Mamo-chan and I are back in Jerusalem with plenty friends just in time for the Meeting of the witnesses!
The Excitement is building up as the witnesses gather to Jerusalem. But will that villain Nicolae keep his promise of safety for all who attend?
That same night, Shingo lied awake in bed in his bedroom in his pajamas on his back, with his hands behind his head as he stared up at the ceiling, thinking about what he had learned on the plane. Even though it had only been a few weeks since then, it felt like it had just happened yesterday. His out-look on the world had forever changed and everything he'd learned on the plane had made him bring everything he knew about the world into question. Was everything this Sailor Moon/Usagi girl told him and his friends true? Was everything the pastor in the video about the disappearances true? Was it possible that he, millions of people like him, alive and dead, and every child under twelve were taken to Heaven to spare them from what was now going on in the world? He didn't know what to believe. Life on the moon 1000 years ago? Real life super heroes? Millions of missing people in Heaven? An evil world leader? The apocalypse? The whole thing sounded crazy to him. Even if he did believe all of this information, what would he do with it? He didn't even know who he was. But if he put his trust in Heaven, then maybe...just maybe...he could know that too.
Shingo then sat up in bed, put his hands together prayer style, and closed his eyes. "Hi, it's me. Shingo Tsukino. Well, actually, I guess you already know who I am. That makes one of us." Shingo began, praying to God. "I don't know if you're real or not...but if you are...and if you're listening...I just wanna let you know that...I believe. I am sorry for all the wrong I've done, even though I don't remember anything about my life. I trust you right now. I believe everything I learned on the plane...and I accept it all as the truth. Thank you for saving me. Thank you for saving my soul. Amen." Shingo then opened his eyes, instantly feeling different. Though he still had no recollection of who he was, he no longer felt confused. He now felt like he had more wisdom and knowledge about himself than he had just a few minutes ago. Shingo laid back down in bed, turned on his right side, closed his eyes...and went right to sleep.
He didn't know what would happen next, but for now… he'll take things as they come.
The next morning, everyone-minus Shingo, who was still in bed-was in the command room, watching the GNN News on the middle round screen of the control panel, showing the third temple, with a big holographic screen hovering over the temple that showed Nicolae and Leon, and countless people standing outside of it, with a banner at the bottom that read 'TEMPLE OF ISRAEL'.
Usagi and everyone else in the room focused on the screen, then it showed Nicolae and Leon in the gate of the temple, with wireless mics on them, and both standing before countless other people that were inside.
"An announcement from the great world leader!" The voice of a female News reporter shouted.
"And yet...another act of chaos! And destruction! And massive loss of life! The Invaders have burned up all of our trees and grass, turned a third of our seas into blood, poisoned a third of our waters, and worst of all, one of them single-handedly destroyed Camp One World, killed several GC soldiers in cold blood! But rest assured...they will not prevail against us! We will double our efforts against these invaders from the moon!" Carpathia shouted.
The people inside the gate cheered and applauded along with the people outside.
"And yet despite the destruction of the camp and the loss of many GC soldiers, something interesting has come out of it all. I now have hard evidence that proves that the Senshi are responsible for all that has happened from the disappearances to now. And here to reveal that evidence is a very special mystery guest." Nicolae said.
The double-doors of the temple opened, revealing the inside to be dark.
"This is Mr. Carpathia's mystery guest. Let him and Mr. Leon come forth." Came a deep distorted voice inside the temple.
Nicolae and Leon turned and headed for the temple.
"Mr. Carpathia and Mr. Leon are now heading for the temple." Said the voice of the female News reporter.
Nicolae and Leon walked up the steps, entering into the temple.
Usagi and everyone in the room stared at the screen, completely tuned in on what was happening.
At the original Tribulation Force's hideout, they, the Outer Senshi, and Hattie were all sitting in the living-room, with their eyes glued to the GCN News on the TV.
At the old schoolhouse, Vicki, Shelly, Conrad, Charlie, Melinda, and Hotaru were all sitting in the living-room, focused on the News on the TV.
The people inside the gate of the temple were all waiting for Nicolae and Leon to exit it with the mystery guest. The people outside the gate were all waiting as well as they stared up at the holographic screen hovering over the temple.
After what seemed like an eternity of waiting, Nicolae and Leon slowly stepped out of the temple with their mystery guest, who was walking between them, and they all stepped into view, revealing the guest's identity. Mio Kuroki.
Usagi gasped, placing her left hand over her mouth and her right hand on her stomach as she fell to the floor on her knees. "My moon."
Everyone else in the room was completely shocked and stunned as well. For on the screen, standing between Nicolae and Leon was a very much alive Mio Kuroki.
The adult Trib-Force, the Outer Senshi, and Hattie were at a loss for words. They couldn't believe what they were seeing on TV. Mio Kuroki - who was confirmed dead- was standing between Nicolae and Leon on the CNN News alive and well, completely unharmed.
The young Trib-Force, Hotaru, and Melinda didn't know what to think. They were too mind-blown by the fact that they were seeing Mio on live TV alive and well.
The Three Lights just stared wide-eyed and stunned at the TV screen that showed a living Mio Kuroki, the suppose-to-be dead pop Japanese teen singer.
Back in the command room of the command center...
"Mio?!" Luna gasped.
"She's the mystery guest?!" Artemis said, mind-blown.
"It sure looks that way." Ami said.
"But how? She's dead. She was killed in the earthquake/meteor disaster." Derek said.
"Well, clearly somebody forgot to tell her." Gary said.
"How is this even possible?" Rei asked. She knew that Mio wasn't human and that she was Beryl's shadow/clone, but that didn't mean she was invincible. According to Hotaru and the News, she had perished in the earthquake/meteor shower. What kind of being lived through something like that? Then again, so many of their other enemies had made unexpected comebacks since the apocalypse began. Maybe in the form of dark forces, but still. But Rei could sense that this was not a disguised dark force. This was the real deal.
"Maybe she'll tell us in just a minute." Alex said.
On TV, Mio stood before the shocked crowd of people in the gate, with Nicolae and Leon still at her sides. The people outside the gate were also shocked to see her alive and well on the screen hovering over the temple.
"Hello." Mio greeted with her natural voice.
The people didn't respond, as they were too shocked to speak.
"There is no need to be afraid." Mio assured. "I am not a hologram. I'm alive and well in the flesh. I realize this is a shock for all of you because you all thought I had perished in that global earthquake/meteor disaster several weeks ago. But I didn't die. Even though it was my body the rescuers dug out of the wreckage of the school in Chicago, I did not perish. I had to act like I was dead in order to throw the Senshi off my trail so I could continue investigate them. I'm sure Mr. Carpathia has filled you all in on our last conversation about their previous lives before my supposed death. But what I didn't tell him was the origin of the people who disappeared. When the moon Queen sent the Senshi down to Earth 1000 years ago to be reborn, she also sent all of the Moon Kingdom's citizens as well. And all of those people who vanished...were the moon's citizens. The reason I left this information out was because I had no evidence to prove it was true at the time. However...since the earthquake/meteor disaster several weeks ago...I've done a lot of investigating. And in those weeks of investigation, I came across a video that backs up this claim. This is Sailor Moon's speech to the world before the disappearances. Take a look."
The holographic screen over the temple then projected a headshot image of Sailor Moon, with the words 'PRE-RECORDED BEFORE DISAPPEARANCES' at the top of the right side of the screen.
Usagi and everyone in the command room gasped, as they were all stunned that they were seeing 'Sailor Moon' on-screen. An imposter, no doubt. And a very convincing one at that. Although Usagi and the rest of the Senshi shouldn't have been at all phased by this. It wasn't like this was the first time someone had pretended to be Sailor Moon. First there was Zoisite to trap Tuxedo Mask...and then Minako to protect Usagi's identity as Sailor Moon. But unlike those two, this imposter actually looked like the real deal. Completely exact. Hair style, eyes, facial expressions, persona, everything. Who was this person? If they were a person at all, that is.
-
"People of Earth..." Sailor Moon began on the holographic screen. "I speak to you all globally for the first and final time. For the last two years, my comrades and I have protected this planet as if it were our very own. Not an easy task, mind you, but protected it, nonetheless. But all good things must come to an end. And it must now slowly start to draw to a close with you. Do not condemn me or my comrades. For we and our people were sent down here by my mother, the late moon Queen, to be reborn after your race destroyed our Moon Kingdom. You have grown accustomed to our presence as Earth's heroes these last couple of years...but we can be your guardians and protectors no more. We are removing our people, alive and dead, from your planet and we're taking your offspring with us. Your children...are no longer your's."
-
The Trib-Force, the Outer Senshi, and Hattie just stared at the News on the TV as Sailor Moon continued making her speech.
"For as long as my comrades and I have been on this planet, we have seen it's children endure all kinds of heart-breaking ordeals, such as abuse, sickness, disease, poverty, family dysfunction, broken Foster Care systems, etc. We don't like what you did to our Moon Kingdom, so we're going to wipe all of you out with an invasion of wars, famines, plagues and disasters and then our people will return to re-establish the Moon Kingdom on Earth and re-start humanity with your children, as well as establish the future kingdom of Crystal Tokyo in Japan, with me as the planet's Queen." Sailor Moon said.
-
The Young Trib-Force and Hotaru stared at the TV stunned in disbelief as they watched Sailor Moon's speech. Melinda only listened intently.
"Therefore...no children under 12 will remain on Earth." Sailor Moon said. "No children under 12 will remain on Earth...anymore. Including the ones who are unborn and dead." Sailor Moon said. "For the adults and teenagers...you future is your's to live as you please...for however many years are left. My hope...is that humanity will go to its rest in peace. Sayonara." The holographic screen of Sailor Moon then vanished from sight.
All was quiet for a moment. Chillingly quiet.
"Well...there can be no doubt now. These beings from the moon are monsters and we are all in great danger." Nicolae said with false bleak disposition.
"Miss Kuroki...you seem to know a lot about these invaders. What do you suggest ought to be done about them?" Leon said, appearing concerned.
Mio was silent for a minute. "With a heavy heart...I have decided to go along with Mr. Carpathia's orders. To have these aliens arrested and locked away in a government facility...for the rest of their lives."
The crowd in the gate and the crowd outside roared in cheers and applause. The GCN News symbol then appeared on screen, replacing the scene at the temple.
"This has been CNN News at the temple of Israel. More news after these messages." Said the voice of the female News reporter.
"I've seen and heard enough. Turn it off." Ikuko said, not wanting to see more fake news about Usagi and the other girls.
Luna, grimly sitting on the stool at the control-panel, pressed a button, turning off the middle round screen.
"Unbelievable. I can't believe I ever did business with that slandering creep." Kenji said, referring to Nicolae. Being a reporter and having had to travel out occasionally, he had worked with Carpathia on a few occasions before and after the disappearances and was now feeling appalled that he even met the man, much less did business with him.
"Where is this Mio girl's parents in all of this? Surely they're not letting her get away with this bullying and slander." Ikkuko said.
"You mean she doesn't know?" questioned Saki looking at the senshi.
"Mio doesn't have any parents." Ami said uncomfortably.
"Okay, her guardians then." Ikkuko said.
"She doesn't have those either. In fact, the closest thing she had to a mother is dead." Saki replied, looking rather grim.
"What do you mean?" Ikkuko asked.
"You remember that evil Queen Carpathia mentioned in his last News broadcast? And when the girls told us the whole story…? The one who had attacked the Moon Kingdom with the people of Earth?" Naru asked.
"Which was possibly the second to last straw that also lead to the Great flood." Umino added. Aside from studying the scriptures of revelations, Umino had begun researching and working on several theories that could've tied various events of the Ancient world.
"Yes, what of it?" Ikkuko asked.
"Well, that Mio girl...she's Beryl's shadow. Her clone, to be exact." Ami answered.
"You're joking." Ikkuko said, her eyes wide.
"I wish she was." Makoto said.
"But why is she be working with Carpathia and the Global Community? It makes no sense." Ikkuko said.
"She's likely doing this to get revenge on Usagi and the rest of us for defeating Beryl. More-so Usagi than any of us, since she was the one who faced off against Beryl at the North Pole and defeated her." Makoto said.
"If what you're saying about this girl is true...then that means she's not human." Ikkuko said, slumping into a seat.
"You've got it." Ami said morosely.
Tears filled Usagi's eyes and ran down her face as she started crying.
"Oh, honey." Ikkuko said as she ran over to Usagi, embracing her with a hug. "This isn't worth getting upset over, okay?"
"No!" Usagi said cryingly as she broke away from her mother's hug. "It's been aired on the News, so everyone all over the world has seen it."
"Sweetie...people will look at this and see that the video is fake. And they're also gonna know Carpathia and Mio are not telling the truth." Ikkuko assured.
"Millions of people, alive and dead, have vanished all over the world along with every child under twelve! Chaotic disasters are befalling the Earth, with that horrible man and Mio are telling everyone that my friends and I are responsible for all of it because we're supposedly trying to re-establish the Moon Kingdom on this planet! Worst yet, Mio knows that my friends and I are the Sailor Senshi and could expose us at any given time! We can't just pretend this is going to go away because it isn't!" Usagi yelled.
"Usagi..." Ikkuko began, with a sad expression on her face, but stopped herself. As painful as it was to accept, she knew her daughter was right. And for the first time in her years as a mother...Ikkuko didn't know what to say. Both of her children were hurting in different ways. Shingo had no recollection of his life...and Usagi was being villainized as Sailor Moon by the News media. She just felt so...powerless. Her kids had been hurt and she couldn't do a thing about it. She couldn't even tell them that everything was going to be alright.
"But obviously what Carpathia is saying isn't true." Zea said.
"Most of it is. Just enough to make Usagi look really bad as Sailor Moon." Gary said.
"What's wrong?" Came a voice.
Everyone turned to see Shingo standing in the room, dressed for the day. He wore a long red sleeve hooded sweat-shirt, with the hood light gray, the right sleeve was dark gray, the left sleeve was light gray, the wrists of both sleeves were red, the front of the sweat-shirt had white words 'BLUE CROSSES' on it, with a white star on both sides of the words, and a white cross-bones skull design at the bottom of the words, he wore blue pants and white sneakers with some black in them.
"Shingo." Usagi said before wiping the tears from her face. "Nothing. Nothing's wrong, nothing's wrong. Did you sleep well?"
"Yeah, I did. Actually, I slept better than I have these last few weeks. Probably because of what I did last night." Shingo said.
"What did you d-" Usagi stopped herself when she saw the seal of God on Shingo's forehead. "Oh, my moon! You did it!" She said excitedly.
"Did what?" Shingo asked.
"You did it, you believed!" Usagi said.
"Well, yeah. But how did you know?" Shingo said.
"It's written on your face." Usagi said.
"What?" Shingo asked, confused.
"Tell me...do you see anything on my forehead?" Usagi asked.
"Well, now that you mention it...yeah. You have some kind of symbol on it." Shingo said. The 12-year old Japanese boy then noticed the same symbol on the foreheads of Alex, Derek, Gary and Zea. "And so do you guys."
"Dude, so do you." Alex said.
"Huh?" Shingo asked.
"We've all got it." Ami said.
Shingo looked around at everyone and saw that Ami was right. Everyone in the room had the symbol on their foreheads. "But...but how? What is it?"
"It's called the seal of God. After the global earthquake/meteor shower happened, all believers around the world were marked with this seal." Umino explained.
"But why? What's the point, what's the purpose?" Shingo asked.
"The point and purpose of this seal is so all believers will recognize each other." Makoto answered.
"That way they won't be tricked by someone pretending to be a believer. They'll know that person is a fake because they won't have the seal on their forehead." Minako added.
"Wow. I guess the man upstairs is watching over us, huh?" Shingo said.
"Always." Luna said.
"Totally." Artemis added.
"I'm so glad you believed, Shingo. And I know that Heaven is rejoicing over your decision." Usagi said.
"Thanks." Shingo said, with a smile on his face.
Later, the Outer Senshi and the adult Trib-Force, Hotaru and the kids Trib-Force and the Starlights were all on three round screens of the control-panel.
"Hello, Usagi" Hotaru greeted.
"Greetings Princess, is there a reason why you've contacted us?" Setsuna said.
"Is this about what happened on the News? Have you seen it?" Seiya asked.
"Well...yeah, I've seen it, but...that's not why I contacted you guys." Usagi answered, standing in front of the control-panel, with Shingo by her side. She had decided to contact them and share the good news concerning Shingo.
"Then why? Is it Shingo? Did his memory finally come back? Does he remember who he is and who you are?" Judd asked.
"Shingo's memory hasn't come back, but something good has happened to him." Usagi said.
"Like what?" Lionel asked.
"Tell me...do you notice anything different about him?" Usagi asked.
"No. Not unless it's his new clothes." Mark said.
"Look at his forehead." Usagi said.
The groups on-screen then noticed the seal of God on Shingo's forehead.
"The seal of God. Oh, my gosh, Shingo, you did it, man, you believed!" Vicki said excitedly.
Shingo shrugged sheepishly. "Yeah. I thought about what was said on the plane and decided to take a chance and trust what the guy on the video said."
"What made you change your mind?" Yaten asked.
"Well, I figured 'Hey...I don't know who I am, so I might as well trust what these people on the plane have said." Shingo said.
"Smart choice." Rayford said.
"Yeah, congratulations, Shingo." Chloe added.
"You won't regret it." Buck said.
"You know, I think you're right. After I prayed last night, I instantly felt different. Like...like I was a new person." Shingo said.
"Yeah. Becoming a believer will do that to a person." Conrad said.
"Welcome to the family, kiddo. You won't regret it." Haruka said.
"Thanks. That means a lot." Shingo said.
Usagi looked at Shingo and smiled warmly. "Well, done, Shingo, you made the right decision. Welcome to the family of Heaven." She thought.
The next morning, the sailor senshi had planned to split up to different places as they had agreed. Usagi, Ami and Makoto would be taking the pilgrimage to Jerusalem for the meeting of the witnesses. With the Tribulation force, Haruka and Michiru took Mamoru with them, they would serve as bodyguards. Judd, Lionel and Mr. Stein would meet them there in Israel.
After relocating her grandfather, Yuiichiro and some allies to the Command Center, Rei left with Minako and the Three Lights to Chicago so that they aid Hotaru and the Young Trib force.
A vast network of house churches had sprung up—seemingly spontaneously—with converted Jews, clearly part of the 144,000 witnesses, taking leadership positions. They taught their charges daily based on the cyberspace sermons and lessons from the prolific Ben-Judah. Tens of thousands of such clandestine local house churches, their very existence flying in the face of the all-inclusive Enigma Babylon One World Faith, saw courageous converts added to the church every day. Tsion had been urging the local congregations to send their leaders to the great Meeting of the Witnesses, despite warnings from the Global Community. Nicolae Carpathia had again tried to cancel the gathering at the last minute, citing thousands of deaths from contaminated water in over a third of the world.
Thrilling the faithful by calling Carpathia's bluff, Tsion responded publicly on the Internet. "Mr. Carpathia," he had written, "we will be in Jerusalem as scheduled, with or without your approval, permission, or promised protection. The glory of the Lord will be our rear guard."
Buck would need the protection almost as much as Tsion. By choosing to show up and appear in public with Ben-Judah, Buck was sacrificing his position as Carpathia's publishing chief and his exorbitant salary. Showing his face in proximity to the rabbi's would con-firm Carpathia's contention that Buck had become an active enemy of the Global Community.
Rabbi Ben-Judah himself had come up with the strategy of simply trusting God. "Stand right beside me when we get off the plane," he said. "No disguises, no misdirection, no hiding. If God can protect me, he can protect you. Let us stop playing Carpathia's games."
Buck had long been anonymously broadcasting his own cyberspace magazine, The Truth, which would now be his sole writing outlet. Ironically, it attracted ten times the largest reading audience he had ever enjoyed. He worried for his safety, of course, but more for Chloe's. Tsion seemed supernaturally protected. But after this conference, the entire Tribulation Force, not to mention the 144,000 witnesses and their millions of converts, would become open archenemies of the Antichrist. Their lives would consist of half ministry, half survival. For all they had been through, it was as if the seven-year tribulation had just begun. They still had nearly five years until the glorious appearing of Christ to set up his thousand-year reign on earth. What Tsion's Internet missives and Buck's under-ground electronic magazine had wrought in Israel was stunning. The whole of Israel crawled with tens of thousands of converted Jewish witnesses from the twelve tribes all over the world.
Upon arriving to Israel, the grown Trib force having that the "Supreme Commander" Leon Fortunato had summarily bounced their reservations at the King David hotel and several others' by supremely commandeering the top floor for Nicolae Carpathia and his people.
"I assume you have made provisions for our alternative," Tsion told the desk clerk after half an hour in line. "I apologize," the young man said, slipping Tsion an envelope. The rabbi glanced at Buck and pulled him away from the crowd, where they opened the note. Buck looked back at Ken, who nodded to assure him he had the fragile Chloe in tow. He sent a discreet glance at Mamoru who stood with a stoical Haruka and Michiru.
The note was in Hebrew. "It is from Chaim," Tsion said. "He writes, 'Forgive my trusted friend Nicolae for this shameful insensitivity. I have room for you and your colleagues and insist you stay with me. Page Jacov, and you will be taken care of.'"
Jacov was Chaim Rosenzweig's driver and valet. He loaded their stuff into a Mercedes van and soon had the Tribulation Force and their three guests installed in guest rooms at Chaim's walled and gated estate within walking distance of the Old City. For the rest arriving later, it was a different story.
Usagi, Ami and Makoto had used Sailor teleport and arrived to Jerusalem by sunset. Then change back, for at Makoto's request, Noah Kohen would be escorting them to the Meeting of the witnesses. Next there was the matter of locating their friends from the Original force and the Younger group.
"How're your parents?" Usagi asked.
"They're still wary of the witnesses, I'm afraid it may take more than one miracle to convince them." Noah said sadly.
"What do they think about the Sailor senshi?" Makoto inquired anxiously.
"Somewhat torn, I believe." Noah answered, he looked thoughtful. There are times when it seems what that braggart Kuroki had some facts, but then my mother and father start to wonder why the Sailor senshi would remain here on Earth to help people – be they Jewish or Christian."
"Look there! I see them!" Ami suddenly pointed as they walked to a ledge that overlooked the witnesses.
When evening came and they still hadn't found a place to stay, Judd suggested they go back to the Temple Mount. "A lot of people stay there through the night."
"We can see the witnesses," Mr. Stein said, "Eli and Moishe!" Mr. Stein had darted into a store and brought back three heavy blankets. "These will keep us warm."
Judd hailed a cab. He recalled the terror the two witnesses had created the last time he and the Inner senshi had seen them. A crowd gathered to watch Eli and Moishe thirty feet from the wrought-iron fence. Eli sat Indian style, his back to a stone wall. A slight breeze sent a chill through Judd and moved Eli's long hair and beard, but the prophet was unmoving, unblinking. Moishe stood near the fence, staring at the crowd.
"When's the show start?" a young man said, giggling, from the back of the crowd.
"Yeah, say something," another said.
Usagi and her companions actually rolled their eyes. Those gawkers were being so rude.
"Come with me," Judd said. He led Mr. Stein and Lionel to the same ledge Usagi's group was.
"This will be a good place to rest…" Mr. Stein said, then he and his companions brighted. Relieved to see the girls. "Miss Tsukino, you and your friends made it!"
"Right in time too," Ami answered.
They introduced the three to Noah, and vice versa and as they discussed while spreading out their blankets and sat, Judd was exhausted. He put his head down and fell asleep.
Lionel then shook him awake sometime later. "Something's going on."
Judd rubbed his eyes and peered through the bushes. A disturbance in the crowd had caused some to back away from the fence. "Carpathia!" someone shouted. "It's the potentate!"
"I don't believe it," Lionel said. "Those guys will eat him alive."
"Looks like it." Noah nodded with a glower.
Down there was also Leon Fortunato, Carpathia's right-hand man. He instructed the guards to keep the crowd away. The potentate boldly moved within ten fret of the fence. Someone shouted a greeting. Carpathia held a finger to his lips, and the crowd grew quiet.
The silence was shattered by the booming voice of Moishe. "Woe unto the enemy of the Most High God!"
Carpathia seemed startled but quickly collected himself. He smiled and spoke softly. "I am hardly the enemy of God. Many say I am the Most High God."
"Oh brother." Makoto grumbled.
Moishe crossed his arms over his chest and spoke softly to Carpathia. But no one could make out what was being said.
"What did he say?" Lionel said.
"I couldn't tell," Mr. Stein said.
Now Carpathia clenched his teeth and said, "Let me tell you and your companion something. You have persecuted Israel long enough with the drought and the water turned to blood. You will lift your hocus-pocus or live to regret it."
It was Eli's turn. He motioned Nicolae closer and spoke with great volume. "Until the due time, you have no authority over the lampstands of God Almighty!" Eli said.
Carpathia seethed. "We shall see who will win in the end."
Eli stared at Carpathia. "Who will win in the end was determined before the beginning of time. Lo, the poison you inflict on the earth shall rot you from within for eternity."
Carpathia stepped back. He smiled. "I warn you to stay away from the charade of the so-called saints. I have guaranteed their safety, not yours."
Eli and Moishe spoke in unison. "He and she who have ears, let them hear. We are bound neither by time nor space, and those who shall benefit by our presence and testimony stand within the sound of our proclamation."
Leon Fortunato and the guards ushered the potentate away from the area. Mr. Stein was about to speak when someone moved back through the bushes. When it was clear they were safe, Lionel spoke. "I got everything except the last statement," Lionel said. "What was all that 'benefit by our presence' jazz?"
Mr. Stein shrugged and looked at Judd. "I don't know either," Judd said, "but this is the first time I've ever heard them say, 'He and she who have ears, let them hear.'"
The group slept near the witnesses until Global Community guards found them and shooed them away. They spent the rest of the night wandering the streets of the old city. Makoto suggested Noah wait at his family house, the young man was reluctant to leave them alone but agreed to meet them the following day.
The meeting of the witnesses would be the next day. Before dawn, Mr. Stein led them through a gate and past a cemetery. They found a peaceful place to watch the sunrise. Ami asked Mr. Stein what they were going to do, but the man didn't seem upset.
As they drank the last of their water, Lionel wandered off. A few minutes later, he returned. "Do you guys know what this place is?" Lionel said. "It's the Garden of Gethsemane. This is where Jesus was betrayed. Where he prayed on the night of his arrest."
Mr. Stein looked around the garden in awe. A man approached. He was short, with stooped shoulders. He wore a wide-brimmed hat that hid his eyes. With a powerful voice he said to Mr. Stein, "Are you one of the witnesses?"
Usagi's group tensed up. Being in Israel didn't mean they were out of danger.
"Why do you ask?"
"Are you one of those called by God?" the man said. He drew dose and lifted his hat above his forehead, allowing them to see the telltale mark of the believer. "I can see it in your eyes," the man said. "You have the fire of God in you."
"Are you a witness?" Lionel said. The man turned and motioned for them to follow him.
"Where are you taking us?" Judd said.
"Where you are supposed to be," the man said.
Mr. Stein followed. Judd hesitated. Lionel shrugged, the three present senshi whispered a quick prayer and they jogged to catch up. The man's car was parked a few blocks away. They squeezed into the backseat as best as they could.
"Where are we going?" Mr. Stein said.
"You will see. When did you get to Israel?" Mr. Stein told him when they had arrived and that they had slept outside the previous night.
"The foxes have holes," the man said, shaking his head. "You will not sleep outside again."
The man wound past the old city and into a newer section. The streets were already congested with traffic and people on foot. The man pointed out the Knesset, Israel's Parliament.
Mr. Stein introduced himself, then the rest with him. "What is your name?"
"I am Yitzhak Weizmann, and God told me to expect you." Mr. Stein looked at Judd and Lionel. "What do you mean?"
"The Lord God of Israel impressed upon me to make room for you. I have done as he suggested."
"God spoke to you and told you we would be coming?" Judd said, his mouth open.
Yitzhak ignored the question. They drove near Teddy Kollek Stadium. "That is where you will be tonight, along with thousands of other witnesses. I cannot wait until the rabbi speaks. I was watching the day he announced his findings on television." They stopped in a huge parking lot near what looked like a school.
"This is Hebrew University," Yitzhak said. "You are in the building on the far side. You will be able to walk to the stadium tonight." Yitzhak laughed. "If you leave early enough." Yitzhak led them along a concrete path to a back entrance. Before he opened the door he said, "In the name of Jesus, our Lord and Savior, our provider, I welcome you." He opened the door. What the group saw left them delighted and fascinated.
The gymnasium had been transformed into an emergency shelter for witnesses. Hundreds of cots filled the room. People gathered in small groups to pray. Others ate sack lunches and watched one of several monitors positioned throughout the room.
"This is great!" Usagi smiled.
Yitzhak smiled. "When I read Tsion's messages about the meeting, God gave me this idea. I knew there would not be enough room in hotels for all of the witnesses, so I approached the administration of the university. They allowed me to rent five buildings like this."
"And they knew what you were using them for?" Mr. Stein said.
"They only know that I was willing to pay twice what they are worth," Yitzhak said, smiling.
"So you didn't really know we were coming," Judd said.
"Our God knows the number of hairs on your head. This morning I have found fourteen witnesses who spent the night sleeping on the ground. I must look for more." Yitzhak showed them where to register for a cot.
Mr. Stein asked the cost. "The money has already been paid," Yitzhak said. "Enjoy your stay." Yitzhak left them, and they spent the rest of the morning meeting other witnesses and sharing stories. Mr. Stein couldn't stop talking. He went from one person to the next, trying to find out more about how to spread their message. Usagi, Judd, Lionel, Makoto and Ami found their cots and collapsed.
The GC escort proved to be two Jeeps with flashing yellow lights, each vehicle carrying four armed guards who merely stared at the Tribulation Force as they climbed into the Mercedes van.
"Another bit of one-upmanship from Carpathia," Chloe said.
"He's deliberately planning to interrupt the meeting, that was always his intention." Haruka groused.
"If he was smart," Tsion said, "he would have left us to our own devices and let us be late."
"You would not have been late," Jacov said in his thick accent. "I would have gotten you there on time anyway."
Mamoru had never seen traffic like this not even in New York nor in Tokyo. Every artery to the stadium was jammed with cars and pedestrians. Neither had he seen so many happy faces since before the Rapture. Carrying satchels and notebooks and water bottles, the pedestrians hurried along, with earnest and determined looks. Many made better time than the cars and vans and buses. Because of the conspicuous escort, the crowds recognized that the Mercedes carried Tsion Ben-Judah. They waved and shouted and gleefully pounded on doors and windows. The trailing GC vehicle shooed them away with warnings over a loudspeaker and by brandishing their automatic weapons.
"I hate to appear to be here under the aegis of the Global Community," Tsion said.
"They don't know the shortcuts anyway," Jacov said. "All three of these vehicles are equipped to go off-road."
They all looked to Dr. Rosenzweig's driver, Tsion spoke what they were all thinking.
"You know a faster way?" Tsion said. "Take it!"
"May I?"
"They won't open fire. They'll have to scramble just to keep up."
Jacov whipped the wheel to the left, flew down and up a ditch in the median, picked his way through crawling cars on the other side, and headed toward open fields. The GC Jeeps blew their sirens and bounced crazily behind him. The lead car finally caught up and pulled ahead, the driver pointing out the window and shouting at Jacov in Hebrew.
"He says to never do that again," Tsion said. "But I rather enjoyed it."
Jacov slammed on the brakes, and the trailing Jeep tore up grass stopping short of him. Jacov opened his door and stood with his head high above the roofline. The lead driver finally noticed he was leaving Jacov and slid to a stop. He waited at first, then backed up as Jacov shouted, "Unless you want trouble for making us late, you will follow me!"
"That should put some considerable distance between us for the time being." Mamoru smirked.
Tsion looked gleefully at Chloe. "What is it your father is so fond of saying?"
"Lead, follow, or get out of the way." As Jacov led the angry GC drivers to the stadium, it quickly became obvious that many more than twenty-five thousand hoped to get in.
Mamoru was just answering Usagi on his communicator, "Alright we ought to be backstage with Buck and Chloe."
"Do we have monitors outside?" Tsion said.
Buck nodded. "The overflow was supposed to go to several off-site locations, but it appears they all want to stay here." Having been shown up by Jacov, the GC soldiers leaped from their vehicles and insisted on escorting the little entourage inside the stadium. They scowled at Jacov, who told Buck he would be waiting in the van where he had dropped them off.
"Can you see a monitor?" Buck asked, looking around. Jacov pointed to one about twenty feet away. "And I can listen on the radio."
"Does this interest you?"
"Very much. I find it confusing, but I have long been suspicious of the potentate, even though Dr. Rosenzweig admires him. And your teacher is such a wise and gentle man."
"Did you see him on television when he—"
"Everyone did, sir."
"Then this isn't totally new to you. We'll talk later."
Inside, the local committee was ecstatic. Buck loved hearing group prayer in English, Hebrew, and a few other languages he couldn't identify. All over the room he heard "Jesus the Messiah" and "Jesu Cristo" and "Yeshua Hamashiach."
As the stadium filled, shouts and chants resounded. "What are they saying?" Buck said.
"'Hallelujah,' and 'Praise the Lord," someone said. "And they're spelling out the name of Jesus."
The master of ceremonies, Daniel, addressed the group as the clock sped toward seven. "As you know, the program is simple. I will give a brief welcome and then open in prayer. I will lead in the singing of 'Amazing Grace,' and I will then introduce Dr. Ben-Judah. He will preach and teach for as long as he feels led. You twelve translators should have your copy of Dr. Ben-Judah's notes and know which of the microphones at the base of the stage is yours."
"And remember," Tsion said quietly, "I cannot guarantee I will follow the script. I will try not to get ahead of you." People in the room nodded solemnly, and many looked at their watches. Buck heard the rumble of chants and singing above and was as excited as he had ever been. "All these people are our brothers and sisters," he told Chloe. Three minutes before seven, as Tsion stood apart from the others, head bowed, a young man rushed in.
"The other venues are empty!" he said. "Everyone is here. Everyone had the same idea!" Daniel raised his hands, and the room fell silent. "Follow me down this corridor, up the ramp, then up the stairs to the stage. You can watch from the wings, but translators go first and get into position at ground level in front of the platform. No one on the stage but Dr. Ben-Judah and me. Quiet please. Dear God in heaven, we are yours."
With one hand still raised, he and Tsion led the group toward the back of the stage. Buck peeked out to see every seat filled and people in the aisles and the infield. Many held hands. Others wrapped their arms around each other's shoulders and sang and swayed. The interpreters slipped out and down the steps to get into position, and the crowd quieted. At seven, Daniel strode to a simple, wood lectern and said, "Welcome my brothers and sisters in the name of the Lord God Almighty, ..." He paused for the interpreters, but before they could translate, the stadium erupted in cheering and applause. Daniel was taken aback and smiled apologetically at the translators. "I'll wait for you," he mouthed, as the thou-sands continued to cheer.
It was quite a sight.
When they finally awoke that afternoon, the room was crowded with witnesses. People stood shoulder to shoulder around Judd stood on his cot. Lionel did the same. Usagi, Makoto and Ami followed suit.
A deep-voiced man spoke through a mega-phone at the front of the gym. It was Yitzhak, the hat and the stooped shoulders were recognizable. He stood on a stepladder and spoke in Hebrew, then translated into English. Around the room small groups who spoke other languages gathered for the translation.
"Last night, I met with others in the local committee for a final walk-through of the program," Yitzhak said. "You will be happy to know that Tsion Ben-Judah is here and alive and well!"
A cheer went up from the group. Some shouted, May God be praised!" Others spoke in their own languages.
When the cheering died down, Yitzhak said, "But there has been a disturbing development. The reports we have heard have been confirmed. Nicolae Carpathia has asked to address the meeting tonight."
"What?!" Makoto said flatly.
The crowd shared her indignancy, a murmur rose. Yitzhak held up a hand. "I do not know whether Dr. Ben-Judah will allow it, or if he refuses what will happen. But I do know that God is in control of this meeting!"
Another cheer arose. "And now, I urge you to pray with me. What we will learn over the next few days will be vital. But our hearts must be right."
For the next fifteen minutes, Judd heard the sound of voices praying in different languages. Yitzhak gently interrupted them by saying, "My friends, there will be some in the stadium and many watching and listening via satellite who do not know our Messiah. Let us pray earnestly for God to open their eyes." Again, voices swirled in prayer.
Judd moved toward Lionel and the girls. "Can you believe this?"
Lionel shook his head. As the prayers of the people wound down, Yitzhak said, "In the spirit of these prayers, O God, we commit ourselves to you. We ask that you give us clear minds to understand your teaching. In Jesus' name, amen." Yitzhak led the group out the back door. There was no shoving, no pushing, no trying to get the best spot in line. Everyone slowly followed the little man across the parking lot toward the stadium. Usagi was already attempting to contact, Mamoru's group.
"We're headed right for Teddy Kollek stadium, look for us if you can." She was saying.
"Speaking of locating people, where's Mr. Stein?" Lionel said.
Judd shrugged. "I guess we'll find him later." Judd had never seen such traffic. Every road to the stadium was jammed with cars and pedestrians. Every person he saw seemed happy. People carried satchels and note-books and water bottles. Most of those on foot made it to the stadium faster than those in cars and buses.
"This looks like a lot more people than that stadium could ever hold," Lionel said. Judd saw two jeeps with flashing yellow lights. Each vehicle carried four armed Global Community guards. Between the jeeps was a Mercedes van.
Someone shouted, "The rabbi!" With that, people broke from the line and rushed to the van. They waved and shouted and joyfully pounded on the doors and windows. Judd and Lionel tried to get close, but they were pushed back by the trailing GC jeep. Suddenly, the van cut to the left and flew toward the median. The GC vehicles followed, blowing their sirens and bouncing, crazily behind the van. When they made it to the stadium, Judd noticed monitors outside the stadium for those who couldn't get in. Judd and Lionel squeezed their way through the crowd. Judd remembered his first trip to Wrigley Field with his dad and the sight of the green grass and white lines and the ivy on the outfield wall. It had filled him with awe. That was nothing compared to this. Men and women from around the world filled the stands and the infield. They shouted praises to God in many languages. Some huddled in groups to pray. Others sang and swayed as they wrapped their arms around each other.
"This is amazing!" Ami gasped.
A line of people appeared through an opening at the back of the stage.
"Interpreters," Lionel whispered. The crowd grew quiet. At exactly seven, a man strode to a simple wood lectern and said, "Welcome, my brothers and sisters, in the name of the Lord God Almighty..."
Before the translators could speak, the stadium erupted in cheering. When the applause faded, the man at the podium nodded to the interpreters, but the crowd shouted, "Nein!" "Nyet!"
"What's going on?" Lionel said.
The man continued. "... maker of heaven and earth ... and his Son, Jesus Christ, the Messiah!"
The crowd went wild again. Someone hurried onto the stage.
Ami blinked before smiling. "The same thing that happened at the Wailing Wall is happening here."
"What do you mean?"
"Everybody understands in their own language," Judd said. "They don't need the interpreters. That's why every-body's shouting no!" The translators walked away from their positions. The crowd thundered. The man held up his hands and asked them to pray.
Many knelt in front of their seats. "Father, we are grateful for having been spared by your grace and love," the man prayed. "You are indeed the God of new beginnings and second chances. We are about to hear from our beloved rabbi, and our prayer is that you would supernaturally prepare our hearts and minds to absorb everything you have given him to say. We pray this in the matchless name of the King of kings and Lord of lords. Amen."
A huge "Amen!" echoed through the stadium.
In the command center, the Tsukinos, Umino, the Osakas, Saki, Nehelenia and the rescued youngsters had gathered around the round monitors. Luna was at the controls, pushing buttons before the screens displayed the inside of the Teddy Kollek stadium.
"How does it look?" She questioned the group. "Is the image clear enough, can we hear what's being said?"
"It looks and sounds just fine," Artemis confirmed. "Let's sit back and catch the transmission."
"Looks like we tuned in just time." Derek noted, "They're gonna start right about now."
Vicki and the others gathered in a meeting room to watch the opening session at 11:00 A.M. their time. After Mark had left, Vicki found Z's box in the kitchen. Inside was a note. "Every school needs supplies. I hope these help." Underneath was a huge stack of spiral notebooks, pens, colored pencils, and other materials. Vicki handed out the notebooks before Tsion began his message.
Minako was watching intently, "Alright everyone, he's on!" She called.
Tsion's voice filled the room. "Ladies and gentlemen," he said, leaning over his notes, "never in my life have I been more eager to share a message from the Word of God. I stand before you with the unique privilege, I believe, of speaking to many of the 144,000 witnesses prophesied in the Scriptures.° The camera panned the crowd. Vicki was overcome by the size of the gathering and the anxious faces of people who hung on Tsion's every word. "Let me review the basics of God's plan of salvation so we may soon leave this place and get back to the work to which he has called us. You have each been assigned a location for all-day training tomorrow and the next day. On both nights we will meet back here for encouragement and fellowship and teaching: Tsion outlined the evidence from the Old Testament proving Jesus was the Messiah. He recited the many names of God and finished with the powerful passage from Isaiah 9:6: "For unto us a Child is born, unto us a Son is given; and the government will be upon His shoulder. And His name will be called Wonderful, Counselor, Mighty God, Everlasting Father, Prince of Peace."
The crowd could not contain itself, leaping to its feet. Tsion smiled and encouraged them. "Jesus himself said that if we do not glorify God, the very stones would have to cry out."
Cheers went up around the room. Vicki jotted something down in her notebook. Someone moved near the doorway. It was Melinda. "What's going on?" she said.
"We're watching the opening session," Vicki said, as the kids fell silent. "Watch with us."
Melinda stepped back. "I don't want to interrupt."
"Please," Vicki said. "It might be good for you to hear it from a different perspective."
Conrad stood and offered Melinda his chair. She shook her head and stood in the back. Tsion walked through God's plan from the beginning of time, showing that Jesus was sent as the spotless lamb, a sacrifice to take away the sins of the world. "We are sinful from the day we are born and because God is holy, there is nothing we can do to restore that relationship. God had to restore it himself. That is why Christ died. Anyone who accepts the fact that they are a sinner and Christ died for them can be born again spiritually into eternal life. In John 14:6, Jesus himself said he was the way, the truth, and the life, and that no man can come to the Father except through him. This is our message to the nations. This is our message to the desperate, the sick, the terrified."
Vicki glanced at Melinda. The girl was deep in thought. Tsion continued. "There should be no doubt in anyone's mind—even those who have chosen to live in opposition to God—that he is real and that a person is either for him or against him. We should have the boldness of Christ to aggressively tell the world of its only hope in him. The bottom line is that we have been called as his divine witnesses-144,000 strong—through whom he has begun a great soul harvest. This will result in what John the Revelator calls 'a great multitude which no one could number' Before you fall asleep tonight, read Revelation 7 and thrill with me to the description of the harvest you and I have been called to reap."
Rei, who had been holding a Bible, turned to Revelation 7 and read along as Tsion spoke. "John says it is made up of souls from all nations, kindreds, peoples, tribes, and tongues. One day they will stand before his throne and before the Lamb, dothed with white robes and carrying palms in their hands!"
"When we've been there ten thousand years, bright shining as the sun, we've no less days to sing God's praise than when we'd first begun." The man at the podium asked the crowd to sit. "The vast majority of us know our speaker tonight only as a name on our computer screens," he began. "It is my honor—"
Before he could finish, people rose to their feet as one, cheering, clapping, shouting, whistling. Tsion Ben-Judah was nudged from the edge of the stage. He hesitated, looking embarrassed. The noise was deafening. Finally, the crowd settled. "My beloved brothers and sisters, I accept your warm greeting in the name that is above all names. All glory and honor are due the triune God." As the crowd began to respond again, Tsion quickly asked that they withhold their praise until the end of the teaching.
Tsion's voice filled the room. "Ladies and gentle-men," he said, leaning over his notes, "never in my life have I been more eager to share a message from the Word of God. I stand before you with the unique privilege, I believe, of speaking to many of the 144,000 witnesses prophesied in the Scriptures."
Makoto and Ami rose with the crowd at Teddy Kollek Stadium as Tsion's voice thundered. "They will cry with a loud voice, saying, 'Salvation belongs to our God who sits on the throne, and to the Lamb.' The angels around the throne will fall on their faces and worship God, saying 'Amen! Blessing and glory and wisdom, thanksgiving and honor and power and might, be to our God forever and ever. Amen.'" Tsion stepped back.
The crowd roared. Judd was overwhelmed. He leaned forward, trying to picture that scene. Tsion had moved back to the microphone. The standing thousands quieted again, as if desperate to catch every word. "John was asked by one of the elders at the throne, 'Who are these arrayed in white robes, and where did they come from?' And John said, 'Sir, you know.' And the elder said, 'These are the ones who come out of the great tribulation, and washed their robes and made them white in the blood of the Lamb.'" Tsion waited for another cheer to subside, then continued: "'They shall neither hunger anymore nor thirst anymore.' The Lamb him-self shall feed them and lead them to fountains of living water. And, best of all, my dear family, God shall wipe away all tears from their eyes." Tsion raised a hand before they could cheer again. "We shall be here in Israel two more full days and nights, preparing for battle. Put aside fear! Put on boldness! Were you surprised that all of us, each and every one, were spared the last few judgments I wrote about? When the rain and hail and fire came from the sky and the meteors scorched a third of the plant life and poisoned a third of the waters of the world, how was it that we escaped? Luck? Chance?"
The crowd shouted, "No!"
"No way!" Makoto responded.
"No!" Tsion echoed. "The Scriptures say that an angel ascending from the east, having the seal of the living God, cried with a loud voice to the four angels to whom it was given to hurt the earth and the sea. And what did he tell them? He said, 'Do not harm the earth, the sea, or the trees till we have sealed the servants of our God on their foreheads.' And John writes, 'I heard the number of those who were sealed. One hundred and forty-four thousands of all the tribes of the children of Israel were sealed.'"
Usagi had carefully made her way backstage, where Mamoru met her. Buck and Chloe quietly greeted her, like her they did not want to miss Tsion's words.
"And now let me close by reminding you that the bed-rock of our faith remains the verse our Gentile brothers and sisters have so cherished from the beginning. John 3:16 says," and here Tsion spoke so softly, so tenderly that he had to be right on the microphone, and people edged forward to hear, "For God so loved the world that He gave His only—"
A faint rumble in the sky became a persistent thwock thwock thwock that drowned out Tsion as a gleaming white helicopter drew every eye. The crowd stared as the chopper, with GC emblazoned on the side, slowly descended, its massive blades whipping Tsion's hair and clothes until he was forced to back away from the lectern. The engine shuddered and stopped, and the crowd murmured when Leon Fortunato bounded from the craft to the lectern.
"Aw great, Mr. Big mouth is here." groaned Usagi, with a face palm. She was glad to be backstage, lest he recognized her as the same girl who'd clumsily knocked over the body spray during a school visit.
"No doubt he's going to cause trouble." Mamoru grumbled.
Haruka and Michiru glowered at the man.
Fortunato nodded to Tsion, who did not respond, then adjusted the microphone to his own height. "Dr. Ben-Judah, local and international organizing committee, and assembled guests," he began with great enthusiasm, but immediately thousands looked puzzled, looked at each other, shrugged, and began jabbering.
"Translators!" someone shouted. "We need interpreters!"
It was clear that compared to Tsion and Daniel, no one understood what Fortunato was saying.
Fortunato looked expectantly at Tsion, who continued staring straight ahead. "Dr. Ben-Judah," Fortunato implored, "is there someone who can translate? Whom are you using?"
Tsion did not look at him.
"Excuse me," Fortunato said into the microphone, "but interpreters have been assigned. If you would come forward quickly, His Excellency, your potentate, would be grateful for your service."
Buck stepped out and peered into an area near the front row in the infield where the interpreters sat. As one they looked to Tsion, but Fortunato didn't even know whom he was addressing. "Please," he said. "It isn't fair that only those who understand English may enjoy the remarks of your next two hosts."
"Two hosts?" Lionel frowned. "Who else is with him?"
A bewildered Tsion glanced at the translators, who eyed Fortunato, waiting. He raised his head slightly, as if to give the OK. They hurried to their microphones.
"Thank you kindly, Dr. Ben-Judah," Fortunato said. "You're most helpful, and His Excellency thanks you as well."
Tsion ignored him. With the singsong cadence necessary to keep the interpreters on pace, Fortunato addressed the crowd anew. "As supreme commander of the Global Community and as one who has personally benefited from his supernatural ability to perform miracles, it shall be my pleasure in a moment to introduce you to His Excellency, Global Community potentate Nicolae Carpathia!" Fortunato had ended with a flourish, as if expecting cheering and applause. He stood smiling and embarrassed and perturbed when no one responded. No one even moved.
"I'm quite certain you can hear the crickets all the way from this area too." Michiru quipped.
Every eye was on Fortunato except Tsion's. Leon quickly gathered himself. "His Excellency will personally welcome you, but first I would like to intro-duce the revered head of the new Enigma Babylon One World Faith, the supreme pontiff, Pontifex Maximus, Peter the Second!"
Fortunato swept grandly back, beckoning to the helicopter, from which emerged the comical figure of the man Buck knew as Peter Mathews, former archbishop of Cincinnati. He had become pope briefly after the disappearance of the previous pontiff but was now the amalgamator of nearly every religion on the globe save Judaism and Christianity. Mathews had somehow emerged from the helicopter with style, despite being decked out in the most elaborate clerical garb ever seen.
"What in the world is that?" Chloe said.
"Is he going to talk or blind everyone with his gaudy fashion sense?" Haruka remarked, earning a snicker from Buck and Chloe.
"He looks like he wore the wrapping paper from his Christmas presents." Lionel commented to Ami, Makoto and Judd.
Peter the Second lifted his hands to the crowd and turned slowly in a circle as if to include everyone in his pompous and pious greeting. When Mathews turned around, he revealed astrological signs on the train of his robe. His hands moved in circles as if to bless everyone, but got no response from the audience. Would Carpathia dare face this indifference, this hostility? Peter pulled the mike up to his mouth and spoke with arms outstretched. "My blessed brothers and sisters in the pursuit of higher consciousness, it warms my heart to see all of you here, studying under the well-intentioned scholarship of my colleague and respected litterateur, Dr. Tsion Ben-Judah!"
Mathews clearly expected that announcing their hero as if introducing a heavyweight boxer would elicit a roar, but the crowd remained silent and unmoving. "I confer upon this gathering the blessings of the universal father and mother and animal deities who lovingly guide us on our path to true spirituality. In the spirit of harmony and ecumenism, I appeal to Dr. Ben-Judah and others in your leadership to add your rich heritage and history and scholarship to our coat of many colors. To the patchwork quilt that so beautifully encompasses and includes and affirms and accepts the major tenets of all the world's great religions, I urge you to include your own. Until the day comes that you agree to plant your flag under the umbrella of Enigma Babylon One World Faith, rest assured that I will defend your right to disagree and to oppose and to seek our multilayered plural godhead in your own fashion." Mathews turned regally and traded places with Fortunato, both clearly pretending to be unfazed by the apathy of the crowd.
"They were already foolish enough to bring him here, thinking he'll get the same ovation as Dr. Ben-Judah." Ami remarked.
Fortunato announced, "And now it gives me pleasure to introduce to you the man who has united the world into one global community, His Excellency and your potentate, Nicolae Carpathia! Would you rise as he comes with a word of greeting."
No one stood. Carpathia, a frozen smile etched on his face. He was a dynamic, engaging, charming speaker. The group backstage was, of course, far past being impressed with Nicolae, but even Usagi wondered if the seal of God on the foreheads of the witnesses and their converts also protected their minds against his evil manipulation.
In the audience, someone moved to Judd's right. A man was making his way along a back wall of the stadium. Lionel saw him too and slipped out. Just before Carpathia made it to the microphone, Lionel returned.
"You're not going to believe this," he said. "That's Taylor Graham!"
Judd hurried after Graham, telling Lionel, Ami and Makoto that if he wasn't back before the event ends to wait for him there.
"Fellow citizens of the Global Community," Carpathia began, waiting for the interpreters and appearing to Buck to work hard at connecting with the crowd. "As your potentate, I welcome you to Israel and to this great arena, named after a man of the past, a man of peace and harmony and statesmanship."
Nicolae had immediately tried to align himself with a former mayor of the Holy City, one a huge percentage of this crowd would have heard of. Buck began to worry that Nicolae's power of persuasion might sway someone like Jacov. He put a hand on Chloe's shoulder and whispered, "I'll be right back."
"How can you walk out on this?" she said. "I wouldn't miss this show for the world. Don't you think Peter's getup would work on me, maybe as an evening kind of a thing?"
"I'll be with Jacov for a minute."
"Good idea."
Even Rei couldn't believe Nicolae Carpathia would be saucy enough to interrupt the Meeting of the Witnesses. The youngsters had groaned when they saw him arrive.
"Do we have to watch this?" Shelly said.
"He's going to schmooze them all he can," Conrad said.
Carpathia pledged his protection and support of those who followed the teachings of Dr. Ben-Judah. "As a famous teacher of Israel once said, 'Blessed are the peacemakers, for they shall be called sons of God.'" Carpathia paused.
When the stadium remained silent, he said, "We in the Global Community wish this kind of peace, not as a slogan, but as a living reality."
Vicki turned. Melinda stood in the door-way again, listening. Then the latter glowered at Minako, who was miming a gagging motion with her finger in her throat as Carpathia spoke.
"We all know he's doing this to get more attention from everyone watching this." Hotaru said snippily. "He's good at that." Chibi-Usa's snark appeared to have rubbed off her.
"And so, my beloved friends, it is not a requirement that your sect align itself with the One World Faith for you to remain citizens of the Global Community. Within reasonable limits, there is room for dissent and alternative approaches. But consider with me for a moment the advantages and privileges and benefits that have resulted from the uniting of every nation into one global village." Nicolae recited his litany of achievements. It ranged from the rebuilding of cities and roads and airports to the nearly miraculous reconstruction of New Babylon into the most magnificent city ever built. "It is a master-piece I hope you will visit as soon as you can." He mentioned his cellular/solar satellite system (Cell-Sol) that allowed everyone access to each other by phone and Internet regardless of time or location.
Makoto grumbled, Ami's eyes were glazed with malaise, she was only half listening at this point. Lionel knew this was just the tip of the iceberg. Because all this merely ushered in the superstructure necessary for Nicolae to rule the world until the time came to declare himself God.
As he and the two senshi listened, they noticed something strange about Carpathia's voice. In the past, he had been always in command, never making a mistake, never struggling to remember a name or a date. Now he had grown hoarse. Carpathia turned away and cleared his throat. "Pardon me," he said, his voice still raspy. "I wish you and the rabbi here all the best and welcome you, . . . ahem, ahem, . . . excuse me—" Nicolae turned to Tsion. "Would someone have some water?"
Dr. Ben-Judah didn't respond. Someone in the front passed a bottle to the stage. Nicolae nodded and smiled. He unscrewed the cap, however, Ami noticed something he didn't, making her wince.
Carpathia had tipped the bottle back for a long gulp, then gagged and spit it out. The crowd gasped. For his lips and chin were covered with blood. He held the bottle at arm's length, staring at it in fear. In fact, the bottle contained blood!
Furious, Carpathia cursed at Tsion. "You and your evil flock of enemies! You would disgrace me like this for your own gain? I should have my men shoot you dead where you stand!"
Then two figures passed in the aisle near where Lionel, Ami and Makoto were sitting. Both had long hair and wore tattered clothes. In unison Eli and Moishe spoke without any microphone. The crowd fell back from around them, and the two stood in the eerie light of the stadium, shoulder to shoulder, barefoot. "Woe unto you who would threaten the chosen vessel of the Most High God!"
Carpathia threw the bottle to the ground. Clear, clean water splashed everywhere. Lionel looked around. Other people carried water bottles containing clear liquid. Eli and Moishe must have caused his throat to parch. Nicolae pointed at the two and screamed, "Your time is nigh! I swear I will kill you or have you killed before—"
"Woe!" Eli and Moishe thundered, silencing Carpathia. "Woe to the impostor who would dare threaten the chosen ones before the due time! Sealed followers of the Messiah, drink deeply and be refreshed!"
A man beside Lionel's group took a long drink from a small bottle of water. He wiped his mouth and handed it to Lionel. "You drink now," he said. The bottle was ice-cold and full.
Lionel took a long drink. He handed it back to the man, who insisted Lionel share it with the girls. Again, it was full. Ami and Makoto drank. Each time with the bottle refilling with refreshing cold water. Throughout the stadium people sighed with pleasure at the taste. A few others tried to drink, but like Nicolae's bottle, the water turned to blood.
The chopper blades whirred to life, and Tsion was again alone. His notes flew around the stage like a tornado, then settled. People leaped to retrieve them. Tsion remained motionless, having ignored the entire episode with Carpathia.
Lionel looked around for the two witnesses, but they were gone. The crowd around Lionel and the two senshi with him took their seats. Tsion was back at the lectern. As if nothing had happened since he began quoting John 3:16, Tsion continued: "'—begotten Son, that whoever believes in Him should not perish but have everlasting life.'" Tsion stepped back and repeated the verse louder as the helicopter flew away. "'For God so loved the world that He gave His only begotten Son, that whoever believes in Him should not perish but have everlasting life.'"
A man near Lionel fell to his knees. The man was holding a bottle filled with blood. Tsion said, "There may be some here, inside or outside, who want to receive Christ. I urge you to pray after me, 'Dear God, I know I am a sinner. Forgive me and pardon me for waiting so long. I receive your love and salvation and ask you to live your life through me. I accept you as my Savior and resolve to live for you until you come again.'"
As the man near Lionel repeated the prayer, the blood in the bottle changed to ice-cold water. The man stood. Lionel pointed at the bottle. The man raised it over his head, laughing, and let the liquid pour over him. "I can see it," the man yelled, looking from one face to the next. "The cross on your foreheads. I see it!"
Others shouted, "Praise God!" and embraced one another. Tsion stood at the lectern, his eyes brimming with tears, his hands clasped in front of his face in a posture of prayer. Ami, Makoto and Lionel waited for Judd. Though Dr. Ben-Judah had left the stage, people stood at the front, weeping, kneeling, and praying. As they watched, Lionel spotted Mr. Stein walking across the stage and jump to the infield.
Lionel got Mr. Stein's attention, and the two embraced. Mr. Stein glowed with excitement. "I am overwhelmed. I had hoped you and Judd would be able to get inside." "What happened to you?" Lionel said. "You will not believe it. Yitzhak asked me to accompany him backstage as the group met for prayer before the message. I actually met Tsion Ben-Judah face-to-face."
"I bet he was surprised you were here in person."
"Very," Mr. Stein said. "I saw Buck and Chloe Williams backstage with your friend Usagi and her fiancé Mamoru."
Nicolae Carpathia's helicopter appeared again. Judd had rushed up them and explained what had happened with Taylor Graham. "You did the right thing," Mr. Stein said. "Taylor must be stopped."
"Something's wrong," Judd said. "The guard took off with his gun drawn."
"You don't think they're going to kill people, do you?" Lionel said.
Mr. Stein grabbed their arms. "Let's not give them the chance."
"I agree." Makoto nods. "Ami, let's roll."
Ami opened her communicator. "We better warn Usagi and the rest backstage."
The two girls glanced left and right for a place to transform.
Above them, Leon Fortunato's voice boomed over the helicopter's loudspeakers. "We have been asked by Global Community ground security forces at the stadium to help clear this area! Please translate this message to others if at all possible! We appreciate your cooperation!"
Someone must have assigned GC guards to grab Tsion, this meant the GC may or may not take prisoners.
"We can use this to our advantage." Ami noted. "You hurry to the exits we'll keep in touch."
"We're on it!"
Lionel ran ahead of Judd and Mr. Stein. The crowd did not obey. Hundreds of people moved to the corner of the stadium where the helicopter hovered. As Lionel reached the stairs that would lead them outside, a machine gun fired outside the stadium. People screamed and dived for cover. The three looked around wildly for any sign of the senshi only to be inevitably shoved by the crowd, causing them to lose sight of the Japanese girls. As the three made it outside, more shots filled the air.
The senshi had transformed not only to cover for their friends but to guide out the other witnesses out of the stadium. Sailor Mercury had enacted an Aqua rhapsody to confuse the GC guards, she'd sprinted away but had lost sight of Sailor Jupiter and their friends.
She'd attempted to use her mini supercomputer to locate them but could not once the guards rounded a corner. The intelligent senshi used twists and turn to try and throw them off. Then without looking, she'd jumped right into an open window of a walled and gated estate within walking distance of the Old city.
Oh how could she done that?! Now surely the owner would have every reason to turn her in.
Got to hide. Got to hide!
She dove into a room, leaned against something only for it to fall backwards as a blinking light and a rather low alarm sounded. The place she landed looked like an elaborate laboratory.
Then Sailor Mercury heard voices coming from outside where she'd been leaning against minutes earlier. Some sounded like guards. Opposing ones judging from the varying accents. One of them belonged to the owner of the house.
They must've argued for hours before the owner's voice ushered them out. She then heard the moving of furniture, at once she tensed, bracing for whoever may be opening the passage to confront her.
Finally the "wall" opened to reveal a bespectacled man in his sixties holding up frying pan for self-defense. Behind him half-frozen in utter surprise were Buck and Chloe Williams. They obviously didn't expect to see her here of all places.
"Alright young lady, you got five minutes to explain who you are and what you're doing here!" the man said, his voice had a notable accent.
However, Sailor Mercury recognized the elderly man demanding answers. It was none other than Chaim Rosenzweig.
To be continued…
