The Awakening of Crystal Tokyo
Chapter 6
The Darkness Awakens
"I'm on Roiyaru and Tomoshibi's team!" Usagi sang as the five men were getting ready for some American Football.
"That means it's you guys against Kasai, Zachary and I." Mamoru commented. "Haruka-san, would you like to play?"
"No fair!" Usagi shouted. "Then I want Mako-chan!"
"It's alright, I'll sit out." Haruka said with one arm on Michiru and a hand on a cup of tea.
"Aw, come on Haruka; you're scared I'll run you over?" Makoto teased.
"You're very funny." Haruka said sarcastically.
Usagi began to cluck as the others laughed. "She's scared that this kitten is going to turn into a tiger and eat an early lunch. Cluck, cluck!"
Haruka sighed. "Let's play some ball."
"I'll be referee!" Ami told them. "Hotaru, would you like to help me?"
"Yes," Hotaru said, leaving Setsuna's side.
"Hot Sundae," Roiyaru called. "Green Wire... Ready, set...!"
"You forgot Blue Bunny!" Usagi shouted out. "Remember, that's me!" Usagi's team groaned. "Oops, they weren't supposed to know that, huh?" Usagi began to laugh and everyone laughed with her.
"Isn't it great how much fun they are having?" Michiru asked Rei and Minako who were sitting out.
"Yes, they are a great addition to the friendship circle." Rei responded.
"Now Mamoru won't feel so alone; I don't know how he took all this female company though the years." Minako giggled.
"He might have to again." Michiru said sipping on tea.
"What do you mean?" Rei asked. "With the guys here, he won't have to."
"They aren't going to stay." Setsuna told them.
"And why is that?" Minako asked.
"Everyone is put on earth for a purpose," Setsuna began. "And when that person's purpose is over, they are over; there is no reason to live. A Senshi's purpose is never over."
"Aren't they considered Senshi also; they are guardians just as we are." Rei reasoned.
"Just like you four protect the solar system from outside forces, Rei, Mako-chan, Ami and I protect the Princess. And just like we protect the Princess, they're here to protect the Prince."
"That wasn't even their purpose in the Silver Millennium," Michiru told them. "They're purpose was to protect the earth, and they failed."
"We failed too, remember?" Rei told her.
"Exactly; and since they didn't fulfill their purpose, they are here to set things straight before they..." Michiru was interrupted by a gleeful shriek from Usagi who was lifted into the air and spun around by Mamoru.
"As you were saying..." Rei asked.
"They're here for the purpose of returning the earth to peace as they should have during the Silver Millennium. Once they are done, they will leave just as they would have during the Silver Millennium. A mercenary never stays after his battle is won." Michiru explained.
"Where are you getting at?" Minako asked.
"You must not tell Usagi about this," Setsuna told them. "Agreed?" Setsuna waited for the two girls to nod. "Just as a Senshi's word is like her body, breaking the bond would be breaking their own body. They are going to do their part in awakening the New Era, and once they do... they lose the 'Power of the Millennium' Queen Serenity gave them. They will disappear."
"But each star has a protector, right?"
"Yes," Michiru answered. "But they aren't the real guardians of where they claim to be from. The Four Legendary Mercenaries were not in the bloodline of the stars; they were just warriors sent from those places. Each of us were princesses of our stars, thus we are the guardians."
"Yes, we know." Minako nodded looking glumly at the table.
"Usagi is going to be hurt so much." Rei commented.
"That is why she should not know." Setsuna told her. "Besides, when the New Era is upon us, it won't even matter. They will be gone as quickly as they had come."
"Let's go get in the game shall we?" Michiru asked standing up.
"I'll take Ami's place as referee," Setsuna said going up to Ami.
"Well come on girlies," Michiru smiled. "I like that word, Minako; I hope you don't mind if I begin to use it." Michiru said trying to relieve the tension.
"No, go right ahead." Minako said putting a fake smile on her face as she got up and joined Usagi's team as Ami as Rei joined Mamoru's team with Michiru.
"Rei, you can call it!" Kasai said to her. Rei looked to her newfound friend. "Are you gonna or what?"
"Where are you Rei, get back in the zone!" Usagi said taking position opposite her friend. "Don't you just love our new friends, Rei?"
Rei became sick with sadness but she nodded anyway.
"Don't you just feel it; it's like destiny... we'll all be friends forever... now let's play ball!"
"Aqua Marine, Windy Weather... hut!" Kasai ordered. As he backed up to receive the ball so he could throw it to Michiru, and have Haruka block, Rei froze in her place as Usagi's words replayed in her mind. "Friends forever..."
Usagi patiently counted to seven and snatched the ball out of Rei's hands and ran, untouched to her touchdown with Roiyaru and Minako blocking for her. "Yeah, we did it!" Usagi exclaimed throwing her arms around Roiyaru. "I can tell, this is the beginning of a great and long friendship!" she exclaimed in happiness. Minako looked at her sadly as Roiyaru laughed with the pony-tailed blonde.
Roiyaru caught a glimpse of Minako and saw her frown. His face became serious and nodded at Minako as if to say he knows how she feels.
---
The early evening came quickly and the fun of the early morning was pushed back into everyone's minds. Mamoru, Roiyaru, Kasai, Zachary, and Tomoshibi watched the news and the weatherman was already talking through his segment.
"Clear, unclouded skies tonight, folks so go out and stargaze. Oh yeah, be sure to watch the moon tonight; I guarantee you something special will happen. Tonight, a beautiful and mysterious..." The newscaster stopped talking, fell to the floor, and turned into a phage.
"It all stops tonight!" Usagi said in a determined fashion.
"But what exactly happens?" Minako asked.
"The full moon will shine, and evil will mount to an all time high." Hotaru said. "The moon will turn blood-red and that is when we destroy the darkness once and for all initiating the Era of Peace."
"How will the moon turn blood-red? Is it an apocalyptic sign?" Makoto asked.
"Tonight is a harvest moon," Tomoshibi explained. "There will be a Lunar Eclipse!"
"That explains that," Makoto began "But what role do you guys play in it?"
"We'll make it easier for you guys to get the job done." Kasai responded.
"And after you do that?" Usagi asked.
"Well we..."
"Will that job ever be done, Usagi?" Rei asked rhetorically forcing laughter. "Knowing you, you'll need all the help you can get." She winked.
"Nice save," Minako muttered.
"What's going on?" Makoto asked in a whisper.
"Clue me in, too." Ami told them.
"Later." Minako and Rei hissed.
"So you use your powers, to help us right?" Usagi asked as the four guys nodded. "No offense but what can you really do with throwing canes around? Mamoru has been doing that for four years now... it really hasn't gotten me anywhere."
Mamoru blushed as Roiyaru smiled and said, "That's not really our power, Usagi."
"Then what is it?" she asked.
"We're untouchable." Kasai said.
"That's pretty confident of you to say." Makoto smiled.
"And you're not, Makoto?" Kasai asked.
"Of course, but not overly."
"As beautiful and smart as I remember," Kasai smiled as Makoto blushed. "All of you are."
"We'll need a place to start this." Zachary told them.
"We'll do it at the place it started... where it should have ended." Usagi told them.
---
Ginga TV station was being demolished and it provided the clear space that the Senshi wanted to use. The full moon was out and was magnificent, the eclipse had started and the red color was almost whole.
"It's almost." Ami stated looking into her computer. "I think we should transform."
"Alright girlies... let's do this once and for all!" Minako exclaimed. "Venus Crystal Power!"
"Mars Crystal Power... Jupiter Crystal Power... Mercury Crystal Power... Make up!"
"It's coming to a close, Michiru." Haruka commented.
"Yes, I'm a little anxious... I don't know what to do with myself next."
"Let's win first ladies." Setsuna smiled.
"Destiny calls us." Hotaru commented.
"Uranus Crystal Power... Neptune Crystal Power... Pluto Crystal Power... Make up!"
"I'm anxious Mamo-chan." Usagi admitted. "One of two things can happen and I wouldn't like the bad outcome."
"Don't worry, Usako, I'll be with you through it all."
Usagi smiled and blushed.
"Now hurry, transform Usagi!" Roiyaru told her.
"You got it... Moon Eternal Make up!"
When the Senshi finished transforming, the five men in tuxedoes stood in front of them. "Here it comes." Zachary pointed out. Slowly, the lunar eclipse shined and the moon turned wholly the blood-red color.
"Now what happens?" Sailor Moon asked.
"Do you need a weather report?" asked someone. Everyone turned around and saw another phage. "Sailor Weather... I think I see winds coming your way."
Tuxedo Kamen pulled out a rose until Tuxedo Star stopped his hand. "You use that energy to protect the princess, remember what I told you."
Tuxedo Kamen remembered.
---
"After we complete our task, we will disappear." Roiyaru told Mamoru earlier.
"You'll leave us; I thought your place was with us?" Mamoru asked. "You can't just leave."
"I am serious; we will disappear as quickly as we had come. The shine we have now will not shine after we serve our purpose."
"Is not serving me, one of your purposes?" Mamoru asked.
Roiyaru broke out into laughter. "I wish," he smiled. "I really wish it was, but I don't remember the king or Queen Serenity giving us that purpose. We would have played a role in bringing peace to the earth and we would have been gone. So we're back to play that role again and we have the purpose of awakening the darkness."
Mamoru was silent. "Usagi won't like it."
"Of course she will not like us awakening the darkness!" Roiyaru answered.
"Not that... she'll be mad that you are leaving; she'll find a way to stop it."
"I know and that's why she should never know. I didn't know the Princess of the White Moon brought such light and happiness to the earth, to everyone around her, and to you. Happiness is contagious around her."
"You're telling me." Mamoru smiled.
"Mamoru," Roiyaru began, taking a knee and bowing his head. "Stand with Usagi and support her; she'll need a voice of reason and encouragement when she begins to fight."
Mamoru nodded, and lifted Roiyaru up by his chin. "You shouldn't bow to me; we're friends now."
"But you will be king." Roiyaru said.
"I don't know much about the Silver Millennium, but during this time period we do not bow in front of friends."
Roiyaru shook his head. "The past for me is just like yesterday. Seeing your father die in battle, watching you run off to the Moon Kingdom. I remember the feeling of the sword piercing my flesh; I remember it. But it was all for one cause – peace. Destiny has called Tomoshibi, Kasai, Zachary and I to fight for peace and since we have left that fight unfinished, we are here to play the role we should have, except this time the sacrifice will not be in vain."
"And you are sure of this?" Mamoru asked.
"I see the hope Usagi gives you and the Senshi. I see the determination in everyone's eyes during a battle; it is no wonder you all are guardians of your stars. Just promise me, you will help Princess Serenity defeat the evil so that we may look at you from the heavens take your rightful place as king."
"I promise."
---
"I remember," Mamoru began. "And I intend to keep my promises."
"Let's attack him!" Sailor Jupiter exclaimed anxiously.
"No," Tuxedo Kometto answered. "There will be more." And sure enough phage after phage came until the whole crew backed Tuxedo Kamen and Sailor Moon into a wall. "Protect them, here." Tuxedo Kometto told them. The Senshi formed a semicircle around Tuxedo Kamen and Sailor Moon and the Tuxedoes stood in front of the Senshi. As the seconds past, more phages filled the area ready to stop the peace from coming.
"Weather report!" Sailor Weather invoked throwing razor-sided papers at the Tuxedoes. They were left untouched.
"Is that their power?" Sailor Mercury asked. "They cannot be hurt?" The outer Senshi nodded.
After the phages had assembled as an army of darkness, the Senshi recognized past phages. "It's my cousin Kengo!" Sailor Mars exclaimed utterly shocked. "But we healed him!"
"It's the photographer, Saki!" Sailor Venus added.
"And Amanogawa-Sensei!" Sailor Mercury finished.
"There could be a hundred of them out here." Sailor Jupiter remarked.
"Everyone's becoming phages!" Sailor Uranus observed.
"All to stop the light that we have brought to the world." Sailor Neptune added.
"It is time, Tuxedoes." Sailor Saturn told them.
"Are you ready, guys?" Tuxedo Star asked getting his wanted reply. "Let's do it... Power of the Millennium...Star."
"Sun... Asteroid... Kometto!" the other three yelled. Raising their canes to the sky, four bright lights focused.
"Crucifix Attack!" Sailor Church invoked but nothing happened to the four men. Many other phages through attacks at the four men but it did not work.
The four lights became one and shot into the sky. "Darkness Eclipse!" the four Tuxedoes invoked. The four were engulfed in a white light and an earthquake began. Phages and Senshi alike tried to stand their ground. The wall behind Sailor Moon collapsed and she panicked.
"Begin to power up Sailor Moon," Tuxedo Sun answered. "Begin to focus your power even before you see the enemy, because the enemy is on its way, because it knows it's time for the New Era. This New Era could be of Peace or total destruction."
All of a sudden, the earthquake stopped and the four men lost the light that engulfed them. Overhead of all the phages, a dark cloud formed and blank star-seeds returned to normal. The darkness of the blank star-seeds gathered in the cloud.
"Everyone is returning back to normal!" Sailor Pluto watched.
"But the evil grows larger!" Sailor Saturn told them. "Look!" she said pointing overhead
"Let's attack it now!" Sailor Uranus said.
"No, wait Uranus!" Tuxedo Asteroid shouted.
"Uranus World Shaking!" Sailor Uranus invoked. The power shaped like a golden planet went straight for the Dark Cloud. The dark cloud was shaken but then an even larger power of the same shape covered in darkness was thrown back at Sailor Uranus.
"Watch out!" the Four Tuxedoes yelled. Before it could hit Uranus, the Four Tuxedoes jumped in the way and yelled in pain. They fell to their knees with their clothes tattered.
"It's like the darkness eclipsed the power!" Sailor Neptune concluded.
"Good observation," Tuxedo Kometto said trying to support himself.
"What happened to your power?" Sailor Uranus asked in an apologetic tone.
"It went into that thing." Tuxedo Star said breathing heavily pointing at the cloud/
"You guys need help," Sailor Jupiter said. "Let's fight!"
"No, baka! Protect the Princess!" Tuxedo Kometto shouted. "What point is there to die and then the world with you? Watch; the phages are slowly returning to human-beings. We'll fight off the ones that are attacking, giving you just enough time to power up and destroy the evil!" he said getting up taking his place back at the front.
"But how do we do that, if we use our powers combined, it could just throw that back at us!" Sailor Mars reasoned.
Tuxedo Star got up and looked to Sailor Moon in the back concentrating power into her tier. "Look to your princess... it is by her love that you'll be able to do this only if you protect her now and believe in her." Tuxedo Star took one last look at Sailor Moon, and said under his breath, "Goodbye Princess."
Sailor Moon continued focusing until she heard those words. "Goodbye?" she asked. "You're not going to die!"
"Our purpose has been served; what better way is there but to die but protecting the one's we have grown to love so dearly?" Tuxedo Star asked.
"You all knew didn't you; why didn't you tell me?" Sailor Moon asked. "I thought we were friends!"
"All of us didn't want this factor to cloud your judgment, Sailor Moon!" Sailor Saturn answered.
"All of you... you all knew about this?" she asked looking at the Senshi around her. "Tuxedo Kamen?"
Tuxedo Kamen nodded sadly yet courageously. "Sailor Moon, there is a time where decisions have to be made and we must be true to fate."
"What happened to making our own decisions; don't you think I could have decided on how to save them?"
"There is no saving us Sailor Moon! Now if you believe in our friendship I demand that you power up and do not stop on the count of us!" Tuxedo Star said running into the battle.