SAILOR JOURNEYS: SECRET OF AN UNKNOWN PAST
Chapter 14: The New Avalon Mission: Surprise, Surprise...
The Team entered the chamber, steeling themselves for what they might
find inside. The first thing they noticed as soon as they entered,
were the smoking remains of the doomed hover-tanks. They didn't pay
attention to the burned debris. Instead, they focussed their gazes on
the figure that was standing in front of the T/S distortion device.
"About time, kids." Said Cauldron, smiling wickedly at them. "I was
starting to think that you didn't want to rescue your relatives."
"Cut the chit-chat, Cauldron." Hissed Sailor Jendra. "Where are they?"
"What?" asked Cauldron, feigning being surprised. "What is this? No
mumbo-jumbo? No 'in the name of the moon,' yadda, yadda, yadda? No
funny dances while talking?"
"Who has time for that?" Growled Sailor Moon. "Now... TALK!!"
"I never imagined you had such a short fuse, Moon. I'm impressed."
Began Cauldron. "Ok... You all came here because you wanted to recover
your poor, defenseless parents, right?" The only response he got was
their furious looks. Unperturbed, he continued. "And obviously, to
stop me from getting this lovely piece of equipment." He then pointed
towards the device.
"Get to the point, Cauldron... or else..." said Endymion. And to prove
his point, he unsheathed his sword, pointing it towards Cauldron.
"You two are such a perfect couple... that you make me sick!" said
Cauldron. "Very well... to the point. The deal is as follows: Defeat
my new minions, and you'll have your families back. Defeat me, and
you'll have the device. What do you say? I can't be fairer." Again,
only silence greeted his tirade. "You are no fun... therefore... you
all have to die!" He then snapped his fingers, and from behind the
device, eight shadows emerged and walked next to him.
When the team saw them, their reactions were just what Cauldron
expected.
"No... no..." said Sailor Moon, leaning against Endymion, who observed
shocked at Cauldron's new minions. Sailor Chibi-Moon embraced Sailor
Moon, staring horrified at them as well.
Sailors Mercury and Venus embraced each other, tears flowing down
their faces. Not a word came out of their mouths.
Emerald Knight felt down on his knees, sobbing. Sailor Jendra kneeled
next to him, her empathic senses overwhelmed by his grief.
Sailor Saturn was sobbing uncontrollably. Yohann embraced her in a
protective manner, his face a study of hate...
Sailor Mars' face contorted, like it didn't know how to manifest the
incredible fury she felt at Cauldron in that instant.
"I see you approve these new models." Mocked Cauldron.
"You... you... MONSTER!" screamed Sailor Moon, her sigil shining like
a miniature sun.
"I'll destroy you with my bare hands, you... abomination!" added
Endymion.
"I'll see to that... this time, you're dying for good, Cauldron!" said
Yohann.
"I'll personally see that your damned functions are erased forever,
you sadistic piece of software!" finished Alex.
"Tsk, tsk, tsk... don't make promises you can't fulfill, kids."
Taunted Cauldron. "And remember... if you defeat them, you can have
your families. Fair is fair, don't you think? Have fun!" and with
that, he left them with his eight new soldiers, laughing all the way
out.
The Team then faced their worst nightmare. In order to win, they had
to defeat... the very people they had come to rescue!!
Cauldron had operated all of them, in such ways that they hardly
believed that these eight warriors were once their loved parents. The
deranged cyborg had removed their left arms, replacing them with
three-fingered claws. All of them had cybernetic right eyes, and
their bodies were covered with some sort of black organic-looking
suits. Their skin was ghostly white, and their faces were
expressionless.
"Grandpa... Yuuichiro..." said Sailor Mars, at the same time she
began to approach them.
"Mars... stop!" screamed Alex all of a sudden. "They'll attack you!
Don't move an inch!"
Her warning came too late.
Moving faster than anyone anticipated, the cyborg warriors attacked
them. Yuuichiro and Grandpa moved towards Mars, Yuuichiro's mechanical
arm protruding a needle-looking spear and aiming it right towards
Mars' heart! She barely dodged the attack by jumping to the left, but
Yuuichiro continued his attack.
Ikuko began to attack Sailors Moon and Chibi-Moon, while Kenji began
to attack Endymion and Emerald Knight. The Elder Hino produced what
looked like modified ofudas, and launched them towards the girls,
nailing Sailor Jendra with one, paralyzing her. Meanwhile, the Ainos
focussed their attacks on Sailor Venus and Yohann. Akane aimed her
left arm towards Sailor Mercury, and shoot a series of scalpels at
her! And Ulysses... he began to attack his own daughter!
"Hand to hand, everyone!" Screamed Yohann all the while he avoided
another swipe at his throat. "Don't hurt them! Don't use your powers!"
he avoided another swipe. "Alex, try to jam their cybernetic
implants! We have to stop them somehow!"
"I've been trying since we saw them, sweetie!" answered Alex. "But
they have some sort of ECM (Electronic Counter Measure) device on
them! I can't make contact!"
"Somebody do something!" screamed Sailor Chibi-Moon. Ikuko had her
cornered, at the same time she had Sailor Moon secured with her
cybernetic arm. She was trying to grab Sailor Chibi-Moon by the
throat, in a clear intent of choking her. Endymion heard her, but he
couldn't do a thing for the moment, since Kenji was focussed on
trying to kill him.
Emerald Knight was trying to free Sailor Jendra, but he found that
almost impossible, since Grandpa Hino was tossing a literal shower of
ofudas at him, attempting to paralyze him as well.
Sailor Mercury wasn't faring better. Her legs and arms were covered
with cuts, and still avoiding her own mother's attack.
Sailor Saturn was trying to reach her father, all the same she
avoided his attacks. "Dad, please! Don't do it! You have to come back
to me! Please, remember who you are!" Ulysses' attack seemed to
falter for a brief second. "Yes, dad! You can hear me! Fight it!"
said Sailor Saturn, lowering her guard for a moment... that proved to
be fatal.
Ulysses smacked her in the face with his flesh arm, dizzying her. She
shook her head in an attempt to clear her mind, and looked at her
father... just in time to see him charging in his hand a golden ball
of Technum!
Yohann saw that too, and his blood froze in his veins. "ROBIN!!" he
screamed, and jumping with all his strength over Mr. Aino's head, he
sprinted towards Sailor Saturn, shouting a command to one of his
spheres. "Alpha, AURA!" As soon as the green energy field surrounded
his body, he jumped in front of Ulysses, at the same time he released
his Technum attack against Sailor Saturn.
The clash of both energies was spectacular, to say the least.
Everybody stopped the fight and covered their eyes,. Yohann screamed,
his armor catching fire at certain points, while the Technum reacted
with his Aura and consumed it. Fortunately, the protection was strong
enough to defuse a big part of the attack, otherwise he would have
died there. When Yohann felt to the ground, part of his armor's chest,
back, legs and arms cracked and turned to dust, revealing the second
and third degree burns that laid under his armor.
"YOHANN!!" screamed Sailor Saturn as soon as her eyes caught the
scene. She ran to his side, and kneeling next to him, cradled his
head tenderly on her lap. "You fool! Why did you do it?" She didn't
mind the tears that began to drop on his face.
"Never... mind... me... Saturn." Muttered Yohann. "Just... save...
the rest... and... take... care..." He closed his eyes, and went limp
on Sailor Saturn's arms.
The cyborgs seized the opportunity and caught everybody, holding them
against the wall, at the same time they hold their arm-swords against
their throats. Emerald Knight and Sailor Jendra were paralyzed because
of the ofudas, and could only watch helplessly.
Mr. Aino was holding Sailor Chibi-Moon, Akane with Sailor Mercury,
Ikuko with Sailor Moon, Kenji with Endymion, Mrs. Aino with Sailor
Venus, Yuuichiro with Sailor Mars, Ulysses with Sailor Saturn.
Grandpa Hino was standing behind Sailor Jendra and Emerald Knight,
more ofudas at the ready.
"Bravo! Magnificent fight!" said Cauldron, emerging from behind the
T/S device, clapping all the time. "What a touching sacrifice, I must
add." He said, and approached Yohann's prone body, kicking him. He
didn't pay attention to Sailor Saturn's gasps. "Too bad. I wanted to
finish him myself. Oh, well! You may wonder why you're not dead,
right? That's because I still need you... let me rephrase that. My
new ally need you."
"New... ally?" asked Sailor Moon, he throat crushed mercilessly by
Ikuko. She couldn't help but let some tears escape her eyes.
"Oh, yes! Allow me to introduce you... would you come forward, my new
friend?" Cauldron then bowed, and the bearded man that he encountered
earlier walked next to him. "Ladies, gentlemen... this is my new
friend... MerLynn!"
"Merlin??" Asked Endymion, ignoring the searing pain he felt in his
throat. "But... he's a myth. A legend!"
"Oh, no, no, no Endymion!" said Cauldron. "Not Merlin... it's
M-E-R-L-Y-N-N. You see, he's the lone survivor of the original crash
of this place. Unfortunately..." he whispered the next statement.
"... all this time in stasis made his mind a little... unstable, if
you catch my drift."
While Cauldron was talking, MerLynn approached the Team, and began to
touch them with his withered hands. All the while me murmured "yes,
yes... excellent... they're magnificent!... they'll do nicely...
prime material..."
"Well, MerLynn?" asked Cauldron, "are they what you need?"
"Oh, yes, yes!" said MerLynn, nodding enthusiastically. "Their
energies are more than enough!"
"E... nergies?" muttered Sailor Mercury.
"Didn't I tell you? Oh, how could I forgot about that?" said Cauldron
in a mocking tone. "You see, because of all the time that has already
elapsed, the device has lost its power. So... in order to make it
operational again, it needs to be... recharged."
"Their life-forces will do nicely!" cackled MerLynn. He then took a
black sword from his robe, and began to point it towards the Team.
Sailor Moon's eyes grew impossibly wide, shocked. She recognized the
sword!
"Impossible!" she said. "It was destroyed when the Prime died! I left
it on his station! It should have been destroyed!"
"You know of this sword, child?" asked MerLynn, puzzled. "It just
appeared in my laboratory, before that treacherous witch imprisoned
me in that wretched capsule! Tell me, what do you know of it?" He
then pressed the sword against Sailor Moon's abdomen, making her
groan.
"Leave her alone, you old ghoul... urk!" Endymion's tirade was
interrupted when Kenji's grip increased. The rest were treated the
same when they attempted to defend their friend and leader.
"He... re... sy..." said Sailor Moon, fighting to stay conscious.
"Heresy? I like the name. It's so... appropriate." Commented Cauldron.
"Enough chit-chat, already. We're wasting time. MerLynn, who's our
first... donor?"
"Tough choice..." muttered MerLynn. "Three of them will do perfect
for the first stage. She..." he then pointed at Sailor Mars, "she..."
he then pointed at Sailor Moon, "and she." He finished, pointing at
Sailor Chibi-Moon. "Their life-force is incredibly high. Anyone will
do."
"Perfect!" gloated Cauldron. "In that case... why not start with the
freshest product?" And addressing Mr. Aino, he ordered. "Place that
one in the device."
The cyborg then took Sailor Chibi-Moon, and ignoring the Team's pleas
of not doing it, Mr. Aino tied up the struggling girl in the T/S
distortion device.
MerLynn aimed his sword towards the helpless child, and began to
mutter something. Heresy began to glow a dark light, and suddenly, a
dark energy beam engulfed Sailor Chibi-Moon, making her scream. The
T/S device began to hum, liquids began to course through the tubes,
and the crystals on it began to glow. MerLynn continued his onslaught,
and soon Sailor Chibi-Moon was encased in a dark energy cocoon, her
screams suddenly ceasing to be heard.
"What a lovely sight, don't you think?" Gloated Cauldron. He then
looked at everybody, and watching then staring at him with hate in
their eyes, he added. "Oh, don't be impatient. Your turn will soon
arrive."
"Don't... count... on it... Cauldron." Cauldron turned around, and
saw that Yohann was trying to stand up. "You'll... never... beat us."
"Want to bet, MeRMAid?" said Cauldron, and walking next to Yohann, he
placed a foot on his back, nailing him against the floor. "Look at
yourself! You're nothing but a pathetic corpse right now, and your
friends will soon be nothing more than withered cadavers, their
life-force powering my prize! And you DARE to defy me?" He then began
to grind his foot on Yohann's back, making him grunt in pain. "Accept
it, all of you lost! Lost against the greatest AI ever created!"
"Guess again." said a voice coming from the entrance. "WORLD SHAKING!"
The sudden attack of Sailor Uranus sent the cyborgs tumbling to one
side of the wall, releasing the captives. All of them dropped on
their knees, trying to regain their breaths.
"DEEP SUBMERGE!" Sailor Neptune's surprise attack hit Cauldron in the
chest, sending him against a far wall.
At the same time, Sailor Jupiter and the Guardian ran towards Sailor
Jendra and Emerald Knight, and ripped the ofudas from their foreheads,
releasing them. The Guardian then aimed his Blaster at MerLynn. "Cease
your activities... NOW!"
"No, not now!" murmured MerLynn. "Not when I'm so close to extract my
revenge!"
"You still want to destroy the world, don't you MerLynn?" MerLynn
gasped when he heard that voice, and stopped his attack, He then
turned around towards the origin of the voice, and growled when he
saw who said that.
Standing next to Sailor Pluto, was the same woman that the other
group had reawakened. She was holding her sword, pointing it towards
MerLynn with her right hand. "Why don't you forget that?" continued
the woman. "Things doesn't have to end like this. Let me help you,
please."
"Help me?" growled MerLynn. "Just like you helped me before,
imprisoning me inside that wretched stasis pod? No, thanks! I prefer
to destroy this world! It doesn't deserve to exist! Surrender now,
Nimue! You don't stand a chance against me now, not while I have this
sword with me!" He then aimed Heresy towards the woman. "You should
have stayed death all this years! Now, I'll make sure that you die!"
"So be it." Murmured Nimue. "Sailor Pluto, you go and rescue your
friend. I'll handle MerLynn." Pluto nodded, and hurried to free Sailor
Chibi-Moon.
"Not so fast, everyone." Said Cauldron, standing up and addressing
the newcomers. "You can't win. I made sure of it! Attack, my loyal
slaves! Don't let them get away!"
The cyborg warriors began to move again, beginning the battle all
anew.
"Oh, no... not again!" said Sailor Mars. "There has to be a way to
stop them without hurting them!"
"There... is." Muttered Yohann, still in the floor. "One weak...
point."
"What is it, sir?" asked the Guardian, standing next to him in an
attempt to protect him. "Where do we have to strike?"
"Cauldron..." muttered Yohann. "He... controls them. Get him."
"Stop, my little pets!" said Cauldron. His warriors stopped at once,
and returned to his side. "Really clever, MeRMAid. You finally
guessed the only weak point in my plan. Too bad it won't work!"
"We'll see about that, Cauldron." Muttered Endymion, his sword at the
ready. "Prepare yourself to be defeated once more!"
"Is that so?" said Cauldron, raising an eyebrow. And waiving his
hands towards everybody, he added. "Come on, hit me with your best
shots!"
"You asked for it... " Said Sailor Moon. "LUNAR SOUL BLAST!" Her
attack raced towards Cauldron, who was just... waiting. As soon as
her attack reached him, she gasped. "No way!"
Her attack just reached Cauldron, and in a perfect imitation of their
first encounter with the Guardian, the energy surrounded him, and was
absorbed by his cybernetic arm. "I think you dropped something, Moon.
Here, let me give it back!" He then waved his hand, and Sailor Moon's
attack was returned in her direction.
Sailor Moon stood transfixed, not believing what she just witnessed!
Because of the opportune intervention of Endymion, she was saved from
being destroyed by her own attack.
The Guardian noticed it, and cringed. "Incredible! He duplicated my
defense system!" And addressing the rest, he shouted. "Don't shoot
your powers at him! He'll just toss them back at you!"
"Shut up, you pathetic machine!" retorted Cauldron.
"I guess it's my turn now." Muttered Endymion. "Very well, Cauldron...
I'm your opponent now. Fight with me! Or... are you afraid of losing
before a simple human?"
"I'm not afraid of any protoplasmic piece of shit like you." Growled
Cauldron, taking the bait.
Endymion nodded, and unsheathing his sword, approached Cauldron,
ready to destroy him. Without a warning, both warriors collided, soon
becoming just a blur, their attacks vicious and merciless. Endymion
attacked with all his might, Cauldron doing the same. Endymion,
however, was surprised. Supposedly, his new sword had the ability to
cut through all known materials, but so far, Cauldron was successful
stopping every attack he launched at the cyborg without any
significant damage.
Yohann was barely awake, catching glimpses of the fight. He muttered
something, and closed his eyes again. Because of him being closer to
Yohann, the Guardian was the only one that heard him. Nodding, he
yelled at Endymion. "Focus, Endymion! Be one with your sword!"
Part of Endymion's mind registered the advice, and filed it in his
subconscious. And without stopping his attacks, concentrated on his
sword, thinking of it like if it was one of his magic roses. That's
when it happened.
Suddenly, his sword began to glow golden, and with another strike, he
sent Cauldron's cybernetic arm flying away. The stump began to spurt
blood and other fluids, at the same time that sparks went flying away.
"YEEAAARRGGHH!!! You'll pay with your life for this insolence, human!"
screamed Cauldron. Jumping away from Endymion, he focussed his
cybernetic eye at the prince, and shot a ruby laser at him. Endymion
moved his sword in front of him by reflex, and the shot bounced on
his sword. Cauldron shot another 3 times, always with the same
results.
Endymion saw the chance he was waiting for, and with a leap, he aimed
his sword at Cauldron's chest. His aim was true.
Cauldron gasped when he felt his heart pierced mercilessly by
Endymion's sword, his mind feeling with a report of the extensive
damage received. Eyeing Endymion, he said, spurting blood. "You...
how... could you do... that? My body... reinforced..."
"You'll get your answers in Hell, Cauldron." Hissed Endymion. He then
extracted his sword from Cauldron's chest, and waiving it again... he
decapitated the cyborg.
Before his head was cut off, Cauldron had just enough time to scream:
"MERLYYYYYYNN!!" before everything ended for him.
Without him controlling them, the altered hostages went unconscious,
at last free from Cauldron's control. Everybody cheered at that,
until they heard an almost animalistic scream.
"CAULDRON! You killed him! You killed my new friend!" Everybody
turned in the direction of the voice, and saw MerLynn looking at them,
his eyes filled with hate and anger. "He was the only one that
understood me... and now he's dead! I'll avenge him! You all will die
here!" MerLynn then began to aim Heresy at the Team, and began to
shoot burst after burst of black flames at them. Everybody jumped
away from his attacks.
"STOP!" screamed Nimue. "Your fight is with me, not with them. Face
me!"
MerLynn stopped his attacks, and faced Nimue. "As you wish... bitch!
YAAAAHH!!" With that, the battle among two ancient enemies began anew.
Meanwhile, Sailor Pluto was trying to figure out a way from saving
Sailor Chibi-Moon from the machine, not finding any. She began to
grew desperate, not knowing what else to do. She figured out that, if
she tried to destroy the machine, the little girl might be killed,
but if she didn't do anything soon, Chibi-Moon would die in a matter
of minutes, her life-force drained from her young body.
The battle continued for another 3 minutes, becoming fiercer by each
passing second. Sparks of white and dark flew away from the swords
each time they collided. MerLynn attacked with almost inhuman fury,
while Nimue deflected his attempts with grace and elegance. All
presents watched awed at that, but no one dared to interrupt the
fight.
Suddenly, the fight stopped, both fighters jumping away from each
other. MerLynn looked exhausted, while Nimue looked as if she had
just arrived. "You've gone too far this time, MerLynn. Taking
advantage of an innocent girl, and using her for your insane quest."
"Innocent?" began MerLynn. "No one is innocent! You should know that
better than anyone, Nimue! Everybody is guilty! There's nobody pure
and innocent in this wretched planet! You and I, the worst of them
all!" He punctuated that with a snarl.
"I know..." muttered Nimue, lowering her gaze at the sword she was
holding. "That's why making the right thing now is so difficult for
me." She then raised her sword above her head, and said. "I'm sorry...
old friend. JUSTICE BEAM!"
Her sword began to glow, a silvery light that became stronger by the
second. Suddenly, all the light concentrated at the tip, and a beam
raced towards MerLynn. He raised Heresy in an attempt to block the
attack, but it was useless. The beam broke in two, surrounding Heresy,
and stroke MerLynn. He screamed when the light hit him.
A moment later, the light subdued, and MerLynn collapsed, breathing
shallowly. "As you see..." coughed MerLynn. "I've grown stronger...
Very well, you win this battle... but the war is far from finished!"
Feebly, he stood up, and walked towards the T/S device, and yelling
incoherently, he stroke it, cutting most of the components. The machine
began to hum violently, and a wave of semi-transparent energy was
seen emerging from the damaged device.
"In the end... I win, Nimue." Said MerLynn. "In a matter of seconds,
the T/S distortion device will overload, sending you, me, and all
presents into oblivion! Victory is mine!" he then began to laugh
maniacally, still holding Heresy in his hands.
"NO! CHIBI-MOON!" Screamed Sailor Moon, and ran to the girl's side,
followed by Sailors Uranus, Neptune, Jendra and Jupiter. The rest
were tending to their unconscious relatives.
Nimue approached them as well, the Guardian following her and keeping
an eye on her. She looked at the device, then at the black energy
cocoon surrounding the little girl. "This isn't good. All the
security features of the device are destroyed, and there's no way to
stop it. And this cocoon is too strong for me to break it. I need
help."
"We'll do anything we can!" said Sailor Neptune. "What do you want us
to do?"
"None of you will be able to do a thing." Said Nimue, everybody
looking at her, anguish reflecting in all. "however... there's
someone among you that can help me with it... her." She then looked
at Sailor Pluto, who nodded at her.
Sailor Pluto then closed her eyes, and began to glow golden. In a
moment, she had transformed into the Senshi of Pluto! Her uniform
transformed, the colors being indigo and purple. Her Techno-armor
became violet, and what looked like the design of twin sand
hourglasses appeared on her shoulders. And on her right tigh appeared
the golden Kanji JIKAN NO SENSHI, soldier of time. The Time Key
morphed as well, transforming into her new weapon. It became a garnet
battle staff, with the Garnet Orb mounted on top of it... the powerful
Eternity.
"But... but... how?" muttered Sailor Moon, her eyes almost the size
of saucers!
"Because of all the time I stayed in the Time Gate, I had more than
enough time for myself, and to ponder the real essence of my soul."
Answered Sailor Pluto, smiling at Sailor Moon. She then addressed
Nimue. "I'm ready."
Nimue nodded as well, and aiming her sword at the black cocoon, she
concentrated. Sailor Pluto aimed Eternity as well, and closed her
eyes. From both weapons, a steady stream of light collided with the
black cocoon, making it weaver. The dark cover was almost gone when a
sudden burst of energy emerged from the damaged machine, sending
everyone tumbling back. The cocoon began to regenerate.
"It's no use..." said Nimue. "The machine is absorbing our energy as
well, and with that damage, it will release it back at us. We can't
do anything..." and sobbing in her hands, she added. "I'm sorry! I
failed again!"
"Wait! Look!" said Sailor Jendra, pointing at the machine. Everybody
looked, horrified, when Sailor Chibi-Moon opened her eyes, and feebly,
reached her Moon locket, opening it. The future version of the
Ginzuishou appeared in front of her, and closing her eyes, the
crystal began to glow.
"NO! CHIBI-MOON! DON'T DO IT!" Screamed Sailor Moon, and tried to
approach her future daughter. Another wave of energy prevented her to
touch the doomed machine.
Everybody looked at the little girl's brave attempt, incapable to do
a thing. Sailor Chibi-Moon opened her eyes, and her lips moved
silently, forming the words "I love you all." In that instant, the
cocoon exploded, everybody screaming.
The first one to regain his vision was the Guardian. The first thing
he noticed was that MerLynn was nowhere to be seen. The second
thing...
"What's that?" he asked, puzzled. In front of the T/S device, was a
silver cocoon. All the girls, along with Endymion and Emerald Knight,
approached it cautiously. Sailor Mercury activated her computer and
began to scan it.
"It's... it's her! She's inside of it!" she said, her voice cracking
a little. "She's alive!"
"She's alive?" said Sailor Moon, tears escaping from her blue eyes.
"My little girl is still alive??"
"Yes... somehow, the energy from her Ginzuishou protected her, and
encased her inside that new cocoon." Continued Sailor Mercury. She
then focussed her Visor towards the machine, and gasped. "We have to
get out of here! The machine is about to explode!"
"We'll never make it on time!" said Sailor Venus. "And there's too
many people here to attempt the Sailor Teleport!"
"We'll make it." Said Nimue. She then began to issue orders.
"Everybody, get together and form a circle! Put the rest of the
injured in the center, and prepare your powers for teleport!" Once
everybody was ready, she raised her sword, and began to mutter
something. Her sword began to glow again, and the power began to
interact with the girls' own Sailor Teleport.
A column of white light formed, and in a flash, the cavern was empty.
In that precise second, the T/S distortion device finally overloaded,
and a wave of energy began to fill the whole underground cavern
network...
* * * *
In the middle of Stonehenge, a white pillar of light appeared, and
when it disappeared, a weary group of girls, boys, and cyborgs were
found sprawled in the dirt.
"Oooh, my head." Muttered Sailor Venus. "I hope we never have to do
that again!"
"Dibs on that one." Said Sailor Jupiter, standing up. She then opened
her eyes. "Hey, we're out! We made it!"
"But what happened with the machine? And MerLynn?" asked Sailor
Jendra.
"And Chibi-Moon? Where is she?" asked Sailor Moon. She began to turn
around franticly, and sighed alleviated when she saw the silver
cocoon.
Sailor Mercury activated once more her Visor, and scanned the floor.
Her eyes widened when she saw the results. "It's gone!"
"The machine is gone? But we already knew that it was about to
explode." Said Emerald Knight.
"No, not the machine. The whole cavern network! It's gone! There's
nothing but rock in there!" said Sailor Mercury.
"You mean, it caved in?" asked Sailor Uranus.
"No! I mean that... oooh!" finished Sailor Mercury, not finding the
correct words to express her findings.
"What she means," helped Sailor Pluto, "is that the Time flow in there
was altered. It is as if the whole place never existed."
"Well, that's one problem solved. Now, we have to figure out how to
take the rest with us back home." Said Sailor Uranus. "We lost the
stretchers back there. And all that people is heavy."
"How's everybody, Mercury?" asked Sailor Moon, worry showing on her
face.
Sailor Mercury scanned the victims with her Visor, sighing alleviated
after finishing. "They're stable for now. The implants can be removed
by the base's medical facilities, but..." Her face darkened. "For the
organs he removed from them... There's nothing we can do about it."
"Then... they'll have to remain as half-machines for the rest of their
lives??" asked a disheveled Sailor Mars. "NO! I can't accept it!
There has to be a way! They can't end up like that! They're innocent
victims! They don't deserve that fate!" Unable to cope more with her
emotions, she did something anyone rarely saw her do: She embraced
the prone form of Yuuichiro, and cried over him.
Sailor Saturn was kneeling next to Yohann, cradling his head on her
lap. "Why did you do it? You didn't have to do it, you know? I could
have dodge that shot. Now look at you..." She then kissed him
tenderly on the lips, and added. "I love you, you fool. Don't you
dare to leave me alone!"
"He won't." Saturn turned around slightly, half surprised by the
voice. She saw the Guardian standing next to her. "Now, please stand
aside. I'll handle him." When Sailor Saturn moved over, he then aimed
his crimson ray at Yohann and bathed him with it. "I wish I could do
the same for the others," he said, sadness filling his voice.
"There's nothing you can do?" asked Sailor Venus, anxious. "I thought
that your ray could regenerate tissue! Can't you use it to...?" she
couldn't finish her phrase, her voice cracking in that moment.
"I'm afraid not." Said the Guardian, not daring to look at the rest.
"My unit can only regenerate damaged tissue and recharge low
bio-energy levels, not re-grow removed organs. I'm sorry."
"I... see." Murmured Sailor Moon. She couldn't stand the sight of her
parents in that state, and the thought of them having to live as
cyborgs for the rest of their lives was becoming too much for her.
Endymion was trying his best to offer support for his love, but he
too was becoming agitated by the same thought.
"I... I'll call the ship." Said Sailor Mercury, opening her computer.
"We have to evacuate the area before someone comes over here."
"Good idea, my dear Mercury! Allow me to help you with that!" roared
a voice above them. Everybody turned around, not really surprised of
hearing that voice... again.
The Darkstarr decloaked, its gun ports open. "You are tougher than I
imagined. I'm glad to see that my favorite enemies survived the
destruction." Said Cauldron over the speakers. "What I can't believe
is that, when you were inside my ship, you didn't do a thing to track
me in the memory banks! That's really sloppy, even for you."
"What do you mean by that, Cauldron?" asked Sailor Jendra.
"Come on, kid! Remember that my REAL form is as an Artificial
Intelligence Program!" answered Cauldron. "Do you truly believe that
those bodies that you destroy are my true form? As long as I'm safe
in this magnificent ship, you'll never be able to defeat me!"
"He's right." Said Sailor Mercury, scanning the ship with her Visor
and computer. "We're accustomed to fight PHYSICAL enemies, and that's
what he has been taking advantage of. We've only been defeating
images of him, not his true self!"
"Brilliant as always, Mercury. That's why I want you by my side."
Said Cauldron. "A mind like yours is so hard to find!"
"Why doesn't he finish us already?" muttered Emerald Knight. "He has
us right where he wants us."
"Because, my dear greenie! I have a proposition for you all."
Answered Cauldron.
"Whatever it is, we're not interested, Cauldron. And that's final!"
retorted Sailor Moon, her sentiment echoed by the rest.
"Are you sure, Moon?" continued Cauldron. "And what if this
proposition was... restoring your parent to full health?" Everybody
gasped unconsciously at the offer. "Aaaah... so you're slightly
interested, eh? Just keep in mind this: I did that, and I can undo
it."
"You want something else, Cauldron. Say it!" demanded Endymion.
"You know me too well, Endy! That's right... there's something else.
There's one condition to meet before I heal those unfortunate souls."
Continued Cauldron, sarcasm dripping from the last sentence. "All of
you have to surrender to me."
"Not in your rotten existence, Cauldron! We'll never do it!" said
Sailor Jupiter, taking a fighting position.
"Are you sure of it, Jupiter? Do you really want to see your friends'
parents being shunned from society? To see your friends suffer
because of that? Come on! I can't believe you really want that!"
gloated Cauldron.
"Wait, Cauldron." Said Sailor Mercury. Everybody turned to see her,
slightly confused. "Do you really want all of us?"
"Mercury..." murmured Sailor Venus, shocked.
"Aaaah... what do you have in mind, dear?" asked Cauldron.
"You..." Sailor Mercury gulped, lowering her gaze. "You can have
me... if you heal our parents, and leave my friends alone."
"Mercury, don't! You don't know what you're saying!" said Sailor
Pluto, surprised. "Do you realize what this will do to the Timeline?
You're condemning the very existence of Crystal Tokyo with that
decision!"
"Mercury... don't do it." Said Yohann, sitting up in that instant.
His wounds were already healed, and his armor was regenerating thanks
to the Guardian's ray. "He's not going to keep his word."
"Quiet, MeRMAid!" said Cauldron. "She made her choice... and there's
nothing you can do about it!" He then addressed Sailor Mercury. "Very
well, my dear. I accept your generous offer. I'll heal all of your
parents, and leave your friends alone. I give you my word of honor."
"Mercury, don't do it, please!" said Sailor Venus, grabbing Mercury's
arm. Tears were on the verge of escaping her eyes. "You can't leave
us! You... can't leave me!"
"I have to." Said Sailor Mercury, her voice almost cracking. "That's
the only way for all of you to get out of here... and to heal our
families." She then embraced Venus. "I'm sorry, but it's something I
have to do." Reluctantly, she let Sailor Venus go, and addressing the
Darkstarr, she said. "I'm ready, Cauldron."
"Wait, Mercury!" Sailor Mercury almost jumped when she heard Alex's
voice coming from her computer. "Sorry I couldn't talk with you
earlier. But I heard all your conversations. If you're going there...
I'm going with you!"
"Alex..." murmured Sailor Mercury.
"Don't say a thing." Interrupted Alex. "Do you really think I was
going to let my favorite friend face alone that maniac? Not in your
life!" She then addressed the rest. "Don't worry, everyone. I'll take
good care of her."
"How touching... and convenient, too!" said Cauldron. "Two for the
price of one. I like that kind of offers! Very well... I'm letting
you two in. And for the rest of you... don't try a thing! I won't
hesitate to destroy you all if you interfere."
The rest of the Team clenched their fists, feeling impotent and
helpless against Cauldron and his armed ship. They could only see the
Darkstarr beginning to land, its weapons still aiming at them.
When the Darkstarr's landing struts were about to touch the ground,
three things happened simultaneously:
1) A silver portal opened behind the Darkstarr, and the Infinity
emerged from it, its guns blazing.
2) The Guardian moved with his customary speed, and grabbed Sailor
Mercury, taking her away from the Darkstarr.
3) The Leviathan appeared from one side, its own guns aiming at
Cauldron's ship and firing.
"YOU TRAITORS!" roared Cauldron. "NOW YOU ALL WILL DIE!" The Darkstarr
activated its shields again, and began to fire at everybody at random.
The Team grabbed the unconscious forms of their relatives, and
scattered just in time. Meanwhile, the Infinity gave the Leviathan
some cover fire while Yohann's ship landed next to Stonehenge, its
cargo doors opening.
"Everybody, get inside, quick!" yelled Yohann. Everyone made haste,
and entered the ship. A moment later, the eight unconscious forms of
the rescued hostages were secured on the control room's seats.
Sailors Jendra, Saturn and Mercury took their posts, while Yohann
took the main controls. "Hang on, everyone! We're moving!" The
Leviathan lifted off, barely avoiding another barrage from the
Darkstarr.
"Yohann, I scanned Cauldron's ship." Reported Sailor Mercury. "Its
shields are stronger this time. I don't think anything we can throw
at it will seriously damage the structure."
"Thank you, Mercury. That's something I didn't want to learn, but
it's useful anyway." Said Yohann. "Jendra, open a comm channel and
hail the Infinity."
"Roger." Said Sailor Jendra. She then punched a couple of buttons on
her console. "Channel open."
"Thanks, Jendra." Said Yohann. He then raised his voice. "Leviathan
to Infinity. Come in, Infinity. Over."
"*Infinity here. Is everybody safe?*" was the answer.
"Affirmative, Infinity. Thanks for the cover. But we still need your
assistance here." Continued Yohann. "It seems that this time, our
enemy reinforced its shields. We'll have to hit it with everything."
"*Roger, Leviathan. Let's use attack formation Delta. That will give
us enough room to get some good hits on that thing.*"
"Roger, Infinity. Let's take this fight to the British Channel. We
have to minimize the interference from the local militia."
"*Understood, Leviathan. See you there. Over and out.*" On the main
screen, all saw the Infinity accelerating, heading towards the
British Channel.
"Saturn, follow the Infinity, but make sure that we don't lose
Cauldron!" said Yohann.
"I don't think he plans to let us go that easily, Yohann." answered
Sailor Saturn. And that was right. On the tactical screen, they all
could see the Darkstarr pursuing them, its guns trying to lock on the
Leviathan.
"Perfect." Murmured Yohann. "Keep it that way, dear."
"Your wish is my command, love." Answered Sailor Saturn, smiling at
him.
The pursuit continued for a minute, all the while the Leviathan
outmaneuvered the Darkstarr. When they reached the British Channel,
Yohann took control and steered the Leviathan towards the sea, almost
touching the surface. The Darkstarr followed suit. "Any minute now..."
muttered Yohann.
As soon as he said that, the Infinity appeared from behind a cliff,
and zeroed on the Darkstarr, its guns firing at the rear of the enemy
ship.
"NOW!" yelled Yohann, at the same time he pulled the control stick
hard and hit a button on the console. The Leviathan lurched suddenly
up, decelerating at the same time. The Darkstarr zoomed next to the
Leviathan, with the Infinity in hot pursuit. As soon as both ships
were ahead, Yohann accelerated, following them.
"Mercury, Saturn! Arm all weapons, and fire!" ordered Yohann.
Without answering, the girls did what he said. All weapons on the
Leviathan locked on the Darkstarr, and began pounding at it. The sky
was lit with the release of the weaponry of the three ships.
However...
"Cauldron's shields are debilitating, but not fast enough." Reported
Mercury. "At this rate, we'll lose all our power before we can defeat
him."
"Damn." Said Yohann to himself. "We need an extra punch here... but
what?"
"I have an idea, Yohann." Said Sailor Moon in that moment."
"Anything is welcome now, Sailor Moon. Go ahead, I'm listening." Said
Yohann.
"Put us in front of Cauldron's ship, and open the cargo doors. We'll
handle the rest." Said Sailor Moon. Yohann looked at her, puzzled.
"Trust us! We know what we're doing!"
"All right. I'll do it, Sailor Moon. And I hope you're right." Said
Yohann. "Guardian, go with them. And make sure they don't do anything
foolish, ok?"
"Yes, Sir." Said the Guardian.
"Good luck, everyone." Added Yohann. "And take care."
"Don't worry for us. Remember... we already have experience handling
the impossible!" said Sailor Neptune, nodding at him before going
with the rest to the back of the ship.
Everybody gathered a few feet away from the open cargo doors, the
wind howling almost deafening. They could see the near misses of the
Darkstarr zooming by, mortal reminders of the danger they were facing.
"All right, Sailor Moon!" yelled Sailor Mars above the wind howling.
"What's your plan?"
"The plan is to launch our attacks at that ship!" yelled back Sailor
Moon.
"Are you crazy!?!?" Yelled Sailor Uranus "We won't even make a dent
on that thing!"
"As Yohann said, anything is welcome now, I'm listening!" yelled
Sailor Moon.
"No, she's right!" yelled Sailor Mercury. "With our attacks, we'll
weaken its shields enough for the weapons to finish it off! But we'll
have to be very precise, otherwise he could gun us down! Besides, we
still have our ultimate attacks! They're powerful enough to make the
difference!"
"Understood! I'll go first!" Yelled Sailor Neptune. She began to
concentrate and aimed straight at the Darkstarr. When she felt the
moment was right, she yelled "DEEP WATER TSUNAMI CRUSHER!!" But...
"What the...??" said Sailor Neptune, puzzled. "It's not working!!"
""No way! Let me try!" yelled Sailor Saturn. "SERAPHIM WINGS OF
WRATH!" she yelled. Again, the same results... nothing. "That's
impossible!"
"In that case, it seems that..." muttered Sailor Uranus, at the same
time she unsheathed Heaven's Wrath. She then began to wave the Katana
over her head in circles, at the same time she began to gather energy
on the tip. Sailor Uranus then began to close the circles, and
suddenly, she aimed her Katana towards the Darkstarr, and yelled
"HEAVENS BLADE ERRADICATOR!!"
A white sphere of concentrated power raced from the tip of Heaven's
Wrath towards Cauldron's ship, growing at the same time. By the time
it impacted on the shields of the dark ship, it was 12 feet wide, and
the ensuing explosion was tremendous. The Darkstarr shuddered under
the impact, but it still continued firing at the Leviathan.
"Good shot, Uranus!" Yelled Sailor Mercury. "His shields are down
24.7 %!! But we still need something else!"
"My turn now!" said Sailor Venus. She then began to concentrate too,
and when she felt ready, she yelled. "DEADLY WINDS OF BANE!!" A
sudden gush of wind formed behind her, at the same time a pinkish
cloud began to drift towards the Darkstarr, guided by the wind. When
it impacted the shields, the cloud just crossed them like they
weren't there! Upon contact with the hull, the cloud began to sizzle
and dissolve the structure, exposing the inner hull, and dissolving
it at some points.
"ALL RIGHT!!" screamed Sailor Venus. "I bet he felt that one!"
"Not yet!" said Sailor Mercury. "Your attack didn't damage the
shields! One more hit will be all we need!"
"Pluto! It's your turn now!" Yelled Sailor Moon. "You still have your
ultimate attack!"
"It won't work now, Sailor Moon!" answered the Senshi of Time. "It
won't do any good against those shields!"
Sailor Moon looked at Pluto, disheveled, however she knew that Pluto
was right somehow. Suddenly, a new set of words began to form in her
mind, indicating a new attack for her. Not her ultimate one, but
powerful nevertheless. She then turned around, closed her eyes, and
placed her hands in front of her chest, as if she was praying. A few
seconds later, she opened her eyes, and yelled "MOON SOUL ECLIPSE!!"
As soon as she finished her summoning, it seemed that the whole world
stopped right where it was. Not a sound was heard... and the light
around them began to dim. All presents looked at her awed, not daring
to say a word. When the darkness was almost complete, a small speck
of the purest white light began to form right in front of Sailor
Moon, and began to drift slowly towards Cauldron's ship. After what
seemed like an eternity, the spark of light gently touched the
shields...
...and a blinding, spectacular explosion rocked all ships present,
illuminating the sky with its pure light. Another eternity elapsed,
and the world resumed its normal course.
When the Team began to regain their bearings, they noticed that
Sailor Moon was still standing, her eyes focussed on the Darkstarr.
Her expression was solemn, serene... except for one tear running down
her cheek.
"Sailor Moon, are you all right?" asked Endymion, standing next to
her. Gently, he wiped away the tear off Sailor Moon's face.
Sailor Moon blinked once... twice. And her face regained her normal
expression. "Yes... yes, I'm ok. Just a little... confused, that's
all. What happened?"
"That's what I want to know!" said Sailor Mars. "That was quite an
attack! How did you do it?"
"I have no idea, Mars. But it felt good!" answered Sailor Moon,
smiling.
"And it did the trick!" began to say Sailor Mercury. "Cauldron's
shields are down to 47 %! Now we have a chance!"
"Way to go, sis!" yelled Emerald Knight. "Let's go back to the
bridge, and blast that sucker off the sky!"
Everybody nodded in agreement, and hurried to return to the control
room.
"Good shooting, everyone!" said Yohann as soon as the rest returned.
"I was monitoring your battle and boy, what a battle!"
"Yeah! You outdid yourselves this time, girls!" said Alex. "I never
thought that Sailor Moon's plan could work, and I'm glad that I stand
corrected!"
"Thanks, Alex!... I think." Said Sailor Moon.
"Enough chat, gang! Let's send Cauldron back to the pits of Hell
where he belong!" said Sailor Mars.
"Good idea, Mars! Mercury, are you with me?" asked Sailor Saturn.
When Sailor Mercury nodded in agreement, she took her seat in front
of the weapons controls, and aimed them towards the Darkstarr. "All
right Mercury, give me all you have!"
"All systems ready." Began Sailor Mercury. "All weapons charged and
locked on target. Reactor at full capacity. Hit it, Saturn!"
Sailor Saturn opened fire against the Darkstarr, all her shots
impacting. The Infinity joined the fray again, firing at the same
time. A moment later, the Darkstarr's shields collapsed, and all the
shots began to impact on the damaged hull.
"Don't think you have seen the last of us!" transmitted Cauldron.
"We'll be back!"
"'we'? What does he mean with 'we'?" wondered Sailor Jendra. She and
the rest got their answer when another voiced was heard... a voice
they thought never would be heard by them.
"Yes, we'll be back! And next time, you won't be so lucky!" said
MerLynn.
On the screen, they saw the Darkstarr accelerate, and head towards
the upper atmosphere, soon disappearing from the radar.
"he's still alive...." Muttered Nimue.
"But how did he survive? I thought he was destroyed." Wondered
Emerald Knight.
"That doesn't matter anymore. The point is... that he's alive, and
allied with Cauldron. Our next battles won't be as easy." Said Alex.
"And you call this easy??" said Sailor Mars. "Look at them! How can
you say that!?!?!" she then pointed to the prone forms of the
unconscious cyborgs. "And if I recall right, you said you can't do a
thing for them!" Her rage was interrupted by an incoming message.
"*Infinity to Leviathan. Come in Leviathan. What's your status?*"
"Leviathan here." Answered Yohann. "Ship operational, and crew in
good health." He paused for a moment, and added. "However, we have a
situation."
""*Indicate the nature of your current situation, Leviathan.*"
"Alex, transmit the data we have concerning the hostages." Said
Yohann.
"Right away, sweetbuns!" said Alex, and began her task.
"What do you have in mind, Yohann?" wondered Sailor Saturn, a hint of
hope noticeable in her voice.
"Just a hunch, dear. And if I'm right... we may be able to help
them." Was Yohann's answer. A moment later, the Infinity responded.
"*Data received, Leviathan. I'll see what I can do. And you're right,
with your current medical equipment, you won't be able to help these
people. Don't worry everyone, they'll be ok.*"
Yohann sighed, comforted by the thought that they weren't completely
alone. "Thank you, Infinity. We'll be waiting for your help."
"*Roger, Leviathan. Help is on its way. Infinity out.*" With that,
the Infinity entered a silver portal, and vanished from their
universe.
"How did you know that that person was going to help us, Yohann?"
asked Sailor Venus, puzzled.
"Remember when he covered us back in Stonehenge? He mentioned
something about 'attack formation Delta.'"
"Yeah, so?" asked Sailor Venus again.
"That kind of attack formation is used by my own organization."
Answered Yohann.
"That's right! And that only means..." began Alex."
"... that our mysterious bodyguard comes from our homeworld, Alex."
Finished Yohann. "Ergo, that also means that he... or she, for what
we know, has access to our medical facilities. And can get help for
your parents, girls!"
"Are you sure about that?" asked Sailor Saturn, looking at Yohann
with a glint of hope in her eyes.
"Not completely, love. But think about this: The ship that person
uses has to be an experimental type, just like this one. That
explains why Alex couldn't identify it in the first place. And has to
be high up in the ranks, otherwise he/she wouldn't be able to obtain
it. And if that person has a high rank..."
"... then that person can obtain highly qualified medical assistance!"
finished Sailor Mercury.
"That also solves part of the mystery surrounding the identity of the
Infinity's pilot. But that also opens a whole new set of questions."
Wondered Sailor Pluto. "The most important ones are: Why is that
person helping us? And... How does he or she knows when to help?"
"Good questions, Pluto. Unfortunately, we won't get our answers soon.
We have more pressing matters at hand right now." Said Yohann.
"Namely, wait for medical help. Also..." He then stood up, and walked
towards Nimue. "There's the matter of our new friend's identity.
Excuse me, it seems that we haven't been properly introduced. My name
is Yohann Starr, Lieutenant of..."
"... the MRMA, I'm aware of that. Pleased to meet you, Lieutenant."
Interrupted Nimue. "Sorry for the interruption, but I couldn't help
it."
"Don't worry. It's only logical to assume that you're also part of
the Agency." Said Yohann. "And, your name is...?"
"My name is Sonya Nimue. Battle division of New Avalon. I attained my
rank of Lieutenant before... that phenomena stroke and sent us here."
"Pleased to meet you, Lieutenant Nimue. Glad to see that you're on
our side as well." Said Yohann. He then looked at her sword. "That's
quite a weapon."
"yes, it is." Said Sonya. "I'm pretty proud of Excalibur."
"Say that again!?!?!" said Endymion, standing up. "Did you say...
Excalibur?? Like King Arthur's legendary sword?"
"That's right. This is that sword." Said Sonya, smiling faintly.
Everybody felt silent after that revelation. Finally, Yohann spoke.
"It seems that we have a lot to learn from each other, Lieutenant
Nimue. And it will be better if we finish this conversation back at
our base."
"I'll say..." muttered Sailor Mercury.
"Saturn, let's head back home." Said Yohann. "We have a lot to
talk... and some help to wait for."
And with that, the Leviathan began its journey back to Gaia, with
another ally... and a whole lot of questions in everybody's minds.
TO BE CONTINUED...
Chapter 14: The New Avalon Mission: Surprise, Surprise...
The Team entered the chamber, steeling themselves for what they might
find inside. The first thing they noticed as soon as they entered,
were the smoking remains of the doomed hover-tanks. They didn't pay
attention to the burned debris. Instead, they focussed their gazes on
the figure that was standing in front of the T/S distortion device.
"About time, kids." Said Cauldron, smiling wickedly at them. "I was
starting to think that you didn't want to rescue your relatives."
"Cut the chit-chat, Cauldron." Hissed Sailor Jendra. "Where are they?"
"What?" asked Cauldron, feigning being surprised. "What is this? No
mumbo-jumbo? No 'in the name of the moon,' yadda, yadda, yadda? No
funny dances while talking?"
"Who has time for that?" Growled Sailor Moon. "Now... TALK!!"
"I never imagined you had such a short fuse, Moon. I'm impressed."
Began Cauldron. "Ok... You all came here because you wanted to recover
your poor, defenseless parents, right?" The only response he got was
their furious looks. Unperturbed, he continued. "And obviously, to
stop me from getting this lovely piece of equipment." He then pointed
towards the device.
"Get to the point, Cauldron... or else..." said Endymion. And to prove
his point, he unsheathed his sword, pointing it towards Cauldron.
"You two are such a perfect couple... that you make me sick!" said
Cauldron. "Very well... to the point. The deal is as follows: Defeat
my new minions, and you'll have your families back. Defeat me, and
you'll have the device. What do you say? I can't be fairer." Again,
only silence greeted his tirade. "You are no fun... therefore... you
all have to die!" He then snapped his fingers, and from behind the
device, eight shadows emerged and walked next to him.
When the team saw them, their reactions were just what Cauldron
expected.
"No... no..." said Sailor Moon, leaning against Endymion, who observed
shocked at Cauldron's new minions. Sailor Chibi-Moon embraced Sailor
Moon, staring horrified at them as well.
Sailors Mercury and Venus embraced each other, tears flowing down
their faces. Not a word came out of their mouths.
Emerald Knight felt down on his knees, sobbing. Sailor Jendra kneeled
next to him, her empathic senses overwhelmed by his grief.
Sailor Saturn was sobbing uncontrollably. Yohann embraced her in a
protective manner, his face a study of hate...
Sailor Mars' face contorted, like it didn't know how to manifest the
incredible fury she felt at Cauldron in that instant.
"I see you approve these new models." Mocked Cauldron.
"You... you... MONSTER!" screamed Sailor Moon, her sigil shining like
a miniature sun.
"I'll destroy you with my bare hands, you... abomination!" added
Endymion.
"I'll see to that... this time, you're dying for good, Cauldron!" said
Yohann.
"I'll personally see that your damned functions are erased forever,
you sadistic piece of software!" finished Alex.
"Tsk, tsk, tsk... don't make promises you can't fulfill, kids."
Taunted Cauldron. "And remember... if you defeat them, you can have
your families. Fair is fair, don't you think? Have fun!" and with
that, he left them with his eight new soldiers, laughing all the way
out.
The Team then faced their worst nightmare. In order to win, they had
to defeat... the very people they had come to rescue!!
Cauldron had operated all of them, in such ways that they hardly
believed that these eight warriors were once their loved parents. The
deranged cyborg had removed their left arms, replacing them with
three-fingered claws. All of them had cybernetic right eyes, and
their bodies were covered with some sort of black organic-looking
suits. Their skin was ghostly white, and their faces were
expressionless.
"Grandpa... Yuuichiro..." said Sailor Mars, at the same time she
began to approach them.
"Mars... stop!" screamed Alex all of a sudden. "They'll attack you!
Don't move an inch!"
Her warning came too late.
Moving faster than anyone anticipated, the cyborg warriors attacked
them. Yuuichiro and Grandpa moved towards Mars, Yuuichiro's mechanical
arm protruding a needle-looking spear and aiming it right towards
Mars' heart! She barely dodged the attack by jumping to the left, but
Yuuichiro continued his attack.
Ikuko began to attack Sailors Moon and Chibi-Moon, while Kenji began
to attack Endymion and Emerald Knight. The Elder Hino produced what
looked like modified ofudas, and launched them towards the girls,
nailing Sailor Jendra with one, paralyzing her. Meanwhile, the Ainos
focussed their attacks on Sailor Venus and Yohann. Akane aimed her
left arm towards Sailor Mercury, and shoot a series of scalpels at
her! And Ulysses... he began to attack his own daughter!
"Hand to hand, everyone!" Screamed Yohann all the while he avoided
another swipe at his throat. "Don't hurt them! Don't use your powers!"
he avoided another swipe. "Alex, try to jam their cybernetic
implants! We have to stop them somehow!"
"I've been trying since we saw them, sweetie!" answered Alex. "But
they have some sort of ECM (Electronic Counter Measure) device on
them! I can't make contact!"
"Somebody do something!" screamed Sailor Chibi-Moon. Ikuko had her
cornered, at the same time she had Sailor Moon secured with her
cybernetic arm. She was trying to grab Sailor Chibi-Moon by the
throat, in a clear intent of choking her. Endymion heard her, but he
couldn't do a thing for the moment, since Kenji was focussed on
trying to kill him.
Emerald Knight was trying to free Sailor Jendra, but he found that
almost impossible, since Grandpa Hino was tossing a literal shower of
ofudas at him, attempting to paralyze him as well.
Sailor Mercury wasn't faring better. Her legs and arms were covered
with cuts, and still avoiding her own mother's attack.
Sailor Saturn was trying to reach her father, all the same she
avoided his attacks. "Dad, please! Don't do it! You have to come back
to me! Please, remember who you are!" Ulysses' attack seemed to
falter for a brief second. "Yes, dad! You can hear me! Fight it!"
said Sailor Saturn, lowering her guard for a moment... that proved to
be fatal.
Ulysses smacked her in the face with his flesh arm, dizzying her. She
shook her head in an attempt to clear her mind, and looked at her
father... just in time to see him charging in his hand a golden ball
of Technum!
Yohann saw that too, and his blood froze in his veins. "ROBIN!!" he
screamed, and jumping with all his strength over Mr. Aino's head, he
sprinted towards Sailor Saturn, shouting a command to one of his
spheres. "Alpha, AURA!" As soon as the green energy field surrounded
his body, he jumped in front of Ulysses, at the same time he released
his Technum attack against Sailor Saturn.
The clash of both energies was spectacular, to say the least.
Everybody stopped the fight and covered their eyes,. Yohann screamed,
his armor catching fire at certain points, while the Technum reacted
with his Aura and consumed it. Fortunately, the protection was strong
enough to defuse a big part of the attack, otherwise he would have
died there. When Yohann felt to the ground, part of his armor's chest,
back, legs and arms cracked and turned to dust, revealing the second
and third degree burns that laid under his armor.
"YOHANN!!" screamed Sailor Saturn as soon as her eyes caught the
scene. She ran to his side, and kneeling next to him, cradled his
head tenderly on her lap. "You fool! Why did you do it?" She didn't
mind the tears that began to drop on his face.
"Never... mind... me... Saturn." Muttered Yohann. "Just... save...
the rest... and... take... care..." He closed his eyes, and went limp
on Sailor Saturn's arms.
The cyborgs seized the opportunity and caught everybody, holding them
against the wall, at the same time they hold their arm-swords against
their throats. Emerald Knight and Sailor Jendra were paralyzed because
of the ofudas, and could only watch helplessly.
Mr. Aino was holding Sailor Chibi-Moon, Akane with Sailor Mercury,
Ikuko with Sailor Moon, Kenji with Endymion, Mrs. Aino with Sailor
Venus, Yuuichiro with Sailor Mars, Ulysses with Sailor Saturn.
Grandpa Hino was standing behind Sailor Jendra and Emerald Knight,
more ofudas at the ready.
"Bravo! Magnificent fight!" said Cauldron, emerging from behind the
T/S device, clapping all the time. "What a touching sacrifice, I must
add." He said, and approached Yohann's prone body, kicking him. He
didn't pay attention to Sailor Saturn's gasps. "Too bad. I wanted to
finish him myself. Oh, well! You may wonder why you're not dead,
right? That's because I still need you... let me rephrase that. My
new ally need you."
"New... ally?" asked Sailor Moon, he throat crushed mercilessly by
Ikuko. She couldn't help but let some tears escape her eyes.
"Oh, yes! Allow me to introduce you... would you come forward, my new
friend?" Cauldron then bowed, and the bearded man that he encountered
earlier walked next to him. "Ladies, gentlemen... this is my new
friend... MerLynn!"
"Merlin??" Asked Endymion, ignoring the searing pain he felt in his
throat. "But... he's a myth. A legend!"
"Oh, no, no, no Endymion!" said Cauldron. "Not Merlin... it's
M-E-R-L-Y-N-N. You see, he's the lone survivor of the original crash
of this place. Unfortunately..." he whispered the next statement.
"... all this time in stasis made his mind a little... unstable, if
you catch my drift."
While Cauldron was talking, MerLynn approached the Team, and began to
touch them with his withered hands. All the while me murmured "yes,
yes... excellent... they're magnificent!... they'll do nicely...
prime material..."
"Well, MerLynn?" asked Cauldron, "are they what you need?"
"Oh, yes, yes!" said MerLynn, nodding enthusiastically. "Their
energies are more than enough!"
"E... nergies?" muttered Sailor Mercury.
"Didn't I tell you? Oh, how could I forgot about that?" said Cauldron
in a mocking tone. "You see, because of all the time that has already
elapsed, the device has lost its power. So... in order to make it
operational again, it needs to be... recharged."
"Their life-forces will do nicely!" cackled MerLynn. He then took a
black sword from his robe, and began to point it towards the Team.
Sailor Moon's eyes grew impossibly wide, shocked. She recognized the
sword!
"Impossible!" she said. "It was destroyed when the Prime died! I left
it on his station! It should have been destroyed!"
"You know of this sword, child?" asked MerLynn, puzzled. "It just
appeared in my laboratory, before that treacherous witch imprisoned
me in that wretched capsule! Tell me, what do you know of it?" He
then pressed the sword against Sailor Moon's abdomen, making her
groan.
"Leave her alone, you old ghoul... urk!" Endymion's tirade was
interrupted when Kenji's grip increased. The rest were treated the
same when they attempted to defend their friend and leader.
"He... re... sy..." said Sailor Moon, fighting to stay conscious.
"Heresy? I like the name. It's so... appropriate." Commented Cauldron.
"Enough chit-chat, already. We're wasting time. MerLynn, who's our
first... donor?"
"Tough choice..." muttered MerLynn. "Three of them will do perfect
for the first stage. She..." he then pointed at Sailor Mars, "she..."
he then pointed at Sailor Moon, "and she." He finished, pointing at
Sailor Chibi-Moon. "Their life-force is incredibly high. Anyone will
do."
"Perfect!" gloated Cauldron. "In that case... why not start with the
freshest product?" And addressing Mr. Aino, he ordered. "Place that
one in the device."
The cyborg then took Sailor Chibi-Moon, and ignoring the Team's pleas
of not doing it, Mr. Aino tied up the struggling girl in the T/S
distortion device.
MerLynn aimed his sword towards the helpless child, and began to
mutter something. Heresy began to glow a dark light, and suddenly, a
dark energy beam engulfed Sailor Chibi-Moon, making her scream. The
T/S device began to hum, liquids began to course through the tubes,
and the crystals on it began to glow. MerLynn continued his onslaught,
and soon Sailor Chibi-Moon was encased in a dark energy cocoon, her
screams suddenly ceasing to be heard.
"What a lovely sight, don't you think?" Gloated Cauldron. He then
looked at everybody, and watching then staring at him with hate in
their eyes, he added. "Oh, don't be impatient. Your turn will soon
arrive."
"Don't... count... on it... Cauldron." Cauldron turned around, and
saw that Yohann was trying to stand up. "You'll... never... beat us."
"Want to bet, MeRMAid?" said Cauldron, and walking next to Yohann, he
placed a foot on his back, nailing him against the floor. "Look at
yourself! You're nothing but a pathetic corpse right now, and your
friends will soon be nothing more than withered cadavers, their
life-force powering my prize! And you DARE to defy me?" He then began
to grind his foot on Yohann's back, making him grunt in pain. "Accept
it, all of you lost! Lost against the greatest AI ever created!"
"Guess again." said a voice coming from the entrance. "WORLD SHAKING!"
The sudden attack of Sailor Uranus sent the cyborgs tumbling to one
side of the wall, releasing the captives. All of them dropped on
their knees, trying to regain their breaths.
"DEEP SUBMERGE!" Sailor Neptune's surprise attack hit Cauldron in the
chest, sending him against a far wall.
At the same time, Sailor Jupiter and the Guardian ran towards Sailor
Jendra and Emerald Knight, and ripped the ofudas from their foreheads,
releasing them. The Guardian then aimed his Blaster at MerLynn. "Cease
your activities... NOW!"
"No, not now!" murmured MerLynn. "Not when I'm so close to extract my
revenge!"
"You still want to destroy the world, don't you MerLynn?" MerLynn
gasped when he heard that voice, and stopped his attack, He then
turned around towards the origin of the voice, and growled when he
saw who said that.
Standing next to Sailor Pluto, was the same woman that the other
group had reawakened. She was holding her sword, pointing it towards
MerLynn with her right hand. "Why don't you forget that?" continued
the woman. "Things doesn't have to end like this. Let me help you,
please."
"Help me?" growled MerLynn. "Just like you helped me before,
imprisoning me inside that wretched stasis pod? No, thanks! I prefer
to destroy this world! It doesn't deserve to exist! Surrender now,
Nimue! You don't stand a chance against me now, not while I have this
sword with me!" He then aimed Heresy towards the woman. "You should
have stayed death all this years! Now, I'll make sure that you die!"
"So be it." Murmured Nimue. "Sailor Pluto, you go and rescue your
friend. I'll handle MerLynn." Pluto nodded, and hurried to free Sailor
Chibi-Moon.
"Not so fast, everyone." Said Cauldron, standing up and addressing
the newcomers. "You can't win. I made sure of it! Attack, my loyal
slaves! Don't let them get away!"
The cyborg warriors began to move again, beginning the battle all
anew.
"Oh, no... not again!" said Sailor Mars. "There has to be a way to
stop them without hurting them!"
"There... is." Muttered Yohann, still in the floor. "One weak...
point."
"What is it, sir?" asked the Guardian, standing next to him in an
attempt to protect him. "Where do we have to strike?"
"Cauldron..." muttered Yohann. "He... controls them. Get him."
"Stop, my little pets!" said Cauldron. His warriors stopped at once,
and returned to his side. "Really clever, MeRMAid. You finally
guessed the only weak point in my plan. Too bad it won't work!"
"We'll see about that, Cauldron." Muttered Endymion, his sword at the
ready. "Prepare yourself to be defeated once more!"
"Is that so?" said Cauldron, raising an eyebrow. And waiving his
hands towards everybody, he added. "Come on, hit me with your best
shots!"
"You asked for it... " Said Sailor Moon. "LUNAR SOUL BLAST!" Her
attack raced towards Cauldron, who was just... waiting. As soon as
her attack reached him, she gasped. "No way!"
Her attack just reached Cauldron, and in a perfect imitation of their
first encounter with the Guardian, the energy surrounded him, and was
absorbed by his cybernetic arm. "I think you dropped something, Moon.
Here, let me give it back!" He then waved his hand, and Sailor Moon's
attack was returned in her direction.
Sailor Moon stood transfixed, not believing what she just witnessed!
Because of the opportune intervention of Endymion, she was saved from
being destroyed by her own attack.
The Guardian noticed it, and cringed. "Incredible! He duplicated my
defense system!" And addressing the rest, he shouted. "Don't shoot
your powers at him! He'll just toss them back at you!"
"Shut up, you pathetic machine!" retorted Cauldron.
"I guess it's my turn now." Muttered Endymion. "Very well, Cauldron...
I'm your opponent now. Fight with me! Or... are you afraid of losing
before a simple human?"
"I'm not afraid of any protoplasmic piece of shit like you." Growled
Cauldron, taking the bait.
Endymion nodded, and unsheathing his sword, approached Cauldron,
ready to destroy him. Without a warning, both warriors collided, soon
becoming just a blur, their attacks vicious and merciless. Endymion
attacked with all his might, Cauldron doing the same. Endymion,
however, was surprised. Supposedly, his new sword had the ability to
cut through all known materials, but so far, Cauldron was successful
stopping every attack he launched at the cyborg without any
significant damage.
Yohann was barely awake, catching glimpses of the fight. He muttered
something, and closed his eyes again. Because of him being closer to
Yohann, the Guardian was the only one that heard him. Nodding, he
yelled at Endymion. "Focus, Endymion! Be one with your sword!"
Part of Endymion's mind registered the advice, and filed it in his
subconscious. And without stopping his attacks, concentrated on his
sword, thinking of it like if it was one of his magic roses. That's
when it happened.
Suddenly, his sword began to glow golden, and with another strike, he
sent Cauldron's cybernetic arm flying away. The stump began to spurt
blood and other fluids, at the same time that sparks went flying away.
"YEEAAARRGGHH!!! You'll pay with your life for this insolence, human!"
screamed Cauldron. Jumping away from Endymion, he focussed his
cybernetic eye at the prince, and shot a ruby laser at him. Endymion
moved his sword in front of him by reflex, and the shot bounced on
his sword. Cauldron shot another 3 times, always with the same
results.
Endymion saw the chance he was waiting for, and with a leap, he aimed
his sword at Cauldron's chest. His aim was true.
Cauldron gasped when he felt his heart pierced mercilessly by
Endymion's sword, his mind feeling with a report of the extensive
damage received. Eyeing Endymion, he said, spurting blood. "You...
how... could you do... that? My body... reinforced..."
"You'll get your answers in Hell, Cauldron." Hissed Endymion. He then
extracted his sword from Cauldron's chest, and waiving it again... he
decapitated the cyborg.
Before his head was cut off, Cauldron had just enough time to scream:
"MERLYYYYYYNN!!" before everything ended for him.
Without him controlling them, the altered hostages went unconscious,
at last free from Cauldron's control. Everybody cheered at that,
until they heard an almost animalistic scream.
"CAULDRON! You killed him! You killed my new friend!" Everybody
turned in the direction of the voice, and saw MerLynn looking at them,
his eyes filled with hate and anger. "He was the only one that
understood me... and now he's dead! I'll avenge him! You all will die
here!" MerLynn then began to aim Heresy at the Team, and began to
shoot burst after burst of black flames at them. Everybody jumped
away from his attacks.
"STOP!" screamed Nimue. "Your fight is with me, not with them. Face
me!"
MerLynn stopped his attacks, and faced Nimue. "As you wish... bitch!
YAAAAHH!!" With that, the battle among two ancient enemies began anew.
Meanwhile, Sailor Pluto was trying to figure out a way from saving
Sailor Chibi-Moon from the machine, not finding any. She began to
grew desperate, not knowing what else to do. She figured out that, if
she tried to destroy the machine, the little girl might be killed,
but if she didn't do anything soon, Chibi-Moon would die in a matter
of minutes, her life-force drained from her young body.
The battle continued for another 3 minutes, becoming fiercer by each
passing second. Sparks of white and dark flew away from the swords
each time they collided. MerLynn attacked with almost inhuman fury,
while Nimue deflected his attempts with grace and elegance. All
presents watched awed at that, but no one dared to interrupt the
fight.
Suddenly, the fight stopped, both fighters jumping away from each
other. MerLynn looked exhausted, while Nimue looked as if she had
just arrived. "You've gone too far this time, MerLynn. Taking
advantage of an innocent girl, and using her for your insane quest."
"Innocent?" began MerLynn. "No one is innocent! You should know that
better than anyone, Nimue! Everybody is guilty! There's nobody pure
and innocent in this wretched planet! You and I, the worst of them
all!" He punctuated that with a snarl.
"I know..." muttered Nimue, lowering her gaze at the sword she was
holding. "That's why making the right thing now is so difficult for
me." She then raised her sword above her head, and said. "I'm sorry...
old friend. JUSTICE BEAM!"
Her sword began to glow, a silvery light that became stronger by the
second. Suddenly, all the light concentrated at the tip, and a beam
raced towards MerLynn. He raised Heresy in an attempt to block the
attack, but it was useless. The beam broke in two, surrounding Heresy,
and stroke MerLynn. He screamed when the light hit him.
A moment later, the light subdued, and MerLynn collapsed, breathing
shallowly. "As you see..." coughed MerLynn. "I've grown stronger...
Very well, you win this battle... but the war is far from finished!"
Feebly, he stood up, and walked towards the T/S device, and yelling
incoherently, he stroke it, cutting most of the components. The machine
began to hum violently, and a wave of semi-transparent energy was
seen emerging from the damaged device.
"In the end... I win, Nimue." Said MerLynn. "In a matter of seconds,
the T/S distortion device will overload, sending you, me, and all
presents into oblivion! Victory is mine!" he then began to laugh
maniacally, still holding Heresy in his hands.
"NO! CHIBI-MOON!" Screamed Sailor Moon, and ran to the girl's side,
followed by Sailors Uranus, Neptune, Jendra and Jupiter. The rest
were tending to their unconscious relatives.
Nimue approached them as well, the Guardian following her and keeping
an eye on her. She looked at the device, then at the black energy
cocoon surrounding the little girl. "This isn't good. All the
security features of the device are destroyed, and there's no way to
stop it. And this cocoon is too strong for me to break it. I need
help."
"We'll do anything we can!" said Sailor Neptune. "What do you want us
to do?"
"None of you will be able to do a thing." Said Nimue, everybody
looking at her, anguish reflecting in all. "however... there's
someone among you that can help me with it... her." She then looked
at Sailor Pluto, who nodded at her.
Sailor Pluto then closed her eyes, and began to glow golden. In a
moment, she had transformed into the Senshi of Pluto! Her uniform
transformed, the colors being indigo and purple. Her Techno-armor
became violet, and what looked like the design of twin sand
hourglasses appeared on her shoulders. And on her right tigh appeared
the golden Kanji JIKAN NO SENSHI, soldier of time. The Time Key
morphed as well, transforming into her new weapon. It became a garnet
battle staff, with the Garnet Orb mounted on top of it... the powerful
Eternity.
"But... but... how?" muttered Sailor Moon, her eyes almost the size
of saucers!
"Because of all the time I stayed in the Time Gate, I had more than
enough time for myself, and to ponder the real essence of my soul."
Answered Sailor Pluto, smiling at Sailor Moon. She then addressed
Nimue. "I'm ready."
Nimue nodded as well, and aiming her sword at the black cocoon, she
concentrated. Sailor Pluto aimed Eternity as well, and closed her
eyes. From both weapons, a steady stream of light collided with the
black cocoon, making it weaver. The dark cover was almost gone when a
sudden burst of energy emerged from the damaged machine, sending
everyone tumbling back. The cocoon began to regenerate.
"It's no use..." said Nimue. "The machine is absorbing our energy as
well, and with that damage, it will release it back at us. We can't
do anything..." and sobbing in her hands, she added. "I'm sorry! I
failed again!"
"Wait! Look!" said Sailor Jendra, pointing at the machine. Everybody
looked, horrified, when Sailor Chibi-Moon opened her eyes, and feebly,
reached her Moon locket, opening it. The future version of the
Ginzuishou appeared in front of her, and closing her eyes, the
crystal began to glow.
"NO! CHIBI-MOON! DON'T DO IT!" Screamed Sailor Moon, and tried to
approach her future daughter. Another wave of energy prevented her to
touch the doomed machine.
Everybody looked at the little girl's brave attempt, incapable to do
a thing. Sailor Chibi-Moon opened her eyes, and her lips moved
silently, forming the words "I love you all." In that instant, the
cocoon exploded, everybody screaming.
The first one to regain his vision was the Guardian. The first thing
he noticed was that MerLynn was nowhere to be seen. The second
thing...
"What's that?" he asked, puzzled. In front of the T/S device, was a
silver cocoon. All the girls, along with Endymion and Emerald Knight,
approached it cautiously. Sailor Mercury activated her computer and
began to scan it.
"It's... it's her! She's inside of it!" she said, her voice cracking
a little. "She's alive!"
"She's alive?" said Sailor Moon, tears escaping from her blue eyes.
"My little girl is still alive??"
"Yes... somehow, the energy from her Ginzuishou protected her, and
encased her inside that new cocoon." Continued Sailor Mercury. She
then focussed her Visor towards the machine, and gasped. "We have to
get out of here! The machine is about to explode!"
"We'll never make it on time!" said Sailor Venus. "And there's too
many people here to attempt the Sailor Teleport!"
"We'll make it." Said Nimue. She then began to issue orders.
"Everybody, get together and form a circle! Put the rest of the
injured in the center, and prepare your powers for teleport!" Once
everybody was ready, she raised her sword, and began to mutter
something. Her sword began to glow again, and the power began to
interact with the girls' own Sailor Teleport.
A column of white light formed, and in a flash, the cavern was empty.
In that precise second, the T/S distortion device finally overloaded,
and a wave of energy began to fill the whole underground cavern
network...
* * * *
In the middle of Stonehenge, a white pillar of light appeared, and
when it disappeared, a weary group of girls, boys, and cyborgs were
found sprawled in the dirt.
"Oooh, my head." Muttered Sailor Venus. "I hope we never have to do
that again!"
"Dibs on that one." Said Sailor Jupiter, standing up. She then opened
her eyes. "Hey, we're out! We made it!"
"But what happened with the machine? And MerLynn?" asked Sailor
Jendra.
"And Chibi-Moon? Where is she?" asked Sailor Moon. She began to turn
around franticly, and sighed alleviated when she saw the silver
cocoon.
Sailor Mercury activated once more her Visor, and scanned the floor.
Her eyes widened when she saw the results. "It's gone!"
"The machine is gone? But we already knew that it was about to
explode." Said Emerald Knight.
"No, not the machine. The whole cavern network! It's gone! There's
nothing but rock in there!" said Sailor Mercury.
"You mean, it caved in?" asked Sailor Uranus.
"No! I mean that... oooh!" finished Sailor Mercury, not finding the
correct words to express her findings.
"What she means," helped Sailor Pluto, "is that the Time flow in there
was altered. It is as if the whole place never existed."
"Well, that's one problem solved. Now, we have to figure out how to
take the rest with us back home." Said Sailor Uranus. "We lost the
stretchers back there. And all that people is heavy."
"How's everybody, Mercury?" asked Sailor Moon, worry showing on her
face.
Sailor Mercury scanned the victims with her Visor, sighing alleviated
after finishing. "They're stable for now. The implants can be removed
by the base's medical facilities, but..." Her face darkened. "For the
organs he removed from them... There's nothing we can do about it."
"Then... they'll have to remain as half-machines for the rest of their
lives??" asked a disheveled Sailor Mars. "NO! I can't accept it!
There has to be a way! They can't end up like that! They're innocent
victims! They don't deserve that fate!" Unable to cope more with her
emotions, she did something anyone rarely saw her do: She embraced
the prone form of Yuuichiro, and cried over him.
Sailor Saturn was kneeling next to Yohann, cradling his head on her
lap. "Why did you do it? You didn't have to do it, you know? I could
have dodge that shot. Now look at you..." She then kissed him
tenderly on the lips, and added. "I love you, you fool. Don't you
dare to leave me alone!"
"He won't." Saturn turned around slightly, half surprised by the
voice. She saw the Guardian standing next to her. "Now, please stand
aside. I'll handle him." When Sailor Saturn moved over, he then aimed
his crimson ray at Yohann and bathed him with it. "I wish I could do
the same for the others," he said, sadness filling his voice.
"There's nothing you can do?" asked Sailor Venus, anxious. "I thought
that your ray could regenerate tissue! Can't you use it to...?" she
couldn't finish her phrase, her voice cracking in that moment.
"I'm afraid not." Said the Guardian, not daring to look at the rest.
"My unit can only regenerate damaged tissue and recharge low
bio-energy levels, not re-grow removed organs. I'm sorry."
"I... see." Murmured Sailor Moon. She couldn't stand the sight of her
parents in that state, and the thought of them having to live as
cyborgs for the rest of their lives was becoming too much for her.
Endymion was trying his best to offer support for his love, but he
too was becoming agitated by the same thought.
"I... I'll call the ship." Said Sailor Mercury, opening her computer.
"We have to evacuate the area before someone comes over here."
"Good idea, my dear Mercury! Allow me to help you with that!" roared
a voice above them. Everybody turned around, not really surprised of
hearing that voice... again.
The Darkstarr decloaked, its gun ports open. "You are tougher than I
imagined. I'm glad to see that my favorite enemies survived the
destruction." Said Cauldron over the speakers. "What I can't believe
is that, when you were inside my ship, you didn't do a thing to track
me in the memory banks! That's really sloppy, even for you."
"What do you mean by that, Cauldron?" asked Sailor Jendra.
"Come on, kid! Remember that my REAL form is as an Artificial
Intelligence Program!" answered Cauldron. "Do you truly believe that
those bodies that you destroy are my true form? As long as I'm safe
in this magnificent ship, you'll never be able to defeat me!"
"He's right." Said Sailor Mercury, scanning the ship with her Visor
and computer. "We're accustomed to fight PHYSICAL enemies, and that's
what he has been taking advantage of. We've only been defeating
images of him, not his true self!"
"Brilliant as always, Mercury. That's why I want you by my side."
Said Cauldron. "A mind like yours is so hard to find!"
"Why doesn't he finish us already?" muttered Emerald Knight. "He has
us right where he wants us."
"Because, my dear greenie! I have a proposition for you all."
Answered Cauldron.
"Whatever it is, we're not interested, Cauldron. And that's final!"
retorted Sailor Moon, her sentiment echoed by the rest.
"Are you sure, Moon?" continued Cauldron. "And what if this
proposition was... restoring your parent to full health?" Everybody
gasped unconsciously at the offer. "Aaaah... so you're slightly
interested, eh? Just keep in mind this: I did that, and I can undo
it."
"You want something else, Cauldron. Say it!" demanded Endymion.
"You know me too well, Endy! That's right... there's something else.
There's one condition to meet before I heal those unfortunate souls."
Continued Cauldron, sarcasm dripping from the last sentence. "All of
you have to surrender to me."
"Not in your rotten existence, Cauldron! We'll never do it!" said
Sailor Jupiter, taking a fighting position.
"Are you sure of it, Jupiter? Do you really want to see your friends'
parents being shunned from society? To see your friends suffer
because of that? Come on! I can't believe you really want that!"
gloated Cauldron.
"Wait, Cauldron." Said Sailor Mercury. Everybody turned to see her,
slightly confused. "Do you really want all of us?"
"Mercury..." murmured Sailor Venus, shocked.
"Aaaah... what do you have in mind, dear?" asked Cauldron.
"You..." Sailor Mercury gulped, lowering her gaze. "You can have
me... if you heal our parents, and leave my friends alone."
"Mercury, don't! You don't know what you're saying!" said Sailor
Pluto, surprised. "Do you realize what this will do to the Timeline?
You're condemning the very existence of Crystal Tokyo with that
decision!"
"Mercury... don't do it." Said Yohann, sitting up in that instant.
His wounds were already healed, and his armor was regenerating thanks
to the Guardian's ray. "He's not going to keep his word."
"Quiet, MeRMAid!" said Cauldron. "She made her choice... and there's
nothing you can do about it!" He then addressed Sailor Mercury. "Very
well, my dear. I accept your generous offer. I'll heal all of your
parents, and leave your friends alone. I give you my word of honor."
"Mercury, don't do it, please!" said Sailor Venus, grabbing Mercury's
arm. Tears were on the verge of escaping her eyes. "You can't leave
us! You... can't leave me!"
"I have to." Said Sailor Mercury, her voice almost cracking. "That's
the only way for all of you to get out of here... and to heal our
families." She then embraced Venus. "I'm sorry, but it's something I
have to do." Reluctantly, she let Sailor Venus go, and addressing the
Darkstarr, she said. "I'm ready, Cauldron."
"Wait, Mercury!" Sailor Mercury almost jumped when she heard Alex's
voice coming from her computer. "Sorry I couldn't talk with you
earlier. But I heard all your conversations. If you're going there...
I'm going with you!"
"Alex..." murmured Sailor Mercury.
"Don't say a thing." Interrupted Alex. "Do you really think I was
going to let my favorite friend face alone that maniac? Not in your
life!" She then addressed the rest. "Don't worry, everyone. I'll take
good care of her."
"How touching... and convenient, too!" said Cauldron. "Two for the
price of one. I like that kind of offers! Very well... I'm letting
you two in. And for the rest of you... don't try a thing! I won't
hesitate to destroy you all if you interfere."
The rest of the Team clenched their fists, feeling impotent and
helpless against Cauldron and his armed ship. They could only see the
Darkstarr beginning to land, its weapons still aiming at them.
When the Darkstarr's landing struts were about to touch the ground,
three things happened simultaneously:
1) A silver portal opened behind the Darkstarr, and the Infinity
emerged from it, its guns blazing.
2) The Guardian moved with his customary speed, and grabbed Sailor
Mercury, taking her away from the Darkstarr.
3) The Leviathan appeared from one side, its own guns aiming at
Cauldron's ship and firing.
"YOU TRAITORS!" roared Cauldron. "NOW YOU ALL WILL DIE!" The Darkstarr
activated its shields again, and began to fire at everybody at random.
The Team grabbed the unconscious forms of their relatives, and
scattered just in time. Meanwhile, the Infinity gave the Leviathan
some cover fire while Yohann's ship landed next to Stonehenge, its
cargo doors opening.
"Everybody, get inside, quick!" yelled Yohann. Everyone made haste,
and entered the ship. A moment later, the eight unconscious forms of
the rescued hostages were secured on the control room's seats.
Sailors Jendra, Saturn and Mercury took their posts, while Yohann
took the main controls. "Hang on, everyone! We're moving!" The
Leviathan lifted off, barely avoiding another barrage from the
Darkstarr.
"Yohann, I scanned Cauldron's ship." Reported Sailor Mercury. "Its
shields are stronger this time. I don't think anything we can throw
at it will seriously damage the structure."
"Thank you, Mercury. That's something I didn't want to learn, but
it's useful anyway." Said Yohann. "Jendra, open a comm channel and
hail the Infinity."
"Roger." Said Sailor Jendra. She then punched a couple of buttons on
her console. "Channel open."
"Thanks, Jendra." Said Yohann. He then raised his voice. "Leviathan
to Infinity. Come in, Infinity. Over."
"*Infinity here. Is everybody safe?*" was the answer.
"Affirmative, Infinity. Thanks for the cover. But we still need your
assistance here." Continued Yohann. "It seems that this time, our
enemy reinforced its shields. We'll have to hit it with everything."
"*Roger, Leviathan. Let's use attack formation Delta. That will give
us enough room to get some good hits on that thing.*"
"Roger, Infinity. Let's take this fight to the British Channel. We
have to minimize the interference from the local militia."
"*Understood, Leviathan. See you there. Over and out.*" On the main
screen, all saw the Infinity accelerating, heading towards the
British Channel.
"Saturn, follow the Infinity, but make sure that we don't lose
Cauldron!" said Yohann.
"I don't think he plans to let us go that easily, Yohann." answered
Sailor Saturn. And that was right. On the tactical screen, they all
could see the Darkstarr pursuing them, its guns trying to lock on the
Leviathan.
"Perfect." Murmured Yohann. "Keep it that way, dear."
"Your wish is my command, love." Answered Sailor Saturn, smiling at
him.
The pursuit continued for a minute, all the while the Leviathan
outmaneuvered the Darkstarr. When they reached the British Channel,
Yohann took control and steered the Leviathan towards the sea, almost
touching the surface. The Darkstarr followed suit. "Any minute now..."
muttered Yohann.
As soon as he said that, the Infinity appeared from behind a cliff,
and zeroed on the Darkstarr, its guns firing at the rear of the enemy
ship.
"NOW!" yelled Yohann, at the same time he pulled the control stick
hard and hit a button on the console. The Leviathan lurched suddenly
up, decelerating at the same time. The Darkstarr zoomed next to the
Leviathan, with the Infinity in hot pursuit. As soon as both ships
were ahead, Yohann accelerated, following them.
"Mercury, Saturn! Arm all weapons, and fire!" ordered Yohann.
Without answering, the girls did what he said. All weapons on the
Leviathan locked on the Darkstarr, and began pounding at it. The sky
was lit with the release of the weaponry of the three ships.
However...
"Cauldron's shields are debilitating, but not fast enough." Reported
Mercury. "At this rate, we'll lose all our power before we can defeat
him."
"Damn." Said Yohann to himself. "We need an extra punch here... but
what?"
"I have an idea, Yohann." Said Sailor Moon in that moment."
"Anything is welcome now, Sailor Moon. Go ahead, I'm listening." Said
Yohann.
"Put us in front of Cauldron's ship, and open the cargo doors. We'll
handle the rest." Said Sailor Moon. Yohann looked at her, puzzled.
"Trust us! We know what we're doing!"
"All right. I'll do it, Sailor Moon. And I hope you're right." Said
Yohann. "Guardian, go with them. And make sure they don't do anything
foolish, ok?"
"Yes, Sir." Said the Guardian.
"Good luck, everyone." Added Yohann. "And take care."
"Don't worry for us. Remember... we already have experience handling
the impossible!" said Sailor Neptune, nodding at him before going
with the rest to the back of the ship.
Everybody gathered a few feet away from the open cargo doors, the
wind howling almost deafening. They could see the near misses of the
Darkstarr zooming by, mortal reminders of the danger they were facing.
"All right, Sailor Moon!" yelled Sailor Mars above the wind howling.
"What's your plan?"
"The plan is to launch our attacks at that ship!" yelled back Sailor
Moon.
"Are you crazy!?!?" Yelled Sailor Uranus "We won't even make a dent
on that thing!"
"As Yohann said, anything is welcome now, I'm listening!" yelled
Sailor Moon.
"No, she's right!" yelled Sailor Mercury. "With our attacks, we'll
weaken its shields enough for the weapons to finish it off! But we'll
have to be very precise, otherwise he could gun us down! Besides, we
still have our ultimate attacks! They're powerful enough to make the
difference!"
"Understood! I'll go first!" Yelled Sailor Neptune. She began to
concentrate and aimed straight at the Darkstarr. When she felt the
moment was right, she yelled "DEEP WATER TSUNAMI CRUSHER!!" But...
"What the...??" said Sailor Neptune, puzzled. "It's not working!!"
""No way! Let me try!" yelled Sailor Saturn. "SERAPHIM WINGS OF
WRATH!" she yelled. Again, the same results... nothing. "That's
impossible!"
"In that case, it seems that..." muttered Sailor Uranus, at the same
time she unsheathed Heaven's Wrath. She then began to wave the Katana
over her head in circles, at the same time she began to gather energy
on the tip. Sailor Uranus then began to close the circles, and
suddenly, she aimed her Katana towards the Darkstarr, and yelled
"HEAVENS BLADE ERRADICATOR!!"
A white sphere of concentrated power raced from the tip of Heaven's
Wrath towards Cauldron's ship, growing at the same time. By the time
it impacted on the shields of the dark ship, it was 12 feet wide, and
the ensuing explosion was tremendous. The Darkstarr shuddered under
the impact, but it still continued firing at the Leviathan.
"Good shot, Uranus!" Yelled Sailor Mercury. "His shields are down
24.7 %!! But we still need something else!"
"My turn now!" said Sailor Venus. She then began to concentrate too,
and when she felt ready, she yelled. "DEADLY WINDS OF BANE!!" A
sudden gush of wind formed behind her, at the same time a pinkish
cloud began to drift towards the Darkstarr, guided by the wind. When
it impacted the shields, the cloud just crossed them like they
weren't there! Upon contact with the hull, the cloud began to sizzle
and dissolve the structure, exposing the inner hull, and dissolving
it at some points.
"ALL RIGHT!!" screamed Sailor Venus. "I bet he felt that one!"
"Not yet!" said Sailor Mercury. "Your attack didn't damage the
shields! One more hit will be all we need!"
"Pluto! It's your turn now!" Yelled Sailor Moon. "You still have your
ultimate attack!"
"It won't work now, Sailor Moon!" answered the Senshi of Time. "It
won't do any good against those shields!"
Sailor Moon looked at Pluto, disheveled, however she knew that Pluto
was right somehow. Suddenly, a new set of words began to form in her
mind, indicating a new attack for her. Not her ultimate one, but
powerful nevertheless. She then turned around, closed her eyes, and
placed her hands in front of her chest, as if she was praying. A few
seconds later, she opened her eyes, and yelled "MOON SOUL ECLIPSE!!"
As soon as she finished her summoning, it seemed that the whole world
stopped right where it was. Not a sound was heard... and the light
around them began to dim. All presents looked at her awed, not daring
to say a word. When the darkness was almost complete, a small speck
of the purest white light began to form right in front of Sailor
Moon, and began to drift slowly towards Cauldron's ship. After what
seemed like an eternity, the spark of light gently touched the
shields...
...and a blinding, spectacular explosion rocked all ships present,
illuminating the sky with its pure light. Another eternity elapsed,
and the world resumed its normal course.
When the Team began to regain their bearings, they noticed that
Sailor Moon was still standing, her eyes focussed on the Darkstarr.
Her expression was solemn, serene... except for one tear running down
her cheek.
"Sailor Moon, are you all right?" asked Endymion, standing next to
her. Gently, he wiped away the tear off Sailor Moon's face.
Sailor Moon blinked once... twice. And her face regained her normal
expression. "Yes... yes, I'm ok. Just a little... confused, that's
all. What happened?"
"That's what I want to know!" said Sailor Mars. "That was quite an
attack! How did you do it?"
"I have no idea, Mars. But it felt good!" answered Sailor Moon,
smiling.
"And it did the trick!" began to say Sailor Mercury. "Cauldron's
shields are down to 47 %! Now we have a chance!"
"Way to go, sis!" yelled Emerald Knight. "Let's go back to the
bridge, and blast that sucker off the sky!"
Everybody nodded in agreement, and hurried to return to the control
room.
"Good shooting, everyone!" said Yohann as soon as the rest returned.
"I was monitoring your battle and boy, what a battle!"
"Yeah! You outdid yourselves this time, girls!" said Alex. "I never
thought that Sailor Moon's plan could work, and I'm glad that I stand
corrected!"
"Thanks, Alex!... I think." Said Sailor Moon.
"Enough chat, gang! Let's send Cauldron back to the pits of Hell
where he belong!" said Sailor Mars.
"Good idea, Mars! Mercury, are you with me?" asked Sailor Saturn.
When Sailor Mercury nodded in agreement, she took her seat in front
of the weapons controls, and aimed them towards the Darkstarr. "All
right Mercury, give me all you have!"
"All systems ready." Began Sailor Mercury. "All weapons charged and
locked on target. Reactor at full capacity. Hit it, Saturn!"
Sailor Saturn opened fire against the Darkstarr, all her shots
impacting. The Infinity joined the fray again, firing at the same
time. A moment later, the Darkstarr's shields collapsed, and all the
shots began to impact on the damaged hull.
"Don't think you have seen the last of us!" transmitted Cauldron.
"We'll be back!"
"'we'? What does he mean with 'we'?" wondered Sailor Jendra. She and
the rest got their answer when another voiced was heard... a voice
they thought never would be heard by them.
"Yes, we'll be back! And next time, you won't be so lucky!" said
MerLynn.
On the screen, they saw the Darkstarr accelerate, and head towards
the upper atmosphere, soon disappearing from the radar.
"he's still alive...." Muttered Nimue.
"But how did he survive? I thought he was destroyed." Wondered
Emerald Knight.
"That doesn't matter anymore. The point is... that he's alive, and
allied with Cauldron. Our next battles won't be as easy." Said Alex.
"And you call this easy??" said Sailor Mars. "Look at them! How can
you say that!?!?!" she then pointed to the prone forms of the
unconscious cyborgs. "And if I recall right, you said you can't do a
thing for them!" Her rage was interrupted by an incoming message.
"*Infinity to Leviathan. Come in Leviathan. What's your status?*"
"Leviathan here." Answered Yohann. "Ship operational, and crew in
good health." He paused for a moment, and added. "However, we have a
situation."
""*Indicate the nature of your current situation, Leviathan.*"
"Alex, transmit the data we have concerning the hostages." Said
Yohann.
"Right away, sweetbuns!" said Alex, and began her task.
"What do you have in mind, Yohann?" wondered Sailor Saturn, a hint of
hope noticeable in her voice.
"Just a hunch, dear. And if I'm right... we may be able to help
them." Was Yohann's answer. A moment later, the Infinity responded.
"*Data received, Leviathan. I'll see what I can do. And you're right,
with your current medical equipment, you won't be able to help these
people. Don't worry everyone, they'll be ok.*"
Yohann sighed, comforted by the thought that they weren't completely
alone. "Thank you, Infinity. We'll be waiting for your help."
"*Roger, Leviathan. Help is on its way. Infinity out.*" With that,
the Infinity entered a silver portal, and vanished from their
universe.
"How did you know that that person was going to help us, Yohann?"
asked Sailor Venus, puzzled.
"Remember when he covered us back in Stonehenge? He mentioned
something about 'attack formation Delta.'"
"Yeah, so?" asked Sailor Venus again.
"That kind of attack formation is used by my own organization."
Answered Yohann.
"That's right! And that only means..." began Alex."
"... that our mysterious bodyguard comes from our homeworld, Alex."
Finished Yohann. "Ergo, that also means that he... or she, for what
we know, has access to our medical facilities. And can get help for
your parents, girls!"
"Are you sure about that?" asked Sailor Saturn, looking at Yohann
with a glint of hope in her eyes.
"Not completely, love. But think about this: The ship that person
uses has to be an experimental type, just like this one. That
explains why Alex couldn't identify it in the first place. And has to
be high up in the ranks, otherwise he/she wouldn't be able to obtain
it. And if that person has a high rank..."
"... then that person can obtain highly qualified medical assistance!"
finished Sailor Mercury.
"That also solves part of the mystery surrounding the identity of the
Infinity's pilot. But that also opens a whole new set of questions."
Wondered Sailor Pluto. "The most important ones are: Why is that
person helping us? And... How does he or she knows when to help?"
"Good questions, Pluto. Unfortunately, we won't get our answers soon.
We have more pressing matters at hand right now." Said Yohann.
"Namely, wait for medical help. Also..." He then stood up, and walked
towards Nimue. "There's the matter of our new friend's identity.
Excuse me, it seems that we haven't been properly introduced. My name
is Yohann Starr, Lieutenant of..."
"... the MRMA, I'm aware of that. Pleased to meet you, Lieutenant."
Interrupted Nimue. "Sorry for the interruption, but I couldn't help
it."
"Don't worry. It's only logical to assume that you're also part of
the Agency." Said Yohann. "And, your name is...?"
"My name is Sonya Nimue. Battle division of New Avalon. I attained my
rank of Lieutenant before... that phenomena stroke and sent us here."
"Pleased to meet you, Lieutenant Nimue. Glad to see that you're on
our side as well." Said Yohann. He then looked at her sword. "That's
quite a weapon."
"yes, it is." Said Sonya. "I'm pretty proud of Excalibur."
"Say that again!?!?!" said Endymion, standing up. "Did you say...
Excalibur?? Like King Arthur's legendary sword?"
"That's right. This is that sword." Said Sonya, smiling faintly.
Everybody felt silent after that revelation. Finally, Yohann spoke.
"It seems that we have a lot to learn from each other, Lieutenant
Nimue. And it will be better if we finish this conversation back at
our base."
"I'll say..." muttered Sailor Mercury.
"Saturn, let's head back home." Said Yohann. "We have a lot to
talk... and some help to wait for."
And with that, the Leviathan began its journey back to Gaia, with
another ally... and a whole lot of questions in everybody's minds.
TO BE CONTINUED...