I do not own the rights to any of the characters in this fanfic. They belong to their respective creators/companies. Enjoy!
This Time Around
Chapter 15
"Ryo, what's the matter," Sailor Mars asked, shaking his shoulder. However she got no answer from him. He kept staring straight ahead of him, looking at the man who had appeared in front of them. She sighed, and then looked down towards Kite - Kitiana. The little girl slowly opened her eyes and sat up.
"What happened," she asked, turning towards Mars. "Where am I?"
"You were possessed by some sort of spirit, Kitiana," Mars replied slowly. "And now we're confined within this barrier spell."
"Where's Lotus," she asked, looking around. "He's not hurt, is he? I didn't hurt him?"
"No, you didn't Kitiana," Mars said with a small smile. "But both him and Rini are in danger, now. I've got to find a way to break this seal, to help Sailor Moon."
"I'm sorry," Kite replied. She walked over as far as she could, and placed a hand against the invisible wall. "This is my fault."
Sailor Mars walked over next to her and put a hand on her shoulder. "It's not your fault, Kite," she said. "That man, whoever he is ... He's the one that tricked you and Lotus. I'll get us out of here." She sat in a meditating position on the ground, and began to chant words, gesturing with her hands at the same time.
* * * * * * *
With a large splash, Sailor Venus, Rowen, Sailor Jupiter, Sage, Sailor Mercury, and Sai landed in a pond. As the water began to settle, the six warriors stood up and took in their surroundings. They could see the remains of the Dynasty castle in the distance, however they would have to wade through the pond to get there.
"Wow, this place is beautiful," Sailor Mercury breathed. The comparatively small body of water was adorned with lily pads and their flowers, and fireflies flew above the pond's surface. The moonlight glistened off the surface, giving the scene an almost magical feel. "How can anything so beautiful exist in this place? Everything else is so desolate beyond this pond."
"That's the same thing we wondered the first time we came here," Rowen replied. "This is almost the same exact place we landed in, too."
"Yeah, I remember it," Sai added. "I found this place especially serene."
"Well, there's something beautiful about everything," Sailor Venus stated as she picked up one of the flowers from the water and inhaled its' fragrance.
"Come on, we've got to get going," Sage began, taking charge. "We've got to find Sailor Moon and the others."
"Sage is right," Sailor Jupiter echoed. "She and the others could be in danger." The six warriors began to wade through the waist-deep water, making their way towards the castle. Sailor Venus suddenly gasped as she was swept under the water.
"Sailor Venus," Rowen exclaimed. He ran over to where she had been, however she was nowhere to be found. "Where did she go," he asked, searching frantically. "The water isn't that deep." Suddenly, a soldier burst up through the water, raising Venus high above its' head. It threw her at Rowen, knocking them both down.
"Watch out, here come more," Mercury warned, noticing movement in the water. Dozens of soldiers popped up from the water and began attacking the warriors. They were holding their own, however the Dynasty soldiers greatly outnumbered them.
"Sailor Mercury, behind you," Venus exclaimed. "Venus Crescent Beam Smash!" She sent her attack towards the soldier that had crept up behind Mercury, and destroyed it. Sailor Mercury smiled at her appreciatively as Venus flashed her the peace sign.
"There's too many of them, and I can't use my powers," Sage growled, annoyed. He slashed a soldier in half with his sword, and kicked another soldier that came at him. Sailor Jupiter landed next to him, after having flipped backwards and away from a soldier that had been attacking her.
"I know, Sage," she stated. "If the others weren't here, we'd have the advantage over these tin cans!" A soldier thrust at her with its' spear. She sidestepped, and then grabbed the weapon from the soldier and destroyed it with its' own weapon. [1] "But we'll survive," she added, winking at Sage.
"Arrow ... Rain Shower," Rowen shouted. Dozens of arrows came down from the sky, and he turned to the others. "Come on, let's go!" They took off running as the soldiers were destroyed, and soon made it to dry land. "Well, I think that was the last of them."
"I'm afraid not, Rowen," Venus stated. "Look." She pointed towards the pond as more soldiers rose from the water's surface.
"Everyone, get out of the water," Mercury said. After they complied, she kneeled down at the edge, placing her hands lightly above the water. "Mercury Bubbles Freeze!" The mist passed over the soldiers, and they froze along with the water.
"I'll take it from here," Sai said, holding his trident out in front of him. The sign of Mercury glowed on his gauntlets, and it passed to the end of the trident. "Blue Lagoon," he chanted. Water began to swirl around the end of his weapon, and as it gathered, they turned into ice crystals. "... Rhapsody!" He thrust his weapon towards the soldiers, and the crystals shot forward, destroying the soldiers upon impact.
"I don't like this at all," Sage stated, watching as smoke rose up from the pond's surface. "They just keep appearing. It's as if they're trying to keep us busy." The sign of Jupiter glowed on his gauntlets, and he held his sword in front of him. "Twin Lightning Bolt," he stated as the blade of his sword began to charge with electricity, and the sky darkened. "... Strike!" He swung his sword, and two disks of electricity flew out, striking the water.
"That's brilliant, Sage," Jupiter exclaimed, watching as the water boiled slightly. "Now if any more soldiers come out of the water, they'll be destroyed by the current of electricity that's running through it. I should have thought of that myself!"
"Let's keep moving," Rowen suggested. "Something's wrong, I can feel it."
* * * * * * *
Kento wrapped his arm around Sailor Moon to help her stand. When she had been pushed back by the force, he had jumped behind her, in an attempt to catch her. However, all that had happened was that he had been thrown back as well, and they both went through the wall. "Are you okay, Sailor Moon," he asked. "You're not hurt, are you?"
"I'm fine, I should be asking you that," she replied. "You're the one that felt the full impact when we hit the wall."
"Didn't feel a thing," he exclaimed, beating lightly on his armored chest. His face set to a frown. "But I'm going to make whoever did that pay." The two limped back through the hole they had made, and looked towards Ryo, Sailor Mars, and Kite. "Hey, Ryo, man, are you guys alright," Kento asked. Ryo was staring ahead of him, with a look of disbelief written over his face, and so Kento followed his gaze. "No, that's not possible," he gasped.
"What is it," Sailor Moon asked, concerned. She looked in the same direction, and saw a man slowly lowering his arm. He was wearing a kimono, and wore a ceremonial headdress on his head. He had a mustache and goatee, and his mouth was drawn in a tight line. "Kento, who is he?"
"We destroyed you when we took care of Talpa," Kento yelled, pushing Sailor Moon carefully behind him. "How did you survive, Badamon!"
Badamon began to laugh coldly. "I have my ways, Ronin," he stated. "You merely destroyed my shadow, all that time ago. And when you defeated Talpa, I was weakened. But I found another source of power." He snapped his fingers, and Rini disappeared from the cage, and reappeared chained to the ground near him. "The power of the White Moon Family."
"Leave my family alone," Sailor Moon cried, stepping out from behind Kento.
"Ah, Serenity," Badamon stated. "You are the cause of so many things. You made a grave mistake helping the Ronins when they came to your world. It was because of you that I learned of the powers of the Silver Emperial Crystal."
"You're lying," she said in disbelief.
"When you used that power against the Warlords, I knew that the crystal possessed a power far greater than any other power I had ever felt," he continued. "I had to have that power coursing through me!"
"No," she whispered, shaking her head.
"You wish to believe yourself innocent, but you can't truly believe that. Not after learning how you treated your son," he said, pointing towards Lotus. "Your own flesh and blood!"
"Don't listen to him, Mother," Lotus said. "I just didn't understand the decisions you made, but I do now!"
"You are the reason he turned to me, Serenity," Badamon exclaimed, pointing an accusing finger at her. "And you are the reason your children are in danger now." Sailor Moon fell down to her knees as tears fell down her face.
"Why did you go after them," she asked quietly. "Why didn't you just come after me?"
"It was not my choice," Badamon stated. "When I was in my weakened state, my Nether Spirits created a dimensional portal for me. It took me to the White Moon Kingdom of your future, Crystal Tokyo, during the time of your counterpart's announcement for Small Lady being heir to the throne. I would have preferred to be taken to you, but luck was on my side that day! I gained two followers, and I had the Crystal within my reach. The wretched child took it before I could get to it, and so I had to find her. It was pure coincidence she came to this world. Fate, if you will," he added as an afterthought, chuckling evilly.
"We defeated the Dynasty once before, Badamon," Ryo stated, snapping out of his trance. "We'll do it again!"
"Not this time," Badamon retorted. "I finally have the power I desire right in front of me." He looked up as he heard the sound of footsteps. "The rest of the team is here," he said as the other Ronins and Scouts entered through the hole in the wall.
"Sailor Moon, are you okay," Jupiter asked. "What happened?" As she was checking on Sailor Moon, Kento went over to the lever, and lowered the cage that held Lotus to the ground.
"What's been ... Badamon," Rowen exclaimed incredulously as he noticed the dark priest for the first time. He looked at Kento. "How is he here? Didn't we destroy him?"
"He used one of his tricks," Kento replied. "We only destroyed his shadow in that final fight with Talpa." They looked over towards Sailor Mars as a flash of light momentarily distracted them. Badamon grunted in annoyance.
"I knew you'd give me trouble, priestess," he said to Mars as she, Ryo, and Kite joined the others. Badamon closed his eyes, and began to chant something.
"Oh no," Mars exclaimed as she heard part of the incantation. "He's putting a barrier around himself, to keep us away from him and Rini!" By the time the warriors closed the short distance between themselves and Badamon, the priest had already conjured up the wall.
"Now to take what I desire," Badamon exclaimed. Rini floated into the air vertically, as if some force had pulled her. She gasped in alarm as Badamon held his glowing had over her.
"Badamon, don't do it," Sailor Moon pleaded, distressed. She pressed her hands against the barrier, and was hurt by the dark energy. "Take my crystal, just leave her alone!"
Badamon ignored her pleas, and lowered his hand towards Rini. "Chu, tei, nin, ko, jin, chi, shin, gi, inochi," he chanted. [2] Rini began to scream as the jewel began to crystallize and take form above her chest. Her eyes became glazed over as the crystal fully materialized. He grabbed the crystal, and pulled it towards him. He began to laugh maniacally as it attached to his headpiece.
"Rini," Lotus cried.
"Rini, no," Sailor Moon screamed. "You ... you'll pay for your evil ways, Badamon," she stated, determined. She stood up, or rather, floated up into the air. Her sailor suit disappeared, and was replaced by pink ribbons streaming out of her locket.
"Such power running through me," Badamon stated. He looked towards Sailor Moon, and scoffed. "You'll never have enough time for a transformation! I'll make sure of it!" As the Ronins and Scouts rushed to protect Sailor Moon, Badamon thrust his hand forward, pushing the nine warriors back with his power. They struck the wall, and were pinned there as shackles appeared over their wrists and ankles.
"Sailor Moon, run," Jupiter screamed. However Sailor Moon made no attempt to listen. Lotus watched in shock, and Kite shook her head.
"Lotus, snap out of it," she shouted finally. "We've got to help Sailor Moon."
"It's too late, Kite," he said sadly. "We can't do anything."
"Yes, we can, Lotus," she argued, shaking him. "We owe it to them to try. Remember our mission!" He slowly shook his head, and she smiled. "Good, then transform, Lotus!" Lotus stood up, and the kanji of justice appeared on his forehead as his sub-armor appeared over him.
"Armor of Hardrock, tao gi," he shouted. His battle armor began to assemble on him piece by piece. When his transformation was complete, his armor was a replica of Kento's armor, from the helmet to the weapon. The armor was the color of Mother of Pearl, although orange was the dominant color, and the symbol of the Moon glowed on his gauntlets. "Your turn, Kitiana," he stated.
She nodded her head, and a small pen appeared in her hand. "Mars Crystal Power," she shouted. A fire engulfed her, and as it faded she was left standing in a sailor suit. She had a white body suit, and her skirt was the color of Mother of Pearl, with red being the dominant color. She wore elbow length white gloves, and red high heels. The bow in the back was red, and the bow on the front was purple. She wore star-shaped gold earrings, and the choker she wore bore the kanji of virtue.
Badamon turned his attention away from Sailor Moon, and looked at Lotus and Kite. "So, you wish to fight me," he stated. "I don't recommend that! Your powers aren't nearly powerful enough to defeat me!"
Sailor Moon looked over at the two young warriors and smiled. 'Please,' she begged silently. 'Just buy me a little time.'
"I'm Sailor Crystal Mars," Kite said, stepping forward. "Like my mother before me, I have sworn to protect the Royal Family. In the name of Mars, I will do all it takes to protect the future Queen! Prepare to be defeated!"
Lotus stepped forward, and lowered his weapon. "You will suffer for the grief you caused my family, Badamon," he exclaimed. "Victory will be ours!" He glanced at Sailor Crystal Mars, and then swung his weapon around. "Rockslide Explosion!" A rumbling sound shook the castle, and then the ground underneath Badamon defied gravity as it exploded upwards, sending him flying. As he landed, Sailor Crystal Mars stepped forward.
"My turn," she exclaimed. She threw an ofuda at Badamon, and a circle surrounded him. She put her hands together, with her index fingers touching, and pointed it towards the evil priest. "Mars Firewall Burn!" A column of red light shot up from the circle surrounding Badamon, and a barrage of sparks hit him, engulfing him in a flame. As the column of light disappeared, Badamon stumbled around, but kept his footing.
"It didn't work," Lotus exclaimed, alarmed.
"It will take more than that to defeat me," Badamon exclaimed. He sent dark energy towards the young warriors, knocking them off their feet.
"Lotus, Kite," Kento exclaimed. He turned to the others. "We've got to help them, guys." The warriors struggled futilely against the shackles. "Run, you two," he shouted.
"I can't do that, Father," Lotus replied, as he and Sailor Crystal Mars stood. "We have to protect Mother, until we can no longer fight." The two warriors ran at Badamon, punching and kicking collectively. Badamon smacked them aside, and they landed in a heap.
"Badamon, stop this right now," Sailor Mars screamed. "Your fight is with us, not them!" Tears formed in her eyes, and spilled down her cheeks. "You've got the find the strength to get up and run, please! Kitiana, Lotus!"
"And now this little charade ends," Badamon said, raising a glowing hand towards the fallen warriors. As he released the energy there, a figure jumped down in front of the duo, and there was a big explosion. When the smoke cleared, Sailor Moon stood there. She had her scepter raised in the air, and smoke snaked around an invisible shield that protected the three warriors from the blast. "Impossible," Badamon exclaimed.
"You have threatened my family for the last time, Badamon," she stated. "No one harms the people I care about and love ... Ever!" She put one hand to her locket. "Moon Cosmic Power!" A light appeared over her body, renewing her powers. Stars replaced the crescent moons on her boots and earrings, and two barrettes appeared near the "dumplings" on her head. Her skirt was striped with a line of blue and yellow, and two strips of ribbon streamed down from her bow on her back, and stopped above her knees. She outstretched her hand, and the crystal on Badamon's headpiece floated away from him and into her hand.
"What's going on," he demanded, feeling his newfound power leaving him. He watched as Sailor Moon calmly walked over towards Rini, and placed the crystal in the middle of her chest. A locket appeared around it, and Rini's eyes fluttered open.
"Sailor Moon," Rini asked, confused. She smiled as her future mother nodded her head, and she hugged her around the waist.
"It's alright now, Rini," she replied. "We can go home, as soon as I take care of one other thing. Go to your brother, and wake him up." As Rini did as she was told, Sailor Moon turned towards Badamon and frowned. "With the Moon Purification scepter, the reign of the Dynasty will be over."
Badamon closed his eyes, and began to chant. "Chu, tei, nin, ko…chu, tei, nin, ko." Nether spirits began to float above his head.
"Moon Beam Purification," Sailor Moon shouted. Light poured forth from the scepter, diminishing the spirits upon contact. As the beams of light struck Badamon, he screamed out in agony.
"You have truly won, Ronin Warriors," he stated. The final beam hit him, and he disintegrated into a pile of ash and smoke. The shackles disappeared, and the Ronins and Scouts rushed over to Sailor Moon's side. Kento swept her up into a hug.
"Are you okay," he asked, smoothing down her hair.
"Yes, I'm fine," she replied. She looked at Lotus as he and Rini joined their side. "Thank you, Lotus, for protecting me." She kissed him on the forehead, and then pulled both Lotus and Rini into a hug.
Meanwhile, Sailor Mars knelt down next to Sailor Crystal Mars, and gently shook her awake. She smiled fondly as the girl slowly opened her eyes. "Kite, are you okay," she asked. She slowly shook her head.
"Are Sailor Moon and Rini safe," she asked, shaking her head.
"Yes, you and Lotus protected them both very well. Thank you for your help," Mars replied. "You… you're my daughter?"
"And Ryo's," Crystal Mars replied. "I'm heir to the throne in the future, Mother. I'm your first born."
"You do have Ryo's eyes," Mars exclaimed, taking her future daughter into her arms. As she pulled away from her, she had tears in her eyes. "There are so many things I want to know!"
"Hey you two," Ryo interrupted apologetically. "We'll have to finish this back at Mia's. We'd better get going. The others are already leaving."
"You're just the same as you are in the future, Daddy," Crystal Mars stated, grabbing his hand. His face flushed slightly as he smiled at her. Then, he, Sailor Mars, and Sailor Crystal Mars followed the others. Once everyone was safely out of the castle, Kento turned back around towards the entrance.
"I'm taking care of this castle once and for all," he stated, pulling his weapon in front of him. He turned towards Lotus and smiled. "Wanna help me, Lotus?"
"Sure," Lotus exclaimed, his face beaming with a smile. The two samurai stood next to each other, their weapons raised. "Rockslide Explosion," Lotus exclaimed.
"Earthquake Submersion," Kento echoed. In a matter of seconds, future father and son had leveled the castle. After they were done, Rini ran to Lotus and hugged him.
"We finally have our family back, Lotus," she exclaimed. "Let's go home."
To Be Concluded ...
[1] This is a reference to my side-fic, "Unity - Lita and Sage." Sailor Jupiter is just using a technique Sage taught her. You should check it out, if you haven't read it yet, and review! ^_~
[2] "Chu, tei, nin, ko, jin, chi, shin, gi, inochi," ... This mantra Badamon was chanting is basically the traits of the Ronins' and Warlords' armors when they call forth their armor (example - Armor of Wildfire, tao jin).
Anubis' is chu, Kale's is tei, Dais' is nin, and Sehkmet's is ko.
Ryo's is jin, Sage's is chi, Sai's is shin, Kento's is gi, and Rowen's is inochi. I'm sure you knew theirs, though. ^_^ Be kind, and leave a review!