Orion Saga
Part 1
Quest for the Orbs
Chapter 9: Strange Senshi
Zentora is sitting on a bench near the entrance when Samaru walks over to her. "Hello, Samaru."
"Hi." Samaru looks at her as she quietly stands.
"Let's go." She walks inside with him following closely.
As they walk among the paintings and sculptures, Samaru finds himself staring at the quiet girl.
"It has to be her." The sound of the rich gentle voice takes him from his thoughts. "Excuse me, I didn't hear you."
Zentora looks at him. "I asked where you were from."
"Ummm…Africa."
"Really?"
"Yes. South Africa. How about you?"
"America."
"The United States?"
"Yes."
"You have an accent, but it doesn't sound American. More like the people here."
Zentora shrugs. "Maybe I've been here too long." She walks over to a sculpture and looks at it for a while.
"You come here a lot don't you?"
"Sometimes." She glances at him from the corner of her eye. Standing with his hands in his pockets, he looks at the sculpture in front of them.
"It's cool really." Samaru looks at Zentora. "The sculpture, I mean."
Zentora nods slightly in answer.
"I haven't seen you around for a while." Michiru smiles at the girl as she sits in the booth.
"I've been kind of busy."
"Really?"
Zentora's face is warm as she tries not to blush. Instead, she picks at her smoothie. She and Samaru had been seeing each other for about a week. It was obvious that he had a genuine interest in the placid girl. He was going to introduce her to his cousins who were to be visiting him for a while.
"Oh, I meant to tell you something." Zentora looks at Michiru, who is eating her own sundae. "Usagi wanted to know if you'd like to visit."
"She did?"
"Yes, she said that Chibi-Usa also wanted to know if you would bring your little sister."
"Sure. She'd like that. By the way, Where's Haruka-san?"
"I don't know. I thought she would have been here by now." Just then, the tall racer walks into the ice-cream shoppe. Michiru looks up at her.
"Hey. Sorry I'm late." While sitting, she notices a strange look on Zentora's face. "Hey, are you okay?"
Standing quickly, she pushes her chair under the table. "Um, yeah. I just remembered. I was supposed to be home by now." Zentora walks out of the door.
As soon as she is on the street, she looks around. "I thought I felt something." She is about to walk away when a scream pierces the air. "Looks like I was right." Closing her eyes, Zentora says her transformation. Seconds later, Sailor Orion is running in the direction of the evil emanation.
Sailor Moon and Sailor Jupiter are in the middle of a fight. Jupiter looks over to her small leader. "Sailor Moon! We have to get rid of this overgrown daisy!"
"What do you think I was trying to do?" The senshi leader is on the ground with leaves in her hair.
Rolling her eyes, the senshi of thunder looks at the plant monster. "That's it. I'll blast it!" She concentrates and her lighting rod appears on her tiara. "Supreme…Thunder…Crash!"
"Daiiisy!" The monster screeches at the pain from Jupiter's attack. She looks up at the green clad soldier. "Daisy Petal Torture!" Flower petals are launched from the flower on her head.
Jupiter looks up and tries to dodge but can't. Slowly, her energy begins to leave her. "What's going on?"
Sailor Moon tries to stand. "It's trying to drain us."
"Can you use the moon rod?" She looks over to Sailor Moon as her own knees buckle underneath her.
"I can't even lift it!"
"We might be in trouble." The powerful brown haired soldier collapses.
"Jupiter!"
"That's enough!" The voice is solid, but quiet and smooth. Sailor Moon looks up and Jupiter fights to keep her eyes open when she hears the unfamiliar voice.
Daisy looks at the other senshi. "Who are you?"
"I am Sailor Orion. And like a shooting star at the end of it's life, so will you be extinguished."
"Yeah right. Petal Pusher!" Two large petals shoot out from her body directly toward Orion, who jumps over them.
As she lands, she places her left index finger on her tiara jewel. "Orion…Hunter's…" She pulls back her right hand as if drawing a bow, while lowering her left hand with an arrow shaped energy in it. "Arrow!" The arrow pierces the monster's arm and it falls off.
"Aaagh! YOU'LL PAY FOR THAT!" Clutching the severed limb, she screams. "Daisy Petal Torture!"
Orion jumps back to avoid the attack. "I'm not immune. I can't let it ouch me. I've got to find her tar-" She stops when she sees a person having been drained lying not far from the two fallen senshi. She looks up to see Daisy as she tries to launch another attack.
"Daisy Petal…"
"I don't think so." Orion touches the amethyst in her brooch and kisses her hand, forming a star. "Orion, Star-shock Spark!" The star is hurled toward her enemy surrounded by a band of crackling light. Daisy's body shrivels into itself and as soon as the monster is gone, the sailor scouts are able to move as their energy is slowly replenished.
Jupiter sits up as the quiet soldier walks past them. The purple clad senshi kneels over Daisy's target and looks at him. Genuinely puzzled, Sailor Jupiter can only watch the new sailor as her strength pours back into her. "What's she doing?"
Sailor Moon rests on her knees and looks at Sailor Orion as she touches the young man.
While looking at him, Orion speaks almost to herself. "They were wrong about this one." Slowly, she stands over him and blows a kiss. "May the energy of your dream be reborn. Dream energy…rebirth." As the star floats over his body, Orion leaves.
Eventually the two soldiers stand and make their way to him. His eyes open slowly as he tries to sit up. Sailor Moon crouches to help him. "Are you alright?"
"Yes."
Sailor Jupiter looks in the direction where Orion went.
"A new senshi?"
"Yeah…she calls herself Orion."
Haruka looks at the petit leader. The girl had gone to talk to Michiru and Haruka about the mysterious soldier. The sandy haired soldier is looking down at her friends on the couch. "Do you think it's the same person from those other times?"
"I guess so." Usagi stares into space for a second. Noticing the clock, she jumps up. Looking on in surprise, Michiru and her partner listen to her hurried explanation. "I'm supposed to be at my house. Zentora's bringing her sister to play with Chibi-Usa."
Smiling, Michiru's sweet voice answers. "That's alright. We can talk about his later."
Nodding, Usagi jets out of the apartment.
"Maybe we should buy a watch for odango."
Chuckling, Michiru walks over to her friend.
Out of breath, Usagi answers the door. The hand reaches up as hair is pulled behind her ear to reveal one of the liquid brown eyes. "Hi."
Zentora nods at Usagi's greeting.
"Hello." Nyumi smiles up at Usagi.
"Hi." She looks down at Nyumi. "Chibi-Usa's waiting in the living room." Nyumi leaves and the two young girls can be heard chattering. Zentora is about to walk in after her sister when Usagi holds her arm. "Wait."
Looking down at the older girl with surprise, Zentora stops. "Um, what is it?"
"I want to apologize."
"To me? Why?"
"I…I wasn't right."
"How do you mean?"
"I acted pretty badly…sort of…I mean. When I met you…Mamoru."
"Oh." After a moment, she turns back to Usagi. "You don't have to apologize. You don't have anything to be jealous of."
"I see that now. Thank-you."
Zentora shakes her head. "It's okay."
"No. I-"
"Really. You don't have to say anything." She rubs her arm, trying to hide her discomfort over the awkward situation. The two of them walk into the living room where Zentora sits quietly watching the girls play.
"Thanks for coming, Zentora-chan."
"No…it's okay."
Usagi nods, her face beginning to redden with embarrassment. Zentora senses her discomfort and tries to make her feel better. "Thank-you for inviting me to the party."
Usagi looks up at the younger girl. "What?"
"I had a nice time."
"Sure. Maybe we could do it again sometime?"
Zentora nods. "I'll see you later."
"Bye."
Zentora and Nyumi walk out onto the street.
Zentora yawns and rolls over, the last night's sleep still clouding her mind. One of the lucid eyes opens and the first thing visible is the orange-yellow fur. "Puuuup." She groans and burrows her head into the pillow.
"Come on. Are you going to sleep the day away?"
"Why?"
"This is one of the last days of your spring holiday isn't it?"
"Yes."
Sirius's half-closed eyes focus on her mistress. "There is to be a…what do they call them?"
"A get together."
"Yes. Some such thing. A lot of people are going to be there."
Zentora sits up. "If it's all the same to you, I'd rather not go."
Pup looks at her. "Why not?"
"I just…don't want to. That's all."
"Well there may be an orb holder there. You'd have to be alert for such things. They aren't going to come to you."
Zentora looks at the green eyed guardian as she lies on the chair near the window. "So you really think I should go."
"Yes. It would be senshi business."
"Fine." She pulls her hair off of her face.
Sitting next to his mistress on the bed, Pup's thoughts reach into her mind. "If you like, I can go with you."
"Thank-you."
Usagi and Mamoru are sitting with Michiru and Haruka when Minako and Ami come towards them.
"Hi, guys."
Usagi waves. "Hey, Mina-chan. Hey, Ami-chan."
"Hello, everyone." The blue haired young woman takes a seat next to Michiru. Where are Rei and Makoto-chan?"
"They went to get something to eat."
"It's more crowded than I thought it would be." Zentora looks around the square and involuntarily tightens her grip on Pups leash.
Noting her distress, he casts his eyes upward. "Is something wrong?"
"No. I'm alright." Directing her thoughts to Pup, Zentora found that she was able to communicate with him without talking. A very useful method in public places. The two of them begin to walk again.
Rei takes the sweet dumplings from Makoto. Quite suddenly, she turns her head, alarming her tall friend.
"Rei, what's wrong?"
"I felt a very powerful presence all of the sudden."
Taking the rest of the snacks, Makoto pays the vendor. "We should go tell the others." They leave and try to get back to their table as quickly as possible.
Usagi looks over when she hears her name. "There they are." Makoto and Rei arrive at the table, slightly winded.
"Guys! We have something to tell you."
Usagi ignores Rei. Oooh! Sweets!"
"Take your hand away!"
Usagi screeches when Rei slaps her outstretched fingers. "Ouch! Why did you do that?"
"Listen, something's here."
"What?" Mamoru and the others cast their eyes on Rei.
"We were getting the food when Rei said she felt something."
"It was a very powerful presence."
"Was it bad?"
Looking at Mamoru, Rei takes on a confused look. "I don't know."
"What do you mean?"
"It was strange, it-"
"Zentora-chan, hi."
Rei stops talking when she hears Haruka's warning. She looks up to see the same girl who had been at the tea shoppe. At the girl's side is a cocker spaniel.
"Hello, Haruka. Michiru. Hello, Mamoru. Hi, Usagi." Looking at the other blond and the girl next to her, she tries to remember their names. "Minako and Ami right?"
"Yes." Ami gives a smile.
Mianko nods. "Hello."
"I don't think we've met yet." Rei looks at Zentora. "I'm Rei and this is Makoto."
"Hello."
Rei silently stares at the girl. The dog at her side sits down and gazes at the group at the table.
"What brings you here?"
Looking at Michiru, Zentora answers in a low voice. "I was taking my dog for walk."
Usagi looks at Pup. "Oh! He's soo cute. Is he friendly? Could I pet him?"
"You don't mind do you?"
"Not at all." Pup walks toward Usagi and allows her to scratch behind his ears. "Feels rather nice, actually."
Zentora smiles slightly at his words. "Well, don't forget. You're coming home with me."
"How long have you been here?" Usagi looks up.
"I just came a few minutes ago."
Michiru smiles. "Would you like to join us?"
Zentora is about to say no, but Pup's voice seeps into her thoughts. "Maybe you should."
"More ear scratching? I thought we were supposed to be looking for the orb holders."
"We are."
"And how do I even know where to begin?"
"Zentora?" Michiru looks at her.
"Okay. For a little while. I kind of have the feeling that I was interrupting something."
Rei looks at the quiet girl as she sits down on the nearest vacant spot. The edge of a fountain. "Don't be silly." "There's something strange about her. She has a very strong energy."
In the middle of the conversation, Zentora suddenly senses something, but is careful not to show it. "Pup."
"Yes?"
"There's something nearby. I have to go transform."
"Don't worry. I'll take care of it."
"How?" Zentora nods at something Minako says when she feels the leash snatched from her grasp. The others look on in surprise as the dog bolts though the crowd.
For a moment, Zentora looks on in amazement as she realizes what he just did. Standing, she looks at he others. "He must have seen something."
They look on as she takes off after Pup. "Zentora! Do you need help?"
She ignores the voices behind her as she darts through the crowd.
"Over here."
She scrambles toward an alley at the edge of the square. Taking deep breaths, she looks down at him. "You could've warned me."
"I wanted it to seem real."
"Sure."
"You'd better transform now."
Zentora closes her hand at her neck and the amulet appears. In a soft voice, she says her transformation. The stars encircle her body filling her with energy and Orion appears in her stance.
"Time to get to it."
The soldier nods at her guardian and looks at the crowd around them. She freezes when she hears a yell and runs toward the sound.
Orion arrives to see another plant monster. This one a tree, already having wrapped her branches around a young man is now draining him. The planetary senshi are doing their best to defeat her.
"Uranuus…World…Shaking!" Sailor Uranus slings the ball of energy into the ground watching as it rips it's way toward their adversary. The youma drops her target who falls to the ground unconscious.
"Who do you think you are showing up at such a peaceful place to perform your evil deeds? I am Sailor Moon. In the name of the moon, I will punish you!"
"My name's Oakly and I need this human's dream energy! And you won't keep from getting it!" She crosses her branches over her chest. "Oak Leaf Torture!" She removes her arms and leaves shoot out of her body and cover the scouts, sapping their energy. Satisfied, she turns back to the human and continues to drain him.
"Mind if I interrupt you?"
Oakly looks up at the sound of the quiet voice, as do the other senshi. They all see the same dark skinned purple clad soldier. "Who are you?"
A silent stare is Oakly's only answer. The quiet scout continues to watch as Oakly drains the human while keeping a weary eye on this new intruder.
Sailor Mars looks at Orion with bewilderment as she struggles to stay conscious. "Why hasn't she stopped that thing yet?"
Sailor Orion continues to watch Oakly as she drains her target. A few minutes later, a blue stone surfaces from his body. Orion's eyes narrow as she looks at Oakly. "That's just an ordinary dream stone." She turns to the other senshi, who struggle to stay awake under the leaves hovering above their heads.
"Alright. You've had your fun."
Oakly turns, surprised by the voice of the silent soldier. "What?"
"You heard me. You've had your fun. Now it's my turn." She touches the gem on her tiara and says Orion. With the others watching, she touches the star on her chest and kisses her had forming a purple star.
"Star-shock Spark!" She throws the star at Oakly and her form shrivels into itself.
The young man falls to the ground along with his dream stone, which Orion hurries to catch. The other senshi watch her fall, having caught the blue stone in her hand. With their strength returning, they watch as she returns to the young man.
Standing over him, Orion holds the dream stone in he hand and places it on his heart. Closing her eyes, the she speaks. "May the energy of your dream be reborn."
She kisses her hand and places it on his forehead. With the other hand still on the dream stone over his heart, she quietly speaks. "Dream Energy, Rebirth."
Now standing, the planetary senshi watch what happens next. A bright light surrounds Orion and the young man until they are enclosed in a purple ball of light with blue swirls. Growing brighter and brighter, they feel themselves being renewed just by being near it.
Orion opens her eyes and the light disappears. Standing, she looks at the man just as he opens his eyes. A faint smile creases the full lips and she walks off.
"Wait!"
Orion turns to look at Sailor Jupiter.
"Who are you?"
The soft voice answers. "I am Sailor Orion. I am the guardian of the stars. Keeper of dreams hopes, and remembrance. I am the senshi of miracles."
The other scouts listen to her and the tone in her voice causes their hearts to ache. Mars looks at her. "What are you after?"
The new soldier's face takes on a strange look and her eyes shimmer with emotion. "I'm sorry…I can't say."
"Why not?"
Looking at Jupiter, she shakes her head and walks away.
"That was weird." The senshi are now detransformed and everything is back to normal.
Makoto nods and Mina's statement. They are all thinking of what they had just witnessed. The actions of the strange senshi were just as puzzling as her sudden appearance. They were all asking themselves the same questions.
Why had she waited? What was that thing they had seen her put back anyway?
Zentora is holding Pup's leash. "Was it an orb?"
"No. Just a dream stone." They make their way back to the others and Zentora gives Pup a biscuit.
Usagi sees them first. "You found him."
"Yeah. I caught him trying to sneak some food from one of the booths. "He's hungry, so I'm going to take him home and feed him."
"Alright. Bye."