22: "New harsh road"
Hayate gave Usagi a welcome smile and a knowing look in her eyes that warned her all was not as it seemed in the Shibuya police department. All of the seats surrounding her were filled up, meaning the new friends wouldn't be able to chat, so Usagi had to take what she could, filing in between Asagiri (who was boring a hole into the wall with his stare) and a male officer she wasn't well-acquainted with. Not that there would be any time to chat, of course: Chief Hari had called this general meeting of her officers so that they could all make sense of what had been happening lately. No doubt she would not tolerate any distractions.
She came in soon, without announcement, silently tallying the number of empty seats. After announcing she'd wait five more minutes, Hari sat down at the front of the room and skimmed over her notes. Usagi stole a glance at Hayate during this lull, grimacing and pointing to herself.
Is this about ME, she motioned. Hayate frowned.
Sure seems that way. The appearance of Sailor Moon and the Senshi (or the return, depending on one's point of view) was certainly a hot topic in Shibuya, perhaps nowhere more so than its police precincts. Hari, the other chiefs, and even the commissioner all viewed them as vigilantes, potentially dangerous, unruly, even borderline criminal. The fact that nobody could explain their powers, or their adversaries, made the situation even more embarrassing and frustrating. In that regard, this meeting made a whole lot of sense.
Finally, the remaining officers made it inside, and Hari began her lecture: "Very good, I see you've all made it here. If you're still unclear as to the purpose of this meeting, I would like to quickly go over a few details regarding the rather extraordinary phenomena that's been going on for the past two months or so. I trust no one needs me to be specific about those details."
Hayate and Usagi both shriveled, blushing. Thankfully Chief Hari didn't notice.
The lights dimmed and a large projection flashed on the blank wall behind the chief; it was a compilation of all the recent photos of Sailor Moon, but only one or two were of any quality. "The individual displayed before you, whom I've called Exhibit A, appeared shortly after the outbreak of biological anomalies roughly two months ago. Over the course of the next few weeks, there have been reports of Exhibit A fighting said anomalies, whose forms, purposes, and habits I'll discuss later. From what we've managed to gather, Exhibit A demonstrates enormous physical capacities, equal to or greater than many world-class athletes. She was able to elude one of our helicopters, can scale buildings faster than an elevator, has the ability to fight off multitudes of creatures whom our best are scarcely a match for, and has been responsible for or connected to the destruction of some of the more powerful anomalies. Exhibit A contains an enormous amount of otherworldly power, and is able to channel it at will, both for destructive and recovery purposes. I'm aware that some of you might wish to draw comparisons between Exhibit A and the animated character known as Sailor Moon, but the similarities are coincidence at best."
"I dunno, chief," Asagiri murmured. "As cynical as I'd like to be right now, it's the only possible explanation."
"Soji," she sighed, "you of all people should be able to separate fantasy from reality."
"But there's not really any other viable explanation. Look, all I'm saying is that she's either a super-powered vigilante who fights these, uh, biological anomalies, or else she's just Sailor Moon."
"No such thing," Hari emphasized. Asagiri frowned, crossing his arms.
"Then kindly explain where she gets all that power, and what these monsters are."
"This is a meeting to assess what we've already gathered, not to espouse philosophy. Now, moving on: Exhibit A has also been seen in the company of a small number of other vigilantes with similar powers and abilities. I give you Exhibits B, C, D, and E." The screen switched to images of Sailors Mars, Venus, Mercury, and even Sailor Pluto, who had only returned to active duty yesterday. Usagi sat up, wondering just how all those pictures had been taken, and what this might entail for her friends. During their younger days, the Senshi had easily been able to avoid police detection, largely thanks to Ami and Minako's separate arrays of devices. Technology had caught up to the Senshi, though, and from this moment on, it would be more and more difficult to escape notice.
"Although their respective arsenals differ from Exhibit A's, these five individuals all seem relatively similar. They each wear sailor-type clothes, which might have contributed to the notion that they are Sailor Senshi, and all have skirts, thigh-high boots, long gloves, tiaras, brooches, earrings, et cetera. Their physical capabilities are similar to Exhibit A's, but their extraordinary abilities differ considerably. Exhibit B, for example, can seemingly manipulate and conjure fire at will, while Exhibit C makes use of pure energy with properties identical to light, and Exhibit D can control water and ice. Exhibit E's powers are unknown, but they have been described as horrific and very destructive. Direct encounters with any of these people are to be highly discouraged.
"Pardon me, chief," Hayashida said. "I would like to bring up a prior report of mine in regard to what you just said."
"Very well. For those of you who don't know, officer Hayashida made contact with two of the perpetrators a few weeks earlier. She stated in her report that they demonstrated no aggressive action towards her, or any number of officers and civilians; indeed, all they seemed concerned with was ridding the city of the anomalies I mentioned. This is all well and good, officer, but you're still very inexperienced, and I'm afraid your voice doesn't carry much credibility."
"Are you suggesting I made it all up?"
"I'm merely saying that one testimonial does not an account make."
"But didn't Lieutenant Toha also give a report regarding an encounter?"
"Yes, but he later redacted that report due to issues concerning his physical and mental well-being at the time." Hayate shot Usagi a glance, as if to say, "Sorry, I tried". The other officer Usagi was sitting next to raised his hand, saying:
"Chief Utnapishtim, you keep mentioning anomalies. Would you kindly expand on this?"
"Would if I could, but due to their varied appearances, abilities, and general lack of information, a full report is impossible at this moment. I can, however, go over a brief time frame, if that would be all right. The first sighting was roughly two months ago, shortly after officer Tsukino apprehended a bank robber. The creature acted alone, but its successors increased in number. It should be noted that the entity known as Exhibit A arrived not long after the second appearance of these creatures, and her appearances coincided with the majority of successive attacks. While these anomalies have mainly shown up in large numbers, recent sightings have been singular, though ultimately more destructive in nature. For our records, we have identified these singularly powerful entities as Foes One through Five."
Indistinct pictures and renderings of the giant bull, Nasu, Kur, Jahi, and Anzu flashed next, with Hari briefly describing each. Their information on the major enemies Usagi and her friends had defeated was so sparse that Usagi was nearly tempted to pipe up and fill in the holes. She stopped herself short and sat in silence; meanwhile the lights came back on and Hari wrapped the meeting up.
"That about sums it up. Nobody rightly knows what's happening, and I don't know how all of this is being explained, either. Whatever theories or ideas you have, you may need to keep them to yourself. For the time being, do your jobs as best you can, and if anything suspicious happens, keep a sharp eye and call for backup."
"So are we arresting the Senshi on sight?" Asagiri said. Hari glared at him; he rolled his eyes. "I mean, the vigilantes."
"Not as of yet; they've been deemed too dangerous. But rest assured, actions are being taken to catch them. All I'm asking of you is to keep the streets safe. Dismissed." Asagiri didn't look too pleased as he filed in with the rest of the officers; Hayashida pulled him aside, impressed by his actions.
"Wow, Asagiri, I never thought I'd hear you talk to the chief like that! And I never thought you'd take the Senshi's side!"
"You mean the vigilantes," he smirked. Hayate chuckled.
"Right, oops. So what gives? Are Usagi and I no longer the only Sailor fans here?"
"So it's 'Usagi' now? Since when did you two get so close? Tch, never mind; I just like to keep things interesting and chaotic for the chief. Besides, when you get right down to it, it's really the only logical explanation."
"Yeah, too bad Hari doesn't see it that way. So, Asagiri, who's your favorite Senshi?"
"Don't have one. I have too much work piled up to chatter. Later." He ambled away, leaving Hayate to pout. Usagi smiled gently as she joined her friend.
"Just when you think you know someone, huh?"
"Yeah, really! So what's your take on all this? I mean, it's pretty ironic that you're in the center of the place that's trying to hunt you down. And let's face it: there are a lot of people in here that're smarter than me. Somewhere along the line, somebody's going to figure out who you are, and they may not be as open about it as I am!"
"I dunno," Usagi grinned. "We did just learn of a closet Sailor Senshi fan. There might be more here than we thought."
"All the same, be careful."
"I will," she said, patting Hayate's shoulder. "I've got good friends backing me up."
…
Mizuno laid awake for several minutes, alone with her thoughts: half of them consisting of utter happiness and fulfillment, the other on regret and sickening remorse—all stemmed from the same circumstance. A hand's breadth away, Minako still slept, blissfully oblivious to the dilemma faced by the woman beside her. The warmth, the fragrance, the taste, the sights and sounds of Minako's love and lovemaking still lingered as Mizuno laid motionless, her mind experiencing rare stillness. The Senshi once renowned for her steadfast reason and cool appraisal now found herself unable to come to terms with something that should have been so simple, something she once believed to have understood. Finding no answers in the quiet of early morning, she rose, and drifted into her bathroom.
Water. Mizuno. Bareness. Herself. Under the spray. Millions of little droplets touching, caressing, striking down hard firm. Eyes shut, a hundred innocent tears one for every night spent alone wondering. Cold. Shivering. Without her. Hot. Scalding. Boiling emotions. Hate. Envy. Regret. Spite. Desperation. Tepid. Time to peel the veneer. Spin, soap. Everywhere. Mercury blinded by bubbles. Patience under the gushing torrent. Clean it. All. Away. Slough it. Death to the past. It goes spiraling down to the no world away lost forever or so she must think. She watches it. Firm pink now, renewal, old carapace gone. Idly the hair, fingers combing, scratch. The blue seems longer, endless thickets of sky, ice, water. Water. Mizuno. Bareness. Herself.
Showering felt good; it gave her time to think, rearrange everything, put some order into this new chaos. Minako had come back to her after all these years, and no amount of time spent yearning for others or devoting to any soul could extinguish the love that was still burning, brighter and hotter and irresistible, irrepressible. She could no longer deny it; she could no longer wish to deny it. Ami Mizuno was in love with Minako Aino, as she always had been and always would be. And nobody else would do.
So she returned to what she knew to be true, but in the end, she couldn't escape the fact that she had cheated on her girlfriend. Ami had went and loved her true love, all in secret, away from the knowledge of her current love interest. By admitting to herself the most profound truth, she had perpetrated a great lie, and by sewing this falsehood she would in time reap its pain. Nastya would find out one way or another, and a new harsh road must be opened in the wake of it. But better sooner than late, and better by her own mouth.
All that remained of Minako was a letter placed where she had slept. Ami took it but decided it must not be read until she had prepared herself and rid herself of the razor hanging precariously over her head. Girding herself, she went to her phone and pushed in Nastya's number. But of course she was not there to answer.
"It's me," she announced, smiling thinly. She could not express herself honestly in any language Nastya would understand, so she kept herself native and simple. "Would you be available sometime soon to talk? Maybe go for a walk, or have a quiet picnic somewhere? I…I'm thinking about taking a few days off. Call me if you're free, okay? Bye.
"The best-laid plans," she muttered to herself, putting the phone down. She was nearly out the door, off on some errand she had been putting off all these days, when she took her phone back out and made a impulsive call. "Ah, hello, I didn't expect you to pick up. …Well, you've just been so busy. …Yes, I am one to talk, aren't I? Anyway, this may seem…silly…of me to ask, but could we meet for lunch today? I, ah…have the whole day off. I've been thinking about seeing a good friend, and…well…"
The door soon shut on an empty apartment.
…
"Sheesh!" Makoto exclaimed, reeling from it all. "You could plot a cheesy daytime drama around all that!"
"Or a trashy talk show," Minako added. She scrubbed harder, determined to scour every last dirty parcel from the grater. Her fingers were wrinkled and weary, arms burning from long hours of work. No doubt her former manager would faint if he saw his prized talent slaving away like this. Makoto still managed to smile, but only in awe.
"But it's you all over. You're true to yourself no matter what."
"Come on, you're not even going to try and rebuke me? I thought we were friends. We're supposed to hold each other accountable when it comes to our love-lives!"
"Hey, you don't see a gavel here, do you? I'd be the pot calling the kettle black if I started doing that."
"Ohmygosh, did I miss a spot?" She scrubbed furiously; Makoto chuckled and stopped her.
"You never were very good with maxims, were you? I'm just saying I'm the last person that should judge you—and besides, you're doing a good enough job of it yourself. Minako's matured some."
"You watch your language, missy." Makoto smiled, plunging her hands in the liquid, brooding as they remained submerged. A new thought had occurred.
"But what will Setsuna think when she finds out?"
"Maybe I won't tell her."
"Mina, this is coming from experience, sweetheart. Lovers always find these things out, and Setsuna's much smarter than your average person. Hell, I'm surprised she didn't see this coming. You know, because of…"
"Well," Minako sighed, "if she did, she sure didn't seem bothered by it. I dunno, Mako… I kind of get the feeling that she wants me to get back together with Ami. I mean, we make a good couple and all, but I'm always under the impression that she'd rather see me with someone else. That's coming from my experience, by the way. I've seen plenty of guys with that look—heck, I've probably sported it myself."
"So you think she'd be fine with it?"
"Maybe not. But she might understand. Setsu's…open like that. Almost like she's fatalistic. Anyway, that's the last one." She proudly handed Makoto a dripping teacup, which her friend took warmly.
"You work fast, Miss Aino. Don't tell me you're eager to leave and get back to your honey."
"Which one?" she scoffed, drying her arms. "But you're right, Setsu needs to know. Or she at least needs to hear me say it. I'll fill you in on all the gory details later."
"Hey, don't leave yet!"
Minako was absolutely forbidden to leave her best friend without a hug.
Wishing her friend good luck and returning to her duties, Makoto turned a radio on and set it to a station that played local Japanese metal bands. She did a quick sweep of the restaurant, smiling at Motoki's handiwork, double-checking the register and nabbing inventory folders on her way out. She called to her husband, who had been tidying up here and there, humming and banging her head in time with the music.
"Toki'? Your turn to choose dinner, honey! Maybe we can call Usagi and have her take the kids somewhere; I'm feeling kind of romantic tonight! Hey, why don't we get out the good candles and wear something a little more festive? There's this awesome new dress I've been saving for a special occa—"
Peeking into the back room, Makoto froze as she saw a puddle of blood on the floor. Her bones froze rigidly as she trailed from the blood to a pair of coal-black legs planted on the floor, crimson teardrops drip-dripping slowly as her vision pieced together something entirely monstrous. The lights in the room flickered and went off as two pairs of eyes stared at her: one pair familiar, shuddering in horror and pain; the other entirely alien, steely and utterly evil. Icy knives penetrated her flesh as the horror dug its sickly nails further into her husband's body.
"Mako…run. Get the kids…to…safet—"
Overwhelming agony silenced him. The nightmare made no movement, no flicker of glee or rage, no motion or sound, save the hatred burning in its eyes. The woman broke from her paralysis, barreling into danger, grasping a talisman that had been forsaken ten years. She was struck down immediately, the force so great it felt like a car had smashed her. A second blow made sure she would not get up for a very long time.
"I will not kill him yet," the monster said, its voice soft and calm. "I merely wanted you to witness a fraction of my power. I have the ability to give your most beloved pain unendurable. I can assure you of your utter helplessness in the face of this power. Through my powers and the channels that feed into those powers, I have learned who you are, where you live, whom you love, and where I might find them. I have also learned to what extent I may torture them, so that you fully understand what I am capable of. But even then, I wonder."
Makoto's world was undone as she was forced to listen to her husband wailing. It was as if the abomination was tearing his bones out. She could barely muster the strength needed to shout, stop it.
"Well, at least I am assured. You can now comprehend my strength. You must also understand that I take as much bliss in his agony, and the agony of those you love, as you do, when they are their most pleased. For every shred of happiness you have acquired from your loved ones, I will equate with pain. Pain. Pain. Pain. Pain. Pain. Pain. Pain. Pain. Pain. Pain. Pain. Pain…" With every word slowly the horror squeezed another drop out of Motoki, the fluid dripping onto the floor like a metronome, keeping perfect time with his words. Pain. Pain. Pain. Pain.
"Damn you!" she growled, crawling across the floor, grasping for the monster's legs. "What the hell do you want?"
"I want you to come see me, Mrs. Kino. I have come specifically for you because you appear to be the only one who has not…shall we say…accepted the invitations. I want you to come to me so that we may speak. You will be an example to all your friends, Mrs. Kino. I will take your husband and your children—"
"DON'T YOU DARE LAY A FINGER ON MY CHILDREN YOU SICK F—"
A final sharp kick and Makoto no longer had anything to say.
"I will take your husband and children, and you will follow me when I tell you to. You will come alone. Alert your friends and I will rend their limbs from their bodies. Alert the Asha and I will peel their skin from their flesh. Alert the Apkallu and I will feed them to wolves while they yet breathe. Alert anyone, and they will be granted endless torture for the remainder of their long lives."
The creature knelt down, Motoki still in its grip, whispering very slowly to Makoto:
"Do not test me on this. Are we understood?"
All she could do was wail.
"That is acceptable. We must part now, you and I, but don't be sad. We shall soon meet again, Mrs. Kino. It shall be a family reunion of jubilation. Remember: I shall call for you and you shall answer. You will know it is I when Gandarewa speaks. Until then, Mrs. Kino, do not forget what you have witnessed. We shall all be crestfallen if you have forgotten what I can do."
She was left alone in the darkness before she could open her eyes. The blinding anguish of her injuries was nothing compared to the thousand tortures of what she had seen, and the promises of more in the future. She dared not leave her husband and children to their fate but dared not summon help, lest his grisly promises come true. The only thing Makoto could do was slowly get up, wait for herself to be healed, and anticipate the summons. Scalding tears of rage trickled down as she mourned her inestimable weakness.
To be continued…