Disclaimer: I don't own Sailor Moon.
Chapter 6: Unswayable Minds
As Rei slowly began to regain consciousness, the first thing she noticed was the slight throbbing on the side of her head. Instinctively reaching to check the source of the pain, the rustling of her covers immediately caught the attention of the other occupants of her room.
"Guys she's waking up!"
'Usagi? Why is she here? Wait, did she just mention others are here,' Rei wondered as she tried to lift the fog from her groggy mind.
Slowly blinking her eyes open, Rei was met with the sight of four worried girls hovering at her bed-side.
"Thank goodness you are awake," a teary Usagi exclaimed as she pulled the still disoriented Rei into a tight hug, "We were so worried when we found you lying on the prayer room floor. You wouldn't wake up no matter how loud I called your name. I was so scared that you-that you-"
"I'm fine Usagi. You're not getting out of paying me back for those manga you lost that easily," Rei replied in a soft teasing tone.
Usagi sniffed as she let out a watery laugh and released her hold on Rei so that Ami could check her condition.
"What happened? You mentioned a run in with Jadiete. Did he knock you out," Minako asked as soon as Ami assured that Rei had no serious injuries after a short analysis with her mini-computer.
"No, it wasn't Jadiete," Rei replied with a frown, "That coward disappeared without trying to fight back."
"What was Jadiete doing here? Did they figure out our identities," Makoto asked uneasily.
"I don't know about before, but even if he didn't, he sure knows my identity now," Rei replied, turning all eyes on her.
"What do you mean he knows now," Luna asked in concern.
"It was my fault. I saw Jadiete holding the jadeite stone and panicked. I was afraid he would escape, so I transformed right in front of him. Not that it mattered since he got away with the jadeite stone anyway. I'm sorry guys."
"Rei-chan, you were just doing what you thought was best," Usagi comforted her obviously upset friend.
"Usagi-chan's right," Minako said as the others all nodded in agreement, "We will just have to make sure we find the nephrite stone before they do."
"But we still have no idea why they are gathering these stones," Mako wondered aloud with a concerned frown.
"Right before Jadiete left, he mentioned something about a 'Golden Palace' they are trying to bring back," Rei said before turning to the two felines sitting atop her covers, "Do you two have any idea where this 'Golden Palace' is? Maybe that's where their base is now."
"The Golden Palace was lost long ago along with the Moon Kingdom," Luna explained as the memories gave rise to a sad expression, "If I recall correctly, the Golden Palace was where Mamoru-san resided in during his past life as Prince Endymion. When Metalia possessed Beryl and every other human on Earth, the prince had escaped to the Moon Palace to warn Queen Serenity of the Dark Kingdom's plan to invade the Moon Kingdom as their next target."
"Poor Mamo-chan," Usagi whispered in a soft, saddened tone.
It was just like her prince to push aside his own pain and suffering. Even after losing everything he had ever known in a single attack, he still found the strength to continue fighting. In Usagi's eyes, her Mamo-chan would always be the strongest and kindest person she had ever known.
"Something seems odd though," Ami said, pulling Usagi out of her thoughts and catching the others' attention with the seriousness of her tone, "If it was as Luna said and Metalia had already brainwashed every human on Earth, how did Mamoru-san escape to the Moon? As much as I am aware of Mamoru-san's strength as Prince Endymion, it doesn't seem possible that he would be able to escape to the Moon by himself and with enough time to warn Queen Serenity about the impending invasion."
"Now that you mentioned it, it does seem like an impossible feat for Mamoru-san, even as Prince Endymion, to reach the Moon Kingdom by himself when Metalia had already gained control of every human on Earth," Minako said in agreement.
Suddenly an image of the shadowy silhouette of the man from her dream flashed through her mind.
"Unless…unless the prince had help."
"Help? How could he have had help," a skeptical Makoto questioned, "Luna just said every human on Earth had already been under Metalia's spell. There was no one left on Earth for the prince to turn to."
"But what if not every person had fell under Metalia's spell yet?"
"You too Rei-chan," Mako asked in surprise.
The room suddenly fell into an uneasy silence as Makoto Usagi and Luna all observed the other three girls in confusion. The same serious, unquestionable silent confidence radiated from Ami, Rei and Minako. It left the other two girls and the female feline feeling like there was something they were not being told.
Unnoticed by everyone else in the room, Artemis held an equally thoughtful expression in his eyes. The white feline had listened to the conversation in silence. While seemingly calm, an internal struggle had been warring inside his head ever since the subject of the Golden Palace had been brought up by Rei.
'There's really no point in hiding it any longer,' Artemis finally decided to himself, 'At this rate, their memories will return on their own anyway.'
Having made up his mind, Artemis lifted his head and loudly cleared his throat to catch the other's attention.
"I think it's time I tell you guys some information I've been holding back," Artemis began hesitantly, "I believe it is time for all of you to learn the truth about the Shitennous."
While Ami, Rei and Minako had unsurprised and expectant looks, the other three only felt their confusion increase at his words.
"Truth? What more is there about the Shitennous that we don't already know," Luna demanded as the thought of Artemis keeping secrets from even her both angered and saddened her.
"You have to understand Luna. While you may remember about the Silver Millennium more clearly than the girls and Mamoru-san, there are still some memories locked away in your mind," Artemis said as his eyes pleaded for Luna's understanding, "The same goes for all of you. There are details about the past that are still locked in your memories."
"What is it that we don't remember about the Shitennous," Minako asked sternly, unable to hide the hurt she currently felt at Artemis's secrecy.
"Remember how you asked me if Mamoru-san had personal guards and I told you that he did?"
Minako nodded at the question as she quickly put two and two together before replying, "I also remember you refused to answer me when I asked what happened to them. Are you saying that the reason you avoided answering me was because…"
Nodding at the unfinished question, Artemis then turned to face the others in the room as well.
"As Prince Endymion, Mamoru-san did have personal guards just as Princess Serenity had and just like the four of you had sworn eternal allegiance to the princess, they too had sworn the same oath to Prince Endymion. They were known as the four Shitennous," Artemis explained as six pairs of eyes widened at this revelation, "Jadiete, Zoisite and Nephrite were led by Kunzite. Together, the four Shitennous had loyally served their prince during the Silver Millennium. They were the ones who aided Prince Endymion's escape to the Moon."
"Well it seems they weren't loyal enough," Makoto said as memories of their previous battles filled her mind, "They turned their back on their prince and switched loyalties. I can't even count all the times they tried to kill us and Mamoru-san."
"Maybe they got possessed by Metalia too," Usagi reasoned as her nature to believe in others kicked in, "I mean don't you guys remember what Queen Beryl did to Mamo-chan?"
"That is a very real possibility," Ami agreed as memories of the vision regarding a much gentler Zoisite flashed through her mind.
"You too Ami-chan," Makoto said in surprise before turning to Minako and Rei who had remained silent throughout the exchange, "Don't tell me you guys also think those four are only possessed?"
When Makoto saw how both girls would not meet her eyes, she suddenly felt a sense of betrayal.
"Well I don't buy it! When Mamoru-san had been brainwashed by Beryl and Metalia, he still had some sense of goodness in him. He may have followed orders, but I don't recall he ever tried to involved bystanders. Not only that, but he also had moments where he protected Usagi-chan," Makoto said fiercely, "I may not have fought Jadiete or Nephrite, but if they were anything like Zoisite and Kunzite, they were ruthless and showed no hesitation to attack anyone in their way. Now you're telling me I'm supposed to just forget the evil things they've done just because they used to be Mamoru-san's guards?"
"No one said anything about forgiveness Mako-chan," Rei spoke up in a steeled voice, "It doesn't matter if they used to serve Mamoru-san or if they had any relation to us in the pasts. I will never forget that he-they betrayed us. Never."
"Rei-chan," Usagi whispered sadly as she felt her heart break at the overwhelming depth of betrayal and hurt visible in the Fire Senshi's eyes.
"Artemis," Minako called out to regain the feline's attention, "I am going to ask you something and I want-no, I need you to be honest."
Having a good idea of what his longtime partner was about to ask, Artemis nodded and said, "No more secrets Mina. Whatever you ask, I will answer if I know."
Giving a satisfied nod, Minako continued, "Were we close to the Shitennous…by that I mean what were…what were the Shitennous' to us?"
The room fell into another still silence as even Makoto gazed at Artemis with anticipation of his answer.
"They were…they were very important people to each of you," Artemis said as his eyes turned to each of the Inner Senshis, "Kunzite to Venus, Zoisite to Mercury, Jadiete to Mars and Nephrite to Jupiter. Those bonds you four forged over the short period of time you've spent together guarding Princess Serenity and Prince Endymion were strong. So strong that I'd say if you have been given more time, those bonds would have rivaled the one you four have with Usagi-chan."
"That would explain the vision I saw after my contact with Zoisite's stone," Ami said as her mind began to place the different pieces of information together, "I think I may know why the Shitennous are gathering these 'stones.' Although I originally thought these 'stones' were simply something that enhances each of the Shitennou's power, that did not explain why each 'stone' matched the energy signature of each Shitennou."
Silence filled the room once more as Ami halted her explanation to pull out her mini-computer. The air seemed to fill with tension as everyone eagerly waited for the Water Senshi to continue.
"No matter what archive I searched, I couldn't find any information on these 'stones' that would explain their powers. I was stumped until a thought suddenly struck me."
A satisfied glint sparkled in Ami's eyes as she revealed the display screen on her mini-computer to the others. A collective gasp filled the room as even Usagi recognized the image on the screen.
"Is that what I think it is," Rei asked in disbelief.
Ami gave a quick nod of confirmation.
"But how is this possible," Usagi exclaimed as the image seemed to have shook her to her very core, "How…WHO took out their star seeds?"
"I don't know," Ami replied with a shake of her head as she turned the display screen back to herself, "All I can tell from my limited data is that the star seeds have been separated from their host bodies for a long time."
"How could you tell," Minako asked in surprise.
"When my scanners took a sample of the energy signature of Zoisite's star seed before he reclaimed it, the analysis showed a very weak energy signal. It wasn't until Zoisite appeared that the star seed began to give off a much more powerful reading as if his mere presence refueled it with energy. This phenomenon matches the information I found in the Moon database archive stored in my computer. It had indicated that the 'shine' of a star seed diminishes overtime if it is separated from its host body. And judging by the extremely weak signal I first collected, I think it is safe to assume that the Shitennous' star seeds had been separated from their bodies for a very long time."
"So they are only reclaiming their own star seeds," Usagi said in an unsure yet hopeful voice.
"It's not that simple Usagi-chan," Minako replied with a shake of her head, "From what Jadiete told Rei-chan, the Shitennous have an ulterior motive in recollecting their own star seeds."
"But it doesn't mean they are up to no good," Usagi insisted, "When we encountered Kunzite, he didn't want to fight us. He was completely different from when we first fought the Dark Kingdom."
"But he sent a youma to do his dirty work," Makoto gently countered, "Motoki-san ended up in the hospital because he sent out that youma."
"Well what about how Zoisite and Jadiete both just disappeared after they retrieved their star seeds," Usagi said, refusing to back down, "Neither of them tried to start a fight and it didn't seem like they ended up hurting anyone. I think we should try to-"
"You only defend them because you don't know what they have planned," Rei spoke up in such a bitter tone that Usagi immediately fell silent.
"Did Jadiete mention more to you than just about rerising the Golden Palace," Luna asked.
"He didn't explain how they would do it, but he basically spelled out that whatever they have planned will doom the Earth just as the Moon Kingdom had fell and that…"
The next time we meet will surely be our last.
"And that they will not hesitate to kill us if we get in their way," Rei finished as her grip on her blanket tightened into fists.
"In other words, the Shitennous are our enemies through and through. We have to defeat them and whoever revived them to protect the Earth," Minako declared, her tone leaving no room for argument.
Usagi remained silent as she watched Makoto, Rei, Luna and Artemis voice their agreement. As they began to plan their next move, her gaze turned to the only one other than herself who had not given any sign of agreement. Usagi could clearly see conflicting emotions on the quiet Water Senshi's eyes.
'Maybe Ami-chan also feel there's a chance to free the Shitennous from whoever is controlling them. I can't just give up on them! If there's even just a slight chance to restore them to their former selves, I will find a way.'
*Bring*Bring*Bring*
The sudden sound of the telephone's ring echoed down the hall, halting the lively discussion. The sound of running footsteps was quickly followed by Yuuchiro's voice answering the phone. There was a short exchange before Yuuchiro suddenly yelled out, "Rei-san there's a phone call for you!"
"I'll be right there!"
Pushing the covers off herself, Rei slowly got up and made her way off her bed. The others watched in silent concern, making sure their friend did not show any signs that she may fall. Making her way out of her bedroom, Rei walked down the hall and picked up the phone.
"Hello, this is Rei."
"Are you sure this is the place Neptune," Uranus asked.
Hidden in the shadows of the tree they were perched upon, Uranus saw nothing out of the ordinary in their immediate vicinity. The light of the lampposts lit up the dark park, but the sky remained darken as if some force was blocking out the light of the stars and moon.
"Yes, there's no doubt," Neptune replied as she turned her gaze to the Aqua Mirror in her hands, "My mirror indicated that the source of the dark energy that's been appearing on and off is located here."
"I can't sense any dark energy around us," Uranus said with a frown, "But something definitely feels off about this place. It's like something is dulling my senses."
Nodding in agreement, Neptune turned her mirror to face away from her.
"Whatever it is, it won't be able to hide from my talisman. Submarine Reflection!"
At her command, an intense, bright light shone out of the Aqua Mirror and began to cast its glow around the park. The two Outer Senshis patiently watched as the light scanned the entire park. Nothing seemed out of the ordinary until the light hit the center of the park. Suddenly, a shadowy silhouette of a tall structure began to materialize. The structure seemed to wave in and out as if it could disappear into thin air at any second.
"So they had a barrier up to hide their presence," Uranus said as she suddenly felt a wave of dark energy hit her senses.
"It would seem so. With how well the barrier had hid their presence when they had been so close to us, I'd say we are up against a powerful enemy," Neptune replied as she lowered her talisman, "Perhaps we should wait for them before making our next move."
"No," Uranus said with a shake of her head, "I bet the enemy knows we're here the moment your mirror took down their barrier. We have to infiltrate their base before they have a chance to rally their defenses."
Then with a playful glint in her eyes, Uranus turned to her partner and asked teasingly, "Don't tell me you feel so rusty that you're scared we can't take them alone Michiru?"
"Come now Haruka," Neptune replied with a knowing smile, completely unfazed by her partner's teasing, "You know I'm not afraid of anything as long as you are by my side. Besides, I rather like the idea of having more alone time with you."
Feeling her face beginning to heat up from the sly look her partner was giving her, Uranus coughed into her hand and turned her gaze away.
"Y-yes well, we better not waste any more time."
Watching the flustered Uranus begin to make her way to the looming structure, Neptune smiled as she quickly leapt off the branch she was perched on and easily caught up to her partner.
'It would seem we have intruders.'
Standing in a dark room, the Earth prince's eyes seemed to give off a reddish glow under the flames of the two torches hanging on the wall to his side. Deciding that whoever had entered the Starlight Tower could wait, he returned his gaze to the two figures chained to the wall. An almost pitying look filled his eyes for a moment before it quickly hardened into a cold, unfeeling look.
"If either one of you would only tell me what I want to know, both of you will no longer have to suffer," Endymion said icily as dark energy began to surge through his two prisoners, causing them to scream in pain.
"N-n-never."
"How dare you refuse a command from your prince," Endymion exclaimed as he directed his rage onto the male prisoner.
The dark energy that had been torturing both prisoners turned to focus solely on the man who choose to defy Endymion's demands.
"No! Please stop prince. If you keep this up, he will die!"
"Then tell me what I want to know," Endymion calmly replied as his gaze softened slightly, "Afterall, I am only trying to do what's best for your princess Pluto."
"Don't listen to him," the man next to Pluto said through gritted teeth before the Time Senshi could respond, "This is not what the princess would want. Please my prince, you must awaken from this insanity. If Princess Serenity were to see you now-"
"SILENCE!"
The dark energy around the man instantly dissipated as an enraged Endymion wrapped a hand tightly around the man's throat.
"How dare you try to use my love for Serenity to save yourself? Even if you served me faithfully in the past, don't think that I won't kill you here and now Helios," Endymion hissed out icily as the guardian of Elysion fought for breath under his iron grip.
"Please prince, you mustn't do this," Pluto pleaded as she futily tugged at her restraints, "Please calm yourself. Remember Princess Serenity treasures all life especially those of her friends! She would be devastated if she finds out the person she loves killed one of her dear friends."
Releasing his grip upon Pluto's words, Endymion took several steps back as he watched Helios coughed and gasped to refill his lungs with air. He could feel something stirring at the very recesses of his soul at the sight of the two wounded people before him.
'No, I can't be weak now. Not when I am so close to reshaping this world into one where no one can harm Serenity ever again!'
"I can see neither of you will cooperate even under such trying circumstances. Such dedication to your ill-conceived duties is admirable, if only that dedication could be used to serve my princess and I," Endymion said, regaining the two's attention, "Very well, I had hope to find a way to open the portal to Elysian without the need of all my Shitennous at their full power, but it would seem I have no choice but to wait for them to reclaim all their star seeds. Once Nephrite returns with his, I will be able to open the portal even though my Golden Crystal refuses to respond to me."
Helios and Pluto could only disheartenly watch as Endymion turned and headed toward the stairwell. It pained them to see their prince in such a disillusioned state and be powerless to help or stop him.
Before Endymion began his ascent up the stairs, he gave one last glance at the two chained and wounded guardians.
"Perhaps once you two see the new world I create, you will realize I am only doing what's best for our princess. Maybe then you two will rejoin our court by choice."
With those parting words, Endymion left Helios and Pluto chained in the dimly lit room without paying any heeds to their continued pleas. Once alone, the two captured guardians could only silently pray that their princess would be able to save their prince from his own madness.