8: "Revelations"
"Is this request for real?!"
More alarmed than bewildered, Usagi brandished the police file before her partner, who regarded it with a sour stare.
"Standard police activity," he shrugged. "Someone's gotta help security detail. It's high-profile work, and relatively easy, so you shouldn't complain."
"We're transferring prisoners!"
"Yep, that'd be the gist of it."
"But what if one of them turns into one of those things?" Toha sighed deeply, squeezing his eyes shut, rubbing his face. He didn't need this nonsense, especially from someone who wasn't as wet behind the ears as she had first seemed.
"What…gives you that idea, Tsukino?"
"Statistical consistency. The first time this happened was with a guy who robbed a bank! The second time, people from a prison riot! This is happening to criminals, Toha! Don't you think it might happen again?"
"Tsukino, if that really were true, then half the entire world would be overrun with those freaks. Now I ain't saying I know what's doing this, but aren't you making a mountain out of a molehill?"
"But what if it does?"
"Didn't they teach you nothin' in science class? Just cuz' something happened twice— coincidentally with people on the wrong side of the law— that don't make it consistent. It's an anomaly, Tsukino, nothing more. Besides, this order comes from up on high, so either do it or get set for another five years being chained behind a desk."
"All right," she sighed, "I guess I am overreacting a little. All the same, I'd like to be prepared." Toha snorted.
"You in the police, rookie. You think we gonna take them people to some other prison without nothin' to defend ourselves with?" He clapped her on the back and gave her five minutes to retrieve anything she thought would be necessary, even though he assured her their convoy would be perfectly suited for this job. Ever since she had dusted off the mantle of Sailor Moon and saved the city from being ravaged, Usagi habitually kept her brooch with her at all times. Of course, doing so made her think back to the old days, when it was more a declaration of fashion than duty, but it certainly showed foresight on her part. Toha muttered something about "women and their jewelry" when he saw it, but welcomed her by his side without any further delay.
"Good luck," Asagiri called. "And be sure to take a picture of the boogey men if you see them again."
"That's not funny, Asagiri," Hayashida called.
Communication among the convoy was essential to the task. Toha was first given a rendezvous point and reported his ETA; they had some minutes to spare before they arrived. Traffic was sketchy (no surprise there), but they weren't in such a hurry yet that they needed the siren. As they squeezed their way through the city, Toha went over any important details he might have missed, then asked Usagi a few personal questions. She was going to be his partner, after all; he might as well get to know her. He smiled softly as she regaled him with tales of whirlwind romances and happy moments spent with her four closest friends, but the history lesson ended too quickly, for the dispatch came on to guide their car the rest of the way.
[Unit 53, give your location, over.]
"Fifty-three here. Just turning on Hokusai and Basho. Be there in two, over."
[Copy, 53, make it point five if you can, out.]
"Guess we're moving up the time table," he muttered. The sirens went on and traffic became far more cooperative. Toha found the convoy in thirty-two seconds, good enough as far as they were concerned. Usagi counted seven other squad cars, more than enough to escort the police van full of prisoners— and possibly enough to defend against a possible monster outbreak. She clutched her brooch just in case, her face steely and focused. Toha noticed her expression and grinned.
"Relax. It's just like baseball here, and we ain't on plate."
"Baseball?"
"Sure. Japanese like baseball, don't they? When you on defense, you got eight other players watchin' your back. The same applies here. All these squad cars are gonna be makin' sure we do this right."
"And it's our responsibility to take care of them."
"Exactly." That gave Usagi a little bit of assurance, and her tension eased. A thought came to mind, something about how the transformations had taken place, what to look out for— basic signs and warnings.
"Toha, is there a doctor or something with those prisoners?"
"No. You thinking they might get carsick?" He was smirking, but she was serious. He sighed, tensing up. "They're not lacking for company, if that's what you're wondering. We got five of Shibuya's finest in there with em', plus the driver and his shotgun."
"Are we in communication with them?"
"They'll let us know if anything's wrong. You jumpy today, girl." He was smirking again, yet as fretful as she was, Usagi tried smiling along.
"Well, I was in the middle of things when both of those…how should I put it?— outbreaks occurred."
"You makin' it sound like we in a zombie movie."
"Feels like it," she murmured. Yeah, and I'm the goofy blonde who ends up becoming a reluctant heroine in the end. "Anyway, I have a reason to worry."
"Better to be nervous at times like this. Really keeps your edge sharp. Just don't get too sharp or you'll break."
"I know, I know." The convoy wasn't supposed to stop for any reason, least of all traffic or lights, but an unexpected funeral procession briefly delayed them. Toha let out a loud breath as he patiently waited for the stream of cars to pass, and communication bounced between the convoy and the squad cars escorting the procession. It turned out their own passage had been blocked off— partly by construction, partly by a street blocked off by fire crew— so they were forced to make a detour. That was why none of the officers knew about it until just now.
"Delays, delays," Usagi observed. Toha carefully rubbed his chin.
"I wish they'd hurry up. My fingernails grow faster than this." A dull thud broke the relative silence, and a second followed it. The sound wasn't particularly disturbing, but it drew Usagi's attention away from the procession.
"Do you hear that? Sounds like something's happening in the van."
"The prisoners wanna hurry up, too," Toha smiled. "I guess even they get restless."
"No, it's…" The thud sounded again, and again. Usagi's heart raced as the police van turned over, and huge dents blossomed on the steel chassis. Screams were heard; the tempered glass windows buckled, bent, and burst. A forest of sickly green, brown, and blue claws shot out of the van, and the windows and doors were forced open, spewing out a large number of creatures not dissimilar from the ones Usagi fought before. Most of the officers in the van were either dead, wounded, or stunned from the unexpected chaos, but a few were on their feet, fighting and shooting. It didn't take long for the officers in the other squad cars to get out and join the fight; they formed a perimeter around the monsters as ripples of panic spread out.
"Aw, hell!" Toha shouted. He glared at Usagi and said, "Don't even say 'I told you so', woman! We gotta get this mess under control."
"I'll evacuate everyone," she said. Toha dove into the fray with the other officers while Usagi plucked out a megaphone and urged everyone to leave the area in a quick, orderly manner (quick, yes. Orderly, not so much). After making sure all the civilians were out, she slipped away in the confusion, found a secluded area, took a deep breath, and thanked her lucky stars for that amazing foresight of hers.
"Sometimes I really hate being right," she muttered. The second rebirth of Sailor Moon was no less spectacular than the first, but she had no time to reflect on metaphysics. She raced around the alleyway she had dived into, found a fire escape, took a running start, leaped against the brick wall, rappelled up with a sharp kick, rappelled back with a second, clung onto the bottom rung of the escape, pulled herself up, and hauled herself up the stairwell. It took her to the roof; she raced to the ledge and briefly pondered another bombastic introduction. People were in serious danger, though, and lives were at stake, so it was best to save the theatrics for another day. Sailor Moon merely raised her talisman into the air and uttered the words of restoration.
Three of the monsters had slipped out of the police barricade while she was performing her gymnastics, and one of them had even followed her. As a baffled police force searched around for their mysterious savior, Sailor Moon was running along rooftops, chasing after the creatures she had missed. After bounding over three or four chasms, she made ready to cross another when one of the creatures surged out of the abyss, roaring viciously, and tackled her before she could make the jump. It had her pinned in a moment, slathering and snarling and snapping with great ugly teeth. Sailor Moon struggled to keep from being mauled or bitten in half; the monster's wretched spittle dripped onto her clothes and skin, putrid and searing like acid. Suddenly it lunged for her head; she screamed; the orbs nestled in her trademark buns took her scream and amplified it, repulsing the monster with piercing noise, giving her time to crawl to safety.
"I forgot it could do that," she muttered, smiling despite the danger. Her talisman was out and raised again, and with the beast still stunned, it was easy prey. Two more came leaping out of the alleys, not the least bit winded from their climb, starved for blood and glistening with malice. They were on opposite sides of Sailor Moon; she wouldn't be able to purify them in one swing. Feeling brave, she beckoned for them to attack, and hurled herself to the side as one charged. The second picked up the slack, barreling right for her, but was blasted point-blank with her sacred light. The final monster got a little cooked, but it was still a threat, even though its skin was melting and bubbling and dripping off its flesh. Sailor Moon tried not to gag or grimace as she stood to face her last foe.
"Who did this to you?" she wondered rhetorically. "How did this happen? Can you understand me at all?" There was nothing but bestial rage and primal obsession in the creature's yellowy eyes. The two opponents circled each other slowly, watching for an opening, both wounded yet determined to finish this. Sailor Moon initiated the charge, and the beast lurched after her with the speed and power of a big rig. She swung her talisman— the monster raked with her claws— she stumbled, tumbling, falling to the ground, bleeding, shredded— but with a grin of satisfaction on her face. The monster was screeching in glorious agony and soon was no more.
"And that's that!" she exclaimed, dusting her hands. "Now if only I could find out what's causing this, I could go ahead and give them a piece of my mind!"
"As you wish it, so shall it pass."
Sailor Moon shrieked and nearly broke jumping records. She whirled around, preparing for anything, but found herself in the company of a man. He had dark, auburn skin, a beautiful face glowing with honesty and benevolence, a fine curly dark beard that trailed to his neck, and wore stately robes that evoked the images of kings and wizards. On his shoulder was perched an exotic bird of paradise, which he fed out of one hand. His other was raised in greeting, and he even bowed.
"Who are you?" Usagi demanded. "Are you the one behind this?" The man paused, slowly contemplating what she had said.
"Yes, I believe I can answer those questions. My name is Usmu, and I am not the one responsible for the possessions you have encountered. I have been sent here to act as messenger for my masters."
"And who are they?" Again, he took a moment to think about what she had said. He seemed to choose his words and responses very carefully, as if each syllable carried immense weight.
"No, I have not been given permission to answer that yet. But I can relay their purpose to you. However, I have some questions for you as well, given to me by my masters. Correct me if I'm wrong, but this is not Babylonia, is it?"
"Babyl…what?"
"From your expression, you have not heard of it. Strange. T'was once a mighty empire that stretched from the Euphrates to Persia. Our scout was unable to confirm this, so that is why I ask you. May I ask where we are, then?"
"Tokyo," she replied uneasily. "Uh, Shibuya, Tokyo. In Japan."
"Japan? I'm unfamiliar with the name." Sailor Moon struggled to make it easier. She vaguely remembered hearing about Babylon and Persia in high school history class; they were both vast, powerful countries of the ancient world, with cultures that existed millennia before Japan was ever civilized. She winced and threw out another ancient country this man might have heard of.
"Umm…east of China?"
"China…" Well, this was perplexing. If this man had not even heard of China, just how old was he? And where did he come from? But Sailor Moon's concerns were put to rest as his face lit up. "Ah! You must mean Cathay! The Oriental Empire, yes?"
"Yes, that's right!"
"Then Japan must be Yamato."
"Yes, that's right!" Sailor Moon was grinning, but Usmu looked bewildered. He rubbed his face and sighed, shaking his head.
"I can see we emerged at a great distance away from where we had planned. All the same, we have returned to our world."
"What do you mean, 'emerged'?" Sailor Moon gasped as she put the pieces together: the unusual tectonic activity and the unexplained earthquake that had followed it all preceded the appearance of these creatures. So the experts were right: something unnatural had caused that disaster, and now she knew what! "That earthquake several weeks back! That was you, wasn't it?"
"You are wrong, Apkallu. I am merely a messenger for my mast— "
"I know, I heard you!" she yelled, feeling impatient. "I meant they were the ones responsible!"
"Correct. I believe I may inform you of this at least. It was Master Nergal who freed us, and Master Anu who devised the entire plan. I exist only to serve them and deliver their decrees to— "
"They killed seven people! Hundreds more were put out of their homes, or had their possessions taken from them! And are these two, uh…masters of yours responsible for all these monsters I've been fighting?"
"You are wrong again, Apkallu. That was the act of Master Ninurta. He advised us to first send scouts out, to determine if we had emerged in our own country; and later, to determine the strength of its inhabitants. Suffice to say that our expectations were exceeded beyond any m— "
"Those were people you transformed! They were human beings! How could you mutate them into such horrible creatures?"
"I must say again that I was not the one responsible— " Sailor Moon had had enough; she rushed straight at him, grabbed him by the hem of his shirt, and screamed right into his face, spittle flying hotly.
"SHUT UP! I'm sick of your excuses! Somebody, I don't care who, turned human beings into monsters! Many of them died!— many more were killed because of it! And all for what, so you and your sick masters could plan an invasion?! Tell me, you freak! Tell me or I'll make you pay for every life you've taken!"
She shoved Usmu back, but he only stumbled for a moment before regaining his composure. Calmly, he dusted off his robes, smoothed over his beard, and summoned his bird to his shoulder again. He gave Sailor Moon a pitiable look which suggested he regarded her as an equal, perhaps even his superior.
"I am not permitted to reveal my master's plan to you. I was sent here to meet you, and to determine whether or not you would be our ally."
"Ally?!" she shrieked. "After what you did?!"
"As an acolyte of Nanna, Apkallu, I thought you would understand."
"Stop calling me that! My name is Sailor Moon! I am the champion of love, justice, and honor, and I'll have no part in this disgusting invasion of yours!"
"But Apkallu, it is for this very reason we seek your aide. Nanna would be overjoyed to have such a valiant disciple by his side."
"I don't care!" she screamed. "If this is what you or your masters are planning, then I'm going to stop you all! Even if I have to do it alone…" Sailor Moon was trembling and on the verge of tears as she said that last part, but she stood her ground, defiant and unyielding. Usmu considered her words very carefully before responding.
"But why would an Apkallu do that, especially one of Nanna's followers…?"
"Didn't you hear what I said?! MY NAME IS SAILOR MOON, AND ON BEHALF OF THE MOON, I SHALL PUNISH YOU!"
"That is very dreadful news, O Moon-sailor, and not an easy burden to relay to my masters. But perhaps I am mistaken about your identity. It is very likely you are an imposter-Apkallu, one sent to divert disciples from our way— and if such is the case, I shall do all in my meager power to defeat you, and may the heavens help us!" Usmu raised his arms, covering himself in a thick, gooey black fog, and to Sailor Moon's surprise, seemed to sink into the roof and out of sight. He left a dark gaping vortex in his wake, and from this vortex came two massive arms, sinewy and rippling with muscle. They dragged an enormous head and torso out with them; two gigantic legs climbed out next, followed by three tails laden with jagged spikes. The beast was at least twice the size of the monsters Sailor Moon had been fighting, and likely the same ratio in strength, speed, and ferocity. Sailor Moon stood her ground, but with a single roar from the monster, she was blown away, hurtling to the chasms between buildings.
She clung to the edge with all her might and managed to pull herself up, but the gigas was already taking off after her, creating enormous impressions into the roof (and likely causing the residents below quite a bit of grief). Its huge arms swiped at her like scythes; it took everything she had to jump out of the way. Acting on instinct, she grabbed her tiara and flung the glittering gold energy projectile at its legs, carving out a fair chunk of flesh. The monster retaliated with a vicious kick, and Sailor Moon took the full force of it right in the chest. She was sent flying over to the next building, where she rolled to a painful stop and gasped for air. A normal human would've been smashed to bits by that blow; it had been strong enough to break a solid oak door down. Sailor Moon struggled with the intense throbbing agony as she slowly rose to her feet, helpless as she watched the gigas hurl itself over one building and onto her rooftop.
She raised her talisman, tenacious to the bitter end.
"Even if I'm all alone…I will not surrender!"
"You're not alone!" Intense, searing heat surged out of nowhere, striking the enormous monster directly on the chest. The column of fire knocked it to the ground, and the flames spread, sending it into a wild, flailing frenzy. Sailor Moon instantly knew what had happened— and more importantly, who had saved her— but she was still in a dazed shock and could not process everything until she saw that blessed flash of red and black for herself.
Sailor Mars smiled back at her.
"Rei!" All of her energy returned, and she embraced her best friend with every last ounce of it. Sailor Mars was happy, too, but…
"Hey, whoa! Now's not the time for a reunion, dumpling-head! That thing's still alive!"
"Oh, right, sorry!" Sailor Moon was laughing and weeping and trembling all at once; she could barely even stand, she was so overwhelmingly happy. Somehow she managed to shove all those feelings in the back of her mind and focused on the task at hand. The monster stood up again— she threw her tiara with all her might— Sailor Mars summoned a great flaming bow and loosened a searing bolt of pure fiery energy— the impact struck the gigas dead center, dissipating it into particles.
Once the shockwaves calmed and both women could catch their breath, the reunion could commence. Sailor Moon couldn't stop laughing for the life of her.
"You…you really made it… You're really here! I…I can't believe it!"
"Come on, dumpling, was there ever any doubt?" Sailor Mars caressed her best friend's face with all the care and love she had, smiling sweetly and beautifully. "You know I would give up everything to fight by your side, Usagi. I'd do it in a heartbeat. I'm only sorry it took me this long to do it. And I'm sorry if I ever doubted you."
"No…Rei…it's all right." She sniffled, crying for joy, burying herself in Rei's arms. "You're here now…and that's all that matters."
Eventually they pulled away from each other, calmed down, and took a seat on the hard surface. There were a lot of details they needed to sort out.
"That's certainly messed-up," Rei admitted once Usagi told her the whole story. "So basically, that earthquake was caused by this group emerging from…underground, I'm guessing. They sent a scout, which was that burglar you caught, and then a small attack force, which were those rioters. Today's outbreak must've been a way for them to lure you out, just so they could meet you. It's certainly not the most original invitation we've gotten. What about the police officers, and the people in the area?"
"I helped evacuate everyone," Usagi said softly. "It turned out to be a good way to separate me from my unit. Speaking of which, as wonderful as it is to see you again and fight by your side— oh, goodness, Rei, Sailor Mars still looks fantastic even after all these years— I really need to report to them. We still have a job to do."
"Yeah," she smiled, gazing dreamily at the sky, "I skipped work to come play with you, too. And I didn't even have an excuse. As soon as I saw you on the news, I knew you'd need my help, so once I heard about that prisoner transfer, I dropped everything and chased after you. I'm just grateful I was able to find you. Do you realize how hard it is getting around this city in heels?" She and Usagi laughed and ribbed each other.
"But you pull it off so well!"
"Some of us just have that talent." They smiled at each other again, and stared at the sky, lost in their own joy. Usagi finally sighed, stood to her feet, and brushed herself off.
"Well, it's time for me to punch back in. Gotta make sure everyone knows I'm okay. What will you do?"
"Oh, who cares? This is a lot more important than being some senator's intern! I don't care if they fire me."
"I mean, about all this."
"Oh." Rei laid down on the roof, head on her hands, long black hair flowing in the gentle breeze. "Well, you still have my cell phone number, right? Call me whenever you need any help, and I'll come."
"As fast as wildfire," she smiled. "But what if I don't need your help? What if I just want to hang out?" Rei smiled and sat up.
"Even better."
…
"A second Apkallu?"
"Yes, master. This one is seemingly aligned with Ninurta. I am still considering the possibility that they are imposters, but I find that very difficult to believe. Their virtues are in such close synchronization with the Apkallu than I can't help but think they have come back to us."
"But will not aid us."
"Correct, my lord, as bewildering as it may seem. What is your command?"
"We must be cautious about this matter, Usmu. If the Apkallu walk among us, then there must be five others we have not yet seen. As risky as it may seem, I would like to test this theory. Perhaps if we put our new servants in considerably greater danger, the others will show up. Remember, old friend, the Apkallu were more receptive to reason when they were a group."
"But if they are imposters…"
"Would you rather a threat to our plans be spread out, or converged into a single place?"
"My lord's wisdom exceeds my own, as always. It shall be done. Does my lord have any recommendations for this danger?"
"No, I leave this matter to your discretion. Wait— I do have an idea. Once we depended on a powerful ally in an attempt to thwart a previous threat. Perhaps it is time our friend returns to us, and provides us with its services again."
"My lord is referring to the Bull of Heaven."
"Do you have any objections, Usmu?"
"No, my lord, it is a good choice."
"Then make it so. Either way, this confounding riddle will be solved. So."
Once Usmu had left his presence, Anu took a moment of silence to stare at the world before him— a world that had once belonged to him and his kin. And soon, after countless ages of inactivity, it would come into their possession again, this time for all of eternity.
"Sailors of the heavens…acolytes of Nanna and Ninurta… How nostalgic."