Sailor Moon Stars: Heirs of Tomorrow
Disclaimer: I own nothing except my Zodiac Senshi and Emperor Nyx. Oh, and Aquila and Yamamoto from the last chapters. Sadly, I also don't own Kato Kazuki or Hikaru Utada.
Heirs of Tomorrow: The Distracting Heirs – Libra, Taurus and Virgo
"Why not let us go, Emperor Nyx?"
The Emperor, concealed in darkness, looked up, sour-tempered and oddly drained. Light shone on a lovely, softly smiling Senshi in a power pink Sailor suit, her wavy, sugar blond hair swishing against the flooring. Standing to her right was another Senshi in neon green, looking askance with a calm, bored expression.
"Very well, Sailor Libra and Sailor Taurus. With Sailor Virgo assigned to Stage 3, you must descend and gather Sailor Crystals. And hurry!" The dark voice constricted with a spasm of pain.
The prettier of the two Senshi nodded, and smiled at her nonchalant companion, "Leave it to us, my lord!" The two dissolved in a flash of rose and jade.
Through the ensuing silence, the voice spoke again.
"Sailor Pisces?"
"Yes, my lord?" replied a now illuminated lavender Senshi.
"While Sailor Virgo is taking care of part one of Stage Three, I want you to commence now with the second part. I grant you permission to descend."
"Of course, Emperor." Aquamarine eyes lowered in submission.
Sailor Moon: Heirs of Tomorrow
"Ami's sick?"
Minako smiled gently at Usagi, whose face started to show blatant panic. She closed her locker on portraits of Kato Kazuki and Hikaru Utada with a soft click. "Don't worry, she's just overtired from researching with Luna and Artemis. They suggested she take the day off to rest before she really does catch something. I check on her last night myself; she's just got a minor cold."
Relief flooded the odango headed girl's face as the two of them started walking to class the next day. After the events with Sailor Sagittarius, Usagi and Makoto quickly contacted the other Senshi, in order to schedule a meeting between them and their enigmatic ally, Sailor Aquarius. Aquarius had informed Sailor Moon that she was willing to share all that she knew about the enemy, whom Sagittarius had called "Emperor Nyx", with the Sailor Senshi team. All of the girls had agreed to come, with the exception of the still recovering Rei. Makoto had volunteered to visit the beautiful, weakened priestess after the meeting to inform her of everything she had missed. Obviously, with Ami being ill as well, she would have to be filled in as well later on. Michiru, having violin practice for an upcoming concert tour, would also be slightly late, as well as Haruka, who was driving the two of them.
"I can't believe what's been happening lately," Usagi sighed to her friend, "So many people are suffering. I still don't understand what's going on."
Minako nodded, eyes blue as April skies. "What I don't understand is, if these Zodiac Senshi as Sagittarius called them were good, why are they attacking us? Do you think the enemy corrupted them, like when Queen Beryl captured Tuxedo Kamen?" The other blond girl stared at Minako thoughtfully, then answered, "You know, that might actually be it! Maybe they were brainwashed into fighting us – "
Usagi's response was cut off as she went sailing halfway across the hallway, skidding to a halt as her face impacted with the tile.
Minako quickly rushed over, but was forced to cover her ears as Usagi let out a hyena wail of "OWWW!"
"Oh, man, I'm sorry!"
Minako raised her head, giving her attention to a short young man in a paint splattered T-shirt and jeans. Apparently, paint had found its way into his hair, as his chocolate brown locks were streaked with aqua and amethyst. Usagi groaned as she lifted her bruised face. I'd know that voice anywhere…it's Fukuro.
The boy looked down at the formerly airborne girl and her companion with complete sympathy. "Why is it whenever we meet, I end up hurting you?" Fukuro bent, encircling the blond student's arm with slender fingers. "It's okay, Fukuro…I'm all right." Usagi, aided by Minako and Fukuro, rose from the ground. Minako gazed at the young student in casual clothes, "Usagi, do you know this guy?"
"He's a friend of mine, Mizuno Fukuro." Usagi replied and gestured to Fukuro, whose lips raised in a greeting smile. "Any relation to our Ami?" Minako grinned back at the boy who shook his head with a laugh, although Usagi's features altered with puzzlement. "Fukuro…why aren't you wearing your uniform?" Fukuro suddenly glanced down, plucking at his oversized T-shirt. "Oh, this? I was helping paint the doorframe of the art room. I'd noticed that the old paint was starting to get drab, so…" He scratched his head self-consciously, face brushed with a dusting of ruby.
"Excuse me, is something the matter?"
All three turned to the sound of a sweet voice calling as someone carefully emerged from the art room. A fair, male student with wavy hair as pale as golden sugar and tender, opal pink eyes gazed at Usagi, Minako and Fukuro from beyond the threshold.
"Oh, no, nothing's wrong, Tsubaki!" Fukuro called back, "Just saying hello to some friends of mine." Delicate as a cherry blossom, the boy acknowledged as Tsubaki smiled back as he walked over gracefully to the trio, "Oh, that's nice. Your friends look rather nice." He bowed to the two blond girls, who by now were having problems keeping the rivers of saliva from escaping their mouths and pooling on the floor.
"Hey, Tsubaki!"
A boisterous, female voice resounded through the halls as a head popped out from the art room. The girl had shoulder length, earth-hued hair and heavy-lidded, pale emerald green eyes. A lollipop dangled from her full lips as she surveyed the occupants of the hall, curious gaze resting on the lovely boy who had just exited the room. "What's going on out there?"
"Oh, nothing, Hinagiku," Tsubaki's rosy eyes twinkled in her direction, "Just meeting some new people."
"I'm Usagi!" the blond odango headed girl said cheerily, then pointed at the other blond girl beside her. "And this is my friend Minako!"
The brunette girl extracted the confection from her mouth as she examined the girls, then grinned. "Hey, pleased to make your acquaintance". Her voice was soothing and relaxed, yet tempered with sincerity. "Unfortunately, Tsubaki and I have to get back to work, so if you guys will excuse us. Maybe we can meet up and go for sundaes later." The grinning girl's face retreated back into the classroom. Tsubaki's features were marked with something akin to sadness. "It's true, we do have a project to finish." The bishonen bowed once again to the girls, "Until we meet again, my friends." White teeth flashed gently, before the blond boy returned to the chamber from which he had come.
"Fukuro! You didn't tell me your friend was that cute!" Minako gushed, face flaming as her mouth broke into a wide grin. Fukuro sweatdropped as he discreetly stepped back. "Well, I hadn't actually met him until this morning, when I got the request to paint." "I wonder who that girl, Hinagiku, was…" Usagi wondered aloud.
"Oh, that's his cousin. They're pretty close friends too." Fukuro revealed.
"That's so sweet!" Minako sighed, blue eyes becoming unfocused. Usagi grinned, "Looks like Minako's found a potential date." She and the brown haired bow burst into laughter.
Still dazed, Minako started to drift off down the hall, with her blond friend following. Suddenly, Usagi stopped short, held back by a small hand with slender fingers.
"Usagi…can I ask you for a favor?" The normally upbeat Fukuro seemed serious, bi-chromatic eyes darkened. Usagi hesitated at the change.
"What is it, Fukuro? What's wrong?"
"Would you mind…keeping Minako away from Tsubaki for a while?" Troubled electric blue and deep violet pierced ocean blue. "There's…there's something about him I don't exactly trust."
Usagi stood still, mind hooked by Fukuro's words as he released her arm, walking to a sealed paint can on the hall floor. He doesn't trust Tsubaki? That's unusual for Fukuro; he's never said anything like that before… Usagi glanced from the kneeling Fukuro, then at the departing Minako. Maybe I should follow his advice. Especially considering the enemy after us. Usagi nodded to herself, then raced after her friend.
Sailor Moon: Heirs of Tomorrow
"Miss Mizuno?"
Ami started, rising up from her light blue pillow. A strange voice was calling to her from the front hall of her apartment.
That can't be Mother; she's working late tonight, Ami thought as she put on her satin blue robe, and silently made her way to the hall, the Mercury Crystal safely tucked in her hand.
At Luna's insistence, Ami had stayed home from school that day to rest and recover her strength. She had been so exhausted from working to discover some clue about the enemy, she had passed out the other day, landing squarely on poor Artemis's back. After apologizing profusely to the white-furred, yowling cat, Luna escorted her home, amid the constant groans and complaints from Artemis about his broken spine.
"Who is it?" the blue-haired prodigy called back, ready in case it was a prowler of some kind.
"I'm an assistant of Dr. Mizuno! Your mother sent me to check up on you, since she heard you weren't feeling well."
Ami peaked her head around the partition separating the kitchen from the front hall, viewing the area without herself being visible. Standing in the hall and removing her clean, white shoes was a young woman, perhaps around eighteen, with short, upswept midnight blue hair, and bespectacled, sapphire blue eyes. She was dressed in pale blue scrubs and was carrying a small notepad, eyes darting about as she stood fidgeting in the spacious apartment. She looks nervous… Ami mused as she stealthily stepped around the partition, finally coming into the lady's peripheral vision. The nervous girl jumped with a short yelp, putting a hand over her heart. "Oh! You frightened me!" The girl's breathless pants were cut short by an awkward giggle. "I'm Kaitou Sayuri, I work for your mother." The navy haired nurse bowed to the young genius, holding out her ID badge. Ami quickly stuffed the Mercury Crystal under her shirt, then bowed politely to Sayuri as she gazed quickly at the ID.
"I'm Mizuno Ami. Pleased to meet you." Ami's face suddenly took on a look of regret, "I'm sorry you went to all the trouble of coming here. I really just have a small cold; I'll be just fine."
Sayuri's face suddenly lit up, as one of her hands dove into the front pocket of her shirt. "Oh, you have a cold?" She straightened her glasses as her hand wandered about the small pocket, "I think I might be able to help that along."
"Thank you," the sapphire haired girl played with the belt of her robe with one finger, "but I've already taken some medicine. If I take a different kind, it might be hazardous."
Laughter rang out as Sayuri finally brought out her hand, something tiny carefully tucked into her fist. "This is a new medicine we've developed!" the nurse replied proudly, sapphire eyes twinkling. "It's guaranteed to work, and it's safe to use with other medications. In fact, I'm on this medication for a cold as well, and I feel wonderful."
Her long fingers unfurled, and in her palm was a little, dark colored pill. "Why don't you try some too?" Sayuri smiled kindly and offered the pill to Ami, stretching out her hand.
Ami came forward like a timid child and gingerly took the pill between two fingers, holding it up to the light to examine it. "One thing though, it should only be taken with water. Other liquids might cause side effects," Sayuri quickly warned. Ami took her glasses out of her robe pocket and scrutinized the medicine Sayuri had been carrying. "This is a new development?" she asked. The nurse nodded, "Yes, though it has been tested and retested for months to guarantee its effectiveness and safety." Sayuri giggle a bit, "If you like, I will give Dr. Mizuno the notes concerning this pill for you to look over at leisure."
Ami smiled brightly at the nurse, who smiled back kindly. Well, I suppose it couldn't hurt to try it. With the plans Sayuri will give me, maybe I can even help improve on it for Mother! Plus, there's something about her…like an aura of familiarity. She'll make a great doctor someday.
The blue satin robe softly glided across the floor as Ami made her way to the kitchen for a glass of water, the midnight haired nurse eagerly following.
Sailor Moon: Heirs of Tomorrow
"Are you ready to go?"
The sugar blond head lifted, opal eyes fixing on the face of the one who had spoken. "I'm not sure, Hinagiku. Could we do this somewhere off the campus?"
Hinagiku's outstretched legs dangled over the large pile of wooden crates. Her emerald eyes glanced uninterestedly at Tsubaki, who was putting the finishing touched on an elaborate painting, jewel-like trails of color swirling and spilling on the canvas.
"Taurus," the pretty boy whispered, brush held still between his fingers, "I don't want that girl, Minako to be harmed. I felt something…a connection of some sort…"
"Ah, that's just nerves!" The brunette leapt down from the crates like an ocelot, waving her hand dismissively. "Now come on Libra, we have to get to work so Virgo can complete Stage Three without a hitch."
The boy remained still for a moment, then replied.
"What do you think, Taurus?" He gestured to the painting, which depicted a tall, golden haired woman in an ivory silk gown lying asleep, veils of white and topaz fabric cascading around her like many waterfalls. A crimson and orange sunset illuminated her beautiful face as she slumbered, diadem of gold shining in the fading sunset.
"I call it 'Aphrodite in Repose'. How does it look?"
"Great work, as always, Libra." For once, the emerald eyes were bright with interest as they gazed on the painting, her hand resting on the blond student's shoulder. She had always envied her friend's gift with a brush. "No worries. I'll have your back no matter what!" The girl raised her fist into the air, face set with determination and brightness.
Sailor Moon: Heirs of Tomorrow
Rei cautiously made her way across the hall of the temple, pale feet making almost no sound beneath her white sleeping robe. Her hand rested gently over her heart as she headed to the room which held the sacred fire of the shrine. Last night, Luna advised the priestess to place her Sailor Crystal inside of her body. "It will regain its power much more quickly that way, since it is connected to your soul. Both you and it must recover together." The dark cat's words echoed in Rei's mind. All the same, she felt compelled to consult the temple fire; with this enemy, she felt uneasy being away from it for too long, where the gods could guide her spirit to possible victory.
Rei slid the door open, closing it behind her as she entered. To her shock and fury, she was not alone in the room.
Sitting beside the now flagging flames was a young woman in a lavender colored Sailor Senshi uniform, which took on a hue of deep indigo in the firelight. One leg was casually drawn up under the pleated skirt, showing the thick strips of lacing holding the front and back of the plain lavender boots together. A gloved arm rested on her upraised knee as the girl continued to gaze into the dying embers, her aquamarine eyes glittering. Her long, ebony hair was held back in a long thick braid, the dark bangs falling delicately over her milky forehead. Leaning against the wall behind her was a silver, three-pronged trident.
"Who are you? How dare you disturb the sacred flames?" Rei screamed with rage as her onyx eyes glared angrily at the stranger.
The Senshi's head calmly swiveled to face the furious priestess, aqua gaze calm. Suddenly, the dark haired girl's lips drew back in a frightful sneer as she lunged forward, hand outstretched towards Rei.
Rei swiftly drew back, hand reaching out to fling back the sliding door as she retreated. The door advanced, coming between the Sailor Senshi and the dark haired girl with a bouncing slam. Thrown to the floor by her rapid flight, Rei started to get up and run back.
A gloved hand emerged from behind the door of the swiftly darkening room and encircled Rei's ankle.
Shrieking, Rei kicked out with the other leg, quickly sitting up to elbow her attacker. Unfortunately, as Rei's arm advanced, another gloved hand came forward, reaching for Rei's chest.
Screams of agony echoed through the hallway as the hand impaled the priestess's chest, streams of ruby flashes reflecting off of the walls. The screams only grew more piercing and high pitched as, after several minutes, the intruder's hand began to pull back, brining with it a heart shaped, red crystal. Finally, the hand came free as the Senshi's face lit with triumph, holding up the Mars Crystal with unconcealed glee. As the scarlet radiance began to die down, the lavender Senshi vanished in a spark of lilac.
Rei's lifeless black eyes just stared outward as her body fell back like a dead weight to the floor, face waxy and pale as snow.
With a final, quiet poof, the temple fire died out.
Sailor Moon: Heirs of Tomorrow
Blood splattered across the countertop as Ami staggered, clutching the wall for support as she hacked and wheezed, air feeling granular in her windpipe. Sayuri stood over her, glasses gleaming with an evil luminescence. "If you're quite done," the nurse spoke, "I'll be taking the Mercury Crystal from you now." Her lips slid into a wolfish grin as she advanced towards the gasping, breathless girl.
Ami flung her body further into the room as she swiftly took out the Mercury Crystal, holding it up and beginning to shout, "Mercury Crystal Power – "
A hand clamped firmly on the sick girl's wrist, while Sayuri's fingers attempted to wrestle the shimmering azure crystal from Ami's hand. Blue eyes dilated with pain and ire as Ami continued the incantation. "- MAKE UP!"
Whipping jets of water emerged from the crystal and knocked the treacherous nurse backwards as Ami began to transform, surrounded by shining ripples of water. In her place, rising from the carpet, was Super Sailor Mercury, features set with anger as she grazed her hand across the Mercury Harp. "Your intellect should be used to help people in need, not try to kill them. As Sailor Mercury, the Solider of Knowledge and Learning, I will not forgive you!" Mercury stood ready to engage the one who had given her that harmful pill.
Sayuri growled, "Ah, so you finally appear! To think it was Sailor Mercury who would be the guinea pig for Project Ragnarok!" The nurse raised her wrist, the florescent lights glimmering off of a silver, starburst shaped bracelet.
"Virgo Star Crystal Make Up!"
Fine rivulets of smooth, blue water swirled about the glowing young woman, nearly blinding Mercury. As the sandstorm died down, there stood a Sailor Senshi clad in midnight blue, wearing boots identical to Mercury's. Her glasses remained despite the transformation, as she effortlessly twirled a slim, tall spear of dark blue crystal. "Come at me with everything you have, Soldier of Intelligence!" Sailor Virgo aimed her weapon at Mercury, "I've come for your Sailor Crystal, and I will take it!" She lunged at the water Senshi with the spear, shouting
"Sandstorm Waterspout!"
A rapid swirl spiraled towards Sailor Mercury, who crouched and tumbled away, raising her harp. She paused to cough up more sticky, red liquid, then proceeded to call out:
"Mercury Aqua Rhapsody!"
Thin, icy waves headed for Virgo, who attempted to dodge. However, one impacted with her thigh, causing her to wince and cry out. Rolling away, she glared with hate at Mercury, who swayed from side to side, her blue eyes still set with determination. "You fight well…" Virgo gasped out, eyes softening slightly with respect.
Without warning, a bright spark of lilac purple lit up the room. Standing between the two fighting Senshi was another Sailor Senshi in lavender, holding a silver trident, obsidian braid swirling behind her. "Empress Pisces!" the navy haired Senshi gasped, head dipping in reverence as she set down the sapphire spear.
"Empress?" Mercury echoed, eyes widening in startlement.
The aquamarine orbs settled on Virgo's bent head as she fingered her weapon. "Tell me, Sailor Virgo, did you carry out Stage Three?"
A smile broke out on the other girl's face. "Yes, it is completed. Even better, I managed to infect Sailor Mercury over there!" She pointed to the Senshi in blue opposite her. Sailor Pisces's gaze settled briefly on the blood still dripping from her mouth. The newcomer's eyebrows raised curiously. "So, she's infected? Where is her Sailor Crystal?"
Virgo threw a quick glance at Pisces, "She still has it, there on her bow."
Quick as lightning, the platinum prongs of the trident plunged into Sailor Virgo's back, dark blasts of flame engulfing her.
Sailor Mercury watched, horrified, as the shrieking Sailor Virgo, still ablaze, began to dissolve into grey ashes scattering over the ground. Some stray flecks of dust gently stirred, dancing away.
Sapphire blue eyes suddenly found themselves looking straight into aquamarine. The next thing Mercury knew, pain struck her chest like knives as Pisces's hand clutched at the Mercury Crystal atop her bow. The suffering was so intense that Mercury couldn't even hear her own shouts of agony as her transformation began to disappear. Moments later, it was over as the pajama-wearing Mizuno Ami slumped to the floor beside the sad pile of dust particles that had been Sailor Virgo, clouded blue eyes devoid of life.
Smirking, Sailor Pisces dissipated in a flash of lavender light, intent on her next target.
Notes:
For those wondering, yes, Aquarius is going to reveal what she knows. It's coming up in the next two chapters (is already writing them).
