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I do not own anything related to Sailor Moon, all rights go to Naoko Takeuchi.
For those of you who are wondering, the Unicron in this story has absolutely nothing to do with the Planet Eater of Transformers Mythology. They only share the same name.
Chapter 6 Hunt for the Key
The universe truly is a beautiful place. Stars and planets spin so elegantly on their predetermined paths. The galaxies of the distant corners of the universe spiraling and forming distinct shapes and colors. It is a place filled with wonder and cosmic energy. It is also a place filled with danger. Asteroids and comets circle planets and various Worlds, always threatening the populations with danger. Black Holes, singularities that are believed to be portals through time and space, constantly consume everything that is unfortunate enough to get caught in its grasp. However, the single most dangerous thing in the universe was floating in the center of a spherical alignment of countless Worlds.
"There's nothing here." said Unicron. He got really irritated. He walked on the nothingness of space and paced. "The whole place has changed since I was locked away. But the Gate should be here!"
Throwing a fit, Unicron fired of a series of Dark lasers in every direction. After about five minutes he calmed down. Unicron put his hands behind his head and laid back. While relaxing Unicron thought. Getting an idea, Unicron concentrated on the very energies of a former Goddess. When he found the source, Unicron flew through space like a comet and landed on a desolate, barren World.
"What is this place?" asked Unicron. He walked through a fissure and saw millions upon millions of Keyblades. "Oh, the Keyblade Graveyard. Why would the Gate be located here?"
Unicron walked to the crossroads of Keyblade paths. He looked around and still saw nothing. He looked up and saw that there were clouds swirling around right above him. With a snap of his fingers the clouds dispersed, revealing a large Heart shaped moon with a faint blue glow.
"There you are." said Unicron with a smile. "No matter what form you take, I can always see you as the Gate. Revelare ad me, Etro scriptor Portam."
Ancient language surrounded Unicron. The heart shaped moon began to glow, but then stopped. Unicron tried again but met the same result. Angry, Unicron raised his hand and blasted Darkness at the moon. The Darkness wrapped around the moon and pulled into Unicron's hand.
"You took precautions Goddess." Unicron said. "But there's more than one way to skin a cat, and more than one way to forge the Gate."
As he spoke Darkness spread from his feet. It covered the entire World and absorbed it. With the World gone Unicron was standing in space again. He lifted his hands and created a miniature replica of the alignment in one and a ball of Darkness in the other.
"Dirige me ad Clavem Creatio." said Unicron.
A small series of ancient text surrounded the black orb and flew out into the stars. The replica in his hand then had a world covered in Darkness. Zooming in on the World, Unicron knew where he had to go. Unicron then flew like a comet again and blasted towards the World. He past several Worlds, but a few caught his eye. There was one with upside down rings, a massive planet with a large red spot, and a red planet. He then came to a small blue World with several large land masses. Unicron entered the World and floated in the sky. The area below him was a large metropolis. Many people were running about. In the distance was a large metal red tower.
"Why would it be here?" asked Unicron. "This World has yet to be invaded by the Heartless. They would have felt its power ages ago, unless it has its own protectors…."
Unicron descended upon the vast city and landed in an alley. Before he walked out, he noticed that his clothing would draw attention to him. So he wrapped his wings around his body tightly and transfigured his clothes into normal attire for the world. He was now wearing black jeans and black shoes with red accents. A black hoodie with ripped sleeve covered his chest. On the front of the hoodie was a red winged heart with a fleur-de-lis at its base with a red outline and black interior that had a spiked "X" crossing through the heart. On the back was a design of eight dark purple wings. Under the hoodie was a long sleeved crimson shirt.
Unicron explored the city for several hours. For some reason, every time he tried to focus on the energy he was searching for he would find that the entire city was irradiated with its power. He walked around and looked into the Hearts of Men, yet still couldn't find a trace of what he was looking for. After a while Unicron was standing on the uppermost part of the metal tower, scanning the area. He was about to destroy the entire city and have the Heartless dig through the ash, but an explosion happened.
"Hmm?" said Unicron. "What's this?"
Teleporting to the area of the explosion, Unicron sat on a building. When the smoke cleared Unicron saw an ugly blue haired woman with six green spider legs jump back. Nine women went after her. The girls wore primarily white uniforms that had a different color for each girl.
"Monster, in the name of the moon, we will punish you!" said the long, blonde haired girl with massive pigtails. Her outfit was the most different compared to the others. On her back were two plastic looking, angel-like wings. She had a lot of wings on her body, so that must have been her theme.1
"Sailor Moon!" yelled the she-spider. "Why couldn't you just leave me alone and let me do my job?!"
"You went about stealing the pure Hearts of civilians." said Sailor Moon. "Hurting those who are unable to defend themselves is unacceptable."
"Oh, is it?!" asked the spider. "Then I'll just take yours!"
The spider spat out razor sharp webbing at the warrior maidens. They jumped out of the way and surrounded the spider woman. They kicked and punch the spider, which just pushed them back. She spat out more webbing and the heroines dodged again. They repeated this for a little bit until they entire area as a gigantic spider's web.
"Did they really not see that coming?" thought Unicron to himself. He was lying on his side; head propped up by his arm, and watched the female fatales fight the spider creature.
"Mars Burning Mandala!" yelled the black haired woman with the predominately red uniform. Seven circles of fire spun around the woman and fired at the webs and ignited some of them.
"That's not going to help you!" yelled the spider. She pointed her fingers at the flame user and shot out poisonous barbs. The fire woman was slammed to the ground by the woman wearing dark green.
"Are you okay?" asked the green dressed woman.
"Yea." said the maiden of flame.
"These women seem familiar." thought Unicron.
"Mercury Bubble Splash!" the girl in a light blue uniform said. A bubble of water formed at her crossed arms and splashed out at the spider. The she-spider jumped on the wall right below Unicron to dodge the attack.
"Pluto Deadly Scream!" said long haired women carrying a large purple staff. The tip of the staff glowed in purple energy and shot at the spider. The spider jumped further up.
"Uranus World Shaking!" said the short haired blonde girl. Orange energy was blasted at the spider that jumped on her webbing.
"This is…pathetic to watch." thought Unicron. "Just kill it already."
"Mars Fire Bird Strike!" the flame maiden yelled as a bird of fire flew at the spider as the rest of the webbing was destroyed. The spider dodged again and landed behind Unicron.
"What the hell are you supposed to be?" asked Unicron as he looked back at the spider woman.
"What are you doing here human?!" demanded the spider. Then she got an idea. She grabbed Unicron, not knowing what he is capable off and jumped off the building. "Don't bother attacking Sailor Brats! I have a hostage!"
She held Unicron out enough so the nine women could clearly see him. The girls gasped, as if they never suspected someone to be taken hostage. Unicron rolled his eyes at their ignorance. He stared at the nine women and tried to remember where he had seen them before. He knew he saw them once or twice in his past, but for the life of him he couldn't remember.
"If you don't want this handsome face to be hurt," started the spider woman as she dragged her clawed finger over Unicron's cheek, "Give me the Sailor Crystals!"
"Sailor Crystals?" thought Unicron. "Hmmm."
"All right." said the pig-tailed maiden.
"But Sailor Moon-" said the other women.
"We have to save him." said Sailor Moon. She raised her hands to the brooch and it started to shine. It opened up and a small, spherical silver crystal. Unicron's eyes widened in disbelief.
"You have got to be kidding me!" yelled the embodiment of Darkness. In anger he opened his wings which plunged through the spider woman, slicing her into pieces. "You have a piece of the Key?!"
"What are you?" asked Sailor Moon as Unicron shifted into his robed attire. The silver crystal disappeared back into her body.
"I am Unicron, the Chaos Bringer." Unicron said. The nine women readied themselves at this statement and focused their powers. "Don't bother. You know, you all look familiar. I just can't place where…It had to be in the Old World…"
"Give us some straight answers!" yelled the woman wearing red.
"I remember now!" said Unicron with a snap of his fingers. "The Handmaidens of Etro, and the Guardians to the Key of Creation, which means…"
Unicron raised his hand and colored lights shined from the center of each woman's chest. With a smirk he began walking to the nine women. Each woman attacked to stop Unicron. Each of their attacks were of different elements.
"I know that this is your second reincarnation, but I'm only going to give you this one and only chance." said Unicron as the attacks flew past him. "Give me the Key of Creation and I will spare this World and all of its inhabitants. But understand this, you will be losing your lives, as the Key has split into fragments and have become your new Hearts. What do you say?"
"Mars Flame Sniper!" said the red maiden. She created a bow and arrow out of flame shot at Unicron.
"Mercury Shine Aqua Illusion!" the blue maiden said. She waved her arms over her head, gathering water. She twirled the water around her and blasted it towards Unicron.
"Jupiter Thunder Crash!" cried a maiden in dark green garb. From her tiara came a small rod which crackled with electricity. She gathered the electricity into her hands and threw a sphere at Unicron.
"I guess I can take this a no." Unicron said. Unicron stared at the attacks and they dissipated into nothingness. "Can't say I didn't warn you."
Unicron disappeared in a blur. The nine women looked around and got into a circle. Sailor Moon gasped as Unicron appeared before her and grabbed her throat. He raised her into the air and threw her into a wall. Before a couple of the women went help the pig tailed woman Unicron telekinetically flung them in the other direction.
"Might as well start with your Fragment." Unicron said. Raising his hand, the pig tailed woman started to convulse. The Silver Crystal started to emerge from her chest. "Sorry about the pain, but I did give you the option of just giving me the crystals."
"Sailor Moon!" yelled the other women. Before the Silver Crystal fully emerged from Sailor Moon a rose was thrown at Unicron, who caught it between two fingers.
"Who uses a flower for weapon?" asked Unicron. He sniffed it and held on to it.
Glancing up he saw a man in a black tuxedo, with yellow buttons and a black cape that was lined with red. The jacket is left open to reveal a white dress shirt. He was also wearing white gloves and a white mask that covers his eyes. The final touch of his disguise is a black top hat.
"Who are you supposed to be?" Unicron asked.
"I am Tuxedo Mask." said the man. Unicron could see a Gold Crystal in his chest.
"Looks like you have something I need as well." Unicron said. "Ten crystals to make the Key."
Unicron looked back down and saw that Sailor Moon was gone. He turned around and saw that she was with the other women. Tuxedo Mask jumped down from the building and stood next to Sailor Moon. He acted very defensive over Sailor Moon.
"Hm." smirked Unicron. "The Maidens of Etro and their protector, the Golden Knight. I haven't seen you all since I killed you the first time."
"What are you talking about?" asked the short haired blonde girl wearing a navy blue uniform and a yellow bow.
"Back in the Old World, in the city of Valhalla." Unicron started. "The second time I went for the Key of Creation you all got in my way. I warned you all to get of my way, but you were dedicated to that traitorous Etro and gave your lives protecting the Key."
"What is this Key?" asked Sailor Moon.
"That information is not for the likes of you." Unicron said. "Now… give. Me. The. Crystals."
"Never!" said Sailor Moon.
"Why do lesser beings never do what they're told?" asked Unicron. "Fine then."
Unicron sniffed the flower again. The flower became surrounded by Darkness. Unicron then swung his arm and the flower exploded and extended into a long plant-like whip covered in thorns and surrounded by Darkness. The black winged angle whipped around his thorny weapon and it sliced through the stone buildings like butter. Unicron sent the whip at his opponents. The warriors dodged the whip, but that was what Unicron wanted. He made the whip stab into ground and surrounding buildings, creating an intricate web like design that separated the warriors. When Sailor Moon was by herself, Unicron shot a beam of Darkness from his finger.
"Serena!" yelled Tuxedo Mask.
He broke through the thorny barrier and ran to shield Sailor Moon. The beam hit his back and with a scream his body faded into Darkness, leaving nothing behind except the Gold Crystal. As Sailor Moon cried she reached for the Gold Crystal but as it was about to be in her hands it flew into Unicron's.
"One Crystal down, nine to go." said Unicron. His hand turned black and the Gold Crystal sunk into the Darkness. "Who's next?"
"Darien!" cried Sailor Moon. Four of the maidens were comforting Sailor Moon, or at least trying to. The other four attacked Unicron for revenge.
"Uranus World Shaking!" One maiden said. Orange light gathered into her hand and formed a sphere with a ring. She flung it to the ground and it blasted at Unicron.
"Neptune Deep Submerge!" said a long, sea green hair. Water swirled around her hands and formed a sphere with a ring. As it flew at Unicron waves of water blew from its sides.
"Pluto Deadly Scream!" said a woman caring a purple staff adorned with an ornate jewel. Grey dust gathered around the jewel and transformed into a sphere of purple energy with a ring. She swung her staff and fired the purple sphere.
"Saturn Silence Buster!" yelled a girl wielding a glaive. She pointed her spear at Unicron and it shot out a wave of pale grey energy.
The four attacks converged into one. The three spheres came closer together, and then became surrounded by the pale grey wave of energy. Unicron felt a great power from the attacks and assumed that they would cause a great deal of damage. Unicron created a sphere of low level Dark Energy in his hand and tossed it into their attack. The attacks canceled each other out and exploded. Smoke spread across the area, the women unable to see anything.
"The Key is connected to the greatest source of power in the universe." echoed Unicron's voice through the smoke. "Even with it as fragmented as it is, you should have more power than this right now. If you actually plan on fighting for your survival, then give me challenge or else I will kill everyone on this planet."
"You don't have the power to do that." said a long haired blond girl in orange clothing.
"Look down." said Unicron.
As he said that the smoke was blown away. The women looked down as saw that they were floating above the city, high in the sky. When they tried to make sense of what was going on they pressed their hands to what was keeping them aloft. It was like they were standing on glass.
"This isn't possible." said a girl with shoulder length dark blue hair.
"Of course it is." Unicron said as he appeared above them. "Anything is possible if you have true power."
The nine women stared up at Unicron, trying to determine his next move. Unicron created another black sphere of energy. He gathered the energy in his hand and stared the women down.
"Well?" asked Unicron. The women stared him down. "Very well then."
Unicron blasted the sphere to the city. The girls waited for something to happen. They saw that none of the citizens noticed anything. A black explosion erupted from where Unicron's black sphere landed. Then the World shook and a blast of air was felt. The nine women covered their eyes till the explosion ended. After the explosion the nine women stared at the wasteland that was their home city. Pink crystal hearts rose from the ashes of the city and they faded away into Darkness
"How, how could you?" asked Sailor Moon.
"If you want revenge, meet me there." Unicron said as he pointed at the moon. "And bring me you're A game. Hopefully with your anger and grief you'll pluck up some more power from the Key fragments. I'll see you soon."
Unicron disappeared in a flurry of feathers and Darkness. The women thought that with Unicron gone that what they were standing on would disappear, but they gently floated to the ground. They observed the destruction Unicron caused. Buildings were rubble and there were black flames all over. There were outlines of where people once stood.
Many of the warrior maidens started to cry. The others stood there solemnly. Sailor Moon cried the loudest. She lost not only her hometown, but also her true love. When she remembered all what she and her friends accomplished and the future she and her friends had visited, she knew that they could beat Unicron.
"We're leaving." said Sailor Moon.
The other women nodded. They got into a circle and joined hands. They all focused their powers and on the location they wished to go: the moon. They glowed in various colors, signifying a rise in power in all of them. Sailor Moon glowed silver, the next person glowed red, the next glowed in light blue, yellow, green, dark purple, orange, teal, and pale grey. The lights enveloped each maiden and they turned to streams of light. The streams of light ascended into the sky and headed straight for the moon, where Unicron was waiting for them.
1. This is the Eternal Sailor Moon uniform, when she's at her second most powerful.
A short update today. More exciting stuff comes back again in the next chapter. Please review.