25: "Getting the band back together"
Somewhere far away from the Senshi and their surroundings, a congress of gods was taking place. Marduk, their chief, had summoned them for a most urgent meeting, to speak about what had passed and what was to come. They numbered nine, each with a triumvirate of shining honor guards, and it fell to Usmu to announce and organize them (Adad, god of wind, rain, and thunder; Ea, god of wisdom; Enlil, god of waters, Gula, the healer; Inana, goddess of love; Ninhursaga, the mother goddess; Ninurta, god of war; Nanna, moon god; and Shamash, sun god). Marduk came in last, not terrible in his flaming chariot but quiet, dignified, and very grim.
"You have arrived," he said, gazing at his contemporaries. "I am glad. Seldom has our kind banded together for a common purpose; it seems strife separates us more often than it unites. Words cannot express—but how I do ramble so! In the name of Anu, let this meeting come to order! You all know, as I do, that we have arrived very far from our beloved home. Whether it was through time's trickery or the will of Anu, our people now find themselves awakening in distant Yamato, beyond the shores of Persia, Babylon, Siam, even Cathay. The world as we know it has changed tremendously; our servants have now become the masters, and have grown fruitful beyond all the seas and boundaries, to distant lands unknown even to us. Yet the world has not changed so much from what we know it as: the servants are the same at their heart; they yearn for stability, control, certainty. We have arrived to deliver it to them, graciously."
"Aided by the reincarnation of the wise sages."
"My lord Ea brings forth the next point of our meeting. Yea, we have discovered Apkallu living among us once more, dearest friends—six we are aware of, and the seventh and final not far behind! More welcoming is the fact that they have made themselves avatars of our heavenly will, taking our names upon themselves. The one whose power derives most from the celestial kingdom is the one called Moon-Sailor, clearly an avatar of Nanna."
"But this Moon-Sailor is most perplexing," Nanna said. "She wages war against us as oft as she shares our allegiance, and though her qualities are undoubtedly equal to the great sages, she finds offense in our design. Why, I have even heard she befriends the servants and treats them as equals!" The healing goddess Gula stood, smiling gently.
"Yet the Apkallu sometimes took fancy to the servants: aiding them, guiding them, loving them as you say. They even elevated a few as heroes."
"The Moon-Sailor has proven her worth," Marduk resumed. "She is certainly our ally, having fought against our enemies many times. We have also seen avatars of Ea, Ninurta, and even Inana valiantly fighting the vile Druj. I do not consider this an act of rebellion, or of heresy! Our greatest enemies were defeated whilst we reeled in the horror of their return, and you dare accuse them of betraying us?"
"You speak too harshly, Lord Marduk," Ninurta called. "As I recall, one of our number charged out to join them, and discovered a sage we could not easily classify."
"The one who seemingly champions Nergal? Aye, the Hadean-Sailor wears a cloak of mystery about her. There is death fore and aft in her presence, but it is the death that time brings. There is an immortality about her separate from our own. But should we truly be questioning such willing allies?"
"Personally, I'd like to know more about them," Inana said. "Is the Venusian-Sailor connected to the Moon-Sailor in any way? Nanna and I have always been on good terms, but never have we claimed such intimate friendship. Yet I would swear they were sisters by the look of them."
"The moon is oft regarded in love, Lady Inana; one could scarce imagine it without. But one of the chief reasons I have summoned my kinfolk here was to announce the appearance of Adad's avatar, she who flies with thunder and storms and gentle rain."
"The Jovian-Sailor, you mean," Adad said.
"Aye, the same, and the one who vanquished Gandarewa in single combat!" The god stirred loudly; such a feat was unheard of, even in their circle.
"When last we locked horns with Gandarewa," Adad said, "it took the strength of all seven Apkallu, countless servants, and even a number of our own forces to subdue him! Yet even that did not bring complete destruction. Now, he falls under the might of a single sage and servant! I tremble to think about it!"
"Coward," Ninurta laughed. "Why tremble in fear at the prospect of gaining a powerful ally?"
"Because he believes she may easily be a foe," Ea said.
"Nonsense!" Marduk shouted.
"Regardless of her intentions, she is a great being, one to be feared and respected. The same applies for all the Apkallu."
"But where could the seventh be?" Gula murmured.
"Lord Marduk, have you any news regarding the Druj's next attack?" Ninurta said.
"Ha!" Nanna laughed. "Just like a war-god, always concerned with the next battle! Does your spear stir dissent in times of peace?"
"I foresee their intentions, moon-god, and anticipate what may come! Do not forget that without such foresight, the tablets of destiny would still be in the hands of the enemy!"
"Yet the very stones rose up to do battle with thee, blood-drinker! Thy own mother and father cover thy faces in shame!"
"Tis' not shame, for they mask their smiles, fearful of reprisal." Ninurta looked fondly to Enlil and Ninursaga. "And do not forget, simple Adad, thou wouldst flood the land if I stayed my hand! What would grow without my guidance?"
"Are the fields fed with my water, or your blood?"
"Peace," Marduk boomed, silencing the dissent. "Our company has not been united long, and yet you already slide into familiar quarrels. I shall tell thee what I know of the Drujs' intentions, but even my eyes and ears have not perceived a tithe of it. There are whispers of great dreads being summoned up from the deepest pits, monstrous beasts kept chained by Nergal, released by force or corruption or falsehood. The vanguard of the Drujs have failed, their mightiest champions dust, so the survivors rely on older evils, more powerful and terrible, ones far mightier even than Gandarewa! Mind thee, tis' only rumor, but we have lost much when we dismissed such whispers, and I'll not have us at a disadvantage again!"
"Know you what demons might be called?" Gula said patiently. Marduk shook his head.
"Even if I did, could I utter their names?"
"But who is left? Humbaba? Legion? Astaroth? If one Apkallu can slay Gandarewa, what can withstand six? And should all seven appear…"
Marduk was eerily silent in his reply. The other gods murmured gravely amongst themselves. Finally, Ea the wise stood, Usmu kneeling at his side.
"Lord Marduk…are they summoning…the great bane?"
The gods grew deathly silent. Even Marduk froze in place.
"I pray they are not! No creature could be so wicked, so desperate, so bloodthirsty to call upon that monstrosity! Why, the very world would shatter and burn long before such a dread matter happened!"
"But if every last Druj is destroyed…"
"That is our hope, Enlil, for it is in their destruction that we shall know peace, and assume our rightful positions."
"But could not our doom be in our hope as well?" Marduk had considered this, of course, but he could not say anything to assuage their fears. How could he? Dreaded devils born from wrath, fear, loathing, and misery could be faced and fought. Abominations with power equal to the gods themselves could be countered, defeated in time. Wretches wholly unmentionable even by the stoutest could, in time, be vanquished.
But if the great bane were ever freed from his prison, there would never be a sunrise strong enough to pierce the world again.
"My lord?" Marduk sighed heavily, but was never given the opportunity to answer. A messenger came running in, breathless and pale. He didn't kneel so much as collapse, begging their forgiveness.
"You dare to interrupt this meeting?" Enlil cried.
"Let him speak," Ea said. "Doubtless he must have cause for his urgency. Recover thy breath, messenger, and report to us slowly and clearly."
"Many thanks, O Lord Ea; I shall not keep you long in suspense." The messenger was given sacred elixir and a seat, and slowly stopped gasping, but his face remained pale. "My lords and ladies have tasked me with keeping watch over the great sages. They are yet in another battle."
"With whom?" Marduk demanded. The messenger swallowed grimly.
"With Humbaba, my lord."
"Humbaba?!" The gods murmured in discord, their countenance as fearful as the messenger's. Marduk took a deep breath as he considered this incredible news.
"Humbaba! So, it has begun."
…
Makoto had been enjoying herself as well as an injured woman in a hospital can, catching up on her reading, television, and other diversions she had missed thanks to her loaded schedule. She knew it was counter-productive, but a part of her wondered if she couldn't be hurt again, just so she'd have more time off! As she idled, she felt her chest tighten, and the urge to go outside struck her until it was all she could do to remain calm. Her talisman was throbbing and glowing dimly, a sign that she was needed. It hadn't behaved that way since her early Senshi days; even when she put it aside, ignoring the plight of her friends, it had remained silent. Was it only coming to life now, when she made the decision to come back…?
No matter, her friends needed her, injuries or not. She changed the TV channel to the news, saw the battle, bolted upright. As she hopped out of the bed and searched for her belongings, Saeko Mizuno came into the room, looking over a chart.
"Well, Mrs. Kino, since you insisted on regular check-ups, your husband and children are fi… Ah, excuse me, but what are you doing?"
"Leaving. Where are my clothes?"
"Mrs. Kino, I don't know what's gotten into you, but I'm not letting you out of this room without a clean bill of health. You've barely caught your breath from when you first came in!"
"I know, and I'm sorry. But I'm needed somewhere."
"In your condition?" Dr. Mizuno paused, recalling the secrets she had been trusted with, how they related to her patient, and what her actions were portending now. Makoto knew she was in no condition to be going anywhere, yet she was adamant about leaving. What else could drive her to do something so reckless?
"I see," she whispered. "I'll find your belongings." She was out and back in a moment; Makoto sighed as she draped the shredded rags over her.
"It'll have to do," she whispered. She finished by putting her hair in its classic ponytail, and was nearly out the door before she felt the doctor's touch.
"Promise me one thing, Mrs. Kino: please watch over my daughter." Makoto smiled warmly, covering the older woman's hand.
"Actually, she's usually the one that watches over me. Good-bye for now, ma'am, and thank you." Saeko smiled proudly as she thought over what Makoto said; in the meantime the young brunette dashed out in the street, praying that she wasn't too late.
Sailor Moon was falling head over heels in pain with the latest enemy. Adding disorientation to her symptoms, she struggled to rise, unprepared for the assault that followed. Her friends called out to her, but long hours of fighting had dulled her reflexes, and she got smashed full-force, stumbling even further. Sailor Venus lashed at its back with her Love Me Chain while Sailor Mars ignited the ground around its feet, to no appreciable effect. The monster turned around, snorting at them, before resuming its assault on Sailor Moon.
"We're not finished with you yet!" Sailor Mercury let out a battle-cry as she rushed at the beast, leaping and kicking it with all her might. She was merely bounced off its steely-thick hide; a whirlwind of bubbles shot out, pelting the hideous enemy, but it regarded her attack as inconsequential as the others'. Instead, it picked up Sailor Moon, held her aloft in a single colossal paw, and squeezed. Sailor Moon only let out a brief shriek before her air was cut off; she couldn't even yell in pain.
"Bastard! Let her go!" Mars attacked again, igniting the beast's arm. Venus called forth a barrage of crescent beams, firing them rapidly. Mercury dashed a blasting column of freezing water; their attacks united, forming a maelstrom of energy that sent the immediate area trembling—but still the monster clutched onto his prize.
"Try some of this on for size!" Mars came around, kicking the beast square in the jaw. Sailor Venus powered up her deadly new attack, hurling the enormous golden sphere directly at the monster's chest. Mercury shot punches at its heart, its muscular belly, its knees, crotch, elbows, throat, any weak spots she could think of. Their efforts only caused the beats to laugh, and crush Sailor Moon tighter.
"R…r…r…run…"
"You'd better be talking to that monster and not to us!" Venus screamed. Moon smiled in spite of the excruciating pain.
"I…I…'ll be f…fi…ne. Got…t…hurry…"
"Would you ever abandon us!?" Mercury implored her. "Everyone, let's hit it with everything we have! Concentrate on the arm! We can at least try and force it to let her go!" The remaining three Senshi dug deep in their reserves, calling forth powers they seldom summoned save for dire circumstances. The women shimmered red, orange, blue, uniting their strength for a single, focused, dangerous attack. The effect would be enormous and devastating, and if they were just a few centimeters off, Sailor Moon would be caught in the blast, too. In her condition, she would not be able to survive.
"Got t…get a…way. Can…hand…le it mys…s…sel…f…"
"Shut up, Usagi! We're saving your life and that's that!" Mars nodded to her companions; she could already feel their energy spiking. This was a risky gamble, but better to try it than see their beloved snapped in two. Sailor Moon tried prying herself out with her own strength, but it was impossible. Even at her best, she couldn't escape the vice-grip the monstrosity had on her. The air in her lungs had been forced out; her bones were beginning to snap; her flesh was being pressed flat. Even then, though, all her thoughts were on her friends, and the vile fate that awaited them once this creature succeeded.
Succeeded…in…killing…
"It's now or never!" Venus shouted. Sailor Moon opened her eyes one last time….
"P…lease…"
Wincing as greenish ooze splattered on her face. She was released at once, gasping loudly as she fell to the ground; the monster groped its face, screaming in agony—a blinding flash overwhelmed her senses as the combined might of the Senshi's final burst of power struck their enemy directly, adding injury to the insult. But even with that attack, and the surprise offensive before it, the monster lived, albeit in great misery. It gave Usagi time enough to recover a little, and to notice what had saved her:
Two roses were embedded in the monster's eyes.
"No way," she whispered, feeling chills down her spine. She whirled around, gazing up at the skyline…
A dark figure wearing a distinct cape and top hat stood aloft in the breeze, before flitting away.
"It WAS you! MAMORUUUU! MAMOOO-RUUUU! Come back, you idiot!"
"My God, that was Mamoru!" Sailor Mars exclaimed. "I saw him up on that rooftop!"
"Or else someone dressed remarkably like him," Mercury said, always the voice of reason. Venus scoffed.
"Yeah right, who else is that accurate with their floral projectiles? Or their impeccable timing? Or that fast when it comes to making a quick exit?"
"But he never—"
"Hold that thought," Mars said, limping over to catch Sailor Moon. She was determined to follow her mysterious lover, regardless of her wounds or her situation or the berserk monstrosity wailing and flailing not a few meters away. She was already trying to climb up the building's drainpipe when Mars called out to her. "Usagi, let him go! We've got other things to worry about!"
"No way! Do you know how long it's bee since we've seen each other? Since we've spoken?! I'm gonna give that masked moron a piece of my mind!"
"Does that mean she'll punch him or kiss him?" Venus winced. Mercury grinned sheepishly.
"With Sailor Moon, it's more a matter of which order she'll put them in."
"This is serious!" Mars snarled. The monster was going on a rampage now; Mercury and Venus pulled away from their repartee to contain him; meanwhile Mars tried one more time to pull her friend back.
"Usagi!" She blasted the drainpipe, knocking Sailor Moon off balance. The young blonde shrieked but held fast.
"Don't stop me, Rei! If I hurry, I can still catch up!"
"And if you don't hurry, we're gonna have three flattened Senshi down here!" That jarred Sailor Moon out of her frenzy, and she hesitated. Slowly, her hand went to her side, where she kept her transformation pen. All she needed to do was give it a command, turn it into a rope or grappling hook, and the pursuit would commence. It had been over ten years since she last saw the man she loved, long enough for a thousand horrible emotions (and a few bittersweet ones) to gnaw at her heart. Seeing Mamoru again had been at the top of Usagi's dream list; she'd be crazy to let him get away now.
"Usagi! Sailor Moon!"
But her friends were calling her. They were in danger.
Oh, what should I do? Think, think! Why can't I do both? Why does it have to be this way? Darn it—no, damn it! That's right! The situation calls for harsher words! Why can't I just—
"Hey, Sailor Moon! Are you giving up already? The fight's not over yet!"
And then another voice from her past called out to her. Sailor Moon slid down the drainpipe, frozen in place. Could it be…
"Was that…?"
Silhouetted against the arcing moon was a mythical warrior pulsating with beauty and power, the likes of which the other Senshi thought they'd never see.
"I am Sailor Jupiter! The bold and mighty Sailor Jupiter! The proud and courageous Jupiter! I fight for honor, love, justice, and peace! And in the name of the Earth and of all my friends, in the name of Jupiter…
"Well," she squeaked, grinning impishly, "you know the rest!"
Mars covered her face. "God, she's even cheesier than you, Mina!"
"Aw, you're just as happy to see her as I am, Rei! But I think someone's…"
"MAKOTO!" Sailor Moon bolted across the battlefield, smacking into her enemy and upsetting him, colliding into her longtime friend, embracing her and weeping happily. Saior Jupiter smiled lovingly at the warm reception, rubbing Sailor Moon's golden hair.
"Hey there, shorty. It's been a long time." Sailor Moon beamed at her silently; Jupiter winked, suddenly picking her friend up in her arms, lifting her away as she leaped high into the air, away from the monster's charge. Jupiter set Moon down, smiling roguishly, causing the smaller woman to blush.
"So what's the skinny, everyone? Care to fill a latecomer in?"
"LATECOMER?!" Mars screeched. "YOU—!"
"I call scissors to your flaming Shinto paper!" Jupiter exclaimed, making a "peace" sign. Mars furiously grabbed her friend's hand, squeezing it, tears flowing. They soon embraced as they ought.
"Damn it, Mako, it's good to see you again! But save the theatrics for Mina and the dumpling-head! We're up against a real beast this time!"
"I noticed! The four of you look wiped out. Whoa, watch it!" The Senshi leaped away as the monster charged again; Jupiter was brought up to speed as they danced around his wild attacks. The monster's name was Humbaba, and was by far the most powerful creature they had ever faced, at least in terms of physical prowess. Most of their attacks didn't affect the creature at all; it had taken everything they had just to char the skin. Sailor Jupiter was quite stunned to hear of Tuxedo Kamen's involvement, but though she had many questions, they would have to be put aside.
"Is there any chance of stopping it?"
"We've spent most of our energy just slowing it down," Mars said. "Mercury can't find any weakness, and Sailor Moon can't get enough time to focus her attacks. I doubt there's anything you could do, but you're welcome to try." Hearing this sparked inventiveness, and before long Jupiter had the makings of an idea—predictably, a risky one.
"You said that Sailor Moon didn't have enough time for her attacks. Do you believe she could finish it off?"
"Maybe, if we threw a little more at it. But right now we're just about tapped out."
"But can you give more?" Mars cast her head aside, gazing at her fallen princess, her oldest and truest friend, the person she loved most in this world.
"I'll give you all I got," she swore. "I know Mina and Ami would say the same. What's the plan?"
"We bind him, from every direction. One Senshi, on all sides, hitting him with everything she has left. Keep him locked in place, bewildered, under constant attack. That should weaken him and give Sailor Moon enough time to power up for a big one."
"Pretty straightforward, uncomplicated," she smirked. "Still, it's a whole lot better than Aino's slipshod plans, and she's supposed to be our leader."
"What's that about my genius plans?" Venus shouted, pushing Mercury out of the way as the blinded demon charged again. It gashed a huge hole into a solid brick wall, shrugging rubble of as it readied another attack.
"Nothing!" Mars replied. "Jupiter has an idea! Take his right flank and hit him with everything you've got! Mercury, you're at the rear! I'll take the right side!"
"Giving the tough jobs to me?" Jupiter smirked. Mars winked.
"Yeah, well, that's the penalty for arriving late." The two warriors clasped hands, smiling at one another.
"I wouldn't have it any other way! Hey, Sailor Moon! Get ready to send this creep back to the Cretaceous!"
"The what?!"
"It's period of geologic time, a hundred-forty to sixty-five million years ago, during which the dinosaurs became extinct—"
"Okay, Ami, this isn't a classroom!" Venus shouted. "Just blast him or something, Usagi! We'll hold him off!"
"And no arguing with us, dumpling!" Mars added. The Senshi took their positions quickly, giving her no say in the matter. Jupiter opened up first, snaking tendrils of thunder. She still felt a little weak from her last adventure—not to mention the rush over here—but the lives of her friends were at stake; she wouldn't falter or fail. As Humbaba turned around in revulsion, he was met by the flames of Mars; to his right, he was crushed by Venus's Love and Beauty Shock. Backpedaling put him into the icy clutches of Sailor Mercury's attack, and trying to avoid that only landed him back on Jupiter's hit list. The four Senshi soon had their enemy on all fronts, but they wouldn't be able to hold it much longer.
"I'm losing strength!" Mercury exclaimed. "I don't think…I can hold it…much longer!"
"How's that attack coming, Sailor Moon?" Venus shouted. Their princess was still trying to recover from the crushing blow she was dealt earlier. Her legs were so wobbly it was a miracle she could stay upright, and her arms trembled. The scepter that would be their salvation felt heavier than a sack of bricks, and when she coughed to regain her breath, sometimes splatters of blood flew out. But just as her friends would never fail her, Sailor Moon would never fail her friends, so despite the incredible danger to herself, she reared up and focused everything she had to offer.
"Keep it steady!" she called. Mercury cringed, her limbs quivering.
"I can't! It's too powerful!"
"Keep it together," Mars encouraged, even though her own failure was imminent. Venus was weakening too; Jupiter was having to pick up too much slack. There was no telling which side would fall first, but Mars was determined not to let go without a struggle.
"Hurry, Usagi!" Venus said. "He's breaking loose! I can't…hold him!" Mars suddenly collapsed, crumbling to the floor in a dead heap. She had been so preoccupied with her duties as warrior and guardian that she failed to take her own health into account. Humbaba noticed the drop in aggression at once, and burrowed against the remaining three attacks with renewed malice.
"Rei!" Mercury called out to her, her focus divided. The decision to keep fighting or go to her friend's side was soon made for her as her legs gave out and she fell alongside her. Jupiter and Venus intensified their own assault, but it was far too little to keep the beast in check. Venus aborted; Jupiter dug as deep as she dared, lighting up the sky; Sailor Moon let out her battle-cry not a minute too soon.
"Crap! Makoto, get down!" Jupiter took a dive; Humbaba swiped at the air. It stood dumbfounded for only one fatal moment before Sailor Moon's concentrated attack overwhelmed him.
Both remaining Senshi collapsed shortly after the smoke faded, utterly spent. There was nothing left of their enemy but a smoldering mass of goo that continuously dissolved, leaving less and less of itself. Sailor Moon laid on the hard ground, gasping for life, too weak even to sit up. She heard someone scooting her way, smiling as Sailor Jupiter hovered over her. With a great heave, the strongest of the Senshi lifted her princess back up, and together, they stood, supporting one another. They watched as Mercury sat up, wheezing next to Mars, who was so exhausted she couldn't even clean the debris from her long hair. Together they eventually found their footing, and helped dig Sailor Venus from the rubble.
"Whew!" she cried. "What a rush! Boy, am I dizzy! Say, do any of you guys hear that awful ringing?"
"It'll go away, sweetie," Mars laughed, offering a hand. Venus stood with them, and together the five Senshi converged, filthy and beaten and fatigued and positively glowing with beautiful, unbearable joy. Sailor Moon made the first move, lifting her arm from Jupiter's shoulder to the center of the gathering, where it was joined by Sailor Mars's hand. Sailor Venus smiled warmly, adding her hand to the pile, then Mercury followed, with Sailor Jupiter completing the ritual. At long last, the five Senshi were together again, united.
…
Her knuckles jarred as they dug into a scaly reptilian face, but Sailor Moon still felt at the top of her game, even two days after her harrowing battle against the demon Humbaba. She was alone now, cornered by three devilish creatures who were clearly minions of some greater power—but they were more like fools, unaware of the dangers they had gotten themselves into. One was already limping and whimpering; another had just gotten its jaw broken. Sailor Moon smiled at them as she nursed her hand.
"Come on, is that all? You ambush me and gang up on me, and this is all I get? Sheesh, what a waste of my time! Why not go home and spare yourselves the embarrassment?" She clocked one as it tried sneaking up on her, then whipped out her tiara, disintegrating two with a single throw. The third leaped on her while she was distracted, snapping with nasty jaws. Sailor Moon gnashed her teeth and fought as hard as she could—at least until the monster froze, squeaking in pain before collapsing in a dead heap. She rolled it off quickly, standing.
A single red rose protruded from the monster's back.
"Mamoru," she whispered, smirking. Turning around, she spotted the mysterious crusader, calling out, "Hold it right there, Mr. Guardian Angel!" That was his cue to run, but this time, Sailor Moon didn't have anything preventing her from giving chase. She climbed up the building in record time, setting her sights on the fleeing man.
"Not this time, Tuxedo Kamen!" she grinned. "You're not getting away from me!" A cloud of dust kicked up as she sprinted after him across the rooftops of Shibuya.
To be continued…