LEAD CROW
Damn that Tin Cat!! She is always distracting me!! I NEVER had this many problems when I worked with Aluminum Siren.
I recently found Siren's diary and read it. She had found out the Sailor Senshi's true identities before she died… but Galaxia wouldn't listen to her! But then.. neither would I. I simply told Siren to apologize to Galaxia for failing her mission... but Siren insisted she had not failed, and had found out the truth about the Senshi.
I sit at my desk, and unlock the bottom drawer. There is Siren's diary. I pick it up, and flip through it once more. I know it front to back now.. but it is all that is left of Siren, and I cherish it. I look at the front page and smile. It is a drawing Siren made of herself. She gave herself a mermaid's tail… just like the Sirens in ancient Greek mythology. Sirens were water women with beautiful voices that could bring any ancient sailor to his knees and, eventually, to his death.
Unfortunately, things did not quite work that way with our current sailors. The senshi had not been defeated. And that is what caused Siren's death. The damn senshi! They WILL pay!
I look at the picture again, and a small tear falls down my cheek, "Still looking through that failure's records?" A voice interrupts me. I quickly wipe the tear away and look up to see Tin Cat.
"She was not a failure!!" I insist. But I refuse to tell Tin Cat the revelations I found in Siren's diary.
"Yes… she was! She failed to find the Star Seed, and failed to kill the senshi!" Tin Cat then laughs a high pitched laugh. I glare at her angrily, and put the diary down as I stand up.
"Shut up!! Don't speak about Siren that way!!" I yell.
Tin Cat looks at me, "Oh, sensitive, aren't we. What type of relationship did you HAVE with Siren, Lead Crow?" She asks.
"None of your damn business!!" I snap.
"Pathetic!" Tin Cat says, then she leaves.
"I hate you!" I mutter under my breath. I go to the washroom and look in the mirror. Of all the animamates, I am the oddest looking one. My skin is dark red, and I have two large wings in my back. On top of that, my nails are like talons. Yes… I definitely have earned the 'crow' in my name. As did Tin Cat earn the 'cat' in her name. She has claws, ears, and a tail. And is as sly as a cat as well. All us animamates have earned our names well. Siren even had a beautiful singing voice. And Iron Mouse, Siren's predecessor, was small and, well, mouse-like.
I wash my face, and walk out of the washroom. I sit down and look at the picture on my desk. It is of Siren and myself. She was my best friend. She was my only friend. I remember the day she died. Galaxia was angry with her… and took her life in one simple display of power. I watched as Siren faded away in front of me as a single tear fell down my cheek. Then, a few moments after Siren's death, Tin Cat came out of the shadows… laughing!
It wasn't until I was alone that I truly cried. I did not dare cry in front of Galaxia and Tin Cat.
Tin Cat! I believe she's trying to kill me... or get me killed by Galaxia. Perhaps I don't care anymore. At least, if I die, I will be with Siren.
I am snapped out of my thoughts by a presence, "Galaxia-sama…" I call out.
"Lead Crow, I wish to see you… NOW!" Galaxia commands telepathically. I dare not disobey her.
"Yes, mistress," I reply, and within moments, I teleport to Galaxia's throne room.
"Tin Cat tells me you have failed once again," Galaxia says as she looks at me.
I bow humbly in front of Galaxia, "Forgive me, mistress… I ran into the Sailor Soldiers," I reply.
"Twice in a row, from what I could tell," a voice says behind me.
"Shut up, Tin Cat!" I say as she comes out of the shadows.
"Make me…" Tin Cat challenges, and bares her claws. She hisses. I bare my fangs and talons, and take an attack stance. I have been looking forward to this for a long time!
"ENOUGH!" Galaxia commands angrily, "I will not have my Sailor Animamates fighting amongst themselves when there are Sailor Senshi to fight!"
"Yes, Galaxia-sama," Tin Cat says innocently, and bows gracefully.
Galaxia looks at me, "Now, Lead Crow… I am getting impatient with you. First Siren fails.. now you. Do you wish to end up like her?!" Galaxia threatens.
I close my eyes, "Perhaps it would be better that way…" I say quietly. I know my remark surprises Galaxia, and stuns Tin Cat.
Tin Cat narrows her eyes, "I can arrange that…" she hisses.
"Tin Cat! Enough… you are dismissed!!" Galaxia commands. Tin Cat looks at Galaxia, and bows as she disappears. The Galaxia looks at me, "You have a death wish, Lead Crow?" I say nothing. Galaxia stands up and takes a step towards me, "It is no good sacrificing yourself if you do not have a valid reason. I learned that a long time ago…" she begins.
I look at her, "Galaxia-sama… I do not understand.."
"Nor are you meant to… it is MY business… my past. Something I did a long, long time ago!" Galaxia says. "I am Sailor Galaxia. I did not take the 'Sailor' for my name out of spite for the Senshi. I WAS a Sailor Senshi once! As were you! But no more! I have sacrificed too much already, and I refuse to sacrifice any more!"
"Galaxia-sama…" I begin, but she cuts me off.
"Believe me when I speak of sacrifices!" Galaxia snaps, "Now, your business is to get me THE Star Seed! You must know that every Sailor Senshi has a Star Seed, do you not?"
"Yes, Galaxia-sama.. I know. I know Sailor Moon and the others carry these Star Seeds. If I capture the Star Seeds of the Senshi, they will die…"
Galaxia looks away for a moment, "A Senshi can live WITHOUT a Star Seed, Lead Crow…" she says quietly, then turns to me, "You should know that! You had a Star Seed once as well!"
I look at my wrists. There is a golden bracelet on each wrist. It is what keeps me alive. If these bracelets are ever removed, then I will die. For I DID once have a Star Seed… as did Aluminum Siren, and Iron Mouse and Tin Cat as well. Galaxia removed our Star Seeds for her own reasons. In a sense, I am already dead. Siren was already dead as well, and when Galaxia removed her bracelets it was merely her body that faded away. The REAL Sailor Aluminum Siren died a long time ago when her Star Seed was removed… as did the REAL Sailor Lead Crow! Of course, Sailor Moon and her Sailor Senshi know NOTHING of this. They believe that we call ourselves 'Sailor' to spite them.
I look at Galaxia, "Galaxia-sama… what about YOUR Star Seed…"
"Enough chattering!" Galaxia snaps. "Now, leave to do your duty! Get me THE Star Seed - the one I am looking for. I care nothing about the other Senshi's Star Seeds… I am only looking for the Light of Hope!" Galaxia commands.
"Yes, mistress.." I reply. I bow, and leave... wondering what DID happen to Galaxia's Star Seed.
NEXT: HARUKA