Orion Saga
Part 1
Quest for the Orbs
Chapter 13: Thorn's plan
Zentora is walking home from school on Wednesday when she hears a familiar voice. "Minako-chan, hello." She hadn't seen her since the contest, which had been a week ago.
"Hello, Zentora-chan. Where've you been?"
"I'm sorry. I left early. It wasn't really my thing."
Minako looks at her as if she understands. "That's okay. Nuriko and I left early too."
"Why?"
"She wasn't feeling well."
Zentora glances at her from beneath the thick bangs. "Oh?"
"Yeah. I thought it'd be best if we left."
"I'm sorry to hear that." The quiet girl's voice is full of sincerity and concern. "How is she now?"
Minako shrugs. " She's okay."
Zentora is silent. She can't help but wonder how she's really doing or about the man from the zoo. She moves the hair away from her eyes in one deft motion.
Her thoughts are interrupted when Minako speaks again. "Well, maybe I'll see you later. I'm meeting with Usagi."
"Alright." Zentora watches Mianko walk off.
"Hello, Zentora."
"Hi, mom."
Jalise hears a strange tone in her daughter's voice. "What's wrong?"
"Nothing." She goes to her room before her mother has a chance to respond.
"Hello, Zentora."
"Hi, Pup." She looks down at the dog as he walks toward her.
Sirius looks at her. "What's wrong?"
"Nothing."
The green eyes stay focused on the girl and the white tipped tail swishes back and forth.
Zentora is unable to ignore the suspecting gaze. "I saw Minako today."
"Oh." Sirius looks at her.
The girl had already told the two of them that she had learned of Sailor Venus's alter ego. Though she had to admit, they didn't seem to be very surprised.
General Thorn waits until nightfall before beginning his new assignment. "I should be concentrating on Sailor Orion and the orbs. Not on some silly little goose chase." His rosy eyes look around the empty street. "Well, I'd better get started."
Walking to a nearby tree, he removes one of the white gloves and places his pale green hand on the cool trunk. He closes his eyes and concentrates. Slowly, the tree takes on an eerie glow. A youma surfaces. The monster looks at General Thorn carefully before it bows.
"Master." Its voice sounds like rustling leaves.
"Yes."
"What do you want of me?"
"I want you to watch the city for me. There is someone that I want you to find. She has something important."
"Yes."
"Gather all of the other plants in the city. Find Sailor Orion. Then I want you to find out who she really is and where she is keeping the Orbs of Nova." He looks at the tree spirit and holds an emerald in his hand. Her touches the green gem with his bare finger and hands the now glowing jewel to the youma. "Use this to get others."
"Yes, master. We will watch."
"Good. I have other matters to take care of." With that, the general is gone.
The general's newest minion runs through the city that night, going from plant to plant. With the glowing emerald, it brings others to life so that they will watch the city for any sign of Sailor Orion.
Zentora is on her way home from school. She promised Pup that she would get there as soon as possible because he wanted to go for a walk with her. It seemed a little odd to her that he would want to do that, but he was a dog after all.
But she was wondering more about her role as a scout. Why did she have to do this? And what was going on with her lately? She normally felt ill at ease with people and tried to talk as little as possible. However, being around Samaru and his cousins was like being with Haruka and Michiru. They sparked something in her that made her forget to be cautious. It was like they reminded her of something, but she couldn't for the life of her remember what that was.
Michiru is standing next to the piano listening to the intense melody. Haruka had seemed a little off lately…her mind elsewhere. She was worried about something. That, the elegant young woman was sure of, but she didn't know what. "Haruka-chan?" Her long slender fingers ruffle the sandy hair.
For a moment, the song stops. Michiru was rehearsing for her latest concert and Haruka was going to accompany her. "Yes?"
"Is anything wrong?"
"What? Why do you ask?"
"Well, it's just that you took off again." She was referring to the music. Their duet had started out well enough, but when it was Haruka's turn to repeat the melody, she started to take it on as though she were playing against the wind itself.
"Oh, I didn't realize…" She turns her head to look out of the window.
Michiru gently places the cherished violin on the piano. She then lowers herself onto the bench next to her friend. "What is it?"
Haruka looks at the piano keys. "I just can't stop thinking about it."
Michiru nods her understanding. "I know it's sad, but maybe she just needs a little help."
Haruka nods. "I know that dreams mean a lot, Michiru-chan."
"I know you do, Haruka. …maybe you should spend some time with Zentora. The two of you seem to have a lot in common."
"Maybe I will."
The leash is clamped on as Pup sits on the bed. "I really appreciate your doing this."
Zentora looks at him. "Don't you normally go on walks where you're from?"
Her telepathic friend shakes his head. "There was no need to. Living in Orion isn't quite like earth. We could go about as unnoticed as we are and not need 'supervision'. Besides, I'd like to see the city and you need to look for orb holders."
Zentora nods. "Okay, I'm ready." She had changed from her school uniform and into a pair of loose jeans and a T-shirt.
The dog's hazel eyes dart from side to side as he takes in the views of the city. For a moment, he finds himself missing his old home. But he and Sirius had been sent on a mission. Zentora needed them. Her soft voice enters his mind as she directs her thoughts to him.
"Pup?"
"Yes, Zentora?"
"I was wondering if you wouldn't mind going…"
He glances up at her. "Where?"
"Never mind. I can go later."
Pup gives her a curious look. "What is it she doesn't want me to know about?"
The two of them walk into the park and Zentora suddenly has a strange feeling. She glances around, but doesn't see anything out of place. "That's weird."
"What?"
"I thought for a second that I sensed something."
An alert look is suddenly on his face. "Do you think you need to transform?"
Zentora looks at him, slightly confused. "I don't think so."
"Alright, but keep your guard up."
Haruka walks into the garage and looks at the vehicles before her. Reflecting on her mood, she wonders which would be best. After a few minutes, she walks over to the motorcycle and picks up her helmet.
Speeding in no particular direction, she stops suddenly at a corner. The dog jumps back and she removes the helmet. The blue-gray eyes hold a look of surprise as she recognizes the animal. It's Zentora's dog. "That thing sure likes to run off." She parks her motorcycle and walks over to the startled creature.
Pup looks up to see the motorcycle and the young woman getting off of it. Though shaken, he allows himself to be approached.
"Here boy. That's right. Stay where you are." "What am I doing this for?" Haruka is surprised to find herself approaching the dog. "Come on. That's right."
Pup wags his tail a little as the slender hand is lowered to his head. Tousling his ears in a roughly playful manner, Haruka looks up and glances around. Zentora is nowhere to be seen. She looks at the dog, wondering where his owner is.
She turns the page of the book. Sitting under the large shade tree, she can't help but wonder about the strange feeling that she keeps having. It was still bothering her. "I don't know what it is. It doesn't actually feel bad, but something's not right." Zentora peers into the book, but doesn't see the words on the page. Her head jerks up suddenly when she hears barking. Sure enough, Pup is coming. Only, he's not alone.
"Zentora-chan. There you are."
"Hello, Haruka-san." She is surprised to see the older girl with the dog in her arms.
"Hi, I found your dog. I saw him running out of the park."
"Oh." She looks at Pup when Haruka puts him down. "What were you doing?"
Pup looks at Zentora. "I was looking around. I went across the street when she came out of nowhere."
"Oh." She rubs his head. "Domo Arigatou. He didn't give you any trouble did he?"
"No. And it's okay, don't mention it." She crosses her arms and looks at the girl. "Are you doing anything today?"
"Not really, I was just hanging out with him." Zentora gestures to Pup.
Nodding, Haruka looks away. In a low voice, she speaks. "I was wondering if you wanted to go get something to eat."
The small liquid brown eyes dart upward. "What?"
"Well, I'm already out. You wanna go grab something?"
"I guess so, sure." There is still a slight air of surprise in the rich quiet voice.
"Okay, then. I brought my motorcycle though." She looks at Pup.
"Yeah. My dog." Zentora looks at Pup and he looks at the two girls.
He directs his thoughts to Zentora. "It's time I was getting home anyway. Sirius is probably wondering why I've been out for so long."
"Are you sure? I mean I could tell her no."
"No. I want you to go. You can hold me between the two of you. The apartment's not that far. Then you two could go out."
Zentora considers this for a moment. She really would like to go, but she doesn't want to seem as though she is ditching her guardian. "What about the holders?"
"You'll be able to sense any danger." He glances at Haruka with a smirk. "Besides. I think you'll be okay."
"Alright." Zentora stands and clasps the leash around Pup's collar. Turning to Haruka, she repeats what she was told. "Thank-you, but would you be able to take me home first? I want to drop him off. It's not that far."
Haruka nods.
"This is fun!" Pup is positioned on the bike between the two young women.
"Uh-huh. Just make sure you don't move." Zentora has her right arm around Haruka's waist and the other wrapped tightly around Pup. She was starting to wonder about his request to be dropped off. She forgets it as she turns to Haruka. "It's right here." Haruka screeches to a halt when Zentora gives her the signal. The girl gets off carefully, not wanting to hurt her guardian dog.
"Do you want me to come up with you?"
Zentora turns around in surprise to see Haruka looking at the building.
Haruka finds herself wondering why she even offered to come upstairs. Of course to her there was something about Zentora, but she didn't think that shy girl would have actually said yes in the first place. "I wonder what her place is like." She did secretly want to see the girl's home, but couldn't figure out when or even why she had taken such an interest. Maybe it was because she seemed so much like herself in some ways.
The door is opened and Haruka takes off her shoes. Zentora does so as well and they are placed in the hall closet. When she walks in, she notices how western the apartment is. Zentora places Pup on the floor and he immediately takes off to her room.
"Zentora, is that you?"
Haruka looks up at the sound of the rich female voice. She sees a tall woman walking from a room somewhere off of the kitchen. She looks at the woman and then at Zentora.
"Haruka-san. This is my mother. Johnson, Jalise."
Jalise smiles. "Hello."
"Hello, Johnson-san." Haruka gives a small bow to the older woman.
"Mom, I was wondering if I could go out with Haruka for a bit."
Jalise smiles, happy that her daughter is finally being social. "Yes, go ahead. She turns to Haruka. "I hope we'll be seeing more of you. You're the first person who's come to visit with Zentora. She doesn't-"
"Mom." Haruka looks at the quiet girl. She'd cut off her mother. If she was embarrassed, she was doing well not to show it. Instead of saying anything further to her mother, she excuses herself to feed her pets. "Sirius, Pup." The cockerspaniel walks out of her bedroom accompanied by a smoky colored green-eyed cat. The only parts that weren't the color of smoke were the white tipped tail and two black stripes just below its left shoulder. Then there was the white star on the cat's forehead. The star that was identical to the one on the dog.
But Haruka doesn't think anything of it. She is surprised instead by how comfortable the other girl seems when she is at home. Zentora walks over to the two of them drying her hands with a paper towel. "I'm ready. Thanks for waiting."
Haruka nods as she stands up from the couch. "It's okay. I was talking to your mom."
"Oh." Zentora looks at her mother hoping that she didn't say anything to embarrass her further.
Jalise smiles at them when they leave. "Have fun, sweety."
The two of them are back on the motorcycle and speeding through the city.
Haruka's motorcycle stops when the two of them reach a restaurant. Zentora looks up at the sign and then at Haruka. They are standing in front of a salad restaurant.
The older girl glances at Zentora. "Come on. The food here's really good." She walks in and the placid girl follows.
The two of them sit down and order. When the waitress leaves, Haruka looks over at Zentora. The quiet girl is fidgeting with her napkin and looking at the table. "I hadn't seen you since the contest a few weeks ago. You left early."
Zentora looks away. "It wasn't really my thing and I had other stuff to take care of."
Haruka nods. "So what have you been up to lately?"
Zentora looks up at the older girl. "Nothing really."
Haruka nods as though expecting the answer. "Well, Michiru and I are going to be performing at a concert."
Zentora looks at her. "Do you sing?"
Haruka shakes her head. "Not for this. She's playing the violin and I'll be on the piano."
"Sounds nice."
"Um, maybe you could come?"
Zentora looks away. "I don't know…I mean…"
"How about you come over and hear us rehearse tomorrow? You can make up your mind then if you want to."
Zentora gives her a puzzled look. "Okay. Sure."
The waitress comes by with their salads and the two begin eating. Haruka places her fork in the lettuce and holds it up to her mouth. "I'll give you the directions. You can stop by after school."
Zentora nods as she looks at the colorful arrangement of fruit on the plate in front of her.
The two girls eat in silence for a few moments, each one of them thinking. Haruka wonders about the strange connection that she feels to the silent girl. She had to admit that at some level, she felt concerned about her. Meanwhile, Zentora was pondering the strange feeling that she had been having. It was most noticeable when she went to the park, but nothing had happened there. She was worried about it.
On Friday, Zentora is on her way to Haruka and Michiru's apartment. Thought she would rather have gone straight home, she did like the two of them and didn't think it would be right to turn down the invitation. She approaches the building that Haruka had said was where she lived and goes up the stairs. Ringin the bell, she stands patiently.
Michiru opens the door and smiles up at Zentora. "Hello. I'm glad you could make it."
Zentora nods. "Thank-you for inviting me." She takes off her shoes and slides on a pair of house slippers.
"Think nothing of it." Michiru stands next to the piano and picks up her violin from its case.
Zentora looks at the kind young woman. "Michiru-san?"
"Yes, Zentora-chan?"
"How long have you been playing the violin?"
Michiru smiles as she holds it under her chin. "Years."
"You sound like you really enjoy it."
"I do. There's something about it that makes me feel almost complete."
"Almost?"
"Yes…there is something else."
The two of them look up when they hear the door being opened. Haruka walks in with a bag in one arm. Noting their eyes on her, Haruka greets them. "Uh, hey. Sorry I'm late?"
Michiru smiles at her. "Hi."
Zentora looks at the two of them. "Hello, Haruka-san."
Haruka walks over to the kitchen and places the bag on the counter. Walking back, she sits at the piano. "Are you ready?"
Michiru looks at Zentora before she answers. "Alright."
Haruka begins to play the song as Michiru waits for her cue. Zentora looks at them both and listens intently. Michiru joins in with her solo and Zentora sits enthralled, savoring the music. "It's beautiful."
The song ends and the two of them look at Zentora. Michiru smiles at seeing the expression on her face. "So, did you like it?"
"Very much."
"Enough to come to the concert?" Haruka looks at the girl.
"Yes. I think maybe I will."
"So, do you go to concerts often, Zentora-chan?"
The three of them are sitting on the couch having tea with desert cakes.
Zentora looks at Michiru for a second before giving her quiet answer. "Not really, no." She pushes the thick bangs out of her line of vision. "No. I don't really get to do that sort of thing."
Haruka looks at her. "Why not?"
Zentora shakes her head in answer and takes a sip of her tea. When she puts it down, she looks over at the piano and the violin resting on top of it. "I don't know. I guess I never…it's just not something I do."
Michiru nods. "Well, it seems like something that you really like."
Zentora looks silently at her tea.
Michiru looks at her as she puts her own cup down. "Well, you know if you ever want to, you could come and visit with us."
Zentora looks at the teal-haired musician. "That's very nice of you, but-"
Haruka interrupts her. "No. It's okay." Michiru looks at Haruka as she goes on. "We'd like it if you could. I mean, it's nice to have a new friend here."
Zentora nods at Haruka's words and her voice is soft. "Thank-you."
Michiru gives her a sweet smile. "It's no problem at all." Standing, she takes Haruka's hand. "We're going to get all of this cleared away. Would you like anymore tea?"
Zentora shakes her head no. "Would you mind if I looked at the piano?"
Michiru looks at her as she picks up the tray of cups and saucers. "Go ahead."
Haruka joins her partner in the kitchen. Michiru looks up at her as she begins to rinse the tea pot. "Michiru-chan. Do you really think that we can make a difference with her?"
"Yes, I do. I can see that she likes us a little. I think we can become good friends. It's only that she's so worried about something."
"I know, but how do we find out what it is?"
Michiru gazes at Haruka. "I don't know. Maybe she doesn't want us to know."
A strange melody suddenly fills the room. "Huh?" Haruka turns around.
She and Michiru look into the living room to see Zentora sitting at the piano. Both of them stand there as she plays.
Zentora's eyes are hidden underneath the wall of hair, but it is evident that her silent face is fixed in a state of concentration. Her fingers go over the keys deftly as the song continues. The more she plays, the more she can feel herself giving into the music. It's a strange feeling for her, but she can't stop. Not yet. Closing her eyes, she continues to let the music lead her until finally she is finished.
When her fingers leave the keys of the piano, Zentora stares at them in surprise. Michiru and Haruka stare at her for a few moments before making their way over to her.
Michiru looks at her. "Zentora-chan!"
Zentora stands up as they come over to her. "I'm sorry."
Haruka looks at her. "About what? That was incredible."
Michiru nods. "I had no idea that you could play."
Zentora looks at them both. "Neither did I. Especially not like that." But instead of saying what she is thinking, she thanks them both. "Maybe I should go."
Michiru looks at her. "No, please. Do you think you could play something else?"
Zentora begins to blush as she pushes the hair out of her eyes. "I don't think I should."
The two of them continue to encourage her to play, thinking that they have found a way for her to open up to them. "Come on, Zentora-chan."
Looking at Haruka, she nods slightly and sits back down. When she places her fingers on the keys, she closes her eyes and takes a deep breath. The new song is simple enough, but something about it is strangely haunting. Zentora feels as though she is speaking through the piano. When this second song finally ends, her eyes are moist. She turns her head away from her new friends.
"That was wonderful, Zentora-chan."
Zentora looks at Michiru. "Thank-you, Michiru-san." Looking up at the clock over the couch, she turns to them. I appreciate your inviting me, but I really have to go now."
As she goes to get her shoes, Michiru stops her. "Zentora-chan. Before you go, I wanted to give you this. She hands her two tickets. "For you and a guest."
"Um, thank-you." She holds them in her hands and looks at them before she walks out.
"So, are you going to go?"
Zentora is lying on her bed in her pajamas. Pup is lying one side of her with Sirius on the other. The three are looking at the tickets sitting on her sketchbook. "I guess so. I mean they've been really nice to me. Besides the two of you, they're the only friends I've got."
Sirius's green eyes are on her. "What about Samaru?"
Zentora smiles a little to herself at the mention of his name. "Yeah, he's okay. I was kind of thinking I'd ask him to go with me."
'I'm sure he'd like that."
"Okay, then." Zentora picks up her sketchbook and opens it.
"Hello?"
"Hello, Samaru?"
"Zentora. Hi."
"Hello."
"It's really nice to hear from you."
"Thank-you. I was just calling to ask you something."
Samaru nods to himself on the other end of the phone. "Sure what is it?"
"Are you-? I mean this weekend, would you like to go to a concert with me?"
"A concert."
"Yes, a couple of friends invited me. I've got an extra ticket."
Samaru smiles and it creeps into his voice. "I'd be honored."
"Thank-you."
"No problem."
When Samaru hangs up the phone, he shakes his head with a sad smile.
On the night of the concert, Zentora is standing in front of her parents. Jalise smiles at her daughter. "Alright. Have a nice time."
"And don't stay out too late."
"I won't daddy. See you later."
When she is gone, the two of them look at each other. "Martin. Can you believe it? She's actually going out on a date?"
Martin smiles down at his wife. "Yeah, I know. It's nice to see her having a little fun."
Samaru looks up to see Zentora. "Wow. You look great."
Zentora looks away, trying not to smile at the attention. "Thank-you." She is wearing a black dress with the strap going across one of her shoulders. In her ears are silver star earrings, along with the customary silver clip in her upper left ear. Black sandals are on her feet. "You look nice too."
Samaru is dressed in black pants and a dark blue shirt.
When the two of them walk into the concert hall, Samaru and Zentora go to their seats. "So who are the friends who invited you?"
"You're about to see them now."
Samaru looks at her until the stage curtains go up. Tenoh Haruka and Kaioh Michiru are on the stage.
As the music plays, Samaru looks at Zentora. Sitting next to him, she looks as though the music is the only thing she can hear. As though she can see it. Samaru nods to himself. "It has to be her. Who else would react like that?"
Zentora is pulled away from her enjoyment of the concert when she suddenly senses something. She glances around for a moment. "It's like what I sensed the other day. Only stringer. But what is it?"
Slightly distracted by her fidgeting, Samaru looks at Zentora. Lowering his head, he whispers in her ear. "Is something wrong?"
"No. I-just have to go to the restroom."
"The intermission should be soon."
"I know, but it's kind of an emergency. Excuse me." As silently and quickly as she can, Zentora makes her way out of the auditorium and into the lobby. Glancing around, she sees no sign of a youma. "There's nothing here."
A young man with rose colored eyes walks over to the young lady in the black dress. "Excuse me, miss. Is something wrong?"
Zentora looks at him, suddenly feeling as though she should suddenly be on guard. "Um, no. I was just…"
The man doesn't wait for her to answer. "The concert. It's very nice isn't it?"
Zentora nods at him with a look of skepticism. Yes, it is."
"There's something about concerts. I love the sound of music. There's nothing else quite like it."
Zentora continues to listen to him as she silently looks around the lobby.
"Unless of course you're talking about visual art."
"You like the arts?"
"Yes, do you?"
Zentora nods. "Yes."
Nodding, he continues. "Yes, the arts. So important, but so many people don't realize it."
As she is talking, Zentora listens a little more closely.
Samaru checks his watch. "That's a little long for her to be in the bathroom. This may be something that I need to check out." Samaru stands and as politely as possible, he tries to leave for the lobby.
Zentora listens, though in the back of her mind, something keeps telling her that she should transform. Suddenly she cries out as something grabs the back of her leg. The young man looks at her in surprise. Looking at him she tells him to run.
"What about you?"
"Don't worry about me. Get help and make sure that no one gets hurt."
Nodding, he runs until her reaches the doors leading into the auditorium. "Orion should have shown up by now. She always manages to show up when one of my plants is around." General Thorn looks around impatiently, wondering why no one has shown up to help the human he'd been talking to. "Oh, well, at any rate, this one may have an orb."
Zentora is struggling to free herself from the monster that had surfaced from the potted tree in the lobby. "Why didn't I transform when I had the chance? I only hope no one sees me."
Bursting through the doors of the lobby, Samaru looks around for Zentora. "Zentora. Zentora?" He does not see the young man that is really General Thorn standing behind the door when he holds the black rose in his hand.
Thorn looks up in amazement as he watches the young man go through his transformation. "He's one of them?" When he is finished, he is barely recognizable. The young man is now wearing a black outfit and shades are on his face, which now has a goatee.
Zentora is still struggling against the plant monster. "Need dream energy!"
With her eyes narrowed at the creature, she scolds herself mentally. "What's the matter with me? I know better than to let my guard down like that. Especially when I sense something." Looking at the plant, she speaks. "You want my energy? Well, I'm not going to make it easy for you." Just as she reaches her hand to her neck for the amulet to appear, something lands on the floor not far from her.
Distracted, the plant monster looks down to see a black rose with little flecks of blue. "What?" Seconds later, Zentora feels herself falling to the floor at least ten feet below.
"Ugh!" She lands, but not on the floor. Opening her eyes, she sees her face reflected through the blue lenses.
He looks up at the plant and then down at the girl in his arms. "Are you alright?" Zentora nods as he places her on her feet. "Okay, then. Maybe you should go make sure everyone else is alright." He looks at the youma and smiles. "I'll take care of this."
"Who are you?"
"The name's Star Chaser. Though I was hoping you'd already know."
"Me? Why should I-"
Star Chaser shakes his head. "Just go."
Zentora nods.
Michiru and Haruka have just played through the first half of their concert when everyone prepares to leave for the lobby. Zentora gets to the doors as fast as she can and stands in front of them, wondering what to do. "I can't transform now. Someone will see me." She looks up suddenly when she hears footsteps approaching the door. "I guess I have no choice."
General Thorn is standing in the lobby watching Star Chaser as he fights with the youma. He does not see the girl he'd been talking to as she transforms herself into Sailor Orion.
Transformation ended Sailor Orion walks into the lobby as the people are making their way out. A few of them stop in surprise at the sight of a Sailor Soldier while others try to get a little closer to see which one it might be.
"Excuse me. Could I have your attention please." Though her voice is soft, it seems to carry so that everyone in the auditorium can hear her. "There is a situation outside. I'm going to have to ask you all to remain here where it's safe."
"Who are you? What's the meaning of this?"
Orion turns to the annoyed businessman.
"Is this some kind of joke?"
"I'm sorry, sir. But for your own safety, I suggest that you all stay here."
Michiru and Haruka are on their way into the lobby from backstage when a man with a clipboard stops them. Haruka glares at him. "What's going on?"
"I'm sorry, but we were given instructions for everyone to stay in the auditorium."
Michiru looks up at the man. "Instructions by whom?"
"Some girl in a Sailor Soldier outfit."
Haruka looks at him now as well. "Do you know what's going on? Who is it?"
He shakes his head. "Don't know. She wouldn't say. But she calls herself Orion."
Haruka and Michiru look at him. "In that case, maybe we should stay here. Thanks for telling us."
He nods and walks off. As he does, Haruka grabs her henshin pen. "You know what this means."
"Right."
"Uranus, Planet Power!"
"Neptune, Planet, Power!"
The two soldiers run off in the direction of the lobby.
Star Chaser has the youma subdued when Sailor Orion arrives. He glances over at her as the plant monster stands with a black rose in it's heart. "What took you so long?"
Orion looks at him strangely.
"Are you going to get rid of this?"
"Yeah, sure." Still looking at him, she touches the gem on her tiara and then the amulet in her brooch. Kissing her hand, she forms the star. "Orion, Star-shock, Spark!"
The monster's form begins to shrivel into itself as Neptune and Uranus arrive. The two of them watch the star soldier along with the young man standing next to her. Neptune is the first to speak. "It's her alright. But who is that with her?"
"I don't know, but be careful."
Star Chaser looks up when he hears the sound of voices. The two outer scouts approach them slowly. He watches them and Sailor Orion watches him.
"Orion."
"Uranus."
She smirks mischievously at the purple clad senshi. "Nice to see you doing well." Sailor Uranus is referring to having attacked Orion in their previous encounter.
"I bet."
"What are you up to? And who is this?" Uranus looks at the new senshi and the man in black standing next to her.
Star Chaser takes this opportunity to introduce himself. "My name is Star Chaser. How do you do?"
Uranus narrows her eyes at him. "Cut the chit chat. What is it you're after here Orion?"
The silent senshi looks at Sailor Uranus, carefully weighing her words before she speaks. "I'm not after anything. There was a youma and that's all."
Neptune is still looking at Star Chaser. "You're the one who helped her that last time aren't you?"
"Star Chaser nods. "At last, someone has figured it out. Yes, I am." He glances over at Orion who can only see her own reflection in the lenses covering his eyes. "That's why I'm here."
"But what are the two of you after?"
Star Chaser turns back to Sailor Neptune. "Sorry, but if she hasn't told you, I don't have the right to."
General Thorn continues watching them until they go into the lobby, but loses sight of them when all of the other people walk out.
"So how did you like the concert?"
Zentora is standing in the lobby with Samaru. "It was really nice."
"Zentora-chan."
The two of them look up to see Haruka and Michiru. "Hey, did you enjoy the concert?"
"Yes, Michiru-san. It was very good."
General Thorn is standing outside of the concert hall when he sees the young man walking past him with the girl in the black dress. The sound of rustling leaves calls his attention. "Master."
General Thorn glances at the bush that he is standing next to. "What is it?"
"Master, there was no sign of Orion's true form."
General Thorn nods. "I know. I was there. But I found what I was looking for." The plant youma listens as its master speaks. "I found out who was helping her. If we watch him, then he will eventually lead us to her. He peers through the crowd to see Samaru and Zentora. "Do you see those two over there?"
The youma gazes at them. "I do, Master."
"I want you to follow them. Especially that young man."
"Yes, Master."