Chapter Two
Secrets Revealed
He nodded "Where will you go once the house has sold? Stay at one of your friends place?" Ami's face grew red: "I..I was actually hoping to live with you, if that's alright. I wouldn't get in your way, and I'll help with the chores."
Parker, caught off guard by her words, hesitated: "Sure. I suppose its alright, living with you certainly would not be a bad thing. I like the helping with the chores idea, but you'd never be in my way." She hugged him: "Oh, thank you! You don't know how much this means to me!"
Just then, Parker sensed something powerful in the area. Seeing her friend become tensed Ami asked what was wrong: "Parker, what is up with you all of a sudden?" "Ami, do you feel like there is another force in the area? I have a bad vibe about this."
She managed to chuckle: "You know, you remind me a lot of Rei. But since you mention it, I definitely feel that something's not right." Ami thought to herself: "Oh man, just what I need right now, another monster!" She reached in her pocket for her transforming pen, just in case. Her intuition was right, another monster attacked, as it threw several spears toward them.
Parker pushed Ami out of the way and jumped back to avoid getting speared: "Wh-what the hell is this thing?" The beast had a shrieked voice: "I have come to gather your energy human! Prepare yourself!"
Ami's mind was racing: "Damn, he's in danger! But I can't transform now, he'll find out who I am!" Parker looked over at her: "What are you still doing here Ami?! Get away before you get hurt! I know a thing or two about sword play, I won't let this bastard have his way with me so easily"
By some stroke of luck, they were near his home, so he jumped through an open window and grabbed an Ancient Samurai sword that was given to him as a gift. The beast smashed down his door to follow him in, their two blades met with force.
Parker blocked another attack and drop kicked the monster through door way and back outside: "Alright, I'm really angry now you busted down my door now! Do you know how much work that's gonna make for me?!" He yelled disgusted as he went on the offensive.
While they were distracted, Ami used the chance to slip into an alley way. "Mercury Star Power, make up!" She transformed, and quickly radioed her friends: "Everyone, another monster has appeared! He ambushed us as we were walking home!" Usagi's voice was concerned: "What?! Are you two alright?!"
Ami sighed: "Yeah. I'm fine but Parker is battling the beast all on his own!"
Rei scolded her: "That's suicidal for a normal person! Ami, go help him! Keep the monster confined in that park you're at, we'll be there in ten minuets!" She nodded "Yes, I'll hold it off as much as I can, you know I don't have a strong attack. See you in a few!" She said worriedly as she put her communicator away. She took a deep breath and ran out of the alley way.
"Bubble spray!!" She launched a wave of bubbles at the enemy. The bubbles then burst, causing a thick layer of fog to surround the area. Ami grabbed Parker's hand and ran as fast as she could deep into the park. Parker fell to his knees from exhaustion, he had a deep cut on his face and a rather nasty flesh wound to his stomach, which blood was slowing oozing out of.
"Thanks miss, I don't know how much longer I could've held out against it." He looked at his rescuer and realized that she was no ordinary person: "Sailor Mercury! Wow, I never thought I'd get the chance to meet a Sailor Senshi."
"I thank you for the compliment Par-…" She cut herself off abruptly and her face grew red as she recognized her mistake. He looked confused: "You were about to call me by my name, its Parker by the way. How did you know…?" She struggled to find the right words to cover her tracks: "Ah, well… I'm… good friends with someone you know…. I'm sorry…"
He smiled: "Its alright miss, I don't know who you are. And I know you need to keep your identities secrete. How long does the effect of your attack last?" She sighed "The fog only stays for ten minuets, after that its only a matter of time before it finds us. I just hope my friends get here soon." A screen suddenly formed from her ear piece, its power meter going off the wall: "Curse it all! Its heading here!"
"I have found you cursed Sailor Senshi! Die!!" Sailor Mercury had no time to react. Seeing this, Parker gathered the rest of his strength and threw his sword.
The blade cut through the wooden spear, separating its point, just before it was to pierce her neck. Mercury fell over backwards from the blow, as she was still hit by the wooden handle. She landed hard on her left arm, so hard in fact that Parker could hear a "Crack", he knew then her arm was broken.
She gasped and let out a soft moan from the sudden infliction of pain. Then from a distance, Parker heard a voice behind him: "Fire Soul!!" a small jet of fire erupted from her hand. He could feel its heat as it blazed past him. The stream then shot to the ground underneath the monsters feet, making it impossible for the beast to move. "Venus Love Me Chain!" Yet another warrior attacked from the south, this time a chain of golden light surrounded the enemy as the flames disappeared.
"Supreme, THUNDER!" Just as Parker thought things couldn't get any more hectic, several bolts of lighting shot down from the sky and paralyzed the monster. "All right Sailor Moon, finish it now!" A blond haired girl with two long "Dumpling" like pigtails nodded and yelled out "Moon, Tiara Action!". She threw her tiara like it was a Frisbee, but with deadly speed as it sliced through the demon's neck. The creature then turned to ashes, never to see the light of day again.
Parker rushed to the wounded Senshi's side: "Mercury! Hey, hang in there. I'll get you to someplace safe." He then questioned himself as to why he's going to such lengths to care for her. All the Warriors by this time surrounded the two: "Mercury! Are you all right?" The sound of Usagi's voice made her stir back into consciousness.
"Sailor…Moon…I'm hurt pretty bad…But I'll live. I can't move my left arm, I think its broken…Where is he??" she said weakly. Moon kneeled to her friends side: "Parker is alright Mercury, he's a little weak from his flesh wound, but he'll be fine. Its thanks to him you're still alive right now."
This made him even more confused: "Uh, excuse me, Sailor Moon? I'm kind of at a loss right now, both you and Mercury know my name. But I have no idea who the two of you are, I do however have a strange feeling that I know Mercury in some way. Its just putting my mind through a grinder."
Usagi laughed: "Well, that would be kind of complicated. Our identities will be revealed to you in due time. But the time to reveal who Mercury is, will be sooner than you think." Moon looked at Mercury and gave her a quick wink. Ami weakly smiled back at her, as she understood what she was to do. "Alright ladies, I think its time we leave."
The other Warriors nodded. Parker was now completely dumbfounded: "Ah, you're not just going to leave your ally here with me are you?" Sailor Moon Looked back: "Why not? We trust you with her, promise me you'll heal her wounds… Both emotional and physical." Clueless, he could only nod in agreement.
The girls each ran off in a different direction and the two were alone. The stone in Mercury's tiara glowed blue, there was a quick but blinding flash. Mercury had changed back into her normal form: "What the…You've got to be kidding me." Parker said shocked. Ami's voice though weak, became serious.
"Parker, I'm so sorry I've been hiding this from you. I am Sailor Mercury, a warrior of love and justice who wields the power of water. Will you please forgive me for keeping this secret from you…?" There was silence for a while, by this time night had fallen over the city. The lights of the park had lit up, revealing the piece of lands' true buety.
Parker sighed: "Oh boy, I've been in relationship with a Sailor Warrior all this time. Well, I think we should get out of the open, we'll talk about this once we're in my place. Can you stand on your own?" Ami shook her head: "No, but with your help I can walk." he agreed with her.
He helped Ami up and the two slowly walked to his small, but comfortable home. He sighed as he saw his broken down door: "Oh well, I needed to replace the thing anyway." He bandaged Ami's arm up, he was surprised as to how well she could withstand the pain. "Well Ami, that should take care of it. For such a fragile girl on the inside, you are tough on the outside. You didn't really even flinch from the pain."
She smiled at him: "Well, that's because I've gotten strong over the years from fighting all of these monsters that keep appearing. I'm really sorry I've kept this a secret from you. Because of me your front door got destroyed."
Parker sighed: "Listen Ami, you need to quit blaming yourself every single time something bad happens. That was the monster's fault, not yours after all. Besides, I already have the materials I need to put up a new door. I'll have it done in no time."
She felt relieved: "Okay, thank you for not getting mad at me. I like your place here by the way." She looked around his home while he was fixing up his door. She saw that it was a small two bedroom/one bathroom house, it also had a living room in the front with a medium sized TV, (which had a few game systems hooked up to it) and a couch. He also had a small kitchen behind the living room (The two were separated by a wall).
He only had the basic things he needed to live comfortably. She then found out two of the hobbies he had: collecting music and video gaming. As one of the two rooms in his house acted as bonus/office room where he had three or four shelves displaying his rather large collection of games, records, and cds.
It also was the place where he kept his desk and his computer. Numerous file folders were also organized in holders on various places on his desk.
She saw that they were mostly pass ports, bank statements, pay stubs, tax forms and other work/government related material. She continued her tour and was impressed by how neat and organized his home was.
Parker finished the last of the hinges and put the door in place: "Whew! I forgot how hard it was to do things like this. It took me awhile to level the door, but its done now. What time is it?" Ami looked at her cell phone: "Its almost 11:30, we're having kind of a late night aren't we?" she yawned: "I think I'm going to go to sleep now Parker. I've got school tomorrow, but how am I to explain this broken arm to my teacher??"
He put his arms on her shoulders: "Well, you got the brains to figure that one out I think. Or you could call in and not go to school until you're healed. I'm sure they'd be willing to send your homework to your post office box." She nodded: "Hmm. You know, that doesn't sound like a bad idea. I don't have any important tests or exams coming up soon."
He smiled: "Well, then its settled. I still have no idea how you can fulfill your duties as a Sailor Warrior, and do that much schooling at the same time."
She laughed: "Its multitasking Parker, we girls are much better at it then most men." He sighed: "Getting burned by my own girlfriend, oh boy…" "Is there a place where I can sleep?" Ami managed to ask in between laughs.
Parker shrugged: "Well, you can sleep in my bed. Don't worry, I just washed it earlier this morning, so its clean as a whistle. I'll clean up here and fix the couch for me to sleep on." So, Ami retired for the night and Parker eventually went bed after he cleaned up the mess from the door.
Meanwhile, a new menacing force was brewing in the darkness: "So the Sailor Warriors managed to defeat another one of our minions. I'm getting tired of these constant failures, not even hell has place for weaklings." spoke a disgusted voice
A man shrouded in a black and red stripped cloak appeared next to the displeased Demon King. "My lord Nobunaga, please have patience. We could've killed one of them today had it not been for that boy. I, Ranmaru Mori swear on my honor, I will have each of the Senshi's head placed on a pike." Nobunaga's gaze fell upon him: "Good Ranmaru. Go, and do not fail me." The retainer bowed: "Yes my lord, as you wish." he vanished after those words.
"In the time of "Warring States" era, there fought a samurai warrior of untold strength and power, Nobunaga of the Oda family. He was feared by his enemies and respected by his allies. His strength and ruthlessness on the battlefield earned him his nickname, the "Demon King". By 1601 he was well on his way to unify the war torn land. However, he would not live to realize his ambition of ruling Japan. He was betrayed by his most trusted retainer, Mitsuhide Akechi at the temple of Honnoji, in Kyoto. Thus he vanished in a sea of flames, never to be seen nor heard from again."
The bell rang suddenly: "Oh. Well class, it looks like our lecture on the Warring States era has to be cut short today. Tomorrow we'll discuss the Toyotomi's and the Tokugawa's attempts to gain control of Japan. Oh, Parker can you stay for a few minuets?" He nodded: "Sure teacher, what's up?" The man sighed: "So, do you know why Ami's not here today?"
Parker folded his arms: "She's out with a broken arm. It'll take a three or four days before it'll be healed enough for her to go back to School. Could you send her homework to her P.O. box by the way?" He agreed: "Sure, that will not be a problem. You seemed particularly interested in today's lesson."
Parker smiled: "Yeah, I've always had a strong fascination of feudal Japan. Back in America I studied it as a hobby." The teacher grinned: "There needs to be more kids like you and Ami. She also likes to study this part of our history, its just unusual to not see her here. Well, tell her to get well soon. I'll get her homework sent out right away."
So, Parker left school and was driving his white '98 Accord home when he saw Rei running on the sidewalk. He stopped to see what was going on: "Rei, what's wrong? Why do look so panicky?" She was breathing heavily, and seemed to be very weak: "P-Parker, it's horrible. Its' Ami, she's been kidnapped! I was powerless to stop him, even with my abilities. I-I failed…"
He put his hands on Rei's shoulders: "Listen, you did your best to protect her, and that's all I could ask for. I want to thank you for your effort, but you must calm down. We have to form a plan and get her back, do we have any leads?" She hugged him: "I don't understand how you can be so relaxed, your own girlfriend just got abducted."
He sighed: "Rei, you should know by now that I worry about her more than anyone. But panicking and running around unorganized is not going to save her. Now, do we have any leads?" She nodded: "Y-yes. We do have one, but its at your place." Parker opened the passenger door: "Alright, well get in and we'll see what we can do with what we got. Where's everyone else?" he asked as Rei got into the car.
She shut the door and put on her seat belt as they drove off to his place: "Well, they're out scouring the city right now, looking for anything unusual, something that might give us a clue as to where she is. Oh Ami, I hope you're alright." After that there was silence until they parked along side his home.
"Parker, please follow me, the weapon is in the wall at the living room." She said as they got out of the car. They stopped and she pointed to the dagger which pierced the wall, a letter fell as he unsheathed the blade. Rei: "This is all we found. I don't understand anything that's going on right now." He opened the note and read it: "As you may have figured out by now, I…no we have taken the one you love captive. My name is Ranmaru Mori, the highest retainer of the Oda family. If you wish to see her alive again, you must bring the Sailor Senshi to the location discussed below. That girl of yours has some strength, she fought me hard but ultimately was no match for me, neither was her friend who showed up to rescue her. We have been interrogating her, but she is a stubborn one. Don't worry, we have plenty of ways of torturing the words out of her. If you're lucky, she'll still be able to talk by the time we meet. The agony of her screams is like sweet music to my ears, it's a shame you're not here to enjoy this."
Signed,
Ranmaru.
PS: "We'll meet at the top of Tokyo Tower two at midnight. Don't be late, otherwise I just might have to let my sword "slip" and accidentally cut her throat open."
Parker's fists clenched from the sudden burst of anger he felt as he threw the letter to the ground. "Ami…Damn the Oda, what could they want with the Sailor Warriors? I know Ami's one, but they don't know that yet. They just kidnapped her because I got in their way. What's worse, how can the Oda even exist? Nobunaga was killed at Honnoji, and the rest of his clan was slaughtered at the battle of Sekigahara. Not to mention the fact that those events all took place a few hundred years ago."
His gazed turned to Rei, who was now in a serious mood: "Parker, in light of this latest act I have called my friends, we are to meet at the Hikawa Shrine in an hour. We have been hiding something from you, and now we believe the time is right to reveal our secret to you."
Parker was dazed by what was going on: "Well, at least you're not the only one whose confused. I'm trying to figure out what the hell I just got myself into." She managed a solemn smile: "I'm glad you can still have your funny side, even when you're upset and worried. Well, shall we get to the shrine?"
He nodded: "You're going to have to tell me where to go, because I'm still somewhat new to the area." Within twenty minutes everyone had gathered in the living room of the shrine. Everyone also shared there condolences to Parker, who was grateful for their support. "Hey Usagi, whose the guy sitting next to you? I don't think I've met him yet." he asked her. She smiled: "This is my boyfriend Mamoru. But I like to call him Mamo-chan."
Mamoru shook Parkers hand: "I may not know first hand what you're going through, but I can tell that the toll on you is great emotionally." He sighed "Yes it is Mamoru, I'm constantly worrying about her. I know she's in pain, and it agonizes me to think that I can't be there for her now. Did any of you find anything?"
Mamoru and the girls looked at each other, but Parker could tell by their expressions that they didn't have any luck. "That's all right. But I do know a little about the ones who kidnapped Ami." Usagi looked hopeful: "Really?! Please, tell us everything you know, anything to help get our dear Ami back!"
He nodded and sat on the couch next to Rei who was especially troubled by what was going on. "Well, have any of you heard of the Oda family before?" Minako thought back: "Yes, that's what we've been studying in history class the past few days. Nobunaga Oda was the leader of the clan." "Very good Minako, it seems you've been paying attention in class. Well, at my home I found a letter signed by Ranmaru Mori."
Mamoru tensed a little: "What?! Ranmaru? But he was one of Nobunaga's highest retainers in the Warring States era, how can he still be alive?" Parker sighed: "I don't know, either they're imposters…Or something very sinister is happening in Tokyo. That's not all, today at midnight he wants me to meet him on top of the newly completed Tokyo Tower two, and to bring the Sailor Senshi."
Luna and Artemis popped in through the window just then: "Usagi, we've done some investigating and there is something definitely very wrong in this city. A disturbingly large amount of energy has appeared at the top of the new Tokyo Tower Two." Parker scratched his head: "Am I going crazy, or did I just hear that black cat talk??" Luna sighed: "Why is that always their first reaction?"
Usagi snapped her fingers: "Oh! That reminds me! Mamoru, you and the girls ready reveal our little secret to Parker?" Everyone nodded, and Usagi stood up: "Sorry for interrupting you Parker, but what we are about to show you cannot leave this room. You cannot tell anyone of what you are about to see, can we trust you with this?"
He wasn't sure what was happening, but he knew she was being serious: "Yes Usagi, you can trust me with anything. I swear on my honor and on my love for Ami, that I will keep any secret you share with me." She smiled: "Good, well ladies, and my dear Mamoru, who wants to go first?" Minako was first to stand as she grabbed out of her pocket an odd looking pen.
"I'll go just to get this over with, I don't want to be nervous and edgy about this anymore. Venus…Star… Power, Make UP!" There was a flash of yellow light that surrounded Minako's body. Slowly her clothes changed from her School outfit to that of the Sailor Venus. Parker could hear a sigh of relief from Minako after she transformed: "I, Minako Aino, am the Sailor Warrior of Love, Sailor Venus. Man, that was hard to do"
The rest of the girls nodded: "Jupiter Star Power…!" "Mars Star Power!" Mako-chan and Rei both transformed into Sailor Warriors. Parker could not believe that he had been friends with the Sailor Senshi all this time. With a snap of his finger, Mamoru transformed into Prince Endymion of the Moon Kingdom. Usagi was still in her normal form, she looked at her friends and they nodded.
"Moon Prism Power, Make UP!" In a blinding flash the clumsy, carefree Usagi transformed into Sailor Moon. Parker could not believe what he was seeing: "Usagi?! You're the legendary Sailor Moon? Man, and I'd thought I'd seen it all when Ami revealed to me that she was Sailor Mercury."