Okay so sorry this took so long to get out. I was at my Grandmothers when I wrote this. Unfortunately she was placed in the hospital for a miner stroke and that delayed it even more. I am working hard on getting the other stories updated.
Again thank you to everyone who reviewed for me. It makes all this work very much worth it.
~Ravyn~
Disclaimer: I do not own Sailormoon.
There were a thousand and two things Minako could be doing right then. Calling her agent and seeing if she had a new contract. Shopping for clothes so she could look good at her next meeting. Looking for a part time job to hold her over until she got that contract. But instead she was walking the two-mile track to Makoto's because she needed to save on gas.
Such was her life.
But it was, perhaps, the most vital of all things that she get there. It was pre dawn, so it was doubtful that any of her favorite stores would be open anyway. And it was doubtful that any psycho was going to attack her at this hour. That was midnight when you had to worry. Not that she did.
But the reason she had to get to Makoto's was the normal. The whole had a dream that told a bad story theory. Nothing new about that. It was now time to step into the whole 'must save the world' role. Yet again old.
And so Minako rounded the corner and was thankful she had put on her old worn down tennis shoes. It made for easier running. How Rei fought in heels, that idea gave her nightmares.
Makoto was already up, and by the looks of things the others had arrived as well. The communicators were good for something it would appear. If she had the ability to give a bonus or raise rank for the blue haired genus she would. Especially after the dream she had just had.
Minako walked into the warm plant infested house and heaved a breath. The chilly wind allowed her air to hang like wings before disappearing. Minako walked in with a firm step that belayed the tears she had shed not half an hour before.
Sitting down Minako met the three faces that looked worn down. Rei had been dodging Chad for 24 hours, Makoto had been up all night with her restaurant, and Ami had been doing research on all the unusual energy patterns. Minako winced as she thought about the knew burden she was going to have to lay on there laps.
" What is this all about?" Makoto demanded. Rei and Ami simply nodded, to drained for excess noise.
" I had a very startling dream." Minako answered, sounding wide-awake.
Three tired sighs echoed across the room. When you were twenty-one you were supposed to not be afraid of the dark and you were supposed to be able to roll over and go back to sleep after a nightmare. You were not supposed to be afraid of the dark.
But they had seen what could rise out of the darkness to many times. They had died because of that same darkness as many times as the fingers on one hand. And they knew what nightmares meant.
" Explain." Rei ordered, her voice clear and crisp, even with the tired edge to it.
" I am walking in a field of flowers, like the ones mom and I used to walk in when we lived in England. I here a mummer and I turn and there is..." Minako closed her eyes and breathed in slowly. " There is Kunzite. I turn to run and the flowers turn to blood. But when I run toward him they turn back into flowers. The he holds out his hand, but it's dripping in blood. My blood. Then I woke up." Minako whispered.
Rei sighed. " Well here is the good news. It conforms what we already knew. The Generals are back. Here is the bad new. I have not a single idea as to what it means." Rei shrugged helplessly. " And the fire is not giving me any answers."
" Damn." Ami muttered. Three sets of eyebrows shot up in muted surprise as laughter sprouted.
Ami glared at them and sniffed. " I guess it won't be a good time to tell you guys that Endymion used the Golden Crystal last night. But I have no idea why or who they could have been trying to call. I am going to keep looking though.
Rei growled and stood up with a violent jerk. Her breath came in heaves as she cursed the Ondago Atama's prince charming in varied sentences.
" Was Usagi with him?" Minako demanded. Her eyes were wide and dark with emotions. It was one thing for Endymion to endanger himself. It was another to endanger Serenity.
Ami nodded. Makoto threw her chair across the room and everyone started. " Damn princess needs to know when NOT to stick her nose in other people business. We don't need her in strange places with the Generals back in the picture."
Ami shook her head. " We are not sure that she was in any danger. There is not way to prove it."
Minako snorted. " There are ways to track the crystals. That you were able to find things out it proofs of that. This time the Generals may be working together. They were a pain in the butt when they worked alone. I shudder to think of what they are capable of doing now!"
" I wish we knew for sure what they were up to. Are they after the crystal or something else?" Rei demanded.
Makoto shrugged. " I would be happy to know why and how they came back. It bothers me that they are walking the streets after we killed them. They have what it takes to kill us. And that makes them a threat to Usagi."
" Well, it set then; we fight first and ask questions later. If Usagi is near then we really will not allow them near her. We can not." Minako said her voice firm. Shoot now, ask later was not her policy, but dangerous measures called for dangerous times. Or something like that.
The Silver crystal throbbed once.
~*~
" So Pluto told you guys that the Senshi brought you back?" Usagi said in quite bliss. She was completely unaware of the danger that lurked ahead of the men in her room.
" Yes, and then Zach had to PANIC when he saw Ami." Jason grumbled.
" We were in the process of trying to kill him when you called." Nate said simply. Mamoru winced in sympathy for his friend. He had been on the receiving end of the wrath of Jason before.
" So that brings us to the original point." Kris said in a soft voice. " How much damage do we have to fix?"
Usagi blinked and felt a large sweat drop form. " Let me put it this way. If you go near Minako right now she will use your innards for a chopping block."
" Only my innards?" Jason quipped in a dry voice.
Usagi managed to only roll her eyes instead of throwing the pillow she was using at his head. " Baka. Let me put it this way. Ami won't be able to find all the body parts!"
Jason just snorted in disbelief. If they were anything like they had been on the moon, he was only slightly worried. If they were anything like they were on that cartoon, he was going to roll with laughter.
Keaton watched Jason with amusement in his eyes. The man was a world class idiot. He hoped Rei took him down a few pegs. Apparently some of his ego from the Dark had stayed with him.
" Things are not perfect yet Princess." Zach told her softly. " It is not a case of just winning the Senshi back, its also something more. Pluto gave us a warning just before we left. Said something about the danger being increased."
" Which can mean only one thing." Nate said just as softly. " Danger once again is lurking around the corner. I have no idea who or what it can be, but someone is coming."
Usagi paled. " If it is anything worse than the Shadow then we are screwed. The Senshi died last time."
" Hey this time you have us. The Senshi may not like it, may not want it, but you do." Jason answered. He was unusually serious.
" I hope you are right." Usagi whispered, snuggling into Mamoru's shoulder. Her voice was small like a child, but her eyes were hard. " I hope so."
~*~
Five shadows melted their way into the house. Their shapes changed and formed other shapes. Until something that resembled Evil forged it's way into being. There were five of them. Five individuals. And Five males.
They were all normal looking until you saw the hair. And ears.
The first was tall with an odd leather confection of pants. His skintight pants and brilliant red hair gave the impression of a deranged rock star. The whip coiled at his side did nothing to take away from that image. His name was even worse. Ian.
And then there was the next. It appeared that his job was to make his brother seem pale in comparison. His bright blond hair looked like living gold. His entire outfit was in brilliant blue and it matched his eyes. His boots hat large heels at the end giving him a impression of a drag queen. The mirror at his side seemed only there to boast of his good looks. His name was Dake.
The third was so ridiculous in appearance it was hard to believe. His shock of purple hair stood out on end, his dark silver eyes were shot with red. His neon green shirt did nothing to highlight either of his attributes. Brilliant pink pants finished the assembly. He was called Lance.
And the finale two were simple mirror images of each other. One had Green hair, the other orange. The one with Orange hair had green eyes and the one with green hair had orange eyes. Both wore swords, each identical. They were Tip and Tipsy.
In effect they all looked like someone had dumped the rainbow into a large pot hit the high blend. They were what came out. If you looked at them to long then you became slightly ill.
" Brothers, at last we have made it to Planet earth. Here we may finally come into great power." Ian boasted.
" And find babes." Lance finished as he cleaned his nails using a dagger. Tip and Tipsy rolled there eyes as they looked at each other.
" Brother we have destroyed three solar systems. We have enjoyed more than one women. Every time we come to a new Senshi you get first pick. Would you for once concentrate on destroying the place before you!" Dake hissed, as he smoothed down his mane of blond hair.
" We have felt power here like none other. This was also the place were Galaxa met her end." Ian hissed.
" All I am saying." Lance grumbled," Is that maybe we should find women worthy of our time. Maybe not force them to our beds anymore. A companion of sorts."
Ian rolled his eyes. Dake just continued to look into his mirror. Tip and Tipsy just snorted.
" Let patroll and see what we can find. I sense a great power that is divided into to two halves. Once it becomes one it will be no use to us. For only they will be able to control it. But if we get our hands on it before that can happen, then we shall be able to bind it to our use." Ian growled. The other four just shrugged as they disappeared.
~*~
Hotaru looked at Michiru and Haruku as they all looked into the mirror. Something flickered and the images died. Hotaru felt like crying.
" So they are in danger again." Haruku said, her clipped tones hard.
Michiru sighed in thought. Her aqua eyes were tired, she had been at the mirror since dawn, and one of her lips were bleeding from were she bit it through. She sat heavily in her chair.
" So it would seem. It would also seem we are not allowed to be involved yet." Michiru weekly stated. Hotaru hisses as she stomped around.
" Its not fair." Hotaru growled. Haruku and Michiru looked at her with surprise.
" What do you mean?" They chorused at the same time.
Hotaru looked at them in surprise. " Do you think its fair that we must sit back and watch everytime they need are help? They hate us, you know that right? They do not want us near Usagi because they are afraid that we will steal her and then fail to protect her from the night."
" Now wait a minute." Haruku snapped back, her green eyes dangerous.
" Its are fault to." Hotaru growled. Her short frame trembled with emotion. Haruku glared at her, but Michiru looked defeated.
" There is nothing we can do to change the past, little one." Michiru told her softly. " We did what we thought was right. We would do it again. We do not walk to same path as the Senshi and never will. But she is still are Princess. And we will still always protect her. And if we find a way to join this battle then so be it."
" But if we can not, then do not hate us for it Hotaru." Haruku growled. Pain lined the tired eyes. " They know nothing of pain and torture. And we would like to keep it that way."
Hotaru thought about correcting them. They had only died twice. The Inner Senshi had died many more times than that, and were destined to continue there pace. But they had tasted love and joy. Something the lonely outers had not.
Hotaru sighed and placed her fingers in a flute and began to play. Soon the haunting sounds of the violin and the piano joined.
~*~
Minako looked over the triple Decker sundae and licked her lips. In celebration of getting her knew contract she was eating her heart out. The oozing sides of marsh mellow, fudge, and peanut butter dribbled over the sides. The heaps of whip cream and the mound of cherries topped three huge scoops of ice cream. A mound of Chocolate, Vanilla and Strawberry. Plus a large banana. It was the item dreams were made of.
Minako balanced it all in her hands and the spoon was wrapped in a napkin, which rested in her pocket. The only thing that was left to be done was sit down and eat the thing.
Of course the sight of a super model like blond eating the large calorie inducing product was enough to stop traffic. And to cause people to stare. Which was enough to cause Minako to fume. It was on thing to look when she was wearing a mini skirt, but quite another when she was trying to eat her ice cream.
Which was how Keaton found her. Her long blond hair was pulled back into a haphazard type bun with small strand falling into her face and brushing against her ice cream. her blue eyes were smoky with temper, and her white tank top had a spot of fudge on it.
Keaton forgot for a moment that he was in Tokyo and not in the Silver Millenium. Walking over he asked in a soft voice if she needed help. Minako turned with a grateful smile and froze at what she saw.
Standing before he was Kunzite. It had to be. No one else had soft gray eyes, or long white hair that was begging to have her hands ran through it. His broad shoulders filled his shirt out nicely and she just knew he had a six pack.
Minako froze when she realized what she was doing. She was checking out the man who had single handedly killed the Senshi. He was responsible for the deaths of them all. Her body went into sub zero. One thought entered her mind.
Run.
Minako shoved the mountain of ice cream and goo, her prize and her lunch, into his face. Shoved it and then held it in place for about five seconds as her body slowly caught up with her mind.
The startled gasps of the on lookers was enough to cause her feet to pound against the ground as she fled. Her feet took her down the familiar streets and she unknowingly made it to Makoto's. Hopefully she would have something to eat. Her lunch money was now shoved up a Generals face.
~*~
Ami walked the short steps to Rei's shrine and tried not to laugh as she heard the loud yelling that came in from the fire room. It sounded like Chad had walked to close to the fire and caught himself on fire.
Ami cautiously stuck her head into Rei's room and smiled at the angry brunette. Rei harumphed.
" Letting him get on your nerves Rei?" Ami softly teased. She had come out of her shell a little over the years.
" He could annoy Queen Serenity." Rei snapped. She then looked at Ami in question.
" Have you found yourself saying things like that lately? Referring to the Moon Kingdom. It is really starting to weird me out." Rei announced, her tones low in thought.
" Actually no." Ami said gently. " But I am speaking in some weird language or something like that. Mom caught me the other day mumbling over one of my experiments and about freaked. She wanted to know when I started to take another a language. I ran it through my database and do you know what it told me?"
" What?" Rei questioned as she braided her long hair.
" It was Mercurian." Ami said in a flat voice.
Rei froze her movements and turned to look at her friend. " What?" Rei repeated numbly.
" Apparently are past is coming back to haunt us." Ami said in a low mummer, afraid of what her words meant, and wishing she already knew.
" Well, lets not worry about it until we can talk to the others." Rei said after a few moments of silence. Ami nodded her head in agreement. Both stood still for a few moments before the silence was shattered by the loud beeping of there communicators.
~*~
Makoto was in the process of pulling her brownies out of the oven when the door bell rang. Rolling her eyes she through her pot holders onto the counter top. Walking quickly to the door she smiled.
" Do you guys have a radar programmed to my house to when I am cooking something?" Makoto demanded as she let Minako in. Minako shrugged and smiled brightly at her friend.
" Are you cooking something Makoto?" Minako sweetly questioned, pretending that she did not smell the brownies.
" You are a blond, did you know that?" Makoto teases as she put the brownies in the fridge to cool off quicker.
" NO!" Minako said in fake horror. " Here all my life I had thought I was a red head. save me from the horror!"
Makoto rolled her eyes again as she reached for the lunch meat and bread. " You are going to have to live with lunch meat. I have not had time to go to the store and do any major shopping."
" That's fine. I was going to eat a monster sundae but some stupid General slammed his head into by bowl." Minako whinnied as she slammed turkey, lettuce, tomato, and mustered onto the pieces of bread.
" He threw himself into your sundae?" Makoto questioned, pausing in putting the sliced meat onto her piece of white bread.
" Well he asked if I needed help, I panic, used the only weapon I had, which was the ice cream, slammed it into his face, and ran here." Minako finished as she took a large bite out of the sandwich.
The only sound for some time was the munching of bread until they heard a long sounding scream.
Dropping there food they took off outside. Minako froze and felt Makoto slam into her back.
In front of them stood two men tormenting a lovely looking girl. Their hair looked like they had died it with cool aid. Both froze as the men turned to look at them.
" Hello my pretties." One taunted, his bright green hair going in a thousand directions. Minako felt her hand hit the panic button on her communicator just as the large bolt of energy was thrown there way.