Disclaimer: I do not own anything of the Sailor Moon series. This was originally going to be a short introduction chapter for the final Inner Knight, but my fingers got away with me and brought out 30 pages by adding Chad's replacement as well as some thoughts in Moon Knight's head about the "women" he loves and a more involved dialogue between ray and his grandfather about their honor. This is also the calm before the storm for the next few exciting chapters. Romance and tragedy to come! Enjoy and review! REVIEW please!
Chapter 20
Sacrifice in Beauty
~ Shinden Fenikkusu Doujou~
(Sacred Phoenix Dojo)
- One Week Later -
Ray's grandfather just sat on the ledge of his wall, the lovely stone one built about most of the dojo. He and his wife had grounded Ray per Ray's father's request. Ever since Ray started coming home late at night with bruises, his grandparents worried his temper was getting out of control. Even though there were no injuries the next morning, still, it concerned them, so they told his father.
Still, Ray found ways out of the dojo, his grandfather had to bet on that. His grandson was smart and tough and wouldn't let a curfew get in his way. He still worried though. Only last week Ray came back, bruised all the same, but crying. He wouldn't say why, but something bad must have happened that night. Ray snuck out a lot more, having to be brought back home by the police. His father wasn't too happy Ray was setting a bad example, though all the cops said Ray was doing was calling out someone's name and searching the city areas he was in.
They'd had complaints of a few other kids, a boy and a girl, yelling the name "Stephen!" loudly all week. None of them would explain though why. The only Stephen he knew of was the Tsukikage's boy, and there were no missing posters or spots on the evening news about him being missing. Perhaps it was just a silly game, Stephen might have run away from home after a fight with his parents and those kids were present during the fight. Perhaps they were trying to get him home, and his parents weren't overly concerned about Stephen being gone long.
The old man snorted a bit, and puffed his pipe. Stephen's parents were ripe jack asses. They loved their money too much to consider their son was unhappy with their behavior and lifestyle. He doubted sometimes that Stephen was even their son at all. He looked nothing like either of his parents or his baby sister. Maybe he was adopted. It was a thought on some tabloids' minds and his own, but if the parents tried to shove the boy into high society and bring him up like a little snob when he didn't want it, what would be the point? Those two never made much sense, even when they were drunk they made more sense than being sober. He didn't understand how they retained so much money. Their salaries weren't that great.
He sighed a bit, a puzzle he didn't care to solve right now and picked up his cup of sake. He downed it and poured a new cupful of the intoxicating brew. He just needed his time alone from his wife, to drink and smoke for just a while. She was always telling him to quit indulging, nagging his ears off. He wanted to keep drinking and smoking his pipe. He was too old to be told to watch his health. He'd be dead in another decade and planned to live it up.
Eventually, he'd name Ray as his heir to the dojo. Ray had the potential, but sometimes his grandson was irresponsible with his strength. Ray was just an angry child sometimes, ever since he saw his mother gunned down. He was always trying to push himself too hard and save the world from evil, even if he misunderstood a common bully for a member of the ultimate evil. He wondered how Ray would be after he and Grandmother passed on. He simply hoped Ray would calm down and try and control his temper a bit more.
A rustling sounded in his ears, his balding head turning gradually to it. He sighed, smiling a bit. It was a young woman, a tall one. He had to guess that from how far over she was slouched on the park bench. Her hair was long and brown, a bit like a rock star. She even had the guitar to boot, wooden and basic, not like heavy metal or the confounded pop stars. It was more like country-type guitar. She had a heavy and worn leather jacket on though, and a long patchwork skirt and combat boots. She was mismatched in nearly every way, her bangs hiding her sleeping eyes. He could tell she was sleeping, a few snores leaking out of her tiny nose.
He wondered if she'd simply just passed out there when he heard the noise, just arriving by the dojo from a gig. It was of no consequence. The long-legged looking woman was passed out cold from fatigue at best.
"Keep staring at your wrinkled old sockets like that and they'll spit your eyes up, old meat sack." a giggling and annoying child's voice uttered behind him.
The old man turned to see a young girl all decked in a white leotard outfit lined with white fluff, like cat's fur. She was mostly all white, except her peachy skin and the rancid claw that flexed and shimmering sickly in the streetlights. Her pinkish eyes were simply eerie and psychotic, like a child gone wrong, terribly wrong. He started to get up, to jump away from her, but then the fact he finally noticed she was floating in mid-air right in front of him made his body go rigid.
In a matter of moments, he saw her move, ramming her ugly hand into his chest. He felt a tugging, a sense of energy building as she did it, then his mind started to fade. It almost felt inviting.
"Get away from him you bitch!!" Ray-san's voice rang out, the tugging subsiding, but the energy she'd kick-started inside him stayed. He vacantly saw his grandson ram into the girl slamming her into a nearby cherry tree.
~
Ray kicked Kitty in the face hard, standing on her claw with the other. Stephen and Glamour had been gone for nearly over a week, all thanks to this Dark Universe brat. Now she was attacking his own flesh and blood. 'Grandfather must hold a crystal, only a fool would not notice it….I have to protect him and find my friends.' He thought, and pulled his fist back and cracked one good punch into her face. She screeched, her claw lifting hard enough to knock him away and slash his leg open.
"Ah, you stupid cat bitch! Where are Stephen and Glamour? Don't make me kill you for it!"
She tittered, floating back up. His blood dripped off each clawed finger like sweat, sliding back to the earth. "Oh, what would that accomplish little boy? You know Stephen's secret too? Ohhhh, you must be….one of them too! Oh, oh, Lord Specter will make Kitty his second on command once Kitty tells him all this. Your energy drained bodies will help it along, oh, Kitty loves surprises, don't you?"
"Damn you….tell me where they are or I have to make you do it, which either way, I'd enjoy after all the misery you've caused, you tacky little meatball!" he yelled, faintly seeing a shadow move behind her.
"TACKY!! OOOh, you big bully, Kitty is going to eat your temperamental intestines with red wine. DIE!" she hissed and shot for him.
Wham!
Ray just saw something wooden slam into Kitty's back, bouncing back in a circle with its owner, a young woman in utter mismatched attire, her bangs covering her eyes. Kitty hit the ground out of surprise, not looking any happier either.
"Eek! Wha, who hit Kitty!!??" Kitty muffled from the crown, spitting up a mouthful of dirt. "El Ka-Bong saved us….in a skirt?" Ray muttered, still a bit surprised at the weapon.
The young woman finally stopped twirling and landed hard on her rump. "Man, that blows….ow…." she said, and looked up, stiffening," Oh whoa, you're a total stud….ahh…"
Ray didn't seem to hear her, more surprised she'd helped him with such a weapon. This was no time to listen to anyone but Kitty. He looked down where she'd been, but Kitty was gone, leaving claw marks and upturned dirt in her place. "Damn it! Where are you, Kitty?! Show your ugly face!! I'm not done with you yet!" Ray shouted.
"Yes, yes….knight in the dark, we are not done. Kitty will be back for old meat sack. Lord Specter will be proud of Kitty, when you're all drained and dead! Ahahaha! Follow the soldiers to the clues if you can, we will be back!" she cackled, above them. Ray looked up and saw her vanishing before his eyes, then, all there was to see was the night sky.
"Damn….back to square one, but yeah, you'll be back. And we'll be waiting for you, you won't hurt my grandfather. No one else gets hurt….no one. We're coming Stephen….be alive." He told himself, leveling his sighs back down and ran to his grandfather. The old man had fallen off the ledge and landed in one of the little front yard ponds. He looked all right, better than all right really. He was smiling strongly and dripping wet, standing in the pond with a triumphant expression.
"Grandfather…..are you hurt? Are you ok? Say something?" ray asked, trying to help him out, but his grandfather hopped out himself and ran to the motley dressed young woman.
"Oh my dear, you saved my grandchild Ray-san. You are a brave girl indeed. Did you come here to save him?" he asked, excitedly, shaking her hands like crazy. She blushed a bit, managing to standing up throughout it and Ray saw she was maybe half a foot taller than him, maybe. Her guitar was already on her back again, with a dent in the back of it, not enough to break. "No…I came here to….be your student. I want to learn how to be a master of the martial arts to better myself, to get away from the material world of guns. I want to be a weapon of defense….its so dangerous out there for a woman these days."
"Oh, you want to learn, certainly, you will be my special student, my protégé….and I have decided to write my will now."
"Grandfather! What are you babbling about? You're not dying…." Ray countered, jogging up to them. The girl blushed again a little, and he saw her eyes were big and blue, childishly innocent for how weird she was dressed. "No, but I will someday. I officially, in front of a witness name Ray-san as my heir to the dojo….and you my dear…uh what was your name again?" his grandfather asked. Ray blinked, he'd heard his grandfather mention making him the heir to the dojo, but he thought he was too temperamental just now to deserve it. 'What did that crazy cat witch do to him? He's talking wildly.' He thought.
"Charlene Kunokun*, Charlie for short. Oh thank you, I can't wait to be a cool martial artist under you tutelage." She beamed. The old man grinned and grabbed Ray's hand and her and made them grip. Ray made a face, not understanding, while Charlie blushed.
"I promise my grandson to you for marriage once you are a full fledged martial artist." His Grandfather said happily, but it didn't matter how proudly he said it. Ray's face exploded with surprise. "WHAT!!!!???? M-Marry her!? I don't even know her! Grandfather, I'm only 16…..gods….what the hell!!" Ray exploded out, yanking his hand away as if the woman had burned him. She looked a bit uneasy about it too. "Hey, I just got here….I'm only 16 too. I'm not ready for instant marriage….we barely know each other…." She said softly, a little hurt. He felt bad about that, but it was the truth. They were strangers except by name.
"My word is the law of this house, you don't like it, move out. And if you, young lady, don't agree either, get taught elsewhere…." He huffed out. Ray sucked in his breath. 'Kitty….she did this, whatever's inside him is changing his judgment….ah well, he can't marry us in the next few days, all that stuff takes time. Once Kitty returns, the Crystal will be taken out….once we find Stephen to free my grandfather. It would kill grandmother if she saw him….as a monster.' He thought and sighed.
"I apologize grandfather….it is….just I am worried about the dojo. That woman may return for you to…steal it. I am sorry, we're just very tired. May we retire till tomorrow to…go over this? Its late, grandmother will worry." He let out evenly, his grandfather nodding slowly.
"Certainly, both of you are to be up bright and early for my training….6am sharp." He giggled out and sped off like lightening, leaving Ray with Charlie. He looked at her pinking face. "I'll show you to a spare room. It's not the greatest, but it's got a bathroom across the hall, bed, and an old dresser as well as good lights. The phone is near my room, 3 doors down….Charlie. That ok?"
She nodded. "Sounds posh….I can sleep anywhere, don't worry. I just really need to change my life. This is the place to do it in."
"Why?" he asked, leading her inside. "I'll tell you later….like you said, been a long night." She said softly. He nodded a bit and shrugged. 'Compared to Kitty….change is nothing. Be all right, Stephen….be alive.' He thought, and led her to her room.
~ Junkyard ~
Moon Knight was back to back with Glamour. Normally, this would have been a sweet dream for him, against her soft skin, long legs, ebony and sweet smelling hair, but not now. They were hanging by a hook on a crane, dangling since Kitty returned without the Green Crystal of Flora and fuming. She nearly killed Glamour with a beating, but Moon took the brunt of it for making fun of Kitty. It was enough, to see she was all right. They were fast healers, but to see the woman he loved in pain was worse than death.
Kitty finally got tired with them and tied their wrists to one another's and floated them up to this very hook. They'd been swinging aimlessly in the wind for a few hours now. Moon Knight worried for her, Kitty hated Glamour more than him. Kitty made it quite apparent she wanted to turn him into her person sex pet. It was repulsive, more repulsive than usual. She told him all the naughty little things she did to him in his sleep. He nearly threw up a few times, being told she fondled him, kisses his body, licked, all sorts of things he'd never allow such a smutty little tart like her do.
A counselor told him once that hate was a very strong word and should not be used to describe anything. He replied that hate was the way he felt at the time when he broke a bullies nose for pouring milk on his head for the 50th time during yet another lunch day. She called it anger, he said they were linked emotions. Dislike was to be reserved for foods and drinks and movies you didn't care for. Hate was strong, he only felt it for evil things, like bullies and the people he was now fighting. He didn't hate people over religions, skin color, nationality or sexual preference, which plain wrong to feel about people. He knew better. Hate was strong when it was for a bad cause, and dangerous, but for this moment, he had to think back on it.
He hated the Dark Universe for what it had done, killed his childhood friend, and so many others, now he and Glamour were on the chop. They'd been here for over a week, beaten every so often so they'd be too weak to cry out. He tried and Kitty had heard him, so she clawed him up. He did it again, not caring for his safety in this matter, but that time she nearly killed Glamour. He never yelled out again. They just lay on the junkyard ground, watching worms and rats scurry past, huddling to one another for warmth. It was so cold out here, probably more for Glamour in her dress. If his hands had been free his cloak could have warmed her a bit.
Now, hanging over the dark ground and broken cars, his cloak blew around her often, warming her for a few moments at a time. He could hear his friends call his name out sometimes in the wind. Glamour seemed to not hear any of it, she didn't know to listen for it for she didn't know who he really was. He wanted to tell her, that and how much he really loved her, but….then he'd think back to the face and starry eyes of Gaia. His heart pounded at the thought of those eyes, those lips. He'd touched them so briefly, and it was like the perfect drug right now. He wanted to kiss her then, and….now, he wasn't sure what he wanted. He couldn't be in love with two different women. Gaia, such a beautiful name too, her lips had been as soft as a rose, like Glamour's, and her scent, oh her scent. It was like creation, pure and untouched. Was he falling in love with his best friend over finding out she was a girl, or was he just a perverted jerk?
Moon Knight only wished he knew. He'd speak with Gaia when he got free, he had to talk to her, and if it came down to realizing if he was in love with her or not, he'd take it. He just felt compelled to be with them both, something deep in his heart wanted to be with them. He didn't know why, but he went on thinking and surmising. 'Can I actually be in love with them both? Oh gods, why is this so insanely hard, why?' he thought, letting out a sharp sob.
"Moon Knight? What's wrong?" Glamour asked softly. He straighter his head and shook it. "Nothing….just….hope someone finds us soon, before Kitty decides we're better off in a blender." He lied.
"I guess…" she sighed," Moon Knight….if…we do get out of this, do you think we could talk….once I find the Soul Crystal?"
He turned his head a bit. "You want to talk after it? What about….?" She sighed again. "A lot of things….oh Kitty's coming….look!" she was saying, then her tone went sharp and angry. He didn't blame her, Kitty could make even a priest angry.
Kitty was floating up to them, the sounds of creatures shuffling far below. "Well hellooo Knightly-Knight and bitch machine queen. Kitty found another one of your companion's identities….oh, and he's right near the last crystal. What fun, Kitty thinks Kitty will go back and get him tomorrow night. Ooooo, then, have him feed you to Kitty's new toy….then Kitty will have all of Kitty's trump cards with your lives in Kitty's claws. They'd do anything for white knight pretty boy and sultry dressed bitch." She snickered, spiraling around them insanely.
"Go lick an electric wire in the rain….Gah!" Moon Knight hissed, getting a punch for his efforts. "Tastes like blood…and you will taste a lot better when you're my love slave. Once Glamour dies…you're my chew toy." She giggled out, grabbing his face. He struggled. "I'd rather die, sincerely death is happier than touching you!" he growled.
She giggled and frenched him. He kicked around, trying to force up some vomit into her mouth, but he hadn't eaten much in a while. All he could manage were choked, muffled yells, and gags.
It stopped after a few minutes, her tongue licking the sides of his mouth as it left him. He spit right in her smiling face, but she went on smiling. Kitty will loosen your tongue soon, pretty boy. Till then….why don't you two hang around a while." She laughed and vanished with a growl.
He spat pout her saliva, choking away. "I've been poisoned….again." he spat.
"Hopefully not for much longer, the other knights will find us….hopefully anyway."
"I know they will….cause I can't take anymore sexual supernatural harassment. Kitty is Kitty, she messed up over her egotistical vanity. She will mess up….I know it, and we'll be free…." He told her, feeling her head nod behind his.
'I hope….' He though crisply, wishing he didn't have to ask Kitty permission to pee. 'Hate…..dear gods….I hate her.' He added.
~ Next Day ~
~ Shinden Fenikkusu Doujou~
(Sacred Phoenix Dojo)
"Bonzai!!!! Ahahahaha! Faster, Charlie, faster!! You'll never be a hero in your ill shape! Faster!" Grandfather laughed, chasing poor Charlie around on a swinging rope with a torch. She screeched and dropped off and bolted off around the dojo's back area, the old man in hot pursuit.
At first, Ray thought he was just having a silly nightmare. After a bit of eye rubbing and blinking, he saw it was very real. Charlie was dressed in the normal dojo training garb, the swaying dark colored pants, navy blue for this dojo with a red sash around the waist, and the white top that was a size or so too small for her long arms. From the elbow down it was her slightly peachy skin, but at least the pants covered her legs. She wore the socks and sandals as well, what he was used to wearing when he was training as a child and even now.
Charlie was screeching and panting, but not running out of the dojo in fear. She was simply keeping her distance and trying harder and harder to move faster. Her hair was in her eyes, her face covered in sweat. Ray didn't know why his grandfather was being so cruel to Charlie, all be it the girl seemed a bit dizzy to him, like an overgrown hippie. The fact she saved him from Kitty was pure luck. Kitty was just childish and a fool, but she nearly blurted his identity out to Charlie and his grandfather.
To discover his grandfather had the last crystal inside his body was devastating. It made it easier to find Kitty, and where she was, Stephen and Lady Glamour would be. It was all he could hope for. Kitty would be back soon, it was easy to know only a childish mind would be so stupid. He'd get her then and find his comrades.
Right now, trying not to yell or laugh was getting difficult. Charlie was running right at him now. He blinked a few moments before she slammed into his body. He pressed down with his feet and stayed upright, and looked down at the young woman in his arms. She was panting still, looking up at him weakly.
He could see one blue eye reveal itself as her bangs slid apart. She looked shy, but he ignored it. She was tired was all, probably winded and worried he was mad at her. He helped her up casually as his grandfather jogged up and bopped Charlie with a cane on her head. "Youch!" she yelped, holding her head.
"Hah, hah, too slow, my girl. You have to be faster than that to become a great martial artist and always carry your bokken, Charlie, no slacking." He laughed, and bopped her again. The third time Ray grabbed it in mid swing and took it from his grandfather. "Stop that, you're hurting her….Grandfather, this is insane, what are you trying to prove by beating her up and making her do crazy stunts. This is martial arts, this is mayhem!!" Ray yelled, swinging the bokken around at him angrily.
Ray blanched at the sight of his grandfather's determined eager expression. Charlie just looked on, looking a little stunned, her mouth open softly like a baby bird's. "Ray-san, just like you to say something so responsible, but I taught you all you know. Now Charlie must learn to earn your hand in marriage. She must take all sorts of stress, stunts, and pressure upon her body to become a fighting machine supreme." The old man said, rushing back inside.
He came out with another bokken and charged suddenly. Ray was about to bat him away when Charlie snatched the bokken from his hands and thrust it out to block. Her aim was off and she got knocked in the forehead. He face twisted a bit with the daze it brought her, and fell at his feet.
Ray blinked at her, then his grandfather, who was grinning proudly. "Ah, finally, she took the initiative. She'll make a good wife….lots of children….ah, I'm so proud, this will truly be the smartest move for our family." The elderly man beamed.
Ray growled. "Are you crackers or something!!? You just whapped a woman on the head and you are talking about babies!? Grandfather, this isn't you, 3 days ago, you wouldn't have thought twice about telling me it wasn't my time to become your heir, and all of a sudden after some crazy lady attacks you, I become worthy of that responsibility. Not only that, a woman we hardly know who just showed up in our dojo is my fiancée??? Dopes grandmother know about this??" he yelled.
The old man just nodded happily. "Yes and she's thrilled a girl has come into your life….she was worried she'd never see the day you'd calm down enough to care about a girl's well-being aside from your training. There's nothing wrong with me. As a matter of fact, I had your grandmother go to set up my new will to make it official. Once Charlie has become your equal, you will marry and take over the dojo," his grandfather boasted, puffing out his chest," There's nothing wrong with finally seeing how mature my grandson is as compare to your father. That man is never around for anything, but you're always here to help, loyal to your friends and you act more responsibly about things. Why, you haven't been in a fight or arrested for nearly a year now. Why shouldn't I make you my heir now?"
Ray just stared at him angrily. "because you're not yourself. I can't explain it, but you'd never beat the tar or exhaust anyone who was willing to learn the martial arts. And as I recall, I know I'm not ready yet cause I'm not old enough for all this to come into my life. I'm still in high school, grandfather, I haven't even reached the police academy yet and you want me to settle down? Do you know how nuts that sounds?"
"Its perfectly sane….and if you want to live another day under our roof and not that of your father's boring apartment in the city area, you best accept it. Your father put your grandmother and myself in charge of raising you up to be a good and responsible young man. As for Charlie, the girl needs discipline, and if I have to beat it out of her, so be it. She's too weak and frail. I'll make a real woman out of her, a woman worthy of the Hitodama family…."
"Nnnhhgg…." Charlie moaned, sitting up slowly, a red mark on her forehead. Ray's grandfather looked at her and held up his bokken. Ray sighed, whatever Kitty had done, there was no stopping it. He couldn't leave to stop his grandmother from getting that will ready without risking Kitty coming to the dojo while he was gone. He'd have to endure the wait and try and keep clumsy Charlie in one piece.
Charlie got up in a flash as his grandfather took a swing at her, blocking it this time, and then speeding off across the backyard training area, towards the ropes. Ray watched as she repeated the useless stunt, one his grandfather never used on him when he was trained. His grandfather swiped and struck at her while she barely managed to block the shots, some cracking into her limbs or sides, but she endured. Ray was a little surprised she was taking the abuse. He wondered why. What could be so important to take pain like that?
He shook it off and sat down by the koi pond to feed them. Charlie probably had her reasons, something she was avoiding, but it wasn't his business. She was just another girl; a klutz, a hippie, a singer, just an ordinary person with regular problems. He fed the fish casually, running his finger under their biggest koi's belly as Charlie let out another shriek, sprinting past him at top speed. 'How I envy you, Charlie….you're not lost in your problems. You don't have three lives on the line with time running out. Stephen….Glamour….and now my poor grandfather, Kitty has to be stopped before she ruins more lives….before she kills like Raven has….I never want to see that again. No more slaughters….I'll prevent it, not just for their sakes, but for my mom….another innocent who never stood a chance. No more innocent death….no more.' He thought, lowering his head as the loud training went on.
~ Nighttime ~
Ray was getting tired of watching Charlie and grandfather running around, more so Charlie was dragging herself around. Her clothes were a bit tattered, she had bruises and cuts, but kept on going. It had been like that since 6am, now it was 6pm….and on they went. They had stopped for lunch at least, sort of. Charlie had to get to her lunch atop a pedestal inside the dojo with four sacks of sand on her shoulders. He'd felt rotten for her, but also shocked and pitied her for going along with it. She climbed maybe 50 times before she reached her cold soup and once fresh bread. She had blisters on her hands and skinned her knee.
Grandfather made her go on after she wolfed down her food with more training, lifting incredible weights, out running him and his bokken, a crazy obstacle corse of swinging punching bags and slippery floors, but Charlie went on. He contacted Angela and Lamont while Charlie was eating, telling them to get over his place tonight. He filled them in on what Kitty had done, and they agreed that following her would lead them to their friends.
Grandmother was still out, but maybe she was just having trouble with the papers, which was a good thing. Ray was not eager to be a young husband or father. He had to get through school and college and the academy before he did anything like that. It was the responsible thing to do. Only imbeciles screwed around during high school without condoms. It was utterly stupid and irresponsible, and damaging. He hated people like that who couldn't keep it in their pants. Just because you like someone doesn't mean sex is the only way to express it. Kissing and dating are better ways of having a healthy relationship and marriage wasn't an excuse to have sex. Love was all people needed….Stephen wasn't too corny in thinking the same. If you were responsible, safe and in love then it was all right to make love. Safety over horny stupidity, that's what he believed in.
For right now, it was a good thing. He sat by the koi pond with Lamont and Angela in the brush of the gardens. They had come during more of the rope swinging training, unseen by his grandfather, and were able to easily hide. Cyrus was settled in his lap. The poor cat had gone from his home and to Lamont's. Angela's mother had an allergy to pets and the hacking and sneezing woman had thrown Cyrus out the window briskly after he'd snuck in. Ray petted the cat, letting him stay at his home more often than Lamont could. Lamont was a bit forgetful about feeding the cat and more so fed himself and his family.
Ray at least remembered to buy the tuna fish and hide it so no one would eat it. Cyrus was a particular cat about what he ate, never eating cat food if he could help it. Cyrus either ate tuna or sweets, whatever he audibly asked for within reason. He'd asked for a sushi platter a few days ago, to which Ray pulled out a can of tuna and can of chicken and said," One or the other, take it or leave it."
Cyrus picked chicken and made a comment about knowing where Ray slept. Ray threw Cyrus out for the night and locked his door and window after that. The cat had a mind all his own, too human to be feline. It was odd, but who cared. A cat was a cat, talking or not. It wasn't his boss, it was the claws that bothered him.
"How much longer? I'm tired and my fur is getting most from all this heat." Cyrus yawned. Ray sighed. "I hope not much longer, cause my eyes are about to fall out."
He yawned deeply and stretched. Then came a streak of white past his lidded eyes, then a crash. "Mr. Hitodama!! Get away! Ie!!" Charlie yelled, which was followed by another crash. Ray's eyes shot forward to settle upon Kitty, whose awful hand was thrust into his grandfather's chest. "Grandfather!! NO!! Mars Fire, Transform!! AH!" Ray shouted, his armor molding over his body swiftly. He pulled out his sword in a charge and jumped right at Kitty.
She thrust her body backwards, leaving a space of empty air where she once was. Mars Knight went through it and turned, but not fast enough to avoid slamming shoulder first into a tree. He looked up, the pain in shoulder throbbing like mad. Kitty had the green crystal in her hand. He was too late. He was right there and he couldn't stop her.
Mars Knight felt so angry, but it wouldn't help him. His grandfather was what mattered. His eyes went to the old man, who was now transforming into short and stout horned creatures with vine tentacles slinking out from his back. His face was no longer the energetic skirt chasing old man. The wrinkles were gone, any human skin or hair he'd had was all gone. All that was left with a muscled green beats with spikes and living vines. Hands became claws, razor sharp and deadly, and tusks thrust out his gaping jaws.
"Ah Vindicator….welcome back. Now the Green Crystal of Flora belongs to the Dark Universe. Hah! Now follow Kitty….the party has just started," she cackled, her crazy eyes darting at Mars Knight," Catch Kitty and Vindicator if you can, fire bug. Kitty's going to done on Galaxy Knight pate. Hahaah!" she cackled and vanished.
Mars Knight stood as his grandfather burst past him, slashing him right across the chest with his horrid claws. Mars fell back a bit, touching the deep gashes in the metal softly. He looked to where he grandfather had been standing, seeing one of their door was broken through by the force of Charlie's body. She was out cold, but looked unhurt.
Mercury and Jupiter jumped out of the bushes in their armor and ran past him, Cyrus in hot pursuit. "Come on, Mars, he knows where Moon Knight is! Hurry!" Mercury shouted. Mars nodded and ran after them into the night. 'They're alive, hold on guys, we're coming….and I will save grandfather. You will pay for this, Kitty, I swear it.' he thought, keeping his blade out as he ran on the darkened streets.
~ Junkyard ~
Mars and the others ran into the junkyard, then slowed down gradually, keeping to the destroyed cars to stay out of sight. Maybe Kitty's Dark Knights were gone, but Kitty was ten times as deadly. She was twisted, all be it childish, but still a force to be reckoned with. She had not only his grandfather under her sinister power, but Moon and Glamour were her prisoners. They had to set them free or Kitty would use them as bargaining chips. He didn't want it coming to that.
He felt a bit relieved it had to be a junkyard. Human villains used such crappy places for shootouts and the like, and it contained very few innocent people to get in crossfire. Not that he was going to voice his complaints about how cheap a place it was for a fight, it just meant she wasn't arrogant enough as Viper to try other dimensions or mansions and places loaded with people to fight. Viper had been tough, but too arrogant and it was his undoing. Kitty was just insane and vain, but utterly random. She kept her fights in reality with no thoughts of bystanders. That made her more dangerous, life was a game to her, worth playing at the cost of people's lives.
Splitting up was a bad idea. If there were traps in the area, they'd be on their own to escape and that was going to slow the rescue down. "So how do we find them? Moon Knight's not contacted us on his wrist radio, so he can't reach it." Mercury let out quietly.
"We listen….Kitty intends to kill them, so she'd have to make some noise to do it. I know it sounds cruel, but its not like she's going to turn on spotlights and lead us to them. She'd have to be utterly…." Was saying, then he saw some light out of the corner of his eyes," retarded? What the….?"
Mars moved towards it quietly, keeping his body crouched low to the ground. There were bright lights towards the center of the junkyard all pointing at a spot in the air. He squinted a bit to see what. Mars' eyes flashed open widely when he did, and his legs pushed him into a hard sprint. He barely heard Mercury and Jupiter run after him. "What? What's wrong?" Jupiter hushed out.
"Look up where the lights intersect!" he replied, running faster as his eyes lifted again towards the spot with them. Moon and Glamour were hanging by their wrists tied to a crane's hook. Moon's helmet and Glamour's mask were both still in place, but their bodies looked bruised and their armor dented. Kitty must have been very hard on them. Glamour's armor looked to have the most abuse, and a few cuts on her arms and legs. They were nothing fatal or deep, but probably just enough to cause pain.
He kept running till he was near the edge of the clearing of cars only a few feet from where their shadows were cast. Jupiter was panting and muttering how they would get them down. Mercury was using very curse word in the book about Kitty about what that white cat woman had done to their leader. At least they were being quiet, but knowing Kitty, she was expecting them to find this spot once they reached the junkyard.
'She wants us to find this….she wants us all dead, why not get us all in one place….the sick bitch.' He thought, jumping a bit as another floodlight went on, shining down on the white glad, insane eyed Kitty, his grandfather's perverted, monstrous form nowhere in sight. She was rubbing the scar on her cheek, grinning with such dark and wicked desire that Mars' heart would have explode from the evil inside them.
"Kitty can smell you, goodie two shoes crew….come on out or the cute couple get squished." She giggled, pointing to her left. Mars' eye shifted that way and saw the crane booth was lit up as well, the monster Vindicator inside at the controls, drooling profusely.
Mars walked out stiffly under Moon and Glamour, the Jupiter came beside him and mercury. Cyrus wasn't with them now, but Mars hoped the cat was making good with his disappearing act to aid them. Kitty grinned. "Good….we're on the same page. Kitty likes. Kitty really….likes…." she purred out, hopping off her spot.
She walked up to them grinning madly. "Now….remove your helmets, no funny stuff….Kitty wants Lord Specter to know firsthand who you all are. Chop, chop, Kitty wants to see you too." She giggled. Mars growled, she already knew who two of them were, but not she'd know who they all were. 'No choice, our friends die if we do anything to Kitty and my grandfather.' he thought and put his hands to his helmet.
"In a pig's eye, you Dark Universe tart!" mercury growled and tackled her. 'Dammit….Angie strikes again, what did I ever see in her!!?' he thought, pulling out his blade instead. "Jupiter, get to my grandfather….stop….him OH NO! Grandfather don't do it!!" mars shouted, his eyes filled with terror. Vindicator was working the crane, swinging Moon and Glamour to a rusty metal structure, a large one. It was the compactor, the machine that crashed cars into mutilated cubes. 'Stephen….Glamour…oh gods no!' he thought, images of blood filling his mind. "Jupiter! HURRY!" he yelled and ran for the machine. Jupiter took no time to respond and sped for the crane booth.
Mars reached the machine before his now writhing comrades did. They were both gagged and bound. They could offer no aid until they were free. 'My friends, can't let them die, not like this….not at the hands of the Dark Universe.' He thought and started climbing up the machine to the narrow ledge of the compactor. He looked up, watching Moon and Glamour pass over him. He jumped up, his finger barely grazing the heel of Moon Knight's wriggling boots. "No, too high! Moon Knight!" he shouted.
A crackle of electricity filled the air, the monster that was his grandfather howling his way out of the control booth. Jupiter tackled him and slammed his fists into the beast's gut and face. The controls were smashed, no one could drop his friends now, it'd only be a long climb to get them free. It was enough. He hopped off the machine and ran for the crane.
~
Mercury kicked and slashes at Kitty with all her strength, the cat woman hitting and sending energy bolts at Mercury's body. Mercury dodged and blocked with her blade, coming back strong against the evil creature. She would never bow to these fiends ever. Removing her helmet was out of the question, not even for a hundred lives. If the Dark Universe knew their true identities, they'd never know peace, and helping the citizens of Tokyo would become ten times as hard. It was how she felt, she hoped the others felt somewhat the same way. They'd never have normal lives, but with their identities intact, they'd do it more discreetly.
Kitty came at her again, her ugly hand raking across Mercury's stomach. Mercury cried out, bringing her blade around hard. Kitty jumped over her and kicked her square in the back. Her blade lodged itself in a rusted car door and then her head slammed into the partially shattered window. Kitty laughed and the claw raked across her back. Mercury winced, holding back her pain enough to bring her fist around and crack Kitty in the jaw.
Kitty went flying, her white clad little body slamming into that large rust colored device. She looked up slightly, seeing Moon and Glamour were writhing on their hook over it. Kitty picked herself up, Mercury tugging on her blade hard to get it loose. Kitty would pay for all the pain she cause, taking her love away. She would suffer for that and more. The sword wasn't giving way, caught in the metal. Probably a part of the metal pieces inside it were doing it, she could hear it scraping against her blade.
She looked back at where Kitty was, in case the witch was going to try for another back attack. Her armor had saved her from deep cuts, but another shot would give her them if she wasn't on her guard. Kitty wasn't coming though, she was by the machine, her back to Mercury. Lightening crackled a ways off from Jupiter, reflecting on Kitty's right side. She was working the machine, buzzing and a loud engine starting up. She looked up at the crane hook that held their comrades up, Mars climbing up the neck of the crane to reach them, then back to Kitty as some dull and dirty lights flashes on the machine.
'That machine…is….oh gods no! Stephen!!!' her mind screamed, and she pulled with all her might on her blade. She pulled up and down until she chopped the door in half to get her blade free as the compactor started up, kitty's ugly hand pointing at Moon and Glamour. "No one denies Kitty anything. Say good-bye to your friends! Nyahahaha!!" she cackled darkly, energy fleeing her claws and severing the crane wire from the hook.
Mercury rushed for it, but Moon and Glamour were falling into the gradually springing space below them. "MOON KNIGHT! NO!!!!" she screamed, tears welling her eyes as she ran, the pair mere feet away from a crushing death.
"Flirtation Wrap!!" a female voice rang out suddenly from above. Mercury barely had time to shed her first tear as a golden whip shot out of nowhere and wrapped about Moon and Glamour, yanking them away from the death trap. The machine clamped on empty air as their comrades rolled onto the ground, the ropes used to tie them being ripped away by the glowing golden whip.
Her eyes followed it to a lovely figure in a skirt and armor much like her own, but with a long golden blond braid whipping in the night air. The armored woman stood atop a mountain of cars proudly, with a cat at her feet of amber color. Her armor was corn silk yellow and her skirt black, the golden whip held tightly in her hands. She was beautiful, and Mercury almost felt envious of her.
Kitty let out a howling screech. "ANOTHER GOODY-TWO SHOES BRAT!!! ARHGGHH! You're worse than stupid cockroaches!! I'll kill you for messing up my plans, Bitch Knight!" Kitty screamed, and sent her energy beams at the woman.
The woman jumped out of harms way with her cat, both landing neatly near Mercury. Mars was running towards them, his blade extended, Jupiter still holding his own against Vindicator. "I don't think so, bad girl." She replied, and cracked her whip at Kitty hard, ripping a slice through her clothing. The green crystal popped out in an instant, but Kitty saw it and reached to get it back. "No you don't. Taste the power of love for I am Lady Venus! Flirtation Coker! Extend your love!" she called out, her whip flashing out at Kitty. It caught her by the throat and tightened. Kitty gagged and clawed at the whip until Lady Venus threw her into a tower of rusted cars.
Mercury didn't know what to say, she was utterly stunned by this new knights arrival. Normally Stephen and Cyrus sought them out, not the other way around. Then she felt the girl's cat rub against her leg. She looked down at the amber cat with deep blue eyes. "You talk too?" she asked, more to be sure than anything.
"Why yes, I do talk, young lady, and you're very brash. How about we help you tired that crystal keeper while your leader recovers? Or do you have a hot date or something?" the cat smoothed out, female in voice, but every bit as sassy as their own Cyrus.
Mercury sniffed. "Why don't we just spay the talking cats and move on….?" Mercury grumbled and sprinted to Jupiter aid. "Icicle Daggers! Hah!" she shouted, the small spikes of frozen magic leaping from her blade. They slammed into Vindicator's right arm and ribs, slicing through with unfeeling cold. He howled and turned on her. He charged, but Mars rammed into the right side himself, and slammed his blade into its back. "Let my grandfather go, you beast. Fight him grandfather! Fight! Think of your family! Don't leave us like this! FIGHT!" Mars shouted.
Lady Venus' whip cracked across Vindicator's front, his eyes glazing with mars' words. He wasn't fighting so hard now, just taking it. His eyes were confused. 'His grandfather's in there somewhere, just like Dido was….is it because those two got to know us? Or is their humanity stronger….gods I hope so.' She thought and slashes at the creature, driving him back.
"Fight Kitty's power! Only you can, grandfather, you're not evil, its Kitty that is evil. She's done this to you, you're a good man, don't let her ruin your life with this, don't give up!" Mars shouted again, pushing hard on the monster. It wasn't fighting back now, only holding its head and shaking itself around in pain. The darkness was weakening. Mars had done it, he'd brought his grandfather's strength through with his love for him.
She turned back, looking to Moon Knight as he looked on, Glamour crouches a ways off. There was a glint of green in her hand. 'That bitch, she's stealing the crystal for herself…I knew she couldn't be trusted." She thought angrily, taking a step.
Moon Knight lifted his blade up and seemed to crumble a bit in his stature. "Moon Knight…." Mercury let out, rushing to his aid. Glamour was forgotten, right now her Moon Knight needed her help, he was more important than that black dress wearing tart.
"Thanks, Mercury….now….to set Mr. Hitodama free….Celestial Healing LIGHT! Encircle!" he called, the beams of light leaping into the sky from his blade, then infecting the monsters beaten body. Vindicator began to howl with pain as his body became pure light, then it faded with a soft sizzle, Mr. Hitodama in its place, standing for a few moment.
His eyes opened weakly a moment before he let out one word. "Ray…." The man rasped, then crumpled to the ground in a tired heap. "Oh!" Mars yelped and rushed to his aid, picking the old man up tenderly in his arms," I have to get him home….sorry guys….he needs to rest."
Moon nodded. "Do what you have to….Thanks for everything, Mars…."Moon sighed out, a small, stubborn smile on his face," Thanks for not giving up on any of us."
Mars nodded with a grin. "Anytime, dork."
Moon chuckled. "You got it, idiot."
Mars ran off then with the old man, Mercury nuzzling herself to Moon Knight softly. Moon made a grunt, his head turning towards where Glamour was. He made a sad sigh when he realized she was gone again. Mercury held back her anger. That stupid woman had stolen the last crystal. She now had two of them as did the Dark Universe. The Galaxy Knights had three, but that wasn't all of them. They needed the other four to find the Soul Crystal that would stop the darkness in its tracks. There was nothing she could do about it now, only hope that they could get the crystals away from the tart and the evil ones.
"Moon Knight, hey!" Cyrus announced at their feet, sitting there as if he'd always been there. "And where were you?" Mercury hissed. Cyrus' ears dropped. "Like I said, I'm the cat, not a human like all of you….I was trying to find a way to cut the power to the machinery, then Lady Venus over there showed up and saved all our skins….and her feline friend." Cyrus sniffed.
Mercury still had the urge to kick him, but he was right. What could a cat do against human sized things anyway other than bite or scratch. It was pathetic to consider Cyrus fighting Kitty when the she-witch could easy swallow him or squash him in a few minutes.
Mercury felt Moon turn his body towards Lady Venus, who stood some feet away by the compactor. "Thanks for the rescue, and I know you're Lady Venus….but might you be …the Earth Princess?" he asked quietly.
She giggled and put her finger to her chin. "Could be….but let's talk about it later, you all have had a long hard battle today. Let's pick this up at another time, ok? Great…." She said proudly, quickly turning around to leave.
Her feet suddenly got tangled together and she fell right over on her face. Her cat friend sighed and ran over to her. The girls sat up sitting flat on her butt, her knees together and flat on the ground. She was crying.
Mercury was sure all of them blinked at her for the minute it lasted before the amber cat bit Lady Venus. She yelped and jumped up, then ran off.
"Did we just see that…or am I delirious from hunger?" Moon asked, sounding befuddled.
Jupiter got along side them, staring wide-eyed. "We just say that. Anything else?"
Moon nodded. "Yeah….let's go get a bite to eat before this gets any stranger. I've had a long week."
Jupiter nodded and helped Mercury get him out. Life was dangerous sure, but seeing such a crybaby reaction and all the hell they'd gone through still on their minds, considering it any further would only make their brains hurt. Moon and Mars Knight's identities were still known to Kitty, and as long as she was alive, all of them were in danger, no matter what else was happening. Death was waiting to strike….soon.
To Be Continued….
*Kunokun is just a play on words on the name of my second favorite Ranma ½ character. Kuno-kun merged, if anyone is wondering. No idea what Kuno means yet, but it was to represent that "Charlie" is Chad's replacement in my series.
Teaser: Cat's in the Cradle and the Silver Doom!! Kitty challenges Moon and Glamour a final time, but without the others' knowledge. Venus reveals herself to the others, Grandfather makes an announcement, and in a race between good and evil the Galaxy Knights must fight their way through a warped version of Tokyo Tower to rescue their friends from not only Kitty, but their destined and tragic fate. SONGFIC people, featuring "My Only Love."
Vote through my e-mail address on which Knight is best, which is worst, and what secondary character made the grade or flunked. If you want to, I won't force anyone, but it'd help me know how certain characters are viewed. I will also answer any questions as well, and drama81 please, I hope you're still going to work with me. I am looking forward to your insights and ideas.