The moment they rematerialized Eclipse motioned for Tuxedo Kamen to be
silent. Zoisite was still unconscious, but she didn't know how much longer
it would last. She glanced around quickly, but there was no one in sight, "
I want you to wait here, " Eclipse whispered.
" I don't think so, " Tuxedo Kamen crossed his arms across his chest with an air of determination. There was no way he was going to let her go running off alone in this place.
" We can't sneak around with the general in tow, and if we leave him here, he may wake up and give away our presence. The only solution is for you to wait here while I see if I can find the others. "
" With all due respect, Sailor Eclipse, I would not be comfortable with that arrangement. " He was trying to be subtle, but it wasn't easy. He'd seen the pain in her eyes earlier, but it wasn't enough to inspire him to trust her. He shivered slightly as the previous vision replayed in his mind.
" Fine, " she snapped harshly turning away from the masked man, " but you carry him. " She started off down the long corridor without glancing back. If that was how Mamoru-san wanted it, then so be it. He had doubled their chances of being caught, but she wasn't in the mood to stand and argue all day long.
Eclipse slowed her pace as they came to the first turn. She paused, straining to hear any sign of life around the bend, but there was nothing.
Tuxedo Kamen struggled to keep up as he carried the unconscious general. The girl wasn't even trying to make this easy on him.
" What the hell? " Zoisite demanded groggily as he woke. He growled realizing that he was draped over one shoulder of that cursed Tuxedo Kamen. He vanished and reappeared a few feet away, " I don't know what you think you're doing, baka, but you're going to pay! "
Tuxedo Kamen looked around, but Eclipse was no where to be seen. He jumped back as Zoisite attacked with a ferocious kick. Tuxedo lashed out with a punch, catching Zoisite square in the jaw. The blond man winced, surprised that he'd actually been hit by the masked fighter and threw a large ball of energy in response.
The blast caught Tuxedo Kamen in the side, and he nearly fell. Three razor- tipped roses flew from his hand a second before a second strike hit his leg. Tuxedo Kamen stumbled then fell. His head ricocheted off of the stone floor.
Zoisite frowned at the pain radiating through his arm where one of the roses had lodged, and he actually yelled as he yanked it out. 'Damn fool!' he thought watching the thick crimson liquid pouring from the wound. It was then that a thought struck him. The Senshi! Where was she? Surely Tuxedo Kamen had not ventured into the Dark Kingdom alone, but if she was here then why hadn't she helped her friend? Zoisite took his prisoner and vanished.
~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*
" Did you find her? "
" She's here somewhere, " Zoisite replied chaining Tuxedo Kamen to the wall next to Jedite and Nephlyte. All of the Senshi were there as well, watching as the two generals talked. Their henshin wands had been confiscated, and they were thoroughly imprisoned, chained up inside a cage of energy. They looked on warily as Zoisite chained up Tuxedo Kamen. That left only Sailor Eclipse to help them, and no one was certain if she could do it alone.
" Here? You mean as in here in the Dark Kingdom? "
" I'm assuming she is. "
" Assuming? " Kunzite frowned deeply. He didn't know why he was so uneasy about the violet haired girl, but there was something about her that he couldn't quite place. The fact that she was likely running free in the Kingdom made him twice as nervous. The last thing they needed right now was for her to set the others free.
" Zoisite, I want you to gather all of the available youma and conduct a search of the entire palace including the grounds. Immediately. "
General Zoisite didn't bother to argue even though he didn't know what the big deal was. He glanced at the captive teenagers and smirked. What could one child do against the highest-ranking generals in Beryl's army? But Kunzite looked like he was ready to throw a fit, so he simply agreed.
Kunzite took a deep breath after Zoisite left. He couldn't believe the incompetence that he was forced to deal with. There was no reason that Zoisite should have returned without the girl. He glared at the small girl with the silver eyes, " Who is this remaining Senshi? "
" You already know, " Luriel said quietly with a puzzled expression. She couldn't explain why, but somehow it just struck her that this General Kunzite already knew Eclipse.
" What do you mean I know? If I knew then I wouldn't be asking! " He was beginning to lose his patience with all of this. He fired a small beam of energy that struck the girl in the stomach and smiled as she let out a squeal of pain.
' But', nagged a voice in the back of his head, 'you did recognize the girl as a Senshi the moment you saw her. ' Kunzite furrowed his brow at the thought then turned back to the prisoners. " You, " he snapped pointing to a girl with two long blond ponytails, " tell me who you are. "
" Tsukino Usagi, " she replied.
" I'm not in the mood for games, brat. I know that you are a Senshi, and I demand to know which one! " Each word grew louder; the demand echoed through the chamber making several of the girls shudder involuntarily.
" I won't tell you, " Usagi retorted defiantly. Silently she prayed that Sailor Eclipse could make use of the time she was trying to buy. It was an enormous risk, but it was also the only thing that she could think to do at the moment.
" Tell me something, Tsukino-san. Would you like to watch your little friends die one by one? " Usagi's deep blue eyes grew wide and filled with tears. On one hand, she didn't want to give him any information that might help the Dark Kingdom, but on the other hand, she couldn't risk the lives of her friends.
" Don't tell him anything, Usagi! " shouted Rei.
Kunzite fired a blast that rendered her unconscious, " Now, I believe that there was something you wanted to tell me. "
Tears poured down her cheeks as she looked at the prone form of her dear friend, " I am Sailor Moon. " " And you, " he jabbed a finger at a tall girl with a long brown braid.
" I am Sailor Talis, " she responded not wanting anyone else to be harmed. Where was Eclipse? If Tuxedo Kamen had come after them, then surely Sailor Eclipse had come with him.
" Now that is a name that I am unfamiliar with. Where are you from, Sailor Talis? "
" I am not from the planet Earth. "
" I did not ask where you weren't from; I asked where you were from. "
" The planet Talis, " she said simply.
" And just where in the hell is the planet Talis? " His lavender eyes were practically glowing with rage. Did these damn girls always have to be so annoying? It was tempting to kill them all with one large blast, but Queen Beryl would be disappointed if she did not have the honor of destroying them herself. Plus, they would provide an immense amount of energy that they could use to take over the planet.
Mayoko hesitated, and he knocked her out as well, " Every time one of my questions is not answered in a complete and timely fashion, someone gets hurt. " He turned sharply to Aria, " If I recall, you're one of the newcomers as well. Where are you from? "
The young girl swallowed hard unable to look at the man who was questioning her. She felt so utterly foolish having fallen into his trap so easily. It only made her wonder again if she was cut out for this position. Her sky blue eyes fell to rest on Mayoko, Luriel and Rei. She couldn't allow anyone else to be harmed, " I'm from the planet Andronica in the Dronian Galaxy. "
" Dronian? " his expression was thoughtful for a moment then changed completely to one of shock. He reached through the bars of the cage to grab a handful of her pink and white locks, " Did you say the Dronian Galaxy? "
" Yes, " she whimpered trying to bite back the pain. There were few things she hated more than having her hair pulled.
" Which of you are not from this planet? " he growled at the frightened girl.
" Leave her alone! " Keridwen yelled struggling against her bonds, " She's just a child! You think you're so tough just because you can scare a poor, helpless little girl. Why don't you try fighting someone who doesn't scare so easily. "
Kunzite chuckled, though there was no humor evident in the sound, " You just gave yourself away. It's easy to guess that you're one of her little friends as well as the red head there. Now, who else? " He released Aria and looked over the little group, " Not you, Tsukino-san, we already know that, and I assume that your unconscious dark-haired friend is part of your little group. What about Talis-san? She must be from the Dronian Galaxy as well. How interesting. "
" Don't forget me, " mused a feminine voice from somewhere behind him.
He spun around to find the violet haired Senshi standing with her arms crossed casually, " It's you. "
" I'm guessing that you were waiting for me. Should I feel privileged? " she smirked.
General Kunzite stared long and hard at the young woman. There was something so familiar about her, but he couldn't figure out who she was. His gaze took in her petite form, the stubborn set of her jaw and the contrast of her alabaster complexion against the deep violet tresses that framed her face, then his eyes met hers and he gasped. 'It can't be!' he thought trying to mask the disbelief that realization brought.
Kunzite took a step closer, oblivious to the stares of everyone in the room. 'Yes. The resemblance is unmistakable. Those eyes, those damnable eyes.'
What was she doing here? Surely he must alert Queen Beryl, but then how could he do that to the girl? A tumultuous wave of emotions churned inside of him as he watched her. Her eyes narrowed slightly, and the look on her face indicated that she hadn't regained all of her memories yet. She was utterly confused by his reaction.
Finally she spoke, " Well, if you're just going to stand there and stare, then I'm just going to grab my friends and go. "
" I can't let you do that, " he said, but his tone was uncertain with an underlying hint of pain. She laughed slightly, " And I won't let you stop me. "
Eclipse fired a blast of violet energy that struck the unprepared general directly in the center of the chest. He reeled back, almost losing his balance, but he managed to catch himself at the last moment.
When he didn't retaliate, Eclipse dropped her fighting stance, " What is wrong with you? " she demanded stomping her foot childishly, " If you won't fight me, then let my friends go! "
Before anyone could shout a warning Zoisite appeared behind the Senshi, pressed his hands against her back and fired. Eclipse didn't even utter a whimper before she fell forward. Kunzite stepped up and caught her before she hit the floor quickly checking to make sure that she was still alive.
" I told you she was here, " Zoisite grinned wickedly.
" I don't think so, " Tuxedo Kamen crossed his arms across his chest with an air of determination. There was no way he was going to let her go running off alone in this place.
" We can't sneak around with the general in tow, and if we leave him here, he may wake up and give away our presence. The only solution is for you to wait here while I see if I can find the others. "
" With all due respect, Sailor Eclipse, I would not be comfortable with that arrangement. " He was trying to be subtle, but it wasn't easy. He'd seen the pain in her eyes earlier, but it wasn't enough to inspire him to trust her. He shivered slightly as the previous vision replayed in his mind.
" Fine, " she snapped harshly turning away from the masked man, " but you carry him. " She started off down the long corridor without glancing back. If that was how Mamoru-san wanted it, then so be it. He had doubled their chances of being caught, but she wasn't in the mood to stand and argue all day long.
Eclipse slowed her pace as they came to the first turn. She paused, straining to hear any sign of life around the bend, but there was nothing.
Tuxedo Kamen struggled to keep up as he carried the unconscious general. The girl wasn't even trying to make this easy on him.
" What the hell? " Zoisite demanded groggily as he woke. He growled realizing that he was draped over one shoulder of that cursed Tuxedo Kamen. He vanished and reappeared a few feet away, " I don't know what you think you're doing, baka, but you're going to pay! "
Tuxedo Kamen looked around, but Eclipse was no where to be seen. He jumped back as Zoisite attacked with a ferocious kick. Tuxedo lashed out with a punch, catching Zoisite square in the jaw. The blond man winced, surprised that he'd actually been hit by the masked fighter and threw a large ball of energy in response.
The blast caught Tuxedo Kamen in the side, and he nearly fell. Three razor- tipped roses flew from his hand a second before a second strike hit his leg. Tuxedo Kamen stumbled then fell. His head ricocheted off of the stone floor.
Zoisite frowned at the pain radiating through his arm where one of the roses had lodged, and he actually yelled as he yanked it out. 'Damn fool!' he thought watching the thick crimson liquid pouring from the wound. It was then that a thought struck him. The Senshi! Where was she? Surely Tuxedo Kamen had not ventured into the Dark Kingdom alone, but if she was here then why hadn't she helped her friend? Zoisite took his prisoner and vanished.
~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*
" Did you find her? "
" She's here somewhere, " Zoisite replied chaining Tuxedo Kamen to the wall next to Jedite and Nephlyte. All of the Senshi were there as well, watching as the two generals talked. Their henshin wands had been confiscated, and they were thoroughly imprisoned, chained up inside a cage of energy. They looked on warily as Zoisite chained up Tuxedo Kamen. That left only Sailor Eclipse to help them, and no one was certain if she could do it alone.
" Here? You mean as in here in the Dark Kingdom? "
" I'm assuming she is. "
" Assuming? " Kunzite frowned deeply. He didn't know why he was so uneasy about the violet haired girl, but there was something about her that he couldn't quite place. The fact that she was likely running free in the Kingdom made him twice as nervous. The last thing they needed right now was for her to set the others free.
" Zoisite, I want you to gather all of the available youma and conduct a search of the entire palace including the grounds. Immediately. "
General Zoisite didn't bother to argue even though he didn't know what the big deal was. He glanced at the captive teenagers and smirked. What could one child do against the highest-ranking generals in Beryl's army? But Kunzite looked like he was ready to throw a fit, so he simply agreed.
Kunzite took a deep breath after Zoisite left. He couldn't believe the incompetence that he was forced to deal with. There was no reason that Zoisite should have returned without the girl. He glared at the small girl with the silver eyes, " Who is this remaining Senshi? "
" You already know, " Luriel said quietly with a puzzled expression. She couldn't explain why, but somehow it just struck her that this General Kunzite already knew Eclipse.
" What do you mean I know? If I knew then I wouldn't be asking! " He was beginning to lose his patience with all of this. He fired a small beam of energy that struck the girl in the stomach and smiled as she let out a squeal of pain.
' But', nagged a voice in the back of his head, 'you did recognize the girl as a Senshi the moment you saw her. ' Kunzite furrowed his brow at the thought then turned back to the prisoners. " You, " he snapped pointing to a girl with two long blond ponytails, " tell me who you are. "
" Tsukino Usagi, " she replied.
" I'm not in the mood for games, brat. I know that you are a Senshi, and I demand to know which one! " Each word grew louder; the demand echoed through the chamber making several of the girls shudder involuntarily.
" I won't tell you, " Usagi retorted defiantly. Silently she prayed that Sailor Eclipse could make use of the time she was trying to buy. It was an enormous risk, but it was also the only thing that she could think to do at the moment.
" Tell me something, Tsukino-san. Would you like to watch your little friends die one by one? " Usagi's deep blue eyes grew wide and filled with tears. On one hand, she didn't want to give him any information that might help the Dark Kingdom, but on the other hand, she couldn't risk the lives of her friends.
" Don't tell him anything, Usagi! " shouted Rei.
Kunzite fired a blast that rendered her unconscious, " Now, I believe that there was something you wanted to tell me. "
Tears poured down her cheeks as she looked at the prone form of her dear friend, " I am Sailor Moon. " " And you, " he jabbed a finger at a tall girl with a long brown braid.
" I am Sailor Talis, " she responded not wanting anyone else to be harmed. Where was Eclipse? If Tuxedo Kamen had come after them, then surely Sailor Eclipse had come with him.
" Now that is a name that I am unfamiliar with. Where are you from, Sailor Talis? "
" I am not from the planet Earth. "
" I did not ask where you weren't from; I asked where you were from. "
" The planet Talis, " she said simply.
" And just where in the hell is the planet Talis? " His lavender eyes were practically glowing with rage. Did these damn girls always have to be so annoying? It was tempting to kill them all with one large blast, but Queen Beryl would be disappointed if she did not have the honor of destroying them herself. Plus, they would provide an immense amount of energy that they could use to take over the planet.
Mayoko hesitated, and he knocked her out as well, " Every time one of my questions is not answered in a complete and timely fashion, someone gets hurt. " He turned sharply to Aria, " If I recall, you're one of the newcomers as well. Where are you from? "
The young girl swallowed hard unable to look at the man who was questioning her. She felt so utterly foolish having fallen into his trap so easily. It only made her wonder again if she was cut out for this position. Her sky blue eyes fell to rest on Mayoko, Luriel and Rei. She couldn't allow anyone else to be harmed, " I'm from the planet Andronica in the Dronian Galaxy. "
" Dronian? " his expression was thoughtful for a moment then changed completely to one of shock. He reached through the bars of the cage to grab a handful of her pink and white locks, " Did you say the Dronian Galaxy? "
" Yes, " she whimpered trying to bite back the pain. There were few things she hated more than having her hair pulled.
" Which of you are not from this planet? " he growled at the frightened girl.
" Leave her alone! " Keridwen yelled struggling against her bonds, " She's just a child! You think you're so tough just because you can scare a poor, helpless little girl. Why don't you try fighting someone who doesn't scare so easily. "
Kunzite chuckled, though there was no humor evident in the sound, " You just gave yourself away. It's easy to guess that you're one of her little friends as well as the red head there. Now, who else? " He released Aria and looked over the little group, " Not you, Tsukino-san, we already know that, and I assume that your unconscious dark-haired friend is part of your little group. What about Talis-san? She must be from the Dronian Galaxy as well. How interesting. "
" Don't forget me, " mused a feminine voice from somewhere behind him.
He spun around to find the violet haired Senshi standing with her arms crossed casually, " It's you. "
" I'm guessing that you were waiting for me. Should I feel privileged? " she smirked.
General Kunzite stared long and hard at the young woman. There was something so familiar about her, but he couldn't figure out who she was. His gaze took in her petite form, the stubborn set of her jaw and the contrast of her alabaster complexion against the deep violet tresses that framed her face, then his eyes met hers and he gasped. 'It can't be!' he thought trying to mask the disbelief that realization brought.
Kunzite took a step closer, oblivious to the stares of everyone in the room. 'Yes. The resemblance is unmistakable. Those eyes, those damnable eyes.'
What was she doing here? Surely he must alert Queen Beryl, but then how could he do that to the girl? A tumultuous wave of emotions churned inside of him as he watched her. Her eyes narrowed slightly, and the look on her face indicated that she hadn't regained all of her memories yet. She was utterly confused by his reaction.
Finally she spoke, " Well, if you're just going to stand there and stare, then I'm just going to grab my friends and go. "
" I can't let you do that, " he said, but his tone was uncertain with an underlying hint of pain. She laughed slightly, " And I won't let you stop me. "
Eclipse fired a blast of violet energy that struck the unprepared general directly in the center of the chest. He reeled back, almost losing his balance, but he managed to catch himself at the last moment.
When he didn't retaliate, Eclipse dropped her fighting stance, " What is wrong with you? " she demanded stomping her foot childishly, " If you won't fight me, then let my friends go! "
Before anyone could shout a warning Zoisite appeared behind the Senshi, pressed his hands against her back and fired. Eclipse didn't even utter a whimper before she fell forward. Kunzite stepped up and caught her before she hit the floor quickly checking to make sure that she was still alive.
" I told you she was here, " Zoisite grinned wickedly.