Eternal City: Crystal Tokyo

Chapter 3

Contemplation of Past Pt.1

By: Vampwriter

A crowd had gathered at the base of the short tower where the queen made announcements to the populace at times. News crews had also come to film the proceedings so others around the world could see it. She had said a week ago she had something wonderful to tell them, but had to make preparations. Since then the people had speculated as to what could be going on. There were a good many theories running around already.

Everyone quieted down as Kaoru Miki, one of the Duelists of the Revolution, came out. "Announcing her royal highness Neo-Queen Serenity and her husband King Endymion!" There was a riotous round of applause as the royal family came out. The princess, Usagi, was seen behind standing cuddled up with her lover Lady Saturn. Miki spoke again, "Announcing the daughter of the royal couple, her highness Princess Usagi and her consort Lady Saturn!" The two came forward and could hear the whole city cheering them. Looking down they were even able to identify several of their friends from the Locket.

Miki announced the arrival of the other Senshi, Jun the Devilman (who had decided to come along), and the Duelists, and then, "And Finally, announcing the return of one of our countries greatest heroes! She disappeared from sight many years ago, but now has finally returned! I give you Lady Tenjou Utena, leader of the Duelists of the Revolution, and her wife Tenjou Anthy; also know as the Bara No Senshi!" The planet cheered loudly as their two heroes came out and waved to the gathered crowd. Utena herself had helped the king and queen save the Earth from the ice age. The two spoke not a word as they went to stand with the others and mearly smiled at each other.

Serenity waited until she was sure she had everyone's attention before speaking, "My friends, a week ago I said that I had something wonderful to tell you, so here it is. A week ago during the earthquake in the mountains something was resurrected. It came to us in the form of an ancient stasis chamber from the first Silver Millennium. Within the chamber was found a Senshi." The crowd murmured to themselves at the implications. Serenity once again waited patiently for them to quiet down before continuing. "We opened the pod and released the Senshi. We brought her back here to the palace and prepared to introduce her to you. So now I give you Lady Terra, also know as Sailor Earth."

Neo-Queen Serenity stepped aside and Sailor Earth, decked out in a set of deep rose-colored robes, stepped out into the light and stood before the people gathered below. The people began cheering in welcome and Lady Terra bowed in response and waved to them. When they quieted she looked at her elder sister, who nodded for her to continue, and she nodded back. Turning back she closed her eyes and took a deep breath, "I am very pleased to be here with you once again. Long have I slept beneath the Earth for reasons beyond my control. However in that time I found that it was only my body that was asleep; my mind, however, was another matter. I found that I was still aware of what was happening in the world around me. I later discovered that it was possible to separate my spirit from my body for short periods of time. I was able to explore the world, watch it grow and change. I saw great wars of magic and technology waged across the millennia that I've slept." She turned to the others standing near her, "And when the Senshi returned I saw it as the perfect opportunity to help out as best as I could." Terra looked right at Rei, "Believe it or not, it was actually me that was giving you instructions when you called out to the great fire and sought your visions." Rei's eyes widened slightly. Terra smiled, "As the priestess and spiritualist of the group your mind could hear me, to a point. Unfortunately I couldn't tell you where the Negaverse base was. I had to let you learn and grow and rely on your own abilities to finally locate it." She looked at Setsuna, "That was something you yourself told me."

Setsuna smiled, "It's good to see you took my lessons seriously."

Lady Terra nodded, "Always." She turned back to the crowd, "Sad to say that as I separated from my body I lost energy. I no longer have as much power to call upon as I had before going to sleep. It will be restored eventually now that I am awake, though it may take a while." she smiled down, "I am very proud of all of you. Of how you've grown and matured in the time I have been away, how you have finally brought peace to the world, settling your differences for the most part. I wish to see this continue for a while longer."

The people below cheered at her words of support. They quieted down after a few minutes. "I have something to show you now." She brought both her hands, right over left, over her heart facing out. A large ruby stone about the size of a fist appeared in her hands, pulsating with power.

Jury's eyes widened slightly. "Is that a Drag Energist?"

Setsuna shook her head, "No I don't think so. This feels different."

Lady Terra turned her eyes to look at her, "And you would be right. This is my form of transformation." She turned back to the audience, "You see unlike the Senshi I have a different purpose. I was meant as the leader of my own group of Senshi here on Earth. But because of my ailment I was unable to take my place. However now I'm back and if I have to I will resurrect the Elementals." Still cupped in both hands, Terra brought the crystal over her head, "Earth Crystal Power! Make Up!"

The crystal shattered to dust as she brought her hands down and held them straight out from her body. The dust swirled around Terra's body, her clothes being replaced by the rose fuku she was wearing when they first found her. The tiara on her head was the last thing to appear with a stone hanging off the point. Sailor Earth gripped the stone with her left hand removed it. As she threw her hand out to her side again her spear appeared, with the stone set at the lower apex where the twin blades met. A quick spin of the spear and she rested it at her side. Sailor Earth turned to her queen and knelt down before her. "My queen, I pledge my loyalty to you as I have been charged by my birth mother, Lady Gaia, and by my adoptive mother, Queen Serenity of the Moon Kingdome." She looks up, a determined look in her eyes, "I will protect you with my life Onee-sama."

Neo-Queen Serenity came forward and extended her hand, which Sailor Earth took. Serenity drew her up and into a hug, "I welcome you home Nee-chan." They separate for a moment and look at each other, "In the name of the Moon Kingdome I thank you." The two hug once again as the citizens cheer and the world greets their new defender.

That was a month ago and Recca Tenaka was bored. Amy had been kind enough to arrange an identity for her outside the castle. She walked the streets in civilian clothes with no real plan as to where she was going. Besides being bored she also found her mind wandering a lot, thinking of a blue haired beauty whom she had know back during the previous Millennium. As evening approached she found herself in a part of town that had once been rather run down, but for many years had been home to a very reputable bar called Arisugawa's Locket.

The bouncer, Cyber 6, saw her approach and opened the door for her. She could have said something about the concealed forearm blade, but something at the back of her mind told her not to. Recca made her way down the hall and was greeted by captain Ruri, "Welcome to the Locket." She had a small smile on her face and bowed slightly, "Is this your first time?"

Recca only nodded, still lost in thought. She made her way to the bar and sat down in a seat. A black haired, perky young woman came up to her behind the bar. "Hello, I'm Mahoro. What'll it be?"

Her arm blade made not a sound as she set her arm on the counter. "Just get me something so I don't have to think for a while."

Mahoro got quiet and went to get her a drink. Right about the time she delivered it another woman appeared behind her and took a seat next to Recca. "Hello, I'm May. Welcome to the locket." Recca didn't even acknowledge her, just stared at her drink for a moment before closing her eyes and drinking down half the glass. May and Mahoro stared at each other and turned back to Recca. "You want to talk about it?" asked May. Mahoro made herself scarce at the other end of the bar when Recca looked at her with a clear dismissal in her eyes.

Recca of course knew who this girl was; Cyberdoll May. According to the palace records she was good friends with Arisugawa Juri and years ago had been placed in charge of the locket. She looked at her drink again as she organized her thoughts. Another quick sip of the potent drink and she sighed, "Imagine being dead to the world for many long years, and then waking up to find the world you knew gone. But while you've been reunited with your friends and family, the one person you want to see more than anything else isn't there to greet you."

May placed her hand on Recca's shoulder, "I'm sorry."

Recca looked over at her, "Do you know what it feels like to die?" May only shook her head. "I do. I've felt it twice already. The first time was when my own body was being torn apart from within by the forces that I had inherited."

This story seemed familiar to her. Then it struck her, "Wait, you mean you're..."

Recca smiled at May's quick whit. She nodded and continued, "The second time was when the planet itself was dieing. I could feel my life force waning with the planet's own. Now I feel myself beginning to die again. Only this time it's because I've been apart from her too long. I can still feel our connection though, but it's incredibly weak."

"Have you tried looking for her?"

Recca nods, "I've sat before the Eternal Fire several times a week for the past month trying to follow the link. sigh I've been less than successful."

May was about to say something when the hair on the back of Recca's neck stood on end. She shoved May to the side and dodged right as the knife came flying past where her head had been. She grabbed the arm holding the knife and the collar of the person's shirt and flipped them over onto the bar. She released the arm and the arm of her own denim jacket shredded as the forearm blade popped out. Recca held the blade to her assailant's neck, "Bad move my friend. Now who the hell are you?"

The person only started laughing. Recca looked at her confused, as did May. It was only when the woman spoke that Recca began to recognize her, "You haven't changed a bit, have you young guardian?" she set aside the dagger and removed the glasses, revealing familiar frosty blue eyes.

Well that's it for this chapter. Who is this mysterious woman Recca seems to know? Is she the one who she's been desperately searching for? Some friend or acquaintance from her past? We'll find out next time.

Remember NO flames allowed under any circumstance.