubius began to laugh.
"You should have seen her when we first got her, she fought us, like she had a chance."
Trunks's eyes darkened, his muscles tightening, tensing, Venus was in much the same shape, glaring daggers at Rubius as he continued the narrative, goading the two teens.
"She fought well, for a child. Prince Diamond gave me this harness for her. It doubled every ounce of energy she used trying to escape it and fed it right back into her, the more she fought, the more it hurt."
Trunks would have charged right there had Venus not held him back, restrained him gently, recognizing Rubius's tactics. Mentally, through their bond, she tried to reason with Trunks. 'He's goading us, Love, it's a trap. We will get him for this, I swear, but wait for the right time.' Unnoticed by anyone but Venus, he nodded so slightly.
"You know, she was the strongest of the four, she tried to even protect the others, but you see how well she succeeded. Even the boy tried to fight, but we took care of that very quickly. And once we got her here, she tried to escape, but the harness kept pouring more and more energy into her and finally, she just passed out, like a weakling, even screamed."
Rubius leered at Trunks and Venus, obviously enjoying how he was affecting them. He focused on Trunks before he began again. "Tell you what, boy. I bet you are as weak as she was. How about I trade you, your weakling sister for that brat beside you?"
Trunks's only answer was a growl and his eyes flashed a dangerous green color, but Rubius was too caught up in his tirade to bother noticing the warning.
Next he focused on Venus, giving her a look that made her skin crawl in disgust. "How about you, Sailor brat? Want to be tied to a weakling like him forever, I bet I can do SO much more for you."
Venus had reached the breaking point, she was ready to attack at one more provocation. "There are not enough letters in the word 'no' to express how positively sure I am that there is no way in hell."
Rubius laughed scornfully at them. "Fine then. You know, brat, after you and your friends hurt me so badly last time, they had to infuse me with more dark energy, heal me, make me stronger....here, try some!" With that his hands threw strikes of dark energy at Venus. She dodged two, but a third and fourth got through, tossing her back into the wall.
Before Rubius could gloat much on his minor victory, Trunks was on him, attacking with ferocity. At first Rubius held him off, goading him further, dangerously. "After you are dead, half breed, your sister will be next, and Venus there, I will be sure to tell her how you died." Trunks roared, his hair stiffening, turning a bright golden color as his eyes flashed into a green they had displayed momentarily earlier. He battered Rubius, beating down his defenses, determined to crush the life out of him, one way or the other.
Rubius began drawing deeply on his energy reserves, just to keep up with Trunks and not be killed. And his day was about to get a whole lot worse. Just as he was beginning to hold the Super Saiyan Trunks at bay, Venus joined the fray, announcing her presence with a kick to Rubius's groin and a shot to his nose that sent him stumbling back. Together, the hero and heroine launched themselves at him, dodging the dark energy spheres he threw at them and heading directly for him. For a few seconds they fought, punches, kicks, blocks, counters, right crosses, uppercuts, and elbow shots flew madly as the fray moved around the room.
Finally, the three combatants broke apart, Venus and trunks on either side of the room, with Rubius pinned between them. Rubius, knowing he was fighting a losing battle, drew on his last bit of energy, throwing everything he had in to one last, suicidal attempt to destroy them. Putting his arms straight out from his sides, aiming one palm at each, he fired a massive dark energy blast at each. Trunks and Venus fired twin counter blasts, energy streaming from their hands. The blasts held each other at bay, evenly matched for a while before the dark energy began pushing the ki blasts back, nearing Trunks on one side, and Venus on the other. Both were pushing themselves to their limits, straining to stop the negaenergy from forcing them back, both trying to stop Rubius who had caused them so much pain and grief once and for all. As they both weakened against the barrage of energy, their bond strengthened, sending energy coursing through them. Armor materialized over Trunks and a princess gown flowed over Mina's form. Digging deep, their blasts intensified forcing the dark energy back to its owner. Rubius screamed in pain and shock as first his own blasts then those of his enemies hit him. His body held together at first, the pain tremendous, before disintegrating, molecules of the being once called Rubius mixing with the air and vanishing.
The two soul mates collapsed to the floor, armor and dress vanishing to be replaced with normal clothes in Trunks's case and a scout uniform in Mina's. Weakly they climbed to their feet, freeing Bra from her bonds. Trunks carried her gently, protecting his little sister with his life. Together, Venus and Trunks, with the hurt and unconscious Bra headed back for the temple, hoping the others were all right and would be waiting.
About the time Mina and Trunks entered the office building and Ami and Gohan leapt into battle, Serena, Darien, and Vegeta had arrived at Tokyo Tower. The tall radio tower in the center of town held bad memories for both Serena and Darien, and gave each pause when they arrived. Vegeta headed straight for the door, not hesitating for a moment, and Serena, in costume as Sailor Moon, and Darien, in his Tuxedo Mask form, was right behind him.
Inside, they found destruction. A guard and two other humans lay dead by a counter, the guard in front, obviously trying to protect the other two from whatever it was that had caused their death. Blood surrounded the scene, and their limbs were at odd angles, looking like they had been beaten to death. Serena, or Sailor Moon, closed her eyes and a single tear fell in mourning of there innocents, caught in a battle they didn't know or understand. Tuxedo Mask put a reassuring hand on her shoulder, squeezing slightly. Her head raised and eyes opened, a resolve setting in. Determination and rage burned in her eyes and when she spoke, her voice was hard, unyielding. "Father, Darien."
Both looked at her, slightly startled by the tone of voice, cold and harsh. Her voice spoke of how much pain was to be inflicted on whoever had done this. "Father, Darien, whoever did this, they die. No second chances, no forgiveness. They have hunted us, toyed with us, and then they took our family, now they have KILLED INNOCENTS! These people were no threat to them. For this, they die."
Darien stepped beside her, looking around at the scene once more in rage. He was heir to this planet, these were HIS PEOPLE! 'Mine to protect, not to let die like this.' He knelt beside the bodies, saying a short prayer and making a silent vow. 'You will be avenged, rest easy.' He stood and took his place at Sailor Moon's side, any doubt of possible outcomes erased form his mind.
Vegeta clenched and unclenched his fists. When they had taken his wife, daughter, and granddaughter captive, they had sealed their fate. 'For that alone they would die, but this...for this and taking my family, they will burn in hell, I hope they find Cell, Babidi, and Buu amusing.'
As a group they headed up the stairs, taking it cautiously, stupidity didn't need to claim one of them before the real battle even begun. The three of them encountered little resistance, two droids tried to stop them early. The first was destroyed by a ki blast from Vegeta, energy crackling dangerously around him as they advanced, his rage growing, even as he began to get a sense of Bulma back. She was in pain, and it enraged him. They went faster. The second droid was destroyed by a rose infused with energy, penetrating deeply into its body and exploding, reducing it to ashes. Sailor Moon never slowed for an instant, striding forward, alert and ready to battle.
Only three more droids appeared to stop them before they reached the top. All were armored, heavily armed. Vegeta stunned one with a blast before he physically ripped through the armor and tore out the creature's heart. It and the body turned to dust, blowing into the breeze. Tuxedo Mask took on the next, ramming his cane into a joint between armor plates and ripping the armor off, blasting the vulnerable body beneath. More ash joined the air.
The final one was disposed of by Sailor Moon, quickly and without fanfare. "Masenko, HA!" It was a mild blast as far as major attacks went, but the black monstrosity was gone almost instantly, withstanding the attack for less than a second.
As one, the three advanced to the top levels of the tower, looking for and finding their enemy. A man with white hair and a white state uniform on stood before them, arms crossed, an evil smile twisting his features. Behind him in a cage of dark energy was Bulma and Reenie. Both were battered and bruised, but alive. Reenie was out of it, out cold or close to it, it was hard to tell from this distance. Bulma was conscious, if barely. She turned her head with an effort, locking her gaze with Vegeta's. His face was anguished, seeing her like this. She almost smiled and whispered his name. "Vegeta..."
The white haired man laughed, narrowing his eyes at the trio. "Well, well, well, looks like I have caught a king, prince, and princess with my bait. They kept saying you would come, especially the blue haired one. It got so annoying that I finally had to shut them up." He gestured and the cage sparked ominously. :Attack me, and I will hurt them, as weak as they are, it might even kill them."
Knowing that he could and probably would make good on his threat was the only thing that kept the three fighters in check as they spread out slightly, giving each other more room to maneuver. Sailor Moon stayed in the middle, facing this man head on while Tuxedo Mask and Vegeta circled slightly to the sides, looking for a hole, anything, that would take this guy down fast. Vegeta quickly felt his power level and almost gasped. 'He is almost as strong as Buu was!! We really have to be careful with this one.'
Sailor Moon, not one to be hesitant when those she loved were in danger, got to the point quickly. "Who are you and what do you want with us?"
The man performed a sardonic bow before her. "I, Princess Serenity," he sneered, "am Prince Diamond of the Negamoon. What I want, basically, is you and this planet." Tuxedo Mask and Vegeta both tensed, protectively, ready to stop this guy at a moment's notice.
Sailor Moon's already cold gaze narrowed. From her look, it was amazing that Diamond didn't drop where he stood. "What do you want, with me OR the planet.?"
He laughed again, sneering at Tuxedo Mask briefly before returning his gaze to her, looking at her as one might look at a horse one wished to purchase. "Well, Princess, one would think it would be obvious what I want with you...." He sneered at the low growl from Tuxedo Mask, not truly bothered. "From the moment I saw you in our future, I loved you, wanted you. But you scorned me, and went to him!" He gestured angrily at Darien. "I grew angry, and you haunted my dreams nightly, I could not rid my thoughts of you. Earth is so much nicer than our poor planet, and you and your people had the full benefit of it! So, when Wiseman came to me, I decided to take you AND the Earth, by force if I had to." Vegeta was near snarling now, Tuxedo Mask's growl a constant threat in the air. "In our time, we managed to incapacitate you, Princess, but the rest still held us at bay. Wiseman found a way for us to come here, the past and take you one now, when your are weaker, defeat you here to claim you in the future." Diamond took one step closer, looking into Serena's eyes. "And I will claim you, one way or another, Princess."
Sailor Moon never wavered or flinched, glaring back up at Diamond with al the hatred she had in her. "You kill innocents, steal my family, hunt me, hurt those I love, and now wish to take me? Never."
Diamond shrugged, laughing at her response. "Very well, Princess." His hand gestured once more, and the cage with Bulma and Reenie trapped inside it lit up, dark lightning jumping on it.
Even hurting and weak, Bulma tried to protect Reenie. She took the brunt of the energy full out, and screamed in pain. Vegeta was incensed. He transformed into a Super Saiyan and charged the cage, trying to rip it apart with his bare hands. He strained, ignoring Diamond's laughter, ignoring the sound of Serena and Darien moving cautiously to help him, he ignored everything except for the fact that his wife was crying out for him in pain. The cage would not budge, the dark material of the bars not moving an inch, and his power leer soared, hitting the next level, Super Saiyan two. Now the bars moved, but only slightly, bending from the force he was putting on them. Behind him, Diamond laughed again and gestured. The energy in the cage grew stronger. Bulma uttered one more cry of pain and passed out, half covering Reenie with her body as she fell. Vegeta roared in rage, his body tensing, straining. Suddenly, it was like a floodgate opened inside him. He grew stronger, muscles bulging. His hair lengthened and spiked further, growing back to his waist level. With one more burst or energy and strength, the cage shattered, pieces of metal showering the room.
Once the cage was gone, the energy feed stopped, releasing the two captives. Immediately, Vegeta dropped to his knees, reaching out carefully for Bulma. Gently, he felt at her throat for a pulse and found it. Weak, thready, but there. 'She's alive. She's alive!' Moving her like he would fine china, he then checked Reenie. 'Alive as well. Thank Dende.'
While Vegeta checked on the prisoners, Sailor Moon and Tuxedo Mask moved in on Diamond. He was still overconfident, sneering at them. Together, the pair powered up further, and with a touch of her crystal, they became Princess Serenity and Prince Endymion. Serenity gazed at Diamond with ice in her eyes, out of patience and mercy with this killer.
"Diamond, as heir to the kingdom of the Moon, I sentence you to death, for murder, kidnapping, and assault on the royal family."
"Diamond, as Prince of the Earth, I too, sentence you to death, for assault, kidnapping, and murder."
Around the two of them, their power aura flared, his a golden brown color while hers was that of sterling silver. Diamond scoffed at them. "If you couldn't kill me in the future, why could you here?" His own power rose, a dark nimbus of energy around him.
Prince Endymion took up his sword, leveling it at Diamond while Serenity braced, preparing for an energy attack. Endymion charged first, swinging at Diamond with his Earth Sword. The initial blow was defected and the two battled head to head. Soon, it became clear that Diamond had the upper hand and Endymion broke away, rejoining with Serenity. Diamond was arrogantly chortling at Endymion's failed attempt. He abruptly stopped laughing and stumbled forward when Vegeta slammed into him from behind. Vegeta and Diamond fought like elements of nature, all rage and fury. After half a moment, Endymion was back into the fray, and Serenity began to power up for a huge attack, just in case she needed to finish him off. Seconds later, all three broke apart, panting. Diamond actually held even with the two determined fighters and was grinning cheekily at all three of them, taunting them. One glance at Bulma and Reenie convinced Serenity that they had to finish this NOW. 'Those two are hurt bad, we need to get them out of here and a senzu.' Taking a deep breath and focusing all her energy into a single spot, she began her attack. "FINAL.........."
Endymion immediately adopted an aggressive fighting stance, beginning his own attack. "EARTH FISSURE...."
Vegeta moved, his movements made jerky with rage. "BIG BANG........"
Diamond was boxed in, one on all sides of him ,but he kept an arrogant look on his face, unconvinced of the combined power facing him from a Princess Serenity, Prince Endymion, and a Super Saiyan level three Vegeta. That is, until it was too late.
"FLASH!!!"
"ANNIAHLATION!!"
"ATTACK!!"
Three massive attacks buffeted Diamond from all sides. He withstood the combined attacks for several moments, but their rage and purpose was not to be denied. Slowly, they overpowered him, and as the attacks faded, he sank to his knees then dropped to the floor totally, gasping for enough air to speak one last time. "You finally defeated me, Serenity...but Wiseman is still out there, he will avenge me." With a sigh, Prince Diamond of the Negamoon died.
Powering down to his normal mode, Vegeta lifted Bulma delicately into his arms, cradling her close, muttering to her quietly. Endymion, now Darien once more carefully lifted Reenie into his arms, holding his future daughter close. Serena, Darien, and Vegeta, the latter two bearing precious burdens, quickly flew for the temple's refuge, and the restorative senzu beans.
The last team to return from their mission was Serena's. Sammy had already been given half of a senzu bean, enough to heal, but not enough to restore his energy. The sleeping boy had been returned to his home and put in bed, no one other than those there and those dead would ever know anything had happened. Bra had also been given a senzu, but a whole one, and she was fully recovered and anxious for her mother and niece. Vegeta sprinted through the temple doors, heading for the room where the others waited. Piccolo immediately handed him a senzu bean when he entered and he slowly, carefully, fed it to the now semi-conscious Bulma. Moments later, Darien rushed in with Reenie, and the other half of the earlier senzu was fed to her.
Minutes passed, and finally Bulma stirred and sat up. Quickly she glanced around, and seeing Reenie safe and unhurt, she slumped against Vegeta, closing her eyes in relief. "I told them you would come for us."
Vegeta hushed her, allowing the side of his nature that only she had ever seen heretofore come out. "Quiet, woman. All are safe, even Bra is back and fine. Rest now." A protective and comforting arm went around Bulma from behind and she sighed contently, relaxing against Vegeta's broad chest.
Reenie awakened shortly thereafter, still cradled in her father's arms. "Daddy?"
Serena and Darien both leaned over her smiling, Serena speaking quietly to the brave child. "Shhh, Sweetie, everything is going to be ok. You're safe now, and we won't let anything happen. See, Bulma is right there, and Bra and Sammy are fine too. Just rest for now, ok?"
Reenie barely got out a responding "OK." Almost instantly she was asleep again, safe in Darien's arms, with Serena stroking her bangs out of her face.
For a moment in that quiet temple, all was right with the world. Ami relaxed in Gohan's arms, kissing him in relief and so much more. Piccolo and Lita held each other, more reserved than the others and slightly aloof. Goten and Rei were locked together in a rather close embrace while Mina leaned back into Trunks's arms, the two of them making cat calls at Rei and Goten. Yes, all was right for the moment.
Then the moment passed.
A black and purple portal formed in the center of the room and a battered Pluto stumbled out, exhausted and bleeding. They were not through with this fight yet.