Sailor Moon: An Ancient Force Rises Chapter 17: Episode 16: Slumber Party! Part 2, a Sailor Moon + Warframe Crossover fanfic

Episode 16: Slumber Party! Part 2

|Rei| |Nightmare|

Rei felt as her drowsiness began to drift her off to sleep, giving everyone else one more look before she herself finally laid down to sleep.

Moments later, Rei woke up to someone jerking her awake, a boy who seemed a little younger than her.

(?) Princess! Princess wake up!

The boy's voice was a loud whisper, but full of alarm.

Rei got up, but felt, different. She, and the boy that had woken her up, as well as the few in the unfamiliar room around her, all wore the same black bodysuits.

The room around them looked like a futuristic classroom.

(Rei) Yes, is everything okay? What's wrong?

(?) Your friends, or guards, they, they haven't come back. And the adults, they took one of the boys from this class, and... and...

(Rei) It's okay. Breathe...

Rei held a hand on the boys shoulder, giving him a reassuring smile.

(?) And... we've been hearing noises outside... some human, some... we don't have a clue...

(Rei) Okay, and what's your name?

The boy had darker skin, bright, hazel eyes, and short, curly black hair.

(?) Me? I'm... Aaron.

(Rei) Nice to meet you, Aaron.

(Aaron) Wow... you're very kind, seeing as you're Royalty.

(Rei) Regardless. You said something about my friends going missing?

(Aaron) Oh! Yes, your friends, Phobos, Deimos? They went out there after the power went out, but they haven't come back.

(Rei) Then I should go and look for-

Rei was cut off by the sound of a knock on the door.

A voice of an adult sounded.

(Adult) Hello? Is...anyone in there? Children? Hello...? Open the door kids... We want to see our children, I and the other parents are worried sick about you guys. So just, open the door.

Rei looked around, her classmates all looked at the door with terror.

Even though the doors had been barricaded, children stared with fear and terror, holding their hands over their mouths as the braver of the children stood near the door.

The voice seemed to be sympathetic. But the person seemed to be in a frenzy as they tried twisting the doorknob and banging on the door.

Then, it stopped and Rei heard the adult sigh.

(Adult) Looks like their either smart, or there's none in here.

Rei heard the adult walking away, followed by the footsteps of at least a dozen others, all cursing and whispering to themselves.

Aaron looked at Rei again.

(Aaron) It's like they're hunting us out there. But why...?

(Rei) What happened to them...?

(Aaron) I don't know, but I bet it has something to do with the Void Jump.

(Rei) Void...Jump...? I don't think I follow.

(Aaron) Wow, you must've some how dozed off when the Jump happened.

(Aaron) All I know, is that, a little while ago, we were supposed to do a void jump, from Saturn, all the way to the Tau Star System. But, something happened. Now, we're stuck inside of the Void, and the power went out. Then the adults started acting weird. We could hear voices outside, and a few screams, so we barricaded the door. Then you're friends left, wanting to survey the situation.

(Rei) (Wait a second. Every time they've been referring to other people, they say adults, but not me... Am I..?)

Rei looked outside of the classroom enormous window, showing her a space filled with strange cloud-like formations, along with strands that let off a bright glow.

Then Rei saw her reflection, she was much younger. She seemed to be back in her mid teens.

(?) Enjoyin the view?

Rei hopped as she was startled by the voice.

(Rei) Oh! Sorry, I didn't see you there.

(?) Oh, my apologies.

(Rei) O h don't worry about it...

Rei turned to get a better look at the girl she was talking to, only to see that it was herself, a carbon copy, smiling at her with black pupils, only broken by a eerie light.

(Rei) What... are you?

(\/0iD) I am a being that can give you, and all of the other children on this ship, the power to survive.

The entity gave Rei a dark, crooked smile, using her own face.

(\/0iD) So... what do ya say? Do you accept?

The entity extended it's hand to Rei.

Rei heard the adults outside again, going past the classroom.

(\/0iD) This power could help you survive against them, and everything that could ever hurt you. Doesn't that sound nice? Finally having the power to protect others with your own strength?

Rei hesitated, shaking the entity's hand.

Rei heard an echoing laughter, one that sounded exactly like hers, but not at the same time.

A moment later, there was a tapping on the classroom door.

The entity grinned at the door, then to Rei.

(\/0iD) Well, you should probably use your new powers to save this entire classroom, before they get themselves killed.

(Rei) What!?

The enitity faded away, her laugh echoing in her head.

She spun to the door, watching as the students began taking down the barricade and about to open the door. She ran

(Rei) WAIT! That's not a-

Rei was too late, the moment the door opened a crack, a large, silvery creature riddled with sharp edges, looking similar to an angel, or at least, a deranged version of what some of the earliest known religions depicted them as, burst into the classroom, letting out a sharp cry.

Rei wanted to run but she opened her hand to the being, and something happened. A burst of energy shot from her hand, and hit the creature, and it let out another cry, but this time, it sounded more out of pain.

Other students looked at Rei, then tried doing it themselves, which seemed to work, and the few braver students, along with Rei, used their energy to shoot blasts of energy at the creature, and it almost flew out of the classroom.

As the creature left, the door was immediately shut, and the barricades put up.

As the braver students celebrated, they began noticing that the students too afraid to do anything, were huddled together, terrified.

Rei turned towards the students, but as she took her first step towards them, a couple of them stood up and blocked her off from the rest of the larger group.

(Rei) Huh? What's wrong? It's just me.

Then one of the two boys spoke, in an angry tone, but looking terrified.

(?) GET BACK! Stay away from us! You... You're all monsters!

(Rei) Monsters...? But we-

(Aaron) WE just saved your Asses! SO instead of being jackasses, maybe a "thanks" would be nice, Jason?

The boy had light skin, freckles dotting his cheeks, and long, blonde hair along with a pair of eyes as blue as Lapiz Lazuli, but they were glazed over, as tears streamed down his face.

(Jason) But you... What were you shooting from your hand!? And earlier! SHE was talking to herself, right before that THING came in here.

Jason turned around, to the other scared children.

(Jason) The stories about Entrari were TRUE! There's something in the void... and she just made a deal with it.

(Aaron) Yeah, and it saved our asses! And judging by how we can use this power, it makes sense that YOU can too, if you'd stop crying so much, you'd probably see that.

(Jason) SHUT UP! I'm not a monster, unlike you lowly subjects of the Void!

(Rei) What's his deal?

(Aaron) Oh, him? Son of a rich Trader among the Void.

(Rei) The Great Baro' Kiteer!? I thought his Son stayed on Earth?

(Aaron) No, not his son, this guy's dad is a different trader, well- known among the Corpus.

(Rei) Oh, those guys... Now it makes sense.

One of the girls got up from behind the boy and Jason, walking up to Rei, speaking softly.

(?) I'm sorry... but we believe it's best if you all went to another class. So that everyone here isn't so frightened.

The girl, with her violet hair, adjusted her glasses, but avoided eye contact.

(Rei) What!? That thing is still out there, we could get killed if we're out there!

(Jason) GOOD! You deserve to perish for your crime!

One of the boys stepped forward behind Rei, but stopped, settling for shouting instead.

(?) Always knew you and your friends were cowards Jason! Your dad deals with those Corpus bastards, no wonder you don't care about us.

(Jason) Ethan... always so loud!

Ethan raised his arm, aiming at Jason.

(Ethan) Maybe I should shut you up, for good.

Aaron pushed Ethan's arm down.

(Aaron) HEY! We're not using this to kill people.

The class was divided in half, half having shown their power over the void, the other cowering in fear.

(Rei) You know what? We should just leave.

(Aaron) WHAT! But we'll-

(Rei) I know it's not the most appealing but think about it. If we stay here, one of us will always have to have an eye on them. They're like frightened animals. Once they get cornered, they won't be above getting violent, and try to kill us.

The entire room went silent, as the two groups looked at one another.

(Ethan) Yeah... they're like the Corpus, putting almost nothing above their own survival.

The group quietly and safely walked out of the class, not even shutting the door behind them.

The group wandered aimlessly, looking for a classroom that wasn't locked down or occupied by skeptical children.

As they walked, Aaron made small conversation with Rei.

(Aaron) Hey Princess, we could use some of those Prayers from Mars right about now...

(Rei) I don't know... do you think you're worthy of the blessings of such a noble deity such as Inaros?

The joke raised everyone's spirits, getting a quiet chuckle out of a few of the children.

The students wandered for what felt like hours, finally finding a classroom, who's inhabitants didn't seem to have been as lucky as others were. Desks were strewn about, turned over, scratches lay into the wall from what seemed like large blades and hands clawing at the walls. What gave the room an even more horrific appearance, were the thin trails of long dried blood, that snaked to the entrance of the empty classroom.

But, in spite of the classroom's appearance, Rei, Aaron and the others quickly went inside, closing the door and barricading it with the desks.

After finishing with the barricade, Rei leaned on the wall near the window, staring outside as exhaustion began the weigh her down.

Aaron came over to her, tapping her on the shoulder.

(Aaron) Hey, you look pretty tired. Get some rest, I'll keep watch.

(Rei) Really, are you sure?

(Aaron) Yeah. We'll all rotate watch, so we can all get some rest without worry.

Rei slowly began closing her eyes, allowing herself to fall asleep, taking one last look at the expansive Void outside, and listening to the small groans of the ship.

Before completely drifting off to sleep though, Rei heard the quiet sound of something scraping against the metal floor outside, and the muffled scream of one of those creatures, later dubbed, "Void Angels".

Rei opened her eyes, looking at Makoto's tall ceiling, as the early morning light began shining through.

Rei took a moment before sitting up, looking around before seeing Usagi, staring outside with a steaming hot mug in her hands.

As Rei wiped her eyes, Usagi heard her, turning to look at her.

(Usagi) Sleep well?

(Rei) Um... maybe... I'm not really sure...

(Usagi) Coffee? Makoto's got one of those really expensive coffee makers.

(Rei) Eh, why not.

|Ami| |Nightmare|

As Ami awoke to the dream, she looked around to see that she seemed to be inside of some kind of highly advanced infirmary.

She sat up in one of the infirmary's beds and looked behind the thin veils around the infirmary, to see that she was completely, alone.

Ami felt an ominous aura around her, so she quietly stood up from the bed, feeling the Zarimen Body Suit on her smaller, younger body.

(Ami) (Where am I?)

Ami saw that the door to the infirmary was closed and barricaded, looking as if it had been done in a hurry.

Ami looked near the door to see two frightened children, a little boy with short greyish blue hair, and brown eyes, and a girl, with red eyes and long black hair.

(Boy) Hey! She's awake!

(Girl) Oh, thank the Seven!

The two spoke in whispered tongues.

The two stood up, when they heard a stopped dead in their tracks as something metallic dragged on the ground outside of the door, followed by the echoed sound of inaudible whispers.

Ami looked at the two, as they stood frozen, staring straight back at her.

The boy slowly held a finger to his mouth, looking at Ami.

The sounds got louder and louder, until they passed the room and began to quiet as whatever outside grew further and further away.

The two stayed completely still until the sounds were far enough away that none of the three could hear them.

The two let out quiet sighs as they stepped over to Ami.

(Girl) I can't believe they left the apprentice all alone in here, even going so far as to leave the door wide open.

(Boy) Wait a minute... I... I recognize this girl...

(Girl) ~Oh?~ How so, does someone have a little crush?

(Boy) On her? I'd get the jade light for just looking at her funny.

(Girl) Huh? Why?

(Boy) Because. She's royalty. She's a princess from one of the inner Orokin kingdoms. Mercury, also known as the Melting Empire. They became a popular hub for finding rare metals in liquid form, and in large quantities due to-

(Girl) Okay, okay. Stop being such a geek already. But... are you sure she's really... someone like that?

(Boy) Yeah... it's her alright. I heard she wanted to focus on medicine, unlike her family, who's entire empire is sustained by their research in geology, metallurgy and the sale of extremely rare materials in liquid form. I heard she was here, but I never thought I'd actually see her in person...

Ami felt that she had been awkwardly listening for long enough and sat up in the infirmary bed and looked at the two.

The two reeled back for a second.

(Ami) Um... apologies for not alerting you sooner. I... didn't want to interrupt you.

The two turned red at the mention.

(Girl) O-Oh... you... you heard all of that?

The boy hurriedly kneeled at the side of the bed.

(Boy) Please don't have me executed when we reach Tau.

(Girl) Aigis... for the love of the Seven, could you not embarrass me in front of Royalty?

(Boy) What? I don't know how to react to Royalty when we see them. They're like immortals to us humans, Silvia...

(Ami) I see... so your names are Silvia and Aigis... I'm Ami.

(Silvia) See Aigis. She's not some egotistical noble, we're fine.

(Aigis) Whatever, I was just being careful.

(Ami) So... what brings you two to the infirmary? And, would you happen to know why the power seems to be out?

(Silvia) Well, long story short... the jump failed.

(Ami) What?

(Aigis) It's true. We were in class, standing by the window when all the lights went out.

(Silvia) It's been chaos ever since. Adults are losing their minds, huge monsters are appearing from outta no where... it's crazy out there.

(Aigis) We came out here, seeing if anyone had been left behind. And... well... Here we are I guess.

(Ami) Adults losing their minds...? Is it some kind of drug? An infection? A mental break?

(Silvia) No idea. But now... were kinda stuck inside of the void.

Even though she was just going through the motions, Ami could feel her stomach drop and her heart skip a beat at the mention of the Void.

(Ami) I-I'm sorry... but could you repeat that?

(Aigis) Ami... we're stuck inside of the Void. Something went wrong with the jump and now we're stuck inside of the Void.

(Ami) Then that could only mean one thing.

(Aigis) What?

(Ami) We are in the same place as the Founder of Void Technology, Albrecht Entrarti, when he first entered the Void.

(Silvia) Um... what does that have to do with anything right now?

(Ami) Well... after he came out of the Void... He had a very temporary psychosis episode, caused by Void exposure. It was dubbed Void Psychosis and there hasn't been another case since then.

(Aigis) And that's what all of the adults have? How do we cure them.

(Ami) For them to have been cured... they would've had to exit the Void immediately after succumbing to the Void-induced psychosis. After that... no one in the medical community has had the chance to experiment and find a cure, since there has only been one documented case of it.

(Silvia) So... what does that mean for everyone's parents?

(Ami) Unfortunately... I have no idea what could happen to them. But for now, they are in a state of psychosis, induced by the Void.

(Aigis) But... what if we get them out of the Void? Is there anything we can do then?

(Ami) Like I said... I'm not sure what can be done. There isn't enough information for me to go on.

Aigis eyes seemed to glass up as he looked towards the ground with defeat.

Silvia held him, patting his back.

(Silvia) Hey... Mom and Dad will be crazy for a little while, it's okay. It's not like they're killing each other. They just chase after us.

(Ami) The adults are chasing you?

(Silvia) Not just us. If they see any children, they flock like wild animals in order to hunt us down. And they look ready to kill.

(Aigis) But... they're not the only deadly things out there. There's monsters, with wings.

(Ami) Monsters?

(Silvia) Well, it's the best way to put them for now. They're basically these thin, metallic, humanoid looking things that are twice our height. They got huge claws and a pair of wings.

(Ami) And you've seen these things?

(Silvia) Unfortunately, yeah. We were being chased by one on the way here, so we quietly locked the door after coming in.

(Ami) Hm...

(Silvia) What is it Ami? Something else we should be terrified of.

(Ami) Yes... and you should be very, very afraid of this entity.

(Aigis) What is it?

(Ami) The Void itself.

(Silvia) Huh?

(Ami) When Albrecht Entrarti first entered the Void, he wrote about seeing something else in there with him, and he was utterly terrified of it. After coming back from the Void through his portal, he was blinded and deafened. The historical documents say he sliced his hand and ordered his daughter to close the portal he had used to enter the Void. In the process, Entrarti prevented the Void Entity from reaching this plane and even severed a pair of it's fingers. One was used a reliquary drive of this ship. The other, in a Railjack.

(Ami) What terrifies me, is that we, are in IT'S domain.

(Aigis) So... what does it look like? So we can avoid it.

(Ami) *Sigh* Well, thats the thing. No one knows it's true form. Dr. Entrarti said it was a double of himself, but that's all we know.

(Silvia) So, you're telling us this entity could just, appear, out of thin air?

(Ami) Unfortunately yes.

(Aigis) Whatever.

(Silvia) So Ami, since you're royalty within the Orokin ranks, could you signal us for help? Or even get some personal guards to protect us?

Siliva's face seemed to contort at Ami's answer, looking at her as if she had offended the two of them.

(Silvia) Useless.

(Ami) Excuse me?

(Silvia) Out there, in the origin system, you had immense value, but here? You're just as useless as the rest of the people we've encountered.

(Ami) What's wrong with you? What does me being able to summon help have to do with my value as a person?

(Aigis) Now hold on Silvia... she could be of use to us... just give me some time with her...

Aigis' face contorted into a sinister grin as he began walking towards Ami, both hands reaching for her body.

Ami stepped back from the two.

(Ami) What are you talking about? What do you want from me?

(Aigis) I'm taking what I want. I am Orokin Royalty, and I will take what I want, even in a deserted ship like this one. And then my servant will dispose of you.

(Aigis) Since there's no one around, no one will hear your screams or cries. No one will come to save you like they do in fairy tales. You are alone, against me, the Prince of the furthest Orokin Empire. The Empire that created the Infestation, the Infected Empire of Eris.

Ami looked at Silvia, who seemed to simply stand in the corner, looking away. She was completely unfazed by Aigis' behavior.

Ami looked around for anything that could help her.

On the bed side, there was a pair of sewing needles, but next to them, laid a large pair of scissors, used to cut the threads that were used to sew up wounds.

Ami darted her eyes between the scissors and Aigis, who had backed her up to the bed and began to lean over her as his hand got closer and closer to her face.

In a desperate effort, Ami took the large pair of scissors, and stabbed Aigis through the hand and in doing so, happened to pierce through his palm and slash his eye.

Aigis stumbled back, screaming.

Silvia stood stunned, and Ami took the opportunity to run, slamming open the door to the infirmary.

As Ami ran out and away from the Infirmary, she heard two sounds. As she heard one after the other, she hid behind a collection of greenery and watched the Infirmary door.

Silvia looked out before going back in, as Aigis screamed in pain and frustration. He wailed with pain in his voice, screaming as loud as he could as Silvia did her best to tend to her master.

As Ami watched, she felt relief. But it was quickly turned into fear as another scream, comparable to a howl, was heard and a hulking figure appeared around a corner, moving as quickly as it's enormous would allow, as it listened to Aigis' screams.

As the creature got to the door, it was too late for Aigis and Siliva.

After seeing the creature, the two attempted to run, Aigis stumbling, still holding his bleeding hand. But Silvia was running in a dead sprint, away from the creature, a being later dubbed a Void Angel.

As the creature got closer and closer to Aigis, it took notice of Silvia's growing distance and spread it's sharp, metallic wings.

As the Void Angel spread it's wings, it jumped up and swooped down into a red portal of it's own creation and disappeared, leaving the corridor and open area in an eerie silence.

Silvia stopped running, and Aigis stopped, and the two looked for the Void Angel, terrified and confused as to where it went.

Then, as Silvia looked around desperately, a red mist quietly formed above her and the Void Angel fell upon her, crushing her instantly.

Silvia's neck and spine were both eviscerated under the Void Angels thin, metallic legs, leaving Silvia's mangled body with a permanent look of fear and terror on her lifeless face.

Ami and Aigis watched as blood leaked from Silvia's neck and spine, as it coated the Void Angels feet as it inspected Silvia's body.

Then the Void Angel slowly moved it's head to see Aigis, frozen in fear as it stared at him.

Aigis, desperate and terrified made an attempt to escape, managing to sprint out of the infirmary, passing the Void Angel.

As Aigis ran in Ami's direction, the Void Angel lumbered out of the Infirmary screaming a terrifying sound as it made Aigis it's target.

As Aigis ran in Ami's direction, he saw Ami, and smirked as he began running straight towards where Ami hid.

Ami began running away from Aigis.

The Void Angel gave chase after Aigis, as he chased Ami.

As the two ran, the Void Angel suddenly disappeared, swooping into a red portal of it's own creation.

Aigis didn't seem to care, as he continued his pursuit of Ami, a quiet laugh that seemed to get louder as he chased Ami through corridors and hallways, not letting up.

As if things couldn't get any worse, As Ami ran past a cross between two corridors, she felt time (and her heart) stop as she saw a group of adults, all showing signs of Void-Induced Psychosis, as they stared at her as she passed, their eyes going from aimless confusion, to a crazed rage as they gave chase after her, the group falling behind Aigis, who continued his pursuit.

As she ran, she focused on keeping her breathing level, so wouldn't pass out or stop running.

But she wasn't able to completely drive away her fear as Aigis and the adults chased her.

Every time she looked back, she could catch a glimpse of the smiling Aigis, his cold eyes and smirk giving a preview of his intentions.

The horde behind him, a group of adults, all made insane from Void Exposure.

Ami rounded another corner, and in front of her, she saw a red mist.

Seeing the mist accumulate, she did her best to run through it before the inevitable.

Ami ran through the mist, but was blown forward in the air by the impact of the Void Angel landing on the ground, it's familiar scream piercing the otherwise silent ship.

Ami quickly got up.

The Void Angel was looking at her, it's head open to a single hole that covered it's entire face, as Void Energy created an eerie cyan glow that slowly leaked Void Energy.

But as Aigis and the horde of adults came to a halt, the Void Angel turned around to the group and roared, as it swooped into one of it's portals.

The adults and Aigis looked around, but the adults were the unfortunate ones, as the red mist began to surround them, as they simply stared at the particles of red energy.

Aigis started stepping towards Aigis, thinking the Void Angel had fled.

(Aigis) Finally! Now you're mine. All that running must have you tired. Let's get somewhere safe so you can rest, with me.

As Aigis finished his sentence, the Void Angel landed again, this time, creating a bloody mess of the unfortunate adults unlucky enough to have been standing where the Void Angel would land. But the others weren't any better off, as the Void Angel sliced through Adults with ease, cutting through skin, muscle and bone like a knife through warm butter.

Aigis turned to watch the ordeal, stunned by the display of the sheer brutality of the Void.

Ami couldn't watch and she ran, looking for somewhere to hide.

Hearing Ami beginning her sprint, Aigis gave chase again.

(Aigis) OH NO YOU DON'T NOT BEFORE WE'VE HAD SOME "FUN" TOGETHER! AMI OF THE MOLTEN EMPIRE!

As Aigis chased Ami, Ami briefly looked behind her and was even more terrified. Aigis' face seemed more like the Psychotic adults chasing them, and to make matters worse, Aigis was covered in blood and gore, but it didn't seem to stop him.

Ami was losing breath. She had ran for so long and so far, that her lungs burned, her feet felt like she was running on the Orokin Furnaces that melted the metals Ami's family was known for in her Empire of Mercury.

But what worried Ami the most, was that her head was spinning. Even with her breathing in check, she was simply getting too fatigued to go on.

As Ami ran through a landing bay, she tripped on a platform, and fell.

As she moved to push herself up, she could hear Aigis' psychotic laughter in the distance, slowly getting closer.

Ami was too tired to get up, and her head throbbed from the fall.

So all Ami could muster, was to sit up, facing the direction she came from, as she could see Aigis turn a corner, sprinting towards her.

As Aigis closed the distance, Ami began to accept her fate, and watched, as Aigis came closer, 500 feet... 400 feet... 300 feet...

As Aigis got 100 feet from Ami, a red mist spread from behind Aigis, and the Void Angel appeared once more.

Aigis was blown closer to Ami by the blast.

Ami watched as Aigis crawled towards her, grabbing her leg, with his bloodied hand. And he began cackling and laughing in her face.

(Aigis) Ha... Ha HA HA! I finally caught you... YOU'RE MINE NOW! I'll become the Orokin Ruler of a PLANET! And not some shitty little Moon that sits on the freezing edge of the Origin System.

(Ami) LET ME GO! STOP!

(Aigis) Oh Princess, you're MINE now! We're gonna have fun, then we'll get married and you'll bear my successor! I will finally, FOR ONCE IN MY FAMILY'S LINEAGE, HAVE POWER!

As Aigis spoke, he failed to see what was coming, as the Void Angel's talon ripped through his stomach, and nearly into Ami's leg.

Aigis stopped, and looked down at the bloodied talon, and stared at it, as the Void Angel lifted his body up, and forcefully threw it back in the corridor, his limp body slamming into the wall, leaving a bloody splatter one the wall as he fell to the ground.

Seeing an opportunity, Ami climbed into one of the nearby ships, a Parallax, that sat in the Landing bay, broken, as the Void Angel stared at Aigis' body.

Then Aigis moved, and the Void Angel teleported over to him, and began shredding his body apart.

As Ami got into the tiny shit, the size of a small car, the Void Angel heard the sound of the door closing and lumbered to the craft, slamming it's talons into the Landing Craft's Exterior, but to no avail.

Ami watched from inside, through the Landing Craft's adaptive sensory system, a live feed of outside of the Craft.

After wailing on the Parallax for a few minutes to no avail, the Void Angel screamed out of frustration before lumbering away, walking through the shredded remains of Aigis with no thought, as blood covered it's talons and it's legs.

After that, Ami laid back, glad the whole ordeal was finally over.

Ami awoke, jolting up as she looked around, sighing with relief as she saw the familiar surroundings of Makoto's apartment.

Ami muttered under her breath.

(Ami) Good. Just a nightmare.

As she turned to see if the others were still asleep, she turned to see Usagi and Rei, looking at her with bored looks, and noticed that the Sun was barely rising.

(Usagi) Want some coffee? Mako's got one of those expensive coffee makers.

(Rei) Gonna need it if you had a nightmare like I think you probably did.

(Ami) Um... sure. Thanks.

(Usagi) Wanna talk about it?

(Ami) Sure, but give me a minute to wake up.

|Minako| |Nightmare|

Minako woke up in a futuristic classroom, dark, except for the light that dimly lit the room from outside.

(Minako) What the... Where am I?

From behind her, Makoto felt a tap on her shoulder.

Minako jolted before turning around, to see a girl smiling at her.

(Girl) Hey... sorry about that, didn't mean to scare you.

(Minako) Oh, don't worry about it, it's fine.

(Girl) How're you holding up?

(Minako) I'm doing alright.

(Girl) Hm. Guess you really are as calm and brave as everyone says the Princess of Venus, the Empire of Peace and War.

(Minako) Oh? I didn't know my reputation was so widespread.

(Girl) Well, being a lesser noble from the Silver Millenium, I do get to hear about all of the Planetary Royalty through the words of the higher ups, so naturally, I would hear about someone as great as yourself.

(Minako) Oh you flatter me. And did you say you're from the Silver Millenium? Isn't that where-

(Girl) Sure is. The home of the Legendary Princess Serenity and her mother, the Queen, Serenity.

(Minako) Princess Serenity... I wonder what she's like.

(Girl) Well, judging from the amount of time her servants and retainers spend chasing her around, she's quite the free spirit, doing whatever she likes, even if it seems below her status. Her mother is a kind and wonderful woman, she seems fine with how the Princess goes about herself.

The girl leaned into Minako's ear.

(Girl) I hear she has a thing for the Prince of the Golden Kingdom of Earth. But! It's just a rumor.

(Minako) My, you know a lot about the Royalty and even the rumors... Just who are you?

(Girl) Oh me? I'm just a lesser noble named Serena. Nice to make your acquaintance...?

(Minako) Oh, call me Mina.

(Serena) Glady, Mina.

As the two flashed smiles at each other, their moment was interrupted by the sound of a barrage of bangs on the classroom door, followed by the screams of adults.

After what seemed like an eternity of the noise, it quieted, as the adults grew tired and gave up, moving along as a pack.

(Minako) They're terrifying... every time they hit the door, it could be the one that allows them to break down the door.

(Serena) I know... which is why I think we should get out while we still can.

(Minako) Huh!? Are you crazy? Where would we even go?

(Serena) Um... Uh... We could go to the upper decks. There's gotta be someone with a higher clearance that can help us, someone-

(Minako) Someone who's NOT a psychotic adult?

Serena seemed to stop thinking, remembering how the adults were the ones with the authority.

(Minako) I get it, we need to get the hell outta here, but there's no point in putting ourselves in danger when help will eventually arrive.

(Sarena) And how long might that be!? We're in the Void, and it feels like we've been here for a few days already...

(Minako) C'mere...

Minako comforted the anxious girl.

(Minako) Help will arrive. We just have to holdfast until they arrive.

After what felt like days of waiting around, and keeping the adults at bay, there was a deep rumbling throughout the ship.

(Sarena) What was that!?

Minako looked outside, and saw... stars. and the bright lights of the distant Origin System

(Minako) We're... WE'RE OUT OF THE VOID!

Minako's voice rang out through the classroom as children cheered and celebrated.

(Minako) Help is almost here... I know it...

After a few hours of leaving the Void, Minako could see Orokin ships flying past the class' window.

Some more time later, everyone in the classroom could hear shots as the Psychotic Adults of the Zarimen Ten-Zero were eradicated.

A knock was heard at the door, followed by a woman's voice, as she said...

(Woman) Hello?! My name is Cressa Mal! I'm with a search and rescue team sent by the Orokin Empire! Is anyone in there!?

Immediately, children began tearing down the makeshift barricade and shouting out their presence.

After opening the door, students were ushered out and towards the Landing decks of the Zarimen Ten-Zero

After getting to the landing bays, children were separated into their Home Planets, from Mercury to Pluto.

At the landing bays, Minako and Serena prepared to go their separate ways.

(Minako) Well. I guess I'll be heading back to Venus.

(Serena) And I'll be going back to the Silver Millenium...

(Minako) Send me a message sometime? My inbox is always open.

(Serena) Sure will!

As they began to separate, a soldier stopped the two of them.

(Soldier 1(M)) Excuse me, you two.

The two stopped and went to the soldier.

(Soldier 1) Are either of you Orokin Royalty? We have orders to bring any and all Orokin Royalty to the Silver Millenium.

(Minako) Oh, I-

(Serena) OH! Yeah, she's royalty, and I'm from there as well.

(Soldier 1) I see. Follow me, I'll guide you to the proper ship.

(Minako) But why are all Royalty not going to their prospective Planets?

(Soldier 1) To be honest, I'm not sure myself. All I know is that once you were all taken out of the Void, we were given exact orders to rescue all of the children and anyone else we could find, but an order by the New Queen of the Silver Millenium, Queen Serenity the Second, we were to bring all of you to the Silver Millenium once in our custody.

(Minako) Queen Serenity... the second...? What happened to the previous queen?

(Soldier 1) It has been many years since you were all last seen... The Original Queen of the Silver Millenium became old and withered...

(Soldier 1) She absolutely refused to take part in the continuity ceremony, just like she rejected other modern Orokin customs for a woman of her stature.

(Minako) Continuity Ceremony...? What's that?

(Soldier 1) I see... you're still a bit young to know what that is, aren't you... Well child, the Continuity ceremony is a highly decorated ceremony where an elder Orokin noble, withered and aged with time, takes a sip of a dark red substance, called Red Kuva, otherwise known as Ancient Orokin Blood. It's origins are kept secret, but after an Orokin takes a sip of this liquid, a subject, usually of the poorer class, such as servants or peasants, is used to become her new vessel.

(Soldier 1) In this process, the servant, or the peasant used in this ceremony, is no more, and the aged, withered noble, is born anew within a younger body.

(Minako) That sounds... awful...

(Soldier 1) Heh... you sound just like the Queen.

As the three arrived at the ship, the Soldier led them inside, before stopping.

(Soldier 1) Alright. Here we are. You and the rest of the children will be leaving shortly, just gotta find some of the stragglers.

(Soldier 1) You won't believe this, but we actually found the Princess of Mercury hiding out in one of these broken Parallaxes. Ain't that something?

The Soldier said goodbye, going further inside of the ship, leaving Minako and Serena to other personnel in the lower decks, in the loading bay area, where a bay door laid open as personnel and other children entered the ship.

After some time, a few children and soldiers ran onto the ship. The children were screaming and the Soldiers were shouting orders, terror in their voices.

(Soldier 2(F)) CLOSE THE HATCH! CLOSE THE FUCKING HATCH!

Quickly, the two soldiers that followed the main one acted. One ushered children to Serena and Minako. The other quickly pressed a button to close the hatch.

Another soldier raced down from the upper decks, sounding furious as he shouted at the troops.

(Soldier 3 (M)) SOLIDERS! There were still children and personnel out there! WHAT THE HELL ARE YOU DOING!?

(Soldier 4 (M)) Sir! There's something out there, something that we can't kill, and-

The soldier was cut off, as hands, of soldiers and children began wailing on the closed hatch. Soldiers yelled for the door to open, followed by the sound of their weapons firing, and children pleaded to be let in.

The soldiers, the children and even the high ranking soldier who had just come down all stared at the hatch, speechless.

But as quickly as the noise began, it was silenced by the sound of bones and muscle being sliced apart by an unknown entity.

The screams, the cries and the gunfire all ceased, as something began scraping against the hatch door, and a other worldly screech came from the other side, as the captain of the ship announced their departure.

(Soldier 3) Soldiers... did you leave unarmed children... along with your comrades out there... just to save your own skin...?

(Soldier 5 (F)) Sir! Had we not closed the bay hatch we-

(Soldier 3) We'd have saved more children, and those soldiers you left out there to die...

The Soldier, who seemed to be their superior, turned away ascending the stairs to the upper decks, as he spoke with a monotone.

(Soldier 3) The three of you... are dishonorably discharged from the Orokin Military of the Silver Millenium. You are hereby sentenced to execution for daring to put your lives over those of the Orokin nobility. We were created to protect the Orokin, from the highest Aristocrat, to the lowest peasant... and you... you have failed your single, most important duty.

(Soldier 3) All three of you head to the holding cells aboard this vessel.

The high ranking soldier turned around, staring at the three.

(Soldier 3) And should you fail to report to those holding cells, by the Seven, I will hunt each of you down and kill you like the scum you are. Dismissed.

The high ranking soldier continued his ascent to the upper decks, and the three soldiers seemed to be frozen in place, taking in their sentence, before quietly walking away, their body language suggesting that they were still in a state of shock as they left.

After what felt like hours of listening to the hum of the engines outside, Serena broke the silence as she and Minako sat next to one another.

(Serena) Hey... Mina. How're you holdin up?

(Minako) I dunno... I mean... I'm grateful we survived like we did but... there were others... like us, still out there... and those soldiers... they died helping is escape... it's a bit of a loop... How about you?

(Serena) Eh, I feel pretty much the same way... but it's nice knowing that we're finally going home. Can't wait to see my family again. Still weird to think that, in the time we were gone, the Queen died. She wasn't even that old to begin with.

(Minako) Really?

(Serena) Yeah, Orokin Royalty, like yourselves, you guys can live for a few millennia before you even look a day over 40. The Queen, Queen Serenity, was only about 445 Years of age. So her dying of old age doesn't make any sense.

(Serena) And that still leaves me wondering another thing. Why were you and the other Orokin Royalty being brought back to the Silver Millenium with the... Princess... Ohmygod, we're on the same ship as Princess Serenity! And Princess Rei with her assistants! And even Ami, the healer of the Molten Empire! And you, Minako of the Empire of Peace and War!

(Minako) Woah, woah, calm down Serena, you're getting a little loud. But what's so special about all of us being on the same ship? We were all on the Zarimen.

(Serena) Yeah, but this ship is WAY smaller, so we might get the chance to see them in person! I've never been so close to so many of the Orokin Royals before!

(Minako) He he... thanks...Serena. I'm glad I have someone like you here to talk to.

(Serena) Oh? You think so?

(Minako) Well... yeah. We just went through something terrifying and you seem so unaffected.

(Serena) Well, I'm just tryin not to think about it. Just trying to keep my mind on other things, ya know.

Minako saw that Serena's hands were shaking, badly.

Minako took Serena's hands and looked at her with a comforting smile.

(Minako) It's okay Serena. I'm sure soon enough... this'll all be behind us.

A soldier came down from the Upper decks, the high ranking one from earlier.

He was followed by a group of soldiers, different from the ones before.

(Soldier 3) Hello, children of the Zarimen. My name is General Vor. I understand and offer my most sincere apologies for what you've all had to witness. But this journey home... It's gonna be long. So for now, try to get some rest.

The Soldiers following the General passed him down the stairs and began handing out fine, silk woven blankets to the children.

(General Vor) We offer these blankets for a semblance of comfort in this time.

The soldiers rejoined General Vor after passing out the blankets.

(General Vor) Now get some rest children. I'm sure you could use it. You can rest easy now. We, that fighting force of the Silver Millenium, will make sure of it, that no harm comes to any of you. Goodbye, for now.

The General left, followed by the Soldiers.

As Serena and Minako put on the while blankets, it gave them a comfort that had been forgotten since the tragedy had began.

(Serena) Well... I'm gonna go to sleep. You should too Mina. We're safe now...

Minako could hear Serena as she swiftly fell asleep.

As Minako watched Serena fall asleep, she too felt the drowsiness taking over her. And she to rested, as she fell asleep on Serena's shoulder.

Minako shot up from sleep as she awoke.

(Minako) WHAT THE FUCK!

She was shushed by Usagi, Rei and Ami, who all had annoyed looks on their faces.

(Usagi) I know I'm loud, but jeez... not this early in the morning.

(Rei) You sure about that?

(Usagi) What're you...

(Usagi) Rei, shut up.

(Ami) Hey Mina... guessing you had a nightmare too?

(Minako) Yeah...

(Minako) Shit, I wasn't the only one, was I?

(Usagi) Join the club.

|Makoto| |Nightmare|

Makoto felt herself jolted awake by the sound of conflict.

She was on the floor, and could feel bruising, like she had been thrown and got knocked out by the impact.

She stood up, disoriented.

Around her, other children ran, soldiers, who looked different from usual soldiers, were shouting, and the sound of gunfire penetrated the air.

Her arm was gripped and she looked to see the owner, a boy her age, with dark skin, fuzzy hair, and a terrified look oh his face as he shouted at her.

(Boy) Princess! C'mon, we gotta get you outta here! Come on!

As Makoto accepted his assistance in helping her up, she began running by his side.

(Makoto) (Princess...? What does he mean by that? And why do I feel so slow?)

As the two ran, Makoto could see Soldiers on either side of her firing rifles that looked straight out of a Sci-fi movie.

As the two ran, Makoto felt disturbed by something.

She could sense something wrong with everything around her.

Makoto looked back as she ran and was completely terrified by what she saw.

As she looked back, Makoto could see Soldiers mowing down adults, as they ran at the soldiers like hungry zombies.

(Makoto) What thE FUCK IS GOING ON!?

(Boy) Look! Long story short, the Void Jump was a failure! The Adults went insane, we got powers from the Void! We were being escorted to the ships when one of those THINGS landed near us, sent you flying and knocked you unconscious!

(Makoto) What thing!?

As she finished, she felt a strong pulse from in front of her and the boy, as a Void Angel landed in front of them, letting out a loud, inhuman screech as it began lumbering towards them.

(Boy) Shit! Quick, hold out your arm!

Makoto held out her arm, pointing at the lumbering creature.

(Makoto) Um...! What now!?

(Boy) Focus your energy into your arm, then release it!

(Makoto) What the hell is that supposed to mean!?

(Boy) JUST DO IT!

Using the annoyance and fear she felt to fuel her energy, she focused it into her arm, before releasing the energy, imagining a rail gun firing.

As she released the energy, Makoto saw a bright green beam of energy shoot from her arm, and at the same time, a more spread out energy, purple in color, released from him arm, and the Void Angel seemed to stagger.

(Boy) C'mon! Before it recovers! HEY! EVERYONE!

As the boy shouted, children and Soldiers alike ran past the Angel, and towards the landing bays of the Zarimen Ten Zero.

As the mixed group of Soldiers and children mad their ways through the Zarimen, they got far enough away from the Void Angel to where they seemed to lose it.

Along the way, the Soldiers make a perimeter around the children, and as the group moved, the Soldiers were forced to kill entire crowds of adults. Some were parents of the Children, others were crew members, Nobles and other people, all reduced to nothing more than threats to the Children's survival.

After the Soldiers had eradicated over a dozen groups of adults, they began to run out of ammunition. At first, it was one soldier, reduced to their sidearm.

Then it became all of the Soldiers, reduced to their combat knives.

As the group walked, their was an eeriness in the air, a sense that there was something wrong with the air.

As they walked, they unfortunately ran into another crowd of adults.

(Soldier 1) Shit! Alright. SOLDIERS!

(Soldiers 2, 3, 4, 5 and 6 in Unison) YES SIR!

(Soldier 1) What is our Sworn Duty as the Sword and Shield of the Silver Millenium?!

(Soldiers 2,3,4,5 and 6 in Unison) To protect the Orokin, from the Highest Royalty, to the lowest peasant! To protect anyone within the Orokin Empire with our very lives!

(Soldier 1) Soldiers! Prepare for hand to hand combat!

The six Soldiers all drew longswords from their hips and took their stances.

Then, out of nowhere, the boy next to Makoto shot a beam from his hand, killing multiple of the frenzied adults.

The Soldiers all stared at him, shocked.

(Soldier 1) What the... Kid. What... was that?

(Boy) I don't know. But what I do know, is that it's better if I do this than risk all of you.

(Soldier 1) I... I don't see why not.

(Makoto) I can do that too Sir!

(Soldier 1) WHAT!? Even the Princess from Jupiter can shoot these strange beams?

The Soldier seemed to chuckle to himself.

(Soldier 1) Jeez... this feels like a direct violation of our sworn duty to protect you kids... but here you are, protecting us adults...

(Soldier 1) Fire away you two. But let us know if you need a break, we can still fight with our swords. We're deadlier to these people than we might seem.

Makoto and the boy began firing beams at the crowd, taking down multiple people at once.

The group slowly made it's way to the Landing Bay, but soon, the Soldiers seemed to all gasp.

The entire bay was empty and silent.

(Boy) Where is everyone!? Where are the ships!?

There was an area, covered in the bloody remains of soldiers, and a few children as well. All in a bloody pool, right next to where one of the ships would have been.

(Soldier 2) BASTARDS! They left those people... and they left us... HOW COULD THEY!?

(Soldier 3) Wait! There's still a ship down there. It's one of the Boarding ships we brought with us!

(Soldier 1) Let's go then. There's no telling what might come if we just stand around here.

The group ran through the enormous Landing Bay, their hope rising.

But as the group got closer, hordes of Frenzied adults began spewing out of the halls, along with multiple Void Angels, that hacked and slashed at the adults below them, creating a bloodied wave of Frenzied adults, followed by Void Angels.

(Soldier 1) C'mon! We can still make it! RUN!

As the group grew closer to the Boarding Ship, so did the hordes. Adults tripped over each other, and even created literal waves of people. The Void Angels seemed to scream out in frustration, as the sea of people slowed their prgress towards the group of survivors.

The boy tripped on one of the platforms, but the first Soldier easily picked the boy up and got him running again.

(Soldier 1) C'mon kid, don't let it all end here! You still got a life to live!

As soon as one of the Soldiers got inside of the Boarding Ship, she began preparing the ship for take off, and everyone soon piled into the ship as well, the first soldier being the closest to the hatch, as he pressed a button to close it.

After a few more preparations, it seemed that the group would escape.

But as the ship began lifting off, there was a jerk, and the ship couldn't pull away.

(Soldier 5) Sir! Three of those Void Angels are holding onto the Ship! We can't lift off with them attached to us, it could severely damage the ship and put our lives at risk.

(Soldier 1) Don't worry kiddos. You're gonna be just fine. Let me handle this.

(Soldier 4) Sir? What should we do?

(Soldier 1) I got an idea. Anyone know where we put the breach charges?

(Soldier 2) Right here

The Second Soldier handed the first Soldier what seemed like a stack of large, flat, blue, glowing patches.

(Soldier 1) That all of em?

(Soldier 2) Yes, Sir!

(Soldier 1) Okay then, It'll have to do.

Everyone watched as the First Soldier took his empty mags from his pockets, filling them with the breach charges instead, as they now glowed orange.

(Soldier 6) Um... sir? What are you doing!?

(Soldier 1) I'm gonna create an opening for us. Those things aren't gonna let go, even if these two try to blast them with their little lazer beams.

(Soldier 3) WHAT!? Sir! Are you insane! You're gonna kill yourself!?

(Soldier 1) What? I've lived a good life, and hey, it's better than letting ALL of us die. Especially Royalty...

The Soldier looked at Makoto, and Makoto could sense that the Soldier was smiling under their mask.

(Soldier 5) Sir, please, think-

(Soldier 1) Soldiers... isn't it our very mission to save these kids? To make sure that they are escorted off of this vessel, even if we have to sacrifice ourselves in the process?

The rest of the Soldiers seemed defeated, not saying a word as the first Soldier tapped a button to open the Hatch.

As it opened, the first Soldier was met with the sound of the engines roaring, as well as the screeches from the three Void Angels.

(Soldier 1) So long everyone. When you get to the Silver Millenium, tell the Generals and the Soldiers waiting for us to go Fuck themselves for leaving us almost stranded here. And tell that General Vor that I went out in a blaze of Glory, I can already see him getting a little jealous of me...

And with that, the first Soldier leapt out of the hatch and towards the Landing Bat, passing in between the Void Angels as he fell to the ground, a soft, warm smile on his face as he armed the breach charges, and detonated them.

The explosion caused the Void Angels to let go of the ship, and it caused an entire part of the Landing Bay to collapse.

The boy quickly got up to shut the hatch as the Ship prepared to Void Jump to the Moon.

Makoto could see that, as they flew, the rest of the Soldiers quietly mourned for their comrade, as two of the Soldiers gripped the controls with excessive force.

The other three soldiers stood next to the pilots, their uneven breaths indicating silent cries under their visages.

After a few hours, the Boarding Ship Arrived at the Silver Millenium, where the Soldiers of the Ship sent by the Silver Millenium looked away, guilty.

As Makoto and the others were escorted, she saw the bloodied hatch of the Silver Millenium's ship, covered in dried, frozen, bloody handprints from soldiers, and children alike, and giant scratch markings, a reminder of those who were wrongfully abandoned.

|Nightmare| |End|

As Makoto exited the craft, she blinked, and the dream ended, as she opened her eyes to see the roof of her apartment.

(Makoto) Hm...?

As Makoto sat up and looked around, she could see everyone else sitting around her, drinking coffee.

(Usagi) Mornin Mako. Sleep awfully, like the rest of us?

(Makoto) Um... I guess you could say that.

(Usagi) Lucky guess...

(Usagi) Too bad these weren't just crappy nightmares.

(Makoto) WHAT!? That was real?

(Usagi) Get up Mako, we're ALL gonna share our little "nightmares" and try and make some sense of this.

End of Slumber Party, Part 2