Guardians of the Universe! Hoku's Evil Plan

Later that night, the two girls were working on their homework. They would absent-mindedly ask each other questions, and then not really answer. Elara jumped up into Peiti's lap. Peiti didn't even notice.

"We haven't had any luck with that crystal."

"Is that so?"

"Yes. Jirian, could you hang onto it?"

"Sure." Elara looked between the two American Senshi.

"Neither one of you is paying any attention, are you?"

"Whatever you say, Elara." The fox growled and jumped onto Peiti's book. "Elara, I need to study."

"You also need to pay attention to scout business!"

Jirian leaned back in her chair. "Elara, you need to relax. We'll hang on to this crystal and then figure out what we can from it."

"I know, but something about the crystal makes me uneasy."

"It should." Peiti looked over at her friend. "It's the tool of the enemy and it's in our home. What's to say he won't be able to use it to control one of us?" Jirian shook her head.

"I don't think so. You're just worried is all." She smiled reassuringly. "Don't worry about it too much. It's safe with me."

Puck shook his head a little, making his ears flap. "For all of our sakes, I hope you're right, Jirian."

(Cut)

"So Jirian is holding onto the crystal?" Artemis nodded and the five girls sitting around the table looked worried. They were sitting at an outdoor coffee shop the next afternoon after school, discussing the current turn of events.

"Are you sure that's a good idea?" Ami asked, setting down her coffee cup. "Given their connection to Magasasu, having them hold onto the crystal could mean they'll be targeted again."

"Especially Peiti. Magasasu took her once; what if he comes after her again?" Rei continued.

"I don't think we have to worry about that," Luna spoke up. "Hoku did say that Magasasu had ordered her killed as well." Usagi bopped the cat on the top of her head.

"That's very comforting, Luna." She sat back in her chair, a rare thoughtful look on her face.

"My, my, Buns-head. Don't hurt yourself thinking too much." Haruka and Michiru wandered up to their table, smiling and looking elegant as always. Usagi made a face at them but smiled back.

"I won't."

"What brings the five of you out here all by yourselves? Where are Jirian and Peiti?" Michiru asked.

"They have clubs after school," Mako-chan said.

"Is it wise to leave them by themselves?" Haruka asked in a quiet voice, her face becoming serious. "Those two seem like they are in constant need of protection."

"Funny you should say that, Haruka, because Artemis and I found out something interesting about Oberon and Callisto." Luna jumped down and started digging through Ami's school bag. She finally managed to pull out a book on the stars and flipped it open to a map of the solar system. "Ever since we discovered where the girls are from, we've been a little suspicious about their scout names. In the Kin-Iro kingdom, there were no planets or stars named Callisto or Oberon." She pointed to the drawing of Jupiter with her paw. "Ami-chan, do you know some of the names of Jupiter's moons?"

"Of course. There's Io, Europa, Ganymede, Amalthea, and—"Ami broke off with big eyes.

"And what?" Usagi asked, looking confused.

"Callisto," Haruka finished. "The moon is named Callisto." Luna and Artemis nodded.

"Exactly. We didn't think it was possible, but, Mako-chan, you have a personal guardian, Callisto. Likewise, Haruka, Oberon is your personal guardian."

"N-nani?"

"But if they are guardians of Jupiter and Uranus, wouldn't that mean they would have to be from our solar system?"

"Exactly. Which leads us to believe that the Kin-Iro kingdom was once a part of this solar system, though thousands of miles away," Artemis said.

"I'm confused as to what this all has to do with the current situation," Minako spoke up.

"The four inner scouts were given powers to protect the Princess and the future queen of Crystal Tokyo. The outer scouts were given powers to protect the solar system from outside invasion. And the guardian scouts were given powers to protect everyone," Luna said. Ami blinked.

"That means..."

"Yes. Those two scouts are much more powerful than us. Their powers have not been fully realized yet, of course, but, once they are...well, we won't be able to compare." The girls exchanged awed glances.

"That's why they were given the crystal for safekeeping, wasn't it?" Luna nodded.

"Correct."

"It's just...amazing to think about. Are there more of these guardians?" Michiru asked Luna.

"Hai. There very well could be. The question is, will we ever need to meet them?" The girls looked confused. "Obviously, it was no coincidence that these two came to Tokyo. It means that these enemies are even MORE powerful than we suspected." Now the looks exchanged were worried.

(Cut)

Jirian whistled as she walked from the locker room to the fencing area. Before pulling on her mask to start practicing, she checked her pocket for the crystal.

'Safe and sound,' she thought when her fingers touched the smooth surface. It was warm, much warmer than usual, but Jirian paid it no mind. 'It's just because it's closer to my body,' she assured herself, withdrawing her hand from her pocket.

"So, you must be the American everyone talks about here." Jirian turned at the deep voice and her eyes widened. A man over six feet tall was standing there, dressed in a fencing suit like hers. He had white hair that was slightly longer in the back so it brushed his collar. His eyes were a silvery grey that seemed slightly cold, even when smiling like now. "I'm Hieru."

"Jirian. You must be new; I've never seen you around here before."

"Yes, I just joined. I heard that there was an American on the team who beat everyone she fought so I had to come and challenge her." Jirian blushed slightly, laughing.

"I'm not that good, really."

"Don't be so modest. I saw one of your matches last week; you're excellent." He held his sword up in front of his face. "Though, I must say, I don't really think this type of sword suits you. You look like the kind of person who could handle something bigger." His eyes, which had been focusing on the sword, now focused on her and her blush darkened.

"Er, well—"

"Jiru-chan!" Yaten ran up to her, a big smile on his face. When he saw Hieru, however, the smile melted and his bright green eyes became slightly suspicious. "Hello."

"Hieru, this is Yaten, Yaten, Hieru. He just joined the club," Jirian said. Yaten turned to face the other man, standing close to Jirian's side.

"I see."

"I was just about to say, Jirian, that I would love to have a match against you. If you aren't lined up to fight with anyone else, that is." He looked pointedly at Yaten who glared.

"No, it's fine. I'll go tell the Sensei!" Jirian turned and started towards the older man near the back of the practice room. Yaten followed close beside her, still looking rather angry.

"You said we would have a rematch today."

"Oh, come on, Yaten. There's plenty of time for a rematch today; practice is just starting." She looked over at him. "Are you jealous?" The grey-haired man jumped, cheeks pink.

"W-what? Why would I be jealous?!" Jirian turned to face him, hand on her hip.

"I'm being nice, Yaten, because he's new. It doesn't mean I'm running off with him. Now stop being such a jealous idiot and let me fight." Her eyes flashed an unnatural color as she spoke, rocking Yaten back a few steps. Before he could say anything about it, Jirian had turned and stormed away.

(Cut)

Yaten sat at an outdoor cafe after practice, looking utterly depressed as he absently stirred his coffee. He was supposed to be out on a date with Jirian right now, but she had stayed late at the training grounds with Hieru.

"Yo, Yaten. You look like someone just ran over your cat." Seiya, a now-mobile Sesshou in tow, came over to the man's table.

"Yeah, what's going on? I thought you had a date with Jiru this afternoon," Sesshou offered.

"She stayed late at practice," he replied glumly.

"Really? That's too bad. Did the sensei want her to practice longer?" Taiki asked. Yaten slowly shook his head.

"No...she stayed to practice with a new member."

"Oh, is that all?" Seiya laughed. "Well, what's the problem then?"

"It's this Hieru...he doesn't feel right." The other two frowned.

"You think we should get the girls involved, just in case?" Sesshou offered hesitantly. Yaten shook his head.

"No, no. Don't worry about it. I'm just overreacting is all." He gave them a smile, but it fell short. "Don't you and Peiti have a date lined up?" Sesshou shook his head.

"She has a huge test tomorrow, so we had to cancel. She wanted to get plenty of sleep. She's been feeling a little off ever since the...incident." He shrugged.

"Well, why don't the three of us go to a movie?" Seiya suggested. "Though I suppose we should go and pick Taiki up as well..." Sesshou nodded enthusiastically and the two men turned to look pointedly at the grey-haired one.

"Alright, alright! I'll go!" Laughing a little, but still uneasy, the three Starlights walked away.

(Cut)

A week later, the original five senshi were walking home from school, chatting about this and that. Well, to be precise, Rei was making fun of Usagi for her low test score while the others attempted to calm them down.

"Hey, look! It's Peiti and Jirian!" Usagi said suddenly, forgetting the heated argument with her best friend. The other four girls smacked their foreheads in exasperation but looked to were Usagi was pointing.

"Oh! It is!" Minako said, following the girls as they walked slowly down the other side of the street. "And who's that guy with them?" She pointed to the man with white hair that was walking behind them.

"I was talking to Yaten yesterday and he said that Jirian's been spending a lot of time with this weird guy, Hieru," Ami spoke up. "He said she's cancelled two dates already because of him."

"Actually, Sesshou said Peiti's been acting strangely too," Mako-chan added.

"They've been acting kind of odd at home," Usagi admitted. "They hardly ever come out of their room."

"I have a bad feeling about this..." Rei said, also following the trio with her eyes. When they disappeared around a corner, she dashed across the street, the other four surprised girls behind her, asking her what was wrong.

They skidded around a corner and nearly slipped on the ice that had appeared out of nowhere on the sidewalk. A chill wind blew over them, mixed with a stinging snow that made them shield their eyes.

"I've been waiting for you girls!" They lowered their arms to see Hoku floating above them, a cruel smile on his face.

"You again! I would have thought your pride would prevent you from messing with us again," Mako-chan said.

"Don't count on it! I will not rest until all of you senshi are dead and I have the Silver Crystal in my hand. I am the highest general of the Kin-Iro Kingdom and I will not fall to the likes of you."

"We'll just see about that! VENUS CRYSTAL POWER! MAKE UP!"

"JUPITER CRYSAL POWER! MAKE UP!"

"MERCURY CRYSTAL POWER! MAKE UP!"

"MARS CRYSTAL POWER! MAKE UP!"

"MOON ETERNAL! MAKE UP!"

With five flashes of light, the five Senshi stood there, poised for battle.

"We'll show you how to fall! JUPITER OAK--!"

"Hold it right there!" Jupiter stopped, mid-attack, turning her head towards the voice. Two women emerged from an alley to their left, the bows of their fuku swaying softly in the cold breeze.

"Callisto! Oberon!" Eternal Sailor Moon, a big smile on her face, ran forward.

"Mate! Sailor Moon!" Mercury grabbed for her, but it was too late.

As the blonde ran forward, Oberon's hand came out, backhanding the Senshi hard enough across the face to send her flying with a scream.

"Sailor Moon!" Her four friends ran to her side, falling to their knees beside her. Mars looked at the American Senshi, angry.

"What is your problem?!"

"We will take the Silver Crystal from you now," Callisto said in an empty voice.

"N-nani?!" Venus cried. "Callisto! Oberon! What is wrong with you?!"

"They aren't themselves," Mercury said, a blue visor appearing over her eyes. "They're being controlled!"

"Correct!" Hoku landed on the snow-covered street and the two American Senshi went over to stand on either side of him. "Allow me to introduce you to Sailor Oberon and Sailor Callisto, guardians of the Kin-Iro Kingdom." Both girls bowed, eyes glowing an eerie red color. "Thanks to the help of that crystal I left behind in the last fight, these two Senshi are now under my control."

"So there was something wrong with that crystal!" Jupiter leapt to her feet. "Well I'm not letting you have them! JUPITER OAK EVOLUTION!"

"Pathetic." Callisto stepped forward. "Callisto Emerald Fury..." The attack was thrown back at Jupiter who screamed, flying back.

"Jupiter! How dare you! VENUS LOVE ME CHAIN!"

"Do you think to defeat us with such childish toys?" Oberon stepped forward this time, holding up her sword. The glowing chain wrapped around it and Venus smiled.

"I've got you now!"

"Think again. Oberon Hailing Wind..." Energy shot down the sword, up the chain and into Venus who screamed, crumpling to the ground.

"Yamete!" Eternal Sailor Moon struggled to her feet, her cheek badly bruised from the vicious hit. "Oberon, Callisto! This isn't you!"

"You cannot defeat our lord and master, Lord Magasasu," Callisto said.

"The crystal will be his and he will restore our beautiful empire to its former glory," Oberon added in that strange, empty voice.

"Now, give it up," Hoku said, crossing his arms. "Or I'll let these two girls dispose of you."

"We'll never give you the crystal!" Mars cried. "MARS FLAME SNIPER!"

"You'll be my opponent!" Callisto fired an arrow of her own, knocking Mars' from the air. In no time, the two were engaged in a furious battle.

"Oberon! Kill Sailor Moon!"

"Hai!" Oberon dove forward at the other blonde, who let out a yell, jumping back.

"No no no no no! That sword looks sharp!"

"Where's the crystal...?" Mercury was keeping an eye on the two possessed Senshi, her visor still up, tapping the keys of her computer in an attempt to pinpoint the source of power. "I've got it! Aim for their brooches!"

"Leave it to me!" Venus got to her feet as she spoke, poised for her attack.

"No! Don't! If you hit them, you might hurt them!" Sailor Moon cried as she ran around the area, Oberon on her heels.

"That's right! If you strike the crystals on their breast, both of them will die!" Hoku said with a gleeful laugh.

"You're horrible," Jupiter snarled.

"You're trapped." Hoku snapped his fingers and a wall of thick ice sprang up around the three non-fighting Senshi. Callisto finally managed to beat Mars and stood triumphantly over the unconscious girl.

"Minna!"

"Concentrate, Sailor Moon!" Oberon grabbed the girl's long pigtails and threw her up against a nearby wall.

"Yes! Kill her and take the crystal!"

"Take the Crystal..." Oberon's sword descended upon the stunned woman...

"STAR SENSITIVE INFERNO!" A bright beam of light flashed and the sword was knocked from the Senshi's hand. Oberon let out a cry of pain, staggering back, holding her wounded hand.

"STAR SERIOUS LASER!" The ice wall around Jupiter, Mercury and Venus shattered.

"If you think we're going to let you do this, think again!" Four scantily-clad women walked forward, their faces set with determination.

"You must be the Starlights," Hoku hissed.

"That's right and we're the ones who are going to defeat you," Star Destroyer said, hand on her hip.

"Oberon, Callisto. Retreat for now. We'll fight again when the odds are more in our favor," Hoku said, rising into the air once more. The Americans nodded and, in a gust of wind, all three were gone.

"Oberon...Callisto...minna..." Sailor Moon looked around her, lost.

(Cut)

"So, they're being controlled by Magasasu, eh?"

"Yes. We don't know how to heal them without hurting them at the same time." Ami bit her lip as she thought. "We could use Eternal Sailormoon's Eternal Teir, but we don't want to put her at risk."

Haruka thought for a moment. "Could we perhaps ambush them? Get them weakened so Sailor Moon won't be so vulnerable?" Minako shook her head.

"They're too powerful. They were meant to guard US. That means they can handle powers stronger than us. Which means they can defeat us easily."

Michiru nodded. "You're right of course. If we could find someone stronger, or just as strong. Or...someTHING..."

"Ne?" The inner Senshi looked confused.

"The power of love," Haruka informed them. "Yaten and Sesshou. We know they care for each other."

"HAI!" All the girls looked over at Usagi in utter shock. "It will work, I'm sure of it!"

(Cut)

"What the hell is the meaning of this, Hoku?!" Magasasu bellowed, leaping from his chair. His highest general stepped in front of the two Senshi, raising his hands, hoping to calm his lord long enough to explain.

"Please, my lord, just hear my words before you get angry."

"Then you had BETTER talk FAST."

"Yes, my lord. You see, I found out an interesting fact about these two girls. It seems they are actually protectors of Sailor Moon and the others, and, therefore, are extremely powerful."

"So you bring them HERE? Very wise," Magasasu said in a dry voice.

"Please, let me finish. That crystal I left behind, my lord, was not just one of our ordinary crystals. I imbued it with some of my own power so it would possess the person, or persons, it was around most."

"You've informed me of this previously and it still does not explain why two of my enemies are here. Besides, I already possessed this girl," he gestured to Callisto as he spoke, "and she broke through it in hardly any time."

"Ah, but she was not FULLY possessed. You still left a piece of her mind, ne?" Magasasu's eyes narrowed dangerously and Hoku quickly cleared his throat. "Just watch." He turned to the two Senshi, who hadn't moved a muscle throughout the entire exchange. "Both of you! Kneel to your new lord and master, Lord Magasasu of the Kin-Iro Kingdom!" Without the slightest hesitation, both girls got down on one knee, bowing their heads.

"We are at your service, Lord Magasasu," they said in unison, their voices empty. Magasasu blinked then stood again, stepping forward.

"What...?" For once, he was at a loss for words.

"They are under complete control, my lord. Whatever you or I tell them to do, they will do it without any protest."

"Amazing..." Magasasu breathed, looking down at his two new drones with a smile on his face. "I remember now why I made you the leader, Hoku. You will be rewarded handsomely for this." Hoku bowed.

"If you wish it?"

"So they will do anything I ask of them?"

"Yes, my lord.

"Hmm..." He peered down at the top of Callisto's head, a longing look in his eyes. "Well, then, I guess I could give them a slight chance..." He smiled a little, looking at Hoku again. "Carry out the plan in whatever way you choose. I look forward to your victory."

"Not as much as I, my lord."