Sailor Moon Story #1
Return of an Empire, Pt.1 Friend or Foe(This takes place shortly after Sailor Moon R, Pt. 1: The Doom Tree Series)
Today on Sailor Moon, an Empire thought to be destroyed makes a come back under a new leader. He's hunting a renegade ninja with a powerful weapon. Is the ninja our friend or our enemy? Find out in Part one of Return of an Empire, Friend or Foe.
Once again, it was a typical day at Crossroads Junior High. Meaning that once again, Ms. Haruna had called role, and Serena had not shown up. "What am I going to do with that girl," she muttered. She suddenly heard a loud crash, followed by a rolling sound. She opened the door to investigate and saw a screaming Serena struggling to remain aboard a rolling trash can, both of which were heading her way!
She quickly stepped out of their path as the doorframe halted the can. Serena, catapulted into the room, proceeded to skid across the top of Ms. H's desk, sending pens and paper everywhere, and landing with a loud "Oomph!" Silence fills the room as a sweatdrop rolls down everyone's forehead. Then...
"SERENAAAAAAA!!", screams Ms. Haruna, who marches up to Serena, grabs her by the ear, and drags her into the hallway. "Everyone study the first page of chapter 10," Ms. Haruna shouts as she slams the door behind her.
Meanwhile, in Earth's northern latitudes...
A dark shape sits on the throne that once belonged to Queen Beryl. A man in leather armor walks up and kneels before the figure. "My lord," the man said, "the palace has been secured. None of the traitor Beryl's minions can be found. They apparently abandoned the area shortly after Beryl's defeat."
"I see," said the dark shape on the throne. The man on the throne leaned forward, allowing the limited light to reveal the features of his face. He had salt and pepper hair, a hawk-like nose set in a square cut face, and eyes as cold and hard as ice. He wore the uniform of a Dark Kingdom general, and the cape and epaulets of a supreme general. He also wore, on the left breast of his uniform, a many-pointed star made of black diamond. This not only marked him as High Supreme General of the Negaverse, but also as a member of the Royal Family.
"It is right that they feared my coming," said the general, pleased with himself. The kneeling man hesitated, then said, "I do not believe they fled from you, Lord Onus." Onus's eyes narrowed. "How did you reach this conclusion, Hunter?"
Hunter cleared his throat and replied, "According to what my people can find, Beryl's lackeys fled before they could have gotten word of your immanent arrival. We also found the remains of several monsters in the palace." Here, Hunter seemed to become uneasy. "We believe we know what was used to destroy those monsters." Onus, his curiosity piqued by Hunter's discomfort, asked, "What was it?" "It was the Sword of Shadows, Sire."
At this, Onus became agitated, getting up from the throne and walking toward the center of the cavernous throne room. "The Shadow Sword," murmurs the dark tyrant to himself, "After all these years of searching, it finally resurfaces on Earth." He turns toward the still kneeling Hunter. "Gather your people and set your best trackers to finding the Shadow Sword. When you have something, send word to our new base in the Western Hemisphere. You will receive further orders then." "Yes, my liege," said Hunter. And with his minion's acknowledgement, Onus vanished.
Back in Tokyo, several ours later...
Rei had called a meeting at the temple and all the scouts were there... minus one. Once again, Serena was late. "I don't believe this," yelled a frustrated Rei. "She's always late to every meeting! She's never been on time for anything in her life!"
Ami lifted her nose from the book she was reading. "Come on Rei, I'm sure she has a good reason for it this time." "She does," said a voice. The scouts turned as one as the Guardian Cats Luna and Artemis walked into the room. "Sorry we're late, guys," said Artemis. "We stopped by Serena's class to see if she could get out of detention."
"Serena's in detention, again," asked Lita. "This time it isn't her fault," said Luna. "Ms. Haruna just refused to believe her when she said the power went out on our street." "We might as well start the meeting and fill Serena in later," said Mina. Ami turned back to Rei. "Why did you call the meeting, Rei," she asked.
Rei looked grim. "I saw something in the fire. We can expect a lot of trouble in the next few months." She looked at Luna and Artemis. "I sensed that a lot of evils are about to be released. Two of them are more powerful than any we have ever faced." "WHAT," exclaimed the rest of the Scouts. "Even more powerful than Metallia," asked Mina. "Yeah," said Rei. "Then we had better be prepared," said Luna.
Meanwhile, at Crossroads Junior High...
A dark shape reclines on the third story ledge of the school. Staring into a window, he sees a woman with reddish brown hair sitting at the teacher's desk. He also saw a blonde haired girl with a pair of odangos (meatballs) on her head.
The shape, now identifiable as a ninja, turns to look out across the city to the horizon. That was close, he thought as he relaxed in the rays of the setting sun. I am GLAD that I got out of Beryl's palace before Onus and his lackeys found me. He closed his eyes, and laid his head against the wall. From what I could get from Malachite's personal files, when Prince Darien was captured, he had been attempting to protect that yellow haired girl. She's also friends with that red haired girl Nephlyte was so fond of.
The ninja opened his eyes. If I watch this girl long enough, I'll be able to find Darien. And where 'Tuxedo Mask' is, the scouts won't be far behind. A dog barking below him interrupted the ninja's thoughts. The ninja carefully looked over the ledge and saw a shorthaired, black and brown dog with only a nub for a tail. Looks like a Doberman, he thought absently. Then he noticed the Doberman's blood-red eyes looking directly at him!
The ninja leapt to his feet(no small accomplishment, considering he's three stories up on a ledge a foot and a half wide). That's no Doberman, he thought wildly as it transformed into a half-man, half-dog creature. That's a Bounty Man!
Serena heard a high-pitched yelp from one of the windows behind her. She turned around just in time to see the Bounty Man come flying through the window in a shower of glass. Serena jumped back and screamed. "Monster," gasped Ms. Haruna, who then proceeded to faint. "Oh no, Ms. Haruna," said a frightened Serena. She was absolutely speechless with terror when she turned around and saw the Bounty Man pick itself off the floor and leap toward her, jaws agape.
Suddenly, the ninja slammed into the monster with flying leap kick, causing it to alter it's flight pathand crash into the desks behind Serena. The ninja grabbed Serena and leapt to where Ms. Haruna lay. Putting her and Serena in a double fireman's carry, he leapt out the window to a nearby tree. He leapt from tree to tree until he found the one he wanted.
"Grab the branch above you," he told Serena. After she had used the branch to lower herself into a large nook of the tree, the ninja put Ms. Haruna with Serena. "Who are you," asked Serena. "The name's Drake," said the ninja. "You should be safe here while I get rid of that Bounty Man." He turns to go back to the school...and stops. There in the tree he had been about to jump into was the Bounty Man. And as Drake and Serena watched, the Bounty Man began to howl.
The howl reached out across the city of Tokyo. At his apartment, Darien, otherwise known as Tuxedo Mask, spun around and ran for the window, knowing in his heart that Serena was in danger. At the temple, Rei, Luna, and Artemis jumped up and ran for the door, leaving Lita, Ami, and Mina to scramble after them. And at the top of the Tokyo Tower, a member of Hunter's elite Bounty Team stood with two Bounty Men, listening to the howl and the message that lay within. The bearer of the Shadow Sword had at last been found.
"Damn," cursed Drake. "That'll bring the other members of the pack for sure!" "Pack," asked Serena worriedly. Drake kept his eyes on the motionless Bounty Man. "Bounty Man monsters usually hunt in pack of three to eight, with someone acting as a handler for them." Drake drew his sword. "I better take care of this one before the other ones arrive," said Drake. "I just hope the Sailor Scouts arrive soon," he murmurs to himself.
They may get here faster than you think, thought Serena. Suddenly, the beeper for Serena's communicator went off. As if it were a prearranged signal, the Bounty Man and Drake leapt at each other. While in midair, the monster let loose with a black energy bolt. Drake managed to deflect it with his sword, but now the sword was no longer in position for a slashing attack. Using the techniques he learned while working for Malachite and Beryl, Drake created a ball of negative energy in his off-hand. Clenching his fist caused it to be surrounded by the energy. As he and the creature came together, Drake let loose with a vicious backhand that sent the Bounty Man flying in the opposite direction.
As Drake pursued the monster through the trees, Serena was speaking with the other scouts via her communicator. "Serena, are you okay," asked a worried Rei. "NO," hissed Serena. "This big dog monster tried to clobber me! If it weren't for Drake, I'd be a goner." "Who," everyone asked at once. "I don't know, some guy dressed like a ninja who really knows how to fight. Just get here quick, cause Drake says their are more of them on the way."
She quickly turned off her communicator. "He's gonna need my help," she said as she reached for her Moon Crystal Compact. Thrusting it into the air, she cried out, "Moon Crystal, POWER!!" In a swirl of light, ribbons and feathers, Serena transformed into Sailor Moon.
While Serena transformed, Drake was searching for the Bounty Man. Suddenly, Drake blurred and vanished as the monster slashed at where Drake once was. The monster looked around, but did not see Drake anywhere. "Ahem," the monster heard. It came from behind him.!
The monster spun around, fully expecting to see Drake behind him. What he did not expect to see, was Drake standing upside down on the underside of the branch above them with his face two inches from the creatures nose!!
The Bounty Man quickly backpedaled away. He froze as a loud crack was heard. Drake flipped down to the branch the Bounty Man was on. Another, louder crack was heard as the portion of the branch the dog-monster was on lowered a little bit. The dog gave Drake a mournful gaze and whined. "It won't do you any good to beg," Drake said. He stabbed at the break in the wood with his sword and twisted. With a loud yelp, the Bounty Man fell as the branch snapped.
Drake leaped down from the branch. "Your history," shouted Drake. As the Bounty Man slowly rose to it's feet, Drake reversed his sword. "Shadow Slash!!" Drake ran toward the Bounty Man, moving so fast that after images appeared. The hound had only enough time to let loose one last whimper before the sword sliced through it's center. Within a few seconds only dust remained.
"And that takes care of that," Drake said, sheathing his sword with a flourish. He suddenly heard a crack above him and high-pitched wail. He looked up...just in time to see Sailor Moon land on top of him. Drake groaned. "Ooh, sorry," said Sailor Moon, getting off her rescuer. She helped him to stand then stepped back. "Did you come here to help," asked Drake, "Or did you just decide to drop in on a whim?" Sailor Moon sweat dropped at that. "Anyway, where are the other scouts? We're gonna need their help." "They're on the way," said Sailor Moon. "That's a relief," he said, grimacing.
"Your gonna need all the help you can get," a voice echoed. Drake and Sailor Moon looked around, trying to catch a glimpse of who spoke. Then Drake saw them. Their two pairs of red eyes gleaming, the two Bounty Men, already in their monster form, emerged from the shadows of the trees. Their handler must be around here somewhere, he thought. "Bounty Men, take them," the voice shouted. The two Bounty Men charged toward Drake and Sailor Moon. Drake drew his sword and Sailor Moon braced herself. Suddenly a rose slashed through the night air to land in front of the Bounty Men. Drake, Sailor Moon, and the Bounty Men looked in the direction it came from.
"Why don't you and your hounds hunt different prey," shouted Tuxedo Mask as he threw five more roses. These five disappeared into the night, only to reappear as they released a blinding white light from their petals. As the darkness vanished, the handler of the Bounty Men was revealed. He looked like a human man, with deeply tanned skin, long blonde hair to his shoulders, tall and lithe. He held a hand axe in his hand.
"Tracker," muttered Drake. "Well, Drake," said Tracker, "you're the bearer of the Shadow Sword." "What of it?" "Lord Onus wants it." Drake's eyes narrowed. "Well, I'm afraid he can't have it." Tracker smiled. "Then I am afraid you must perish, Bounty Men, ATTACK!!"
With a snarl, the two monsters leapt forward. One attacked Sailor Moon. As she dodged out of the way, Tuxedo Mask slammed his cane across it's throat, sending it to the ground choking. The other attacked Drake. Evading it's downward slash, Drake kneed it in the stomach, then slammed the hilt of his sword on the back of it's head, stunning it and putting it on all fours. He reversed the sword and was about to stab it into the creature's back, when a bolt of dark energy sent by Tracker struck him, sending him flying.
"If you want to do something right," Tracker said, "then you've got to do it yourself!" And with that he leapt at Drake, blade gleaming.
End of Pt. 1
Sailor Moon Says:
Serena: Becareful around stray dogs and cats. Many of them could be sick or just plain mean, making them dangerous.
Ami: If a stray animal should bite you, call 911 right away. Some animals can be sick with diseases like rabies, which can make you sick.
Lita: Even if the stray looks friendly, don't go near it. A sick animal could change moods at a moment's notice.
Serena: So be safe, stay away from strays. Sailor Moon Says.
Luna: Now that's advice I agree with!