CHAPTER TEN: THE SHOWDOWN FOR TOKYO!
There were twelve networks stationed in the City of Tokyo that dabbled in at least a little bit of News. Four of them were International, while six others were 24 hour services. Each and every one of them was gathered in the office of the Mayor of Tokyo. They were arrayed in front of the overturned desk of Bill Watase.
The Mayor stood behind the desk, still sweating nervously. Executioner coolly stood on his right. Her left hand was clamped like a vise on the back of the Mayor's neck. She didn't visibly threaten him with her Silence Glaive, but the implication was there.
"Are they all here, Mister Mayor?" Executioner asked in a voice that clearly showed impatience.
"Y-yes," Watase stammered.
"Then begin."
Watase gulped and took a deep breath. "People of Tokyo… Th-this is Mayor Watase speaking from the Mayor's offices in City Hall… I have a very important announcement to make… A-as of this moment… I have stepped down as Mayor of this city and have appointed this woman… Executioner… As the new Mayor of Tokyo!"
The Reporters all gasped and some of them already tried to spill over with questions.
Executioner sliced the air with her Silence Glaive, creating a sharp whistle. "Shut up!" she barked.
The Reporters quickly silenced themselves and paid attention for more.
"I am Executioner," she began simply. "Most of you watching your televisions the past few days already know of what I stand for. Most of you also have thought of me as nothing more than a mere Vigilante. A brief, but troublesome annoyance that your vaunted Police Force or Sailor Senshi would dispose of. Well I am here to put a stop to those thoughts immediately. As your Senshi have learned the hard way… and as your Police and National Guard have come to find out… I am NOT going away! And now I am the Mayor of your city! Tokyo is under MY jurisdiction now. Effective immediately, all crime and violent activities will cease. Those in violation of this order will be executed on the spot! As Mayor I am ordering all Police Units to shoot to kill ANY Criminal who does not abide by this simple rule! Second, this city in its entirety is now under Martial Law. No one will leave and no one will enter. I assume the National Guard Units on the way from outside Tokyo will learn this the hard way as well. I have erected a force field barrier around the entire city. There is no one who can stop me, but I will be benevolent to those who will simply follow my rules and do not get in my way. As a Senshi it saddens me to have to go this far. But since no one in this city seemed to want to be protected I had no choice but to take steps. This city will become a beacon of peace and prosperity for the rest of the world to model after. I will create a Tokyo where there is no crime, no poverty, no more destruction. I will do this for your own good and for the good of the entire Planet once they see that my policy works. But until the rest of the Earth accepts this policy Tokyo will remain completely isolated, save for trade of resources. And I assure you to anyone who is listening outside of this city… There is not a weapon or force you possess powerful enough to crack the Wall of Silence! That is all I have to say…"
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"Echo-Two-Niner, this is Echo-One-Seven," said the Pilot of the lead Blackhawk Helicopter. "We're coming over the mountains now. Tokyo is now in sight."
"Roger that. Still no Radar contact though," the other Pilot replied. "I've just got a huge black hole in the center of my screen. And… Dear Lord! What is that thing!"
The Pilots of all twelve National Guard Choppers looked up and reacted in shock at the sight of Tokyo. It wasn't the broken skyline that troubled them. Many of them were used to that sight already. It was the sight of a giant, wavering bubble that covered the entirety of the city! It was enormous!
"What is that thing, sir?!" asked one Echo-One-Seven's Crew.
"It looks like a giant upside down bowl! It's covering the entire city!" said another Helicopter Pilot.
"Sir! Be aware! That giant bubble is exactly the size of the hole in my Radar!" said Echo-Two-Niner.
"It looks like a giant shield, sir. Like one of those Science Fiction movies," said another Pilot.
"Let's test that theory," said the Mission Leader. "Move in close, but watch your Rotors. Fire a few pot-shots at the bubble."
One of the Blackhawks, Echo-Two-Three, moved in close and turned to the side, exposing its Cabin. One of the Aircrewmen began firing at the bubble with his Machine Gun. It quickly became evident that the bubble was indeed a force field. The bullets skipped off the field like rocks off a pond and scattered away.
"Negative, sir. That's a negative penetration!" said Echo-Two-Three's Pilot.
"Fire one of our Hellfires," said the Mission Leader. "All Units remain clear."
Echo-Two-Five moved into position and locked on with its missile. "Target locked. Releasing missile."
One of the four Hellfire missiles hanging from the Blackhawk's Bomb-rack fired and streaked directly at the bubble over Tokyo. Seconds later it detonated, creating a ripple on the force field where it collided, but doing nothing to the overall integrity of the wall!
"Impossible! Those things can take out half a city block!" Echo-Two-Five's Co-pilot exclaimed.
"What's going on in there, I wonder?" asked another Crewmember.
"Whatever it is we can't crack it ourselves," said Mission Leader. "All Units pull off and return to base. We're going to need a bigger punch to get in there."
ssssss
"This is huge, boss!" said Terry to Lyle. "What that Executioner babe said inside the Mayor's Office was no lie. There's word filtering in that some National Guard Choppers tried to come to Tokyo but they had to turn back because some giant invisible force kept them from coming in!"
"Calm down, Terry," said Lyle, breaking out his Cellphone. "Hello, Mister Kawabi? Yes, it's Lyle. Well we couldn't get the scoop, but I'll bet we've got more viewers than we've ever had. Hopefully Executioner doesn't crack down on Journalism, right? Yes, we'll keep the Cameras rolling, something's bound to happen soon. The Police are really confused though. They're standing around outside City Hall wondering if they should salute her or shoot her. Yes, I'll start taking interviews. I'll be around."
Lyle turned around just as a new Police Car pulled in and a blonde Police Officer stepped out. Lyle looked at his Cameraman and motioned him over. He approached the Cop. "Sir. Can I get a word with you?" Lyle called out.
The man stopped in his tracks, looking annoyed.
"You've heard the announcement by Executioner?" Lyle asked. "What are your opinions about it? What do you think this unprecedented event means for Tokyo? Will the Police Force work with Executioner or continue to resist?"
The man put his hand over Lyle's microphone and glowered at him. "Get out of my way. I am going in there and I am going to fix this problem myself. If I were you I would pray that I succeed. Because with Executioner in charge Tokyo is doomed! Tell that to your audience."
Lyle moved aside without saying another word and looked at Terry.
"Does he mean what he says?" asked Terry. "I've seen that guy before. I think he's been on the News before."
"You may be right. One way or another something huge is bound to happen. Keep your lens on him. I got a gut hunch about him…" Lyle's eyes widened and looked skyward. "Holy Shit! It's HER!!"
Terry turned the Camera around and aimed at where Lyle was looking. It was Sailor Moon! She descended from the sky on majestic wings! To everyone around she looked like an Angel! As she touched down the wings shrank down and became the bows on the back of her fuku.
The Police and Reporters all gasped. She looked dirty from being buried in the building and her uniform was slightly torn, but she looked none the worse for wear.
The Police Officer who'd just pushed past Lyle ran forward and approached her. The two of them began to talk. Sailor Moon looked angry.
"Get closer to them, you idiot! What are you waiting for, an engraved invitation?!" Lyle pushed Terry forward.
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Jed pushed his way past the annoying Reporters. All that mattered to him was Executioner was inside City Hall. Sailor Pluto, was up to something and he had a bad feeling about it. None of the other Sailor Senshi were around. It was up to him to put an end to this and he was going to talk to Executioner. He had to bring Hotaru Tomoe out once more and keep her out.
But as usually happened in these situations, the situation grew more complicated. Harry Morimura stopped him with a few Officers behind his back. "Hold it! I thought you said Sailor Moon and her friends had this situation under control! Just what is your idea of control?! Tokyo is under lockdown and Executioner's the fuckin' Mayor! We can't even raise our guns at her, much less shoot at her anymore!"
"You're better off that way," said Jed evenly. "You know as well as I do by now that guns are useless. I'm going to talk to Executioner."
"Talk to her?! You HAVE gone crazy!" Morimura exploded. "Men! Arrest this man!"
"On what charge?!" yelled Jed.
"I don't know, I'll think about one!" Morimura shouted back. "All I know is that I need someone to blame for the situation spinning this far out of control and YOU'RE the best one I've got! At every turn all you've said to me is 'let the Senshi handle it'! 'Let the Senshi take care of it'! Well they didn't! They're buried in a building and Executioner is in charge!"
Before they could cuff Jed, however, Sailor Moon dropped from the sky and landed among the Policemen. Everyone around focused their attention on her.
Jed didn't like the look on her face. She actually looked pissed off! He turned back to Morimura. "You're just as useless as they are. Arresting me and using me as a scapegoat to cover your ass won't change that," he said before running over to Sailor Moon. "Serena… What are you thinking?"
"Executioner just buried me and my friends under a ton of bricks! She insulted me to my face! She's taking over my town! I am NOT going to stand by and watch another evil psycho destroy Tokyo and make a fool out of me!" said Sailor Moon angrily.
"Sailor Moon! Let me try one more time. Just give me one more chance. Remember... We're here for Hotaru. Beating the tar out of Executioner is not going to get Hotaru back! Neither is getting yourself killed!" Jed restrained her.
"Get out of my way!" Sailor Moon shoved past him. "I'm sick and tired of being taken for granted! I'll get Hotaru back and PROVE I'm not a failure!"
Jed stumbled and watched Sailor Moon march up the steps to City Hall. "What the hell happened to her?! I never thought I'd see her like that!" he muttered in surprise.
"She just had a wake-up call, that's all," said Trista, landing next to him.
"Pluto! What were you thinking leaving me behind like that?!" Jed jumped.
"I'm sorry. I didn't want you to get hurt, that's all. I've done some thinking about it, Jed and I know how to get rid of Executioner and save Hotaru, but let Sailor Moon do her thing. As things stand now, Executioner is too strong. We need to weaken her before Hotaru can have a chance at regaining control of her body."
Jed nodded, though something still didn't feel quite right. What Trista said made sense, but her voice was so cold. Everyone around me is changed all of a sudden! Why do I suddenly not trust Trista?
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"She comes once again," Executioner looked out the window. "Perhaps she is thicker than I thought. I'm going to have to teach her a more permanent lesson…" she grabbed her Silence Glaive and shot a dark look at the Mayor. "Don't try anything foolish. I'll simply undo whatever you can do anyhow. You'll live longer if you don't get in my way."
She slipped gracefully past the shivering Mayor, who was clutching desperately at his Secretary.
Sailor Moon marched up the steps to City Hall. She arrived at the front door and pounded it with her fist. "Executioner! I demand you come out!"
The door slid open and Executioner stood in the threshold. "What do you want, Sailor Moon? Have you come to join me?"
"Japan is a Democracy, Executioner!" Sailor Moon pointed at her angrily. "And YOU have broken the law!"
"HA! And what law have I broken?"
Sailor Moon held up her right fist and lifted up her fingers for each charge: "You have destroyed public property and placed innocent lives in danger! You have attacked and harmed Officers of the Law! You have resisted arrest! You have operated outside the boundaries of Law Enforcement and violated the Human Rights of the criminals you have slain! And most of all you have appointed yourself to a position that can only be legally attained by election! You say you speak for the law! I say you are everything that is wrong with the system! I have come here to challenge you, Executioner! If I lose, you can have Tokyo and do whatever you please with it! If I win, you willingly submit to OUR law, and place Tokyo back in the hands of the Mayor! Do you accept my terms?!"
Executioner gave no sign she was going to make a move. She simply smiled and booted Sailor Moon suddenly in the stomach and launched her back down the stairs into the hood of an Ambulance!
"Challenge accepted!" Executioner declared. "Prepare to die!" She leveled her Silence Glaive at the Ambulance and fired a stream of energy at the vehicle. Sailor Moon rolled off the hood just half a second before the beam hit and detonated the wagon in a fiery explosion!
Sailor Moon charged back up the stairs, grabbing her Tiara. "Moon Tiara Action!" she cried, loosing the Tiara like a Frisbee.
Executioner spun her Glaive and deflected the Tiara away and Sailor Moon dove for the opening. Executioner somersaulted overhead, landing behind Sailor Moon, and spun-kicked her in the back. The Moon Senshi was hurtled into City Hall and her momentum carried her through the brick wall at the backside of the building!
Sailor Moon's adrenaline kicked in. She didn't even feel the impact as she bounced off the opposite wall, cracking the masonry, and landed on the pavement of the alleyway.
Executioner pursued her through the hole she'd made, but Sailor Moon was ready for her. She reached up, grabbed Executioner's right foot, and swung her like a baseball bat face-first into the cement! She then leaped up into the air with her left leg extended, trying to drive her boot into Executioner's spine.
Executioner pushed off the ground and avoided the boot, which split the concrete further into chunks, exposing the bedrock.
Sailor Moon quickly extracted her foot, spun and caught Executioner just as she was coming down with her hands grasping for her throat! Sailor Moon caught her wrists, rolled on her back, and kicked her opponent off of her.
"You're getting better, Sailor Moon! Have you been taking Judo lessons from Jupiter?" Executioner cart wheeled back to her feet.
"If there's one thing Dark Mercury taught me, it's that I needed to improve my fighting skills," Sailor Moon took out her Moon Scepter. "Moon Scepter Halation!"
Executioner planted her feet and countered: "Silence Wall!" The Halation beam splashed off the force field harmlessly. "Not good enough! Silence Glaive Surprise!!" Executioner buried the blade of the Silence Glaive into the alley floor and gouged a trench in the ground with the blast!
Sailor Moon spread her wings and launched toward the roof seconds before the pavement exploded. Executioner flew up to intercept her. Her path carried her into Sailor Moon's midsection. The two of them fell back to the street with Executioner on top.
Sailor Moon grabbed Executioner's hair and pulled her head back, punching her in the nose. Executioner restrained her fist before she could strike again and used her right arm to punch Sailor Moon in the face over and over again. Each punch cracked the road a bit more.
The rest of the Senshi had landed in time to see the fight start between the two. When the two of them came down around the corner on the street, everyone from the Cops to the Press followed the fight avidly. This was a fight for the future of Tokyo!
"She's getting killed out there!" Sailor Jupiter stepped forward.
"Stop! Don't interfere!" Sailor Pluto pulled her back.
"Get off of me! She needs our help!" Jupiter jerked her arm out of Pluto's grip.
"She doesn't WANT your help!" Pluto barked back.
Jupiter blinked in disbelief.
"This is her fight, Lita," said Jed Tokiba. "She made that very clear. I think she's out to prove herself this time.
"We step in only if she doesn't get up," said Pluto. "Not until then."
Sailor Jupiter gritted her teeth and looked over at the rest of the Senshi. Each of them looked concerned, but none of them made a move to help her. Lita swallowed her anxiety and forced herself to watch the grudge match continue unabated.
Sailor Moon had grabbed Executioner's fist. Her lips were bleeding. The two of them grappled for control for a few moments. Finally Sailor Moon arched her back and managed to rotate her hips off the ground, unbalancing Executioner enough for her to roll her over on her back.
Executioner broke one of her hands free and reached for Sailor Moon's throat, wrapping her fingers around it. Instinctively, Moon reached for Executioner's forearm. Executioner had dropped her Silence Glaive nearby and she reached with her free hand for the weapon.
"No you don't!" Sailor Moon cuffed Executioner in the chin and reached for the weapon herself.
"You fool… You can't… Hold the… Silence Glaive! Only I… Can touch it!" Executioner yanked Sailor Moon's head down by the throat and head-butted her on the bridge of the nose. Serena's eyes filled with stars for a second and her grip on her enemy loosened for half a second too long.
Executioner kicked the Moon Senshi off of her and rolled over to her Glaive.
"Damn!" Sailor Uranus exclaimed. "Almost had it!"
"Is she right, Sailor Pluto? Can only Executioner touch the Silence Glaive?" asked Sailor Mars.
"Only Sailor Saturn can touch it, yes," said Pluto. "However Saturn, just like us all, is subject to the Moon. Sailor Moon can override that rule. On a subliminal level Executioner knows this as well, that's why she's starting to get desperate."
Sailor Moon rose to her feet and took out her Kaleidoscope Wand. The wand was shaped like a sword and Sailor Moon gripped it as such.
Executioner was on the attack again. She charged in and slashed with her Glaive. The weapons clanged together as they met and locked.
"You can't win, Sailor Moon! You didn't have the guts to finish me off the first time! What makes you think you can beat me now?!" Executioner rotated her weapon and jammed the butt of the Glaive into her stomach, knocking the wind out of her. Executioner followed up with a shaft to the chin and a sweeping kick that took Sailor Moon's legs out from under her!
Sailor Moon knew what would happen next. Executioner aimed the sharp point of her Silence Glaive downward at her chest to stab her! Sailor Moon brought up her Wand and stopped the downward stab by locking the weapon in the cradle of the J-hook.
"I'm going to give you one more chance… to give us back Hotaru…!" Sailor Moon grunted as she tried to push off. "Then I'm… going to MAKE you give her back!"
"Never! I will NEVER be that pathetic Senshi's prisoner ever again!" Executioner pushed down with all her might.
Sailor Moon felt her second wind coming on. She raised her right leg and kicked Executioner in the crotch, then wrapped her legs around the shaft of the Silence Glaive. Rocking on her shoulder blades, Sailor Moon jerked Executioner first one way, then, using her opponent's momentum, shifted the other way and sent her skidding into a glass Phone Booth! Executioner's weapon was left in Sailor Moon's grip as the Moon Senshi got to her feet.
Executioner stood up and stared with shock at Sailor Moon. "No! How can you?! No one but I can touch the Silence Glaive! It's impossible!!"
Sailor Moon suddenly had an idea. "You want it? Go fetch!" she threw the Glaive high into the air.
Executioner predictably went straight for her weapon, but Sailor Moon took her Tiara off her forehead again and tossed it. The bright disk of her Tiara sliced through the shaft of the Silence Glaive, carving it in half!
"NOOO!!!" Executioner stopped in midair and took the two halves of her weapon as they fell from the sky. She stared at it in horror! "This can't be! THE SILENCE GLAIVE IS INDESTRUCTIBLE!!"
Sailor Moon called up her Spiral Heart Moon Wand "Moon Spiral Heart ATTACK!!" she chanted quickly. Executioner was still lamenting over the improbable loss of her primary weapon. She was too confused to call up another force field to block the attack!
Executioner screamed as a gigantic pink heart smashed into her body like a ton of bricks! The heart shattered, but Executioner was brought back down to Earth atop a parked SUV. She got up weakly, but the attack had taken a lot out of her.
"Damn… You!" Executioner gasped.
"And now to finish the job!" Sailor Moon at last revealed her Crescent Wand. The Silver Crystal gleamed like a small star in its cradle. "Time to take Tokyo AND Hotaru back from you! Moon Healing Activation!!"
Executioner screamed again and tried to avoid the halo of light as it surrounded her. Suddenly her whole body seemed to freeze and stiffen up. Her physical form was bathed in golden light. She gave one last scream before she convulsed and cried out: "REFRESH!!" Then, as suddenly as the light surrounded her, it vanished, and her body crumbled to the pavement in exhaustion!
"She did it!" Tuxedo Mask shouted.
"Yeah! She did it!!" Sailor Venus echoed, impulsively hugging a Paramedic standing beside her. The Paramedic blushed and smiled awkwardly.
"Well imagine that," Sailor Jupiter put a hand over her pounding heart. "Looks like she didn't need us this time after all…"
Sailor Uranus squeezed Neptune's hand. "Guess she grew up, huh, Michelle?"
"She always had it in her, Amara. She always did," Neptune whispered back.
TO BE CONTINUED.........
NEXT CHAPTER: PLUTO'S CHOICE!