Disclaimers: Sailor Moon and the Sailor Scouts and everything affiliated with them are the property of Naoko Takeuchi, Toei Animation, Dic, and many other big name people and companies with lots of money and lots of lawyers. I do not own them so don't sue me; I'm only borrowing them for a little while. Any other characters are mine. If anyone wishes to use them, please notify me first.
Just a bit of clarification:
the * * signify a person's thoughts
the ***** before a section signify either a memory or a shift into the mindscape (don't worry, this will make sense eventually, I hope).
Please email me with your comments and/or criticisms at jnkryo@yahoo.com. Heck, flame me if you want to. I'd like any feedback I can get. Enjoy the story!
Brother's Keeper
Part 6
by: Johnny Ng
The sleek, black Takazawa Industries jet landed in the main airport of Sapporo, the main city and capital of Hokkaido. Daniel Takazawa debarked and looked at his watch. It was 2pm, Sunday afternoon. He stepped into the limo waiting for him. He nodded at the chauffeur who proceeded to drive him to his destination, a spot to the southwest of the city, in the mountains.
Daniel ignored the scenery passing by his window. His mind was preoccupied with the supposed discovery that his archeological teams had made. *If they did indeed find it, then...* He laughed, long and loud.
When they arrived at the site. The team leader ushered Daniel into the prefab building that served at the teams' headquarters.
"What have you found, Maeda?" the billionaire asked, addressing the team leader.
Maeda went over to a large safe standing in the corner of his office. He opened it and retrieved...a rock. "I believe this is what you had us looking for."
Daniel took the stone into his hands and held it reverently. It was a rather plain, small rock. Dark-gray and rough with tiny specks of quartz trapped in it. "Where did you find it?"
"It was in a hidden chamber carved into the face of the mountain, just like you said."
"You've done well."
"Um...if I may be so bold, sir. What is it?"
Daniel ignored him. "Call all the men together. I'm going to make an announcement."
Maeda nodded and sounded the gathering bell. Everyone stopped what they were doing and converged on the building. Daniel exited with Maeda and addressed the crowd.
"You have all done an excellent job. This is the greatest archeological find of the millennia. Too bad no one will find out about it."
A confused ripple ran through the crowd. Daniel raised his hand and everyone assembled stopped, frozen in magical stasis.
Daniel smiled. "Yes, no one will know about this...and neither will you." He began chanting and everyone frozen glowed briefly. When the spell ended, the magus clapped his hands and the workers stirred and went about their business again, as if nothing had happened. *Good, the memory erasing spell worked. They won't have any memory of what they discovered.* He turned to the team leader. "So how's the dig progressing?"
Maeda looked up at his boss nervously. "Not that well, sir. We've been here for the past year or so and had as much luck as the previous teams."
"Well, keep at it. And if you need any more men or supplies, let me know." Daniel gestured to his chauffeur who opened the limo door. He got in and headed back to Sapporo with a nondescript rock in his pocket. *I think this calls for a celebration.*
"Mom! I'm home," Trent called out stepping into the house. The phone rang. "I'll get it! Hello?"
"Hello, Trent."
A shiver ran down Trent's spine. "Hello Daniel. What do you want?"
"Do I need a reason to call my brother?"
"I'm sorry, force of habit."
"It's alright. The reason I called was to ask you if you were free for dinner tonight?"
"I suppose, why?"
"I have recently come into some good fortune and I felt like celebrating. Feel free to bring Mina along, or should I say Sailor Venus." He chuckled. "I'll send a limo over to your hou-"
"No, send it to the Crown Arcade. There would be too many questions if you send it here."
"Very well, it'll be there at 7:00." The line then went dead.
Trent hung up, a troubled look on his face, and dialed Mina's number.
"I can't believe we're doing this!" Mina whispered loudly in Trent's ear. They were sitting in Daniel's limo heading up to his mansion, and Mina was not happy.
"C'mon Mina, just relax."
"Relax?! He knows I'm Sailor Venus! He might know the identities of the others too."
"Trust me, he does," Trent said in a somber tone.
"Wha...how?"
"I figured out you identities...and my brother is a much more powerful mage than I am."
"Well," Mina huffed, "That's just great."
Trent smirked. "You know, you're beautiful even when you're angry."
Mina blushed. He cleared his throat. "Mina, I have something for you." He pulled a small package from his pocket. "I hope you like it."
Mina eagerly tore open the wrapping paper off and opened the box. Inside was a thin gold chain with a dark blue, crystal pendant. "Oh, it's gorgeous. Put it on me?"
Trent complied. "There, now you look more radiant than ever. Do you feel better now?"
"Well, I guess. But I still don't trust that brother of yours."
"Don't worry, I don't totally trust him myself." His voice turned serious. "Mina, you have to promise me one thing. Keep that pendant safe, no matter what, ok?"
Unable to say anything, she just nodded.
The rest of the trip was spent in silence. When they reached the mansion, the chauffeur escorted them to the front door, where Daniel met them.
"Ah, nice to see you Trent, Mina. Please, come in."
They followed the billionaire into the dining room and sat down. "Dinner will be served shortly," he informed them, " But first, let's chat for a bit." He turned to Trent. "So, how are you feeling, brother?"
"I am well," Trent answered politely, "My memories of my previous life have returned completely...as well as my powers." He generated a small energy sphere in his hand, then extinguished it.
Daniel looked amused. "Yes, so they have...and how are you doing, Mina?"
"I'm fine," she answered stiffly.
He chuckled. "It seems you still don't like me, Lady Venus. Rest assured, I will not try anything foolish, like trying to take over the world or something. I know of your reputation, as well as those of your comrades. An interesting group of individuals, your friends. Let's see...," he tapped his chin, "There's Serena Tsukino, Sailor Moon, attending Juban Junior High..." The magus proceeded to name all the scouts, their schools, and addresses. When he finished he turned to Mina. "Yes, a _very_ interesting group of individuals.
Mina was fuming. *Trent was right! He does know who we are!* "And what do you plan to do with that information, Mr. Takazawa?"
"Why nothing. I'm not some tabloid magazine reporter out to expose you. Nor am I some arch-villain out to destroy you. I'm simply a businessman and telling the world your identities would not profit me much."
A side door opened and Daniel smiled. "Enough conversation for now, dinner is served."
Indeed it was as plates laden with delicious food were placed on the table, ranging from fillet mignon to strawberry shortcake.
"I do not like eating course by course. I prefer everything to be laid out in front of me, even dessert," their host stated.
Trent still had doubts about his brother and started to cast a 'detect poison' spell on the food.
Daniel sensed this and frowned. "Come now, Trent. Surely you wouldn't think me capable of serving poisoned food."
Mina was about to bite into a piece of cake when she heard this and froze.
Trent smirked. "Like I told you before, force of habit." Trent finished the spell and it revealed the food to be untainted.
"I hope your satisfied, brother."
Trent looked sheepish. "I'm sorry, Daniel, I meant no offense."
"None taken. Now let's eat."
Mina looked at the food on her plate and put her fork down. *Suddenly, I'm not feeling so hungry.* Her growling stomach, however, belied her thoughts. *Oh, shut up!*
When dinner was finished, the three of them retired to the study. Daniel poured himself a glass of wine. "Would any of you like something to drink? Nonalcoholic of course." His guests declined.
Trent cleared his throat and caught his brother's attention. "Now, what's the reason for this celebration?"
Daniel smiled. "That's so like you, Trent. Direct and to the point. Very well, here it is." He went to the safe tucked away in the corner of the room, opened it, and removed something.
Mina blinked. "It's a rock."
The billionaire magus chuckled. "Not just any rock. This is the Philosopher's Stone."
Trent's eyes widened, while Mina just looked puzzled. "The what?" she asked.
"The Philosopher's Stone!" Trent gasped, "Impossible! It's only a myth."
"I'm afraid not, brother."
"What is it?!" Mina shouted, frustrated at being ignored.
"This, my dear," Daniel held up the stone, "is the stuff that dreams are made of."
"Who do you think you are? Humphrey Bogart?"
"It's no joke, Mina," Trent informed her, "According to legend, one of the stone's powers is the ability to control a person's dreams and thoughts." He turned to his brother. "Is that what you're planning to do?"
Daniel smiled. "As a matter of fact, it was." He muttered a quick phrase and the stone glowed as a magical shield enveloped Mina and Trent.
Trent pounded on the sphere but it wouldn't budge. "What are you doing?"
"Please, brother. It should be obvious even to you. You are the only person in the world that can match me in power, and thus the only one that can stop me."
Mina had had enough. In a flash of light, she transformed into Sailor Venus. "Oh yeah? Well stop this! Venus Crescent Beam Smash!"
The beam impacted against the shield and dissipated.
"Please, Lady Venus, don't bother wasting your strength. The shield is quite impregnable."
Venus turned to Trent. "Can you do anything?"
"I'm trying, but this shield is nothing like I've ever seen before."
"That's because it's being enhanced by the power of the stone," Daniel informed him stepping closer to his captives. "And now, to finish something that started a long time ago."
With a thought, the magus separated Trent and Sailor Venus. "This time, brother, it is truly the end." He raised his hand and a bolt of power struck Trent in the chest.
"Trent!" Venus screamed, seeing her boyfriend fall to the floor.
Daniel dispelled the shield around his brother and bent down to examine him. "Yes, he's quite dead."
"Nooo! You monster!" Venus started banging on the magical shield. She saw Daniel still bent over Trent's body murmuring an incantation. "What are you doing? Leave him alone!"
The magus concentrated. "I have to make sure my brother is really gone." A faint luminescent cloud drifted upwards from Trent's body.
Daniel smiled. "Ah, there you are." The Philosopher's Stone in his hand glowed again as he intoned another spell. The glowing mist swirled and disappeared with a slight pop. "There, it's done."
"What did you do?" Venus cried.
"I just destroyed Trent's soul. He won't be coming back...ever."
Sailor Venus was speechless. She collapsed, her transformation reversing itself. Mina sat in her prison, quietly sobbing.
Daniel moved over to the distraught girl. "I'm sorry you had to be a part of this, Mina. I took no pleasure in killing Trent, both in the past and now. And I take no pleasure in what I must do now." He raised his hand. "I'm very sorry."
"Go to hell you bastard," Mina growled. She tried to transform again, but she was struck in the chest by Daniel's bolt.
The magus lowered his hand. The girl lay unconscious in front of him. He tried to summon the power to destroy her, but he couldn't. *No, she shouldn't have been involved. She's just an innocent.* He knelt down and placed his hands over Mina's chest. They glowed for a few seconds then dimmed. *There, that should be enough.*
Daniel got up and looked at the bodies and sighed. He spoke a command and the bodies levitated upward and in a blink of an eye, he teleported all of them to a clearing outside of a cave. Walking inside the cave, he cast a spell and two flat beds of stone grew out of the ground. He gestured and the bodies floated inside and came to rest on the briers.
"Rest in peace my brother, Lady Venus." The magus exited the cave and a translucent shield sprang up over the entrance. "Malicia, I summon you."
The demoness appeared at Daniel's command.
~What do you wish of me, Master?~
"It has been brought to my attention that you almost killed Trent Powers."
The demoness paled visibly. ~Master, I...~
"No excuses!" Daniel roared, " I ordered you to bring him to me unharmed!" He took a breath and calmed down. "As punishment, you are to guard this tomb for the rest of your existence. Destroy anyone who seeks to enter." He thought for a moment. "As well as those who seek to leave."
~Yes Master.~
Daniel nodded and teleported away.
Inside the cave, the pendant around Mina's neck glowed faintly.
Serena was in her room doing homework. Actually, she was doing research. Well, to her it would have been research, research on the Japanese criminal justice system. She was reading a Sailor V comic.
In the comic, Sailor V had just trapped some bank robbers in a warehouse. "Yeah, get em Sailor V!"
Luna sighed. "Serena, you still have homework to do."
"Just a few more minutes, Luna." Serena was about to turn the page when the comic fell from her nerveless fingers. She sat bolt upright, the color draining from her face. She looked at Luna.
The Moon cat was in much the same condition as her charge. "Oh no."
"Mina," Serena croaked. She ran downstairs with Luna hot on her heels. "Mom, I gotta go somewhere!"
"Serena, wh-?" Mrs. Tsukino called after her daughter but she was already gone.
As soon as she left her house Serena tried calling Mina on her communicator, but she couldn't reach her. Then the other planetary symbols on her communicator flashed as the other scouts called her. She called up a three-way screen and saw the haunted expressions on her friends' faces. "Everyone meet at the shrine, I think something terrible has happened to Mina!"
All the girls met up in Raye's room.
"Grandpa and Chad are in the country training, so we shouldn't be disturbed," the priestess told them.
Serena took a deep breath and looked at her friends. "So, you all felt it, too?" Everyone nodded. "So, we all know that Mina's in danger-"
There was a rustling sound coming from outside Raye's window and Artemis appeared, hopping up onto the windowsill from outside, his eyes watering. "It's worse than that, girls. I think Mina is dead."
Stunned silence filled the room. Finally, a small voice broke it.
"How?" Serena asked.
Artemis shook his head. "I don't know how-"
"No, how do you know she's dead?"
The white Moon cat hung his head. "I've always had a special mental link with Mina. I was her personal guardian in the Moon Kingdom as well here. The first time I had this feeling was at the fall of the Moon Kingdom when Sailor Venus died, then at the battle in the North Pole..." It was too much for Artemis as he collapsed on his side and wept openly. Luna went over to him and tried to comfort him.
Serena was also crying on Raye's shoulder as the priestess held her gently. Amy was fighting a losing battle against her tears as her body rocked with silent sobs. Lita looked visibly shaken but there was an angry glint in her eyes.
"Who did this?" the tall girl growled out.
Artemis pulled himself together. "I don't know, all I know was that she was going somewhere with Trent-"
"Trent!" Lita roared. "If it was him...!"
Raye had a thoughtful look on her face. "No, I don't think it was Trent."
Lita was astonished. "But you were always against him!"
"I was never against him, I just said that there was something strange about him." She sighed. "When he told us his story, I believed him. He was telling us the truth."
"If it wasn't him, then who?"
Amy spoke up, her voice wavering slightly. "You're forgetting the most obvious person, Daniel."
At the mention of the billionaire's name, everyone's expression turned grim, except for Serena.
"But Trent believed in him, and didn't he say that he had changed?" she asked.
"Like it or not Serena, Daniel is the obvious choice," Raye answered her.
"Maybe we should pay him a visit," Lita said menacingly.
Serena stood up. "No, I'll go speak with him, alone. I don't want to risk losing all of you"
For a second time, stunned silence filled the room, which quickly gave way to vehement protests. However, Serena wouldn't budge.
"At least let us come with you to his mansion," Raye asked exasperatedly.
Serena relented. "Alright, but there will be no fighting until I've spoken with him."
Everyone agreed, though some were more reluctant than others.
"Good." Serena looked at her watch and gasped. "I better call my mom, she probably wondering where I ran off to. Then I'll call Darien and fill him in." She left to make the calls and a few minutes later, Darien pulled up in front of the shrine in his car.
Everyone hustled into the car and Darien drove off, heading for the Takazawa mansion.
"Serena, what did you say to your mother?" Amy asked her.
"I told her I had to go help Mina," the blond answered truthfully. She turned and stared out the window. *I just hope I can.*