Rei opened her eyes, finding herself in a place out of space and time.
Instantly sensing that her adversary hadn't arrived, she took the
opportunity to look around her. The non-place was recognizable as space,
yet far enough away from any planets or stars so that the fighters, and no
innocents, would get hurt. The lack of air was calming to Rei, as there was
nothing to stifle the underlying Weave energy. She looked at her clothes,
and was relieved to see the white tank top, skirt, and cloak which made up
her battle uniform. Upon closer inspection, though, Rei could see that the
symbols on her cloak were changing. The five symbols, love, life,
friendship, loyalty, and safety were disappearing and other, evil symbols
were taking their place. Rei reached out to the senshi, and felt their
disunity and hate toward one another Suddenly, an evil presence appeared.
Rei turned around.
"Greetings, Heiress," a man said. "I am the Anysbryd."
The senshi all managed to converge on the site at the same time. Speechless, they stared at the diversion, which had come in the form of a giant dragon. From appearances, it looked as if it had impenetrable armor, could breath fire, and would be a daunting challenge. It had also displayed good strategy by choosing to land in a crowded shopping area. While Mercury began to scan the creature, Uranus and Neptune were trying to get the innocent shoppers out of the area. They couldn't do it by themselves, so Uranus yelled for help. "Venus, come and help us get these people out of the way!" Uranus shouted, trying to be heard over the chaos. Uranus could tell that Sailor Moon had heard her, and shouted for her to pass the message along. Instead, Moon glared at Uranus. "Get this straight now, once and for all, Outer," Moon spat. "I have not, do not, and will not ever take orders from dirt." Moon glared at Uranus, willing the harsh words to grow. She then yelled for Jupiter. "Jupiter! The civilians!" Pluto watched this interchange, nervous at the hateful disregard and already questioning their chances of survival, as did Kat.
"Very good," the immigration officer said, perusing the documents that Jed and Darien had given her. "Have a good time in China." "Thank you," Jed answered, and gathered back the passports, visas, and proof of employment. The two friends walked through the final doors.
Rei stared at the man, studying his every feature. He was a well-built red head who exuded calm. Red eyes met Rei's eyes as a cold, cunning smile graced his lips. Rei could sense the evil in him radiate and surround her, but couldn't help feeling attracted to the man. He walked around Rei, scrutinizing her every feature. "I have to admit, Heiress, that you are definitely the best-looking of all those I've fought over the years. You feel the same way, I can tell that you find me attractive." Rei blushed. "I will offer you the same choice I offer all those I battle. Come with me, Heiress. We can rule the Universe together. Be my consort." "I will not," Rei replied firmly. "You are evil, and must be destroyed." "Very well, then. But never say I didn't offer you the choice."
Now that the senshi had cleared the mall of innocent bystanders, they formed a ring around the dragon, who was watching them carefully. As Sailor Moon was stating to speak, the dragon addressed the senshi. "Senshi of Earth!" it began. "Hear me! I am Fai Shan, from the realm of evil. The Hen Anysbryd is my master and I fight here today to fulfill an ancient prophecy. I know each of you for who you are. I respect your abilities, but will not underestimate you like your enemies. You would be wise not to underestimate me. My existence has been for one purpose, this battle today. I have long cherished the thought of sending you all to Hell where you belong, no matter how long it takes. And if I die, how many of your number will I take with me?" Hearing Fai Shan's words, Jupiter grew more and more angry until she could not contain herself and longer. "Jupiter Oak.EVOLUTION!" The power of progress swirled around the dragon, but the leaves of steadfastness and surety melted away in the dragon's presence. "You will have to do better than that!" the dragon thundered. Jupiter hung her head. "Oh no," she whispered.
Darien saw their chauffeur first. "Jed," he said, nudging his friend, "do you think that means us?" He motioned to a sign reading 'Welcome Mr. Chiba and Mr. Hino.' Jed rolled his eyes. "Do you know any other Chibas or Hinos that just arrived on this flight TOGETHER other than us?" "Well, no, I suppose not." They began walking toward the waiting driver.
Kat, watching the preliminary skirmishes from a higher vantage point, felt safe. The dragon could only go after the senshi; unless Kat began to fight, she would not be harmed. The senshi, though, were in trouble. Mercury was scanning the adversary, Kat could see that clearly. She could also see the danger of that - Mercury was a sitting target. Because the other senshi were either attacking the dragon or attempting to save shoppers, no one was guarding Mercury. Kat 'pathed for Elemental to cover the water senshi. Elemental turned to look at Kat, who was shocked by what happened next. Elemental sneered at the overseer, turned back to the dragon, and threw her fire attack at it. In the second following this, the dragon stretched forth it's claws and tore the skin from Mercury's face, from her eye to her chin. Mercury stopped scanning and began screaming. Moon turned from the battle and ran to her friend. "Help me!" Mercury was crying over and over, the sound sending chills through each senshi. Sailor Moon raised her tiara in an attempt to heal her old friend, but no healing energies emerged from the magical instrument. Instead, it's power of destruction came out and headed toward the dragon. The energy hit the dragon, and it reared in pain. "Damn her!" Moon yelled, all of her frustration and rage coming out in those two words. She turned back to Mercury, but was amazed to see no visible trace of an injury on her friend's face. Kat watched all of this with a sense of wonder. "Rei." she whispered.
Rei stiffened. She had felt Mercury's pain and sent some of her energy to discover the cause. Rei learnt that Mercury had been hurt by the dragon and had a deep cut on her face She sent some healing energies to her friend. At that instant, the Anysbryd smirked. "I felt that, you know." He let forth a barrage of evil energy at Rei. If the Heiress hadn't been concentrating so hard on healing her friend, she could have parried the attack with ease. Instead, she was helpless as a mass got through defenses and left her with an exact replica of Mercury's injury. "You are too good, Heiress. Doesn't it make you angry to know that no one down there cares about you? Everyone resents you, nobody listens to you. Now you're healing them, coming to their rescue once again. Why? Let them suffer the way they made you suffer," he whispered in low, snarling statements. Rei could the feel the rage, the same rage that filled her whenever she was maligned or rebuked. She let it out in one large scream, the waves of noise turning to Weave energy as they traveled toward the Anysbryd. "How dare you speak of them that way! They are not all like that, and the ones that are will learn, I will see to it."
Sakka was watching Jed and Darien from behind a newspaper. She had teleported to China before they arrived, and had been waiting for them. As the two men left to pick up their baggage, Sakka folded the newspaper and cautiously followed. She saw Jed and Darien claim their luggage and follow the driver outside to waiting limo. She began to sense something wrong. Her heart beat faster in alarm as she realized the source of the evil was the car that Darien and Jed were getting into. She leapt into action, but before she got to the limo, it - and it's passengers - had disappeared. She stopped in disbelief.
Sailor Moon stiffened, her link with Darien warning her. "What is it, Sailor Moon?" Jupiter asked in concern. "Something's wrong with Darien." "What?" asked Venus. "I don't know. Get back to the fight," she ordered, shaking off the gnawing worry.
Rei could feel the emanations coming from Sakka, ones of disbelief and loss. "You're distracted, Heiress. I wonder why? What did your servant tell you?" "I know you have them. Produce them." "As you command, Heiress." Out of nowhere, Jed and Darien appeared. Each was in his own bubble, oxygenated so that they could breath in space. The two were wild-eyed, unaware of who they were seeing. Already, Rei's skin was covered in minute scratches, and the symbols on her cloak were in the midst of changing. Jed, still a sensitive, felt all the evil thoughts that were coming from the Anysbryd. Unlike Rei, his control was not sufficient to block them all out. He cowered, wide-eyed, before the two god-like figures before him. Darien, on the other hand, had never been a sensitive, and so felt nothing. He looked in alarm at his friend, and turned his indignation toward the only person he knew, Rei. "Rei! How dare you take us away from our business! Just to appease your friend here? I demand that we-" "I'm so sorry to interrupt, Endymion, but it is I who has brought you here." The Anysbryd smirked, looking pointedly at Rei. "See how much they all respect you?" he 'pathed to her. "Get on with it," she answered. "Well, just you do you think you are?" Darien said, angrily throwing his words at the unknown man. "Allow me to introduce myself. I am the Hen Anysbryd. The Heiress and I were just, oh, you know, fulfilling a prophecy about controlling the universe and such." Darien looked at Rei, alarm written on his face. She returned his gaze steadily, until he turned away, then she sent some Weave energy to surround Jed's capsule and shield him from the telepathic barrage coming from the Anysbryd. "Well, Heiress. You know what decision I want." "I do." "What?" Darien said, almost screaming. "Oh, forgive me, Endymion, Jedite," the Anysbryd said, bowing in turn to each man. "The Heiress must choose which of you is to live. The other will die. Unless, of course, she wishes to surrender and marry me."
Sakka had nothing to do but wait, so she sat on a bench outside the airport, unfolded the newspaper and did just that. She waited.
Sailor Moon doubled over, gagging. Kat looked on this, wondering what the matter was. Sailor Mercury, the only inner senshi not completely focused on the battle, ran to Moon's side. "What is it, Sailor Moon?" she asked, concerned for her friend. "I can feel Darien," she responded in a whisper. "He's so angry, so scared, so full of hate. I've never felt this from him before.it's so strong."
"Sakka," she heard in her mind, recognizing the Heiress's voice. "Yes, Heiress?" "Be prepared. Darien will be coming back shortly. Take him to the Mandrake Hotel. You have a room reserved under the name Sakka Chiba. Take care of him until I call for you." "Of course, Heiress. Um." "What, Sakka?" "Jedite, Heiress?" "He won't be back."
"Have you made your choice, Heiress?" "There's only one decision I can make, Anysbryd." "And?" "Send Darien home." "Very well." The Anysbryd smiled. The bubble around Jed disappeared, along with his air. Jed and Rei looked at each other, one smiling, the other stoic, trying to rein in her tears. "You had to, Rei. I understand." Rei couldn't speak, just watched in silence as her love gasped for breath. As his last breath rattled his body, he sent Rei one final message. "Ai shiteru." Jed died. The bubble containing Darien vanished from sight.
Back on Earth, Sailor Moon's voice trailed off as the emotions began to change. Guilt, pain, and relief swam through the link from Darien to Sailor Moon. They broke off suddenly, and Moon could tell that Darien was in shock, but safe. She sighed in relief and gathered herself back together.
Darien emerged as he had disappeared, from nowhere. Sakka ran over to him. "Darien? Are you all right?" He groaned, and leaned on Sakka, unaware of the surroundings. Sakka hailed a taxi. When one arrived, she threw Darien in the back, then followed. "Where to, miss?" "The Mandrake, please." "Very good, miss. Won't take but two minutes." "Thank you."
The Heiress and the Anysbryd continued to fight, their attacks spreading good and evil throughout this quadrant of the universe. The power and brilliance of the fight was seen by worlds many leagues away, and the inhabitants prayed to the Guardian and Weave to protect the Heiress.
Kat could feel the trouble before she could locate it. Throughout the battle, Venus and Jupiter had been the least cooperative, subverting the Heiress in every opportunity possible. She knew that they would be the cause of much pain, but didn't realize what that might be until it was too late.
Rei could sense Kat's worry, but could do nothing until something happened. The Anysbryd was wearing her down, true, but it was nothing she couldn't handle. Her biggest problem, though, came from her own allies. Every time the senshi made a mistake, the Anysbryd's energies got through her defenses, cutting into her skin and heart. This pain is the worst in the world, Rei thought to herself. If I cannot trust those on my own team, how can I trust anyone? She was reminded, though, of the outer senshi, could see their effort and determination not to let their Heiress down. This uplifted Rei, for the moment.
Without warning, Kat saw trouble. In a fit of generosity, Sailor Force had tried to team up with Venus to attack Fai Shan. Angry at the implication that she wasn't good enough alone, Venus pushed Force away, unknowingly into one of Fai Shan's attacks. The special senshi was thrown back, her leg almost detached from the rest of her body. Mercury and Saturn ran to Force's aid, one to diagnose and one to heal.
Rei gasped, feeling the injury of one of her senshi. Without thinking, she threw a burst of energy down to help Force heal herself. The Anysbryd took advantage of the Heiress's weakness and threw an attack at her. It got through her defenses and sliced deep into her leg at exactly the same point as Force's. Rei kept fighting, letting her body heal itself.
Venus never stopped, never looked to see what her actions had caused. The diminished force kept fighting, but Fai Shan deflected the majority of the attacks. Eventually, he backed Sailor Psyche into a corner and threw a huge amount of evil power her way. Psyche called for help. Jupiter and Venus were the closest, the only ones who could hear Psyche's cries. They looked at Psyche, and returned their attentions to the fight. Psyche knew she was alone and defenseless, but met the attack bravely. She collapsed, dead, the wound crossing her neck and chest. The other senshi only thought her collapsed, perhaps she fainted or was under an evil spell. Who knew? Uranus and Pluto quickly teamed up to teleport Psyche out of harm's way and to the caring protection of Sailor Saturn.
A wave of nausea came over Rei. She sent out Weave energy to find the cause, but felt a gaping loss instead. She knew that one of her allies, one of the Sailor Scouts had died.
Saturn put her hands over Psyche to begin healing her, but felt only death.
"What will you do, Heiress?" the Anysbryd asked mockingly, knowing the cause of his enemy's hesitation. "I must save her." "You know what I will do?" Rei nodded. "You are indeed brave, Heiress, and protective of those who do not deserve your protection." "Be that as it may, I must save her." Rei's powers focused, but instead of throwing them at the Anysbryd, she turned them into healing energies and threw them at Psyche. At the exact second Rei's defenses were down to heal Psyche, the Anysbryd sent one evil arrow at Rei. The arrow pierced and spread a scar across Rei's chest and neck to mirror Psyche's.
Saturn was ready to give up, but felt a flicker of life stir in Psyche. Saturn drew on that flicker and coaxed the spark to spread and return life to Psyche. Saturn took a deep breath and began the long, hard fight to keep her ally alive.
"The Mandrake, miss. Need any help?" "Thank you, no," Sakka answered. She paid the man with money from Darien's pocket, and helped him out. With him still leaning on her for support, Sakka and Darien walked into the lobby. She sat him down in one of the lobby's chairs and strode to the concierge's desk.
Uranus looked around and saw the disarray. All of the special senshi were focused on protecting their fallen comrade from stray energies. Saturn was trying to keep Psyche alive. The inner senshi were being bombarded with Fai Shan's power, and not handling it well. "Neptune, Pluto!" Uranus yelled, angry at her team's performance. The two other outers came quickly to their comrade's side. "What is it, Uranus?" Neptune asked, worried to see a glint of anger in her lover's eyes. "Their way," Uranus said, pointing to the other senshi, "is not working. I think that we must use the gifts the Heiress gave to us, and fight this battle her way." The other two mulled this over quickly, then agreed. High at her lookout point, Kat shivered.
"Can I help you?" the concierge asked. "I have a room, already reserved and paid for." "All right. Your name, please?" "The surname is Chiba, given name Sakka." The woman typed in the information, and stared at the screen for a few seconds before turning back to Sakka with a key. "Your room number is 103, just over there," she said, pointing to a room on the first floor overlooking the lobby. "Here is your key. If there is anything I can do for you, please call me." "Thank you," Sakka replied. She retrieved Darien, and took him upstairs.
Down in the battle, the inner senshi kept fighting. "What are they doing?" Venus asked breathlessly, dodging a retaliatory attack from the dragon. "Who?" Mercury asked. "Them," Venus replied, pointing at the three senshi on the hill. They all looked up to see Neptune slowly bow her head.
Sakka laid the future king on the bed, and told his unseeing mind to go to sleep. Darien obeyed, and the Muse began to pace the room. What's going on? she wondered. Please call for us soon, Heiress.
Neptune closed her eyes and focused herself. "I give you control of the properties of nature," the Heiress had said. She wondered what that meant and how she was to proceed when the knowledge suddenly came to her. Neptune spun in a circle, dragging her foot to protect herself inside the shape. Muttering to herself, she said, "Wind, fire, water, earth, growth, evolution, death, decay. Wind, fire, water, earth, growth, evolution, death, decay." Her voice now rose, audible to everyone in the unnatural silence she had created. "Wind, fire, water, earth, growth, evolution, death, decay!" Fai Shan recognized the power of an ancient magic, one perfected by the druids of Europe and the mikos of Asia long ago, and thought to be lost forever. He panicked, and threw some attacks Neptune's way. She didn't see them coming; her eyes had rolled back into her head long ago. The attacks came and no one saw them until it was too late.they were going to hit Sailor Neptune.
Rei could feel the momentary distraction from the Anysbryd and wondered what the cause was, until she felt the Weave quicken in response to an ancient magical calling. Neptune, she thought to herself. The Ansybryd caught himself, and attacked Rei again, missing the smile now gracing her face.
Fai Shan's attacks sailed towards the oblivious senshi, still repeating her mantra. They reached the edges of the circle, but instead of going on, they met an invisible barrier and collapsed in a show of sparks. Sailor Muse gasped at this, but was reminded that the circle was an ancient sign of protection - no one could hurt, or stop, Neptune. "Winds of damage, winds of healing, prankish winds and winds of keening, come to my command!" Neptune said, raising her hands. Into the vacuum of silence, a slight breeze began to blow. "Heat of fire, fire's cleansing, destroying fire, fire's mending, come to my command!" The air grew warm, and piles of rubble burst into flames. "Depth of water, water's power, rage of water, water's shower, come to my command!" It started raining, but the fire didn't go out. "Mass of earth, earth's grounding, pressure of earth, earth's creation, come to my command!" The earth started to shake, feeding the fires. "Growth and evolution, death and decay, come to my command!" With the last of Neptune's pronouncements, Fai Shan shrunk into himself. The senshi watched in wonder as everything around them changed. The wind made the rain stinging, and the water hitting the fires steamed and enlarged the flames. Small cracks were appearing in the earth between Fai Shan and the senshi. In those cracks, the elements gathered, changing and mutating. Water became fire, fire became air, air became earth. When the cracks were full with this supernatural mixture, the elements leaped with one accord and covered the dragon. He roared in pain as the fire burned him, the earth asphyxiated him, the wind blew him over, and the rain stung him. The four elements kept mutating.
The Anysbryd was again distracted. Rei looked down onto the battle scene and saw her opponent aid the senshi's adversary.
The senshi felt the presence of an even greater evil come to Fai Shan's aid. This evil ripped off the elements and righted Fai Shan again. The evil left, and the senshi gasped at the dragon's new appearance. His armor was broken off and gone in several places, displaying a weakness any soldier could see must be taken advantage of. Uranus felt, rather than saw, the reluctance the senshi had to further anger their adversary. She gathered control of her energy, thoughts, and body the way that Rei had always taught her. With her mind's eye, she saw each of the ten inner and special senshi. Without a word, she commanded their minds to attack the dragon at one spot. They resisted, but Uranus kept up the command.
Just as the Anysbryd's full attention returned to the battle, he stopped in wonder. Rei had transformed herself into pure Weave magic, glinting orbs and all. The Anysbryd shook his head as if humoring a little child, but instead was doubting his ability to last much longer. Even this far into the battle, she can transform herself. No one before her had the energy to make a complete transformation. He tried to transform himself into his pure, evil, blackness, but the process took more time than normal. Hovering in front of the Heiress, he pondered this. Finding no answer to the question, he asked her. "One of my senshi is the Guardian of Time. I think she has just commanded her charge to release infinity to her power." The Anysbryd was shaken. Even the senshi are strong. How can this be? He looked again at the Heiress, and began to understand. He laughed.
Pluto could see her friend was tiring from the effort of controlling ten minds, so raised her staff. "I, Guardian of Time, call upon Time's Infinity! I command you now!" At once, Pluto saw that her orb was pulsing with the power of time, and pointed it at Uranus. "Help her," Pluto whispered. Garnet energy streamed forth and entered Uranus.
Rei narrowed her eyes, watching the Anysbryd double over with laughter. She wasted no time preparing an intricate spell that had the power to bind the Anysbryd until his return was necessary. "You don't know, do you?" he asked between chuckles. Rei had no idea what the Anysbryd was talking about, and didn't care. She kept working, careful to keep the fruits of her labor under Weave invisibility.
Uranus felt the power Pluto had given her, and silently thanked her friend. With the help of infinity, she pressed the senshi harder until their wills broke and, with one accord, they attacked an unprotected part of Fai Shan.
His laughter was dying down as Rei finished and began to circle the Anysbryd, Weave bindings in hand. "Do you even care?" He asked, as she circled him, once, twice, three times, then faced him once again. "No. I don't." She said one word, and her spell came alive.
The dragon shrieked in pain as the energies of twelve senshi hit his unprotected chest. Just when he thought he could take no more, he heard his doom pronounced. "Moon Scepter.ELIMINATION!" Fai Shan screamed, the echo resounding long after he was destroyed.
The Weave bindings shrunk around the Anysbryd, until he was completely surrounded by power. With another word, the Weave began to drain the evil power out of him until he was defenseless. At that moment, both he and the Heiress felt the death of his servant. The Anysbryd hung his head in defeat. With a wave of her hand, and one more word, Rei sent the Anysbryd away. "I pity you," the Anysbryd 'pathed as he disappeared from her sight.
The senshi carried their fallen comrade away from the scene of the battle, still in uniform and just moments before the rescue crews arrived. Reaching the temple, they set Psyche down carefully.and waited.
Once she was sure he was gone, Rei resumed human form and sat down. After contacting Sakka, Rei was immediately plucked away from the site.
After the confusion of the day, Sakka was soundly sleeping on a chair, ready to wake up if Darien called for her. Instead, the telepathic promptings of the Heiress were the impressions that roused her. "Sakka?" "Yes, Heiress?" the woman responded, instantly awake and alert. "I want you to wake up Darien, and be ready to come home. The senshi are at the temple and I will be joining them shortly. Give us an hour, and then teleport yourself and Darien back." "Of course, Heiress, but shouldn't we wait for Jedite?" "No, Sakka." The Muse could detect some slight note of sadness in the Heiress's voice, and inquired as to the cause. "I have lost my love, Sakka. Jedite is dead."
Rei looked around at her new surroundings. Her breath was taken away by the opulence of the palace she was in, as well as the décor. She looked up at the grand staircase and saw Daiuchuuno Hasha descend. Rei kneeled and waited for the Guardian. "Koukei, there is no need for you to bow to me. You are my heiress, we are equals. If anything, I should bow to you." "Bow to me? Why, Hasha?" "There are some things we need to discuss, Koukei."
The senshi all managed to converge on the site at the same time. Speechless, they stared at the diversion, which had come in the form of a giant dragon. From appearances, it looked as if it had impenetrable armor, could breath fire, and would be a daunting challenge. It had also displayed good strategy by choosing to land in a crowded shopping area. While Mercury began to scan the creature, Uranus and Neptune were trying to get the innocent shoppers out of the area. They couldn't do it by themselves, so Uranus yelled for help. "Venus, come and help us get these people out of the way!" Uranus shouted, trying to be heard over the chaos. Uranus could tell that Sailor Moon had heard her, and shouted for her to pass the message along. Instead, Moon glared at Uranus. "Get this straight now, once and for all, Outer," Moon spat. "I have not, do not, and will not ever take orders from dirt." Moon glared at Uranus, willing the harsh words to grow. She then yelled for Jupiter. "Jupiter! The civilians!" Pluto watched this interchange, nervous at the hateful disregard and already questioning their chances of survival, as did Kat.
"Very good," the immigration officer said, perusing the documents that Jed and Darien had given her. "Have a good time in China." "Thank you," Jed answered, and gathered back the passports, visas, and proof of employment. The two friends walked through the final doors.
Rei stared at the man, studying his every feature. He was a well-built red head who exuded calm. Red eyes met Rei's eyes as a cold, cunning smile graced his lips. Rei could sense the evil in him radiate and surround her, but couldn't help feeling attracted to the man. He walked around Rei, scrutinizing her every feature. "I have to admit, Heiress, that you are definitely the best-looking of all those I've fought over the years. You feel the same way, I can tell that you find me attractive." Rei blushed. "I will offer you the same choice I offer all those I battle. Come with me, Heiress. We can rule the Universe together. Be my consort." "I will not," Rei replied firmly. "You are evil, and must be destroyed." "Very well, then. But never say I didn't offer you the choice."
Now that the senshi had cleared the mall of innocent bystanders, they formed a ring around the dragon, who was watching them carefully. As Sailor Moon was stating to speak, the dragon addressed the senshi. "Senshi of Earth!" it began. "Hear me! I am Fai Shan, from the realm of evil. The Hen Anysbryd is my master and I fight here today to fulfill an ancient prophecy. I know each of you for who you are. I respect your abilities, but will not underestimate you like your enemies. You would be wise not to underestimate me. My existence has been for one purpose, this battle today. I have long cherished the thought of sending you all to Hell where you belong, no matter how long it takes. And if I die, how many of your number will I take with me?" Hearing Fai Shan's words, Jupiter grew more and more angry until she could not contain herself and longer. "Jupiter Oak.EVOLUTION!" The power of progress swirled around the dragon, but the leaves of steadfastness and surety melted away in the dragon's presence. "You will have to do better than that!" the dragon thundered. Jupiter hung her head. "Oh no," she whispered.
Darien saw their chauffeur first. "Jed," he said, nudging his friend, "do you think that means us?" He motioned to a sign reading 'Welcome Mr. Chiba and Mr. Hino.' Jed rolled his eyes. "Do you know any other Chibas or Hinos that just arrived on this flight TOGETHER other than us?" "Well, no, I suppose not." They began walking toward the waiting driver.
Kat, watching the preliminary skirmishes from a higher vantage point, felt safe. The dragon could only go after the senshi; unless Kat began to fight, she would not be harmed. The senshi, though, were in trouble. Mercury was scanning the adversary, Kat could see that clearly. She could also see the danger of that - Mercury was a sitting target. Because the other senshi were either attacking the dragon or attempting to save shoppers, no one was guarding Mercury. Kat 'pathed for Elemental to cover the water senshi. Elemental turned to look at Kat, who was shocked by what happened next. Elemental sneered at the overseer, turned back to the dragon, and threw her fire attack at it. In the second following this, the dragon stretched forth it's claws and tore the skin from Mercury's face, from her eye to her chin. Mercury stopped scanning and began screaming. Moon turned from the battle and ran to her friend. "Help me!" Mercury was crying over and over, the sound sending chills through each senshi. Sailor Moon raised her tiara in an attempt to heal her old friend, but no healing energies emerged from the magical instrument. Instead, it's power of destruction came out and headed toward the dragon. The energy hit the dragon, and it reared in pain. "Damn her!" Moon yelled, all of her frustration and rage coming out in those two words. She turned back to Mercury, but was amazed to see no visible trace of an injury on her friend's face. Kat watched all of this with a sense of wonder. "Rei." she whispered.
Rei stiffened. She had felt Mercury's pain and sent some of her energy to discover the cause. Rei learnt that Mercury had been hurt by the dragon and had a deep cut on her face She sent some healing energies to her friend. At that instant, the Anysbryd smirked. "I felt that, you know." He let forth a barrage of evil energy at Rei. If the Heiress hadn't been concentrating so hard on healing her friend, she could have parried the attack with ease. Instead, she was helpless as a mass got through defenses and left her with an exact replica of Mercury's injury. "You are too good, Heiress. Doesn't it make you angry to know that no one down there cares about you? Everyone resents you, nobody listens to you. Now you're healing them, coming to their rescue once again. Why? Let them suffer the way they made you suffer," he whispered in low, snarling statements. Rei could the feel the rage, the same rage that filled her whenever she was maligned or rebuked. She let it out in one large scream, the waves of noise turning to Weave energy as they traveled toward the Anysbryd. "How dare you speak of them that way! They are not all like that, and the ones that are will learn, I will see to it."
Sakka was watching Jed and Darien from behind a newspaper. She had teleported to China before they arrived, and had been waiting for them. As the two men left to pick up their baggage, Sakka folded the newspaper and cautiously followed. She saw Jed and Darien claim their luggage and follow the driver outside to waiting limo. She began to sense something wrong. Her heart beat faster in alarm as she realized the source of the evil was the car that Darien and Jed were getting into. She leapt into action, but before she got to the limo, it - and it's passengers - had disappeared. She stopped in disbelief.
Sailor Moon stiffened, her link with Darien warning her. "What is it, Sailor Moon?" Jupiter asked in concern. "Something's wrong with Darien." "What?" asked Venus. "I don't know. Get back to the fight," she ordered, shaking off the gnawing worry.
Rei could feel the emanations coming from Sakka, ones of disbelief and loss. "You're distracted, Heiress. I wonder why? What did your servant tell you?" "I know you have them. Produce them." "As you command, Heiress." Out of nowhere, Jed and Darien appeared. Each was in his own bubble, oxygenated so that they could breath in space. The two were wild-eyed, unaware of who they were seeing. Already, Rei's skin was covered in minute scratches, and the symbols on her cloak were in the midst of changing. Jed, still a sensitive, felt all the evil thoughts that were coming from the Anysbryd. Unlike Rei, his control was not sufficient to block them all out. He cowered, wide-eyed, before the two god-like figures before him. Darien, on the other hand, had never been a sensitive, and so felt nothing. He looked in alarm at his friend, and turned his indignation toward the only person he knew, Rei. "Rei! How dare you take us away from our business! Just to appease your friend here? I demand that we-" "I'm so sorry to interrupt, Endymion, but it is I who has brought you here." The Anysbryd smirked, looking pointedly at Rei. "See how much they all respect you?" he 'pathed to her. "Get on with it," she answered. "Well, just you do you think you are?" Darien said, angrily throwing his words at the unknown man. "Allow me to introduce myself. I am the Hen Anysbryd. The Heiress and I were just, oh, you know, fulfilling a prophecy about controlling the universe and such." Darien looked at Rei, alarm written on his face. She returned his gaze steadily, until he turned away, then she sent some Weave energy to surround Jed's capsule and shield him from the telepathic barrage coming from the Anysbryd. "Well, Heiress. You know what decision I want." "I do." "What?" Darien said, almost screaming. "Oh, forgive me, Endymion, Jedite," the Anysbryd said, bowing in turn to each man. "The Heiress must choose which of you is to live. The other will die. Unless, of course, she wishes to surrender and marry me."
Sakka had nothing to do but wait, so she sat on a bench outside the airport, unfolded the newspaper and did just that. She waited.
Sailor Moon doubled over, gagging. Kat looked on this, wondering what the matter was. Sailor Mercury, the only inner senshi not completely focused on the battle, ran to Moon's side. "What is it, Sailor Moon?" she asked, concerned for her friend. "I can feel Darien," she responded in a whisper. "He's so angry, so scared, so full of hate. I've never felt this from him before.it's so strong."
"Sakka," she heard in her mind, recognizing the Heiress's voice. "Yes, Heiress?" "Be prepared. Darien will be coming back shortly. Take him to the Mandrake Hotel. You have a room reserved under the name Sakka Chiba. Take care of him until I call for you." "Of course, Heiress. Um." "What, Sakka?" "Jedite, Heiress?" "He won't be back."
"Have you made your choice, Heiress?" "There's only one decision I can make, Anysbryd." "And?" "Send Darien home." "Very well." The Anysbryd smiled. The bubble around Jed disappeared, along with his air. Jed and Rei looked at each other, one smiling, the other stoic, trying to rein in her tears. "You had to, Rei. I understand." Rei couldn't speak, just watched in silence as her love gasped for breath. As his last breath rattled his body, he sent Rei one final message. "Ai shiteru." Jed died. The bubble containing Darien vanished from sight.
Back on Earth, Sailor Moon's voice trailed off as the emotions began to change. Guilt, pain, and relief swam through the link from Darien to Sailor Moon. They broke off suddenly, and Moon could tell that Darien was in shock, but safe. She sighed in relief and gathered herself back together.
Darien emerged as he had disappeared, from nowhere. Sakka ran over to him. "Darien? Are you all right?" He groaned, and leaned on Sakka, unaware of the surroundings. Sakka hailed a taxi. When one arrived, she threw Darien in the back, then followed. "Where to, miss?" "The Mandrake, please." "Very good, miss. Won't take but two minutes." "Thank you."
The Heiress and the Anysbryd continued to fight, their attacks spreading good and evil throughout this quadrant of the universe. The power and brilliance of the fight was seen by worlds many leagues away, and the inhabitants prayed to the Guardian and Weave to protect the Heiress.
Kat could feel the trouble before she could locate it. Throughout the battle, Venus and Jupiter had been the least cooperative, subverting the Heiress in every opportunity possible. She knew that they would be the cause of much pain, but didn't realize what that might be until it was too late.
Rei could sense Kat's worry, but could do nothing until something happened. The Anysbryd was wearing her down, true, but it was nothing she couldn't handle. Her biggest problem, though, came from her own allies. Every time the senshi made a mistake, the Anysbryd's energies got through her defenses, cutting into her skin and heart. This pain is the worst in the world, Rei thought to herself. If I cannot trust those on my own team, how can I trust anyone? She was reminded, though, of the outer senshi, could see their effort and determination not to let their Heiress down. This uplifted Rei, for the moment.
Without warning, Kat saw trouble. In a fit of generosity, Sailor Force had tried to team up with Venus to attack Fai Shan. Angry at the implication that she wasn't good enough alone, Venus pushed Force away, unknowingly into one of Fai Shan's attacks. The special senshi was thrown back, her leg almost detached from the rest of her body. Mercury and Saturn ran to Force's aid, one to diagnose and one to heal.
Rei gasped, feeling the injury of one of her senshi. Without thinking, she threw a burst of energy down to help Force heal herself. The Anysbryd took advantage of the Heiress's weakness and threw an attack at her. It got through her defenses and sliced deep into her leg at exactly the same point as Force's. Rei kept fighting, letting her body heal itself.
Venus never stopped, never looked to see what her actions had caused. The diminished force kept fighting, but Fai Shan deflected the majority of the attacks. Eventually, he backed Sailor Psyche into a corner and threw a huge amount of evil power her way. Psyche called for help. Jupiter and Venus were the closest, the only ones who could hear Psyche's cries. They looked at Psyche, and returned their attentions to the fight. Psyche knew she was alone and defenseless, but met the attack bravely. She collapsed, dead, the wound crossing her neck and chest. The other senshi only thought her collapsed, perhaps she fainted or was under an evil spell. Who knew? Uranus and Pluto quickly teamed up to teleport Psyche out of harm's way and to the caring protection of Sailor Saturn.
A wave of nausea came over Rei. She sent out Weave energy to find the cause, but felt a gaping loss instead. She knew that one of her allies, one of the Sailor Scouts had died.
Saturn put her hands over Psyche to begin healing her, but felt only death.
"What will you do, Heiress?" the Anysbryd asked mockingly, knowing the cause of his enemy's hesitation. "I must save her." "You know what I will do?" Rei nodded. "You are indeed brave, Heiress, and protective of those who do not deserve your protection." "Be that as it may, I must save her." Rei's powers focused, but instead of throwing them at the Anysbryd, she turned them into healing energies and threw them at Psyche. At the exact second Rei's defenses were down to heal Psyche, the Anysbryd sent one evil arrow at Rei. The arrow pierced and spread a scar across Rei's chest and neck to mirror Psyche's.
Saturn was ready to give up, but felt a flicker of life stir in Psyche. Saturn drew on that flicker and coaxed the spark to spread and return life to Psyche. Saturn took a deep breath and began the long, hard fight to keep her ally alive.
"The Mandrake, miss. Need any help?" "Thank you, no," Sakka answered. She paid the man with money from Darien's pocket, and helped him out. With him still leaning on her for support, Sakka and Darien walked into the lobby. She sat him down in one of the lobby's chairs and strode to the concierge's desk.
Uranus looked around and saw the disarray. All of the special senshi were focused on protecting their fallen comrade from stray energies. Saturn was trying to keep Psyche alive. The inner senshi were being bombarded with Fai Shan's power, and not handling it well. "Neptune, Pluto!" Uranus yelled, angry at her team's performance. The two other outers came quickly to their comrade's side. "What is it, Uranus?" Neptune asked, worried to see a glint of anger in her lover's eyes. "Their way," Uranus said, pointing to the other senshi, "is not working. I think that we must use the gifts the Heiress gave to us, and fight this battle her way." The other two mulled this over quickly, then agreed. High at her lookout point, Kat shivered.
"Can I help you?" the concierge asked. "I have a room, already reserved and paid for." "All right. Your name, please?" "The surname is Chiba, given name Sakka." The woman typed in the information, and stared at the screen for a few seconds before turning back to Sakka with a key. "Your room number is 103, just over there," she said, pointing to a room on the first floor overlooking the lobby. "Here is your key. If there is anything I can do for you, please call me." "Thank you," Sakka replied. She retrieved Darien, and took him upstairs.
Down in the battle, the inner senshi kept fighting. "What are they doing?" Venus asked breathlessly, dodging a retaliatory attack from the dragon. "Who?" Mercury asked. "Them," Venus replied, pointing at the three senshi on the hill. They all looked up to see Neptune slowly bow her head.
Sakka laid the future king on the bed, and told his unseeing mind to go to sleep. Darien obeyed, and the Muse began to pace the room. What's going on? she wondered. Please call for us soon, Heiress.
Neptune closed her eyes and focused herself. "I give you control of the properties of nature," the Heiress had said. She wondered what that meant and how she was to proceed when the knowledge suddenly came to her. Neptune spun in a circle, dragging her foot to protect herself inside the shape. Muttering to herself, she said, "Wind, fire, water, earth, growth, evolution, death, decay. Wind, fire, water, earth, growth, evolution, death, decay." Her voice now rose, audible to everyone in the unnatural silence she had created. "Wind, fire, water, earth, growth, evolution, death, decay!" Fai Shan recognized the power of an ancient magic, one perfected by the druids of Europe and the mikos of Asia long ago, and thought to be lost forever. He panicked, and threw some attacks Neptune's way. She didn't see them coming; her eyes had rolled back into her head long ago. The attacks came and no one saw them until it was too late.they were going to hit Sailor Neptune.
Rei could feel the momentary distraction from the Anysbryd and wondered what the cause was, until she felt the Weave quicken in response to an ancient magical calling. Neptune, she thought to herself. The Ansybryd caught himself, and attacked Rei again, missing the smile now gracing her face.
Fai Shan's attacks sailed towards the oblivious senshi, still repeating her mantra. They reached the edges of the circle, but instead of going on, they met an invisible barrier and collapsed in a show of sparks. Sailor Muse gasped at this, but was reminded that the circle was an ancient sign of protection - no one could hurt, or stop, Neptune. "Winds of damage, winds of healing, prankish winds and winds of keening, come to my command!" Neptune said, raising her hands. Into the vacuum of silence, a slight breeze began to blow. "Heat of fire, fire's cleansing, destroying fire, fire's mending, come to my command!" The air grew warm, and piles of rubble burst into flames. "Depth of water, water's power, rage of water, water's shower, come to my command!" It started raining, but the fire didn't go out. "Mass of earth, earth's grounding, pressure of earth, earth's creation, come to my command!" The earth started to shake, feeding the fires. "Growth and evolution, death and decay, come to my command!" With the last of Neptune's pronouncements, Fai Shan shrunk into himself. The senshi watched in wonder as everything around them changed. The wind made the rain stinging, and the water hitting the fires steamed and enlarged the flames. Small cracks were appearing in the earth between Fai Shan and the senshi. In those cracks, the elements gathered, changing and mutating. Water became fire, fire became air, air became earth. When the cracks were full with this supernatural mixture, the elements leaped with one accord and covered the dragon. He roared in pain as the fire burned him, the earth asphyxiated him, the wind blew him over, and the rain stung him. The four elements kept mutating.
The Anysbryd was again distracted. Rei looked down onto the battle scene and saw her opponent aid the senshi's adversary.
The senshi felt the presence of an even greater evil come to Fai Shan's aid. This evil ripped off the elements and righted Fai Shan again. The evil left, and the senshi gasped at the dragon's new appearance. His armor was broken off and gone in several places, displaying a weakness any soldier could see must be taken advantage of. Uranus felt, rather than saw, the reluctance the senshi had to further anger their adversary. She gathered control of her energy, thoughts, and body the way that Rei had always taught her. With her mind's eye, she saw each of the ten inner and special senshi. Without a word, she commanded their minds to attack the dragon at one spot. They resisted, but Uranus kept up the command.
Just as the Anysbryd's full attention returned to the battle, he stopped in wonder. Rei had transformed herself into pure Weave magic, glinting orbs and all. The Anysbryd shook his head as if humoring a little child, but instead was doubting his ability to last much longer. Even this far into the battle, she can transform herself. No one before her had the energy to make a complete transformation. He tried to transform himself into his pure, evil, blackness, but the process took more time than normal. Hovering in front of the Heiress, he pondered this. Finding no answer to the question, he asked her. "One of my senshi is the Guardian of Time. I think she has just commanded her charge to release infinity to her power." The Anysbryd was shaken. Even the senshi are strong. How can this be? He looked again at the Heiress, and began to understand. He laughed.
Pluto could see her friend was tiring from the effort of controlling ten minds, so raised her staff. "I, Guardian of Time, call upon Time's Infinity! I command you now!" At once, Pluto saw that her orb was pulsing with the power of time, and pointed it at Uranus. "Help her," Pluto whispered. Garnet energy streamed forth and entered Uranus.
Rei narrowed her eyes, watching the Anysbryd double over with laughter. She wasted no time preparing an intricate spell that had the power to bind the Anysbryd until his return was necessary. "You don't know, do you?" he asked between chuckles. Rei had no idea what the Anysbryd was talking about, and didn't care. She kept working, careful to keep the fruits of her labor under Weave invisibility.
Uranus felt the power Pluto had given her, and silently thanked her friend. With the help of infinity, she pressed the senshi harder until their wills broke and, with one accord, they attacked an unprotected part of Fai Shan.
His laughter was dying down as Rei finished and began to circle the Anysbryd, Weave bindings in hand. "Do you even care?" He asked, as she circled him, once, twice, three times, then faced him once again. "No. I don't." She said one word, and her spell came alive.
The dragon shrieked in pain as the energies of twelve senshi hit his unprotected chest. Just when he thought he could take no more, he heard his doom pronounced. "Moon Scepter.ELIMINATION!" Fai Shan screamed, the echo resounding long after he was destroyed.
The Weave bindings shrunk around the Anysbryd, until he was completely surrounded by power. With another word, the Weave began to drain the evil power out of him until he was defenseless. At that moment, both he and the Heiress felt the death of his servant. The Anysbryd hung his head in defeat. With a wave of her hand, and one more word, Rei sent the Anysbryd away. "I pity you," the Anysbryd 'pathed as he disappeared from her sight.
The senshi carried their fallen comrade away from the scene of the battle, still in uniform and just moments before the rescue crews arrived. Reaching the temple, they set Psyche down carefully.and waited.
Once she was sure he was gone, Rei resumed human form and sat down. After contacting Sakka, Rei was immediately plucked away from the site.
After the confusion of the day, Sakka was soundly sleeping on a chair, ready to wake up if Darien called for her. Instead, the telepathic promptings of the Heiress were the impressions that roused her. "Sakka?" "Yes, Heiress?" the woman responded, instantly awake and alert. "I want you to wake up Darien, and be ready to come home. The senshi are at the temple and I will be joining them shortly. Give us an hour, and then teleport yourself and Darien back." "Of course, Heiress, but shouldn't we wait for Jedite?" "No, Sakka." The Muse could detect some slight note of sadness in the Heiress's voice, and inquired as to the cause. "I have lost my love, Sakka. Jedite is dead."
Rei looked around at her new surroundings. Her breath was taken away by the opulence of the palace she was in, as well as the décor. She looked up at the grand staircase and saw Daiuchuuno Hasha descend. Rei kneeled and waited for the Guardian. "Koukei, there is no need for you to bow to me. You are my heiress, we are equals. If anything, I should bow to you." "Bow to me? Why, Hasha?" "There are some things we need to discuss, Koukei."
