Cosmic Warriors

Disclaimer: All non-orignial characters in this story are copyrighted to Naoko Takeuchi and Toei respectively. I also do not own the mythological beings you'll read about through the story.

Note: Thank you to ericaphoenix16 for reviewing. Thank you to Satyrelyre, hornofdesolation, Winterlight89, xzaral, Phoenix 316, and GreenRoseMonkey for adding the story to your favorites. Thank you to catcutie015, Winterlight89, xzaral, William Wiltrose, Phoenix 316, and missymcmeron to following the story.


Chapter Fifty Two – Cause and Effect


Thursday December 3, 2:11 AM – D-Point, North Pole

Danburite stood before Queen Beryl's throne, his arms folded behind his back while Beryl mumbled to herself.

Beryl's eyes were cast off to the aside, to the darkness that drooped down from the ceiling and coated the walls. Her lips moved without sound and her fingers twitched incessantly against the armrest of her throne. Suddenly her eyes flicked to the left and fell on Danburite. She stiffened in her seat and glared down at him. "What are you doing here?"

"You summoned me." Danburite replied.

"I summoned Kunzite!" she snapped.

"I'm acting as his proxy." Danburite said. "He hasn't left his lab since we returned from Rome."

Beryl rolled her eyes and eased back into her seat. "Still weeping over Zoisite is he?" she asked snidely. "Very well, perhaps you can handle this assignment. Our goal to use the Great Demons didn't go as planned and Queen Metalia is still in need of energy. It seems we're being forced to resort to our original mission of gathering energy from humans to supply her with. You'll need to gather a team of Youma for this. How you handle the mission is up to you, but do not fail me! I have no tolerance for failure anymore."

"If I may." Danburite said. "I believe this is a waste of time. We should be focusing on capturing the Princess and the Silver Crystal."

"Is that what you believe?" she sneered. "I did not have you awakened to hear your thoughts, Danburite! I simply needed another able body working under me, if you're unhappy with how I am doing things you are more than welcome to return to your grave." she said and raised a hand to him.

Danburite flinched and took a slow step back. "Your Highness, my apologies."

Beryl ripped her hand out of the air and looked off to the side. "I haven't forgotten about the Princess, or about the new Warrior they've awakened. But things aren't turning out the way I hoped. Their numbers are increasing and I'm down to just one Shitennou and you. I need Queen Metalia awakened to tip the scales back in my favor." she muttered. "At this rate..."

"I'll inform Kunzite." Danburite said as Beryl retreated into a conversation with herself. He stepped back before he turned and walked from the chamber, cursing her under his breath with each step.

His disapproval for Beryl's plan continued until he reached the lower layer of their lair. He knocked against a large stone door before he pushed his way inside to Kunzite's workshop. It was a grand room with high curved ceilings and metal holders attached to the walls. Fixed in slots on the holders were different weapons, glaives, shields, maces, bows, spears, as well as many objects Danburite didn't have names for.

Kunzite stood in the center of the room before a large pedestal with a sword pierced through the top.

"I have orders from Beryl to command a team of Youma to gather energy. I disagree, but of course my opinions aren't valued." Danburite said as he walked to the center of the room. He circled around the pedestal and caught sight of Kunzite's disheveled appearance. Normally the most pristine and regal of men Kunzite looked downright filthy. His uniform was wrinkled and stained, his hair slick and greasy and dark circles formed under his puffy eyes.

As Danburite stopped moving he followed Kunzite's eyes to the sword stuck in the stone base. It belonged to Zoisite, his sword of Kusanagi. "How are you feeling?"

Kunzite lifted his gaze to meet Danburite before he shook his head and turned away. He pinched the bridge of his nose before he wiped his eyes. "You shouldn't voice your opinions to her."

"I don't understand why you follow her." Danburite said. "I did some digging. I know what happened to Jadeite and Nephrite. She led both of them to their death."

Kunzite glared back over his shoulder. "Jadeite was ill and pushed himself too far. Nephrite made his choice to work against us."

"And dropping him into a pit of leeches is Beryl's way of punishing him?" Danburite asked. "What of Jadeite?"

Kunzite ran his hands through his hair and scratched his scalp. "What is it you want, Danburite?" he groaned.

"I want us to stand up to her! She is going to get us killed!" Danburite said.

"You should have no reason to fear death, you've already experienced it more times than most." Kunzite replied.

"What is that supposed to mean?" Danburite asked.

Kunzite shook his head before he dragged his feet towards the exit.


Thursday December 3, 6:30 AM – Azabu-Jūban, Minato City, Tokyo, Japan

The Tsukino home was quiet. At the head of the dining room table Kenji flipped through his morning paper, his cup of coffee close at hand. Shingo slouched adjacent to him before he perked up and began to sniff the air. "Is something on fire?" he asked.

Kenji pressed the paper to the table as he stood and smelled the air. Sure enough there was a growing scent of something burning filling the dining room. "Honey!" he called as he moved to the window that opened to the kitchen. "Honey, the bacon, you're burning it!"

Ikuko stood before the stove, spatula in one hand, cocked to the side, while slices of bacon shriveled and burned in the pan on top of the range.

Kenji darted into the kitchen and turned down the knobs on the stove until the fire died away. He looked up and caught the vacant expression of his wife, who looked completely oblivious. "Are you okay?" he asked as he waved a hand in front of her face.

Ikuko jolted back and stared at her husband. "Did you need something?"

Kenji frowned and gestured to the stove. "You were burning the food. Were you daydreaming?"

Ikuko gasped as she looked down into the pan. "Oh!" She grabbed a large mitten from over the stove and began to fan into the skillet. "I didn't even notice. Shoot."

Kenji leaned against the counter and watched as she tried to salvage the food. "Are you feeling okay? You've been doing this a lot lately. Yesterday you were staring at the wall while the tub overflowed and flooded the bathroom. Day before that you left the refrigerator door open while you sat with your head down at the table." Kenji eyes conveyed his concern as he searched his wife's face. "Do you feel sick?" he asked as he placed the back of his hand against her forehead.

Ikuko laughed softly as brushed away his hand. "I'm fine, I just have a lot on my mind, that's all. Why don't I run out and pick up some more bacon?"

"I'll do it." Kenji said. "Right now I'm afraid you'd stop walking in the middle of the street." he said as he led her out of the kitchen. "Why don't you try and wake up our daughter?" he said as he led her to the stairs before he moved to the door and stepped into his shoes. "I'll be back."

Ikuko remained frozen by the stairs as Kenji left through the door. She turned her eyes to the steps, as if the climb itself was a daunting task. Just as she turned and was about to take a step up Usagi came barreling around the corner at the top.

"I smell smoke! Is the house on fire?" she screeched as she ran down the stairs. Her feet tripped her one another and she tumbled down the rest of the steps.

Ikuko's hands recoiled back to her chest and she stepped back as Usagi reached the ground floor. "It-it's nothing."

Usagi whined as she rose to her feet and rubbed her backside. "Then what's that smell?" she asked as she started to smooth out the skirt of her uniform.

"Mom burned the bacon." Shingo said as he rounded the corner. "Whoa, you're ready for school and mom forgot how to cook. Today is going to be a weird day."

Usagi smoothed out her skirt and stuck her tongue out at her brother. "Who asked you to butt in, Shingo?"

Ikuko took another step back as her children started to bicker, her eyes never leaving Usagi. "Your father went out to pick up more bacon."

"Aww." Usagi frowned. "I don't think I have time to wait for papa to come back, I have to get to school on time today." she said as she pecked her mom on the cheek and grabbed up her school bag and slipped into her shoes. "Bye!"


Thursday December 3, 10:58 AM – Keio University, Mita, Minato City, Tokyo, Japan

"I'm glad we could all come together today." Mani said. Around him at the meeting table his fellow Protectors nodded in agreement. "We have a lot to discuss." he said as he opened a manilla folder in front of him. Mani waited as the rest opened their own folders and skimmed the page on top. "First things first, welcome back to us, Luna."

The room filled with applause and a smile grew on Luna's face. "Thank you."

"Luna being reinstated into her position brings up news about some changes in our organization." Mani said as he grabbed the top sheet of paper from the folder and read aloud. "Tenou Haruka, formerly an Agent for the Division of Publicity, has officially been moved into the Division of Warriors and will serve under Luna and Artemis. Kaiou Michiru, formerly an Agent for the Division of Publicity, has officially been moved into the Division of Information and will serve under Ilargi."

The room clapped again and kind words were exchanged to Luna, Artemis, and Ilargi. Mani laid the paper down on and signed his name to it before he turned it over handed it off to Artemis. He grabbed the second sheet and signed before it passed it off. "This is for you Ilargi, sign it please."

Artemis scribbled his name on the page before he handed it across the table to Luna who signed and passed it back to Mani.

"We are now faced with the issue that the Division of Publicity is still missing a Protector under Soma." Mani said as he slowly gestured to the vacant seat at the far end of the table, across from Nikkal. "Agents Tenou and Kaiou had been suggested previously, but are now no longer options. I myself had considered Agent Meiou, but when I brought this idea to my father he reminded me of something, the Protectors have always been made up of individuals with innate powers. Agent Meiou is just a human and hasn't undergone any form of cosmic energy training. Thus we are unaware of any affinity she may have and thus would be a weak link."

"How are we going to find someone with powers like us?" Dewi asked.

"The mages in our Division are well versed in King Akuma's magic." Artemis said. "We could consider one of them for the promotion."

"The truth is there isn't anyone in this organization strong enough to be a Protector." Kalla said, bluntly. A white band was draped over his neck and attached to a sling that held up his arm following being shot in Rome. His skin was pale and his eyes surrounded by dark circles. "The only people strong enough to stand with us are in this room, or were Protectors in the past." he breathed.

"So why not look into recruiting someone from the previous generation of Protectors?" Gesi asked.

"We haven't been in contact with any of them in centuries, not since the Silver Guard was disband in 1000." Mani said sternly. "I have no idea on how to go about contacting them."

"Your father might." Ilargi said. "As much as I hate to admit it, Kalla is right. The mages are talented, but their magic isn't as strong as Artemis' and Luna's, or Nikkal's. We also don't have the time to bring out the latent power of any Agents, that could take years. We've never been faced with the idea that we would lose one of our own, the first generation of Protectors were the Council. This generation, as well as the second, were all made up of people from before the Dark Kingdom attacked."

"If this were the age of the Silver Millennium it wouldn't be so hard, every Kingdom had fighters just like us." Luna said. "But that doesn't mean its impossible. We were all reborn on Earth, so that means there has to be others like us out there somewhere. Also I might have a suggestion." she said and looked to Artemis. "We visited Rhett shortly before he was taken by Zoisite, he turned down the idea of returning to the Guard, but it might be worth trying again."

"That fat cat." Kalla wheezed with a ragged breath. "He barely met the physical requirements when he was just an Agent, now you want to make him a Protector."

"I hate to say it, but he makes a good point." Nikkal said. "What can Rhett even do?"

"He worked under Jarilo, he knows how the Division of Publicity works." Artemis said. "We would work with him to get him back into shape."

"I admire your dedication to this, but I can't ignore the fact that Rhett doesn't possess any powers to aid him in battle." Mani said. "He is trained in combat as all Mau were, but we have many people in this organization who are more than capable of handling themselves in a fist fight. And Ilargi is right, we could test him to gauge his energy, but it could take years to bring it forth. I would need something more concrete if I were to consider Rhett, even if he is a dear friend."

"Bakeneko." Luna said quickly. The room fell silent around her word and all eyes fell on her.

"The Demon inside him?" Desi asked. "What does that have to do with anything?"

"If we could somehow loosen the seal," Artemis said. "maybe Rhett could learn to control the Demon's spirit and use its power without losing control."

"That's a big maybe." Dewi said. "And what if he does lose control?"

"We reseal it." Luna said. "Now that we've identified the Princess, Usagi just needs to work on harnessing that power and using the Spells of Serenity won't be a problem. We bring Rhett in, with Usagi in the room, and work on making the seal weaker so that Rhett can harness the Demon's power. If it looks like he's losing control Usagi subdues him."

"This is insane." Dewi muttered as he rubbed his eyes.

Artemis looked to Mani with pleading eyes. "Luna and I have been talking about this since we returned from Rome and we have also been talking about something else."

"Can't wait to hear this." Kalla snorted.

"Go on." Mani said.

"If this works with Rhett, then it means the other hosts should be able to harness their Demon's power." Artemis said. "If we bring them all in and work with them until they have control they could be assets to the organization. Think about it, the power of the Seven Great Demons, added to our forces. It's one better than just sealing them away, their power will be used for the greater good."

"Rhett has an advantage of being a Mau with more will power and strength than most." Kalla said. "If he is able to control that beast it'll be a miracle, but now we're considering testing humans and betting on them being able to tame these monsters?"

"I don't like the idea of more humans entering the Guard." Nikkal said coldly. "There's already too many of them."

Mani sighed as he jotted down notes on the page. "What I'm hearing is to have my father try and contact the previous generation of Protectors and to convince Rhett to rejoin us. Then bring him in for conditioning and training on how to access the Demon's power. If that's successful bring in the remaining hosts to add to the Guard."

"I don't think Yufou will be able to do much." Losna said. "I think the Dark Kingdom ruined him. We ran tests on him and found they drilled holes in the back of his head and into the back of his neck. The cavity in the back of the head reaches through the skull and we found traces of hydrochloric acid."

"They essentially made him into a vegetable." Nikkal said. "We tried different stimulants, but nothing made him respond. It seems like Formicido is locked within his body as well, but what we haven't been able to figure out is how he was able to unleash the Demon's power. I hypothesized there must be a form of catalyst."

"Zoisite was using a crystal in Rome he used it to control the Demons." Artemis said. "It shattered after the Princess sealed the Demons."

"A crystal capable of powering the Demons?" Iah asked. "Interesting. That would aid in the process of allowing the hosts to unlock their Demon's true power. Perhaps we should organize a search party to Rome to recover these fragments."

"We'll be competing with the Romans." Soma said, adjusting his dark glasses on his nose. "I received an alert this morning from a lab in Rome. Following your departure the Princess cleansed the area and it resulted in small earthquake. There was no major damage done to the Colosseum, but warranted an exploration team to search the area. It seems the Princess' actions caused a cave in, they went down Monday and have been bringing new discoveries to the surface each day since. I don't have a list of everything they've recovered and they aren't releasing anything on the news, but my contact in Rome told me they recovered several unidentifiable mangled bodies as well as the remains of the lab and holding cells."

Luna rubbed her wrists, still healing from the cuffs she broke out of. "What sort of bodies?"

"My guess would be Youma." Soma said. "Artemis told us he found a ravine filled with Youma. The lab that's recovered the bodies has no clue what they are and are running tests. I'm not sure what to do. I didn't plan on it causing any backlash and if they're doing research on the bodies its only a matter of time before they release what they have isn't natural."

"Could we be looking at an unmasking?" Ilargi said. "If the Romans release word of what they've found humans won't be able to ignore the fact that another race of creatures exists."

"That's only if they release it." Mani said. "We've dealt with this before and the United States chose to keep everything under wraps. If the Romans do not come to that conclusion on their own we will intervene. I have contacts in Italy who can handle any whispers. Soma keep your ear to the ground on this one, Kalla you as well. I want to know if the Japanese law enforcement are getting word of this."

"You might want to ask Rei about that." Artemis said. "Her father is involved with several government agencies. He's come back into the country and I've been hearing things about him working with INTERPOL as well as holding meetings with the Emperor. I have no idea of what he's doing, but I know he's aware of the supernatural and that he isn't the biggest fan of us."

"Ilargi, can you put together a file on Hino Takashi?" Mani asked.

"In my sleep." she replied.

"Excellent." Mani said. "While we're on the subject of the Hino family, we've awakened another Cosmic Warrior." Mani said and looked to Luna, pride brimming behind his eyes. "Hino Rei was awakened as Cosmic Warrior Mars during the mission in Rome."

"I've been working with Rei here at headquarters and also at her home since we returned on her powers." Luna said. "I spoke with the other girls and Artemis and I are looking to schedule a meeting with all of them and to have Rei work with the others."

"Very nice." Mani said. "My father also mentioned to me you believe Mizuno Ami may be the remaining Warrior?"

"Yes." Luna said. "I noticed the symbol for Mercury on her forehead before we left Rome. I believe the presence of Princess Selene awakened something within Ami. I told Saeko and she asked we keep our distance for now while Ami adjusts. She assured me she would speak to Ami about the Guard and explain things to her, but she didn't seem to be against the idea of testing to see if Ami is indeed our missing Warrior."

"This is incredible." Soma said.

"If she is the remaining Warrior once she is awakened Artemis and I will take the girls away to train them." Luna said. "I promised the girls a vacation, but if we have all five we might as well use it as a chance to train as well."

"Then let's hope everything with Ami goes well." Mani said.

"We have another issue concerning the Warriors." Luna said. "I had Rei awaken in front of the enemies and Warrior Moon and the identity of the Moon Princess were revealed to them. Are the girls in danger?"

"The attack at the Hikawa Shrine was the first direct attack the Dark Kingdom has never made on one of our own." Mani said. "And that was only because they were tracking the Great Demons, they didn't realize an agent for the Guard was there or that she was a hidden Warrior. However now that they do know, Rei's location has been compromised. There have never been attacks directed at the Tsukino's home so for now she and her family are safe, but of course we cannot take chances and precautions need to be taken."

"I can have a team stationed around her house." Kalla said.

"Mind if I add a few mages to your team?" Luna asked.

Kalla shrugged with his good shoulder.

"Good, I'll be taking up residence with the Tsukinos again as well." Luna added.

"That's fine." Mani said. "As long as there is evidence that the Dark Kingdom has learned where she lives we should refrain from taking extreme actions. We don't want to alarm the Tsukino family. Rei and her grandfather have been staying at headquarters while he recovers and I feel it would best if they move in for the time being."

"The Shrine is more than just their home, it's a place of business and a staple of the community." Artemis said.

"I understand that, but there are other shrines in the city." Mani said. "Soma and Kalla I need the investigation around the Shrine to be extended. It'll give the community a reason why the Shrine will be closed until we can be sure they aren't in danger."

"Yes, sir." Soma and Kalla replied.


Thursday December 3, 12:18 AM – Jūban Municipal Junior High School, Azabu-Jūban, Minato City, Tokyo, Japan

"So, what you're like, dating now?" Usagi gawked.

Gurio and Naru sat beside each other at their lunch table with Usagi across from them, her jaw dangling an inch above the table. Naru laughed nervously and shrugged her shoulders up to her ears. "Sorta. We've gone out on a few dates. I've been to his house a few times. He's come over, met my mom."

Usagi cranked her neck around so she was staring down Gurio who was occupying his time by pretending to eat. "What do you have to say about this?"

"Did you know you can't catch rabies from an octopus?" he offered.

"Rabies will be the least of your worries if you hurt Naru." Usagi warned as she shot up from her seat. "As her best friend the well-being of her heart is most important to me!" she snapped as she grabbed Gurio by the front of his jacket and shook him.

"I care about Naru too!" Gurio mumbled while being shaken like a rag doll. "Very much in fact. I would never hurt her."

"Hmph!" Usagi huffed as she took her seat. "Well as long as we understand each other."

"Don't worry." Naru said as she waved off Usagi. "Umino's a sweetheart deep down. Besides I'd get to him first if he did anything mean to me." she laughed as she shoved Gurio on his shoulder.

Gurio crumbled under the slight push Naru gave him. He hunched over and flinched forward, hissing in pain.

Usagi's brows shot up as Gurio seemed to roll into a ball at the table. "Are you alright?"

"I didn't push you that hard." Naru said softly. "Did I?"

Gurio laughed nervously as he stood, holding his shoulder. "I'm fine, heh, I'll be right back." he said as he turned and darted out of the cafeteria.

"He sure is a strange one." Usagi said as she leaned against her hand. "I think you'd be better off being friends."

"Speaking of friends." Naru redirected. "You've been sitting with Umino and I all week."

"Do you want to be left alone to make-out?" Usagi cocked a brow up in confusion. "Making out at school, kinky." she muttered.

"No!" Naru flushed. "I mean you aren't sitting with Makoto, or she isn't sitting with us."

Usagi prodded her lunch and sighed. "Things are weird between us."

Naru cocked her head to the side before she shook it at Usagi. "She's sitting by herself."

Usagi looked up and winced. "Really?" she asked as she turned. Being the only one in school not in the approved uniform Makoto stuck out quite easily. She sat nearly on the far side of the room at a table with a group of girls, but with so much room between them they might as well have been on opposite sides of the room.

Naru reached out and clamped her hands over Usagi's. "I know you were just trying to be there for me after I lost Nephrite, and I appreciate it, but you have other friends Usagi. The same way you wanted to be there for me, they wanted to be there for you, but you pushed them away. Makoto is still kind of new here, she's sitting by herself because you were her closest friend. Have you apologized yet?"

"No." Usagi mumbled.

Naru smiled as she leaned back. "Now seems like a good time."

Usagi nodded as she closed the lid down on her box and stood before she moved slowly across the cafeteria. Since the temperature dropped all students had been required to eat lunch inside and the cafeteria was abuzz with the contained lunch time chatter.

The yakking, normal for lunch, usually occurred across a courtyard on the school's grounds where the students voices filled the property. But now, cramped inside, their voices bounced off the white walls and ricocheted into one another, creating a loud jumble of voices that all fought against each other for dominance.

Usagi clutched her bento box to her chest as she walked with purpose towards a table located near the back of the room, off to the side, near the windows. Makoto sat there, leaning on her hand and mindlessly poking her beautifully cooked and plated lunch. Usagi paused a foot behind her, the realization that she truly was Makoto's only friend in the school hitting her. They had no classes together and without lunch they never had much time to talk during school, and unless they got together after school Makoto went home to an empty apartment. The guilt fell like a rock in Usagi's stomach as she slammed her lunch box down onto the table, startling Makoto, before she lunged at the girl for a hug.

Usagi wrapped her wiry arms around Makoto's shoulders and buried her face into the girl's chest as she cried. "Please forgive Mako, I don't want you eating lunch alone, I'm so sorry!"

Makoto gaped at the girl attached to her. The group of girls sitting at the end of the table were staring at Usagi like she had just gotten onto one knee and popped the question. "Hello to you too, Usagi." Makoto said as she awkwardly pat the girl's back.

"Mako, I'm so sorry." Usagi said as she pulled back, but kept her arms around her. "I never meant to blow off you and Mina, I was just thinking of myself. I'm always thinking of just myself, how tired I am of always failing, of feeling like we never come out on top."

Makoto's mouth tipped into a smirk before she wiped a tear from Usagi's cheek. "I understand that. I feel the same sometimes, we're just a couple of junior high girls. I wonder sometimes how we're supposed to save the world, or anyone for that matter. But I have to stop thinking about it or else I get too down. I focus on what I know I have to do."

"I never told you this, but when Luna first told me about the Warriors I didn't want to do it." Usagi said. "She got mad and said I was selfish. She told me that the Dark Kingdom would send me to the funerals of all my friends and family before they came for me. But none of that changed my mind, it wasn't until I learned that Naru had been attacked that I decided to do it. It was real then, that monster took something special from her and I wanted to do something about it."

Makoto nodded and smiled. "Naru was the reason for me too. I got upset seeing how she ran out of the fitness gym that one day and then those men were making her so scared. Then you told me how he attacked her and I felt all my anger turn into something else, it was overpowering me."

Usagi fiddled with her fingers and turned her eyes down from Makoto's gaze. "I think I wanted to forget about that life for a while." she muttered. "Try and be normal, but that's not who we are anymore."

"Maybe not all the time, but we're normal girls here at school." Makoto said as she nudged Usagi's leg. "I have a question. What made you come to Rome?"

"Minako." Usagi said. "Once, we were hiding from a Youma and she told me about her life before she came back to Japan. I got Artemis' message about you guys going to Rome and I thought about how Minako used to do this by herself. It was just a few weeks before I met her and we started to work together, but she fought as Sailor V and as Venus for over a year. At the hospital she said she had waited for so long to hear about another Warrior being awakened, I thought about what a disappointment I must have been."

Makoto gasped and grabbed Usagi's shoulders, forcing the girl to look at her. "You're not a disappointment! You're brave and strong. None of us are perfect and it wasn't wrong of you to want to be normal."

Usagi brushed away tears from her eyes. "I knew I wouldn't be able to live with myself if you guys were hurt in Rome while I sat at home. Like you were hurt at Dreamland. I wasn't able to stop Naru from being hurt, I would never forgive myself if I sat around doing nothing when I could have been fighting alongside you guys. I won't abandon you guys ever again, I promise!"

"I believe you." Makoto said as she pulled Usagi into a hug. "Have you talked to Ami?"

Usagi shook her head as she pulled back. "I got to school right before the bell and didn't have time to talk to Ami."

"Luna said that Ami may be the final Warrior." Makoto said.

"Really?" Usagi gasped.

"Yes, but her mom doesn't want us bothering her. She wants to talk to her by herself to convince Ami to join." Makoto said. "Can you believe it?"


Thursday December 3, 4:51 PM – Crystal Seminar, Azabu-Jūban, Minato City, Tokyo, Japan

The Mizuno's car rolled to a stop outside the Crystal Seminar and Saeko turned to her daughter. "Have a good day." she said.

Ami's blue eyes flicked up the front of the school before she unbuckled the seat belt and reached for the door handle. "Bye." she said. She went to grab the handle before she realized the door was still locked.

"How long do you plan on keeping this attitude?" Saeko asked. "It's been three days, don't have you something you want to say to me?"

Ami slowly exhaled and dropped her hand back into her lap. "What was that place?" she asked as she turned her wary gaze to her mother.

"Originally, a school," Saeko said with a heavy breath. "Keio University. The people I work for, when they relocated to this area they supplied the school's board with a large endowment that permitted new construction projects and renovations. It allowed for the organization to work at the university unnoticed in underground rooms that are left off the official schematic plans and old buildings that serve no purpose to the university."

"And who are the people you work for?" Ami asked.

"They're called the Silver Guard. Ami I want to tell you everything, but only if you will agree to hear the full story." Saeko said. "There is so much more for you to know, the organization plays an important roll in the world and you are may be more involved in it than you could possibly understand." Saeko said as she unlocked the doors.

Ami nodded and reached for the door handle. "I need to get inside, but yes, I want to hear all of it." she said as she stepped out of the car. She walked to the building and through a set of glass doors. Students were gathered along the stairwell at the entrance as usual.

She exchanged quick greetings with her classmates before she climbed the steps and turned right to a small sitting area. Perched on the arm of a chair was another classmate and son of her instructor, Kouga.

"Hey there Ami." Kouga said as he walked towards her. He jerked his head to the side to move some of his long curly brown bangs from his eyes.

"Hi Kouga."

"I'm glad you're here, my mom wants to speak with you." Kouga said as he fell in stride with Ami. They passed the sitting area and moved down a thin hallway with classrooms on both sides.

"I know I missed a few assignments." Ami said. "I've been, in the hospital, but I finished them all last night. She'll have to take them late."

"It's not about the assignments." Kouga said as he moved in closer to Ami's side. "She's ready to begin the next lesson."

Ami's eyes darted to the boy who was speaking low. "Why does she need to talk to me about that?" she asked as they turned into a room halfway down the hall on the right side.

The classroom was filled with rows of tables, each of the tables was sectioned off by a large white plastic divider that gave each student privacy while they worked on their computers. At the front of the room was a tall podium with a menacing woman standing behind it. She wore a black pencil skirt and a loose white blouse. A pair of oval glasses hung low on her nose and she tilted her head far back to see Ami and Kouga as they stepped forward.

"Thank you, Kouga." she said before she waved him off.

Kouga nodded before he vanished from Ami's side and off down the aisle before he took a seat behind a divider.

The instructor, Ms. Renga, crossed her arms and approached Ami, the heels of her shoes clicking against the tile room. "Have you received the next lesson?"

"No." Ami said quickly. "Why would I have it?"

"I have finished conditioning the subjects on the program Master Zoisite provided." Renga said. "You were supposed to bring me the next program last week. Why are you late?"

Ami flinched and pressed the heel of her palms to her temples. "Ahh!"

"What is wrong with you, give me the program." Renga snapped. "Where is Master Zoisite? I haven't received word from him."

Ami pressed harder against her temples as the name Zoisite caused her head to throb. Her breathing became labored as she backed away from Renga. Before she could reach the door a wave of students walked through and bumped her forward. Ami wavered on her feet as the students walked through the room and headed towards their seats.

She steadied as Renga's hands wrapped around her upper arms. "Give me the program!"

Ami grunted and struggled to pull away, but the woman's grip only tightened. "I don't know what you're talking about." she cried. "Ms. Renga, you're hurting me!"

"What is wrong with you, girl!" Renga snapped. "We must start the program. The subjects must surrender their energy to me!"

Ami swung out and clawed Renga across her face. The woman shrieked and released Ami as she stumbled back to the podium. Ami wobbled back towards the door before she turned and ran.

Renga tore off her glasses and ran her fingers across her face. Long red marks crossed her pale skin before they were covered as small flecks of crystals crossed the skin. She huffed out before she stormed down the aisle and touched her hand to the head of several students. As her hand left their heads small patches of a dark blue crystal formed from their scalp. The crystal grew and spread over the back of their heads before it covered their head like a helmet.

"Find her!" she hollowed as she reached the back of the room.

The students she touched shot up from their seats, their eyes and expressions blank before they marched to the front and then out of the room.

"Hunt her down." Renga said as she put her hand on Kouga's head.


Ami skittered around the hall's corner and paused in the sitting area. Behind her the door to the classroom flew open and the students stormed out, their heads craning in her direction before they began to stalk towards her.

Ami glanced towards the bathroom doors across the lobby from her, but darted to the side instead and ran for the empty circulation desk. She glanced behind her once, none of the students had rounded the corner, before she hoisted herself over the upper counter and fell onto the desk below. She slid off the desk, scattering supplies across the floor, before she took cover on the ground.

As the horde of students tromped passed the desk Ami listened to their garbled voices, all chanting the same thing. "Find her." Tension throbbed in the center of Ami's forehead as she pressed herself against the underside of the desk.

The march of the students began to fade away as they passed the desk and headed off down a hall to another set of classrooms. Ami slowly scooted out from under the desktop and crouched, remaining silent. "They've lost their minds." she muttered.

"Ami."

Ami tensed up and jerked to the side at the sound of Kouga's voice. She craned her neck around to see her classmate partially leaning over the desk's top layer. "Kouga, you scared me." she breathed and placed a hand over her heart.

Kouga shook his head and grabbed the edge of the desk. "You shouldn't have run, Ami." he said and opened his eyes to reveal bright blue iris. His grip tightened on the desk before his nails grew, becoming curved and thick, ending in sharp points. A guttural growl came from his throat before his mouth opened and his teeth elongated into fangs.

"K-Kouga." Ami stammered as she scooted away from him on the floor. "What's wrong, Kouga?"

Kouga rose onto his toes as he climbed the desk, the bones in his face snapping and reforming to create a prominent snout as he sniffed the air. His ears became pointed and twitched in response to every sound around him. His head snapped up to Ami before he lunged at her.

Ami shot up from her crouched spot and tried to climb over the desk when Kouga's mouth clamped down onto her ankle. Ami's mouth shot open around a pained cry as she looked back to see the boy on all fours with her heel and ankle between rows of sharp teeth.

"AHH!" she cried as she tried to pull away, only to feel his fangs dig further into her flesh. Ami's hands shot out around the desk space, frantically searching for a weapon when she took hold of a heavy name plate. She grabbed it at the base and swung back.

The impact wasn't as hard as she hoped, but she felt the edge of the plate connect with Kouga's head. The boy whimpered and Ami felt the pull on her leg vanish. Without much though she dragged herself over the desktop and onto the floor. She hit hip first and cried in pain before she struggled onto her left side and slowly got to her feet.

A growling came from behind the desk and Ami quickly glanced back to see Kouga rising. She hurled the name plate at him and managed to beam him in the forehead with it. His head snapped back before he growled again and snapped his rows of teeth at her.

Ami turned forward and took one step. As soon as her damaged foot touched the ground the entire right of her body gave way and she collapsed. A starburst of pain shot through her leg and coursed through the rest of her body as her hands jittered near the wound.

Ami flipped and pushed herself back onto her feet and careful not to put any weight on her right foot she hobbled down the hallway, letting her bum leg drag after her. Once she made it down the short hallway that turned into a much longer stretch she froze. The horde of students stood, packed into the side hall, their vacant gazes fixed on her.

She glanced from side to side and her eyes locked onto a fire alarm. Her hand shot out to the wall to pull it when something yanked her arm back and pinned it to the wall. Ami gasped as she looked at a large crystal fragment that pierced through the fabric of her shirt. She turned to the crowd of students and spotted a boy with his arm outstretched and a crystal forming in his palm.

Ami turned and pulled on her shirt, the fabric tearing and ripping halfway up her arm before it freed her. She staggered back into the lobby where Kouga was perched on the desktop, fangs bared as he snarled at her. Kouga followed her as he scaled the desktop, his growling growing louder and louder.

Ami pressed herself against the wall for support as she inched across the lobby towards the entrance. She reached the short flight of steps that led to the exit when a pair of hands slammed into her back. Ami shrieked as she lost her balance and went flying down the flight of steps. She rolled once she hit the ground floor and stopped once her back hit the door.

Through her blinking eyes she saw Ms. Renga standing at the top of the steps, the gathering of students coming up behind her.

"Kill her." Ms. Renga said.

Ami struggled to get her good foot under her as she reached for the door. She pressed on the bar with her upper body and practically fell outside. "HELP!" she cried.

Across the street the doors to black car belonging to the Guard flew open and Rei stepped out. "Luna, it's Ami." she called and Luna's head emerged from the driver side. The women slammed their doors shut and raced across the street.

Ami attempted to crawl forward to them, but Kouga leapt down onto the lower landing and bit down onto her ankle. Ami bawled as the dog-boy pulled back on her and she was dragged back inside the building.

Luna gripped the door handle just as Ami was pulled passed the threshold and yanked the door back open. "Ami!" she called as she watched the girl be dragged down a lower set of stairs, the beast's glowing blue eyes trailing behind her.

Luna moved to followed when a woman lunged down at her. Ms. Renga pressed her hand to Luna's sternum and then leapt back as Luna swung at her.

Rei stepped through the doorway in a burst of light and stood beside Luna in her Warrior suit. She raised her arms and her red bow appeared in her grasp before she pulled back on an arrow.

"I'll get Ami." Luna said before the sound of gems clashing against each other brought her attention to her chest. On the spot that Ms. Renga had touched a patch of blue and green crystals was forming on Luna's jacket. The collection of gems rapidly spread to cover Luna's chest and began to reach for her shoulders.

Luna slammed her hands onto the side of the expanding crystal. "Dispel!" she called, but to no avail. Luna swore as she grabbed the collar of her jacket and pulled it off over her head. She tossed the garment aside as the crystal overtook it, capturing the fabric inside a structure now the size of a small boulder. Luna ran her hands across her black undershirt, no crystals.

"Quick thinking." Ms. Renga said and snapped her fingers.

A young boy appeared at the top of the steps came forward and raised an arm to Luna. His fingernails thickened and enlarged around the tips of his digits before they were fired out.

Luna stepped forward and held her blade horizontally, allowing each of the projectiles to bounce harmlessly off the blade.

Mars crouched as one of the fell at her feet. "It looks like crystal." she said as she slowly picked up the chunk that now resembled a small rock.

"Who are you?" Luna asked as she trained the tip of her blade on woman boy, her eyes flicking towards the young horde at the top of the steps.

"You're in my school." Ms. Renga said. "I'll ask the questions." She raised her arm and brought her fingers together into a point. The skin on her arm slowly began to harden and shimmer under the school's lights. The skin then turned a pale blue as it began to crystalize, the gems covering her entire arm up to her fingers that created a sharp crystal peak. She charged for Luna, her arm drawn back to strike.

"Mars, get to Ami!" Luna said as she rushed to meet Ms. Renga. She held her blade sideways and pushed up to parry the woman's strike.

Mars kept a firm grip on her bow as she ran behind Luna and hurried down the second flight of stairs and into a wide hallway lined with rooms. The floor, like above, was a light tile and the sight of a blood streak leading down the hall made her own blood run cold.

"GAROO!"

Mars whipped to her left as one of the room doors burst open and the large dog-boy lunged for her. His teeth sunk down into the arm of her suit as they fell back to the floor. Mars struggled under him as the boy began to shake his head, attempting to rip the flesh from her arm before she got her feet under him and pushed him off.

Mars tucked her body in and rolled over backwards before she got onto her knees and aimed her arrow forward. Without waiting for the beast to strike, Mars fired her arrow towards his face. The red projectile streaked across Kouga's snout and the boy whipped his head back before he snapped it back into Mars' direction, a singe of red lining his cheek.

"More where that came from, mutt." Mars said as she pulled back on another red energy arrow.

Kouga kept his head low as he stalked along the hallway on all fours. Mars moved opposite of him and slowly began to back up down the hallway. Slowly she moved her hand back up the bow and her arrow vanished. "Let's try this." she said as she placed four fingers at the front of the bow and pulled back. To her surprise four shining red arrows formed instantly.

"So what are you, a dog or a boy?" she asked as she inched further away.

Kouga pushed off from the ground and raised back up onto two legs. "None of your business." he said. "You won't get that girl out of here."

Mars nodded, defiantly, her violet eyes narrowing at the boy. "Oh, I think I will." she said as she lifted her index finger and the first arrow flew free.

It shot down the hall and connected with Kouga's shoulder, igniting a small fire there. Kouga shrieked as he pat the area and eventually shrugged out of the jacket he wore. He stomped out the fire on the floor before he turned back to Mars and howled.

Mars flinched under the pressure that emanated from the howl and released another arrow. The second struck Kouga in his chest and a burst of flames spread from the impact sight. Mars smirked with enjoyment as Kouga panicked to put out the fire.

She glanced behind her, the blood trail stopped before a pair of doors at the end of the halls just a few yards away. Mars spared a quick look to Kouga who was still struggling to put out the embers before she turned and ran for it.

The sound of her rapid footsteps alerted Kouga who smashes out the last embers and crouched to the ground. His throat expanded and a deep bellow began in the back of his throat before he opened his mouth released a powerful howl. The waves of his howl caused the glass in the classroom doors to tremble and Mars hands snapped up to her ears to block the sound before she was hit with the shockwave. The blast sent Mars flying off her feet and tumbling over until she crashed against the far wall.

She quickly regained her composure and gripped her bow to notch an arrow before Kouga lunged at her and swiped her bow away. Mars rolled onto her stomach and tried to reach for the discarded weapon when Kouga lowered himself to her level and roared in her face. Mars cried out as her head throbbed and her vision blurred.

"Not so tough now!" Kouga growled as he clamped his clawed hands down on Mar's shoulders.

Mars pressed her head to the floor and brought her hands together over her head. She interlocked her fingers and pointed her index and middle fingers out together. "Rin!" she cried as a fireball burst from the tips of her fingers.

Kouga howled in pain as the fire flashed into his face and staggered back from Mars. "Dammit!" he bellowed as he clawed at his face.

Mars scurried forward to get to her feet and whipped around to face Kouga. She closed her eyes and pictured the hand seals Luna had shown her. She repeated her previous seal and then locked in her pinky and ring fingers, crossed her middle fingers over her index fingers and brought them around to touch her thumbs. "Rin, Pyoh." she breathed as she crossed her index fingers to touch her ring fingers with her middle fingers crossed over them. Her other fingers all pointed out and touched as a flare of fire sparked in front of her hands.

Mars breathed out as the fire began to burn brightly before her. "Toh!" she cried as she thrust her hands forward and the fire spread into a large V before it flew at Kouga.

The flame struck him across the chest and exploded, scorching his chest and burning him. Kouga flailed as he tried to extinguish the flames that were quickly spreading. He dropped to the floor and started to roll, side to side, but the flames were relentless.

Mars ran and picked up her bow before she followed the trail of blood that cut off before one of the doors at the end. She pushed through and followed the same trail around a buffer wall and into a boy's bathroom. "Ami, are you in here?" she asked as she walked to the sinks. Each of the three sinks were overflowing with cold water that jetted out from the nozzles. Mars turned the handles, but it did nothing to stop the water flow. She tried turning them on and off again, but the flow never lessened.

"Ami?" she tried again, this time more urgently. She turned and gasped at the sight of a row of stalls, at the end of which sat Ami, huddled on the floor. The water had reached her, but had frozen into ice the closer it came to her.

Mars moved gingerly across the slippery iced tile as she reached Ami, who sat pushed against the far wall, shivering. "Ami, are you alright?" she asked as her eyes fell to the wound on her ankle. It was covered with paper towels, but blood had soaked through the make-shift bandage.

Mars crouched beside Ami and pressed her hands to the girl's face. She could feel the biting cold of Ami's flesh through her suit, but soon the heat from her hands began to spread and Ami started to regain colour in her cheeks. Mars watched as Ami's eyes began to flick from side to side before they peered up at her through her mask.

"It's okay, Ami, we're here to help." Mars said. She was about to take a seat beside Ami in a spot on the floor that hadn't been frozen over when the bathroom door burst open.

Ami shuddered and buried her head into Mars' chest. "He's coming back!" she cried.

Mars held Ami tight as a terrible howl echoed through the bathroom. Off the bathroom tiles without any form of escape the howl ricocheted around them and rattled in their heads. Mars felt her grip on Ami loosen as the vibrations in her head became overwhelming. As quick as it came the howl vanished and a dull throb pounded the front of Mars' mind.

She peered up through her mask as Kouga stepped into view. His chest was bare, but darkened and singed from the fires and some of the hair on his head was missing, the scent of fire lingering off him. Mars struggled to her feet around the ice and stepped ahead Ami. "Back down!" she commanded.

"I'm gonna rip your throat out!" Kouga bellowed. His voice carried with it the same impact, a head throbbing roar that resonated in the stone and tile room. But as he roared his body changed, the dark hair on his head grew thicker and began to sprout from every inch of his flesh. His hands grew to twice their size, his nails long, sharp, and yellow. Bones snapping could be heard over the sound of his clamor as his body morphed, his legs bent like that of a dogs, his spine curved and he hunched over onto all fours again.

Mars backed away, in fear, of the large black dog that stood before her. Its eyes, large and red, bore into her as it approached. With a swing of his hand Kouga smashed down one of the metal stalls as if it were made of cardboard.

Ami shrieked and Mars stood her ground, bringing her hands together to attack before Kouga swiped at her. His massive black paw slammed into her upper body and smashed her up against the bathroom wall. Her mask hit first and rattled her brain as she slid down onto the floor.

She listened to Ami's cries for help and Kouga's deep breathing before something burst in the room. She tilted her head up to see the faucets rumbling before the nozzle exploded off the top and water burst free into the air. But rather than shower the floor the water gathered into a ball in the air before it shot forward. The ball of water slammed into Kouga's back and caused the wolf to whip around, expecting another attacker.

Mars struggled to sit up as a chill encased her, water was spreading across the floor and quickly freezing. She looked to her suit, specks of water were icing over and turning into small crystals on the latex suit. At the sound of Kouga's howling Mars looked his way to see a patch of his fur freezing where the water had struck him.

"Ami." she muttered as she looked back to the girl. She was pressed up against the wall, frantically breathing, as ice and water gathered on her skin. Mars turned back to Kouga who was attempting to claw at his back as she stood. She raised her hands in front of her, palms out, with the tips of her thumbs and index fingers touching. "Rin, Pyoh, Toh, Sha, Kai, Jin, Retsu, Zai!" she called out as a spark of fire emerged in the space between her thumbs.

A streak of fire erupted from the single spark and engulfed Kouga in an instant. His frustration howling modulated as the flames captured him, igniting every inch of his fur.

Mars watched as he ran towards the faucets, still spewing out water and held her hands up again. "I don't think so. Serratura!"

A yellow light haloed Kouga before his body locked up. The beast fell to the floor and his limbs snapped in tight as he balled up into an unnatural fetal position for his shape. His cries of pain continued as the fires burned away as him, filling the bathroom with his burning fur.

Mars turned back to Ami and scooped the girl up like a bride and tip-toed out of the bathroom. She glanced back to Kouga, who wriggled and roared on the floor, before she stepped out into the hallway. She carried Ami down the hall and up the short flight of stairs to the landing where she stopped Luna standing the top of the second flight of steps.

"I've got her." Mars said as she struggled up the next flight of steps. She gaped at the condition of the lobby, each of the students were lying on the floor, their crystal headpieces shattered or damage in one way or another. Ms. Renga laid across the lobby from Luna with her limbs restrained behind her back, fabric encasing her body, and six stone pillars pressing into her body.

"Nice work." Luna panted, out of breath. "I just called headquarters, the Cleaners will be here shortly. How is she?" she asked as she observed Ami, shivering and cowering in Mars' arms.

"Shaken up." Mars said.

Luna nodded before she walked down the steps to the entrance. "Why don't you put her in the car? We have to wait for the others to arrive before we can leave, but I told her mother to meet us at headquarters."

"Alright." Mars said as she hobbled back down the stairs and out of the door Luna held open.


Thursday December 3, 11:44 PM – Azabu-Jūban, Minato City, Tokyo, Japan

The night was alive around the Tsukino house. The winter air pushed across the neighborhood, causing tree branches to sway and shift in the night sky.

Ikuko fastened her bathrobe tight around her body as the wind hit her once she was outside. She remained in front of the door and scanned the street to ensure she was alone. Other than two black cars parked across the street the road was dead.

She moved around the aside of the house towards a pair of tin trash cans and removed their lids. She removed a pair of rubber gloves from the pockets of her robes and slipped her hands inside. She then took out a small flashlight, large enough to just fit in the palm of her hand. She clicked the light on and placed the torch between her lips as she started to open the garbage bags.

Once they were open she dug her hands in, up to her wrists, and started to rifle through. Being the lady of the house and the one who did most of the cleaning up, she was aware of what they'd thrown out through the week.

She dug through layers of dust and dirt from the vacuum, passed food packing and wrappers, to find balled up newspapers stained with coffee grounds. Ikuko pulled the first collection of papers out and tossed them aside before she continued to dig.

After she'd gone through an entire bin to pull out several days worth of papers she rifled through the second trash can to find similar garbage. After pulling out a weeks worth of newspapers she retied the bags and gathered up all the papers before she made her way back inside.

Ikuko flipped on the dining room light as she entered and placed the papers down on the table beside a book. She replaced the flashlight into a drawer in the kitchen as she grabbed a pair of scissors and went to work. She smoothed the crumbled pages out on the edges of the dining room table and scanned each page for certain articles. And once she found what she wanted she clipped them out and started a stack.

Once each page had been looked over Ikuko had a small stack of eight clippings. She folded up the pages and stuffed them, along with the gloves, into the trash before she took a seat at the table and looked over the excerpts. Each of them was an article about a mysterious team of vigilantes that had appeared in the city a few months ago. They hadn't been given an official name, but were recognizable by their different coloured jumpsuits and masks they wore.

Ikuko singled out several articles with pictures and opened the book. Inside were more newspaper clippings, all pressed under a film of plastic in the book. Ikuko looked at the newest clippings and placed them into the book beside other articles that were accompanied with pictures.

Aside from the colours of their suits the vigilantes were hard to distinguish at first glance. Each of their faces were covered by white masks, which made physical descriptors like height and build the best indicators. Ikuko's eyes were focused on the figure in the blue and red suit. The shortest of the group and the only one whose hair was visible. Her eyes darted to one clipping that managed to get a shot of the figure from the back, her hair, blonde, was braided into a tight bun on the crown of her head.

Ikuko touched the picture before she cupped her quivering chin and sat back in her chair, on the verge of tears.


End of Chapter Fifty Two


Next, Ami's actions at the school has everyone talking and Ami herself looking for answers. Minako and Usagi mend their friendship and Motoki is the target of a dangerous duo. What do they want with the arcade employee? Find out next time.

Chapter Fifty Three – Lunatic