A/N: 2024.11.16

Welcome back, all! Alright, to know everything happening in this chapter and from now on, you'll have to read "Rise of the Crimson". It's going to explain two key characters going forward. If you've already read it, first of all, THANK YOU SO MUCH! Second, go ahead and read it now!

All caught up? Awesome! Let's go!

Chapter 4: The Return of the Reds

Trulgan thrust his sword down toward Jupiter. Venus was just getting her bearings. Terra was doing her best to get to her feet. The other Guardians and Tuxedo Mask were trying to fight through the Frenzy to save Jupiter.

But they all knew they wouldn't make it in time.

"SUDDEN IMPACT!"

Trulgan was abruptly struck by an invisible force and sent flying back, sending him crashing down the street.

"What the?!" Mars looked around.

"Who did that?!" Uranus shouted.

Trulgan started getting up.

"GRAND REVERB!"

A deafening, bass-like noise echoed through the plaza and a soundwave crashed into Trulgan and the Frenzy, throwing them back. A number of Frenzy also seemed to be struck by invisible strikes, knocking them down.

Suddenly, two figures landed in front of Jupiter, Venus, and Terra, slowly standing up straight.

Moon, Mercury, Mars, Jupiter, Venus, and Tuxedo Mask looked at the figures in shock.

They were dressed in particularly familiar uniforms.

All black.

Except for their pronounced, deep-red colored scarves. Crimson scarves.

With the red Paladin Crest on their backs.

The Crimson Paladins.

"They're…" Mercury breathed out.

"No way!" Venus whispered. She laughed, loudly, "No way!"

"Here to defend the Sailor Guardians from all creatures of evil and malice!" one of the Paladins declared. "I am Paladin Sentinel, Halcyon!"

"The name's Resonance, Paladin Sentinel!" the other Paladin grinned. "You guys wanna fight? We got plenty for ya!"

"The Crimson Paladins are here!" Luna and Artemis shouted in wonder.

"Crimson Paladins…" Terra whispered. "It's… it's really happening!"

Trulgan got to a knee. "Crimson Paladins?! Here?! Alive?! Impossible!"

"Crimson Paladins?" Mars's eyes widened. "Then… then that means…!"

A Frenzy charged at Mars and leapt at her.

A beam of pitch-black, purple-outlined energy rushed past Mars and collided into the Frenzy, sending it flying back.

After seeing the defeated Frenzy, Mars turned around and froze when she locked eyes on Victor, who had launched the attack against the Frenzy.

Victor lowered his hand, looked at Mars, and smiled. "Hi, Rei."

Mars' heart skipped a beat and she blushed. "V-Victor," she breathed out. She cleared her throat, "Umm… h-hi." She gazed at him. "You, um… got taller."

"You're even more gorgeous than before. Proving Sailor Guardians keep making the impossible possible."

Mars couldn't stop the smile that spread across her face.

Victor looked and saw the Paladins fighting. "Oh, good! You met the new recruits!"

"So, they are with you!"

"Yep." Victor took notice of Pluto, Saturn, Uranus, and Neptune. "So those are new Guardians, huh?"

"Yeah."

"Nice." Victor summoned his Guard. "One sec. Time to put on my Sunday best." He then took the Paladins' transformation pose. "Rise to battle! Crimson Paladin! TO ARMS!" Seconds later, Victor completed his transformation to Angelus.

Mars felt her blush increase. All this time, and Victor in his Paladin uniform was even more appealing than before. "Good to have you back, Angelus."

Angelus smiled.

"ANGELUS!" Moon shouted, cheerfully.

"HEY, SAILOR MOON!" Angelus yelled back, matching her joy.

Moon rushed over and they hugged each other with all they had.

Angelus laughed, "HA-HA! I take it you missed me!"

"Like so much!" Moon broke the hug and looked at Mars, "I wasn't the only one."

Mars blushed.

"It's good to see all of you." Angelus smiled at Mars, "Really good."

Mars' blush intensified further as she smiled bigger.

Trulgan glared at them and heaved out a breath. "Another Paladin. No matter… you'll all die!"

"Not gonna happen, buddy," Angelus grinned.

"Ha! You're not strong enough to stop me, boy!"

"Mmmm, maybe not. But he is."

"Dancing Flames!" the command echoed through the street.

A column of purple flames, the Holy Fire, erupted around Trulgan, incinerating all Frenzy near him.

"WHAT?!" Trulgan screamed. He managed to protect himself from the flames and push through them. He growled in rage, "WHAT NOW?!"

Everyone looked to see Ziel standing on top of a light post, with his sword, First Defender, already drawn. The Guardians and Mask smiled, immediately, as Ziel stood as the hero they knew he always proved himself to be.

"You bring threats of death and terror to my friends and allies, monster," Ziel proclaimed. "More, you seek to harm the innocent. All crimes, unforgivable. You now face the Crimson Paladins… and, I swear to you, you will have no victory here."

"ANOTHER?!" Trulgan screamed.

"Ziel!" Tuxedo Mask shouted.

"HEY, BOSS!" Moon, Jupiter, and Venus shouted, joyfully.

"ZIEL!" Mars cheered.

"He's back!" Mercury beamed, brightly.

Pluto gasped, quietly. 'It's him…'

"HAHA!" Moon screamed, happily. She looked at Trulgan, "Oh, man! You guys are about to get the beatdown of the century!"

"Sailor Guardians!" Ziel smiled. "Tuxedo Mask! It does my heart wonders to see beloved friends!" He looked around as more Frenzy grunts approached. "A shame about the circumstances, though."

"Aren't we always in a fight?"

Ziel chuckled, "You speak true, Sailor Moon."

"Looks like we're still in for a long night, boss!" Angelus called out.

"Looks like it. Anyone object to that?"

"No, sir!" the Paladins responded.

"Then Crimson Paladins! LET'S ROLL!" Ziel jumped from the light post, diving straight for Trulgan. Their swords clashed, producing a flash of light.

"Who are you?!" Ziel commanded as struggled against each other.

"A proud member of Agonia!" Trulgan replied, angrily. "A servant of my master!"

Ziel's eyes widened. "You're one of the Agonia?!"

"Yes!"

Trulgan forced Ziel away, who landed on his feet and slid along the ground.

'The Agonia live?! What madness is this?' Ziel raised his sword up. "Who is your master?"

"Ha!" Trulgan opened more portals, summoning more Frenzy. "It matters not. You won't survive long enough to know my master!"

"Oh, how wrong you are."

The battle raged on for a while. Uranus, Neptune, Pluto, and Saturn noticed the battle prowess of Ziel and Angelus. The Inner Guardians and Mask could tell while the newer Paladins, Halcyon and Resonance, were relatively inexperienced, especially when compared to Ziel and Angelus, they definitely had skill. Halcyon displayed ability with telekinesis while Resonance possessed sound-based powers. Meanwhile, Ziel and Angelus seemed to have become even better warriors, not wasting a single movement and having more power behind their strikes. One of the most noteworthy happenings of this battle for them was noticing Angelus had developed his shadow powers even further; able to create energy blasts, and his own version of telekinesis, with his shadow powers able to surround objects and Frenzy to throw them in various directions.

As the battle waged on, Ziel was separated from Trulgan, who began to duel with Tuxedo Mask, Terra, Jupiter, and Uranus. While destroying a few Frenzy, via infusing Defender with his flames, Ziel felt a strong pull from his Champion's Medallion. Ziel looked over and saw Shiro and Toshi helping the last of the innocent bystanders get clear of the area. "Ah!" Ziel smiled. "I see."

"What's up, boss?" Resonance asked.

"The call is being made. I need to see if it'll be answered. Paladins, hold the enemy back while I work."

"I know the routine!" Angelus punched another Frenzy. "Resonance! Halcyon! Let's give the boss room to work!"

"Right!" Resonance and Halcyon replied.

Ziel rushed over, destroyed another Frenzy, and turned his attention to Toshi and Shiro, "Well done, gentlemen! Your bravery is to be commended."

Shiro blinked, "Uh…" he and Toshi looked at each other, confusedly, then back at Ziel, "…thanks!"

"Who are you?" Toshi asked.

"My name is Ziel. I am a Champion Crimson Paladin." Ziel removed the medallion from around his neck and held it up, pointing it at Toshi and Shiro, "And you two… are natural born warriors of justice!"

"Huh?" Shiro stared at the medallion.

"What's that mean?" Toshi asked.

"You decide," Ziel summoned the light to his medallion. Time around them began to slow as the light illuminated them. "You can be heroes… if you so desire!"

"Heroes?"

"Yes. I sense it in you. The calling of the Crimson Paladins. We are warriors, our history dating back eons. Though our numbers are small now, our mission still stands and our fire burns. We fight evil, wherever we find it. Allies to fellow warriors of justice, such as the Sailor Guardians. Understand: the calling of a Paladin is a mission for life. You may not battle every day… but the battle will, indeed, call to you."

Shiro and Toshi looked at each other, again, then back at Ziel. "We can help them?" Toshi asked. "The Sailor Guardians?"

Ziel nodded, "If you so choose."

Toshi thought for a moment. "Then… I accept."

Shiro nodded. "Yeah, I'm in, too! I'll be happy to help them!"

"Are you certain?" Ziel asked.

"Yeah!" Shiro answered, boldly.

"We can do it!" Toshi declared.

Ziel smiled. "Very well. I shall show you your path…"

Shiro's and Toshi's clothes morphed into the Paladin attire.

A swirl of clouds began to surround Toshi. Powerful but almost ethereal.

"You have a cunning mind, young one," Ziel informed Toshi. "A power in your soul as light as the clouds, but with a warmth to surround and protect all you care for you. Your power longs to defend. I dub thee… Grayhaze!"

Shiro felt a force inside him.

"Your strength is not merely for power, my friend," Ziel continued to Shiro. "It is a power to fight for all you care about. To never let evil prevail. That power is calling you to fight for justice and honor! I dub thee… War-Rook!"

Shiro and Toshi smiled.

"Do you accept this calling?"

"Yes, sir!" they answered simultaneously.

"Then let the power become yours! Let it rise through you!"

The light shifted to a crimson color and overtook Toshi and Shiro. Seconds later, the transformation was completed. Shiro and Toshi looked at their Paladin uniforms, then each other and smiled. They looked at Ziel.

"Thank you, sir," Toshi nodded.

"We won't let you down!" Shiro declared.

"Not remotely a concern, warriors," Ziel smiled, as well. "Fight strong! Fight true!"

"We will!" Toshi and Shiro said in unison.

"Welcome, War-Rook and Grayhaze. The Crimson Paladins are honored to have you in our ranks. Now… let's roll! RISE TO BATTLE!"

"TO ARMS!" War-Rook and Grayhaze shouted.

The light exploded and Ziel, War-Rook and Grayhaze emerged from it.

Angelus looked over and smiled, "Oh, yeah! This is gonna be fun!"

War-Rook and Grayhaze went on the attack immediately, discovering their awakened abilities right away.

Grayhaze stared at his hands and saw smoke coming from them. More than that, he could feel his control over. He looked at three approaching Frenzy and fired a stream of smoke at them, then Grayhaze solidified the smoke trapping them within in. War-Rook encased his arm in red-colored energy that resembled spiked-gauntlet from a suit of armor. He charged at the captured Frenzy and punched each of them, sending them hurling down the street.

Grayhaze and War-Rook stood stunned at the defeated Frenzy. They looked at each other and laughed.

"Are we really doing this?" War-Rook asked.

"Yeah, we are!" Grayhaze chuckled.

War-Rook looked at the other Frenzy, beginning to rush at them. "LET'S DO IT!"

After hearing War-Rook shout, Jupiter knocked away another Frenzy and looked at him. "Shiro?"

Mercury heard Jupiter and looked up. "What?" She looked at Grayhaze. "Is… that Toshi?"

"I think so."

"They're Crimson Paladins!"

Angelus landed near Jupiter and Mercury. "You know those guys?"

"I think they're our schoolmates," Mercury answered.

"For real? Awesome!" Angelus looked at the remaining Frenzy. "Okay, this officially getting on my nerves. We need to end this now!"

"Any ideas?" Venus asked.

"Yeah." Angelus surged his power, "Get them all in the same spot."

"We're doing that again?" Jupiter asked.

"Trust me, combat sports bro."

Jupiter smiled. "I so missed you!"

"EVERYONE!" Venus screamed. "Force the rest of these things in the same spot."

Ziel and Mask rushed at Trulgan, who was still battling Terra and now Cairo. The four of them kept Trulgan back while the rest of the Guardians and the Paladins attacked the Frenzy. Soon, most of the Frenzy were confined to the center of the square.

"Good enough for you?" Uranus asked Angelus.

Angelus's eyes flashed. "Perfect."

Angelus jumped in the air, clearing a couple of the nearby buildings, and formed the Shadow Echo around his fist.

"Hey!" Mercury smiled. "He's using the Echo without his wings!"

"He's been practicing, getting stronger!" Ziel called out. "Wait 'til see his next trick!"

Angelus's Shadow Echo grew bigger, covering his entire arm. He drew his fist back then dove towards the Frenzy, using his Echo to increase the speed of his drop. "UMBRA! DEVASTATION!" He dropped into the center of the Frenzy and slammed his fist into the ground, creating an explosive dome of dark energy. The dome destroyed most of the Frenzy and left the others critically injured.

"Whooooaaaaa…" Jupiter, Venus, Mercury, and Moon breathed out.

"Amazing!" Mars exhaled.

"His power is darkness?" Neptune asked.

"He's a Shadow Angel," Venus answered.

"Shadow Angels? They still exist?"

"He might be the last one."

Neptune and Uranus looked at each other, apprehensively.

After the dome dissipated, Angelus stood up, smiling.

"That…" Mars cleared her throat, "that looked stronger than your Raven's Shadow."

"Yeah," Angelus confirmed. "I had to step up my game."

"Oh, whatever!" Moon sneered. "You're just showing off!"

Angelus matched her grin. "Well, duh!"

Moon shook her head, giggling, "Same jerk!"

"You're just mad I'm better lookin' than you!"

"You wish!"

Angelus chuckled. "Well? You gonna do better or what?"

Moon smiled and summoned her Moon Power Tiare, "Oh, you bet I am! Watch and learn, kid!" She held the Tiare above her head, "Silver Moon Crystal Power Kiss!"

The bright light shined from the Tiare, eliminating the rest of the Frenzy and severely damaging Trulgan, even obliterating nearly all his armor. Angelus smiled at the power of the attack; he wasn't going to admit it, out loud, but he was happy to see how strong Usagi had become. Ziel witnessed Moon's power with a proud grin on his face. Like Angelus, he was delighted of how far Moon had come, but, unlike Angelus, Ziel would be sure to tell her so.

After the light faded, the heroes breathed a sigh of relief, seeing the enemy completely defeated.

Smiling proudly, Angelus nodded and looked at Moon, "Eh. Not bad, I guess."

Moon giggled. "You're just mad because I'm a million times cooler than when we last saw each other."

"Well, a million times zero is still-"

"Angelus!" Ziel shouted.

"Kidding!" Angelus defended while Moon laughed.

The heroes slowly advanced toward Trulgan, who was crawling along the ground in an attempt to reach his sword. Just as Trulgan reached his sword, Halcyon pressed his foot down on Trulgan's sword, keeping Trulgan from lifting it. Trulgan glared up at Halcyon.

"I believe you're defeated," Halcyon declared.

"Indeed," Ziel confirmed.

Trulgan looked down at the sword again.

"Oh, please, try it!" Angelus grinned. "Please! I'm begging ya! I want you to try so bad! Heck, just blink wrong!"

Trulgan couldn't deny it. He knew he was finished. Trulgan removed his hand, pushed himself up to his knees, and glared at the heroes. He growled then spit. "Very well. You have your victory. Against me. But mark my words, fools… my master will destroy you all!"

"Yeah, yeah, yeah!" Angelus rolled his eyes. "Heard that kinda stuff before! You bad guys need new speeches."

"The Agonia know of your world! They will come! They will conquer this world and you! They will destroy you all!"

"Let them try," Ziel dared. "I know of the Agonia. If you were all they could send, then, clearly, they are within the last gasps of their existence. We will deliver the finishing blow ourselves and eliminate your sect, once and for all."

"Never!" Trulgan growled. "The Agonia will rise to a greater power! The Agonia shall rule!"

"I believe you are too concerned with an outcome that you will absolutely not live to see."

Trulgan simmered as he glared at Ziel. "Though I may die… I will complete… at least, one part of my mission." He vanished, then appeared behind her Terra. A hidden knife he previously had hidden ready to strike. "DIE, GIRL!"

"TERRA!" Moon screamed.

Terra turned to protect herself.

But found the defense unnecessary.

Ziel, suddenly, appeared in front of Trulgan, protecting Terra and bringing Trulgan's attack to an abrupt halt. Trulgan looked down to see Ziel's sword plunged through his chest.

"That'll be enough out of you," Ziel proclaimed in a dangerous tone.

Trulgan sank to his knees.

Ziel pushed Trulgan off of Defender with his foot. He glared down at Trulgan, "We'll deal with your masters next. Coward."

Trulgan grunted, "D… Dammit…" His body then dissolved into chunks of black stone.

"Freaky!" Grayhaze shouted.

"I'm glad someone else still thinks this stuff is weird," Resonance added.

"Drama king," Angelus teased.

"I'm not used to it yet! Sue me!"

Angelus laughed.

Terra looked at Ziel, "Thank you."

Sheathing his sword, Ziel smiled then bowed to her. He rose up, "My pleasure."

"Well!" Angelus folded his arms. "That was fun! Hell of a way to get welcomed back to Tokyo."

"Pretty much what you did when you got here the first time," Jupiter joked, eliciting a laugh from Angelus.

Mercury looked around, "We should leave."

"I agree." Ziel looked at the group. "Anyone care for dinner?"

"Yes, please!" Moon raised her hand.

"Should've known," Angelus rolled his eyes.

"Shut up!"

Venus laughed. "Ziel, why do you always have to feed us?"

"It's important for young people to have a proper meal and keep their strength up," Ziel explained. "Plus, I also enjoy eating."

"Ziel, Tuxedo Mask is so lucky I didn't meet you first," Moon declared.

"Wow!" Mars slapped her forehead.

"Ditz, he's standing right there!" Angelus yelled at Moon as he pointed at Mask.

"He knows I love him!" Moon fired back.

"You know, part of me missed you. God only knows why!"

They began to leave the area and Terra looked back to where Trulgan fell. This whole experience had weighed on her for a while. But this battle told Terra something that, once upon a time, she could only hope for.

They could win.