Heritage
Flashback:
"I can't do this!" a teenage Menmaht claimed as he pulled his weapon away from the white-haired woman. "Let me carry you, we don't have that far to go."
"Don't be an idiot," the wounded soldier grunted, "You can barely walk, much less carry me. If we can't escape together, you should at least do so on your own."
"Don't say that. We've been in dire situations before and have pulled out of them together. This time it will be no different!"
"It is different!!" She tried to take a deep breath, but doing so made her body hurt. "I realize it's hard, not being able to save a friend's life, but you can save me from torture and humiliation. You know what they do to their prisoners, all those crazy scientists and dark priests. Are you going to let me go through that?"
"No. But…" Menmaht strained his brain for an argument that would convince his friend, but nothing came to mind. As much as he hated to admit it, she was right. He stood up once more and aimed his staff towards her chest. All while she kept a calm, faint smile.
"I'd like to ask for one more favor," the white-haired woman said with a slight chuckle. "The girl who's giving us all that info, Samenat, I've noticed the way you look at each other. Make sure you don't let her go."
"…Goodbye…"
"Guh!" Menmaht came back to reality with a start, the way he always did whenever he came to that final part of the memory. "(sigh) I should've tried harder."
"Did you need something, my dear?" his wife asked as she came into the room, "I thought I heard you call my name."
"No, love. I was just thinking out loud." He got up from his seat. "Well, we better get a move on if we don't want to be late for the dinner party. Our guests shouldn't be kept waiting."
"I know, and I told those two I wanted them back before we had to leave," Samenat huffed, referring to her children. "They are going to get a piece of my mind when I find them."
Kazos and Miyu met with their parents soon enough, as they were leading Haruka, Minako, Rei and Ami towards their family suite.
"Gomen, we didn't mean to be late," the shrine maiden apologized, "but there are so many interesting sights in the palace that we lost track of time. Your children made excellent guides, by the way."
"Yes indeed, they know this place like the backs of their hands," the gold minister agreed as she placed her hand on her daughter's head. "It makes one wonder why they are always late to go anywhere." The little girl responded with an innocent grin. "Now, back to your rooms, you two. Your nursemaids are waiting for you."
"It's still too early," the young boy complained. He was at that age when having a nanny is quite embarrassing. "Why can't I go with you to the dinner party? I'm old enough."
"But you always say those parties are very dull," his little sister replied. She figured it out a second later. "Oh! You wanna go because you like—Mmmph?!"
"You know what, mom? You're right, I better go to bed now. After all, I'm still training for the sports festival. I hope to see you again tomorrow." Kazos gave a hasty bow and escaped, dragging his sister along and leaving everyone surprisingly amused.
"Boy, am I glad I was an only child," Haruka chuckled. She then turned her attention to the scarred general, who seemed to be miles away. "You've been awfully quiet, Menmaht-san. Is there something on your mind?"
"I was simply recalling the past." The scarred man glanced towards his children as they went around the corner, focusing on his daughter, Miyu, named after a fallen friend. "And painful choices."
Moments later they were at the dining room's door, where the rest of their friends, and the two remaining ministers awaited.
"Since her majesty knows very little about our cuisine," Mekhet said, I took it upon myself to select tonight's menu; and under her explicit requests, arranged for everything to be kept simple." The doors opened and the visitors gasped. Inside was the largest table any of them had ever seen, filled with at least twenty dishes, each more succulent than the last. In addition, there were musicians and jesters ready to provide entertainment.
"Mekhet-san," Hotaru sighed, "Remind me to discuss the definition of 'simple' with you."
"I don't know about you guys, but I'm trying one of each," the odango-headed blonde said as her mouth watered. "After you, Hotaru—" An explosion was heard! "What was that!" A guard came running to answer that question. He made a hasty reverence and reported to his general.
"Sir, we are under attack by the separatist! They've sent golems against us, at least four of them!"
"The enemy is here?!" Menmaht held back his swearing. "I'm on my way. Take the queen, the ministers and our guests to a safe place."
"Matte," Minako called as she held him by the arm, "We're fighters, we're not going to hide while you're out there risking your life." She then added with a wink, "The enemy's trying to scare us, ne? Well, let's see how they react after seeing true sailor senshi muscle."
"We'd rather you don't endanger yourselves," the bronze minister said, "but it is very insulting to refuse a gift, therefore we must accept your help." He then turned to Hotaru, Usagi and Mamoru. "Still, your majesty, your highnesses, it would bring us peace of mind if you would accompany us to a safer place."
"Hai, we'll go with you," the blue-eyed girl accepted. "Minna-san, please be careful. I don't want to get any bad news when this is over."
"Don't worry, Usagi, this time we've got a whole army giving us a hand," Rei assured. "Now, come on, we've wasted enough time. Mars crisis power, make up!"
Bob's workshop:
"Luna, could you hand me that spool of copper wire, please?" the pammul requested from inside an engine she was fixing.
"Sure thing." The female cat was still amazed by all of the machines and gadgets in the room. "Bob-chan, I just can't believe you've built all of these by yourself."
"Oh, I could never have done it on my own," the scaly creature replied. "As chief engineer, I've got people working for me. Still, the designs are all mine. And Anukh here was entirely built by me, body and programming. In fact, many of his components were custom made by yours truly."
"Ara, Bob-chan must've invested a lot of time on you," Artemis told the android, "Considering the difference in size, I'd say every free second she could afford."
"I'm afraid I cannot divulge that information, Mister Artemis," Anukh responded, "I am forbidden to reveal or hint towards my creator's age."
"Are you now?" The white cat raised an eyebrow at Bob. "You know, that alone tells me that you're very close, if not already over the hill."
"Keep it up and I'm freezing your whiskers off," the pammul threatened. She then rubbed her stomach. "Say, is anybody else hungry?"
"Hai," Luna answered, "Actually, I believe we're running late for the dinner banquet Hotaru-chan prepared for us."
"Not really, I know a shortcut to the dining room." Bob went over to some rags and started cleaning herself up. "Anukh, you may rest and recharge now, unless you wish to take one of your nightly strolls. The black-haired golem was about to respond, when his sensors picked up something out of place.
"Look out!" He leapt over a desk, grabbed the three animals, and leapt away again, just as an enormous clay golem smashed through the wall. It located a potential target and charged.
"Luna-chan, Bob-chan, move!" Artemis shouted as he hurried them away, "You too, Anukh-san!" But the humanoid golem stood still, biding his time. When the earthy one was almost on top of him, he grabbed its arms and used the momentum to lift it over his head. Then, in a further display of strength, hurled the invading monster back the way it came from.
"Hang on, Anukh. Help is on its way." Bob rushed towards the area where she kept the golems and activated them. Most were still under repair, missing an arm or various other components, but they could move and fight and that's what mattered. "Curses, I knew I should've built that defense system. Artemis, get on the radio and call for the guards."
"They already know," the white cat replied, "Several parts of the palace are under simultaneous attack." He looked at the screen and analyzed the situation. "This is a diversionary tactic. But what are they after?"
According to Mercury's computer, five out of six golems remained, one for each senshi. However, it also revealed that they were much stronger than the ones faced in Tokyo.
No problem, Mars thought as she approached her target, all we have to do is hit them on the forehead and they're through. The fire senshi stood in front of the wooden giant and attacked.
"Mars flame sniper!" The fiery arrow hit it's target, but it kept on fighting. "Nani? Why won't it stop? The rune was destroyed."
"Our golems are the ones with runes, not the enemy's," a nearby guard informed. "You see, we are the ones copying the technology from them."
"Terrific," the fire senshi grumbled, "Well, I've still got the winning element. Burning Manda—"
"No!" Menmaht halted her just before she released the flaming rings. "Ignite it and it will cause even more damage. We must figure out how to keep it in one place first." The dark-skinned man overviewed the battle. The guards kept firing, causing severe damage to the golem; but its plantlike nature allowed it to recover and grow back lost limbs. "Shoot at the knees."
"Sir, it will just—"
"Do it!" The guards questioned no more and fired, blasting off the legs. "Sailor Mars, now!"
"Burning Mandala!" Now, Menmaht knew that lighting up the wood golem would send it into a state of panic, trashing all about the place; with its legs gone, the only are to be damaged would be the one it was lying on. And while the legs did start to grow back, they were mere sprouts and burned away in an instant. "Good thinking, Menmaht-san. Keep it up and we'll be back at the table before the dishes go cold."
"I don't like the idea of hiding while the others fight," Sailor Moon said. She and her friends had changed into their heroic guises as a precaution. They, along with the ministers, were in Hotaru's suite. "We should be out there doing our part."
"We are, your highness," Samenat replied. "Please keep in mind that my husband, the father of my children, is out there as well, risking his life. I'd much rather he stay by my side, but his duty is to fight and defend this land, just as mine is to help guide our people. Similarly, the senshi fight so that you may live and rule your kingdom."
"Hai, it's true," the Moon princess accepted. "Gomen, I didn't mean to sound selfish."
"Why are you two so worried?" Mekhet asked, "I've fought alongside General Menmhat, I know what he's capable of. Also, we've got home field advantage. They will all be fine. Isn't that right, Tutok?" No reply. "Tutok?"
"Huh? Oh, sorry? It's all this waiting, it's getting on my nerves."
"I'll say," Tuxedo Kamen replied. He was about to say something else when he caught sight of a shadow moving. "Get down!" The man in black threw a rose towards a window, causing a blur to leap out of the darkness. It landed in the middle of the room and immediately charged towards Sailor Moon. The blonde senshi would've been dead the next second, if Saturn hadn't been there to block. And by doing so, the attacker's identity was revealed.
"Nieduan." The silver minister was so frightened he couldn't move a muscle. Neither could the other two after hearing that name. The violet-haired assassin edged her face closer to Saturn's.
"So it's you."
"Hai, it's me." The silent senshi pushed her away and spun her weapon. "First and foremost, I am a sailor senshi, and will protect my princess as much as this country."
"That doesn't interest me," the pig-tailed one replied with her empty tone. She did a back flip then pole-vaulted over Saturn's head, intending to kick Sailor Moon. The princess managed to block, but was still thrown back by the force of the blow. Now it was the Earth prince's turn. He took a swing with his cane, which Nieduan dodged. She then elbowed him in the gut, followed by a right jab and a lunging kick. As a finishing move, she raised her staff and brought it down, meaning to smash his head open. Instead, she hit an invisible surface, Saturn's silence wall. "What?! Oof!" Sailor Moon took advantage of her distraction to tackle their opponent. Nieduan immediately recovered however, she grabbed the blue-eyed senshi by the arm and slammed her against the floor. And just as she was about to deliver a punch that would crush Sailor Moon's ribcage, her senses screamed: 'Jump'. She did and avoided the Silence Glaive by millimeters.
"You will not harm her!" Saturn yelled. A glimpse towards her friends was enough to reveal their condition. Tuxedo Kamen had at least three broken ribs, and Sailor Moon's shoulder had been dislocated. "Silence Wall!" The barrier trapped Nieduan. "Minna-san, get the Prince and Princess out of here while I hold her off."
"Majesty, we cannot leave you here!" Mekhet protested.
"DO IT! Get them out of here and call for—Guh!" The death huntress had started forcing her way out. The following blow was even stronger. "GO!!"
"Majesty…" Gritting his teeth, Tutok realized they had to obey. "Escape as soon as you get the chance. Let's go everyone!" Once she was sure her friends were out of harm's way, the amethyst-eyed senshi brought down the barrier, timing it so that Nieduan would miss her target and be thrown off-balance, and counterattacked.
"Silence Glaive surprise!"
"Echo wall!"
"Nani? KYAA!" Saturn was blown away by her own blast. Her foe wasted no time and sprinted towards the door, she saw this and rushed to intercept despite the pain she felt. "I said you would not harm them."
"I was ordered not to terminate you," Nieduan informed, "But I cannot allow you to interfere with my mission." The pale assassin swung her staff, Saturn blocked. The senshi made a thrust with her weapon, Nieduan sidestepped and hit her left shoulder with a chop; Saturn retaliated with an uppercut from her right.
What is this? As they fought, the silent senshi realized that something was making her stronger. Is it because I'm defending my friends? Ie, it's not that at all. Something else is driving me. She ducked under Nieduan's whipping ponytail, which made a mark on a column. "That's a sharp do." One more spin. This time, Saturn used her Glaive to slice the braid. Now that her opponent's hair was loose and harmless, she grabbed, pulled down on it, and kneed Nieduan on the face.
"Augh!" The longhaired girl backed away, not because of the pain, but because her mask had come loose. She wanted to readjust it, but her foe sprinted, jumped and kicked her on the chest. The death huntress hit the wall behind her and the mask fell, revealing the face she so zealously hid. Both adversaries were too shocked to move; time itself did not seem to move, until Sailor Saturn spoke out a name.
"Shine Aqua Illusion!" The water golem froze and was shattered into pieces by the guards. "Well, that's the last one. Are you all right, Pluto?"
"Hai, thanks for coming here so quickly." The time seshi stood up. "We're not done yet, though. We need to find out the purpose of this attack."
"Hai," the water senshi agreed, "I'll call Sailor Moon and check on them." But just as she was about to activate her communicator, it started beeping.
"Minna-san, Saturn needs your help! She's fighting Nieduan on her own!!"
Pluto wasted no words and started running as fast as she could. She was scared beyond belief for her daughter's well-being, yet a little voice inside repeated: Hotaru is no longer a child, she's more capable than you give her credit for. The mocha-skinned senshi was about to be convinced when she saw that explosion in the royal suite. "HIME-CHAN!"
"I see her!" Venus shouted. She and the others had gotten the call for help and reached the same spot on the courtyard. "She landed on that roof. Let's go help her."
As the gathered senshi and Menmaht ran towards Saturn's aid, it became evident that she was alive and kicking. Emphasize on kicking, the battle cries and flashes of violet light revealed that the fight with Nieduan was still on.
"Chikuso, can't they stay put?" Uranus complained. Each time they got close, there was an explosion and the combatants leapt away. "I'll tell you one thing, Saturn is giving that brat all she's got."
"It might not be enough," Mercury replied, "If Nieduan is as strong as you described, Saturn's chances for victory are—" Out of the blue, the pale assassin landed right in the middle of the group then hopped away just before Saturn showed up in the same manner, with her weapon driven into the ground, causing a tremor that nearly knocked them down. The pale combatants exchanged a few blows before moving on to the next area.
"Looks like Saturn has finally gained some weight," the love senshi chuckled. "Ara, get a load of this!" On the ground before them was a gap, two feet wide and ten feet long.
"This is a clean cut," Menmaht said as he checked the smooth edges, "Her majesty actually sliced the earth open." He looked in the direction the fighting pair had taken. "If we don't stop them, they'll destroy the whole palace!"
"Maybe the whole city," Mars added as she panted, "I saw the look on her face, she's been angered out of her mind."
"Come out, you bitch, you're dead no matter what," Saturn threatened as she licked the cut on her lip. The battle had become stealthier now, the fighters had entered one of the castles many rooms and were now stalking each other in the dark. "Afraid to face me now that I'm not so small and fragile, is that it?" An exhalation. "THERE!" The violet-haired senshi slashed at a column, her enemy wasn't the one to fall, however, it was a miniature device which mimicked her breathing. "Baka!"
"Agony wail!" And agony indeed was what Saturn entered when she received the full blast on her unprotected back. Nieduan then grabbed her by the collar of her fuku and swung her against a wall. Saturn wasn't even given the chance to cry out her pain as Nieduan took hold of her neck and started squeezing. "Never call me by that whore's name. NEVER!" The pale senshi was about to lose consciousness when her would be killer jumped away, just in time to avoid being beheaded by the Space Sword.
"Saturn, are you alright?" Uranus asked concernedly. She glared at the assassin, who was covering her face with her hand. Her amethyst eyes were flaming with murderous rage as she saw more senshi appear.
"Outnumbered," the longhaired assassin growled. She knew that she was in no condition to fight that many adversaries and made a beeline towards the nearest window.
"Ie, you're not getting away," Saturn coughed as she stumbled onto her feet and hit the Silence Glaive against the floor.
"Nani?" All of the alarms in Mercury's visor lit up at once. "Saturn don't!"
"SATURN SHOCKWAVE!" The attack had been overcharged, and as a consequence, the recoil was tremendous. Those inside the room felt as though they'd been trampled by the Pamplona stampede. The ones outside were affected at a lesser degree, though not by a wide margin. As for Nieduan, not only was she hit, she fell ten stories down, bouncing off the sloped wall.
"Unngh!" Menmaht used his staff to help himself up and went inside. "All those who are conscious, speak up!"
"We're fine, but Saturn isn't." Uranus groaned, "Get Sketh-san and the medics here, now! Hime-chan no baka, what were you thinking?" The marks of countless blows were all over the youngest senshi's body, but this wasn't the reason she was out cold. No, Sailor Saturn had exhausted herself completely, and the sand-blonde senshi knew the reason. Although Nieduan hid her face, she hadn't been quick enough to avoid a quick glimpse, and that was enough for Uranus to recognize her. "Mistress Nine."