Chapter 9

The figure of a man, sat upon a dark throne, black mist and fog slowly moving across the floor. His was head, propped upon a closed fist, his elbow resting on the arm, and clad in an ebony armor that had a slight glimmer to it. His hair was long and black, and piercing red eyes that began to glow. Upon his waist, there was a black jewel in the shape of a dragon head, eyes ruby red, which began to resonate, glowing with a flickering light, on and off.

"Hm? How strange, my jewel seems to be reacting to something…calling out to another source somewhere." His head slowly moved off his hand. The creature he had sent out to collect life force and energy had not returned yet. "Very intriguing indeed. This jewel should only react to the other guardian jewels. But I killed three of them and the other sacrificed his life as tribute putting me away in this dreary realm." His voice was low with a sort of mundane tone.

"My lord!" A shrieking raspy voice called out from the darkness. A skeletal creature in black feudal era like armor came running up then kneeled before the throne. "The creature we sent out has been destroyed, along with some of our shadow warriors. They were after a boy that fought them off, and then this black haired girl showed up to fight, and then more of these girls showed up in what I can only explain as different colored sailor costumes, almost like a school girl." It explained with worry in its tone.

"Sailor…?" Zeo questioned, quirking a brow. "The Sailor Guardians…they are alive still? That must mean that Metalia's plan failed in the past." A deep inhale was taken as he stood up. He looked to the glowing jewel once more. For thousands of years it had remained dormant ever since being put away, locked into this realm. The only time the jewel reacted like this was if there was presence of one or more of the other four jewels or guardians. Was a new guardian somehow chosen? But that would only be possible if the gods were around still. Yet, his now Black Dragon Jewel sensed the existence of another guardian. "Interesting." He placed his index finger and thumb to his chin.

"My lord? What is interesting?" The creature looked up with a confused tone, black energy surrounding its body.

"It seems we may have someone who wants to play guardian. But the question is, which god's jewel are they using. And how did they get a hold of one with the previous users wiped from existence?" It perplexed him, and even angered him to an extent. Someone dared to awaken a guardian's power? Could those Sailor Guardians have something to do with it as well? Black lightning surged around his body as he pondered these thoughts. "I suppose we will just have to draw this imposter out of hiding." He glared at the servant before him then snapped his fingers, sending a bolt of black lightning that disintegrated the creature on the spot. "I will get to the bottom of this, and they will suffer for trying to trespass in the realm of the gods. Only one can stand in that world." He quickly turned then sat back down to collect his thoughts. He had to send a creature with more shadow warriors to collect energy, and find this 'guardian'.

"Uuuuuggghhhh…why is it so early?" Usagi sleepily questioned as she sat at her desk with her head upon her arms.

"Its not that early, its called being on time for once." Makoto teasted. "That's right, you stayed with Mamoru last night. So THAT'S why you're here earlier than usual." She snapped her fingers.

Ami let out a light chuckle. "Yes, it is rare to see her here now. Which leaves it to only poor Minako possibly showing up late now on her own." Ami and Makoto both giggled.

"Hey, what about Katsuro? Think he'll be on time? Or show up late?"
"Hard to say or gauge that right now. Day one he was late, day two he wasn't here because of all that went down. I suppose today will be the deciding factor for that." Ami explained.

"Oh yeah, he was still at Rei's when Usagi and I left. It looked like they were still talking."

"Oh? So he didn't leave when you two did?" The blue haired girl asked with intrigue.

"I bet he was wanting Rei alone so he could put the moves on her." Usagi perked up at the chance to joke on Rei.

"Well, after that vision, I guess they would have a good bit to talk about." Makoto placed her index finger to her lips in thought.

"MADE IT!" And there was the other blonde, rushing into the class room at full speed.

"Minako? Wow, both of you on time in one day? Yep, world is about to end." Makoto stated.

"Class is about to start, wonder where Katsuro is?" Ami asked.

"Pr…esent…" A sluggish and sleepy tone sounded off from the back corner of the room with a jacket pulled over the body. He slowly looked up, pulling the fabric back from his face with bags under his eyes.

"You've been here the whole time?!" Usagi exclaimed.

"I sorta couldn't sleep…at all. And decided to do some, work and studying…yeah…I'll call it that." He yawned. In reality though, Katsuro had gone out late at night to practice transforming and catchphrases, then doing different poses to see what sounded and looked the 'coolest'.

"Studying is good and all, but you should have a balance of rest and healthy habits with that." Ami explained to him.

The bell rang as everyone took their seats and Katsuro, begrudgingly sat up in his seat to appear attentive at least, even if he was zoned out.

Lunch break finally came, the four girls headed out to the courtyard where they usually sat out to eat. "Hey! I wonder what all Rei and Katsuro did talk about last night!" Usagi seemed excited, she was definitely wanting to have a group interrogation and find all the details out.

"I mean, Rei hasn't said anything all day to any of us. I'd suspect if it was anything of importance she would let us know right?" Ami questioned as she began to open her lunch and eat.

"It depends on the kind of importance. You know how Rei is. She keeps things like that to herself, well, until we find out somehow." Makoto explained to them. "There's still a lot that she likes to just keep private about."

Minako shot an evil and mischievous look to Usagi. "Which is why we shall bring the suspect in for questioning and interrogation! We'll make him spill ALL the details from last night!" Minako yelled out, making a fist to the sky.

"Oh boy…there goes a peaceful lunch." Ami sighed.

"Yes! Thank you Minako! I know I can always count on you to be my partner in crime!" Usagi also made a fist to the sky.

"Ugh, why is everyone so full of energy?" Katsuro asked walking up on the scene before him, yawning with a stretch.

"There's our perp! NAB HIM NOW!" Minako exclaimed as the two blondes ran up on each side, grabbing his arms and dragging him to a bench to sit him down. They then grabbed their phones to turn their flashlights on, pointing it down on him as they stood one in front, and one in back.

"Here we go…" Makoto sighed, shrugging with her arms out to the side.

"Never a dull moment with those two on the case." Ami just continued to eat contently, paying no attention to the theatrics taking place.

"So! Katsuro Takahashi! IF that is your real name! Where were you on the evening of Thursday, last night?!" Usagi asked, her phones flashlight right above his forehead.

"What? I was with you guys! You were THERE. What's this all about anyways? Ami? Makoto? Is this normal?" He asked.

"Quiet! We're asking the questions here!" Minako exclaimed. "Now, you were last to live the Hino residence, WERE YOU NOT?!" She pointed her index finger into his face almost touching his nose.

"Uh…yes? I left after Usagi and Makoto last night. Why?" He was so confused on what was going on. It was like watching crappy cop and worse cop. Except instead of passing academy, the officers were given some macaroni art certificate that now hung on their refrigerators.

"I see, I see. And how long after they left did you stay?" Usagi asked, leaning over his shoulder from behind.

'The hell are they trying to get at? I'm so lost. I just wanted to nap on my lunch break.' He thought to himself, sighing. "I stayed a few more minutes to talk to Rei. She uh, wanted to make sure I was ok. She did ask me about what I was about to try saying or asking the night before when I passed out and-" 'Oh crap, I just realized why I'm being interrogated. And it's too late to turn back now, I've said way to much. Damn my sleep deprivation.' He thought to himself.

"AAAANNNNNND!?" Both blondes exclaimed at the same time. "What DID you try to say before blacking out? Where did the conversation go from there? Spill!" Minako demanded.

"They're really getting into this aren't they?" Ami asked, sipping tea from her thermos.

"Like always, they live for the eccentric theatrical antics. Guess it's better he gets broke in now and used to it." Makoto continued to eat as well.

"Oh, I uh. Well, you see…what had happened was…I."

"Quit your stalling, out with it! What business did you have with our victim?!" Usagi yelled.

"Hey, there's not actually a victim." Minako spoke to her, leaning in close.

"Oh, right, sorry. I got caught in the moment." She laughed nervously.

"Ok, fine! If it'll put an end to this insanity." He took in a deep breath and exhaled. "I wanted to talk to her some about everything we saw, and what I was wanting to do the night before was…ask her out on a date…" He trailed off quietly, looking away.

"Wait, what was that?!" Minako exclaimed. Even Ami and Makoto now turned their attention to him.

"Wait, you asked Rei out last night?!" Makoto asked.

"Y-Yes. I was going to before all of that happened the previous night. Then after seeing all of that…I want to get to know her more." He turned a light red in the cheeks with the four looking at him.

"That's probably why he's so tired, I bet Rei shut him down hard." Usagi stepped to the side and told Makoto.

"Yeah, she really isn't the dating type." Makoto made a nervous laugh.

"Um, guys? We…actually have a date Saturday…" Katsuro chimed in.

"WHAT?!" All four of them were actually caught by surprise. Ami spewed some of her tea out in shock.

"With…Rei, right? The girl with dark black hair that is also Sailor Mars? That Rei?" Usagi began to say.

"Yeah…I mean, we had to talk a while first, and it took a LOT of convincing. But she said she would give it a chance. And I already told you why I'm so tired! I stayed up practicing transforming and-I mean uh…studying last night!" He was so tired at this point, he was just blurting things out now.

"You were out transforming? Trying out your powers?" Makoto asked.

Well, the cat was out of the bag now. "Yes…I wanted to see what pose and catchphrase sounded the most badass and awesome…" He sighed.

"Boys…" Minako sighed.

The bell rang to end lunch break finally. "Wait! I didn't even get to eat my luuuuunch!" Usagi whined, tearing up slightly.
"Me either! We were so focused on finding out what happened last night! Mako!? Ami?!" Minako asked.

"We finished ours somewhere right in the middle of all that. Makoto shrugged.

"I didn't get to nap either…fucking shit biscuits…" Katsuro let out an exasperated sigh, slowly standing up to his feet. "At least the day is almost over…" With that, he began to head on back inside himself. Then the others began to go in as well.

As everyone got into their next classes, an announcement came over the intercom. "All rooms are to turn on the news now. There is an attack downtown, students are to not leave their rooms!" Just then the teacher flipped on the tv and a monster, with the shadow warriors were causing havoc in the streets.

The creature was humanoid but with a car like body. The torso had the front end of a car on it, the arms and legs had wheels on the knees and elbows and the rest of the body armored. It began to zap pedestrians, draining energy from them as the minions attacked others that were fleeing.

As the principle mentioned not leaving their rooms, Katsuro had somehow snuck out at the mention of monster attack without being seen by anyone through the back window. 'Thank you protag seat!' He did a complete 180, and now seemed pumped and full of energy 'Time to test what this thing is about!' He took off running. 'I hope the others don't get mad! Besides, this is my big debut. Time to show them what I've got. I want Zeo to know its me, that I'm back. And I won't let him hurt the people I care about ever again.' He continued running, scaling the school walls then landed on the other side.

"Wait, where's Katsuro!?" Minako began looking around. He wasn't in his seat.

"Maybe he wasn't feeling good and had to get to the nurse? He was just really sick yesterday. And he's been exhausted pretty badly all day" Makoto stated.

"I didn't even hear or see him get up." Ami stated.

"We have to try and find a way to get out ourselves and get that monster. Or people are going to be suffering." Usagi stated, gazing at the television. Wait, the monster was sent by Zeo. "Guys…you don't think he…?" Usagi made a gasp, now filled with worry. He was still new at all of this and hadn't even had a real battle yet.

Thankfully, the commotion wasn't far from the school. Katsuro stood hiding around the corner from the attack. "Alright jewel, let's see what you've got." He then held it in his right hand across his chest facing outward. "Oh man. This is my big debut then! Right. Lets make it flashy! Power of the Phoenix! Suzaku!" He called out as he held the jewel out. A large phoenix shaped portal of energy appeared in front of him with wings spread. He ran directly into it, coming out of the other side glowing, and with a flash of fire, he was now wearing a crimson red armor with a phoenix head on the chest plate and shoulder pads with sapphire eyes. The helmet was like a phoenix head with blue eyes on the helmet as well and the beak pointing outward just over his forehead. He then turned the corner and ran towards the attack. "Stop right there!" He called out.

"Look, on the tv!" Makoto pointed, seeing the crimson armored knight round the corner into camera view. "Its Katsuro…" She whispered to the other three.

"This isn't good. He's all by himself, what's he thinking?" Minako questioned under her breath. The four looked on with worry, trying to figure a way to sneak out to go help him.

"Who the hell are you?!" The creature yelled on the screen as everyone in the class watched and listened closely to see if there was some new hero in town.

"Who am I you ask?!" His fists clenched. "That's…actually a very good valid question honestly." He laughed nervously. 'Who…am I? I mean, my hero persona. I haven't even decided on a cool catchphrase from last night yet. Ok improv classes, time to be put to use.'

"I'll tell you who I am!" Then, just like the fighting in his dream, something just came to his mind as if by memory. Without even thinking about it, he began talking. "I am the warrior who fights for justice! I fight for all those who cry out for peace! I am the warrior chosen by Suzaku! Rising from the ashes! I am Phoenix Knight! Now burn in the chaos of your sins." He pointed to the creature.

"Phoenix Knight? Warrior chosen by Suzaku? No…it can't be! You're all supposed to be dead! The master killed you all thousands of years ago…" The creature growled with anger and surprise. Lord Zeo had sent him with shadow warriors to try and draw out whatever was causing his jewel to react. But never, NEVER in a million years or more, would anyone have guessed it would be one of the original guardians!

"Well, it's me alright. And I'm here to put an end to this." He cracked his neck to both sides, forming his sword in hand. "Alright! Lets get shakin!" He then held his sword out, charging into the group of minions, slashing them down one by one.

"Alright, what attacks do I even have in my arsenal?" He asked himself as he continued to fight. Come on memories, show me something useful. Yipe!" He exclaimed, ducking from the slash of a sword by the minions. There was a flash in his eyes for a split second. "Flame Saber!" He called out, slashing his sword to send one large flame energy sickle down, burning five of the shadow warriors into a black mist. "Ok…that works." He then looked to the car monster. "Guess its time to…burn rubber." He winked after telling the pun.

"Minako…he's worse than you almost." Makoto smacked her forehead with her palm.

"He seems to be doing alright so far holding his own. I sent a message to Rei incase she can get there to give him some back up." Ami stated.

He finally got rid of all the minions and began to take on the main monster. The monster took a swing at him, hitting him in the face with the tire on it's elbow, then began to spin it quickly, smoke rising from the rubber. The spin on the tire increased the impact, sending Katsuro flying back into a light pole, denting it in. The creature transformed into a car then rushed at him. Smashing him through the pole, he was stuck on the hood as the creature took to the street, speeding up then braking hard to send him skidding across the pavement.

"UGH! ARGH! GAAAAAAAAH!" He exclaimed then went tumbling and skidding on the street. "Ugh…talk about bad road rash…" He struggled to slowly try sitting up, but when he looked up he saw a figure standing above him. A red skirt flowing in the wind. "M-Mars?!" He exclaimed as she looked down to him.

"Someone told me you were wreckless enough to charge in by yourself. So I figured I'd come lend a hand…" She was stern and serious at that statement, then gave a small friendly smile as she extended her hand to him.

"Hah…yeah, I guess I got ahead of myself some. I wanted to make a big statement and flashy first appearance." He laughed nervously. "I let my guard down there for a second and got the smackdown laid on me." He grasped her hand, standing up with her help.

"Some advice for the future, always make sure you have backup. And never go alone without anyone knowing. The others were kinda worried when they saw you snuck off." She warned.

"Yeah…I'm sorry. Thank you though. So, you're the experienced one here. Take the lead and I'll follow?" He asked with a smile.

"Sure, you got it. But don't let me leave you behind alright?" She gave a slight teasing wink.

"Two guardians? No, you're one of those moon kingdom survivors I heard about. The energy I steal from you two will greatly please Lord Zeo. The creature turned humanoid again, forming tires with wheels on its arms. It then began to sling it's arms, launching multiple wheels flying at them as it continued swinging.

"I'll give you some cover fire if you can manage to give the finishing blow!" Katsuro exclaimed running forward. "Flame Saber…Barrage!" He called out, slashing his sword to send multiple sickles of flame energy. They began to collide with the flying wheels, disintegrating them on impact, countering each one thrown. "You're turn!" He called back to Mars as he kneeled down for her to use him as a steppingstone to jump off of.

Sailor Mars ran up, jumping to his shoulder then launching herself into the air a bit higher from him. "Mars! Flame! SNIIIIIPER!" She charged up her attack, the arrow blazing full of energy as it rushed towards the creature, piercing it through the chest. It continued trying to resist as it pushed more and more.

"One more then. Flame Saber!" He swung his sword, sending one large sickle of fire energy that struck the back of the arrow, pushing it through the creature, then his attack blazed through as well.

"AAARRRGGGH! LORD ZEO!" The creature called out as the flames burned all traces of it away.

"Alright, awesome! Talk about serious…fire…power." He winked to Mars.

"Oh my god, that was terrible." She placed her hand to her forehead then sighed. She then gave a light chuckle. "But yes, that was good work there." She admitted to him. Her eyes then went wide as she witnessed a black portal opening behind him. "KA-PHOENIX KNIGHT! LOOK OUT!" She almost said his name. She wasn't used to the Phoenix Knight thing yet.

"Huh? What is…?" His jewel began to flash and resonate, reacting to what was behind him. His eyes widened in terror and shock as he turned around to see glowing red eyes glaring, piercing through him almost. Memories flashed in his mind, it was him. Before he could do anything a large black lightning energy dragon raced at him, smashing him into the side of a building.

"Impossible! You!" The voice was angered, growling with venom and rage. "Phoenix Knight…how…how are you alive?" He was readying another attack before the portal began to close, then completely disappear. 'Damnit…I'm unable to sustain myself back in the world yet. I need more energy. What I've collected I wasted on him. But it was him. Not someone new or an imposter…how?' He thought to himself as he smashed a minion next to him. "No matter. This only makes the game interesting from here…" With a dark chuckle, he began to walk back to his throne in the dark realm.

The girls watched in horror from the classroom at what had just happened. "Oh no…is he alright?" Usagi asked worriedly.

"It's ok, Rei's with him. I'm sure everything will be alright." Makoto reassured her.

They were far enough from news crew and people; Rei quickly ran over to the ruble where he now lay. "Katsuro. Are you ok?" She whispered, kneeling next to him, then saw his sword being gripped by his hand and laying across his body.

"Ugh…yeah…" He struggled then coughed. "I managed to get my sword up in time to block, but it still smacked the damn wind out of me…thankfully this soft building broke by fall." He let out a chuckle then coughed more.

"Come on, let's get you out of here." She helped him back up again. She could see the news cameras focused on them, approaching to try and talk to them. "Great, reporters and press." Mars scoffed.

"I got it, be ready to make a break for it." He struggled to stand on his own. He threw a small ball of fire to the ground to cause debris and smoke to form. With that, they made their swift escape.