Chapter 6 - SMG
* * * * *
The four senshi sat in the Jeep as the guide, along with Mamoru, tried to push it through a large mud puddle. Sailor Venus totally enjoyed herself as she attempted to steer the Jeep as directed by the guide's shouted instructions. Meanwhile the other three talked quietly in the back seat.
Sailor Mars asked, "Ok, do we know anything about where we are going?"
Sailor Mercury shook her head and answered, "Not really beyond that it is a relatively small village that doesn't even appear on normal maps."
"Hey Sailor Mars," said Sailor Jupiter, "Were you ever able to get any kind of reading from the Fire on Shade?"
Sailor Mars responded with a shake of her head and said, "The Great Fire didn't even acknowledge that he exists now or has ever existed. It's as if he himself is just a figment of everyone's imagination. It's very strange."
"I'd say HE is very strange," said Sailor Jupiter, "And I wouldn't be surprised if he is leading us into a trap."
Sailor Mercury nodded and said, "But we seem to have little choice but to trust him."
"What a predicament," said Sailor Mars sourly.
Suddenly an eek was heard from the front seat as the Jeep suddenly shot forward. Sailor Venus yelled, "Brake! Brake! Brake! There!"
As suddenly as the Jeep shot forward it stopped. Sailor Jupiter muttered with her face buried into the seat in front of her, "Smooth move, Sailor Venus."
Sailor Venus turned back to face the others and put a hand in front of her mouth. "Oops, sorry guys," she apologized.
The doors on either side of the Jeep opened to reveal two muddy figures. Mamoru wiped his face and said, "I guess we, and you, will have to deal with it."
Sailor Venus covered her mouth again and said, "You don't mean.." She then moved to the middle of the seat as the two guys climbed in door and she asked, "Can't we talk about this? Guys?"
As they pulled away the sounds of indignant protest faded off into the distance.
* * * * *
Once again Shade stood in front of the dark and foreboding tower that he called home. The grey glow that came from the windows far above was brighter however and pulsated slowly. Shade crossed his arms as he studied the structure.
"You know I'm much nicer to look at then that dull old tower," said Gallia as she appeared behind him.
Shade just shrugged, offering no opinion.
Gallia said in response to the shrug, "You really should be more friendly. To me at any rate, the others don't really matter."
"So you say," said Shade, "Everything matters in the large scheme of things I believe."
Gallia shook her head and said, "With the power you are destined to have you shouldn't bother worrying about them." She then changed the subject and commented, "You know, the last audience with Lord Agate was the first time I have ever seen you looking at least somewhat upset. I guess you missed Lord Agate destroying the statue of your mother when he was talking to your brother after dismissing you following your punishment."
Shade noted quietly, "You could say I was less then pleased.."
Gallia nodded and said, "Well maybe when you reach your full strength you could tell them exactly how happy were about that."
Shade agreed somewhat, "Perhaps.. but not even prophecies are guaranteed.."
Gallia noted, "The Sage has never been wrong."
Shade simply shrugged and said, "Or she covers her mistakes well."
"You shouldn't doubt her Shade," warned Gallia, "She has more experience then you and me."
"I don't think anything is for sure," Shade replied.
"You should have more confidence you know," Gallia said before moving onto a different topic. "You know I never did understand why you built that tower with that particular stone. I know it retains magic well, but it's a pain to work with," she commented.
Shade said, "Well it helps hinder teleportation and hostile magic."
"Well it would work much better if you hadn't put those windows in it. I've been able to telepor6 in there relatively easily a few times," commented Gallia.
"There is logic to it," Shade said simply.
"There doesn't seem to be any logic involved with you, brother," countered Tungsten as he rose from the ground nearby.
Shade ignored the comment and instead said, "I heard you betrayed mother a second and final time.. half-brother.."
"Listen to that Gallia, he's reminding us of his inferior bloodline. Heh," Tungsten said to Gallia, before he turned to Shade and said, "So? It's too late to do much about either and Lord Agate thought it was a fitting..*" He suddenly did a double-take for a moment and demanded, "How did you know that I was the one who turned her in for dallying with the humans?"
Shade shrugged and replied, "I have my ways, now if you two don't mind I'm going to finished my experiment."
"Hey, answer me, loser," shouted Tungsten.
Gallia asked, "What experiment is that?"
Shade responded with, "I plan to teleport the tower."
Gallia's eyes went wide but Tungsten just laughed and ridiculed, "You really are stupid if you think you can do that. Must be your human blood showing through. Even a ten year old knows you can't even teleport if you are holding an average sized rock of the stuff your tower is made of. You have no chance of teleporting that tower. Lord Agate should toss you for even thinking you could. And I thought you couldn't get any dumber."
Shade gave no real response. He started to murmur words to himself as he lifted his left hand towards the center of the tower. Out of the three tower windows shot a ray of grey energy reaching off into the distance. As Gallia and Tungsten watched in silence Shade lifted his other hand to point a little above the tower. The rays of grey light then bent their paths to conjoin at the point above the tower that Shade gestured towards.
Tungsten muttered, "Nice tricks," but kept watching as a huge nexus to somewhere else began to slowly be pulled open where the three grey energy beams convened. When the nexus reached about twice the width of the tower Shade began to slowly lower both hands towards the ground. The nexus slowly moved down and started to engulf the tower.
"He's actually doing it," murmured Gallia as half the tower vanished into the nexus. Within a half of a minute the tower was fully engulfed, and the nexus drew to a close and took some of the ground with it.
Shade frowned and said, "That did not go exactly to plan. I will have to investigate."
Gallia blurted out, "You teleported it. I don't believe it."
"Heh. Funny, neither do I. Shade, we have a mission to complete. Stop playing with your illusions and get on with the mission," Tungsten ordered. He then sunk into the ground and disappeared.
Gallia bent over and picked up a stone. She then tossed it to where the tower had been. The stone hit nothing but the ground. "That is no illusion. You teleported that which could not be teleported," she said still a bit surprised.
Shade shrugged and said in response, "I just used a different method then the norm, and it didn't end up exactly where I had wanted it."
Gallia walked up to Shade and tried to put her arms around him and said, "Now imagine if you had more experience with your power." Shade stepped out and away from her grasped and she warned, "You shouldn't resist me Shade. One way or another, you will be mine."
Shade turned and looked at Gallia for a moment surprised somewhat at her sudden bluntness and her serious look. He finally said, "If it is destined.. perhaps.. otherwise.." He didn't bother to say the rest of the sentence.
Gallia smirked and commented, "The Sage isn't the only one who can predict the future."
Shade shrugged and said, "I have an obligation to keep. Good bye," then turned away. He then quietly said, "Call of Shadows," and a grey vertical line appeared in the air. A horizontal line appeared in the middle and pulled open a nexus in a vaguely diamond shape. It led to the same place of varying greys in which the tower had disappeared. Shade silently stepped through and the nexus collapsed behind him.
Gallia stood there for a few moments to think. She then teleported away to start to ready for her own plans to go into action.
* * * * *
The Jeep and riders, after many hours of boredom finally arrived at their destination. They had pretty much avoided any questions their driver had about what had happened earlier by claiming to not understand his question or that he must of hit his head too hard when he ducked under the seat at the sight of another car. He finally decided to drop it and was very relieved when they arrived at their destination.
They found themselves in a small, hut filled village. There were a few animals milling about the village but strangely only one person and at first glance he definitely did not look like they would expect a villager to look like. Sailor Venus recognized the man sitting on the ground first and shouted out, "Hey Shen!"
Shen put down the notebook he had been writing and glanced up. He stood up and said, "Hello. I am glad you were able to make it." He then spoke to the guide fluently in the guide's native tongue for a few moments. The guide nodded and quickly took out Mamoru's and the senshis' few things from the Jeep.
Sailor Mercury watched the guide unload their things for a few moments then turned to Shen and said, "I suppose we are at our destination then."
Shen nodded then said a few more things to the guide as the guide finished unloading the Jeep.
The guide then turned to the senshi, smiled and said, "Have a nice day," in English. He then climbed into the Jeep and drove off as the senshi waved uncertainly.
Sailor Jupiter quietly whispered to Sailor Mars, "If this is a trap, looks like we'll have to fight our way out."
Sailor Mars whispered back, "We can teleport away too if it gets to bad," and Sailor Jupiter nodded in agreement.
As the two whispered Sailor Venus turned back to Shen and asked, "So, well, what is going on here? Where is everyone?"
Shen opened his notebook and glanced within. He then said idly, "This is a small village of simple people. Simple people with a difficult problem. It seems on of their gods made an appearance recently and caused a bit of damage. The desperately have been trying to discover what it wants. Unknown to them, one who will claim to be a servant of the great earth dweller will give it's demands. He will ask for the child, with the white mark of the earthen beast, to become his willing disciple or else the village shall be destroyed. Sadly, the messenger has no intention of keeping his end of the bargain to leave the village alone even if the child comes willingly." He then shook his head and closed the notebook once more.
Sailor Mercury inquired, "Where is the child and what is your role in this?"
Shen casually gestured behind himself and said, "The child is in there with his father, mother, older sister, and grandfather. Like everyone else they are afraid to leave their hut." He then paused before he added, "As for me, I could be an anthropologist.."
"Somehow I doubt you are though," commented Sailor Mars.
Shen just shrugged.
Sailor Venus said, "I don't suppose they speak Japanese or English, huh?"
Shen agreed, "You are correct."
"Well, what now, then?" asked Sailor Jupiter.
Shen shrugged again and suggested, "I would concentrate on standing." The suggestion was greeted with a few confused looks, but understanding came when the ground began to shake.
Sailor Venus and Sailor Mars held onto each other to keep their balance while Sailor Mercury crouched on the ground. Sailor Jupiter went into a fighting stance to keep her balance as Mamoru swiftly became Tuxedo Kamen and stood tall on his own. Shen just stood how he had before and seemed to be unaffected by the quake. They heard shouts of fear from the huts, as a mound of earth began to rise in the middle of the village and took on a vaguely humanoid form. The more familiar form of Tungsten rose beside it.
Sailor Mars motioned for everyone to find a place to hide and they all found a place with cover. Shen however just stepped around a corner and was gone.
Tungsten muttered quietly though his voice was magically carried throughout the area, "Where is that loser? Oh Shade, where are you?"
"Here," came the answer from Shade, who stood in the shadow of a hut.
Tungsten smirked and said, "About time," then turned away from Shade. He spoke louder, to the whole area, and said, "Hear me! I am a messenger of the great earth shaker! Listen and listen well."
Shade idly said, "You know of course that they don't understand what you are saying, correct?"
Tungsten growled at Shade and said, "Ok wise guy, what do they understand?"
Shade shrugged and said, "A mostly unknown language shared by themselves and a few other tribes in the area."
"Why didn't you tell me that before?" demanded Tungsten.
Shade answered, "You didn't ask. I assumed you were doing research on the situation."
Tungsten asked, "What do you think I have you here for? Good for nothing little brother. Have you at least kept a lookout for the senshi?"
Shade nodded as he looked in the direction that the senshi had hid themselves in. He said nothing however.
Tungsten smirked and said, "Maybe you will be able to do something right. I won't hold my breath though. Now if these weak humans can't understand me then I will just have to flush them out."
From a hiding place Sailor Mars whispered aloud, "What should we do now?"
Guide's voice echoed in their heads without warning and she said, 'You should do something soon or the opportunity to save Sailor Moon, or at least have a chance, will be lost. Protect the child and his family.'
Sailor Venus asked, "How old is the kid, and has anyone seen Tuxedo Kamen?"
Tuxedo Kamen was no where to be seen but Guide appeared at the senshi's feet and answered the first question with, 'He is five years old.'
Suddenly there was a great rumbling. The hut the young boy and his family were in burst apart as a large column of stone rose in the middle of it, sending the adults scrambling off in one direction, and the two children in another. The little boy and eight-year-old sister ran for a neighboring hut but found themselves blocked by Tungsten himself.
As Tungsten he heard a shout from Sailor Jupiter who yelled, "Stop right there and leave those kids alone!"
Sailor Venus said, "We are the beautiful sailor suited senshi for love and justice!"
"In the name of our planets, and the Moon," continued Sailor Mercury.
"We will punish you!" finished Sailor Mars as she pointed at Tungsten.
Tungsten laughed and commented, "Glad I can count on you, Shade. Good job on watching for the senshi."
Shade replied, "You said watch for the senshi, not what to do we I saw them." He smiled slightly under his hood.
"I'm glad I'm only half related to you. You sure inherited all of the human's intelligence," sneered Tungsten. He the turned to the elemental and ordered, "You, stick to the plan." In response the elemental sunk into the ground. He then turned again to Shade and said, "Now watch a real pro take on the senshi and get the Shard. Keep your useless self out of this, brother."
"Half brother," Shade reminded.
"How could I forget," responded Tungsten as he smirked once more. Then he shouted, "Get back here as he saw the older sister grabbing her brother and running away from Tungsten towards the trees at the border of the village. He moved to run after them but a red rose flew suddenly from nearby to hit his hand, nicking it. Tungsten spun to the direction the rose came from and narrowed his eyes.
Tuxedo Kamen stood next to the corner of a hut, and held another rose in his hand. He told Tungsten, "You have done too much harm for this life time. Playing with people's lives is evil and you must be stopped."
"Get out of the way or join Sailor Moon, Tuxedo Kamen," Tungsten ordered as he marched forward launching sharp stones at Tuxedo Kamen who ducked out of the way.
"We have to stop him!" proclaimed Sailor Mars. The others nodded and all launched their various attacks at Tungsten. He shrugged them off, not seeming to be affected, though his uniform smoldered slightly as Mars's fire attack had been last to hit him.
Tungsten kept moving towards the children who found themselves unable to reach the woods as stone walls came up behind the first few trees blocking their escape. The stopped under a large tree and turned to face Tungsten, the girl standing protectively in front of her younger brother. She yelled something at Tungsten.
"She said to leave them alone. They have followed the practices," Shade said helpfully.
Tungsten paused and muttered before he said, "You can speak their language? Why didn't you tell me?"
Shade shrugged and asked in response, "Why didn't you ask me?"
Tungsten muttered to himself once more before he said, "I don't need you. First I'll flush them out and hopefully rid myself of that annoying girl." He gestured towards the children. Suddenly the tree behind them had it's roots partially shoved out of the ground and it started to fall forward. Both children shouted and to Tungsten's dismay both were too afraid to move, including the Shard carrier, but Tungsten was disinclined to help them.
Tuxedo Kamen jumped over and stood between the children and the falling tree. It dwarfed him in size and as it fell it's branches blocked him and the children from sight. The senshi shouted his name as Tungsten laughed, but before the tree fell all the way there was a loud chopping sound and the tree separated in two. The top crashed barely short of the huts at the edge and in the middle where the two split in two stood a man dressed in dark armor with grey shoulder guards and a black cloak with red lining. The two children huddled at his feet.
Guide hopped from near the senshi to a hut's roof then to another, finally landing on the ground at the armored figure and children's feet. She turned and looked at the children who spoke a few words fearfully in their language.
Tungsten blinked once then twice and asked, "Where did he come from? And what is with all the feline furballs that the senshi have around? Well you are all going down, human, senshi, cats, I don't care. You defy me," he paused and raised his hands towards the armored man and children, "And you die." The ground started rumbling once more when a cone of grey force struck Tungsten, centered on his nicked hand, and spinning him about.
Shade slowly lowered his arm from pointing at Tungsten and just looked at him.
Tungsten turned to Shade and growled, "So half-brother, you show where your true allegiances lie. How dare you attack me. You cannot beat me."
"Better half then full, and I only showed.. where it doesn't lie," replied Shade calmly.
While Tungsten was distracted Guide said telepathically to the man in armor, 'Greetings Prince Endymion. You are as you were described. The children want you to protect them from the elemental. I you promise to, the boy said you could take the Shard from him, though he still is uncertain what it is.'
Prince Endymion nodded and said, "I will. Just tell me what I need to know."
Guide communicated with the older sister for a moment, and the sister got the brother to hold still and turn his head to the side to reveal a white line. Guide then told the Prince, 'Concentrate on the Shard to take what was given you.'
Elsewhere Tungsten decided to destroy his brother once and for all. "Fool, it is your time to die," he said as he launched stone after stone at Shade.
Shade dodged up and down, and said not a word, except when he pointed at Tungsten with a finger and uttered, "Pseudo Shadow Shot." A grey beam of energy struck Tungsten's damaged hand again, and caused visible cracks to appear as if they were cracks in stone. However a moment later he was struck twice with two stone and he concentrated through the pain to dodge further attacks.
Suddenly near the children and Prince there was a flash of bright light. All outside turned to look in the direction and saw a Shard of Light, which floated in the air between the children and Prince Endymion. Tungsten pointed at the crystal and yelled, "Elemental, get that Shard!" though there was no sign of the elemental.
Shade raised a closed hand and opened it. As he opened it, the grey globe called Host was revealed. It shot forward towards the crystal.
Tungsten spun back around and launched a large stone at Shade who was concentrating on the globe. The stone struck Shade in the chest and launched him backwards, causing him to crash into an empty hut, which collapsed on top of him. Tungsten then caused the earth underneath Shade to launch him into the air, causing him to crash to the ground once more in the middle of the village in an unconscious heap.
The Shard, which floated in the air, suddenly shot a white energy beam into the ground, then all was silent as Host finished approaching it. Sailor Mars asked to no one in particular, "Is it too late?"
Tungsten laughed and taunted, "It is too late for all of you. You'll end up like my traitorous sibling and your Sailor Moon. However he was blinded without warning as a ring of white energy sprouted up from the ground and surrounded Host, blocking it from everyone's sight. The ring size increased to cover Prince Endymion though it didn't cover the children. All feel silent once more as the waited to see what had happened.
Finally after a few moments the ring lowered and faded out to reveal Tuxedo Kamen once more. In his arms he cradled Sailor Moon with Sailor Chibi-Moon lying gently on the ground next to them.
Sailor Moon opened her eyes slowly and asked, "Tuxedo Kamen?"
Tuxedo Kamen smiled, nodded and held her close.
"This cannot be. She was dead, I killed her myself. Well if I did it once I shall do it again!" promised Tungsten.
Sailor Mars, Sailor Mercury, Sailor Jupiter and Sailor Venus all jumped over to stand between the children, Sailor Moon and Tuxedo Kamen. Sailor Jupiter countered with, "You took her from us once. You will not again!"
Tungsten shook his head and said, "You will die. You will all die."
Sailor Venus pointed a finger into the air and shouted, "Not today, buster! Crescent Beam!" She pointed her finger at his damaged hand and shot a light beam at it, causing the cracks to grow wider and snake up under Tungsten's sleeves.
Tungsten raised his other arm and rocks launched into the sky, forcing the senshi to dodge as the rocks fell.
"You should respect people's beliefs, not abuse them! Fire Soul!" shouted Sailor Mars as she let loose a torrent of flame at Tungsten, increasing his temperature.
Spikes of stone shot up around the four senshi, which they barely escaped, and continued their attack.
"This is for all the hurt you have caused! Supreme Thunder!" yelled Sailor Jupiter as she let loose a bolt of energy at Tungsten, which electrified him.
Tungsten opened a pit beneath their feet, but the senshi jumped to the side as the ground fell away.
Sailor Mercury told Tungsten, "And this is to stop all the harm you cause! Shabon Spray!" She released cold bubbles at Tungsten, which hissed as they came in contact with him from the heat and cracking sounds came from his direction.
"You will not beat me! I will not be just weathered away!" proclaimed Tungsten as he started the whole area shaking, causing trees to fall and huts to collapse with scared voices screaming from inside.
As the earth started cracking about them, Tuxedo Kamen rested Sailor Moon to the side of him and stood up holding a red rose by the stem between two of his gloved fingers. He looked straight at Tungsten and said, "It's time for your evil and hate to come to an end," and when he finished saying that he flicked his hand sending the rose flying into Tungsten.
Tungsten looked startled and looked down at the rose that was stuck into his chest. Cracks rapidly spread through him and the final word he shouted was, "Noooo!" as he crumbled to pieces and fragmented into pebbles and sand which fell to the ground.
Sailor Jupiter walked over and nudged the dirt filled clothes with her toe. She nodded slowly and breathed a sigh of relief as she said, "We won."
At that moment a stone hand reached up and grabbed the Shard of Light that still floated in the air. Sailor Mars and Sailor Mercury moved to try to stop it but it sunk into the ground and vanished.
Sailor Venus cried, "Auw, shoot! They got the Shard." All around the village, people crawled out from under their lightweight grass huts and a few paused as Shade moved somewhat on the ground. Sailor Venus ran over to him with Sailor Mercury joining her. Sailor Jupiter and Sailor Mars went over to where Tuxedo Kamen was along with Sailor Moon and Sailor Chibi-Moon. The children sat somewhat stunned nearby but there was no sign of Guide or Host.
Sailor Chibi-Moon looked around groggily and asked, "What happened? Where are we?"
Sailor Moon nodded and asked, "What is going on? Last I remember.." She shook her head and frowned.
Tuxedo Kamen took both into his arms and hugged them both. "You are both ok now," he reassured them.
Sailor Mercury and Sailor Venus walked over, as they supported Shade who half walked and half stumbled. He quietly said with a pained voice, "You defeated Tungsten, and for that I commend you. However I hear that the elemental retrieved the Shard of Light. It was to return to the Dark Kingdom after doing that. While the Shard is lost, at least it won't return."
Sailor Jupiter picked up something from what was left of Tungsten and showed it to the others and commented, "But we got their Shard of Darkness," as she held it up.
Shade coughed weakly for a moment then nodded. "That is good. Keep it safe. Your work isn't done I imagine if you want to keep the other Shards from their hands, but for now, it is time to regroup," he said quietly. He uttered, "Call of Shadows.." and opened a grey nexus. He gestured in it's direction and said, "We can take this home. To your home.. in Tokyo."
* * * * *
The four senshi sat in the Jeep as the guide, along with Mamoru, tried to push it through a large mud puddle. Sailor Venus totally enjoyed herself as she attempted to steer the Jeep as directed by the guide's shouted instructions. Meanwhile the other three talked quietly in the back seat.
Sailor Mars asked, "Ok, do we know anything about where we are going?"
Sailor Mercury shook her head and answered, "Not really beyond that it is a relatively small village that doesn't even appear on normal maps."
"Hey Sailor Mars," said Sailor Jupiter, "Were you ever able to get any kind of reading from the Fire on Shade?"
Sailor Mars responded with a shake of her head and said, "The Great Fire didn't even acknowledge that he exists now or has ever existed. It's as if he himself is just a figment of everyone's imagination. It's very strange."
"I'd say HE is very strange," said Sailor Jupiter, "And I wouldn't be surprised if he is leading us into a trap."
Sailor Mercury nodded and said, "But we seem to have little choice but to trust him."
"What a predicament," said Sailor Mars sourly.
Suddenly an eek was heard from the front seat as the Jeep suddenly shot forward. Sailor Venus yelled, "Brake! Brake! Brake! There!"
As suddenly as the Jeep shot forward it stopped. Sailor Jupiter muttered with her face buried into the seat in front of her, "Smooth move, Sailor Venus."
Sailor Venus turned back to face the others and put a hand in front of her mouth. "Oops, sorry guys," she apologized.
The doors on either side of the Jeep opened to reveal two muddy figures. Mamoru wiped his face and said, "I guess we, and you, will have to deal with it."
Sailor Venus covered her mouth again and said, "You don't mean.." She then moved to the middle of the seat as the two guys climbed in door and she asked, "Can't we talk about this? Guys?"
As they pulled away the sounds of indignant protest faded off into the distance.
* * * * *
Once again Shade stood in front of the dark and foreboding tower that he called home. The grey glow that came from the windows far above was brighter however and pulsated slowly. Shade crossed his arms as he studied the structure.
"You know I'm much nicer to look at then that dull old tower," said Gallia as she appeared behind him.
Shade just shrugged, offering no opinion.
Gallia said in response to the shrug, "You really should be more friendly. To me at any rate, the others don't really matter."
"So you say," said Shade, "Everything matters in the large scheme of things I believe."
Gallia shook her head and said, "With the power you are destined to have you shouldn't bother worrying about them." She then changed the subject and commented, "You know, the last audience with Lord Agate was the first time I have ever seen you looking at least somewhat upset. I guess you missed Lord Agate destroying the statue of your mother when he was talking to your brother after dismissing you following your punishment."
Shade noted quietly, "You could say I was less then pleased.."
Gallia nodded and said, "Well maybe when you reach your full strength you could tell them exactly how happy were about that."
Shade agreed somewhat, "Perhaps.. but not even prophecies are guaranteed.."
Gallia noted, "The Sage has never been wrong."
Shade simply shrugged and said, "Or she covers her mistakes well."
"You shouldn't doubt her Shade," warned Gallia, "She has more experience then you and me."
"I don't think anything is for sure," Shade replied.
"You should have more confidence you know," Gallia said before moving onto a different topic. "You know I never did understand why you built that tower with that particular stone. I know it retains magic well, but it's a pain to work with," she commented.
Shade said, "Well it helps hinder teleportation and hostile magic."
"Well it would work much better if you hadn't put those windows in it. I've been able to telepor6 in there relatively easily a few times," commented Gallia.
"There is logic to it," Shade said simply.
"There doesn't seem to be any logic involved with you, brother," countered Tungsten as he rose from the ground nearby.
Shade ignored the comment and instead said, "I heard you betrayed mother a second and final time.. half-brother.."
"Listen to that Gallia, he's reminding us of his inferior bloodline. Heh," Tungsten said to Gallia, before he turned to Shade and said, "So? It's too late to do much about either and Lord Agate thought it was a fitting..*" He suddenly did a double-take for a moment and demanded, "How did you know that I was the one who turned her in for dallying with the humans?"
Shade shrugged and replied, "I have my ways, now if you two don't mind I'm going to finished my experiment."
"Hey, answer me, loser," shouted Tungsten.
Gallia asked, "What experiment is that?"
Shade responded with, "I plan to teleport the tower."
Gallia's eyes went wide but Tungsten just laughed and ridiculed, "You really are stupid if you think you can do that. Must be your human blood showing through. Even a ten year old knows you can't even teleport if you are holding an average sized rock of the stuff your tower is made of. You have no chance of teleporting that tower. Lord Agate should toss you for even thinking you could. And I thought you couldn't get any dumber."
Shade gave no real response. He started to murmur words to himself as he lifted his left hand towards the center of the tower. Out of the three tower windows shot a ray of grey energy reaching off into the distance. As Gallia and Tungsten watched in silence Shade lifted his other hand to point a little above the tower. The rays of grey light then bent their paths to conjoin at the point above the tower that Shade gestured towards.
Tungsten muttered, "Nice tricks," but kept watching as a huge nexus to somewhere else began to slowly be pulled open where the three grey energy beams convened. When the nexus reached about twice the width of the tower Shade began to slowly lower both hands towards the ground. The nexus slowly moved down and started to engulf the tower.
"He's actually doing it," murmured Gallia as half the tower vanished into the nexus. Within a half of a minute the tower was fully engulfed, and the nexus drew to a close and took some of the ground with it.
Shade frowned and said, "That did not go exactly to plan. I will have to investigate."
Gallia blurted out, "You teleported it. I don't believe it."
"Heh. Funny, neither do I. Shade, we have a mission to complete. Stop playing with your illusions and get on with the mission," Tungsten ordered. He then sunk into the ground and disappeared.
Gallia bent over and picked up a stone. She then tossed it to where the tower had been. The stone hit nothing but the ground. "That is no illusion. You teleported that which could not be teleported," she said still a bit surprised.
Shade shrugged and said in response, "I just used a different method then the norm, and it didn't end up exactly where I had wanted it."
Gallia walked up to Shade and tried to put her arms around him and said, "Now imagine if you had more experience with your power." Shade stepped out and away from her grasped and she warned, "You shouldn't resist me Shade. One way or another, you will be mine."
Shade turned and looked at Gallia for a moment surprised somewhat at her sudden bluntness and her serious look. He finally said, "If it is destined.. perhaps.. otherwise.." He didn't bother to say the rest of the sentence.
Gallia smirked and commented, "The Sage isn't the only one who can predict the future."
Shade shrugged and said, "I have an obligation to keep. Good bye," then turned away. He then quietly said, "Call of Shadows," and a grey vertical line appeared in the air. A horizontal line appeared in the middle and pulled open a nexus in a vaguely diamond shape. It led to the same place of varying greys in which the tower had disappeared. Shade silently stepped through and the nexus collapsed behind him.
Gallia stood there for a few moments to think. She then teleported away to start to ready for her own plans to go into action.
* * * * *
The Jeep and riders, after many hours of boredom finally arrived at their destination. They had pretty much avoided any questions their driver had about what had happened earlier by claiming to not understand his question or that he must of hit his head too hard when he ducked under the seat at the sight of another car. He finally decided to drop it and was very relieved when they arrived at their destination.
They found themselves in a small, hut filled village. There were a few animals milling about the village but strangely only one person and at first glance he definitely did not look like they would expect a villager to look like. Sailor Venus recognized the man sitting on the ground first and shouted out, "Hey Shen!"
Shen put down the notebook he had been writing and glanced up. He stood up and said, "Hello. I am glad you were able to make it." He then spoke to the guide fluently in the guide's native tongue for a few moments. The guide nodded and quickly took out Mamoru's and the senshis' few things from the Jeep.
Sailor Mercury watched the guide unload their things for a few moments then turned to Shen and said, "I suppose we are at our destination then."
Shen nodded then said a few more things to the guide as the guide finished unloading the Jeep.
The guide then turned to the senshi, smiled and said, "Have a nice day," in English. He then climbed into the Jeep and drove off as the senshi waved uncertainly.
Sailor Jupiter quietly whispered to Sailor Mars, "If this is a trap, looks like we'll have to fight our way out."
Sailor Mars whispered back, "We can teleport away too if it gets to bad," and Sailor Jupiter nodded in agreement.
As the two whispered Sailor Venus turned back to Shen and asked, "So, well, what is going on here? Where is everyone?"
Shen opened his notebook and glanced within. He then said idly, "This is a small village of simple people. Simple people with a difficult problem. It seems on of their gods made an appearance recently and caused a bit of damage. The desperately have been trying to discover what it wants. Unknown to them, one who will claim to be a servant of the great earth dweller will give it's demands. He will ask for the child, with the white mark of the earthen beast, to become his willing disciple or else the village shall be destroyed. Sadly, the messenger has no intention of keeping his end of the bargain to leave the village alone even if the child comes willingly." He then shook his head and closed the notebook once more.
Sailor Mercury inquired, "Where is the child and what is your role in this?"
Shen casually gestured behind himself and said, "The child is in there with his father, mother, older sister, and grandfather. Like everyone else they are afraid to leave their hut." He then paused before he added, "As for me, I could be an anthropologist.."
"Somehow I doubt you are though," commented Sailor Mars.
Shen just shrugged.
Sailor Venus said, "I don't suppose they speak Japanese or English, huh?"
Shen agreed, "You are correct."
"Well, what now, then?" asked Sailor Jupiter.
Shen shrugged again and suggested, "I would concentrate on standing." The suggestion was greeted with a few confused looks, but understanding came when the ground began to shake.
Sailor Venus and Sailor Mars held onto each other to keep their balance while Sailor Mercury crouched on the ground. Sailor Jupiter went into a fighting stance to keep her balance as Mamoru swiftly became Tuxedo Kamen and stood tall on his own. Shen just stood how he had before and seemed to be unaffected by the quake. They heard shouts of fear from the huts, as a mound of earth began to rise in the middle of the village and took on a vaguely humanoid form. The more familiar form of Tungsten rose beside it.
Sailor Mars motioned for everyone to find a place to hide and they all found a place with cover. Shen however just stepped around a corner and was gone.
Tungsten muttered quietly though his voice was magically carried throughout the area, "Where is that loser? Oh Shade, where are you?"
"Here," came the answer from Shade, who stood in the shadow of a hut.
Tungsten smirked and said, "About time," then turned away from Shade. He spoke louder, to the whole area, and said, "Hear me! I am a messenger of the great earth shaker! Listen and listen well."
Shade idly said, "You know of course that they don't understand what you are saying, correct?"
Tungsten growled at Shade and said, "Ok wise guy, what do they understand?"
Shade shrugged and said, "A mostly unknown language shared by themselves and a few other tribes in the area."
"Why didn't you tell me that before?" demanded Tungsten.
Shade answered, "You didn't ask. I assumed you were doing research on the situation."
Tungsten asked, "What do you think I have you here for? Good for nothing little brother. Have you at least kept a lookout for the senshi?"
Shade nodded as he looked in the direction that the senshi had hid themselves in. He said nothing however.
Tungsten smirked and said, "Maybe you will be able to do something right. I won't hold my breath though. Now if these weak humans can't understand me then I will just have to flush them out."
From a hiding place Sailor Mars whispered aloud, "What should we do now?"
Guide's voice echoed in their heads without warning and she said, 'You should do something soon or the opportunity to save Sailor Moon, or at least have a chance, will be lost. Protect the child and his family.'
Sailor Venus asked, "How old is the kid, and has anyone seen Tuxedo Kamen?"
Tuxedo Kamen was no where to be seen but Guide appeared at the senshi's feet and answered the first question with, 'He is five years old.'
Suddenly there was a great rumbling. The hut the young boy and his family were in burst apart as a large column of stone rose in the middle of it, sending the adults scrambling off in one direction, and the two children in another. The little boy and eight-year-old sister ran for a neighboring hut but found themselves blocked by Tungsten himself.
As Tungsten he heard a shout from Sailor Jupiter who yelled, "Stop right there and leave those kids alone!"
Sailor Venus said, "We are the beautiful sailor suited senshi for love and justice!"
"In the name of our planets, and the Moon," continued Sailor Mercury.
"We will punish you!" finished Sailor Mars as she pointed at Tungsten.
Tungsten laughed and commented, "Glad I can count on you, Shade. Good job on watching for the senshi."
Shade replied, "You said watch for the senshi, not what to do we I saw them." He smiled slightly under his hood.
"I'm glad I'm only half related to you. You sure inherited all of the human's intelligence," sneered Tungsten. He the turned to the elemental and ordered, "You, stick to the plan." In response the elemental sunk into the ground. He then turned again to Shade and said, "Now watch a real pro take on the senshi and get the Shard. Keep your useless self out of this, brother."
"Half brother," Shade reminded.
"How could I forget," responded Tungsten as he smirked once more. Then he shouted, "Get back here as he saw the older sister grabbing her brother and running away from Tungsten towards the trees at the border of the village. He moved to run after them but a red rose flew suddenly from nearby to hit his hand, nicking it. Tungsten spun to the direction the rose came from and narrowed his eyes.
Tuxedo Kamen stood next to the corner of a hut, and held another rose in his hand. He told Tungsten, "You have done too much harm for this life time. Playing with people's lives is evil and you must be stopped."
"Get out of the way or join Sailor Moon, Tuxedo Kamen," Tungsten ordered as he marched forward launching sharp stones at Tuxedo Kamen who ducked out of the way.
"We have to stop him!" proclaimed Sailor Mars. The others nodded and all launched their various attacks at Tungsten. He shrugged them off, not seeming to be affected, though his uniform smoldered slightly as Mars's fire attack had been last to hit him.
Tungsten kept moving towards the children who found themselves unable to reach the woods as stone walls came up behind the first few trees blocking their escape. The stopped under a large tree and turned to face Tungsten, the girl standing protectively in front of her younger brother. She yelled something at Tungsten.
"She said to leave them alone. They have followed the practices," Shade said helpfully.
Tungsten paused and muttered before he said, "You can speak their language? Why didn't you tell me?"
Shade shrugged and asked in response, "Why didn't you ask me?"
Tungsten muttered to himself once more before he said, "I don't need you. First I'll flush them out and hopefully rid myself of that annoying girl." He gestured towards the children. Suddenly the tree behind them had it's roots partially shoved out of the ground and it started to fall forward. Both children shouted and to Tungsten's dismay both were too afraid to move, including the Shard carrier, but Tungsten was disinclined to help them.
Tuxedo Kamen jumped over and stood between the children and the falling tree. It dwarfed him in size and as it fell it's branches blocked him and the children from sight. The senshi shouted his name as Tungsten laughed, but before the tree fell all the way there was a loud chopping sound and the tree separated in two. The top crashed barely short of the huts at the edge and in the middle where the two split in two stood a man dressed in dark armor with grey shoulder guards and a black cloak with red lining. The two children huddled at his feet.
Guide hopped from near the senshi to a hut's roof then to another, finally landing on the ground at the armored figure and children's feet. She turned and looked at the children who spoke a few words fearfully in their language.
Tungsten blinked once then twice and asked, "Where did he come from? And what is with all the feline furballs that the senshi have around? Well you are all going down, human, senshi, cats, I don't care. You defy me," he paused and raised his hands towards the armored man and children, "And you die." The ground started rumbling once more when a cone of grey force struck Tungsten, centered on his nicked hand, and spinning him about.
Shade slowly lowered his arm from pointing at Tungsten and just looked at him.
Tungsten turned to Shade and growled, "So half-brother, you show where your true allegiances lie. How dare you attack me. You cannot beat me."
"Better half then full, and I only showed.. where it doesn't lie," replied Shade calmly.
While Tungsten was distracted Guide said telepathically to the man in armor, 'Greetings Prince Endymion. You are as you were described. The children want you to protect them from the elemental. I you promise to, the boy said you could take the Shard from him, though he still is uncertain what it is.'
Prince Endymion nodded and said, "I will. Just tell me what I need to know."
Guide communicated with the older sister for a moment, and the sister got the brother to hold still and turn his head to the side to reveal a white line. Guide then told the Prince, 'Concentrate on the Shard to take what was given you.'
Elsewhere Tungsten decided to destroy his brother once and for all. "Fool, it is your time to die," he said as he launched stone after stone at Shade.
Shade dodged up and down, and said not a word, except when he pointed at Tungsten with a finger and uttered, "Pseudo Shadow Shot." A grey beam of energy struck Tungsten's damaged hand again, and caused visible cracks to appear as if they were cracks in stone. However a moment later he was struck twice with two stone and he concentrated through the pain to dodge further attacks.
Suddenly near the children and Prince there was a flash of bright light. All outside turned to look in the direction and saw a Shard of Light, which floated in the air between the children and Prince Endymion. Tungsten pointed at the crystal and yelled, "Elemental, get that Shard!" though there was no sign of the elemental.
Shade raised a closed hand and opened it. As he opened it, the grey globe called Host was revealed. It shot forward towards the crystal.
Tungsten spun back around and launched a large stone at Shade who was concentrating on the globe. The stone struck Shade in the chest and launched him backwards, causing him to crash into an empty hut, which collapsed on top of him. Tungsten then caused the earth underneath Shade to launch him into the air, causing him to crash to the ground once more in the middle of the village in an unconscious heap.
The Shard, which floated in the air, suddenly shot a white energy beam into the ground, then all was silent as Host finished approaching it. Sailor Mars asked to no one in particular, "Is it too late?"
Tungsten laughed and taunted, "It is too late for all of you. You'll end up like my traitorous sibling and your Sailor Moon. However he was blinded without warning as a ring of white energy sprouted up from the ground and surrounded Host, blocking it from everyone's sight. The ring size increased to cover Prince Endymion though it didn't cover the children. All feel silent once more as the waited to see what had happened.
Finally after a few moments the ring lowered and faded out to reveal Tuxedo Kamen once more. In his arms he cradled Sailor Moon with Sailor Chibi-Moon lying gently on the ground next to them.
Sailor Moon opened her eyes slowly and asked, "Tuxedo Kamen?"
Tuxedo Kamen smiled, nodded and held her close.
"This cannot be. She was dead, I killed her myself. Well if I did it once I shall do it again!" promised Tungsten.
Sailor Mars, Sailor Mercury, Sailor Jupiter and Sailor Venus all jumped over to stand between the children, Sailor Moon and Tuxedo Kamen. Sailor Jupiter countered with, "You took her from us once. You will not again!"
Tungsten shook his head and said, "You will die. You will all die."
Sailor Venus pointed a finger into the air and shouted, "Not today, buster! Crescent Beam!" She pointed her finger at his damaged hand and shot a light beam at it, causing the cracks to grow wider and snake up under Tungsten's sleeves.
Tungsten raised his other arm and rocks launched into the sky, forcing the senshi to dodge as the rocks fell.
"You should respect people's beliefs, not abuse them! Fire Soul!" shouted Sailor Mars as she let loose a torrent of flame at Tungsten, increasing his temperature.
Spikes of stone shot up around the four senshi, which they barely escaped, and continued their attack.
"This is for all the hurt you have caused! Supreme Thunder!" yelled Sailor Jupiter as she let loose a bolt of energy at Tungsten, which electrified him.
Tungsten opened a pit beneath their feet, but the senshi jumped to the side as the ground fell away.
Sailor Mercury told Tungsten, "And this is to stop all the harm you cause! Shabon Spray!" She released cold bubbles at Tungsten, which hissed as they came in contact with him from the heat and cracking sounds came from his direction.
"You will not beat me! I will not be just weathered away!" proclaimed Tungsten as he started the whole area shaking, causing trees to fall and huts to collapse with scared voices screaming from inside.
As the earth started cracking about them, Tuxedo Kamen rested Sailor Moon to the side of him and stood up holding a red rose by the stem between two of his gloved fingers. He looked straight at Tungsten and said, "It's time for your evil and hate to come to an end," and when he finished saying that he flicked his hand sending the rose flying into Tungsten.
Tungsten looked startled and looked down at the rose that was stuck into his chest. Cracks rapidly spread through him and the final word he shouted was, "Noooo!" as he crumbled to pieces and fragmented into pebbles and sand which fell to the ground.
Sailor Jupiter walked over and nudged the dirt filled clothes with her toe. She nodded slowly and breathed a sigh of relief as she said, "We won."
At that moment a stone hand reached up and grabbed the Shard of Light that still floated in the air. Sailor Mars and Sailor Mercury moved to try to stop it but it sunk into the ground and vanished.
Sailor Venus cried, "Auw, shoot! They got the Shard." All around the village, people crawled out from under their lightweight grass huts and a few paused as Shade moved somewhat on the ground. Sailor Venus ran over to him with Sailor Mercury joining her. Sailor Jupiter and Sailor Mars went over to where Tuxedo Kamen was along with Sailor Moon and Sailor Chibi-Moon. The children sat somewhat stunned nearby but there was no sign of Guide or Host.
Sailor Chibi-Moon looked around groggily and asked, "What happened? Where are we?"
Sailor Moon nodded and asked, "What is going on? Last I remember.." She shook her head and frowned.
Tuxedo Kamen took both into his arms and hugged them both. "You are both ok now," he reassured them.
Sailor Mercury and Sailor Venus walked over, as they supported Shade who half walked and half stumbled. He quietly said with a pained voice, "You defeated Tungsten, and for that I commend you. However I hear that the elemental retrieved the Shard of Light. It was to return to the Dark Kingdom after doing that. While the Shard is lost, at least it won't return."
Sailor Jupiter picked up something from what was left of Tungsten and showed it to the others and commented, "But we got their Shard of Darkness," as she held it up.
Shade coughed weakly for a moment then nodded. "That is good. Keep it safe. Your work isn't done I imagine if you want to keep the other Shards from their hands, but for now, it is time to regroup," he said quietly. He uttered, "Call of Shadows.." and opened a grey nexus. He gestured in it's direction and said, "We can take this home. To your home.. in Tokyo."