015 Demons and Priests
"Haruka," Kunzite said when said blond opened her door. She was tempted to slam the door on him but settled for rolling her eyes in exasperation. "We should talk. It's important."
"Like our training?" Haruka asked.
"That's one of the reasons I'm here," Kunzite said. Haruka grimace and stepped aside to let him into her apartment. After entering the apartment Kunzite walked to the couch as Haruka closed and bolted the front door. "You dislike me."
Haruka considered his statement for a moment. She wondered what Michiru would say in her place and frowned when she realized she'd never be as kind as her roommate. "You're right. I don't like you. Should I like you? You're an associate of the Dark Kingdom."
"No… I don't think you should trust so simply." Kunzite murmured. His eyes dulled slightly as he looked off, seeing something that Haruka couldn't. The sorrow in his eyes vanished almost as quickly as it arrived and he said, "You are very wise Haruka. In many ways your wisdom surpasses that of the rest of the scouts. You've seen much, and still you'll fight. You girls need the training, but I can't help all of you. I can teach some of what I know, but you girls always learned best when leaning on each other. I'd simply be a stranger you'd come to depend on, and I'd fail you in the end."
"You sound like you're backing out," Haruka accused gently. She wanted him to pull out, to save them from making a mistake. Quietly she pulled down two cups and filled them with juice from the fridge. She walked to the couch and handed a glass to Kunzite.
"Yes," Kunzite replied. "It does. Maybe it's for the best. You have an obligation to fight against the darkness, and I've another obligation. I'm bound to the protection of another. We may be fighting the same evil but our reasons, our missions, are not the same."
"Will we end up fighting against each other?" Haruka asked.
"I can't say, it's all too uncertain. Time will tell I suppose," Kunzite answered. He sipped his juice in consideration. A moment of quiet passed as Kunzite and Haruka considered the situation they were in. Kunzite passed the glass back to Haruka as he stood up. "I've no intention of fighting against you."
"Good," Haruka said. She placed the two glasses in the sink and walked to the door. Placing a hand on the handle she turned to look at the white haired man. He looked wary and embarrassed and Haruka had a sudden urge to offer some comfort to the man. "I'll talk to everyone else and explain the situation. We'll be alright."
"I'll be watching," Kunzite promised as he stepped into the hall.
"Goodbye Kunzite," Haruka said with genuine warmth in her voice. As she watched the man walk down the hall she wondered when she'd see him again. He was halfway down the hall when she called after him, "Thanks."
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Usagi glanced at the small crystal sitting innocently on the kitchen table. Her mother was busy cooking food and talking with Shingo about school. The quiet hum of their conversation washed over her as she continued to stare at the crystal. She knew that a hostile monster was trapped in the crystal cage, and that for reasons unknown to her, that same monster had changed sides. Slowly Usagi picked up the crystal and twirled it slightly in her fingers. For a moment Usagi lost sight of her home and the conversation dimmed to nothing as she felt her mind pulled once more into the crystal.
"Again you've come to check on me?" Vena asked, her voice filled with curiosity and warmth.
"No… not really." Usagi thought as she watched Vena shape the void of the crystal into a memory. Slowly color bled into the darkness creating a solid ground for the two to sit and talk. Usagi grinned at the sight as stars burst into being above her head creating a brilliant contrast to the shadows Vena normally remained in. A soft blanket of grey flowed from her feet until it rolled over a hill and a glittering blue castle burst into existence. "It's amazing."
"It was, yes," Vena replied as she too materialized in front of Usagi. "We were greedy and foolish. That's all it took to destroy this sight."
"Vena, why do you spend so much time in the dark?" Usagi asked as she turned to look over the monster. She carefully considered the being in front of her as she waited for an answer. Vena turned away from Usagi and stared at the stars, considering the words to answer the simple question. The tall monster gently bit her lip for a moment before she turned back to look at Usagi.
"It's better to be in the dark. It's my penance for all I've done, for all I did here. Can you imagine what the universe would be like if we'd never attacked?" Vena said softly.
Usagi smiled warmly and replied, "It doesn't matter. The past has gone, all we can hope for is to have learned from our mistakes and to move forward. You should too. Walling in Darkness once led to destruction of a kingdom bathed in light. Perhaps it's time to step from the shadows and embrace the light for all that it can be. I'd welcome you."
Vena stared at Usagi in consideration for a few moments before she tapped the blond on the nose softly. "You, my dear, are being paged by the world. You'd better answer."
Usagi blinked slowly and gazed into her mother's concerned eyes with a shy smile. "Hello mom. Sorry I was kinda spaced out huh?"
"Usagi, is something bothering you?" her mother asked tenderly. She smoothed back Usagi's bangs slightly and waited for the answer. Tilting her head slightly Usagi spotted her brother Shingo watching her, a shifty sad and desperate look on his face. She could see his confusion and worry over her and it made her eager to make her family understand that she was over their quiet incident.
"I'm okay mom. I was just thinking about my new friends. One of them is having a hard time with something and I was just trying to think of a solution for her. It's nothing to worry about, honest." Usagi said. She glanced at her brother and saw the sting of guilt cross his face. Gently pushing past her mother Usagi walked around the table and stopped in front of Shingo. When he looked up at her she smiled brightly and wrapped him in a gentle hug. Her voice was so soft only Shingo heard her murmur, "I'm alright Shingo. You've no reason to fell guilty, no reason at all. Your always gonna be the best little brother anyone could every hope for."
Releasing Shingo Usagi straightened, smiled and walked out of the kitchen. Her voice drifted back into the kitchen as she hollered from the front door, "Bye Mama, bye Shingo. I'm off to study. I'll be back later. Love ya."
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Naru grinned slightly as she watched the dark haired woman she'd followed stop at a quiet little church. The blond beside her casually wrapped an arm around her shoulder as they looked at the building. As Naru stepped closer to take the crystal the woman held a tall priest stepped from the building and started to talk to the young couple. Wrapping her fingers around the black crystal in her pocket Naru closed her eyes and felt the soft pull of the rainbow crystals. Her eyes snapped open when she felt two unawakened crystals ahead of her.
"Well, well, well. This is getting to be way too easy," Naru whispered to herself as she stepped completely out of the shadows and walked boldly toward the small meeting. Her red hair was a stark contrast to the revealing black dress she'd chosen to wear for the occasion. Sleek black four inch heels that laced up her calves completing the look. The clacking of her shoes walking up the path caused three heads to turn in her direction.
"Can I help you, my dear?" the priest asked with a kind smile.
"I've been looking for you," Naru said as she stopped walking. She pulled a small black crystal out of her pocket and smiled as she felt its power hum in her hand. "Two of you are coming with me, sorry Blondie, you're not invited."
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Ami glanced at the quiet courtyard. Rei was at the hospital visiting her grandfather and Yuichiro. While she was away Ami, Michiru, Haruka, Makoto, and Hotaru were trying to look after the shrine. Sighing softly she watched the sun slowly sink below the horizon. Haruka leaned against her counter and grinned brightly. "Ami, we need to talk, particularly about your tall mysterious Dark Kingdom buddy."
"Kunzite?" Ami asked.
"Yeah," Haruka said. "He dropped by my place."
"Is he alright?" Ami asked quickly. Haruka smiled at her young friend and nodded.
"He certainly seems to be," Haruka said hesitantly. Taking a deep breath Haruka continued, "He's not coming to help us. We agreed that he shouldn't train us. It's, it's not that he doesn't want to, he wants to but…"
"He's going back to the Dark Kingdom then?" Ami asked despondently. She watched the courtyard as Michiru and Hotaru came into view. The two were happily giggling as they swept leaves at each other. Haruka watched Ami's face as she contemplated the thought of fighting Kunzite.
"No! He's not going back. I'm certain of it!" Haruka said fiercely. Ami looked at her uncertainly and Haruka added, "Listen to me Ami. He won't fight against us unless he has to. When he left he told me he has no intention of fighting us. That means he's not going back to Them. There's someone he has to protect and he can't protect anyone if he's there. He's on our side Ami, even if I don't like him, he's not our enemy."
"You're sure?" Ami asked. Slowly Ami pulled her eyes from the laughing duo to focus on Haruka. Ami's deep blue eyes were filled with worry as she watched Haruka. Sighing Haruka slipped behind the counter to stand beside the blue haired girl. She wrapped Ami in a gentle hug before she forced the younger girl to sit on a small stool.
"Ami, I'm positive." Haruka said.
"Positive?" Makoto asked with a grin as she joined the conversation. "What's up?"
"Kunzite's not going to help us," Ami said as she tried to force a smile.
"Good," Makoto said. Haruka and Ami stared at the grinning brunette curiously. Michiru and Hotaru joined Makoto at the counter with worried expressions.
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"Minako?" a gentle voice called to the sleeping blond. "Minako."
"Hmm," Minako hummed as she rolled over. A small weight shifted off her chest and landed with a grunt of displeasure. Minako slowly opened her eyes to gaze at the lump of white fur twisting in front of her. Giggling Minako finally sat up and pulled the white cat into her arms. "Hello Artemis. Where have you and Luna been?"
"Minako!" Artemis hollered as she continued to hold him upside down. Still giggling she gently righted Artemis before she put him on the bed. Sighing Artemis said, "Minako, we need to discuss the scouts future. It's time you girl's stopped reacting to the Dark Kingdom's attacks and started to fulfill your true destinies."
"True Destinies?" Minako asked. She swung her legs off her bed and quickly walked to her closet. Stepping into the small space Minako quickly changed into a yellow sun dress as she asked, "Isn't defeating the Dark Kingdom our destiny?"
"No, not exactly," Artemis said. Artemis turned so he could watch the blond as she emerged from her closet. Quickly tying her hair back with her customary red bow Minako turned to listen to the serious white cat. Artemis balanced his front two paws on his tail as he continued talking. "Defeating the Dark Kingdom is vital to this world's survival, but it is not the most important task set before you girls."
"There's something bigger…" Minako replied slowly. "Artemis, how bad is it going to get?"
"Oh, Minako," Artemis said sadly. "There is so much I haven't explained. So much I should have already told you. When we first met you were a naïve and eager girl. Now the fighting has taken some of that from you and I'm sorry."
"You're hedging the question Artemis," Minako stated dully.
"If… when Queen Metallia awakens everything will change. She can turn the hearts of men with a single glance. Her darkness will awaken theirs and corruption and violence will rise." Artemis answered with a heavy heart. "Luna and I have been looking for one of two people who could stop this destruction. Luna is continuing her search for the Princess of the Moon. The crescent wand you girls have been using to fight your battles belongs in her hands, and with it she may be able to stop the Dark Kingdom. I have been looking for another, the Messiah. The Messiah will need to have her chalice restored to her before she can win, but using her to stop this evil will leave us all susceptible to another evil. The Messiah's mission will be left incomplete… but maybe if She's strong enough the Moon Princess can win against that evil."
"If we find Her," Minako said softly. "Artemis, why can't we find her? You found me, and Michiru, and Haruka. Luna found the other scouts, why is she so different? I mean, weren't we all princesses?"
"Yes, you are Princesses. It took us a long time to find you as well. By the time Luna found the Princesses of Mercury and Saturn it was nearly too late. The Dark Kingdom has been collecting energy longer than we've been fighting." Artemis replied hesitantly. Minako glared at her fidgeting companion and he continued, "Minako it's harder with her because she's doubly shielded; protected by the same magic that hid you from me for so long, and by your magic."
"My magic…" Minako murmured thoughtfully.
"One, or all of you girls, is acting as a canceling agent. We get a glimmer of were she's hidden and it vanishes in an instant. Luna still looking, she refuses to give in, but it may be hopeless. As the darkness spread the magic around her thickens. We may not be able to find the Moon Princess until after we defeat the Dark Kingdom. Perhaps once the threat on her life is eliminated…" Artemis said sadly.
"So we find this Messiah instead. How?" Minako asked determinedly.
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"Pure hearts… I need pure hearts…" a soft hiss called. "Pure…hearts…. Only the best… for our Mistress…"
Rei closed her eyes as she leaned against a solid brick wall. The hissing voice left Goosebumps crawling over her skin. Ignoring the urge to run Rei forced herself away from the wall and walked around the corner. The street was empty except for the hissind serpentine monster standing in the middle of the road. Rei could clearly see the skid marks of cars trying to avoid the monster. Glancing around more carefully Rei spotted the reason so many would have fled so quickly; four teenagers were collapsed outside a small café. Raising her hand in the air Rei called forth her sailor heritage. "Mars Crystal Power!"
The heady rush of magic passed in an instant and Sailor Mars fiercely glared at the smirking monster. Flooded with the confidence and magic Sailor Mars sent a wave of fire flying towards the monster. Slithering out of harms way the monster lashed out with its tail. A quick back flip kept Sailor Mars just out of range. Monster and scout charged in intending to send the other flying. As Sailor Mars took the monster's glancing blow she sent a fire fueled punch into the monsters gut.
Sputtering and coughing weakly the monster tried to slip away. Unsatisfied Sailor Mars rushed back into the fray, this time slamming one of her red high heels into the monsters aching gut. Doubled over and hissing softly to itself the monster continued to try slipping away. Going in for another punch Sailor Mars was surprised when she felt a slight tug on her left ankle.
While she was momentarily distracted the monster tightened its hold on her ankle. Satisfaction glowing on the monsters face, it lifted Sailor Mars off her feet and slammed her back into the road. Aching and out of breath Sailor Mars feebly kicked at the tail still wrapped around her ankle. Victory shining in it's slanted eyes the monster revealed a star hidden inconspicuously under a scale. The second the light touched her chest, Sailor Mars writhed in pain and screamed helplessly.
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Zoisite pulled his flimsy jacket closer as he stumbled down the quiet street. Grateful for a quite moment without one of his friends hovering over him trying to protect him he walked towards the park. He knew they worried about him, but he also knew that staying to close to him put hem all in danger. As a general with the Dark Kingdom he had an obligation, a duty, to their cause. Eventually he knew that he'd be tested, and that it would cost all of his protectors, and friends, their lives.
Sighing miserably he turned a corner and froze. Standing in front of him was a monster similar in nature to the one that attacked Kunzite. As a Dark Kingdom general he should try and recruit the monster, or at least find out its origins. As a friend of Kunzite's he wanted to turn it into fertilizer. Watching pensively he gasped in shock at the monsters victim; the priestess from the shrine. Zoisite smiled softly as he remembered the girl's admiration of the fierce sailor scout he'd fought alongside that day.
Striding confidently forward Zoisite summoned a surge of magic to send towards the monster. The bolt of energy slammed into the serpents back and sent it sprawling to the ground. Angry yellow eyes glared darkly back at Zoisite, but Zoisite merely shrugged and summoned another bolt of energy. Standing less than two feet from the cowering and angry monster Zoisite threw his energy bolt at it.
The bright light of energy fizzled into nothingness as soon as it left Zoisite's fingers. A wave of pain blossomed in his chest that made breathing hard. Sinking helplessly to his knees Zoisite tried desperately to summon forth enough energy to defend himself. Cackling wickedly the monster rose victoriously from the ground and effortlessly knocked over the confused general.
Terror flooded the generals veins as he watched the monster reveal a small star. Time slowed to an infinite crawl as he watched the light gather at the heart of the black star. As it arched towards him he tried to sink into the ground. Surprise and relief washed away the terror when the light grazed his skin; no pain. Slipping into a black fog Zoisite wondered briefly if he'd be missed once he was dead.
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"She's late."
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"He's gone."
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"Let's go!"
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"How do we find her?" Michiru asked as the group raced down the long staircase.
"We split up. Take different paths to the hospital." Ami said as she mapped out the many path's in her mind. "We call if we find her."
"That could take too long!" Makoto huffed angrily.
"Or we could spend all day on the wrong track. What if she's not coming back form the hospital? What if she stopped at the mall? Or the park?" Hotaru asked as they stopped at the bottom.
"What other choice do we have? We have to start somewhere!" Ami said desperately.
"First thing to do, Ami, is keep calm. Think about this rationally, not emotionally." Haruka said as she placed her hands firmly on the panicking girl's shoulders. Ami took a deep breath and closed her eyes as she willed herself to calm down.
"Ok…" Ami said after a long moment. She opened her eyes and smiled at the assembled group. Squaring her shoulders she said, "We should probably do this as scouts anyways. I know there's no reason to panic yet, but if we run into a monster we'll need to be prepared to act at a moment's notice."
"Bonus, we're faster that way too." Makoto said with a half hearted grin.
"And we can leap tall buildings in a single bound," Hotaru joked as she absently touched her purple earrings. Michiru threw an arm around the younger girl's shoulders and pointedly rubbed an earring as well. Hope swelled in Hotaru's chest as she nodded her head. All five girls' threw their hands in the air and called forth their individual planet's aid. "Well now that we're dressed to impress, what next?"
"We use this," Sailor Mercury said as she pulled out her small computer. "I'd forgotten about it until just a moment ago. I used this to save Saturn from a monster once before. Let's see, if I do this…."
Sailor Mercury typed quickly into her small handheld computer as the other waited anxiously. The moment stretched until a small beeping started to come from the computer. Sailor Mercury took a shaky breath as she said, "We have a problem. There are two points indicating Rei. One's steadily moving away from the other… and the second light is fading."
"Where!" Sailor Jupiter demanded.
"The retreating light is headed towards the Crown Arcade…" Sailor Mercury said. Before she could finish her sentence Sailors Jupiter and Uranus raced towards the arcade. Sailor Neptune glanced desperately after them but didn't follow. "Well... I guess we get the second light. Follow me."
Sailor Mercury took off running with her two friends hot in pursuit. Absently Sailor Mercury closed her computer as she memorized the exact location of their fallen friend. Darting down crowded streets the group quickly found themselves on the only street not filled with people. Shock filled the group as they watched a tall green haired scout trying to pin three people to the pavement while another individual tried to retrain a fourth. Less than twenty feet away the scouts spotted their missing friend's lifeless body in the middle of the road.
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"Over here ugly!" Sailor Venus yelled as she sent a bolt of energy at the glaring serpent. The blond haired scout watched the monster slither towards her and swallowed thickly. She'd been tossing attacks uselessly at the monster in an effort to slow it down since she and Yaten had spotted the monster ten minutes earlier. Taking a deep unsteady breath Sailor Venus dodged the monsters tail once more.
When she landed a few feet away she stumbled to keep upright as her heel twisted. Grimacing in pain, she slowly started backwards once again. "Come on ugly. My friends wanna meet you. We'll send you back to whatever hell you spurned forth from. Come on… keep following me."
Sailor Venus panted heavily as she was forced back a few more feet. The monster smirked as it patiently wore down her strength. Leaning heavily against a pull she felt her strength slipping away. Seeing her exhaustion, the monster moved in to strike. His tail lashed out faster than she could follow in her tired state.
"You, my dear, should rest. I'll take over for you." A deep comforting voice said as Sailor Venus was swept off her feet. Moments later she was placed on the far side of the road. She gaped at Kunzite as he strode confidently towards the monster. Sailor Venus sank to the ground as she felt her transformation slip away.
"He did something to Rei! She… I think she's dying!" Minako yelled.
"Don't fret, my friends will look after her, and I'll recover what our friend stole," Kunzite said as he charged into the fight.
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"Ami, what can we do?" Sailor Saturn whispered as they watched Rei's lifeless form. The dark haired girl looked, and felt dead. Swallowing nervously Sailor Mercury glanced over at the still struggling group. "She… she's not dead, right?"
"No, she's not dead," Sailor Neptune said. All three focused on Rei as she opened her eyes. A lifeless glazed look greeted the girls and Sailor Neptune whispered, "What's happened Rei?"
"They may know…" Sailor Mercury said as she watched one of the teenagers slip away from the tall sailor scout.
"Grab him! NOW!" the white haired individual yelled desperately. Sailor Saturn nodded at them and raced after the boy as Sailor Mercury approached the group.
"What happened to our friend?" Sailor Mercury demanded.
"Now! Honestly! Grab her and don't let her escape!" the scout yelled as she shove a girl at Sailor Mercury. Angrily Sailor Mercury slammed the teenager into the ground and knelt on her back. Seeing the girl properly restrained the scout said. "I apologize Sailor Mercury. We're a bit busy trying to save their lives. They've lost their heart crystals."
"Whatever you do never give into what they want. If you give in they'll die." The white haired boy yelled at her. Sailor Mercury glanced at them, studying them for later investigation. The boy was dressed in tight black leather pants and a loose fitting black leather shirt. Across his forehead rested a tiara much like the ones on the scouts foreheads. His eyes were a piercing and dangerous green as he spoke. Sailor Mercury frowned then followed his line of sight. The boy wasn't yelling at her, but at Sailor Neptune who now struggled to hold onto Rei.
Licking her lips nervously Sailor Mercury glanced at the tall green haired scout. She was dressed similarly to Sailor Mercury and the rest of the scouts including her own golden tiara. The main difference she could see was the long staff the woman was using to detain the girl she was holding. Sailor Mercury asked, "Who are you? How do you know this?"
"I'm Sailor Pluto, and I just know! Now is not the best time for answers." The woman said impatiently.
"Sailor Star Healer," the boy said. Following Sailor Mercury's example he slammed the boy he was holding to the ground and knelt on his back. Panting in exhaustion he gazed at the scene in apparent despair. "We need to get an ambulance here to pick them up. We can't hold them forever."
"What can a hospital do?" both girls asked together.
"Sedate them," Sailor Star Healer answered bluntly. "Beside's there's one more we haven't got contained… and it would appear he's awake."
Sailor Mercury glanced around again and spotted the blond general standing up. His footsteps were shaky as he started down the road away. Glancing at Sailor Neptune to see how Rei was doing, Sailor Mercury was surprised to see the fury and hatred in the older girl. Sailor Neptune's eyes were focused on the clumsily walking man as he hobbled away.
When the girl under her started to fiercely attempt to throw her off Sailor Mercury turned her attention back to the girl at hand. Half tempted to slam the girls' head into the pavement once more Sailor Mercury prayed that her friends had found someway to save Rei. Unlike the teenagers, Rei was as strong as any of the scouts, even without being transformed.
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Minako watched in horror as the monster tossed Kunzite aside like a ragdoll before it continued on its way down the street. The tall general had managed to cut the serpent's deadly tail off but that had sent the monster over the edge. In its fit of rage it had managed to grab hold of the ex-general and sink its long teeth into his shoulder. After that Kunzite had gone limp and the monster ruthlessly attacked. Minako watched in despair as a river of red flowed away from the tall man. Stumbling tiredly across the street Minako knelt next to the dying man.
"I'm sorry…just… hang in there. I'll get help," Minako said as she pulled at her slightly tattered skirt. Making a long strip on clothe she tightly wrapped the man's wounds as best as she could. Tears leaking from her eyes she tried to apply enough pressure to slow the blood loss.
"Sat…urn…" Kunzite whispered as he struggled to keep his eyes open.
"I'll get her, just hang on," Minako said. Shakily Minako pulled of her jacket and laid it across Kunzite. Exhaustion humming through her, Minako forced herself to her feet and raced after the monster. If the monster stayed on its current course; like Minako hoped, it would head straight to the Hiwakawa Shrine and the Sailor Scouts.
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Author's note.
Yes, I know Sailor Stars are all girls. For the sake of no gender confusion I'm keeping them as strictly Male!
On that note sorry for the delay. Hopefully more soon!