CHAPTER 5: TOPAZ'S REIGN OF TERROR
"Setsuna?" Safiru said, "Are you dressed?" He lightly knocked on the door. No answer.
"Setsuna?" Safiru repeated, opening the door slightly, "I just wanted to talk to you about..." He noticed her writhing in pain on the floor, "Oh no! Setsuna!" Safiru ran up to her and knelt on the floor by her.
"Safiru." She whispered.
"Shhh." He said, taking off his glove and feeling her head, "You're burning up!" he made her sit up in his arms, "Dimando! Esmeraude! Someone, come quick!"
Esmeraude entered the room and noticed Setsuna, "What happened?" She gasped.
" I don't know, she has a really high fever, get Dimando!" Safiru commanded.
Esmeraude ran out of the room in search of Dimando. He returned with Esmeraude and quickly joined Safiru on the floor with Sailor Pluto.
"Dimando," Setsuna forced out, " I'm in so much pain."
Dimando gently lifted her up and placed her on the bed. Esmeraude just stood and watched emotionlessly from the rear of the room.
"I've never seen anything like this before." Safiru said, who had a little medical training.
Dimando walked out of the room, "I'm going to consult the Wiseman." He said, and Esmeraude and Safiru followed him. They entered a large room and Dimando called for the Wiseman.
"Wiseman! Appear before me!" He said. Then a strange sitting man completely robed in black and clutching a crystal ball appeared before them.
"Yes, your Highness." He said.
"Tell me what is afflicting Setsuna." Dimando demanded.
" It is the dark energy," the Wiseman said, "It has created another being within her."
"From contact with Rubeus and yourself." Wiseman said,
"The being within her seems to be rather powerful, I believe by drawing it out that it can prove a strong asset to us."
" What should we do?" Safiru inquired.
" Bring her to me." Wiseman said.
Dimando went and returned with Setsuna in his arms and laid her down before the Wiseman.
"Your Highness, I don't think this is a very good idea." Safiru said.
"Would you rather her die, Safiru?" Dimando asked.
"But she can't, she's immortal...oh, never mind, it's pointless to argue." Safiru said.
" Do as you will, Wiseman." Dimando said.
Setsuna began to levitate in the air and was eventually turned upright. Energy began to encircle her; slowly, then faster. Setsuna began to spin around in all directions in the air, and she started to scream. Then the Wiseman shot a beam of dark energy at her that changed her appearance; her long deep green hair became chin-length, and her bangs grew out blonde, just like the mysterious woman in Setsuna's dream and the mirror; a DarkMoon appeared on her forehead and then she was returned to an upright position. The energy around her disappeared and she fell naked to the floor. Electricity formed clothing on her body, the same as the woman in the mirror, with the same high boots, cloak, and jewelry. She then rolled on her back and opened her eyes. The red garnet iris became white and pulsated with light blue and green electricity.
During all of this, Prince Dimando, Esmeraude, and Safiru, who kept repeating to himself, " I do not like this, at all."; just stared at the display.
The new woman slowly stood up and turned to face the group.
"Setsuna?" Dimando asked.
"No, your Highness." The woman said in a soft, sensual tone, "The one you knew as Setsuna is no more, she will return only as Sailor Pluto. You can call me Topaz." She walked up to Prince Dimando and put her arms around him.
Esmeraude growled.
"She remembers everything Setsuna did, but her powers are much stronger." Wiseman explained, "She is now able to control the elements, as well as a standard energy beam, but unfortunately she has lost her immortality."
"A small price to pay," Topaz said, gently caressing Dimando's face, "for the love of a prince." She pulled the hood of her cloak off and pulled herself into a long, passionate kiss with Dimando.
Esmeraude snapped her fan in half and stormed off in a jealous rage.
"She is also able to return to being Sailor Pluto, regaining back her immortality and identity as Setsuna, remembering nothing of being Topaz." The Wiseman further explained, "And by your touch alone, your Highness, will she be able to return to this state, because of the dark energy. Thus making her a valuable part-time asset in our attack."
"Amazing." Dimando murmured, still star-struck by Topaz's appearance.
Topaz removed herself from Dimando and began to walk toward Safiru.
"Without you, Safiru, that is without your care, I wouldn't be here right now," she said, "I thank you for that." Topaz, then having her heels making her almost six inches taller than Safiru, bent over and gently kissed him on the cheek. Safiru just pushed her away.
"Your Highness," He said, "I do not believe that this is a good decision at all."
"I believe it is a little late for that now." Dimando corrected.
"And I believe that it is time for me to go." Topaz said, "I am unneeded here now. Good-bye, my prince." She said, blowing a kiss a Prince Dimando. She then transformed into Sailor Pluto, who looked rather confused, but phased out before she could say anything.
"Oh, Setsuna." Safiru thought, "What have they done to you?"
* * * *
Sailor Pluto returned to her dimension in a state of confusion. She could not remember anything from the past 24 hours at all, and it seemed to her that parts of her long term memory were cut away as well. She remembered Rubeus, Esmeraude, Safiru, and Dimando but pieces were missing in between. The most important thing she remembered clearly is when she made a holographic projection of herself in Chibi-Usa's Luna Sphere to warn the scouts of the NegaMoon's plan to capture Chibi-Usa in her dreams. Sailor Pluto brought the scouts into Chibi-Usa's mind to fight the evil apparition, and later bringing them out of it, issuing warnings and helpful hints to guide them through the tough times ahead.
Meanwhile on Nemesis, Prince Dimando and his followers were attempting to form a plot to make their campaign on the Tokyo of the past a success. They were getting nowhere, they needed help. They needed Topaz. Prince Dimando set out to retrieve her from the timeless dimension. He arrived there suddenly and startled Sailor Pluto. She turned to face him and when she made eye contact she held her head and moaned in pain.
Then suddenly, her eyes began to glow.
" Release me, your Highness." she said, tossing her Time Key to the droid that appeared when Dimando did.
Dimando walked over to Sailor Pluto and kissed her on her lips. While doing so her appearance melted away and became that of Topaz's. She pulled herself away from him snickering viciously, looking very beautiful and mysterious with the black and deep red velvet hood covering her head.
"So nice to see you again, my prince." She said.
"Come my Topaz, we have much to do." Dimando said.
"My pleasure." Topaz said, holding Dimando's arm as they phased out of the dimension.
* * * *
They arrived back in Dimando's throne room where, Safiru, Esmeraude, and the Wiseman waited for them.
"Her! We don't need her!" Esmeraude sneered.
"She is valuable in times like this, Esmeraude." Dimando said, "We could use her power."
Dimando sat in his throne and Topaz joined Esmeraude and Safiru standing before him.
"Your Highness," Safiru began, "As I was saying before, we should continue our central attack on the Tokyo of the past, it is our main target and we should try to weaken their defenses, namely the Sailor Scouts, until they fall, then we launch a major attack and finish them off."
"I don't think so, Safiru." Topaz chimed in.
"What do you think Topaz?" Dimando inquired.
"Look at a game of chess," Topaz explained, "If you use all you have on getting the king, you lose everything instead, but if you get rid of his protection first, namely his surroundings, then attack him with your men, checkmate."
"What are you saying?" Dimando asked.
"Tokyo is only one of the major cities in the world, a center of commerce and trade for the rest of the world." Topaz explained, "It thrives off of other cities trade and business as well, namely cities such as London, New York, Los Angeles, and Sydney. They have no defenses that we know of like th Sailor Scouts in Tokyo. If we can destroy these cities before Tokyo, It will have no supplies to fall back on or allies for back up. Then if we concentrate on Tokyo..."
"Checkmate." Dimando said.
"Checkmate." Topaz repeated.
" Your Highness, you are not really going to take her seriously are you?" Esmeraude said, "She has no idea what we have been going through at all!"
"Probably more then you think, Esmeraude." Topaz corrected.
"I am accepting the plan with or without your consent, Esmeraude." Dimando said, "Topaz, I would like you to lead the attack on the other cities. Fill them with dark energy and destroy their defense weapons, as well as means of trade."
"Yes, your Highness." Topaz said. She then raised her hand and shouted, "The Element of Void, my staff!" Lightning struck her hand and formed a shimmering green Bo staff in her hand, which she spun around and struck the floor with, creating a sound like that of thunder. She then chuckled wickedly.
"At least her laugh is better than Esmeraude's." Safiru said to himself.
"I would also like you to stay with us here, Topaz." Dimando said, "No need for you to keep going back to your dimension, and for the time being you will have to room with Esmeraude until we get arrangements situated out."
"What?" Topaz bursted out, "Share with her? That whore? You gotta be kidding me!"
"Oh, I'm the whore?" Esmeraude contradicted, "At least my dress goes down past my ass. The least she could do is wear proper undergarments."
"At least I wear undergarments!" Topaz corrected.
"Enough you two!" Dimando demanded.
"Forgive me, your Highness." The two women said in unison, bowing their heads in shame.
"Esmeraude, show her to your room." Dimando commanded.
"Yes, your Highness." Esmeraude said, "Follow me." She directed Topaz.
They walked down a long, dark hall and entered a large, disorganized chamber.
"Not a very good housekeeper, are you?" Topaz jeered, eyeing the mess, "Wind of the Element Air, clear me a path!"
A strong gust of air blew from Topaz's hands and parted the clothes and trash on the floor. Topaz proceeded to walk to the empty space at the end of the room.
"This will do." Topaz said.
"What? Are you going to sleep on the floor?" Esmeraude laughed.
Topaz just gave her a dirty look and said, "Construction of the Element Void, furniture!" Then a bed, dresser, wardrobe, vanity, and sewing machine appeared in the room.
"A sewing machine?" Esmeraude asked, disgusted.
"Well, I am a fashion designer." Topaz said, "Maybe I can do something with your...thing you wear."
"Hey, I like my dress." Esmeraude said, "Yours needs help! Thunder-thighs and super hips!"
"Better than being top-heavy! Don't your ever get a backache?" Topaz jeered.
Esmeraude just growled and plopped on her bed.
"And how come you get to make stuff out of electricity and blow air? I don't have that much power!"
"Oh, I can do more than that, hun." Topaz explained, "I control fire, water and Earth too."
"Like what?" Esmeraude asked.
"Well," Topaz thought for a minute, "I can cause earthquakes, theunderstorms, blizzards, throw fireballs, breathe fire, sling mud, you know, stuff the elements control, but Void is my best element."
"What exactly is void, anyway?" Esmeraude asked.
"Emptiness, absolutely nothing," Topaz explained, "I only have two powers from it, construction and destruction, but I consider them my most important powers. That is how I can form things out of nothing."
"But what exactly does electricity have to do with it?" Esmeraude asked, she was bound to find something Topaz doesn't know about her powers and use it to her advantage.
"It contains forms, or is formed by all the elements." Topaz further explained, "Think, it travels through air from the clouds made of water, and causes fire when it hits the earth. Since something cannot contain void, make it or destroy it, electricity is its perfect messenger, for it is the other elements in a single form."
"Whatever." Esmeraude said, then thought to herself, "She's too smart for her own good. I'll never get rid of her at this rate."
"Well, I best be on my mission," Topaz said, "Can't wait to impress Prince Dimando!" she winked at Esmeraude and phased off in a light blue haze.
Esmeraude just growled and punched her pillow in jealousy.
* * * *
Topaz arrived in London at about dusk. The giant clock, Big Ben, rang its bells at the closing of another day. She phased in on top of the clock tower and stared down at the city.
"Piece of cake." She thought to herself.
She flew over to Westminister Abbey and viewed Hyde Park in the distance. It was dark so it wouldn't be very crowded, the perfect place to dispel dark energy. She flew over and hovered over the Serpentine, a long, snakelike lake in the center of the park. She then took off one of her dark crystal earrings and it shot a beam toward a point in the park. Topaz flew over to that spot.
"The Element of Void, I call upon you. Distruction!" She shouted, hurling her staff into the ground. A tremor shot out of the pierced earth and darkened the whole city, and brought about pestilence and disease.
"It reminds me of the Great Plague of the 1600's! My, I've been around too long." Topaz snickered and erupted into a full, wicked cackle.
"We'll just cure it like they did back then." She said, taking in a deep breath, "The Element of Fire, exhale!" She blew a gleaming flame into the center of the city and the whole city set ablaze.
"Oh, well. It looks like some bloody Britons aren't having their tea tonight!" Topaz laughed, mocking her best British accent and phasing out of the park.
* * * *
Topaz arrived back on Nemesis shortly after destroying London. She phased into her and Esmeraude's room laughing loudly, waking Esmeraude from a light sleep.
"What the hell is going on?" Esmeraude screeched, groggily.
"A success, a complete success!" Topaz said, flopping on her bed and kicking her legs in laughter.
"What?" Esmeraude asked, still half asleep.
"London is no more! I totaled it!" Topaz said loudly, "Wooooooo!" She screamed, and it echoed down the corridor.
"Shhh!" Esmeraude spat, "You'll wake everyone, Safiru gets very cranky, and he's right across the hall."
"I don't care!" Topaz shouted even louder, "Let them hear me, let the whole damn universe hear me!"
"What's going on in here!" Safiru barged in the room, wearing only a short robe over his shorts.
"Ooo, chicken legs!" Topaz taunted, "I'm sorry, his Highness's little brother. Did I wake you?"
"I have a name, it's Safiru." Safiru corrected, "Not 'his Highness's little brother.'"
"Oh, please forgive me." Topaz said sarcastically, running over to Safiru and genuflecting before him, "I get down on my knees before you!" She then turned to Esmeraude, who had lit a cigarette and was still lying in bed, "Ooo, that didn't sound right, did it?"
Esmeraude burst out in a cough but then into rambunctious laughter.
Safiru growled, "I'm going back to bed." He turned to walk back to his room and looked right into the eyes of Dimando. Safiru jumped back and allowed Dimando to enter the room. Esmeraude put out her cigarette and focused her attention on the partially clothed prince.
Prince Dimando himself was preoccupied with Topaz, who was still on the ground, sitting in between her legs, and staring up at Dimando, wide-eyed with suprise. He reached down and grabbed her arm, pulling her up and pushing her away.
"Topaz, what is the meaning of this outburst in the middle of the night?" Dimando asked sternly.
Topaz replied in a cute voice, "I was just successful in destroying London. I didn't mean to wake you, your Highness."
"You were successful?" Dimando was suprised, "We haven't had a major success in..." He grabbed Topaz and kissed her, "I love you."
"Oh, please." Safiru said, "It's too early for this."
Esmeraude just relit her cigarette and took a drag from it so long that it burned down to the filter.
"We will have an assembly tomorrow with everyone on Nemesis to discuss our new plan of action, formal dress." Dimando said. Safiru and Esmeraude nodded.
"And as for you, Topaz," Dimando said, "I wish to see you tonight." Dimando then walked out of the room.
Safiru said, "I'm going to bed." And walked out.
Topaz turned to Esmeraude and said, "What do you know? Good news for me!" She winked at Esmeraude and followed Dimando.
Esmeraude growled and put a pillow over her face.
* * * *
Esmeraude woke up to the hum of a sewing machine. She opened her eyes and noticed Topaz sitting at it. She had a pile of cloth by her and she was busy turning some of it in the sewing machine, as if she was embroidering something. She finished it and picked up a piece of metallic green fabric and continued. In about ten minutes she was done and turned around to lay it out on her bed.
Topaz noticed Esmeraude's eyes open and said, "Oh, good. You're awake. Try this on." She tossed her the mass of green fabric.
Esmeraude caught it and examined it. "What is it?" Esmeraude asked.
"It's a dress." Topaz said, "I made it for you because mine was done in about two hours and I got bored."
Esmeraude stood up and pressed the dress against her body as she looked in the mirror. The dress was of a shiny, metallic green color, with black embroidered flowers, an empire waist and wide straps. It was long and fell just below her ankles.
"It's beautiful." Esmeraude said, "How did you get my measurements?"
"I looked at you, and estimated." Topaz said, "This is mine." She held up her dress, a silvery colored ankle length dress with spaghetti straps and a sheer black overlay after the empire waist that was also embroidered with black flowers.
"I made these too." Topaz said, holding up a pair of silvery fingerless gloves with only one strap that goes between the forefinger and middle finger.
"That took you only two hours?" Esmeraude asked.
"Yeah, come on, get dressed. The assembly starts in an hour." Topaz said.
"An hour? How long have I been asleep?" Esmeraude asked.
"It's two in the afternoon, Esmeraude." Topaz said.
Esmeraude quickly changed and then put on her gaudy Esmeraude bracelet and 'y'-necklace.
"You are not going to wear those, are you? They don't go." Topaz said.
"Why are you so perky today?" Esmeraude asked. "You seem so happy."
"Well, you know," Topaz said smiling and heading for the door, fully dressed, "I did get a good night's sleep last night." She winked and walked out of the room.
"That bitchy whore!" Esmeraude said, slamming the door behind her.
* * * *
The assembly room was a large, dark hall. Prince Dimando, Safiru, Esmeraude and Topaz sat at a large table overlooking the crowd of advocates and droids. The loud echo of voices rang throughout the troops, but Dimando managed to quiet them out. He began to explain to them their new plan of action, and introduced Topaz as the new assistant commander in chief. When he did this, Topaz stood up and walked toward him.
"What is she doing?" Esmeraude whispered to Safiru.
"I don't know." Safiru said.
"At this time," Dimando said, "I'd also like to announce my engagement to Topaz."
Safiru coughed in suprise and Esmeraude, who was drinking, Shot champagne out of her nose in sudden disgust.
Dimando held up Topaz's hand revealing an extremely large rock on her ring finger, considering it was proportionately accurate to her other rings.
Esmeraude sneered and thought to herself, "That should be my ring!"
Dimando spoke again, "She is to gain the title of princess now and is to be known as 'her Highness', I expect you to give her the same amount of respect you give me. We also will be departing to our new base in Crystal Tokyo tomorrow, and I doubt we will be returning."
"Unless something goes completely wrong, as usual." Safiru said, reaching for the champagne bottle, but Esmeraude slapped his hand.
"It's not for children." She said.
Safiru just sighed and slumped in his seat.
Then Dimando and Topaz returned to their seats and a servant came up to them and poured each of them champagne, then went to Safiru's glass, but Dimando reached over and grabbed it first.
"Hey, what gives?" Safiru said.
"You're not old enough yet." Dimando said.
"Oh, and you are?" Safiru said.
"Here we go." Esmeraude said, "Brotherly love!" Her speech was beginning to slur.
"Relax Dimando, let him have it." Topaz said, "There is a first time for everything."
"Double-teaming, ooo." Esmeraude giggled, her cheeks flushed.
"He's not old enough, the drinking age is 18, he's 17, that's final." Dimando said.
"Be glad he's not going by the American drinking age, Safiru." Topaz said, "Or else I would be the only one old enough."
"What's that?" Esmeraude asked, "A million and two?"
Topaz growled, "Twenty-one." She said.
"Esmeraude," Dimando said, "How much champagne have you had so far?"
"Uh..." Esmeraude pondered, "Just a few."
"A few what?" Topaz asked, "Quarts?"
Dimando and Safiru began to argue again, and the two of them just got up and walked away from each other. Leaving Topaz and Esmeraude still seated.
"So, Topaz," Esmeraude started up again, "I suppose that you and Dimando will be busy tonight. I hope that dress of yours is easy to get off."
Topaz glared at Esmeraude and growled out while standing up, "Snaps, not buttons." She walked past Esmeraude, "I wish I could say the same about yours."
Topaz then headed out onto the main floor with Dimando and proceeded to meet people.
Esmeraude just sat in her seat and began to sob. She then got up and stormed out of the assembly hall.
* * * *
Esmeraude was laying on her bed, still in the dress Topaz made for her, just staring up at the ceiling. A half-empty bottle of brandy was on the nightstand beside her. She picked it up and took a long swig, setting it down hard afterwards. She was plastered.
About 3:00am Topaz decided to come skipping in. Her and Dimando just returned from destroying Paris. Esmeraude just glared at her as she prepared to go take a bath. It seemed to her that Topaz moved, she had trails following her, and when Topaz came over to swipe a cigarette, Esmeraude saw three Topazes before her.
Topaz left the room and Esmeraude slowly staggered up, grabbing her bottle of brandy, and, holding onto whatever she could, followed Topaz into the adjacent bathroom.
Topaz was already in the tub, bubbles covering her completely up, and smoking Esmeraude's cigarette. She looked up at Esmeraude.
"Oh wow, you are alive!" Topaz jeered.
"You!" Esmeraude squeezed out, setting the bottle of booze on the countertop, "You stole him from me, Dimando is mine!" She sobbed.
Topaz just shook her head, "Esmeraude, go to bed, you're drunk. You'll feel different about it in the morning, considering the killer hangover you going to have."
Esmeraude then started to cry and stomped her foot, "I hate you, and I will kill you. I will KILL YOU! Ha-ha!" Esmeraude laughed and then passed out, falling hard on the floor.
Topaz got out of the tub and wrapped a towel round herself. She set her cigarette in her mouth and began to kick Esmeraude lightly, and then harder.
"This is great." Topaz laughed.
Safiru then barged in the door.
"Is everything okay? I heard a thud and I thought..." He looked down at Esmeraude, "Yeah, that's what I thought."
He bent over and gently picked her up.
Topaz exhaled a large puff of smoke.
"Do you mind not smoking in here?" Safiru said,
It's not well ventilated and cramped up."
Topaz just took a long drag from the cigarette and exhaled it right in Safiru's face. He began to cough.
"That's what I have to say about that." She said, exiting the bathroom. Safiru followed close behind with Esmeraude in his arms.
* * * *
Esmeraude forced herself out of bed around noon because she had to leave for the past. Her eyes were puffy and red. She had a bad headache and felt as if she was going to throw-up. She stumbled into the bathroom to get ready and noticed the almost-finished bottle of brandy on the counter top.
"What happened last night?" She asked herself.
She dressed in her usual tight, short, black dress, complete with her clunky Esmeraude jewelry. She then put her sunglasses on to hide her eyes and grabbed her red feather fan before heading to the main hall. She stopped and hid behind a pillar when she noticed Topaz and Dimando having a conversation. The more she listened, the more she realized it was an argument.
Topaz threw her off cloak and turned her back on Dimando in disgust.
Dimando picked up her cloak and said, "Look, I just don't want you to get hurt, that's all. I mean, we are going to be married soon..."
"I won't be hurt!" Topaz snarled, turning to face Dimando, "I just want to spend a little time there before I destroy it. I've always wanted to."
"Where is she going now?" Esmeraude said to herself, "This could be my chance to get rid of her for good."
"You're not ready for such social interaction, and New York City is definitely not the place to start." Dimando implied.
"Aha, New York!" Esmeraude said.
"I am not scared of New York at all, and I can fend for myself." Topaz said, snatching her cloak from Dimando and putting it back on.
"Fine, whatever, Topaz." Dimando said, "Have it you're way. Just don't get raped or anything, I won't come to your rescue." Dimando smiled.
Topaz smiled back and locked into an embrace with Dimando.
"Be careful, okay?" Dimando said softly in Topaz's ear.
"I will, my prince." Topaz said back. She stepped away from Dimando and phased out in her usual light blue haze.
"You can leave now, Esmeraude." Dimando said, not even turning to face her.
"How did you know I was here?" Esmeraude asked, startled.
"Learn to keep your thoughts to yourself." He said walking past her.
She threw her fan at him but he turned around and caught it.
"Oh, and, work on you aim." Dimando said, tossing Esmeraude's fan back to her.
She caught it, growled, and phased out in her green haze.
* * * *
It was a cold, snowy day in New York City, and Topaz did not intend to walk around in her usual skimpy ensemble. Instead she blended in perfectly by shortening her boots to calf height and lowering the heel to two inches. Instead of a short, green pleated skirt, she was wearing a long black skirt with a slit on the side, and her bodice became sleathed under a sheer black silk shirt. She ditched the velvet cloak and donned a long black leather trench coat. Her green hair was instead brown, but retained the blonde streaks.
After a few hours of walking around the East Village, she found a small sidewalk café where she could take a break. She sat a small table outside and ordered a cup of tea. She sat there reading the newspaper for about five minutes when she was interrupted.
"Excuse me," Said a man who came up to her table, "Is this seat taken?"
Topaz pulled the paper down from her face, glanced at the man, glanced at the chair at the other side of the table, and kicked it out, then resumed reading her newspaper.
"Thanks," the man said, "a little chilly outside today, ay?" He had a Northstar (Canadian) accent.
Topaz again pulled the paper down from her face and looked at the man, who was wearing a camera strapped around his shoulder. Definitely a tourist.
"Doesn't bother me." Topaz said, "The cold that is." She reached for the cup of tea on the table.
"So, are you from around here?" The man said.
"Why, do I look it?" Topaz said.
"No, I mean, I was just wondering. I'm not." He said.
"No kidding." Topaz laughed, "Nice camera."
"Oh, I guess that is a dead giveaway, ay?" The man said.
"I'm not from around here either." Topaz said, "I'm here on business."
"Where are you from?" The man said.
"The far reaches of the solar system about 1000 years in the future." Topaz said.
"Funny." The man said, vaguely, "Seriously, I mean, I'm from Ottawa."
"You don't believe me?" Topaz said, taking off her sunglasses, revealing her evil eyes.
"Whoa, what's up your eyes?" The man asked, gawking at the electricity pulsating throughout them.
"Huh? Oh," Topaz said, she forgot to disguise her eyes, "Oh, they're just light gray, that's all." At least she remembered to cover her DarkMoon tattoo.
"I get it," The man said, "You're one of those vampire chicks aren't ya, dontcha know?"
"Excuse me?" Topaz asked, confused.
"You know, those gothic freaky girls." The man said, "And you have to make a pilgrimage to New York of something, ay?"
"Whatever." Topaz said, standing up and putting her glasses back on. She then went up to the street and hailed a taxi. One pulled up and she got in.
"Where to lady?" The driver said.
"Central Park, please." Topaz said, "It's almost nightfall." She thought, "What a pity, such a nice city and I have to be the one to trash it."
It took a whole to get to Central Park, and cost a chunk of change. When she got there, the decorations were beginning to turn on. It was two days before Christmas.
* * * *
Meanwhile, back in Tokyo of the same time, the Sailor Scouts were trying to determine what was going on. They were meeting at the Cherry Hill Temple, home to Sailor Mars, or Rei Hino, as she is otherwise known. Usagi Tsukino, or Sailor Moon, was late as usual.
"Where is she?" Rei said, steaming mad.
"Oh, you know Usagi," Ami Mizuno, or Sailor Mercury said, "She has detentions in three classes today."
"Hi, sorry I'm late everyone, but Mamoru gave me a ride." Usagi said, skipping up the temple steps. Mamoru Chiba, or Tuxedo Mask was following close behind, just in case Usagi had a spaz attack and fell.
"Ooo! Cookies! Makoto, you're too cool!" Usagi said, proceeding to stuff her face.
"Well, I figured you would be a little hungry." Makoto Kino, or Sailor Jupiter said.
"Anyway girls," Artemis, the white feline guardian of Sailor Venus said, "Luna and I have discovered something." Luna was the guardian of Sailor Moon, she was also a cat, but black.
"If you haven't noticed already," Luna said, "It appears that both London and Paris have been destroyed in less then a week."
"I haven't heard anything from my parents yet." Minako Aino, or Sailor Venus sobbed quietly. She was an exchange student from London.
"Yeah, what's up with that?" Usagi said with a full mouth.
"I think that they are trying to say that the NegaMoon is behind it, Usagi." Ami said.
"Exactly, Ami." Artemis said, "And we have also calculated the next place they might strike."
"Where is that?" Mamoru asked.
"New York City." Luna said.
"How do you figure?" Makoto said.
"Esmeraude told us today when we saw her in an alley." Artemis said.
"Artemis you ding bat! You believed Esmeraude?" Rei snapped, "It's probably a trap."
"Even if it is, we should go check it out." Makoto said.
"Aw, do we have to?" Usagi said, "I mean, how can we get there? We have no money for plane tickets..."
"You meatball-head!" Rei said, smacking Usagi upside her head, "The Sailor Planet Power can beam us there."
"Oh, yeah." Usagi said.
"Well, let's go!" Minako jumped up, "They are not getting away with this one!"
All the Sailor Scouts then transformed, as well as Mamoru, and activated the Sailor Planet Power to go to New York.
* * * *
Topaz walked through Central Park in the dark, which was still full of people, though mostly prostitutes and drug dealers.
"No wonder why it's called the city that never sleeps." Topaz said, "This is going to be harder than I thought. Oh well, are they in for a suprise."
At the other end of the park, the Sailor Scouts beamed in.
"Wow look at all of these lights!" Sailor Mars said, "It must be a holiday or something."
"Yeah, Christmas." Sailor Venus said, "It's a Christian Holiday."
Meanwhile, Topaz felt their presence, transformed into her normal outfit and flew over to them, she hid in a tree and looked down on them.
"The Sailor Scouts! How did they know I was here?" Topaz thought, "Easily remedied, I'll get rid of them quickly." She flipped down off the tree and covered her head with her hood, hiding in the shadows. She looked at the scouts, they were talking about themselves and Tuxedo Mask was right in front of her.
"I just love a man in a tuxedo," She said, coming out of the shadows, "Especially ones that hang around with little girls wearing big bowties." Topaz then jumped in the air and hovered above the group.
"Hey! We are not little girls!" Sailor Moon shouted up at her, "And who are you to say so?"
"I'm Topaz, Princess Topaz to you, the future queen of the NegaMoon as you call it, and eventually the whole Earth of the future, and the past too. What the hell." Topaz laughed wickedly, "And I'm not about to let a bunch of sappy sailors in short skirts or a gay guy in a cheap tux stop me!" She raised her hands and called out, "Earth, Air, Water, Fire, Void! Come to my aid!"
Lightning crashed through the air and the wind began to blow. Topaz screamed and shot a beam of light blue light that separated before the six warriors, forming exact clones of them. The only differences visible were that the stones in the tiaras of the scouts were all light blue topazes with DarkMoons in them and that the false Tuxedo Mask has a DarkMoon on his forehead.
"Now let's see how good your fighting skills really are, against yourself." Topaz said.
The scouts began to fight their clones, one on one, not realizing that the clones had exactly the same powers, reflexes, and techniques as themselves, and knew their exact next moves. The scouts had surely met their match. Until Sailor Mercury managed to defeat hers, reducing it to a pile of dust.
"I found a weakness!" She shouted at the others, "Attack them with your strongest power after they shoot theirs at you, they have to regenerate."
Then eventually the scouts abolished all of their clones, disintegrating them into piles of dust that blew away in the cold wind. Topaz was flustered and landed in front of the group, her eyes surging with electricity.
"Look at her eyes!" Sailor Mars said.
"You're tougher then I thought," Topaz said, "Perhaps I have to finish you off one by one. Starting with you." She pointed at Tuxedo Mask, "Come on over, Cape Boy. Let's see what you got."
The scouts tried to hold him back but he pushed them back and walked toward Topaz.
"You're on." He said.
"I see you got yourself a stick there," Topaz said, "Come on, I'll show you mine." She formed her Bo staff out of electricity in her hand, "If you show me yours." She spun her staff around and vertically placed it before her.
Tuxedo Mask brought his straight cane out from his cape.
"Yours is a little shorter than mine, I hope that's not a disadvantage on your behalf." Topaz said, sensually licking her upper lip afterwards. Tuxedo Mask's staff then grew to a size even with hers, "Expandable! I like that!" Topaz snickered.
"Who does she think she is, flirting with my boyfriend! Why I outta..." Sailor Moon snarled.
"Usagi, stay back!" Sailor Venus said.
Tuxedo Mask then said, "None of your weird powers, and no flying."
"As you wish." Topaz said bowing before Tuxedo Mask, but as she got up, she swung her staff at him luckily he blocked.
They continuously exchanged blows, blocking each other's strikes and dodging kicks and punches. At one time, Tuxedo Mask managed to knock Topaz on the ground, but she quickly kicked-up and continued.
"She is so good." Sailor Jupiter said, "I don't even think I could take her."
The other scouts just looked at Sailor Jupiter in disgust.
But then, Topaz front-snap kicked Tuxedo Mask in the stomach and threw him off guard. She then did a spin-back kick and knocked him on the ground. She quickly got on top of him and straddled him, forcing her Bo staff to lock down his arms and press against his neck so that she was almost choking him.
"Pinned ya." She said, taking off her cloak and throwing it at Sailor Mars who caught it. Topaz still retained her firm grip on Tuxedo Mask, who was struggling to breathe.
"What's the matter?" Topaz asked, "You don't like a girl who strips for you?" She rolled the staff down to his so he could breathe, but his arms were still locked down.
"You seem rather tense." Topaz said again, "Perhaps you're not getting enough from Sailor Moon! No, you are a virgin, I can tell."
"You slut! Stop it now!" Sailor Moon broke free of Sailor Venus's grasp and charged Topaz.
Topaz just stuck her hand out, "The Element of Air, take care of her!" She shouted, and a strong gust of wind swept Sailor Moon off her feet and blew her back to the other scouts. She struggled to get up and staggered into Sailor Venus's arms.
"Now where we?" Topaz said, "Oh, yes, I remember." She pressed down harder on the staff and Tuxedo Mask moaned in pain, he began to struggle again, but it was no use.
"Don't fight it," Topaz said, "It only makes it worse."
"What do you want of me?" Tuxedo Mask forced out.
"Your life." Topaz said darkly, but then erupted into wild laughter, "Just kidding. I just want to see who the man is behind the mask. I'm an extremely noisy and curious person." She began to pull off his mask, revealing a face familiar to the Sailor Pluto trapped within her.
Topaz loosened her grip on him and her voice whispered out, "Endymion?"
But before he could reply, a strong, black and green electric energy blast shot them, separating Topaz and Tuxedo Mask in opposite directions.
Tuxedo Mask rolled over to the scouts and stood up. Topaz rolled over onto her back and looked up at Esmeraude hovering over her.
"Esmeraude, what is the meaning of this?" She yelled.
"It's Esmeraude!" Sailor Mercury said.
"Topaz, you naughty girl." Esmeraude said, "All over another man. Dimando will be very unhappy about this."
"Get out of here Esmeraude, this is none of your concern." Topaz said.
"None of my concern?" Esmeraude said, "Excuse me, but you stole my assignment away from me!" She pointed at the Sailor Scouts.
"Uh, no. They came to me." Topaz corrected.
"With me help of course, I told them you would be here." Esmeraude said.
"You double-crossing bitch!" Topaz yelled at Esmeraude, and her staff changed into a spear, which she threw at Esmeraude, slicing her arm, and blood began to drip down to the ground. Esmeraude screamed and gripped her arm in pain.
"You will pay for this!" Esmeraude said, "I am going to destroy you!"
"Ooo, this is going to be good." Sailor Jupiter said.
"Everybody place your bets, right here right now, Esmeraude versus Princess Topaz, the fight of the century!" Sailor Moon giggled.
"Enough Usagi, This is serious." Tuxedo Mask said, "Topaz knew my name."
"Maybe she is psychic." Sailor Mars said, I hope she gets killed though."
"Why?" Sailor Venus said.
"So I can keep this wicked cool cloak!" Sailor Mars said.
"Rei, how selfish of you!" Sailor Mercury said.
In the meantime, Esmeraude and Topaz were still arguing.
"You have to be insane, Esmeraude, "Topaz said, "Challenging me? You know that I am twice as powerful as Dimando as it is!"
"I don't care!" Esmeraude screamed, "Ever since you came you have been nothing but a burden to me. Interfering with my life, stealing my man..."
"Dimando was never 'your man', Esmeraude." Topaz interrupted.
"I've had enough! I'm finally going to do away with you!" Esmeraude continued.
"In that case fine." Topaz said, she then turned to the scouts and shot her energy beam at them, creating a force field around them.
"They will not be harmed or interfere now." She said.
"She's helping us?" Sailor Moon said, her voice echoing in the force field.
Topaz seemed rather calm about what she was doing, and simply said, "The Element of Earth, gravity."
Esmeraude just said, "What?" Then crashed down to the ground, as Topaz flew up over her head, laughing her wicked laugh.
"That's not fair!" Esmeraude squawked up at Topaz.
"Oh, it isn't?" Topaz said, "My bad." She rejoined Esmeraude on the ground.
"Care to take the first hit?" Topaz said, curtsying before Esmeraude.
"I'm going to enjoy this." Esmeraude said, tucking her fan in her boot and charging Topaz.
Topaz just stepped to the side and clotheslined her. When Esmeraude recovered, Topaz slapped her in the head with a roundhouse kick. This seemed to awaken her senses, for Esmeraude then began to fight back, but did not manage to get too many clean shots on Topaz. Then she zonked out and reappeared in the air and Topaz followed. The power war was about to begin.
Esmeraude shot her green and black electric beam at Topaz who shot her light blue energy at the same time. Their powers clashed between them.
"My energy beam isn't strong enough," Topaz thought, "it needs a serious boost." She then rose one of her hands, harnessed a lightning bolt, and shot it in the energy beam, destroying Esmeraude's and knocking Esmeraude into a tree. Then the beat, bruised, and bewildered Esmeraude flew over to Topaz, pulling her fan out from her boot. She looked down, they were about 100 feet off the ground. She looked at Topaz, who had nothing but a small drop of blood on her lip and was ready for another round.
She put her hands behind her back as if she was hiding something and said, "You know, Topaz, I admit you are a lot better than me, and I think we should call a truce." She pulled her fan apart, revealing a sharp knife.
"What are you getting at, Esmeraude?" Topaz asked, sternly.
"Well, what I'm trying to say is, that," Esmeraude inched closer to Topaz, "you're mortal now!" She thrusted the knife deep into Topaz's abdomen and up into her diaphragm. Surely a fatal wound.
Topaz screamed so loudly it turned into thunder, and the force field around the scouts disappeared. A look of fear filled Topaz's eyes with tears and her hands opened at her sides. Esmeraude then swiped the Dimando engagement ring off her finger.
"You won't be needing this." Esmeraude said, placing it on her own finger, "And I suppose you won't be coming with us to the base on Earth, pity." She pulled the knife out of Topaz and blood poured out of the open wound.
"Don't underestimate me, Esmeraude, I still have strength left," Topaz struggled to say, "earth, air, water, fire, void..." Her voice trailed off but a heavy energy beam exploded from her hands, thrusting Esmeraude clear across the park until she hit the front of the Plaza Hotel, but she phased out before any damage was done.
Then Topaz fell into shock and plummeted 100 feet to the ground, but she was caught in the waiting arms of Tuxedo Mask, who gently placed her on the ground in front of him. She was still conscious, but when she gazed up at Tuxedo Mask, she saw the face of Dimando instead.
"Oh, Dimando," She whispered, "I'm so sorry." She coughed and spat up blood.
"Ew, gross." Sailor Moon said, who was then slapped by Sailor Mars. She then said, "Who is she talking about?"
"She is in shock, who knows." Sailor Mercury said.
Topaz closed her eyes and reopened them slowly, revealing the garnet eyes of Sailor Pluto.
"Her eyes changed!" Sailor Venus exclaimed.
"Sailor Moon, please help me," Topaz murmured, "use your crystal, it's the only way I can live again."
"Uh..." Sailor Moon thought.
"Please, I'm not who you think I am, I..." Topaz's breathing was becoming shorter, "I am a Sailor Warrior..." She trailed off.
"Hurry Sailor Moon!" Sailor Jupiter said.
"But...But what..." Sailor Moon stuttered.
"Do it!" The other four scouts said in unison.
"Okay." Sailor Moon said, reluctantly, "Moon Healing Activation!"
The Silver Crystal shot a beam at Topaz, lifting her body off the ground. Topaz's appearance changed back to that of Sailor Pluto, her wound disappeared and left a scar the likeness of a DarkMoon. The beam removed itself and she fell softly, naked onto the grass. Tuxedo Mask quickly removed his cape and put it over Sailor Pluto.
"She is alive, just exhausted." He said.
"I know her!" Sailor Mercury said, "She's the one from the Luna Sphere, Sailor Pluto!"
"What are we going to do with her?" Sailor Venus asked.
"She'll have to stay at my place." Tuxedo Mask said, "That way, no questions are asked."
"You're place?" Sailor Moon said in jealousy.
"It's the best place for now, Usagi, until we find out where she belongs." Tuxedo Mask said, "Let's go."
The Sailor Scouts then activated the Sailor Planet Power and transported themselves back to Tokyo.
* * * *
Meanwhile, back on the DarkMoon base in Crystal Tokyo, Dimando was waiting impatiently for Topaz.
"Where is she?" He shouted at Safiru, "She should be here by now!"
Safiru just shrugged.
Then Esmeraude phased in, and collapsed on the floor. Dimando rushed up to her and pulled her up.
"Esmeraude, where is Topaz?" Dimando shook her.
"I don't know." Esmeraude stammered out.
"Esmeraude, where is Topaz?" Dimando shouted.
"I'm sorry, she's gone." Esmeraude said, "This is all I could recover from her." She showed Dimando the ring on her finger.
He took it off her finger and threw her on the ground. "What happened?" He asked solemnly.
Esmeraude stood up. "I guess the scouts got to her first." She said.
Dimando noticed the bloody fan in Esmeraude's boot. He reached down and grabbed it.
"Whose blood is this, Esmeraude?" He asked.
She didn't answer.
"Esmeraude! Whose blood is this? Is it Sailor Moon's?" Dimando demanded.
Esmeraude turned away. Then Dimando knew what had happened. He went up to Esmeraude and backhanded her in the face, hard. Esmeraude clutched her face and began to cry.
"I'm so sorry..." She sobbed.
"Enough! You have brought me to a new level, Esmeraude." Dimando said, "I would never hit a woman. Consider yourself fallen out of my favor. Go to your room and await your punishment."
"What? A whipping? A flogging?" Esmeraude tried to make a joke, "Rayoww, kinky!"
"Out of my sight, Esmeraude!" Dimando commanded, "I no longer want to see your sinful face. You must prove to me that you are worthy enough to rejoin my court, but I will never forgive you." He sat down in his throne and watched Esmeraude run off into her room.
Safiru then said, "Your Highness, maybe it's best you go to bed now."
"Leave me be, Safiru." Dimando said.
"Yes, your Highness." Safiru said, bowing out and walking away.
Dimando continued to sit in his throne. Although he was very upset, he retained his masculine poise.
Esmeraude walked into her room, and noticed that none of Topaz's belongings were there.
"That's strange," She said, "I was sure they would be sent here with the rest of the furniture." She went for the dress that Topaz made for her. It had disappeared also.
And all over the world of the past, any damage caused by Topaz disappeared as well, and the populations returned to their normal routines. Forgetting everything that happened.