Sailor Moon X: Lunar Eclipse
a Sailor Moon/X-Men crossover
Chapter 6: Generational Shift
5-6-2017
By Grey-X
Disclaimer: Sailor Moon is the creation and property of Naoko Takeuchi and Toei Animation. X-Men is the creation and property of Stan Lee, Marvel Comics and Disney.
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With a paper bag full of chemicals pilfered from the art museum's stores, Michiru cautiously made her way toward the closest exit. The restoration rooms here had a variety of chemicals Ami needed that would substitute nicely for things that would be watched too closely at Mamoru's university.
Still, Michiru had to be careful. Her zeal for getting Eclipse off the streets didn't exactly translate into not caring whether or not she would still be welcome at this museum. The curator here had already accepted a good deal of her work. Michiru rather enjoyed showing off her talent, spreading a little beauty in an otherwise ugly world. And recent events had certainly elucidated how ugly a world it could be.
And it'll only get worse if Eclipse isn't brought to heel, and soon, Michiru told herself. Just because Michiru was willing to give Ami's plan a try, even help it reach fruition, it did not mean she had lost sight of their end goal.
Eclipse had to be dealt with, one way or another. Not only did the Sailor Senshi need answers regarding her connection to the Dark Kingdom, but every day Eclipse was allowed to roam free was another day panic about mutants would continue to fester. There was enough of that going on already to let such hysteria go unchecked.
Then again, even if we had captured Eclipse already, Magneto's attack at sea would've still catalyzed more anti-mutant resentment, Michiru realized.
Michiru always put on a show of steely resolve, but reading about Magneto's antics had put her on edge. Magneto's raw power was supposed to be virtually without equal, something the news reports certainly corroborated. And it only made Michiru recall just how badly she and Haruka got blindsided by Eclipse.
These mutants were so unlike the Sailor Senshi. Their power was destined to be used for a specific purpose, a noble purpose they were reborn to fulfill. Mutants were another story. They received their powers at random, through a quirk of genetic fate, and if someone as unhinged as Erik Lehnsherr got such vast power, it meant potential calamity for all.
Perhaps there was good reason to be wary of mutants. Some of the other Senshi would balk at such notions, most certainly Usagi. But Michiru couldn't help feeling that way at present. Especially after Eclipse proved a match for them, and then being reminded there were far more powerful mutants out there.
Michiru was so wrapped up in her thoughts, she almost didn't notice the person in the hallway to her right, staring at a painting. He only caught her attention because the fellow was quite big, taking up a good deal of her peripheral vision. Plus, she realized he was scrutinizing one of HER paintings.
Despite her eagerness to get out of the museum, Michiru found herself stopping to see just who it was. He certainly was big, perhaps at least half a head taller than Mamoru. The man also had black hair, but much shorter, styled in a sort of flat-top. He wore greyish cargo pants, boots and a white t-shirt that looked comically stretched out over his muscular frame. But what struck Michiru most was his eyes. They radiated as much strength as his imposing physique, but carried a trace of unimaginable sadness as well.
Soon, the man noticed he was being stared at, and slowly turned his head. "Is there something I can help you with?" he asked. Again, a voice that radiated strength, but held underlying sorrow.
"Not really," said Michiru. "I just noticed you were looking at one of my paintings."
He looked back to the plaque, squinting as if he was having a hard time reading it. Perhaps he was. There was something a bit… off with the way he spoke Japanese. Or maybe it was just that thick Russian accent of his.
"Ah, Michiru Kaioh. I've heard the name before. I've just never had the privilege of appreciating your unique painting style firsthand until now." Michiru went over and stood by him, taking another look at her own painting herself. It was the first thing she had found the inspiration to paint after the Death Busters finally went down, the Silence thwarted. The remains of a blown-apart skyscraper in the purplish-red light of creeping daybreak, with an angelic figure holding a bundled-up baby. Not too different from what had actually happened. "Such passion that went into it. Both beautiful and heartbreaking. It makes me wonder if you went through a… trying time. If so, I commend you, Ms. Kaioh. You've found the passion to continue creating art even after tragedy. I... haven't found that to be easy."
Michiru blinked in surprise. At first glance, one wouldn't have expected such a brutish-looking fellow to dabble in art. "So, you a painter too? I'm getting a feeling I should know who you are, but I'm drawing a blank."
The big man chuckled. "Indeed, but it's not art I would be well-known for. The name is Piotr Rasputin, but everyone simply calls me Peter."
"Well then, Peter. I'm… sorry for whatever happened," Michiru said apologetically.
"It's not just that," said Peter. "It was how, in my grief, I made some… foolish decisions. Now I am working to fix my mistakes."
For some reason, those words went through Michiru's heart like an arrow. Peter couldn't possibly know about the circumstances that brought about this particular painting, yet it felt like those words were directed at her. Even though she was stealing these chemicals because she was TRYING to not repeat her mistake with Hotaru Tomoe. "I… guess it's important to move on and learn from mistakes," was all Michiru could think of to say.
Peter nodded to her, then looked back to the painting. "And I don't know what it is about your work, Michiru, but it somehow makes me feel as if… I've come close. Perhaps, at last, I've found the inspiration I need, to begin painting again myself, and…"
"Hey Pete, got what you came for? We're burnin' daylight here," came a rough voice from the other side of the hall, surprisingly a woman's. She also had a thick accent, sounding like it was from the southern regions of the United States. And again, something a tad off about her Japanese.
Michiru looked down the hall to see a woman with long, brown hair that also sported a weird white blotch right above her forehead. She wore jeans, high-heeled boots, a sallow, long-sleeved button-up shirt, and for whatever reason, thick gloves. Who wore gloves during the day, in the middle of spring?
But then Michiru became aware of something much odder, and much more significant. There was something… otherworldly about this woman! Yes, the longer she stayed close by, the more Michiru could sense she had some power that stemmed from beyond Earth.
Michiru was so fixated on what she was sensing, she barely noticed a beeping sound coming from Peter's cargo pant pocket. Peter pulled something out, glanced at it, then looked to Michiru. His gaze was far more furtive than before, as if everything else he had been pondering was banished to the back of his mind.
"Yes, Anna-Marie, I believe I have," Peter said simply. "Perhaps we will meet again soon, Ms. Kaioh. I would… love to exchange notes about how we both approach art." With that, Peter turned to leave with this Anna-Marie. Anna-Marie gave Michiru a furtive look of her own before the pair went around the corner.
Conveniently, it looked like they were heading for a back exit Michiru had planned to exploit. Besides, Michiru's curiosity was piqued after what she had just sensed. She slowly took off after them, hoping not to make too much noise, which was a bit of a challenge given the heels she wore.
Eventually, she caught up with them, catching a glimpse of their backs as they went around a corner which led to the exit. Abandoning all pretense, Michiru broke into a run, clutching the bag of chemicals to her chest.
As expected, the back exit was open, leading into an alleyway. But when Michiru ran out and looked around, there was no trace of Anna-Marie or Peter.
How in… There's no way they could've fled the alley this fast! But she couldn't sense any trace of whatever alien power Anna-Marie possessed. Whether it was flight, teleportation, or something else altogether, those two were long gone, leaving Michiru with only vexing questions. A scream from the floor above, however, told Michiru she might have other concerns.
After hiding her bag of chemicals behind a dumpster, Michiru ran back inside, ascending the first flight of stairs she came across. Michiru kept on running, toward the room where she was certain the screams came from, and received a jolt when she found herself barreling toward the curator's private office.
A small crowd had gathered beyond the doorway, and Michiru had to force herself past. Once inside, Michiru saw why someone had screamed. The curator was alive, obviously drawing in breath, but he was passed out over his desk. There was blood spattered across it, and parts of his suit were burned away, ugly wounds visible through the holes.
At first, Michiru was certain those two were somehow responsible. But then, she spotted another clue. A small blotch of some inky tar on the curator's jacket collar.
So Eclipse has struck again, Michiru fumed inwardly, all worries about bumbling into more poor decisions evaporating. And now she's brazen enough to attack people in broad daylight! Out loud, she bellowed, "Don't just stand there everyone! Someone call the paramedics!" It took a few more seconds for someone to finally snap out of it and grab the phone on the curator's desk, while Michiru went over and grabbed the his wrist. "Good. His pulse is erratic, but strong enough to ensure he'll last until help arrives," Michiru told the crowd to ease their fears. But the city's anxieties wouldn't be assuaged for good until Eclipse was brought down. And Michiru was now more determined than ever to make that happen.
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The hours ticked by, the sun continuing its trek across the sky, but there were still plenty of hours of sunlight left. Something Chibiusa was determined to make the most of, refusing to let the uncertainty over Eclipse, and everyone's fear of mutants, drag her spirits down. She had tagged along with Mamoru and Usagi to the park. Usagi didn't really put up much of a fight about that. That's how Chibiusa knew something was REALLY wrong with her future mother. Delving into books meant for college students was one thing. Not getting envious about her tagging along on an afternoon date with Mamo-chan was something else altogether.
Even as Chibiusa played soccer with other kids in the park, she chanced furtive glances over at the bench Usagi sat at. Mamoru had left moments ago to get both of them ice cream, leaving Usagi alone with her nose STILL in that book.
OK, maybe the thing with Ami's book alone was enough to tell us Usagi really isn't right in the head, Chibiusa thought as she looked back ahead, nudging the soccer ball across the park as she ran. Not to mention, if she keeps at it, I'll blow my bet for the pool!
Having gotten far enough, Chibiusa went for the winning shot, kicking the soccer ball. But her friend Momoko Momohara was the goaltender for the other team, and dove to block the shot. But Momoko did a bit too good of a job at that. She ended up smacking the ball away so hard, it sailed clear across the field, into a thick patch of bushes. "Oops," grumbled Momoko sheepishly.
"Hey, no problem, Momoko! I'll go get it!" Chibiusa said quickly, taking off after the ball. She was already a good distance away from the other kids, but Chibiusa could still hear some of their muttering.
"Wow, the way Momoko knocked that ball away… Inhuman," said one boy.
"You thinking what I'm thinking?" replied another boy.
Chibiusa stopped dead in her tracks, looking back to the other kids. No way to tell which of them were voicing such idiotic thoughts. Then her eyes focused on Momoko again.
What if she did develop mutant powers in a few years? What if any of these kids did? Would they get hauled off, like that one girl, days ago? The memory of that was still a knife in the gut for Chibiusa. Nothing like that ever happened in Crystal Tokyo. Just what was wrong with Tokyo in this era?
Shaking her head, Chibiusa turned back to the bushes to look for the ball. "Let's see, I'm pretty sure it would have landed about here," Chibiusa thought aloud. Though fairly certain about where the soccer ball should be, it was nowhere to be found.
Chibiusa looked around some more, but still, no soccer ball. Growing a bit frustrated, Chibiusa was about to go back and tell the other kids they were out of luck. Then, someone suddenly called out, specifically for her.
"Hey kid, I think this is yours," came a gruff voice, definitely a man's.
Chibiusa whirled around to see some really huge guy a few paces away. He wore a long coat, and had dark sunglasses obscuring his eyes. They really didn't hide the grizzled appearance of his face, and his short, white hair punctuated the aura of someone that had been through a lot.
With a light toss, the ball sailed back over to Chibiusa for her to catch it. Chibiusa looked down at the ball in her hands, then back up to see the strange man walking toward her. There was no lying to herself about the anxiety creeping up. This big guy… didn't exactly look friendly.
Yet as he neared, it was clear he intended to walk past Chibiusa. Chibiusa started to calm down. There was… something about this guy, something that told Chibiusa that the two of them were alike in many ways.
He stopped beside her for a moment, looking down at the pink-haired girl. Chibiusa thought it must have been a trick of the sunlight, but she could've sworn that the man's eyes briefly glowed from behind his sunglasses.
"You better get back to your friends. They might be a bit worried by now," he said suddenly, sounding just as gruff as before.
"Uh, yeah, I guess," said Chibiusa timidly.
"That's a good girl," said the weird, big guy. "Stay safe now. Both of us know how… uncertain this era can be."
Chibiusa shook her head again, wondering what was with this weirdo. But as she walked past him to go back to play some more soccer, something clicked. The way he said 'this era'. As if he knew she had traveled from another time! And made it sound like he had done the same thing!
Chibiusa whirled around again to look for him, but he had vanished as swiftly as he had appeared. Chibiusa's instincts told her to forget about it, that she was looking too much into things, and the Sailor Senshi had plenty else to worry about.
Still, his words nagged at her mind. With a disgruntled sigh, Chibiusa ran deeper into the park, determined to get some answers.
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Halfway through this book now. Halfway through this book that made Usagi's eyes bleed. Usagi blinked again, everything threatening to become a hazy blur once more. It was like the humiliating agony of every single study session over the past year, only crammed into the span of a few days.
Usagi's only consolation, the only thing that made this torture worth it, was that the book had indeed elucidated a few things for her. For one thing, it finally drilled the meaning of that word 'epigenetics' into her head, regarding how the traits on the mutant X-gene manifested during puberty. She knew about that thanks to Ami already, but now, at least, Usagi had a slightly better understanding.
The book not only delved in the biological aspect of mutation, but also the psychological impact it had on those with emerging mutant powers. Not that the latter was any easier for Usagi to comprehend. There were loads of suggestions and complex theories about how to ease teenage mutants through such awkward times.
They all sounded good, but Usagi had no idea how to put them into practice, to help Naru. Not when Naru not only had grown resentful of Usagi Tsukino, but seemed to know she and Sailor Moon were one and the same, and probably resented Sailor Moon too.
Usagi's eyes screwed shut again. Not from agonizing over this stupidly complicated book, but from the memory of Naru glaring at her. The sense of betrayal in those eyes. The worst part was that Naru had every right to feel that way. Usagi never really considered how shut out Naru must have felt until then. Add to that how Naru suspected she was really Sailor Moon, and then saw her do nothing as a fellow mutant, practically still a child, was hauled away on trumped-up charges.
I've neglected Naru long enough. Time to fix my mistakes, Usagi thought, opening her eyes to delve into that infuriating book yet again. As maddening as it was, answers had come, and Usagi was certain more awaited. Answers she needed to not only figure out how to approach Naru, but perhaps counter this wave of anti-mutant hysteria in Japan.
Naru was right. Sailor Moon had to DO SOMETHING about that too! But Usagi still had no idea just what, and with Eclipse on the loose, she couldn't exactly plead that case to the other Sailor Senshi. So for now, Usagi was left to flounder for answers on her own.
And so, Usagi kept reading, though the words felt like needles jabbing into her eyes. It was almost becoming a masochistic dance, so much so that she almost didn't notice Mamoru had finally returned with ice cream. Mamoru spoke up just as Usagi turned away from Ami's book, realizing he was there. "Wow Usa-ko, the ice cream smell almost didn't register? You really ARE into that book," he said with a smirk.
Usagi just made a pouty face, but it began to fade when he offered a strawberry ice cream cone. The pros and cons of having a man who knew exactly how to get to her heart. In this case, going through the stomach sure helped. So Usagi finally shut the book and got up to walk with Mamoru, his arms around her shoulders. While savoring every bite of ice cream, of course.
In between two big bites, Usagi asked, "So, how's the chemical to nix Eclipse's powers coming along?"
Mamoru sighed, then said, "Well, there wasn't much I could do this morning. I was only standing watch while the current batch was catalyzing. Ami's going to be the one at the shrine when that round is finally done, so I'll have to get with her later tonight. Best guess though, Usa-ko? Another two or three days."
Usagi slumped a little next to Mamoru as they walked. Another two or three days with no reliable way of taking Eclipse down to interrogate her later. So much was riding on Ami's plan. Between Eclipse and Magneto, Usagi feared this anti-mutant hysteria was going to get worse before it got better. If it ever got better.
As if reading her mind, Mamoru said, "I know you're worried about mutants in Japan, Usa-ko, and trying to do what you can. But I wish you'd tell me more." Eyes widening, Usagi looked up at him mid-lick. "Please, Usa-ko. I'm not prideful enough to think you're torturing yourself with that book just to try impressing me again by delving into my field. This furor over mutants has hit home for you, hasn't it?"
"What do you mean, Mamo-chan?" Usagi said quickly. "What, you think I'm a mutant too?"
Mamoru chuckled to himself. "Of course not, Usa-ko. Don't forget, I know a good deal about genetics already. If you did manifest mutant powers, I don't think you would've gained adequate control soon enough. One of us would have noticed something… funny." Usagi scowled at him with a pouty face again, but knew Mamoru was right. She had learned that much from Ami's book, at least. "So on top of knowing you simply have a big heart that bleeds for all the mutants here in Japan, I'm guessing there's a mutant you know personally."
This time, Usagi almost dropped her ice cream altogether. It made sense that Mamoru was getting close to the truth. He understood genetics inside-out, while Usagi's brain went into overdrive just trying to learn the basics. "Uh, Mamo-chan, I-I-I… Well, that is, ummm…"
"Usa-ko, I understand that if I'm right, you're just trying to protect someone," Mamoru went on. "I just want you to know, I can still help you. We've been through so much already, and shutting you out before was one of the worst mistakes I ever made. Please Usa-ko, don't do the same. If there's anything I can do…"
Usagi desperately wanted to tell him, to tell everyone. She wanted the collective strength of the Sailor Senshi behind her more than ever for this. But with Eclipse complicating things, and the fear of making Naru feel betrayed all over again, Usagi couldn't bring herself to do it. "Mamo-chan, I-I-I-I… I'm sorry, but I c-c-can't, I just…"
Usagi was cut off when Chibiusa's friend Momoko ran up to them. "Usagi, Mamoru… Have you seen Chibiusa? She went to find our lost soccer ball, but she's been gone for a few minutes."
Mamoru sighed. "Usagi, why don't you go back to the bench in case Chibiusa shows up? I'll go with Momoko to look for her." But there was something in Mamoru's voice that told Usagi he wasn't giving up on this, and Usagi had no idea how she would deflect the next time he got serious.
So the two of them went in opposite directions. When Usagi reached the bench again, the lure of sugary goodness was now there to distract her, but eventually that book called out to embrace its torment once again. With Chibiusa being an idiot and disappearing on them, however, it made concentrating even more of a chore.
Something that didn't go unnoticed. This time, though, it wasn't Mamoru who pointed this out. "Wow, you certainly seem absorbed in that book," came a kindly voice, though it still had an air of sternness to it.
Usagi slowly looked up as she popped what remained of the ice cream cone into her mouth. It wasn't just one person who had sauntered up to her bench, but two. A somewhat old, bald man with Caucasian features sitting in a wheelchair. He was being pushed by a dark-skinned woman with white hair, who looked to be a little taller than Haruka.
She reminded Usagi of the impression she got of Michiru when she first saw her playing her violin, that air of refinement and maturity. And strangely, she seemed to radiate the same aura of strength Michiru exuded as Sailor Neptune, just by standing there.
When Usagi's attention returned to the man in the wheelchair, she saw he was smiling at her quite broadly, as if he knew some sly inside joke about her. It sort of belied the refined air he himself went for, what with that silvery-grey business suit of his. Usagi also noticed something weird about his wheelchair. It was mostly made of clear plastic. Why would anyone make a wheelchair like that? What was the point?
The strange pair had come up so suddenly, Usagi couldn't think up a good, deflecting retort. "Yeah, well, I'm going into high school soon, so… Getting prepared now," Usagi lied with a nervous laugh. Hopefully, they wouldn't suspect that that attitude was the complete opposite of how she approached school in general.
For a moment, it looked like the old man was fooled, but the woman pushing his wheelchair was inclined to dig further. "My dear, that book… Though it is accessible to the layman, it was mostly written with graduate students delving into genetics and psychology in mind."
Usagi scowled at her. Not only did she carry that same aura of strength as Sailor Neptune, but a bit of that haughtiness crept in, too. "And how would you know that?" she demanded.
Usagi's gaze returned to the man in the wheelchair when he chuckled to himself. "Oh, Ororo would most certainly know about that book. After all, I wrote it. Or at least, its original English version."
Eyes widening in shock, Usagi flipped to the front of the book. There was a small, grainy, black-and-white photograph of the book's author. The features were a tad blurry, but there was no mistaking that bald dome.
Usagi looked from the photo to the man in the wheelchair and back a few times before finally realizing he was telling the truth. "Professor… Charles Xavier," Usagi muttered to herself, "a world-renowned authority on genetics…" Looking back to Xavier, she said, "So… what brings you to Japan, then?"
"A recruitment drive of sorts, if you will," said Xavier. "I have my own private school that I run back in the United States, the Xavier Institute. And I look for prospective students all over the world."
"So… on top of being a professor of genetics, you run your own school?" asked Usagi.
"With the help of some of my older students, who've now become teachers in their own right," said Xavier. "Yes, it's expanded quite nicely in recent years, and we're always on the hunt for students who just have that… special something to offer."
Usagi gazed back at Xavier dubiously, then looked up to Ororo. "I take it you're one of the students-turned-teachers?"
"Why yes," replied Ororo. "The professor and I… We've been working together for a long time, ever since he… found me in Kenya. It's gotten to the point where I couldn't imagine doing anything else."
Usagi let out a little snort. "Well, if you wound up with me in one of your classes, that'd change in a heartbeat." Not that she'd have a chance of getting admitted to a school where speaking English fluently was a prerequisite, of course. "Teachers can't stand me, plain and simple. Go ask my old English teacher if you don't believe me. She's lost count of the ulcers I gave her."
Usagi expected Ororo to mutter something in agreement, but to Usagi's surprise, she sounded quite doubtful of her prediction. "Don't sell yourself short so soon. Something tells me you would be a perfect fit at our school, Ms…"
Usagi's eyes widened at the notion that she would be welcome in ANY school, let alone some prestigious outfit overseas. "Uh, Tsukino… Usagi Tsukino…"
"Ms. Tsukino, then," Ororo repeated. "Perhaps you have what we are looking for in students, then, if you're so eagerly devouring a book meant for college students when you're just entering high school."
Usagi looked down at the book giving her so many headaches. "Well, there IS a bit more to it, actually," Usagi admitted sheepishly.
"I'm curious as to what drew you to my book, then," said Xavier.
"It's not MY copy, exactly," said Usagi. "I borrowed it from a friend. Someone who'd be a much better fit for your school, that's for sure."
"Perhaps you could introduce us some other time," Xavier said kindly, though with a voice that made it clear he wouldn't let Usagi change the subject so easily. "For now, though, I'd like to hear why YOU'RE reading it. Perhaps, if there's something specific you wish to know, I can help you get answers faster."
Usagi looked at Xavier dubiously again, then up to Ororo. A student-turned-teacher, someone who exuded an aura of strength, but now Usagi could sense a gentleness of spirit to her along with it. They helped run an elite school, and something about them told Usagi they could be trusted, but they were still more or less strangers. She couldn't exactly tell them all about Naru, let alone the mess the Sailor Senshi had on their hands.
But if Xavier literally wrote the book on how to provide guidance to youngsters manifesting mutant powers, he clearly had no prejudice regarding mutants. Just the opposite, obviously. Given how she could share so little with her fellow Senshi, there was this overpowering need to just… let more out. If there was any complete stranger she could trust, it was looking like fate would offer up none better than Charles Xavier.
"It's just that, well, I've got a friend, who's… you know, a mutant. A pretty powerful one, too, but it's killing her inside," Usagi said softly as she looked down, then quickly glanced around to make sure no one else overheard. That little pink-haired imp could sneak up anytime. Satisfied there were no eavesdroppers, Usagi went on, though she looked back down. "A friend who I kinda drifted away from in the last year or two, and she already must've felt shut out, and now this has happened. She, well, kinda thinks that I know, but I can't come out and say that I know, because I've got secrets of my own, and… Oh, it's just so complicated! Worse, I can't really explain it to my closest firends either, mostly because I feel honor-bound to guard this secret. And with how Japan's starting to turn against mutants, it's just… I have no idea what to do, or who to turn to."
Usagi surprised herself by how much she hsd just let out. She only hoped she didn't spill too much, but there was something about Xavier that somewhat assuaged Usagi's anxiety.
She looked back up to Xavier, seeing that he was digesting what little she was willing to let slip. It was clear he was listening, REALLY listening.
At last, he spoke again. "First of all, Ms. Tsukino, if you wish to help your friend and see to it that she regains her confidence, you must have confidence in yourself. I'd suggest first, stop doubting yourself. If you feel guilt over drifting away from your friend, you must try to work through it. You're willing to help now, be there for her now, and that's what matters most."
"The professor is quite right, Ms. Tsukino," said Ororo. She walked around Xavier's wheelchair and sat beside Usagi. Now Usagi could see she wore black pants that hugged her frame, along with a loose-fitting long-sleeved black shirt and an orange scarf with a tiger-stripe pattern. She was strikingly beautiful, every bit the mature woman Usagi wished to become one day. It was little wonder she became a teacher. "None of us are perfect. The professor and I, all the other former students who have gone on to become teachers, we've all made mistakes. Some so egregious that at one point, we were certain they were unforgivable. But together, we found the strength of spirit to work past such doubt, and now work to help others do the same."
Usagi looked down at the ground again. Perhaps they were right. As Sailor Moon, she had already overcome so much. But this situation with mutants in Japan was different. There was no big target like Beryl merged with Metalia to blow away. The Ginzuishou's power might be able to purify Eclipse, but it couldn't suddenly purge the people of Japan of their fear and hate for mutants. If helping Naru and making the Japanese people see reason was possible, Usagi couldn't yet see how.
"So once I'm confident enough to try, what should I do next?" she asked Xavier and Ororo point-blank.
"Something tells me you'll find the answer," said Xavier. "What you've been willing to tell me about your friend, it's not much to go on. You've read my book, yet it's meant to be more of a guide than a strict by-the-numbers instruction manual. I can spell out the concrete science behind mutation, Ms. Tsukino, and elucidate the psychological intricacies of those dealing with it firsthand. But there's an element that depends on the one seeking a solution, the heart. And from what you've told me, Ms. Tsukino, I can sense that your heart is in the right place."
Usagi took a moment to digest this. That sure was a relief, knowing that she wouldn't have to understand the book inside-and-out before she could help Naru. But still, there was the first step of facing up to Naru. How deep was her frustration with Usagi Tsukino, and possibly Sailor Moon? Despite everything else she had been through, the idea of tackling this issue with Naru head-on filled Usagi with doubt all over again.
"Professor Xavier, I-I-I don't know. The way she looked at me last time, I-I-I-I…"
She was rudely interrupted by her communicator watch going off. She grunted in frustration, but when she saw Xavier and Ororo's bemused looks, frustration quickly gave way to nervousness.
"Oh, further proof I don't belong at your school. Can't even set this watch right," she said quickly, lsughing nervously. "Hang on a second," Usagi added as she leaned away from the two of them. She pretended to fiddle with the settings while only hitting a single button. "Who is it?" she hissed into her watch. "I'm kind of in the middle of something important…"
"And I bet it involved stuffing your face with ice cream while you were at it," came Rei's curt retort. Usagi just scowled. Rei wasn't ENTIRELY wrong. "Anyway, we got a serious problem. Michiru called it right. There's a bunch of mutants here in Japan on the hunt, but they're stumbling upon Sailor Senshi. There was this short guy who came to the shrine, asking about finding 'special kids' or whatever to recruit for a school. And I just got in touch with Makoto and Michiru. Some blue-furred scientist guy zeroed in right on Ami at the Chess Tower, and Michiru sensed something funny about this one American woman at the art museum. And then Artemis overheard these two American guys who Haruka and Minako met at the arcade. They're definitely looking for Eclipse, but they got something called Cerebro that's leading them to US instead."
It was a bit much, coming at Usagi too fast, to really make sense of right away, but Rei got the basic idea across. "So what do we do now?" Usagi whispered back.
"First off, you and Mamoru need to watch your backs," said Rei. "The other Senshi have had run-ins with weirdos from across the Pacific. If they found us so easily, they'll eventually come around to see if you're a mutant. Haruka and Michiru noticed something funny about some of them, though. The way they spoke Japanese, it was a tad off. That Logan guy spoke it just fine, but some of his friends… Anyway, has anyone come up to you who sounds just a little off?"
Usagi's insides froze as she slowly looked over her shoulder, back at Ororo and Professor Xavier. They were talking amongst themselves about something. Rei said she was visited by someone also recruiting for a school over in America? Was he another one of Xavier's old 'students'?
Something else clicked. How worked up Rei sounded, as if she still hadn't shaken the memory of her run-in with… a guy in a wheelchair with psychic powers!?
Usagi couldn't help but keep her gaze locked on Xavier. Could this nice old man really be a mutant powerhouse himself? And the woman with him… Something else suddenly clicked. All those articles about the X-Men that showed a dark-skinned woman who could fly and control the weather itself… STORM! That air of strength and purpose Ororo carried, it had to be her! Even that plastic wheelchair suddenly made sense. If you always had to worry about someone who controls METAL…
Usagi hadn't given those magazine articles too much thought in the last couple of days, breaking her brain with that book again. But here she was, face-to-face with one of the X-Men, and the man who probably brought them all together. Not to mention, if her suspicions were correct, they were two of the most powerful mutants in the world.
And despite herself, despite knowing that she should be elated she found the people who could help Naru, Usagi found herself full of anxiety. It sickened her to no end, realizing she was reacting as fearfully as most other people would, but Usagi couldn't ignore how her heart was hammering.
So many burning questions went through her mind. Had Xavier read HER mind? What would the X-Men do if they indeed suspected they had run into all the Sailor Senshi? What were their plans for Eclipse?
So many questions, practically no time to consider the answers. Perhaps it was fortunate, then, that Mamoru walked back up just then, with Chibiusa in tow. "I told you, Mamo-chan, that big guy KNEW something…"
But Mamoru wasn't really listening. Instead, his gaze was focused entirely on Xavier. "I… don't believe it. Professor Charles Xavier? Here in Japan?" he asked incredulously.
Xavier's wheelchair swerved around as he looked up to Mamoru. "Ah, you must be one of Usagi's friends. I was just… chatting with this charming young lady, wondering why she was so engrossed with one of my books."
"Wait a minute, it's one of YOUR books that she's been so obsessed with!?" Mamoru cried in disbelief. Looking over to Usagi, he said, "Usa-ko, don't ever think you can't make it through high school, not if you can stick with a book written by Charles Xavier. Oh, I've been considering applying for overseas studies at his institute, but never thought I could be that good…"
"Like you told Ms. Tsukino, don't doubt yourself," said Ororo. "Much like her, I sense you have much to offer the world."
Usagi only half-heard their conversation. The X-Men, the toughest mutant team in the world, were here in Japan now, looking for the same mutant the Sailor Senshi were. The mutant they absolutely had to capture to uncover her Dark Kingdom connections. Not to mention turn over to the authorities, to hopefully quell the panic in Japan.
Yet at the same time, they were perhaps her only hope of finding help for Naru. It was a torturous, sadistic choice. Her obligation to help Naru clashing with her loyalty to the Sailor Senshi. She was convinced the X-Men were heroes, that they could be trusted, yet…
Anxiety still clouded her mind. It shamed Usagi to no end. So what if one of them could turn her mind inside-out, and the other could flatten Tokyo with a hurricane by merely thinking it? They had proven themselves heroes over and over again, right? Yet despite that knowledge, these two mutants popping up unexpectedly now filled Usagi with anxiety.
And in the end, that anxiety won.
Usagi stood up and grabbed Mamoru by the arm. "Mamo-chan, we need to go. We have to go meet the others, remember?" she said quickly.
Mamoru looked down at Usagi quizzically. "What do you mean, Usa-ko? What's…"
Usagi got on her tiptoes to hiss in Mamoru's ear. "They're mutants. They're X-Men. And they're here for Eclipse." She saw his eyes widen, so he got the message.
"Come on, Chibiusa, it's time to go," Mamoru told their future daughter. He dragged her along while taking Usagi's hand in his free hand. Looking behind him, he said, "Sorry we have to cut this short, Professor, but there's someplace we really need to be."
"Of course, I understand," said Xavier with a smile. "Take good care of Ms. Tsukino. She's… truly special. And do feel free to mail me an application."
"B-B-B-But, what about that huge guy?" Chibiusa kept on protesting. "He seemed to know I'm… not from around here."
Another X-Man, no doubt, Usagi reasoned. A time-traveling mutant? Shouldn't be too surprising. Holding her watch back up, she opened up a channel with Rei again. "Rei, Mamoru, Chibiusa and I are leaving the park, heading for the shrine. Get everyone there for a meeting right now."
"Wait, right now?" came Rei's befuddled reply.
"Yes, RIGHT NOW," Usagi hissed back. She was finally showing some initiative when it came to Senshi business, and Rei had to sound surprised?
Most of Usagi's frustration, though, was with herself. Perhaps her one chance to get real help for Naru, and she was leaving it behind, and her own anxieties were partly to blame.
xxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxx
Evening was fast approaching, and Erina Kizachi went over the last few forms needed before her workday was done. Of course, her mind wasn't entirely focused on something as mundane as paperwork. When it came to robotic research, Erina much preferred getting her hands dirty herself. Slaving over computers to work out all the kinks in an artificial intelligence program, getting grease all over her hands as she forewent automated assembly to slap together delicate components herself…
Robotics, engineering and computer programming were her passion, something she was ruthlessly good at. Cold, hard numbers, so easy to understand. Though some would accuse Erina Kizachi of being much better with cold, unfeeling machines than with actual people, even her own family.
And they would be right. And Erina would be the first to admit all of that was true.
At last, her paperwork was done. Erina raised her head to look around her office, this little insulated life she had once made for herself. Unlike her secret office deep in the bowels of her facility, this office for her official work was quite brightly-lit, almost cheery. Which would aggravate her eyes to no end without her prescription glasses, but Erina learned long ago to at least put on a show of being welcoming, even if people in general tended to rub her the wrong way. All too often during her career, Erina found herself losing patience with those working with her on projects, taking a supreme effort to bottle in her frustration. Oh, what a relief it would soon be, to let out all that pent-up rage in one glorious burst.
Sighing, Erina looked down at her desk again, her eyes inevitably falling to something she had kept stowed away until recently, ever since that fateful day. A small water container, little bigger than a milk jug. An artifact unearthed during a trip to the Mesopotamian region.
After all this time, Erina still hadn't bothered to decipher the cuneiform writing plastered all over its hardened clay surface. She still wondered just what was inscribed on it. Though robotics and engineering would always be her calling, archaeology still held a powerful lure for Erina. And the memories of that family trip…
Those were a cherished gift that Erina hung onto, in order to ensure she was driven ever forward. Just in case recalling that fateful day wasn't enough, waking in the ruins of the Juban Odyssey. Realizing what she had lost, and how she had to make Sailor Moon pay.
And pay she would. Erina knew a direct attack on Sailor Moon would be futile, as all the girl's old enemies learned the hard way. So she was forced to be more patient than ever.
But that patience was finally paying off. Erina smiled as her gaze washed over the cuneiform of the water pot, and not just because of her zest for revenge. No, this wasn't just about her personal vendetta against Sailor Moon. Once Erina was done with the foolish girl, and her designs for Japan were finished, she would wind up leaving their country better, perhaps even the entire world better, than Sailor Moon ever could. And THEN her revenge would truly be complete.
Erina was shaken out of her reverie when her office door swung open. No knock beforehand, but when Erina looked away from the artifact, she found her frustration fading.
Gai was there, in his janitor uniform. Erina had just recently finished… fast-tracking the hiring of a new janitorial service, which would let Gai infiltrate her facility even more easily, without anyone suspecting. Granted, his missing finger would raise eyebrows, but a carefully-crafted sob-story about seeking redemption helped gloss things over.
It wasn't too far from the truth. Erina had pulled Gai's fat out of the fire so many times in the past, often against her better judgment, so why not weave a tale that was mostly true? Especially when he was proving more useful as her double-agent than he ever was to his yakuza family?
Gai glanced over his shoulder to check for eavesdroppers, then shut the door behind him. "Aunt Erina, figured I'd get you the news early," Gai said smoothly. "The situation is looking more complicated. Charles Xavier is here, right in the city, and so are a good number of his X-Men. But so far, it looks like they've only been able to zero in on the Sailor Senshi."
Erina's brow furrowed. "I was expecting as much," she replied calmly. "Lehnsherr warned me that he sensed Xavier using Cerebro to probe somewhere in Japan."
The mention of Magneto made Gai grimace ever-so-slightly, as it should. As a mere Homo sapien, Eric Magnus Lehnsherr wouldn't exactly be trusting of Gai, despite how he was proving more useful than anyone in the Brotherhood or the Acolytes at the moment. "He warned you the X-Men would soon be coming? And you didn't clue me in… why?"
Erina flashed a silky smile. "Call it compartmentalization of information, my dear nephew. And insurance that you wouldn't try anything stupid. Crossing fellow yakuza in the past cost you a finger. Crossing Wolverine would cost you vital organs."
"And yet we're kicking a hornet's nest by going after the Sailor Senshi," Gai pointed out.
"Only after we have all the chess pieces arranged on the board just so," said Erina. "In any case, it's interesting how Cerebro has not only proven useless to Xavier in this case, but it's led them to the Sailor Senshi instead. It… confirms many theories I had on the nature of their powers. But I digress. This could be most fortuitous."
"You think we can play things right? Maybe play them against each other?" asked Gai.
"We may need to do precious little," said Erina with a smile. "There's little doubt about why the X-Men have come to Japan, and no doubt this will have them butting heads with the Sailor Senshi."
"Speaking of that, the museum's curator… Not sure if you've kept up with the news today, but panic's set in anew," said Gai.
"Excellent!" Erina cried happily, clapping. "Another chess piece moved against Sailor Moon just so, as she agonizes over her countrymen losing their minds. While in the bargain, we get a little payback on the clod that caused you so much grief!"
It had been that curator who all but guaranteed Gai had to undergo yubitsume years ago. He was near the top of Erina's list of yakuza-affiliated thugs she would happily use in her ploy to crack Sailor Moon's heart like an egg.
"I see what you're getting at. Now, the Sailor Senshi will be even more hellbent if push comes to shove," said Gai.
"We'll just have to make sure there's a proper… balance when push does come to shove," said Erina. "And we definitely have the means to. Anyway, you better get out of here before the rest of my staff get suspicious about a new hire up here at this hour." Gai looked confused and a little reluctant, but eventually nodded and turned to leave. As he opened the door, Erina spoke up again. "Yes, I indeed have a plan to make sure the Sailor Senshi and the X-Men will be at a stalemate, something that was already discussed. Something you would be privy to if you were actually Gai Izumi, Mystique."
Stopping dead in 'his' tracks, 'he' slowly turned his head back to glare at Erina. Now there was an obvious change in appearance, but only the eyes. Eyes that suddenly shifted to a solid yellow, save for what looked like a collection of black dots that made up what should have been the irises.
"And in case you're wondering, it was your reaction when I mentioned Lehnsherr. You almost had me fooled. But there's a subtle difference between a Homo sapien's unease when Magneto is mentioned, and the unease of someone who forged a shaky truce with him. Plus, Gai would have been WAY more enthusiastic about me making sure that curator got his comeuppance," Erina went on.
Mystique didn't move, simply glaring at Erina as she idly fiddled with some more papers. Whether it was frustration at being found out, or just her lingering distrust of her, Erina wasn't sure. Nor did she care. Magneto was the only one who came even close to giving Erina Kizachi marching orders. Mystique was just someone who's insufferable presence she had to put up with in the meantime
Looking up from her papers, Erina said, "But enough about how you blew your cover, Raven. Did Lehnsherr have you keep tabs on me, or do you have your own agenda, as you so often do?"
Those yellow eyes narrowed. "Let's just say that Magneto puts a level of trust in you that I find unwise," Mystique snarled back in her own voice.
"Worried about Lehnsherr, are we?" Erina taunted. "That completely ruins the image I had of you, Raven. You and Lehnsherr were never exactly friends, and you pretty much usurped the title of Brotherhood of Evil Mutants from him. But not only have the Brotherhood and the Acolytes more or less joined forces now, you actually seem to look out for Lehnsherr like a faithful follower."
Erina smiled as she watched Mystique fight back an involuntary snarl. "Think whatever you want," Mystique said at length. "I just find it unsettling that Magneto and I have to bank so much on not only someone who designed a new generation of Sentinels, but is doing so out of a need for petty revenge."
Mystique might be reacting to her taunts, but her retorts simply rolled off Erina, and she smiled even more broadly. "You, Raven Darkholme, can hardly lecture anyone about the type of retribution I seek." Ignoring Mystique's glare, Erina said, "Lehnsherr likes my idea for the Sentinels, so since you're so concerned about him, that should be enough for you. Furthermore, he was implicit about how you should use your shapeshifting talents, and it wasn't to keep tabs on me. You've got work to do among the yakuza still, aiding my nephew. But let me remind you that you're supposed to help HIM along, not the other way around. He has the insider's know-how that Lehnsherr and I need. And let me worry about the Sailor Senshi. Just worry about yourself, and whether or not Lehnsherr will overlook you sticking your scaly blue nose where it doesn't belong."
Glaring at Erina a moment longer, Mystique suddenly chuckled. "You're awfully confident. Then again it shouldn't be surprising, considering you're unafraid of incurring the Sailor Senshi's wrath. But as you said, just worry about yourself. You won't keep those girls off-balance forever by throwing Sentinels at them."
"Of course I can't," Erina agreed. "I just have to make sure the heart of the Sailor Senshi cracks like an eggshell before they learn to adapt."