Sailor Moon; Avalon Part 5 - A New Love by Justin Anderson Wednesday, March 3rd. 9:02 AM "What's this?" Jacob asked. "Ah, Jacob-san! We got a new game in last night," Motoki replied. Jacob looked it over. "Oh, yeah, I think I know what this is." He pulled one of the plastic guns from the holster. "Target shooting?" he asked. "Yes," Motoki said. "It's a hunting game. The game's been successful in the United States." 'I'll bet,' Jacob thought. Putting his coins in, he read the screen. "Okay, it's a point and shoot system, you pump the shotgun to reload." He turned from the screen. He could see Ami walking outside. "Here, you try it. I need to go do something," he said. Jacob followed her to the juice parlor. "You looked depressed, Ami-san." "Jacob-san! No, not really.... actually, I need to talk to you and Mako-chan later about something," she said. 5:27 PM Ami sat opposite Jacob and Makoto. "I need your advice on something. I don't know what's wrong, but I can't bring myself to talk to a buy I like." "Who is it?" Makoto asked. "His name is Hirozuki. I have classes with him. Last night, he offered to let me study out of a textbook he was using, and I was too scared to talk to him." "Am I missing something?" Jacob whispered. "Ami-chan has always been shy around men. She even has trouble receiving love letters." "Oh," he replied. "Ami-chan, you should tell him how you feel. Otherwise, how will he know?" Makoto asked. "I know... but, what if he doesn't feel the same way? Ryo-san liked me, but he moved away. I don't know, I might see him tonight in the library. Maybe I will tell him. I should go, I don't want to be late for class." Ami left. "She's not going to do it, is she?" he asked. "Ami-chan is afraid of rejection. She still studies constantly. If not for us, she may not even have friends. I was hoping she would try to open up more. But, even I was beginning to think there was no hope." She put her arms around him. "I was too," he said. "If not for you, I'd be nothing. No one could ever replace you in my heart." "Boys always told me I wasn't their type," she said. He replied, "they're idiots. Wait, why did Ami-san want to talk to us?" "I don't know," she replied. "No, I think I do... Mina and Usagi would become too involved, and Rei doesn't even have a boyfriend yet." 6:11 PM Luna paced the carpet. "What is it, Luna?" Usagi asked. "I don't know. Something odd I've felt since I first saw Jacob-san... something familiar about him. But, he's from another universe. He didn't even have a star seed when he arrived. But something about him feels familiar, almost like I've seen him before. Anyway, I need to go see him." "Why, Luna?" Usagi asked. "I forgot to provide him with a communicator. Which may be a bit tricky, I'd need to give him something that would blend in. A pink calculator would look a bit odd, don't you think?" 6:32 PM Makoto heard the scratching at the door. "Luna." "Mako-chan! I need to see Jacob-san." "He'll be back in a few minutes. He went to the store for me," she explained. "Oh, there he is, down the hall." "Good. It's urgent," Luna said. Jacob carried the bags inside. "Luna, what are you doing here?" he asked. "Well, I forgot to give you something, but... can I see your watch?" "How come?" he asked. "I need to borrow it for a while," she said. "What for?" "I need to give you a communicator, and I need to copy your watch," she explained. "All right, but... be careful with it." He removed it, setting it down. Grabbing it in her teeth, she ran off. "What just happened?" he asked. "I don't know," Makoto replied. "... and that's an expensive watch, too." 9:11 PM Jacob heard the scratching at his door. It was Luna, holding a watch in her mouth. He took it. The watch had a gold coloring instead of silver, and his cross symbol stood out in the background. "Where's my watch?" he asked. "I'll deliver it later. Your watch is made of a strange metal I've never seen before... anyway, there's a button at the bottom, press that to open the communicator. It will contact the others when you open it." Thursday, March 4th. 12:32 PM Jacob watched the green haired woman walk up to him. "I'm on break," he said. "Jacob Arden?" she asked. He replied, "and you would be?" "Setsuna Meioh. I need to talk with you about something." "Is this about my immigration status?" he asked. "No. I need to discuss the timeline you come from." "Would you excuse me for one second?" Heading to a quiet area of the juice parlor, he opened his communicator. "Anyone know a woman named Setsuna?" he asked. "You mean Sailor Pluto?" Rei asked. "Quite possibly." he closed his watch, walking over to her. "What do you want to know?" "I've seen your world. It is a sad place, but you're the first visitor from another reality to arrive here. You bypassed the gates of time to do so. I need to know, what was the year in your world when you left?" she asked. "2003." "Hmm... it would explain why your world is so different. The paths of our worlds split long ago, long before I have ever seen," she said. "If you saw the world I'm from... please don't tell anyone what it was like. I don't want to lay that burden on anyone here. Wait- this has something to do with the future, doesn't it? Mamoru told me about what he saw." "Yes, it is why I am here," she explained. "Let me guess, I don't fit into that future, and I have to leave, right?" "I was given instructions not to tell you," she said. "Merely to tell you that you have to make your own choice whether or not to stay." "Now you're being cryptic. I'm staying. If you're trying to talk me out of it, it won't work." "I believe you will not be disappointed with your choice. But we must also be concerned with this new enemy. I will be in touch," she said, leaving. 5:32 PM "Can this Setsuna woman be trusted?" Jacob asked. "Yes. Why?" Usagi asked. "She visited me today, asking questions, and refusing to tell me what she knows about my future." "I see... she doesn't tell any of us," Makoto said. "What we do know was necessary at the time, but even then, we weren't told much." "I'm sorry if I worried anyone earlier," Setsuna said as she approached the shrine. "But I needed to know certain details. Jacob-san has nothing to worry about. As to this new enemy, all I know is that they are from this universe, and this time. I've been unable to learn more." "We don't know much, ourselves," Jacob said. "Aside from the fact that these monsters are machines. They seem to have a self-destruct mechanism installed, reducing them to dust if they're severely injured. Possibly to keep us from capturing one. They also have limited intelligence." "But we still don't know how they can change their shape," Usagi said. "Change shape?" Setsuna asked. "Yes. One changed its shape into a snake when it attacked. But that was the only one." "I do have a theory," Jacob said. "They never send any more than three at a time. It's possible that whoever this is doesn't have a full force to invest in what they're after." They heard the beep. Jacob opened his watch. "Two more monsters are attacking the Jyuban shopping center," Ami said. "How bad is it?" he asked. "Not too bad." "We'll be right there!" 5:41 PM "Shabon SPRAY!" The mist covered the area. "Analysis, water. An attempt to blind us," one said. "Infrared vision to compensate," the second replied. "Further analysis, release vision inhibiting gases to blind organic life." The area filled with smoke. Mercury couldn't see. Avalon jumped through the smoke, punching one of the monsters. Mars pointed, scouting, "Fire So-" "WAIT!" Avalon shouted. "This gas might go off! We need to get rid of it, I can barely see them." "Let me analyze the fog," Mercury said. Her visor scanned through the fog. "No, it's not flammable. But we still can't find them." "You can't see them?" Sailor Moon asked. "No... the fog seems to be made of the same material they are. It's preventing me from seeing them." "Dead scream," Pluto shouted. The wave interrupted the fog, showing the two monsters. "Jupiter, Oak Evolution!" The wave of leaves tore the two monsters apart. They disintegrated quickly. The fog vanished with them. "Why did they attack?" Mars asked. Avalon looked around. "It's an ambush... I think there are three more around us." He was right. Three more jumped out. A rose pierced the visor of one. A chain of hearts slammed into another. Sailor Moon kicked the third in the chest. The three monsters vanished. "Let's get out of here before more show up," Tuxedo Mask suggested. 6:11 PM "What have you to report, Damion?" Asmodeus asked. "Very little. Even at its most advanced, Earth technology is still very primitive. Extracting mechanical energy from this world be a waste of time. There is nuclear power, but it is too unstable, too lethal. At least, to Earth beings, the radiation is lethal, possibly to us, as well. However, our food reserves can easily be supplemented by mining this planet, assuming our food processors can handle this world's resources." "Which tells me little," Asmodeus said. "If we do not obtain that crystal soon, our own resources will expire, and I will not watch our empire fall in on itself. They destroyed five more battle units, and it seems as if they have yet another ally. Damion, I am placing you in charge of claiming the Ginzuishou and solving our more... immediate power concerns. I would like to have enough power to make the return trip!" "As you wish. I will need battle units and weaponry," Damion said. Asmodeus replied, "You shall have them, but I warn you- use our resources sparingly!" 6:19 PM "Jacob-san, do you have any ideas?" Setsuna asked. "None..." he replied. "Ami-chan, you have a plan?" Usagi asked. She replied, "possibly... if I could have more time, I could analyze one of those creatures. But they fall apart too fast." "They last about thirty seconds if I stun it myself, otherwise, it's an instantaneous destruction," Jacob explained. He was looking away from the conversation. "What's wrong?" Usagi asked. "I shouldn't be giving orders," he said. "I'm not in charge, you are. I shouldn't usurp your authority the way I did today!" "But... we're a team. We all have to work together, otherwise we'll fail." "I know," he replied, "but-" "Did you ever give orders before even though you weren't in charge?" Setsuna asked. "Did you save any lives?" "I did... I see your point," he said. "Ami-san, didn't you say that the fog was made up of the same material the creatures are?" "Yes, that's right," she replied. "Why?" "Nothing, just a thought I want to consider..." 6:44 PM Ami opened her pack, removing a stack of medical papers and books. She didn't notice Hirozuki enter the lab. "Hello, Mizuno-san!" he greeted. "Oh, hello, Hiro-san." "Studying again? I don't think I've ever seen you do anything else after classes were over... I don't have classes tomorrow, if you're free, I'd like to take you out," he said. Ami jumped. "H-huh?" "That is, not a date, exactly, but I thought I'd at least give you a chance to get away from studying for a few hours. You'll waste your youth in these books if you don't have some fun," he said. "Okay... what time?" she asked. He replied, "Five o'clock would be good. Meet me here!" He waved, leaving the library. Friday, March 5th. 3:11 PM "Well, no one's played it since we got it, I think we should get rid of it," Jacob said, pointing at the target game. "You're right... it's not even a very good game," Motoki replied. "I'd better unplug it and call for someone to pick it up." Jacob resumed his sweeping duties. He could hear the screaming outside. 'Here we go again...' he thought, letting go of the broom. He watched. Four of the creatures were attacking citizens outside. "Motoki-san! We've got problems outside!" "I know. We need to get everyone in here to a safe place!" Motoki replied. They began moving people to the back of the arcade. Jacob thought of a way to get outside. "KID! No, don't go out there... Motoki-san, I'd better get him before he gets hurt!" "Yes! GO!" Jacob ran. Reaching a safe spot, he opened his communicator. "Problems at Crown! Four creatures attacking people! I'm here, but I may need help!" He concentrated on the button, the bright flash changing him instantly. 'Have to distract them...' Grabbing the nearest small object, he threw it. It hit one of the creatures in the forehead. "I'm here... leave these people alone." "Only one of you?" a voice asked. "We're all here!" Sailor Moon shouted. A man rose from the crowd, looking downward. "People trying to go about their daily business should not have to worry about monsters attacking them for no reason! I am the sailor suited pretty soldier of love and justice, Sailor Moon! In the name of the moon, I'll punish you!" "Yes, I heard such a speech before... my name is Damion, not as if it will matter to you. Either give me the Ginzuishou, or I'll destroy this population center!" he shouted. Raising his hand, he said, "what was I thinking... I never expected you to actually DO IT!" A pulse flew from his hand, the Senshi jumping away in time to avoid the blast. "Well, we at least know who's sending these monsters!" Mars shouted. "Maybe... we can talk about him later! We need a plan!" Avalon said. "Anyone have any suggestions?" Sailor Moon asked. Avalon looked from behind the corner. Damion had two charges ready, and the four creatures under him. "... none." Copyrights: Sailor, Tuxedo Mask, other Bishoujo Senshi Sailor Moon characters, and settings are copyright Naoko Takeuchi/Toei/Kodansha, and are used without permission. Jacob Arden is my sole copyright. 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