Oniko tapped her fingers angrily on the arm of her throne. Things were not going her way today. Galen had somehow, in his idiocy, left behind evidence at Sailormoon's house. It was only a matter of time until the senshi tracked him down, and that would lead them to her. Galen kneeled before her his fist to his heart in a sign of alliance, his head bowed as a sign of regret.
"I can't believe you let her get away with that!"
She stood and backhanded him across the face. He reeled back but didn't move to catch himself. She stood over him glaring.
"Of all the-"she started but stomped off."I suggest you correct this mistake!"
"Yes my lady."he mumbled under his breath.
"Having a bad day?"
Galen turned to face the young woman in the shadows.She smiled lightly at him,but it wasn't in friendship.It was more that she enjoyed seeing his frustration.
"That is no business of yours."he said angrily.
"Ahhh...don't be testy.I can remedy your anxiety."
"Lady Akuma."Galen sneered at her."I seriously doubt that you have anything to offer me."
"You may be surprised."
"Usagi?Where's Arashi?"
Usagi looked up,somewhat distracted.Michiru was leaning over her desk staring down at her.
"I don't know."she mumbled in response.
"You don't know?!"Haruka wandered over to them,holding a can of ice water in her hand."What she just up and vanish?I knew she couldn't be trusted.Didn't I tell you she couldn't be trusted?"As she getsured around the water spilled out and hit Usagi in the face.
"Hey!"Usagi yelled and pulled away,wiping her face.It did wake her up a little bit though."I don't know where she is.I woke up this morning,ran upstairs to get her,and she wasn't there.Then I got this phone call....."
"What phone call?"Haruka leaned forward,forcing Usagi to lean back.
"I dunno....it was weird.And they didn't say who they were...."
Michiru and Haruka groaned in unison and pulled away.
"But hey!"Usagi cried reaching into her pocket."I did find this."
She pulled out her hand and along with it came the broken necklace that she had found earlier in the morning.Haruka took it from her and looked it over carefully.
"Do you know who's it is?"Usagi asked hopefully.
"No."Haruka shook her head."But,I suggest that after school you take it over to Mamoru-san and see if he knows."
Usagi took a deep breath as she he bell on Mamoru's door. She didn't know that much about the fall of the Earth Kingdom,or who Mamoru's friends were back then,or even how close he'd been to Arashi.In fact he'd never mentioned her before.But now it looked as if she was going to find out wether or not she wanted to.Truth be told,she was just a little bit curious.
She smiled brightly at Mamoru when he opened the door.
"Usa!"he exclaimed,opening the door wider to let her in. She kissed him lightly on the lips after he had closed the door,then frowned.
"Why the serious face?"he asked.
"Mamoru we have to talk.Something strange is going on."
"Like what?"he raised an eyebrow and lead her to the livingroom to sit down.
"It all started this morning,when I went upstairs to get Arashi for school.She simply wasn't there.As I stood there wondering where she was I got a phone call downstairs.When I answered it they told me that they had come into my house and taken her during the night.And that she was a crucial part,then when I asked who it was they just said a friend of Endymion's and hung up."
Mamoru just looked at her as he let all that she had said sink in."Was there anything weird about the voice?"
"It was definetly a boy,and he had a very strong accent.I've never heard anything like it before.Oh yeah!And I found this on Arashi's bed."
She carefully pulled the necklace from her pocket and held it up for Mamoru to see.He took it into the palm of his hand,and almost immediately grabbed his head in pain.
"Mamo-chan!"Usagi jumped up,grabbing him about the shoulders before he fell from the couch.He gently pushed her away.
"It's alright."he whispered,although his voice was strained.
"What is it then?"she asked,still concerned.He was pale now,and shaking faintly.
"I know who this belonged to."
Usagi's eyes widened.She sometimes forgot about Mamoru's power to touch things and be able to tell you things about them.
"Then where is she,whose necklace is this?"
"It belonged to my sister."
"Mamo-chan,you don't have a sister."Usagi frowned in confusion, remembering his sister Diassa who had sacrificed her life for him a couple of years ago. She was most certainly dead.
"Diassa."he whispered. Was it possible that she was alive?
"We saw her die."Usagi said quietly.
"I don't think she's really dead. From time to time, I've felt her presence. I think she's alive."
Usagi let her mouth hang open for a moment before she jumped up and yelled."And why didn't you tell me?!"
"I couldn't."he said simply."I didn't want it to believe it. She's gone through so much pain, I wanted her to finally be at peace."
Usagi just stared at him,waiting for him to continue.
"Anyways,she died with Arashi and Galen during the first attack from the Dark Kingdom.Almost everyone did.Either that or they were brainwashed.Those who resisted were murdered.My generals and I were out fighting off those attacking the palace,when my sister ran out,trying to help out in someway.I had told her to stay away from the battle,but she was too stubborn to listen."
He laughed lightly at some long forgotten memory.Usagi could see that this deeply hurt him to talk of his sister,but they needed the information to find Arashi,and what his (un?)deceased sister's necklace had to do with all this.
"She was cut down by some nameless brainwashed-victim only three feet from the castle walls.She died before I could reach her.Even now I regret it."
"What about Arashi or Galen.If they were both elves then they would've been resurrected.Was there anyone who could've possibly also been resurrected?An old enemy perhaps?"
Mamoru shook his head."None that I can recall."
Usagi leaned back."Well,I've got to tell everyone what I know.You won't mind will you?"
He shook his head and looked sadly at the small-stretched chain lying in the palm of his hand."No."he tried to smile."It's all ancient history anyways."
Setsuna listened quietly as Haruka and Michiru told both her and Hotaru of all that Usagi had told them.Usagi had left the necklace with Mamoru,feeling it somehow fit that he should keep it.
"Whoever our new enemy is,I have felt no twists in time-space.So no time-travel has taken place.Hotaru,have you felt anything?"
The little girl shook her head."No,nothing at all." The others were slightly concerned for Hotaru.Ever since her Eternal transformation she'd grown more distant and thoughtful.She sat now,quietly,with hands folded.
"So Usagi left the necklace with Mamoru-san?"Michiru asked,turning her hand mirror over and over in her hands.
"And your mirror has picked up nothing?"
"No."
Hotaru cleared her throat and stood."It seems evident to me that now we should go over to Usagi's house and investigate for ourselves.We may find something that was overlooked." The others nodded in agreement,and after piling into Haruka's car,drove off towards Usagi's house.
Usagi greeted them warmly when she opened the door.It wasn't often that they visited her.She led them to her bedroom where Mamoru was.He stood and smiled when they entered.
"Good Afternoon."
"Good Afternoon Mamoru-san."Setsuna smiled in return.
"Now."Usagi said,sitting down on her bed."What can I help you with?"
"We want to see the room where Arashi was taken from."
Usagi looked at Mamoru in surprise,but stood anyways.
"Follow me."she said,opening the door and leading them towards the attic stairs.Usagi stopped halfway up the stairs causing the others to bump into her.
"Usagi!"Haruka exclaimed."What are you doing?"
"There's somebody up here!"she whispered fiercly.She could see their feet under the stairrail.Polished black leather boots.
"Who's up there?"Haruka called angrily,pushing past Usagi and charging up the stairs.The others followed quickly.A young girl with snow-white hair and ice blue eyes stood before them.She laughed at them when they appeared from the stairwell.
"Who are you and why are you here?"Hotaru demanded.
"I am the Lady Akuma.I have a message for Endymion from an old friend of his."
Usagi defensively stepped in front of Mamoru but he gently pushed her behind himself.
"What is it?"he asked.
Akuma held out her hand and a letter appeared within it.It floated over to Mamoru,pulsating faintly with a soft blue light.He took it,but didn't open it.
"Now that my task is complete,I can get to the good part.Prepare yourselves!!"Akuma shouted,thrusting her fist towards the sky,unfortunately the cieling was too low,and she ended up smashing her knuckles into the roof.
"Ah!Dammit!"she shouted,grabbing her injured fist and cradling it with her other hand.The others just stared at her in disbelief.
"So I'm a little clumsy!She shouted.I can make up for it.No need for dramatics anyways."
The room around them dissolved into a fog.The senshi backed up into a circle,facing all directions.Akuma laughed as four more people appeared in the fog,surrounding the senshi.
"What's going on?"Usagi whispered.
"I guess we'll find out in a minute."Haruka answered,thrusting her transformation pen into the sky.
"Uranus Crystal Power Make-up!"
The others quickly followed suit.
"Neptune Crystal Power Make-up!"
"Pluto Crystal Power Make-up!"
"Saturn Eternal Make-up!"
"Moon Eternal Make-up!"
As the light cleared,the four senshi of the white moon and Tuxedo Mask stood in the circle ready to fight.
"And now,shall we introduce ourselves?"a voice called from the mists.
"Yes!"Four other voices agreed in unison.
Abruptly the fog cleared and they found that they were surrounded by five people.Akuma and Oniko they recognized,the others were strangers.
"I am the Lady Oniko!"Oniko shouted."Leader of the generals of the new Dark Kingdom!Daughter of the Lord Nephrite!I will avenge my father's death!"
"Nephrite?!New Dark Kingdom!"Moon exclaimed,before turning to Tuxedo Mask.He was staring at something else though,as if he didn't even hear.
"I am Lady Akuma!"Akuma shouted."Daughter of the Lord Kunzite."
"I am Lady Yomako."Another girl shouted."Daughter of the Lord Zoisite."
"And I am Lady Shiko.Daughter of Lord Jaedite."
"And last but not least!"Oniko shouted gleefully."Our very best ally and number one kidnapper of young elven girls who don't know where their place is and are always trying to foil your plans and who is now sitting in our dungeons rotting away with that other pest Lunako is-"she inhaled sharply out of breath."-the Magus Galen!"
A young elven man stepped from the shadows and smiled at them,but it wasn't a warm smile at all."Thank you for that very...thurough introduction my lady."
"It's you!"Moon exclaimed."You're the one who called me."
"Pleased to finally meet you Princess of the White Moon."he bowed gracefully,never looking down."I can see why Endymion fancied you so."
"And still does."Moon retorted.
Galen looked at her confused then laughed."I should have guessed he would be alive now.That's probably why Arashi was there in Tokyo.Ah well,whatever."he shrugged and smiled.
"Who are you?"Tuxedo said stepping forward and breaking the circle.
"Ahh Prince Endymion."Oniko sneered."It's been a long time.Although you probably don't remember us.No we weren't around during the Silver Millenium,we were born after the Dark Kingdom's second-coming."
Moon wrapped her arm about his and pulled him back,presumably out of harm's way.
"And now,we will destroy all of you and take back what was once rightfully our father's kingdom."Shiko tossed back her hair.
"Your fatehr's kingdom?"Moon exclaimed.
"Yes."Yomako answered angrily."Our fathers fought for this land while the so-called Prince of Earth was off playing around on the moon."
"Your father's betrayed the Prince."Uranus yelled angrily."They sold their souls to the Dark Kingdom."
"Shut up!!"Oniko yelled and sent a blast flying at them.They scattered as the blast missed it's mark and scorched the earth."Shut up!Shut up!"she screamed again and again,sending random and rapid shots in every direction.
"This is stupid!"Pluto yelled after dodging another attack.She stood her ground firmly,holding the Time Key in front of her like a shield.
"Dead Scream."she whispered.Her normally fatal attack flew from the end of her staff,but fizzled out before it could reach Oniko.Uranus and Neptune stared at her in shock as they too tried their attacks but were unsuccesful.
"How could you possibly expect such weak attacks to work in our dimension?"Yomako laughed gleefully."Now,Galen get the others!" Uranus,Neptune and Pluto watched helplessly as Moon,Mask,and Saturn were encircled by by Galen and the other three sisters.
Saturn raised her glaive,ready to unleash her attack,but the sisters were too close.Oniko grabbed her from behind,wrestling the glaive from her hands and kicking it away,while Akuma and Shiko fought off Moon.From where the outersenshi were standing,they couldn't see Tuxedo Mask or Galen.
"Isn't there anything we can do?"Neptune cried helplessly.
"Our attacks don't work and there's no way we'll get to them by force alone."
"Do you really want to help them?"a voice called."Do you really want to protect them?"
The room faded away into darkness and a single light appeared,flickering in the distance.Haruka,Michiru and Setsuna all nodded in agreement and headed towards the light.They didn't know where they were,or what had happened except that towards the light was the only logical place to go.Once they neared it they saw that it was a single candle,burning in the darkness,and yet casting no light anywhere.
"I can help you."the voice continued,"But only if you want to save them.Do you?"
"Who are you?Show yourself!"Haruka demanded.
"Do you?"the voice repeated.
"Yes!"Michiru cried.
A girl stepped from the darkness and lifted the candle.
"Lunako?"Michiru shook her head."What's going on?"
"Shhh."Lunako put her finger to her lips."There isn't much time left.Already the darkness is closing in.Look inside yourselves and see the power and the light that can be your salvation.There is a light burning in your heart.Use it against them.Only light can beat back the darkness."
The three outer senshi closed their eyes,but not of their own will.It was as if something had moved them to do so.They felt a warmness in their hearts,and words forming on their lips.
"You can almost say them can't you?"Lunako continued."It is your Eternal Power.With it you can save the Princess you hold so dear.That power flows from her.Now go and save her."
Haruka struggled to open her eyes,and just for a moment she saw Lunako,but she wasn't Lunako at all.Her hair was long and flowing,and angelic wings were flickering in the candlelight behind her.Her long silver dress reached the floor,but she was floating.
"Who are you?"Haruka struggled to whisper.
"Who am I?"Lunako said softly,"I am-"
The sounds of battle erupted around them and they found themsleves back in the midst of it.Yomako had presumed them gone,and run off to fight alongside the others.
"Uranus Eternal Make-up!"
"Neptune Eternal Make-up!!"
"Pluto Eternal Make-up!"
The Eternal Outersenshi smiled at their advantage,as the others had been so busy fighting,no one had noticed their transformations.
"Uranus Eternal Blade!"Uranus shouted,as the Space sword appeared in her hand.A shock of energy was released from it and blasted into Oniko who fell back screaming in pain.The others halted to see what the problem was.
"Neptune Eternal Tide!"Neptune shouted as the Deep Aqua Mirror appeared in her hand.A wave of energy slammed into Shiko and knocking her away from Moon.
"Pluto Eternal Crimson Time Fury!"Pluto screamed,the garnet orb flashed blood red before a wave of energy was unleashed and sent towards Oniko who dodged it barely.
"Why the hell is everyone attacking me?"she screamed and then vanished.The others quickly followed suit.And the senshi were once again standing in Usagi's attic.
"One hell of a fight ne?"Pluto laughed.
The breeze that rolled in from the bay was sweet and smelled of the ocean.Makoto lifted her face to it and let it wash over her.It rifled her hair and lifted her spirits.Beside her Asanuma leaned against the railing, staring out to sea.
"I knew something had happened to you when I didn't hear from you.But I never imagined that you had died."His voice was low and quiet."I'm glad you're back."
She turned and saw that he was smiling gently at her.
"It's the life of a Sailor soldier."she smiled."It's my destiny.I can't escape it."
He didn't say anything but continued to smile.She smiled back and looked towards the stars."I wouldn't want to escape it either.To protect everyone,Usagi...my friends...it's my dream."
He turned back towards the water.The moon was rising now,it's light reflecting on the water.
"Mako-chan?"
"Yes?"
"You would do anything to protect the Earth wouldn't you?"
"Yes."She opened her eyes and turned to him."Why?"
"Something big is coming.I may not have special powers like you and Mamoru-senpai,but I can still feel it.It has something to do with the others powering-up doesn't it?"
Makoto looked at him oddly for a moment before replying,"Something big is coming.We've all felt it too." He had been there when Usagi had told her what had happened.No need to keep secrets from him,he knew too much already.
"Is it a bad thing?"
"No."she smiled softly."Not at all."
There was silence for a moment as the two were lost in their own thoughts.Makoto wondered when she would become eternal.She hated being weaker than the others,she couldn't fufill her mission this way.
"Mako-chan?"
"Yes?"
"If it ever comes down to it...I want to help you protect the people of this Earth." Her eyes widened in surprise."Asanuma!"she whispered.
"It's our duty to help.We live here too." She nodded slightly as her expression softened."Yes.You're right.But it's our duty as Sailorsoldiers to protect not only this Earth and it's inhabitants, but all the Universe from evil.And as subjects to the Prince and Princess,we would lay down our lives to protect them and their kingdom."
The wind blew past them, rolling in off the ocean. Makoto turned her head and looked at the darkening clouds.
"A storm is coming."she thought to herself.
"Come on,"she turned and took Asanuma's hand."Let's get out of here."