I do not own Sailor Moon or Ranma1/2. I also do not own the Advent Knights. The Advent Knights belong to ZK Chromedragozoid and if you want to read into their adventures then go to him. You won't regret it. Anyway, on with the fic.
KSM: The Advent
By Ten-Faced Paladin
Chapter 6: Outer and Tiger
Takada sat in his hotel room with his laptop, running a few more tests on the sealed Star Beasts. He only had two. One was Wyvernator, who Leo had managed to convert to his own systems. The other was Rayline, who Leo had managed to seal the last time he had been Juuban. That other Star Beast had yet to be converted to any of the Advent Knights' systems. Leo had also reported that Kat had one of her own too. A phoenix Star Beast called Pheora. Takada knew that he should hold onto it for study, but he had more than enough for the moment so he could live without it. At the moment, he was reading over another report that Leo had sent him.
"Okay," he smiled. "We can scratch Category 9 of Hearts off the list. Good going, guys."
He closed the report and folded up his laptop. He took a moment to stretch and get the stiffness out of his limbs. He looked to the clock that was mounted in his room and found that he was in there for four hours as it was.
"Well," he sighed. "I guess it won't kill me to take a break once in a while."
Deciding on his course of action, Takada got up and headed out into the neighborhood. Maybe if he was lucky he would be able to find someplace to eat or something. The grumbling in his stomach was reminding him that food would be greatly appreciated in the near future.
Rounding a corner, he spied the local park where a number of children went to play or couples went for moments alone. If Takada recalled properly, there was a takoyaki vendor that had some of the best. The trick was finding it.
"Hey, Freak!" a child's voice shouted loudly. Takada stiffened at hearing it. He didn't like how that sounded. He turned to the source of the voice and noticed a couple of kids pushing around a girl with short purple hair.
"What are you doing here anyway?" asked another kid with a smirk. "No freaks allowed!"
The purple-haired girl was shoved to the ground and her face was covered in dirt, not to mention her clothes. The kids standing around her were laughing at her misery and Takada felt his blood beginning to boil at the sight of it. Narrowing his eyes, Takada began walking over to the group with his fists clenched.
Hotaru felt more dirt kicked at her. Why did this keep happening to her? She just came to the park to meet Chibi-Usa so they could do something, but the usual kids who tried to make her life miserable had managed to find her. It then degraded to the usual spiel of how she was a freak and how no one wanted her. Hotaru knew that it wasn't true, but it still didn't make it hurt any less or make her feel just as alone as she did before she met Chibi-Usa and the other Senshi.
"Freaks like you don't deserve friends!" one of the boys called as he reared back to kick more dirt at her.
"I doubt that," a new voice replied.
The boy turned around to see who was talking before he was seized by the front of the shirt and yanked up to face level with the boy who had interrupted them. The boy looked to be older than them and he looked rather steamed.
"Now," the boy spoke, anger dripping from his voice. "Why don't you apologize to the nice girl before I kick all your butts?"
"Ulp!" the boy caught in Takada's grip gulped.
"NOW!" Takada said forcefully, scaring the crap out of all of them. They could actually feel his anger rolling off of him. It was almost like he was some kind of monster. The boy in his grip would later say that his eyes looked sort of like a tiger's or another big cat's.
"We're sorry!" the boys cried, fearing for their safety. The older boy dropped his prisoner and the group went running. Hotaru watched them run before turning back to her sudden savior. When she got a good look at him, he didn't seem so scary anymore. He had just heaved a sigh and he seemed to turn back to a normal person. He kneeled in front of Hotaru, who had just sat up.
"You okay?" he asked with concern.
"Yes," Hotaru nodded. "This happens all the time."
"Well, it shouldn't," the boy frowned. "Why do they do that in the first place?"
"It's because I'm different," Hotaru frowned sadly. "It's because I have powers."
Hotaru had said the last part in whisper, but Takada had heard it as if she had said it out loud. His fusion with the Byakko Beast Spirit had enhanced his sense of hearing. His eyes widened slightly as he looked at the younger girl in front of him.
"You have powers too?" he blinked.
Hotaru's eyes widened. Fear also gripped her heart, afraid that she had just blurted her secret out to her possible new friend and would drive him off. Deciding that she couldn't hide it anymore, she just nodded sadly. She fully expected her savior to be disgusted at her and run away just like others had. What she got was almost the opposite of that.
"Wow!" Takada grinned. "That's cool. What can you do?"
"Huh?" Hotaru blinked. He wasn't disgusted? "Um...I...I can heal injuries."
"They bully you because of that?" Takada asked, surprised. "That's a downright useful ability to have."
"It is?" asked Hotaru, hope filling her heart. Maybe someone besides the Senshi wouldn't hate her for her powers after all.
"Yeah!" Takada nodded. "I can't tell you how many times I could have used abilities like that!"
He wasn't lying either. In his profession as an Advent Knight, he tended to end up with his share of bruises and cuts. He sometimes did wish that he had healing powers rather than the control he got over earth and steel. In his eyes, the little girl was lucky to have a power like that.
"Really?" the girl asked him. "What powers do you have?"
"Well," Takada frowned slightly. "I'm not sure if I should tell."
"Please?" the girl begged, utilizing the Puppy-Dog Eye Technique. "I told you mine."
"Hmmm," Takada frowned. His will was slowly crumbling to the attack of cuteness. "I...I guess I can tell you. I can control earth and steel."
"Really?" the girl gasped. "That's so cool!"
"Well," Takada shrugged. "I can't control it that well yet. I haven't had much time to practice it."
"But it's still cool!" the girl insisted.
Takada smiled back at the girl and noticed she still had some dirt on her face. He helped her up and said, "We better sit down somewhere, okay?"
"Yes," she said, nodding. He handed her a napkin.
"You got some dirt here," he said, pointing to his own cheek to show her. "And on your clothes too." Hotaru brushed the dirt off. "Anyway, my name's Yoshiyuki Takada. But my friends call me Takada."
"Thank you, Takada-san," she said, "I'm Hotaru Tomoe."
"Nice to meet you, Hotaru," he said, with a smile as he placed his hands in his pockets.
--
Meanwhile, the boys that had bullied Hotaru were walking along the street. The one in the lead was kicking a can.
"Who does that jerk think he is defending that freak?" he grumbled.
"Don't worry, we'll get her again next time when she's alone," one of his friends suggested. He smiled.
Meanwhile, up on a tree, something was watching them. It observed the group of boys before it made its move. It then got ready as a pair of long tentacles shot out from the tree and wrapped themselves around one of the boys. It was the one in the lead. He screamed as the tentacles made contact with his body before shocking him with electricity. His friends gasped and then screamed before they began running but more tentacles shot out and grabbed them before shocking them as well.
--
Both Takada and Hotaru were talking when suddenly his phone began to beep rapidly.
"What's that?" Hotaru asked as Takada dug the phone out of his pocket and pressed a button. Checking the screen, his eyes widened.
"Sorry, Hotaru, but I gotta go! Tell your friend hi for me!" he said before rushing out of the park.
There was a Beast Spirit in the area.
--
The Beast Spirit stood over the bodies of the boys with a hint of satisfaction in its stance. The Beast Spirit was aqua blue in color and had slimy skin. Tentacles hung behind its back and its fingers were also long tentacles as well. It also had a dome-like head. Slime dripped from its body as well.
Takada rounded the corner and saw the Beast Spirits. He recognized the boys and cursed. Even he wouldn't wish that on anyone, not that those boys didn't deserve it. He set his feelings aside and slid his card into his buckle before placing it on his waist. The belt wrapped around his waist as he softly whispered, "Henshin," before the belt buckle split open.
"CHANGE BYAKKO!"
A white field of energy which had a tiger depicted on it emerged from the buckle. When it had stabilized, Takada went running through it and emerged completely changed. His body was covered in his white and black Advent Knight armor. He was now Advent Knight Pluto.
The Jellyfish Beast Spirit hissed as it turned to face its new opponent. Pluto remained cool as he drew his Byakko Revolver. He knew that this wasn't going to be an easy battle, especially against a Beast Spirit that could harness electricity like it could.
"Time to seal you," Pluto commented before he began his charge.
--
"Hotaru!" a voice cried out to the young girl.
Hotaru turned and saw Chibi-Usa racing towards her. Seeing her friend brought a true smile to Hotaru's face. Being with her friends always brought a smile to her face. Now that she had a new friend in that boy, Takada, she would smile a little more.
"Hi, Chibi-Usa!" Hotaru smiled to her friend from the future.
The pink-haired girl raced to her friend and met up with her at the bench. As she came closer, she noticed the dirt on Hotaru's clothes and the little bits that was still smudged on her face. Chibi-Usa instantly became afraid that her friend had been hurt by the bullies who constantly seemed to torment her.
"Hotaru!" she gasped. "Did those bullies get to you again?"
"Yeah," Hotaru nodded slightly. "It's no big deal though. Someone helped me this time."
"Really?" asked Chibi-Usa. "Who?"
"Well," Hotaru blushed. "His...his name's Yoshiyuki Takada. He likes to be called Takada.'
"Oooooh!" Chibi-Usa giggled, seeing Hotaru's blush. "Well? Where is he now?"
"He had to leave before you got here," Hotaru answered, heaving a disappointed sigh. "He did say to say hello though. I really wish you could meet him."
Before the two girls could continue their conversation, a loud explosion ripped through the air. Many of the civilians started screaming and running from the explosion. Chibi-Usa and Hotaru both looked at each other before they nodded. Both girls then got up before charging to where the explosion had happened. They had a duty as Sailor Senshi to protect the people. They also knew that they had to destroy any evil that threatened the world.
--
"BULLET!"
Pluto slashed the card through his Byakko Revolver. The image of the card appeared above him before it was absorbed into his armor. Taking aim, he started shooting at the Jellyfish Beast Spirit, intent on sealing it and keeping it from harming any more innocent people.
The battle had been a big one so far. The Jellyfish Beast Spirit was proving to be quick on its feet. It also didn't have much to lose as it continued to try whipping him with electrified tentacles. At one point it had managed to hit a car and caused it to explode by igniting the gas tank. The bodies of the bullies were still littered on the ground, but Pluto couldn't be sure if any of them were alive at the moment since he was still battling the Beast Spirit who had attacked them in the first place. It wasn't helping that a fire hydrant had gotten hit and now water was spraying all over as if it was raining.
"Hold it!" a new voice cried out.
Both Pluto and the Jellyfish Beast Spirit stopped in their battle when they heard the voice. Both Knight and Beast Spirit turned to the source and found themselves looking at a pair of girls dressed in fukus looking at them both with serious looks in their eyes. One had pink curly hair done up in ponytails and was in a pink and white fuku. The other one was in a purple and white fuku and had shoulder length purple hair. She was also holding what looked like a glaive.
"We won't let a fellow warrior of good face this monster alone!" the pink one called.
"This monster won't hurt another innocent person!" added the purple one.
Both girls took a stance as they stared down the Jellyfish Beast Spirit. The creature in question growled threateningly while Pluto wasn't sure if he should appreciate this help or if he should try to keep them away from the battle.
"I am Sailor Chibi-Moon!"
"And I am Sailor Saturn!"
"And we are Sailor Senshi!" both called at once.
"It is our duty to right wrongs and punish evil!" Chibi-Moon continued. "So in the names of Saturn and the future Moon, we will punish you!"
The Jellyfish Beast Spirit didn't seem impressed. Instead, it hissed angrily before it lashed out at the two Sailor Senshi. Two long, electrified tentacles went hurtling towards the two youngest Senshi. It was moving so fast that Pluto couldn't react in time.
"No!" he cried as he feared that the two Senshi were about to be electrocuted.
Sailor Saturn reacted quickly as she stepped forward with her glaive raised. Pluto thought that she was going to take the blow for her friend, but what had happened next was something that he was not expecting.
"Silence Wall!" Saturn cried before holding her glaive in front of her. Pluto's eyes widened as he saw the young Senshi erect a wall of energy in front of her and her pink friend.
The tentacles didn't stop moving as they crashed against the wall of energy. Electricity sparked against the barrier but could not break through. The Jellyfish Beast Spirit hissed angrily before it retracted its tentacles. It was concentrating on the two Sailor Senshi for the moment. Pluto saw this as his opportunity to strike the Beast Spirit down and seal it. He opened the card chamber on his Byakko Revolver and pulled out his last two cards before shutting it again. He then slashed the two cards through his weapon.
"DROP! FIRE!" the weapon called as the cards were slashed through. "BURNING SMASH!"
The images of the two cards hovered over Pluto before they were absorbed into him. He then immediately took a flying leap into the air. Saturn and Chibi-Moon gaped as they witnessed his feet becoming engulfed in flames. The Jellyfish Beast Spirit took notice of the sudden movement and turned to see what was happening. It screeched angrily as Pluto came back down with the intent on smashing it hard. Pluto was positive that he was going to hit the Beast Spirit when something happened that completely threw him off. The Jellyfish Beast Spirit melted into liquid and vanished into the small streams that were running through the streets. It then, along with the water, flowed into the drain. Pluto landed on the ground with a thud as his feet went out. He looked around, trying to find where the Beats Spirit had gone, but there was no indication that hinted where it was, except for some of the slime it left had behind.
"Kuso," he muttered angrily under his breath. "It got away."
"Hey!" Chibi-Moon called. Pluto turned to face the two Senshi who were running towards them. "Are you okay?"
"Yeah, I'm fine," Pluto sighed. "But a whole lot of people won't be if we can't find that Beast Spirit."
"Sorry," Saturn frowned sadly. "We got in the way, didn't we?"
"Are you kidding?" Pluto laughed. "You two gave me the perfect opportunity to nail that thing. I just wasn't expecting it to turn to liquid like it did. I should actually be thanking you for your help."
"Really?" both girls gasped, happy smiles appearing on their faces.
"Sure," Pluto nodded. "This is your town so I was expecting some Senshi to show up sooner or later. If you didn't then I would begin wondering if you were cut out for this job."
The two Senshi smiled brightly at his words. The Advent Knight of Byakko then turned to the bodies of the boys who the Beast Spirit attacked which were sprawled around the ground. He glanced back to the two Senshi.
"We'd better check if any of these kids are still alive," Pluto commented. "Even if I heard they were punks, I wouldn't wish a Beast Spirit on anyone."
The two Senshi nodded as they went over to check on some of the victims.
--
It had been a close call for those boys. They all suffered severe electrical burns and would be in the hospital for a while. A few of them would have died if they hadn't received medical treatment when they did. Many people were voicing concern over the brutality of this attack. Others were asking their children if they had seen anything happen. One child who was quizzed had been Hotaru.
"So you're sure it was a Beast Spirit?" asked Haruka sternly as she, Michiru, and Setsuna were sitting at the kitchen table with Hotaru.
"Yep," Hotaru nodded. "I'm not sure, but I think it looked kind of like a jellyfish."
"Is there a Beast Spirit like that?" Michiru asked Setsuna.
"Yes," Setsuna nodded. "One of the Clubs I believe. I can't recall what category, but I do remember that it was a particularly trigger happy one with its electric jolts. It would be best to be careful if we end up fighting it."
"I see," Michiru nodded. She then turned back to Hotaru. "Hotaru, next time you see something like this happening, could you at least call the others before you go to help?"
"But Pluto was there and Rini was with me," Hotaru replied. "I thought we would be okay."
"Well," Michiru admitted. "Pluto is specifically trained to handle Beast Spirits."
"Hmph," Haruka snorted. "If he was actually good at his job then it wouldn't have gotten away."
"And I suppose you would have beaten it?" asked Setsuna. "May I ask how you would have done that? Your usual stance of 'smashing it until it dies' wouldn't work on it. I recall telling you that it can't die"
Haruka just frowned and remained silent. She knew Setsuna was right, but she wasn't about to give the older woman the satisfaction of admitting she was right. She decided to focus her attention back to her adopted daughter.
--
Back in his hotel room, Takada was staring at the Star Beast cards he had with him, Rayline and Wyvernator. Rayline was still not 'purified' yet (it was the only term he found suitable) and Wyvernator had already bonded with Draco.
He had hooked up his computer with a microscope. After the battle, he had collected some slime samples. Maybe he could find a clue on how to defeat the Jellyfish Beast Spirit. He was going over the data once more.
"Okay, that thing can turn into liquid plus has the ability to generate electricity. With an ability like that, it could be a danger to a lot of people," he said, scratching his head before standing up. "It's in the drain, meaning it might get into the water system in this town!" He paced in his room, arms behind his back, "I need to find a way to shut off the water supply before anyone gets killed, but how." He turned on his radio to hear shocking news.
"Several people have been found dead in their bathrooms, mostly in the bath and shower. Police are baffled as to the cause of death but it appears that they have been electrocuted. This is quite a mystery and-" Takada shut the radio off.
"It's started," he growled under his breath. He had to stop this now and soon or else more and more people would die meaninglessly. He grabbed his jacket and his phone but then gazed down at the two Star Beast cards. He picked up Rayline and slipped it into his pocket. "This might be useful later."
He then dashed out of his hotel room and down the stairs before running out and getting on his bike. He activated his Beast Spirit scanner and then revved up the engine before racing down the streets.
--
Ryoga was lost again. He wasn't too proud to admit it. He knew he had a horrible sense of direction and he could barely find his way to the Tendo dojo. Of course, his problem with directions only worsened after he received his Jusenkyo curse. It sure wasn't fun when you couldn't look up high enough to see signs that could tell him where he was. It usually made traveling even harder.
This was one of those days.
Now all he had to figure out was how he had gotten into a bathhouse in Italy. He could have sworn that he was in Okinawa. Of course, he was a pig at the moment and was dragging his belongings behind him. The people using the bathhouse could only stare at the small black pig dragging a backpack through the room as it headed for one of the baths. Ryoga found it rather convenient that everyone in the room was speaking Japanese. Maybe after he changed back he could ask directions for the Tendo dojo.
Suddenly, the little black pig froze. Something wasn't right. Ever since he became the Celestial Knight Kronos, his senses had seemingly increased, especially ones that detected abnormal auras. This aura…he could feel…was one of them.
Suddenly, there was a scream as a man in one of the baths began to look like he was having a serious seizure. His body shook erratically before stopping, but there was a sign that didn't fit the description of a seizure, the burns on his body.
The other patrons panicked after one of them had gone and checked on the man and found him dead. The panicking grew even more intense as a form began to rise from the water. Ryoga's pig eyes widened as the form materialized and solidified into a strange and malevolent creature resembling a jellyfish that was crossed with a human. The Jellyfish Beast Spirit took a look at its surroundings and then everyone went rushing out of the bathhouse. However, the slippery floor caused many of them to trip and the Jellyfish Beast Spirit lashed out with his tentacles, electrocuting them. Ryoga…or as of now P-chan, was trying to not get trampled but was then accidentally kicked into one of the hot water baths. The Jellyfish Beast Spirit continued its massacre, killing anyone it could get its tentacles on.
"Hold it right there, whatever you are!" called a voice and the Jellyfish Beast Spirit turned to see Ryoga standing with his arms crossed. Somehow, he had his clothes back on and looked like he hadn't just been dunked into a pool of water. How he did it was the same concpet of how Genma and Pantyhose Taro managed to do it. Ryoga had no idea that this was a Beast Spirit. He assumed it to be a Star Beast but one that couldn't talk. Regardless, as a Celestial Knight, he had to stop this thing. It was killing people. The Jellyfish Beast Spirit tilted its head to the side, examining Ryoga before he sent a tentacle at the martial artist. Ryoga leapt straight into the air and summoned his belt before sliding in his deck case.
"Kronos Knight Power! Henshin!" In a flash of blinding light, the Celestial Knight Kronos replaced Ryoga. He drew out his scythe and slashed down on the Jellyfish Beast Spirit who reeled in pain as the blade cut off one of its tentacles, spilling green blood. Kronos grimaced under his helmet and engaged the Beast Spirit.
--
Takada was following the signal on his bike. The signal had him come across a local bath house. As soon as he stopped, a group of naked men in towels came rushing out. He stopped his bike and then removed his helmet, with a perplexed look on his face. He grabbed one of the panicking man, a thin fellow with graying hair.
"What happened?" Takada asked.
"There's a monster inside! It killed some of us!" Takada let the panicking guy go, now knowing what was inside. He already had his buckle and belt on so he just took his card and slid it into his Advent Buckle.
"Henshin!" he called, the belt buckle snapping open to reveal his Diamond emblem.
"CHANGE BYAKKO!"
He rushed through the energy field and exited in his armor and ran straight into the bath house to do battle with the Beast Spirit.
--
Kronos wasn't having an easy time. There were holes and cracks on the walls and floors as well as some cuts from his scythe. This monster was slippery and when Kronos was ready to plant a fatal blow, it would revert into water and then sneak up behind him to shock him with its tentacles. He still felt the electricity coursing through him, but the magical armor was able to protect him from getting killed. Right now, he was in a serious pickle as the Jekkyfish Beast Spirit had its tentacles wrapped tightly around him ready to fry him.
'And I never got to tell Akane or Akari how I felt,' Kronos thought miserably. He then let out a pain-filled scream as the voltage flow through his body.
Bullets flew at the Beast Spirit at a powerful rate, causing it to unhand (or un-tentacle) the Celestial Knight. Kronos fell to the floor, his armor scorched and smoking but still fine. He looked up to see at the doorway an armored individual in white and black and holding a gun that was trained at the Beast Spirit. "Who the heck?" Kronos questioned.
Pluto then continued to shoot the Beast Spirit. Sparks flew off its body as it came under fire. Seeing no other choice, the Beast Spirit dove into one of the tubs and liquefied, making its escape through the draining system. Pluto growled and went to check on Kronos.
"You okay?" he asked, lending a hand. Kronos took it and was pulled up.
"Who the heck are you?" Kronos asked.
"Advent Knight Pluto," was the new Knight's reply. "Didn't Lunar tell you about us?"
"I haven't seen him in weeks," Kronos grumbled, before turning around. "Now I have a Star Beast to hunt if you don't mind!"
"That wasn't a Star Beast," Pluto informed him. "That was a Beast Spirit."
"Huh?" Kronos blinked underneath his helmet. "Beast Spirit? What's that?"
"Something entirely different from the things you fight," Pluto explained. "They are what me and the other Advent Knights were commissioned to fight."
"Well you suck at the job!" a new female voice spoke up.
Both Pluto and Kronos turned to face who had spoken, and they saw four of the Sailor Senshi standing before them. The four Outers to be exact. Neptune, Uranus, Saturn, and Pluto. All four of them looked ready for business, but it was Uranus who had a hard frown on her face.
"Excuse me?" asked Pluto with a hard edge in his voice.
"I said," Uranus frowned as she stepped closer to the Advent Knight with her fellow Senshi close behind. "You suck at this job. If you actually took your duties seriously then all those innocent people wouldn't have gotten killed!"
"You don't think I take this seriously?" Pluto growled angrily. "You think I just take my damn sweet time in getting here to fight a Beast Spirit? You think I don't try my best to seal the Beast Spirits?"
"Maybe if you did, that thing would be sealed and lives would be saved!" Uranus shot back.
"That's rich coming from you, you hypocrite!" Pluto snapped.
"What did you call me?!" Uranus growled.
"Hypocrite!" Pluto snarled. "I've heard the reports. I've heard that you and Neptune actually let people get attacked by the last enemy you all fought! Something about talismans, but the fact remains you let innocent people get hurt just so you could find them. So don't get all high and mighty about people getting hurt on my watch when you couldn't care less!"
Neptune frowned sadly, hurt. She didn't like being reminded of that time.
"Don't judge me!" Uranus growled. "That was for the greater good! We had no choice!"
"A shit poor excuse if there ever was one," Pluto sighed. "It must really help you sleep at night after dreaming about those innocent people and their eyes filled with pain!"
"You don't know anything!" Uranus shouted angrily.
"Neither do you!" Pluto roared.
"Please," Saturn said, getting between the two older warriors who were glaring daggers at each other. "We shouldn't be fighting."
"Saturn's right," Sailor Pluto spoke up, sternly. "We shouldn't be fighting right now. It's a waste of time and people are getting killed here."
"Now, that I'll agree with," Pluto sighed as he stepped back from Uranus. "But the question remains is what we are going to do about the Beast Spirit now?"
"Well," Neptune finally spoke up. "If this Beast Spirit left through the drains then we will have to follow where the drains go, wouldn't we?"
"True," Pluto nodded. "Remember though that this one can move wherever it wants in liquid form. It will be able to go wherever it wants, not just going with the flow. That's probably how it got here after entering a storm drain."
"So we follow the drains?" asked Saturn curiously.
"We will have to," Sailor Pluto nodded. "The problem is finding where the Beast Spirit would have exited from."
"The last part of the line is the water treatment plant, isn't it?" asked Pluto. When he received nods, he continued. "Now that this thing knows we're chasing it, it might head there. It can choose to go anywhere it wants from there or even the ocean where we will never see it again."
"Then what are we waiting for?!" demanded Uranus. "Let's go!"
"We don't know if it is heading there," Sailor Pluto sighed. "There are thousands of places it could go."
"Can't we get Mercury to help?" asked Saturn.
"Good idea," Neptune agreed. "She might be able to get a map and scan to see where it is going."
"I'll head over to the water treatment plant to see if it isn't trying to get there," Pluto volunteered. "If it is there, I'll be waiting."
"Would you like any assistance?" asked Neptune, trying to fix things between the Senshi and the Knight.
"I think I'll be fine," Pluto replied. "If the Beast Spirit starts getting excited then my scanner will be able to pick it up. So either way, you know I'll be coming."
"Hey, what about me?" asked Kronos. "Where do I fit in all of this?" Kronos didn't like being ignored. He got that enough times from Ranma and the other people of Nerima.
"You'll come with me," Pluto told him. "I got a bike so let's go."
"Don't worry," Kronos snickered as he drew a card from his belt. It depicted a purple armored boar with a name at the top which said 'Boarbomber'. "I've got my own ride."
He grabbed his scythe and the back popped open at the boar head's mouth to reveal a small chamber which Kronos then slid the card into. He shut the chamber and the weapon began to speak.
"Add Vent!"
"BWEEEE!"
--
Pluto's bike roared down the street as he raced for the water treatment plant. Besides him, a giant armored boar, which was purple of all things, was racing down the street behind him. Kronos was sitting on top, looking rather content at the moment. The Lost Knight knew that Boarbomber could keep up with Pluto so he didn't have to worry about getting lost. They were both silent as they raced as quickly as they could. They did not want this Beast Spirit to get away from them and kill hundreds of innocent people where the Knights couldn't stop it.
"So...do you know if this thing is even going to be there?" asked Kronos, not knowing what else to talk about.
"Not really," Pluto shrugged. "We can only guess that it is heading there. It is one of the easiest ways to lose track of it."
"Because it can go anywhere from there," Kronos sighed. "Just where did these things come from?"
"They were unsealed a while ago," Pluto explained. "Ever since then they've been running loose, killing as many humans as they could. Me and the other Advent Knights have been hunting them down and sealing them again."
"So how many Knights are there?" Kronos asked curiously.
"Just three, including me," Pluto answered. "There's a fourth one on the way, but finding a suitable candidate is tough."
"Oh," Kronos nodded in understanding.
A beeping noise suddenly caught their attention and the Beats Spirit scanner mounted on his motorcycle came to life. It revealed a signal that was under the ground and it was very strong despite the objects in between it and the target.
"Found you!" Pluto grinned as he hit the acceleration on his vehicle.
"Where is it?" asked Kronos as Boarbomber sped up to catch up.
"A few feet ahead of us and under the ground," Pluto replied. "I think we were right too! It is heading for the water treatment plant!"
"It is?" Kronos blinked. "Then what are we waiting for?! Let's step on it!"
The White Diamond's engine roared as Pluto gunned it and sped down the street. Boarbomber 'bwee'd loudly before speeding up. Pluto silently swore that the Beast Spirit wouldn't get away a third time. Today, its time of freedom would end.
--
"Anything?" asked Uranus impatiently.
True to their word, the Outers had summoned the other Sailor Senshi to assist in defeating this Beast Spirit. Even Tuxedo Kamen was helping out since Usagi had been with him when she received the call. They were currently collected on one of the many rooftops in Juuban, since it served to overlook a large portion of the area.
"Just a moment." Mercury replied as she tapped a few more keys. "There! I found it!"
"Really?" asked Mars. "You found it?"
"Yes," Mercury nodded. "Pluto's initial suggestion was correct. The Beast Spirit is heading in the direction of the water treatment plant. If it reaches that place..."
"Then it can go into the ocean or anywhere in the district," Neptune finished. "We went over this with Pluto."
"Then what are we waiting for?" asked Venus. "Let's go!"
A unanimous nod agreed with her before the Senshi stated roof hopping towards their destination. Too many people had died by this creature's hands (tentacles) and they weren't about to let it get away with that list of crimes.
--
The chase had been long and there were no opportunities to cut the Beast Spirit off. Thus, it ended at the water treatment plan itself. Pluto parked his bike and got off. Kronos followed suit before they drew their weapons. Kronos dismissed Boarbomber, who vanished into rippling waves. Pluto made a mental note to ask him about that later.
"Stay close," Pluto spoke quietly as he and Kromos entered the building.
"Right," Kronos nodded as he followed. He didn't want to get lost at a time like this, especially when he had to fulfill his duties as a Celestial Knight. He made it a point to keep an eye on Pluto at all times until they entered a fight with the Beast Spirit.
The facility itself was eerily quiet. The machines were still working, but there were pipes all over the place. The sounds of condensation dripping to the floor was also present. Pluto ad Kronos waked slowly as they tried to listen for any kind of sign of the Beast Spirit. With all the pipes, the Beast Spirit could be able to come out of anywhere.
"So...any ideas?" asked Kronos.
"Just pay attention," Pluto commented. "This thing can come out of nowhere in a place like this."
The two Knights quietly made their way into the plant, in search of any clue of the Beast Spirit.
They stopped when they found it, but it wasn't a good clue.
It was horrible. They found two bodies, dead. They were the security guards of the plant who were probably on patrol when they stumbled upon the Beast Spirit. They had scorch marks on them and their faces were twisted into masks of anguish. Pluto sighed and closed their eyes for them.
"We have to be quick or else more people will die," Pluto said but Kronos was frozen "What?"
Kronos may have been a martial artist, but he wasn't used to death, not like this. It just seemed so surreal.
"Hey, Kronos, snap out of it," Pluto called, snapping the Celestial Knight awake. "What's wrong?"
"It's…nothing," Kronos said reluctantly.
"Okay then," Pluto said. "Just follow me. These bodies are still warm so it can't be far. Then again…we may even be too late." It had already been too late to save those guards.
Kronos nodded slowly as the reality of the situation really struck home. This wasn't going to be like fighting Star Beasts. Star Beasts didn't kill people because that would mean losing potential members to their ranks. The Beast Spirits had no such reservations. They would kill every human they came across no matter what.
'Even...Akari...and Akane,' he thought sadly to himself. The thought of losing either girl that meant so much to him strengthened his resolve to a level he only had when they were at Jusendo Mountain.
The two armored warriors trekked deeper into the facility. They knew they were close and they didn't want to lose it now. After a short distance, they began to hear loud banging noises and angry hissing. Seeing this as a much better lead, the two Knights began racing down the pathways to see if they could catch the Beast Spirit once and for all.
Pluto and Kronos turned a final corner before they found the control platform for the entire facility. It was the station which kept the water pressure at a constant level. Near the main valve of the water treatment system, the Jellyfish Beast Spirit was pounding away at the hatch, trying to get it open.
"Why is it pounding away like that?" asked Kronos.
"It's trying to get in!" Pluto cried, raising his gun. "Let's go!"
Both Knights charged straight at the Beast Spirit, ready to pound it flat for its crimes. The Jellyfish Beast Spirit turned quickly and hissed before running at its opponents, ready to destroy them for interfering. It lashed out with its tentacles, ready to crush them, but both boys were prepared. Kronos hacked away at them with his scythe, which left green blood splattered on the ground while Pluto shot the tentacles coming at him. The Jellyfish Beast Spirit hissed angrily as it drew back its main weapons.
"You're gonna pay!" Kronos roared as he drew a card and slipped it into his scythe. "Strike Vent!"
Pluto watched in mild shock as two thick shoulder plates which looked like tusks attached themselves to Kronos' shoulders. The Knight of Saturn roared again before charging much like an American football player. The Beast Spirit lashed out with tentacles again, but they couldn't get a firm grip on him. Kronos collided hard with the Beast Spirit, knocking it off its feet and slamming it into a concrete wall. The impact made the stone wall buckle. Kronos leaped back as the shoulder plates vanished, allowing him full mobility again.
"Pretty good," Pluto acknowledged.
"Thanks," Kronos nodded. "Care for a turn?"
"Don't mind if I do," Pluto agreed. He took two cards out of his gun and swiped them through.
"FIRE! BULLET!" the gun announced before the images of the cards floated above him and then absorbed. He took careful aim at the Jellyfish Beast Spirit that was slowly recovering and then pulled the trigger, letting lose a volley of fireballs straight at it.
The Jellyfish Beast Spirit had managed to pull itself out of the wall only to be bombarded by fireballs. Small yet powerful explosions erupted off its body as the fireballs struck it. Pluto stopped firing and charged, along with Kronos.
The Jellyfish Beast Spirit hissed and charged straight at its adversaries. It would not run again. It had every intention of taking them out once and for all.
Pluto threw a fist that smashed into the Beast Spirit's face, knocking it back. The Beast Spirit retaliated by throwing its tentacles at him but Kronos sliced them with his scythe. He then leapt up and elbowed the Beast Spirit in the head, knocking it down onto the ground. The Beast Spirit reverted back to liquid form but Pluto was not going to let it escape. He cupped his hands and the concrete floor seemed to tear itself off the ground and then reshape into a barricade around the liquefied Beast Spirit. There were no cracks for it to flow through. It was trapped!
"We got him!" Kronos cheered.
"Not yet," Pluto said.
The Beast Spirit reformed itself and hissed and then threw all of its electrified tentacles at the two Knights. Both were quick to dodge as they rolled out of the way. This was when the Beast Spirit pulled a surprising move. It immediately leaped over the barricade and straight at Kronos, who had yet to recover from his dodge in time.
"KRONOS!" Pluto cried loudly.
"Venus Crescent Beam Smash!" a female voice suddenly cried out.
A beam of golden yellow light fired into the battle and sniped the Beast Spirit out of the air and sent it tumbling to the ground again. It rolled along the ground before slowly getting up again. Kronos and Pluto turned to see what had happened, and were met with the sight of all the Sailor Senshi collected together to face this monster.
"Are you guys okay?" asked Chibi-Moon in concern as she and the others rushed over to the downed Knights.
"We're fine," Pluto replied as he and Kronos got up. "You're a little late, but better late than never."
"Well, now that we're here, it isn't getting loose again!" frowned Jupiter as she glared at the murderous Beast Spirit.
"Then let's take this thing down!" cried Sailor Moon with the determination that was usually hidden underneath her bubbly disposition.
"Yeah!" a number of the Senshi cried before they all began to circle around the still stunned Beast Spirit.
The Jellyfish Beast Spirit now found itself in a real bind. It was surrounded at all sides by the Sailor Senshi and Tuxedo Kamen. It could fight its way out, but that would make it easy prey to the one who hunted his kind with their own power. The lower level Beast Spirits were not known for their intelligence, but if they knew one thing at all, it was how to fight in any situation. The Battle Game was more or less a free-for-all so it was also used to fighting multiple opponents. As the Sailor Senshi prepared to attack, the Jellyfish Beast Spirit made its move.
With an enraged hiss, the Jellyfish Beast Spirit elongated its tentacles and electrified them. The Senshi were assuming that it was going to try and get one of them, but they were instead dealt a surprise attack. The Beast Spirit spun like a top on a single spot and whipped its tentacles around in a frenzy. None of the Senshi or Tuxedo Kamen got out unscathed as the electrified tentacles hit them at least once. Their bodies weren't quite used to electric shocks and their knees quickly gave out on them. As Sailor Jupiter fell last, the Beast Spirit stopped spinning and observed over its fallen foes. Its eyes landed on Sailor Jupiter. This was one who could withstand electric shock. That meant a threat to the Beast Spirit, and a threat must be neutralized.
"No!" Sailor Moon cried as she watched the Beast Spirit slowly walk towards the Senshi of Jupiter. "Leave her alone!"
Pluto watched stunned for a moment as the Beast Spirit took down all the Senshi at once. He hadn't realized just how well Beast Spirits were versed with battle tactics. He returned to reality as he saw the Beast Spirit walk towards the green Senshi with its tentacles crackling with electricity.
"Keep away from them!" Pluto roared as he summoned his elemental abilities which the Byakko Beast Spirit granted him.
The ground trembled as two slabs of concrete broke free from the floor and hovered on either side of Pluto. The Beast Spirit stopped its movement as it and the other Senshi were amazed to see what was happening.
"Yaaah!" Pluto cried as he sent the two giant slabs flying at the target.
The Beast Spirit was hit hard with the heavy concrete which sent it tumbling. The pieces broke on impact which gave everyone a pretty good idea as to how hard they had hit. Pluto strode forward with the intent to defeat this Beast Spirit once and for all.
Sailor Saturn watched with some shock as she witnessed what Pluto had done. As she saw the concrete hit the Beast Spirit, something from earlier that day came back to her mind.
--Flashback--
"It's because I'm different," Hotaru frowned sadly. "It's because I have powers."
Hotaru had said the last part in whisper, but Takada had heard it as if she had said it out loud. His fusion with the Byakko Beast Spirit had enhanced his sense of hearing. His eyes widened slightly as he looked at the younger girl in front of him.
"You have powers too?" he blinked.
Hotaru's eyes widened. Fear also gripped her heart, afraid that she had just blurted her secret out to her possible new friend and would drive him off. Deciding that she couldn't hide it anymore, she just nodded sadly. She fully expected her savior to be disgusted at her and run away just like others had. What she got was almost the opposite of that.
"Wow!" Takada grinned. "That's cool. What can you do?"
"Huh?" Hotaru blinked. He wasn't disgusted? "Um...I...I can heal injuries."
"They bully you because of that?" Takada asked, surprised. "That's a downright useful ability to have."
"It is?" asked Hotaru, hope filling her heart. Maybe someone besides the Senshi wouldn't hate her for her powers after all.
"Yeah!" Takada nodded. "I can't tell you how many times I could have used abilities like that!"
He wasn't lying either. In his profession as an Advent Knight, he tended to end up with his share of bruises and cuts. He sometimes did wish that he had healing powers rather than the control he got over earth and steel. In his eyes, the little girl was lucky to have a power like that.
"Really?" the girl asked him. "What powers do you have?"
"Well," Takada frowned slightly. "I'm not sure if I should tell."
"Please?" the girl begged, utilizing the Puppy-Dog Eye Technique. "I told you mine."
"Hmmm," Takada frowned. His will was slowly crumbling to the attack of cuteness. "I...I guess I can tell you. I can control earth and steel."
--End Flashback--
"Takada?" Saturn whispered quietly as she tried to get back up. It had to be him. There was no one else she knew that could move stone like that.
Pluto continued to walk forward as he watched the Beast Spirit struggle to stand. When he was a fair enough distance away, he opened the panels in his Byakko Revolver and pullled out his newest card.
"All right, Rayline," he whispered softly. "It worked for Draco, so it should work for me!"
He brought the card to its side and slashed it through his Byakko Revolver, "STINGRAY!"
Bright lights flew from the revolver and became a constellation which was a similar image to Rayline. The constellation was solid for a moment before the points of light flew back to Pluto and began to concentrate on his left arm. The points organized themselves to a stingray shape with a tail that went up his arm. The item solidified into a gray armguard which had a tail which traveled up his arm. There was a green gem in the shape of a diamond in the centre of this new weapon. Pluto looked down his arm in amazement at what he saw. As he was looking at it, the green diamond turned to a radiant white while the rest of the gray metal turned white with tiger stripes around the edges,
"Not bad," Pluto nodded as he looked at what he had received. It wasn't quite what Draco got, but it was pretty good all the same.
The Beast Spirit hissed loudly. It didn't seem all that impressed at what had happened. Pluto looked back at his opponent and raised his gun and new weapon before charging. The Beast Spirit hissed before using its tentacle again to strike the Advent Knight down. Pluto raised his new shield and the tentacles bounced off it. It also gave him a window of opportunity to shoot back. Bullets flew wildly as the Beast Spirit got shot repeatedly. Flecks of green blood littered the ground as more bullets made impact. The Beast Spirit's rage only grew before it started hurling lightning bolts at its opponent.
"Woah!" Pluto cried as he dodged and hid behind a stack of pipes. "Great. Not even the shield can block that!"
'Then use it offensively!' a voice spoke inside Pluto's head.
"Huh?" Pluto gasped. "Who-?!"
'I'm Rayline!' the voice replied. 'I'm the one who was in that card you just slashed through!'
"You are?" Pluto muttered, sitting on borderline disbelief. The Star Beasts were still sentient in the cards. Who knew?
'Yeah!' Rayline spoke back. 'I've got to be honest, I'm happy you and Draco managed to get me away from the Shishin. Those guys are nuts!"
"Shishin?" asked Pluto. "Who are you talking about?"
'Later!' Rayline sighed. 'Right now you need some of my help. That shield on your arm is a physical manifestation of me. It's good for blocking, but you can use it as a weapon as well.'
"How?' demanded Pluto as another lightning bolt slammed into the pipes, knocking a few over.
'Detach it from your arm and place it on your Byakko Revolver!' Rayline answered. 'I can add my energy to the shots and really take that Beast Spirit down!'
Pluto nodded before holstering his gun and reaching to the Rayline Shield. Sure enough, it snapped right off, leaving the tail on his arm. On the underside was a cavity for where the Byakko Revolver could snap right into place. Drawing his gun, Pluto attached the piece to his weapon. The pieces fit together perfectly and a small line of light created an opening where Pluto could slash his cards through.
'Now kick that thing's ass!' Rayline cried.
Pluto leaped back into view of the Beast Spirit and aimed directly at it. He pulled the trigger and the sudden kickback almost ruined his aim. A white disk of energy fired out of the Rayline Revolver and exploded against the Beast Spirit. It stumbled back in shock and pain as Pluto continued to fire more shots without mercy. The shots were devastating to the Beast Spirit. The attacks would send it further and further back.
The Senshi, Tuxedo Kamen, and Kronos were back on their feet and were following the battle closely as Pluto continued to fire at the Jellyfish Beast Spirit. Pluto aimed high and managed to get it in the head, which left it writhing in pain and blind to the world. Pluto raced forward and used a roundhouse kick which knocked it over. As the Beast Spirit lay on the ground, the Advent Knight of Byakko opened his panels and pulled out the last card he had, Drop Whale.
"But will this be enough?" he asked himself.
'No worries!' Rayline commented. 'With your upgraded gun, you can draw more power from the Beast Spirits you've sealed. It will be like that Burning Smash attack without the fire!'
"Worth a try," Pluto agreed and slashed the card through his Rayline Revolver. "DROP!"
The image of that card appeared before morphing into the image of the Whale Beast Spirit. The image superimposed itself over Pluto before vanishing into him. Pluto took a ready stance and charged forward to use his attack. As he stepped, he was leaving cracks in the ground thanks to his increased weight due to drawing more power from the Whale Beast Spirit than he usually did.
"HAH!" he cried as he leaped into the air.
The Beast Spirit looked up and it received a shock as Pluto came back down with his leg outstretched for a drop kick. The Beast Spirit was too weakened to move and the attack landed squarely on its head. The impact slammed it into the dirt, but Pluto's sheer weight made a crater to the shape of the Beast Spirit. It gave off a final roar before its remaining energy was released in a fiery explosion. Pluto stood back up as the Jellyfish Beast Spirit rolled over and its belt snapped open to reveal the runes which symbolized its defeat. Pluto drew a blank card and let it drop. When it touched the Jellyfish Beast Spirit, it was engulfed in green energy before being sucked inside. In a flash, it was gone and the card shot back into Pluto's hand.
"Category 7 of Clubs," he read. "Gel Jellyfish. Finally."
"WOW!" a female voice cried in awe. Pluto turned to see the sailor Senshi and their allies watching him. They must have seen him defeat the Beast Spirit. The one who had spoke was Sailor Moon. "That was amazing, Pluto!"
"Thanks," Pluto shrugged. He then put the card away before turning to face the Senshi. "I want to thank you for your help. It would have gotten away again if you weren't here to help me."
"You're welcome," Mars nodded. The other Senshi nodded with her.
"Hmm," Pluto smiled underneath his helmet. "Well, I'd better get going. Who knows where another one is going to pop up?"
"Will we see you again?" asked Chibi-Moon.
"Sure," Pluto shrugged. "I'm not going anywhere for a while."
With this said, Pluto walked away from the group towards an open door where he could leave easily. The Senshi merely watched him go with a quiet acknowledgement and a new respect for him. Even Uranus silently admitted to herself that he wasn't so bad.
Saturn, meanwhile, was contemplating on the secret she had learnt. She smiled mysteriously.
"Why are you so happy?" Chibi-Moon asked her best friend.
"Oh, nothing," Saturn said, shaking her head, still smiling. "Nothing at all."
--
Pluto walked outside the plant before snapping his buckle shut and sliding his Category Ace out. When the tiger-imprinted white field took away his armor, he allowed himself to slump his shoulders before mounting his bike.
"They're not so bad," Takada smiled to himself before he hit the ignition and drove off. He needed to get back to this hotel and ask Rayline a few questions about the Shishin. He then remembered not seeing Kronos when the Senshi gathered to see him. "I wonder where he went."
--
"WHERE THE HELL AM I NOW!?" Kronos cried as he ended up somewhere again. He had wandered off after the battle. The sweaty and humid rainforests did noting to make his armor comfortable either.
To Be Continued...
It's been a long time coming but it is finally finished. Thanks to ZK who helped me and the readers for reading this. You guys all rock!