(A/N sorry for the wait - this ended to be a much longer chapter than planned, and I struggled with where and if to split it. Hope you like it and should leave just one chapter after this to deal with the aftermath. I'll hopefully have it posted tomorrow, but didn't want to wait anymore for this chapter.)
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"I am tired of your riddles. It's clear why you have not ascended as the head of the Chiba family yet and are far too low to keep denying the truth," Kakyuu sneered at the taller man before a threatening growl added to her tone. "Where have you hidden her?"
"I am not the one who plays games, Kakyuu-sama. We need the crystal to complete the energy transfer. Where have you hidden it?" Mamoru once again demanded as he towered over the red haired matriarch. Feeling the strain of his earlier efforts still taking a toll, he tiredly wiped his hand along his face.
"It's becoming clear that you don't trust me," he groaned as he pinched the bridge of his nose to relieve the growing aggravation. "And I don't trust you," he grunted. "Yet, we may need to have a small truce."
Kakyuu shifted her gaze from the silver haired man lying just beyond them to meet the royal blue eyes. She narrowed her gaze slightly, seemingly considering his proposal. Then, slightly tilting her head, considering the only card to play, she finally nodded in relent.
"Very well, how are we going to accomplish this? Unfortunately, there is not much time before Wiseman will come looking for either of them, so you left me with minimal choice here."
"I'm glad you came to your senses," Mamoru smirked with his small victory, his eyes shifting to the edge of the room. "You can call off your dog while we're at it." Kakyuu nodded, shaking her shoulder as Seiya moved to stand beside her.
The detective's eyes burned with a fire for the young family head before him, contempt for his betrayal of Usagi and misuse of Haruka. Confident that he was set to betray the rest of them, he could only nod to Kakyuu. She's responsible for everything leading up to this and will have the take the consequences on herself. He had his own insurance policy.
"Good boy," he mocked as the detective ignored him. "I have the girl here. Now, again, where is the crystal?"
Kakyuu smiled as she tilted her head toward Seiya. A content smile graced the detective, with the taller man's face aggravation. "Tenoh has it," his voice was purposely despondent as Mamoru's frown etched further into his face.
"Good," Mamoru stated, a satisfied frown on his features as Seiya struggled to swallow his shock. "I have her too," he muttered as he turned towards Demand. Waving a hand, the glow released from the royal's body as he gasped slightly. Then, leaning up on the hard surface, Demand propped himself up on his elbow as his free hand went to rub his head. He jumped as he finally recognized those in the room with him before Mamoru's voice boomed over them.
"Relax," he commanded as the silver haired man obeyed, both hands falling to his lap as he sat on the edge of the table. Seiya eyes the slouched man, clearly still sedated even though he seemed to be under his power for now. "Now for the stone. I'll bring it and the princess here to complete the ceremony."
"What makes you so sure she will hand it over if that wrench hasn't already?" Kakyuu was snide as Mamoru turned away from her. A smug grin grew when he faulted slightly. "So your lap dog has stopped listening to you. It will be interesting seeing you get her rollover."
"I'll slit her throat if she doesn't," Mamoru growled.
"She can't tell you where it is if she's dead," Seiya jumped, shaken by the threat.
"That is true. She'd spit on your face and take her death if it meant to slight you," Kakyuu charged. "Maybe we let Seiya try first?" Both men took the statement as more than the suggestion that it appeared to be, Seiya moving in the direction of the taller man.
"I'll spit on both their graves," the rogue growled as both blondes watched the scene unfold. Usagi gripped the forearm tightly. She was uncertain whether to comfort the older woman or prevent her from launching at the two. The hold around her reminded her she couldn't abandon Koneko's side. They needed both of them and would undoubtedly cause harm to the young princess if it meant getting her to comply. She looked back towards the baby blue eyes, finding the pleasing look to find a way out of this without hurting them. Her mind raced as she searched for any other way to prevent harm to the shorter girl. Her eyes roamed over the visibly shaken girl, a mix of a sigh and a growl emitted before she gently placed a hand on the top of Usagi's head.
"You trust me, right?" She asked the young girl. An enthusiastic nod was all she got before an adorable side smile grew despite the situation. "Then please stay close, and we'll get out of here without a scratch," she reassured as she patted the odango head. She'll have some deep cuts to her ego, she mentally added. But Koneko won't need to worry about those.
Looking back at the group, the argument grew between the three, although she was sure it was just pure ego.
"You two are such wimps that you argue like little bitches rather than settling it like men," she yelled into the room, all four heads turning towards her.
"I see you still think you have the biggest balls of them all, ne?" Mamoru grimaced despite his remark.
"Perhaps she does," Kaykuu smiled. "I may not be sure about that, but it does mean you have outgrown your use." Mamoru spun just as Kakyuu sent a shot of blue lightning toward the tall man. He grunted as he slumped to his knees before falling to the ground. Haruka gasped, her reaction brief as she held the smaller girl tightly behind her to prevent her from witnessing the sight.
"Seiya, bring me the black crystal - and whatever else that lowbred is hiding," she added, suspicious of what other cards the rogue held. The detective moved slowly towards Haruka, his hands raised to convey that he did not want to hurt her.
"What are you doing, Kou?" Her voice lowered an octave as the raven haired man approached her. Seiya wore a wicked smile before he closed the distance between them in a leap. Haruka took Usagi by the hand, maneuvering around her like falling leaves as the young girl spiraled down. The same fluid movement used her opposite hand to unsheath her katana, turning to meet the detective with a clang. "I see you finally got the right equipment," she teased, her eyes trailing the blade connected with hers. "You still need to learn to stay out of my way," she snarled before pushing the detective back.
Usagi watched, panic filling as she listened to the clangs of metal. Yet, as her gaze fell to the slumped man on the floor, a different fear welled up. She rushed to his side, shaking Mamoru's shoulder as crystal tears welled up in her eyes. "Mamo, please wake up!" She called as she struggled to move him onto his back. Then, throwing her weight into his side to move him, she cried as she felt his arms wrap around her, pulling the petite blonde to the ground with him.
"Finally, Usako, I have you," he grunted as he moved to stand while holding her close.
"Koneko!" Haruka called as she watched the young blonde in the tall man's grasp. One of Seiya's strikes nicked her forearm, and she nearly dropped her sword.
Seiya tried to pull his sword as she called out to Usagi, wincing as he felt it connect still. Regret welled in him as he caught the panic in her eyes before he turned and charged at Mamoru. He took a wide slash, happy for the first time of Mamoru's broad shoulders making an easy target. As Mamoru clutched his wound, the detective scooped the short blonde, sliding on his knees across the floor. Then, placing Usagi's feet back on the ground, he turned to prepare for an angry man's retaliation, only to find Haruka had charged at him, their tall forms entangled on the floor.
"I trusted you, you bastard!" She cried as she swung at him. Seiya turned, tentatively looking at the young girl before reluctantly handing her the long sword. The blonde gripped the handle, the tip nearly lifting from the ground as the detective turned to help the enraged rogue. Of course, he wouldn't mind if he accidentally got a hit in on Mamoru while breaking them apart.
Haruka's fist swung with violent intent, connecting some solid hits against his sides as Mamoru lowered his arms to protect himself. From over his slumped shoulder, she saw the detective approaching them. As she prepared for the additional opponent, the aggression washed from her face, replaced with a whimper. Seiya wrapped Mamoru's arms behind him, but it was too late. Haruka dropped to her knees before the two men, gripping her side. She glanced down at the wet feeling, noticing the crimson spilling onto her hand.
Seiya watched the blonde rogue sink to her knees, biting back the shock as he saw the blood on the tip of the dagger Mamoru gripped. Slapping it from his hands, he kicked the taller man in the knee, so he also dropped to the ground. He held the back of Mamoru's collar like a vice, his grip growing tighter each moment he was not at the rogue's side.
The sound of a cry barely made it to his ears when a second later Usagi cast the weapon aside with disgust and was next to the rogue. His mind not quite registering the moments as Usagi moved about the older woman in an attempt to examine her wound. As his grip winced to the point where he was positive he would suffocate the murderous man in his grasp, a sharp pain broke the thought as Seiya dropped to the ground. Taking the chance to look over his shoulder, he caught the long dark robes of the new arrivals.
"I expected Tenoh would cause some difficulty for you, but this is a little out of hand," the hooded figure bellowed as he stopped to look down at the slumped blonde.
"I had it under control, Wiseman," Mamoru muttered with breaking strength as he attempted to raise his head.
"Stay down," Seiya hissed as he pushed Mamoru on the back of the head. The tired man obeyed, lowering himself to the floor. Seiya leaned back onto his forearms, scrambling to get his feet back underneath him. His gaze never left the hooded figure, a sense of familiarity in the sly grin that peeked out from the shadow.
"I think you're one to talk, Kou," Wiseman hissed. "You've caused enough trouble," he growled as one more spark of energy sipped from the cloaked hands, landing in the center of Seiya's torso.
He gripped his chest in pain, lifting his head as much as possible while remaining on his back. The hooded figure turned away, focusing on the two blondes. He watched helplessly as the figure stopped down, his hands lifting to his head and lowering the hood. A flame ignited in Seiya as he noticed the unmistakable long shale grey hair once contained by the cloak.
"Akihiko…"
The man glanced over his shoulder, a subtle gleam confirming his whispered words. Then, he turned his attention back to the rogue, lifting her head with his chin so the light blue eyes would meet his gaze.
"Haruka, I need you to wake up," he pleaded with a concern that surprised the detective. "We need to protect the Malefic Black Crystal. Give it to me."
"I can't—"the blonde stammered, her head still rolling from side to side in a barely controlled manner.
"Of course, my dear. Tell me where it is, and then you can rest."
"I can't," she repeated. Her body regained some control as she raised her gaze to meet Akihiko's puzzled expression. "I can't because I already destroyed it," she smirked. The older man pulled his hand away, confused, set in by her claim. Akihiko turned his attention to Demand, who was still sitting on the edge of the table,
"Is this true?" He hissed at Demand. The white haired man lifted his head slightly as the inquest.
"I have not felt anything since my brother's death," he minutely shrugged one shoulder. A husky chuckle mixed with coughs pulled his attention back to the blonde. Haruka had risen enough to steady herself on her knees, carefully placing herself between Usagi and her old friend.
"I see—" was the placid answer from the older man. "I have trained you better than I thought," he continued as he stepped closer to the rogue. "You take me for an old fool. Yet I know if you did indeed destroy the Black Crystal, then you have found the anthesis," Akihiko hissed as his face twisted into a wicked smile. The grey-haired man stood tall for a moment, carefully considering the blonde before him. "Now tell me where you have hidden the Legendary Silver Crystal."
Haruka shook her head vehemently. Her gaze narrowed as she studied the face of the man she once trusted. Akihiko towered over her, his leg swiftly moving over to meet her oozing side with a kick. The rogue released a distressed grunt, her hands bracing herself on the floor. Then, in a swift instance, she raised a shaky hand to her lips, defiantly tracing along them as if zipping them shut. An amused smile grew on the grey haired man's face before he sent a jolt of energy to the rogue.
"If you don't tell me, perhaps she will," his gaze turned to Usagi as another blast hit the rogue.
"Koneko, no." Haruka pleaded as her body jumped with pain again.
"Haruka!" The blonde cried, tears growing in her eyes as she tried to help her friend. Haruka's strong arm rose, pushing her back before another energy bust jolted through her body.
"Do you plan to let her suffer when you can stop it?" Akihiko called to the younger girl.
"I don't know how to give you what you want!" Usagi pleaded, desperate to stop the torment. "Please stop hurting her. I will help you, but I don't know what you want!" She cried again.
"I know what Wiseman needs," the shrill voice snapping Usagi and Seiya's heads. "I know where to find the Legendary Silver Crystal," Chibiusa added as she walked past Akihiko. "They tried to hide it from me, but I figured it out," she smiled at the grey haired man as she bent down to Usagi.
"Chibiusa — no!" Usagi cried as her sister wrapped her hands around her neck. The large red eyes locked with hers for a moment as the young sister found the edge of the necklace tucked into her clothing. Then, as the white light of the crystal grew brighter as it freed from the hiding place, Usagi studied her sister's face. She swore she saw the regretful look in the large red eyes before the pink haired girl turned to face Akihiko, proudly holding the crystal into the air.
"Thank you, Black Lady," Akihiko cheered, his eyes locked on the crystal. "I am pleased to see you had come though when all others failed!" He shot a streak of purple toward Kakyuu, who had been watching the unfolding events with awe. "You have only used me for your gain," he snarled again as one more burst sent towards the red haired woman. "And you—"turning towards Mamoru. "I told you that you were obsessed with the wrong girl," he blustered before shocking him again.
"Wiseman," Chibiusa spoke, the cloaked man turning his attention away from his conspirators. "Mamoru wasn't wrong. As sisters, we must combine our efforts to unlock the full power." Usagi's eyes widened at the words, her head snapping to look at her sister. She stood tall, unwavering, as Akihiko examined her, trying to decipher if she had told the truth. Sensing that did not convince him, Chibiusa looked at the two blondes on the floor. "That is why they were unsuccessful in unlocking the Black Crystal. They didn't think they needed my help." She turned to meet the pale grey stare. "You could say I played my part perfectly. If it makes you feel at ease, feel free to terminate Tenoh if Usagi doesn't cooperate."
"Very well," Akihiko conceded, a wave of his hand causing Demand to float from the table to the floor next to the collapsed rogue. "You may begin," he commanded.
Chibiusa extended her arm towards Usagi, her sister looking up extraneously at her. The younger girl pleaded with her sister to take her hand, silently imploring the blonde to trust her. Usagi looks at the rogue on the ground before setting her resolve, standing beside her sister. If this is what she must do to save Haruka, then she will help. Secretly hoping the older woman would find a way out of this. Chibiusa moved to face her, extending her hand with the Silver Crystal in her palm. Usagi eyed her carefully as she clasped her hand on top.
"Follow your heart Usagi, and we will be able to end this madness. Prince Demand's control of the Black Crystal has caused much harm and destruction. It is safer if we take it from him."
A curious look grew as she studied her younger sister, nearly not recognizing the confident woman before her. Red eyes met her blue ones before a sly wink graced her face. Usagi blinked quickly, pondering if she imagined things. As Chibiusa closed her eyes, Usagi did the same.
She concentrated on her friends, loved ones, and everything she cared for and wanted to save. Focusing harder, she felt the warmth once only reserved for when the crystal was fracking her skin to fill her whole body. Her memories drifted towards her protectors and the rogue's words that the light grows more robust when they are close. A silent plea rang from her heart. She wanted them close. Mamoru, Haruka, Seiya, even Chibiusa. She prayed for them to be safe and protected as they had protected her.
Seiya was still solidly on his behind, watching the strange act of the two sisters unfold. Mamoru lay beside him, exhausted beyond the point of trying to move. His focus would shift from the slumped blonde form on the floor, curious how much blood she had lost, and then back to the shorter blonde, curious how she suddenly displayed such bravery. He could only watch in awe as a brilliant white light grew around them, wondering if he had grown delirious.
So long past the shock of the control of the strange colored energy that seemingly just about everyone but him could wield, the light around the girls reminded him of the moon. The brilliant and calm light of a full moon, the smile it would bring to his features when it greeted him during his stargazing. The memory was growing within him, losing focus on the events in the room as he reminisced about the night sky, the glowing moon mixed against the navy backdrop before exploding into a series of shooting stars.
As they streaked the sky, he wished for Usagi to be safe. Another for Haruka, one for his brothers. More and more as he thought of all the things he needed to protect. The steaming lights increased until his midnight blue eyes snapped open, focusing on the cause of so much of his pain. He must have released some sort of cry as Akihiko suddenly turned to him.
"Leave them alone!" He screamed, his finger extending to point at the grey haired man furiously. Akihiko curiously frowned at the gesture as a fury of blue sparks streaked from the detective towards the older man. The shooting stars screamed across the room, striking the cloaked man straight on until he fell upon his back.
Seiya clutched his hand back towards his body, examining his fist for a moment in contemplation of what had happened. He noticed the sisters had also stopped glowing as they looked curiously between the detective and the man now on the floor.
"I didn't expect you'd be the one to try that," Akihiko bellowed as a chuckle escaped him. Cold grey eyes stared at him as the older man lifted himself onto his elbows. "A noble attempt, but still in vain. They have already completed the ritual, but I did enjoy the light show," he snorted as he nodded towards the dark glowing item floating above Demand's chest.
Haruka blinked as she contemplated her current situation. She could feel the cold kiss of the floor on her cheek, remembering the danger they were all in. Akihiko's cold laughter as he taunted the detective alerted her that he was still a threat. She tilted her head slightly as she reached to touch her wet side, needing to remember how deep the gash was before she made her last stand. She blinked as she blindly ran her hand over her skin, desperately seeking the wound and finding nothing. Confused, she took the chance to glance up, spotting Usagi and Chibiusa still clutching the bright stone. She watched the dancing light of the Silver Crystal before she blinked again, guessing her missing wound was Usagi's doing. Then, slowly lifting herself to her forearms to look, she saw Akihiko stand as he continued to taunt the detective.
Baka, draw him away from Koneko, she mentally pleaded with the detective.
As she steadied herself, she noticed the dark crystal floating above Demand. All of this just for that? She mentally cursed, noting that it was just a bigger version of the gemstone she had been chasing this whole time. Lifting further, her lips pressed into a thin line as she considered her next move. Usagi has purified the Malefic Black Crystal, and Akihiko might be blissfully unaware of that fact. She turned once more towards the floating gemstone, silently hoping her guess was correct. Then, grasping the black crystal tightly in her fist, she rose to her feet.
"Don't you see you are all powerless now?" Akihiko continued the taunt of the detective. "She used the last of the Silver Crystal to help you, and it does nothing to stop me?"
"I'll show you what true power is," a husky voice bellowed. Seiya smiled as he saw the blonde standing tall, her stare narrowed on Akihiko. "Please, save Usagi," she silently pleaded to the detective as her blue eyes connected with his for a moment. He gasped as he realized she was about to do something rash, and he raised his hand to stop her.
"Haruka! No!" Mamoru yelled beside him, beating him to it as he realized that the raven haired man was now standing beside him.
"Now!" The blonde screamed as she raised her fist above her head. Seiya shared a questioning look at the taller man before both took off toward the sisters. Seiya scooped Chibiusa while Mamoru grabbed Usagi, not stopping as they heard the blonde continue to yell.
"You have no idea of the power of this world because you only seek to destroy it. You never knew the power of love!" She lectured him.
"What would an orphan like you know of love?" He taunted, a smirk on his lips. The blonde's tantrum clearly entertained him. He knew her limits. No matter what the Tsukino girls could have done to power her up, he was confident he was beyond that.
"What do I know of love?" She asked incredulously. "I know it will shake your world!" As her fist grew taller above her head, Akihiko noticed a golden glow. A questionable frown grew, but before he could react, she launched toward him, landing in front of him, and slammed her fist into the ground. The light seemingly punched into the earth, erupting as the floor jetted around him, the golden light growing from the cracks before pounding into his body-- hard. The older man slammed against the wall, the energy holding him to the wall as if a torrent of wind,
"I now know you never knew love," Haruka regrettably sighed as she moved closer, her fist once again above her head. "And for that, I am sorry for you." She jumped once again, clearing the distance between them. Her glowing fist connected with his torso this time, a shriek escaping the older man as his body erupted as the earth's crust did moments ago. His form shattered like a clay figure, the gold and purple light escaping from every crack before mixing in the air above them.
Seiya stopped at the terrace, the sounds inside the mansion sounding as if the earth was opening up and swallowing it whole. He lowered Chibiusa to stand beside him, all of them watching the lighting show emit from the building. Guilt filled him, and he left the blonde alone as he moved towards the home. A strong hand on his shoulder stopped him, midnight eyes glaring at the taller man before a set of lights shot into the air. The four watched the house as another set of lights streaked into the air before a golden glow shot out the windows. Mamoru grabbed the girls and the detective, kneeling over them as he focused his mind. The same golden ribbons grew from his form, flowing out like a cape from his central figure just as the bright light escaped the house like a plasmic flow. It washed over the ground, hitting the ribbons before washing up and over Mamoru and those cradled behind him.
As the lights finally dissipated, Mamoru grunted as he broke his concentration, and the ribbons disappeared.
Seiya looked at the others as they all glanced around at the distraction. The windows were all broken in the building, looking like a small bomb had gone off. His eyes suddenly widened as one thought hit him. "Haruka!" He cried as he took off towards the destroyed building.