Dawn was just beginning to push back the darkness of night from the skies over the United States. An object tore out of the early morning sky and plummeted to earth in a cornfield. The tall plants swayed at the impact and a ring of dust expanded from the epicentre. Nearby farm animals brayed and cried out; disturbed from their slumber. In the farmhouse lights winked on and a shadow appeared at the window. It disappeared again quickly, shutting the window as the wave of dust passed the house. After a few moments a door opened and a hurriedly dressed figure advanced towards the field from which the disturbance originated. Nearing the field boundary, a torch was switched on, the beam casting shadows between the rows of corn. The figure's progress across the field was slow and cautious. At length it came to the impact crater. The beam swung back and forth over what lay in the pit. What was there looked for all the world like two halves of an opened shell. If they had contained anything before… it was not there now.

Not far away a small metallic craft was skimming over fields at a fair rate. Its hull was small and angular, little more than a box, fitted with lenses and panels. Two large wings jutted out from its sides. These seemed to fulfil a purpose other than aerodynamics as the craft seemed to simply float on a cushion of air.

It reached a road and altered its course to follow it. At this time of night the road was deserted. It soon came to a roadside café. Huge trucks were pulled up outside. The craft turned off the road and manoeuvred to hover above the largest of the lorries. A panel on its underside opened and lasers began to trace out a three dimensional grid around the vehicles. The lasers played over its every surface seemingly mapping out its structure. Once complete the lasers shut off and the little craft was once again on its way down the road, towards the lights of a city.

Tokyo was preparing itself for the night. Skyscrapers had their outlines picked out in lights, which reflected off the glass of nearby buildings, reflecting back and forth for infinity. Below, people continued to bustle down the streets. Some never saw and ebb in the tide of humanity; others only became popular at this time. Streams of white and red wound around the bases of the buildings as cars made their journeys. The individual noises added to each other to create the multi-layered hum of the city.

Into this din of life four objects landed.

In the central police station most of the phones in the offices were clogged with reports of Martians, flying saucers and shooting stars. Officers were desperately trying to calm such callers whilst simultaneously trying to get on with real work. In the middle of it was one policeman who had had enough of it. He slammed the phone he had been using down then straightened up and squared his broad shoulders.

"Goddam these UFO geeks," rumbled Captain Charles Britain as he took out a cigarette. He lit it and surveyed the room with eyes hidden by a pair of sunglasses. He ran a massive hand through his dark hair and then dropped it to the magnum holstered at his belt. "I'm no good at dealing with these whining babies."

"Captain!" an urgent voice addressed him from a nearby desk. The occupant had mousy brown hair and moustache and a crucifix attached to his uniform that identified him as the police chaplain. He was trying to juggle three phone conversations at once. "We're starting to get reports that these 'spaceships' are landing. Should we bother sending anyone out to investigate?"

The Captain hunched in his seat and puffed on his cigarette. He was about to say how that was a pointless waste of police manpower when an idea struck him.

"Yeah Padre," he said grinning. "Yeah someone should go and have a look."

"Shall I call a patrol? I think Al and Leona are in the area," asked the other man.

"No need for that," said the Captain. "I'll go myself." He reached for his jacket and hurried towards the door to the office.

"BRITAIN!! Where are you going!?" The bellow came from the opposite end of the room and stopped the Captain in his tracks.

"To check on reports of UFOs, Chief," he called to the short man with bristling white hair who had addressed him. He also resumed his progress towards the exit.

"Don't waste time with that, you're needed here! I need those reports in triplicate!" shouted the Chief. His words either failed to reach Britain or were ignored because the Captain rushed out of the office. The Chief fumed.

"BRITAIN!!"

Mr. Takeyama sat up on bench in the park, a bottle of vodka in a brown paper bag sitting next to him. The sun had set about half an hour ago. He gazed blearily around the little pool of light thrown by a nearby streetlamp. What was he doing here? His gaze fell on the bottle. He saw his previous evening flash before him. Quick snatches of the past. Killing pain with alcohol. He rubbed the stubble on his face with a hand. It had been light when he had sat down. He must have fallen asleep. He wondered what had woken him?

Unsteadily he got to his feet, still clutching his bottle, deciding a walk may help him remember. He stumbled out of the light cats by the streetlamp. He had walked the path before; he knew which way to go even if he couldn't see it. It was not long however until he found he had taken a wrong turn. He found that ahead of him was rough ground. He waited until his eyes had adjusted. He found that he had not in fact taken a wrong turn. Something had destroyed the path in front of him; something that was very big and was lying in a pit in the ground. As he looked at it steam shot out from unseen vents and part of the shape slid aside. A figure climbed from the revealed opening and looked around. Mr. Takeyama looked at the bottle in his hand and threw it down. This made Vulture's bald head snap round to face the other man. Mr. Takeyama was far too drunk to focus and could not see the figure's black armour or deathly pale face.

"You can't park that here!" he called.

"Leave me insect!" Vulture replied in a disjointed speech. "I need to work." Mr. Takeyama simply stood gazing. He could see its eyes, glowing white. Vulture raised an arm towards Mr. Takeyama. Steely wires shot from its thumb, index and middle fingers. These entwined the struggling Mr. Takeyama who was then lifted bodily into the air.

"What an ineffectual species," Vulture commented on the man's futile struggles. "Let me give you a lesson regarding the art of flight!" The voice was a sneer even if its face remained blank.

"Not so fast creature!" came a female voice from the darkness.

"Huh?" Vulture turned, rolling his head awkwardly and grunted, still holding Mr. Takeyama several feet in the air.

"Put that man down. If you think you can just start turn up and start threatening people your in for a surprise." Sailor Moon stepped into the light shone by a street lamp. She whirled her arms in the Sailor Moon salute. "For love and justice, I'm the pretty soldier Sailor Moon. In the name of the moon, I'll punish you!"

The creature's eyes lit up.

"What a charming little speech. Allow me to introduce myself." As he spoke Mr. Takeyama was dropped unceremoniously to the ground. He began to drag himself away. The wires that had held him were retracted as Vulture began to rise off the surface of hi landing pod, hovering in the air. "I am Vulture, Warrior Lord in the Royal house of Bast, Hero of the Sixth Portal!" His voice reached a crescendo, his head thrown back. "Death to all who oppose us!" He slowly lowered his head to face Sailor Moon. "I suggest you give up now little girl! That way it will save me the bother of crushing you in combat."

"And what about us?" came another voice to side. Vulture turned and saw the other three Senshi.

"Irksome, irksome. More Sailor Senshi! Crawling out of the shadows like miserable curs." Vulture was now wearing a humourless grin his eyes darting to and fro between Sailor Moon and the others. "I hope you have a lot more Senshi lurking. It's the only way you are going to defeat me!" As he said this the wires shot from both his hands towards the Sailors. They dived aside, the wires flailing in the recently occupied air. Vulture's eyes narrowed.

"Mars star power!" called Sailor Mars and a jet of flame shot from her outstretched hand towards Vulture. He dodged to the side, gliding through the air as the flames shot past him. He began to recoil the wires the wires to bring them round for a new onslaught.

"My turn!" called Sailor Jupiter. "Jupiter star power!" As she said this lightening struck the steely wires that were still rushing back to their master. The electricity shot along them into Vulture, his body becoming rigid as the crackling energy passed through him.

Sailor Mercury now readied herself for an attack.

"Mercury Shabon Freezing Spray!" she cried. Streams of water surged towards the still reeling Vulture. He saw the azure liquid too late. It coursed around him, surrounding his body. Once the shroud was complete it froze leaving him encased in a block of ice.

"Now Sailor Moon!" called Jupiter. Sailor Moon held the Solaris Sceptre high and with a flourish called:

"Solaris Crystal power!" A beam of energy shot forth from the sceptre towards the beleaguered Vulture. This time he did react. The wires that had not been completely encased whirled and tore chunks from the ice and with a cry of triumph Vulture threw his arms wide and burst from his frozen prison. His face was a hideous grimace of concentration. There was however the hint of a grin buried in the dark lines of his face. With a terrifying speed the wires darted back and forth catching the flying chunks of ice.

Sailor Moon had seen this activity but kept the beam focused. The other Senshi looked on, their attention fixed on this battle. Vulture now whirled his arms in front of him and the wires answered his commands by hurling the ice at the approaching Solaris beam. The first few were vaporised. The next wave shattered into deadly shards that flew in every direction. Sailor Moon and the other Senshi had to dive for cover to avoid the scything missiles. The last of the chunks reflected and dissipated the flagging beam of energy.

"Uh oh…" mumbled Sailor Moon and darted away into the shadows as Vulture flung more ice in her direction. She eventually found herself behind some hedging with Sailor Mars.

"What now Mars?"

"I don't know. We hit him with everything we had and it wasn't good enough."

"Where's Luna?"

Mars shrugged and turned to look through the bushes. Sailor Moon did likewise.

Vulture was cackling as he rose into the air. His wires issued forth once again searching the surroundings. They found something. With a cry Sailor Jupiter was hoisted into the air, the wires entwining her body and hauling her close to Vulture. She was held in front of him as if for a shield. All the while she struggled.

"Come out, come out little children" Vulture cooed mockingly. "Or I shall conclude your friend." As he said this a wire coiled around Sailor Jupiter's neck. Her eyes went wide as it tightened, her struggles becoming slightly more frantic.

It was at that moment that there was a voice off to one side. One that had not been heard thus far during the battle.

"Venus Love-Chain Encircle!"

"What?" snarled Vulture spinning his head. He was just in time to see the golden chain shoot towards him. He reacted quickly throwing his arms wide, pulling the wires taught. He had not been quick enough. The chain had already wrapped itself around his wires binding them into a tight bundle. His movement allowed the golden chain to cut through the wires. Sailor Jupiter dropped to the ground gasping and pulling at the tangled wires. Vulture roared, the remnants of his wires swirling about him. To the side Sailor Venus ran forward, her long golden hair flowing behind her, her orange uniform almost glowing even in this dim light, and helped the fallen Jupiter up and away into cover. They ducked behind a bus stop shed.

"NO!" wailed Vulture as he looked at his hands.

"Sailor V. It's about time you got here," said Jupiter with a grin.

"Are you alright?" asked Sailor Venus.

"Yeah," replied Jupiter rubbing her neck, "no harm done. Thanks to you."

"Wanna go back out there and teach that creep not to mess with the Sailor Senshi?"

"Yeah! Let's finish him off."

"Then we'd better hurry," came a voice from the undergrowth nearby. Sailor Mars appeared and nodded at the clearing where Vulture was till raving, "'cause I think he's getting ready to make a getaway."

"Why do they never stick around when we're winning?" this came from Sailor Moon who had appeared on the other side of the group. Sailor Mercury arrived in time to answer:

"At least they're smart enough to know when they're totally outclassed."

Looking from face to face of the assembled Senshi Sailor Moon smiled.

"Ready girls?" she asked. A quick nod from everyone. "Then let's kick his pale alien butt back to where it came from!"

The group darted out of their cover falling into their best group attack pose ready to finish the battle. The only problem was that their opponent was nowhere to be seen.

"Where'd he go?" Venus asked anyone who was listening.

"Wherever he went he took most of his ship with him. Look!" said Sailor Mercury pointing out the crater. There were only a few twisted pieces of casing left in amongst the charred rubble. Further conversation was halted when a high-pitched cackling made them all raise their heads to the sky. Vulture was now floating about thirty feet up with the large missing parts of his landing craft hovering behind him.

"How dare you! Vulture cannot be beaten. You will feel the wire on your throat! I guarantee."

In the distance police sirens started, though Vulture didn't heed them.

"We shall meet again! You and all your people will know bitter despair!"

At that he whirled in the air and shot off towards the heart of the city, the floating machinery dutifully following him.

"Well done girls!"

The Senshi looked down. A white cat had sauntered out of the undergrowth. He was smiling up at them.

"But he got away, Artemis!" said Sailor Venus. The cat shook its head.

"No you drove him away," Artemis replied. "Remember your powers are to protect, not to destroy. You saved that man. You succeeded."

"But the work isn't done!" This came from Luna. The black cat was perched on the bench nearby. He isn't the only one. Something is brewing in the city, I can smell it on the air. You girls better get a move on."

Sailor Moon nodded, determined.

"Right! Come on Senshi! Let's throw these guys a welcome party!"

"Yeah!" they chorused.

Captain Britain gunned the engine of his squad car and overtook a queue of three slower vehicles, swerving back onto his side of the road just in time to avoid crashing into oncoming traffic.

"Hah-hah hah… It's good to be back on the streets ain't it, Specs?"

The man in the passenger seat, wearing a police uniform and thick, wide rimmed glasses, was bracing himself against the dashboard, staring widely at the urban scenery racing by.

"Could you try and keep just to the streets, Captain?"

Briatin laughed hard.

"Didn't like the off road section, eh?"

"Neither did the pedestrians…"

"They knew the risk… We are doing this for their own protection…"

"Captain!" shouted Specs.

"Ungrateful bunch of bas…" continued Britain, not hearing his fellow officer.
"Captain… Look!"

"What?" However just after asking the question Captain Britain saw something. He guessed it was what Specs had seen too, after all it wasn't something you saw every day. It was gone in an instant too. A man, quite pale, had just flown over the police car, heading in the direction they had just come from. Behind him, also floating, was a huge piece of machinery that didn't look like anything Britain had ever seen before.

It took the Captain a few seconds to come to terms with what had happened. It took him a split second to decide what to do next. He slammed on the brakes, wrestling with the steering wheel spinning the car 180 degrees. Stamping down hard on the accelerator he began to try and catch up with the mysterious figure.

"Specs! Get onto all available units. Tell them…"

"What, Captain?"

"You know," Britain wore a strange grin, somewhere between a grimace and a proper smile, "I'm not sure…"

The car sped on. In the distance, roughly straight ahead, loomed the massive Tokyo Tower thrown into stark relief against the dark sky by myriad spotlights.

Crow looked down at the buildings and streets of Tokyo. He stood on the edge of the special observatory roof, near the pinnacle of Tokyo Tower, the breeze tugging gently at his lank hair. He seemed oblivious to the possibility of falling o his death. Gradually his eyes stopped following the shifting lights of the city below and unfocussed to stare into the middle distance. He remained like this for a few moments before he began to shudder, seemingly with barely repressed laughter. His eyes began to move as if watching tiny intricate movements somewhere on the horizon. His right eye twitched and a tear formed. With a creaking of his armour he crouched down, though never taking his eyes away from what he and he alone could see. He wrapped his arms around himself as he continued to shudder, though only very slightly. The tear fell from his cheek, plummeting towards the distance streets. Overhead the clouds crept across the sky passing in front of the moon, softening its light. As if this was a trigger Crow suddenly stood upright, eyes staring and wild. He now seemed to be back in control taking in his surroundings as if he had returned from elsewhere. Dabbing at his face with a gloved hand he glanced furtively over his shoulder. Above him Raven and Rook were hard at work. Rook was ferrying equipment to where it needed to be. Once in position, Raven delicately fused cables to the Tower's Superstructure. Little red sparks flew from her fingertips, leaving the smell of scorched metal hanging in the air. Much of what they had brought with them in their landing craft was stacked neatly on the platform. They had trained many times to assemble this machine quickly and without complication, and this training did not seem to be wasted. Amongst the stacks of components were several bodies, clad in security guards uniforms, lying sprawled on the floor.

Crow turned back to the city and immediately his eyes fixed on something. A column of lights, flashing red and blue, was approaching the tower.

"Raven…?" Crow said inquiringly without taking his eyes of the lights far below. Raven paused in her work, spinning around in the air to face Crow, though still floating a dozen feet above him.

"Work is progressing well, my Lord. We need only Vulture's components to complete the device."

"Excellent," Crow replied. "However I feel that our grace period has just run out."

Sirens were now audible on the cold night air. Rook and Raven floated down from where they had been working to stand next to Crow where he was hunched.

"It seems the earth insects are making their play." Crow seemed thoughtful for a moment before continuing. "Rook, go and delay these creatures. Draw their focus. Give Vulture time to make this reunion."

Without words or hesitation the huge man shot downwards, sinking into the floor. Neither Crow nor Raven looked around.

"Good…" said Crow with a grin.

Captain Britain brought his squad car to a screeching halt in the car park at the base of Tokyo tower. He was not in a good mood. He had lost track of the strange floating thing (he wasn't yet ready to admit it was a man, despite Specs' arguments), and had not been impressed when the radio crackled to life asking all available units to make their way immediately to Tokyo Tower. Apparently there was quite a situation brewing and he hadn't been one of the first to know. He killed the engine and kicked the car door open, surging to his feet. Officers were already on the scene, some forming a cordon around the tower, others trying to clear civilians from the area.

Specs whistled as he got out of the passenger side door. Britain grunted and stalked angrily towards the nearest group of police officers.

"Al!" he barked, recognising someone from his precinct, "What the hell is going on?"

The officer, a young officer with a shock of blonde hair lowered a pair of binoculars and turned at the sound of his captain's voice.

"Well, Captain…" he began.

"Too slow, gimme those," growled Britain, snatching the binoculars away. Al stood stoically silent as the Captain scanned the heights of the tower.

"Goddammit, it's finally happening. Those pencil pushers will be wishing they'd given me those tanks now!" Britain mumbled spying the trespassers on the tower's observatory roof.

"What was that, Captain?" Al asked.

"They're wiring a bomb to the tower!" said Britain in hushed tones.

"Er actually…" Al began.

"Eh?" said the Captain irritably, lowering the binoculars. Specs took the opportunity to borrow them for himself.
"That isn't a bomb," Al continued. "Or at least I don't think it is, but it certainly doesn't seem sensible. It's too big for one. And placing it all the way at the top seems…"

"Well then it's a huge bomb!" said the Captain just a little too loudly. Officers nearby looked around, suddenly pale. Britain grinned awkwardly.

"No, Al is right, Captain," said Specs rolling the focus barrel on the binoculars. "Even from here there are some things that indicate it's something else. In my opinion it looks more like some kind of transmitting device. Look at the way they've wired it to the antenna…"

"Look at the way they wired it to the antenna," cooed the Captain, imitating Specs in a none-to-reverent fashion. "Well we'll soon find out, Mr. Technical expert. Are those jokers from Special Division here yet?"

"They're just making their way up the stairs now, sir…" said Al

All was quite in the service stairwell. The odd emergency light threw little pools of illumination on each landing. Almost unseen in the gloom a little mirror, like that used by a dentist, poked around a corner. It twisted this way and that, a dull spot of light flitted about the darkened stairs. With its wielder seemingly satisfied the mirror was retracted. With a rustle of clothing and the gentle clack of equipment a soldier, clad in black military garb rounded the corner. He was followed by several others, ascending the stairs with a highly trained swiftness. Night vision goggles negated the need for torches. Pausing only to quickly check the next flight of steps along the barrel of a gun, the soldiers continued their ascent quickly. Their leader poked the muzzle of his rifle into a shadowed alcove, quickly passing over it, paying the little dark space no heed. His fellows similarly ignored it, seeing their leader had given it the all clear. Yet as soon as they were passed it a huge, looming figure, clad in black and gold armour, long dark hair hanging in front of his face, stepped form the recess in the wall. Then, in complete silence, Rook pounced up the stairs after the soldiers.

"Can't we do anything out here?" said Britain through gritted teeth, still looking up at the tower.

"The Special Division squads reported in just a few moments ago, sir," Al reported being careful not to rile the Captain further. "They were just making their way into the third floor of the tourist complex via the emergency stairs."
"Makes me edgy just sitting down here! Waiting…" grumbled the Captain.

"Well, we have to maintain radio silence," said Specs, handing Al's binoculars back to their owner.

"Especially as we're getting a lot of interference," Al added.

Above the general din of the police force's operations the whine of an engine became audible. They all turned as the sound of got rapidly louder. Through the general chaos a bike shot straight towards them. It was painted in police colours and the rider wore a uniform. Even so the men were ready to scatter out of the way as it seemed to show no indication of slowing whatsoever. However at the last moment the bike was thrown into an extreme sideways skid that brought it neatly, but noisily, to a halt nearby.

The rider yanked lifted the helmet from their head. A young woman with striking red hair and equally fiery eyes gave the Captain a salute.

"Leona Ozaki reporting for duty. How can I help?"

Britain stared for a second and then laughed; a deep and mocking guffaw.

"You wanna help? Sure sweetheart, you can help. Take your little scooter, turn it around, and try and direct traffic away from where us important officers have work to do." He delivered the speech in a cooing baby voice, before turning to the others. "Why do these traffic cop babies always come and bother me?"

"Hey, meat head…!" the young officer began with vitriol. "Is all that muscle packed into your skull too…?" She paused for breath, but suddenly her eyes widened into a look of utter horror. The Captain assumed she had realised that she had just insulted a superior officer and was intimidated by his power and machismo.

"Heh still got it," he said with a grin. However no one seemed to be listening.

"He… He just melted outta the floor…" said Leona.

"Eh?" the Captain grunted. As he turned he saw what had actually scared the young officer. A huge man had appeared nearby, right in the middle of the police operation area.

"Where the hell…?" the Captain began, but his voice withered as he took in the man's strange appearance, his otherworldly armour.

"Freeze!" called an officer, raising a sidearm. The man's voice had quavered only slightly. Rook turned his head leisurely, his long hair swaying. Slowly and deliberately he turned and walked towards the man how had spoken.

"I mean it!" shouted the officer, taking a half step back. Rook didn't stop, he kept plodding methodically onwards. Even as a bullet struck him in the centre of his wide chest he didn't miss a stride.

"Okay…" growled the Captain, rushing forward, "let's see how he like a taste of my Castigator!"

Britain raised the massive hand-cannon and began to empty the chambers towards his target at effectively point-blank range. The attack was of sufficient ferocity that Rook actually turned to face this new opponent, though otherwise showed no sign of noticing the bullets despite the jagged rents in his armour.

Britain stared at his empty firearm, not quite understanding what was happening. His confusion deepened when Rook stooped and lifted a squad car into the air. An officer still behind the wheel leapt from her vehicle as, with a graceful ease, Rook swung the car round and hurled it at Captain Britain.

"Shi…" the Captain began, diving for cover. He rolled as he landed, looking up in time to see the car crash into one of Special Division's trucks. Officers began to scatter; some began to fire wildly on Rook who merely began to walk towards another of the parked vehicles. Raising his hand high in the air, Rook brought his fist down with crushing force of the car. Metal crumpled and a wayward spark ignited the ruptured fuel tank. The wreck burst into flames. Britain stared dumbfounded as the wreckage was hoisted into the air and flung straight at him…

Still far away from Earth's orbit two huge ships rushed onwards through space. They varied greatly in design and construction, one superficially resembling a metallic shark, the other a golden half-moon. Both however had been monitoring as best they could any information they could from Earth. News reports that told of lights in the sky, UFO landings, and terrorist attacks near the centre of Tokyo. Sophisticated sensors had also picked up the myriad other craft on a heading for the distant planet as well as another more important signal. Almost simultaneously each ship launched a smaller vessel that hurtled towards Earth and a speed the larger craft could not match. Time was now very short.

Rook surveyed the carnage… The flames were reflected in his white eyes. Most of the humans that were still able had fled. Some still lay around and about like so much detritus of battle. Either way they no longer held his interest. He craned his face towards the night sky. High above a figure followed by a bulky, metallic shape floated onto the highest of the Tower's platforms.

With another quick glance around Rook sank into the ground leaving a little patch of darkness where he had stood just a moment before. Gradually the shape drifted along the ground back towards the tower.

Through deserted alleys and quiet streets the Sailor Senshi were trying their best to keep up with Luna and Artemis as they navigated through the urban labyrinth. As they ducked between buildings every now and again they would catch a glimpse of the Tokyo Tower in the distance. They had all heard the sirens, caught the feeling of barely suppressed panic in the night air. That oppressive, all pervading fear. They were sure of one thing; they had to get to their destination as soon as possible.

"Does anyone get the feeling we've been here before?" asked Sailor Mars.

"Tokyo Tower?" asked Mercury. "I went there for a class trip before the summer…"

"No," said Mars, a little too curtly. "I mean this situation?"

"How do you mean…" asked Venus.

"Well…" said Mars, sounding thoughtful, "why do bad guys always head straight for Tokyo Tower in stories? This all seems a little too familiar. It's like we're trapped in a bad manga?"

"Do you think… we could slow down… a bit…?" called Sailor Moon from the back of the group. She seemed to be flagging and dropping back.

"Too much cake, Sailor Moon?" called Mars.

"Come on. Get the lead out!" said Sailor Jupiter, her long legs taking her to the front of the group in a few strides.

"Hey, I'm… just… a little… outta practice…" puffed Sailor Moon, however she soon got her wish, though certainly not the way she would have wanted.

Both talk and movement stopped as the group reached the edge of the Tower Plaza. Luna and Artemis were already there. They all stood, mouths agape, looking at the piles of ruined squad cars and what lay amongst them.

"What happened…?" asked Mercury, though non one had an answer.

"This is worse than we thought," said Luna and Artemis nodded.

"Do you think our pal Vulture did this?" asked Sailor Mars, clenching a fist.

"I don't care, but whoever did better have one good apology ready," replied Venus.
"They don't deserve that chance!" said Sailor Jupiter.

"Come on!" ordered Sailor Moon, her face set as she led the other Senshi towards the Tower. As they went the whole group failed to notice the sky. Dozens of points of light gently moved across the star field. Over the following minutes, the points of light grew considerably bigger.

"The Senshi have arrived," said Vulture turning to face Crow. He had been peering over the edge of the platform's roof, eyes sweeping back and forth constantly, searching for anything that could be a threat. In reply Crow gave a non-committal grunt. He didn't believe anything on this planet deserved such attention, even the so-called Senshi guardians. Vulture glanced downwards again. "Should we stop them, my Lord?"

"No. Not yet," said Crow, not taking his eyes from the sky. "Let them come. I wish to savour their torment on my own terms in my own time."

"May I warn my Lord not to underestimate these Earth Children…?" Vulture continued. Crow wore a nasty grin as he spoke.

"Did my father's greatest praetorian get his wires clipped? Could Vulture, Hero of the People be… afraid?"

Vulture's klnuckles cracked as he balled his fists, however his voice was level and composed when he spoke.

"All I am saying that it is a foolish warrior that underestimates their opponent."

"I am no warrior," Crow said. "I'm something far more dangerous."
Vulture bared his sharp white teeth, but said nothing. His Lord had spoken. Raven now stepped forward to stand on Crow's right hand.

"Lord Crow. All adjustments are complete. If you are ready, we are ready to send the first signal to Mayhem."

Crow turned to face Raven, no longer wearing a grin. When he spoke, there was an edge of antipathy in his voice.

"Very well… Let's test this technology born of the Magi."

The robed figure still stood at his circular observation port, looking out from his refuge within the body of the Destroyer. The vista of stars had changed, though not significantly. Slow progress was being made.

"Mayhem…"

The voice seemed to resonate from every surface in the chamber, a deep bass growl.

"Yes?" replied the robed figure, unperturbed.

"Your lackeys seem to have succeeded. I am receiving a signal from the third planet."

"Good," replied Mayhem, his robes swirling as he folded his arms. Might I talk to them, mighty Unicron?"

There was no direct reply. However the stars beyond the view port flickered and faded to be replaced with Crow's face wearing an obsequious grin.

"Master…"

"Excellent work, Crow," said Mayhem. "You are however a little behind schedule."

"Unforeseen minor difficulties," Crow purred shaking his head. "They will not go unpunished."

"I will see to that…" replied Mayhem, his eyes narrowing. He caught, with a measure of satisfaction, Crow's eye twitching. "Have you encountered the Sailor Senshi."

"There has been… Some contact," said Crow, though now his voice seemed to be breaking slightly. "However they are on their way now. They will be destroyed utterely."
Mayhem closed his eyes and nodded.

"You're work on the transmitter seems complete. Continue as planned."

"As my Master commands, so we obey," replied Crow, lowering his gaze.

The picture faded to be replaced once again by the stellar panorama.

"Battle lines are being drawn…" Mayhem mused to himself. He cocked an eyebrow and looked off to one side of the chamber.

"Zeit?" he called softly.

"I am here…"

With twitching movements the owner of the new voice approached Mayhem's dais. It was swathed in black, complete with a cowl. Nothing was visible beneath the deep hood. The fingers of one gloved hand twitched and writhed continuously.

"Make sure the Ancestor Crystals are ready…" said Mayhem.

"It shall be done." The Cowl bobbed in an awkward bow.

"Excellent. Oh… and, Zeit? Alter the pressure in the holding pen by seven percent. Crow was behind with his orders."

"That will be my pleasure…" Zeit replied.

"Yes…" said Mayhem, turning his concentration back to the stars. "Yes, I know it will."

With a hiss Crow raked a hand over his face. Collapsing onto his knees he drove his hand straight through the platform. His companions waited nearby.

"My apologies, my Lord," said Vulture, his head bowed against his chest. "It was my failure that caused the delay."

With another wail Crow arm shot out. A chain, crackling with energy, unfurled form his forearm. Whirling it around above his head he brought the chain down to crash into the platform floor. It left a long rent as it disappeared back into Crow's forearm. Slowly he got to his feet and faced his comrades. Reaching out, Crow grabbed Vulture's face, tugging it down close to his own.

"If he's hurt her, I'll kill him… then you…"

That said Crow threw Vulture to the floor. Drawing in another ragged breath he turned on the others.

"Start the machine!" he roared.

Raven floated up to where the strange tangle of components not hung against the Tower's central antenna. With only the smallest hesitation she threw a switch. Immediately the mechanism powered up, the floodlights upon the tower actually dimmed noticeably. Crow watched with intense yellow eyes. In the few moments that had passed he seemed to have regained his self-control.

"Now we'll go and meet the Senshi in battle! Now we'll make them wish they had never been born!"

"This… is creepy!"

The Sailor Senshi were creeping through the darkened wax museum, part of the tourist building beneath the tower. Although dawn was adding a soft glow to the horizon, it was still gloomy within the confines of the building. Luna leapt up to perch in the crook of Abraham Lincoln's arm.

"Just keep moving girls! We have to find a way to the top of the tower as quicly as possible."

"Okay," said Salior Moon, peering at shadowed faces, "but did we have to come this wa-aAAAY!"

"What's the matter?" asked Sailor Mercury.

The others Senshi gathered to see Sailor Moon cowering beneath the stern gaze of Ulysses S. Grant.

"Heh… Pick yourself up, Moon," said Sailor Mars. "You have to stop being so skittish! There's nothing to be afraid of."

"Not entirely true!"

The group all turned towards the voice. They saw that outside the window there was a young man with white hair floating in mid-air. He grinned at them manically as two others descended gently to hover behind him. As he spoke again, he rolled his piercing yellow eyes.

"There is, in fact, something that you should be very afraid of."

With a crackle of red lightening the window shattered, exploding inwards.

"Solaris Crystal Sanctuary!" called Sailor Moon, whirling the Solaris Sceptre in front of her. Beams of light traced out a prism in mid-air which glowed, solidifying into a shimmering crystal barrier. Glass from the obliterated shattered and rebounded from the mystic shield, leaving the Senshi untouched. However their surroundings did not fair as well. Many effigies of historical figures were shredded as heated glass sheared away chunks of wax. Calm settled only a few moments later and, with another shimmer of light, Sailor Moon's shield disappeared.

"Nice one, Moon," said Sailor Jupiter with a grin.

"I didn't know you could do that?" said Sailor Mercury quietly into Sailor Moon's ear.

"Neither did I till a minute ago," she replied. "I think that one is new."

They fell silent as the three beings outside the window drifted forward, approaching the girls. The Senshi immediately noticed a familiar face.

"Vulture!" said Sailor Mars.

"We were wondering where you got to…" continued Sailor Moon, "Who are your friends?"

"Careful girls," cautioned Artemis who was backing off just slightly. "These beings possess great power..." before he could continue he was drowned out by another voice.

"You will show respect when confronted with the Lord Crow!" screamed a woman, her long red hair bristling.

"No, that's quite all right, Raven," said Crow, grinning. "I expect nothing more from such lowly creatures."

"Heh, you guys look like you're in the wrong section," jeered Sailor Jupiter. "All the glam rock bands have their own display through there."
"Yeah… Look at those shoulder bands," added Sailor Venus. "Bet you mime the words though."

"Enough!" Crow looked on them with an angry disdain. There was a fire in his eyes which glowed yellow in the low light. "You smirking… children! To think that we should have to face you to decide the fate of a world! All this preparation, and this is the only defence?"

"We are the guardians of Earth!" called Sailor Moon, "and we specialise in putting creeps like you in your place! We are, after all, the Sailor Senshi."

"Look at you. Standing there. Strutting… posing… revelling in your own magnificence! I have already lost all patience! I may not be able to wait till the deconstruction is underway to wipe those smiles from your faces!"

"Deconstruction…?" said Sailor Mercury quietly.

"What's that supposed to mean?" asked Mars.

As the conversation continued Raven was toying with a waxwork or Brad Pitt. Slowly, her hand crackling with red lightening, she melted his head. She grinned, showing all her teeth, much like a wolf.

"What I mean," said Crow. "Is that we are but the first of many. Your world is doomed. Look!"

Crow swung out his arm to indicate the window. The Senshi turned and gasped in shock.

"What are they?" asked Sailor Moon.

Crow grinned obviously enjoying his opponents' unease.

"They are the harbingers of the Destroyer," he said, "His creations that will lay waste to your cities; your people."

Across the cityscape balls of fire were descending from the sky.

"Stop them!"

"It's too late," grinned Crow. "Nothing can stop them now. I am merely the herald, opening the gates for my Master. Not even I could stop the march of the Destroyer's legions." There was a strange tone to Crow's voice as he said this, but it went unnoticed.

The Senshi watched in horror as the fiery shapes came screaming out of the sky. Areas of Tokyo were lit bright as the things crashed into its streets. From time to time, a pillar of dust was thrown into the air as a building collapsed. Several of these objects landed within clear view of the Tower. As they lay in their impact craters, the onlookers could see they were huge metallic pods, their surfaces scored and pitted. Almost as soon as the pods had landed glowing lines appeared and traced out intricate patterns on the shell. The light from these contours was intense for a few moments and then the shells split, sliding apart. The panels twisted and rotated, more intricate machinery was glimpsed as the mechanism writhed. What emerged from the pit a few moments later was a gargantuan metal monstrosity.

The machine looked as if they had been created by a mind that was suffering a severe imbalance. Cables draped over armour plating, bundles of pistons whined with every movement, thick panels of metal ground together, disjointed limbs stretched and retracted. The things walked with an awkward elegance that was quite nauseating to watch. It wasn't a jerky robotic gait. There was something terribly organic about the movements. It was similar to watching a baby animal learning to walk, or something much older trying to remember.

With terrible, ponderous movements the machines raised limbs bearing a variety of cruel weaponry. There was a moment of calm

"Now…" said Crow, eyes wild, "It beings!"

Across the city, now bathed in the soft rose-light of daybreak, there was a thunder of explosions. Simultaneously the monsters' weapons spat fiery destruction at their surroundings. A terrible metallic whine began as cruel saws and chain driven blades cut buildings to ribbons sending them to crumbling ruin. Screams began to mingle with the cacophony as people fled before the attackers. There was no attempted defence. It was too soon. It had all happened so quickly.

Into the bedlam two other craft plummeted out of the sky. However unlike the others they set down near the centre of the city very gently. A door on the side of one craft slid open to reveal another huge metallic figure, though this one was quite unlike the others.

Standing tall, white and blue the robot loomed in the doorway. He had no visible facial features. A metal panel hid any mouth and nose and a wide red lens, that enclosed or served as his eyes, stared impassively down at the mayhem around where his ship had landed. On a glass panel set into his chest was emblazoned a purple, sinister looking insignia. He held a weapon, a vast cannon, as a human soldier would hold a pistol. The brilliantly polished finished of his gun caught the morning sun, sparkling brilliantly in the light.

Check back for Part 3 – Destiny Singularity. The adventure becomes an epic battle for the survival of the universe as power beyond imagining, wielded by the most diabolical of minds, could fracture the very essence of reality. Who could possibly stand before such an ancient evil and hope to achieve victory? Find out next time on Sailor Moon vs. The Transformers: The Metal Moon Crisis!