Chapter 2 - SMG
* * * * *
In a semi-circular orange booth in Crown Cafe sat Hino Rei, Mizuno Ami and Kino Makoto. They sat there talking over their sodas and waiting for others.
"Both of them are late. Can you believe it?" Rei sighed, "We need to talk about our new enemy."
"Or old enemy." pointed out Ami, "Rei-chan, you said it seemed like a youma, and that man who appeared. He wore the same kind of uniform as the Dark Kings and mentioned Queen Beryl."
"But he called her incompetent. Perhaps he was a fifth King buy had a fall out with her or something." reasoned Makoto.
Makoto was about to continue when a blur of blonde hair and a light green dress with flowers sewn in, flew into the booth. "Sorry I'm late guys," said Aino Minako apologetically, "I kind of overslept. It IS the weekend after all."
Makoto laughed "Well, your earlier then normal at least. What is going on?"
Mina smiled "I'm going to meet that guy again today. We are going to have such fun."
"Um, guys?" Ami interrupted reluctantly, "Sorry, but we have to discuss the situation with the possible return of the Dark Kingdom."
The others nodded. Makoto continued from before, "Anyways, maybe that guy was from Queen Beryl's past. Maybe he liked her for some strange reason but was turned down."
Again there came a blonde blur into the booth and it quickly collided with Minako. "Oops," said Usagi. It took a few moments for the occupants of the booth to get straightened out. "Sorry I'm late, guys," apologized Usagi, "I kind of overslept. It IS the weekend after all."
Teardrops formed over everyone's heads. After Usagi asked what was wrong Rei replied "Minako-chan just said the exact same thing a few minutes ago. But now that we are all here..*"
Shoving within the group interrupted Rei. Minako burst out and ran to the door. "Sorry, but I'm late!" she shouted. The teardrops came to the rest once more then they sighed.
* * * * *
Lord Agate sat in his new throne room watching Argon. Lord Agate, the staff, the throne and the golden statues were all the same, but the room was mage out of some kind of black marble. After making Argon wait a while Lord Agate signaled him to begin.
"Lord Agate," Argon began, "The first mission failed in destroying the Sailor Senshi, as we suspected it would. We did however prove that they do exist. All 5 senshi and the one called Tuxedo Kamen all made appearances."
"Tuxedo Kamen," Lord Agate mused, "Queen Beryl liked that one, did she not?"
"Yes Lord," replied Argon, "and apparently he, and the one, Sailor Moon, were, or are, in love."
"Please continue Argon."
Argon paused for a moment but did continue. "Soon there will be an eclipse of the Moon. We plan to lure out the Senshi at this time and through spellcraft, link their powers to the moon, so as the moon is eclipsed, so too will their powers be."
Lord Agate said "Excellent." He drummed his finger together in thought then said, "Proceed, but one other thing. If Queen Beryl thought Tuxedo Kamen was so handsome," he tossed a 1 cubic centimeter golden cage to Argon, then continued, "We shall ruin that. Dismissed."
A salute was given and then Argon vanished.
"Strike One," whispered Lord Agate.
* * * * *
The dark-haired man sat musing in the park. He wore greyish attire that was more suitable for mid-spring then mid-summer but he seemed unconcerned with the heat. He was concerned with the young female voice that disturbed his thought.
Minako plopped down onto the bench and offered a bright smile, "Hello Shen-san. I was hoping you were going to show up today. I was worried after you disappeared before. How are you today? Are you ready for the your of Tokyo?"
Shen blinked and looked up at her. He thought to himself, 'Note to self. First the park is not as quiet a place to think as originally thought. Two, if someone wants you to be at some place at some time, pay more attention, so you don't accidentally happen to be there.' He sighed and nodded to Minako.
She looked mildly annoyed, "You sure don't talk much," but then her face brightened and she hopped off the bench. "Well we'll just have to fix that now won't we," she announced as she pulled him off the bench. She lead him out of the park by her tugging his arm and the numbly followed.
* * * * *
A few hours later they sat in a coffee shop. Minako had ordered them both hot chocolates. Minako busily drank hers then stopped as she noticed Shen just looking at his. "Don't tell me you never had hot chocolate before," she said.
Shen smiled slightly, "Ok, I won't tell you that," and he fell silent.
Minako giggled, "Well it's not like it's going to hurt you."
Shen shrugged but took a sip, then drank some more. "Perhaps it is not that bad," he offered.
Minako sighed, "You don't talk much. You seem to brood a bit. Are you lonely? Have girl trouble?"
There was a pause in which Shen thought to himself, 'Gallia, yes.. she is trouble,' then said to Minako, "The latter."
They sat there quietly for a moment until Minako asked, "Well, what is wrong?"
"There is a girl, who.. just won't leave me be. I find it.. annoying." He smiled wistfully for a moment, "But maybe a different girl and another day," then he frowned, "But for now I'm too busy."
Minako sighed then offered, "Well, you can have me as a friend."
Shen smiled somewhat, "Thanks."
Minako nodded quickly then stood up. "Well there is more of the city to see Shen, Let's go!" and she pulled him up and out of the café before he could object.
* * * * *
Minako walked down the street with a smile on her face. Next to her was Shen with less of a smile but many packages in his arms instead packed so high he could barely see. Minako carried one thing.
Minako said, "You know with all those stores, I would think you would of found something you would of liked. Oh well, at least I was able to shop. Thanks for helping me carry me things." She smiled at him thought he wasn't able to see it as his vision was blocked.
Suddenly they stopped as Minako searched for something in her purse. She pulled out a communicator which she kept out of Shen's vision. She nodded and shook her head vigorously a few times then said with energy, "I'll be there!"
From behind the packages Shen said, "Huh?"
"Sorry," shouted Minako as she ran off "Gotta go!" As she ran the package she held slipped out of her hands and flew at Shen. There was an ensuing crash and breaking of fragile objects.
Shen cursed and muttered to himself, "She broke all her stuff," then he paused, "Wait.. she got me to pay for it." He cursed again.
He sighed and ducked into an alley and pulled out a grey glowing orb. He spoke to it, "Time to work girls and guy.."
There was a flash of grey light and he was gone.
* * * * *
The senshi found a commotion in the park once more. Under the light of the eclipsing full moon they saw 4 figures in light blue robes with yellow lining. Where the figures' arms directed, people fell, drained, or things were toppled over by sudden winds. They apparently had blown their victims into an unconscious pile positions underneath a tall and swaying cherry blossom tree.
The senshi appeared on the side. Sailor Moon shouted, "You hold innocent victims as hostages and that will not be tolerated. We are the sailor suited senshi and in the name of the moon, we will punish you!"
The robed ones were not impressed. The wind picked up for a moment and suddenly the robes formed the corners of a square surrounding the senshi.
Sailor Jupiter shouted, "You may have us surrounded but we outnumber you!" At the point the senshi could see the robed figures were nearly translucent women, almost ghost-like. The senshi were about to fight when suddenly the robed ghosts shifted and Argon appeared. The figures and Argon now formed a pentagon around the senshi. Argon bowed then with the ghosts, he started chanting.
A cry from Sailor Moon came, "What are they doing?"
Sailor Mars answered, "Some magic spell! Better attack now before it's too late!"
"Venus! Love and Beauty Shock!" was heard, but there only came a fizzle of light. Then to the fear of the senshi they felt their magic uniforms loosening. They were turning back to normal forms.
The chanting stopped and Argon spoke, "As long as the moon is eclipsed, you will have no access to your powers. Soon we will know your true identities."
Sailor Jupiter shouted, "Go blow off" which only achieved in getting a frown from Argon, but the rest of the senshi were scared.
Sailor Mercury noted, "If they learn who we are they can attack us at any time, or our families. We will never be safe."
Sailor Mars suggested, "Well this isn't what I'd normally say but lets move our butts and get out of here!"
Argon laughed, "And how do you expect to escape?"
There was a mysterious voice. "In the darkness, in the light, in the loneliness of the night, With the shadows, hide these girls of good, let none see them, except those who should. Block the evil seeking eyes, under the darkness of the night skies," it said.
The senshi looked where the voice came from but saw nothing, and suddenly their world went black. A dark globe covered them and blocked them from everyone's sight. From within the sphere came cries and one wail of surprise.
From inside the sphere Sailor Moon wailed, "Why can't WE seeeee?!"
Sailor Venus sniffed, "I guess we are not good enough to see."
Two blurs, one black, the other white, and bother small ran into the sphere.
Luna said near the senshi's feet, "Calm down and get it together. We have to get out of here without them finding out who you are."
"Right," said Artemis, "Try slowly moving over as a group and maybe the sphere will follow."
There were choruses of agreements, then a crash as they tried and they didn't move the same way. Argon and the robes looked on still not understanding the circumstances. The senshi finally headed in the right direction. After a moment two cat heads poked out, one white and one black along with someone's foot reaching out.
Both cats ducked back in and Luna and Artemis said, "Stop! Back up!" There was another crash of bodies inside but they now knew the sphere was immobile.
Argon looked around and said, "Whoever you are you are just delaying the inevitable. We will find out who they are and destroy them even if we have to drag them out. Wraiths forward!" The robed ghosts moved towards the sphere.
The voice simply said, "Incoming."
From a different direction roses hit into the ground before each Wraith. On a tree branch stood a man in tuxedo, cape and mask. "When you fight the values of the Sailor Senshi you will see you have a ghost of a chance," said Tuxedo Kamen to which Argon winced, "I am Tuxedo Kamen, friend to the Sailor Senshi. Ready yourself."
Argon shrugged and said, "Delivery from Lord Agate." He held out the small gold cage on the palm of his hand. The cage shot forward at Tuxedo Kamen. Tuxedo Kamen dodged it and jumped out of the tree. As he stood back up the cage started glowing, turn around in flight and struck Tuxedo Kamen from behind knocking him to the ground. Argon laughed and called a great force of wind to send Tuxedo Kamen into the bushes. Argon simply said, "Look, I broke your face."
From the black sphere rose a fearful and questioning voice, "Tuxedo Kamen?" asked Sailor Moon. The senshi heard no answer.
In the bushes Tuxedo Kamen slowly rose out of sight. He reached a hand to his face and beneath his mask he felt grid-like scars. He took up his cane and was ready to attack once more when he felt a hand upon his shoulder. He spun on the person.
What he saw was a person in a grey cloak and cowl that hid his face. The person spoke with the same mysterious voice that spoke to the combatants before, "Greetings," he began, "I am Shade." Shade raised his hand and in it appeared a grey sphere. He whispered, "Guide, come forth, aide the senshi. Guardian and Host, to my side." The glowing sphere broke in to three smaller spheres. One flew to the black sphere around the senshi. A second landed on the ground and turned into a vaguely translucent wolf puppy. The third floated in the air around Shade.
"Who are you?" croaked Tuxedo Kamen.
Shade paused, "that has to hurt. Anyways.. as I said.. I am Shade. My mission is to maintain the balance of reality and currently your enemy employs me, but I often deviate. I want something from you, Tuxedo Kamen, and you want something. Tell you what, you stand still for a moment and I will remove the star shard I discovered you have. That in turn will release magic that might save your friends and your girlfriend, Sailor Moon."
Tuxedo would of blinked if his ruined face had allowed, "How did you know..?"
"Queen Beryl kept records of you people. We know of you and all 5 senshi and know your relations to them. Now stand still," commanded Shade.
"How can I trust you?" asked Tuxedo Kamen weakly.
"I don't care how you can trust me. You just better or your friends are doomed," noted Shade.
There was a scream of fear sounding like Sailor Moon. Tuxedo Kamen nodded and stood still. Shade raised a hand and Tuxedo Kamen's left pant leg shredded to nothing to reveal a white mark below the knee. Shade gestured again and there was a scream.
* * * * *
"Great! We are trapped here. What can we do?" asked Makoto in her normal form, "We can't see them so we can't even defend ourselves."
"I can sense them. I still have my training but it will be tiring," offered Rei.
"I guess we have to surrender," said Usagi.
Ami shook her head, "No, we can't give up. People depend on us. We must hope.."
Suddenly they could see. The edges of the sphere darkened their view outside somewhat but they could clearly see inside and it seemed their enemy couldn't. They also saw something new inside. A ghostly grey cat stood on the ground looking at them with slightly glowing grey eyes. Luna asked, "Who, or what, are you?"
The grey cat had no expression but they heard a female voice in their heads, which said, "I am Guide. My master is the Grey One. I am here to help. You seek knowledge, I show you the outside world. Prepare yourself to defend. There may be help coming or at least a distraction.'
* * * * *
Argon was growing frustrated. Three times his Wraiths had tried to enter the sphere. Three times they had been thrown back. It was as if those inside could suddenly see when before they could not. He began a new approach.
"Wraiths. It is obvious Tuxedo Kamen will not show his face here again. The other senshi are too adept at defending themselves. Seek the clumsy one, Sailor Moon, by her wailing," Argon ordered.
The wraiths pushed forward and were pushed back twice more. The third time though they grasped an arm. They heard Sailor Moon's voice scream for help and knew they had their target. The Wraiths kept pulling and soon the sleeve of a shirt was seen.
Then there was a male scream of pain from where Tuxedo Kamen had been knocked to. It was not Tuxedo Kamen though.
A tiny shard was shooting a beam of white energy through Tuxedo Kamen and into a cloaked figure. The energy stopped and the cloaked figure, now surrounded by a glowing white aura, grasped the shard. They instantly there were three beams of light in the moment Sailor Moon's voice called for Tuxedo Kamen again. One beam struck a glowing sphere on the ground near Tuxedo Kamen, while another struck a sphere floating near the figure. Then third beam shot into the black sphere. They energy split and flew once more all inside the sphere.
The black sphere shattered to reveal a glowing sphere, two surprised cats and 5 white glowing humanoids. The energy shot from them forking more and more and flew out of the park. The figures' glow died down and there stood the Sailor Senshi, still embed with some energy.
Sailor Mercury crossed her arms then shouted, "Mercury Ice!" and spread her arms. Coldness of absolute zero flew at one Wraith. Behind the energy wave snowflakes fell from all the moisture in the air suddenly frozen and some of the frozen chunks that fell changed back to gas before they struck the ground. The energy hit the Wraith and it was instantly frozen solid, as was the Wraith that had been standing only two feet from it.
Sailor Mars held her arms with index fingers pointed forward, and she called, "Mars Fire!" The fire flashed from her fingers and turned the grass beneath it to ash instantly. The fire struck the two frozen Wraiths and instantly evaporated them. Nothing was left.
Sailor Jupiter crossed her arms and raised them as she said, "Jupiter Thunder!" White-hot energy shot at the other two Wraiths. The Wraiths didn't have time to do anything as the energy field tore them apart, disintegrating them.
The finger of Sailor Venus pointed at Argon. "We are going to blow you away!" but before Venus could attack Argon gestured to the tree that the Wraiths had piled their victims under. A strong breeze came and it started tipping. As the senshi's attention was distracted Argon vanished.
Tuxedo Kamen yelled from the bushes that he tried to make his way through, "Sailor Moon! Use your power!"
Sailor Moon blinked and nodded. She shouted, "Moon Magic!" and bright energy shot at the tree. The tree glowed for a moment then simply ceased to exist.
The senshi paused to catch their breath and Sailor Venus complained, "Auw, I didn't get to use my power."
The other senshi surveyed the damage as Tuxedo Kamen walked over.
Sailor Moon stared at him, but Sailor Venus asked without a look, "What happened to that other guy near you?"
Tuxedo Kamen replied, "He disappear in a flash of grey light," then he turned to Sailor Moon and asked, "Do I look that bad?"
Sailor Moon said, "Huh?"
Tuxedo Kamen asked her with some misgiving, "You're staring at my face. Do I look that bad?"
Sailor Mars turned to him with a smile and waved her hand as if this was no big deal. "She is always staring at you, or hadn't you noticed?"
As Sailor Moon turned a little red Tuxedo Kamen raised his hand to his face but no longer felt the scars there. Sailor Moon asked if there was something wrong. He shook his head and smiled.
"Hey what happened to the cat?" asked Sailor Jupiter.
Artemis said, "I don't know but those people are starting to wake up. It is time to go."
* * * * *
Shade paced back and forth in a grey stone room. There were shelves with various artifacts, some chairs and even a desk, which was grey. On the desk sat Guide, watching him. Curled up on the floor near the fire was a large she-wolf and floating around the room was a grey globe.
Shade spoke. "What happened back there?" he asked Guide, "We all got hit with energy. Host apparently has new ability, Guardian has grown larger and stronger, you apparently are stronger in your mind, and now you say that nonsense I told Tuxedo Kamen.. that you suggested I tell him.. is actually true, and I am the guardian of many realities?"
Guide answered him with a silent nod.
Shade asked, "But what exactly happened to me there?"
A moment later two arms wrapped around him from behind him and hugged as a female voice queried, "Something happen to you Shade?"
Shade instantly broke away and spun around to face the person as he held two daggers of grey energy. A moment later he sighed, "Gallia.." and the daggers vanished. "What are you doing here?" he asked in an annoyed tone.
Gallia pouted but had a twinkle of mischief in her eyes as she said, "I was just seeing how you were doing."
"I'm fine," Shade answered curtly.
Gallia sighed and nodded. She turned as if to leave then turned back with a smile. "Did you know there was an energy release near the battle Argon had? It was a shard being freed, but Argon doesn't have it. I bet you do though."
Shade answered with a nod.
Gallia wore a smile that lit up her face. "Great! I can tell Lord Agate we go it. This will look good for us and bad for Argon." She laughed and faded away.
A sigh escaped Shade's lips once more as he shook his head and asked, "We?"
* * * * *
In a semi-circular orange booth in Crown Cafe sat Hino Rei, Mizuno Ami and Kino Makoto. They sat there talking over their sodas and waiting for others.
"Both of them are late. Can you believe it?" Rei sighed, "We need to talk about our new enemy."
"Or old enemy." pointed out Ami, "Rei-chan, you said it seemed like a youma, and that man who appeared. He wore the same kind of uniform as the Dark Kings and mentioned Queen Beryl."
"But he called her incompetent. Perhaps he was a fifth King buy had a fall out with her or something." reasoned Makoto.
Makoto was about to continue when a blur of blonde hair and a light green dress with flowers sewn in, flew into the booth. "Sorry I'm late guys," said Aino Minako apologetically, "I kind of overslept. It IS the weekend after all."
Makoto laughed "Well, your earlier then normal at least. What is going on?"
Mina smiled "I'm going to meet that guy again today. We are going to have such fun."
"Um, guys?" Ami interrupted reluctantly, "Sorry, but we have to discuss the situation with the possible return of the Dark Kingdom."
The others nodded. Makoto continued from before, "Anyways, maybe that guy was from Queen Beryl's past. Maybe he liked her for some strange reason but was turned down."
Again there came a blonde blur into the booth and it quickly collided with Minako. "Oops," said Usagi. It took a few moments for the occupants of the booth to get straightened out. "Sorry I'm late, guys," apologized Usagi, "I kind of overslept. It IS the weekend after all."
Teardrops formed over everyone's heads. After Usagi asked what was wrong Rei replied "Minako-chan just said the exact same thing a few minutes ago. But now that we are all here..*"
Shoving within the group interrupted Rei. Minako burst out and ran to the door. "Sorry, but I'm late!" she shouted. The teardrops came to the rest once more then they sighed.
* * * * *
Lord Agate sat in his new throne room watching Argon. Lord Agate, the staff, the throne and the golden statues were all the same, but the room was mage out of some kind of black marble. After making Argon wait a while Lord Agate signaled him to begin.
"Lord Agate," Argon began, "The first mission failed in destroying the Sailor Senshi, as we suspected it would. We did however prove that they do exist. All 5 senshi and the one called Tuxedo Kamen all made appearances."
"Tuxedo Kamen," Lord Agate mused, "Queen Beryl liked that one, did she not?"
"Yes Lord," replied Argon, "and apparently he, and the one, Sailor Moon, were, or are, in love."
"Please continue Argon."
Argon paused for a moment but did continue. "Soon there will be an eclipse of the Moon. We plan to lure out the Senshi at this time and through spellcraft, link their powers to the moon, so as the moon is eclipsed, so too will their powers be."
Lord Agate said "Excellent." He drummed his finger together in thought then said, "Proceed, but one other thing. If Queen Beryl thought Tuxedo Kamen was so handsome," he tossed a 1 cubic centimeter golden cage to Argon, then continued, "We shall ruin that. Dismissed."
A salute was given and then Argon vanished.
"Strike One," whispered Lord Agate.
* * * * *
The dark-haired man sat musing in the park. He wore greyish attire that was more suitable for mid-spring then mid-summer but he seemed unconcerned with the heat. He was concerned with the young female voice that disturbed his thought.
Minako plopped down onto the bench and offered a bright smile, "Hello Shen-san. I was hoping you were going to show up today. I was worried after you disappeared before. How are you today? Are you ready for the your of Tokyo?"
Shen blinked and looked up at her. He thought to himself, 'Note to self. First the park is not as quiet a place to think as originally thought. Two, if someone wants you to be at some place at some time, pay more attention, so you don't accidentally happen to be there.' He sighed and nodded to Minako.
She looked mildly annoyed, "You sure don't talk much," but then her face brightened and she hopped off the bench. "Well we'll just have to fix that now won't we," she announced as she pulled him off the bench. She lead him out of the park by her tugging his arm and the numbly followed.
* * * * *
A few hours later they sat in a coffee shop. Minako had ordered them both hot chocolates. Minako busily drank hers then stopped as she noticed Shen just looking at his. "Don't tell me you never had hot chocolate before," she said.
Shen smiled slightly, "Ok, I won't tell you that," and he fell silent.
Minako giggled, "Well it's not like it's going to hurt you."
Shen shrugged but took a sip, then drank some more. "Perhaps it is not that bad," he offered.
Minako sighed, "You don't talk much. You seem to brood a bit. Are you lonely? Have girl trouble?"
There was a pause in which Shen thought to himself, 'Gallia, yes.. she is trouble,' then said to Minako, "The latter."
They sat there quietly for a moment until Minako asked, "Well, what is wrong?"
"There is a girl, who.. just won't leave me be. I find it.. annoying." He smiled wistfully for a moment, "But maybe a different girl and another day," then he frowned, "But for now I'm too busy."
Minako sighed then offered, "Well, you can have me as a friend."
Shen smiled somewhat, "Thanks."
Minako nodded quickly then stood up. "Well there is more of the city to see Shen, Let's go!" and she pulled him up and out of the café before he could object.
* * * * *
Minako walked down the street with a smile on her face. Next to her was Shen with less of a smile but many packages in his arms instead packed so high he could barely see. Minako carried one thing.
Minako said, "You know with all those stores, I would think you would of found something you would of liked. Oh well, at least I was able to shop. Thanks for helping me carry me things." She smiled at him thought he wasn't able to see it as his vision was blocked.
Suddenly they stopped as Minako searched for something in her purse. She pulled out a communicator which she kept out of Shen's vision. She nodded and shook her head vigorously a few times then said with energy, "I'll be there!"
From behind the packages Shen said, "Huh?"
"Sorry," shouted Minako as she ran off "Gotta go!" As she ran the package she held slipped out of her hands and flew at Shen. There was an ensuing crash and breaking of fragile objects.
Shen cursed and muttered to himself, "She broke all her stuff," then he paused, "Wait.. she got me to pay for it." He cursed again.
He sighed and ducked into an alley and pulled out a grey glowing orb. He spoke to it, "Time to work girls and guy.."
There was a flash of grey light and he was gone.
* * * * *
The senshi found a commotion in the park once more. Under the light of the eclipsing full moon they saw 4 figures in light blue robes with yellow lining. Where the figures' arms directed, people fell, drained, or things were toppled over by sudden winds. They apparently had blown their victims into an unconscious pile positions underneath a tall and swaying cherry blossom tree.
The senshi appeared on the side. Sailor Moon shouted, "You hold innocent victims as hostages and that will not be tolerated. We are the sailor suited senshi and in the name of the moon, we will punish you!"
The robed ones were not impressed. The wind picked up for a moment and suddenly the robes formed the corners of a square surrounding the senshi.
Sailor Jupiter shouted, "You may have us surrounded but we outnumber you!" At the point the senshi could see the robed figures were nearly translucent women, almost ghost-like. The senshi were about to fight when suddenly the robed ghosts shifted and Argon appeared. The figures and Argon now formed a pentagon around the senshi. Argon bowed then with the ghosts, he started chanting.
A cry from Sailor Moon came, "What are they doing?"
Sailor Mars answered, "Some magic spell! Better attack now before it's too late!"
"Venus! Love and Beauty Shock!" was heard, but there only came a fizzle of light. Then to the fear of the senshi they felt their magic uniforms loosening. They were turning back to normal forms.
The chanting stopped and Argon spoke, "As long as the moon is eclipsed, you will have no access to your powers. Soon we will know your true identities."
Sailor Jupiter shouted, "Go blow off" which only achieved in getting a frown from Argon, but the rest of the senshi were scared.
Sailor Mercury noted, "If they learn who we are they can attack us at any time, or our families. We will never be safe."
Sailor Mars suggested, "Well this isn't what I'd normally say but lets move our butts and get out of here!"
Argon laughed, "And how do you expect to escape?"
There was a mysterious voice. "In the darkness, in the light, in the loneliness of the night, With the shadows, hide these girls of good, let none see them, except those who should. Block the evil seeking eyes, under the darkness of the night skies," it said.
The senshi looked where the voice came from but saw nothing, and suddenly their world went black. A dark globe covered them and blocked them from everyone's sight. From within the sphere came cries and one wail of surprise.
From inside the sphere Sailor Moon wailed, "Why can't WE seeeee?!"
Sailor Venus sniffed, "I guess we are not good enough to see."
Two blurs, one black, the other white, and bother small ran into the sphere.
Luna said near the senshi's feet, "Calm down and get it together. We have to get out of here without them finding out who you are."
"Right," said Artemis, "Try slowly moving over as a group and maybe the sphere will follow."
There were choruses of agreements, then a crash as they tried and they didn't move the same way. Argon and the robes looked on still not understanding the circumstances. The senshi finally headed in the right direction. After a moment two cat heads poked out, one white and one black along with someone's foot reaching out.
Both cats ducked back in and Luna and Artemis said, "Stop! Back up!" There was another crash of bodies inside but they now knew the sphere was immobile.
Argon looked around and said, "Whoever you are you are just delaying the inevitable. We will find out who they are and destroy them even if we have to drag them out. Wraiths forward!" The robed ghosts moved towards the sphere.
The voice simply said, "Incoming."
From a different direction roses hit into the ground before each Wraith. On a tree branch stood a man in tuxedo, cape and mask. "When you fight the values of the Sailor Senshi you will see you have a ghost of a chance," said Tuxedo Kamen to which Argon winced, "I am Tuxedo Kamen, friend to the Sailor Senshi. Ready yourself."
Argon shrugged and said, "Delivery from Lord Agate." He held out the small gold cage on the palm of his hand. The cage shot forward at Tuxedo Kamen. Tuxedo Kamen dodged it and jumped out of the tree. As he stood back up the cage started glowing, turn around in flight and struck Tuxedo Kamen from behind knocking him to the ground. Argon laughed and called a great force of wind to send Tuxedo Kamen into the bushes. Argon simply said, "Look, I broke your face."
From the black sphere rose a fearful and questioning voice, "Tuxedo Kamen?" asked Sailor Moon. The senshi heard no answer.
In the bushes Tuxedo Kamen slowly rose out of sight. He reached a hand to his face and beneath his mask he felt grid-like scars. He took up his cane and was ready to attack once more when he felt a hand upon his shoulder. He spun on the person.
What he saw was a person in a grey cloak and cowl that hid his face. The person spoke with the same mysterious voice that spoke to the combatants before, "Greetings," he began, "I am Shade." Shade raised his hand and in it appeared a grey sphere. He whispered, "Guide, come forth, aide the senshi. Guardian and Host, to my side." The glowing sphere broke in to three smaller spheres. One flew to the black sphere around the senshi. A second landed on the ground and turned into a vaguely translucent wolf puppy. The third floated in the air around Shade.
"Who are you?" croaked Tuxedo Kamen.
Shade paused, "that has to hurt. Anyways.. as I said.. I am Shade. My mission is to maintain the balance of reality and currently your enemy employs me, but I often deviate. I want something from you, Tuxedo Kamen, and you want something. Tell you what, you stand still for a moment and I will remove the star shard I discovered you have. That in turn will release magic that might save your friends and your girlfriend, Sailor Moon."
Tuxedo would of blinked if his ruined face had allowed, "How did you know..?"
"Queen Beryl kept records of you people. We know of you and all 5 senshi and know your relations to them. Now stand still," commanded Shade.
"How can I trust you?" asked Tuxedo Kamen weakly.
"I don't care how you can trust me. You just better or your friends are doomed," noted Shade.
There was a scream of fear sounding like Sailor Moon. Tuxedo Kamen nodded and stood still. Shade raised a hand and Tuxedo Kamen's left pant leg shredded to nothing to reveal a white mark below the knee. Shade gestured again and there was a scream.
* * * * *
"Great! We are trapped here. What can we do?" asked Makoto in her normal form, "We can't see them so we can't even defend ourselves."
"I can sense them. I still have my training but it will be tiring," offered Rei.
"I guess we have to surrender," said Usagi.
Ami shook her head, "No, we can't give up. People depend on us. We must hope.."
Suddenly they could see. The edges of the sphere darkened their view outside somewhat but they could clearly see inside and it seemed their enemy couldn't. They also saw something new inside. A ghostly grey cat stood on the ground looking at them with slightly glowing grey eyes. Luna asked, "Who, or what, are you?"
The grey cat had no expression but they heard a female voice in their heads, which said, "I am Guide. My master is the Grey One. I am here to help. You seek knowledge, I show you the outside world. Prepare yourself to defend. There may be help coming or at least a distraction.'
* * * * *
Argon was growing frustrated. Three times his Wraiths had tried to enter the sphere. Three times they had been thrown back. It was as if those inside could suddenly see when before they could not. He began a new approach.
"Wraiths. It is obvious Tuxedo Kamen will not show his face here again. The other senshi are too adept at defending themselves. Seek the clumsy one, Sailor Moon, by her wailing," Argon ordered.
The wraiths pushed forward and were pushed back twice more. The third time though they grasped an arm. They heard Sailor Moon's voice scream for help and knew they had their target. The Wraiths kept pulling and soon the sleeve of a shirt was seen.
Then there was a male scream of pain from where Tuxedo Kamen had been knocked to. It was not Tuxedo Kamen though.
A tiny shard was shooting a beam of white energy through Tuxedo Kamen and into a cloaked figure. The energy stopped and the cloaked figure, now surrounded by a glowing white aura, grasped the shard. They instantly there were three beams of light in the moment Sailor Moon's voice called for Tuxedo Kamen again. One beam struck a glowing sphere on the ground near Tuxedo Kamen, while another struck a sphere floating near the figure. Then third beam shot into the black sphere. They energy split and flew once more all inside the sphere.
The black sphere shattered to reveal a glowing sphere, two surprised cats and 5 white glowing humanoids. The energy shot from them forking more and more and flew out of the park. The figures' glow died down and there stood the Sailor Senshi, still embed with some energy.
Sailor Mercury crossed her arms then shouted, "Mercury Ice!" and spread her arms. Coldness of absolute zero flew at one Wraith. Behind the energy wave snowflakes fell from all the moisture in the air suddenly frozen and some of the frozen chunks that fell changed back to gas before they struck the ground. The energy hit the Wraith and it was instantly frozen solid, as was the Wraith that had been standing only two feet from it.
Sailor Mars held her arms with index fingers pointed forward, and she called, "Mars Fire!" The fire flashed from her fingers and turned the grass beneath it to ash instantly. The fire struck the two frozen Wraiths and instantly evaporated them. Nothing was left.
Sailor Jupiter crossed her arms and raised them as she said, "Jupiter Thunder!" White-hot energy shot at the other two Wraiths. The Wraiths didn't have time to do anything as the energy field tore them apart, disintegrating them.
The finger of Sailor Venus pointed at Argon. "We are going to blow you away!" but before Venus could attack Argon gestured to the tree that the Wraiths had piled their victims under. A strong breeze came and it started tipping. As the senshi's attention was distracted Argon vanished.
Tuxedo Kamen yelled from the bushes that he tried to make his way through, "Sailor Moon! Use your power!"
Sailor Moon blinked and nodded. She shouted, "Moon Magic!" and bright energy shot at the tree. The tree glowed for a moment then simply ceased to exist.
The senshi paused to catch their breath and Sailor Venus complained, "Auw, I didn't get to use my power."
The other senshi surveyed the damage as Tuxedo Kamen walked over.
Sailor Moon stared at him, but Sailor Venus asked without a look, "What happened to that other guy near you?"
Tuxedo Kamen replied, "He disappear in a flash of grey light," then he turned to Sailor Moon and asked, "Do I look that bad?"
Sailor Moon said, "Huh?"
Tuxedo Kamen asked her with some misgiving, "You're staring at my face. Do I look that bad?"
Sailor Mars turned to him with a smile and waved her hand as if this was no big deal. "She is always staring at you, or hadn't you noticed?"
As Sailor Moon turned a little red Tuxedo Kamen raised his hand to his face but no longer felt the scars there. Sailor Moon asked if there was something wrong. He shook his head and smiled.
"Hey what happened to the cat?" asked Sailor Jupiter.
Artemis said, "I don't know but those people are starting to wake up. It is time to go."
* * * * *
Shade paced back and forth in a grey stone room. There were shelves with various artifacts, some chairs and even a desk, which was grey. On the desk sat Guide, watching him. Curled up on the floor near the fire was a large she-wolf and floating around the room was a grey globe.
Shade spoke. "What happened back there?" he asked Guide, "We all got hit with energy. Host apparently has new ability, Guardian has grown larger and stronger, you apparently are stronger in your mind, and now you say that nonsense I told Tuxedo Kamen.. that you suggested I tell him.. is actually true, and I am the guardian of many realities?"
Guide answered him with a silent nod.
Shade asked, "But what exactly happened to me there?"
A moment later two arms wrapped around him from behind him and hugged as a female voice queried, "Something happen to you Shade?"
Shade instantly broke away and spun around to face the person as he held two daggers of grey energy. A moment later he sighed, "Gallia.." and the daggers vanished. "What are you doing here?" he asked in an annoyed tone.
Gallia pouted but had a twinkle of mischief in her eyes as she said, "I was just seeing how you were doing."
"I'm fine," Shade answered curtly.
Gallia sighed and nodded. She turned as if to leave then turned back with a smile. "Did you know there was an energy release near the battle Argon had? It was a shard being freed, but Argon doesn't have it. I bet you do though."
Shade answered with a nod.
Gallia wore a smile that lit up her face. "Great! I can tell Lord Agate we go it. This will look good for us and bad for Argon." She laughed and faded away.
A sigh escaped Shade's lips once more as he shook his head and asked, "We?"