Awake Again and Looking Good
By Robert C. McGee
On the surface of a planet covered in black sand and Rock, it used to be home to a great civilization. Some survivors of this apocalypse know the world by the name that was given to it by it's ancestors, Coronis. In the one of it's few settlement 2 kilometers outside as shimmering lights sailed through the sky three stones fell to this place and 3 young men began to appear where these stones fell. One of them began to wake up. He is wearing a perfectly fitted black and red tuxedo.
Man:
Ouch my head! What? Ah Galaxia!
He looked around and saw he was alone and his village was destroyed.
Man:
Anyone here alive?
Another man:
I am alive! I am so, alive!
Man:
Riot!
Riot:
Blaze!
They Run to each other and embrace
Blaze:
Have you seen Rex?
Riot:
As big as he is, he's not hard to miss. Rex! Common Rex don't keep us waiting.
They don't see him.
Riot:
Guess he's not here.
But then they hear a voice coming from a pile of rocks.
Blaze:
Did those rocks just talk?
Rex:
Help! I've fallen and I can't get up!
Riot:
We gotta dig him out!
He rases his hand at the rocks. He fires balls of light that explode like fireworks.
Blaze:
Stop that! You'll hurt him even worse.
They begin digging him up and they eventually get him out.
Rex:
Thanks guys. Look at the town, nothing left. Karasuma is surely not gonna be happy.
Riot:
I'm afraid Karasuma isn't here. No one else.
Blaze:
Wait Metallics. Where's Metallics?
Rex:
Looks like only the 3 of us came back.
Riot:
Your brother would have woke up if Galaxia didn't kill him. Maybe he was forced to serve her as an animamates, or she made him a sex slave.
Blaze:
No! Don't. I don't want to think of anything that horrible.
Rex:
Our village is gone, our homes, and we're down one tuxedo guardian. We need to leave and see if anyone else survived. Maybe Karasuma could be awake in another village.
Blaze:
If any are still standing we might not find survivors.
Riot:
If there's a party you know he'll be there. I can smell something in the east. We should head that way.
They all walk East seeing nothing but black and grey sand and rocks for miles.
Blaze:
We should take a break. We haven't found anything or anyone.
Riot:
The smell is getting stronger.
Rex:
Can't you see he's sad? He's clearly known his older brother longer then he has known any one of us.
Riot:
Well I'm moving forward you two can catch up.
He keeps walking East.
Rex:
He's clearly a fool.
Blaze:
But he's also a tuxedo guardian like us. There a very view of us while the numbers of sailor guardians are countless. The land, I don't remember being desolate.
Rex:
I guess this is what happened to all worlds Galaxia attacked. I can remember her taking our star seeds, she took Karasuma's and Nezu's.
Blaze:
Why aren't they back as well?
Rex:
Maybe we'll get an answer somewhere.
Riot:
Hey guys! Over here!
Blaze:
Let's go he must have found it
They run to see what he has found.
Riot:
That village over there.
Rex:
That's the Red Light District.
Blaze:
I don't see any red lights. Something is different.
Riot:
If Metallics is anywhere it's there.
They walk to the village to see what has become of it.
Blaze:
We've clearly been gone for quite some time. No blacksmith would set up shop in a red light district.
Rex:
Maybe he will know what happened here.
They walk up to the blacksmith as he is hard at work at his forge.
Blaze:
Sir, we need to know happen here.
Blacksmith:
What will happen is our Sailor Guardian will be angry if I don't have this finished in time for her wedding. Now my father will speak with you. Father, there are 3 men here.
Father:
They'll have to be patient these old bones don't move like they once did.
The old man walks to the gate and sits in his chair. He lights a stick using is sons forge to light his pipe.
Father:
My name is Neo. That is my son Endymion.
Rex:
I see you named you named your after the price that fell as the battle of the silver minimum.
Neo:
He's a good boy and very skilled.
Blaze:
He said his crafting that for a Sailor Guardian, is there a Tuxedo Guardian in this village?
Neo:
No, that breed of warrior is very rare. There where once 4 that lived in a neighboring village 200 years ago back in a time when this village was made of many houses of ill repute.
Blaze:
We are those Guardians. We are only 3 the one missing is my brother. He ran from our last battle I assume he awoke somewhere far away if his Star seed was returned.
Neo:
Do you know where he would go?
Rex:
If Metallics is awake the most likely place is a brothel.
Neo:
There hasn't been a single brothel here for quite some time. Now the matchmaker and Lead Crow of our village Eudial, may know something. She keeps track of such fork, especially those who pass though here.
Riot:
I guess there's no party for us.
Blaze:
We're not entirely lost here. Neo here knows of us from history but maybe this Eudial will tell us of more recent occurrences.
Neo:
If you wish to see Eudial her house is right there the very large one.
They go straight to her house and knock on the door.
Eudial:
Mud, see who's at the door.
Mud the butler goes to answer the door.
Blaze:
Hello sir we are here to see the matchmaker.
Mud:
Lady Eudial, 3 men looking for wives.
Eudial:
Coming down.
She comes down to greet them.
Eudial:
Wow, you guys are in a hurry. Already dressed for the ceremony.
Blaze:
I'm afraid your servant misspoke. We are actually Tuxedo Guardians we are missing one. Has he been here looking for a wife or a simple date himself?
Eudial:
Oh I'm very sorry. I told you Mud you need to inquire what visitors need. If a farmer needs seeds and not a wife I need to know this I'm juggling two hats here.
Mud:
Sorry my Ladyship.
Riot:
If you got a lady around for me I'll make her lucky?
Eudial:
What of your fellow guardians?
Riot:
Metallics wouldn't miss my wedding.
Blaze:
That's enough Riot. We need a place to stay and sleep as we look for him.
Eudial:
In that case my house is your house. Mud, have the maids prepare rooms for my guess.
Mud:
This way Master guardians.
They go upstairs they see the rooms they could stay in Rex being the tallest one picks his room.
Rex:
I want this room.
Mud:
I'm sorry Master, what is your name?
Rex:
It's Rex.
Mud:
Oh yes we'll that room is not quite ideal. It's messy and there is a terrible draft.
Rex:
As long as I don't hit my head on the doorway I'll be happy.
They all find rooms once to stay in. Mud goes to talk to Blaze. He knocks on his door.
Blaze:
Come in.
He opens the door.
Mud:
Master Blaze, I'd like to inform you that your friends are now settled and find there rooms satisfactory.
Blaze:
Thank you Mud. It's funny, I just woke up from a 200 year nap and I find myself tired so quickly.
Mud:
A meal is being prepared sir.
Blaze:
You can save my plate for later I'm gonna turn in.
Mud:
Goodnight sir.
He walks out and closes the door.
Blaze:
Where are you now Metallics? I hope your safe.
He falls asleep later that day the door downstairs is flown open, a woman walks in and she's mad.
Woman:
Where is she?
Mud:
I say ma'am. You can't just barge in here.
Woman:
Shove it mud hole.
Mud:
Well I never.
Woman:
Eudial, you got allot of nerve. He just ran out. The wedding is off.
Eudial:
It's not poor matchmaking Tazalinus. It might be you.
Tazalinus:
What do you mean it's me?
Eudial:
If you where a bit less intimidating they wouldn't run.
Tazalinus:
Intimidating!? Listen to me, I didn't want a power dynamic to be between me and every other guy. The rock chose me to be it's holder. I'm not the one who said "please mister rock come live with me."
Rex and Riot hear the argument from upstairs.
Rex:
Can you please not do this while we are resting we came a long way.
Eudial:
Now you've upset my guests.
Tazalinus:
Me, well you in the tuxedo. Don't trust this woman. You're better off finding a wife your own way.
Riot:
Oh please whoever go home and let us sleep for the love of the Gods! I'll come down and ring your neck.
Tazalinus:
Just try it. I'm a Sailor Guardian. I will transform long before your come halfway down.
Blaze is woken up from the noise. He walks out into the hallway out back in the clothes he wore the day Galaxia took his Star seed.
Riot:
Well for your information I'm Tuxedo Riot and when I begin to party you better pray it ends fast.
Blaze:
That enough Riot! I was already asleep and your temper has to go off at somebody.
Rex:
We need to calm this woman down. She claims to be a Sailor Guardian.
Blaze:
Ok Rex. Whoever you are I'm coming down.
She grabs her crystal to begin to transform.
Eudial:
No don't. He's not wearing his tuxedo.
She holds back her transformation. He gets all the way downstairs.
Blaze:
I should apologize. I could hear you all the way from my room and Riot can't help but interfere if he feels threatened in any way.
As he is standing there Tazalinus can't help but admire how he looks.
Tazalinus:
Sorry I wasn't told our Lead Crow had guests. Eudial, I want him.
Eudial:
Wait a minute he's a guest not a client.
Tazalinus:
What's your name?
Blaze:
It's Blaze.
Tazalinus:
Well I'm Tazalinus. You can call me Tazi, or Sailor Iron Mouse.
Blaze:
Thank you Tazi. But I think part with a single syllable of your name.
Tazalinus:
I can treat your friends at the tavern tonight if you'll be with me.
Blaze:
I'll tell them they're invited, they'll come.
Tazalinus:
See you there.
She walks out and goes back home to be ready for tonight.
Eudial:
If this doesn't work she better not blame me.
Riot:
You can't be serious. That rowdy broad? Women like that are always trouble.
Blaze:
She might give us some purpose. We have been away for 200 years.
Rex:
It shouldn't be know trouble. We are already in our best outfits.
Blaze:
Speaking of which let's power down our crystals let our bodies and minds relax before then.
Rex:
Agreed. The town seems safe but everything outside may not be as such. That item the young blacksmith was forging did look like a transformation wand.
Rex and Riot, de-transform revealing what they where wearing long ago.
Blaze:
I knew it, no one in town dresses like this anymore.
Riot:
Mind smell like 500 year old booze. I better wash up.
Rex:
I guess I wasn't wearing much to begin with. Mud, does Eudial have anything that can fit?
Mud:
I can tailor you some new garments master Rex.
Rex:
I need them tonight.
Mud:
Then you should come with me, I work better with more accurate measurements.
Rex:
Of course.
Just outside of town near the remains of a destroyed prison, one man who has been there for 50 years is plotting an escape.
Prison guard:
He's not going anywhere anything new in town?
Prison guard 2:
Funny you ask, you know the stories of the 4 tuxedo guardians that guarded a village few miles away?
Prison guard:
That's not new everyone knows those stories.
Prison guard 2:
Three of them are back and there staying at the matchmaker's house.
Prison guard:
That's unbelievable. Galaxia killed them 200 years ago.
Old man:
That's a lie made up to keep everyone in line.
Prison guard:
Shut up in there!
Old man:
I'll shut you up soon.
The guards walk out
Prison guard:
What a pathetic old man. Really just a shell, nothing more.
Prison guard 2:
I bet if Eudial ever pardon him he'd just waste away in a small hut.
They both laugh as they go home, meanwhile at the tavern later that night. Blaze, Rex and Riot walk in the door and are a bit surprised. There wear people dancing on the floor and on tables, women where dancing seductively to get the attraction of the men.
Blaze:
Even when this village was a red light district this tavern was never this out of control.
Rex:
That's because the four of us had a hand in keeping it that way.
Riot:
I'm beginning to like this place more. Make way ladies!
Rex:
Riot!
Blaze:
Let him cut loose, maybe he'll get tired later.
Blaze turns around to see Tazalinus waiting for him at the bar.
Tazalinus:
Hello, will you have this dance?
Blaze and Tazalinus took to the floor and started dancing, some of the women watched him dance and began to approach him.
Woman:
Hey who are you dancing with our local Sailor Guardian?
Tazalinus:
Keep away you tramp he's mine.
Woman 2:
Common Tazalinus share he's just gonna run away like the others.
Tazalinus:
Blaze is not running away.
Blaze:
If they see you as the jealous type you won't make any friends.
Tazalinus:
My beasts are bigger then there's and so is my attitude. Which do you want to measure first?
Blaze:
The size of your heart will tell more then both.
Riot:
Sorry ladies he's stuck to her like glue, who wants to dance with me?
Woman:
Dream on!
Woman 2:
Not with me.
Riot:
Oh Common! Ladies know I'm the best lover.
Rex:
Riot, the ladies who knew that have long grown old and grey and have died. Have some drinks she's picking up the tab remember?
Riot:
Ok. Bar keep, I want to sample everything. Put it on her tab.
He points right at Tazalinus.
Tazalinus:
If that's what he wants give it to him. I'll just have one myself.
Rex:
This seems like a nice table. Hardly anyone comes near us.
Blaze:
This is said to be the Great One's table. He was here once during his early days.
Rex:
The very first Sailor Guardian, I'm sure that was before it was decided they should be all women from then forth.
Riot:
He might be still out there. Is it true he lives alone in a cave? I heard he was living in one before Galaxia attacked us
Tazalinus:
You two can talk about whoever you like I'm gonna to borrow Blaze for another dance and maybe more.
The old man Neo comes running though the town yelling out for Tazalinus.
Neo:
Tazalinus! Tazalinus!
Guy:
She's in the tavern old man.
He runs into the tavern.
Neo:
Tazalinus! You must transform.
Tazalinus:
Calm down Neo. I'm out with my new man let a young girl have some fun.
Neo:
He's taken my son!
Rex:
Who has taken him?
Neo:
Mero. I locked him away when I was the Lead Crow many years ago.
Riot:
Some old geezer busting out of the joint? No problem, we'll have Endymion back and celebrate with some pints. Let's go Rex.
Rex:
We best not underestimate this man.
They take out their wands and transform.
Blaze:
They will need my help. I'm going with them.
Tazalinus:
I guess I'll wait for you.
Blaze transforms and they they go looking for Mero. Back at her home, Eudial had her old dress and pure heart extracting gun laying on a table as Mud walks in he can only see that she is lost in thought.
Mud:
The past is painful, why display it like that?
Eudial:
I spent 4 years living on a planet exploring every corner where they displayed parts of their past that was nothing but sorrow.
Mud:
If you want to see such sad things all you must do is step outside the town. Almost nothing but barren land that could yield crops and flowing streams of water. Now only a handful survive and a king in a distant palace doing all he can to keep what's left standing.
Eudial:
There is also this.
She takes out a sailor guardians transformation wand.
Eudial:
We called ourselves the Witches 5, and they betrayed me. Beganus rescues me, and later presents me with this and another to Tazalinus. I have yet to even use it. What you think Mud?
Mud:
Your ladyship. I dare not say it. It's really your choice but I've already lost my only daughter to Galaxia. I do not wish to loose you to anyone.
Eudial:
That seems fair.
There is a knock on the door.
Mud:
I'll get that ma'am.
He goes and answers the door, it's a prison guard.
Guard:
Mero has escaped and kidnapped the old backsmith's son. You need to inform the lead crow.
Eudial:
I heard everything. That will be all, proceed with caution.
He leaves.
Eudial:
Tonight it's the blacksmith's son, tomorrow it could be the baker's daughter.
Mud:
Ma'am. I'm sure Iron Mouse and the Tuxedo Guardians will be sufficient enough to stop him.
Eudial:
I had to build a new prison just to hold him because he's so strong. Now I'll have to build another. I'm going out and I'll take him myself if I have too.
She takes both the wand and the gun. At that moment Neo was leading the Tuxedo Guardians to where Mero said his son was being held.
Blaze:
You've gone far enough, we'll take it from here.
Neo ducks behind a stone. Tazalinus finds him.
Tazalinus:
You shouldn't be this close.
Neo:
Are you going to help them?
Tazalinus:
If I must.
Neo:
You best take this, it was going to be a wedding gift but you need it now.
He hands her the wand that Endymion was forging. It's finished and now all it needs is her sailor crystal. She takes the crystal out of the old wand and places it in the new one.
Tazalinus:
Strength of Iron, make up!
She transforms into Sailor Iron Mouse.
Iron Mouse:
The boy did great, I feel my power is more focused and even stronger.
Blaze:
Release the boy or answer to us.
Mero:
Who are you to make such a demand?
Blaze:
I am the handsome guardian of fire and Romance. I am Tuxedo Blaze.
Riot:
I am the handsome guardian of joy and celebration. I am Tuxedo Riot.
Rex:
I am the handsome guardian of strength and confidence. I am Tuxedo Rex.
Tuxedo Guardians:
We are the Tuxedo Guardians. Suit up!
Mero:
Not what I was expecting but a handful of weakling like you will be child's play.
Riot:
He's old and grey. He should have stayed in his cell.
Riot fires a barrage of fireworks from his hands. Blaze shoots a stream of fire from his mouth. Rex comes close to him with a set of extended claws on his wrists made of energy. Mero just powers though each attack like it's nothing. They try taking him down with hand to hand techniques but each one being thrown down on the ground one by one.
Blaze:
We've been gone for 200 years. We've taken down adversaries stronger then him.
Rex:
We had Metallics and Nezu by our side. We are only but 3.
They turn around and watch as Mero takes his shirt off, and see how big his muscles are.
Riot:
Not too bad for an old man.
Mero:
I told you the 3 of you would be child's play.
Blaze shoots another stream of fire but he just keeps coming.
Mero:
Your fire can't even burn the hair on my chest. Is it true your sailor crystals are alive? If you hurt, will they hurt? If you die, will they die?
At that moment Iron Mouse was leading Endymion to safety away from the battle.
Endymion:
Those three are risking their lives for me. You must help them.
Iron Mouse:
My presence in this form will be painful to them. They knew Nezu Chukuu, the original Iron Mouse.
Endymion:
Can't be as painful as what he may do to them.
Iron Mouse:
Run to the tavern and hide in the seller.
He runs straight there, Iron Mouse jumps into action to fight Mero.
Iron Mouse:
This ends now!
Mero:
Your a bit taller then I remember.
Iron Mouse:
That was Nezu, I'm Tazalinus. I am the new Sailor Iron Mouse.
Mero:
Finally, some real action.
Iron Mouse:
Iron tail chain incircle!
He catches the chain in his hand and pulls her to the ground.
Blaze:
Tazalinus!
Mero:
This girl and the boy now belong to me.
Iron Mouse:
Sorry to disappoint you but Endymion is already far far away where you'll never find him.
Mero:
You lie!
Iron Mouse:
I don't.
Mero:
Then I will kill all four of you.
A light begins to flash from his chest and pops out of his chest forming a crystal. He then collapses on the ground.
Iron Mouse:
I thought you swore never to use that again.
Eudial:
I had to take a chance.
Riot:
What is that thing.
Eudial:
A pure heart crystal. Well it's supposed to be but this one is so blackened I don't even know what to call it.
Mero:
What have you done to me?
Eudial:
This is an act of mercy, if you would have persisted they surely would've killed you. Guards!
The guards surround them.
Eudial:
He's under arrest, and take this with him.
She hands them the pure heart crystal.
Eudial:
I want him bound and gagged before you return this to him. Have Sailor Iron Mouse and the Tuxedo Guardians delivered to the physician.
Riot:
Some guardians we turned out to be. Why can't we be as strong as the ladies?
Rex:
The crystals would not have chosen to remain with us if we still did not serve a purpose.
Blaze:
I can only assume that purpose is to either find Metallics. Wherever he's hiding or discover whatever fate befell him.
Iron Mouse:
Guards I'm gonna have to insist you leave me and Tuxedo Blaze at my house.
Guards:
The lead crow gave us specific instructions.
Iron Mouse:
You can also go to the seller in the tavern and tell Endymion that Mero is back where he belongs and come out of hiding.
Blaze:
Let her do as she pleases. I'll live.
Riot:
Good luck buddy.
Blaze:
Rest up. We begin our search for Metallics at first light.
Rex:
You two enjoy yourselves.
The guards take Rex and Riot to the physician, while they take Blaze and Iron Mouse in another direction. They both transform back to normal.
Guard:
Here you are ma'am.
Tazalinus:
That will be all.
She opens the door.
Tazalinus:
Welcome to my home. Or should I say "our home."? Now let's get those clothes off.
Blaze:
Shouldn't we be married first?
Tazalinus:
I'd rather skip the formalities. I rather the man know I'm a good lover first, being a Sailor Guardian is intimidating for most men.
Blaze:
I'm a Tuxedo Guardian and I'm already quaking.