Sailor Moon X: Lunar Eclipse
a Sailor Moon/X-Men crossover
Chapter 24: Ultimate Alliance
3-4-2018
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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Ikuko put the finishing touches on the curry meal she was preparing for Kenji. This sort of thing… Once, it was just part of her routine. Now, such tasks served as a lifeline, providing meaning, and a means to distract her as everything fell apart.
So many bombshells dropped in her lap, one after another. Usagi's best friend, the mutant who had the country in an uproar. Her own daughter, secretly Japan's protector all this time. Who had just formed an alliance with the X-Men, and now they had to stick close to these mutants, since their most infamous enemy might want to get at Usagi through them.
Ikuko shuddered as that sank in again. She had just set the dirty dishes in the sink, now half-expecting them to start moving. The thought of Magneto coming after her family turned her insides to water. How did Usagi cope with that looming over her? To hear Usagi tell it, she had taken down people with power rivaling Magneto's.
No, Usagi wasn't letting fear get to her. The heartbreak from seeing Naru go crazy is what threatened to undo her daughter.
She stood there in the shrine's kitchen for a moment, holding the tray in her hands. Superhero or not, reincarnated princess or not, Usagi was still her little girl! As her mother, she HAD to do something, console her in this darkest hour.
But what could she do? She still didn't really understand what was going on. Ikuko doubted she ever would. She was just an ordinary woman, dumped in the middle of a conflict involving the Sailor Senshi, mutants, giant mutant-hunting robots… It made Ikuko's head hurt just trying to make sense of it, but not as much as her heart ached for Usagi.
Ikuko was so lost in her thoughts, she barely noticed someone else had stepped into the kitchen. Turning to her left, Ikuko was surprised to see Storm. She stood there in that black uniform with a cape, such a stark contrast to the white fukus the Senshi wore. She silently… took a pot of brewed coffee? Seeing someone in a superhero costume doing something so mundane… Then again, Usagi once came off as a capricious little girl, never tipping her own mother off about her true identity.
Finally, Storm noticed Ikuko was there. Turning her head, she said, "I am sorry, Mrs. Tsukino, was I disturbing you?"
Ikuko quickly shook her head. "Actually, I was just about to take this back to the Blackbird, since Kenji's still there with Dr. McCoy."
"I'm heading back there with this as well," said Storm. "According to Samuel, coffee is practically Nathan's lifeblood, and the professor may need some caffeine to stay focused as well."
"Well, we better get going," said Ikuko with an awkward smile. Storm nodded, and the two of them headed out the shrine's back exit, into the forest.
Darkness had fallen, and the forest had a spooky vibe. It was foolish to be afraid, though, when walking beside the X-Men's field commander. Ikuko still wasn't sure what to make of Storm. All these years, hearing her husband speak reverently of her… The real thing wasn't what Ikuko expected. Oh, Storm stood tall and proud, someone accustomed to taking command of a situation. Yet at the same time, this supposed goddess of the winds seemed quite down to Earth, warm and friendly. And also, preoccupied with something.
"Ororo, is there… something the matter?" Ikuko worked up the courage to ask.
Storm sighed. "The same thing that's bothering you, I suppose. Wondering what to do to help your daughter."
Ikuko was taken aback, and for a moment, incensed. Storm may be a leader of superheroes that Usagi could relate to, but Usagi was still HER daughter. HER responsibility. And to Ikuko's surprise, she didn't hesitate to tell her so. "Ororo, you're not obligated to help Usagi," she said, more testily than she had wanted to.
"Aren't I?" Storm mused. "Did your daughter not tell you of our first meeting? She was so distraught over Naru, she was willing to open up to the professor and I, complete strangers. And after forcing both of our teams to stop wasting energy fighting each other, I saw hope reignite in her eyes. Even though I told her not to be so dismissive of her own worth, Usagi still acted as if we were the answer to her prayers. Yet, despite all our efforts, her friend slipped away, and I don't just mean how she teleported off that roof. Oh, I still wonder if I was being too gentle back there, whether I should've just risked injury with a lightning bolt…"
Ikuko stared at her quizzically. "Ororo, you summoned a BLIZZARD to sap Naru's strength. If you're wondering if you were holding back, don't."
"Good point," said Storm. "Still, Usagi was counting on us taking Naru in, and I truly believed she would choose that path. After all, there was once a girl whose heart I, quite literally, had to rip out. Now, she's a fellow X-Man."
"You… ripped out…" As if Ikuko needed reminding why this woman was tough enough to lead the X-Men. "Never mind, I don't want to know. I get it, though. There was another angry mutant girl you thought you could reach, but she spat in your face."
Storm nodded, and Ikuko thought she saw a teardrop glimmer in what moonlight poked through the trees. "I believed showing her the Acolytes' atrocities would be enough. It was foolish to think convincing her to reject Magneto would mean she would accept us in turn, not after losing her mother. I miscalculated badly. Next time, I cannot hesitate to call down lightning, even if Makoto won't. It doesn't make it any less sickening, though." Ikuko said nothing. What could she say, even if she wasn't so surprised such a powerful mutant was showing vulnerability, in front of someone who was still mostly a stranger?
They reached the Blackbird, which had the entrance ramp down. Storm went on ahead, while Ikuko hesitated a moment. She wasn't particularly eager to step into something made of metal.
When she finally went up the ramp, a snort made Ikuko look to the back of the plane. That dragon the American girl called Lockheed… He was there, puffing away at one of Logan's cigars, while he… played poker with that cat of Minako's!? They eyed each other suspiciously from over their hands.
A talking cat born millennia ago, in a poker game with an alien dragon that smokes cigars. Sure, at this point, why not? Ikuko mused. All I want to know is… how does that cat hold ONTO the cards!?
Ikuko turned and walked further down the plane. She passed that girl and the big guy with the robotic arm, the latter already guzzling from a mug of coffee. They were scrutinizing something at a computer terminal, possibly trying to figure out where these 'Sentinels' were. Something else Ikuko didn't want to think about Usagi fighting.
Kenji was close to the cockpit, finally getting that interview with Dr. McCoy. Unlike the others, McCoy wore a suit and tie instead of his uniform. They were both laughing amicably as Kenji scribbled something down. At least her husband was getting something out of this insanity.
Burying her anxiety as best she could, Ikuko walked up and set the tray down on the table between them. "I trust you're not to overcome with fanboyish glee that you've forgotten it's dinnertime," said Ikuko, forcing a smile.
Kenji smiled back. "Oh, what would I do without you, Ikuko?" Turning back to McCoy, he asked, "I wonder, is there… someone in your life, Doctor?"
McCoy chuckled. "No one who'd have home-cooked meals for me every night, if that's what you're asking. You know how hectic a reporter's life can be…"
Seeing that the interview would go on for some time, Ikuko sighed, ready to leave. But as she turned, she saw Storm standing beside Xavier. He had some strange helmet on, and Luna sat on the right armrest. It was so strange now, seeing a cat's face screwed up in concentration. Why had she never noticed it before?
"Anything, Professor?" Storm asked hesitantly.
Xavier shook his head after removing that helmet, and likewise, Luna now looked flustered. "I'm afraid not, Ororo," said Xavier. "I had hoped that by linking with Luna's mind as I use Cerebro, her greater sensitivity to dark forces would aid in pinpointing where Naru has fled."
"Let's just face it, Xavier," said Luna. "Whatever it is about Naru's mutant powers that lets her evade detection, there's simply no way to beat it. I barely picked up how she was throwing around dark energy right and left the first time, and I was close by. When she's not calling upon her dark power, it's hopeless, even with Cerebro."
"Still, Luna, we must try," said Xavier. "I made Usagi a promise I would do everything in my power to help her friend."
"Too bad Naru doesn't want anyone's help," Luna hissed. The venomous bite to her voice took Ikuko aback. "I'm sorry, Xavier, but I can't help despising that girl now. Usagi did everything she could, did her best to patch up their friendship. And then Naru repaid her kindness by bludgeoning her with a tree, in case you forgot."
"No need for reminders, Luna. I was there." The words flew out of Ikuko's mouth before she could stop herself.
Xavier's wheelchair swiveled around. There was a strange look in his eyes. "No one will blame you for having less-than-charitable thoughts regarding Naru, Mrs. Tsukino. Still, I made a promise to your daughter that I intend to keep."
Ikuko stared down at Luna and Xavier for a moment. Usagi had sought this man out, a complete stranger. And this cat had been mentoring her daughter for well over a year, while she remained blissfully ignorant of the trouble Usagi was getting herself into. No, to hear Usagi tell it, this cat was the one DRAGGING her into all those fights!
"Ikuko, clearly I'm not the only troubled woman here tonight," said Storm. "Please, if something's bothering you, just say so."
"Your professor can read minds. He can tell you, can't he?" Yet another thing Ikuko had trouble accepting. This man supposedly had her paralyzed, and could've wiped her memory. And to hear the X-Men tell it, Xavier was the only mutant who matched Magneto in terms of raw power. Usagi insisted Xavier could be trusted, would never abuse his power, but Ikuko couldn't help feeling anxious around him.
"I'm not in the habit to delving into minds without permission, except in extreme circumstances," said Xavier.
"Extreme circumstances… That's just it, Professor Xavier," said Ikuko. "I've learned my daughter is a reincarnated princess and Japan's protector, the city's become ground zero for the latest fight between you and your old friend, and I'm caught in the middle feeling utterly powerless. To help my daughter, to do anything! Extreme circumstances, I'll say! On top of that, I can't help feeling useless after learning not only Usagi sought out you instead of coming to me, but this cat's been more of a mentor these last two years than I'll ever be."
"I'll just pretend I didn't hear the venom in that last sentence," Luna hissed.
Xavier regarded Ikuko thoughtfully for a moment. Was he reading her mind after all? Her defenselessness in the face of his telepathy, that's what terrified Ikuko the most.
"You wonder if you even matter to your daughter anymore? One might say her decision to come clean, rather than have Nathan purge your memory, should say otherwise," said Xavier.
"Think about it, Ikuko. I was just her guide, helping Usagi come to terms with her destiny. You raised Usagi, stood by her. And after Usagi saw what keeping secrets did to her friendship with Naru, she decided to tell you everything. And over my objections if I had been there," said Luna. "Usagi isn't pushing you aside. More than ever, she's let you in."
"I'd like to think so," said Ikuko. "But who does she go to for superhero advice? You, and now Xavier. Will she ever run anything by me before storming off as Sailor Moon, tell me what kind of danger she's jumping into?"
"You may have a point there, Mrs. Tsukino," said Xavier suddenly. Ikuko looked back to him, seeing that he looked distracted by something. "The stray thoughts I'm picking up from around the city… Ororo, hurry, we must bring up the current television broadcast." He swerved his wheelchair back around, punching something into his console.
"What channel, exactly?" Storm asked.
"From what I'm sensing, any channel," Xavier replied. Ikuko just stood there, already feeling shut out again. She was about to demand Xavier tell her what was going on, but then, she saw her daughter's face appear on a screen, as Sailor Moon. "As I thought, this is being broadcasted everywhere, overpowering all other signals."
"How did Usagi manage to get her face on every television screen?" came Kitty's voice. Ikuko turned to see her and Cable standing beside Xavier's console. Something must have suddenly dawned on Kitty, as her face contorted into a scowl. "Makoto… They must've plugged her right into a station's wiring to juice up the signal."
Xavier turned up the volume on the broadcast. Sailor Moon's confident, commanding voice rang inside the Blackbird. "The Sailor Senshi have never backed down from this sort of thing before, and we won't start now. But this time, we'll need all those willing to open their hearts to rise up with us. We've put so much blood, sweat and tears into defending our country, and we refuse to believe the people we've protected will let it go down this road. Suspicion of those born different bubbling over into outright hate, to the point of cheering on Sentinels marching down the streets, hunting down fellow citizens. We've seen that sort of ugliness elsewhere. We can either stand back and watch it happen here, or work together to keep such horrors from ever staining our country's honor. The choice is yours." And with that, the signal cut out, replaced with static.
"Oh my stars and garters," said McCoy. "Ms. Tsukino said she desperately wanted to stop these Sentinels in their tracks, but this…What brought about such a hasty ploy?"
"Naru's betrayal affected her more than we realized," said Kitty. "She's done sitting around. All of the Sailor Senshi are."
"It might work," said Kenji. "If enough people make a stink, the political will to use Sentinels may wither."
"Yes, Sailor Moon must believe she's helping us by mobilizing those whose hearts can be swayed, but this can easily backfire," said Xavier. "I wish she would have run this by us, first."
At least this means Usagi's prepared to trust herself more than Xavier on SOME things, Ikuko thought to herself, praying Xavier wasn't picking up her thoughts. Still, just what is my little girl thinking!? Is she TRYING to bring about more civil unrest!?
"Wait a minute… Luna, did you know about…" Kitty began, turning to Xavier. But Luna had already jumped down from Xavier's wheelchair. She bolted down the lowered ramp, Artemis right behind her. With a snarl, Lockheed took flight and flew after them, snorting.
Kitty was about to follow Lockheed, but Xavier reached out to grab her wrist. "Forget the cats. We need to find out just what it is Sailor Moon aims to do." Xavier then turned to Storm. "Ororo, you and Nathan should go and…"
Xavier stopped upon seeing Storm was no longer standing there. A sudden gust of wind made Ikuko look back to the ramp. Dirt and leaves were being blown up into the plane. Storm was already flying into the city to look for the Sailor Senshi. A quick glance told Ikuko that Cable had also left, no doubt flying behind Storm.
With their powers, they would soon find her daughter and get her to spill exactly what her insane plan was, while she was stuck here. Despite everything Xavier and Luna had said, Ikuko felt more shut out than ever.
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Storm hoped her black uniform would let her blend into the night while flying close to the roofs of skyscrapers, but figured her white hair might still catch someone's eye. It couldn't be helped, though. Sailor Moon had cut her transmission only moments ago. There was a chance to find the Sailor Senshi escaping across rooftops by flying toward the closest television studios. So Storm focused on the task at hand, finding that riding on the winds still came easily, despite everything that troubled her.
"Still having trouble picking out the Sailor Senshi amongst all the other minds in Tokyo," Cable said via telepathy. He flew beside Storm, not even looking toward her as his words rang in her head. "The ruckus Sailor Moon's caused with her little stunt isn't helping matters."
"What kind of thoughts are you picking up from the people, Nathan?" Storm sent back, suddenly curious. Sailor Moon had some plan in mind, or at least Storm hoped so. The girl meant well, but she could be so… flighty sometimes.
"A really disparate brew," said Cable. "There's a lot of confusion about how Usagi's taking our side, thanks to seeing us fighting the Sailor Senshi on TV. There's plenty of dismissive attitudes too, but some folks… I guess Usagi struck a nerve, saying Japan would be shamed forever if they let it happen here. Lingering admiration for Sunfire might be helping, too."
"Is that optimism I'm sensing from you, Nathan?" Storm replied, unable to keep from smirking.
"Merely acknowledging that so far, it's not exactly backfiring as the professor feared," Nathan retorted. "All the more reason to find the Senshi and figure out what their game is, before Kizachi and Magneto have a chance to twist things around."
Storm nodded, seeing that they were closing on the first television studio. The goddess was with them this night. Storm could make out the white of the Senshi's fukus on the roof of a building right next to the studio. They weren't on the move, however. The Senshi seemed to be peering over the roof's edge as police cars screeched to a halt right outside the studio entrance.
Storm and Cable curved their trajectories around, so that they came up behind the Sailor Senshi. They didn't seem to notice the swirling winds Storm kicked up, and Storm could hear the Senshi speak over them.
"Well, that's it. The Sailor Senshi are criminals now. Wanted by the law. Faces right next to Naru's on the public enemies list," Jupiter grumbled as they watched cops pour into the studio. There was bitterness in her voice, but also resignation. From what Storm recalled, this girl who could also command lightning was no stranger to being regarded a troublemaker.
"A feeling I'm quite familiar with," said Storm, making all of the Senshi look behind them. "I grew up a thief on the streets of Cairo, Sailor Jupiter. It was the only way to survive. I trust there's a similarly justifiable motivation for what the Sailor Senshi have done tonight."
Storm and Cable touched down quite close to the Sailor Senshi. If the Senshi were unnerved by their sudden arrival, they didn't show it. Despite how their teams had clashed before, there was enough mutual understanding now. At least, that was what Storm hoped.
"That was fast," said Uranus, yet she didn't look the least bit surprised to see them. "Let me guess, your professor picked up a lot of confusion in the city, and tuned in."
"Something like that," said Cable. "We caught the tail end of Sailor Moon's pitch to her countrymen. But so far, we're at a loss as to exactly WHAT you're all hoping to accomplish with this stunt."
"Come on, Cable. I thought you were the tactician of this outfit," Chibi-Moon jeered. "Throw Kizachi a curveball, do the unexpected, undercut the push to use Sentinels that we know is coming, make our supposedly sparkling reputation actually work for us… Any of this resonating in that strategic mind of yours?"
Cable glowered at Chibi-Moon, but said nothing. Perhaps he felt the girl had a point.
Still, Storm had her doubts. "Your reputations may not be sparkling soon after this. Whatever you did in there, it has attracted the attention of the police. There may be a cost to your ploy."
"Maybe we've decided that this was something worth sacrificing our reputations for," Mars said coolly.
"Yeah, Storm. The X-Men's standing with the general public in America went into the toilet soon after the team revealed itself," Mercury added. "Yet over the years, the X-Men keep doing what they feel is right. Why shouldn't it be the same with us?"
Obviously, the Sailor Senshi had put a good deal of thought not only into executing this scheme of theirs, but into countering the X-Men when they inevitably questioned their tactics. For a moment, Storm was also at a loss for words. Indeed, no matter how much it could hurt, being seen as a pariah by so many she sought to protect, Storm kept fighting for what she knew was right.
Perhaps she and the other X-Men wished to spare the Sailor Senshi that pain. But perhaps she had also failed to truly appreciate that the Sailor Senshi weren't exactly children needing guidance. These weren't X-Men-in-training from back home. The Sailor Senshi had been through the fire again and again, and now chose to jump into the blaze once more. They knew what the consequences could be, and were prepared to face them. Storm began to realize she should be proud of them, not worried.
Still, there was the matter of how this could blow up in all their faces, something Cable was all too happy to press. "Because with Erina Kizachi's connections, popularity and talent for manipulation, she could easily twist this against you. We've seen that sort of thing happen before."
"You think we hadn't considered that?" said Sailor Moon testily. "I learned that the hard way, when I put Kizachi on the spot in her seminar. So I made vague mentions of Sentinels instead of calling Kizachi out. I wasn't going to make that mistake again. There'll be a better time to stick it to Kizachi anyway, right?"
Indeed, we HAVE underestimated the Senshi's resolve. When we first met, Usagi was desperately trying to make sense of the chaos Erina Kizachi had plunged their country into. Now, she's ready to make a stand. They all are, Storm thought. Out loud, she said, "Point taken, Sailor Moon. Perhaps we were too quick to believe the Sailor Senshi didn't think this through. Nevertheless, we would like to know what your endgame is. Things are at a delicate stage now, with us trying to pinpoint where the Sentinels are being…"
"That's the thing. We're all tired of just waiting for that," Neptune spat. "We helped Logan pry some information out of a yakuza operative, but we're not helpless in the meantime. If we can turn enough people against the idea of Sentinels being loosed, they'll stay in place long enough for us to find them."
"And smash every single one before they're activated," Venus added.
It was true that Logan's latest discoveries had pointed them in the right direction, but it could still be some time before they had the Sentinels' location. Days even, and with how Naru's rampage had the whole city in a panic, Kizachi could get the authorization to use them before then.
"A delaying tactic, then, until we can all strike together. OK, I get that," Cable admitted.
"It's not only that, Cable," said Tuxedo Kamen. "Kizachi's working with Magneto, remember? There's a good chance Magneto wants this chaos, too. Not just to rip out Usa-ko's heart, but to play into his message that humans will stomp all over mutants no matter what. All that footage of our fights given anonymously to the press… They WANTED Japan's mutants to think the Sailor Senshi are no friend of their kind. By getting her story out, she blunts that too."
"As far as we're concerned, better to have our reputations tarnished in the eyes of law enforcement than be used for whatever messaging war Magneto's waging," said Venus.
Another admission that took Storm aback. This one once worked with Interpol. To casually toss aside the goodwill the Sailor Senshi had earned with law enforcement showed just how committed she was.
Cable digested all this for a moment, fixing the Sailor Senshi with an appraising look. "In any case, there's no putting this genie back in the bottle, I suppose," Cable said, relenting. "Who knows, your ploy may even work. Still, you should have briefed us on your plan first, Sailor Moon. There are a lot of variables here, and one mistake could let Kizachi and Magneto flip this to their advantage."
"You're here now. You want in on it? Fine," said Uranus testily.
"But maybe the X-Men should take a backseat this time, let the Sailor Senshi be the ones in the spotlight fighting for mutants' rights," said Neptune.
"And why would that be?" Stormasked , confused.
"It's like you said, about reputations," said Mercury. "No offense Storm, but not everyone in Japan sees the X-Men like Usagi's father does. The Sailor Senshi, however… Despite what we've done here tonight, hopefully we've earned enough goodwill in so people will listen to us." Storm caught the hesitancy in Mercury's voice. She wasn't entirely sure this would work, and to a scientific mind like hers, uncertain variables vexed her to no end. Still, she wouldn't back down. None of them would.
"Besides, isn't it time the X-Men had an ally that REALLY fought for what they're here for?" Sailor Moon cut in. "I mean sure, sometimes Spider-Man or the Hulk or the Punisher will lend a hand. But when it comes to making sure the world's a better place after the bad guys get beat…"
Storm regarded Sailor Moon for a moment. Hearing what some of the other Sailor Senshi had said about Usagi Tsukino, it sounded like she could be a bit of a slacker. Maybe it was because she had only known her for a short time, but Storm had trouble seeing it. She first saw the girl reading Xavier's book, despite it being way over her head. Now she was preparing for the long haul, to make sure Erina Kizachi and Magneto wouldn't drag Japan down.
"Sailor Moon, you don't owe the X-Men anything," said Storm. "Both of our teams made mistakes that night at the shipyard."
"This isn't about obligation, Storm," said Mars. "It's just the right thing to do."
"A lot of us know what it's like to be ostracized, anyway. Better than you might think," Jupiter added.
Sailor Moon glanced down, tears welling up in her eyes. "Besides, if we had done something like this sooner…"
Storm walked over to Sailor Moon, placing her hands on her shoulders. "It's because of Naru that you're doing this, I understand. Her rejection hurt us as well, but I can't imagine how much heartache this has caused you, her old friend," Storm said softly. "You do realize, though, that this probably won't win Naru back."
Tears kept flowing from Sailor Moon's eyes. Despite her sorrow, Storm could still see a steely resolve in them as Sailor Moon looked up. "I know, Storm. But like Mars said, it's still the right thing to do. Maybe keep other mutant kids from feeling hopeless and flipping out, too. Better late than never, I guess," she said with a nervous laugh.
Storm couldn't help but to smile back. "When I said that the X-Men might be following your lead, Sailor Moon, I was righter than I knew."
"You sure about this, Ororo?" Cable asked delicately.
"It makes sense, Nathan," said Storm. "The people of Japan might be more receptive to the Sailor Senshi, as Sailor Mercury said. Meanwhile, we continue our endeavor to track down the Sentinels. Both teams focus more on the tasks they are better suited for. As you said, the plan is tactically sound, and I'm certain the professor will agree."
"On paper, yes," Cable pointed out. "This could still blow up in their faces."
"You want to make sure that doesn't happen, Cable?" Chibi-Moon asked teasingly. "Well, we may have the perfect job for you…"
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Night had fallen once again in Tokyo. In the days since Sailor Moon made her plea to its populace, the arrival of night and the twinkling of stars overhead brought no peace, no serenity. Usagi knew how confused so many people were, thanks to her. Would they trust her when she said they could avoid dragging Japan down, or would they find it easier to give in to their fear, as Kizachi and Magneto were banking on? Professor X's years-long conflict with the latter… It had finally spilled over into Japan. But she couldn't rely completely on Xavier and his X-Men, Usagi realized that now. The Sailor Senshi had to make a stand themselves.
Yet for the moment, Usagi was allowed a brief respite as night fell. The streets were relatively peaceful, and as she rode shotgun in Haruka's Ferrari, the powerful hum of its engine was oddly soothing. Or it would have been, if Haruka hadn't insisted on keeping the radio on, to listen to the news.
"And now, use of mercenary forces has been authorized. Not only to track down and detain mutants deemed a threat to the general populace, but push back against Sailor Moon if she makes good on her promise to practically start an insurrection to protect Japanese mutants," droned the reporter on the radio.
"They think we're itching to spark an insurrection? Mercenaries hired to take us down?" Haruka scoffed, smirking. "I don't know whether to be insulted, or flattered that the Japanese government thinks we're that dangerous."
"Aren't we?" Usagi asked darkly.
"In addition, Japan's famed roboticist, Erina Kizachi, has offered up her company's resources to counter this threat to national security," the reporter drawled. Usagi looked to see Haruka's grip on the steering wheel tighten. "Reports suggest an advanced scanning system to ferret out citizens with mutant DNA, but other details are sketchy…"
"Yeah, I'll bet," Haruka snorted. "At least this means Kizachi's not feeling confident enough to give a full-throated pitch for her death machines. Yet. I only half-believed that when Michiru fed that line to Storm."
"Yet you were the one who insisted I step up," Usagi reminded her.
"Oh don't get me wrong, I think this is crazy," said Haruka. "I don't exactly share Xavier's optimism when it comes to people suppressing their worst instincts."
"Then why did you suggest this in the first place?" Usagi asked.
Haruka smirked again. "I'm pessimistic about people in general. When it comes to just YOU… Well, I refused to think Kizachi could break you so completely. So better to spur you on in a way that lets Michiru and I guide you more easily, make sure you don't do anything TOO crazy."
Usagi didn't know what to say, so she listened to the radio some more. The reporter wasn't speaking anymore. Instead, a woman being interviewed spoke instead, in an impassioned voice. "If it wasn't for mutants, both I and that old man from the United States would be dead! Along with everyone else in that monorail car!" Usagi wondered what this woman would say if she knew a mutant had caused that accident in the first place. "These mutants can do so much good, including beating back the ones with a grudge against humanity. Instead, we're trying to alienate them all!? No wonder that girl who saved us snapped!"
So some people are seeing the light, at least, Usagi thought hopefully as the car rolled to a stop at a red light. "Naturally, we're hitting every other light. I wonder if we should have just transformed and got to Edwards's manor house by jumping across rooftops. That's probably how the others beat us there."
"Perhaps, since people gathering there will be expecting to hear from Sailor Moon herself, not Usagi Tsukino," said Haruka. "It's not surprising that Edwards was willing to offer his manor house for a meeting place, what with his dedication to ensuring a bright future for the next generation. What amazes me is how many people seem to be jumping at your call, Usagi. Whatever Ami and Kitty did with emails or whatever, it worked. Now plenty of those who agree with you know where to go."
"Hopefully I can avoid making a fool of myself this time," Usagi grumbled.
"Don't accept any drinks, or try speaking English, and I think you'll be fine," Haruka said, smirking yet again. "That reminds me, when the X-Men explained how Xavier can give telepathic language crash courses… How come you didn't ask him to give you one for English?"
"With Rei AND Ami standing right there? I would've never heard the end of it," Usagi scoffed.
Haruka shrugged her shoulders as she chuckled. "You passed your entrance exams without it. Not exactly cheating."
Usagi couldn't help but chuckle herself. "That's why I'll make a point to ask him in private, after this mess is over," Usagi replied, giggling.
These brief moments, where she could still laugh with even the most hardened Senshi, such precious respites… But who knew how long she could look forward to even this?
Usagi looked around, half-expecting Sentinels to stomp around and ruin the moment. Instead, that was when Usagi noticed a man at the street corner who looked hopelessly lost, glancing at a map in his hands. He was an odd-looking fellow, with a bandana and… a bamboo umbrella fixed atop the knapsack he had on?
Haruka noticed him, too. "Hey, looking for something?" she asked him.
The man turned toward the car. There was an irritated, yet uneasy, look in his eyes. "Well, er, I'm trying to find this… manor house. I'm aiming to… meet up with some people. There's something I intend to do."
Usagi glanced over at Haruka. They had to be careful about just who they opened up to about this. Measures were in place to weed out possible spies, but Haruka would still insist they couldn't be too cautious.
Yet, after staring at the guy for a moment, Haruka spoke. "You aim to join the movement Sailor Moon started, to push back against persecution of mutants." The way Haruka blurted that out, just like how Usagi almost did, shocked her. Whatever Haruka sensed from him, she figured he was on the level.
"So… you're in on it, too?" he asked dubiously. "Let's just say there's someone I know who's getting in on the action. Someone I won't let one-up me…"
Looking over to Haruka again, Usagi saw she shot him at dubious look of her own. But finally, she said, "Fair enough. Usagi, let him in the back seat before the light turns green."
Still shocked that Haruka was so quick to trust him, Usagi just shrugged her shoulders, pulling her seat back as she thrust open the car door. He jumped in just as the light changed and Haruka sped off. "A Ferrari. Nice," he said.
"Amazingly, it's still running fine after someone I thought I knew… took a joyride in it," said Haruka.
"Do forgive my asking, but aren't you that racer Haruka Tenoh?" he asked, sounding a bit impressed.
"That would be me," said Haruka. "And you?"
"The name's Ryoga Hibiki," he said. "No surprise if you haven't heard of me. I tend to… wander a lot."
"With such a bad sense of direction, that's not a surprise," Haruka said coyly. "The manor house you're looking for is quite a ways across town." Ryoga just grumbled to himself. They pretty much rode on in silence for the rest of the trip.
But soon enough, they pulled up to the main entrance of Edwards's residence. Quite a lot of cars were parked there already. Turnout was looking to exceed what Usagi had hoped.
The three of them stepped out just as another car pulled up behind the Ferrari, this one a rather fancy limousine. Usagi thought little of it at first. Perhaps this was Edwards himself just returning. But then, Usagi noticed Haruka tense up. "Be alert, Odango," she hissed in her ear.
"You sense something weird?" Usagi whispered back.
"Much like what Michiru described when she first ran into Rogue," said Haruka. "As if someone was granted power from a source far beyond our world." She stood watching the limousine, ready for anything to pop out.
Yet what emerged was… a girl Usagi's own age? She was strikingly beautiful, with long, flowing sky-blue hair. Haruka seemed to recognize her. "That's the only child of the Ryuuzaki family," she whispered to Usagi. "Michiru was hired to play at their social gatherings more than once. Yet now… Definitely, she has a strong, otherworldly power within her. Her and those other two."
Usagi saw a girl with short sandy-blonde hair, glasses, and a green dress step out next. And then, a rather short girl with fiery red hair, done up in a long braid, sporting a kendo training outfit. She looked ready to burst from excitement. To the point that she rushed ahead, tripped, and would have knocked Usagi to the ground if she hadn't been watching and caught her.
"Ooooof, sorry about that," the redhead apologized as Usagi helped her stand back up.
"Hikaru, please. I know you're excited, but you must pace yourself," said the girl with glasses.
"I know, Fuu, I know. But I just can't believe this is happening!" Hikaru cried. "Sailor Moon's really going to be here!"
"You're… really that excited to see her?" Usagi asked, dumbfounded. It still surprised her sometimes, how much she meant to people of Japan when they had almost no understanding of what the Sailor Senshi were really about. To make it worse, this time, Sailor Moon needed something from them. "Whatever she's expecting from us, it won't be easy. It'll be dangerous, probably."
The blue-haired girl sighed. "Let's just say that Hikaru's no stranger to jumping into something crazy if she feels the cause is just."
"This is Sailor Moon we're talking about, Umi," said Hikaru brightly. "When someone like that puts the word out, you can be sure, well…" Usagi was shocked by the hint of sorrow now present in Hikaru's exuberant voice. Almost as if she had jumped at a call once before, only to realize things weren't quite what she expected.
Hikaru rejoined her friends, and they made their way up the stairs at the front entrance. Ryoga soon followed them inside. Usagi watched them go, as did Haruka, her lingering suspicion still palpable. They all had different reasons for coming at Sailor Moon's insistence, but they had come all the same.
Usagi and Haruka finally made their way inside. The people answering those emails or whatever weren't gathering in the main hall where that party was last time. Rather, there was a smaller auditorium room toward the back of the manor house. Still, it was quite large, which was fortunate, as scores of people were waiting for Sailor Moon address them all.
The two of them stepped into the auditorium, and Usagi saw Ryoga find his way over to a table. It was a rather interesting bunch Ryoga met up with. An energetic-looking girl with long, purple hair, dressed in traditional Chinese garb. A girl who looked like she worked in a restaurant, with a huge spatula tied to her back. It wasn't just youngsters at that table, either. A rather big middle-aged guy with glasses and a really short, shriveled old man sat with them.
However, the most normal-looking among that group were this girl with short, dark-blue hair and a tough-looking boy with black hair tied up in the back. The latter seemed to be needling Ryoga, possibly about his lousy sense of direction. This incensed the blue-haired girl, and she grabbed a glass of water and shouted something at him. Amazingly, it got him to back down. Why would water scare him like that?
That trio from the limousine made their way to a table. They passed a rather ordinary looking guy, sitting alone with a girl wearing a sundress and a hat with a wide brim. At first, her turquoise hair made Usagi think it was Michiru, but no, this girl's hair was much longer. The guy she sat with leered at Umi as she passed by, grinning. Saying nothing, the turquoise-haired girl simply touched his shoulder with one finger. He convulsed as if an electric shock ran through him.
Usagi looked to Haruka, who had a stern expression. "Straight-up alien, that one," said Haruka, knowing what Usagi was curious about. "Yet if she got this far into the manor house, she has no hostile intent."
Looking across the auditorium, Usagi saw Rei and Michiru, the latter with her talisman out. That would help clue them in, in the event of spies infiltrating their gathering, as would Rei's ability to sense hostility. Usagi and Haruka made their way over to them, wading around more tables.
Usagi noticed Haruka casting a sideways glance at a table occupied by four boys and two girls. One of the girls was still in her school uniform, and had medium-length brown hair done up in twintails. The other wearing some sort of pink kimono, her blue hair done up in a ponytail. And maybe that one with the red hair actually a girl, too? It was hard to tell. But the one who really caught Usagi's eye was the boy with the slicked-back hair. He wouldn't look out of place in a yakuza clan, yet there was an air of goodness about him. He appeared bored, but looked as if he understood the importance of being here all the same.
Usagi looked back ahead when Haruka grumbled again, but about the occupants of a different table. "Someone else of great wealth. This time it's Sonomi Daidouji, and her little girl."
"The toy company?" Usagi asked, confused. There was a little girl with long, jet-black hair. She looked super-cheerful, but otherwise there didn't seem to be anything out of the ordinary about her. "Don't tell me you're sensing something alien from that little girl, too?"
"Not alien, and no, not her. The girl beside her, as well as that boy their age," Haruka whispered back. Usagi looked again. There was another young girl with short, auburn hair and green eyes. Beside her sat a boy who looked quite nervous, reserved and resolute all at once.
So many people with special power of their own, even kids way younger than her!? Could any of them be mutants, too? She would have to check with Ami, later. Xavier gave Kitty permission to install a small Cerebro unit into Ami's computer. If any were present, the Sailor Senshi would know. Unless Naru wants to crash the party, Usagi thought glumly.
Ororo was right to point out that, whatever Usagi did now, there was a good chance Naru was lost to them forever. Still, Usagi knew she had to do this, if for no other reason than to keep hope alive in her heart.
Usagi was so wrapped up in her regrets over Naru, she wound up bumping into someone. The voice that grumbled back at her instantly clued Usagi in. Oh no, why do I keep running into HER these days!? Usagi thought with a shiver of fear. She looked up to see Haruna Sakurada standing there. Then again, maybe I shouldn't be too surprised…
Amazingly, her old teacher looked more surprised than annoyed. "Ms. Tsukino, I certainly didn't expect to find you here. Then again, it shouldn't be a shock. I mean, if only we knew about Naru sooner…"
"Yeah, I know the feeling," said Usagi. "But Naru, I mean, I heard that she…"
"It doesn't matter," said Haruna quickly. "She may have turned her back on us, but I refuse to turn my back on her. On any old student of mine. Or her kind. Sailor Moon was right about how we've seen this sort of thing happen before, in other countries."
It was then that Usagi truly understood what Sailor Moon meant to people. Even the teacher who had tormented her for years could be moved when she stood proudly as the Senshi of love and justice.
She looked around again, and saw even more people whose lives Sailor Moon had touched. Edwards himself was standing in the middle of the auditorium now, looking over his guests. That little girl aspiring to be a swordswoman, Miharu Akiyama, and her mother Fuyumi, were here. The former had seen Sailor Moon in action, even helped her, yet still came when Sailor Moon asked for help again. Also, sitting with them was that monk in the mountains Makoto briefly trained with, Kakusui Yakushiji. Even more strong fighters! Usagi would take as many as she could get.
But most importantly for Usagi, she saw the Ayakashi Sisters and the Amazoness Quartet at a table together. Their old enemies, convinced to abandon their evil ways. Just seeing them here, this badly needed reminder, made the faint spark of hope for Naru shine a bit brighter.
Finally, Usagi and Haruka made it over to Rei and Michiru. "Rei, sense anything weird?" Usagi asked quickly.
"Plenty, Usagi, plenty," Rei grumbled. "According to Ami, there's only one mutant here, our volunteering X-Man. Yet I'm getting so many weird vibes from this crowd…"
"Hopefully, the X-Men won't feel bad," said Michiru. "Clearly, there may be other powerful potential allies, right here in Japan, that we never knew about."
She gazed into her mirror again, then out at the crowd, an odd look in her eyes. Michiru's typical cynicism probably clashed with how her senses told her these new arrivals posed no threat. Hopefully, just the opposite.
"Anyway, it's nice that you finally dragged your meatheaded ass over here, Usagi," said Rei gruffly. "I think it's about time for a certain someone to make her appearance…"
Usagi glowered at her, but then her expression softened and she nodded. Glancing out at the crowd again to make sure no one would notice her slipping out, Usagi ducked through the door Rei and Michiru were standing beside. Soon enough, Usagi slipped into a bathroom at the other end of the manor house, away from prying eyes.
At least, that was what Usagi thought at first. As she stared at herself in the mirror, Usagi suddenly felt a pair of eyes upon her. Glancing up at an open window, she saw Luna stepping onto the windowsill. "Quite a crowd you've drawn tonight, Usagi," said the cat.
"Tell me about it," said Usagi. "What some of the other Senshi have been sensing… The X-Men may not be the only superheroes we've crossed paths with." She looked back at the mirror. Usagi remembered that first time she had transformed into Sailor Moon. Back then, she stared into a mirror, clueless about what was going on. And now when she looked at herself, despite glimpses into her future… Usagi still didn't know where this was going, what she was becoming, what she was supposed to do.
"And yet, they're here because of you," said Luna, hopping down to the floor. "All the times I said I'd wish you'd grow up and take initiative… Even after all the times you've used the Ginzuishou, never did I think you'd try something as bullheaded as this. You sure you're ready?"
"No," said Usagi, still staring at her reflection. "But it's too late to back out, isn't it? This is so stupid, Luna, like you're saying. I know I'm supposed to become queen one day, yet I have no idea what I'm supposed to do, or what I even CAN do. All I know is that I have to do something, Luna…" With that, Usagi raised her hand and cried, "Moon Crisis Makeup!"
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Nathan realized he should consider himself fortunate. With his time commanding X-Force, he knew just how much of a handful it was, being responsible for a team of teenagers. In many ways, these Sailor Senshi were even more unpredictable than his old charges. To a seasoned, disciplined soldier like him, that could be infuriating.
Still, just like the team he once led, they brought a wealth of experience of their own, and proved quite capable. Not only in proving a match for the X-Men, but showing initiative in beating back anti-mutant hysteria in their country. Nathan still had reservations, but Professor Xavier had convinced him to aid in the first step of their plan.
Still, Nathan could do without this uncomfortable tuxedo. That was more the speed of Usagi's boyfriend. It was in his codename, after all.
Thankfully, there was one available in his size that covered up his techno-organic arm nicely, and sunglasses hid his scars and bionic eye. With all the wealthy people here coming to see Sailor Moon for one reason or another, most would assume he was just another bodyguard.
That let Nathan do his job without drawing suspicion. After all, he really didn't need to move. Rei, Ami and Michiru all had means to see if anything was amiss about arrivals. But to be absolutely certain there were no spies, his telepathy would be crucial, just as Chibiusa had said. And some of the minds he had scanned, despite surprisingly formidable mental defenses… Nathan allowed himself a small smile. In the coming days, the Sailor Senshi would be in for some big surprises themselves.
But mostly, Nathan was on the lookout for minds he couldn't penetrate at all. That was the red flag, signaling it was someone working on behalf of Kizachi and Magneto, either directly or indirectly.
As he probed the latest batch of people coming through the front entrance, Nathan found another mind that proved resistant to his power. He would've liked to learn just how Kizachi was shielding sensitive people from mutant telepathy, but that would have to wait. For now, focus on their immediate concerns.
"Minako, Makoto, Mamoru… We've got another one," Nathan said telepathically to the three Senshi lying in wait. "That tough-looking fellow, trying to slip in behind that girl with twintails and glasses. Makoto's old school uniform, right? Anyway, you know what to do."
Nathan's mind lingered elsewhere for a moment, seeing things through Makoto's eyes as she intercepted the would-be spy. He could feel her desire to get him away from that girl. An old friend of hers, perhaps. Makoto's strength was more than enough to force him back, but Mamoru and Minako were on standby just in case. All the while, Nathan's telepathy would ensure anyone else coming in would see nothing amiss.
He also made sure to do more peripheral scans on everyone entering the manor house, to get a sense of their motivations. Some were confused, or just curious about Sailor Moon's plea. Yet a good number surprised Nathan with their sincere desire to give something back to Japan's protector. Many felt as Usagi did. All they needed was a little prodding to overcome their doubts.
Nathan had been at this for almost two hours. His body felt fine, ready in case he was needed as Cable. However, his mind was swiftly becoming fatigued. His relative inexperience with telepathy, coupled by the ever-present threat of Apocalypse's techno-organic virus, made this a lot harder than it had to be.
Apocalypse… The mutant he was created for the sole purpose of assassinating. No matter how many times it looked as if that monster was soundly defeated, En Sabah Nur found a means to rise again. There was still no way to be sure if his ascension in the future had been thwarted. Even worse, if Apocalypse was still set to be in power during the time Nathan was ferreted to by the Askani, that was bad news for Usagi. That meant Crystal Tokyo could very well be torn asunder by his nemesis.
Nathan pushed such worries out of his mind. He had to focus on weeding out spies. There was no time to muse about possible futures, either his or Usagi's.
Still, things conspired to make Nathan's mind return to such a horrific possibility. "So tell me, was this really such a bad idea?" asked a saccharine voice.
Grumbling, Nathan looked down to see Chibiusa standing there, gazing up at him with a sly look. As bratty as this kid could be, Nathan had to admire how sharp she was. Still, he wished she would pick a better time to pester him.
"So long as you don't break my concentration and let any would-be spies slip in, Usagi's ploy just may stand a chance," Nathan admitted.
Chibiusa smirked, hopefully getting the hint. "Fine then, we'll talk later. One time-traveler to another. You still owe me some answers."
Nathan grumbled to himself before replying. "I already told you all there is to know," he lied. "I was shepherded to the future to be saved from a techno-organic virus, the one responsible for this arm and eye. And I came back to do what I was meant for, beat back Apocalypse. What else is there to know?"
Any hopes that this kid would finally back off were in vain. She could tell there was something he was hiding. "How this future of yours can coexist with mine," Chibiusa spat back. "Like I said, Plu never said a word about you."
"She also never said a word about Kitty's mind traveling back in time to keep Sentinels from overrunning the world, remember?" Nathan pointed out. "If this Sailor Pluto guards the passageways through time, as you say, perhaps she allowed it. To ensure your future would be possible." There was little hope this new line of reasoning would placate Chibiusa, but he had to try. To tell Chibiusa her kingdom could come crashing down because of the one enemy the X-Men could never decisively beat…
Chibiusa opened her mouth to fire something back, but the lights dimmed. Nathan and Chibiusa looked up to the dais, along with everyone else.
"Sometimes the monster you have to beat is an easy target. Other times, it's something elusive, something you'll need a lot of help vanquishing," came a bubbly voice from behind the curtains. The curtains parted, and spotlights shone on Sailor Moon, her back turned to the attendees. "You know the drill. I'm the Senshi of love and justice, Sailor Moon!" she went on, twisting around to point at the crowd. "But this time, to dish out punishment in the name of the Moon, I'll need more than just my fellow Sailor Senshi. I'll need all of you," Sailor Moon finished with a wink.
Nathan felt a mixture of hope and trepidation as the crowd erupted with roars and cheers, affirming they were here to follow Sailor Moon's lead. For better or worse, she was bringing the fight to Erina Kizachi. And there was no telling which of them would win this convoluted game of chess.