AN: What's this? Another update? Thank you Nanowrimo for giving me mandatory writing time to get some backlog caught up! So, this update will be a bonus update so that I'll be back on my two week track (that I scheduled in my calendar). This was another fun chapter to write because I like the twist at the end, and it was one of the few things I planned when starting this story. I think there's a few of you who will be happy to see how this turns out.
Anyway, thank you all for reading and commenting. It really helps me through the rough days in ways I can't describe. Right now my husband and his step-sister have the flu, while I'm praying it skips me and my son. (I cannot be vaccinated for medical reasons.) Wish me luck on that front. So, enjoy this major turning point in the story! And without further ado….
Sailor Moon X by Starling Sinclair
Chapter 19: The End of Jadeite
11/19/2019
XXXX
Sailor Moon sat on the roof of a Furhata Complex, four stories above the Crown Arcade and foot traffic below. The neon and LED lights below her kicking feet blended into the purple skyline of the setting sun and light pollution. The ambiance was warm and enchanting in its urbanness. Not that she noticed; she was playing on her phone.
"Pokemon Go? Really?" Tuxedo Kamen whispered into her ear.
She jumped in surprise. His hands gripped her shoulders, keeping her from falling.
"Oh my god, you startled me," she said, breath a little short and gripping her phone tight as if it falling was worse than her.
"I could say the same of you," he said, sitting on the ledge with her. "My girlfriend loves Pokemon Go."
"Well she has good taste," Moon said with a smile. They sat in silence for a moment while she finished her game. He closed his eyes against the breeze, calmed by the familiar chirps of her phone.
"Damnit," she mumbled when the digital monster she was trying to catch fled. She huffed and with a flex of her wrist, the phone vanished.
"I wasn't sure this was going to work," she continued. "This whole, strange, psychic connection. I'm glad it still works when I'm not in mortal peril."
He chuckled. It had been different. "It was a strange feeling," he explained. "Almost like you were whispering my name. Usually, I'm just hit by crushing panic. So, I didn't rush this time. I hope I didn't keep you waiting long."
She shrugged. "Not even long enough for me to run out of incense."
"So, why did you call me?"
She took a deep breath and looked out over the Tokyo skyline. Her shoulders tensed for just a moment as she gathered her courage.
"I have a plan to take down Jadeite," she said. "But I need a favor from you."
His eyebrow quirked above his mask.
"You said we were allies. Sort of," she continued. "So, do you trust me?"
He stared at her a moment, knowing his expression was unreadable beneath the mask. Did he trust her? He didn't not trust most of the Senshi, with flat out killing him that was. He knew they weren't enemies, but...
Sailor Moon was different. She wasn't like the others. She was less battle-hardened, less jaded. She looked for the good in people, looked out for them. Did he trust her? He knew before he opened his mouth the answer.
"What do you need?"
XXX
At the same time Moon and Tux were rendezvousing above Crown Arcade, Sailor Venus stood atop Tokyo Tower, shooting Crescent Beams into the sky and implementing the second part of Usagi's plan. She had roughly forty-five minutes before security would find her. That should be plenty of time for a Jadeite or one of the others to respond. Sure enough, it only took fifteen minutes.
Kunzite appeared, leaning nonchalantly against a red beam, his white hair and cape blowing in the breeze. It would have been very debonair if it were anyone else (even Tuxedo Kamen). Venus bristled. Of course, she had to get stuck doing the dirty work.
"Looking for someone?" he started.
She chewed on the inside of her lip fighting to keep control of her temper. She needed to remain calm and cool. "I have a proposition," she stated.
His eyebrow twitched, barely perceptible.
"I wish to challenge Jadeite for the blue rainbow crystal."
"And why would he agree to that?" Kunzite countered.
"Because the winner would get both the blue and indigo crystals." She hoped that across town Moon was working her wiles on Tuxy Boy making ensuring her negotiation wasn't unfounded.
"You don't have the indigo crystal," Kunzite said.
"Are you sure about that?"
He stared icily at her. "Okay. A one on one challenge?"
"Senshi verus Jadeite," Venus said. "Not outside tricks, just simple combat."
"Hardly seems fair. Four against one."
The Senshi scoffed. "Oh please, like Sailor Moon is much of a threat."
"I wouldn't underestimate her," he advised after a pause. "Where would you have this challenge commence?"
"The new runways at Haneda," Venus said. "No one to interfere. Plenty of room."
"No place to hide."
She nodded.
"Very well," Kunzite agreed. "He shall meet you there."
"Tomorrow night," Venus added. "Witching Hour."
Kunzite's nod was so subtle, another might have missed it. With a swipe of his cape, he vanished.
Venus nearly doubled over as she let out the breath she didn't realize she'd been holding. She rested a moment against the metal beam of the tower and closed her eyes. A small tear escaped, and she couldn't for the life of her, understand why his iciness hurt so much.
XXX
The next morning, Usagi woke to kisses on her neck. A Cheshire cat grin crept over her face as she remembered she was tangled up with Mamoru in her tiny bed. Her apartment was barely big enough for the two of them (plus Luna), but it was much closer to Crown than his place. She quickly closed her eyes to feign sleeping.
"Come on, Usako," he whispered, breath warm in the shell of her ear. "It's time to get up."
"But my alarm hasn't even gone off yet.".
His hand slid over her stomach, then lower brushing just above her pelvic bone. He trailed kisses down her shoulder. "Who needs alarms?"
Usagi almost purred. Alarms indeed.
"This girl, unfortunately," she interrupted. "Because she doesn't want to be late."
Mamoru nipped her collarbone. "I'll make sure you're on time," he said.
"Says the person who was never late until he went home with me."
"Touche." He rolled off her and quickly stood up. Usagi groaned at his determination for responsibility as he chirped, "Breakfast?"
"Yes! My hero!"
While he went to forage in her kitchen (and offer Luna a can of tuna), she wandered into the bathroom. Hanging on the back door was the outfit she'd laid out last night - a simple white button-down and black slacks. She brushed her teeth and redid her hair. A smile erupted on her face as she slipped her work apron on over her head. Life was getting back to normal.
A knock on the door bought her back to the present. "You almost done?" his voice drifted through.
A new normal that was.
Not long after their return from the disastrous cruise, she and Mamoru had exchanged keys. Most mornings they woke up next to each other, even though one often stumbled in while the other was sleeping. (Thank goodness his hospital schedule meant he kept such strange hours, otherwise, she would have a hard time explaining her sudden disappearances.) The only one who complained was Luna. That was only because when they stayed at Mamoru's, she didn't get tuna served to her on a fancy plate.
"I'll be out in a second!"
Her smile faltered as saw the brooch on the bathroom counter. She thought of the Indigo crystal in her subspace pocket, and the risk she'd be going into tonight. Her fingers trailed over the magical relic disguised as jewelry. It felt warm beneath her fingertips.
She realized that as much as it may feel like it, life would never really normal again.
XXX
She met Motoki early to finish any last-minute preparations, buzzing around happily as she did the pre-opening cleaning. Claw machines stocked? Check. Newly replaced safety glass windows wiped? Floors swept? Check and Check. She even gave her beloved retro Sailor V machine some extra attention so it was especially shiny for reopening.
So much of Crown was the same, yet it felt so different. A reflection of all the changes in her life. Motoki chatted with Mamoru while he balanced the change machines and doubled checked the gotchapons. Ittou, their part-timer, bounced from foot to foot with impatience. Usagi smiled sadly; maybe the change was in her. Mamoru saw her out the corner of his eye and waved. It made her blush. Motoki just shook his head.
The arcade manager stepped away from Mamoru and walked over to Usagi. She looked at the giant clock on the wall. 10:58 am.
"Ready to open?" he asked.
She smiled. "So ready."
With a nod, he walked over to the sliding doors. A few swishes of his hand, and the doors slid open. Crown Arcade was open for business again.
The arcade was busy like it hadn't been in ages. (Possibly because it'd garnered a little bit of notoriety as a youma hotspot.) Still, the business made Usagi happy. She helped patrons change their thousand yens for smaller coins. She unstuck the new Pokemon machine when the little card inside got jammed. She calmed an overwhelmed Ittou. She even got lucky with the rare drop from a gotchapon on her short break. The day was passing quickly, and lunch approached. Mamoru had stuck around, supporting his friends while waiting for her. He'd wanted to take her to lunch since he was working the night shift and wouldn't see her when she got off work.
He spent the better part of his wait playing the retro Sailor V game in the back, and Usagi caught herself staring at him on more than one occasion. (No way was he going to beat her high score.) Which meant she'd almost missed the door sliding open, and Minako walking in.
All the joy evaporated from Usagi as she met Minako's eyes. Just when everything had seemed so… normal.
Minako sat beside Usagi in the Player 2 chair of Sega World Drivers Championship. Usagi dropped a few hundred yen into the machine to start the game. Both girls looked at the screen ahead, choosing their cars.
"Did you get the crystal?" Minako started.
Usagi flicked her wrist, summoning the Indigo crystal. (This subspace pocket sure was a nifty thing.) It tingled in her hand. Minako gripped her wheel harder as Usagi slipped the crystal away.
"Did you set up the challenge?"
The race started. Usagi hit the gas pedal, leaving Minako behind.
"Yes," Minako said, her car passing Usagi. "Tonight at midnight."
Usagi nodded and glanced over at Mamoru. Yoshi was at the Sailor V machine now. Mamoru kneeled beside him, giving him tips. She smiled, and her virtual car careered into a wall. She was never very good at driving games anyway.
Minako was the victor. She did a small fist pump into the air as her simulated car did a victory lap. Usagi smiled.
"Do you wanna join us for lunch?"
Minako shook her head. "Maybe next time," she said. "I'll see you tonight?"
Usagi nodded, and just as smoothly as she arrived, the Senshi of Venus left.
XXX
The airfield was dark and empty. The moon seemed especially bright as if it were trying to ward off the impending danger. Sailor Moon clutched the crystal, running her thumb over the various cuts and dips. It wasn't a raw crystal like she expected, but rather it was expertly cut into something that would make a princess drool. She wondered what kind of stone was it. Or, perhaps, it was the tangible manifestation of a soul. There wasn't much time to dwell on its origins. The other Senshi surrounded her, Mars to her left and Jupiter to her right, Venus to the rear. Their goal was more about protecting the crystal than the girl who carried it.
In the center of the airfield, Jadeite floated. The moon's light darkened around him as if he were draining the heavens of their radiance.
"So, I hear you want to play a game. A crystal for a crystal?" he said, as the girls approached. "But you don't have any crystals."
"We do now," Venus answered with a nod towards Moon. Hesitantly, Sailor Moon showed Tuxedo Kamen's crystal to Jadeite.
"So you do," he said intrigued. "Did you have to sleep with that Tuxedo'd fool to get it?"
Moon flushed pink and brought the crystal back to her chest. She wasn't going to indulge him.
"Nephrite!" Jedite called with a snap.
A warping black portal appeared, and Nephrite floated out of it. He hovered beside Jedite his mane of reddish-brown hair haloing him. A malicious smile crossed his lips, and he carried a pillow with a blue crystal on it.
"Since Nephrite will not be in this challenge, he'll hold the crystals," Jadeite informed.
"Wait a minute," Jupiter interjected. "Who's to say you won't just run off with them?"
"Well, you could have a Senshi sit out with your crystal, but I don't think you want to do that," Jadeite offered. "Nephrite is here as an observer. Nothing more."
Venus looked between the general and the girls as if appraising them. Jupiter and Mars were just as strong as she in all other aspects of battle. Could Moon sit out?
"I can…" Moon started.
Venus quickly cut her off, "No. You said it yourself. We're only strong enough when we stand together."
Moon's shoulders sagged. The other Senshi was right. Moon's tiara was their most powerful attack. No one could be sidelined when so much was at stake. Maybe, if there had been all five of them... She gritted her teeth.
"Swear it," Venus said to Nephrite, her command cutting like a knife.
"I swear that I won't just run off with the crystals as you so crudely put it," he replied. He moved his hands in an intricate pattern, and a magical sigil formed over him. "I shall stay through the duration of the challenge until a victor is declared. My word is binding."
Venus nodded. "All right then. Sailor Moon, give him the crystal."
As she stepped towards her enemy, Sailor Moon felt this was all wrong. Maybe this wasn't such a good idea. Why had they listened to her? She was a terrible leader! As she placed the Indigo crystal on the little pillow she thought, it had to work. They couldn't lose.
"Now for the fun part," Jadeite said as he hurled a giant black crystal at Venus. She dodged and the crystal hit the pavement, shattering into several pieces. From each fragment, a humanoid monster started to form.
"Hey!" Jupiter cried. "You agreed to one on one!"
"I did, but no one said anything about not using magic. Those little crystal golems should hardly be a problem for you," the General clarified.
Sailor Moon yelped as one of the featureless grey creatures charged her before she turned and ran. Though training had helped, one on one combat was certainly not her strong suit. Still, she ran in a zig-zag as if she were running from a crocodile. Lighting and flames burned all around her. She needed to do something. What had she done in the club again?
Within an intent she didn't realize she could control, she started howling. The monster pursuing her faltered in its step giving Moon enough time to turn around and blast it with her tiara. As it crumbled into tiny pieces like a shattered wine glass, the Senshi took a minute to survey her surroundings. Most of the golems had been defeated, Mars corraling the few that were left of the playing field. Venus and Jupiter focused their energy on tag-teaming Jadeite. Her eyes glanced to Nephrite, who watched the melee with stoic interest.
Moon briefly wondered if Tuxedo Kamen watched on in the distance, keeping his eye on the crystal, and maybe even her. Not that it much mattered. He couldn't come to her rescue without jeopardizing the whole mission.
Taking her tiara in her hand, she joined Mars by cutting through two of the remaining crystal youma. The Martian Senshi's flame burned the remaining two to crisps.
With a victorious smile, Mars looked at Moon. "Together? Like you did with Jupiter?"
Usagi nodded. "Moon Tiara Magic!"
"Fire Soul!"
The flaming tiara cut across Jedite's back. He screamed in pain, and in that moment, Moon thought they might win. They were moving as a team. They had the upper hand, even if the bad guys did play dirty. They could pull this off! She looked over the spectating Nephrite, and the look on his face confirmed it.
"Supreme Thunder!"
"Crescent Beam!"
The Senshi attacks crashed into Jadeite from both sides, and he screamed. He was bleeding and burned; he fell to his knees, clutching his ribs. Wiping the blood from the corner of his mouth, he growled. Moon watched careful, noticing that his wrist was bent at a strange angle. It clicked. Her eyes darted until she found what she was looking for.
Without hesitation, she hurled her tiara at the crystal Jadeite had formed, a crystal that was launching straight towards Venus's back. Her tiara collided, shattering the crystal into less dangerous shards. Jadeite roared in frustration.
"Well," Nephrite said. "It appears you have lost this battle. The Senshi are victorious."
"You filthy coward," Jadeite cried at his comrade-in-arms. "Get down here and help me! We can defeat them together!"
"One of us has to return without failing," Nephrite replied. "And two crystals seem like a victory."
"But we won!" Venus screamed. "You swore you wouldn't just run off with them!"
"And I didn't," he said smiling snidely. "But I didn't swear to give them to you on your victory, only until a victor was declared. The battle is over. You win, and so do I."
Then Nephrite opened a portal and vanished into before Venus's Crescent Beam could even touch him. Moon stood there shell shocked. How could she have been so stupid?
"Bastard," Jadeite choked out, coughing on blood.
Venus howled with rage, turning on her remaining enemy.
"Crescent Beam! Crescent Beam! CRESCENT BEAM!" She pounded her magic into him, over and over. He reeled with each blow, falling to his knees. Then he was knocked prone on the ground. The final beam pushed him along the concrete like a toy. Moon flinched at the onslaught. Even Jupiter and Mars had stepped back. Jadeite was broken and defeated; the onslaught was just cruel.
"Venus," Mars said softly. She placed a hand on her friend's shoulder. "It's enough."
Jadeite lay on the ground, blood-splattered, burned, and struggling to breathe. Sailor Moon gripped her Moon Stick.
"Finish him, Sailor Moon," Venus deadpanned. "You're tiara should rip right through him. It's far better than he deserves."
Sailor Moon kept her horrified expression restrained. He may have been an enemy, but was Venus really asking her to murder him? Instead, her resolved strengthened as she acted.
"Moon Healing Escalation!"
Her healing magic spiraled toward him, and he screamed. Dark energy poured out of him like oil leaking from his pores. The negative energy seemed almost endless, but when it finally cleared, the air around him brightened. His burns had mended, his breathing less labored. However, his scream turned from anger to torment; it was the most gut-wrenching thing Sailor Moon had ever heard.
"What have you done?" Venus demanded, pushing Moon at the shoulders. "Why didn't you just kill him?!"
Her voice steadier than her heart, Sailor Moon said, "We aren't them. We don't kill."
Venus trembled with rage, while Moon slowly approached the fallen general. Without getting too close, she sat on the empty tarmac, hands resting in her lap. Jadeite rolled into a fetal position, while Jupiter took up guard behind Moon. His eyes opened, and he looked up at her. His face crumpled as the weight of awakening crashed over him. He started to keen a horribly broken scream of desolation. He screamed until his throat was raw. Then slowly, the screaming became sobbing. All the while, Moon calmly sat beside him, waiting patiently.
When he was a hiccuping mess, she crawled over to him and held her hand out to touch his shoulder. He looked up at her so guilt-stricken, understanding the weight of his crimes. His eyes were lighter blue than she remembered, and he looked at her as though seeing her, really seeing her, for the first time.
"I'm so sorry," he croaked, voice hoarse from screams. His eyes wandered over the other Senshi, looking for one in particular. They stopped on Mars. "I am so sorry."
His jaw trembled, and as if he couldn't bear to look at them any longer, he covered his face.
Venus sneered before walking away, her heels clicking on the tarmac.
Mars hesitated - glancing between her partner in crimefighting and the broken man. Even Moon could feel some strange connection between them. Then with her decision made, the Martian Senshi turned and followed her friend.
Jupiter stayed behind. A line in the sand had been drawn.
Time almost seemed to stand still. Moon surprised herself with her patience as she sat quietly on the pavement, just to be there for this person who'd only a short while ago tried to kill her. At some point the man stilled, unable to cry any more.
"Thank you," he whispered. "For freeing me." His voice was beyond ragged and his breath hiccuped.
You're welcome seemed so inappropriate, so she just smiled softly. "What can I do to help?" she asked.
He shook his head. He looked at her in a way that raised the hair on her arms, that he understood more about what was happening than she did. That he knew some secret. Was he in on some piece of this story that she didn't know?
"You lost your crystals," Jadeite said sadly.
Moon shrugged. "There's five more, and time to get those back."
A smile tugged at the corner of his mouth. "You would say that." Gently, he touched her wrist and whispered, "You've done enough. I'll find my way."
Sailor Moon nodded and stood. Jupiter lurked in the background. Ah fuck, how was she going to explain how everything went so disastrously wrong to Tuxedo Kamen, or why she's saved an enemy and lost a second crystal to the Dark Kingdom to Venus.
"I don't suppose he'll be a problem anymore," Jupiter mused, as she approached.
"No. Do you we'll see him again," Moon added. Jadeite slowly pulled himself off the tarmac, then removed his jacket. She wondered if he had a place to go. Was there some plot they weren't aware of that would hide him? Did he have a life before the Dark Kingdom he could return to? Money? A Home? The questions were all too deep for pondering after 4 am.
Jupiter shrugged, and Moon sighed. "God, I could use a drink."
"Me too," Jupiter agreed, swinging her arm around Moon's shoulder. "And for what it's worth, I think you did the right thing. Come on. I have whiskey at my place."
And with that, the girls walked off into the night.
