Luna walked around the command center console. A young princess with a secret treasure was coming to Juban. It seemed almost too perfect to be real. She would have to ask Jadeite about it. Surely it would be acceptable to confirm someone was not the Moon Princess or something was not the Legendary Silver Crystal. Still, even if it did end up not being connected, they might want to attend anyway. This seemed far too tempting for the Dark Kingdom to pass up.
*Sailor-Moon*
Luna was right. Nephrite was at that very moment planning his assault on the Gala. He looked up from his plans when Zoisite stumbled into his room.
"Zoisite, what's wrong?" Nephrite sneered, no real concern in his voice.
The young man grimaced. "Nothing. Jadeite leaving has hurt me worse than expected. I was going to ask if you had any operations planned in Juban, so we don't cross wires is all."
Nephrite sighed. "I appreciate the consideration. Yes, I have a lead in Juban at the Embassy of the Kingdom of D. A big Gala will take place there soon."
Zoisite nodded. "Then the Sailor Guardians are bound to be drawn there too. I'll see if I can draw them out while you deal with the Embassy."
"Very well. But do not get in my way. Though in your current state, I wouldn't need to worry about you trying to stab me in the back."
Nephrite turned away from Zoisite, clearly dismissing him. He heard the other man leave at a limp. He winced as his own body ached. Surely this would pass. It would for sure if Zoisite was successful in bringing Jadeite back to the fold.
*Sailor-Moon*
Hiroshi looked around the corner for the third time at his little sister who was chatting with some female friends as they waited for the bell. It was strange seeing Ashai in the same uniform as Usagi.
"Are you sure this is a good idea?" Hiroshi asked his blonde companion. "Maybe I could send a letter first."
"You don't know their address." Usagi reminded him. "And neither do I. Now come on, get ready. I'm going to start the conversation."
Usagi walked away and Hiroshi sighed and steadied himself. He reminded himself that he was a Knight and not a terrified high school student. At least, most of the time.
Usagi approached his sister and called. "Hey, Asahi! I got a question for you."
The girl turned. "Oh, Usagi. Oh, sure. What's up?" The girl did not sound thrilled to speak to Usagi. Jadeite had conflicting emotions. The Knight wanted to demand his blood speak more politely to their future queen. The other wondered why his sister sounded so cold in the first place.
"So, I was at the bus stop today and met this young man. He was lost and asking for directions. He introduced himself as Takara Hiroshi. I told him I knew a Takara in my class and then he asked if I meant Takara Asahi."
That changed the look on his sister's face, and she grabbed Usagi's shoulder. "Where is here, where did you leave him?"
"He's hiding around the corner, he was unsure what his welcome would be," Usagi said with a smirk.
Asahi rushed off and rounded the bin, coming face to face with Hiroshi. He gasped at seeing her closer. Hatred for Beryl filled him for all the years of her life he had been forced to miss. She rushed forward and hugged him.
"You're home, Onii-chan." She cried into his chest. "Mama forgot about you. Every time I tried to bring you up, she would just say I was an only child. It was so hard!"
Hiroshi felt a fresh wave of hatred as he hugged his sister back. Beryl had taken his mother's memories. Or worse, had forced him to do it himself. He wondered if he had spared Asahi this fate out of a remaining memory of her or if he had simply not seen her. He couldn't remember now.
"What really happened?" She asked, tears rolling down her face.
He wiped them away, finding himself unable to lie to her. "I'm sorry, the story we told you was a lie. Usagi did not find me at the bus stop. I was the captive of a very bad person for years. I am finally free, and I am back. Mother doesn't remember me?"
She shook her head. "Not at all, Onii-chan. She moved us to a new apartment with only one extra room as well. I'm sorry, your room is gone."
He shook his head. "Not a problem. I have been offered board at the Hikawa Shrine. I can stay there while we figure out how to restore Mother's memories."
Usagi came around the corner, Asahi looked sheepish at her approach.
"Can I heal her memories the way I did yours, Hiroshi?" She asked.
"No, I don't think the Moon Rod would do it. We would need your Princess and her Legendary Silver Crystal for that. There might be another way if we can free Zoisite."
Asahi looked between them. "I am so confused right now."
Hiroshi sighed. "I know. I want to uncomplicate it, but there are some things that need to be done first before I can explain all. I promise to give you what I can, that doesn't put the secrets of others at risk. Though I'm sorry, I'll have to reveal some of yours, Usagi."
It took everything he had not to add Sama or Hime to the end of his sentences.
"I'll gladly reveal them myself if it helps. We are allied, Hiroshi. I want to help you go home."
He smiled at her. Asahi coughed. "Well, I have a volleyball match after school before the big Gala event. Why don't you two come by and we can talk after my match?"
"Gala?" Usagi asked. "You mean for the Princess of D and her secret treasure? My dad is going to that event as part of the media."
Hiroshi wanted to groan. He just knew Usagi was going to jump to the wrong conclusion.
"We need to go to that Gala." Usagi declared.
*Sailor-Moon*
It was after school, Usagi had told Ami and called Rei to let them know about the Gala event. She had also told Rei about Hirsohi's situation and Rei had said she would take care of it.
While they were walking to meet with the girl that Ashai practiced Volleyball with, his sister gave him a side-eye.
"Staying at the Hikawa Shrine, huh?"
He gave her a similar look. "What's up with the third degree, Ashai?"
She laughed. "I recall the last New Years before you vanished. We went to the temple to pray to bring in the new year. That Miko, Hino Rei, had just arrived to work with her grandfather. I recall you being quite smitten."
He blinked. Had he been drawn to his soulmate as Hiroshi and forgotten about it. It was possible of course. Much like his time in the Dark Kingdom, his memories prior to being captured were murky at best.
"Well, she is even more beautiful now." Hiroshi confirmed, "But anyways, who is this friend of yours you will be practicing with. I don't recall you having a volleyball partner?"
Then they heard a voice from above.
"Jadeite? You shouldn't be here."
The voice chilled his soul. He stepped in front of Usagi, protectively. Which was stupid, given who was glaring at him.
He looked at what appeared to be a normal middle school girl, in a volleyball uniform. But those blue eyes he investigated were that of Venus, the leader of the Princess Four Guardian Goddesses. He would recognize her face anywhere.
Usagi spoke from behind him. "How does she know your identity, Hiroshi? And why does she look so much like me?"
The girl recoiled. "You have Usagi with you? What is going on here?"
Hiroshi sighed. "It's a long story. Let us withdraw for now, unless you're alright with telling Usagi everything right now."
She narrowed her eyes but came down from the high place she had jumped too. His sister seemed shocked at how easily Venus jumped around. "Minako, you know my brother?"
She gave him a look that she had used one him in the ancient past. It still made his soul shiver. "Something like that."
Usagi was still looking at 'Minako', as if something was trying to come back to her. She stumbled and fell over, Hiroshi caught her in time.
"What's wrong?" She muttered. "Why is my head aching? It's like I'm trying to remember something that won't come out."
Hiroshi picked her up. "It's your past life, trying to return to you is all. The girl is someone special to you. Or rather, you are someone special to her. I cannot tell you more right now. I'm sorry."
She smiled. "Don't be. I'm sure there is a reason for all of this."
He set her down on her feet. Minako was still watching them, unable to let him be alone with her mistress but also unable to reveal herself openly in front of the same girl.
"I'll go home and get ready for the Gala. See you tonight, Hiroshi."
"Until then." He bowed to her, left fist placed over his heart.
Minako waited until Usagi was gone, still rubbing her sore head.
"So, you are free from the Dark Kingdom?"
He nodded. "Aye. Usagi and the other girls freed me when I was at their mercy. Usagi as Sailor Moon saw the darkens and cut the strings." He allowed his displeasure to show in his voice at Sailor Moon.
"I know, I was unsure about doing it at first. But the Dark Kingdom cannot suspect the truth. By presenting her as the Leader of the group, my role, I can fulfill hers and be the bait as was intended. This is why I choose to take on my Mistress' appearance in the past and why I still bear it today."
"I know. Still, I can feel Zoisite falter through out bond. I believe we can save him sooner rather than later. I'm sorry to say it will be hard to rescue Kunzite."
She looked away at the stars. "I know what Adonis did. I'm so sorry, Jadeite. I cost you all your freedom by my mistake."
Jadeite shook his head. "You couldn't have known, Venus. We didn't even realize he had turned coat on us. Please do not blame yourself. You know what Kunzite would say if he was here."
Venus chuckled and wiped away a tear. "I miss him. So much it hurts."
"I know. I'll help the others to get him back for you if we can. I swear it on my knightly sword."
Hiroshi looked over to where his sister had retreated to give them room to talk. "I should let you get back to your game. I need to join the other girls to help with the mission."
Minako nodded. "Good luck, Jadeite. Hopefully this evening, Mercury will have her knight as well."
Hiroshi grinned. "That is my plan."
*Sailor-Moon*
The girls and Jadeite met up outside the Embassy of D and headed for the door. Jadeite almost lost his cool when Usagi had used her moon pen to become a Princess. He was glad though it did not reveal her as the Moon Princess, Serenity. The entire venue would have turned their attention to her inhuman beauty and eternal power and completely forgot about the reason they were here. Such was the draw of humans to the moon. Humanity didn't stop often enough to think about how the moon protected them from their own world's forces of nature.
He was drawn out of his thoughts when he noticed Usagi had slipped from the group. Then he noticed his Prince, now with a mask, following her from a safe distance.
"Where is Usagi?" Rei sighed.
"She went in another direction." Hiroshi supplied. "Don't worry, I saw her being followed by that man you called Tuxedo Mask. He will see no harm befalls her."
"You really trust him, don't you Hiroshi?" Ami asked as she fidgeted. "I don't know why, but I feel so excited right now."
"That would be because you sense Zoisite near. Isn't that right, Zoisite?" He asked the shadows.
The blonde young man stepped from the darkness, but his eyes were not on Jadeite, the man he had been sent to retrieve. Of course, they were not. His eyes were locked on the beautiful girl in the blue dress.
"You," Zoisite growled at her. "Why does your voice sound so familiar? Why does it make me want to cry? I don't like it, make it stop!"
Hiroshi groaned. Zoisite was losing his cool. "Calm down, Zoisite, I can explain."
"I don't want you to explain. I want you to die for what you have done to me!" Zoisite turned on Hiroshi and fired a beam of energy.
Hiroshi changed into Jadeite and deflected the blast with his sword. The force was heavier than he imagined and he was pushed backwards a step.
Ami and Rei glowed and Mercury and Mars took their place.
"No, Mercury, please don't fight him!" Jadeite called to her. "Focus on defense only."
Zoisite looked at the Guardian of Wisdom. "Why, why do you strike my soul so deeply?"
Jadeite was surprised when Mercury answered, her voice sounded a little different. "It's because you were the Knight of Purity. What is purer than the love between destined soul mates? Remember who you are, my love. Remember what you promised me."
Zoisite clutched his head. "Third. I swore you would always be my third choice. Third was the partner of my soul and heart, the woman of Mercury. Second, my brothers, my comrades in arms. And first… who was first?"
"Our master, the prince of earth." Jadeite supplied.
"Master…" Zoisite said in horror. "Oh, planets above, I betrayed our Master."
They could see them now, the dark threads that bound Zoisite. At that moment, Sailor Moon came around the corner.
"Sorry, I'm late." She panted. "I just fought Nephrite and his evil spirit he had to possess the Princess of D. I'm sorry, he escaped."
Jadite shook his head. "Doesn't matter. For now, free Zoisite from the grip of our enemy."
Sailor Moon nodded and raised the Moon Rod. "Moon Healing Escalation!"
Jadeite grinned as the dark cords on Zoisite were severed and the blonde youth fell to the ground. He was caught by Mercury, who was crying in relief.
"He's asleep." She said after a moment.
"The process of purification had already begun on him before we tried to bring him back," Jadeite confirmed. "It's likely spent him. Let's get him back to the shrine for now."
They left together, Rei supporting a weary Usagi as they went. Jadeite felt Zoisite properly rejoin the bond. Soon, all four of them would be safe. As they left the Embassy, he saw Tuxedo Mask tracking their progress through the grounds. He sent the man a wave, to show everything was alright.
A/N: Another chapter down. Saving the Four Kings joins the monthly update schedule starting in Septemember. I hope you enjoyed this chapter; we had a lot going on in it. See you in September! Please consider checking out some of my other works here on the site as well as my original works on Royal Road. Links will be below.
fiction/55565/song-of-phoenix-ordeal-part-1