Sailor Moon Aeons.
Book 2: Rebirth.
Act 8: Hunting Season.
Episode 115: Lion.

By Razor Knight
Last update: March 13, 2016
Last edited: June 14, 2017

"Have you found out anything about why these Senshi are giving us more trouble than the last ones?"

Vulture nodded at Rex. "I think I have. The only way these guys could be giving us more trouble would be if the other group was holding back."

"Why would they hold back?" Hyena asked. "Why would they want us to kill them?"

"... We've seen enough of the Senshi to know death isn't always a definitive thing with them. Maybe they wanted us to leave. Maybe there was another Senshi there, hiding, waiting for us to leave."

"But... That makes no sense. If they could have beaten us, why just let us go?"

"That is a question I have no answer for, Lion," Vulture admitted.

Lion stroke his own beard and then sighed. "I guess we'll find out eventually. Maybe after we're done with these Senshi, we can go back there..."

"We have to beat these Senshi first."

"You're right, Rex. There's no point in thinking about our next hunt when our current prey is still alive. I guess I'll go and try my luck next."

"Be careful," Hyena said.

"Don't worry, love, you won't get rid of me so easily."

"Good."

Hana wasn't shocked about the way things looked the morning after she and her friends revealed their identities. However, she was surprised to see Aiko was there when she reached her classroom. "Uh, hi?"

Aiko smiled. "I just wanted to see how things would be by myself. I predicted they would be quite hectic, and I must admit I wasn't too far from the truth."

Yukiko smiled at Aiko as classmates started walking in. "It was a lot less of a mess than when the Senshi did it."

"Hey, it's the robot."

Yukiko stared at the guy who had said that, and if her stare had been a magic attack, he would have been dead in a split second. "What did you just say?"

The boy started backing away as Yuki glared at him. "I... Uh, I mean..."

"Yuki, don't-"

"Don't what? I wasn't going to do anything," Yukiko said, turning to look at Usagi. "Doesn't mean I can't be upset that someone is calling my girlfriend a robot."

Aiko didn't seem affected by the boy's remark. She walked up to him and stared at him for a few seconds before smiling. "If you must, you should at least use the correct term, I'm a cyborg. However, I do have a name, and I'd like people to use it when talking about me. Heck, you can even call me Phase if 'Aiko' is too hard to remember."

"Sorry," the guy said. "Gotta admit that you don't look, uh... Well, you don't look like you're not human."

Yukiko smiled at that. "I think she's quite human. She's just... Built differently."

Another classmate looked at Yukiko. "Hey, what was that about her having all the right parts?"

Aiko blushed. "Do you really need to ask?"

"... Guess not."

Yukiko looked back at Ami and mouthed a 'sorry.' Ami simply smiled at her. They had already talked about it after their 'unmasking' and it hadn't been as bad as Ami thought at first.

Aiko saw Haruna walk in and stare at her. "I guess I shouldn't be here during class."

"Unless I allow it," Haruna said. "And as long as miss Hokuge isn't distracted by your presence, I don't mind. But other teachers may not think the same way."

Aiko looked to the side for a second before turning back to look at Haruna. "I think I'll go, actually. Unlike my friends, I'm not expected to stay in school."

Haruna saw Aiko vanish and blinked in confusion. "What was that about?"

"I can bet it's because criminals don't go to school," Yukiko guessed.

That afternoon, Usagi was inside the base again, and was watching as Aiko and Yukiko had a mock battle. Aiko was using two swords, while Yukiko used a staff. "They're both quite skilled."

Terry smiled. "Yeah." He sighed. "I've noticed you've been quite out of it lately, Rabbit."

"Been a while since you called me that. It's still a bit annoying."

"Still, you should train. You may not be able to use magic, but everything else is still there. Letting your skill go dull would be a waste."

"Guess you're right, I need to-" she stopped as she saw the elevator's door open, and saw Rei walk out of it, but her body language was... "Something wrong?"

"Not quite sure," Rei said. "I tried to ask the sacred fire about our current enemy, to try and find out where they're attacking from, or at least some clue as to why they're hunting us."

"So..."

"The fire only showed me three images. One was of a planet, exploding."

"A planet?"

"It was none of the planets in this system, that's what the fire 'told' me," Rei said, "anyhow, the second image I saw was the Time Gate vanishing, and the third was Crystal Tokyo, but its crystal buildings were dull and lifeless."

"I'm not seeing a connection between the first image and the other two," Terry said.

"Neither do I, but... How could the Time Gate vanish?"

"Perhaps..." Usagi paused, then nodded. "Just a theory, but maybe these enemies can attack Setsuna even there."

"But what about Crystal Tokyo? You think they'll go there after they're done with us?"

Rei sighed. "No idea. The fire showed me nothing else."

"Things are starting to sound more complicated than I thought," Usagi said. "It's annoying, I really want to help you, guys, but-"

Rei looked at her friend and smiled. "If not for what you did back then, we wouldn't be here now, Usagi. I can't say I understand what you're feeling right now, but you should trust us."

"I do. I just-" Usagi stood up and walked to the elevator. "I don't feel like being here right now."

"Usagi..."

She turned to look at Terry. "Don't worry, what you said before is true, but... I don't feel like training right now."

The guy shook his head as his friend left. "She really needs to stop being so focused on what she can't fix, really-" He noticed the way Rei was staring at him and frowned. "What?"

"Nothing much, I was just remembering a guy who kept on focusing on a certain thing he couldn't change instead of moving on."

"Ouch," Terry muttered. "Yeah, I know, I was like that too. Which is why I know it really doesn't help."

"Hope she can stop brooding for her birthday."

Terry looked at the elevator's doors for a few seconds before nodding. "She'll be fine. She's Sailor Moon, after all."

Just then, Aiko 'landed' besides Terry. "Okay, that's enough for today, Yuki."

"You're not a bad fighter at all," Yukiko commented.

"I have my dad's skill and my mom's brain," Aiko said proudly.

"Not sure your skills are at Terry's level," Rei commented, "but that ego sure is."

Aiko looked at her for a few seconds before nodding. "Guilty as charged."

"I'm tired of waiting."

Aurite looked at Black Lady. "You're more like her than you want to admit."

The pink-haired woman nodded. "Won't deny it. I'm a warrior, sitting around waiting isn't my favorite activity."

"Unfortunately, other than going out there and getting your ass handed to you by the Senshi, there's little you can do about it."

"I was thinking of trying, actually," Black Lady explained, "there's something odd about these Senshi Hunters, my 'other side' was never told about them."

"Maybe they were waiting until after she went back the second time to tell her?"

"It could be that, but still, Usagi can't use her powers right now. I could kill her before the others can even figure it out."

Aurite sighed. "You're either very brave, or very foolish. Remember, coincidences happen a lot around them. Still, if you want to try-"

"If the others show up before I'm done, I'll just fake my own death."

"Make sure you don't fake it a little too well."

Black Lady smirked at that. "What's that, Aurite, are you worried about me?"

"No, but you are as important for this group as any of the others are. We're not friends, but we're still allies, and losing one of my allies would hurt my plans."

"Fair enough," Black Lady said.

"So, when are you going to try?"

"At the worst possible moment, the one time when most, if not all of her friends will be gathering in one place. Maybe that will give me enough time to kill her."

Aurite thought about it for a moment, then smiled as she figured out what date Black Lady had chosen. "Oh, you're really heartless. I like that."

Saeko opened the door and smiled at the two teenagers. "Come in, Ami's in the kitchen."

Aiko bowed politely. "Sorry for not visiting more often."

"It's fine, you have a lot keeping you busy. And I'm usually only around late at night."

"I never sleep, so that wouldn't bother me."

Saeko looked at the guy, who hadn't said a word yet. "Are you okay?"

"I'm... My mind's still on my 'job.'"

"Well, Ami's trying her best preparing dinner for you and your daughter, so..."

"I know, sorry."

Ami walked out of the kitchen and nodded at them. "Dinner's going to be ready in a few minutes. Hope we don't have to call Hotaru."

"Someone as cute as you can't be a bad cook," Terry said.

Ami blushed. "If only that was a fact..."

Saeko looked at Aiko. "I'm not sure if I can ask this..."

"Go ahead."

"Do you need to eat?"

"I only started trying out food a few weeks ago. I don't need to eat, but I like to try new dishes. I even found a way to turn the food into energy - basically what a human body does, except I take a lot less time."

"The more I hear about you, the harder it is for me to remember how you started."

"My core is still a program, but ever since I became sentient, I've wanted to be as human as possible."

"Can I ask why?"

"That's a tough question. I guess there's something in my program... In my soul, so to speak, which tells me that's what I was meant to be."

"I guess I can understand what you mean. Children often want to be like their parents."

"Heh, that would be one way to see it."

"Doesn't managing the base distract you from other things?"

"One advantage of being sentient is that I can modify my own code. It's hard to explain, so I'll just say the part of my 'mind' that takes care of that is one so small, I sometimes actually feel like I'm not even doing that anymore."

Ami smiled. "I'll go take a look at diner." As she turned to the kitchen, however, she saw someone else was there. "Damn, not tonight."

"I hope you don't mind another guest."

"Who the hell are you?"

Lion looked at Terry dismissively. "My name is Lion, and I'm sure you know what I'm here for. I suppose you would like to choose a different place for our fight?"

Ami sighed. "At least your group is more polite than our usual enemies. Let's go down to the street."

"Fine by me," Lion said and vanished.

"Mom, we'll be back soon."

"Be careful."

Terry smiled as he summoned his swords. "Don't worry, I'll protect her."

"Me too," Aiko said as her Phase outfit replaced her normal clothes.

Lion saw the trio appear near him. "So you are all going to fight me?"

"If you think you can underestimate me because I'm no Senshi-" Phase started.

"You are a dangerous one, and even though my target is Mercury, I won't mind facing you. Killing non-Senshi is forbidden, unless they are a threat to our hunting."

Phase glared at him. "You, kill me? That's not going to happen."

Mercury saw several clones of Phase appear around Lion. "I can see what she's doing."

The Dragon nodded. "We may be able to figure out how to beat him before he even gets to shoot at you."

The many clones all rushed at Lion, but they all bounced on an unseen barrier. "I see," the clones all said as one, "he's using an unknown kind of energy to create a barrier all around him."

"That's both right and wrong," Lion said. "I've been using my energy barrier for so long, I don't need to have it up all the time. I can focus all of it in one single point, or several points, creating a much tougher shield for a lot less energy."

"Well, let's see if you can-" Phase said, as a dozen more clones appeared "-resist this!"

Mercury was quite amazed by Phase's power - she could easily beat a Star Senshi, if the numbers in her visor were right - and at the same time, surprised Lion's barrier had been able to take the countless blue energy beams without breaking. "Seems like this will not be an easy fight."

Dragon Mercury nodded. "Good."

"I agree," Mercury said, noticing the way the Dragon was looking at her. "You're a bad influence," she joked.

Lion saw Phase's clones vanishing. Was she out of energy already? "Don't tell me that's all you-"

"Of course not. Phase Rush!"

Lion chuckled as the girl run to him, punching his barrier - which wrapped around her arm, crushing it and causing her to scream. "Nice try."

Mercury saw Phase's arm wasn't looking good at all. "Aiko, are you okay?"

Phase sighed as her arm reformed itself. "That hurt."

"Good," Lion mused. "I must say I am disappointed, however. You two," he looked at the two Mercuries right then, "were supposed to be the brains of the team. You should have attacked while I was distracted."

"Being still and doing nothing are very different things," Mercury said.

Lion finally noticed that the area was a lot darker than it had been before the fight started. He looked up, and saw a massive ice block hovering above them. "Oh, ice see what you were planning."

Mercury glared at Lion for a split second, then the ice shot down at an incredible speed. Still, Lion's barrier took the blow. "Damn it, no weak spots."

"So it seems," the Dragon agreed.

"I don't have any more time to waste with you," Lion said, "so let's finish this."

"What's- This?"

Lion smirked. In a split second, his 'barrier' had spread out, catching his three enemies off-guard. The Dragon and Phase were pinned to a wall, while Mercury was floating meters above Lion, his attack strangling her. "It's a bit annoying, I hardly ever get the thrill of hunting anymore. My prey is always so powerless against me..."

The Dragon saw a few more Phase clones appear, but they were promptly pinned to the ground. This guy was too much for them, but maybe they had bought the others enough time, and- He looked at Mercury, and saw her weakly struggling to get free from the stranglehold. No, he was not going to wait for reinforcements. He was not going to let her die. "You want a challenge, I'll give you a challenge. Saturn Cosmic Power!"

Lion was shocked. In all the years he had been hunting, he had only seen one other dual Senshi before, and he had been surprised at what one of them could do. Heck, the guy was walking towards him, even though the barrier was pushing him back. "I see, you are willing to die to save her. I can understand that."

"Shut up already," the Dragon snapped, tossing both swords at him.

"Fool," Lion snapped as he stopped the weapons inches away from his chest, "did you think I wouldn't be able to stop them?"

"You said it yourself, I'm one of the brains of the team," the Dragon said. Before Lion could figure out what he meant, he rushed forwards, digging the two swords into Lion's barrier, and shooting twin beams - one of ice, the other of death energy - which pierced right through Lion's chest. "Die, bastard."

Lion coughed some blood, but still smiled. "Finally, you guys may be a challenge."

Phase saw Lion vanish, and noticed the Dragon catching Mercury as she fell. "Is she okay?"

The Dragon said nothing, but started using his healing on her. "She'll be up in a minute."

"Dad, we should just call Hotaru, you've used a lot of energy-"

"No, I can do this!"

Phase stared at him for a few seconds, then her suit faded away, leaving her in her usual blue dress. "I understand."

Mercury opened her eyes and looked at the Dragon. "You got him?"

Dragon Saturn smiled at her. "Yeah." His suit turned back to its Mercury form, and he fell on his back. "Damn it, that form just won't let me look cool."

"Do I need to call Hotaru now?"

The Dragon looked at Phase. "I'm okay. Let's go eat dinner."

Phase saw her father stand up slowly, and sighed in relief. Still... Healing spells looked quite useful. She wondered if she could also find a way to heal others with mana? She would have to ask Yuki about it.

A/N: It almost feels wrong to be writing so many episodes of a Sailor Moon story without Sailor Moon herself being around. You may be thinking that I'm probably going to wait until the final battle against Rex's group, and have her get her powers back at the last moment, have her save the day... Let's just call that Schrodinger's Plot Device and leave it at that.

Edit: Edited a few lines. Nothing major, just a slight screw-up in one scene.