PRETTY SOLDIER SAILOR MOON: FUTURE

Chapter 24: The Animus Syndicate

A blue streak of light raced toward Earth at high speeds. It was Naja surrounding herself in her characteristic ultramarine aura as she hurried toward the planet's stratosphere. Once she reached the area over Japan, the communicator embedded in her cobra-themed mask beeped to life and she answered it with the simple push of a button.

"Naja here," she responded. "I'm within proximity of Earth."

"Be careful. I've spotted a number of geosynchronous satellites that have been designed to react to the Erisians' energy signature," Apis reported from Upala Acropolis. "I think they were responsible for us losing Gyps' signal."

"I should have assumed she would get into such trouble."

"Well, she may be a tough cookie, but even she wouldn't last against so many Sailor Soldiers gathered in one place."

"It's beyond me as to why she wouldn't send an SOS signal for so long."

"She does tend to be hardheaded about asking for help, and she doesn't rely on common sense like normal people do. Knowing her, she's probably all like 'I'll take care of this all by myself!' and is putting her half-baked plan into motion as we speak. Honestly, it's only because she's part of our team that she's lasted so long."

Naja frowned and murmured, "You sound like you're at your wit's end with Gyps' behavior."

"Maybe… But I've gotten used to it by now!" Apis chuckled. "At least she predictable enough for me to figure out what she's up to. Anyway, you better go around those satellites and retrieve Gyps before she gets captured."

"Of course. I just hope she hasn't revealed anything about us to Earth's defenders. If they are to know our objectives, I would feel more comfortable if I told them."

"What about Sailor Arsenic Hyena? You gonna try and bring her back too?"

As Naja flew in a wide berth around the satellites, she replied sullenly, "I would very much like to… But given our current circumstances, I don't think that would be wise right now. Our priority at the moment is Gyps' safety."

Just as Gyps was about to claw Sailor Chibi-Moon, the girl's brooch opened on its own and revealed the Pink Moon Crystal, which then brilliantly shone in many dazzling colors. Gyps gasped as a tremendous shockwave burst from the crystal, throwing her with such force that she cratered the wall way on the opposite end of the stadium! Chibi-Moon was knocked onto her butt from the surprise attack, and everyone else was in awe at what just happened.

"No… way…" Gyps heaved. To her surprise, she coughed up blood.

Everyone else gawked at her, and Chibi-Moon was horrified that she inadvertently caused such devastating injuries to her enemy. Midori emerged from behind Kunzite to get a closer look at the Camarilla, but that was when Chibi-Moon impulsively rushed to the red-haired woman to see if she was okay. Before Midori could tell her to stop, that was when she noticed a flash of blue from directly about the Sailor Soldier.

"Watch out!" Midori shouted and tackled Chibi-Moon aside right before two fang-shaped blocks of ice pierced the stage, which then rapidly melted into a viscous liquid that corroded the wooden floor. The duo got up and saw the blue-robed Naja kneeling next to her comrade.

"Why are you here…?" Gyps breathed.

"I got worried when you didn't report back to headquarters. Apis tracked you to the surface of this world, and I immediately came to get you."

"Ugh… So that's why…"

"Don't talk. You must have ruptured something from that blast. Varan can take a look at it."

Venus screamed, "Stop right there! Who are you!?"

Naja stared at the Sailor Soldiers, Kunzite, and Midori. She seemed fixated on Midori's face, as if a wave of nostalgia hit her, and the green-haired girl took notice of it. In response to Venus' question, she answered, "I am Naja, the leader of the Camarilla, and subordinate to the Animus Syndicate."

"Camarilla? Animus Syndicate? What are those?" Ceres asked.

"The Camarilla is my personal team of warriors, of which Gyps here is a member. You may also have seen my friends Apis or Varan at some point too. As for the Animus Syndicate, it is an organization heralded by Her Majesty, the strongest Sailor Soldier of Alkima Galaxy – Sailor Upala."

"That can't be!" Chibi-Moon gasped. "An evil group led by a Sailor Soldier!?"

Midori scowled a little and thought, Sailor Upala, AKA Sailor Opal Peacock… A notorious warrior who betrayed her own team and assassinated many others. For her to be deemed 'Alkima's strongest Sailor Soldier', she had to have won the Victory Crown that Eris presented before all of this started. If Sailor Upala is the victor, then this is not very promising for Alkima's future…

Kunzite then asked, "What is your objective? Why are you attacking Earth with these creatures? And what is this Sailor Soldier's connection with Eris?"

"You should have been told that already, yes? Eris pretended to be the goddess of victory and coerced Sailor Upala with promises of power and domination, creating the Animus Syndicate. With her newfound power, Upala plunged Alkima into civil war and conquered the galaxy. But that still isn't enough for her. There's a certain legendary crystal she seeks to expand her influence, and it can only be found on Earth."

Ceres narrowed her eyes and murmured, "The Silver Crystal…"

Chibi-Moon clasped her hands over her brooch, as if to protect the Pink Moon Crystal. Naja smiled a little – it was warm and understanding, rather than snide and arrogant – as she said, "Don't worry, princess. You have earned your victory today. But the next time we meet, I shall pursue you with utmost fervor. You had best prepare yourselves for the road ahead, as it is mired with cruelty and hardship the likes of which you have never experienced before."

"Cruelty and hardship?"

"If you will excuse me, Small Lady. I have some important affairs to attend to."

Naja slung Gyps' arm over her shoulder and floated a few feet. Ceres shouted, "You're not getting away!" and conjured some rose vines to lash at the duo. Naja deftly flew above them and used her magic to disappear with Gyps in tow. The dejected Ceres clenched her teeth and allowed the limp vines to fall, disappointed that she couldn't catch the Camarilla.

Sailor Venus put a reassuring hand on Ceres' shoulder and said, "Don't worry about it. We'll get another chance to nab them."

"Indeed," Kunzite agreed. "We have learned much about the enemy's hierarchy. In addition, Gyps' actions and Naja's words confirmed that their primary objective is obtaining the Silver Crystal."

While the others were discussing things, Midori stood in silence as she thought about something else entirely.

Naja… Varan… Gyps… Apis… Those are part of the binomial nomenclature for the snake, dragon, vulture, and bee respectively. The same animals my partners use for their pseudonyms…

Midori's blood felt like it was freezing in her veins. She clenched her hands and shook her head, trying to discard such thoughts.

No, I shouldn't rush to conclusions without decisive evidence. The circumstantial similarities are great, but it doesn't prove anything beyond a reasonable doubt. My partners and I know the truth about Eris too, so I sincerely doubt they would want to side with her. In any case, the Camarilla are definitely worth investigating, if only to figure out why they would be subservient to Eris and Sailor Upala.

Venus thought back for a second, then added, "Oh, speaking about objectives. Just before we fought Gyps in the stratosphere, she mentioned that she was after two things."

"Two?" the others uttered simultaneously.

"Yeah. She didn't say what they were though, but like Kun-Kun said-"

Kunzite grumbled, "Venus…"

"-We know the Silver Crystal is one thing they're after."

"Then what could the other be?" Ceres wondered.

"There's no way to know until we grill them some more!"

Midori placed her fingers over her lips in contemplation and thought, Could it be discordant energy? No, Gyps would have acquired some during this battle, but she didn't leave with any. Maybe Eris convinced Upala to take revenge against Selene and her people? But then that would ruin her guise as a 'goddess of victory', revealing herself to be the goddess of discord… Maybe it's intel. Just because they're after 'something' doesn't mean it has to be tangible. Maybe they're watching our movements and discerning when we'll lower our guard.

Or maybe…

She thought back to the times she witnessed Gyps stalking her. Thinking about it created more questions with either vague reasoning or no answers to provide. There were way too many loose ends remaining for her comfort, and she hated leaving things unresolved.

While she was lost in thought, Chibi-Moon suddenly held her hand and asked, "Are you okay? You look like you're spacing out."

"I'm just a little shaken, but I'll be fine."

"That reminds me, you've been caught in a lot of the Erisians' attacks lately, haven't you?"

"Well, there have been many strange events happening, but I had faith that the Sailor Soldiers would come to help. I just never imagined that you and the Yoedas were those same people…"

"I'm sorry. We aren't allowed to tell anyone about our alternate identities. That might be the reason why you've been involved in all of this – Eris wants something that my mother and I possess, and you're always with me when her minions strike." Chibi-Moon frowned sullenly and murmured, "Maybe it would be safer for you to not hang around with us so much until we take care of this."

"No, it's not your fault," Midori shook her head. "If it happens again, I trust that you and your friends will come to help me."

The pink-haired Soldier wasn't so sure, but Ceres interfered and said, "Let's talk about it when we get back home. The others need to know about this development as well."

The duo nodded, and then Midori asked Ceres and Venus, "By the way, what about the competition? I imagine it will be canceled now."

Venus put a hand on her hip and grumbled, "Can't do anything about it, I guess. There will always be future pageants to enter anyway."

"A star's work is never done. Once one show is over, we look for the next stage to perform on," Ceres winked. "Whether we're competing against each other, collaborating, or acting separately, we'll always pursue the next forum to bring our talents. The entertainment of it all is what makes people happy."

She then put her arms behind her back and bashfully admitted, "And I wanted to see you smile just once during this show, Midori."

"Huh?" Midori blinked. "So that 'someone' you said you wanted to see smile was…?"

"In the end, I wasn't able to do it, but now I understand. If you've been endangered so many times by our enemies, I can see why you always look so stressed out. You must be wondering constantly in the back of your mind 'When is it going to happen again?' You probably can't relax and enjoy yourself because of it. But now you have nothing to fear – Chibi-Usa, my sisters and I will make sure nothing happens to you!"

Midori had no idea what to make of Ceres' attempts to console her. She wasn't even aware that she thought that way of her. She fumbled for anything to say, but simply uttered, "S-Sure…"

"Ah! Before I forget," Ceres said, taking her necklace off. "I have to return this to you."

She unlatched the apatite ring, handed it back to Midori and said, "Thanks for letting me borrow this."

"Of course," the green-haired girl nodded and stared intently at the teal gemstone. Although she finally got it back, she was pleased that she didn't need to rely on it today. She felt relieved while slipping it back on her finger, although she didn't show it very well.

Ceres smiled sweetly and thought, Midori might not be a good smiler, but there are other ways I can tell she's happy. I don't remember her eyes looking so soft, and she appears to be a lot more relaxed than usual. Maybe she's grown more comfortable now that she knows we're the same Sailor Soldiers who protect her.

Midori sighed and rubbed her head, feeling a bruise forming. She groaned, and Ceres asked, "What's wrong?"

"I must have sustained some injuries…"

"You look tired too," Chibi-Moon said. "Let's get back home so you can rest. We can talk with the others tomorrow."

Kunzite told her, "Princess, I shall consult with the king and queen regarding Ms. Inuken's discovery of our identities. I'm sure they will understand your decision, but I would not be surprised if they wanted to speak with her later. Involving the citizenry in our affairs is a dire situation."

"Sure. Please tell Mama and Papa I'm sorry for causing such trouble."

"Understood."