Sailor Moon X: Lunar Eclipse

a Sailor Moon/X-Men crossover

Chapter 17: A Touch of Evil

11-13-2017

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.

xxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxx

When Kitty saw what remained of the track crumble and the monorail car plunge, she felt so helpless standing there in midair, and feared the worst. Even with the three of them, they couldn't act fast enough to get everyone out, and now Logan was trapped on that thing! Hadn't they been trained to be better than this!?

But then, she noticed tendrils of black ooze had wrapped around it, and more were shooting down to further secure the monorail car. Its plunge had stopped, and slowly but surely, it was creeping back up.

"Oh Naru, please… Oh no," Kitty muttered, turning back to the crowd. Naru had dug in her heels, quite literally, and anchored herself with even more tendrils. Understandably, everyone had stopped gaping at her and Beast. While Kitty felt relief for those trapped in that car, hardly any of that relief was mirrored in the faces in that crowd.

Once Naru was close to pulling the monorail car onto the platform, Kitty ran back onto it. Hank jumped back over the fence, just as the car toppled over and crushed part of it. Kitty watched as Naru dragged it further from the edge with her bare hands. This little girl really was almost as strong as Rogue!

More than ever, Kitty was certain they could really help Naru, see to it that she reached her full potential. It wasn't just her impressive array of powers. Performing such a selfless act, no matter the cost… This is what one looked for in a future X-Man.

Unfortunately, the people around her didn't see it that way. Even that teacher, who seemed determined to get into Hank's pants, looked aghast that her old student was the feared mutant plaguing Japan. No one was paying attention to her or Hank anymore. All eyes were on Naru.

Umino held her close, but Naru's attention was focused on the fearful crowd. A pall of silence hung over the monorail terminal, but Kitty knew that would change. Soon, the threats and curses would be hurled. Naru could tank most attacks from the Sailor Senshi, but as a fellow mutant, Kitty knew full well how such threats and insults could cut deep.

The sound of claws ripping through metal made Kitty turn around. Logan had carved an oval in the overturned monorail car's roof. One forceful kick opened a path for everyone still inside. Logan sauntered out, claws still out, ignoring startled gasps from those who turned his way.

An old man also from the West followed, clutching a Japanese woman in her late-forties close. More and more passengers climbed out, looking about confusedly, while Logan strode over to Naru and Umino with Hank and Kitty. No doubt Logan was also expecting an explosion of mob-style fury, hence keeping the claws out to dissuade the more reasonable.

Razor-sharp adamantium claws may have coaxed some to keep their anxiety in check, but not all. As Kitty feared, some in the crowd raised their voices. Vehement voices.

"It's her! It's really her!" someone shouted. "That little freak is Eclipse!"

"What's she playing at!? Trying to be a hero!? My brother was in that riverside warehouse she trashed!" someone else shouted.

Naru bawled as her face sank into Umino's shoulder. Kitty's fists clenched. Naru just threw away her secret identity to save total strangers, and this was the thanks she got!? Why was it always the same story for mutants!?

A man suddenly grabbed Haruna Sakurada by the shoulder. "Hey lady, you sounded like you know who this freak of nature is! Who is she!? How d'you know her!?" he demanded roughly.

"Well, I… Errr, t-t-t-that is…" Haruna blubbered, eyes filled with tears. She was torn between her shock of Naru exposing herself as Eclipse, and her instincts to protect a former student.

The chain reaction had started. More and more shouts, more and more demands that Naru get out of Japan. Naru cried harder than ever, her worst fears realized. Soon enough, it looked like some would advance. Their mob-like mentality would override sense that should've kept them from tackling a mutant strong enough to lift a monorail car, and another with adamantium claws. But then, there was one shout that echoed over all their hateful taunts.

"Hold it right there!"

It seemed to come from above. Many looked up toward a nearby two-story building. There, balancing herself atop a flagpole, was Sailor Moon.

"Being a hero is thankless work, and even I can't be everywhere at once," Sailor Moon shouted to the crowd below, arms folded. Even that high up, Kitty could see the contemptuous look in her eyes. If possible, Usagi was even angrier about the crowd's reaction than Kitty was! "Who said the Sailor Senshi are the only people in Tokyo with superpowers allowed to use them!? I, for one, am GLAD that Eclipse could be here in time when I couldn't! You turn on this girl right after she saved all those people!? UNFORGIVABLE!"

With that, she leapt down and made a three-point landing in front of Kitty. The sheer FORCE of her personality, her will, as she rose to stare down Naru's would-be tormentors... Kitty had worked with plenty of other superheroes, but was still impressed by the force of will emanating from this girl. Which had made everyone on her own team back off the other night. Little wonder she was a reincarnated princess. "And if anyone tries anything against this fellow guardian of love and justice, in the name of the Moon, I'll punish them!" she finished, doing that infamous pose.

This left much of the crowd flabbergasted. After all, weren't the Sailor Senshi supposed to be tracking down Eclipse, not protecting her?

As it turned out, this was exactly what Usagi was banking on. She reached behind her, grabbing Kitty's wrist. "That'll buy a few seconds," Sailor Moon hissed through gritted teeth. "Everyone, grab hold of Kitty so she can phase us out of here!"

Thankfully, everyone got the hint. Logan sheathed one set of claws and put his hand over Usagi's, and Kitty felt Hank lay a huge hand on her shoulder. Umino grabbed Naru's hand and placed it on her other shoulder. Then, with a thought, Kitty made them all sink through the ground.

Kitty caught glimpses of screaming, frustrated faces as they phased down into concrete. At least they could leave these ungrateful dolts behind. But Kitty knew full well that Naru's troubles were just beginning.

xxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxx

"No no no no NO!" Erina Kizachi howled. "This is nowhere near calibrated and aligned properly! Start all over again. We're not going ahead with assembly until I'm confident everything's perfect!"

Many of the engineers working under Erina shot her dirty looks, but they didn't faze her in the least. After working with the world's most infamous mutant terrorist this long, how could fellow humans hope to get her to back off?

Fortunately for them, everyone assigned to her team knew when to take a hint. The lot of them were busy assembling the core processors to go inside a Sentinel head, though only a select few knew its true purpose. The engineering teams responsible for the parts that were undoubtedly meant for Sentinels, such as certain weapons systems and the outer structures for the heads, were busy elsewhere. Plus, the work was spread out between different facilities.

All this fandangling, secrecy, and clever shuffling of company records was necessary, at least for now. Erina had to be patient. Her husband was doing his part within Japan's government, paving the way toward acceptance of a new Sentinel program, but the time just wasn't yet ripe to spring the proposal. Erina was determined to have her Sentinels ready when they did, despite being cursed with some impatient and sloppy laboratory personnel.

Her field test against the Sailor Senshi proved more fruitful than she had hoped, though it meant a good deal of overhauls were necessary. Not to mention, the helpful data came at the cost of the Sailor Senshi being open to a partnership with the X-Men, and Erina knew she had no hope of manipulating them into dissolving it. It was frustrating, and Lehnsherr shared in that frustration, but she knew it was pointless to dwell on it. All she could do was go right along with her work.

It was work she relished. Not because she necessarily wanted to construct mutant-hunting machines. Erina had a different purpose in mind for these Sentinels, anyway. No, she just enjoyed being in the thick of things whenever she could, getting hands-on and utilizing her genius in the most direct manner.

Not that she didn't have skills in other areas. Together, she and her husband built this company up from nothing, in happier times. After that, with their fortune and her brains, it was a simple task to pave the way for Seto's path into politics.

And unlike so many other politicians, that meant we could tell any yakuza interlopers to bugger off, Erina thought bitterly as reattached a circuit board. One that was made in-house, with one of the chips even bearing her company's logo. A metallic sphere with several thin lines originating from the center, the longest ones pertaining to the four sides of a compass. Even if that weren't the case, it's not like I wouldn't have manipulated events so that these last few weeks were a living hell for all the yakuza in this city…

Of course, their marriage was pretty much over, just a façade that had to be kept up in public. And once all this was said and done, Seto's political career would likely be over. Not that Erina gave that any thought. At the moment, her sole focus was getting this part of her overhauled Sentinels perfect, so their production could truly begin.

Erina was so engrossed in her task, it took her some time to notice far fewer of her staff were still toiling alongside her. She looked up in annoyance. Her teams were working in the wide-open robotics laboratory on the lower levels of her company's building, the one she knew Shadowcat had tried to slip into the day of her seminar. Erina also knew Storm had tried to break in before sunrise. Thankfully, she hadn't penetrated too far. But Erina knew it was foolish to believe she could keep both the X-Men and the Sailor Senshi out forever, hence her annoyance with her employees slacking.

Looking around, Erina saw a cluster of her coat-clad workers around a television. Curious, Erina walked up to see what had them so engrossed. Her simmering frustration swiftly turned to joy upon seeing the news bulletin: ECLIPSE IDENTIFIED.

Sure enough, there was Naru Osaka's face in a sidebar. Along with footage of her using her powers in broad daylight, pulling a derailed monorail car to safety.

"Wow, good thing you're speeding up building Sentinels on the sly," one of her younger employees whispered into her ear. "Something tells me people will be howling for us to turn them loose on this little freak."

Erina smiled. "I imagine so," she replied softly, while chuckling on the inside.

Such naïve fools, all of them. Both those who knew of her plans for Sentinels and those hopelessly in the dark. Especially the former. Such desperation on their part, feeling the need to build machines out of fear of what was simply human evolution marching forward. How satisfying it would be, when all those like them saw their best efforts turned against them. Without that, her revenge against Sailor Moon wouldn't be complete.

Slipping away from the gaggle watching the news, feeding on their own fear of what they refused to understand, Erina ducked into a supply room. Pulling out a small device, she flipped it open and whispered into it. "I trust you've seen the big news story by now," she hissed with glee. "I trust you're making plans to pounce on this opportunity…"

xxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxx

"Wow, anyone want to bet on how long it'll take Rei to use this guy in a fat joke levied at Usagi?" Minako quipped.

Ami's computer was hooked up to the television in Mamoru's apartment. This way, the tactical information the X-Men downloaded for Ami could easily be studied by all of them. Makoto and Luna were also there as they went over the X-Men's files. Mainly, they were going over information on the Sentinels, and all the mutants still working closely with Magneto.

The Sailor Senshi were caught off-guard by the X-Men, thanks to how they had no idea what to expect from the team as a whole. Well, except maybe Usagi. If they ran into Magneto's cronies, it would be a different story.

"I think we're all done making bets that involve Usagi," Makoto muttered.

"As for this guy, it's not just a body-mass index that's nothing short of grotesque," said Ami. "It's how the Blob can generate a localized gravity field to anchor himself. And his skin and adipose tissue are highly resistant to conventional weaponry, and most other means of inflicting harm."

"The eyes, ears, nose and mouth are somewhat vulnerable," Mamoru added. "Plus, he's not as resistant to fire and heat as other forms of physical harm."

"So we don't bother outmuscling this guy," said Makoto. "Rei or I just wallop him from a distance. Got it. Instant smoked bacon."

"Hmmmm, I wonder if Naru has the muscle to tackle Blob in case you or Rei aren't around?" Luna mused.

"Forget it. Professor Xavier didn't want her anywhere near the fighting," said Mamoru.

"Since when to do we take orders from him, by the way?" Luna demanded. "We're working with the X-Men, not for them."

"He had a good reason, Luna. Naru just doesn't have the experience the rest of us do, or our level of control," Ami pointed out.

Naturally, Ami and Mamoru would be the ones to completely agree with Xavier, Minako noted. Though Minako had to admit, things were going surprisingly smoothly after that battle at the shipyard. Ororo had simply shrugged off how Minako injured her quite badly, and the X-Men were certainly fulfilling their end of the bargain.

So much tantalizing tactical data. It was like being back in Interpol, carefully scouring files, to probe for the enemy's weaknesses. That suited Minako just fine. Ami and Mamoru no doubt found all this data on other mutants fascinating, but she could tell Makoto was getting restless. Even those sparring matches with Kitty did little to quench her thirst for taking the fight to those responsible for this mess.

And no doubt Haruka and Michiru were the same. "By the way, anyone heard from Michiru and Haruka lately?" Minako asked. "I hope they don't go trying to hunt these Brotherhood yahoos without us."

"Actually, something tells me they're having even more fun with all this new information than we are," said Makoto, a bit of sarcasm to her voice.

"Come to think of it, you might be right," said Minako. "All those files we saw on bad guys from outside our solar system… That's straight-up catnip for them!" Luna shot Minako a dirty look. "What? It would be!" she protested.

"It's not really their whereabouts I'm worried about at the moment," Mamoru muttered.

"Oh yeah, you sensed Usagi transformed," said Minako. "But still no inkling she's in danger, right?"

"That was the case last time, when she was so shocked, and not conscious long enough, for a sense of danger to sink in," Mamoru grumbled.

There was awkward silence for a moment. It was one thing, trusting the X-Men on Usagi's say-so. But no one really wanted to talk about how they now had to be a little wary of Naru.

"But Usagi's got three of the X-Men with her," said Luna. "Even if Naru does lose her cool, they won't let any harm come to her."

"Somehow, I find it hard to have complete faith in the ghost kitty and the blue gorilla," Makoto grumbled.

"Get over it, people," Minako snapped. "Back in my days with Interpol, I sometimes had to partner with people I detested to get the job done. And these X-Men… They've made up for their mistakes, and then some. We need to remember who our real enemies are."

"Whose files we're scrutinizing, provided courtesy of the X-Men," Ami added tersely. "So I suggest we get back to that, since there's no telling how soon…"

"AAAAAH!" came a high-pitched wail from Mamoru's bedroom. Immediately, Luna turned toward the noise, her ears pricked up.

"Oh no, Diana… Something's wrong!" cried the mooncat. The rest of them followed Luna as she made a mad dash for the bedroom. Thankfully, it didn't look like Diana was in any danger. She sat at the foot of the bed, a television remote at her side. "Diana, is something wrong? Why did you cry out?"

"The television, the news…" said the little kitten, almost in a breathless whisper. "The queen, and her friend…"

"Something about Naru, on the news?" Ami asked. "Oh no, please don't let that mean…"

But as they crowded around the television, Ami's worst fears were confirmed. The first thing that jumped out at them was the bulletin ECLIPSE IDENTIFIED, along with a photo of Naru in the corner and looping footage of something that had happened at an outdoor monorail stop. They all gaped at how those slimy tendrils kept a monorail car from plunging into the ocean, and hoisted it back up.

"THAT'S what Naru tried to clobber you and Ami with, Makoto!?" Minako cried incredulously. Makoto didn't answer. She was too transfixed by Naru dragging the monorail car away from the edge. Minako didn't blame her. It was one thing to have their strength disparity elucidated with just numbers. To actually see what Naru could do was quite another.

"She… S-S-S-She saved all those people, but the reporters won't even give her the benefit of the doubt," Ami snarled. "They're doing everything they can to cast Naru as the villain here, practically inviting people to turn on her." Minako's brow furrowed. She had put a lot of crooks away as Sailor V, and people loved her for it. Why was it the opposite when Naru saved so many?

They then saw Sailor Moon get in between the mob that was forming and Naru. Seconds later, Kitty phased their entire group down into the concrete. "Well, now we know why Usagi transformed. At least they're all safe," said Luna.

"For now," Makoto spat. "T-T-T-This is going to destroy Naru. Things were looking up for her, finally, and now this." There was no trace of envy of Naru's strength in her voice, only empathy. She knew better than anyone what it was like to be cast out, branded as a brute.

"I'm afraid Ms. Kino speaks the truth. Ms. Osaka will need the support of her longtime friends more than ever," came a resounding voice, one that echoed in Minako's head. With the way everyone else was anxiously looking about, Minako knew they had heard it too. "For the moment, however, there is a more immediate concern."

"Professor Xavier, remind me to have Kitty work with me on an interface for our communicators, too," said Ami dryly. "Having you communicating telepathically is just… going to take too long to get used to."

"My apologies, Ms. Mizuno, but I fear this could be urgent," Xavier replied.

"Professor Xavier, where are Naru and Usagi?" Mamoru demanded. "Can you tell if they made it out safely?"

"They made it out just fine," said Xavier. "Our primary concern, however, would be Ms. Osaka's mother."

"Mayumi Osaka? Why would…" Makoto began, but then her eyes widened. "Oh no, there's a mob forming right outside her jewelry store, isn't there!?"

"I'm afraid so, and I can sense the panic and animosity among many of those gathered," said Xavier. His telepathic voice seemed to transmit his own sorrow. "I've already alerted Ororo and Nathan as well. They will meet you there, but you must hurry!"

Makoto cracked her knuckles. "Oh don't worry, Professor. We're on our way." Minako certainly wasn't going to object to that sentiment. It wasn't long before they all reached the ground floor and clambered into Mamoru's car. He must have run more than one red light on the way to the OSA-P.

He found a parking spot less than a block away from the jewelry store. As they ran up to it, they could see an angry crowd had formed, just as they feared. But two figures hung back. Someone with long, white hair, and a big guy in a longcoat.

Nathan looked over his shoulder. "You made it just in time. It looks like things are about to get ugly."

"Mayumi Osaka ejected her patrons and locked up her store, but I fear this crowd may soon go beyond chanting angry taunts," Ororo added.

Minako took a moment to listen. Disgusting diatribes about how Mayumi gave birth to an abomination, that they'd burn her store down to get to her daughter. Minako clenched her fists so hard, her fingernails nearly broke skin.

"I got hailed as a hero for my work as Sailor V, but Naru gets branded as a monster!?" she spat acerbically.

"Welcome to our world," Nathan muttered.

Minako thought she couldn't be any more disgusted, but then, she noticed some police officers present. They didn't seem too eager to keep things from escalating. In fact, many hung back as some in the crowd began throwing bricks through the windows.

Ami, Mamoru and Makoto looked on in shock and horror, but what Minako felt went way beyond that. With all her time working with law enforcement, seeing police all but allow this sort of thing turned Minako's stomach. "What's wrong with those officers!? They've got jobs to do!"

"Then it's time someone reminded them of that," said Nathan. Minako looked up at the supposed time-traveler, and swore she saw his eyes glow from behind those sunglasses. Looking back to the police officers, Minako saw they had finally sprung into action, instructing the mob to back off and disperse.

"And now, to take the wind out of that mob's sails," said Ororo. Minako then looked over to her, and watched her eyes turn solid white.

"Oh no, Storm, don't tell me you'll be throwing lightning bolts at them or something," Minako protested. That wasn't something she needed to see again.

"I had something a bit more surreptitious in mind, Minako," said Ororo. "Namely, lowering the air pressure in just the area that mob is gathered in. Make it harder to breathe and concentrate, and thus harder to focus misplaced rage."

"It looks like it's already working," said Ami. "Those officers are having an even easier time keeping those ingrates contained."

"So this is where you Senshi come in," said Nathan. "I'll mess with the cops' minds long enough so they don't notice you slipping inside, and I'll telekinetically open the locks on the front door."

"Yes, Sailor Senshi, hurry inside. See to it Naru's mother is safe," said Ororo. "We'll stay out here, in case this mob gets out of control again."

"Storm, Cable, thank you," said Mamoru, and the mutants nodded. He then made his way toward the OSA-P's front entrance, sparing furious glances over at the angry crowd. Mercifully, Ororo and Nathan managed to keep things from escalating further, thanks to such clever use of their powers. It was amazing how absurdly powerful mutants could use their gifts in such subtle ways, not to mention a little scary.

But that's why Usagi wants them as allies. It makes much more sense to work with them than to keep butting heads with them, Minako reminded herself as the rest of them followed Mamoru. Allies who can use their superpowers on the sly, out of costume, sure do come in handy. And true to Nathan's word, no one noticed them slipping through the front door.

The inside of the OSA-P didn't look too out of the ordinary at first, other than being devoid of customers in the middle of the day. Minako then turned her attention to where the bricks smashed through windows, though, and noticed they had also smashed up many display cabinets.

That was far from the worst of it, however. They soon found Mayumi Osaka slumped beside one of the glass cases, clutching her head. Blood seeped through her fingers.

"Oh no, Ms. Osaka!" Ami cried as she rushed to her side. Makoto, meanwhile, looked back through the shattered windows. Minako knew nothing would make Makoto happier than to launch herself back out there and crack every skull in that angry mob. "She's still conscious, though she seems to be fading in and out. Oh, I should call my mother, have her check her over personally…"

"That… won't be necessary, Ami," Mayumi muttered weakly. "I more or less, rolled with the brick when it hit… It c-c-c-could have been much, much worse."

"Still, that must've been a severe blow," said Mamoru, kneeling down beside her. "You'll need to be checked out at the emergency room."

"Y-Y-Y-You're… Usagi's boyfriend…" Mayumi said listlessly. "Usagi, my daughter… Where are they? Are they safe?"

"Yes, they made it out of there just fine," said Minako, trying to keep the anger out of her voice. This place, their friend's family business, somewhere where they often gathered… Those windows getting smashed was like desecrating a holy site in Minako's eyes. Just because Mayumi's flesh and blood was a mutant… How dare these people do this? "Just worry about yourself right now."

"B-B-But where can I go, with so many in the city screaming for my head?" Mayumi asked.

"Like I said, a call to my mother is in order," said Ami. "She won't hesitate to get you the help you need, and we have… friends who can help us slip past the mob."

"T-T-T-Thank you Ami," said Mayumi. "I'll… need to get this store open again as soon as possible…"

"Aren't you thinking a little too far ahead?" Makoto asked delicately. "With so many idiots out there treating giving birth to a mutant like a sin…"

"This is our family business, M-M-Makoto, I-I-I-I can't simply abandon it," Mayumi protested. "Besides, if Naru accepts this offer from the Xavier Institute, how else will I pay the tuition?"

"A bridge you can cross later," said Mamoru. "Please, for now, save your strength until we can get you to Dr. Mizuno."

Assuming she's not as pigheaded as the mob out there, Minako added silently. Minako didn't really think Dr. Mizuno would turn Mayumi down. But after Usagi ranted about what came out of her mother's mouth, one couldn't be entirely sure.

xxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxx

Ikuko was so absorbed in cooking dinner, she didn't even hear Kenji come in. She only realized he was home due to how he was lured into the kitchen by the inviting scents.

"Oooooh, that smells good," said Kenji, evoking a smile from Ikuko. "I hope it's not too much longer until dinner. I had to work so late on this assignment, I could sure use a good meal."

Glancing out the window, Ikuko saw the sun was almost down. "Wow, they really had you working late today," said Ikuko. "It must've been some big story."

"Not one I particularly relished reporting on, as you might imagine," Kenji replied.

"Oh, really?" Ikuko asked. "What, did you have to cover something about mutants?" Her husband made it painfully clear where he stood when it came to mutants. She wondered if it was the right time to tell him that one of his heroes had arrived right at their front door this morning.

Kenji looked back to her, perplexed. "What, you didn't see it? The bulletin must've been playing on every channel!"

"What bulletin? I've been too busy most of the day to watch much television."

Kenji sighed and shut his eyes. "I… hate to be the one to say this, but you'll find out eventually. Everyone's talking about it, going crazy. They've identified Eclipse."

That name… A name evoking almost as much fear in the people of Japan as Magneto's. Ikuko nearly dropped her carving knife. But there was something else in the way Kenji was telling her this. For not the first time, the memory of Usagi's bitter outburst rushed back. Suddenly, her words made sense. "Oh no… Kenji, it's our daughter, isn't it!? THIS is the reason she lashed out at me!?"

"What!? Oh no, it's not her," Kenji said quickly. "But it is hitting far too close to home. It's Naru, Ikuko. I figure Usagi knew about it, and that's why she blew up at you and Shingo."

This time, Ikuko did drop her knife. Ikuko stared back at her husband, wide-eyed with terror and shock. Her daughter's best friend, actually this mutant carving a path of destruction in Japan's underworld? And Dr. McCoy was here at this house, talking about recruiting new students, with Usagi coming along… It had to be Naru! "H-H-H-How was she found out?" she spluttered fearfully.

"She used her power in public, to rescue a monorail car about to plunge into the ocean," said Kenji. "Far from being grateful, though, everyone turned on her. Eyewitness reports say another mutant made their group sink right into the ground to escape. Which included Dr. Henry McCoy, if you can believe it! Imagine, one of the heroes of Cape Citadel, right here in Tokyo!"

"Kenji, he was here this morning!" Ikuko cried. "Our daughter was with them! She could've been caught up in all this! What have you heard about her, Kenji!? Any idea if she's safe!?"

"Wait, our Usagi, with Dr. McCoy?" Kenji asked incredulously. "No, this is the first I've heard of Usagi being involved. I've been worried about how Usagi would take this news, but if she was actually there to see it…"

"She already knew, Kenji! Why else would she explode like that!?" Ikuko pointed out.

Kenji stared back, unable to answer. All rational thought fled Ikuko as she dashed out of the kitchen and flew up the stairs. The door to Usagi's room was shut, but as Ikuko approached, she could hear a voice on the other side. Ikuko had been more absorbed in her cooking than she thought, if Usagi slipped in without her knowing.

She cautiously crept forward, just able to make out what her daughter was saying. "Good thing I didn't get rid of my old school uniforms," she said. It sounded like she was talking to herself, as she did sometimes.

Sighing in relief, Ikuko opened the door. "Usagi, dear?" she said tepidly as she shut the door. "We need to…"

Ikuko was cut short when long, spiky, black somethings shot out, driving into the bedroom door. Several had barely missing her head. She remained there, flattened against the door, eyeing the inky-black spikes fearfully, before her gaze turned to the center of the room.

Naru Osaka stood in the middle of her room, a bemused, terrified look on her face. Apparently, Usagi's talk about old school uniforms regarded her, as she must have put one on. Except it was in tatters, now that this noxious ink had ripped through it. One of the powers Eclipse was supposed to have. Here, right inside her home, was the dreaded mutant that had Japan on edge.

Out of the corner of her eye, Ikuko caught Usagi staring at her sheepishly. "And there goes another perfectly good old uniform," USagi said dryly. As if this sort of thing was commonplace for her. "Naru, I thought you said you had control over that thing?" Not a hint of fear in her daughter's voice.

Ikuko wished she could say the same. She stayed there, back against the door, only able to let out a whimper, her lip quivering.

"I told you, sometimes it's like it just acts on its own!" Naru pleaded. "Like with the monorail car. And I told you, the first time this stuff came out of me, I almost skewered my mother with it!"

"So now you have to nearly skewer mine, too?" Usagi asked darkly.

"Come on, Usagi! I don't do it on purpose!" Naru protested. "Besides, there's what just happened to my mother…"

"It sucks, I know, but we can't go yet," said Usagi. "And we have to hang back from the OSA-P for a while, until…"

Their bickering finally stopped when Ikuko let out a shriek, unable to contain her terror a moment longer. The two girls sheepishly looked over to Ikuko, as if they just remembered she was there.

"Oh, right," Usagi muttered. "Naru, the oil slick, you mind?"

Naru gazed over at Ikuko with a shameful expression, then jerked her shoulder back. The ooze receded into whenever Naru stored it inside her body. For a moment, Ikuko remained flattened against the door, despite not being pinned any longer.

Also, she was unable to tear her eyes away from Naru. Back when Usagi started spending more time with girls like Rei and Makoto, with their bad reputations, Ikuko had lamented how it seemed she was leaving Naru behind. What bitter irony, learning that Naru had a shady secret of her own.

"Well, that was my last good long-sleeved one you ripped apart," said Usagi. She was digging in her closet again. Not a worry that such a dangerous mutant was in her bedroom. "Then again, I guess you don't need long sleeves to cover up ooze anymore."

Neither Naru or Ikuko really heard her. They kept staring at each other, crushing silence between them. What was there to say? Ikuko was scared out of her mind, while Naru actually seemed to wither from her gaze. What did Naru have to be afraid of?

Just as Usagi fished out another uniform, Ikuko was nudged from her spot when the door was opened from the other side. Kenji and Shingo were forcing their way in. "Dear, was that you screaming? What's…?" Her husband fell silent when he saw Naru standing there, some ooze still covering her skin.

"Oh God, she's HERE!?" Shingo cried. "Who let her…" Usagi silenced him by driving her knuckles down onto his skull.

"I let her in, you little brat!" Usagi spat. "She needed a new set of clothes, and a place to lay low, at least for the night."

"Of all stupid things to end all stupid things… Usagi, a MUTANT TERRORIST spending the night!?" Shingo cried incredulously.

"Who just saved a dozen people on that monorail," Usagi shot back. "If Papa took the monorail home from work, you'd be singing a different tune!"

Ikuko knew Usagi was right. Yet as she kept gaping at Naru, she couldn't shake her terror. This sweet little girl who had been Usagi's friend for so long, actually a mutant with dreadful power… "Usagi, you can't be serious. She can't stay here…"

"So you're going to throw out someone you've known for years, even after she threw everything away to save total strangers? Fine," Usagi challenged. She was making it plain she wouldn't soon forgive Ikuko if she turned her back on her old friend.

"B-B-But Usagi, all the assaults she committed…" Ikuko protested.

"All against yakuza and those connected to them, to get them to back off from her mother!" Usagi snarled. "Who, in case no one told you, took a brick to the face after a mob formed outside their store!"

Ikuko gasped, looking back to Naru, who just quivered in silence and shame. A mob attacked Mayumi, just because her daughter was a mutant?

"It's just for one night. Someplace familiar, before she makes a decision about where to go next," Usagi went on. Further evidence that Dr. McCoy was out to recruit Naru. One night, and then this mutant would go across the Pacific, never to be seen again. Ikuko didn't know if it was relief she felt, or vexation that a criminal would be getting away. Either way, Ikuko started to feel shame herself. "Anyway, if you can, I…"

Another voice cut Usagi off, and strangely, it came from directly above them. Looking up, Ikuko gasped again. That girl who was with McCoy this morning, now poked her head down THROUGH THE CEILING OF USAGI'S ROOM!?

"Hey Usagi, Chibiusa wants to know how Naru's doing. She thought she heard a scream, and…" Her words trailed off when she caught Usagi's awkward expression. When Usagi pointed toward her door. Kitty turned her head around to see the rest of them, now wearing an awkward expression herself. "Oh. Hello again, Ms. Tsukino. I'm… just wrapping things up with Chibiusa up here. I'll be out of your hair in a few minutes," she said with a nervous laugh, right before her head vanished back through the ceiling.

Another awkward silence hung over Usagi's room. "Well, now you know how I got Naru in the house without anyone noticing," Usagi said, shrugging her shoulders.

"So, she really was one of those freaks, too?" Shingo demanded. He hid behind his father when Usagi raised a fist.

Shingo had to retreat behind Ikuko when Kenji stepped closer to Naru. "Naru, I really do want to help you. I've been covering this story all day, and I understand what you've sacrificed." It was then that Ikuko realized Kenji was addressing Naru as a person, rather than keep talking about her as if she wasn't there. Shame welled up anew. "But, I'd be lying if I said I'm not worried about what happens if the police find out about this."

"Oh, no one'll find out. We don't have any snitches here, now do we?" Usagi asked airily, shooting Shingo a dirty look. Shingo ducked behind Ikuko again.

"Still, he's got a point, Usagi," Naru said suddenly. "After what happened at the OSA-P, I couldn't ask your family to do this. There are other places I could stay…"

"No. No way, Naru," said Usagi. "You've always been welcome here, and that's not changing."

"Usagi, your father had a point," said Ikuko. "If the police find out she's here…"

Usagi sighed in annoyance, rubbing her forehead as she shut her eyes. "Fine, I hoped it wouldn't have to come to playing this trump card, but here goes. Papa, exclusive interview with Dr. Hank McCoy if you let Naru stick around."

Kenji's eyes widened in shock and elation, and Ikuko knew it was over. Shingo saw it as well. "Mama, do something! We're losing him!"

"Nothing I can do, Shingo," said Ikuko.

"After all, it's only one night," said Kenji sheepishly. Ikuko didn't really feel annoyed with him. In fact, she wasn't sure what she was feeling, other than apprehension. This was Naru Osaka, one of Usagi's oldest friends. Logically, there was no danger in keeping Naru here for a night or two, yet Ikuko couldn't shake her fear. And that was the most shameful thing yet.

xxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxx

Naru sat alone on Usagi's bed, more or less just staring into space, lost in her thoughts. Ikuko had finished cooking dinner some time ago, but not only was Naru's appetite completely shot for once, she simply couldn't face Usagi's family again. Granted, Ikuko had good reason to be scared of her after nearly getting skewered. A pity that Naru could easily tell Ikuko's anxiety stemmed from much more than that. Shingo was clearly petrified of her, though thankfully, he still seemed more fearful of his sister's wrath. Even Kenji, someone who hero-worshipped the X-Men, seemed a little on edge.

She tried not to imagine what was going on downstairs. No doubt it was the Tsukino family's most awkward dinner ever.

At least they're still together, as a family, Naru realized bitterly. Umino's parents will probably forbid him to ever see me again. And my mother got a brick in the face. Hurt badly because of me, just like Nephrite. It could be much worse than Usagi or the X-Men are telling me, and I can't even go see her! All this work, trying to keep the yakuza off her back, and now I can't do a thing!

Tears flowed as Naru's hands clenched into fists. Her life had been enough of a mess already. All these months, working so hard to gain control over these powers, only to have it all thrown away, because she simply couldn't let those people on the monorail die. Not to mention, all the people who wound up being protected by her disruption of yakuza activity. And how was she repaid? Cast out like a pariah, and her mother injured badly, their business threatened. Logan said X-Men always had to do the right thing. Did doing the 'right thing' always lead to so much heartbreak for them? Or did fate simply have it out for Naru Osaka?

Naru was wallowing so deeply in her sorrow, she almost didn't hear the door opening. Naru shut her eyes tightly, forcing her oil slick to lay dormant. This gunk always oozing out of her, it WOULD obey her, one way or another.

Professor Xavier said he could help me with control. I guess he'll have the chance. I may HAVE to go with him, just to escape all the people who want my head on a pike, Naru thought. She slowly turned and opened her eyes. "Oh, hey Usagi," said Naru, seeing who it was. What a relief it wasn't one of the others. "Is… dinner over?"

"Not really, but… It's sickening how they're all pretending there's nothing amiss," Usagi spat. "Going on as if everything's all peachy, not a care in the world. Can't dwell on the mutant monster upstairs, out of sight out of mind…"

Usagi sounded even more bitter about the situation than Naru. That was another thing she hated. As frustrated as Naru was with Usagi as of late, it still felt good, how their old friendship was getting patched up. But that cheerful optimism of hers was hardly anywhere to be found. It was as if Japan's descent into anti-mutant paranoia had crushed it completely. On top of that, the sheer venom in Usagi's voice took Naru aback.

"It doesn't matter Usagi. It's not like I'm staying long term," said Naru. "Besides, the sooner I go, the better."

"Why should you go, Naru?" Usagi demanded, walking over to the foot of the bed. "You've always been welcome here before. That shouldn't change."

"It looks like it hasn't. But just because you're still welcome, doesn't really mean you're still wanted," said Naru.

"All because you were born different," Usagi scoffed. "Makes one wonder how they'd react, if they learned who Sailor Moon really is."

"Sailor Moon's not a mutant," Naru pointed out.

"Exactly. Only mutants get this stigma. Them, and no other super-beings," said Usagi, hands on her hips. "Honestly, with the way the whole country's turned against you, I wouldn't be surprised if you went out and GAVE them a reason to be afraid. Starting with my mother downstairs. Still jittery around you, just because of a little slip-up. Well, maybe you should show her what your powers can do ON PURPOSE. It's the only way to show you won't be trifled with."

The animosity in Usagi's voice before was odd enough, but this!? Naru stared over at Usagi in disbelief, mouth agape. It took a moment for words to come to her. "U-U-U-Usagi, what's with you!?" she demanded. "What's going on!?"

Usagi said nothing. She simply closed her eyes and shook her head, sighing. But when she opened them again, they were a solid yellow, save for black irises formed from dots!

Naru gasped, scrambling backward on the bed. She could feel some ooze dribbling down her arms. 'Usagi' simply chuckled. "Oh, you should see the look on your face, Naru. Wait, hold on…" With that, some sort of wave washed over her. Her clothes changed to the short-sleeved version of the Juban Middle School uniform, her hair shortened and changed color… It was like looking in the mirror, at an exact copy of herself! Save for the eyes, which were still an eerie yellow. "You can!" she finished with a mirthful laugh.

Once again, Naru could only stare. At her own face, though twisted into a sardonic grin. "W-W-W-What are you?" she finally managed to splutter out.

Another wave went over the girl, and this time, more profound changes occurred. Her hair changed color to a vibrant red and lengthened a bit, and her skin turned a dark shade of blue. The school uniform suddenly became a leather jacket and a silvery-grey dress that went halfway past her knees. High heeled silvery-grey boots and a belt formed from little silver skulls completed the look. She also grew taller, towering over Naru like Storm did. Naru could only gape up at the stranger, noticing what looked like reptilian scales covering parts of her forehead and cheeks.

"I am Mystique," she said to the befuddled girl. "And I am much like you, Naru Osaka."

"Another mutant?" It wasn't really a question. "H-H-H-How'd you do that?"

"My power lets me shapeshift into any form I choose," said Mystique, smiling. "It's quite useful, obviously. But in the grand scheme of things, not quite as impressive as your array of mutant gifts."

Naru ignored that last part. Her powers certainly didn't feel like 'gifts' as of late. "Why are you here?" she demanded.

"We are aware that the X-Men have made you an offer, to join their team," said Mystique. "I've come to make a counteroffer."

Naru was dubious. It had been Usagi's aim to get her to join the X-Men, figuring they could teach her how to master her powers. No one ever mentioned a blue shapechanger belonging to another mutant group. "Who's 'we'?"

"Oh, certainly the X-Men must've mentioned the Brotherhood," said Mystique innocently.

"You mean the Brotherhood of Evil Mutants?" Naru asked dryly.

Mystique chuckled. "Well, we did drop the 'Evil Mutants' part a long time ago. Bad for the PR, you could say. It was to make a statement, though. A play on how humans think all mutants are simply creatures of evil, an excuse to hate us just because we exist. Something you've become all too familiar with."

There was certainly no arguing with Mystique about that. Naru looked down, seeing ooze that inadvertently flowed down her arms. She willed it to recede, but some inky stains remained.

"Even if you hadn't revealed your secret today, Naru, there's no hiding the truth from yourself," said Mystique, noticing. "You've seen the people of your home country swiftly turn against our kind, even as the Sailor Senshi bask in their adoration. Supplanting even Sunfire, another mutant, as Japan's symbol of heroic might."

Naru suddenly felt even more uneasy. Mystique was clearly probing for vulnerabilities. Unfortunately, Naru could feel it working. Resentment began to bubble up, despite herself.

"I guess that's to be expected," Naru said. "Sailor Moon tries to give people hope and instill optimism. I wanted Eclipse to be feared."

"The people of Japan would have hated whatever identity you created, simply knowing it to be that of a mutant," said Mystique. "It's always the same story, Naru. Over in America, the X-Men are detested no matter how much 'good' they do. As opposed to revered heroes like the Fantastic Four, the Avengers… Even Spider-Man and the Hulk get better publicity. And they expect you to join them? Flee one country that's treating you as a pariah, only to have the same thing happen on the other side of the Pacific?"

Mystique had a point. It would be just like Naru insinuated to Logan. While in their mansion, there would be no persecution, only to face it anew every time she got into uniform. She was already iffy about the idea of actually becoming a superhero, but if this was what would happen…

"B-B-But heroes don't do what they do for fame. They do it because of an ideal they believe in," Naru stammered, turning her gaze to the floor.

"And can you still believe in Xavier's ideals, Naru?" Mystique sat down beside Naru, placing a hand on her shoulder. Naru glanced at it, noticing the scaly protrusions on the back of her hand. "After all these years, they still cling to this dream that normal humans can live peacefully with our kind. Naru, they can't even live in peace with their own kind. Just ask your mother. And who knows how your man's peers will treat him, now knowing he dares to love a mutant."

That cut right to Naru's heart. She looked back to Mystique, tears welling up again. "What are you offering, then?" she demanded. "It's not like a couple of normal humans would be welcome among the Brotherhood."

"If safeguarding two humans is the price for your trust and loyalty, so be it," said Mystique. "I would accept your conditions without hesitation, and so would Magneto."

Naru shuddered a little. The Brotherhood apparently still had ties to the most dreaded mutant of all. "Magneto? Protecting humans?" she spat, dubious.

"As overbearing and obstinate as the Master of Magnetism can be, you'll find he's a man of his word," said Mystique. "He can do more to protect them than the X-Men could. Asteroid M is a bit harder to breach than their school."

As much as it sickened Naru, she found herself tempted. All this time, she hadn't been able to keep yakuza from harassing her mother, not entirely. And now, Umino was in danger. On top of that, seeing how everyone reacted upon seeing her use her powers in public had cut Naru to the core. It wasn't just the idea of being a Sailor Senshi that had lost its luster. Being a superhero in general was looking less and less appealing, if these were the consequences.

Still, Naru had deep reservations. She still couldn't see herself hurting people as part of the Brotherhood, truly becoming the villain. "I… don't know, Mystique. I have no real love for the rest of humanity right now, but I'm not angry enough to lash out at them. They're not evil, just scared."

"Because they know we're the next phase of evolution," said Mystique. "Their hate stems from what they refuse to admit to themselves. Look at yourself, Naru. You're over a hundred times stronger than the most accomplished human bodybuilder. You harness an energy that still baffles the best scientists, Dr. Reed Richards included. Your body commands an extension of itself that can only be compared to an alien creature. They hate you because they know you're superior, and you're just a glimpse of what mutantkind is capable of. That hate will lead them to lashing out at US, Naru. Sentinels are only the beginning. What I'm asking you is to help us strike before that happens, to safeguard a future for our kind. The Sailor Senshi weren't there for you, but the Brotherhood looks out for their own."

It scared Naru, how a lot of what Mystique was saying made sense. Still, she couldn't bring herself to say yes. "I-I-I-I can't, Mystique. I don't think I could be a part of whatever it is Magneto wants."

"It's not something I'd ask you to decide right away," said Mystique. She reached into a pocket on her jacket and pulled something out. "Take this, Naru. Think over what we've discussed. Something tells me you'll see things differently soon enough. If you do, I can arrange a face-to-face meeting with Magneto himself, and you can ask him whatever you want. All you have to do is give me a call." Mystique took Naru's hand in hers, and placed a small device in it.

Naru stared at what Mystique put in her hand. Erik Magnus Lehnsherr, the dreaded Master of Magnetism… Supposedly, he was out to keep mutants from going through what happened to the Jews during the Holocaust. Did that justify what he had done over the years? Naru once thought she could easily say 'no', but after today…

A knock at the door made Naru look over her shoulder. "Naru, can I come in? Are you OK?" came Usagi's voice.

Naru looked back to Mystique, but she had suddenly vanished. A sudden chill made Naru look to the now-open window. Gone, in a flash, but she had left Naru with a means to reach her again.

Usagi opened up when Naru didn't answer. "Uh, Naru, there's plenty of leftovers if you're hungry. And, well, given your power, you probably are."

Naru couldn't bring herself to meet Usagi's eyes. "T-T-T-Thanks, Usagi. I-I-I might come down soon," she got out.

"Naru, is something wrong?" Usagi asked delicately.

Oh, nothing's wrong. Other than the whole country knows I'm a mutant vigilante and is screaming for my head, my mother got a brick in the face, and the family that's known me for years is keeping me at arm's length! Naru wanted to scream. But she couldn't. Instead, Naru looked down at the communications device in the palm of her hand. She could easily crush it to dust, right then and there. She knew she should.

But she couldn't do that either.