Chapter 6
Ganymede watched his black hair fall to the floor. Don't give the enemy anything to grab hold of, especially if it's in your head. He had seen comrades fall in battle from having long beards, or long hair so anytime he prepared, he made sure to lose anything unnecessary.
"Are you preparing for battle Master?" a woman's voice purred behind him. "You only cut your hair before you fight. Does that mean Sailor Moon didn't accept our terms?" He never expected her to in the first place, only trying to buy time before the inevitable. He turned to face one of his General's, the people he trusted most. Valkyrie greeted him with a toothy smile, menace in her eye. Long golden hair flowed down to the small of her back, bright unnatural teal eyes and a sinister smile; she struck fear into the hearts of her enemies on Planet Nemesis. A blue metal plated bodice that left her shoulders bare clung to her body, revealing her curvy figure. The skirt that matched went halfway down her thigh, leaving her knees bare. He knew from personal experience that she didn't need any more amour than what she was already wearing.
"Make sure your Skeleton Key is functioning properly. It's time to prepare for battle." Ganymede instructed.
"So we will get to have some fun. I was hoping you would say that." She purred again, turning her back to him and heading towards the door.
"Tell the other Generals to prepare for battle. Our victory is close at hand." She neither slowed nor acknowledged his request, but he knew it would get done regardless. They called themselves an army, but in reality they were more like men and women backed into a corner with nothing left to lose. He reached his left hand up to run it through is now short hair and stopped halfway. I'm still not used to this thing. The scientists within their ranks had discovered a way to harness the dark crystals on Planet Nemesis. They built him this weapon, a prosthetic arm made of dark crystal that held so much destructive power. He watched as his bones inside the crystal clenched and unclenched his fist. The dark crystal ate away at one's life force, so the instant he put this weapon on, he had started the timer to his own death. He no longer felt the pain of wearing it, because the nerve endings had been eaten away by the ever hungry dark crystal within. Without this, we never would have been able to defeat The Dark Moon Clan. The scientists who had built the crystal reactor inside of the prosthetic warned him against putting it on. But what was his life compared to those all around him? What else would they have him do? My life in exchange for the freedom of my people? A small price to pay. None of his General's knew that the crystal reactor was slowly killing him. If they did know, he had no doubt that they would cut his arm off. Even now as he looked down at what remained of his left arm, he could see parts of the bone being eaten through, exposing the soft marrow beneath. Ganymede wasn't sure how much time he had left, but he didn't have time to waste here.
As soon as he had received word from his spy inside the Queens Guard that they would not agree to his terms, he set the wheels in motion. All ships were now heading towards Earth at full speed. We should reach their planet right at dawn. Ganymede had never fought in the sun, let alone felt its warmth and it was something he looked forward too. Ganymede stood to his full height, a little over six feet tall. He wasn't overly muscular like some of his other soldiers, preferring a physique that was better suited for speed and mobility. He ran his right hand, the one that could feel, through his short cropped black hair when his other senses told him of someone approaching. Skills he had been taught, thanks to Aksuna's knowledge of controlling the dark forces of the universe. The door slid open and he didn't need to turn to see who it was, instead feeling their aura.
"Is something bothering you Myst?" He asked the man who had just entered. Turning to face another one of his Generals, the man bowed deeply, going down to one knee, hand over his heart in respect.
"Sir, we will lead the charge and bring defeat to your enemies, just like we always have. I wanted to take this opportunity to say what an honour it has been serving under you." His voice was muffled, due to the cloth wrapped tightly around his face, and most of his body. He preferred concealing himself, even from Ganymede. He wasn't interested in what his past held; only that he was loyal to the cause.
"We'll start the attack with the Droids the Dark Moon Clan left on the ships. Let's see what their forces are capable of before we send in our own." Ganymede informed the kneeling man.
"Always the tactician I see." Myst replied, standing from his bow. "It would be best if none of our soldiers had to fight. Their morale is low from the long journey through space. They don't have much fight left in them."
"I have noticed it too, Myst." Ganymede growled. It angered him that the men and women he had fought beside, the men and women that had suffered so much were now giving up when they were so close to their goal. "No matter, once they see the flames of battle I'm sure they will regain the passion that still burns inside."
-/-*-\-
"We need to ensure the safety of the citizens before anything else." Serenity commanded. The crowd had grown quiet while she, Endymion, the Senshi, and the present Field Commanders discussed their options.
"If we make an announcement for everyone to remain indoors, I can activate their shields remotely from the Control Room." Ami suggested. "That would save time and resources."
"Good." Endymion praised. "Minako, you take Makoto and unlock the armory. Start equipping the soldiers with the weapons inside." Most of the soldiers had no idea that they could infuse the power of the Silver Crystal into a weapon, making it almost indestructible. The blade would never dull or rust and cutting through materials such as steel became almost effortless. Ami had claimed the idea came from what happened to Sol and had built a kind of 'oven' to bath the weapons in.
"So I'll finally get my katana back?" Sol asked. Endymion nodded as a smile spread his face.
"It's been a long time since you got to use that, hasn't it Sol?
"Wait a second" Kid Brooklyn interjected. "Are you saying you have real weapons made for each of us that haven't been issued to us already?"
"Yes Brook." Ami replied. "During your training, we watched and observed, taking note of which weapon each of you was most comfortable with. We gave you weapons, but secretly made stronger weapons and stored them in the armoury. You see, these other weapons have much more power than the ones given to you. We couldn't risk letting even one get out of the Kingdom and into the hands of an enemy."
"But right now, we know everyone is fighting on the same side. Rei-chan, I want you to try a meditation ceremony, let's see if we can get some information on our enemy." Serenity told her black haired friend.
"I'll go make the preparations now." Rei said, excusing herself from everyone.
"As for the Field Commanders, by the way, where the hell is Oakley?" Serenity asked Ami. The blue haired girl only shrugged. "We'll just have to make do with the three of you. Help direct traffic towards the armoury, not a lot of people know where it is inside the Palace, so I want you three to make sure everyone stays in line and receives the proper weapon. I'm sure you're all familiar with what weapon each person use's within your own battalion. Endymion and Ami-chan, you'll come with me to the control room. Remember, we don't have a lot of time." Serenity stood from the rest and addressed the crowd. "Everyone listen carefully please. You will go with Sailor Venus and Sailor Jupiter to be equipped with new, more powerful weapons. It's important that we don't spend too much time on this, so please, just do as your told and everything should run smoothly." While she was talking, Minako and Makoto jumped down from the stage and started directing people towards the palace. Slowly, everyone else fell in line, with Sol, Kid Brooklyn and Veronika helping anyone wondering or taking too long to move.
Serenity took the lead with Endymion and Ami following close behind. She walked as quickly as she could, even breaking into a light jog when the foot traffic allowed. It wasn't long before they could see the large double doors to the control room. The three made haste towards the doors when Serenity could hear crying, coming from her room. She peered down the hallway and saw the door to hers and Endymion's room was ajar slightly. She exchanged a worried look with her loving husband.
"We should go see why she is upset." He urged. This was why she loved him so much; he cared for everyone deeply, but had a very soft spot for his daughter.
"Ami-chan, you go on ahead, we'll be in shortly." Serenity said softly. Her blue haired friend nodded and disappeared behind the large doors to the control room. Serenity's white dress swooshed as she walked closer to their room, Endymion by her side. She pushed the door open the rest of the way to see her young daughter, face buried in a pillow, crying by herself. Serenity's heart ached with concern and she instinctively went to her. Her daughter's large red eyes, swollen from crying looked up at her mother.
"Mama! Papa!" She cried, throwing herself into her mother's open arms. "I'm scared. I didn't know what to do, so I.. So I.."
"Shh" Serenity soothed. "It's alright my Small Lady, Mama and Papa are here to protect you now. We'll make everything better. I promise." She felt her husband's loving hand caress her back as he did the same to Chibi-usa.
"Don't worry sweet heart" Endymion chimed softly. "If we need to, we can always call on Sailor Moon. She has saved us countless times before, and I know she can do it again." Chibi-usa lifted her head off of her mother's lap, cheeks wet from crying but she no longer looked afraid.
"Really?" The young girl asked.
"Of course." Endymion replied. "There isn't anyone Sailor Moon can't beat." The young pink haired girl smiled at her father. "So I need you to be brave while Mama and Papa help save everyone, ok?" Chibi-usa nodded earnestly and Serenity couldn't help herself from leaning over and kissing him lightly.
"Thank you, my love." She whispered into his ear. Serenity knew she should make haste into the Control Room, but instead let herself linger with her family, breathing in the moment.
"Your Highness!" The urgency in Luna's voice couldn't be ignored. Before Serenity could stand and make her way to the door, the small black cat pushed her way through the narrow opening. "The ships! They have started to move. They'll be here by early morning if they maintain the pace they are moving at now." Serenity felt her heart race. We don't have much time!
"Thank you Luna. Send out an emergency broadcast, we need to get everyone prepared as soon as possible!"
-/-*-\-
Distributing the weapons to everyone had gone much smoother than Makoto had expected. After receiving the warning that the enemy would be arriving soon, Minako had ordered everyone to get some rest while they still could. Now, she lay in her bed, anxious for the battle ahead. She focused on her breathing, calming her nerves. It was an exercise she had done countless times, but this time she couldn't get herself to relax. She heard the door open quietly and sat up to see Sol coming into her room. He had his own room, but he almost never spent any time there, instead staying with her every night.
Wearing a long green coat that signified him as the new Field Commander of Rolling Thunder, she couldn't help but think how attractive he looked right now. He just needs to cut that long hair. Turning to face her after closing the door, she noticed a decorative obi wrapped around his waist, holding his white sheathed katana in place at his hip. The needle work of the roses adorned on the soft cloth was always something Makoto could marvel at. It was like they were alive, swaying softly in a breeze whenever Sol moved.
"I didn't know you still had that." Makoto gestured to his waist while sitting up.
"When Ami put my katana inside the armoury, I asked that she take this as well. I wouldn't want to wear it out on practice swords." Lifting herself off the bed, she made her way towards him. Out of habit, she reached up and let her fingers brush against the small wooden placard above the door. Cead Mile Failte was written on it. One hundred thousand welcomes Makoto thought absently to herself. The only thing Sol had wanted to take from his home after deciding to join them permanently. She had hated it at first, as it sat above the door, the wood out of place against the crystal backsplash. But she had grown to accept it and finally fall in love with the small ornament. Now she couldn't imagine her room without it.
"C'mon, let's get some rest while we still can." She suggested, pulling him lightly by the hand. They were about to lie down together when an urgent knock rattled their door. The two exchanged concerned glances before she went and answered. She had never seen the young woman before, who bowed deeply before speaking.
"I'm sorry to darken your door like this Sailor Jupiter, but the Queen has requested your presence in the Control Room." She straightened after she finished speaking and saw Sol. "Oh good, you're here too. The Queen has requested your presence as well."
"Very well" Makoto began "we'll be there shortly." The young woman began to fidget with her uniform, looking uncomfortable suddenly. "Is something the matter?" Makoto asked, noticing her unease.
"Well, you see..." The young woman paused before inhaling deeply "I have been ordered to escort you, both of you, to the Control Room immediately. Queens's orders. I`m sorry about this." She spoke quickly, like she had to get all the words out before she lost her nerve. Sol stepped up beside Makoto, his warm hand urging her forward by the small of her back.
"Very well, we will come with you" he said gently with a small smile. The woman visibly relaxed, her stiff demeanor gone as she turned and walked briskly away, expecting them to follow. Makoto had no trouble keeping up; her long legs able to easily keep up with the shorter woman's small strides. They all walked in silence and Makoto began to wonder what this meeting could be about. She finally came to the conclusion that it had to be about the battle that lay ahead. After a short time, they all stood before the large arched double door of the Control Room. Makoto and Sol both waited for the woman to usher them inside, but instead she bowed deeply again and hurried off.
"I guess she's not invited to this party" Sol joked. Makoto ignored his jest, walking up to the entrance and pushing hard on both doors. They swung slowly and silently inward. Inside she only saw Serenity, Endymion, Luna and Artemis. She didn't expect to be the first to arrive and was even more taken aback when Serenity hurried across the room and threw herself into Makoto, wrapping her arms tightly around the tall green eyed woman.
"Mako-chan!" Makoto heard Serenity's voice crack. She didn't have to see her friend's face to know she was crying. She rubbed her shorter friends back gently.
"Oh Serenity"
"Please, call me Usagi-chan for tonight. I want us to go back before all of this." She gestured around the room.
"Ok Usagi-chan." Makoto smiled to her and Serenity smiled back. One by one the other Senshi arrived, having similar greetings to what Makoto had experienced. After all of them were in the room, it wasn't long before the old Usagi came back. She laughed and giggled, teasing her friend's as they teased her back. Makoto saw Sol standing beside Endymion, both men with broad smiles on their faces as they exchanged words. Even Luna seemed to be having fun.
"So Ami-chan" Minako turned towards her blue haired friend when the laughter had died down. "Tell us about this man that convinced you to grow out your hair." They all expected the blue eyed woman to blush and turn away in shyness, but instead she smiled widely, her eyes turning bright.
"Well there is this nurse and-"
"A nurse! Ami-chan I had my suspicions before, but you're growing your hair out for another woman?!" Minako exclaimed excitedly.
"What? No Mina-chan, there are male nurses too. What do you mean you had your suspicions? Suspicions about what?" Ami asked earnestly.
"Um.." The blonde woman began to blush deeply, her cheeks growing dark red. Everyone else burst out into laughter. Minako opened her mouth again but was cut off by an alarm on the large monitor inside the Control Room. The screen lit up with a flashing red boarder.
"That means we only have an hour before Ganymede and his arm arrive." Luna chimed. "Serenity, we need to begin our preparations and fill them in on the battle plans we've laid out." The white haired Queen brushed tears of laughter from her eyes, still smiling as she nodded her agreement.
"Alright everyone" she began with a look of determination. "This is what we've come up with for a plan..."
A/N: Sorry it took so long to get the next chapter out; life has been kind of hectic lately. I received some news from the military and I can't begin my enrollment until the New Year, so I have some time to get more chapters out, YAY! Anyway, I hope you enjoyed this chapter and I look forward to continuing this story!
