Sailor Moon X by Starling Sinclair
Chapter 10: Outnumbered
May 7, 2019
Usagi hung upside down off Rei's futon, her head resting on the ground. To her, it provided a unique perspective on the discussion at hand.
The news reported something dubbed "The Mysterious Sleeping Sickness" which affected a large number of concertgoers from the night of Naru's birthday. Symptoms were similar to those caught in a youma attack, however, no attack had been reported. Speculation was on some form of contaminated alcohol. Two deaths had been attributed to the strange condition: one the teen Mamoru and Ami had treated and the other a woman found in her apartment. Seven other cases had resulted in hospitalization. However, Usagi could confirm that there had been way more than nine people at the club that night.
The purple flower they'd taken from Naru's was sitting on a counter under a plastic Tupperware container. Inert, pretty, and oh so dangerous.
"If people aren't dying," Usagi said, "Then the flowers must be designed to milk people's energy, kinda like cows."
"That's a base example," Rei quipped.
"But not incorrect," Luna said. "From the tests I have done, it appears that the flowers act more like batteries. They take a charge from the host to be passed on at a later time."
"Well, if that's the case," Minako added, "then, someone must collect the flowers. We need to investigate more."
"I think a good place to start would be the club that hosted the concert. At least then we could rule out if it's the Dark Pandora band, or the establishment itself," Luna said.
"Ooo, does that mean going to a club is official Senshi business? Sign me up!" Usagi said.
"Okay then, that settles it," Minako said. "We'll go tonight. Scope the place out. See if we can find any more clues about Midnight Zero and the Dark Kingdom flowers."
"Tonight?" Usagi whined. "But I have a date."
"Oh? Is this Mr. I haven't been home in several nights but am not telling anyone about?" Rei said.
Usagi stuck her tongue out at Rei, then rolled face first off the futon. Rei found this insanely entertaining and laughed her head off.
Minako quietly stared at Usagi.
"You have a boyfriend?" she asked.
Usagi blushed. "Well, we haven't put a label on it..."
"She has a booty call," Rei contributed with a wicked grin.
"He's not a booty call!" Usagi yelled. "He's… complicated!"
Minako looked away. "Usagi," she began. "I just want you to know that being a Sailor Senshi must always come first. And that can make having relationships hard. And as your leader, I just want you to know that."
Usagi sighed. "Is that code for cancel my date and report to Senshi duty?"
Minako didn't respond but stared meaningfully at her.
"I think Minako has a point. Frivolous affairs are just a distraction," Luna added.
"It's not frivolous," Usagi added softly. "At least I hope not."
"Well, either way, you need to text him and tell him you have big girl things to do and have to keep your knickers on!"
"Rei! You're so mean!"
XXX
The girls walked cautiously up to the club. It looked nondescript and deserted. Passers-by would only see their reflection in the tinted windows. No hint of what might be unfolding inside nor any trace of a Dark presence. It was just like the House of Fortune, but this time, Usagi wasn't going in unprepared. Nervousness weighed in the pit of her stomach like an anchor. The sun hadn't even set yet, so they were very early (which, admittedly, was part of her clever plan to finish investigating in time to meet up with Mamoru afterward) She reasoned that the timing contributed to the emptiness. More likely, it made them stand out like tourists.
Usagi wore a little pink dress with sequin embellishments. Rei was in the red dress Usagi had borrowed the day before, and Minako wore something designer and orange, which surprised Usagi. Then again, most of what Usagi had seen Minako in were workout clothes. Overall, they were a very desirable group for a club.
There was no doorman at the entrance.
Rei felt pinpricks on her skin. Something evil was nearby; something she'd felt before. She touched Minako's wrist and met her eyes. They shared a silent conversation, a skill they'd forged over months of battle together. Usagi stared at the door.
"Usagi," Minako said. "Keep your wits."
Usagi, being the least battle forged, quirked her eyebrow and said, "Okay?"
The three girls walked in.
Inside was empty save for the staff. A couple of girls in the club's uniform cleaned tables, eyes locking on to the trio as they walked in. Even without psychic powers, Usagi knew something was wrong. The waitresses moved with eerie synchrony. Four eyes followed them like a haunted painting. Four hands wipe, wipe, wiped instep.
The doorman, a man with long auburn hair, leaned over the bar. He was in a deep discussion with the bartender. This was not the bartender that served her the other night, but Usagi did recognize the man. She'd run into him outside the House of Fortune. The hairs on her arms stood up. Luna wasn't nearby to keep an eye out for her.
Steeling herself with the most charming smile she could muster, Usagi marched up to the bar. She dramatically slid onto the barstool, arms stretching over the counter. Minako and Rei exchanged glances before following Usagi.
"Ugh," Usagi started. "I really need a shot of tequila and to just dance it out."
The bartender and the doorman glanced at each other. Then the bartender grabbed a shot glass and poured her drink.
"And your friends?" he asked as he slid the glass towards Usagi. The girls sat on each side of Usagi, looking far too tense. "What will they have?"
She took the shot as if her skin weren't crawling, as if she weren't terrified of these two men. "They're lightweights, so, highballs for them," she answered.
The bartender retrieved two cans of Suntory Kaku from beneath the bar. He popped them open and poured them into glasses over ice.
"Weren't you here the other night?" the doorman asked. "Your hairstyle is… unique."
"I was! Had such a good time, wanted to bring my other friends here," she said. "Like, I know it's not going to be Dark Pandora, but still, should be a good time, right?"
The bartender and doorman shared another look. Their silent conversation casting a sinister air.
"This is the first I've heard of it," the doorman said, and. Usagi held eye contact with him.
Her nerve impressed Rei, who'd noticed the waitresses were inching closer to them. Rei had never taken on so many opponents before. It felt that one youma was often more than enough for them. But four enemies? It was the first time she hoped Tuxedo Mask would find them. At least, when it came to youma, he would fight with them.
Usagi wanted to glance at Rei or Minako for support, but if she did the bartender would see her fear. Either way, she wasn't going to lose this staring contest. He was studying her much too closely now...
"About those highballs?" Minako interrupted. The doorman's eyes flew to her. Minako's voice was three octaves higher than either girl was used to. She was not going to be out-acted by Usagi. That girl may not have been the best warrior among them, but the Usagi did have some balls on her. Minako was going to follow her lead.
The bartender blinked, then his gaze slid it back to Minako with her drink. She took a dainty sip.
"Mmm," she cooed. "This is so good! What about you Usa? Are you going to have another round?"
"Yes!" Usagi said. "I'll have another. Maybe something I can sip on." She winked at the bartender.
Minako turned back to the doorman. "So, like, when does the party get started here? I know we're early, but we were just so excited!"
Usagi was impressed at how well Minako could sell the ditzy party girl. Usagi was a ditzy party girl, and even she didn't quite sell it as well as that, especially not when there was an oppressive air of evil in the place. Now, if only Rei could drop the protective Mama Bear look.
The bartender answered very stoically, "It depends. While you're waiting, why don't you have one of these?"
He reached below the bar and produced three familiar purple flowers. Smiling, he set one down in front of each girl.
Usagi didn't want to touch it.
"Ooo, help me put it in my hair?" Rei asked, grabbing Usagi's arm. Usagi reached for the flower, but then Rei added, "Maybe we should do it in front of the mirror?"
Usagi's eyes widened with understanding recognition. The bathroom. An excellent call. They could slip away and transform.
"But I just finished your Tequila Sunrise," the bartender said as he placed a drink in front of Usagi. She stared at the glass. Did he drug it? Was it poisoned? She'd never been more reluctant to have a drink before.
"Usa, you wait here," Minako said. "I'll go, and we'll be right back!" Minako winked some code that Usagi did not understand. Why would they abandon her?
She did her best not to groan as the other two women left. She smiled at the bartender, who was entirely too focused on her. The waitresses inched in; the tables they were wiping were already sparkling.
So, Usagi did the only thing she could think to do in her nervousness. She downed her drink.
"Didn't you want something to sip on?" the bartender asked, though it sounded more like a statement. He was leaning on the counter, staring at her. "You aren't nervous or something are you?"
"Oh, well," Usagi gulped. She attempted to flirt by averting her eyes and running her fingertip along the glass rim. "It was just too smooth. What did you say your name was?"
"You can call me Jadeite," he answered. "Here, let me help you with your flower." He plucked the flower off the bar and leaned over to pin it to Usagi. She blinked frantically as he encroached on her space.
"Is something wrong?" Jadeite asked, his voice smooth but icy like Hibiki on the rocks. A shadow crossed his face as if his darkness were bleeding from his pores. He smirked cruelly.
His fingertips brushed Usagi's dress. She gulped, tensing. Afraid that if she flinched, their cover would be blown.
"Evil Spirits be exorcized!"
An ofuda scroll slapped Jadeite in the middle of his forehead. He froze prone across the bar with the flower in his fingers, his bartender outfit dissolving into a grey uniform. Just centimeters away from Usagi. She pushed back, startled.
"Did you really think you'd get away with it, Jadeite?" Sailor Venus called out.
Looking over her shoulder, Usagi tumbled from her stool to the floor. Thankfully, Minako stood behind her, transformed and flanked by Sailor Mars. Fire crackled in the hands of the Senshi of Fite Me IRL.
A deep laugh came from the doorman as he strolled towards the entrance. He seemed almost… entertained. "Sailor Senshi," he continued. "Did you forget he wasn't alone?" The doorman's black clothes melted into a similar grey uniform as he locked the door. He took his time, making sure all the locks clicked loudly before turning around.
"And who are you?" Mars called out.
"My name is Nephrite. And while you may be used to battling one Dark Kingdom General, do not underestimate two," the former doorman said.
The two waitresses began to distort - their features sank in, and their skin turned unnatural colors. Hands turned into claws. Teeth sharpened.
Well, fuck. And there Usagi was, lying on her back on a dingy barroom floor.
"Some help here Nephrite," Jadeite grumbled through gritted teeth. Jadeite was still hunched over the bar, reaching to pin a flower onto nothing. The two Senshi kept their eyes on Nephrite as he walked over to Jadeite. Usagi, on the other hand, couldn't really see well, but she did notice the youma sneaking up on Venus.
"Look out!" Usagi cried.
Spell broken, Venus gained her wits in just enough time to launch the youma over her shoulder (a move she'd attempted to teach Usagi). Usagi noted that it was quite effective, and she should probably try harder during training.
Mars held her hand together like a gun then cried, "Mars Fire Soul!" at the second youma.
With the Senshi distracted, Nephrite removed the ofuda scroll from Jadeite's forehead.
"Took long enough," Jadeite said, stumbling as his suspension was released. Then, he jumped over the bar, barely missing Usagi. She meeped and rolled out of the way.
"I've been waiting for a chance to take a shot at you Sailor Brats," Jadeite taunted, heading toward the melee.
A piece of the bar near Usagi's head splintered. She yelped. It appeared that everyone had forgotten about the bun-headed girl. She could use that to her advantage. Crawling behind the bar, she whispered her henshin and hoped that the battle would distract the bad guys from her transformation's light show.
Now, as Sailor Moon, she took a moment to think. She had a tactical advantage. (Wouldn't the others be happy she used that phrase?) Not only did these jerks not know there was a third Sailor Senshi, but they didn't know she was hiding behind the bar. But, she only had one shot, and she needed to use it wisely.
Sailor Moon peered over the bar, her red jeweled buns peeking over. Mars was head to head with Jadeite, fire and ice duking it out. The fire was waning. Nephrite was toying with Venus, laughing at her as she struggled with the two lesser youma. Venus had one youma wrapped in a whip, which she tried to yo-yo into the other youma. Nephrite faded in and out, making Venus adjust her momentum last minute and weakening her attack.
Also, Venus had a whip? That was badass. But, Sailor Moon wasn't going to add much to this battle. She wasn't strong like the others. She was inexperienced, and her best move only helped people regain energy. Not what they needed right now. So she needed to be strategic. She dropped behind the bar.
Why couldn't masked men in tuxedos show up now?
Closing her eyes, she pictured Luna. What would Luna say? Luna would say rushing into battle would be headstrong, and people could die. She pictured Naru and Motoki, zombie-like with a black flower draining their energy; she thought of Ami's heartbroken face as the doctor talked about the dead teenager. Usagi knew what to do.
She took her time, positioning herself to the best advantage. Keeping track of every move the others made (and the fine selection of open liquor bottles), she made sure her next action would count. She pulled out the Hibiki bottle from under the bar and took a swig-. there was no knocking liquid courage. Nodding to herself, she climbed up on the bar and posed.
No one was paying her any attention. Mars and Jadeite were circling each other in front of her like a cat and mouse, though Usagi wasn't sure which was which. Minako was farther back and slightly to the left, flanked by the two lesser youma. One of the youma was still wrapped in Venus's whip, which she repositioned with every movement, keeping the other youma from getting behind her. Nephrite watched, amused, and occasionally shot dark energy at Venus's blind spots.
She touched her tiara, centering herself and her magic. Then she took it off and flung it as she called out, "Moon Tiara Action!" It sliced the trapped youma in half (and the arm of the other one off) before cutting between Mars and Jadeite and returning to her. Now, she had everyone's attention.
"Who the fuck are you?" Nephrite demanded.
"I am the Senshi of Love and Justice: Sailor Moon! And on behalf of the moon, let's get the fuck out of here!" She said. Then she tossed her tiara at the door, cutting right through the locks. "Let's go girls!"
The Senshi hesitated, eyes darting between her and their adversaries.
Moon jumped off the bar and started towards the door before noticing that no one was following her.
"For real?" She groaned.
Jadeite took the opportunity and teleported. Before Moon could react, he appeared behind her and wrapped his arm around her neck. She clawed at his arm, but her gloves thwarted her nails, rendering her attack useless.
"Well, well, looks like you have a new recruit," Jadeite said. "And she's not as well trained. I would never be able to get the drop on one of you two."
Moon flailed, kicking her legs and struggling with her whole body. His grip around her neck tightened, and she panicked. This was not the plan! The plan was to run away! They weren't ready for this!
In her panic, Moon did the only thing she could think of: she screamed for her life.
The red jewels in her buns started to glow, and her scream became louder and louder. Venus and Mars felt their earrings grow warm as yellow and red bands of light wrapped around their heads, covering their ears.
Jadeite released Moon, clapping his hands over his ears. She didn't notice and proceeded to scream even louder. The glassware on the bar was the first to go. Glasses and booze bottles exploded, and the acrid smell of alcohol filled the air.
The mirrored windows went next, bursting out into the street, startling pedestrians.
Venus chewed her lip. This wasn't how she wanted this to end. People would start filming soon, putting themselves in danger of collateral damage, and Moon wasn't well equipped for combat. Hell, she wasn't even sure if she and Mars could've taken two Generals at once. On the other hand, she shouldn't look a gift horse in the mouth. If nothing else, Usagi's total destruction of the bar would hinder this evil plot for a while.
She signaled to Mars, and the two rushed towards the door. They scooped Moon up, one arm each, and booked it. Heels clicking on the pavement, they ran down the streets of Roppongi.
"You can stop screaming now," Mars yelled loud enough to be heard. Moon abruptly stopped howling and looked up at her comrades. Then looked back at the bar as it vanished behind them. The generals were kneeling, still reeling from her attack, but they were watching. Usagi never felt so fearful and so grateful at once.
AN: So, fun fact: the original draft of this fight scene was terrible. I knew I wanted the girls to confront Jadeite, but I had no clue how. So, I had a weird fan club meet up in an after-hours warehouse district, and it just made no sense whatsoever. (The bulk of the fight scene is "So, Jadetie and Nephrite fight the Sailor Senshi.") It was….; I'm going to post some snippets on my tumbler if you wanna see what 5 revisions can do to a piece. My husband actually gave me the inspiration for this moment's current incarnation with an offhand note on chapter 6 "why isn't she going back to investigate the bar?" And I was like, that's a really good point. Why isn't she investigating? And, it's the perfect fix for the nightmare fight scene! So with a real reason why they run into Jadeite, a epic fight scene was born.
Thanks so much to TropicalRemix, phillynz, Perfect Beauty, Celestial Cat, buffy fan, and optimistic alex for reviewing! It gives me all the warm feels.
SMOKING BOMBER is the best! Thank you so much for beat reading that fight scene. I totally credit her for "Senshi of Fite Me IRL." Such brilliance.
A special thanks to my Prince for being my cheerleader and alpha reader, and as always, to the best Husband in the world. You've made this chapter readable.
