Previously- The inner Soldiers were attacked by the black moon twin Narcisa, and close to death when Sailor Mars woke up from what appeared to be sure death, and destroyed Narcisa. Meanwhile Neptune and Uranus arrive just in time to see Mercury wake up. The three rush their fallen comrades back to the Tomoe mansion. Meanwhile to mysterious figures watch Usagi tuck Hotaru into bed.. saying something about being sent to guard Sailor moon... what could possibly be in store for Usagi and the remaining senshi?
Episode 203 Another villain? The history of the Crimson storm.
Raye sat flipping through channels on the TV, and sighed. "This is what she does for fun? God- no wonder she's still a virgin." Raye smirked and then laughed at her comment. "Well I guess I could fix that.. but human men are so disgusting.. besides- I have bigger fish to fry." Raye cracked her knuckles, and through on her shoes.
"Rei-'s friends must be really worried about her by now.. maybe I should show up at the Tomoe mansion and rest their fears."
Haruka heaved a sigh of relief as she lay Sailor Jupiter on one of the upstairs beds. "Wow that girls heavy."
Michiru giggled as she lay Venus in the bed next to Jupiter's.
"Well- I used to say the same thing about you, when we first started this..." A knock came on the door, and it opened slightly.
"Is that you Haruka?" Usagi's voice came from the other end.
Haruka growled to herself. "Damn! We can't let her see her friends like this.. she'll go ballistic."
Michiru nodded. "I'll direct her away from.."
"Oh my god." Usagi's voice came through loud and clear. "What..."
Michiru put up a hand. "They're okay Usagi. Go down to the living room."
"Okay? But they're unconscious.. why didn't you take them to the hospital?"
"And tell them what Usagi.." Haruka began. "That they were hurt in a battle with an extra terrestrial monster?"
Usagi's eyes narrowed. "If that's what it takes... Haruka their unconscious! They shouldn't be here!"
"It's okay Usagi." Ami's voice sounded from behind her. "I've got everything under control."
"You.. but.. how'd you survive the attack?"
"She ignored me, because I'm the weak one.. as per usual. Now move. I have to attend to them."
Usagi shook her head, and opened her mouth to say something, but for one of the first times in her life found
that the words just weren't there.
Haruka took Usagi down to the living room. Usagi counted on her fingers. "Haruka.. where's Mars?"
"She wasn't there when we arrived... Usagi we have to talk about that too."
"About her not being there?"
"No.. It's.. stranger than that."
"Stranger? Than her leaving her friends to die? What is it Haruka?"
"Just wait for Michiru."
Usagi let out a long exasperated sigh. "Haruka- I'm getting a little tired of these waiting games.. something obviously needs to be done now."
"Patience." Is all Haruka said.
"Patience? Haruka, Pardon me for sounding a little brutish, but My husband died today, and two of my best friends are upstairs severely injured..."
"And do you think we hurt any less Usagi!" Haruka shouted. "You forget- our friend died out there today as well. Our friends are upstairs injured. Now I think we have to wait before any of the rest of us gets hurt."
Usagi stood, slightly taken aback. Raising her voice wasn't something Haruka did to her very often. To do that she must have felt something...
"Friends Haruka? You've never called us friends.."
Haruka rolled her eyes. "We're all in this together Usagi.. don't forget that."
The door bell rang. Usagi sat not registering a hint of curiosity.
"I'll get it." Haruka said, nodding to Usagi.
Usagi looked up. . "Sorry... What?"
"I'll go get the door.." Haruka said.
Haruka stood, and walked to the oak door. She opened it just as a boom of thunder sounded outside.
"Rei.." Haruka began, as she stepped back. Rei's hair had been died a bright pink, and she wore green make up over one eye, and red over the other. Her dress seemed to be made of some leather material, and had rubber spikes protruding from the shoulders. Her skirt, among other things was quite revealing.
"Rei... there you are.. We've been worried sick.." Usagi rounded the corner, and caught her breath.
"Rei.. what happened to you.."
"Usagi!" Rei exclaimed and ran to her friend, in an overzealous display of emotion. "I just heard what happened to Mamoru! Oh darling are you okay?"
"Darling? Rei.. did you take one to many blows to the head? You've never called me.."
"And Haruka.. you poor dear.. What you must have felt.." Rei shuddered.
Haruka quirked a brow, and backed off slowly. "Rei.. would you like something to drink?"
"Oh no, I couldn't possibly.. not at a time like this." Rei put a hand over her heart. "Usagi.. You must feel terrible.. are you okay?"
"I'm fine Rei.. But you're... look at you.. what happened?"
"What happened? Oooh.. you mean this.." Rei regarded her outfit for a second. "I guess you could say I've had a fashion awakening."
"More like a death if you ask me.." Haruka mumbled under her breath.
"I.. see." Usagi said, and stood up. "I'm going to the kitchen to make myself a snack.. Haruka do you want anything?"
"No.. but thanks Usagi.. I'm going to stay and have a little chat with Rei." Usagi nodded, and went in the opposite direction of the kitchen, feeling Rei's eyes burning a hole right into the back of her head.
Vertigo sobbed, her head buried deep into one of her pillows. "How could she.." She muttered to herself. "How could she let her die like that!" Vertigo turned over, and stared at the ceiling. "she had the power to do something, and yet.. she did nothing!" Vertigo threw her pillow at the wall, and glared bitterly at the picture of Esmerodo on her wall. During the initial war with the white moon family, she had idolized Esmerodo for her strength and beauty. She had men wrapped around her very finger. She shook her head.
"I should have just stayed at home.." She muttered. When Esmerodo had returned she was the first one to sign up for her group of warriors.. She had called it the new Black moon Regime.. Her sister, while hesitant had also joined with her..
Now her sister was dead.. and it was her fault that she had been dragged her..
"Now now sweaty... there's really no need to cry.." A cheerful female voice came to her. "Esmerodo will get what she deserves darling.."
"Who.." She looked up, and around her room,... "Who's there?"
The voice seemed soothing, but for the life of her, Vertigo couldn't see where the voice was coming from.
"They call me a great many things.. The id.. desire... your drive..."
"What?" Vertigo asked blinking.
"But the truth of the matter is.. I'm merely a projection of your inner thoughts.."
"My inner thoughts? Oh great.. now I'm talking to myself.."
"Not exactly my dear... you can hear me.. can't you?"
"Yes.."
"And not in your head either.. but verbally.. therefore I must be a physical existence.."
Vertigo thought about this for a second. It seemed to make sense..
"Vertigo, darling.. I come to you with a proposition."
"Oh great.. I've seen your kind before.."
"Oh please, do I sound like I would be that tacky? Just listen.." The voice said. "I can give you the power to exact your revenge on Esmerodo.. and all I ask in return, is your loyalty.."
"My.. loyalty? What do you mean?"
"I mean several things.. the first of which is you must not use the power to destroy Esmerodo.. not yet.."
"Why the hell not?"
"It's part of your loyalty in me.. I have plans in motion.. plans that have taken a very long time to put together... I can't have the Sailor soldiers looking over my shoulder, now can I?"
"But what about.."
"Esmerodo? She's distracting them my dear.. and in the mean time.. you'll have the ability to exact your revenge on the one who killed your sister.. and her friends.."
"Esmerodo has friends?"
"No youngling.. I meant Sailor moon.. when the time comes.. I will give you the information you seek.. but until then.. you must lay low.. and do Esmerodo's bidding.."
"I was gonna say, with a laugh like hers..." Vertigo began. She looked up. "Fine. Agreed."
"Good.. now let me infuse you with my end of the bargain.." Vertigo closed her eyes, and felt a sudden rush of air bombard her.. Tiny prickles shot up her spine, and the hair on the back of her neck stood on end. Her body felt whole, and on fire... it coursed with power.. it was.. ecstasy.
"Oh my god.." Vertigo whispered. "I feel like I could take a whole chunk of the moon out with this stuff.."
"And so you can child.. but remember.. you must not use the power.. Esmerodo must not realize you have it.. not yet.."
"Yes... I'm sorry what did you say your name was again?"
"You may call me... the crimson storm.."
"Justin- that girl there." Sarah said, pointing to Rei through the window. "Do you feel it?"
"You mean the feeling of dread emanating from her, or just the general feel of magic about her?"
Sarah rolled her eyes. "We've no time for your play on words.. do you feel her essence or no?"
Justin smirked, and his eyes set on Rei. "Of course. you'd have to be psychically blind not to.."
"She has the taint of his magic too... I don't suppose now would be a good time.."
"A good time to barge in? And say what exactly, that we are travels from outside the time stream, here to save you from your deaths? I think not Sarah."
"What about Satsuma? Don't you think she'd recognize us?"
"Potentially, but tell me this. Do you feel her presence?"
"No..." Sarah said, psychically feeling around for Setsuna. "I feel her body.. but she's.. elsewhere.."
Justin spun suddenly, putting his hands up to form a magical barrier.
"It's about time.. I was wondering when you two would show up."
"Setsuna!" Sarah whispered excitedly. "You are here!"
The image of Setsuna nodded. "For only a moment I'm afraid... I fear that the seal we placed on them has began to fail?"
Sarah and Justin nodded. "Then that's Lady Asra.. not Sailor Mars."
Sarah's eyes opened wide. "She's possed the body of a Sailor soldier?" Setsuna nodded. "And I fear that I am physically in no condition to warn them... I suppose you've been sent here to protect them in my place?"
Justin nodded. "Damn.. Haruka and Michiru are of our mindset.." Setsuna began. "They'll never except you two for who you are.. They're much to suspicious... besides I'm thinking we should let her play her game for awhile. If you alert her to your presence we may lose our ace in the hole..."
"What if Justin were to dream walk into one of Usagi's dreams.." Sarah began.
"People don't dream walk here Sarah.." Setsuna began. "I've only done that once.. and it was to reassure a charge of mine that we would meet again.. I will make contact with Sailor moon tonight.. I fear what damage lady Asra has done already... but at least he hasn't been released yet."
"She's the warning we placed on the seal Setsuna.. we have to collect the Relic's before his minions do.." Justin smirked. "Or else we'll have to deal with them both at full power."
"Not a viable option.. you two need to lay low.. I'll work on curving time lines for you two to inhabit while you're here.."
"Already been done Mate." Justin said, cutting Setsuna off. "We were just scooping things out.. Unless we miss our guess, Asra will do the same thing she did last time.. we should have several days before anything else happens.."
Setsuna's head shot up. "She knows I'm in the house.. she's trying to enter my mind.. Until we meet again my friends."
Raye smirked as she looked into Haruka's eyes. "Haruka.. why are you being so cautious? They were fine when I left.. I even called the police.. had you not taken them, they would've been taken to the hospital.. no questions asked."
Haruka stared at Rei Hino for what seemed to be an eternity. "It's just not like you.. you're normally more responsible than that."
"Pah." Raye smirked. "Since when don't you trust me? I thought we had an understanding you and I.."
"So did I Rei.. bit still.." Raye supressed a giggle. This was more fun than she'd had in eons. "But what Haruka?"
"Its just so weird.. you've never left your teammates before. What if the enemy would have sent reinforcements? You were careless!"
"They were fine Haruka." Rei continued unphased.
"Fine or not they were still injured. You should have at least contacted us!"
"So you could yell at me then? Honestly Haruka.. I don't think I have the patience for this anymore." Raye stood up to leave. "By the way... given the sudden change of events.. wouldn't you think it's time we re-evaluate our leader? After all.. she's not exactly emotionally stable." And with that Raye showed herself out.
"Those people have some nerve.. I'm amazed Rei hasn't offed them yet.. with all this untapped energy.." She began. Closing her eyes, she focused on parts of Rei's brain that she had no clue existed. Fire engulfed Her body, and began to lift her off the ground.. "It's the only way to travel.." Raye said, as she headed toward the stars.
"Haruka? What did you say to her to get her so riled up.." Usagi asked quirking a brow.
"I just called her on leaving the others alone.. .and.. she questioned your capability as leader."
"Oh god. That's so like her." Usagi began. "Always trying to upstage me.."
Haruka put out a hand to silence Usagi. "I'm not so sure.. something wasn't.. right about her.."
"Yeah.. she had a weird accent... it almost sounded American. What do you make of it?"
"Eh, not much.. maybe she's just hanging with a new crowd.."
"Her clothes tell ya that much?" Usagi asked, running a brush through her hair. She enjoyed talking business.. it kept her mind off of.. other things.. darker things..
Haruka stiffened. "Yeah.. but what I thought was weird, was how she kept saying darling, and sweetie... she's never used those words like that before."
"So we're going to assume that something is rattled in Rei just because she said she thought she'd make a better leader, and is dressing completely different? Maybe we should just assume she's going through a mid life crisis a bit early.."
"About ten years to early?" Laughed Haruka. "I guess its a possibility.. look Odango.. you should go get in bed.. we'll all talk in the morning.."
"Okay Haruka.. Good night." Usagi said. Secretly she dreaded falling asleep.. it would give her time to think of what had happened that day..
"Sailor moon" A cold voice came to her. "Sailor moon.. we must talk.. I don't have much time.."
Usagi cracked open an eye. "Setsuna!" She exclaimed. "You're okay!"
"I"m healing.. Sailor moon, we're connected via a psychic link up.. I don't have time to explain as it could end abruptly.. but certain events have occurred that makes me positive of who and what we're fighting.. I have to give you the details.. In case something should happen to me."
"Happen? Setsuna.. what's going on?"
"Usagi.. events that were set in motion thousands of years ago are culminating in the here and now.."
"Esmerodo was around thousands of years ago?"
"No.." Setsuna began. "But the benefactor that brought her back from the void was.. infact it's with him that our story begins.."
"As most of our stories begin, it was thousands of years ago.. even before the silver millennium. a kingdom existed.. a kingdom that embraced the natural wild magic's of the universe. They seemed to live in harmony, until the seventh king of the seventh dynasty passed away.. Leaving the kingdom to his Heir Licec De Varol. Licec on the surface seemed to be a kind and beneficial king, but secretly he would conduct Magical experiments so Heinous that even the deaths of the innocence that Galaxia caused Merciful... Eight members of the tribe of Cronus sealed his essence within eight relics, each scattered to the ends of the universe... What they weren't planning on was Entropy... "
"W-wait.. entropy? Licec? This is all getting a little bizarre-" Usagi began, but was silenced by Setsuna.
"The seal is deteriorating Usagi.. And whets more, Licec's wife has escaped."
"Oooh evil has a wife!" Usagi clapped her hands.
"She's possessed Rei Usagi."
Usagi giggled. "Well that explains her new outfit.. Setsuna.. don't worry.."
"Usagi.. I am worried.. They have come back to alter time.. they started with Mamoru.. and I fear you may be next.. There are two agents from the old kingdom on Earth.. they're here to protect you.." Setsuna began to flicker. "Usagi.. My time has run out.. I regret I didn't have time to tell you the rest.. Usagi.. Trust them... good.. luck.." The image of Setsuna winked out of existence, leaving Usagi in the dark.
The phone rang, causing Usagi to sit bolt upright. She was bathed in sweat, and freezing even though her room was as warm as it was when she went to bed. "H-hello?" She asked over the receiver.
"Usagi Tsukino?" A voice asked over the phone.
"Yes." She spoke into the phone. "May I help you?"
"I have someone who wants to say something to you.."
"Wha-?" Usagi began.
"USAAAAAAGI! HELP ME!" Cried a terrified voice over the phone. It was high pitched, and all to familiar. She felt a twinge of pain in her belly.
"Ch-chibi Usa? Is that you?"
"USAGI! PLEASE! HELP! She has a knife!" Chibi Usa shrieked as the phone was ripped from her hands.
"You have a half an hour to meet me at the top of Tokyo tower... Bring your friends if you want to see the little scamp alive."
The line went dead. Usagi's heart was pounding. Frantic she searched her room for her communicator.
"Everyone! We have to get to Tokyo tower!" She began, praying to god or Budha, or which ever deity was listening that they were at least awake.
"Please! Chibi Usa is up there.. they have her..." She sobbed. "Please!" Footsteps were heard down the hall, as Haruka, Michiru, and Hotaru appeared in the doorway.
"They're getting gutsy." Haruka began.
Michiru threw out an arm. "No time for discussions.. Small lady has apparently been sent back into the past and been captured.."
Hotaru nodded. "We should get going.. Usagi.. are you okay?"
Usagi's eyes were opened wide, but no response came.
"Usagi?"
Usagi blinked. "Sorry.. I was just thinking.."
"Lets go!" Haruka shouted.
Usagi shook her head for a moment. Why hadn't Setsuna said anything...
"What if its a trap?" She queried, hesitating for a second. "Setsuna would have said.."
"Setsuna's down for the count.. she can't say much of anything.."
"But.. she told me all about our enemy.. and about Rei's transformation.."
Haruka rolled her eyes annoyed. "You were dreaming Usagi. We have to get to Small lady now."
The four transformed and ran out the door, and teleported to the foyer of Tokyo tower.
"Nine soldiers come to fight, One by one they die. Nine soldiers come to fight, but none will leave alive." The figure giggled as it traipsed up the stairs to the sky deck of the tower. She hadn't felt this alive in years.. and it had been many years.
"Well eight I suppose.." She turned her head to the pink puffball in the corner. She had made perfect bait.. her source had been... more than helpful in procuring her.
The elevator was almost to the top, and she turned. "Show time." She smirked. she lifted her knife, and prepared to strike.
"Now Yam head... you die!" Shouted the woman.
"Hold it!" Came a strong, but high pitched voice.
"Just on cue." The woman said, clapping her hands. Sailor Mercury, Moon, Uranus, Neptune, Saturn stood poised to attack.
"Who the-?" Sailor Moon began, and shook her head. "You dare to kill my beloved Endymion, and now try to attack my daughter as well?" Her eyes hardened. "For that Heinous act.. you will not be forgiven..." Her breath began to come in spurts as the adrenaline coursed through her.
"Spare me Sailor moon.. I don't want this bleached mop.." She kicked the pink fur ball out. "It's you I want."
"Who-- you're not Esmerodo! Sailor Moon.. it was a trap!" Uranus Explained.
"No kidding. Look at what she's wearing.." Venus remarked. She was dressed in a sleek black cloak, that cascaded down to her ankles. She was in one appeared to be a one piece leotard with the stomach cut out of it, which seemed offset by her knee-high black boots. Her hair was silver, much like the moonlight that filtered through the window, and matched her pale white skin. Her eyes, the only real feature about her.. seemed to burn with a red fire.
"Sailor moon... Sailor soldiers... You're mine." She shirked. While closing her eyes, the woman brought her two wrists together. Strands of energy whipped out of her palm and slapped into each of the sailor soldiers.
"Ah.. human life essence.. it's been such a long time.." She smiled in ecstasy. "Only one thing is missing... You will entertain me while you die... Sharotti says Dance!" All of the soldiers began to dance, very slowly at first.
"What...?" Uranus began.
"You will dance faster and faster, until finally your hearts explode from the effort? Isn't it just divine?" Sharotti giggled. "I thought of this method myself.."
A string of flame shot through the air, cutting the cords of energy and stopping the dance of death. The soldiers fell to their knees, heaving.
"You have to think twice before you mess with my friends." The voice of Sailor Mars rang off the walls of the sky deck. Usagi gasped. Her hair was still pink, but she had saved them. Mars smiled. "You okay Sailor moon?" Sailor moon nodded.
"Good. Now.. Sharsotti.. You want to destroy Sailor Moon? You'll have to go through me.."
Sharsotti smirked. "Piece of pie." She smirked, and through out her hands. Already Mars was in the midst of a spell and spun around, a trail of flames following her gloves. Red energy flowed in and out of the flames, making it look like it was breathing. Suddenly Mars stopped and faced Sharsotti, a ball of molten energy resting safely in her palm.
"Super Nova Surprise!" She exclaimed, chucking the ball at Sharsotti. A blast of heat radiated from where the monster had stood, followed by a bright flash of light. An inhuman shriek sounded from the center of the room, followed by silence and a deep relaxing darkness. Mars huffed, and turned around to her friends.
"You.. guys sure you're okay?"
Uranus and Neptune nodded. Mercury helped Saturn up, but was otherwise unscathed. Only Usagi remained. Her face had gone blank, and had drained of all color.
"C-chibi usa.." She whispered. "They used her.. to get me here..."
"Usagi.." Haruka began.
"They're.. it's not.. You all could have been killed.. it would have been.." She trailed off, mumbling to herself.
"Usagi!" Haruka shouted, but to no avail. She had begun rocking and mumbling to herself.
"Lets take her home... if she's not better after a good nights sleep, we may have to take some drastic steps.."
Neptune nodded.. They all filed out until only Mars remained. She sighed and shook her head. It was going to be a good day after all.