Back to the Nest
Chapter Four:
Planet Coronis, distant past:
There was a knock at the door.
"Do come in," Princess Coronis answered as she rose from her desk. A page entered the room, eager to complete his errand.
"Your highness, I bring great tidings from your cousin and her husband, the duchess and archduke. They wish to invite you to their home for a quaint celebration."
"What's the occasion?" Her dark eyes widened suddenly. "You don't mean…"
"Yes, they want you to meet their newly hatched children." The young-looking ruler could hardly contain her joy.
"Prepare my chariot, I'm leaving at once. I must also bring a gift of some sort. What would be appropriate for…? A moment, did you say children?"
Later that day, the undead princess was standing next to a cradle, contemplating two identical baby girls.
"They're twins, there's no doubt about that." She turned over to the proud parents, the archduke was a mature and handsome man with a goatee, while his wife was a young woman with wavy hair down to her shoulders. "Cousin, do you realize what this means."
"Of course I do, and I'm quite excited," the new mother responded as she approached, "and a little saddened as well." She ran a finger delicately down one of the babies' cheek. "Like every member of the royal family, I know of the prophecy. When these two come of age, they will travel to the Silver Moon, where they will serve under the command of Queen Serenity." The duchess sighed deeply "One day old, and already I see the day we will be parted."
"You shouldn't bear those thoughts, my dear," the archduke said as he comforted her with a hug, "Our daughters are with us, here and now. We must look after them and ensure that their childhood is a blissful one."
"Besides," Princess Coronis added, "it isn't certain whether these two will be the ones going to the Silver Moon." The couple gave a puzzled look. "Have you forgotten? They are not the only twins in Coronis."
"Civilization!" Red Crow exclaimed the moment the longhaired trio set foot on the paved cobblestone. After three days of walking and camping out in the wild, she became ecstatic when she saw the city from atop that hill. "First of all, we're registering at an inn. I want to sleep on a soft mattress, among clean sheets."
"In a dry room, where you don't have to push away snow to make a large enough spot," the cerulean-eyed girl added.
"Now, Onee-chan, Red Crow-san, don't get your hopes up," Phobos warned, "We didn't receive that much money from the villagers, we won't be able to afford anything extravagant."
"You're right," her twin agreed, "Maybe we can go through our equipment and sell the surplus. What do you think, Red Crow-san?" No answer. "Red Crow-san?" The former animate had stopped in front of a flower shop. She was staring at a small fuzzy plant, it was brownish and had minuscule flowers that were the same color as the leaves.
"Excuse me," she asked the old lady behind the counter, "This plant, what's it called?"
"Subtle, my dear. Would you like to buy some?"
"Why would she want to? It's the ugliest thing I've ever seen," Deimos said without thinking. Then she took a deep breath. "Oh, but it has such a sweet smell!"
"Hai, it's wonderful," her scarlet sister agreed.
"And familiar," Red Crow quietly added. She brought the pot closer to her face. "Why is this fragrance in my memory?"
"It's obvious, my dear," the old lady responded, "such perfume cannot be forgotten in your life, even the smallest whiff, no matter how many years pass."
"I suppose so." The copper-skinned woman put down the subtle and stood still a while, deep in thought. She made up her mind and bought a sample, which she wrapped in a piece of cloth. They all thanked the shopkeeper and left.
"How can you remember?" the cerulean-clad girl asked again, "It's the first time you've ever seen that flower."
"I know, but as soon as I caught the scent, something arose from a hidden corner of my mind."
"Maybe it's not that smell you remember, but a similar one," Phobos suggested, "Also, that lady was referring to a normal lifetime, you must be at least-" Red Crow tried to grab her, but the black-haired girl hopped away, stepping on a loose pebble.
"Yipe! Ungh!" She fell smack on her bottom.
"Miss, are you all right?" a short, stocky, bald man asked as he hurried to pick her up. "You're not hurt, I hope."
"Ie, I'm fine. I was clumsy, that's all."
"Are you sure you're okay?" he insisted, "That was a nasty fall."
"Hai, I'm sure!" She stated as she elbowed him, he was getting a bit too friendly about touching her.
"If you wish to aid us," Red Crow suggested, trying to hide her snicker, "you can give us directions. We just completed an arduous trip and need a place to rest."
"Sure thing, head three blocks down this street, you'll find one of the best taverns in the city. It's a good place to recharge before going to the inn, which is further ahead."
"Arigato," Deimos replied, "Good fortune to you." Once they had walked a fair distance, the cerulean-clad girl gave her sister a nudge. "Ten minutes and already you're drawing admirers, Phobos-chan. That was a good squeeze he gave you."
"Oh, be quiet!"
"And make it snappy, I'm parched," was how Red Crow finished her order. "This place will never cease to amaze me, it's as though Coronis is actually two worlds in one."
"Most people will live their entire life in one place and never get to know it completely," Deimos commented, "They stay within their routine and ignorance. Of course, that would never happen to you, Red Crow-san."
"Nope," the copper-skinned woman replied with a grin, "My wings get itchy if I don't move 'em."
"Well, while we're waiting for our meal, we better check the map and see how far we've advanced," Phobos suggested. She put her backpack on the table and reached inside. "Nani?" Her gaze became a frightened one.
"What's wrong?" Red Crow asked.
"The map, I can't find it!"
"What!? How could you lose it? You were supposed to be the one in charge."
"No one said I would be the one responsible for it, I was just keeping it in my bag," Phobos protested, "Other items are gone as well. And where did all these rags come from?" Then they realized what had happened, they'd been struck by a pickpocket.
"But who could do this?" Deimos asked. Second realization: "That chubby man!" Red Crow growled and sprinted towards the door, the twins closely following. "We'll never find him among so many people."
"Yes we will," the red-haired woman snapped, "once we get airborne."
A group of friends was just about to enter when the door swung open and three crows, one red and two black, flew out, flapping wildly and scaring everyone.
"What the hell were those things?" one of them asked. A waiter, who was carrying a tray and had an equally shocked expression, plainly answered.
"They're the ones who ordered these."
"That's it, from now on, no more travelers," the stocky man swore. Aside from the map, the only items he'd gotten from Phobos' bag were a compass, rope, and other such tools. The amount of money he'd gotten for pawning those was miserable. "Oh well, I still managed a fair sum. Tonight, I'll be living like a king."
"I'm so glad to hear that," a mocking voice spoke from behind.
"Huh?" The bald thief turned and went pale when he saw those three men. "The Dina Bros.!!"
"Well what do you know, Mac still remembers us." The leader walked up with a disturbing smirk on his lips. "Now, Mac, you really hurt our feelings when you disappeared like that. Were you trying to escape?"
"Escape? Of course not! I simply had to…umm…broaden my horizons in order to…work more efficiently." He started fiddling with his fingers. "And I didn't forget about my debt, oh no. When I said 'live like a king', it was actually a code for maintaining a frugal lifestyle while I raise the money in order to pay you." The three stares were making him quite nervous. "You're not buying this, are you?"
"Certainly not," the large brother responded, "But you don't have to worry about the money anymore, because we're going to collect in a different manner." Mac closed his eyes and got ready for the worst. The next thing he heard were the sounds of a brutal beating, only he didn't feel any blows.
I'm dead! He thought. I'm a sad spirit that hears how my lifeless body is being mercilessly punished. A minute later everything was silent and Mac finally dared open his eyes. Much to his surprise, he was still alive, and the ones lying on the floor were the Dina brothers. "Thank you!" the stocky man cheered as he went up to his savior, "I don't know why you did it, but thank you."
"Who said you've been saved?" Red Crow asked as she slowly revealed her identity.
"Uh, well, I… Bye!" Mac started running but didn't get very far, two crows swooped down and stopped him short. The Mars twins took on their human form and raised their rapiers.
"You're not going anywhere," Phobos growled. The copper-skinned woman backed up this statement by winding her whip around Mac's thick neck.
"Prepare yourself, because what we're about to do to you is much worse than anything those three losers had in mind."
"Stop it, Red Crow-san," Deimos scolded as she released their captive, "Just return what you stole and we'll let you go."
"I, uh, don't have the stuff with me, that is, I've already sold the loot."
"Nani? You sold the map!?" the scarlet-eyed girl shouted.
"Oh, not the map. I couldn't get anything for it, so I just threw it away."
"Threw the-" Red Crow ground her teeth in frustration. "You are one very unlucky fellow."
"Okay, let's all calm down," Deimos ordered, although she was beginning to lose her temper, "Just take us to the place you discarded the map, we may still be able to recover it."
"I threw it into a fire," Mac blabbed out, "it seemed a worthless piece of trash." There was a chilling pause.
"Girls," the cerulean twin started, "let him have it!"
"Wait! I'll buy you a new one, much better than the one you had!"
"That's no good, baka!" Phobos roared, "The gate won't be marked!"
"Gate? Gate! I know where that is!"
Later, at an inn, the four had calmed down and were sitting at a table. With a black eye (Red Crow hadn't been able to stop her punch) Mac looked at his now lighter purse.
"How come I have to pay for food, drink and lodging?" he whined.
"It's your punishment, Mac-san, for stealing from three innocent girls," Deimos answered.
"And lasciviously assaulting them," Phobos added.
"I was frisking you," the bald man protested, "That means I was looking for valuables in your pockets, nothing else."
"It didn't feel that way from my position."
"Enough of that," the former animate spoke up, "Mac, you say you've been to the gate before."
"That's right. When I was a child, I traveled to that old temple with an archeological expedition. It was a long time ago, but I've got excellent memory and remember every single detail from the trip. I can get you ladies a new map and trace a precise route."
"A new map will be useful," Red Crow agreed, "but you'll do more than mark the spot, you're coming with us."
"What? Why do I have to go with you?"
"You're obviously talented," the scarlet-clad girl admitted, "not anyone can replace the contents of a closed bag in a margin of seconds. And your experience will be very useful to us."
"Wait minute, we're talking about a very dangerous journey. I didn't do anything to you that deserves risking my neck."
"I saved your life," Red Crow reminded, "which means you owe me."
"Between you and I," Mac replied, "my life ain't worth that much."
"Yeah, that much is true."
"Hey!"
"You're forgetting a small detail, Mac-san," the cerulean-eyed one pointed out, "the profit. We have the means to go further into the temple than in your previous trip, who knows what riches we may find." This little white lie had a big effect on the thief. Already he was picturing himself sitting at a large table, eating from golden plates while beautiful women served wine and roast.
"Alright, you've convinced me, my skill and expertise are at your disposal."
"Great, now let's drink to our new partnership," the copper-skinned woman cheered. She downed the last of her ale and raised her mug. "Waiter, another one."
"I'm sorry, Miss, but we can't serve you any more."
"What, how come?" Mac inquired.
"Owner's rules. Whenever the delivery's late, one day in this case, he rations as though we were about to run dry." The young man shook his head. "Stupid alarmist. The caravan always arrives, how couldn't it? It supplies stock for every business in the city." Noticing that they weren't going to order anything else, he left.
"I guess we better go to bed then," Phobos proposed. They went up to the counter and asked for two rooms.
"One room," the innkeeper stated firmly, "you're one group, you're all staying in the same place."
"You're nuts," the cerulean-eyed twin protested, "He can't sleep in the same room as us, that's improper."
"Normally, I'd agree," the innkeeper said, "but under the circumstances, it's money over decency. Now, I could give you the second room, but it will cost more."
"This is ridiculous," the stocky thief huffed, "let's just go somewhere else where we can find reasonable people." But Red Crow was in no mood to walk any further. She raised the innkeepers face with a finger, giving a seductive smile, and just when his defenses were the lowest, she clamped his lips tightly.
"Listen closely, nitwit," she growled, "Two rooms, regular price. Understood?"
"Ys, mum." In fact, they even got a discount.
"Now I'm certain I have to behave myself around you," Mac quipped, "Now, let's go to sleep, we've got an arduous journey ahead."
It was curious to see how the glowing mists became brighter and dimmer, setting the difference between day and night in this shadowy world.
Early next morning, Phobos, Deimos, Red Crow and their new companion, Mac, were up and hitting the road. They walked all day and into the night. During the journey, the female trio allowed the thief to know what they considered prudent.
"What's your interest in the temple anyway?" he asked during the conversation, "It can't be archeology, 'cause you don't look like scholars."
"We are, despite our appearance," the cerulean twin replied, "The gate holds the final clue to an ancient mystery, and we want to be the first to solve it."
"Yeah? I never would've guessed. I was thinking treasure hunters, you're strong for people who sit at a desk, studying all day."
"We do travel a lot," Red Crow explained, "and women need to know how to defend themselves from robberies and wild beasts. Speaking of which." She pointed at a clearing downhill, "That's a good place for a sparring session. Phobos, Deimos, let's go."
"Nani? Right now?"
"Yes, now," Red Crow stated firmly, "You know you need this." They all climbed down and the dark-haired twins summoned their rapiers.
"We're up against you then, Red Crow-san," the scarlet-clad one guessed.
"Nope, you're facing each other."
"Nani!?" Red Crow silently confirmed her order by pointing towards the center of the clearing. The younger girls took their positions and breathed deeply, they'd competed before, but never fought against each other. Seeing that their former sensei was growing impatient, the twins charged at once, clashing their weapons.
"Amazing!" Mac gasped, "I've never seen anyone move so fast. And those blows could smash a rock!"
"A rock would put up a much better fight," the red-haired woman said disapprovingly. She unwounded her whip and struck the twins furiously, sending them several yards away.
"Ouch. What the hell are you doing!?" Phobos shouted as she got up.
"That's exactly what I want to now," Red Crow retorted, "How do you expect to get any stronger if you hold back? You've got to be serious about training, and not be afraid of hurting each other."
"Clearly, you don't mind if we get hurt," the scarlet-eyed twin replied with a glare. Red Crow narrowed her eyes at her.
"No, I don't. Deimos, get back here and start over, seriously this time." The longhaired girl was looking away. "Deimos."
"Shh, listen." Everyone went quiet and paid attention, there was a ruckus coming from the other side of the hill.
"Sounds like a party," Mac said, "That means free wine, let's go!" He ran off before the rest could say anything.
"Ara, he's quick for a man his size," the cerulean girl observed, "Better keep an eye on him or else he'll get away from us in a flutter." When they got to the top however, the bald man was keeping himself away from sight. "What's wrong, Mac-san?"
"Stay low, it could be dangerous." Everyone crept closer and looked yonder. It was the wildest celebration they'd ever seen, food, drink, music and dancing. "That insignia on the canvas, those guys struck the caravan!"
"Hey look!" Deimos got up and was pulled back down by her sister.
"Baka, do you want to let them know we're here?"
"The guy standing on top of the fallen wagon, he's got red armor." Red Crow took a peek.
"It's true," she confirmed, "and beside him is another one in blue."
"They're the raiders, the ones that struck that village," Phobos realized. She sent out a telepathic message, so Mac wouldn't hear, "And the ones we're looking for. Come on, this could be our only chance."
"We don't know for sure," Red Crow countered as she held her down, "Even if they were, we can't face them yet." She knew the twins needed more power and experience before facing this challenge. "Look, I'll go down there to confirm, in the meantime, wait here."
"Better stay away from them," Mac unknowingly interrupted, "Deathtraps I don't mind, but I'm not going to face a hundred bloodthirsty barbarians."
"Don't exaggerate, Mac-san, they're only sixty-three," Deimos corrected, "Forty-two men and twenty-one women, not counting the two in lively colors."
"Good work, Raymond," her scarlet sister quipped, "Now see if you can count their arrows." She started to walk away. "Well, since we're not doing anything here, we might as well leave."
"In a second," Red Crow said, "first I need to find out something about those guys."
"Are you crazy!?" the thief exclaimed, "They'll skin you alive."
"Only if they catch me. You guys wait here, I'll be back soon."
"(sigh) I'm going with you then," he grumbled, "Stealing's one thing, but I can't stand seeing women get hurt."
"Trying to act macho after the way I rescued you?" Red Crow mocked, "Have it your way. Just keep quiet and follow me."
"Drink the barrels dry, men!" the one-eyed man in red armor shouted as he held his glass high, "For tonight we feast until the break of dawn!" Everyone around cheered wildly, except for his twin, who was nursing a mug of beer. "Come on, brother, drink up, there's plenty more where that came from."
"If this… orgy does last all night, we'll go back to minimal rations the following day." The one in blue leaned back. "And we still have Phobos and Deimos to worry about."
"They'll show up, they have to, those two are the only ones Coronis can count on." The red-armored one took another gulp of wine. "You know, it's almost a shame that old hag Coronis will never know it was us, I'd give anything to see her face."
"I'd say we gave enough already," his brother replied, running a hand down his scarred eye, "I only care about the twins bitches, they're the ones directly responsible for our misfortune."
"Captains!" A woman in loose chain mail ran up to the silver-haired pair, bringing a harp and a fiddle. "Get down here, we need more music."
"Our public awaits. Shall we?"
"After you, brother," the blue one replied.
Red Crow needed just one glimpse of the one-eyed twins to start hitting her head against a rock. "I knew it was them. Who else would try to pull something like this?" One more bump. "I've seen enough, let's go back to the others."
"Not so fast, look over there." Mac's eyes were set on the large tent at the edge of camp. "That must be the leader's, I'll bet it's packed with goodies."
"And other important artifacts," the former animate realized, "It's guarded though. Can you sneak in and out without being noticed?"
"Are you kidding? I could pluck their nose-hairs and they wouldn't be any wiser."
"Okay, okay, go. You've got five minutes."
Yonder, Phobos and Deimos were listening to the other twins play their instruments.
"They're good," the latter admitted, "I can hardly keep myself from dancing."
"If we could go down there, we would give 'em quite a show." Phobos scratched her chin. "Onee-chan, do you think the fact that they're also twins has any significance?"
"It might, and there's also the detail of the feather shaped weapons. Of course, they're probably stolen, like the arrows."
"Hai, those two couldn't hail from Coronis, after all, we are the only twins to be born there… Aren't we?"
"That's what we know, but like the rest of the senshi, we've forgotten many things upon reincarnation." Deimos paced about, deep in thought. "Let's go take a closer look at those two, that should trigger our memories."
"Matte, what about Red Crow-san's orders? If she doesn't find us here when she comes back, we'll never hear the end of it."
"It'll be quick. Besides, it's not fair that Red Crow-san's the only one flirting with danger."
"Umm, unfair to us or unfair to her?"
"Both."
The longhaired twins moved cautiously, hiding behind each tree and rock along the way.
"Kuso, if only they were facing this way," Deimos complained, "This is getting too risky, we better head back."
"Hai, nice and slowly, just the way we-Nani?" The scarlet-eyed girl's hand grazed a large black rock, something felt unusual about it. "This is metal. A shield perhaps?" She looked up and was frozen by a glare coming from within a dark helm. "Run, Onee-chan! Kyaa!"
"Ie!" Deimos was unable to escape from the hand that grabbed her. She looked over her shoulder and saw that they'd been captured by a sixteen-foot-tall giant! Black armor, metal and leather, covered his body completely. This, and because he was sitting away from the bonfire, had kept him unseen until it was too late.
"We have visitors," he announced in a thunderous voice, halting the festivity.
"Ha! How do you like that?" The red-armored captain slapped his brother on the back. "I'd say Kriegstern has earned his, according to you, exorbitant sum." A path was cleared and they walked up to the lovely captives. Sadistic sneers contorted their scarred faces.
"Greetings, my dear Deimos," the one in blue chuckled, "Remember me?"
"Crimson Tornado!" The explosion came from the opposite side of the camp, surprising everyone.
"The knight captain!" The red-armored villain clenched his fist. "Damn it, we weren't counting on her. Ready your sword, brother!"
"Our troops can handle her, soon we'll be throwing her carcass into the fire. In the meantime, let us tend to our guests." A sound like rolling thunder drew their attention, all four of them looked up and discovered a look of insane rage in the dark giant's eyes.
"It's her!" Kriegstern's grinding teeth sounded like millstones. He dropped the Mars twins and strode into the fray.
"Where do you think you're going? Get back here, you idiot!"
"You should've kept your eyes on us," the scarlet-eyed girl said, "Phobos soul power, make up!"
"Deimos soul power, make up!"
"Senshi!?" The scarred villains raised their swords to block, making things easier for the heroines. The Ruby Dust encased their arms, while the sapphire gale sent them away.
"Let's go, Phobos-chan, Red Crow-san needs our help!"
"Less talk, more running!"
Red Crow was grossly outnumbered, but since most of her opponents had had so much to drink, she had a slight chance, minimal as it could be.
"When I get my hands on those two, I'm going to hang them from their feet until-Huh?" She felt an approaching tremor and spun on her heels, just in time to see that black spear being swung her way. The former animate leapt in time, the seven who were about to pile up on her however, had a gruesome end. "Not so clever, are you? Whoa!" No sooner she landed, Kriegstern threw a punch, forcing her to jump away again. All of his attacks were aimed at her, and woe to the one who got in the way.
"This time I will finish you!" the dark giant roared, "You can no longer escape!"
"Whatever I did, can't we talk it over? Whoop!" The copper-skinned woman landed badly and fell. Her persecutor made a fist and prepared the final blow, energy crackled around his arm.
"Blood-"
"Ha!" Mac came up from behind and drove his daggers into the back of his knees. While Kriegstern fell, howling in pain, the stocky thief ran up to Red Crow. "We're getting the hell outta here, come on!" He then saw the twin senshi approach, becoming puzzled by the notorious change in their outfits. "What happened to you?"
"We'll explain later," Sailor Phobos answered as she took his hand, "Senshi Teleport!" The four of them vanished, baffling everyone.
"So they're senshi now." The man in red armor broke free from the crystal. "This throws a wrench into the works."
"Don't worry brother, we've got power of our own. Let them revel in their little victory." The blue-armored captain surveyed the chaos and scowled. "Get to work and straighten up this mess! I want a full report within the hour!"
Elsewhere, the four adventurers reappeared in a flash of light.
"My first impression was true," Mac panted, "you're not scholars, are you?"
"I'll explain everything," Red Crow promised, "But first, Phobos, Deimos," she stepped up to the pair, "I appreciate the rescue, but that won't save you from…" The twin senshi just stood there motionless. The copper-skinned woman sighed regretfully. "You saw them, didn't you?"
"Hai, and we recognized them as well," the cerulean-clad girl answered with a small voice, "They're the ones who came before us."
"The other twins," the scarlet-eyed one deadpanned, "Hunnim and Munnim."