Part Ten

Part Ten: Identities are revealed! Who is the Senshi of Orion?

The three robed figures bowed low as she approached them, the thick, steamy mists swirling about her slight figure as she stepped into the eerie blue glow of the electric lights. The heat and pressure in the pipes around them caused all sorts of hissing and clanking sounds, but they were able to hear her voice, clear as a bell, as she greeted them one by one.
 "Guardian Father." She kissed his forehead. "Guardian Friend." A handshake. Then she turned to the central figure, and her voice warmed by a degree. "Guardian Brother." She reached out and pulled him into a hug.
 Demetrius' heart almost stopped as she embraced him. How precious she was to him, this fragile, delicate little thing who possessed such a gentle heart. He'd never known, even since the dawn of time, a person with so much desire to give and share everything of herself with those around her. The Sacred Child was the most sacrificial, unselfish being in the universe, and he could not help but admire and adore her. As she pulled back, he looked straight into her eyes. They were so clear, shining with purity and purpose, and for a moment, he forgot to breathe. She was the most beautiful thing in existence and in a few more short months, it would be his responsibility to destroy her. The thought made him feel sick.
 The Child could sense the myriad of emotions that suddenly filled Guardian Brother like a whirling kaliedoscope of feeling, and she smiled at him in understanding. "Demetrius, my brother. It is good to see you again."
 He was grateful for the deep hood of his golden cloak, which obscured his blushing expression from her view. Of course, he knew that she could sense his emotions without being able to see his face. The Child had always possessed a heightened awareness of the souls around her, particularly those she had spent much time with. Still, he was comforted by the fact that at least she wouldn't be able to see the feelings in his face. He did his best to make his voice calm. "Child. Are you well?"
 She nodded, her pale hair glinting in the bluish light. "I am. And you, Guardians? Are you well?"
 Neophilus cleared his throat, and spoke in that cascading voice that reverberated powerfully against the metal of the surrounding pipes. "We are, Child. But I'm afraid that so far our search for the Silver Dagger has not been successful."
 "My search as well has been less than fruitful," the Sacred Child admitted quietly. "But there is one thing to be grateful for the Negaverse is no closer than we are."
 Guardian Friend spoke then, his tones scarcely louder than a whisper. "How goes the confrontations with the Negaverse jaki?" he wanted to know.
 She gave a slight giggle. "Oh, the jaki aren't any more of a problem than their commander is," she smiled. "However, I am quickly becoming tired of Lord Narcissus and his ego." The Child grinned.
Oberon spoke again, in that quiet way. "Child, it would be best if you do not underestimate Narcissus," he reminded her gently. "The Avatar would not choose a completely incompetent servant to head their search for the Dagger. Narcissus may be too proud for his own good, but he is also very powerful and should not be considered lightly."
 The Child's face quickly became grave. "Well said, Guardian Friend. Fear not. I have no intention of underestimating Narcissus' true power." Her voice had lost all its flippancy now, and the Guardians could instantly sense the serious intentions there.
 "Something concerns me," Demetrius spoke up, in subdued tones. "The Avatar has always before sent one of the Sailor Constellations against us. But Narcissus is not a senshi. So it is almost certain that there is someone even more powerful working behind him."
 Neophilus agreed. "We should be on guard," he stated firmly. If I know anything about the Avatar, it's that he's going to do his best to catch us by surprise."
 "Don't worry, Guardian Father." The Child's eyes glittered dangerously. "I know the Avatar, better than anyone else. I know how his mind works. He'll reveal whatever he's planning in his own time we just have to make sure we're ready for it." Then she smiled again. "But I'm not going to worry over it, my friends. The Avatar is cunning, but he works alone, with no one he can trust. We have teamwork on our side. We will find the Dagger in time. We always have."
 Demetrius looked down at the ground sadly, and the Child felt the sudden surge of sorrow that came over him. She laid a hand on his shoulder. "What is it, Guardian Brother?"
 He sighed heavily. "I haven't given up yet, Child. I intend to find the answer before we have to do this again. If I have to spent every waking hour from now until the vernal equinox, buried in the Book of Balance up to my ears, I swear I'm going to find it this time!" His young voice trembled with intensity.
 The Child squeezed his shoulder gently. "Please, Demetrius. Do not do this to yourself. If the answer is found, wonderful. But if not, it will mean nothing more than that my destiny continues. The Sacrifice is no more than I deserve, Demetrius, and you know it."
 Guardian Brother shook his head vigorously. "That's not true, Child. You've more than repaid the evils of the past. Not that the responsibility of repayment was ever yours in the first place."
 Her eyes glinted softly. "If not mine, then whose?" she demanded, her voice quiet and sorrowful. Demetrius, looked down, unable to answer, and the Child smiled sadly. "It was my responsibility. And it still is. It always will be. It was I who brought this upon the Princess and her family, Guardian Brother, and it is only right and just that I be the one to pay the price." She moved her hand from his shoulder to his face, forcing him to look up and meet those fathomless eyes regarding him so openly. "Do not feel sorry for me, Demetrius. No matter what happens to me, it could never be more than I deserve."
 Guardian Friend reached out to take her hand. "I do not think we Guardians will ever be able to agree with you there, Child," he interjected in that whispering voice. "For we observe you from the outside, and from where we stand you have been completely absolved from past crimes. Yet, our viewpoint makes no real difference, for until you feel that the debt has been repaid, you will never be able to forgive yourself. And it is no longer our forgivenss that you need, Child; you have already been given that. You don't need the Princess' forgiveness either, for it was she who was the first to forgive. What you do need is to be able to forgive yourself, and there is not much that the rest of us can do to help you with that."
 The Child nodded at him. "I understand."
 Guardian Father broke in then. "Come now," he said, his authoritative tones bringing them all back to the subject at hand. "If there is nothing else to discuss, we should disperse quickly, before the Avatar senses our gathering."
 Oberon dropped the Sacred Child's hand, and stepped back. "Safe questing, Child," he said to her.
 The Child made a small bow to the three golden robed Guardians. "Safe questing, my friends." She backed away a couple of steps, then turned around and disappeared into the mists. The blue glow of the electric lamps swallowed her up, and she was gone.
 Guardian Father put his hand on Demetrius' shoulder heavily, as the smallest of the Guardians continued to stare down the passageway, long after the Child had vanished. Demetrius sighed, and Neophilus patted his shoulder.
 "Demetrius, you should tell her."
 Guardian Brother looked up at him. "I can't, Neophilus. I can't burden her with my own feelings when she has so much on her shoulders already."
 Oberon shook his head. "What makes you think that she would feel burdened, Demetrius? She is closest to you, after all."
 "But it's no use." Demetrius lowered his head. "The curse cannot be lifted until she forgives herself. And until the curse is lifted, she will never be able to share my feelings." He met Oberon's eyes with a smile of resignation. "I've waited for millennia, Guardian Friend. I can wait a little longer."
 Oberon nodded then, and took Demetrius' other shoulder. "Come on then, Brother. Let's go back." He produced the ancient, leather-bound Book, and opened it. The pages were shimmering, casting a warm golden light into the cold blue of the passageway. The three figures each reached out a hand and placed it on the open pages their forms seemed to glow as the power of the Book enveloped them, and they were gone.

Makoto, reclined against the big red cushions, sat twirling a strand of chestnut hair around her fingers absently. "But you all saw her hit that guy." She sat up, addressing her friends who were seated around the low table. Makoto shook her head, and her green eyes were troubled. "There's something weird about this."
 "What are you talking about, Mako-chan?" Usagi asked, not sounding all that interested in the answer. She was busy applying a new shade of fingernail polish, spreading the festive garnet color over her fingertips with a careful concentration. Luna found herself wishing, for the hundredth time, that Usagi would focus on her homework with such seriousness.
 The brunette's green eyes were thoughful, and she sat up, leaning forward. "Look, I'm a fighter, Usagi-chan. I've been a fighter all my life, ever since I can remember. And you learn to recognize certain things when you've been doing this as long as I have." Her gaze clouded as she recalled the events of the previous day. "Shinzui didn't hit that guy the way most girls would she didn't slap him. She punched him. Across the jaw, using the full force of her body weight I'm telling you, she's not what she seems to be." Makoto shook her head again. "A figher learns to recognize other fighters, guys. And Shinzui, believe it or not, has all the makings of a fighter herself."
 "Oh, Mako-chan, that's silly," Minako giggled, as she finished wrapping a bright red and green Christmas gift. She picked up the red bow that was next to her and placed it artistically on top. Then she looked up at her friend. "Shinzui-san is blind, remember?" she prompted. "You can't honestly tell me you think that fragile young woman has got your fighter's spirit."
 "I'm inclined to agree with Minako-chan on this one, Mako-chan," Ami spoke up softly. She was busy clicking away on her computer, but she looked up to address Makoto. "Shinzui-san is an amazing person, but it is very unlikely, given her obvious physical limitations, that she could be capable of what you suggest."
 Makoto was about to reply when Rei jumped in. "She was mad, Mako-chan. That's all. I mean, we all heard what happened to her sister." Her deep violet eyes met Makoto's intently. "And there's no way that you can tell me you wouldn't have done the exact same thing in her place."
 The brunette sighed, and scuffed at the carpet with her stocking feet. "That's what I'm trying to tell you. She did this exactly the way I would have. And that's not normal."
Artemis cocked his head curiously. "Just what are you saying, Mako-chan?"
 Makoto looked at the white feline for a moment, and then shook her head yet again. "I'm not sure, Artemis. I just have this feeling that there's more to her than what we see."
 Usagi blew gently on her fingertips to help dry the polish. She gazed over at Makoto with a smile. "Well, I wouldn't make so much of it, Mako-chan," she remarked flippantly. "We don't know enough about Shinzui-san to make any sort of judgement right now."
 Luna stared at her young mistress in disbelief. "Usagi-chan said something reasonable" she wondered, with a slightly exaggerated tone of bewilderment. Usagi glared at her pet and picked up the nearest pillow to toss at her. Then she remembered her still-wet nails and settled for sticking her tongue out at the cat instead.
Usagi turned back to Makoto, ready to change the subject and move on to something a little more appetizing. "So, Mako-chan," she began with a gleam in her blue eyes, "did you bring us those Christmas cookies like you promised?"
 This question caused Makoto to chuckle, momentarily forgetting her puzzlement over their new friend as she reached into her bag and pulled out a gaily wrapped plate of carefully frosted cookies. The temple room soon became several decibels louder as Usagi, Rei, and Minako all dived for the plate. Makoto managed to rescue a couple of the cookies and delivered them to Ami, who was of course sitting primly and a bit embarassedly as her friends gobbled the holiday sweets. Ami accepted them with a smile of thanks, and turned with Makoto to shake their heads as the other three continued to crunch and munch with enthusiasm. It was obvious there would be no more studying today.

Shinzui paused at her sister's door, listening. She knew that Sachiko did not like to be disturbed when she was painting, but Shinzui was concerned. Sachiko had been brought home from the hospital this morning, back to the little apartment that the two sisters shared. And she hadn't said a word to Shinzui, ever since she'd been taken to the hospital. Not even one. Shinzui was trying to respect her sister's privacy, but she had to make sure that Sachiko was all right. Raising a hand, Shinzui knocked gently on the door.
 There was no response. Everything was silent inside. Shinzui hesitated again, because she very rarely invaded her sister's room without permission but she had to check on her and make sure she was all right. Very, very softly, Shinzui opened the door and entered Sachiko's room.
 "Chiko-chan? It's me" She paused as the scent of paint assailed her nostrils. Sachiko was there, in the middle of her bedroom/studio, standing before her canvas as she always was. For the thousandth time, Shinzui found herself wishing she could see the picture her sister was creating. She walked carefully towards her older sister, being especially wary of the floor, for Sachiko was infamous for leaving random paintbrushes, artwork, dropcloths, open tubes of paint, and other paraphenalia all over her floor at any given time, and Shinzui had learned from experience that it was wise to maintain all caution when traversing Sachiko's room.
 She approached her sister, who still had not said a word to her, and reached out a hand to touch her shoulder. Usually Shinzui could get a sense of the emotions of people she was close to, if she was touching them. And so, very gently, she laid a hand on Sachiko's shoulder, hoping that she wouldn't startle her sister. Sachiko could at times get so involved in her work that she would become completely oblivious to the world around her, and Shinzui didn't want to frighten her. As soon as she made contact with her sister's soft arm, Shinzui could feel it. The tears running silently down her sister's face. There was such a feeling of guilt there, and shame, and Shinzui's heart contracted as she understood why Sachiko had been unable to speak to her before.
 "Oh, Chiko-chan, it's all right it's all right. Come here." The young blind woman took her sister in an embrace, and Sachiko began to sob audibly now.
 "I'm sorry, Zui-chan. I'm so sorry" Sachiko's muffled voice choked through her tears, into the younger girl's shoulder.
 "Shhh," Shinzui soothed, stroking her sister's pale hair. "It's all right, Chiko-chan. It's all right." She continued to comfort her weeping sister as best she could. Shinzui could sense the roiling emotions as they built in intensity.
 Sachiko pulled away to look into her blind sister's face. "Why do you put up with me?" she sobbed. "I'm supposed to be the one taking care of you, and all I ever do is make more problems." Sachiko stepped back, removing Shinzui's touch. "You should just leave me alone, Zui-chan. I'm not worth it."
 "Yes, you are," Shinzui responded firmly, though she did not reach for her sister again. "We are sisters, Chiko-chan. You're my family, and I love you. There is no way I am going to let anything come between us. Not anything." Her vacant eyes were very soft, as she turned to her sister's painting. She knew there was something beautiful, something colorful and expressive on that canvas but she couldn't see it. "Tell me about this one, Chiko-chan. Please."
 Sachiko paused for a moment at the familiar old question, and she had to smile, even through her tears. How many times had her little sister asked her that very thing? Shinzui had always been curious about everything, even more so because she was blind. Sachiko could still remember her sister's dainty, childish voice, brimming with energy and eagerness as she asked her to describe the world around them. Sachiko knew that Shinzui was using the question to distract her from her guilty feelings, but she couldn't help responding, in the same way she always had ever since they were children.
 "It's the sky, at twilight," she responded, her deeper tones taking on the sing-song quality that they always did when describing something for Shinzui. "It begins as a pale yellow, right over the Tokyo skyline, where the sun is setting. The yellow fades slowy to orange, then amber." Sachiko turned to face her painting so she could look at it while speaking. "The amber color gets deeper, darker, and then it becomes a violet color the transition is so subtle that it's impossible to tell where the color change actually takes place. The violet darkens into indigo. There are stars, too, scattered around like the sky has been dusted with glitter."
 Shinzui's unseeing eyes were closed, as she created the picture in her mind. "And the moon?" she asked, almost breathlessly.
 Sachiko smiled. Shinzui had always had an unusual fixation on the moon. It was her favorite part of every description, which was way Sachiko always saved it for last. "The moon is a crescent, a little sliver of silver, pasted into the darkest part of the sky, and shining down on the quieting city with a patient, never-failing light." Sachiko looked up at her sister. "Just like you do, for me."
 Shinzui's empty eyes opened at that comment, but she did not detect any tears in her older sister's voice any longer. She smiled sweetly at Sachiko. "And I always will, Chiko-chan."
 Sachiko took a step forward and put her hands on Shinzui's shoulders. Her gray eyes were grave. "I'm going to make you a promise, Zui-chan. I promise you, right here and now, that I will never take drugs or any narcotics ever again. I will never do this to you again, not ever. I am going to be the sister to you that I have failed to be in the past. And I promise, Zui-chan, that I am never going to hurt you again."
 Shinzui gave her older sister a hug. "As long as you're not hurting yourself, Chiko-chan, you won't be hurting me." She planted a kiss on the shorter girl's pale head. "I love you, my sister." Then she pulled back a little. "Listen, Chiko-chan, I have to go there are some friends I promised to meet. Will you be all right?"
 Sachiko nodded. "Go, Zui-chan, and have a good time." She smiled as her little sister left the room, picking her way across the floor carefully, and calling for Centauri. Sachiko shook her head as she watched her go. The best sister in the world. That's what she is. The very best in the world.

Outside Tokyo, in the barren, empty field that stretched for miles along the barren, empty highway, the black stone monument was buzzing. The monument was a facinating thing, in a grotesque sort of way; about six feet tall, and covered in odd carvings and incriptions that were more ancient than the land it stood upon. It was made of a cold, obsidian stone, that was too dark to be marble, and too cold to be granite. The color of the monument was a pure black, so pure it made one's eyes ache to look upon it. And this monument, the birthplace of the jaki, was vibrating again as it prepared for another summoning.
 The dark hole in space, suspended magically above the surface of the black stone, seemed to be just a little bigger than it had been a few days ago. The edges stretched and swelled as cold laughter poured out into the silent field.
"Well, Lady Slipper, we're about to find out if your intuition is correct," Narcissus sneered. His comment was followed by a chilling feminine giggle. Lord Narcissus then called for his evil spirit. "Come out, my jaki!"
 With a sizzle, another drop of the greasy black liquid struck the monument's smooth rectangular surface, and the liquid began to expand. Within a few seconds, a new jaki was standing before them, glistening darkly and baring its smooth white fangs. This creature had three feline ears atop its lizard-like skull, and the ears twitched this way and that as the monster addressed its master. "Jaki here, Lord Narcissus."
 There was a menacing growl from the Negaverse admiral. "Now you listen to me very carefully, jaki. Do you have the picture?"
 The monster nodded as it produced the small papery square in its claws. "Jaki have picture."
 "Good." Narcissus chuckled blackly. "Now, we want that human. You are NOT to take that human's juice, you understand? You will find that human, and lure it to the place we told you about. Use any means necessary but do not fail me."
 The creature grunted. "Jaki will not fail," it hissed with determination.
 Lady Slipper's mocking laugh could then be heard from the other side of the gap in the air. "Then go, little spirit. Go and fetch that human."
 Tucking the photograph away carefully, the monster turned and rolled off the monument. It bounced once into the grass, then again, a little bit higher; and on the third bounce the black ball rose into the air and began its flight towards the city.
"There's still a problem, Lady Slipper."
 "What's that, my dear admiral?" Her voice was sarcastic.
 Lor Narcissus grumbled. "That Sailor Orion has an attack that I can't overcome that musical thing she does. I lose all my strength when she uses that Sphere of hers. Even when we capture her, how are we going to defeat her?"
 "You mean, how are you going to defeat her," Lady Slipper corrected imperiously. "I'm not going to be there. This is your little project, remember?" Then another note of amusement entered her voice. "But fear not, Narcissus. I'll lend you a little something, just for today, that will help."
 "What's this?" Narcissus wanted to know, a bit contemptuously. "Another one of your pretty little flowers? Come on, now, Lady Slipper. How is this supposed to help anything?"
 Lady Slipper giggled. "Don't mock it until you've tried it, my Lord. That's no ordinary flower. Just carry it with you, and you'll see Sailor Orion's little musical attack won't even touch you."
 Two harmonizing peals of cruel glee shrieked out over the grasslands. The Negaverse was going to win this one.

Shinzui's head snapped up in alarm. A jaki! And right under our noses? How on earth did it manage to get into the Banpuku Center without my detecting it? She tilted her head towards her young friends. Usagi, and Rei were busily playing with the foozball table, with Chibiusa cheering them on, and Minako was absorbed in an arcade game over in the corner. Makoto had opted for the set of freeweights at the back of the room, and was doing benchpresses. None of them had a clue as to the dark presence, not even Rei, who was too focused on beating Usagi to pay attention. Maybe there's still time She rose to her feet abruptly, gripping Centauri's harness.
 Ami looked up with concern from the chess game she and Shinzui were playing. "Is something wrong, Shinzui-san?"
 Shinzui shook her head, almost impatiently. She had to get out of here. "No, Ami-chan. Everything is fine. I just have to" But she didn't get to finish her sentence. The door was broken off its hinges as the evil spirit charged into the room. Oh no.
 The jaki grinned when it caught sight of the blind girl. "You come with me," it demanded, beginning to walk towards Shinzui.
 Makoto had dropped the weighted bar back into its holders as soon as the monster had made its rather ungraceful entrance, and she rose to her feet, glaring at the creature defiantly. "Back off, creep," she warned the jaki, and the other five young girls also went to stand behind her, all six staring the jaki down. "Shinzui-san is a friend of ours. You'd better leave her alone."
 The spirit did not seem terribly impressed. It did not even bother to answer, just opened its mouth and fired a blast of dark power at the cluster of girls.
 "Look out!" Shinzui bellowed in a very uncharacteristic tone, and she dove for Usagi, snatching the tiny blonde into her arms and rolling her out of the way. Usagi blinked up at the blind girl in confusion for a moment, and then her face set with determination.
"It's all right, Shinzui-san. We can take care of this thing." She smiled up at the tall, pale haired girl, as she stood up. "See, my friends and I we're the Sailor Scouts." Almost instantly, Usagi regretted her words. Me and my big mouth! She didn't even know why she'd said that, but there was this odd feeling she got around Shinzui, and she knew that their secret would be safe with the gentle girl. However, there was no time for contemplation now. She had to stop the jaki. She grasped the brooch on her school uniform, and turned to nod at Chibiusa, who was also gripping her little pink brooch.
 "Cosmic Moon Power, MAKE UP!!" The light from the Silver Imperium Crystal was blinding, as it enveloped the petite Sailor Leader and her future child. An instant later, there were two Sailor Soldiers standing in their places. And they were quickly joined by four more as Sailors Mercury, Mars, Jupiter and Venus also transformed. The Sailor Team turned to face the evil spirit in unision.
 "Pick on our friends, will ya?" Sailor Venus taunted the creature. "Come on, then, ugly I am Sailor Venus, champion of Love and Beauty, and in the name of friendship, I will punish you!"
 The other Sailor Soldiers also made similar introductions, but Shinzui was not paying attention. I have to help them. Centauri Where is Centauri? She stood up and reached out with her hands to find the edge of the foozball table. "Centauri! Where are you?" she called softly. After a moment, she felt a wet nose bump her leg, and she reached down to take hold of the familiar leather harness.
"Shinzui-san," Centauri said quietly. "You can't-not yet. That jaki didn't attack you, he was interested in taking you someplace, remember? Lord Narcissus is up to something here. You have to find out what it is."
 Shinzui shook her head. "I don't care what it is. I've got to help the Princess." She raised her arm and pushed back her sleeve, revealing a gold bracelet that was set with a large, oval, peach-colored stone. But the jaki's hissing voice stopped her.
 "You come with me," it insisted, and Shinzui froze in surprise. Where were the Sailor Senshi? Weren't they still attacking it? For a moment, panic welled within her as she reached out with her deeper senses to locate her friends. They were safe She could sense the Princess' irritation, but she knew she was safe, and Shinzui let out a sigh of relief. But she could also sense something else. All six Sailor Scouts had been chained together with a stream of dark energy, and they could no longer defend themselves. Lord Narcissus must want me very badly if he's got the nerve to do this, Shinzui mused. She nodded imperceptibly at Centauri, who was still regarding her with a question in his canine eyes. She would wait.
 Shinzui turned to face the dark spirit. "I'm not going anywhere with you," she said quietly, her voice like icicles, and her face disturbingly serene.
 The creature frowned at the tall blind girl. "You come. Or I hurt them." It twisted around and sent a small bolt of dark energy at the group of captured Scouts. They could not help crying out as the black electrical power burned their skin, and Shinzui's face hardened. She stared coolly at the jaki, her sightless eyes like fathomless frozen lakes.
"Very well. I will go."
 "Shinzui-san, don't!" Sailor Mars called out, receiving another blast from the Negaverse creature for her efforts. But the blind girl merely smiled coldly.
 "It's all right, girls," she said, and her tones were frigid. The jaki yanked on its end of the black power chain, and the Sailor Scouts were dragged towards the door. Shinzui followed behind, still holding Centauri's harness, and taking steps that were firm, deliberate, and dangerous. Sailor Jupiter, who was at the very end of the train of linked Scouts, elbowed Sailor Mercury, who was in front of her. She indicated the young blind woman behind them.
 "What did I tell you?" Jupiter smugly pointed out to the blue Senshi. "Shinzui-san is a fighter."

"Haruka look!" Michiru grabbed Haruka's arm and pointed.
 The sandy-haired racer followed her partner's finger, and saw a most unusual and infuriating sight. Another one of those pesky jaki things had Sailor Moon and all the other Scouts chained up in a line, and was parading them down the middle of the street, blasting all onlookers who got too heroic with its black lightning bolts. But the thing that caught her attention the most was the tall girl and her golden retriever, who were following behind. Haruka's gray eyes narrowed. "What the-- I knew it!" she growled. "I knew that girl was up to no good." She reached into her jacket for her henshin pen. But Michiru's hand stopped her.
 "Not yet, Haruka. Look at her. She doesn't look too pleased with the situation. Shinzui-san may not be in on all this. We should follow them and find out first, before we jump to conclusions."
 Haruka nodded reluctantly. "Okay, fine. We follow them. But I swear, if that blind girl is a part of this, I'm going to"
 "I know." Michiru met her partner's eyes with a slight smile. "I'm going to try and contact Mamoru on the way, and let him know what's going on. He will want to be here too." The aqua-haired musician and her blonde friend began to follow the jaki down the street, and Michiru flipped out her communicator.
"Konnichiwa, Mamoru-san. There's something you're going to want to see"

The jaki led them into an old warehouse on Eighth Street. Shinzui knew precisely where they were; she passed this building every morning on her way to the university. She still wasn't sure what Narcissus was up to, but it was becoming clear that whatever it was, he wanted to get her alone. He must know. Shinzui was certain. He wouldn't be after me like this if he didn't know. But Lord Narcissus isn't clever enough to figure it out by himself. So who told him?
 They entered the warehouse, and the Sailor Scouts blinked and stumbled as their eyes were forced to adjust to the sudden darkness. Of course, it didn't bother the blind girl, who was led by her golden retriever into the center of the large, vacant warehouse. The jaki stopped, hurling the captured Sailor Scouts into a corner. It turned around to face Shinzui.
 Shinzui's expression remained stony. "What do you want?" she demanded of the creature.
But instead of a reply, the black creature's form began to shimmer. A shock of lavender hair appeared, followed by a violet eye and a black satin eyepatch sparkling with purple gems. The rest of Lord Narcissus then shimmered into being, right down to the tight pants and black boots. The Sailor Scouts gasped.
 "Lord Narcissus!" Sailor Moon exclaimed.
Sailor Jupiter glared at him. "I don't know what you think you're doing, Narcissus, but when I get out of this"
 The Negaverse admiral regarded the captured Scouts with something akin to glee. "Well, well, for once a jaki finally did something right. I have myself a whole flock of Sailor brats." Narcissus chuckled to himself, and turned to face Shinzui. "Now then, little lady, time for us to have a fair fight." He took a step towards the blind girl.
But he was stopped by a swoosh! A rose embedded itself into the floor in front of the lavender Lord, and Narcissus looked up to see Tuxedo Kamen and Sailors Uranus and Neptune, standing perched on the upper walkway above them. "Tuxedo Kamen-sama!" both Sailor Moon and Sailor ChibiMoon cried happily at the same time.
Narcissus growled deep in his throat as he caught sight of the new arrivals. "Back off, Sailor scum. I'm not after you. It's your little friend I want."
"Shinzui is not a part of this," Tuxedo Mask insisted, leaping from the walkway and landing on the ground between Narcissus and the blind girl. He rose to his feet, brandishing his cane defensively. "Your fight is with us, not her. Leave her alone."
Lord Narcissus stared at Tuxedo Mask in disbelief. Then he began to laugh. He laughed and laughed, and the other Scouts frowned in confusion. Neptune and Uranus took the opportunity to join Tuxedo Mask on the floor. Sailor Uranus wasn't too thrilled with the idea of defending Shinzui from anyone, but Uranus was, after all, a Sailor Senshi. If Narcissus wants this girl, she must be important somehow. We've got to find out what he wants. She glared at Narcissus, who was still chortling with mirth. "What's so funny?" she demanded gruffly.
"Why, you don't know, then," He chuckled again. "She hasn't told you. Oh, that is too rich!"
"What are you talking about?" Sailor Mars wanted to know from behind them.
"I don't care what he's talking about," Sailor Neptune spoke up. Uranus turned to her partner with a look of surprise. Neptune herself was a bit startled by her own defensive instincts. But she liked Shinzui. She admired her as a musician and a remarkable artist, and she was not about to let Narcissus or anyone else harm the young blind girl. Neptune raised her fist. "Deep Submerge!" she cried, and her watery, planet-shaped burst of power charged towards the caped admiral.
Narcissus leapt into the air, and the attack passed right beneath him. When he landed, there was a proud smirk on his face. "My turn now," he crowed, and sent a stream of pale purple, crackling energy that rose into the air. It formed a ring, hanging suspended above their heads, and then prepared to drop down on Tuxedo Mask and the other two Scouts.
"Look out!" Sailor ChibiMoon called to them in alarm. The six restrained Scouts struggled against the dark chains that bound them, trying to help their friends.
"That's enough, Narcissus."
The room suddenly went completely silent as Shinzui's soft, musical voice filled the room. Narcissus' eyes widened at the authoritative ice in her tone. Shinzui stood defiantly, staring the Negaverse admiral down with vacant eyes.
How did she know his name? Sailor Uranus turned with a frown to get a look at the blind girl, who was pushing up her sleeve. There was a bracelet on her wrist, with some kind of fancy stone on it Uranus thought it looked a bit familiar, but she could not figure out where she'd seen it before.
Shinzui's voice filled the entire warehouse with bell-like tones. "You want a fight with me, Narcissus? You shall have one. But I'm warning you; I'm not going to go so easy on you this time." The blind girl held her bracelet towards her guide dog. "Centauri?"
The golden retriever sighed. He still didn't think this was a good idea, transforming like this in front of the other senshi. But Shinzui was in charge, she always had been. Centauri cleared his throat, and then he shouted, "Orion Constellation Power, MAKEUP!!" Two pale beams of colored light emanated from the dog's eyes, and concentrated themselves on the apricot-colored stone in his mistress' bracelet. Shinzui closed her eyes.
The power caused the large oval stone to glow, and the glow spread out around the blind girl's body like a glimmering cloud, lifting her feet right off the floor. A melody filled the room, a melody which the Sailor senshi recognized as the tune played by the Orion Music Sphere during Sailor Orion's attacks. The Scouts watched, breathlessly, as a white leotard appeared around Shinzui's slim figure, followed by a black pleated miniskirt, a black collar, and peach-colored bows. The black boots with their impossibly high heels materialized around the slender legs and ankles, and the pale hair was suddenly released from the neat bun at the base of her neck. For a moment her face was lost in a swirl of silvery, flowing tresses, and then two black clips appeared, neatly sweeping the hair back out of the way. Her arms were crossed in front of her, the stone in her bracelet pulsing with light and music, and long white gloves with their black edging formed on her hands and arms. The golden tiara with its single shimmering peach stone was then visible, and Sailor Orion raised her arms above her head in a perfect arc, turned in the air once, and then landed back on the ground in a crouching, defensive position. All this time, her eyes had been closed. But now, as the last strains of melody faded away, Sailor Orion opened her eyes. No longer were they the vacant, soft gray gaze of the blind girl. They glittered with silver sparks, shining dangerously, and despite all his bravado, Narcissus felt a chill as those metallic eyes fastened themselves to him.
Orion rose to her feet slowly, purposefully, and faced the Negaverse Lord. "All right then, Narcissus," she sneered at him. "Just to be fair, I'll let you take the first shot."
Sailor Jupiter twisted around to look at her sister Scouts, who were chained with her. "I told you," she gloated. "I told you there was something different about her." Sailor Mars stuck her tongue out at Jupiter.
Sailor Uranus took a step towards Sailor Orion. "It's you," she breathed in astonishment. "I don't believe it."
"I hate to break up this lovely little moment, Miss Orion, but I do believe you promised me a fight."
Sailor Neptune moved forward to stand with Orion, but Sailor Orion held up a hand. She met Neptune's aquamarine eyes warningly. "It's my fight, Neptune," she said softly, her voice tinkling. "Thank you for your support, but I have to do this myself."
Neptune looked like she was about to ignore Orion's words and attack Narcissus anyway. But Sailor Uranus put a hand on her arm, and shook her head. Sailor Neptune turned to look at her partner's face, and Uranus smiled grimly at her. "Orion's right," she said firmly, her deep voice sounding almost rough. "If she wants to take Narcissus on alone, we should let her."
"Enough!!" Narcissus bellowed impatiently, and he sent a bolt of lavender negative energy at Sailor Orion, which she easily dodged. "No more talking. I'm going to finish you this time, Miss Orion."
Sailor Orion cocked an eyebrow at him. "We'll see," was all she replied, and she rolled away as another burst of dark power came after her. She had rolled towards Narcissus rather than away from him, however, and when she was close enough, swept one leg around beneath him so that Narcissus was knocked to the floor. Both of them rose to their feet, eyeing one another warily.
Orion allowed Narcissus to take a few more shots at her with his crackling energy attacks, dodging them all but making quite sure that her movements never placed any of the other Scouts in danger. Uranus watched this display with a grudging respect. Orion was good. She was very good.
Finally, Narcissus mangaged to get one of his attacks to make contact with the colossal Sailor Scout, as the electric negative energy caught her by the shoulder and Sailor Orion was knocked backwards into a piece of dusty, sheet-covered manufacturing equipment along the side of the warehouse room. The Negaverse admiral cackled with glee, and Orion grunted as the searing pain shot through her shoulder, nearly paralyzing her arm. In a way she welcomed the pain, the good old familiar discomfort that had been the trademark of all her lifetimes. Now the fight was really beginning
"Orion!" Sailor Moon shrieked, watching helplessly as the pale-haired Scout was sent crashing into the equipment. Sailor Orion looked up, and the expression of worry and concern on her Princess' face changed her mind. It would be better not to drag this fight out, not when the Princess had to watch it. There was nothing Orion liked more than a good long fight, but she didn't want to cause any more worry than was necessary.
Sailor Orion stood up carefully, relishing the burning pain that shot through her body. She fastened that silvery stare on Narcissus again, and she summoned her Orion Sphere. The glass orb appeared before her, glowing softly, and the symbol on its side was illuminated with dusky peach-colored light. Orion raised her hand above her head. "Heavenly Symphony!" she sang. The beautiful, familiar melody filled the warehouse, dissolving the cords of black energy that had held the first six Sailors prisoner. But Narcissus just stood there, grinning at her.
"Nice try, Miss Orion. But your weak little powers can't touch me anymore." He reached inside the folds of his open shirt, and pulled out a small white flower. He waved it in Sailor Orion's face.
Orion took one look at the flower, and her eyes narrowed in recognition. Narcissus had some bigger allies than she'd thought. "A lady's slipper. So that's how you knew," she commented to the purple-clad admiral. "I knew there was no way you'd figured out by yourself who I am. So let me guess she told you that her little blossom would protect you from me."
Narcissus smirked at her. "You can't win this one, Sailor brat. Your ridiculous music doesn't affect me a bit." He crossed his arms and regarded her tauntingly.
Sailor Orion raised an eyebrow. "Come now, Narcissus. Surely you don't think that 'Heavenly Symphony' is the only trick I've got up my sleeve." Her eyes scoffed at him, and for a moment, Lord Narcissus felt a little less confident. But he waved the flower again.
"You're bluffing," he declared, in a voice that bespoke of more than a little uncertainty.
"Am I? Shall we find out?"
Narcissus gazed at her for a moment, but then his ego got the better of him. "Fine." He raised his hand and sent another streak of lavender lightning towards the silver-eyed senshi. She sidestepped the attack as it whizzed harmlessly past her, and then spun back to face her adversary once more. All amusement was gone from her face.
"Princess, I suggest that you and the other Senshi take cover," she declared, all the while keeping her liquid gaze on Narcissus. "This is going to be a little explosive."
Sailor Moon just stared at her in bewilderment, and it was Sailor Mars who grabbed her arm. "Baka, she said take cover," Mars grumbled as she yanked Sailor Moon behind a row of stacked metal barrels along with the other Senshi. Tuxedo Kamen joined them. Sailor Uranus hesitated, still wanting to keep a close eye on Orion, but Neptune took her arm. Uranus reluctanly allowed herself to be led behind the barrels with the others, though she insisted on standing right by the edge where she could still have a close view of what Sailor Orion was about to do.
Once Orion was satisfied that her friends were safe, she turned back to Narcissus. The tall Sailor Senshi crossed her arms in front of her.
"Orion" Her Music Sphere began to glow. "Mini" A small glass sphere seemed to bud off from the larger one. It was about the size of a golf ball, and bore the Orion symbol on its side. Sailor Orion held out one hand, and the little globe came to rest in her palm. "Sphere" The miniature Sphere began to glow even brighter, until it was so bright that Uranus had to look away from it. Energy flowed from Sailor Orion's fingertips into the little orb, making it glow steadily brighter. When Orion decided it was powerful enough, she gripped the small ball of light in her hand, and pulled it back, ready to throw. "Detonation!!" And she threw the tiny radiating sphere directly at Lord Narcissus.
It was difficult to determine exactly what happened next. To Sailor Uranus and the other Scouts it seemed as if the world had exploded. Uranus threw herself flat to the ground, and the other Sailor Senshi also found themselves face down with their hands over their heads. A wave of heat washed above them, and they could hear the clanking and crashing as the metal barrels, which probably weighed a couple hundred pounds apiece, were tossed every which way. The roof of the warehouse above them creaked and groaned, and finally came down, with random burning pieces falling all around them, and the heavy metal walkway fell with a loud booming like thunder. After a few seconds, things seemed to be finished flying around over their heads, and so Sailor Moon ventured to put her head up. Sailor Orion still stood there, completely unaffected and unfazed by the blast. The warehouse's walls were no longer even existent, and the sun shone down on them brightly so that she had to squint. At first, Sailor Moon couldn't even see Lord Narcissus.
A pile of blackened rags lying in the midst of a pile of rubble made a strange sound, though, and as it moved, Sailor Moon could see that it was indeed the Negaverse Lord. He was having a very hard time just moving the hair out of his eyes, and he coughed hoarsely. Sailor Moon felt sorry for him.
Orion crossed her arms and stared at Narcissus. "Well?" she challenged.
With another cough and a groan of pain that he tried unsuccessfully to suppress, Narcissus rose to his feet. "Is that the best you can do?" he choked out, doing his best to make his voice sound defiant.
Sailor Orion raised an eyebrow. "No, actually, it's not. That Mini-Sphere was only charged to about one-tenth of its full capacity. Would you like to try something a little stronger?" she wondered with a snide grin.
Narcissus coughed again, and glared at the tall senshi. "I'm coming back for you, Orion," he growled at her. "We are not finished yet." His form shimmered as he left the jaki's body, and the unfortunate creature melted into a puddle of black goo right then and there, disappearing into the ground.
Sailor Orion looked over at where Sailor Moon and the other Scouts were still lying, flattened, on the ground, and staring at her in utter amazement. She nodded to them as she assured herself that they were all unhurt, and then without a word, raised her bracelet, pressed the peach stone, and vanished out of sight.
Sailor ChibiMoon sat up, gingerly rubbing a spot on her behind that had been struck by a piece of the falling roof, and she shook her head in bemusement. "I don't believe it! Shinzui-san is Sailor Orion. Boy, is this going to make piano lessons interesting." She met Sailor Moon's eyes, and her future mother nodded. They were definitely going to have to call a Scout meeting, right away.

Back to Part Nine
On to Part Eleven
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