Lover's Last Breath
Chapt 5
Sorry it took so long, minna-chan!
She was having a good time, Usagi realized with a start. No, she was having a fantastic time. She could understand every word being said to her, Michael kept giving her that smile of his that made her want to melt into a little puddle on the floor, and she was able to get hold of her mother and drag her into the sea, and she was able to gossip as much as she wanted without feeling like an outsider.
Shingo had grown tall and handsome. She hated to admit it, but he had. And her mother was as beautiful as ever. She just wanted to die right then, so she could live in euphoria forever.
She was so busy telling her mother and the French diplomat about New York that she didn't notice Michael being pushed towards the podium in the center of the room. She didn't notice Shingo giving him the thumbs up and switching on the microphone, or anything else until her boyfriend leaned into the mike and cleared his throat, gathering everyone's attention after a few seconds.
Usagi turned, and frowned. He had said nothing about a speech... She shrugged it off. His Japanese was good enough, and besides...
"Ladies and Gentlemen..." He said carefully, cheerfully. "I've been forced up here to make a very special request. You see, I came here with my lovely, dazzling, sweet, kind, and fantastic girlfriend." He motioned to Usagi, who was slowly turning red. "She's right there. Everyone agree?" His eye caught on Chiba Mamoru, who was a new arrival to the congregation.
Nods and a murmur of agreement brought him back. He grinned. "Well, you see, that group of renegades over there all said I should marry her before she finds a lesser man." He shrugged. "And hey, why not?" He walked around the podium and up to Usagi, who had her hands clasped over her mouth in realization of what he was doing. Ikuko was crying already, smiling as she never had.
Michael knelt before her and brought out the box, looking into her eyes. His grin faded. He drew a deep breath and opened it. "Will you marry me, love bunny?"
A cricket chirped somewhere in the night.
Usagi gazed at the ring, her mind spinning. It was gorgeous, a single white diamond accompanied by two smaller sapphires on either side on a gold band. She opened her mouth and tried twice to speak. Finally, she just nodded, tears forming at the corners of her eyes.
She blinked, and then Michael had her in his arms, hugging her to him, kissing her cheek and sliding the ring onto her finger. She hugged him back, crying and laughing at the same time.
And suddenly, her's and Mamoru's eyes connected.
"I'm happy for you." He mouthed, in defeat.
She nodded.
~'~
Dark, exotically shaped, obsidian eyes watched Usagi accept the ring and narrowed. An elegant hand clothed in black satin clenched into a tight fist and a low voice that could have been either male or female hissed a few choice curse words angrily as the eyes centered in on Michael.
"How dare he..." The beautiful rasp was unheard in the night. "She is not his to take. She is MINE." The eyes moved to Mamoru, who was standing in the back, looking for all the world like a betrayed puppy. "Why doesn't he DO something, that foul coward?
"Ara, better that American than a coward. But better me than him..."
A low chuckle startled a bellhop on his smoking break. The young man turned, and the very last thing he saw in his life was the silver glint of a razor sharp edge and laughing black eyes and a wave of beautiful shimmering black hair that almost looked like volcanic glass....
~'~
The band had struck up into a slow dance song, uncommon at those kinds of banquets, but, after all, exceptions must be made for exceptional events, ne? And besides, no one had objected in the slightest. Most everyone had found a dance partner and the floor was full of brilliantly colored skirts and heels and boots. It was a dream. A beautiful, wonderful, magical dream.
No one could have imagined what came next, not even the eternally paranoid Hotaru. No one expected the eerie sound of shattering glass to blend in so darkly with a chord the violinists had just played, and no one was really expecting as arrows flew towards the band and each musician fell with a silver point in their neck, blood staining the instruments which fell and broke on the lush violet carpeting.
Mamoru, Keiko, and Usagi found the source instinctively, immediately. Using speed and grace that seven years ago she wasn't even close to having, threw Michael to the floor as three more flashes of silver were thrown their way. Mamoru slipped away from the party, and Keiko fell into a defensive stance as the room was emptied by panicking upperclassmen and women.
Tuxedo Kamen returned as soon as the last hysterical woman left, and as he swept into the room, a lone figure emerged from the ruins of the strained glass.
Michael stared up at Usagi.
"Honey, you know I love it when you're aggressive, but next time-- warn me?" He winced, holding his arm from where he had landed funny. Tuxedo Kamen and the new arrival both glared at him.
"How dare you dishonor the queen by such a vulgar comment?" The tall figure rasped, slinging its hair behind it, revealing a terribly beautiful face that was deceptively feminine.
He was tall, very tall, half a head taller than Michael's six foot three, and his glimmering onyx hair brushed the back of his thighs. He wore a full black bodysuit that clung to his muscles and extended to gloves that covered his long, elegant fingers. His boots, made of a fashion none of them had ever seen before, went up to his knees and were dark metal. Thick lashes framed his exotically shaped black eyes, cruel eyes. His lips were full and pinky red.
He was the most beautiful, most cruel thing Usagi had ever seen.
And so very familiar....
"Noitaku!" She exclaimed before she knew was she was saying. She clasped a hand over her mouth as she remembered where she had seen that face before. Ignoring Michael's questions, she stood up and walked slowly, as though she had been displaced from the world, towards him. "How can it be you? It isn't you-- is it? Noitaku-chan? Tomodachi?" She was only a few steps away from him now.
He extended his hand, smiling a pretty smile. "Serenity. It's been much too long, but you haven't changed. Not a bit." He crossed the remaining distance and embraced her warmly.
Michael climbed to his feet, a little bewildered. Tuxedo Kamen took up a protective stance in front of Keiko, and glared hard at Noitaku.
Usagi pulled out of the hug and backed away a little. "How did you survive? And why did you kill those people?" Her voice was calm, and it was more of a command than a question. Tuxedo Kamen realized that the two were more formal which each other than appearances be, and she was well aware of her status.
The expression on the strange newcomer's face fell instantly, and became almost resentful, definitely angry, at least. He gave a slight bow and managed a sly smirk.
"Roaches always find a way to crawl out of the ashes of destruction, my dearest princess-queen. And what better way to empty a room of filthy humans than to show a little red?"
Michael, Keiko, and Tuxedo Kamen watched as Usagi drew herself up to her full height and her chin took a stubborn, graceful tilt. Her eyes grew colder and her body tensed, you could SEE it. Slowly she nodded, as though thinking over a decision. Michael stood quietly, watching, learning.
"Alright. I can accept that. You have your own way of thinking. Careless bloodshed will not be tolerated from you, Noitaku. You are intelligent, educated, and civilized." Tuxedo Kamen was abruptly taken back into a memory of Queen Serenity standing tall in a white gown, her characteristically serene face stern and foreboding as she spoke those exact same words before a congregation, a man just like Noitaku standing before her, waiting, Serenity so much taller than he even though he towered over her.
And now, Usagi stood, stunningly seductive in her red dress, and yet he kept seeing a white gown that swept butterfly kisses over opal-colored crystal. She spoke those words in a low commanding tone of voice, but he heard a softer, sadder melody of a voice. Her perfume, jasmine and sandalwood, was fused with his memory of white lilies and ocean.
He was seeing the old queen instead of the neo.
"Of course. Of course. You *have* changed. How silly of me not to realize... after all, you were so different from your mother. She at least chose a respectful Lunarian to sleep with. You managed to acquire the vile habit of taking terrans to bed."
Her hand struck out before anyone could register a movement, and Noitaku was on the floor, holding his face tenderly, scowling up at her. Her gaze was an inferno of fury.
"I will not listen to that, coming from you." Her whisper was thunderous. "Tell me your reason for coming here and leave."
"I came for you." Noitaku's grin sent shuddered up the spine like fingernails on a blackboard. "I came for you. You will return with me, Princess of the White Moon, or I will see this planet burn."
~'~
Tuxedo Kamen was stunned into paralysis, and Michael's head tilted slightly, in disbelief, in surprise. Keiko scowled and straightened up, confident that there was no threat to her. This new beautiful man was threatening, she recognized that, but as long as she didn't interfere or make herself a target, she knew that she wouldn't be touched.
Usagi nodded.
"You are challenging me." She stated smoothly, waiting for his response, which came the second the last word left her lips.
"No, I'm inviting you home to tea." Noitaku's grin faded into an intense scowl. "Yes, I'm challenging you-- to defy me. You should not be wasted on some earthling who can barely grunt!"
Usagi's face darkened. "You're treading on dangerous territory, Noi. And it isn't your own."
"Will you come with me?" Noitaku insisted.
One of her delicate eyebrows raised ever so slightly. "You're kidding, right? You Solites have always had ego problems. Mother should have just killed you all off like she wanted instead of making treaties. Will I come with you? Never. Try your war-- with what army? You're a fool, Noitaku. You're quite the fool. Have you forgotten Queen Serenity's power? Do you really think I am so much weaker?" Michael could have sworn he saw lightning flare outside, so ominous and rageful Usagi had become.
"How dare you come onto a planet that is not your own and try to intimidate its queen? Do you *want* to die?!"
Noitaku stepped forward to strike her down, but a rose tipped in silver shot by, scratching his hand, freezing him in his tracks. He screamed and clawed at his injury, the silver scorching his flesh more than the worst of fires.
Usagi smirked, and pushed him back as he howled. "LEAVE." She commanded.
He glared up at her, spat something out in a strange language, and vanished in a torrent of orange flame.
"What the hell was that?" Tuxedo Kamen demanded, as Usagi stumbled back, exhausted.
She took Michael's arm, and used him to lean on. Her eyes were locked on the floor as she answered.
"He's a solarian prince." She whispered wearily. "He just declared war on earth. His army is composed of fire and heat. This will be a hard fight... he wanted me for his queen." She sighed, and the locket was in her hand. "His first youma, warning, should arrive in a few moments. Call the other senshi and be prepared. Warn Mars and Jupiter not to attack; they will only help the youma grow stronger." She transformed quickly, making Michael jump back in shock. It didn't matter, though, because she grabbed his arm and pulled him towards the doors.
"Com'on, loverboy. You're not going to be anywhere near this place when these youma show up. You're getting a senshi escort home."
She dragged him outside, where most all the people that had attended the banquet were gathered. Sailor Moon groaned and waved her arms, trying to get everyone's attention. Luckily, the appearance of a senshi didn't take long to have them all at least looking at her.
"ALRIGHT, PEOPLE!" She shouted. It grew silent. "I'd advise that everyone leave, RIGHT NOW, because we have information that two youma are headed this way. DO NOT PANIC. You have time. Just not a lot of it. Everyone, leave! Anyone who tries to stay will be forcefully removed by Sailor Uranus."
Sailor Moon had Michael by the arm, and when he heard that statement, he groaned quietly. "What a threat to make, love." He muttered, and then almost fell over his own feet as his fiancée moved again, dragging him through the crowd quickly.
And he knew why, soon enough. Everyone was shouting questions at both of them. Sailor moon only stopped when Shingo stopped her.
"Excuse me, Sailor Moon-sama--" He said, making the blonde superheroine stop dead in her tracks. She turned to stare at her brother. She could see Ikuko behind him.
"Yes?" She asked, motioning to Michael. "I'm trying to get him out of here. Quick. He's a target." She relaxed a little... she could feel senshi moving her way. "What can I do for you?"
Shingo gave Michael a queer look. "It's my sister... I can't find her..."
"Usagi is safe." Michael said, before Sailormoon could open her mouth. "Tuxedo Kamen is helping her. She wasn't hurt at all." He gave Ikuko a thumbs up. "And this gorgeous lady right here is going to help me home."
Sailormoon gave him a dirty look. "In your dreams, loverboy. Sailor Mars is escorting you home." She pointed to a senshi in red and violet, who stood in front of the other inner senshi just a few feet away.
Michael sputtered, recognizing Rei. "You're kidding!"
"Nope." Sailor Moon smirked and managed to drag him to a concerned Mars.
"Mars, these youma are going to be made of fire. You can't help in anyway except protecting Michael. The new guy is pissed at both him and Tuxedo Kamen. Michael can explain on your way home." She shoved a reluctant Michael into Rei's arms. "Hurry. I don't know how much time we have." She added, urgently.
Mars nodded. "Com'on, Michael." She grabbed his wrist and started running down the road, pulling him behind her.
"Why do I feel like a five year old?" Michael yelled, just before they disappeared around the corner.
Venus giggled. "Kawaii!" She sighed, dreamily. Jupiter had left to direct foot traffic, and was currently telling some bigwig exactly where he could put his four hundred million yen, because he had TO GO!
Mercury sweatdropped. "Uhm, maybe I should go help Jupiter..." She murmured, and then ran to play peacemaker.
Venus looked at Sailormoon curiously. "Tuxedo Kamen put out a call to us, and the outers, and the starlights. I'm surprised he didn't call for the Amazoness Quartet and the Ayaksi Sisters. He sounded like he wanted to-- he asked where Coonan was... What's going on?"
Sailormoon looked around. No one was very close. "Venus, do you remember Prince Noitaku? Beautiful bastard that Mother hated?"
Venus bit her lip, but nodded. "Yeah, I think. But why?"
"Well, I just pissed him off royally. He somehow survived-- and wants me as queen. I kind of forgot about his subjects for a moment and told him off-- so he declared war on earth. As is Solarian standards, his warning youma should be along in a few moments." She sighed, putting a hand behind her head and looking down. "I just got so angry... he said that terrans weren't worthy of me... I hate feeling superior... that's what he made me feel..."
"I understand." Venus said softly, as the outer senshi, minus Pluto, jumped down from the roof of the banquet hall and the Starlights came forth from the shadows. The last of the people that remained ran at the pissed look on Uranus's face, and the slightly amused look on Neptune's didn't help.
"We were in the middle of something, you know!" She thundered, stomping towards Sailormoon, ready to kill.
Venus stifled a laugh as Sailormoon shrugged. "I was in the middle of my celebratory dance. Do you think I want to be in uniform either? I was kind of happy... six years without the wings." She sighed. "Ara, ne, no one wants this. But it has come and we can not do anything about it except stop it before innocent people are harmed. Tuxedo Kamen is inside. One of you might like to get Keiko-san out of here before the youma come... or better yet, give her this." Sailormoon fumbled with her subspace pocket for a moment and came up with something very familiar.
"But that's..." Saturn began slowly, her eyes darting from the broach on Sailormoon's chest to the locket in the blonde's gloved hand.
"It's the training broach. A modified version of Chibi-usa's. I worked on it... it should fit her." Sailormoon grinned. "Her name is Sailor Neith."
Venus's eyebrows rose into her hariline and she sputtered. "NEITH?" She looked like someone had slapped her. "Of all the moons in the solar system, why mine?"
"Because she's an inner soldier now, and other than Mars' two moons, which would have affected the moon magic of the locket by calling her so, you've got the only other one. And since the moon and Venus are closely aligned anyway, it was the only logical thing to do."
"I hate you. You're not supposed to be smart."
"So sue me."
"I might!" Venus huffed.
"Sure...."
"WHAT IS ~*THAT*~!!!???"
~'~
Jupiter's shocked cry made Sailormoon spin around, adreniline pumping through her blood like nothing before. She went pale at the sight of the towering columns of flame, standing over three meters tall, easily. Venus watched the blood drain from her leader's face as saw the flickering blue and white lights
on the smooth concrete.
"I don't want to turn around, do I?" She asked quietly, but as she did, she turned just in time to watch Neptune fire off a Submarine Reflection at the youma closest to her.
"Mercury Aqua Rhaspody!" Mercury threw her own attack at the other. There was a little sizzle and a quick dimming, but if one had dared blink, they would have missed the affect of the attacks. But you could see it in Mercury's face. The intelligent woman knew that her strongest had failed, and she had seen all that Neptune's power had done: nothing.
It would be an understatement to say that they were in for a difficult fight.
"Oh, shit-- Silence Wall!" Saturn screamed out, as one of the columns broke in half and the upper part was sent flying at Tuxedo Kamen, who had just stepped out of the hall, a senshi in violet and blue behind him. The wall flew up just barely in time and vanished as it hit the purple light.
There was a loud hiss and the column doubled itself back up into its original side. The senshi of destruction could feel it glaring at her.
"How do we kill them?" Fighter asked, dodging the small raindrops of fire the second column had decided to throw around. "Sailormoon!"
"I've never had to fight them-- how the hell should I know?" Sailormoon cursed in frustration and ran, startling Maker as the blonde superheroine grabbed the tall woman's shoulder and pushed off of it to throw herself into a flip.
"What the---" Maker whirled to find that Sailormoon didn't return to earth, instead, she floated a few meters above the youma.
"And this..." There was a silence as the queer hissing the youma were emitting died immediately and the senshi froze, watching her. "... is what I... have prepared for..." The voice came from somewhere around the hovering Sailormoon, but the leader's lips never moved once. "... for I am... only... what I am..."
Silver flashed and it took Tuxedo Kamen a moment to realize that it was her eyes-- Sailormoon's eyes-- that had flashed so very brightly.
Her hands, which had been clasped tightly behind her back, now released each other and she drew them slowly to her front. In her left hand she held a scepter that was slender and plain wood, the color of aged oak. At its top sat a red ball encased in silver. The red shone pink on the air around her, giving her a strange, inhuman luminance that made her seem more goddess than woman.
Her humanity was lost entirely as that lipless voice sounded again, a low, spine-chilling whisper that mumbled words that had been long forgotten, words that existed before Babel and that the gods themselves had forgotten how to speak.
It filled the air, broken only by the command that Sailormoon gave next.
"Star-beam eternal silvermoon...." Her lips pronounced each syllable perfectly and clearly, like the tone of a bell. They rang out into the reddened air like nothing had ever before as gold-silver lightning arched into the sky, dancing around her form and out several yards into the air around her, sculpting a loose sphere around her as they waited for her final command.
Her eyes were so beautiful, Tuxedo Kamen realized, as awe danced over his masked features. His eyes had widened slightly at the magnificent display of pure power. He had given this up. He had given her up. This perfect creature was no longer his.
The thought was mournful in his mind and bitter-sad on his lips.
The air sizzled and cracked with the energy. Saturn, who stood closest, shivered as a gust of icy cold wind hit her, and then started violently with shock. The power was cold, she realized, not hot. It would not help their foe but annihilate them.
The most slight of smiles lingered fleetingly on Usagi's lips. The bodiless voice stopped suddenly, leaving the night very, very silent.
"...eclipse..." Sailormoon formed the word with satisfaction. As soon as the last sound caressed her lips, the sphere rushed forward, free of the barriers that had kept it only seconds before. The flames of the columns shuddered, as though they knew the end approached.
And with an explosion to deafen Zeus himself, their end no longer approached.
It was there.
~'~
"You can NOT tell me you didn't wear the wings for six years. Where the FUCK did you learn to do that?! That was something that I've never even heard of before, and I was lectured for fourteen years on exactly what a queen can and CAN NOT do! That WAS NOT IN THE BOOK!"
Sailor Pluto was having nothing short of a breakdown. Uranus was barely keeping her restrained. It had taken both Fighter, Healer, and Saturn to wrestle the orb away. Jupiter looked worried. Venus was giggling. Mercury did her best not to look fascinated. Neptune and Maker were staring openly upon the most controlled senshi. Tuxedo Kamen had fled at the first threat to his manhood, taking Neith with him.
Sailormoon was busy inspecting the smoking cinders the flamers had left, and didn't even look up at the furious Pluto. "So? I never read the book. No one told the bumblebee." She pushed aside a smoldering brick and kicked around the ash under it.
"The BUMBLEBEE is just a bloody BEE! You are a QUEEN, and YOU DO NOT HAVE THAT KIND OF POWER!" Pluto boomed, struggling madly.
"Yes, I do." Sailormoon informed her calmly. She smiled as she found what she was looking for. Picking up two small, orange objects, she pocketed them.
"By the way," her smile stretched a little further, "no one dehenshin. There's a newschopter up there. Split up, go separate directions, and dehenshin in a secluded place." She sauntered over to Maker and glanced up at the sky. Maker followed her glance. Sure enough, she could see the helicopter. And they were so low that she could even make out the reporter leaning out the side with a camera. Their every move was being captured on tape.
"I want some controversy." Sailormoon said decisively. "Sorry about that, Maker." She reached up, circled her arms around the taller woman's neck, and pulled her down into a kiss.
At this, Pluto broke out into another rant. "That's not in the book either! STOP KISSING HER! You're not ALLOWED! YOU'RE ENGAGED! DO YOU HEAR ME? Stop it! I swear to the gods I will have you... ARHG! ALL OF THE TORTURES ARE FORBIDDEN! WHY????"
Sailormoon danced away from a paralyzed Maker. "I must go and see what's left of my fiancée." She blew Uranus a kiss and opened her wings.
she had disappeared in a matter of seconds.
Uranus looked down at Pluto. "Are you okay?"
Pluto took a deep breath. "Who knows?" But Uranus released her anyway.
Pluto immediately stomped over to Saturn and all but ripped the girl's hand off retrieving her orb. She cooed over it for a moment, checking for scratches and other injuries. To everyone's relief, she found none.
"Now, doesn't anyone else find that our dearest queen just displayed more power than all the gods have combined a little, eensey bit CURIOUS?" She asked, more or less calmly, and looked at the congregation of senshi angrily.
Fighter, of course, had an intelligent comment. "Uhm... isn't she supposed to?"
Even Mercury sweatdropped.
"I'm not an expert on this or anything... but..." Venus giggled a little nervously. "Usa-chan has changed a little... perhaps she's just moved up to a new stage of power... it wasn't all that curious... I think..."
"Venus?" Jupiter asked quietly.
"Uh-hmm?"
"Shut up."
"Kay." Venus was very happy to comply.
Neptune covered up a snigger with a loud cough. "Hey, it's getting late and that helicopter is starting to bother me. May we go home now, Uranus? Or shall we wait for more youma that we probably couldn't beat without Sailormoon?"
Uranus looked at Saturn, who shrugged. "Alright, then. Opposite directions, right?" She replaced her sword into her subspace pocket. "Let's do it."
The Starlights left first, branching into three opposite directions, staying in the shadows. The remaining inner senshi did the same, followed a few minutes later by the outers. Pluto fired off a dead scream at the helicopter as she left, earning a curse from Neptune.
~'~
Chapt 5
Sorry it took so long, minna-chan!
She was having a good time, Usagi realized with a start. No, she was having a fantastic time. She could understand every word being said to her, Michael kept giving her that smile of his that made her want to melt into a little puddle on the floor, and she was able to get hold of her mother and drag her into the sea, and she was able to gossip as much as she wanted without feeling like an outsider.
Shingo had grown tall and handsome. She hated to admit it, but he had. And her mother was as beautiful as ever. She just wanted to die right then, so she could live in euphoria forever.
She was so busy telling her mother and the French diplomat about New York that she didn't notice Michael being pushed towards the podium in the center of the room. She didn't notice Shingo giving him the thumbs up and switching on the microphone, or anything else until her boyfriend leaned into the mike and cleared his throat, gathering everyone's attention after a few seconds.
Usagi turned, and frowned. He had said nothing about a speech... She shrugged it off. His Japanese was good enough, and besides...
"Ladies and Gentlemen..." He said carefully, cheerfully. "I've been forced up here to make a very special request. You see, I came here with my lovely, dazzling, sweet, kind, and fantastic girlfriend." He motioned to Usagi, who was slowly turning red. "She's right there. Everyone agree?" His eye caught on Chiba Mamoru, who was a new arrival to the congregation.
Nods and a murmur of agreement brought him back. He grinned. "Well, you see, that group of renegades over there all said I should marry her before she finds a lesser man." He shrugged. "And hey, why not?" He walked around the podium and up to Usagi, who had her hands clasped over her mouth in realization of what he was doing. Ikuko was crying already, smiling as she never had.
Michael knelt before her and brought out the box, looking into her eyes. His grin faded. He drew a deep breath and opened it. "Will you marry me, love bunny?"
A cricket chirped somewhere in the night.
Usagi gazed at the ring, her mind spinning. It was gorgeous, a single white diamond accompanied by two smaller sapphires on either side on a gold band. She opened her mouth and tried twice to speak. Finally, she just nodded, tears forming at the corners of her eyes.
She blinked, and then Michael had her in his arms, hugging her to him, kissing her cheek and sliding the ring onto her finger. She hugged him back, crying and laughing at the same time.
And suddenly, her's and Mamoru's eyes connected.
"I'm happy for you." He mouthed, in defeat.
She nodded.
~'~
Dark, exotically shaped, obsidian eyes watched Usagi accept the ring and narrowed. An elegant hand clothed in black satin clenched into a tight fist and a low voice that could have been either male or female hissed a few choice curse words angrily as the eyes centered in on Michael.
"How dare he..." The beautiful rasp was unheard in the night. "She is not his to take. She is MINE." The eyes moved to Mamoru, who was standing in the back, looking for all the world like a betrayed puppy. "Why doesn't he DO something, that foul coward?
"Ara, better that American than a coward. But better me than him..."
A low chuckle startled a bellhop on his smoking break. The young man turned, and the very last thing he saw in his life was the silver glint of a razor sharp edge and laughing black eyes and a wave of beautiful shimmering black hair that almost looked like volcanic glass....
~'~
The band had struck up into a slow dance song, uncommon at those kinds of banquets, but, after all, exceptions must be made for exceptional events, ne? And besides, no one had objected in the slightest. Most everyone had found a dance partner and the floor was full of brilliantly colored skirts and heels and boots. It was a dream. A beautiful, wonderful, magical dream.
No one could have imagined what came next, not even the eternally paranoid Hotaru. No one expected the eerie sound of shattering glass to blend in so darkly with a chord the violinists had just played, and no one was really expecting as arrows flew towards the band and each musician fell with a silver point in their neck, blood staining the instruments which fell and broke on the lush violet carpeting.
Mamoru, Keiko, and Usagi found the source instinctively, immediately. Using speed and grace that seven years ago she wasn't even close to having, threw Michael to the floor as three more flashes of silver were thrown their way. Mamoru slipped away from the party, and Keiko fell into a defensive stance as the room was emptied by panicking upperclassmen and women.
Tuxedo Kamen returned as soon as the last hysterical woman left, and as he swept into the room, a lone figure emerged from the ruins of the strained glass.
Michael stared up at Usagi.
"Honey, you know I love it when you're aggressive, but next time-- warn me?" He winced, holding his arm from where he had landed funny. Tuxedo Kamen and the new arrival both glared at him.
"How dare you dishonor the queen by such a vulgar comment?" The tall figure rasped, slinging its hair behind it, revealing a terribly beautiful face that was deceptively feminine.
He was tall, very tall, half a head taller than Michael's six foot three, and his glimmering onyx hair brushed the back of his thighs. He wore a full black bodysuit that clung to his muscles and extended to gloves that covered his long, elegant fingers. His boots, made of a fashion none of them had ever seen before, went up to his knees and were dark metal. Thick lashes framed his exotically shaped black eyes, cruel eyes. His lips were full and pinky red.
He was the most beautiful, most cruel thing Usagi had ever seen.
And so very familiar....
"Noitaku!" She exclaimed before she knew was she was saying. She clasped a hand over her mouth as she remembered where she had seen that face before. Ignoring Michael's questions, she stood up and walked slowly, as though she had been displaced from the world, towards him. "How can it be you? It isn't you-- is it? Noitaku-chan? Tomodachi?" She was only a few steps away from him now.
He extended his hand, smiling a pretty smile. "Serenity. It's been much too long, but you haven't changed. Not a bit." He crossed the remaining distance and embraced her warmly.
Michael climbed to his feet, a little bewildered. Tuxedo Kamen took up a protective stance in front of Keiko, and glared hard at Noitaku.
Usagi pulled out of the hug and backed away a little. "How did you survive? And why did you kill those people?" Her voice was calm, and it was more of a command than a question. Tuxedo Kamen realized that the two were more formal which each other than appearances be, and she was well aware of her status.
The expression on the strange newcomer's face fell instantly, and became almost resentful, definitely angry, at least. He gave a slight bow and managed a sly smirk.
"Roaches always find a way to crawl out of the ashes of destruction, my dearest princess-queen. And what better way to empty a room of filthy humans than to show a little red?"
Michael, Keiko, and Tuxedo Kamen watched as Usagi drew herself up to her full height and her chin took a stubborn, graceful tilt. Her eyes grew colder and her body tensed, you could SEE it. Slowly she nodded, as though thinking over a decision. Michael stood quietly, watching, learning.
"Alright. I can accept that. You have your own way of thinking. Careless bloodshed will not be tolerated from you, Noitaku. You are intelligent, educated, and civilized." Tuxedo Kamen was abruptly taken back into a memory of Queen Serenity standing tall in a white gown, her characteristically serene face stern and foreboding as she spoke those exact same words before a congregation, a man just like Noitaku standing before her, waiting, Serenity so much taller than he even though he towered over her.
And now, Usagi stood, stunningly seductive in her red dress, and yet he kept seeing a white gown that swept butterfly kisses over opal-colored crystal. She spoke those words in a low commanding tone of voice, but he heard a softer, sadder melody of a voice. Her perfume, jasmine and sandalwood, was fused with his memory of white lilies and ocean.
He was seeing the old queen instead of the neo.
"Of course. Of course. You *have* changed. How silly of me not to realize... after all, you were so different from your mother. She at least chose a respectful Lunarian to sleep with. You managed to acquire the vile habit of taking terrans to bed."
Her hand struck out before anyone could register a movement, and Noitaku was on the floor, holding his face tenderly, scowling up at her. Her gaze was an inferno of fury.
"I will not listen to that, coming from you." Her whisper was thunderous. "Tell me your reason for coming here and leave."
"I came for you." Noitaku's grin sent shuddered up the spine like fingernails on a blackboard. "I came for you. You will return with me, Princess of the White Moon, or I will see this planet burn."
~'~
Tuxedo Kamen was stunned into paralysis, and Michael's head tilted slightly, in disbelief, in surprise. Keiko scowled and straightened up, confident that there was no threat to her. This new beautiful man was threatening, she recognized that, but as long as she didn't interfere or make herself a target, she knew that she wouldn't be touched.
Usagi nodded.
"You are challenging me." She stated smoothly, waiting for his response, which came the second the last word left her lips.
"No, I'm inviting you home to tea." Noitaku's grin faded into an intense scowl. "Yes, I'm challenging you-- to defy me. You should not be wasted on some earthling who can barely grunt!"
Usagi's face darkened. "You're treading on dangerous territory, Noi. And it isn't your own."
"Will you come with me?" Noitaku insisted.
One of her delicate eyebrows raised ever so slightly. "You're kidding, right? You Solites have always had ego problems. Mother should have just killed you all off like she wanted instead of making treaties. Will I come with you? Never. Try your war-- with what army? You're a fool, Noitaku. You're quite the fool. Have you forgotten Queen Serenity's power? Do you really think I am so much weaker?" Michael could have sworn he saw lightning flare outside, so ominous and rageful Usagi had become.
"How dare you come onto a planet that is not your own and try to intimidate its queen? Do you *want* to die?!"
Noitaku stepped forward to strike her down, but a rose tipped in silver shot by, scratching his hand, freezing him in his tracks. He screamed and clawed at his injury, the silver scorching his flesh more than the worst of fires.
Usagi smirked, and pushed him back as he howled. "LEAVE." She commanded.
He glared up at her, spat something out in a strange language, and vanished in a torrent of orange flame.
"What the hell was that?" Tuxedo Kamen demanded, as Usagi stumbled back, exhausted.
She took Michael's arm, and used him to lean on. Her eyes were locked on the floor as she answered.
"He's a solarian prince." She whispered wearily. "He just declared war on earth. His army is composed of fire and heat. This will be a hard fight... he wanted me for his queen." She sighed, and the locket was in her hand. "His first youma, warning, should arrive in a few moments. Call the other senshi and be prepared. Warn Mars and Jupiter not to attack; they will only help the youma grow stronger." She transformed quickly, making Michael jump back in shock. It didn't matter, though, because she grabbed his arm and pulled him towards the doors.
"Com'on, loverboy. You're not going to be anywhere near this place when these youma show up. You're getting a senshi escort home."
She dragged him outside, where most all the people that had attended the banquet were gathered. Sailor Moon groaned and waved her arms, trying to get everyone's attention. Luckily, the appearance of a senshi didn't take long to have them all at least looking at her.
"ALRIGHT, PEOPLE!" She shouted. It grew silent. "I'd advise that everyone leave, RIGHT NOW, because we have information that two youma are headed this way. DO NOT PANIC. You have time. Just not a lot of it. Everyone, leave! Anyone who tries to stay will be forcefully removed by Sailor Uranus."
Sailor Moon had Michael by the arm, and when he heard that statement, he groaned quietly. "What a threat to make, love." He muttered, and then almost fell over his own feet as his fiancée moved again, dragging him through the crowd quickly.
And he knew why, soon enough. Everyone was shouting questions at both of them. Sailor moon only stopped when Shingo stopped her.
"Excuse me, Sailor Moon-sama--" He said, making the blonde superheroine stop dead in her tracks. She turned to stare at her brother. She could see Ikuko behind him.
"Yes?" She asked, motioning to Michael. "I'm trying to get him out of here. Quick. He's a target." She relaxed a little... she could feel senshi moving her way. "What can I do for you?"
Shingo gave Michael a queer look. "It's my sister... I can't find her..."
"Usagi is safe." Michael said, before Sailormoon could open her mouth. "Tuxedo Kamen is helping her. She wasn't hurt at all." He gave Ikuko a thumbs up. "And this gorgeous lady right here is going to help me home."
Sailormoon gave him a dirty look. "In your dreams, loverboy. Sailor Mars is escorting you home." She pointed to a senshi in red and violet, who stood in front of the other inner senshi just a few feet away.
Michael sputtered, recognizing Rei. "You're kidding!"
"Nope." Sailor Moon smirked and managed to drag him to a concerned Mars.
"Mars, these youma are going to be made of fire. You can't help in anyway except protecting Michael. The new guy is pissed at both him and Tuxedo Kamen. Michael can explain on your way home." She shoved a reluctant Michael into Rei's arms. "Hurry. I don't know how much time we have." She added, urgently.
Mars nodded. "Com'on, Michael." She grabbed his wrist and started running down the road, pulling him behind her.
"Why do I feel like a five year old?" Michael yelled, just before they disappeared around the corner.
Venus giggled. "Kawaii!" She sighed, dreamily. Jupiter had left to direct foot traffic, and was currently telling some bigwig exactly where he could put his four hundred million yen, because he had TO GO!
Mercury sweatdropped. "Uhm, maybe I should go help Jupiter..." She murmured, and then ran to play peacemaker.
Venus looked at Sailormoon curiously. "Tuxedo Kamen put out a call to us, and the outers, and the starlights. I'm surprised he didn't call for the Amazoness Quartet and the Ayaksi Sisters. He sounded like he wanted to-- he asked where Coonan was... What's going on?"
Sailormoon looked around. No one was very close. "Venus, do you remember Prince Noitaku? Beautiful bastard that Mother hated?"
Venus bit her lip, but nodded. "Yeah, I think. But why?"
"Well, I just pissed him off royally. He somehow survived-- and wants me as queen. I kind of forgot about his subjects for a moment and told him off-- so he declared war on earth. As is Solarian standards, his warning youma should be along in a few moments." She sighed, putting a hand behind her head and looking down. "I just got so angry... he said that terrans weren't worthy of me... I hate feeling superior... that's what he made me feel..."
"I understand." Venus said softly, as the outer senshi, minus Pluto, jumped down from the roof of the banquet hall and the Starlights came forth from the shadows. The last of the people that remained ran at the pissed look on Uranus's face, and the slightly amused look on Neptune's didn't help.
"We were in the middle of something, you know!" She thundered, stomping towards Sailormoon, ready to kill.
Venus stifled a laugh as Sailormoon shrugged. "I was in the middle of my celebratory dance. Do you think I want to be in uniform either? I was kind of happy... six years without the wings." She sighed. "Ara, ne, no one wants this. But it has come and we can not do anything about it except stop it before innocent people are harmed. Tuxedo Kamen is inside. One of you might like to get Keiko-san out of here before the youma come... or better yet, give her this." Sailormoon fumbled with her subspace pocket for a moment and came up with something very familiar.
"But that's..." Saturn began slowly, her eyes darting from the broach on Sailormoon's chest to the locket in the blonde's gloved hand.
"It's the training broach. A modified version of Chibi-usa's. I worked on it... it should fit her." Sailormoon grinned. "Her name is Sailor Neith."
Venus's eyebrows rose into her hariline and she sputtered. "NEITH?" She looked like someone had slapped her. "Of all the moons in the solar system, why mine?"
"Because she's an inner soldier now, and other than Mars' two moons, which would have affected the moon magic of the locket by calling her so, you've got the only other one. And since the moon and Venus are closely aligned anyway, it was the only logical thing to do."
"I hate you. You're not supposed to be smart."
"So sue me."
"I might!" Venus huffed.
"Sure...."
"WHAT IS ~*THAT*~!!!???"
~'~
Jupiter's shocked cry made Sailormoon spin around, adreniline pumping through her blood like nothing before. She went pale at the sight of the towering columns of flame, standing over three meters tall, easily. Venus watched the blood drain from her leader's face as saw the flickering blue and white lights
on the smooth concrete.
"I don't want to turn around, do I?" She asked quietly, but as she did, she turned just in time to watch Neptune fire off a Submarine Reflection at the youma closest to her.
"Mercury Aqua Rhaspody!" Mercury threw her own attack at the other. There was a little sizzle and a quick dimming, but if one had dared blink, they would have missed the affect of the attacks. But you could see it in Mercury's face. The intelligent woman knew that her strongest had failed, and she had seen all that Neptune's power had done: nothing.
It would be an understatement to say that they were in for a difficult fight.
"Oh, shit-- Silence Wall!" Saturn screamed out, as one of the columns broke in half and the upper part was sent flying at Tuxedo Kamen, who had just stepped out of the hall, a senshi in violet and blue behind him. The wall flew up just barely in time and vanished as it hit the purple light.
There was a loud hiss and the column doubled itself back up into its original side. The senshi of destruction could feel it glaring at her.
"How do we kill them?" Fighter asked, dodging the small raindrops of fire the second column had decided to throw around. "Sailormoon!"
"I've never had to fight them-- how the hell should I know?" Sailormoon cursed in frustration and ran, startling Maker as the blonde superheroine grabbed the tall woman's shoulder and pushed off of it to throw herself into a flip.
"What the---" Maker whirled to find that Sailormoon didn't return to earth, instead, she floated a few meters above the youma.
"And this..." There was a silence as the queer hissing the youma were emitting died immediately and the senshi froze, watching her. "... is what I... have prepared for..." The voice came from somewhere around the hovering Sailormoon, but the leader's lips never moved once. "... for I am... only... what I am..."
Silver flashed and it took Tuxedo Kamen a moment to realize that it was her eyes-- Sailormoon's eyes-- that had flashed so very brightly.
Her hands, which had been clasped tightly behind her back, now released each other and she drew them slowly to her front. In her left hand she held a scepter that was slender and plain wood, the color of aged oak. At its top sat a red ball encased in silver. The red shone pink on the air around her, giving her a strange, inhuman luminance that made her seem more goddess than woman.
Her humanity was lost entirely as that lipless voice sounded again, a low, spine-chilling whisper that mumbled words that had been long forgotten, words that existed before Babel and that the gods themselves had forgotten how to speak.
It filled the air, broken only by the command that Sailormoon gave next.
"Star-beam eternal silvermoon...." Her lips pronounced each syllable perfectly and clearly, like the tone of a bell. They rang out into the reddened air like nothing had ever before as gold-silver lightning arched into the sky, dancing around her form and out several yards into the air around her, sculpting a loose sphere around her as they waited for her final command.
Her eyes were so beautiful, Tuxedo Kamen realized, as awe danced over his masked features. His eyes had widened slightly at the magnificent display of pure power. He had given this up. He had given her up. This perfect creature was no longer his.
The thought was mournful in his mind and bitter-sad on his lips.
The air sizzled and cracked with the energy. Saturn, who stood closest, shivered as a gust of icy cold wind hit her, and then started violently with shock. The power was cold, she realized, not hot. It would not help their foe but annihilate them.
The most slight of smiles lingered fleetingly on Usagi's lips. The bodiless voice stopped suddenly, leaving the night very, very silent.
"...eclipse..." Sailormoon formed the word with satisfaction. As soon as the last sound caressed her lips, the sphere rushed forward, free of the barriers that had kept it only seconds before. The flames of the columns shuddered, as though they knew the end approached.
And with an explosion to deafen Zeus himself, their end no longer approached.
It was there.
~'~
"You can NOT tell me you didn't wear the wings for six years. Where the FUCK did you learn to do that?! That was something that I've never even heard of before, and I was lectured for fourteen years on exactly what a queen can and CAN NOT do! That WAS NOT IN THE BOOK!"
Sailor Pluto was having nothing short of a breakdown. Uranus was barely keeping her restrained. It had taken both Fighter, Healer, and Saturn to wrestle the orb away. Jupiter looked worried. Venus was giggling. Mercury did her best not to look fascinated. Neptune and Maker were staring openly upon the most controlled senshi. Tuxedo Kamen had fled at the first threat to his manhood, taking Neith with him.
Sailormoon was busy inspecting the smoking cinders the flamers had left, and didn't even look up at the furious Pluto. "So? I never read the book. No one told the bumblebee." She pushed aside a smoldering brick and kicked around the ash under it.
"The BUMBLEBEE is just a bloody BEE! You are a QUEEN, and YOU DO NOT HAVE THAT KIND OF POWER!" Pluto boomed, struggling madly.
"Yes, I do." Sailormoon informed her calmly. She smiled as she found what she was looking for. Picking up two small, orange objects, she pocketed them.
"By the way," her smile stretched a little further, "no one dehenshin. There's a newschopter up there. Split up, go separate directions, and dehenshin in a secluded place." She sauntered over to Maker and glanced up at the sky. Maker followed her glance. Sure enough, she could see the helicopter. And they were so low that she could even make out the reporter leaning out the side with a camera. Their every move was being captured on tape.
"I want some controversy." Sailormoon said decisively. "Sorry about that, Maker." She reached up, circled her arms around the taller woman's neck, and pulled her down into a kiss.
At this, Pluto broke out into another rant. "That's not in the book either! STOP KISSING HER! You're not ALLOWED! YOU'RE ENGAGED! DO YOU HEAR ME? Stop it! I swear to the gods I will have you... ARHG! ALL OF THE TORTURES ARE FORBIDDEN! WHY????"
Sailormoon danced away from a paralyzed Maker. "I must go and see what's left of my fiancée." She blew Uranus a kiss and opened her wings.
she had disappeared in a matter of seconds.
Uranus looked down at Pluto. "Are you okay?"
Pluto took a deep breath. "Who knows?" But Uranus released her anyway.
Pluto immediately stomped over to Saturn and all but ripped the girl's hand off retrieving her orb. She cooed over it for a moment, checking for scratches and other injuries. To everyone's relief, she found none.
"Now, doesn't anyone else find that our dearest queen just displayed more power than all the gods have combined a little, eensey bit CURIOUS?" She asked, more or less calmly, and looked at the congregation of senshi angrily.
Fighter, of course, had an intelligent comment. "Uhm... isn't she supposed to?"
Even Mercury sweatdropped.
"I'm not an expert on this or anything... but..." Venus giggled a little nervously. "Usa-chan has changed a little... perhaps she's just moved up to a new stage of power... it wasn't all that curious... I think..."
"Venus?" Jupiter asked quietly.
"Uh-hmm?"
"Shut up."
"Kay." Venus was very happy to comply.
Neptune covered up a snigger with a loud cough. "Hey, it's getting late and that helicopter is starting to bother me. May we go home now, Uranus? Or shall we wait for more youma that we probably couldn't beat without Sailormoon?"
Uranus looked at Saturn, who shrugged. "Alright, then. Opposite directions, right?" She replaced her sword into her subspace pocket. "Let's do it."
The Starlights left first, branching into three opposite directions, staying in the shadows. The remaining inner senshi did the same, followed a few minutes later by the outers. Pluto fired off a dead scream at the helicopter as she left, earning a curse from Neptune.
~'~