Sorry that it has been so long. Have had most of this chapter done for a
while, just ran out of thoughts and time half way through. Think that
writers block and ambition have been playing tag with me.
Oh and really only one note this time that I guess I should bring to your attention. The name of the Elite's leader. Maria. The Latin word for sea, pronounced Ma-ree-uh instead of the more common name Mu-ree-uh. Don't think there is anything else I am missing at the moment, and if I am, yell at me I guess.
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For what felt like months Luna and Pluto drilled the new recruits. They were quick to find that teaching them how to use their new abilities was one thing. Getting them to work as a team was an entirely more difficult subject. Twice Ares and Aphrodite had ganged up against Hermes, nearly killing her the second time. That was the last straw. Pluto had had enough. Furry escalated in her soft voice as she cast Dead Scream, sending the misfits flailing in five different directions. Luna only stood back and allowed the ancient soldier to vent her wrath and disperse punishment.
When all had regained balance again Pluto merely tilted her head to one side, her staff leaning the opposite way. "Willing to work as a team finally? Or do I need to make my thoughts clearer?" Grumbling they each cast wary, painful glanced to one another. A mutual silence passed between each that they would lay off each other, none wanting to be struck with that again, though none would openly admit it. Idly Zeus massaged her hip where she had landed on it roughly, trying to keep the action discreet.
In short time the five were working together effectively. Obeying orders from anyone higher than they without verbal fuss.
After what felt like an eternity Luna finally spoke up, as the girls were resting post one of their most difficult training sessions. "It is time we leave."
"Finally." Moaned Maria. She couldn't remember how long it had been since she had had a fix. Shaking her head slightly she tried to ignore the urge, knowing there was no way she could get any drugs out here. Not unless she wanted to smoke rice. Frankly she and all the others were getting tired of Japanese food. ~Need a fucking burger before I go insane here.~
For the umpteen-hundredth time they camped out in the literal middle of nowhere. After what felt like only forty minutes as opposed to forty winks, the team was quickly aroused and given a hearty breakfast, thought none were too willing to eat the same thing again.
When all had eaten their fill Luna instructed them to morph before ushering them through a portal onto a sparse city street. For the most part it was clean, the air was crisp and clear.
"We sure ain't in fucking Kansas anymore." Zeus muttered, letting her eyes wander over the area.
Sharply Pluto silenced the girls. "Follow close," she hissed over one shoulder. Through the back streets she carefully guided the five towards her own apartment. Once inside they were allowed to sit.
"Where'd Luna sneak off to?" Hermes questioned, taking a brief glance out of a large bay window. Evening was settling and the distant city was beginning to light up like a Christmas tree.
"To get the others."
"Others?" Ares raised an eyebrow while brushing her long bangs back and tucking them behind an ear.
"Your twin stars, Moon, Mercury, Mars, Jupiter, and Venus, along with the remaining Outers; Neptune, Uranus and Saturn."
"You never did tell us the origins of our names, you know." Annoyed slightly Aphrodite folded her arms across her chest and gave the older warrior a near hateful look.
Pluto simply nodded. "I know." With that she slipped into the kitchen to retrieve drinks for her guests.
Not even ten minutes later the remaining warriors arrived. Pluto had expected Usagi to bounce into the room to greet the new Sailors, but to all's shock she remained sweetly composed, introducing herself in slightly broken English. Afterwards she took a seat and waited for an explanation with the others as a small black cat slid off her shoulder and into the future queens lap, Mamoru taking a lean against one of the back walls, marveling at the resemblance that the newcomers towards the his girlfriends team.
"I am glad that all of you were able to make it. I am sorry that it is getting so late, so I will try to keep this brief." Currently the Elite were staring at Luna as if they had just walked into the Twilight Zone. "Recently Artemis and I have discovered a new threat approaching." Briefly she glanced to Usagi. "It is not that we do not believe in your abilities, but this is something that needs more than you can offer." Nodding to the Elite she instructed them to introduce themselves. Obidently they did so. "These five are the first Scouts to be formed." She half mumbled as soon as they were finished.
"Then why haven't we met them before?" Ami asked. "Weren't they reborn with the rest of the Moon Kingdom?"
"Yes and no. They were lost before the last Princess was born, thought many claimed to have seen them on occasion. In their place the Planetary Scouts were formed."
"Pluto never answered my question earlier." Aphrodite piped up with. "Is there a reason that the queen named us after Greek Gods, and Goddesses?"
"In all honesties they were named after you. Your Sailor manes are Titles of court actually."
"And why, if we are supposed to be so special, then why did we end up in that shit hole?"
Luna sighed and let her eyes drift down. "To where you were reborn reflects what is in your heart at time of death. I suppose you were all in rotten moods when yours came, so hence." She glanced up, having trouble keeping eye contact with the Elite. "In all honesties I wasn't ever supposed to know about you. But I overheard Serenity talking to some of her council one evening. Perhaps it is a good thing."
"But why did you have to bring us here? This place is more depressing than the one in which we just left." Aphrodite scowled and tried to rip her eyes away from the windows, but all her attempts failed.
"I need you to protect the princess."
"And what about us? Are we suddenly just chopped liver or something?" Makoto fumed.
"No. But you are busy with finals soon and need to study. You may be the future queens protectors, but in order to keep up appearances you still have to complete high school. Besides, if you don't what sort of example would you be setting for Chibi Usa?"
Everyone fell silent at the truth in the cat's words.
"So basically," Maria mumbled, "we have to play nurse maid until they get their diplomas?"
"In a way, I guess you could say that." The feline was quickly starting to feel sheepish, as if this were a really bad idea after all. "But it will not be like you have to play Secret Service. The Inner Scouts can handle themselves if anything should arise around here. You are to wait until we find our target."
Oh and really only one note this time that I guess I should bring to your attention. The name of the Elite's leader. Maria. The Latin word for sea, pronounced Ma-ree-uh instead of the more common name Mu-ree-uh. Don't think there is anything else I am missing at the moment, and if I am, yell at me I guess.
~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~
For what felt like months Luna and Pluto drilled the new recruits. They were quick to find that teaching them how to use their new abilities was one thing. Getting them to work as a team was an entirely more difficult subject. Twice Ares and Aphrodite had ganged up against Hermes, nearly killing her the second time. That was the last straw. Pluto had had enough. Furry escalated in her soft voice as she cast Dead Scream, sending the misfits flailing in five different directions. Luna only stood back and allowed the ancient soldier to vent her wrath and disperse punishment.
When all had regained balance again Pluto merely tilted her head to one side, her staff leaning the opposite way. "Willing to work as a team finally? Or do I need to make my thoughts clearer?" Grumbling they each cast wary, painful glanced to one another. A mutual silence passed between each that they would lay off each other, none wanting to be struck with that again, though none would openly admit it. Idly Zeus massaged her hip where she had landed on it roughly, trying to keep the action discreet.
In short time the five were working together effectively. Obeying orders from anyone higher than they without verbal fuss.
After what felt like an eternity Luna finally spoke up, as the girls were resting post one of their most difficult training sessions. "It is time we leave."
"Finally." Moaned Maria. She couldn't remember how long it had been since she had had a fix. Shaking her head slightly she tried to ignore the urge, knowing there was no way she could get any drugs out here. Not unless she wanted to smoke rice. Frankly she and all the others were getting tired of Japanese food. ~Need a fucking burger before I go insane here.~
For the umpteen-hundredth time they camped out in the literal middle of nowhere. After what felt like only forty minutes as opposed to forty winks, the team was quickly aroused and given a hearty breakfast, thought none were too willing to eat the same thing again.
When all had eaten their fill Luna instructed them to morph before ushering them through a portal onto a sparse city street. For the most part it was clean, the air was crisp and clear.
"We sure ain't in fucking Kansas anymore." Zeus muttered, letting her eyes wander over the area.
Sharply Pluto silenced the girls. "Follow close," she hissed over one shoulder. Through the back streets she carefully guided the five towards her own apartment. Once inside they were allowed to sit.
"Where'd Luna sneak off to?" Hermes questioned, taking a brief glance out of a large bay window. Evening was settling and the distant city was beginning to light up like a Christmas tree.
"To get the others."
"Others?" Ares raised an eyebrow while brushing her long bangs back and tucking them behind an ear.
"Your twin stars, Moon, Mercury, Mars, Jupiter, and Venus, along with the remaining Outers; Neptune, Uranus and Saturn."
"You never did tell us the origins of our names, you know." Annoyed slightly Aphrodite folded her arms across her chest and gave the older warrior a near hateful look.
Pluto simply nodded. "I know." With that she slipped into the kitchen to retrieve drinks for her guests.
Not even ten minutes later the remaining warriors arrived. Pluto had expected Usagi to bounce into the room to greet the new Sailors, but to all's shock she remained sweetly composed, introducing herself in slightly broken English. Afterwards she took a seat and waited for an explanation with the others as a small black cat slid off her shoulder and into the future queens lap, Mamoru taking a lean against one of the back walls, marveling at the resemblance that the newcomers towards the his girlfriends team.
"I am glad that all of you were able to make it. I am sorry that it is getting so late, so I will try to keep this brief." Currently the Elite were staring at Luna as if they had just walked into the Twilight Zone. "Recently Artemis and I have discovered a new threat approaching." Briefly she glanced to Usagi. "It is not that we do not believe in your abilities, but this is something that needs more than you can offer." Nodding to the Elite she instructed them to introduce themselves. Obidently they did so. "These five are the first Scouts to be formed." She half mumbled as soon as they were finished.
"Then why haven't we met them before?" Ami asked. "Weren't they reborn with the rest of the Moon Kingdom?"
"Yes and no. They were lost before the last Princess was born, thought many claimed to have seen them on occasion. In their place the Planetary Scouts were formed."
"Pluto never answered my question earlier." Aphrodite piped up with. "Is there a reason that the queen named us after Greek Gods, and Goddesses?"
"In all honesties they were named after you. Your Sailor manes are Titles of court actually."
"And why, if we are supposed to be so special, then why did we end up in that shit hole?"
Luna sighed and let her eyes drift down. "To where you were reborn reflects what is in your heart at time of death. I suppose you were all in rotten moods when yours came, so hence." She glanced up, having trouble keeping eye contact with the Elite. "In all honesties I wasn't ever supposed to know about you. But I overheard Serenity talking to some of her council one evening. Perhaps it is a good thing."
"But why did you have to bring us here? This place is more depressing than the one in which we just left." Aphrodite scowled and tried to rip her eyes away from the windows, but all her attempts failed.
"I need you to protect the princess."
"And what about us? Are we suddenly just chopped liver or something?" Makoto fumed.
"No. But you are busy with finals soon and need to study. You may be the future queens protectors, but in order to keep up appearances you still have to complete high school. Besides, if you don't what sort of example would you be setting for Chibi Usa?"
Everyone fell silent at the truth in the cat's words.
"So basically," Maria mumbled, "we have to play nurse maid until they get their diplomas?"
"In a way, I guess you could say that." The feline was quickly starting to feel sheepish, as if this were a really bad idea after all. "But it will not be like you have to play Secret Service. The Inner Scouts can handle themselves if anything should arise around here. You are to wait until we find our target."