BOOM
A wall behind her exploded. A bob of orange rolled underneath a table, the metal structure blocking small bits of stone from raining down on her head.
A flash of red.
BOOM
A store exploded.
The mall in which Naru Osaka was just shopping, was under attack. Naru crawled out from under the table and ran. Bodies were everywhere, people were dropping like flies. Children were screaming, parents were yelling.
Chaos.
BOOM
Naru crossed her arms in front of her face, flinching as shards of glass embedded themselves in her arms. Her skirt ruffled in the concussive wind created by the explosion.
Suddenly the world seemed to slow. She opened her eyes, and saw a massive slab of stone falling towards a crying child, separated from her mother. Before any thoughts could even begin to process, her body was moving. She ran as fast as her legs could carry her, the stone falling at the same speed she was moving.
Knowing she wouldn't make it at this pace, she dived for the child, as the once-ceiling neared her form.
CRASH
The girls ran. The first explosion could be heard from even Rei's Shrine, where they were practicing. Kyu teleported ahead, as a scout, while the other girls went on foot.
However…they would encounter something, that would delay them from ever reaching their original goal.
"MY HOUSE!"
Taking a very minor detour to drop off their things at Usagi's house, for leaving them at the shrine for Rei's grandfather to find was too great a risk, they all froze, staring at the massive ball of flame that was once the Tsukino home.
Usagi dropped to her knees, knowing that her family was in the house, for they had nowhere to go that day. She cried, as Chibi-Usa dropped down next to her, sobbing as well.
"What…the hell happened here?" Haruka asked the winds.
She would get no response, for the others were crowding around Usagi.
"USA-KO!"
"M-Mamoru!"
Chibi-Usa backed off, letting her future mother be held by her future father. The elder girl wailed into the chest of her love, tears falling like rivers.
"So much…negative energy…" Rei muttered. Something in the air didn't feel right, power…power very familiar to her.
"…Zero?"
That got everyone's attention. Rei's eyes were unfocused, seeing, but not seeing. Her senses were going haywire.
"Was…he here?" She asked. She felt his presence but at the same time it felt different…twisted. She felt it marred, by massive amounts of negative power.
She shook her head, the trance fading. "I…" The flames.
She started, looking around wildly.
"Rei-chan?" Usagi spoke through her tears.
Read the flames.
"Who…" A voice, one familiar, and yet not, spoke to her.
Open your mind, girl. Release your power.
Falling into another trance, Rei began walking towards Usagi, eyes once again unfocused. Her hair began to fan out behind her, like a cape. Streams of red began wafting off her body, as she grew closer to the house.
Here.
She suddenly stopped, arms beginning to rise. Her eyes had closed, as she passed Usagi, none of the girls daring to reach out and stop her, none of them knowing what it was she was doing. They all knew that outside of possibly Hotaru now, Rei was the one closest to the spiritual realm, out of all of them.
She held her arms out in front of her, fingers slightly arced, as if she were to begin typing.
Now…See.
Like with Ami, a massive red glow emerged from Rei's body, the symbol of Mars overlapping her form for a moment, before the world seemed to shatter, replaced by a void of blood red, with lighter red symbols spiraling around it.
The Tsukino House. Untouched. A nearby tree. A figure on one of the branches. Familiar silver eyes. Zero. A flicker of movement. He was gone. A pillar of flame.
But no screams.
The world returned to normal, Rei's glow fading. She dropped to her knees as her head pulsed with the information she just saw.
"Rei-chan, are you-
"Zero…"
Everyone stiffened at that.
"We have to find Zero."
"Wh-why?" Usagi asked, fearful of the answer.
"Because he knows. I…something…something told me to 'read' the flames. And…"
"You did what Ami did when he jumped us out of nowhere. You connected with your Planet." Chibi-Usa spoke.
"I…I did?"
"Sigil of Mars flashing in the air around you out of nowhere? World around us turning red until you were done whatever you were doing? Yeap, same thing."
"O-oh…" She was still shaken from the invasion of her mind. "A-anyway…I saw…things. He was here. Just before the house was…" How could she put it? She wondered. "Exploded."
Usagi, despite the implications, despite losing her family, gave a snort. The proper Rei, using a term like 'exploded?' Ridiculous.
"Oh finally I found you!"
An unfamiliar voice called out. The group turned, Rei standing, to see a blonde girl running towards them.
"Come on!" The girl yelled. "We have to get to Sensei's! There's been a demon attack!"
"De-what?!"
The blonde panted, she'd been running for quite a while.
"He said 'Mother's made her move'. She's randomly flooding this place with demons and then having them return. She's seeking out the people who can pose a threat to her, and attempting to have them erased."
"My family wasn't a threat to her!"
Mikoto gave her a funny look. Realizing that she didn't know, the younger blonde just shook her head.
"Come on! It'll make sense when we get there!"
Always the short temper, when concerning her princess, Haruka lashed out at the girl. "Don't you have any tact?! Usagi just-
"Usagi doesn't know anything." Mikoto countered, matching glare for glare.
"Listen you little- CRASH
Haruka was slammed flat on her back, massive pressure keeping her from moving, from even breathing. The younger girl's control over the very air around them was greater than Haruka's own.
"No YOU listen! I don't give a flying fuck what you think went on here! I'm telling you to get your sorry asses to Sensei's house, so you can find out!"
Haruka was thrashing around. With a single thought, the girl had cut off her air supply, keeping Haruka in a vacuum of empty space, unable to breathe. Her eyes widened in fear, finally realizing the truth.
Everyone connected to Zero Shinzaki, could easily kill her, and the rest of the Senshi.
Her, no, their weaknesses were so vast, their lack of power over their own elements so obvious, barely trained teenagers could hand them their asses on a silver platter.
Haruka stopped thrashing, forcing herself to become calm. She closed her eyes, hoping that making smaller movements would consume less of the traces of oxygen she had left. She focused every thought on breaking the girl's hold.
A pale green glow surrounded Haruka's body, as the symbol of Uranus overlapped her. The world shattered, much like before, a pale green void surrounding them.
Mikoto's eyes widened, and then narrowed.
A much darker green surrounded her body, as the symbol for Wind, looking much similar to Uranus, flared around her as well.
The two pulses crashed, wills colliding…
And Haruka was defeated again.
The dark green void spiraled around them, Haruka's eyes snapping open as she felt pressure on her body. A crushing, endless, deadly pressure. Her eyes were wide with horror, as she felt the destructive force begin to cause horrible discomfort upon her very bones.
But just before anything was to break, the void, and the pressure, vanished. Haruka began gasping in air, still terrified.
"You may have learned." Mikoto began. "But you are nowhere near our power."
She turned around. "Now get up. The officials will be here soon, and we do not want to get involved with that."
Helping Hotaru
Chapter XIII:
False Wings are still Wings!
The Return of the Ideya Knights.
Streaks of red flew through the air. A figure clad in bloodstained armor ducked underneath the swing of a giant sword. A gleaming red scythe cut through the winds, a red wave of energy severing monster in twain.
"HARKEN TEMPEST!"
A female voice rang. The armored form spun in place, before loosing the scythe from its fingers, the now whirling blade of death on a stick covered in faint traces of green, as the element of wind grafted itself to the blade. Razor sharp strands of air cut through all in its path, as it returned like a boomerang, to its owner's hands.
Severed forms faded in orbs of darkness. Blood splattered to the ground with every move.
Long hair, the color of flame, streamed through the air, as the armor clad being struck out at the invaders.
An armored foot lashed out, kicking a rotting corpse-like sword wielding monster away from a group of cowering adults.
"Go on! Get out of here!"
A swing of the scythe, and a blade was halted, heading for the armored being's back.
The people ran, remembering the face of the girl with blue eyes.
Naru turned back around, armor glinting off the sunlight streaming in from the hole in the ceiling. Her eyes narrowed as she gripped her scythe tighter.
No more. I wont be just a toy for these things anymore! I'll fight, and I'll help Usagi beat them all!
"Fuuton: RASENGAN!"
A spiraling orb of air appeared floating over her palm, as she drew her arm back. Mikoto thrust herself forward, orb impacting a massive armored beast of a man, before the orb seemed to shatter, sending a cone of razor sharp winds slicing through its metal and flesh. The creature exploded in a spray of blood and bone, before bursting into white wisps.
The Senshi behind her had not yet transformed, the girl claiming that they'd wasted too much time with Haruka's little attempt at superiority. The elder woman was cowed, finally understanding just how pathetic the once glorious Sailor Senshi had become.
The demon slain was the last of a small group that attempted to besiege them. Mikoto shouted for them to follow, and follow they did, the girls panting at the exertion, not used to traveling such distances outside of their magically boosted forms. Mamoru was only fairing slightly better, because ever since the Galaxia incident, he had taken to a local gym in secret, wondering if by strengthening himself outside of his masked form, if that would make his pseudo transformation any stronger.
Anything for his dear Usagi.
In her pain and sorrow, Chibi-Usa had shifted mentalities to Black Lady, and as the girls traveled, they noticed the girl suddenly able to take longer strides, as her legs were no longer as short. Kyu had rejoined them, her own power over negative energy serving as a weak shield to keep most demons away. It was by a stroke of bad luck, that they'd come across a group lead by something Mikoto called an Ardor. An armored monster with two golden protrusions on its back resembling small wings, it carried golden sword and shield, while its red and gold trimmed armor protected it from many of her attacks.
Until she got pissed and Rasengan'd its face off.
They all followed the girl as she took a left turn down an alley. They followed as she vaulted over trash cans, dumpsters, and even the occasional body, before she leapt onto a large green dumpster and vaulted over a chain-link fence.
Being the most athletic out of the Senshi, Minako and Makoto had no problem following. Black Lady was next, adding a bit of magic to her jumps, followed by Michiru and Haruka, who were used to the physical exertion. Setsuna opted to materialize the Time Key and use it as a pole to vault herself over, while Kyu just burst into black wisps and faded into view on the other side.
All that was left were three of the original five inner Senshi, and Mamoru. Ami ran back, getting a glare from Mikoto and cries of question from the others. They watched as she became a small speck just outside the alley, before suddenly her form began growing rapidly.
Zero…Hotaru…they could be in danger, they could be hurt…and we're taking too long to reach them!
Her thoughts focused, she glowed a pale sky blue as she ran straight at the alley…before she started skating. Everyone watched in abject shock, Mikoto with a smirk on her face, as Ami slid up to the dumpster, kicked off it, and flipped over the wall, before landing and skidding to a stop. Behind her, was a trail of slightly glowing frost, which gently shattered after a few seconds.
Getting over his surprise, Mamoru jumped onto the dumpster, then turned around.
"Usa-ko! Come on!"
Usagi nodded, understanding what it was her beau was trying to convey. He knelt down as the girl ran full tilt, leaping onto the dumpster, then hopping again, landing with one foot on his extended palms. He gave a small grunt as he hefted the girl into the air, and she flipped over the fence, landing awkwardly, but not injuring anything.
"Rei!"
The raven haired shrine maiden did the same as her leader, using Mamoru as an extra spring board and landing heavily as well. Mamoru jumped off the dumpster, took at it at a sprint, bounded off it, and barely made it over himself. He landed the hardest out of all of them, but he was perfectly fine, brushing dirt off his pants.
"Come on, we're almost there! This was a shortcut!"
She ran.
The armor had vanished, she long since banishing it, but the scythe, Azraeil still remained on her back.
Naru had long since left the Mall, running full tilt to reach the place her newfound senses told her to go.
Considering that Lady Harken, or rather Elmina, had been imbued with demon's blood, making her a half demon, and causing her inner power to skyrocket, some of that magical sensory seeped into the scythe itself. Not to mention, it had slain many a demon both now and before Elmina was captured.
The blade was telling her that there was a concentration of demonic forces somewhere to the west of where she was. She took a quick look at a map of the city, before a blood red line seemed to trace her route in her mind's eye. The blue eyed girl nodded to herself, before taking off.
Now, she was slipping through crowds, running through back-alleys, and even jumping over little children, to reach her destination.
Its times like this I wish I had a car!
But still she ran. She ran, not feeling any sort of exhaustion, an added effect of the blade. It absorbed the blood and life essence of those it would slay, and in times of need could transfer these energies to its wielder.
Now, was one of those times.
People moved out of the way of the slightly glow encased girl, not wanting to get in the way of someone with such a fearsome weapon on her back, though she looked so innocent. Her arms and legs were covered in random blots of blood, blood of her enemies. Even though her outfit was basically ruined, stained with life essence and scraps of flesh, ash, dust, glass and even bone, she continued to run, not noticing as some of her friends saw her and gasped, pointing in shock at the girl who looked like she'd just gotten out of a brawl.
She ran. And she wouldn't stop running until she reached where her instincts led her.
Mikoto watched in horror as a swirling dome of energy around the house just on the horizon shattered. She pushed more focus into her legs, ripping through the air and sprinting far faster than before.
The others were winded, but still pushed on.
The house was quite similar to Usagi's, definitely big enough for a family, but not horribly so. Though it was on its own plot of land at the end of the street, therefore it had its own backyard, easily twice the size of the other homes near it.
Flashes of light, sparks of electricity, even pulses of darkness could be seen coming from behind the house, as the girls plus Mamoru all ran through the open gate to the backyard.
Upon arrival, they all ducked as the body of a small lizard demon went flying overhead. Before them, Zero, Hotaru, and now Mikoto were all involved in a dance of death. Zero was cutting demons down by the second, blade lashing out, no doubt tracing lines and forcing bodies to separate.
Hotaru was twirling gracefully, empty handed, but her fingers would brush against the skin, scales or armor of a demon and they would be blown away by a small flash of light. Her foot would catch the side of one, only for it to crash to the ground. Streams of light would follow her hands, the trails of almost glitter-like substance creating a wall between her and an attacker, ending in the foe's defeat, as it was carved in two by the defense.
Mikoto was performing similarly, only with many more thrusts of fist and palm and foot. Shockwaves of air would rip out from each movement, arms and legs would be sliced with a wave of a hand, heads collapsed with the crunch of a fist.
It was Kyu who was the first of their group to join in the fray. Rays of darkness covering the openings that were just barely present in the original three's defenses, catching demons and angelic looking creatures alike in their corruptive forces, until the bodies shattered.
The Senshi all looked at one another, before they cried the names of their planets, intoning their magic and transforming into their alter egos…
But nothing happened.
The remnants of the seal placed by Zero, upon the area of his home, were still in effect. He had weakened the concept of magic, in order to further his chances of survival, for by doing so, he weakened his attackers, but it came at a price. Hotaru could not transform, and the two could not weave the highest of elements, they were stuck with only what could naturally conceptually happen within reality.
But that was more than enough for the two. Kyu realized this, slowly backing out of the greater fight, knowing her own power was weakened as well. Not so much her control over darkness, but her power, and therefore her existence. She was, after all, a being of Magic.
For a moment, the Senshi stood, unknowing what to do, before Usagi ran into the fray, giving into her emotions, and lashing out at a demon. Her inner light, waiting to be released, appeared in the form of a faint coating of white around her fist, and as it impacted on the skull of a flesh dripping zombie, the monster screamed as its body was irradiated with holy power, and erased.
Hers was the cue to the others. Swinging her arms out, waves of fire would wash over small clusters of demons, streams of electricity would arc out from Makoto's fingers, crystals of frost from Ami's gestures.
The girls tapped into their budding elements, attempting to put into practice all they had trained with, and it was proving effective, if only barely.
They weren't at the level of those they had studied. They weren't even anywhere near Zero's level. But they were trying. And because they were determined, their powers grew.
Haruka picked up a fallen sword, and used it to the best of her ability. Her swings were still wild, and uncoordinated, but they were marginally effective, especially since she had been focusing her element into each one. Even if her blade missed, the echoing wave of sharp air wouldn't, and that offered her protection beyond what just the blade alone could.
Rei, used to her Flame Sniper attack as Sailor Mars, picked up a fallen bow, and a quiver of arrows that was dropped by one of the many skeletal zombie-like demons. Each arrow she pulled back caused her arms to grow sore, but she ignored the pain, lighting the tips aflame with her power, before they struck into the arms or legs of her foes. She quickly learned that the ferocity of her flames was such that the wooden arrows wouldn't last longer than a few seconds after they were lit. So she would launch the arrow, then light it just before it got out of her influence range. It took a few failed attempts before she got it, but soon, every arrow she fired was being lit aflame moments before impact.
The group battled fiercely. The waves of monsters appearing to be endless. They were growing tired, even Zero with his slight movements to conserve energy, was getting exhausted. Suddenly, Usagi cried out. She had been knocked to the ground by a four legged lizard demon. It pulled back, as everyone cried out to her, while she was disoriented. Its blade thrust forward.
It gurgled and split apart as a blur suddenly dropped down behind it. A loud thunk was heard, as a thin red line emerged directly down its body, before it dropped.
Usagi stared at the figure who was her savior for a moment, the battlefield silent.
"N-Naru-chan?"
The blue eyed girl just stared at Usagi for a moment, before whirling around and slamming the back side of her scythe into the head of a leaping zombie. The beast went flying backwards, as Naru flipped the scythe around in her hands and twirled.
Her skirt kicked up slightly as she spun on her heel, before releasing the weapon, sending it flying right through the torso of another zombie, as she leapt past Usagi and punched away a blade wielding lizard about to strike her friend from behind. She then pivoted on her right foot and lashed out with her left, kicking away a multi-armed ninja-like demon.
Her scythe was flying through the air still, making a wide arc, cutting down many a demon about to attack one of the Senshi, before she whirled around and caught it, blocking a swing from a tall hulking beast of a man-demon, knocking his sword arm up, before she flipped her blade around again and went with the weight of her swing, twirling the scythe once before whirling around and doing a diagonal slash up across its chest.
"Well Well, what have we here?"
As Naru whirled around from her attack, the group watched as a small white orb grew into a larger one, turning into a pale skinned man wearing a white cloak, golden claws sticking out from the sleeves and from underneath.
Alhazad…crap, I didn't think a Knight would be here!
"The Azraeil. Yet you are not Elmina…I was wondering what happened to her. Very well. Come with me Girl, that blade, while important to us, has bonded to you. And we have need of it."
"Like hell! You won't have much need for it when I shove it right up your ass Alhazad!"
The lab-coated demon man thing laughed. "You know of me? Wonderful! That will save us the introduction. Now, I gather from your response, you won't come willingly, so…"
A quick gesture, and twelve insectoid creatures, resembling flies, flew out of his cloak. With a point of his finger, they raced for Naru, who whirled around and started running.
The Prince. You must connect with the Prince in order to defeat this foe. I know I know! I can't access your full power without a blood bond to the Royal Family! Just…I don't have time to do the ritual! There is a faster way…
She ran, ducking under one bug that tried to grab her from above, and jumping over another. Another was about to get her from the side, but was knocked away by one of Rei's arrows. A small javelin of ice stopped the charge of another, as Naru raced towards whom the blade was speaking of.
Zero cut down another lizard, knocking away its blade and slicing its head off. He blasted away a zombie with a thrust of his palm, creating a small solid wall of air that echoed forwards. Hotaru slipped behind him, blocking an arrow, before sending a tendril of fire right back. Zero felt a presence to his side, and turned only to have his head slightly twisted by Naru's fist crashing right into his face.
All combat stopped upon the crack of his nose being punched. Hotaru gasped, before her eyes narrowed, palm crackling with energy as she was preparing to blast the bitch for punching her boyfriend.
Spotting a small dribble of blood coming from his palm, Naru quickly swiped her finger along the Azraeil, before whipping it along her lips yanking Zero's hand away from his face, and slamming her blood covered mouth onto his. His, and everyone else's eyes widened in shock as she did so, before a voice ripped through his mind, as a strange tingling overcame his body.
"SYNCRHONICITY CHAIN!"
And with those words, something in him clicked into place.
Memories flashed through his mind. Visions, sights, sounds, scents, things he'd never seen.
"His wings are…"
"Different. I know not what this means."
"He is ridiculed by the others for having 'fragmented' wings, even though his shine brighter than any other's."
"Indeed. But he is a good student, quiet, but strong in his own right."
"His cousin is the Princess, isn't she? How fares he with this knowledge?"
"He doesn't seem to care. While of royal blood, it is 'weak' enough for him not to be tied to the crown, and it seems to matter not to him."
"Very well. Upon my return, I will see about recruiting him for the Knights."
"I must say, Lady Elmina…Comprehension shines brightest within him. Perhaps that is why his wings are as they to be."
"Maybe. We shall discuss this more at a later time."
The Knights. He remembered it was his dream, of joining his kingdom's army. He watched as Elmina fought against the demon invasion, how she was captured, and for millennia used as a warrior for the Mother. How she held with her the sacred scroll that contained the key to defeating the World Eater. He felt her cries, her lament that she had found a survivor, but would not live to meet them. How she gave her power to Naru, who willingly grasped hold of it and trained.
And he learned. To truly become Lady Harken, one had to swear a blood oath to the royal family. A bond of blood had to be made between the one chosen by Azraeil, and someone of Royal Blood. As strong as Naru became, she would never be as strong as Elmina, or any of her predecessors, until she made that bond. And he understood, because he was a cousin to the Princess, he was of Royal Blood, and since he was the only survivor, seeing as World Eaters devoured not just physical, but spiritual as well, he was now Prince, if not King.
He forgave her, in that instance of comprehension, for punching him in the face. Honestly he'd probably do something similar, he mused. He willingly embraced her, as their bodies were enveloped in a blood red light, pulling her closer to him. He knew she was scared, deep down within, even if it was pushed aside by a wall of focus and courage, and even though the kiss would probably cause him problems with Hotaru and the others later on, due to their bond now, he could tell how his willing embrace calmed her.
As the glow became a solid orb of blood red energy, the two pulled away, looking into the other's eyes.
"Was ki ra desier dople yor." He began.
"Was yea ra manaf dople yor." She continued.
"Merra Ideya Knight!"
"Wee ki erra merra chs diviega chs ruinien!"
And with those words spoken, the blood red orb shattered, revealing Zero in all his glory, fully healed, Eight wings spread out wide.
Next to him was Naru, clad in the blood red armor of those under the title Lady Harken, hair grown down to her back.
And two glowing crimson wings, flapping away behind her.
"What?!"
"You look surprised, Alhazad. Didn't you know? The true power of Lady Harken can only be realized with the consent of the Royal Family."
"A bond, Blood to Blood, between myself and the lovely girl next to me. I was wondering what the hell that weird feeling in the back of my head was, and why it felt like I was missing something important. She gave me back some of my missing memory, and a little upgrade with it. You may have destroyed my home, but the spirit of the Knights of Ideya will always live on."
"Fools! You think two broken warriors without a home scare me?! I'll show you the true meaning of fear!" Spit flying from his frothing mouth, Alhazad yelled at the two winged fighters, before the cloak ripped off, revealing a horrible distorted monster beneath it. The form he took now looked like a cross between a plant a crab, and a scorpion. On its raised 'tail' was a single red eye, as a gaping maw filled with rows of sharp teeth roared at the group. Tiny pinpricks of spines were on the ground on its side, acting like tiny feet as it slid towards them.
"I'm sorry."
"I know. I'm sorry too. You shouldn't have to be dragged into this."
"Dragged? Hah, I made my choice Lord Zero. After realizing who Usagi-chan was…I understood why my life was so messed up."
The two held a small conversation as they watched the demon make its way towards them.
"I wanted…to be able to do something to help. And now I can. So don't apologize, your Majesty. You're helping me do what it was I wanted to, in the first place."
"Hah…you're not the girl Usagi claimed you were."
"Time…battle…it changes people. I watched someone die before my very eyes…I lost a man I fell for, because he happened to be on the wrong side of battle…no more. I'll protect those I've come to care about…ahh…as long-
He tensed his shoulders, noticing how the other girls were running up behind them, kiting around in a wide arc to make a safe path to the two winged fighters.
"I relieve you of that duty."
"Wh-what?"
"I've got more than enough people ready to put themselves in harm's way for me…your job is to protect your friends first, me second. Understand?"
She gave a teary but confident smile. "Yes Sir!"
"Now…lets show this fuckass what it means to mess with the Knights of Ideya."
His wings fluttered for a moment, before he shot forward, blade of pure energy in hand. Naru was right after him, her own wings flapping away, carrying her forward as the two pulled back. The dirty brown mass of a creature before them gave a small growl, field of power erupting into place around it as their weapons slammed into a small dome.
"Fools! Powerful you may be, but two broken warriors are no match for my strength!"
"Really now…who said it was just us two?" Zero quipped.
Suddenly a blur appeared and landed on top of the beast's 'tail'.
The Senshi blinked as Sailor Chibi-Moon was kneeling on top of the creature, head bent over the tail so she could see right into its glowing red eye.
"Sup bitch?" She quipped. Before the beast could respond, it was screeching in pain as the girl slammed two Light charged palms into its eye, flipping off as the barrier faded, allowing Zero and Naru to carve into its slimy flesh.
The three got out of the way as Mikoto flared a violent green.
"Zank ūyokuha!"
An echoing shattering noise ripped from between her extended hands, as a massive explosion of shockwaves erupted through the air. The demon screeched again as the shearing winds slammed into its body, a multitude of horrid gashes being carved into its flesh, green fluids being sprayed everywhere as it twisted in agony, unable to escape the vortex.
Something clicked in Hotaru's mind as she realized exactly what just happened.
"Saturn Crystal Power…MAKE UP!"
After a brief violet flare of light, the Silence Glaive was suddenly being hurled past Mikoto, who had dropped to her knees in exhaustion. Zero had fired off a small spiked ring of light that was carving into the back end of Alhazad's beastly form, and Naru had just launched a razor sharp wave of air at the monster, when the Glaive embedded itself into the creature's single eye.
"World…"
The dark haired Senshi leapt into the air, fist glowing with a pale green light. She pulled back as an orb of green surrounded said fist, a single ring of light appearing around the orb.
"SHAKING!"
She lashed out with her charged arm, slamming fist to metal as she unleashed the gathering of wind she'd summoned. The other Senshi were gaping, as the girl had fully replicated Uranus' signature attack. The force of her punch combined with the attack and sent the glaive straight through the demon's tail, taking its eye with it, blinding it, as well as almost completely decimating its appendage.
The girl jumped away as the flies that were forgotten suddenly fired rays of blue and red at her. However, the flies were quickly dealt with, as the other Senshi had taken that time to suit up, as Zero would say. Balls of flame, torrents of electricity, whips of metal…all of their attacks crashed into multiple insects, rending their forms and removing them from the battle.
"SILVER MOON CRYSTAL POWER KISS!"
Alhazad would have no time to lament the loss of his tail, for immediately he was being battered by cleansing holy rays of light, emitted from Sailor Moon's ultimate attack. He quickly formed a barrier around him, which helped for a moment, before the attack intensified, as tears streamed down Usagi's face, as she remembered the loss of her family. She let loose an extremely loud wail of anguish and sorrow, as the light became blinding.
"No…No! This…cannot be possible!"
The barrier was holding, but only just. Visible cracks could be seen beginning to form.
Sailor Saturn held out a hand, and the Silence Glaive appeared within. She twirled it twice, before holding it straight up, the tip of the glaive suddenly sparking with violet light. An orb of violet energy then covered the entire blade portion of the glaive, as she then pointed it at the barely holding force field. Rings of light began forming around the orb, contracting inwards until three rows of separate circles were floating around it.
She focused her thoughts, all the negative things that had happened in her life, calling up every instance of sorrow, pain, suffering, anguish, hatred, defeat and despair. As she did, the pale violet orb turned dark, almost eclipsing the Light created by Usagi's attack. The top end of the sphere began to crackle, ready to burst.
"Condemnation Pandora!"
And burst it did. A heavy ray of negative energy ripped from the tip of the orb, resembling Saturn. The beam crashed into the barrier, splintering and shattering it, as two powerful flares of Dark and Light connected, slamming into Alhazad. As the beams washed over his body he was lifted off the ground, tossed into the air, the two blasts of light and dark energy propelling his body.
As the beams faded, the beast seemed like he would vanish over the horizon…before hundreds of multi-colored rays of light slammed into it. One last screech, and its body exploded into particles, as the tendrils of color vanished.
Zero and Naru were back to back, arms extended, a single ring of red around their combined arms. As the ring faded, their arms dropped to their sides. Naru's body glowed slightly, as the armor vanished, her hair returning almost to normal, but still being longer than before. Rather than being at the middle of her neck, it had lengthened to just below her shoulders.
Zero's wings faded, causing him to drop to the ground, tired.
"oh…my head…my head…"
"Ne, are you alright, Zero-sama?"
He looked up at Naru slightly. "I'd nod, but that would make my headache worse…"
Despite the headache, he still had things to do. He slowly got to his feet, stumbling, before Naru wrapped her arms around his waist to steady him.
"Y'know…just once…I'd like to get a power upgrade without feeling like regurgitated ass-fluids afterwards."
Naru giggled slightly. "I don't know much about this, still. But I don't think that's how these things work, Zero-sama."
Zero sighed. "Ok…I think I'm good now." She nodded and let go of him, and he tried to take a step, only for his leg to buckle underneath him and drop him face first into the ground.
"Mcshuully, uh thnk, uhll jusht shtuhy ruck dush."
Naru knelt down next to Zero, pulling on his shirt to roll him over.
"pleagh. Yeah…I'm just gonna lay here for a while. Till my body decides to stop being a douche-pocket."
Naru giggled, before kicking her legs out from beneath her, and plopping down next to him.
"Uhh?"
"Relieved me or not, it's still my duty to stand by your side, especially since you're the last one."
"But…there's no-
She shook her head. "Doesn't matter. I swore an oath to you today, and I plan on following it."
"I pray this doesn't include the bathroom."
She flushed slightly. "No, no…just…since things have changed, whenever we're in the same location, I just have to be nearby, really."
"oh good…because judging from the ferocity of that last attack, and the weight she's placing on her feet right now, I don't think Hotaru is very happy at the moment."
Naru blinked at him, before looking up and seeing a very displeased looking Hotaru stomping her way over, accompanied by the rest of the Senshi.
"welp." Zero said. "Time to delay the inevitable. KIRA!"
In a burst of flame the kitsune-girl appeared between Zero and the oncoming group.
Hotaru stopped short, not understanding what was going on. It wasn't like she was gonna beat the crap out of him or anything…so why did he call her?
"You can drop the illusion field now. Fight's over."
She nodded, but not before giving him a quick kick in the leg, showing her frustration at being left out of the fight.
"Geez…two of them?" he muttered.
The world around them shimmered, before shattering. Though, nothing seemed to change. That is until-
"…M-momma?"
Usagi was staring in one direction, at the back of Zero's house. There, stood her family, unharmed. Tears in her eyes, she raced for them, before pulling her mother and father into a crushing hug, wailing the entire time.
"But…what?" Makoto sputtered.
"Let's just say…" Zero spoke, watching Usagi reach out and yank her little brother to her. "I had a very bad feeling. I grabbed her family and brought them here. Didn't realize that they'd attack here too, so I had Kira put up her most powerful illusion, before I locked this place of magic." He started to sit up, no longer feeling the odd tingling in his limbs. Naru got up first, and held out her hand, which Zero took as the girl helped him rise to his feet.
Just as Naru finished dusting him off, Usagi walked up to Zero and looked him in the eyes. He gave a soft sigh and a small grin, before opening his arms. An instant later, Usagi was crying on him as well, muttering her thanks all the while. He gently held her, almost lovingly, which was something that greatly surprised Haruka.
"You're welcome, Rabbit. Not that I really need the thanks…"
She pulled away. "You saved my family. I can thank you all I want."
"You know I didn't do it for you, right?"
She nodded, frowning slightly, but still not letting him go yet.
"Why then?" Shingo asked. "Why stick your butt out for us? For her?"
"Because there was no reason not to." Chibi-Usa answered. "Right Nii-san? You had no need for their lives, but at the same time, there was no need for them to die either."
"Spur of the moment really. I'm a being of impulse. If I get an odd feeling, I follow it. Tends to lead me to the right places."
"Still," the girl shook her head. "you've got a bigger heart than you like to show. Even so…I'm betting there's a reason why you kept them in the yard, and not in the house."
At those words Usagi realized what had happened. Her eyes widened at Zero's smirk.
"Yeah. They now officially know who you are."
"Our daughter is…Sailor Moon…who would have thought?" Her father spoke.
She turned back to Zero. "You…"
"Also did it so they would know the truth. As you no doubt saw today, your role in things makes your family a target. As it is, I'm surprised that so far only your brother was attacked, and only once. You've never faced opponents like Mother, and her Knights before. They can see through most magical illusions, and are very good at sensing energy patterns.
Your family is a liability, but…you are the type of person who derives her power from the bonds she makes, and the determination to protect the ones you care about. As such, you get a bigger boost from them being alive, rather than the one you'd get from them being dead."
Usagi just nodded, not fully getting what he was saying, but hey, it meant he kept her family alive, so it worked in her favor.
The two turned, when Hotaru cleared her throat.
"Yes dear?"
She just stared at him. Usagi then realized the position they were in, his hands on her waist, and her arms around his shoulders. She flushed heavily, as Zero gave a small smirk. He let Usagi go the second she put her hands on his arms.
"Gwan then girl. Get to yer boyfriend before he decides to join the 'Let's bore holes in Zero's head with our eyes' club."
Usagi gave a small giggle at that, before doing so.
"What was that?" Hotaru spoke, getting right to the point.
"Blood to Blood bond." Zero answered.
Naru continued. "It was the fastest way to be able to take out Alhazad. Even though I accepted the power that comes from taking the title of Lady Harken, I wasn't at full strength. I couldn't be, without the permission from someone of the Royal Family. Like with you Sailor Senshi, who guards the Princess, Lady Harken protects the Royal Family…and Zero's the last one left."
"Apparently, even though I was just a cousin of the Princess, I still came from the Royal bloodline. And since I'm the last survivor, it's Lady Harken's job to basically be my bodyguard. Thing was, she couldn't touch her full strength without the blood bonding ritual."
Naru finished off. "And since Alhazad showed up, we didn't have time to do the actual ceremony, so Azraeil told me all that was really needed was a mutual continuous exchange of blood. My blood had to touch his blood, in order for the ritual to be complete."
"That explains why you broke his nose…but not the kiss." Hotaru's eyes were still narrowed.
"I…err…ok FINE! I've…wanted to at least kiss the guy once ok?! But…I wasn't…gonna…"
Zero placed a hand on her shoulder. "Despite your feelings you were respecting that I was basically claimed by Hotaru, but since the blood link was needed, you figured it would be a good excuse to do it, while managing something important. I gotta say, it's a plan I'd come up with really."
Hotaru sighed. "Honestly…what is it about people and kissing my boyfriend?"
"Lesee, he keeps himself decently exercised," Chibi-Usa held up a fist and started ticking off reasons. "He's powerful, he's loyal, for the most part. He's good looking." Zero muttered something along the lines of "totally object to that…"
"he's a natural born leader, he's funny, intelligent-
"sucks at math."
Chibi-Usa looked at him.
"Bull. I've seen in your head Nii-san, you just think you do."
"ass."
"Love you too. Anyway, I could keep going y'know."
"What about that…that thing? The field thing he puts out?" Minako asked.
"…oh yeah that thing." Zero mused. "Uhh…actually I forgot about it."
Figuring he'd give it a shot, he locked eyes with Rei, and completed the same course of action he did weeks ago.
"…what? Why are you looking at me like that?"
Zero blinked. "Eh?" He shook his head, locked his sights on Minako, and tried once more.
She just smiled. "It's not working, is it?"
"Thank the fucking gods. D'you have any idea how irritating that was?"
"Wait so it's gone?" Makoto asked.
"Seems like it. I'm just gonna chalk it up to being that whatever powers I have, of which there are many, were clashing or whatever, until some point recently."
Chibi-Usa nodded.
"Ok. What is she to you."
Zero looked at Naru, who shrugged. "Blood bond means something…blood siblings then? Not-sister?"
"I can go with Not-sister."
"Not-sister it is then."
Hotaru nodded, not quite satisfied, until Zero surprised her by suddenly appearing behind her, arms wrapped around her waist.
"C'mon kit, you know I love you."
She sighed. "I know. I just…sometimes get tired of the competition, y'know? I mean, for the most part it's not your fault you're a damn good catch, but still…"
Zero nods. "Yeah well, look at the bright side. They'd have to be able to match you, to even consider having a chance with me."
"Sweet that means I have a shot?!" Chibi-Usa exclaimed.
Everyone looked at her.
"What? He said match, not beat. And considering I can swap between light and dark on a whim…"
Hotaru tilted her head back, frowning at Zero.
"…I assure you I did not see that coming."
"Suuure you didn't." She said sarcastically, rolling her eyes, but with a hint of a smile on her face.
Naru's stomach gave a loud rumble.
"Oh…I guess I'm really hungry…I never did get that smoothie…" She lamented.
"Well in that case…" Zero's eyes glazed over for a moment.
"Balls, out of sauce…hmm…ok, if you guys can wait about half an hour, I can whip something reaaaaly good up."
Hotaru suddenly got a bright smile. "You gonna do what I think you're gonna do?"
"Maaaaybe."
"Go. I'll grab everything else out of the fridge while you get some more sauce."
"Gonna help then?"
"Of course. You did teach me."
"K. Be back in a bit."
He gently kissed her forehead before releasing her, turning tail and jumping onto the top of his house, before a brilliant flash signaled the spreading of his wings, as he took off towards the nearest market.
Hotaru was still smiling as she ushered everyone into the house. "You're gonna love what comes next, I promise."
"Alhazad's crystal has dimmed."
"So it would seem. Perhaps there is more to this planet than we originally believed."
"No matter. Alhazad, while a good mind, was still a fool. He was too full of himself and his supposed experiments. On the next wave, I shall go personally, and deal with this, so you may devour this world in peace."
"Make it so, Zeik. Do not fail me in this."
"I am not my brethren, Mother. I shall not fall."
A/N: "With great focus I reject your desire. With great joy I reject your existence. We are the Knights of Ideya. Eternally concentrated, we become the sacred sword that becomes destruction!"
Just figured I'd let you know what they were saying.
Lotta stuff happens here. Naru finally returns to the spotlight, we get to see the fruits of everyone's training, Haruka comes to a revelation, another Quarter Knight falls, Zero sees some of the past, and he gets a new sister!
To help clear things, Zero placed a seal blocking out magic around the house. Kira, being a kitsune of nine tails, is unaffected by that seal. Not only that, but since she's so powerful, her illusions were able to trick even a Demon of high rank. It wouldn't work against Zeik or Mother, but anyone below them in power, it would.
The anti-Magic seal weakens the existence of magical beings, such as demons, angels or the Senshi. As such, the Senshi couldn't transform, and the demons weren't as strong as they could have been. At the same time, Zero himself was weakened, so it's an even trade.
The title refers to the fact that Naru has immense levels of magical power, but almost none of it comes from herself. Not to mention, she's not reincarnated, or originally from Zero's home planet, so she doesn't have access to the Wings of Light like he does. Hence: False Wings.
Condemnation Pandora is something I came up with on my own. Since Pandora is the name of one of Saturn's MANY moons, I figured it would work pretty well. Expect to see a couple more attacks for Hotaru with "Pandora" in the name.
Taeniaea: thanks, next one's finally up.
Dang, where'd everyone go? I know it's been a while but shit man.