Mamoru sat in an old wooden chair supervising the calm setting before him. Each senshi surrounded Usagi, hands clasped tightly their planetary signs glowing ominously in the dark room. Luna sat upon Usagi's chest the connection of light beaming strongly between their foreheads, while Artemis strolled close by ready to intervene if necessary. It had been so long since he had been a part of the beautiful women's strange activities. In honesty, the dramatic daily routines were not something he missed. He grimaced, although it appears that his absences had stirred up a power play.
Mamoru gritted his teeth staring the dark miko down. The bitch was testier than ever, clearly questioning his every move and forgetting her place in things. Taking a deep breath he crossed his legs and drew his attention back to Usagi. None the less he didn't doubt the woman's intention to protect his love, if anything their lack of recognition of his status may even push them further to protect his princess. He scoffed.
Artemis blinked looking over his shoulder at the silhouette of the king in then wooden chair, his stature making the old rickety furniture appear as if it were a throne. The awkward silence only broken by the slight humming of energy. His cunning voice slipped through the darkness. "They haven't changed much have they?" He smiled looking at Sailor Venus in particular. "I have really missed being here…."
Mamoru shifted in his chair. "Yes… I think it was due time we returned." He ran his hand down his neck stretching slightly, still stiff from the flight.
Artemis pounced off the bed onto the floor looking at Luna once more to ensure everything was going as planned. "When the Queen wakes up… I am sure she will be happy you have returned. We can all start anew." He looked his king up and down, knowing how much pain the man had been going through over the past year.
Mamoru's lip twitched and he took far too long to respond to the white cat. When he did respond it was simply a small groan of recognition. Silence again began to fill the room when a thunderous boom rang throughout the temple.
Artemis' hair stood straight up like tiny white needles, his blue eyes grew wide and he pleaded. "The enemy! Did they find us?" He looked at circle of girls. "Mamoru…. I can't wake them up now… There's no change in Usagi."
Slowly Mamoru rose from the chair and began to walk towards the door of the small room. In a low voice he vowed. "That is why I am here." As he walked down the hall he focused his energy as he had many times before. Quickly the ebony armor replaced his clothing, a large broad sword appearing at his hand. Reaching behind his back he placed the sword in it's sheath, then lifted his hand in front of him as he continued to walk forward. As he closed his thumb to his index finger, a sleek black mask made of the same ebony armor appeared, carefully he placed it upon his face. His footsteps echoed through the temple halls before halting quickly at the massive doorways. With one hand he pushed it open and stepped out.
Before him at the end of the walkway Clarissa and Julia slowly approached. Julia holding a green orb of energy in her hand, while Clarissa adorned her lengthy claws. He stopped his advance, and awaited the demon's approach.
Seeing the sight before her Julia swiftly moved, as she reached three feet before Mamoru she knelt deeply. "My king… Why are you here?" She looked at the door behind her curiously. "Have you already done it?" She peered behind her as Clarissa approached a shocked expression upon her face. Unlike Julia the white demon stood a cautious distance from the king.
In a deep voice Mamoru growled. "It appears that the current plan has shifted…. A plan that violates the one condition of our partnership." He snarled while pointing down towards the temple. "So tell me, why is it that my wife is struggling for her life in this temple under a psychic attack?" He quickly approached the white demon while signaling Julia up. As he got to her face he lowered his voice. "I have let your sister and you have plenty of rope, and yet you consistently work against me despite the success we have already seen."
Clarissa bumbled with her words, feeling that the wrong sentence more than likely would condemn her to an early grave, given the expanse of power the man now held due to her sisters blessing. Despite her inner wishes she pleaded. "Your majesty…" The words rolled off her tongue in a sickly tone. "I am not sure…"
Mamoru smacked her with his black-gloved hand and barked. "This is not the time to play games." His blue eyes burned in a dark fury. He could feel the dark energy brewing within him.
Julia carefully stepped backwards and spoke softy. "Mamoru… you will lose control…" She nearly jumped as his attention swiftly turned to her. Her energy dissipated and she tightly grabbed her shoulders, his presence pressing down on her.
Mamoru hissed. "Who gave you permission to call me by my true name? That is now reserved for one person, and one person alone." He quickly grabbed onto the smooth white clothing, while noting to recompose himself.
Julia frowned hurt by the statement, she had hoped that over the last year she had grown to be of more worth to her king. "I'm sorry Gilgamesh…. Please excuse my behavior." She tilted her head in motion of a bow.
Mamoru grumbled. "Now…. Before our plans are completely destroyed. What is happening to my wife? Obviously…. We can't take the senshi while she is compromised… or if it is going to hurt her." He stared more calmly at Clarissa.
The white demon looked at her surroundings trying to determine if running away would be an option, but realized that running would only break the war she and her sister had worked so hard for. She bit her lip wishing that Marie were here. "In the woods…. When we defeated the younger senshi.. My sister consumed her heart in an old magic.. As we have discussed" She gritted her teeth, wishing to act out but remembering her sister's wrath for altering the tactics would be worse.
Seeing that the demon was going to comply Mamoru let his grip go, and brushed them off on his chest. "What does that have to do with the Queen?" He stared more casually at the two.
Disgusted by the misuse of title Clarissa bit her lip harshly. "She's in the process of taking the fallen senshi's power, and it appears that the moon…. The moon Queen is fighting."
Julia murmured. "Should we halt the advance?" She looked from the king to Clarissa. He chest tensed fearing that her eager approach for tonight may have been for not.
The king stood silently pondering over the information. His dark mask gleamed under the green lighting above. He didn't like the idea of the demon queen obtaining a power like Hotaru's anyhow, but eliminating the senshi's power in a future regeneration would still ensure a peaceful reign for Usagi and himself. Nonetheless his other plans wouldn't be compromised by the unexpected mishap.
Her voice carrying across the wind Clarissa cooed. "… Why don't we let this play out? The Queen shouldn't be harmed.. as promised…and Marie will undoubtedly be successful." She clicked her tongue. "Surely… You can see some benefits of that can't you my king."
He stared at her intently. "You really have no idea what Usagi is capable of do you?" His guts turned in anticipation, questions swirling his mind. His fingers curled tightly into the palm of his hand.
Clarissa moved slightly closer. "Well.. If she is then truly there is no harm.. We will deal with the rebirth when it comes time." She brushed her long clawed fingers down her side.
Julie grinned from ear to ear. "If what you have told us about Saturn is true it is critical we do take care of it quickly…." She looked at her king pleadingly. "But of course… only with your permission your majesty."
Mamoru's lips pressed into a thin line. "Saturn… like Pluto is a critical factor of keeping our new world a possible dream. However… There should be some timeframe before she is able to fight." He continued to weigh the options in his mind, remembering Saturn's last rebirth as a young child. Still the threat to Usagi was not something he could push the limit to. "We will see how this plays out… but you must return to your sister… If it appears the Queen will back down to threatening levels she must let her win out." He turned his head to look back at the temple. "She's still too powerful at this stage… One senshi down will likely make the next more successful."
Clarissa smiled seeing a win in place. It wouldn't deter their plan much if they had to share one less of the senshi, her brethren would have to understand. "Very well your majesty." She mockingly curtsied and vanished from sight.
Mamoru clenched his fist tightly. "This will still work…." He turned to look at the temple thinking of the occurrence going on inside. For the first time in a long time he chuckled. Realizing he himself underestimated the bond of the senshi. However, unlike those in the past he was one thing… Patient. Solemnly he turned to Julia. "Julia… I am sorry for my outburst… I know how much work you have put into tonight… Move forward with the destruction of faith."
Julia smiled in excitement. "Of course… Then I will take my position." With a quick nod she too vanished.
Hastily, Mamoru turned around and marched back to the temple dispelling his transformation, and opening the doors to enter inside. As he approach the bedroom Artemis stood ready awaiting his report. "The demons are attacking the city…." Placing his most concerned look on his face. "Let us hope that they succeed soon." He inwardly smiled at his double meaning.
Artemis gasped. "Who will protect the city?" He quickly followed his king.
Mamoru shook his head. "We must have hope that we can respond in time."
Hesitantly Artemis nodded.
XXXXXXXX
The squad car's tires squealed as they took another sharp turn towards the location of one of black crystals drop point. Sage reflexively held tight to the "oh shit handle" on her right side and barked. "I swear to God Spicer if you kill us before we get there I am going to haunt your ass."
Behind them the two white soldiers traded a look between them and carefully strapped on their seatbelts.
Spicer erupted in a bellowing laugh. "Listen Sagey… You got your glory already. I have been waiting to murder these alien mother fuckers forever." She eyed the tight grip her partner had. "Besides… Clearly it will take a lot more to kill you."
Sage grimaced seeing the formation of large billows of smoke ahead. She pointed in front. "Let's stop here… Looks like we are going to need the mask, and the cars not going to get us much further."
Spicer nodded hitting the breaks so the car stopped in a hideous thud. Quickly she jumped from the drivers seat to the pavement and rounded to the trunk. Popping the white lid open she grabbed a gas mask and pulled it over her face. As Sage jumped out of the other side she through a secondary device to her partner, and pulled out the newly issued white gun. "Then let's hit it." She nodded as the two soldiers prepped their own smaller and advanced facemasks. "You two keep up if you want the action."
Sage sighed slipping the mask on. At least the device would truly limit the stench of the humans around her. Maybe she could get through this night after all. Nodding to Spicer they both advanced into the pillar of smoke. Even in such a bad scenario she had no doubt the two could work easily. Seeing the shift of the dark air in front of her she yelled out. "1 o'clock!"
From the smoke a massive green reptilian menka launched forward out of the clouds. Its gnarly teeth opened wide as it saw the squad. Two flashes of light glowed off of its eyes before small balls of energy tore through them, and the beast fell to the ground. As it did Spicer let out a satisfactory grunt and moved towards its dead body. She grabbed the top of the beast alligator mouth and pulled it upward to show it's vicious teeth. "Now we are even!" Just slightly the brutish woman felt the wind from behind her move and she turned around swiftly. Just above her shoulder two white balls of energy blew past, clashing into the secondary approaching beast.
Sage breathed out carefully holding her gun steady. She tilted her head. "Save your count for the end of the day… We are at war." Moving cautiously forward she could see the blaring lights of a fire far in the distance. "Keep moving! We need to get to that source point." She breathed deeply through the mask satisfied she was in control, despite the wild beast inside of her wanting to come play in the fight.
Her feet heavy Spicer approached and uniformly kept in pace and murmured. "Sorry.." She glanced behind her realizing the soldiers had come up behind them. Awkwardly, she looked in front also seeing the slight glare. She grinned… Somehow Sage always had radar about where to find the most trouble. Tonight would be an interesting night.
XXXXXX
The senshi moved quickly across the dark plane of Saturn the large black mass becoming large as they did. It seemed that they had been running for eons each girl sweating profusely.
Minako groaned as they began to move up another steep hillside. "We have to keep moving!" She muttered the comment mostly to keep her own feet hitting the ground.
Makoto laughed. "Regretting passing up all those times I've asked you to train with me?" In a show of bravado she hustled upwards passing up the blond, however even with her best efforts she was failing to keep up with Rei or Haruka.
Minako's face was red with embarrassment. "Some people don't operate on crack everyday and require no sleep between working a job and a social life." She urged the muscles in her legs to push further and successfully caught up to the brunette.
Ami seethed while pointing forward. "You guys can you see that?" From atop the hill a small glimmer of light was peaking over the hillside.
Rei's eyes widened at the light, and as if no exhaustion could hold her she fell into a full on sprint. Desperately, she grabbed the top of the cliff and fumbled over. As she did it was evident that amidst the dark energy a large white energy was emanating strongly. She screamed out. "Usagi!" She rushed forward leaving the rest behind her. Nothing would keep her from saving her love.
Haruka cresting the edge of the cliff gasped. She yelled behind her. "We are here…" In a similar fashion she sped forward.
Closing the distance Rei panted, and finally made it. She watched as Neo-Queen Serenity stood, her back to her, the silver crystal floating out between her hands. The black hole pressed against the white energy, a force to be reckoned with. Straightening up she began to approach.
Neo-Queen Serenity opened her eyes at the familiar voice. She visibly relaxed, all the while putting her power forward. "I knew you would come…" She forced a smile despite the strain.
Rei stepped forward placing her hand on the Queen's shoulder to transfer as much energy as she could sacrifice. "I will never leave your side." She frowned looking at the dark force attempting to take the realm. "What happened?"
Usagi frowned. "All I know is that I felt Hotaru die… Then I was here… this thing trying to take over." Her eyes narrowed. "It keeps getting stronger…" She piped up as a deep voice echoed behind her.
Haruka stepped to Usagi's opposite side and looked at Rei disapprovingly. "You have to stop this." She stood tall with clarity.
Usagi looked at her sorrow in her eyes. "I know… I need your help… I need everyone's help."
The masculine woman barked. "No… I mean you have to stop trying to save Hotaru, and stop this!" She looked to the side as the others arrived. "This is not what she would have wanted."
Ami, Minako, and Makoto breathed harshly observing the battle of wills.
Rei growled. "Listen.. I know what Saturn said… but we are all here now.. We can fight this." Gently, she grasped Usagi's shoulder and gave her a knowing smile.
Minako frowned. Inwardly, she knew that the decision would be a battle when they arrived. She felt relief seeing Usagi alive and well. She was about to speak, but stopped as a flash of purple erupted in front of the Queen.
Saturn once again stood, a serious look across her face. "You have to listen to me… You can't risk them having me! They've made it this far there is no going back. Let Hotaru go!" She looked to the side. "Only then… only then can you close this fissure and win. You have to end her cycle…. It's the only way."
Haruka shut her eyes tightly sucking in a deep breath. "Usagi…" She walked closer to her Queen. "You know how much I love her… but you also know how dangerous her power could be. The Earth… everything… There would be no place for Hotaru to come back to if you fail."
Usagi spoke loudly still focusing all of her energy into the crystal. "I won't let Hotaru go!" She squinted her eyes as the black mass pushed against her again and she strained to push back. "We can do this!" As the words left her mouth the black energy pressed again and a small crack appeared on the crystal.
Rei held Usagi's weight as she began to falter. "Usa!" Even knowing she was at her limits she forced her energy into her.
Breathing hard Usagi weakly spoke. "Everyone…. Please."
Hastily the inner senshi circled their Queen lifting her up, and donating their energy. As they did Usagi opened her eyes once more the crystal shining brightly. She looked intently to Haruka. "I will not give up…. And neither will you. I know how terrifying this is." She smiled softly. "But Hotaru is worth fighting for in face of losing the world… and I couldn't live in a world in which I took her out of it."
Haruka closed her eyes tears falling down her cheeks. She choked on her words. "What if we fail?" She huffed out a short breath. "We have a responsibility…." She clenched her fist tightly. If Mirchiru were here no doubt she would know what to do.
Usagi looked at the taller woman with understanding. "Haruka…" Glancing at the others. "Believe in us…I know what Saturn has said rocks you… She has voiced her concerns since I arrived. We can do this together… but not apart. I need you."
Haruka groaned each extra moment passing like an eternity. As always the Queen had a way of speaking directly to her heart, and dispelling the fear that been building since the forest. Ultimately she sighed walking through the apparition of Saturn to Usagi's side and whispered. "Usagi…" As the others made space she grabbed onto the Queen's shoulder and focused her energy. "Everyone… Thank you…"
As Usagi felt the power of Uranus flowing through her she boldly looked at the black force in front of her. "Everyone… We will eliminate this evil force that dares to take one of our own." The moon crescent gleaming on her head she focused all of her power forward the white light exploding all around them. Just as the force was due to collide with the darkness, the black threat quickly retreated disappearing into nothingness sending the plane back to it's usual self.
The senshi stood silently looking at where the black energy had just been. Equally, Saturn looked in confusion and back to Usagi.
Ami blinked. "Did we win?" She watched as the dust settled to the ground in specks, as the Queen's own energy subsided, and the crystal returned to her chest. "This isn't right.. We need to be ready for another attack!"
Saturn's face turned to a curious smile. "No… It's done…" She allowed her staff to disappear. "… Although your actions were foolish it appears that the enemy was unwilling to chance losing against the light of the moon…"
Haruka let her hand slide from Usagi's side. "That's it?" She felt an enormous weight lifted from her shoulders. She looked down to the ground. "Hotaru… I almost gave up on you…"
Minako smiled breathing deeply she looked at everyone around her the dark air finally lifted. "What matters is that you didn't… Although.. I guess you and Michiru will have to go through the trouble of raising her again." She lifted a finger to her chin pondering.
Saturn looked at all of them seriously. "No…. You may have avoided this catastrophe.. but it is not safe for Hotaru to return." She stared at the space, which the darkness had held. "Not when there is an enemy that could use my power against the Earth."
Rei held Usagi tightly against her side still feeling the exhaustion from the other girl's body. "We will make sure that they won't be a problem for long." She responsively smiled as Usagi looked upon her kindly.
She softly spoke. "I won't let any of you be taken…" She leaned her head into Rei's shoulder. "No matter what." Even in this realm she could feel the comforting warmth of the other girls body, momentarily she also noted the soft silk material of the customary Martian wear and wondered why it felt so familiar.
Makoto grinned ear to ear. "I wouldn't expect anything else.." She looked to Ami and genuinely smiled for the first time in a couple days. Everyone of them meant so much to her, and she was sure that it was a communal feeling amongst them. No matter what, they would do anything for each other's happiness.
Ami blushed slightly as she gave Makoto a knowing smile. Slightly coughing to compose herself she straightened up. "Usagi…. Luna is awaiting for you to wake up in order to break the connection to your mind."
Usagi's eyes widened. "My mind?" She looked upon the others confused. "You mean all of this is inside me?" She stared at the vast world of Saturn in awe.
Haruka nodded. "Apparently…" She looked to Saturn knowing the senshi likely knew more of the connections than the group.
Taking things slowly as usual, Usagi bolted up. "Wait Luna is how you guys got here?" She looked to Rei a fear quickly forming. "Does that mean?"
Rei's eyes furrowed and she gritted her teeth hissing. "Yes… He's back." Due to the chaos and threat to her partner she had nearly forgot the unsettling storm waiting at home.
Haruka scoffed, slowly returning more and more to her usual self. "I take it that he doesn't know about this." She casually motioned to the moon princess and Rei who were clearly connected at the hip. A small smile crossed her features, although she had been harsh on Rei earlier… Truly she had never seen either party so calm.
Usagi somberly shook her head, but breathed in deeply before letting out the air in her chest. "But its due time he did…" Her hand crawled up Rei's back and she gave her a tight squeeze.
The miko blushed, and realized for the first time since they had begun their relationship she fully believed Usagi's intentions. It didn't solve the nervousness of the situation, however she was positive they could accomplish anything together.
Minako settled into the signs of affection happily. "Then I suppose we should probably go…"
With a nod Usagi let go of Rei's back and moved forward, inwardly she gathered the power she had received from the others and beckoned the crystal to bring her back. In a flash the world turned a glorious white, and she was gone.
XxxxxX
In the true world the connection between Luna and Usagi broke as the blond carefully sat up the exhaustion in physical form nothing compared to her mental struggle. As she carefully opened her cerulean blue eyes she looked around the room as the others came to. Slowly her gaze fell on the man she had expected, but was not longing to see.
In a deep voice Mamoru uttered as he stood up. "Usako…"
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