Chapter 01 - The End of a Dream
Disclaimers:
- Bishoujo Senshi Sailor Moon, the Silver Millenium, the Sailor Senshi and any other words related to the world of Sailor Moon are copyright of Naoko Takeuchi, Kodansha, Toei Animation and DiC and CWI (USA).
- The Dragon Kishi and the Noble Kishi are characters from the SM-NDK series from Exodus FanFictions and are being used with the permission of their respective authors. A great kiss and 'thank you' to Henrique 'Ranma' Loyola (Dragon Kishi) and Martin Siu 'X/MADS' (Noble Kishi).
- Angel Guardians - July, 2000.
Umi almost couldn't believe in her eyes. She, who had always listened to all those stories told by everyone as legends about the Sailor Senshi, was finally watching to a thing that could be called 'battle prologue' in the middle of the Royal Palace. For those who may ask, yes, she knew that her mother was Sailor Mercury and that her father was Earth Dragon, but she had ever, ever seen one of them in battle clothes. People used to say that, in time of peace, their powers weren't necessary, but her father had never stopped training.
Cynthia and Kenji had the same reaction as Kazeno Umi's. Children of a Sailor Senshi with a Dragon Kishi, they had never imagined how would their parents be when in battle. Their green eyes sparkled with a kind of... happiness. Opportunities like that would never happen again in the peace of old Neo Crystal Tokyo.
But Chibi-Usa and Erios saw all that with fear. Both of them knew that the transformation of the legendary warriors never was a good thing. Their father's look, when he walked out ot the Throne Hall, and their mother's, who stood up still in front of the Queen's Throne, showed how worried they were. That was a day for happiness, to unite old friends and to 'gossip about old and new things and laugh a lot', as Tsukino Usagi would say.
Michie was still calm, at her father's side. She knew that she was supposed to help protecting Minako, who was pregnant of six months and was very irritated for being put aside as a sidekick', even though she agreed with Neo-Queen Serenity's decision. The Make-Up would put her baby's life in danger.
"Mama", called Umi, breaking the silence that was taking over the room. "Where's aunt Kyn?"
"She... must be on the infirmary... in case we need it", answered Sailor Mercury, lying to her daughter. She knew that Kyn should be at the New Central, trying to find out what was happening to create an abnormal energy pattern on Neo Crystal Tokyo.
***
Firebird and Kyn got quickly at the room that kept all the computers of the New Central and felt better when they saw that Moon Fox, Chronos and Yukiko were with Daniel, trying to find out what could be causing the anormal pattern. But the sight of the uniforms that the three were using wasn't a good thing.
"Wha...?", exclaimed Kyn. "Why are you all in uniform?"
"We're not in peace anymore, Kyn", answered Yukiko, handing out a blue package to the mercurian girl. "This is yours."
"There's being a long time since I last used a blue jacket...", said Kyn, walking to behind a
computer terminal to change her clothes. "But continue what you were saying, Yukiko, what's going on? What the heck is causing all this?"
"As usual, a new energy pattern started blinking on the map, exactly on Neo Crystal Tokyo", answered Daniel. "The sensors of the counties didn't detect any abnormality on their scans, what make things more... dangerous."
"Their goal is the Royal Palace, as I can see", said Firebird, buckling his Venus bracket on his right arm. "Any idea of what may be the source of this energy?"
Daniel was buckling his Mars bracket and took a great, deep breath before answering "You'll
want to kill me, but..."
"C'MON, SPEAK IT ALOUD!", shouted Kyn, as her voice seemed to be more frightening when coming
from behind a computer.
"Looks like it's the Seihai."
And a deep long silence fell down over the group that was at the Central.
"Just a sec... I must be hearing things... I swear I heard you saying that Seihai was the source of the energy that's wrecking down the system...", said Kyn, all dressed up with her uniform and her Mercury bracket.
"Your ears are better than ever", said Chronos, with his usual low voice. "Please, say your verbal command so we can access Sailor Pluto's archives and try to find out what's happening."
"You said that Pluto Dragon had forbidden any interference", said Moon Fox, as an alert.
"Yes, indeed. But she didn't say anything about accessing Fate's archives", smiled Chronos,
loginng to the net that connected the New Central to the secret archives of Time Library.
[Access forbidden. Verbal command required.], said the metallic voice of the computer.
"Chronos of Fate."
[Voice identified. Please proceed.]
"Requesting access to Time Library. Subject Seihai."
[Access forbidden, Chronos of Fate. Verbal commands required.]
"Your turn", said Chronos, stepping back from the computer he was operating until then. "Say your Selenit names, except Yukiko. Her command is the same as mine... if it's said twice, with her voice, system will deny access... and it's still the Silver Millenium's Central System, it would never accept a Chronos with female voice", he finished, grinning.
Yukiko tried to ignore the comment that came from Sailor Pluto's only son and tried to hold her own instincts so she wouldn't smash his face with a punch. Unfortunately, who hold on something was Moon Fox, who was forced to hold his wife's right arm before her hand crashed the violet light that existed in front of Chronos's eyes. Destroying the implant would be the same as have a blind friend again, because the implant was the responsible for the correct vision of Chronos, who was blind since was born.
"Kitakaze of Serenity", said Moon Fox, using a name that wasn't said since the Silver Millenium.
"Haru of Saphir", continued Kyn.
"Hinosei of Fihar", it was Daniel's turn.
"Katai of Shine", concluded Firebird.
[Youkai. Access to Time Library is free, please stand by...]
"Now all we have to do is wait... even though Time isn't something we have", said Yukiko,
without knowing that two men were very near to the Central. Two that could not understand what
the group was doing, misunderstooding everything. Nevertheless, as Murphy is sooooooooo kind...
***
"... Time Library is free, please stand by..."
Mercury and Jupiter Noble Kishi were close to the New Central's door, hearing what people were saying and trying to understand what was happening. They hadn't heard too much, only Chronos's laugh, the Selenit names and the computer's metallic voice granting access to Sailor Pluto's secret archives. And that was the fact that was the strangest of them all. Why someone would have access granted to archives that were forbidden to anyone else, but the Senshi who wrote it?
Their names weren't strange, remembered Mercury Noble Kishi, also known as Hypnos. Haru was Sailor Mercury's twin sister, Second princess of Mercury; Hinosei was cousin of the princess of Mars, Sailor Mars; Katai was the adoptive brother of the princess of Venus, Sailor Venus... but he couldn't recognize the other two, Kitakaze and Chronos. Jupiter Noble Kishi, or LD, didn't recognize any of the names said, but felt they weren't strange.
"It's Moon Fox, Kyn, Daniel, Firebird and Martin", said LD. "I don't understand why Kyn is there. She's not a member of the New Central programmers group."
"But...", sighed Hypnos, speaking in a low voice. "did you notice that all of them are accessing the Time Library? And they were those who gave the alert of the abnormal energy pattern."
"Could it be a false alarm?"
"I don't know. If it was, I hope they have a good explanation to give us...", answered Hypnos. "I don't want to fight with my cousin's sister. We'd better watch a little more before making any move."
***
A small earthquake started, shaking the Throne Hall as a sign that something worse would happen. The Sailor Senshi formed a circle around Chibi-Usa and Erios, while the Dragon Kishi, who had disobeyed Serenity's orders, took defense position around the queen. Close to her, was Minako, protected by Silver.
When only the sound of the earthquake could be heard, the sound of a sword being withdrawn called everyone's attention.
"Kenji!", exclaimed Sailor Jupiter, when she saw her older son taking a defensive position and
staying by her side. "Go back!"
"I can't just stay watching while my mother's being attacked", answered Kenji.
Sailor Jupiter was going to call his atention, but the earthquake got stronger, shaking the ground and making everyone stumble. The white marble that made the floor of the Throne Hall began to crack, until some pieces from the center of the Throne Hall began to float by the energy that came from the underground of Neo Crystal Tokyo. An energy that seem to search for someone - or something - special.
A very strong light came from an object that came out from the marble, making everyone blind for a second, giving Sailor Mercury the time she needed to activate her VR vision and to analyze the object.
"It can't be!", she exclaimed, before the light could come back to normal.
***
"It can't be!", exclaimed Daniel, standing up from the chair he had been sitting for hours. "We have to go to the Throne Hall... NOW!"
All the alarms of the New Central were activated, sirens yelling red alert in all the Royal Palace. Even the light from the computer room had been changed to red, what indicated that within ten minutes, the primary protector shields of Neo Crystal Tokyo and of the Throne Hall would be activated to prohibit the entrance or exit of any living being and/or energy.
"The countdown has begun", said Firebird, running to the door. "We have ten minutes until the Throne Hall is shut down."
"Let's go!", ordered Moon Fox, going out of the computer room...
... to crash right on Mercury and Jupiter Noble Kishi, who were too close to the door and didn't notice that the runaway of the group of programmers would be too different to the normal pattern of computer maniacs... by the way, does someone know if there IS a normal pattern for that?
"Hypnos!", exclaimed Kyn, stopping right after Moon Fox. "What are you doing here?"
"I ask you the same thing and... why are you using these clothes? There's a long time since I last saw you using something like that", said the Noble Kishi from Mercury, standing up. "So?"
"So something we don't have is time to chit-chat about foolish things like that", answered Daniel, coming out from the New Central, also with an uniform, but with the red colors of Mars. "Are you coming with us or not?"
"And if we said we're not going?", asked LD, with his eyes sparkling.
"Well, then I won't respond by my acts", said Daniel, picking up his stick that was in one of
his jacket's dimensional pockets and preparing himself for an attack.
"YOU TWO, STOP THAT! _RIGHT NOW_!" yelled Kyn, getting between the two stubborn men. "Our
priority is the same, Neo Crystal Tokyo and Neo-Queen Serenity's safety. Better explanations
come after that, what we have to do is get to the Throne Hall now! Did you understand or do
I have to make myself clearer?!"
Both of them couldn't make anything else than blink their eyes twice and agree with a head
gesture, while the twin sister of the Senshi of Mercury passed through them, running in the
Throne Hall's direction. After her, the others also ran, with a strange smile on their faces,
as if they wanted to laugh of something, specially Hypnos. Even though Kyn also had the rigid emotional control that was common to every mercurian, her strong personality made her lose her patience and have atitudes more impulsives and unexpected... something she had got from her most recent encarnation and maybe a reaction against the calm and serenity she had during the
Silver Millenium. But that was something that was useful, specially when reason wasn't worth anymore.
There had been a long time since anyone there had run THAT desperate. Even though the kishi had kept training, none of them had trained, except Kyn, Firebird, Moon Fox and Yukiko; Chronos and Daniel were extremely out of shape, without conditions of keep the same speed as their friends. Even during the Silver Millenium, Chronos had never trained his physics attributes to battles, being better trained for intelectual activity. Kyn wasn't different of Chronos, but she had trained with her niece. Firebird, as member of the personal guard of Minako, never stopped training, even though he was a programmer of New Central.
"I can't believe you're ALREADY tired, Daniel!", said Moon Fox, slowing down. "The Throne Hall
isn't THAT far from the Central!"
"*arf* I *arf* am *arf* out *arf* of shape *gah*", said (?) Daniel.
"I can see that... hey. Why did everyone stop here by the door...?", asked Moon Fox, just before getting into the hall and getting the answer for his question.
***
A golden chalice emerged from the center of the Throne Hall, its light fading out slowly, making possible that everyone could see again. Everyone knew that chalice, originated from the union of the three talismans that were found in the heart crystals of people of pure heart, from the hearts of Sailor Uranus, Neptune and Pluto.
It was the Seihai. Beautiful and imponent as it was in the last time Neo-Queen Serenity, who still was Sailor Moon, had seen it, before it was broken. And, behind the Holy Grail, something became more clear. The silhouette of a woman with long hair fixed up in 'odangos', not round as Sailor Moon's, but sharp as Chibi-Usa's.
Sailor Mercury's blue eyes couldn't believe in what they saw, neither in what her VR visor shown her. Sailor Mars and Sailor Jupiter broke their positions for some seconds, surprised with what they were seeing, taking back their defense positions after that. Aino Minako couldn't hide a grief that came out of her throat, while Neo-Queen Serenity just kept serious when she saw her daughter's adult and evil version in her front.
"There's been a long time, mother", said the woman, her last word said in an ironic voice.
"Black Lady", said Neo-Queen Serenity, walking some steps. "What is happening?"
"You shouldn't be here!", yelled Chibi-Usa, trying to run, but being kept on her place by the circle made by the Senshi. "You shouldn't exist!"
"Yes, Small Lady Serenity, you're right", laughed Black Lady, holding the Seihai. "In this reality, I don't exist, I'm just part of your soul. But you should know that..."
"... that small actions can change the future", continued Chronos, calling Black Lady's attention. "In our reality, Wiseman was defeated and you turned back to be the small princess of Neo Crystal Tokyo. But there must be a timeline in which that didn't happen; the proof of that is in front of us. I have just one question... what are you doing here?"
Black Lady smiled, closing her eyes for a second, opening them while opening the Seihai, that sent its energy everywhere. "To do this."
Everyone who was in the hall, except the youngest ones, screamed with pain and agony when the energy of the Seihai got them. To Neo-Queen Serenity, the pain seemed to be stronger, as life itself were being stolen from her soul. The Senshi felt as if their hearts would be taken out of her bodies, as they screamed with the pain they felt and with worry for their children. Umi, Cynthia, Kenji, Erios and Michie didn't feel anything but panic when they saw their parents suffering with grief.
Specially Kenji. The pain in Sailor Jupiter's face was enough to him and he gathered all the
strenght of his body to break the circle of the Senshi and go to attack the one who caused
everything. Jupiter Noble Kishi, who also was suffering with the Seihai's energy, tried to run
to stop his son, to prevent him from getting close to Black Lady, but he fell in his first
steps. The woman of long pink hair only laughed at the young prince of Jupiter's attitude, when
she raised her hand in his direction and attacked him with a violet energy, the same she had used against Tuxedo Kamen, years ago.
When she saw what was happening, Umi jumped over the Senshi's barrier and ran to Kenji's direction, without thinking. Sailor Mercury's scream was of a desperate mother and was followed by the screams of Mercury Noble Kishi, Earth Dragon and Kyn, that nothing could do, but only watch the foolish atitude of the young mercurian girl.
"Pluto Destiny Power!", yelled Chronos, making his bracket's symbol shine. A strange violet energy came from his body, protecting Kyn, Firebird, Moon Fox, Yukiko and Daniel.
"Chronos, why...?", asked Kyn, when she felt less pain.
"This is the best I can do", answered Chronos, fighting against the Seihai's energy. "Save them
both, Kyn."
"Youkai! Mercury Destiny Power!", she yelled, the Mercury symbol shining on her bracket. Her hands guided the blue energy through Black Lady.
Sailor Mercury, seeing what her sister was doing, gathered all the energy of her body, trying to forget the physic pain she felt... ignoring it when she saw that Umi was getting closer to Kenji Kasen, almost becoming a victim of Black Lady's attack.
"Mercury Crystal Power!", and the blue energy was followed of another one.
"Earth Dragon Power!", Earth Dragon yelled, in his last efforts to save his daughter.
"Jupiter Crystal Power!", Sailor Jupiter couldn't just watch her son in danger.
"Mars Crystal Power!", and a red energy followed the others.
"Jupiter Noble Power!", yelled LD, still on the ground.
"Mercury Noble Power!", and Hypnos sent his energy to help the others.
And Black Lady just laughed, amused with the warriors. Her laughter echoed through the palace, calling the attention of everyone who wasn't in the Throne Hall, but that nothing could do, as they also were suffering the effects of the Seihai's energy.
"Is this the better you can do?", laughed Black Lady, stopping her attack to Kenji, giving time to Umi jump and use her body to throw Kenji away from the reach of the 'big rabbit'. "Hey, that was a good action, girl."
What Umi hadn't calculated was that the angule of her movement would take her to the corner of the Throne Hall, eliminating all the possibilities of a quick run. Kenji was unconscious, what made things worse, because she couldn't just escape and leave him behind.
The sight of an enemy approaching to take her life was something she had never seen before, because she had born in a time of peace. With fear running through all her blood, Umi closed her eyes very hard an waited for something to happen.
The Mercury symbol shined on her forehead, the blue light shining with all its majesty and surrounding her body, making Black Lady put her arm in front of her eyes to protect herself. Everyone who had used their energies were tired, but stil awaken to see what was happening in the corner of the Throne Hall.
The blue light surrounded Umi's body as a cocoon, that opened in a sudden, freeing the young
mercurian with wings made out of pure energy on her back. Her clothes were different, the
bothering dress had disappeared, giving place to a white shirt of short sleeves, that was
thight to her body as the upper part of the Sailor fuku used by the Senshi, but without a
sailor collar and a blue lace, the collar being totally closed up. A blue necklace was at her
neck and, on her waist, a belt of the same color made the limit between the thight and the loose part of the shirt, that ended as a skirt, being shorter than a Senshi's. White pants protected her legs, ending in long, blue boots. On her arms, white gloves as her mother's made her uniform more beautiful. When her feet finally met the floor again, her wings were gone, the
energy was concentrated to a tiara on her forehead.
"Time's over, Black Lady...", said Umi, opening her blue eyes. "I'm Angel Mercury, Guardian of Ice!"
"Oh well... when we think that surprises are all over...", said Black Lady, looking back to
the Seihai, that was closing itself. "It's a pity, Angel Mercury. I'm done here."
"Not yet, Black Lady!", yelled Chibi-Usa, getting rid of the Senshi. "Moon Prism Power! Make Up!"
But something was wrong. Chibi-Usa felt that her transformation sequence was deep too far
from her usual and that her uniform was getting rather strange.
And when her transformation was over, everyone was surprised to see that it wasn't Sailor
Chibi Moon who was there, but another Senshi.
"Sailor Moon?!"
***
"And this puts an end to my job", said Black Lady, fading herself. "Farewell, Senshi."
Black Lady and the Seihai disappeared, leaving an unusual scenary in the Throne Hall. The new
Sailor Moon was atonished, trying to understand why she didn't make-up into Sailor Chibi Moon,
while everyone's attention was split between the children and Neo-Queen Serenity, who was waking up.
"Your majesty", called Silver, holding her head. "Are you ok?"
"I'm ok", answered the queen, using her arms to sit. "And the children?"
"They're alright", smiled Sailor Mercury, hugging her daughter, who still wore the strange
uniform.
"Mama... what happened to me?", asked a very puzzled Angel Mercury.
"We will have to do a complete scan on you to...", started Sailor Mercury, being interrupted by a scream.
Aino Minako laid down on the floor, with her head on Sailor Mars's lap. She was breathing hard,
screaming with pain. Beside her, the two cats looked very worried. With his paw over Minako's
belly, Luna felt that it was bigger, when she remembered how it was before Black Lady had
appeared, being big as a nine-month pregnant.
"She's beginning to deliver!", shouted Artemis, in panic.
"What?!", exclaimed Silver. "But there's three months left!"
Kyn ran to Minako and made some quick analysys, agreeing with Artemis. Her face changed when she saw that she hadn't too much time until the child was born.
"Sis, I need a bio-scan of the child that Minako's waiting. In the meanwhile, those who still can run very fast go get a strecher on the infirmary", she ordered, making the 'very fast' very clear. "Sailor Mars and Jupiter stay with Neo-Queen Serenity. LD, you take Kenji to the infirmary. How, I really don't know, but do it fast."
The reaction of most of them was to stay still for some seconds until they understood what was happening. Many of them never had seen Kyn react like that. But Sailor Mercury knew the difference of personality that existed between her and her sister, not being surprised with what she saw... at least, not until finishing the bio-scan Kyn had asked for.
"Sis..."
"Anything too serious, sis?", asked Kyn, a sweatdrop coming down her face.
"The child is going to be born on the right time."
"Nani yo?! But Silver said that Minako was a six-month pregnant!"
"The child is big as a NINE month child. That's why Minako started delivering."
"My God...", sighed Kyn, wiping the sweat that kept coming down into her eyes. "It's about time
that strecher got here!", she shouted, laughing in her mind of Moon Fox and Firebird's faces,
because they had ran as never had to get the strecher on time. "Put her there carefully... ok.
Cousin Hypnos, I need you to operate the infirmary's Bio-Scanner. Sis, I'll also need you to help me on the delivery. Chronos and Daniel, go to the New Central and locate part of the palace's energy to the infirmary."
"And what should I...", asked Silver, while Minako was being taken to the infirmary.
"You stay here", answered the queen. "And we'll pray for your child to be born healthy... and for Minako to survive."
***
Disclaimers:
- Bishoujo Senshi Sailor Moon, the Silver Millenium, the Sailor Senshi and any other words related to the world of Sailor Moon are copyright of Naoko Takeuchi, Kodansha, Toei Animation and DiC and CWI (USA).
- The Dragon Kishi and the Noble Kishi are characters from the SM-NDK series from Exodus FanFictions and are being used with the permission of their respective authors. A great kiss and 'thank you' to Henrique 'Ranma' Loyola (Dragon Kishi) and Martin Siu 'X/MADS' (Noble Kishi).
- Angel Guardians - July, 2000.
Umi almost couldn't believe in her eyes. She, who had always listened to all those stories told by everyone as legends about the Sailor Senshi, was finally watching to a thing that could be called 'battle prologue' in the middle of the Royal Palace. For those who may ask, yes, she knew that her mother was Sailor Mercury and that her father was Earth Dragon, but she had ever, ever seen one of them in battle clothes. People used to say that, in time of peace, their powers weren't necessary, but her father had never stopped training.
Cynthia and Kenji had the same reaction as Kazeno Umi's. Children of a Sailor Senshi with a Dragon Kishi, they had never imagined how would their parents be when in battle. Their green eyes sparkled with a kind of... happiness. Opportunities like that would never happen again in the peace of old Neo Crystal Tokyo.
But Chibi-Usa and Erios saw all that with fear. Both of them knew that the transformation of the legendary warriors never was a good thing. Their father's look, when he walked out ot the Throne Hall, and their mother's, who stood up still in front of the Queen's Throne, showed how worried they were. That was a day for happiness, to unite old friends and to 'gossip about old and new things and laugh a lot', as Tsukino Usagi would say.
Michie was still calm, at her father's side. She knew that she was supposed to help protecting Minako, who was pregnant of six months and was very irritated for being put aside as a sidekick', even though she agreed with Neo-Queen Serenity's decision. The Make-Up would put her baby's life in danger.
"Mama", called Umi, breaking the silence that was taking over the room. "Where's aunt Kyn?"
"She... must be on the infirmary... in case we need it", answered Sailor Mercury, lying to her daughter. She knew that Kyn should be at the New Central, trying to find out what was happening to create an abnormal energy pattern on Neo Crystal Tokyo.
***
Firebird and Kyn got quickly at the room that kept all the computers of the New Central and felt better when they saw that Moon Fox, Chronos and Yukiko were with Daniel, trying to find out what could be causing the anormal pattern. But the sight of the uniforms that the three were using wasn't a good thing.
"Wha...?", exclaimed Kyn. "Why are you all in uniform?"
"We're not in peace anymore, Kyn", answered Yukiko, handing out a blue package to the mercurian girl. "This is yours."
"There's being a long time since I last used a blue jacket...", said Kyn, walking to behind a
computer terminal to change her clothes. "But continue what you were saying, Yukiko, what's going on? What the heck is causing all this?"
"As usual, a new energy pattern started blinking on the map, exactly on Neo Crystal Tokyo", answered Daniel. "The sensors of the counties didn't detect any abnormality on their scans, what make things more... dangerous."
"Their goal is the Royal Palace, as I can see", said Firebird, buckling his Venus bracket on his right arm. "Any idea of what may be the source of this energy?"
Daniel was buckling his Mars bracket and took a great, deep breath before answering "You'll
want to kill me, but..."
"C'MON, SPEAK IT ALOUD!", shouted Kyn, as her voice seemed to be more frightening when coming
from behind a computer.
"Looks like it's the Seihai."
And a deep long silence fell down over the group that was at the Central.
"Just a sec... I must be hearing things... I swear I heard you saying that Seihai was the source of the energy that's wrecking down the system...", said Kyn, all dressed up with her uniform and her Mercury bracket.
"Your ears are better than ever", said Chronos, with his usual low voice. "Please, say your verbal command so we can access Sailor Pluto's archives and try to find out what's happening."
"You said that Pluto Dragon had forbidden any interference", said Moon Fox, as an alert.
"Yes, indeed. But she didn't say anything about accessing Fate's archives", smiled Chronos,
loginng to the net that connected the New Central to the secret archives of Time Library.
[Access forbidden. Verbal command required.], said the metallic voice of the computer.
"Chronos of Fate."
[Voice identified. Please proceed.]
"Requesting access to Time Library. Subject Seihai."
[Access forbidden, Chronos of Fate. Verbal commands required.]
"Your turn", said Chronos, stepping back from the computer he was operating until then. "Say your Selenit names, except Yukiko. Her command is the same as mine... if it's said twice, with her voice, system will deny access... and it's still the Silver Millenium's Central System, it would never accept a Chronos with female voice", he finished, grinning.
Yukiko tried to ignore the comment that came from Sailor Pluto's only son and tried to hold her own instincts so she wouldn't smash his face with a punch. Unfortunately, who hold on something was Moon Fox, who was forced to hold his wife's right arm before her hand crashed the violet light that existed in front of Chronos's eyes. Destroying the implant would be the same as have a blind friend again, because the implant was the responsible for the correct vision of Chronos, who was blind since was born.
"Kitakaze of Serenity", said Moon Fox, using a name that wasn't said since the Silver Millenium.
"Haru of Saphir", continued Kyn.
"Hinosei of Fihar", it was Daniel's turn.
"Katai of Shine", concluded Firebird.
[Youkai. Access to Time Library is free, please stand by...]
"Now all we have to do is wait... even though Time isn't something we have", said Yukiko,
without knowing that two men were very near to the Central. Two that could not understand what
the group was doing, misunderstooding everything. Nevertheless, as Murphy is sooooooooo kind...
***
"... Time Library is free, please stand by..."
Mercury and Jupiter Noble Kishi were close to the New Central's door, hearing what people were saying and trying to understand what was happening. They hadn't heard too much, only Chronos's laugh, the Selenit names and the computer's metallic voice granting access to Sailor Pluto's secret archives. And that was the fact that was the strangest of them all. Why someone would have access granted to archives that were forbidden to anyone else, but the Senshi who wrote it?
Their names weren't strange, remembered Mercury Noble Kishi, also known as Hypnos. Haru was Sailor Mercury's twin sister, Second princess of Mercury; Hinosei was cousin of the princess of Mars, Sailor Mars; Katai was the adoptive brother of the princess of Venus, Sailor Venus... but he couldn't recognize the other two, Kitakaze and Chronos. Jupiter Noble Kishi, or LD, didn't recognize any of the names said, but felt they weren't strange.
"It's Moon Fox, Kyn, Daniel, Firebird and Martin", said LD. "I don't understand why Kyn is there. She's not a member of the New Central programmers group."
"But...", sighed Hypnos, speaking in a low voice. "did you notice that all of them are accessing the Time Library? And they were those who gave the alert of the abnormal energy pattern."
"Could it be a false alarm?"
"I don't know. If it was, I hope they have a good explanation to give us...", answered Hypnos. "I don't want to fight with my cousin's sister. We'd better watch a little more before making any move."
***
A small earthquake started, shaking the Throne Hall as a sign that something worse would happen. The Sailor Senshi formed a circle around Chibi-Usa and Erios, while the Dragon Kishi, who had disobeyed Serenity's orders, took defense position around the queen. Close to her, was Minako, protected by Silver.
When only the sound of the earthquake could be heard, the sound of a sword being withdrawn called everyone's attention.
"Kenji!", exclaimed Sailor Jupiter, when she saw her older son taking a defensive position and
staying by her side. "Go back!"
"I can't just stay watching while my mother's being attacked", answered Kenji.
Sailor Jupiter was going to call his atention, but the earthquake got stronger, shaking the ground and making everyone stumble. The white marble that made the floor of the Throne Hall began to crack, until some pieces from the center of the Throne Hall began to float by the energy that came from the underground of Neo Crystal Tokyo. An energy that seem to search for someone - or something - special.
A very strong light came from an object that came out from the marble, making everyone blind for a second, giving Sailor Mercury the time she needed to activate her VR vision and to analyze the object.
"It can't be!", she exclaimed, before the light could come back to normal.
***
"It can't be!", exclaimed Daniel, standing up from the chair he had been sitting for hours. "We have to go to the Throne Hall... NOW!"
All the alarms of the New Central were activated, sirens yelling red alert in all the Royal Palace. Even the light from the computer room had been changed to red, what indicated that within ten minutes, the primary protector shields of Neo Crystal Tokyo and of the Throne Hall would be activated to prohibit the entrance or exit of any living being and/or energy.
"The countdown has begun", said Firebird, running to the door. "We have ten minutes until the Throne Hall is shut down."
"Let's go!", ordered Moon Fox, going out of the computer room...
... to crash right on Mercury and Jupiter Noble Kishi, who were too close to the door and didn't notice that the runaway of the group of programmers would be too different to the normal pattern of computer maniacs... by the way, does someone know if there IS a normal pattern for that?
"Hypnos!", exclaimed Kyn, stopping right after Moon Fox. "What are you doing here?"
"I ask you the same thing and... why are you using these clothes? There's a long time since I last saw you using something like that", said the Noble Kishi from Mercury, standing up. "So?"
"So something we don't have is time to chit-chat about foolish things like that", answered Daniel, coming out from the New Central, also with an uniform, but with the red colors of Mars. "Are you coming with us or not?"
"And if we said we're not going?", asked LD, with his eyes sparkling.
"Well, then I won't respond by my acts", said Daniel, picking up his stick that was in one of
his jacket's dimensional pockets and preparing himself for an attack.
"YOU TWO, STOP THAT! _RIGHT NOW_!" yelled Kyn, getting between the two stubborn men. "Our
priority is the same, Neo Crystal Tokyo and Neo-Queen Serenity's safety. Better explanations
come after that, what we have to do is get to the Throne Hall now! Did you understand or do
I have to make myself clearer?!"
Both of them couldn't make anything else than blink their eyes twice and agree with a head
gesture, while the twin sister of the Senshi of Mercury passed through them, running in the
Throne Hall's direction. After her, the others also ran, with a strange smile on their faces,
as if they wanted to laugh of something, specially Hypnos. Even though Kyn also had the rigid emotional control that was common to every mercurian, her strong personality made her lose her patience and have atitudes more impulsives and unexpected... something she had got from her most recent encarnation and maybe a reaction against the calm and serenity she had during the
Silver Millenium. But that was something that was useful, specially when reason wasn't worth anymore.
There had been a long time since anyone there had run THAT desperate. Even though the kishi had kept training, none of them had trained, except Kyn, Firebird, Moon Fox and Yukiko; Chronos and Daniel were extremely out of shape, without conditions of keep the same speed as their friends. Even during the Silver Millenium, Chronos had never trained his physics attributes to battles, being better trained for intelectual activity. Kyn wasn't different of Chronos, but she had trained with her niece. Firebird, as member of the personal guard of Minako, never stopped training, even though he was a programmer of New Central.
"I can't believe you're ALREADY tired, Daniel!", said Moon Fox, slowing down. "The Throne Hall
isn't THAT far from the Central!"
"*arf* I *arf* am *arf* out *arf* of shape *gah*", said (?) Daniel.
"I can see that... hey. Why did everyone stop here by the door...?", asked Moon Fox, just before getting into the hall and getting the answer for his question.
***
A golden chalice emerged from the center of the Throne Hall, its light fading out slowly, making possible that everyone could see again. Everyone knew that chalice, originated from the union of the three talismans that were found in the heart crystals of people of pure heart, from the hearts of Sailor Uranus, Neptune and Pluto.
It was the Seihai. Beautiful and imponent as it was in the last time Neo-Queen Serenity, who still was Sailor Moon, had seen it, before it was broken. And, behind the Holy Grail, something became more clear. The silhouette of a woman with long hair fixed up in 'odangos', not round as Sailor Moon's, but sharp as Chibi-Usa's.
Sailor Mercury's blue eyes couldn't believe in what they saw, neither in what her VR visor shown her. Sailor Mars and Sailor Jupiter broke their positions for some seconds, surprised with what they were seeing, taking back their defense positions after that. Aino Minako couldn't hide a grief that came out of her throat, while Neo-Queen Serenity just kept serious when she saw her daughter's adult and evil version in her front.
"There's been a long time, mother", said the woman, her last word said in an ironic voice.
"Black Lady", said Neo-Queen Serenity, walking some steps. "What is happening?"
"You shouldn't be here!", yelled Chibi-Usa, trying to run, but being kept on her place by the circle made by the Senshi. "You shouldn't exist!"
"Yes, Small Lady Serenity, you're right", laughed Black Lady, holding the Seihai. "In this reality, I don't exist, I'm just part of your soul. But you should know that..."
"... that small actions can change the future", continued Chronos, calling Black Lady's attention. "In our reality, Wiseman was defeated and you turned back to be the small princess of Neo Crystal Tokyo. But there must be a timeline in which that didn't happen; the proof of that is in front of us. I have just one question... what are you doing here?"
Black Lady smiled, closing her eyes for a second, opening them while opening the Seihai, that sent its energy everywhere. "To do this."
Everyone who was in the hall, except the youngest ones, screamed with pain and agony when the energy of the Seihai got them. To Neo-Queen Serenity, the pain seemed to be stronger, as life itself were being stolen from her soul. The Senshi felt as if their hearts would be taken out of her bodies, as they screamed with the pain they felt and with worry for their children. Umi, Cynthia, Kenji, Erios and Michie didn't feel anything but panic when they saw their parents suffering with grief.
Specially Kenji. The pain in Sailor Jupiter's face was enough to him and he gathered all the
strenght of his body to break the circle of the Senshi and go to attack the one who caused
everything. Jupiter Noble Kishi, who also was suffering with the Seihai's energy, tried to run
to stop his son, to prevent him from getting close to Black Lady, but he fell in his first
steps. The woman of long pink hair only laughed at the young prince of Jupiter's attitude, when
she raised her hand in his direction and attacked him with a violet energy, the same she had used against Tuxedo Kamen, years ago.
When she saw what was happening, Umi jumped over the Senshi's barrier and ran to Kenji's direction, without thinking. Sailor Mercury's scream was of a desperate mother and was followed by the screams of Mercury Noble Kishi, Earth Dragon and Kyn, that nothing could do, but only watch the foolish atitude of the young mercurian girl.
"Pluto Destiny Power!", yelled Chronos, making his bracket's symbol shine. A strange violet energy came from his body, protecting Kyn, Firebird, Moon Fox, Yukiko and Daniel.
"Chronos, why...?", asked Kyn, when she felt less pain.
"This is the best I can do", answered Chronos, fighting against the Seihai's energy. "Save them
both, Kyn."
"Youkai! Mercury Destiny Power!", she yelled, the Mercury symbol shining on her bracket. Her hands guided the blue energy through Black Lady.
Sailor Mercury, seeing what her sister was doing, gathered all the energy of her body, trying to forget the physic pain she felt... ignoring it when she saw that Umi was getting closer to Kenji Kasen, almost becoming a victim of Black Lady's attack.
"Mercury Crystal Power!", and the blue energy was followed of another one.
"Earth Dragon Power!", Earth Dragon yelled, in his last efforts to save his daughter.
"Jupiter Crystal Power!", Sailor Jupiter couldn't just watch her son in danger.
"Mars Crystal Power!", and a red energy followed the others.
"Jupiter Noble Power!", yelled LD, still on the ground.
"Mercury Noble Power!", and Hypnos sent his energy to help the others.
And Black Lady just laughed, amused with the warriors. Her laughter echoed through the palace, calling the attention of everyone who wasn't in the Throne Hall, but that nothing could do, as they also were suffering the effects of the Seihai's energy.
"Is this the better you can do?", laughed Black Lady, stopping her attack to Kenji, giving time to Umi jump and use her body to throw Kenji away from the reach of the 'big rabbit'. "Hey, that was a good action, girl."
What Umi hadn't calculated was that the angule of her movement would take her to the corner of the Throne Hall, eliminating all the possibilities of a quick run. Kenji was unconscious, what made things worse, because she couldn't just escape and leave him behind.
The sight of an enemy approaching to take her life was something she had never seen before, because she had born in a time of peace. With fear running through all her blood, Umi closed her eyes very hard an waited for something to happen.
The Mercury symbol shined on her forehead, the blue light shining with all its majesty and surrounding her body, making Black Lady put her arm in front of her eyes to protect herself. Everyone who had used their energies were tired, but stil awaken to see what was happening in the corner of the Throne Hall.
The blue light surrounded Umi's body as a cocoon, that opened in a sudden, freeing the young
mercurian with wings made out of pure energy on her back. Her clothes were different, the
bothering dress had disappeared, giving place to a white shirt of short sleeves, that was
thight to her body as the upper part of the Sailor fuku used by the Senshi, but without a
sailor collar and a blue lace, the collar being totally closed up. A blue necklace was at her
neck and, on her waist, a belt of the same color made the limit between the thight and the loose part of the shirt, that ended as a skirt, being shorter than a Senshi's. White pants protected her legs, ending in long, blue boots. On her arms, white gloves as her mother's made her uniform more beautiful. When her feet finally met the floor again, her wings were gone, the
energy was concentrated to a tiara on her forehead.
"Time's over, Black Lady...", said Umi, opening her blue eyes. "I'm Angel Mercury, Guardian of Ice!"
"Oh well... when we think that surprises are all over...", said Black Lady, looking back to
the Seihai, that was closing itself. "It's a pity, Angel Mercury. I'm done here."
"Not yet, Black Lady!", yelled Chibi-Usa, getting rid of the Senshi. "Moon Prism Power! Make Up!"
But something was wrong. Chibi-Usa felt that her transformation sequence was deep too far
from her usual and that her uniform was getting rather strange.
And when her transformation was over, everyone was surprised to see that it wasn't Sailor
Chibi Moon who was there, but another Senshi.
"Sailor Moon?!"
***
"And this puts an end to my job", said Black Lady, fading herself. "Farewell, Senshi."
Black Lady and the Seihai disappeared, leaving an unusual scenary in the Throne Hall. The new
Sailor Moon was atonished, trying to understand why she didn't make-up into Sailor Chibi Moon,
while everyone's attention was split between the children and Neo-Queen Serenity, who was waking up.
"Your majesty", called Silver, holding her head. "Are you ok?"
"I'm ok", answered the queen, using her arms to sit. "And the children?"
"They're alright", smiled Sailor Mercury, hugging her daughter, who still wore the strange
uniform.
"Mama... what happened to me?", asked a very puzzled Angel Mercury.
"We will have to do a complete scan on you to...", started Sailor Mercury, being interrupted by a scream.
Aino Minako laid down on the floor, with her head on Sailor Mars's lap. She was breathing hard,
screaming with pain. Beside her, the two cats looked very worried. With his paw over Minako's
belly, Luna felt that it was bigger, when she remembered how it was before Black Lady had
appeared, being big as a nine-month pregnant.
"She's beginning to deliver!", shouted Artemis, in panic.
"What?!", exclaimed Silver. "But there's three months left!"
Kyn ran to Minako and made some quick analysys, agreeing with Artemis. Her face changed when she saw that she hadn't too much time until the child was born.
"Sis, I need a bio-scan of the child that Minako's waiting. In the meanwhile, those who still can run very fast go get a strecher on the infirmary", she ordered, making the 'very fast' very clear. "Sailor Mars and Jupiter stay with Neo-Queen Serenity. LD, you take Kenji to the infirmary. How, I really don't know, but do it fast."
The reaction of most of them was to stay still for some seconds until they understood what was happening. Many of them never had seen Kyn react like that. But Sailor Mercury knew the difference of personality that existed between her and her sister, not being surprised with what she saw... at least, not until finishing the bio-scan Kyn had asked for.
"Sis..."
"Anything too serious, sis?", asked Kyn, a sweatdrop coming down her face.
"The child is going to be born on the right time."
"Nani yo?! But Silver said that Minako was a six-month pregnant!"
"The child is big as a NINE month child. That's why Minako started delivering."
"My God...", sighed Kyn, wiping the sweat that kept coming down into her eyes. "It's about time
that strecher got here!", she shouted, laughing in her mind of Moon Fox and Firebird's faces,
because they had ran as never had to get the strecher on time. "Put her there carefully... ok.
Cousin Hypnos, I need you to operate the infirmary's Bio-Scanner. Sis, I'll also need you to help me on the delivery. Chronos and Daniel, go to the New Central and locate part of the palace's energy to the infirmary."
"And what should I...", asked Silver, while Minako was being taken to the infirmary.
"You stay here", answered the queen. "And we'll pray for your child to be born healthy... and for Minako to survive."
***