Sailor Moon Stars: Heirs of Tomorrow
Disclaimer: I own nothing except my Zodiac Senshi and the new enemy. Good gods, I've been run ragged all week! (slumps in a corner). Everyone I know kept me so darn busy, I had no time to work on my chapters, so I'm sorry to anybody keeping an eye out for updates on the fanfic for the delay. Even as I write this, I'm working on 3 projects. (bright smile).
Heirs of Tomorrow: The Jovial Heir – Sagittarius (part 4)
"That is untrue."
Aquarius's soft voice rang with coldness as her took a step towards Sailor Sagittarius. The purple Senshi just remained in place, grinning. "Aquarius, we've been comrades for how many centuries? You know I'm the Senshi of Truth."
"The former Senshi of Truth!" Aquarius corrected, eyes behind the mask blazing. "It's apparent that your penchant for honesty has been corrupted, considering that our crystals were never stolen."
"Then how would you explain why we lost and how those two over there got some?" The auburn haired girl pointed a finger at Sailor Jupiter and Eternal Sailor Moon, raising an eyebrow.
"Our empress allowed the crystals to be given away. She thought we could fight best using our own strength. Besides, if we were defeated, as we had been, imagine the power of our crystals in the hands of evil!" Aquarius's reply ended in a plea, a plea for some sanity.
Sagittarius blinked, raising herself from the wall. Without warning, she burst into wild fits of laughter. "Our Emperor isn't evil," the purple Senshi gasped out, "After our defeat he showed us mercy! He gave us the chance to regain our power. As soon as we can get the crystals, he can restore us all to our former glory!" Sagittarius beamed, prideful and full of joy. "Aquarius, why don't you come back with me?" Turquoise attempted to pierce ivory silk. "Everything can be as it was before."
The small one in aqua stood very still. "Sagittarius…are you listening to yourself? You are defending the same monster who defeated you in battle. I've also noticed that Sailor Aries, Leo and Cancer haven't reappeared. Has your honorable Emperor killed them too?"
Sagittarius's smile quickly faded.
"You're defending a guy that killed your friends?" Jupiter shouted, appalled and horrified. Sailor Moon covered her mouth with a gloved hand, eyes quivering with shock. All of those girls…are dead?
"Maybe…" the smile returned, but the facial muscles seemed strained and forced. "Maybe, I should return another time for your Sailor Crystal, Jupiter. Aquarius is bringing up too many old subjects. They're bringing a pall on our fight, and I find that inappropriate." Mantle swirling about her, Sagittarius winked at the others, grinning, then dissipated into a flash of violet. The equine monstrosity beside the rogue Senshi vanished a second later.
Sailor Moon: Heirs of Tomorrow
"So, how did your date go?" Usagi's face suddenly popped in front of Makoto's emerald eyes.
"Well," the brunette sighed, "It was going perfectly until that youma showed up and chased Shuichi away."
"You mean he ran and left you?" Usagi yelled. Makoto, now the color of ripe apples.
"No, he said he was going to see the source of some screams. Then he ran off in the direction of the youma." Makoto sighed, "I just hope he had the common sense to get away from it. He really is reckless; I'm surprised he didn't try to fight it himself." She opened her locker…only to be bombarded by a tidal wave of soft, pink petals.
"Wha-What the…?" Makoto exclaimed as she reached out, grasping hold of the bouquet before it suffocated her. "Look, there's a note!" Usagi pointed out, plucking the small, fragrant note from among the roses. Makoto, sweatdropping as she listened, grabbed the massive present in both arms.
"'I'm afraid all the roses in the world fail to make up for the cowardice I have displayed,'" the blond girl read, "'But, I hope that a picnic might be able to make up for some of my behavior. Please meet me during the lunch break, in front of the greenhouse. All my love, Shuichi.'"
"Shuichi sent these…because he thought I was mad at him…?" Makoto's face softened, her eyes blurring with saline tears of happiness. Usagi looked at her, joy and relief a soothing mix on her face. "This is great! That was so nice of him! So…" Oceanic eyes turned crafty, "You're going to meet with him?"
Makoto gazed at Usagi for a moment, then burst into a spasm of giggles. "Well, I really don't have a choice with you leering at me, do I Usagi?" The laughter died down. "Besides, I want to make absolutely sure he's okay." "That's the spirit, Mako-chan!" Usagi placed a hand on the taller girl's shoulder, smiling cheerfully.
Sailor Moon: Heirs of Tomorrow
"Sagittarius hasn't returned?"
"No, my lord. It's been almost 48 hours since she'd left to retrieve the Jupiter Crystal".
A pause, then the sound of slender fingers sliding against each other in a resounding snap.
"Sailor Gemini!"
Light flashed across the obsidian floor, illuminating a young Senshi all in yellow. "You called, Emperor?"
"How is Project Ragnarok coming along?"
"Oh! I was about to tell you! We're all set to go for Stage Three!" The girl smiled with pride, sunshine blond hair swishing as she stood as tall as she could manage.
"Excellent…" Undertones of dark satisfaction crept throughout the voice. The pool of radiance shifted closer to the voice, until it finally came to rest on another, taller Senshi, slender and willowy in midnight blue. The light splashed gently about, reflecting off a shimmering, black throne and grazing across a marble white hand, which ended as the wrist was drastically cut off by ebony sable.
"Sailor Virgo…go and prepare to begin Stage Three."
The blue Senshi nodded, light glinting off of her spectacles as she turned on her heel, walking off to be engulfed the surrounding darkness. "As you wish, my lord."
An alarmed shout echoed through the room, "What about Sagittarius?"
The deathly white fingers lifted, forming a dismissive gesture. "I'll leave her fate to you, Scorpio. I know how much you want to go. However…" The lilting intonation suddenly became sharp and clear, "You are only to deal with Sagittarius, then return. As one of the Four, I will need you here for the final two stages of Project Ragnarok. In addition, it has been your duty since time immemorial to look after your post, and you cannot leave it for long."
The dark-haired Senshi bowed low, topaz eyes blazing with loyal fire. "I will obey you, Emperor".
Sailor Moon: Heirs of Tomorrow
The healthy leaves rustled like stiffened feathers as the wind swept through the silent grove. A lone figure walked among the trees, clad in emerald and silver robes, long, dark hair stirred by the breeze. His aquiline nose lifted, sniffing at the salty air; another storm was on its way. Of course storms were very common, even in the artificial atmosphere surrounding Io Castle, high above the raging cinnabar clouds of the planet Jupiter.
Excitement began to course through the young man's veins at the anticipation of the storm. With the rains, she would always come.
The thought had barely faded from his mind when a lightning flash lit up the darkening sky. Unable to restrain himself any longer, the man became nothing more than a blur of dark jade as he raced to the center of the small, sacred forest, faster than the raindrops that had begun to dampen the earth. Finally halting at a clearing, he spotted a second figure, crouched as though coming out of a leap. The rain didn't touch her, it never did, as she rose, auburn hair and royal purple skirt swirling. As though sensing his location, turquoise colored eyes stared up in his direction as a wide grin spread over her tanned face.
"I didn't expect to find you so soon, Prince Aquila. Never thought you'd miss me so much." The Senshi laughed heartily as she climbed the knoll he stood on with ease, all moves graceful and sure.
The one called Aquila smiled at the newcomer; she was the one he served so faithfully, the cheery Goddess of the Storm – Sailor Sagittarius. She was the patron goddess of his homeworld…and she had chosen him above all others.
She finally stood before him, eyes shining with absolute love for the young man. He was always glad to see her, infrequent as her visits were due to her responsibilities. Nonetheless, she was always there for the people of Io Castle, and she would always be there for him when he needed her.
The two embraced in the cool downpour, while Sagittarius leaned in, brushing her lips gently against his. He was her chosen one and, she knew from the Submarine Mirror, to be the future patriarch of the royal line of Jupiter. One day, one of their children would be as strong as Sagittarius and become her heir in power.
Sailor Moon: Heirs of Tomorrow
"How could I have forgotten about that…?"
Shuichi's blue eyes finally returned to focus as he watched the skies, reminiscing in solitude on the school roof, sprawled atop the chain link fence circling the edge. The only thing to the student's right was clear, bright blue sky. Ever since that encounter the other night with Makoto, and the confrontation with the lost Sailor Aquarius, unbidden and faded memories began to filter through his mind. Io Castle…the boy, Aquila…ghosts of eons past danced about, softly brushing his brain like down feathers.
Everything is coming back to me now, before that fight…what had really happened then? I remember the Turquoise Bow breaking into pieces, blood everywhere…then it all went black. When I came to, the Emperor was reclining on his throne, smirking at us. It just seemed natural for me to bow.
Auburn brows knitted, as the unceasing smile melted into a frown. More notions surfaced as the seconds past.
Aquarius never showed up…the last I had heard, she had gone to meet with the Empress. Next thing I know, we're getting ready for battle. Now, that's odd. Aquarius wouldn't just run away from a fight, especially one this important. Another thing. I've never known Aquarius to back down if her beloved are in danger; she was never like that, no matter how powerful the odds against her. Maybe…something happened…?
Thoughts flooded in like a swarm of angry hornets, beyond the daredevil's control. Confusion ran thickly, like an overflowing river, through his heart, as well as a swell of unexplainable anger. And longing, as though something wanted to break free from his innermost soul.
Ever since I met that girl, Makoto, nothing's been the same. I haven't felt this way since I met Aquila…wait a minute!
Shuichi bolted upright, knees clutching the chain link wiring his body had been laying across.
Makoto and Aquila…Sailor Jupiter…the resemblance is too uncanny to mistake it!
The school bells began to sound, signaling for the students to retreat to eat their midday meals.
Sailor Moon: Heirs of Tomorrow
Makoto headed outside the building, making a beeline for the greenhouse. The wind gently blew past the trees, which in turn began to sway ominously. The emerald eyed girl shivered, throwing her arms about herself as best she could with a bulging bento box in one hand. A movement caught her eye; an smiling, auburn haired boy stepped out from behind a budding cherry tree. "Oh, hello, Shuichi!" Makoto called as she came towards him, but the boy raised a hand to halt her approach.
"Hi there, sweet," Shuichi beamed as he lowered his hand, azure eyes straightforward and sparkling. "Before we begin, there's something I'd like to ask you."
"Sure, shoot!" Makoto smiled pleasantly as she laid down her lunch on the flowerbed beside them.
"Where did you go last night? I came back to the fountain for you, but you were gone."
"Oh, you came back? Sorry…" the tall brunette blushed and scratched her head awkwardly. "I went to go find you! I came back to the fountain too, but I could find you anywhere."
Shuichi sighed and shook his head with a chuckle. "Oh, we must've missed each other. That was sweet of you to look for me and I'm sorry I lost you back there. However…" For a split second, the turquoise orbs became as cool as ice, then returned to their friendly hue.
"I didn't exactly want to interrupt your battle with the youma," the chuckling male voice finished.
Makoto froze, eyes dilating with shock.
Shuichi shrugged, shutting his eyes, beam fading into a gentle smile. "Don't be so surprised. I guess you needed to keep it a secret…Sailor Jupiter."
A furious, screeching howl resounded behind the greenhouse.
Makoto's head whipped around to the greenhouse, above which was perched the horse-youma, Nisus. Its salivating tongue hung like a dead piece of flesh as its beady black eyes pierced the brunette.
"I have a secret too, Makoto. I'm not who you think I am." Turning back to Shuichi, Makoto watched in silence as, smiling as though it were the best day of his life, he raised his right wrist, brining a silver bracelet with a silver and amethyst charm into the afternoon sunlight.
"Sagittarius Star Crystal Make-Up!"
Violet flashes of lightning surrounded the boy, causing Makoto to shield her eyes. The bolts finally died down to reveal Sailor Sagittarius standing proudly in the auburn haired boys place. Nisus trumpeted loudly with glee.
"Well, Jupiter," Azure blue eyes surveyed the other girl, "You should probably transform now, before Nisus gets hungry and starts after the students around here."
Makoto remained silent, eyes shadowed under the bangs. Finally, in a tight voice, she spoke.
"So…this was all a game to you. You played with my heart, tried to hurt my friends…all along you were an enemy. DO YOU THINK THAT I'LL FORGIVE YOU FOR THE DESPICABLE ACT YOU'VE JUST DONE? YOU THINK YOU CAN PLAY WITH PEOPLE'S EMOTIONS LIKE THAT?"
Makoto's accusatory scream ended as she savagely pulled out her Sailor Crystal from the folds of her dark blue skirt and held it up to the skies.
"Jupiter Crystal Power Make Up!"
Sagittarius quickly raised her arms up to block Jupiter, who, faster than human thought, had charged at the violet Senshi, the impact nearly knocking her back into a tree. Sagittarius's smile faltered as she held off the volley of fists Jupiter aimed at her. "Don't get me wrong, Jupiter! I wasn't playing with you!" The auburn haired girl felt the wind rush out of her lungs as a burst of pain exploded in her side; Jupiter had kneed her hard in her ribcage.
"Nisus!" Sagittarius gasped out, motioning for the youma to come to her aid.
With a final roar, Nisus leapt between the fighting Senshi, swinging a heavy, clubbed tail at Sailor Jupiter. The blow connected, sending Jupiter sprawling to the ground. Grunting, Sagittarius called to the green-clad Sailor Soldier as Nisus continued to drive Jupiter back. "You felt it too, didn't you? That sublte feeling like we understood each other, like it was right to be in one another's presence. A connection." She emphasized the word as clearly as possibly.
Jupiter halted in her assaults on Nisus, catching her breath. "Probably…just some trick you pulled…"
"NO!" Sagittarius's voice was harsh with panting, but still strong. Jupiter stopped speaking, still breathing hard. "That was no trick! That was real, though at first I didn't get it. I know what that is now."
Sailor Moon: Heirs of Tomorrow
Azure blue eyes gazed up at the star littered night. Beside the stargazer, a boy slumbered, his body wrapped warmly in a satin blanket. A gloved hand reached out, placing a shining object upon Aquila's chest. As he breathed smoothly and deeply, the shimmering item melted like rain in a thirsty patch of soil into his body. He never even stirred, even as his auburn haired companion began to take her leave, clouds rolling in to cover the stars.
Sailor Moon: Heirs of Tomorrow
"I remember it now." The blue eyes grew calm, despite the light trickle of blood running down the corner of Sagittarius's mouth. Raising a hand, she held the outstretched fingers towards Nisus, who whinnied in confusion. "I release you from my spell. No longer shall you be the Avatar of Sagittarius. You are free!" the purple Senshi called out.
With a high keen, Nisus reared up, the violet, arrow symbol on its monstrous head glowing and finally shattering. The youma's body glimmered in amethyst light, until finally the shape slumped into the body of a dark haired, spectacled boy. The boy who had been Nisus was unconscious, oblivious to the events transpiring and that had transpired.
"Yamamoto!" Jupiter shouted, staring at the unconscious student.
"Yes… I was able to turn him into a youma, since he was a Sagittarius under the western zodiac." Sagittarius looked at the boy, then at Jupiter. She lowered her hand. "I'm not going to fight you anymore. I know who you are now."
Jupiter still remained guarded, hunter green eyes glinting, "What do you mean?"
The purple Senshi leaned against the tree, gazing at the other Senshi. "I can't fight you anymore; I surrender. It's as simple as that." Jupiter's clenched fists began to relax slightly.
"Does this mean you finally remember?"
Sagittarius lifted her head to the right. A little ways off and coming closer was a small, aqua Senshi in a white mask; Sailor Aquarius. Her expression was slightly concerned, with traces of hope. Near her walked Eternal Sailor Moon, face etched with worry as she glanced from Jupiter to her opponent.
Sagittarius's grin returned as she started giggling tiredly. "Yeah, I think I'm beginning to, Aquarius. Most of it, anyway." The purple haired Senshi addressed Sailor Moon, "You're the leader of the Sailor Senshi, right? There's a few things you have to know, especially about the Sailor Crystals." The wounded girl's expression turned serious. Aquarius's eyes widened behind the white frame as she nodded eagerly. Sailor Moon and Sailor Jupiter came closer, listening intently.
Sagittarius took a deep breath…which abruptly ended in an explosive spray of blood launched from her mouth, soaking her lips and chin.
The Senshi gasped in complete shock, as Aquarius quickly looked downward, concealed eyes blazing. Between Sagittarius's breastbone, beneath her brooch and winged sky blue bow, was a keen, pointed spearhead of yellowish-gold crystal, the tip dripping crimson. Tiny pulses of dark flame swam about the projectile.
Sagittarius crumpled to the ground as the crystal point was extracted from her body and swung away. Jupiter rushed forward to catch Sagittarius and drag her closer to the others, as Sailor Moon stared after the deadly weapon that had wounded the girl. The crystal retreated further, coming to a halt as it was caught in a gloved hand. That's when Sailor Moon saw it; directly behind Sagittarius and protruding from the tree, was a black, jagged portal. Within the frames of the rip-edged portal stood another Sailor Senshi, clad in obsidian black, long black hair flowing down to her leather-booted knees. Her topaz, hawk-like eyes bored into Sagittarius's back as she twirled the end of a long, golden-yellow chain, upon which hung the stained crystal; the rest of the chain's length was held slack in her other hand. Her haunting eyes came to rest on the blond Senshi's face, lips sliding into a cold smile. Sailor Moon's eyes went wide with fear. Smiling, the dark Senshi turned back, walking through the portal as it swiftly closed behind her without a seam.
"Sagittarius!" Aquarius's shout was shrill as she held the purple, bleeding Senshi in her lap. The purple Senshi's body was cooling, losing body heat as the red fluid seeped out of her. One turquoise eye cracked open as she struggled to speak. "Darn…I don't have much time. Sailor Moon," Sagittarius beckoned to the blond girl, whose eyes began to well with tears. "We, the Zodiac Senshi, were sent to retrieve the Sailor Crystals of our heirs, for our Emperor…Emperor Nyx. We had to take the Crystals from the Sailor Senshi, but we didn't know they were our…" her words dissolved into a fit of wheezing. Fighting to catch her breath, Sagittarius continued, eyes as intense as the core of a flame, "Just, watch yourselves, there are more Zodiac Senshi to come. And…beware…beware of Project Ragnarok!" The former Senshi of Honest glanced at Sailor Jupiter, who had begun to cry. Sagittarius smiled at her, her thoughts surfacing through the pain for the final time.
Just like Aquila…that time I told him I could never return again. Jupiter…you've grown to be so much like him…Aquila, my beloved…
"Don't cry, Sailor Jupiter." A dirt-streaked, gloved finger brushed across Jupiter's cheek, wiping away a teardrop. "I'm glad I finally got to meet you; I had a lot of fun while I was here. You're the reason for that, and the reason I remembered my past." The smile grew brighter than before. "I'll always be grateful to you." Reaching her head up as best she could, Sagittarius kissed the storm Senshi's damp cheek. Sailor Sagittarius's head then sunk back as her turquoise eyes were shielded by flesh. The warm smile never left her face as her grip on Aquarius's hand relaxed and finally began to disintegrate into a fine dust.
Thunder sounded in the distance as the sky darkened with storm clouds.
Sailor Moon: Heirs of Tomorrow
Aquarius stood up and glanced quietly at Sailor Moon. For some time, all of them had sat beside the greenhouse, weeping in the light drizzle that had come in unexpectedly. They had paused momentarily to move Yamamoto out of the rain and into the greenhouse nearby. "Sailor Moon…" the brown haired Senshi whispered to the winged Sailor Senshi leader. Sailor Moon, eyes overflowing, looked up at Aquarius. "If you can…" the girl hesitated, then continued, "I would like to meet with you later. I have some knowledge of this enemy, and might be able to aid you in this battle." After a few moments, the odango haired young woman, eyes set with determination, nodded to the aqua clad Senshi. Jupiter, wiping her face with the back of her hand, also nodded in agreement. Aquarius returned their gestures of agreement, then proceeded to walk away, long mantle swirling behind her as she made her way through the rain.
Sailor Moon: Heirs of Tomorrow
In the eternal shadow, the silvery rack lit up again, this time mysteriously glowing with an alien light. One of the black crystals had inexplicitly become bright purple, and shone with a matching halo of radiance. Purple light exploded from the crystal and scattered like leaves over everything present in the chamber. Pale hands clothed at the wrists in dark sable came up to an illuminated face as a masculine voice screeched in agony, the light glittering off his short, dark hair and intricate onyx diadem. Revealed also were six Senshi in various shades of color, cowering from the vivid blast. When the light finally subsided into the darkness once more, the crystal was discovered to have vanished, leaving only an empty slot beside the other, night hued crystals and the shards of the formerly broken ones.
"What just happened?" The male voice rang out with confused fury. "I suddenly feel weaker! Where did that infernal crystal go?" A tone of urgency trailed behind the shout.
"Someone must go next, while Sailor Virgo handles Project Ragnarok's third stage, without delay!"
A tender voice called in reply, "Why not let us go, Emperor Nyx?"
Notes:
The whole time I was writing this chapter, I kept Malice Mizer's "Mori no naka no tenshi" playing. It's a pretty upbeat, fun song. It's where I got the idea for Sailor Sagittarius so...okay, shutting up now : )