A/N: We're in 2017 and so far for me so life's been ok.
I've decided the first fic update (outside Evergreen Passion Gemini since that's authored by Ford1114) will be a Gaiden. Y'know just to take things slow after a small break. My hopeful 2017 resolution is to release more Gaiden chapters. We'll see if I can write at least one entry per month. That'll be my writing challenge.
For the first 2016 Gaiden, it will be one about Kotori and Himura's inauguration as police officers. You've been cordially invited to a policeman's ball.
Enjoy!
NOTE: "Ze" and "Zir" are some of the gender-neutral pronouns used by the transgender community, and are used in place of "He/She" and "Him/Her", respectively. And Philippino/Philippina has been corrected to Filipino/Filipina.
xxxxxx
Sagara Residence/Kotori's Room/September 10, 2010/5:30 PM
"Well, how do I look, Philippe?" Kotori asked, standing and facing her dresser mirror. She postured fully dressed in a male dress uniform. She put on and adjusted her hat.
It's been a week since she and Himura graduated from the police academy. Tonight is their first policeman's ball to celebrate their inauguration.
"You look great, Kotori!" Philippe complimented her uniform. "Man, this is really exciting. I bet you're nervous."
Kotori replied with a grin. "Nah, not even! I'm looking forward to this!" She turned away from her mirror.
"Hey, you're not putting on lipstick?"
"Why? It's not like I'm going to a beauty pageant..." Kotori started her way out the door. "Besides, Kouichi's about to be here in a few. I don't wanna keep him waiting."
Betamon and Jaguarmon followed their partners out of the room.
"I can't believe she's becoming a police officer. She'll be living her dream, huh?" Jaguarmon asked Betamon.
"Kinda. Tonight's just some ball."
"Oh, I see."
As Kotori approached the door, the doorbell rang right on time. She opened it to find Kouichi sharply dressed in a tuxedo. Kouichi smiled and the two kissed.
"You look good, Kotori."
"Thanks, Kouichi, and damn you came dressed to impress," Kotori replied, fancying her boyfriend's tuxedo.
"Well, it's supposed to be a formal event, right?"
"Yeah."
"Hi, Philippe, you're not coming?" Kouichi asked, noticing Philippe dressed in casual clothes.
"I'm stuck house sitting tonight. Besides, this is Kotori's night. You guys have a good time and take good pictures!" Philippe encouraged, waving to them.
"We'll get plenty! Ready, Kouichi?" Kotori put an arm around his.
Nodding, Kouichi did the same. "Let's have a good time."
"You bet we will!"
xxxxx
Policeman's Ball
xxxxx
Azabu-Juuban District/Azabu-Juuban Hall/6:30 PM
As Kotori and Kouichi arrived, they convened with Himura and Jeri, who both arrived a few minutes earlier. Himura was dressed in a uniform suit similar to Kotori's. Jeri wore an elegant, form-fitting green ball gown, a silver necklace, white long gloves, and had her hair slightly curled.
"Whew glad you finally make it! The festivities are starting!" Himura said.
"We got lost in some crowds," Kotori answered. She turned to Jeri, who walked up to her. "Wow, Jeri, you look great!" She openly blushed at how drop dead gorgeous Jeri looked.
"Thanks, Kotori, and you look great in uniform."
"Nowhere near as striking as you, Jeri! I mean, damn!"
Himura chuckled. "Jeri said she wanted to stand out and well…" He put an arm over Jeri.
"Yeah, I'm not one to wear dresses, but I love watching ladies wear 'em," Kotori said, adjusting her hat. She scanned the spacious ballroom. "They chose a pretty good venue. But before I dance, I gotta have some grub. Where's the food?" She patted her growling stomach. "Patience, my hungry friend."
"Yeah, they have some hors d'oeuvres and wine," Himura pointed to a table full of cracker & cheese, shrimp, chips & dips, and a variety of spreads.
"C'mon, Kouichi! We're raiding that table! I haven't had anything all day!"
"Hold on, Kotori! We should be proper!"
Himura and Jeri both watched Kotori quickly picking out food on her plate. Kotori shoved her way through to get some shrimp, earning glares from other officers and their dates.
"You just can't control yourself, can you?" Himura sighed in exasperation.
Jeri giggled over Kotori's behavior. "Well, she hasn't eaten anything all day. Can't say I blame her."
"That's not what I'm worried about. What are the chances she gets kicked off the force due to bad table manners?"
Kotori grabbed the last of the shrimp, much to the dismay of a guest who apparently called dibs on it. Kouichi openly apologized for his girlfriend's ravenous appetite.
"Kotori, you're embarrassing us," Kouichi muttered to her.
"Screw what they think! Go get yourself some food before they take it all!"
"I think I might've lost my appetite."
After eating a light-hearted meal, the group headed over to a table. Kotori finished several plates washed it all down with wine.
"Another," Kotori grabbed another wine glass.
"You're enjoying yourself, huh, Kotori?" Jeri sweatdropped.
"Did you get your fill?" Himura asked Kotori.
"Yep! Now, I'm ready to dance!"
"Hey, did you hear we're going to have a private concert?" Himura asked Jeri.
"Really? Who's performing?"
"You won't believe it, but it's our good friend, Minako Aino."
"Whoa, really?! That's awesome!" Kotori squeed over this.
"You didn't get the memo?"
"It might've slipped my mind, Himura."
Kouichi nodded. "Minako, huh? Well, she is a renowned idol singer these days, and because of that she's performing less hero duties. I mean, between her career and caring for a child."
"She can rest easy knowing we're still on active hero duty," Jeri stated.
"With us being officers, we're gonna have double duty," Himura informed Kotori.
"Yeah, but thankfully there are others who can pick up our slack," Kotori said. "As far as I'm concerned, I'm a hero in uniform or in Valkyrie mode."
"So, how about a dance?" Kouichi offered a hand to Kotori.
"Never thought you'd ask!" She grabbed Kouichi's hand and led him to the dance floor.
Himura and Jeri followed them on the dance floor. The two couples danced through a few songs performed by a jazz group.
Then, halfway through the event, the curtains opened on stage and revealed the guest of honor.
"Ladies and gentlemen, please welcome Tokyo's famed idol goddess, Minako Aino!"
The lights dimmed on stage briefly and then a spotlight beamed at the center. The spotlight revealed the beautiful blonde figurehead, fully dressed in a yellow ball gown coupled with long white gloves and orange high heels. She wore white feathers, which adorned her head like a crown. She held a microphone in hand and bowed to her audience.
"How are you all doing this evening, Tokyo Metropolitan Police graduates?!" Minako asked to the cheers and whistles from the graduate officers. "My, you're all dressed to impress this evening! You all look wonderful!" She turned, noticing Kotori, Kouichi, Himura, and Jeri. She winked to them and focused on her audience. "This one's for some cool people I know, but why not share my charity with the rest of you?"
"Yeah! Go, Minako!" Jeri cheered the idol.
"Wonder if she saved a new song for tonight?" Kotori mused.
"Knowing her, probably," Himura added.
"So, without any delay, let's light this evening up!" Minako shouted. With a snap of her fingers, a big screen appeared showing a music video of her newest single. It was recorded footage from a beautiful beach view in Honolulu. "Yes, tonight I will be performing my personal favorite songs, and the one you've been waiting for! The debut of my latest single!"
(Cue Pretty Guardian Sailor Moon OST/Minako Aino Image Song - C'est La Vie)
With that, Minako Aino became a highlight of the evening. She sang her heart out for the couples. During the event, she subtly winked to Kotori, Kouichi, Himura, and Jeri. Kotori & Kouichi and Himura and & Jeri took to the dance floor. Kotori and Kouichi stole the show with their dance performance. Kotori earned applause from everyone, especially the ladies.
(End theme)
After playing her favorite song, C'est La Vie, Minako sang her debut single: Because This is the Sky My Heart Flies In.
(Cue Sailor Moon Crystal OST/Sailor Venus Image Song - Because This is the Sky My Heart Flies In)
"...Lots of heart makes fly in today's sky, and change everyone's expressions to smiles!" Minako sang passionately, which her friends danced to.
Himura leaned on Jeri. "Doesn't this take you back to our first dance?"
"Yes, the party after we defeated Pharaohmon. We were so young then."
"The more things change, the more they stay the same," Himura said, kissing Jeri, who returned the favor.
Kotori whispered to Kouichi. "I'm glad you could make it for our ceremony."
"No problem. It's your night, after all. I'm so proud of you."
Kotori chuckled heartily. "Oh, stop, you're just saying that."
"I mean it," Kouichi kissed her lips, to which Kotori folded both hands behind his head and kissed him.
"Thanks, sweetie."
(End theme)
Suddenly, an explosion blasted down the doors, alarming the graduates and guests. Minako stopped her performance and dropped her mic. Kotori and the others turned around as five individuals stormed into the building. They consisted two men, two women, and an androgynous individual.
The leader of the group was an Indonesian-looking man, swirling a ball of air in his left hand and a ball of earth in his right. Next to him was an Indonesian woman conjuring rings of fire and water in her arms.
The second male was Chinese, who bent metal bars and melted them with lightning to close off an exit. The second female, a Filipina, froze a piece of wood into an ice dagger. The androgynous individual was Japanese and walked in wearing a swirling black & white aura.
"What the hell?!" Kouichi exclaimed.
"Who are they?!" Jeri noticed the five individuals.
"Don't know, but they're not any surprise guests I want," Kotori scowled, glaring down the five powered individuals. "And that didn't seem like any normal explosion!"
"No, I don't see weapons on them!" Himura pointed to the five lacking weapons. "They have to be Metas!"
"How do you figure?" Jeri asked.
"Take a look. Word out is there's been groups of Meta-terrorists attacking global cities. We also happen to be one of those major cities."
"Meta-terrorists want to come and mess up our party," Kotori gritted, clenching her fists.
(Cue Batman Beyond: Return of the Joker OST - Joker Crashes Bruce's Party)
The leader of the five, the Indonesian male, lifted his right hand and unleashed a wind attack, blowing away a few officers and guards. He bended earth and swept more officers off their feet.
"Listen up, pigs! We are the Elementalists!" The Indonesian man said, pointing to himself. "We've caused grief to your senior officers, and now we're here to teach you rookies a lesson you'll never forget!" He sighted Minako on stage and fired a wind attack at her direction.
"MINAKO!" Kotori and the others shouted to her.
Before Kotori and the group could intercede, two officers stormed the stage and barricaded Minako. The blast knocked them right into her, sending them through the back curtains.
"No, Minako!" Jeri cried out.
"Damn those bastards!" Kotori growled, turning and facing the five Elementalists.
"Eyes up here, pigs!" The Indonesian threatened another attack. "We understand this night is to celebrate your inauguration into the police world. Well, you'd best reconsider, because if you don't you'll be entering a cruel reality dealing with us. We're here to stomp out all law enforcement!"
The Indonesian woman chortled. "Heheh, don't you think it's rude for not giving our proper introductions?"
"Yes, you're right. My manners aren't what they used to be," the Indonesian man said. "You may address to me as Windshake!"
"And I'll be lighting up the fire in this dull show. Call me Aquaflare!" Boasted the Indonesian woman.
"I'm Thunderclip!" The metalbender announced.
"I'm Xylofrost," the ice summoner blew a cold breath.
"And I'm Brightshade," the transgender introduced zirself in a low-pitched tone.
"Together, we're about to paint a new brand of terror across Tokyo!" Windshake boasted. "First things first, let's send a message to these officer rookies and tear down this city's law enforcement from its foundations!" He beckoned his four subordinates to attack.
(End theme)
(Cue Batman Beyond: Return of the Joker OST - Nightclub Fight/Terry Rescues Bruce)
Aquaflare tossed her fire and water rings, which melted some tables. Thunderclip raised his right hand, manipulating and pulling off metal support from the ceiling. He imbued the metal and tossed it to take out the stage's ceiling lights. Xylofrost blew cold breath, instantly freezing the walls around them. Brightshade's aura shifted from white to black and expanded, sealing off the lights in the room.
Kotori, Himura, Kouichi, and Jeri found themselves trapped with the crowds.
"Ugh, not good! We're trapped!" Kotori shouted. If these people weren't here, I'd easily transform and kick their asses, but that'd be giving myself away!
"We've got to get these people out of here!" Himura called out.
"Easier said than done, it's dark in here!" Jeri shouted.
"That guy's using Kouji's and my elements!" Kouichi stated. "In fact, they're using all the Legendary Warriors' elements!"
Suddenly, a volley golden blasts rained down from the ceiling. These golden beams not only pierced through Brightshade's darkness, but forced zir to undo zir aura, which gave light back to the ballroom.
"Where the hell did those come from?!" Snarled Windshake, who looked up.
Everyone looked up as Sailor Venus dropped in from a ceiling window. She sighted the metal bars holding the door shut. She blasted off the bars with Crescent Beam. She quickly faced off against the Elementalists.
"It's Sailor V!" An officer yelled out in elation.
"Thanks for saving us, Sailor V!" Jeri expressed her gratitude.
"Your timing couldn't be any better," Himura smirked, winking to Venus.
"Don't worry, Jeri and I will escort these people out!" Kouichi volunteered as he and Jeri started evacuating the guests out the door.
"This way!" Jeri beckoned the fleeing crowds out the door.
As Jeri and Kouichi escorted the people out, Kotori and Himura stayed behind with Venus.
"Man, are we glad you didn't keel over, Venus," Kotori remarked.
"Pfft, you think that's enough to take me down?" Venus smiled, rolling her eyes. "I might be Tokyo's first superhero, but by no means am I washed up, kiddo!"
The female officer snorted. "I'm not a kid."
"Ladies, we've got more pressing matters!" Himura indicated the Elementalists, who charged at them.
"Let's do this, Himura!" Kotori announced, running steadfast as she transformed into Valkyrie Brunhilde. Her short hair lengthened and cascaded down her back. Her uniform was replaced with her Valkyrie warrior garb.
Himura called on Byakko's spirit and transformed into Himakko.
"Sailor V, you're mine!" Windshake fired another wind attack at Venus' way.
Having adapted to his attack strategy, Venus dodged Windshake's blast and unleashed her Venus Love Me Chain. Attempting to catch him, Windshake narrowly dodged the chain lasso. Aquaflare then intervened and tossed fire & water rings at Venus. Venus played hopscotch with the scorching water blasts.
"Mars already uses an attack like this! You're going to have get more creative, honey!" Venus chided the Meta.
"Ok, I will!" Aquaflare grinned as the rings shot back like boomerangs and headed for Venus's blindspot.
Venus once again dodged the fire projectiles.
"That all?!"
"Not quite."
Suddenly, Windshake unleashed a tornado-like wave from his hands and knocked Venus away. Then, he bended the ground under Venus and flipped her away. Venus crashed into the nearest table.
"Our teamwork's next to none, Windshake!"
"You got that right, Aquaflare!"
Just then, the Elementalists watched Venus standing and ready to fight.
"Sorry, but you're gonna have do better than that to take me down!" Venus shot back with a determined look.
Meanwhile, Brunhilde and Himakko fought off Thunderclip, Xylofrost, and Brightshade. As Brunhilde unleashed flames, Xylofrost countered with her frost breath. Thunderclip threw electrified metal at Himakko, who stopped them with his magnetic powers. Thunderclip and Himakko pushed the metal bars back and forth.
Brightshade's aura turned black as ze formed a black dome over Brunhilde and Himakko. This allowed Xylofrost and Thunderclip to slip away before the dome closed.
"Good work, Brightshade!" Thunderclip exclaimed.
"You seal them in and I'll freeze the outside!" Xylofrost said, expelling frozen air from her mouth and hands. As she worked over the dome, sheets of frozen wood formed over it and closed the two heroes off.
"Let's see them try and escape this!" Brightshade snickered fiendishly.
As they were trapped inside the dome, Brunhilde and Himakko blasted the walls. Xylofrost's ice quickly slipped through the dome and started to freeze over them. Himakko shoved his spear through the walls, trying to cut his way through. While Himakko struggled to resist the cold, Brunhilde stood unaffected. She breathed in the freezing air and smiled.
"Kotori! What are you doing?! We gotta bust out of here!" Himakko called to her.
He watched Brunhilde conjuring flames in her right hand. In her left hand, she summoned ice. She combined both elements, creating her blue flames.
"Feh, you think sealing me in your own custom made freezer can kill me? Bitch please! I don't feel a thing!" Brunhilde boasted, throwing her Valhalla Frozen Inferno.
Her attack busted through the dome and shattered it. Upon seeing this, Xylofrost, Thunderclip, and Brightshade stood aghast. Brunhilde and Himakko ran out of the dome as it collapsed.
"How did you survive?! You two should've been frozen solid!" Xylofrost berated them.
"Yeah, about that," Brunhilde conjured ice in her hands. "See? Ice can't do jack to me."
"Don't get too cocky. The fun is just beginning!" Brightshade declared, bending light energy and tossing it at the duo.
Himakko batted away the light beam with his spear. Brunhilde rushed the three Elementalists.
"Bring it on!" Brunhilde hollered loudly, lobbing blue flames at the trio.
(End theme)
xxxxx
After they evacuated everyone out of the arena, Kouichi and Jeri nodded to each other.
"Let's go give them a hand, Jeri."
"Right!"
xxxxx
(Cue The Sweet - Ballroom Blitz)
Windshake unleashed a series of wind and earth attacks on Venus, who raced around and dodged like crazy. She headed straight at him and readied a heart-shaped attack. Then, Aquaflare intercepted Venus again.
"Not this time!" Venus cried out, ducking Aquaflare's fiery kicks. She responded with a Crescent Beam into Aquaflare's gut.
Aquaflare was knocked to the side. Venus went for Windshake, who gathered a wind blast and hit her with it. Venus evaded Windshake's frontal attack and ensnared his right hand with a heart chain.
"I've got ya!" Venus growled, tossing Windshake into a wall.
Windshake grunted as he hit the wall. "Ugh, damn you!"
"Boss!" Thunderclip yelled out as he went for Venus.
Suddenly, a darkness blast caught Thunderclip and knocked him away. Loweemon and Jeri ran back into the ballroom. Brightshade launched zir own darkness beam at Loweemon. The Warrior of Darkness nullified it with his Shadow Meteor. Brightshade grew intrigued by Loweemon's element.
"Well now, you're a darkness user, too? Color me interested," Brightshade licked zir lips.
Loweemon scoffed. "Um, right." He and Brightshade immediately engaged each other.
Thunderclip stood only to be confronted by Jeri.
"Your opponent is me," Jeri threatened in a serious manner.
"You're kidding?" Balked Thunderclip. "The hell can you do to me?!"
With that, Thunderclip headed off Jeri and tossed a electrified metal beam at her. Jeri quickly pressed her hands against her head, forging a dolphin-shaped psychic barrier. The beam impacted the barrier, deflecting it back to Thunderclip. Thunderclip barely stopped the metal projectile.
"What?! You're one of those psychics?!"
"And you're just a low-rent version of my boyfriend with an added electrical flavoring," Jeri rebuked.
"Who you calling low-rent?!"
As Thunderclip stormed Jeri, she stopped him with a psychic beam. Try as he might, Thunderclip ended up paralyzed by Jeri's attack. Jeri held her ground as she infiltrated Thunderclip's mind and scanned his memories.
"You're no different from the other Metas. You got your powers from Rajita sources," Jeri said, subduing Thunderclip long enough to knock him out.
"Thunderclip!" Xylofrost shouted, but as she went to save him, Himakko cut her off. "Outta the way!"
Himakko lunged at Xylofrost and tossed his spear at her. Xylofrost hopped to the side, summoning an ice sculpture out of thin air to take the spear. Himakko turned to his right as Xylofrost charged at him with her wooden ice dagger. She tossed the dagger like a kunai. The Warrior of Byakko unsheathed his metal claws through his hands and sliced the dagger into pieces.
"What kind of freak are you?!" Xylofrost freaked out at Himakko's claws.
"Speak for yourself, lady," Himakko snorted, slashing another dagger Xylofrost threw at him. He hit Xylofrost with a speed blitz and shattered through her ice defenses. He slashed at her, unleashing quick and successive strikes through the air currents.
Xylofrost ended up on the receiving end of these slashes. She crashed into a wall and fell unconscious.
"Yeah, stay down," Himakko said, licking the ice from his claws.
xxxxx
Brightshade slipped behind some tables and covered zirself in a white aura. Ze jumped out shooting white beams from zir aura. Loweemon raised his shield to stop Brightshade's white blasts. The Warrior of Darkness charged and threw his lance at Brightshade.
In response, Brightshade's body dematerialized into light. The spear went right through him. Loweemon fired another Shadow Meteor, which passed through zir light ethereal form.
"This is going to be a problem," Loweemon muttered as he landed far from Brightshade, who reformed zir physical form.
"Aren't I just marvelous?" Brightshade winked to him.
"You're really starting to irritate me," the Warrior of Darkness scowled. "If my brother were here, he'd be insulted you're wielding his power."
"Huh, well I hope he and I get a chance to chat…!"
"Not going to happen!" Loweemon rushed Brightshade, gathering dark power through the lion face on his chest.
"You going to even try something new, sweetie?" Brightshade chortled as light enveloped zir. Ze vanished from Loweemon's sight and shifted around the ballroom.
Before Loweemon could even land a hit, he felt someone copping a feel on his chest. He turned around and punched through thin air. He heard Brightshade's flamboyant laughter filling the ballroom.
"You'll have to be faster than that to catch me, sweetie pie!"
"The nerve…!" Loweemon grunted as Brightshade clubbed him in the back.
"Ooops, sorry about that!"
As Loweemon spun around, he was hit in the gut by an invisible force.
"Ohohoho, my foot must've slipped! Here let me give you hand!"
Brightshade punched Loweemon's face and left him on his knees.
"Oh, now this is a perfect money shot. Could you do me a solid and stay kneeling in front of me…?"
"GET BACK!" Loweemon roared, lunging at Brightshade again, who slipped away.
"Whoops! Still too slow!"
As he cooled down, Loweemon stood still and sensed Brightshade's movements around the ballroom. Rather than attack, he stood his ground seemingly biding his time. He realized Brightshade's powers worked during intervals and waited for zir light phasing power to wear out.
"Oh, c'mon! What are you waiting for, cutie lion man!"
Loweemon quickly turned and fired his Shadow Meteor. The blast finally hit its mark as Brightshade's ethereal form solidified. Upon revealing Brightshade's presence, Loweemon smashed his shield over Brightshade's face, knocking zir down.
"Ugh, how did you figure it out… cutie lion man?" Brightshade asked.
"I timed how long you can hold your ethereal form. It only lasts a minute and when you repeated it I wanted to be sure I was right," Loweemon said.
"You took my hits to confirm your suspicions? Heh, you're not only dashing, but clever… good man..."
"Don't know if I should take that as a compliment, but ok? I got absolutely nothing against your tastes, but I don't swing that way," Loweemon shrugged.
"Well, I am transgender… cute enough to pass for a girl, but I have particular taste for men. You're definitely my type…"
"Sorry, but I'm already taken," Loweemon turned to Brunhilde's fight with Aquaflare.
"Her?"
"Yeah."
"You like the strong women type… good taste, sweetie…" Brightshade fell unconscious.
"Finish her now, Brunhilde!" Loweemon called to his girlfriend.
xxxxx
Aquaflare charged at Brunhilde. Brunhilde readied her sword, which was imbued with blue flames. Aquaflare lunged forward and created heat pressure. Brunhilde wildly slashed through the daggers but the heat quickly started to suck the air out of her.
"What's happening? I'm having trouble breathing?" Brunhilde gasped and coughed.
"Seeing you can combine fire and ice, I can combine fire and water enabling me to create drought," the Metaterrorist smirked, seeing Brunhilde at her mercy. "Are you feeling the air in your lungs dissipating? Once I increase my drought levels, your body will lose all its moisture and you'll shrivel like a raisin! Now die!" As she formed a fireball in her hands, she prepared to hit Brunhilde with it.
Suddenly, Brunhilde's body reacted by impulse and shot out blue flames from her armor. Aquaflare backed away in shock.
"What?! Impossible, you shouldn't even be breathing not let bringing out fire!"
"Hate to break it to ya, but my fire is superior to yours by miles!" Brunhilde said. "Plus, being part fire, my body's adapted to extreme heat temperatures!"
"Fine, we'll play it your way!" Aquaflare scowled irritably. She powered up as flames erupted from her whole body. She stood completely bathed in flames. "I'll show you whose fire is superior!" She shot forward, leaving a trail of fire behind.
Brunhilde sidestepped Aquaflare and gripped her sword. "Dumb idiot, you're just making yourself a bigger target." She took to the air as blue flames enveloped her. "I'll do us a solid and end it here!"
Brunhilde and Aquaflare flew around each other. Upon impact with each other, their fire cloaks coalesced and shook the ballroom.
Without hesitation, Aquaflare clapped her hands and sent a barrage of flame blasts. The Valkyrie's blue flame aura absorbed the flames, augmenting her own fire shield.
"Damn it, I'm just making her stronger?!"
"You realized it now, dumbass?!" Brunhilde slammed into Aquaflare and punched her hard in face. She uppercutted Aquaflare and dropped her with ease.
As Aquaflare's fiery form burned out, Brunhilde caught the Meta-terrorist and dropped her on a table.
"Table for one!" Brunhilde chimed in, picking up and throwing a receipt on Aquaflare. "Hey, Venus! Need a hand?"
Sailor Venus somersaulted behind Windshake and fiercely landed Sailor V Kick. As her heel cracked his back, she sent him crashing into a wall.
"Nah, I'm peachy!" Venus winked, turning her back to Windshake.
Looking into taking advantage, Windshake readied a wind attack.
Venus quickly conjured a sword and threw it at him. Windshake didn't blink as the sword struck the wall several inches from his head. Venus yanked the sword out, tearing a piece of the wall and knocking him out with it.
(End theme)
"Yeah, we rounded up these creeps!" Venus flashed a V to the others. "Nice work, guys!"
"Um, except y'know the mess we made," Brunhilde sardonically muttered.
Venus sweatdropped. "Whoops, we'll say the Metas did it."
"HEY! IS ANYONE IN THERE?!" A woman yelled out from outside the ballroom.
Upon hearing this, Venus, Brunhilde, and Himakko recognized this particular woman's voice.
"Crap, that's Miss Sakurada!" Brunhilde yelped. "Quick, Himura, she can't see us like this!"
"Damn, you're right!" Himakko said, instinctively powering down to Himura.
Brunhilde then powered down to Kotori. Likewise, Loweemon turned back to Kouichi. Jeri's dolphin aura vanished.
"Officers Ayami and Tsubasa, thank goodness you two are ok!" Sakurada entered with police officers clearing the ballroom and apprehending the Metacriminals.
Sakurada appeared an attractive woman with long dark hair and wearing an elegant violet dress. "Is this all?"
"We're ok, Superintendent General," Kotori replied. "Though we'd be goners if it wasn't for Sailor V."
(Cue Inuyasha OST - Doki Doki Uki Uki)
"Wait, Sailor V…" Sakurada then just realized the blonde heroine stood right in front of her. Almost immediately, her eyes formed into hearts. "OHMYGOSH, SAILOR V! IT'S BEEN A LONG TIME!"
"WHOA!" Sailor Venus freaked out as Sakurada dashed up and hugged her.
"WHERE HAVE YOU BEEN?! YOU HAVE NO IDEA HOW LONG I BEEN WAITING FOR THIS!" The woman squealed joyously around her idol.
Kotori and Himura gawked at the important police head figure, whose high position earned her a strong reputation. They watched as she turned into a shameless fangirl.
"Ok, you're squeezing too hard!" Venus shrieked, trying to pry Sakurada off her.
"This is gonna be our boss?" Kotori gaped at the woman's eccentric behavior.
"A boss who's a big Sailor V fan," Himura muttered.
"Well, I think that's wonderful, dear!" Jeri cheerily said in Himura's arms.
Kouichi added. "Yeah if you're not bothered with a fanatic."
"Ma'am, I appreciate your devotion to me, but we need to get these criminals apprehended," Venus suggested, to which Sakurada nodded.
"Yes, that's what I was going to do," Sakurada replied while giving instructions to her officers. "Remember they're Metacriminals, so we've got a special place for them."
"A special place?" Venus inquired.
"Why yes."
(End theme)
xxxxx
Later, the group watched the five Metacriminals being carried out in stasis pod transports. After loading them into several armored trucks, the police drove off carrying the contained Metacriminals.
"So, where are they going, Superintendent?" Himura asked Sakurada.
Sakurada waved a fan over her face. "Mr. Cain Bearer has become a benefactor to us and contracted out his suspended animation technology to us as a way to hold them in custody. If we just arrest them like any regular criminals, they'd easily bust out. This is our insurance policy."
"And where do our teams take them?" Kotori wondered.
"That's… a good question. I don't even know. Presumably Mr. Bearer has holding cells specifically made for Metas," Sakurada was at a loss. With that, she turned to Venus. "Now! About that autograph I wanted?"
"Yeeeeah, listen," Venus pulled Sakurada over. She pointed to Kotori and Himura. "These two young officers helped me a bunch with those Metas. I don't think I'd be here talking if it weren't for them."
"Oh?" Sakurada blinked, glancing at the two.
"Trust me when I say this, Miss Sakurada. Keep an eye on those two. They're bound to do some real good." Venus winked, giving them her glowing endorsement.
"You don't say?" Sakurada gazed over Kotori and Himura. She smiled with a gleam in her eye.
Kotori and Himura overheard Sakurada.
"Officers Ayami and Tsubasa, welcome to my precinct," Sakurada inaugurated them.
"Yes!" Kotori and Himura shouted, clamping each other's hands. Kouichi and Jeri watched them proudly.
"This is where the next phase begins, Kotori."
She openly grinned. "We're finally living our dreams." She thought about her father. And I know you'd be proud of me right now, dad. I'm now about to follow in your footsteps!
xxxxx
A/N: This was conceptualized by LazerWulf and I. It's another we've been planning to do. It serves two purposes: 1) Show Kotori and Himura's inauguration into the police force. 2) Introduce more Metas and build on the Metacriminal captures that started in Hina Inuki Part II. Do you remember that last scene previous chapter?
That new single Minako sang is a real track from the Sailor Moon Crystal Character Music Collection: Crystal Collection. In Japanese, it's (Heart) ga Tonjau Sora Dakara and sang by Minako's Crystal VA Shizuka Itou.
Sakurada makes an appearance and even after all these years still a V fangirl. I needed her so Venus could endorse Kotori and Himura, and thus land those two their new police gigs within Sakurada's department (as you've seen if you've been reading Valkyrie Advent).
It was my job to create new Metas, so I 'contracted' Ford to help me create some. Partial-credit for these five go to him. I came up with Aquaflare, Xylofrost, and Brightshade; Ford did Windshake and Thunderclip. Brightshade was the stand-out of the five, IMHO. Nothing else to say about what are generic/MOTW-type villains. What makes them stand-out is they're dual-elemental users like Kotori/Brunhilde. Furthermore, to their credit, Windshake and Aquaflare's teamwork gave Venus problems. Moreover, if Brunhilde wasn't a fire and ice elemental, she and Himura would've been in trouble with Xylofrost. Brightshade was troublesome in his own right.
So, even though our heroes have been fighting mostly city/planetary/potential-galactic threats, who says street-levels or city block busters can't catch them off guard?
Btw, Ballroom Blitz may or may not be a direct reference to the Suicide Squad movie, which was used for its soundtrack. Feel free to think either way. I just think the song works for the given situation: a brawl in a ball.
That about wraps up this Gaiden entry. Hope you enjoyed.
Now, I'll be off to start on Valkyrie Advent chapter 6 soon.
Until then, send a review and see you soon!